"When someone knocks four times—that's not normal. Most people only knock twice, maybe three times at most."
When Hannah Abbott asked how he knew she was troubled, Sherlock gave this as his answer.
"You really do live up to your name, Holmes!" Hannah exclaimed in amazement.
In truth, she was troubled.
"Well then, let's get started."
Sherlock brought his hands together, resting his chin on them as he fixed his sharp gaze on the young witch.
Hannah nodded, took a deep breath, and began recounting the events.
"My father works at the Ministry of Magic in the Records Department.
A few days ago, while organizing a batch of classified documents, he must've made a mistake and filed one in the wrong place.
Someone in the Ministry seized on this and accused him of intentionally leaking confidential information.
Now he's facing serious disciplinary charges—and could even be sent to Azkaban!"
By this point, tears welled in Hannah's eyes, and her voice trembled with emotion.
Sherlock either didn't notice or chose not to acknowledge it. He calmly opened his notebook and continued:
"Did your father mention anything unusual about the document? Think carefully—even the smallest detail could be crucial."
"He said it was secured with a special encryption spell. Only a specific magical key could open it."
"And where was the document stored?"
"Locked in a vault protected by multiple layers of defensive enchantments."
"You're sure?"
"Yes. My father told the Ministry the same thing. But somehow, the document turned up somewhere else."
Sherlock frowned slightly, tapping the desk with his fingers. After a pause, he asked again:
"Before the document was found in the wrong place, was there anything unusual at the Ministry?"
"Unusual?"
Hannah looked puzzled.
"Like, did anyone visit your father's office unusually often? Or were there any magical fluctuations detected?"
Hannah closed her eyes, brows knitted as she strained to recall. Sherlock remained silent, patiently watching.
Hermione glanced between the thoughtful Hannah and the composed Sherlock. In that moment, the contrast between them couldn't have been clearer.
"Wait!"
Hannah's eyes suddenly lit up. "My father did mention that a few days before the file disappeared, the security wards in his office fluctuated briefly.
He checked everything thoroughly but found nothing suspicious, so he didn't think much of it."
Sherlock nodded and turned to Hermione. "Tell me, my friend—if someone tried to bypass protective enchantments on a vault using magic, would it cause magical fluctuations?"
"Absolutely," Hermione answered without hesitation, before realizing something. "Wait—are you suggesting—?"
"Hold on. I still have more questions."
Hermione didn't mind the interruption. She was long used to Sherlock's manner of doing things.
Of course, this was just how he operated.
Sherlock then questioned Hannah in detail about her father's office layout, the vault's placement, and her father's usual work routine.
Fortunately, Hannah had visited the Ministry often growing up and could answer most of his questions—though not always with precise detail.
But that was no problem.
"My mum managed to sneak out a copy of the Ministry's investigation report," Hannah said, pulling out a thick stack of papers. "And this letter—my father wrote it to explain what happened."
Sherlock, who had still been frowning, suddenly brightened.
While Hannah's descriptions were helpful, the report and her father's written account were far more valuable.
He carefully studied them and began sketching diagrams in his notebook.
Unfortunately, he couldn't inspect the Ministry vault in person.
Looks like I'll have to pull a Poirot this time, he thought.
Thankfully, the report was fairly detailed. Despite some unclear parts, it was enough for him to form a working theory.
"I believe... the truth is already clear."
Sherlock looked up at the stunned faces of Hermione and Hannah.
That was fast.
"The culprit is likely your father's rival at the Ministry—someone who's long coveted his position. He seized this opportunity to frame him."
"Mr. Holmes, who are you talking about?"
Hannah looked completely baffled.
"Light Black. Mr. Brightshade."
"What? Him?" Hannah exclaimed. "But he's never had any bad blood with my dad!"
Sherlock shook his head and explained:
"According to your father's letter and the Ministry's report, the encryption used on the document is an ancient and complex magical cipher.
Only someone well-versed in archaic magic could possibly break it.
There aren't many such people—but Light Black is one of them.
Also, your father's vault required at least three distinct magical locks to be bypassed simultaneously. That demands not only advanced magical skill but also an insider's understanding of the Ministry's security system.
Light Black, as it turns out, is in charge of the very system for your father's department. Suspicious, isn't it?
There's more—"
Sherlock pointed at his sketched map.
"The report shows that Mr. Brightshade visited your father's office unusually often in the week before the document vanished, staying for long stretches each time.
Officially, he said it was to 'discuss work.'
But your father recalled those conversations being trivial at best.
This suggests he was scouting for the perfect opportunity to act—your father simply didn't pick up on it.
And he's long been jealous of your father's talent—granted, that's my deduction. But I doubt I'm wrong.
Just last month, he lost out to your father in a promotion review. That's a powerful motive."
Hannah listened with a mix of shock and elation.
Hermione gently patted her hand, her eyes shining as she looked at Sherlock.
"Holmes, that was amazing! So what do we do now?"
"Don't worry, Miss Abbott. The next step is gathering solid evidence—to prove your father's innocence and expose the real culprit.
Although your father is under restrictions, your mother is still free to act.
We'll need her—and your father's friends at the Ministry—to keep an eye on Light Black.
Watch for signs he's tampering with magical traces or contacting shady individuals.
Also, I recommend informing Professor Sprout. I believe she'll be willing to help.
Meanwhile, I'll be pursuing leads from here using my own methods."
He turned to Hermione.
"Hermione, I'll need you to research ancient magic decryption techniques and any known vulnerabilities in the Ministry's security system. We might find the key to how he pulled it off."
Hermione blinked. Ancient ciphers she could understand—but Ministry security loopholes? How was that public information?
Hannah, however, was too moved to care. Her eyes shimmered with tears as she expressed her gratitude.
Sherlock gave her a reassuring smile.
"Miss Abbott, the truth can never stay buried. If we search with intent, we will find it."
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