Preamble

In this chapter you will be given some background story, timeline, and an explanation of my choice on the characters' House placement, as well as an introduction to the Hogwarts' staff at the time of the story. Please note that you do not have to read this chapter in order to understand the story, but it will give you a better insight of it.

Timeline and Other Important Matters

I allowed myself some liberties in order for all characters to be roughly the same age and to have Mycroft around at times as well, because I really wanted to include him in the story.

The story takes place whilst Sherlock is in his fifth year at Hogwarts. I used the timeline provided by some setlock pictures for Sherlock's birthdate: 6th January 1977 and at the beginning of the story he is fifteen years old. I do realise this timeline would clash with the real Harry Potter's but this is an AU so I figured it would be of no real use to try and contour it in any way.

Apart from Irene Adler, who is in her sixth year, all main characters are, like Sherlock, attending their fifth year. I had the necessity of creating a few charms and a Ministry Office, Healers Without Borders which is the wizarding version of our Doctors Without Borders, as you may have deduced, as well as a school newspaper and new school classrooms.

You can check the charms I made up and their use at the end of the story, to avoid spoilers.

Characters' childhood

John Watson and Mike Stamford

Mike Stamford and John Watson grew up together in a wizarding neighbourhood.

However, their knowledge of Muggles is very broad. Mike's parents work at the Ministry of Magic, in the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office, so Mike has been surrounded by Muggles' items all of his life. Also, despite being a pure-blood, his parents have always incentivised him to learn more about Muggles and other creatures, like Goblins and House Elves (they do own a house-elf, who they treat as part of the family.)

John Watson has always led a lonely life. His parents – also pure-blood – work as Healers Without Borders and John had been raised mostly by his only living grandparent - his grandmother - until she passed away one year before he went to Hogwarts.

Whilst Mike has taught all he knows about Muggles to John, John has spent many afternoons reading healing books at his parent's library, information he has easily learned and passed on to Mike. John's sister, Harriet, is a Gryffindor who has just finished her last year at Hogwarts and takes all of John's parent's attention – which is already scarce - causing trouble at every step.

John and Mike's friendship is an exchange of knowledge. However, whilst Mike is certain he wants to become a Healer and a Healing Professor, John feels like he may want to look for a more thrilling career himself.

Mike is the scholar; John learns fast but doesn't have patience to learn by cramming. This is why, when they go to Hogwarts, they stop spending as much time together as before.

In one point they are the same, though: accepting.

Sherlock Holmes, Mycroft Holmes and Molly

Sherlock, Mycroft and Molly live in a Muggle neighbourhood. Sherlock and Mycroft's parents are half-blood but both wizards, Molly lives alone with her father, a Muggle.

Sherlock and Molly met at their Muggle primary school and even though Sherlock doesn't necessary loathe her company, he doesn't search for it at first either. He likes spending time alone because most people have trouble following his train of thought, so he doesn't always indulge her. When he does, it's mostly because he is bored and has grown to admire Molly's persuasion. Also, because she was the only one who didn't run screaming when he showed up at primary school on his first day with a dissected frog. Her father is a doctor and he has taught her a few things he has learned from his job. Having grown up in a wizard family and not mingling with the Muggles around him, these things fascinate Sherlock.

Molly's goal is to become a researcher and help what she calls 'doctors like my father' but in the wizarding world. Sherlock doesn't know if there is anything he can become that will be able to fulfil his need for action, to dismiss his almost constant state of boredom. One thing he is certain: he doesn't want to become involved with the Ministry of Magic because that's what Mycroft wants to – and Sherlock is certain he will - do.

Gregory Lestrade

Muggle-born, wanted to become a Detective like his mother and cried for a whole day when he received his letter to Hogwarts. Neither he nor his parents knew anything about Magic or the Wizarding World and the idea of a separation didn't go well on any of them.

Gregory claimed that none of it was his division but his father explained that he would have to do the best he could with the situations he came across. So he left to Hogwarts with reluctance, but certain he would find a way to fulfil his dream of becoming a Detective.

Sally Donovan

Muggle-born just like Lestrade. Fierce, she took the news of being a wizard lightly: rationalising that it explained a lot of things that had happened since she was a child. She is proud of being different and is still unsure of her future, but she knows she will be able to decide what to do when the time comes and she believes there's no use in worrying ahead of time.

Philip Anderson

Shy, lonely, focused, clever. Pure-blood, his parents are very strict, and in their understanding, the wizarding world has a chain of power and they are at the top. They demand Anderson to stay away from non-pure-blood, a rule that he ignores completely. Good-hearted, he struggles to keep the cover around his parents for fear of retaliation, but at school he is the first one to defend those in need, the oppressed and bullied.

His parents want him to become involved with the Ministry when older; he wants to work with Healers in some way and in research, to prove that there is no difference between the pure-blooded and Muggle-born.

