Gritting her teeth, she raked a hand through her hair, yanking out the hair tie. Her aggravation with the boys was getting to her and she took several deep breaths to calm down and collect her thoughts. She needed the password, but she was smart. She could figure it out.

Walking to the painting, she examined it carefully, thinking hard and out loud. "McGonagall didn't give me the password because she believes I can work it out for myself. I highly doubt that 'guest' is it, but 'detective' is just as unlikely." She mused. "I would strangle Dumbledore gladly if he set it as 'muggle' and I'm sure McGonagall would too. So that is definitely not it. Think Hermione!" She scolded herself. "It wouldn't be 'mystery' but since..." She trailed off as the light sparked in her eyes. "Since this is where they're staying the password might be 'two hundred and twenty-one B Baker Street'!" She exclaimed.

The portrait swung open, and she smiled brilliantly. This was why Ron and Harry had needed her. They would never have figured that out.

"Very good, Miss Granger." Sherlock said, only looking mildly impressed.

She narrowed her eyes at him. "You had it figured out as soon as we walked up, didn't you?" She asked.

He smiled at her, and she glared at him. "I did of course." He said. "But I wanted to see if the person I would be forced to work with was as dumb as Anderson."

"I'm not as dumb as him." She said disapprovingly. "I'd like to see him brew Polyjuice- forget I said that." She said hurriedly, cheeks flaming and eyes averted.

"You broke a rule?" Sherlock asked, moving closer to study her. "No, you broke several." He said.

"I brewed Polyjuice Potion in my second year because Ron and Harry were convinced Malfoy was up to something." She said, brushing her hair out of her eyes as she looked up. "I broke fifty school rules when I brewed that and then it turned out to be nothing. We were lucky we didn't get expelled." She admitted.

He looked at her odd, and she felt herself blush. It looked like he was assessing her, judging whether or not she could keep up with him.

"Good sir, if you think I can't keep up with you, you are much mistaken." She said severely.

He nodded. "Very good. I've a question though." Sherlock paused, frowning. "What are we to do without Mrs. Hudson?"

Hermione laughed, shaking her head. "The house elves will provide everything for you, and once you're more accustomed to magic, you can eat in the Great Hall if you want to." They nodded, and she gave them another smile. "I'll let you unpack then." She said, waving her wand and summoning the luggage they hadn't packed. With a smile, she disappeared.

Sherlock turned to John, who was watching him.

"Hm." Was all John said before beginning to unpack. Sherlock lounged a chair by the fireplace, thinking.

"You know you could help. Just moving around might help you think." John called from a bedroom.

"Quite right, John." Sherlock said, standing and moving to get his violin from it's case.

John's irritated sigh was heard very clearly by Sherlock.


"Hermione!" Ginny called. "You have explaining to do!"

The Gryffindor Princess found herself on the couch, surrounded by girls, with Ginny flanked by Parvarti and Lavender, with several other girls.

"How," Ginny began. "How did you manage to steal Sherlock Holmes?" She demanded.

"I didn't steal him!" Hermione protested. "It just sort of happened! McGonagall kind of blind-sided me with that!"

"Thestral shit." Lavender said. Hermione stood in anger, tired of listening to them down talk her.

"Leave me alone. Ginny, you're just angry because Ron is failing in school and I'm not helping him. Well get over it." She snapped, shoving past the girls, breaking the ring they'd formed. "Also, if you keep on like this, the Heir of Slytherin will make you pay." She hissed.

Only after she had left the common room did she think back on what she'd said. Why had she threatened them with the Heir of Slytherin when she was the one in real danger?

Heading to the library, she was surprised to find Sherlock and John there, pursing the books.

"Mr. Holmes, Mr. Watson, I didn't expect to see you hear. Why wasn't I told the guests I'm supposed to show around went somewhere without me?" She asked.

John gave his companion a look, before responding. "Our apologies. He was restless, and I refused to let him go anywhere without me."

"The library was easy enough to find, most libraries are on this floor of older castles, and the portraits were most helpful." Sherlock said, looking up from his book at her.

His green eyes searched hers, and she had the most odd feeling like he was searching for approval. 'Sherlock's anxious around in the wizarding world.' Hermione realized. She smiled at them, seeing the relief in Sherlock's eyes.

Doubtless John had noticed their little staring fit and raised his eyebrows at Sherlock, who made a 'later' gesture. Hermione watched it with amusement before pulling out her Potions book and settling down to take notes.

Her peace was interrupted a few minutes later. "Good to know someone pays attention in my class." Snape drawled.

Sherlock and John looked up in unison, while Hermione simply finished the notes she was making. "Professor." She greeted him. "This is Sherlock Holmes and his companion, John Watson. They're here to investigate the Chamber of Secrets, and I always pay attention in class." She said.

"Then why are Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley failing?" He asked smoothly.

"Because that's what their grades are. They want an E, they work for it. Not me." Hermione said, rolling up her parchment and packing her bag.

Snape introduced himself to John and Sherlock for politeness sake, then zoned back in on Hermione. "I like that philosophy, Ms. Granger. Stick to it." He advised in a very Un-Snape-like manner.