The mastermind behind Hogwarts

Chapter 196 Two Black Women

By observing her silhouette and the faint fragrance emanating from her, Moriarty recognized the woman as Narcissa, the widow.

Now, Mrs. Malfoy has succeeded Lucius as a member of the Board of Trustees.

She turned around, her skin dazzlingly white. This woman seemed to know her greatest advantage, having specially chosen a white wizard's robe, making her entire body seem to glow.

"Moriarty," Narcissa slightly raised her elegant neck, her red lips parting slightly, "I invite you to be my dance partner, will you accept?"

As she spoke, she tiptoed slightly and revealed a rare smile: "The combination of the school board and the students will definitely blow everyone's mind."

Moriarty didn't see her smiling face, but only that her two peaks trembled. He chuckled to himself. There was one thing that mature women could never match in young witches: their straightforwardness and lack of pretense.

Narcissa's directness in stating her purpose made Moriarty less resistant. He admired Narcissa's beautiful and pure face, but smiled apologetically: "I am glad to hear your invitation, Mrs. Malfoy. However, I already have a dance partner."

Narcissa was not disappointed by the rejection.

No one knows how much determination it took for her to muster the courage to ask Moriarty out and extend an invitation.

She invited Moriarty on a whim, ultimately intending to use Moriarty's fame to support her.

If she can invite Moriarty, then at the ball, when she appears before everyone arm in arm with Moriarty, all the wizards will know that the Malfoy family has gained a powerful ally.

Being rejected is fine; at least I no longer feel guilty about using Moriarty.

Narcissa breathed a sigh of relief, her anxiety quickly replaced by intense curiosity: "May I ask who that lucky girl is?"

"You know them." Moriarty turned his gaze to the Black Lake. The temperature had dropped, and the magical creatures in the lake were all hiding at the bottom.

Do I know him?

Narcissa's mood suddenly turned extremely bad.

This feeling was like many years ago when she and her two sisters both had their eyes on the same evening gown.

But there was only one evening gown, and her older sister, Bellatrix Lestrange—who was then Bellatrix Black—bought it without hesitation.

Narcissa could only watch enviously as her sister attended the Pureblood Party in her most beautiful dress. Although her sister was also beautiful, otherwise she wouldn't have captured Lucius's heart, Narcissa would never forget how she felt at that moment.

To hide her irritation, Narcissa raised her right hand and brushed her hair aside, pretending to be nonchalant as she said, "You're from the Pilivik family, right? Hmm... you two look like a stunning couple."

“Not Lilith.” Moriarty glanced at Narcissa with amusement, as if wanting to tease her. “It’s someone who has a lot to do with you.”

Not Lilith?

Narcissa's mood improved again, but after hearing what was said next, she felt uneasy again.

I was defeated by someone with whom I have countless connections?

Narcissa recalled again how, many years ago, she had her eye on a box of French white chocolates, but her older sister Andromeda Black beat her to it.

Such things were commonplace for Narcissa during her teenage years. Although she was the noble little princess of the Black family, there are always some things in this world that are unique.

At those times, only Narcissa felt wronged.

This situation only changed when she married into the Malfoy family. She became the mistress of the house and could buy whatever she wanted. However, her girlish heart gradually disappeared as the Dark Lord became more and more insane.

Now, standing beside Moriarty, that bittersweet girlish feeling seemed to return to her body through the magic of Hogwarts.

"I can't guess, tell me!" Narcissa said angrily.

Moriarty looked at her, making no attempt to hide the surprise in his eyes. "Mrs. Malfoy, perhaps you need a soothing balm?"

The usually composed Mrs. Malfoy suddenly clenched her fist, raised it and then lowered it. Suddenly, as if she had thought of something, she looked at Moriarty with a meaningful gaze.

"You wouldn't be... making up a girl just to reject me, would you?"

Narcissa regretted it as soon as the words left her mouth. Given her status and age, she shouldn't have said such a sour tone.

What will Moriarty think of her?

