The mastermind behind Hogwarts

Chapter 12 The Journey Begins at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters

Time flies, and nine months have passed in the blink of an eye, bringing us to the end of August 1988.

During this time, Lockhart bought two shops in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade, selling bird-egg yolk shampoo.

Lockhart's fame attracted a large number of wizards who were curious why Lockhart, a writer, was going into business.

However, after the first wizard used the newly purchased shampoo to wash his hair and solved his long-standing problem of dry and yellow hair, many wizards rushed to buy it.

Surprisingly, unlike Lockhart's novels where a bottle of shampoo costs more than ten Galleons, a 500ml bottle of shampoo costs only one silver sciutto.

This price was enough to tempt witches, especially young witches, who carried boxes and boxes of them home.

Who wouldn't want their long hair to be shiny and smooth!

Therefore, by the time Lucius Malfoy noticed Lockhart's small business, it was too late.

Lockhart's two stores are packed with people every day. In terms of reputation and effectiveness, the Bird Snake Egg Yolk Shampoo also far surpasses the Quick Smooth Hair Treatment.

The pure-blood family desperately wanted to do something, but didn't know where to begin. The Potter family was practically extinct—even the last Potter was locked in his aunt's cupboard.

Besides the Potters, which other pure-blood family makes shampoo? They can only watch helplessly as Lockhart gradually takes over the shampoo market.

Lockhart was overjoyed; he knew this was just the beginning!

Lockhart excitedly ran back to the castle to ask Moriarty about his next plans, and Moriarty told him that he was going to Hogwarts.

A week ago, Professor McGonagall Tolohart brought Moriarty her Hogwarts acceptance letter, but she couldn't find the location of Slytherin Castle.

Lockhart slapped his forehead, chuckling sheepishly, "What a forgetful me! I completely forgot about the young master starting school. Well, of course the young master will be attending Hogwarts; that will be Hogwarts' greatest honor!"

Moriarty nodded calmly, but his heart was far from at peace. After more than a year in the Harry Potter world, he was finally able to systematically learn the magic of this world.

On the morning of September 1, Moriarty got up an hour earlier than usual and took a comfortable hot bath in the bathroom.

Before heading to Hogwarts, Moriarty decided to use up his accumulated lottery winnings to see what good prizes he could get.

"System, how many draws do I have?" he asked.

"The host has accumulated 18 exploration draws and 1 achievement draw."

「先给我来一个18连抽，然后再抽成就抽奖！」莫里亚蒂这样安排是有原因的，一次探索抽奖的奖品包括20个日常用品、10个魔咒、10种魔药、5个鍊金术道具、5种魔法生物。

Drawing multiple times will undoubtedly increase the probability of winning a good prize.

"Okay, good luck, host!" The system quickly drew the prize.

"Congratulations, host, you have obtained 5 everyday items: a teacup used by Queen Victoria, three quill pens used by Gryffindor students 500 years ago, a pair of chopsticks, a 15th-century second-class Merlin badge, and a large color TV!"

Congratulations, host, you have drawn 6 spells: the Heart-Crushing Spell, the Forgetting Spell, the Banishing Spell, the Grinning Spell, the Front Teeth Like Big Sticks, and the Crying Under the Snow.

Congratulations, host, you have drawn four potions: Water of Life and Death, Buffet's Mind-Awakening Potion, Nagging Soup, and Fox-Switch Eliminator.

Congratulations, host, you have drawn two alchemical items: Kara Boots - Increases movement speed by 12% (effective for 3 days), and the Unlucky Hat - The wearer will experience two hours of bad luck (believed to be a defective product of a medieval alchemist's failed attempt to create a lucky hat).

Congratulations, host, you have drawn a magical creature: Peruvian Venomous Fang Dragon Egg.

This lottery has ended, and the rewards have been distributed. We wish you, host, a speedy rise to the mastermind behind the scenes!

Moriarty felt a warm current flow from his mind to his whole body. In an instant, he learned the spell and potion he had drawn, and the rest of the prizes were put into the system space by the system.