Irene Adler

Both her parents are journalists and run, despite their efforts, a minor wizard magazine whilst working freelance for smaller newspapers. Irene grew up between stories and made-up tales and their parent's ambition was passed on. She has a gift with words and an ability to tell stories by distorting them and yet still keeping the essence of the truth. Argumentation and physical appearance are her most reliable treasures and her parents' busy life has always allowed her more liberty than recommended. Pure-blood.

James Moriary and Sebastian Moran

Moriarty and Moran met at Muggle primary school.

On the first day of school Moriarty hung an older boy by his ankles to a tree using a rope and a rudimentary pulley system. Moran made a slingshot and spent the afternoon improving his aim with Moriarty's directions. It was enough to start a friendship.

A cunning team, James is the brain, the plot deviser; Seb is the plan's executor. It works perfectly fine. Both pure-bloods who grew up in a Muggle neighbourhood.

Mrs. Hudson

Keeper of the library pretends she doesn't see students eating around the library's corridor, and smuggles biscuits herself in times of exams. Match-maker, many lonely students left the library with a date or new friends that she was kind enough to arrange.

Hogwarts Houses Placement

Sherlock Holmes - Ravenclaw

Easy placement. Sherlock puts wit, the mind and rational thinking above all. He has trouble entering the Dormitories because he has no patience for riddles, and most of the time it's Molly who bids an already furious Sherlock in.

John Watson – Gryffindor

Bravery and loyalty without precedence conceded him the place in this house. John doesn't think at first that he particularly has the House's traits but he will be soon prove otherwise.

Mike Stamford – Hufflepuff

Whilst on the train on his first trip to Hogwarts, Mike met a Hufflepuff boy rambling about their common room being next to the kitchen and the elves. As soon as the elves were mentioned Mike knew finally which house he would like to belong to, and his request to the sorting hat counted as much as any of his traits.

Mycroft Holmes – Ravenclaw

His father was a Gryffindor, his mother a Ravenclaw. Mycroft was convinced his wit would put him in Ravenclaw. The Sorting Hat balanced between placing him in Ravenclaw or Slytherin, deciding for the first option.

Seven years older than Sherlock he has a minor role at the Ministry of Magic, where he reports back to the Minister's associates and deals with less important cases whilst fighting for a chance to work for the Ministry's Secret Services.

Molly Hooper – Ravenclaw

The Sorting Hat wanted to place her in Hufflepuff for her loyalty, patience and hard work or in Gryffindor for her courage, but after seeing Sherlock being placed in Ravenclaw her choice weighted more in the end.

Gregory Lestrade – Hufflepuff

There isn't a better finder. Lestrade is good at looking for clues and figuring out small crimes like the disappearance of already finished homework and new quills. He knows that if the opportunity arises, he will become a detective, be it common in the wizarding world or not. He will not give up on his dreams. He knows patience and hard work will take him anywhere.

Sally Donovan – Slytherin

Cunning, clever, thinks for herself and doesn't let anyone influence her opinions. Gets tired of all the 'Pure-blood' conversation she so often hears, knows her value, despite being a Muggle-born. She will speak her mind when necessary, never afraid of the repercussions that might bring. People admire her and she is trustworthy. Curious, she will step in to solve strange affairs whether people want it or not. Her company and good relations with the teachers will prove valuable.

Philip Anderson – Hufflepuff

The Sorting Hat wanted to place him in Slytherin but having heard about the dungeons in the many books he had read about Hogwarts, the pure-blood stigma and disregard for other creatures, and mostly as defiance to his parents, Anderson begged to be placed into another house. Hufflepuff it was, due to his kind heart, loyalty and patience. He, Sally and Lestrade created a 'solving crimes'' team called 'The Scotland Yard.'

James Moriarty - Slytherin

Ambitious and resourceful, the sorting Hat shouted the Hogwarts House he belonged to even before being completely placed on his head. Exactly as he expected.

Sebastian Moran – Gryffindor

Partly because of his traits, – he is brave and daring- partly because Moriarty knew it would be wise to have Moran as his accomplice placed in another House.

Irene Adler – Slytherin

Ambitious, Irene doesn't see means to achieve endings. Clever, she knows exactly how to manipulate people into relaying information to her, mostly with the help of her looks. An expert in potions that she uses as needed, the House placement was easy and pleased her.

School Caretaker

Mr. Adair

Quidditch Referee

Mr. Ludos

School Nurse

Mrs. Dee Cave

Head of the Houses

Gryffindor: Cor Leonis (Male)

Ravenclaw: Grey Aquila (Male)

Hufflepuff: Amin Melis (Female)

Slytherin: Sesha Anguis (Female)

School Head Master

Professor Prudence Adara (Female)

Ministry Offices

Ministry's Secret Services

Hogwarts' Newspaper

The Pupil's Eye

Hogwarts New Rooms

Students' Potions Room

Ancient Artefacts Room