Sure enough, Moriarty circled Narcissa three times until Narcissa got annoyed and asked him impatiently what he was doing. Only then did Moriarty stop and calmly say, "I'm checking whether you've been manipulated or whether some wicked wizard has drunk Polyjuice Potion and turned into your likeness."

"And the conclusion?" Narcissa looked at Moriarty with a half-smile. "Perhaps you didn't see it. Should I prove it with my wand?"

"Your wand is still in my hand." Moriarty flipped his wrist, and the silver wand with the black and gold handle was in his hand.

Moriarty poked Narcissa's soft flesh at the waist with the tip of his wand. "It doesn't look fake, does it, Mrs. Malfoy?"

Narcissa bit her lip to stop herself from making any strange noises, and said, embarrassed and annoyed, "It was true all along, you..."

But Moriarty had no interest in talking to her. He put away his wand and walked toward the castle without looking back. "See you at the dinner party, Mrs. Malfoy. By the way, you know my dance partner, and you're quite familiar with her."

Her name is Tonks. See, isn't she somehow connected to you?

Narcissa stood rooted to the spot, motionless. "Tonks...?"

"Nymphadora Tonks? Andromeda's daughter..."

Narcissa realized that Moriarty's dance partner was her own niece, and her face turned pale. She frantically tugged at her hair, then gave a bitter smile.

The story from many years ago is playing out once again.

However, Moriarty was completely unaware of this, and he had no interest in the power struggles between the three daughters of the Black family; that was something from decades ago.

His philosophy of life has always been to live freely, which is why he found Tonks in Hufflepuff Diner.

"This aroma...it seems to be almond?"

When Moriarty arrived, Tonks was cooking a dish, putting a small plate of bright green vegetables into a small pot to boil.

Tonks looked up when she heard Moriarty's words, her face beaming with a smile.

"You're here, junior!"

However, you've come at the wrong time. It would be best to come back in two hours, then you'll be able to taste the dishes I've made for you to celebrate our great victory.

Tonks smiled innocently, but it was clear she was exhausted; a bead of sweat slid down her temple.

Moriarty leaned closer to Tonks and carefully wiped the sweat from her brow. Tonks laughed happily: "Gentle and considerate junior, how many girls' hearts have you stolen with this trick?"

The news reached my ears; all the girls in the school were rushing to the Slytherin common room.

"Then why are you here?"

Moriarty pulled her to sit on a chair next to him and rubbed her fingers. "These aren't cooking hands, they're wand-holding hands. Remember your dream, Nymph?"

Tonks' little hand was held tightly by Moriarty, and she quickly blushed with embarrassment.

But when dreams were mentioned, her expression turned serious.

"Of course I remember, and I will never forget. Becoming an Auror is my sacred dream and a belief for which I am willing to give my life!"

Moriarty gazed into her dark, shining eyes, but Tonks quickly looked away, lowering her head shyly and saying in a sweet voice, "But before I become an Auror, I want to cook you a delicious meal."

"Let the house-elves do those things. You should go back to your dorm and prepare for our ball," Moriarty replied softly, taking Tonks's hand in his.

"House-elves? No, no, no!" Tonks raised his head: "They can't cook Chinese food, but I'll cook Chinese food for you."

For example, this almond Buddha's Hand dish—they've never even heard of it. I know you like Chinese food, so I learned some Chinese recipes. If you—wait, what?

She originally wanted to say, "If you want to eat Chinese food, come visit your senior at Hufflepuff Cafe more often. Maybe she'll cook some dishes for you if she's in a good mood."

But Moriarty said, "Our ball?"

What does that mean? Could it be that...?

Tonks' heart-shaped face suddenly turned like a heart in a deck of cards, making Moriarty want to touch her face.

She said incredulously, "Moriarty, what did you say? Our...ball? But I haven't invited you yet..."

"These kinds of things should be said by boys." Moriarty took her hand and stood up, lifting her chin. "Senior Nymph, may I ask you to be my dance partner?"

(End of this chapter)