The mastermind behind Hogwarts

Chapter 202 Expanding the Team

Old Foley came to pledge allegiance to Moriarty.

It's often said that old people become shrewd and cunning, and this saying is absolutely true for old Foley. As Lockhart's biggest collaborator, he always gets to see Lockhart's novel manuscripts first.

From last year's "With Slytherin in the East" to this year's "Dancing with Vampires at the Eiffel Tower," both were first delivered to old Foley, from which he drew a terrible conclusion.

Lockhart is Moriarty's subordinate!

If Lockhart were merely a renowned British bestselling author, it wouldn't be a big deal; old, prominent families like to put their spokespeople in the spotlight.

But Slytherin is not as simple as an ordinary large family, and Lockhart is not just a writer; he has many personas.

What kind of persona is he trying to cultivate lately?

Old Foley remembered that Lockhart had gone to Paris, France, some time ago and fought with vampires.

When the news reached old Foley's ears, he felt it was even more outrageous than Merlin's resurrection.

How did that conman who only knew the Oblivion Spell transform into a powerful wizard who could freeze the Eiffel Tower? And a chivalrous hero who stood up for the pure-blood family?

If Lockhart was Moriarty's subordinate, then all of this makes sense.

Before going to France, Lockhart traveled throughout North America giving speeches, expounding on the dangers of black magic.

What a formidable anti-dark magic fighter!

Old Foley sneered. He was increasingly certain that Lockhart was Moriarty's man, and judging from Lockhart's actions, Moriarty was playing a much bigger game...

Old Fritz thought back to decades ago when he had the foresight to join Voldemort's ranks with his entire fortune and his son, thus building this empire.

Unfortunately, Voldemort ruined his own mind, and old Foley lost a son, causing the family's assets to shrink considerably.

Moriarty's rise to prominence gave old Foley an opportunity to revitalize the family, so he approached Lockhart, expressed his desire, and hoped Lockhart could take him to see Moriarty.

Lockhart consulted Moriarty about this matter, and Moriarty told him to judge old Foley's loyalty himself.

Lockhart then conducted numerous investigations, both overt and covert, into old Foley's life, until Christmas when he finally felt comfortable taking him into Slytherin Castle.

Just then, old Flint returned from Romania, and the three met. Old Flint became even more convinced that he had not misjudged him.

Luke led them to the castle hall, where Moriarty was hosting a Christmas dinner.

On a long table made of emeralds and green jade, Moriarty and Tonks sat at the head of the table, with Jericho, Marcus, and Leon sitting in chairs to the right.

The three chairs on the left were empty, and Jericho frequently cast questioning glances at them, wondering who Moriarty's other men were.

At this moment, Lockhart and his two companions walked over. Tonks looked at Lockhart suspiciously until she saw Lockhart's signature golden wavy curls, and then she was sure it was Lockhart himself.

"Moriarty, why didn't you ever tell me you invited Mr. Lockhart?"

Tonks glared at Moriarty, her breath still lingering on her lips. Recalling the enchanting moments of the afternoon, Tonks' cheeks flushed.

It wasn't a big deal originally; even if Jericho and his kids saw it, they wouldn't have guessed what Moriarty and Tonks had actually done.

But now Lockhart has arrived.

Tonks had to act like the lady of the Slytherin family.

She quickly tied up her hair, straightened her robe, and gave Lockhart a polite smile.

However, upon seeing Moriarty, Lockhart jumped up excitedly. He rushed to Moriarty's side and bowed deeply, saying, "Master, Master! Your loyal servant greets you and wishes you a Merry Christmas!"

Tonks couldn't help but chuckle; she thought Lockhart's movements resembled those of a little pony.

"Huh?" Tonks suddenly realized something was wrong and looked at Moriarty: "What did Lockhart call you?"

Lockhart eagerly declared, "I am the young master's most loyal subordinate, most capable assistant, most diligent servant, most reliable follower, and most intelligent maid!"

Moriarty coughed lightly, and Lockhart, suppressing his excitement, gave a standard servant's salute and said to Tonks, "Your Excellency, your servant Lockhart reports for duty! It's a pleasure to meet you, and I wish you a Merry Christmas."

"And me too." A deep, old voice came from behind. Old Flint stepped out from behind Lockhart, greeted Moriarty and Tonks, and offered his blessings.

Tonks was stunned by the barrage of respectful greetings, and Jericho and Leon were also taken aback.

