"The disappearance of a Ministry of Magic employee can be a big or small matter, but it just so happens that Jorkins is an employee of the Department of Magical Games and Sports, and at a time like this..."
Sherlock could understand the meaning behind Kingsley's words.
The Quidditch World Cup was being held in Britain, so naturally, the Department of Magical Games and Sports was responsible for the tasks related to it.
At such a time, for something like this to happen would inevitably raise suspicions.
Speaking of this, Kingsley finally snapped back to reality and shook his head.
"Let's not talk about this during the holidays. It's rare to have some time to rest; it's a waste to keep thinking about work."
Sherlock glanced at him, remembering that seventeen years ago, when Kingsley had just entered the Ministry of Magic and was already making a name for himself, he had been just as much of a workaholic as he was now—very similar to Eddie in that regard.
Neither of them felt particularly shy as they each bought a fluffy cotton candy (the kind that could float like a helium balloon) from the street in Diagon Alley. They squatted in front of a pet shop, eating their sweets while teasing the aloof Owl in a cage and chatting about rumours and anecdotes from the Wizarding World.
"Who do you favour in this World Cup?"
Kingsley grabbed the cotton candy that had almost accidentally flown away and ate half of it in one bite.
Like most British people, he had an extraordinary fondness for sweets.
Sherlock tilted his head and thought for a moment.
"I don't know much about Quidditch, and I'm even less aware of the popular teams around the world. However, I do know that the Bulgarian team has a star player named Viktor Krum, so that team should be quite formidable."
"Krum is indeed young and promising, the youngest Seeker in a Quidditch World Cup final to date," Kingsley remarked, but then continued, "But that's also why I don't favour the Bulgarian team. This young Seeker is powerful, but his teammates' strength is average. In the previous matches, he basically carried them single-handedly. Against an opponent like the Irish Team, they might not be so lucky."
Unlike Sherlock, Kingsley was clearly a loyal Quidditch fan; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to list the strengths and weaknesses of the two teams in the final so thoroughly.
Sherlock curled his lip and glanced at him.
"What's the use of saying all that? You don't have time to watch the match anyway, which is why you gave me both Moody's ticket and your own."
Kingsley didn't mind Sherlock's sarcasm.
"Hobbies and duties must have a priority; one must focus on the work of an Auror."
"You're not getting any younger; haven't you thought about starting a family?"
"If I want to stay in this Auror position until retirement, I won't get married."
"Like Moody? Dedicating your whole life to the Ministry of Magic? But Moody officially retired not long ago, didn't he?"
Speaking of this, the smile on Kingsley's face deepened.
"Yeah, that old madman was really lucky to survive until retirement. During the darkest decade or so of the Wizarding World, few Aurors survived from beginning to end. Moody is lucky enough to have only lost a leg and an eye."
"On the night he officially retired, the Ministry held a small party for him. But he's been an Auror all his life; even in retirement, he still has that same temper. He stares at everyone with a sour face all day long, thinking everyone is a Dark Wizard."
"He was the Ministry's ace for so many years. The only person he ever truly respected was your mother."
Mentioning Sherlock's mother made the atmosphere turn heavy.
Sherlock's feelings for the Original Owner's mother, Sally Forrest, were very special.
Although the current Sherlock wasn't her real son, he could feel her love for her child and admired her immensely.
Furthermore, his most important magical technique now, Control Magic, was mastered thanks to Sally's research, and the crescent moon mark she left behind still protected Sherlock as if he were her biological son.
Sherlock did not take these things for granted.
He never considered himself a good person, but he understood the principle of repaying kindness.
Regarding the upheaval in the Original Owner's family, Sherlock had also tried his best to find clues during his time returning to the past.
But aside from some traces she left in the underground study of that small courtyard on Magnolia Crescent, there were no other clues.
He even specifically consulted the internal archives of the Ministry of Magic, but found no relevant records; Sally's descent into madness was inexplicably mysterious.
And those who knew the truth back then, including Snape, had almost all taken a Secrecy Charm, hiding the secret forever. Unless Dumbledore nodded in agreement, Sherlock wouldn't be able to see the secret even if it were placed right before his eyes.
"So, when will you all be able to tell me these things?"
Kingsley, who had already realised he had said something he shouldn't have, looked annoyed, but words once spoken could not be taken back.
"Withholding these things from you was a decision made together by those who knew at the time. However, when you entered the Ministry of Magic to become an Auror, someone proposed telling you the truth, but it was vetoed by Dumbledore. He probably felt the time wasn't right yet."
Sherlock didn't press Kingsley further; he simply sighed and looked at the sky.
"Then when exactly will it be 'the right time'?"
After a long silence between the two, Sherlock spoke again.
"Actually, I can guess a bit. The problem must lie with You-Know-Who. Your hesitation to tell me is likely related to him as well."
Kingsley hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"Before, it was for the best that you didn't know certain things. But after joining the Order of the Phoenix, Dumbledore will definitely tell you; it's just that he hasn't made up his mind yet."
Sherlock remained silent, recalling the reactions of the others at the banquet when he first joined the Order of the Phoenix.
Except for Moody, almost no one present agreed with Dumbledore's decision, yet he had stubbornly insisted on pushing it through in the end.
It was likely that Dumbledore already had a plan in mind back then to tell him some things.
But Sherlock couldn't figure it out. He even knew about Lord Voldemort's Horcruxes now and had already destroyed two of them. What else could Dumbledore possibly be withholding from him?
Just as he was puzzled by this, Kingsley changed the subject at the right moment.
"Actually, besides the Quidditch World Cup this year, another large-scale event is expected to be held in Britain, and the location is Hogwarts."