The mastermind behind Hogwarts

Chapter 120, Page 59: Enjoying Narcissa's Services

Lucius quickly invited Moriarty into the house. The afternoon tea party was to be held on the second floor of the villa. Moriarty and Lucius walked up the stairs side by side, and a set of furniture specially designed for tea came into view.

The golden dining table, with its four curved legs inlaid with pearls, and the beechwood chat chairs covered with fox fur, made Moriarty feel warm and comfortable when he sat down.

"My dear Mr. Moriarty Ledrin," Narcissa Malfoy approached with a tablecloth in her hand, beaming, "Welcome to Malfoy Manor."

Moriarty stood up to greet them in a friendly manner, and Lucius and Draco also stood up—they had just sat down, but they had to stand up too.

Because Narcissa started putting tablecloths on the golden dining table.

The hostess personally lays the tablecloth to show respect to the guests; this is a very formal courtesy.

Moriarty stood aside, leaning on his cane and waiting quietly. Lucius held his head high, as if proud to have a hardworking and capable wife.

He certainly had reason to be proud; today, Narcissa wore light makeup, and her strikingly fair complexion was dazzling.

She wore a white off-the-shoulder dress, which accentuated her stunning figure and exuded a warm and elegant aura.

As she bent down, stretching out her snow-white arms to spread the tablecloth, her snow-white and voluptuous breasts, back, waist, and hips were revealed to Moriarty.

Moriarty politely shifted his gaze and saw that Narcissa was wearing a small khaki round hat with a silver lace flower on the right side, and her long golden curly hair was draped over her shoulders.

Her long hair swayed like waves; it turned out that Narcissa had spread out a tablecloth and said to everyone, "Please sit down."

Moriarty sat back down, admiring the white lace tablecloth adorned with beads and hand-embroidered details.

Lucius nodded approvingly, and Narcissa smiled as she took out a newly arranged pot of daffodils and placed it in the center of the table, along with a group photo of the Malfoy family next to the flowers.

All of this was arranged by Narcissa herself, without the use of magic; it was quite a grand affair.

Moriarty didn't hold back his praise, saying, "The name 'Narcissa' in Greek mythology means daffodil. Your skin is so white it glows, and your soul is as pure as a daffodil."

"Thank you." Narcissa nodded with a smile, folded the tablecloth in front of Moriarty three times, and then drifted away.

Moriarty, who was well-versed in European culture, certainly wouldn't have thought this was a code from Narcissa to meet him at three in the morning; in fact, it was just a form of afternoon tea etiquette.

Although Moriarty didn't particularly like these old-fashioned formalities—the Malfoys probably didn't either.

But everyone present strictly adhered to the rules, presenting a harmonious and joyful atmosphere.

Narcissa approached gracefully carrying a silver tray laden with fine teaware—fine porcelain cups and saucers or silver teaware, a teapot, strainer, tea infuser, tea measuring spoon, tea tray, and tea spoon. All of it gleamed silver and shone with a crystal-clear luster.

"Mr. Moriarty, do you know why silver teaware is used for afternoon tea?" Lucius looked at his teaware with delight.

"It is said that in England, where there is little sunshine, silver teaware often reflects people's longing for sunlight," Moriarty replied casually, and Lucius and Moriarty began to chat idly.

Everyone was waiting for Narcissa to serve tea.

It is a customary practice for the hostess to personally serve the guests while dressed in formal attire during afternoon tea. Servants are only asked to assist when absolutely necessary. Therefore, the house-elves of Malfoy Manor are on holiday today.

"Mr. Moriarty, I have prepared three kinds of black tea: Keemun, Earl Grey, and Ceylon. Which one would you like?"

Narcissa returned with a tray containing three pots of black tea, three gold teacups, a pot of milk, and several small dishes for condiments.

"Qimen black tea." A look of reminiscence flashed in Moriarty's eyes.

Narcissa then asked, "Milk? Coffee? Sugar cubes? Orange slices? Lemons?"

"No need, thank you."

"You don't want any of them?" Narcissa noticed the reminiscence in Moriarty's eyes and guessed, "Mr. Moriarty drank Qimen black tea in China?"

