Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Seventh Safeguard

Chapter 15 ~ The Headmaster

We took the broomsticks back up the long shaft and back again into the light of day. The map showed no one near, and Harry had not yet received any sign that Riddle had heard. This was slightly disquieting, but the last Harry had seen, Riddle was overseas. We realized it might be some time before the news got to him.

We had now only to wait. The children decided that we might as well stay as we were, since no one would have any reason to come anywhere near this part of the castle at the moment.

But Sherlock Holmes clearly had no intention of waiting anywhere. Indeed his manner suddenly became quite brisk and animated as he informed Harry that there were one or two points he should like to clear up, and that he thought he could do so best by a brief investigation of a few things in the castle. No, he did not need any of the children to accompany him, but he would appreciate the loan of the map, since they were not likely to need it in here. It was a testament to the enormous confidence which they had come to have in my friend that they did not even state objections to this. Hermione thought it well to go over a few of the dangers again, but no one attempted to forbid or dissuade him. As he and I were leaving the room, Sherlock turned suddenly.

"If we are not back by the time Riddle has set out for Hogwarts, contact me."

The children glanced around at each other, and Harry hesitantly nodded.

"No really. I mean it, Harry. I've made you a number of promises over the course of this venture. I have done, and will do, my utmost to fulfil them. Now I'm asking one of you. When you hear from Riddle, I need to know."

"Is it really so important, Mr. Holmes?" asked Harry. "I mean, no offence meant, and I'm sure you can understand ..."

"Of course I do. And none taken. I can appreciate your concern. But it is very important. Do you promise?"

With some reluctance, Harry did.

Once out in the corridors again, and quite alone, I ventured the question of 'where' myself.

"We're going to call upon upon the headmaster." said Sherlock without breaking stride.

I stopped in surprise; then ran to catch up.

"Sherlock! We're burglars! We can't just go walking into the headmaster's office!"

"Did you bring the duct-tape?"

"Yes."

"Well, no worries then."

"Look, Sherlock, I know think there's more going on with Severus Snape than everybody else realizes. But you've told me yourself, he's a dangerous man!"

"Oh, I quite agree, very dangerous. But then I am too. And I have duct-tape."

"You are joking, right?"

"Just part of the way."

"Well, joking none of the way – why are we doing this? If this is about Harry, how will it help him?"

Sherlock turned around.

"Dumbledore must have left information with someone. He, understandably, did not leave it with Harry. So who would he have left it with? As far as I can tell, Kingsley Shacklebolt does not know. Lupin obviously has no clue. In fact, none of those Order members whom we have met seem to be in the slightest aware of any danger that area.

"Several things stood out to me in Harry's portrayal of Dumbledore's behaviour the night he was murdered. One, that after completely and absolutely trusting a man for years – defending him to Harry that very night – Dumbledore would quite suddenly, and with no evidence that I can discern, take the man's treachery so for granted that rather than expecting him to aid him, he pleaded with him for his life. And note: I don't gather that Dumbledore was generally the pleading type. Two, that when confronted by a murderous teenager he did not even attempt to defend himself. Three, he froze his companion, a reasonably competent Wizarding fighter, who could have helped to prevent the tragedy. There is also Professor Snape's own peculiar behaviour, but we've already gone over that."