It was their first time meeting Lockhart and old Flint, and they were deeply moved.

Jericho and Leon exchanged a glance, suppressing their smug vanity at being by Moriarty's side.

Sir already has such a large team! Compared to them, we seem both inexperienced and weak. How can we possibly help Sir?

They began to think, but Marcus didn't react in any particular way; he was used to it. His gaze fell on old Foley. "Sir, the head of the Foley family has arrived."

Marcus fulfilled his duty as a follower, while Lockhart, as if startled awake, slapped his forehead and went to Moriarty's side to report on old Foley's situation.

Old Foley resolutely knelt at Moriarty's feet, bowed his head, and solemnly said, "I swear to Merlin, with the honor of the Foley family and my soul, that my family and I will be loyal to Moriarty Slytherin for generations to come."

He shrewdly leaned closer to Tonks, saying sweet words: "And will serve the descendants of Slytherin for generations to come."

Later, after, descendants?

Tonks shyly placed her hands on her lower abdomen; Moriarty hadn't even planted the seed yet.

Lockhart looked at old Foley and muttered to himself, "Old man, always saying the nice things."

Old Flint smiled; he and Marcus were both under Moriarty's command, so they didn't need to worry about their positions.

Moriarty helped old Foley up; it would be immoral to make an old man kneel on the floor. He wasn't a madman like Voldemort, nor a non-human dark tyrant like the Duke of Draco.

"I accept you, old Foley," Moriarty said calmly. "With me, you don't need to feign respect to please me, you don't need to part with your wealth, and you don't need to go to war."

Go ahead and ask anyone here; they're standing here not out of fear, but out of loyalty, courage, and a determination to pursue magic!

With each word Moriarty spoke, a glimmer of light appeared in old Foley's eyes.

"Being by your side and listening to your teachings makes my heart feel younger."

After Moriarty finished speaking, old Foley replied by standing next to old Flint, on the third chair from the left, with his head held high and chest puffed out.

"Please sit down." Moriarty stretched out his hands, palms down, and Lockhart sat in the first armchair on the left, while old Flint sat in the second armchair.

"Get to know each other. From this night on, you will be colleagues, companions on the magical path, and comrades who can entrust your backs to each other."

Jericho was the first to respond to Moriarty, laughing as he said, "I didn't expect Mr. Lockhart to be one of your subordinates. A while ago, Mr. Lockhart went to Ivory Moriarty School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in America to promote his new book. My older brother complained to me that he couldn't get his hands on a copy of Mr. Lockhart's new book and was very disappointed about it."

"From now on, please don't address me as 'Mr.'" Lockhart said with a hearty smile. "But please maintain my public persona."

Speaking of my new book—if your older brother would like to read it, I'd be happy to give him my entire collection of works.

"Absolutely no problem. I have a collector's edition with your signature on it," old Foley chimed in.

"Well, old Foley!" Lockhart exclaimed. "I knew you'd been tampering with things behind my back. How many sets have you been secretly keeping?"

"Ahem, there are only 15 sets." Old Foley explained without batting an eye, "But don't blame me, I didn't know you were the young master's servant at the time."

"You talk as if you were the young master's servant back then," Lockhart spat. "Bring them out, they belong to my fans!"

"Um..." Jericho said slowly, "How about we each get one set first? Oh no, I want two sets! I'll give them to my older brother as a Christmas present."

"Good lad, you're a true Slytherin!" Old Foley grinned at Jericho.

Leon suddenly grinned mischievously, "It seems like everyone here, except Lockhart, is a Slytherin!"

Lockhart quickly looked at Tonks, whom he knew was a Hufflepuff, and feigned tears, saying, "My lady, did you see that? They've ganged up on your poor servant!"

Tonks didn't speak, just smiled with his lips pursed, resting his head on Moriarty's shoulder as he watched them play around.

"This has nothing to do with Senior Sister," Jericho said, staring at Lockhart with feigned ill intent. "Senior Sister is already Mr. Slytherin's woman, so naturally she belongs to us Slytherin."

So? Lockhart, you've entered a snake's den—get something out of there.

"You little rascal..." Lockhart pretended to pinch Jericho, and Marcus and Leon immediately started teasing him.

Moriarty was pleased to see that the six got along well. His team had expanded once again.

"Alright, let's get down to business. The 1990 Quidditch World Cup is about to begin, and I will lead the national team to Canada to register in person. Our next plans will also shift to North America."

(End of this chapter)