Moriarty ignored the everyday items he drew, but mentally reviewed the spells and potions he had drawn and realized that he had still come out ahead.

Newly enrolled wizards cannot learn the Cruciatus Curse or the Exorcism Curse, while Crying Under the Snowfall is a water elemental spell, a type of magic that attacks the mind.

Baffy, a brain-boosting agent, is also very useful.

Moriarty taught himself several ancient magical scripts, such as Nirman, which were on the verge of being lost. It would be a lie to say he wasn't tired.

The system currently has no way to help Moriarty with this, but Baffa's Mind-Awakening Potion can.

The last dragon egg was, of course, a rather interesting and adorable little thing.

Moriarty was very satisfied with the lottery draw, and he hoped the achievement lottery would be just as impressive: "System, give me an achievement lottery draw!"

After the system's usual blessing, it replied: "Congratulations, host, you have drawn a small bottle of Felix Felicis! Friendly reminder: Using Felix Felicis in combination with the Lucky Hat will have unexpected effects."

A small vial of Felix Felicis, about an ounce, immediately appeared in the system space.

"Felix Felicis... Hmm, okay, okay. Although I won't need it for now, I'll use it eventually."

Moriarty finished his bath and overall thought the lottery was pretty good; having good luck before heading to Hogwarts is quite important.

He stepped out of the bath, put on a bathrobe, and looked at himself in the mirror: he was taller than his peers, with a high nose bridge and a fair and handsome face, exuding a cold and stern look.

The other pairing—soft gray hair draped lazily over the shoulders, gray eyes as clear and bright as crystal—added a touch of mystery.

"Young master? Breakfast is ready. Would you like to eat now?" Luke's voice came from outside the washroom. He knew that Moriarty would be heading to King's Cross Station after breakfast.

The house-elves have already prepared the necessary textbooks and supplies for Moriarty.

After Moriarty dressed himself, he went to the restaurant and found Lockhart, Ingo, and all the house-elves there.

They took turns congratulating Moriarty, and even Ingo said a few simple, cheerful words.

After everyone had a pleasant breakfast, Moriarty left Slytherin Castle.

Around 11:30, Moriarty arrived at King's Cross Station. His suitcase was packed into a bag with a Seamless Stretch Charm, so he didn't have to drag heavy luggage or push a cart like other young wizards.

On the contrary, Moriarty's good looks frequently attracted attention.

Poseidon, the snow owl that Luke bought for Moriarty, perched on Moriarty's left shoulder, aroused even more curiosity. Several children were eager to try and make Poseidon fly.

But when they reached platform 9, Moriarty disappeared in the blink of an eye!

"This is Platform 9¾."

Moriarty smiled slightly. He knew how to get onto the platform, of course. He saw the flowing crowds—wizards everywhere, as well as owls, toads, and cats.

It's so lively here, it doesn't feel like a train station at all; it's more like a scene from a fantasy movie.

The sounds of noisy conversations, the dull thud of luggage dragging on the ground, and the barking of various pets... all echoed each other.

Of course, most importantly, a deep red steam locomotive was parked next to the crowded platform.

The sign on the train reads: The Hogwarts Express!

"Ding-dong~ Host detected that he has discovered the Hogwarts Express. Reward: one exploration lottery draw."

Moriarty found the modes of transportation in the magical world very interesting.

Portkeys and Floo Powder can be seen as tools of the same type, while flying brooms, the Hogwarts Express, and the Knight Bus are of another type.

Take this express train for example, it involves 167 memory spells!

Moriarty, who had just learned the Oblivion Spell, became very interested in it.

As he pondered, he made his way through the noisy crowd to the train. The young wizards on board were chatting excitedly, but one little boy inadvertently spotted Moriarty and covered his mouth, letting out a scream…

Moriarty walked away indifferently. He didn't like noise, so he went to the back of the car, where there was indeed an empty compartment.

Moriarty sat down by the window, took out "Theory of Magic," and continued reading from where he left off last time.

This is a magic book about the relationship between ancient runes and spells. Moriarty used his spare time to expand his knowledge of potions and runes.

Regarding large memory spells, clues may be found in runes.

(End of this chapter)