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The Mysterious One. The Dark Lord. Voldemort. He had vanished.
All that remained was Harry Potter and the lightning-bolt scar on his forehead.
To this day, no one knew the reason why.
Regardless, it was an undeniable fact that the Dark Lord who had dominated the wizarding world had been defeated by an infant.
With that, the eleven-year Wizarding War came to an end, and the wizarding world was finally free from darkness and terror.
Consequently, even before growing up, Harry Potter had become a household hero, revered as "The Boy Who Lived."
Some even proposed designating the day Voldemort vanished as Harry Potter Day.
Of course, this request was ultimately not granted.
But it didn't diminish Harry Potter's special status in the magical world.
According to wizarding world customs, Harry Potter, being the same age as Sherlock, would also be starting school in the summer of 1991.
Undoubtedly, compared to Hermione Granger, Harry Potter held far greater appeal for Sherlock.
Therefore, after learning about this history from the books, Sherlock made a decision.
Upon starting school, he would quickly approach Harry Potter, using this important figure as his entry point to understanding the magical world.
Sherlock had no doubt that if the world he inhabited were a novel, Harry Potter, even if not the protagonist, would certainly be a crucial clue character.
By staying close to him, various conflicts and events would surely present themselves continuously.
That would make understanding the entire magical world much more convenient.
Furthermore, compared to adults like Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall, breaking through via Harry would undoubtedly be easier.
Of course, this was relative.
Given Harry Potter's household fame in the magical world, he would likely be the center of attention at school.
He might even have a crowd of admirers, both male and female, bustling around him, making approaching him not necessarily easy.
But the greater the challenge, the more appealing it was.
Finally, the date arrived: September 1st.
On this day, Mr. and Mrs. Holmes accompanied Sherlock to King's Cross Station.
Hogwarts was in the Scottish Highlands; this was Sherlock's deduction, confirmed by Professor McGonagall.
But traveling there by train... how should one put it?
As Mr. Holmes jokingly remarked, "Taking a train to wizarding school seems a bit ridiculous. Did they run out of magic carpets?"
What puzzled the couple even more was the train ticket, which indicated Sherlock needed to board the eleven o'clock train from Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.
Everyone knew London's King's Cross Station only had Platforms Nine and Ten; there was never any Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.
Fortunately, Professor McGonagall was a diligent staff member. While meticulously explaining how to enter Diagon Alley, she had also told him how to find this seemingly non-existent Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.
Ten o'clock, King's Cross Station.
One platform bore a large plastic number 9 sign, another a large plastic number 10 sign. Naturally, there was nothing in between.
But Sherlock knew Platform Nine and Three-Quarters lay behind the barrier between them, requiring a special method to enter.
The moment of parting had arrived.
Mr. Holmes smiled and waved continuously at his son.
Mrs. Holmes, however, turned away, her shoulders shaking, clearly unable to face the farewell.
As a sentimental person, her reaction was not surprising.
Mr. Holmes demonstrated his role as head of the family, waved goodbye to Sherlock once more, then firmly put an arm around his wife's shoulders and led her away.
Watching his parents leave, Sherlock didn't rush to run at the wall.
He first curiously reached out and touched it. It felt solid, not a mere illusion.
He knocked on the bricks; the "thud thud thud" sound proved it wasn't hollow.
Looking down, he saw distinct footprints and trolley marks leading straight into the other side of the wall. Judging by the stride length, the people had been moving forcefully and quickly.
A smile touched Sherlock's lips.
Now it seemed, even without McGonagall's instructions, he knew how to enter.
Sherlock guessed the wizards likely added this requirement—entering only by running quickly at the wall—to prevent non-wizards from accidentally stumbling through with minor contact.
There was nothing more to be said.
Face the wall, pick up speed, run!
Sherlock didn't close his eyes, yet he still felt darkness envelop him.
But it lasted only an instant.
Soon, the view opened up before him.
Directly ahead were empty tracks and a platform crowded with travelers.
Looking back, the barrier had become a wrought-iron archway bearing the sign "Platform 9".
Interesting.
A genuine smile spread across Sherlock's face.
He had initially thought the owl delivery incident was a prank.
He hadn't expected it to be the key unlocking a new world for him.
Sherlock was certain that starting from this Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, he wouldn't feel bored for a long time to come.
Since he had arrived a bit early, the Hogwarts train hadn't arrived yet.
Sherlock could only wait on the long platform.
While waiting, he didn't remain idle but observed the wizards who would soon be his classmates, analyzing their histories and pasts one by one.
This way, the long waiting time didn't feel quite so tedious.
[New student, mother is a witch, father is an ordinary person in the demolition industry, learned of wife's identity after marriage]
[Older student, enjoys attention, extroverted, strong expressive skills, often acts as an announcer/host]
[New student, parents absent for unknown reasons, raised by grandmother, forgetful, timid, lacks confidence]
...
Just as Sherlock's gaze shifted from a round-faced boy and his grandmother, searching for his next subject.
A scarlet steam engine hissed into view. A sign on the train read: Hogwarts Express, Eleven o'clock.
The moment the train stopped, people surged forward.
Thick smoke from the stationary steam engine billowed over the crowd. Soon, the first carriage was packed with students, then the second, the third...
Students boarding the train leaned out of windows to talk to their families, some roughhoused in their seats, others sat looking around curiously. The air was filled with cheerful excitement.
Sherlock didn't rush to get his ticket checked and board.
His target had not yet appeared. Until then, he would wait.
Even if the wait was long.
Finally.
When a thin boy appeared on the platform, struggling alone with a heavy trunk, a look of satisfaction crossed Sherlock's face.
Finally, I've found you!
(End of Chapter)