While waiting for Hogwarts' reply, Ms. Hopkirk from the Ministry of Magic wasn't idle.
However, she wasn't inquiring about the details of what had just happened—the school's explanation was obviously far more credible than these three young wizards'.
What she was curious about was the specific process of how Sherlock had solved the case of Hannah Abbott's father's stolen documents.
Sherlock looked toward Hermione.
Hermione didn't know why, but when Sherlock looked at her, she instantly understood his meaning.
She just understood.
So, she sighed and then began to recount the story voluntarily.
"Ms. Hopkirk, here's what happened.
Before the Christmas holidays, our classmate Miss Hannah Abbott came to Sherlock to consult him about this case..."
After Hermione finished recounting the case in as much detail as possible, Hopkirk couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
"That was absolutely wonderful!
Mr. Holmes, I must say, your judgment was extremely accurate!
When we went to arrest Wright Blake, the expression on his face was priceless!
He even refused to admit it at first, until we presented the evidence to him.
Unfortunately, he still managed to escape in the end, which was somewhat disappointing..."
"Wait, you said Wright Blake escaped... what do you mean?"
"Exactly what it sounds like!
We had already arrested Wright Blake, but unfortunately, before his formal trial, he injured our colleagues and escaped."
"..."
Upon hearing Ms. Hopkirk's words, Sherlock fell silent for a while before asking.
"When did this happen?"
"It was quite a while ago, around Easter."
"Could you tell me about the specific process of his escape?"
"Of course, but I hope Mr. Holmes and you two won't spread this around."
Hopkirk's gaze shifted to Sherlock and his two companions.
"You know, a former Ministry member framing a colleague, then being discovered and injuring fellow colleagues while escaping—this sort of thing isn't very honorable after all.
If it weren't for the fact that you originally solved this case, and Abbott and Peasegood spoke so highly of you, I wouldn't have mentioned this."
"Thank you for your trust. I'm all ears."
"Don't worry, we won't tell anyone!"
"Me neither!"
Having received assurances from all three, Ms. Hopkirk took a deep breath and began.
"Actually, the process wasn't very complicated.
The main issue was that no one expected Blake would actually try to escape—after all, he had already confessed at that point.
But just the day before his scheduled interrogation, he took advantage of the lax nighttime security and used magic to blast open the interrogation room door, then ran out.
By the time we discovered it, he had already vanished without a trace."
Hermione suddenly interjected, her eyes filled with confusion and bewilderment, even her accent changing.
"I don't understand."
"What?"
"Even if no one expected this to happen, but... Blake's escape from the Ministry seems far too smooth, doesn't it?"
Before Hopkirk could answer, Sherlock spoke quietly.
"Dear Hermione, this is actually quite normal, nothing surprising about it."
"Nor-normal?"
"I think you should remember my evaluation of that Christmas case."
"I remember, you mean..."
"I said before that the Ministry of Magic already has many security vulnerabilities.
Moreover, Blake was originally closely familiar with the internal structure of the Ministry's security system.
With the guards unprepared, accomplishing this wouldn't be difficult, but..."
Sherlock looked at Hopkirk, his gaze suddenly becoming sharp. "Blake escaped from the Ministry—didn't you organize a pursuit?"
If that were truly the case, then his evaluation of the Ministry of Magic would have to drop even further.
"We certainly did."
At this point, Hopkirk couldn't help but sigh.
"Unfortunately, Blake's usual disguise was apparently too successful.
So, until this incident, we didn't realize he was far more cunning and sinister than we had imagined.
Several excellent Aurors working together still couldn't catch him.
However, we didn't come away completely empty-handed."
"What did you gain?"
"We kept his right hand."
"Right hand?"
"To be precise, two fingers from his right hand—he was injured in the battle."
"Truly excellent Aurors, what a tremendous gain!"
Hearing Sherlock's obviously sarcastic remark, Hopkirk didn't get angry.
Mainly because she had been frustrated about this matter for a long time herself.
After this incident, most people at the Ministry recalled Blake's usual behavior and said he was just a guy with a bit of cleverness, nothing more.
Even after he framed Abbott, no one took it too seriously.
Actually, thinking about it carefully, they should have conducted a thorough investigation of Blake at that time.
The Auror Office did propose such a request.
Unfortunately, it was rejected by the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
"We can't investigate everything, can we? What if we actually find something?"
