[Discontinued] When Shadows Collide, The Game Begins

Chapter Five

Harry very quickly grew to adore his new life. Every day began with a large breakfast and he was allowed to watch whatever he wanted on the TV. Then Sherlock would begin to teach him how to read and write, and the art of deduction. Harry caught on quickly, much to Sherlock's delight. Once he was good enough, Sherlock began to dig up old case files and give them to Harry to solve. Within a week, he was taking only a few hours to solve cases that would usually take the police several days.

While this was happening, Sherlock was working frantically to get the paperwork complete to finally adopt Harry. Many council workers had come over to inspect the flat, all saying that it was adequate but small. Sherlock would assure them that he was looking for a new place to live. Sherlock hated the people and the intrusions that they provided. A few had given him stern looks when Harry had gone up to them and told them everything about them. One of the many ways the two were similar was their lack of filter. 

Finally, after a month of inspections and questions, it was the day of Harry's adoption. The process leading up to this would usually take around six months, but Mycroft had pulled some strings to make it go faster. 

Harry had changed a lot in the past month. While he was still quite skinny, he was no longer emaciated. Almost everything brought a smile to his face. It had taken a long time for him to get used to three meals a day and not having to cook or clean the whole house just to get it. He had also begun to try and figure out where his scar had come from. It was an odd shape and didn't seem to be from any regular cut. He still liked it though. Though his fringe often covered it, he would gladly show it to every person he met. 

Both Sherlock and Harry were ecstatic. They were in a taxi to the courthouse and neither could stop smiling. When they arrived, they practically sprinted into the building. 

A few hours later, Sherlock and Harry Holmes left the building and went to buy some celebratory ice cream. Harry told every person he met that he just got adopted. Everyone responded with smiles and congratulatory words, though a few often looked at Sherlock warily. He would grin in response and they would quickly move on. 

When they finally arrived home late that night, Harry immediately fell onto his bed and fell asleep smiling. It had been a long day. Sherlock smiled as he tucked him in, then he went through the apartment, making sure everything was tidy, then he himself went to sleep.

*  *  *

The next day, Harry woke to the smell of frying eggs and bacon. He got up quickly and washed his hands before sitting at the small table. A plate of food was placed in front of him. A full English Breakfast. It was slightly burnt in places, but Sherlock was still only just getting the hang of cooking, so Harry ate it without complaint. 

"I've found a new flat that we can move into soon. I just need to find a flatmate," said Sherlock.

"Why do we have to move?" asked Harry.

"This place is quite small. Don't you want your own room?" Harry nodded. "I'm going down to the hospital today. I need to do some experiments. You're welcome to come, but you'll have to stay with Molly." Sherlock may have no issue with Harry solving crimes, but he would prefer it if the boy stayed away from the morgue for another few years. Harry agreed to come and they got ready to leave. 

*  *  *

When they came home later that afternoon, Sherlock began the rather small task of packing. They had bought some boxes and were done in a few hours. It tired them out, and they both fell asleep quickly that night. 

The next day, Sherlock hired a van and they drove all their stuff to the new flat, 221b Baker Street. They unpacked and spent the day settling in. Harry explored each and every corner, searching for secrets and treasure. He didn't find much and soon grew bored of this endeavour. Then he curled up on the new sofa with a book and practised reading. He was very good at it and only had to ask for Sherlock's help a few times. The book was kind of boring though, and Harry soon switched to practising his writing. Sherlock said that he was going to start school in a few months, and Harry did not want to be behind. 

Mrs Hudson, the landlady, was very nice to Harry, constantly giving him sweets and hugs. Harry found it a bit annoying, but put up with it. The toffee was worth it. Sherlock went to the Hospital alone that day, Mrs Hudson agreed to look after Harry on the condition that she would not become a nanny for him. Sherlock smiled, nodded, and left. 

Mrs Hudson decided that the best way to spend the day was to go to the London Eye. The queue was long and the city centre was packed with people, but Mrs Hudson did the easy thing. She accentuated her limp and put on a pained expression. People let her pass quickly and the two of them got to the front of the line in a few minutes. 

Harry had never been to London before. All the sights and sounds were awesome, if slightly overwhelming. When they went on the London Eye, they got a pod to themselves. Harry stood right up against the glass, staring, awestruck, at the city below. They went higher and higher and Harry looked at everything. He ran around the pod, looking at all the views of London city.

When they finally came back down, Harry was filled with energy. He ran all around the square, Mrs Hudson doing her best to follow him. She lost sight of him for a minute and panicked before finding him staring at the sign for the aquarium. 

"Can we please go in, Mrs Hudson?" asked Harry, doing his best pleading voice. Mrs Hudson nodded and they went inside.

Harry spent hours looking at all the different fish. Each one had him entranced. He read all the information plaques and asked all the employees dozens of questions. They all answered him, most of them shocked at his intellect. Sherlock had taught him well, he was way smarter than the average three-year-old.

They arrived back at 221b at around 8. It had taken a long time to convince Harry to leave when the aquarium closed. There was an unexpected guest in the flat. A short man with grey, close-cropped hair, and the way he held himself showed he was a military man. At that moment, he was quite out of breath. 

"Hi, Dad," said Harry as he entered the flat. "Who's the ex-army man?" The man looked shocked to see the small boy. 

"I didn't know you had a son," said the military man. Sherlock ignored him.

"Hello, Harry. This is John Watson. He might be staying with us soon." Harry nodded and turned to John.

"Hiya, Mr Watson. Where did you serve?" John looked quite surprised at the question. Harry smiled.

"Umm . . . Afghanistan. How did you know?" Harry went through a list of things he had picked up, looking at Sherlock for guidance occasionally. John was dumbstruck. "You're basically a carbon copy of your father," he said. Harry beamed. 

"Well," said John, "I best be off. I think I'll see you tomorrow."