This is a translation of the original work.On Patreon, you can read up to 5 chapters per day until we catch up with the number of chapters released by the original author.
Support us there and follow Sherlock Holmes at Hogwarts ahead of time!
Seeing Sherlock not putting on the Sorting Hat, but instead holding it and examining it closely, piqued the interest of not only McGonagall but also Dumbledore.
He leaned forward slightly, narrowing his eyes at Sherlock, but didn't intervene.
Fortunately, Sherlock's observation didn't last long. Soon, with a soft thump, he placed the hat on his head.
Just from its appearance, one could tell the hat was ancient. After all, it was covered in so much grime, dirty and greasy, and carried a strong smell of... hair oil?
I consider myself quite untidy, but I didn't expect people in the wizarding world to care even less about hygiene...
Ugh, and the last person to wear it was a baker's son...
As Sherlock mused, a small voice whispered in his ear:
"Oh, I apologize for causing your distaste, but I am merely a hat, unable to wash myself...
But how did you know the last child was a baker's son?"
Sherlock paused, then his eyes lit up. "Interesting. You can actually perceive thoughts?"
My own thoughts captured by a hat! The magical world is truly wondrous!
"No, no, no, just some surface thoughts, and only if you don't deliberately hide them – I'm no Dark Arts object, I don't possess the skill of Legilimency."
The hat explained first, then continued, "So... can you answer my question now?"
Sensing the hat's persistence, and intrigued by the hat itself, Sherlock obliged:
"Simple deduction. Your brim has traces of foil scraps and white flour residue, along with a scent of wheat overpowering the hair oil smell – of course, the previous boy's demeanor already hinted at his family background; these were merely further confirmations."
"Interesting! Brilliant!
Unparalleled intellect, admirable courage, a truly kind heart, the drive to defy rules... difficult, so difficult!
Defiance of authority, challenging rules... you will achieve great things. At your whim, Slytherin will undoubtedly help you reach glory.
Wise, learned, passionate about research, an infinite thirst for the unknown... good, Ravenclaw can elevate your insightful eyes and agile mind to new heights.
Your desire is to punish evil, uphold good, fight crime? Heavens, what a pity! If Helga Hufflepuff were still here, she would absolutely adore you!
But your unwavering courage is even more captivating. If I don't sort you into Gryffindor, Professor McGonagall will surely kill me...
This is too difficult for me!"
"..."
Sensing the Sorting Hat's dilemma, Sherlock calmly stated, "On that point, I happen to believe that bravery is the best substitute for stupidity."
And so, Sherlock and the hat began a cordial and friendly conversation.
In the Hogwarts Great Hall, during the first-year Sorting Ceremony.
The entire school, students and staff, fell silent.
Was it... really that difficult?
The previous girl had taken quite some time, but this boy was lasting even longer?
Noticing Sherlock's slender aquiline nose, many older girls secretly noted down the boy's name.
Sherlock Holmes.
The murmurs from the audience grew louder, but Sherlock remained oblivious.
Of course, even if he knew, he wouldn't care.
He was currently enjoying his chat with the hat:
"What? I can see you don't lack courage. Fearless courage can make you a hero..."
"Don't turn people into heroes. Heroes don't exist, and even if they did, I wouldn't be among them."
"B-but..."
"Sentiment is a chemical defect found in the losing side. Brainy is the new sexy."
"..."
The Sorting Hat was deeply troubled.
Because this young wizard possessed traits from all four houses, theoretically, placing him in any house would be appropriate.
However, as the conversation with Sherlock deepened, the Sorting Hat developed a certain inclination.
The choice was mainly between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw.
The hat initially intended to place him in Ravenclaw.
After all, even Sherlock himself said that brainy is the new sexy.
But.
Before making its decision, the hat keenly identified an issue.
It realized that for Sherlock, knowledge was only learned and understood if it could be useful to him.
This diverged from the core trait of Ravenclaw.
For anyone else, this small detail might be insignificant.
But for Sherlock, it became the deciding factor.
Sherlock treated knowledge as a tool – learn it if useful, ignore it if not. He wasn't like a true Ravenclaw, filled with a pure, intense desire and pursuit of knowledge for its own sake.
Conversely, his bravery was impeccable – he possessed a strong desire for exploration, and his inner courage was sufficient to overcome any obstacle.
Although Sherlock also said that bravery is the best substitute for stupidity.
But for him personally, this wasn't an issue.
Because he was genuinely brave.
The little eagles of Ravenclaw would spend their time studying, leaving no time to accompany him on adventures.
Gryffindor was different; the little lions would be eager to team up with him.
Finally, when Sherlock learned from the hat that Ravenclaw had many "knowledge bank" types, his eyes lit up instantly.
Excellent!
This way, when I need information, I can simply ask them instead of spending time learning it myself.
That would free up more time for exploration.
Thus, after much deliberation, the hat respected Sherlock's own inclination and made its final decision.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Sherlock removed the hat, bid it farewell, and walked over to the Gryffindor table.
"Congratulations!"
Hermione was naturally delighted to see someone she knew sorted into the same house.
She was about to say something when Ron's two older brothers, the Weasley twins, squeezed over directly:
"We were just saying Miss Granger nearly became a Hatstall, didn't expect a real one to show up right after!"
"Hatstall? What's that?"
Upon hearing a new term, Sherlock's interest was immediately piqued.
"It means the hat felt stalled."
"Because it didn't know which house to put you in."
"You two, be quiet!"
The Gryffindor prefect, Percy Weasley, also the twins' and Ron's older brother, rubbed his temples and spoke with some exasperation:
"They're notorious troublemakers throughout Hogwarts, Holmes. Don't listen to their nonsense."
Before term started, Percy had bought a book in Diagon Alley called Prefects Who Gained Power.
The book stated that prefects have a responsibility to maintain the house's good image in front of new students.
Therefore, he absolutely couldn't let the twins lead the first years astray – even if they were his own brothers!
He then explained the official definition of a Hatstall to Sherlock and introduced himself properly.
(End of Chapter)