Under this guiding philosophy, Blake's case was quickly categorized, giving him the opportunity he needed.
Seeing Hopkirk's regretful expression, Sherlock said no more.
This incident just made him further aware of the Ministry's incompetence.
Initially, he thought that since the magical world had a Ministry of Magic, it couldn't be worse than Scotland Yard, no matter what.
After experiencing the Christmas case and the Greek Translator case, he deeply felt that the magical world also had its own Scotland Yard.
But now, regarding the misjudgment of Harry's magic use and letting Blake escape, his understanding was further refreshed.
This Ministry of Magic... was even worse than Scotland Yard!
As if feeling somewhat guilty herself, Hopkirk quickly added.
"But don't worry, Blake is now on the Ministry's wanted list—someday, we'll send him to Azkaban!"
Harry and Hermione nodded.
Sherlock remained noncommittal.
Given their current performance, expecting the Ministry to catch Blake?
It would be more realistic to expect Scotland Yard to catch the perpetrator of the London beheading and dismemberment case from a few years ago.
Just then, a sharp "pop" sound suddenly echoed through the room.
The next moment, Professor Snape appeared in front of everyone with his poker face.
"Professor Snape!"
Hopkirk couldn't help but show surprise, clearly not expecting this professor to come personally.
But as soon as she called out his name, Snape impatiently threw a letter at her.
"From Dumbledore!"
After saying this, he pulled out a thick stack of letters from his robes.
Harry immediately recognized them as the ones Dobby had been holding earlier.
"Professor..."
Harry looked at Snape with delight.
"Don't misunderstand, I didn't come here specifically to deliver these useless scraps of paper!"
Snape said coldly, then turned to Hopkirk, "Dumbledore just asked me to make a special trip here."
After saying this, he glanced at Harry again, made a "tsk" sound, and emphasized once more.
"This is merely incidental!"
He then waved his wand again and left directly as before.
A repeat performance.
Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment.
What was that about?
"The situation is confirmed."
As an outsider, Hopkirk naturally couldn't understand the intricacies involved.
After reading the reply that Professor Snape had brought, she appeared calm on the surface but was actually quite excited inside.
According to Ministry protocol, if an underage wizard performs magic outside school, for a first offense, they usually just receive a warning letter.
But this situation was special, involving Harry Potter—the famous savior of the magical world.
And the magic had been performed more than once, so she had come personally to handle it.
However, she hadn't expected this trip to yield far more than anticipated.
Not only did she meet Harry Potter, but she also unexpectedly encountered Sherlock Holmes, who had solved Abbott's case and the Greek Translator case last year.
From Sherlock, she was able to understand the entire sequence of events, which greatly satisfied her curiosity.
On the other hand, since this matter involved Professor Snape, a professor and head of house at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
So, she tried writing to Hogwarts for verification, just to see what would happen.
She never expected Dumbledore to actually reply to her letter.
Not only that, but in the reply that Snape had specially brought, Dumbledore's attitude was very friendly.
He not only highly praised her sense of responsibility but also thanked her for trusting his students.
Finally, he guaranteed in his capacity as headmaster that Harry had not performed magic outside school.
All of this was done by that professor named Snape.
This made Hopkirk feel incredibly honored.
Her hands trembled slightly as she carefully folded the paper with the reply and put it away safely.
You know, this was Dumbledore's authentic handwriting!
Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, Order of Merlin First Class, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry...
This long string of titles wasn't just for show.
Dumbledore had earned them all through his own abilities!
Why else would the current Minister of Magic constantly worry about Dumbledore taking his position?
It was because Dumbledore truly had that capability!
In any case, she was just an inconspicuous assistant in the Ministry's Improper Use of Magic Office, so this autograph from such a big shot must be treasured.
She took two deep breaths, trying to calm her excitement, and after restoring her professional expression, she turned to Harry and spoke.
"Mr. Potter, although our investigation has confirmed that you did not perform magic outside school this time, as a matter of duty, I must solemnly remind you.
Underage wizards are strictly forbidden from using magic outside school. If violated, you could very well be expelled."
After this symbolic warning, she frowned slightly, a hint of hesitation flashing in her eyes, and asked.
"By the way, Mr. Potter, do you need me to communicate with your guardians and inform them about this matter?"
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