Sherlock Holmes at Hogwarts

"The Ultimate Survival Handbook" – by Bear Grylls

Centering around the principle of "better safe than sorry," this book uses the author's real-life knowledge and experiences to show readers how to properly respond when encountering danger in the magical world.

Sherlock was particularly interested in the book's wilderness survival guide, as well as the author's personal experiences facing dangerous creatures such as trolls, long-tailed crocodiles, vampires, and Voles alone.

After skimming through it, Sherlock decisively bought it.

At the end of the essential list, there is also a special reminder:

[First-year students are not allowed to bring their own flying broomsticks]

This special reminder naturally caught Sherlock's attention early on.

Sherlock is not a person who follows rules blindly.

He never minds breaking rules—if necessary.

As for flying broomsticks... it's hard to say whether it's necessary to carry one, but at least he needs to figure out what this thing is.

In the Quality Quidditch Supplies shop, also located on the north side of Diagon Alley, Sherlock finally saw it.

As the name suggests, a flying broomstick is a broom that can fly in the sky.

In the magical world, it is the most commonly used means of transportation for wizards, and it is also widely used in various sports competitions.

For this novel gadget, Sherlock, who has always been curious about the unknown, naturally plunged into it.

However, after observing it for a while, he found that their prices were staggering.

The price of an entry-level flying broomstick starts at one or two hundred Galleons—which has reached the annual currency exchange limit for non-wizarding families.

High-quality flying broomsticks, such as the Nimbus 2000 and the Cleansweep Seven, two first-tier brands, cost more than 1,000 Galleons each.

According to the shop owner, the biggest use of flying broomsticks for people going to magic school, besides flying, is to participate in Quidditch matches.

That is a sport similar to soccer.

The main difference from the former is that the venue is moved from the ground to the air, and there are some additional rules.

It can be said that in the magical world, everyone loves Quidditch.

However, for various reasons, Sherlock ultimately rejected the enthusiastic boss—even though he claimed to be able to provide a way for first-year students to sneak flying broomsticks into the school.

In addition, he once again persuaded his mother to choose a pewter cauldron.

—Mrs. Holmes originally wanted to buy a pure gold one.

In addition to not being allowed to bring flying broomsticks, the admission list also reminds freshmen that they can bring an owl, toad, or cat.

According to the pet store owner, toads were once all the rage many years ago.

Because although it has no magical abilities itself, it is a high-quality object for practicing spells and testing potions.

Especially for pharmacists, its skin can attract liquids, which makes testing those potions that need to be taken orally more convenient and faster.

It's a pity that times have changed.

Toads are no longer popular.

Cats are also not good, in addition to catching mice, they are also prone to causing allergic symptoms.

So owls are the best choice.

However, in Sherlock's view, it is simply because an owl costs 15 Galleons, which is much more expensive than the average price of 10 Galleons for pet cats and single-digit Galleons for toads.

But Sherlock still chose an owl.

Just the fact that it can send letters and packages makes it worth the money.

This time, the three members of the Sherlock family rarely reached a consensus.

Next up was the part of the trip that Sherlock was most interested in.

Buying a wand.

There is only one wand shop in the entire Diagon Alley, located on the south side of Diagon Alley.

Compared to other shops in Diagon Alley, this shop looks small and dilapidated.

A wand is displayed on a purple cushion in the window, and the gold lettering on the door has peeled off, reading [Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C.]

—Perhaps not redecorating is intentional to reflect the time point of 382 B.C.

Sherlock immediately thought.

As he stepped into the shop, a tinkling bell rang.

Sherlock's eyes quickly scanned the shop.

The space here is not large, and there is no furniture except for a long chair in the corner.

Thousands of narrow cardboard boxes containing wands are piled from the floor to the ceiling, with a thin layer of dust everywhere.

Just then, a soft voice sounded: "Welcome."

Speaking was a short old man, his pair of silvery-white eyes like two bright moons in the dim shop.

[Smart, confident, lonely, compassionate, around 55 years old, just finished serving another customer]

At the first glance of Ollivander, Sherlock immediately came to this conclusion.

At the same time, Ollivander smiled and said to Sherlock and his parents:

"Looks like a Muggle-born wizard!"

Sherlock raised his eyebrows upon hearing this.

This is the second time he has heard the word "Muggle" today.

The first time was from Tom, the owner of the Leaky Cauldron.

From the context analysis, this should refer to ordinary people from non-wizarding families, but...

"Which arm do you use to wield a wand?"

Ollivander's words interrupted Sherlock's thoughts.

"Right hand," Sherlock paused, and added, "The left hand is also fine—if necessary."

Ollivander looked at Sherlock with some surprise.

He has been running this shop for so many years, and he has never heard such an answer.

After being stunned for a moment, he still gave priority to Sherlock extending his right arm and began to measure his size.

From shoulder to fingertip, from wrist to elbow, from knee to armpit, meticulously.

In this process, Sherlock was surprised to find that it was the tape measure that was operating automatically.

But thinking that this is a magical world, he quickly relieved himself.

If it can't be explained, magic fills in.

This scene was just surprising to Sherlock, but it was exciting for Mrs. Holmes.

This tool is simply amazing!

She must ask this gentleman later, with it, it will be much more convenient to make clothes for her husband and children.

After measuring the size, it was time to choose a wand.

Sherlock originally thought this was a very simple matter.

Unexpectedly, the time spent next was even longer than when his mother usually went shopping.

"Nine inches, made of willow, makes a whooshing sound when waved, it is a good wand for casting spells—come, wave it and try."

Sherlock took the wand.

But before he had time to wave it, Ollivander snatched it away.

Sherlock: (ಠ_ಠ)

What does this mean?

"Try this one, mahogany, ten and a quarter inches, more flexible."

Before Sherlock could ask, the other party had already stuffed him with a new wand.

This time Sherlock did try to wave it, but there was no reaction.

"Again, unicorn hair, ebony core, good elasticity, nine and three-quarters inches."

Something flew off the shelf next door—obviously not suitable either.

"Ash wood, phoenix feather, seven and a half inches."

"Black walnut and dragon nerve, eight inches."

"…"

Time, just passed slowly and imperceptibly.