Just a Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor: No More, No Less

Chapter 12: Complex Relationships

"Who is this guy? Why is Mom so excited to see him? I don't remember her ever looking that way even when Bill graduated from Hogwarts," George, one of the Weasley twins, asked, looking confused as he observed the emotional scene in front of him. It was as if their mother was reuniting with a long-lost child, and his curiosity only deepened.

Fred, also looking at Sherlock with a scrutinizing gaze, offered his thoughts. "From his age, he looks about the same as Charlie. Maybe he's connected to Charlie like we are. Maybe his parents just left him behind."

Ginny, the youngest of the Weasley children, shook her head vigorously at her brothers' speculations. "That's not possible! He doesn't look like Charlie at all! His hair is pale blond!"

"Don't you know, Ginny?" George and Fred exchanged amused looks. "Our family's hair is actually pale blond, but we just magically dye it red every year. Didn't you know?"

Ginny stood frozen for a moment, trying to process this information, before her face turned bright red. She quickly chased after her mischievous brothers, small fists swinging.

Meanwhile, the group of children from the Weasley family, along with Harry and Hermione, had quietly been whispering among themselves.

"I've seen this man before," Harry said with certainty.

Ron, looking perplexed, muttered, "You've seen him? That doesn't make sense. I haven't."

Harry nodded. "It was this summer, on my birthday. I saw him running by the side of the road outside Aunt Petunia's house."

"I think I saw him too, just now when we entered Diagon Alley," Hermione added. "I only saw his back, but it was easy to recognize him."

Ron's expression grew even more confused. "You both saw him? And now my parents are acting like they just found their long-lost son? Who is he?"

Sherlock, who had been trying to maintain his composure, couldn't help but feel just as perplexed. He was surrounded by the Weasley family, receiving looks of sympathy, which made him uncomfortable. Despite this, he kept his face neutral.

What kind of life had the original owner led?

The original owner had a father who was a wealthy Muggle and a mother who was a bit eccentric in the wizarding world. Professor McGonagall had told him to look after him as if he were a younger sibling, but now the Weasleys were treating him as if he were their own son, far more warmly than they did with their own kids.

The original owner's personality had been withdrawn and unlikeable, but still, people like Professor McGonagall and the Weasleys didn't seem to care about that. This made Sherlock feel like he was pretending to be a reluctant, distant figure while the world around him treated him like the hero.

But, appearances must be maintained.

"I don't have any issues in my life, so I'd prefer to stay out of your business," Sherlock said, his words polite, but his tone flat and uninviting. His cold expression made it difficult for anyone to take him seriously, and the group of children behind the Weasleys, including Harry and Hermione, immediately began to judge him negatively.

However, the Weasleys didn't seem bothered by Sherlock's attitude.

"It's good to have no problems," Mrs. Weasley said with a smile, still holding Harry's hand. "That's what we like to hear. Do you have any plans after Diagon Alley today? Why don't you come to our house this evening?"

She then turned to Harry. "This is your Aunt Lily's son. You must know him—his name's Harry Potter. He's twelve now, in his second year at Hogwarts."

Sherlock froze at the mention of Harry's name.

Wait—he and Harry Potter know each other? This relationship was becoming more complicated than he had initially thought.

Looking at Harry, who stood before him with a puzzled expression, Sherlock finally broke the silence.

"Hello, Potter. I've heard your name even when I was still at Hogwarts," Sherlock said, trying to sound cordial, though his tone remained indifferent.

Harry hesitated, extending a hand to shake Sherlock's, clearly sensing the cool distance in his demeanor.

"Hello… this is a bit odd," Harry muttered.

Sherlock's lips curved into a faint, impersonal smile. "Given my current status, you should address me as Professor Forrest."

At his words, the surrounding crowd gasped in surprise.

"Professor Forrest? What subject do you teach?" Harry asked, astonished.

"Defense Against the Dark Arts," Sherlock replied casually.

Mrs. Weasley smiled with delight, stepping forward. "Oh, that's wonderful, Sherlock! I'm so glad you've found your calling. I've heard that the Defense professor, that Gilderoy Lockhart, was actually a criminal. I didn't expect Dumbledore would appoint you as the new professor!"

Mrs. Weasley looked a bit melancholic. "But I've also heard… the Defense professor position doesn't seem very safe."

Before Sherlock could respond, Mr. Weasley shot his wife a disapproving look. "Molly, you shouldn't listen to those rumors! It's all nonsense. If you look at all the past Defense professors who had 'accidents,' they were all their own fault. It's got nothing to do with the job itself!"

Sherlock stayed silent, knowing all too well that his new role as the Defense professor was anything but stable.

Mr. Weasley, oblivious to Sherlock's inner thoughts, continued, "We're just about to take the kids to the bookstore for their new term textbooks. Why don't you come along with us? You've been missed since you left the Ministry!"

Without waiting for an answer, he grabbed Sherlock's arm, practically pulling him along as they headed toward Flourish and Blotts.

As they walked, the young wizards behind them whispered among themselves.

"It's him! The one who replaced Lockhart," Hermione said in disbelief. "He's so young! I thought he'd be in his late twenties."

After Lockhart's arrest, the Daily Prophet had reported that Sherlock had been chosen as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. A reporter named Rita Skeeter had mocked Dumbledore for hiring an unknown person, which angered many of Lockhart's former supporters, including Hermione and Mrs. Weasley.

Ron complained, "Lockhart wasn't even thirty! This guy looks like he's in his early twenties."

Fred and George exchanged looks before speaking in unison. "This guy looks really full of himself, just like Percy."

Percy glared at them from the side.

Harry, however, glanced back toward where Sherlock had been standing just a moment ago, his expression thoughtful.

"Professor Forrest," Harry mused quietly, "he was about to buy ice cream earlier, but then stopped when he saw us."