Moriarty shook his head: "During my ten years in China, I hid in eastern Tibet, spending my days in the cold. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that I was living on wind and snow. Where would I have had the chance to taste Qimen black tea?"

These words left the Malfoys feeling uneasy; they had read Lockhart's novels and believed them to be true.

"However—I have heard of the great reputation of Qimen black tea." Moriarty's voice rose. Afternoon tea should be a joyful occasion, and if he ruined the atmosphere, how could he talk to Lucius?

"Qimen black tea is produced in Qimen County, in the southwestern part of Huangshan Mountain area of ​​Hebei Province, China."

Its shape is tight and uniform, with beautiful peaks and a dark, lustrous color, commonly known as "Baoguang".

It has a delicate fragrance with hints of honey, and superior teas even possess an orchid aroma, known as "Qimen fragrance." The aroma is rich and long-lasting, the tea liquor is bright red, and the taste is sweet, fresh, and mellow. The brewed tea leaves are a bright red.

Moriarty spoke eloquently to the Malfoys, and Lucius was clearly stunned, offering Moriarty a dry laugh in praise.

Narcissa shook her head and smiled: "Mr. Moriarty praised Keemun black tea too much. I doubt myself whether I can brew a rich, long-lasting, sweet and mellow Keemun black tea."

"I spoke too quickly. I should have waited until Ms. Narcissa had brewed the tea before commenting on your skills."

Moriarty gestured for Narcissa to continue making tea.

Narcissa smiled at Moriarty and began to work, her bright white hands flashing across the tray as she selected the required teaware.

Add water, heat, boil, simmer, break tea leaves into pieces, add tea, stir...

Her fair hands shone brightly in the steam, and the faint aroma of tea wafted into Moriarty's nostrils.

Watching Narcissa brew tea was a pleasure; Moriarty seemed to see a reflection of himself making potions.

Women from pure-blood families are indeed extraordinary; they can handle even the most mundane little things with exquisite skill.

Once the black tea was brewed, Nanasissa served it to Moriarty, then to Lucius and Draco, and finally brewed her own.

"Please, Mr. Moriarty," Lucius, as the host, invited.

Moriarty took a small sip, letting the rich aroma (slightly bitter) of the black tea bloom on his taste buds. He spoke softly, "You asked me before, 'Did you invent a broom to ensure safety?'"

"I can tell you now that my flying broom not only guarantees safety, but also speed—extreme speed, faster than any other broom."

"Ugh, cough cough cough!" Draco choked and spat out his tea. Narcissa quickly grabbed a napkin to wipe Draco's mouth.

"You were so careless, child." Narcissa patted Draco on the back, her eyes full of affection.

"You spoil him too much." Lucius glared at Draco, then stared at Moriarty with an incredulous look.

Although he knew Moriarty had no reason to lie, Lucius couldn't help but be suspicious. After all, what wizards cared about most when buying flying brooms was speed and safety.

Moriarty's invention of the flying broom solved two problems at once!

is this real?

Although Lucius didn't ask, Moriarty noticed and once again brought up Nicolas Flamel to ensure Lucius believed in the existence of the new broom.

"Fudge will take office next year, so Nicolas Flamel and I have put the development of the wand set on hold and instead focused on the development of the flying broom."

As you know, the 1990 Quidditch World Cup will be held in Canada, and we plan to launch our new brooms before the World Cup begins.

Moriarty's story was so convincing that Lucius gradually began to believe it, while Draco was completely convinced. He excitedly stood up, knocking over his teacup: "Father, can I get a new kind of broom? You promised you'd buy me a flying broom, as long as it's safe!"

"Oh no!" Narcissa quickly picked up the teacup, but the tea had already soaked the tablecloth, which meant she would have to get a new one.

"You don't need to lift a finger, I'll just wave my wand," Moriarty said understandingly. Afternoon tea etiquette requires the hostess to serve the guests herself, but it doesn't prohibit guests from using magic.

However, Narcissa insisted on personally replacing Moriarty's tablecloth.

Moriarty shook his head. It wasn't out of pity for the woman; he simply didn't want trivial matters to interfere with his conversation with Lucius.

Lucius was now furious, his face turning ashen. "Draco Malfoy!"

(End of this chapter)