The mastermind behind Hogwarts

Chapter 257 Cake Battle

When the first group of hospitalized wizards recovered from their serious illnesses and walked out of their wards, people realized that the World Cup had come to an end.

Friends, teammates, and companions begin to part ways. A sudden attack makes the wizards realize that the people around them are always the most important people in their lives. Life is unpredictable, so cherish the people around you.

The Delacour family was returning to France, and Fleur bid a reluctant farewell to the women, asking Moriarty to escort her onto the ship back to France.

Moriarty did as he was told. Before parting, Fleur hooked her arm around Moriarty's neck and gave him a deep kiss.

Fleur said she would remember this kiss for many years, but it had an expiration date. Moriarty had better make up for it soon, or she would forget it.

Moriarty smiled but didn't say anything. He didn't want to disappoint Fleur. He was destined to be very busy this summer and wouldn't have time to visit Fleur in France.

After Fleur left, the Hogwarts professors returned to England with more than 300 students, with the expenses still covered by Mrs. Malfoy.

Lockhart returned to England with the group, and his actions in protecting the students during the attack were recognized by the professors.

Dumbledore left too, all alone.

Moriarty speculated that Dumbledore might go to Nurmengard or reunite the Order of the Phoenix.

Whatever Dumbledore does is, for the time being, none of Moriarty's business.

On August 23, Moriarty returned to the UK by plane.

Those who returned home with him included the women, the British team players, and the Slytherin purebloods led by Jericho and Marcus.

Old Foley and Old Flint stayed in Canada; they needed to bring the huge sums of money that the betting pools had absorbed back to England intact.

This is no easy feat. Rumors circulate in the betting world that a mysterious betting ring has absorbed all the funds betting on the World Cup!

The Canadian Ministry of Magic, which hadn't earned a single copper nut, was keeping a close eye on this batch of funds, and it seemed they were determined to hold on tight.

Old Foley and Old Flint need to lie low for a while.

Moriarty was shrewd and experienced, so he trusted them completely. It was just a pity that they wouldn't be able to attend the grand party at Slytherin Castle.

Moriarty threw a party to celebrate the British team's victory and specially invited Lilith and Lady Malfoy.

Interestingly, Mrs. Malfoy didn't come, but Lilith did.

Even though Hyprose was attacked and the reasons behind it were shrouded in mystery, it still couldn't affect the people in the castle.

They reveled in their youth, squandering vast sums of Galleons and indulging in extravagant lifestyles.

Laughter filled the air all night.

Moriarty was like a magnet, attracting everyone to him, and then people wouldn't leave.

After playing and having a good time, everyone collapsed onto the big sofa.

Luke reserved a large hall for the party, big enough to accommodate hundreds of people.

Moriarty walked to the center of the crowd, and everyone, knowing he was about to give a speech, sat up straight and looked at him expectantly.

"Another semester has passed, and the number of people entering this castle today is several times greater than the last gathering."

Moriarty swept his gaze across the crowd, which included not only his close associates like Jericho, but also players like Roman and pure-blooded Slytherin students.

His small group gradually took the form of an organization.

"This is my second term at Hogwarts, and in this extraordinary term, we've learned a lot, haven't we?"

Moriarty looked at everyone with a smile.

Most of the young wizards present nodded in agreement.

Nicolas Flamel's alchemy course remains unforgettable, and Dracula's viral magic brought the four houses closer together and made them more united.

The World Cup final that took place not long ago was also a brilliant and spectacular event.

The purebloods present all said that Moriarty's story of leading the team to victory should be included in both "A History of Modern Magic" and "Hogwarts: A History of the School".

In fact, this is the second time Moriarty has been written into a magic book, and Moriarty is already used to it.

Aside from students and wizards who are focused on studying magical theories, not many people specifically read these magical books.

But in the eyes of the young wizards, this was a special honor.

When someone is too outstanding, they will be envied.

But when he becomes so outstanding that no one can match him, others will only admire him.

The Moriarty of today belongs to the latter category. He did not write lengthy speeches or express any novel ideas; he simply reminisced about the past and looked to the future in a plain and unassuming manner.

However, people treat these words as sacred words and reflect on their deeper meaning.

Moriarty could only say he was overthinking things. He casually raised his glass and swirled the wine inside.

"Let's drink to our hearts' content, and then go back to our rooms for a good night's sleep."

The next day, we woke up to the start of our—extraordinary summer vacation!

"Oh oh oh~ cheers!"

Everyone raised their glasses in unison, the crisp clinking sounds accompanied by laughter like a beautiful melody.

Jericho and Leon brought out the large ice cream cake that they had prepared beforehand.

The cake was as big as half a badminton court.

Luke and the house-elf put a lot of effort into making this giant cake.

"It's starting! It's starting!" Jericho laughed. "Let's see if our players can maintain their form off the field!"

As if by prior arrangement, the little wizards surrounded the British team players at some point!

Leon cut a piece of cake and slapped it onto the unsuspecting red-nosed face!

His face was covered in white cream, with only the tip of his red nose showing, making him look like a clown.

Everyone laughed, and Red Nose himself didn't mind, making funny gestures to make everyone laugh.

"It's so good to see you all gathered together! Youth is wonderful!" Red Nose said emotionally, "A tribute to my youth that I can never return to!"

"Tsk, what nonsense! It's all your fault, I suddenly realized I've already graduated." Leon curled the corners of his mouth, but closed his eyes, not wanting others to see his tearful face.

"Why are you getting all sentimental?"

Jericho came over carrying two bowls, both filled with cake!

With two loud "bangs," Jericho slammed the basin over Red Nose and Leon's heads!

"Jericho Branch!!! We agreed to only attack the British players!"

Leon roared, and cream and ice cream dripped down his hair.

Jericho darted off, laughing as he ran, "Anyway, you've already graduated, you can't control me anymore! Hahaha!"

Leon was furious and chased after him.

This was like the sounding of a battle horn; the little wizards grabbed cakes and threw them at their companions!

Diana became the target of all the women's attacks, because she was the professor!

Roman dodged the thrown cakes while fighting back, but was unexpectedly ambushed by the man with the afro, whose entire back of the head was covered in cake that flew from behind.

"Hey, you traitor!"

"Oh, I'm sorry, it was an accident."

"Get lost!"

The cake battle went on for a long time, but no one found Moriarty, and no one noticed that Lilith was missing.

Moriarty found Lilith in an attic of the castle, where she was sitting on a small chair, gazing at the clouds in the distance through the window.

Upon seeing Moriarty enter, Lilith said, "You're here," and then fell silent.

"You've become a bit withdrawn lately," Moriarty pointed out.

According to Gemma, Lilith hasn't been involved with the group for a long time.

Lilith smiled slightly: "It's just a bit annoying."

"Annoying?" Moriarty walked up to Lilith and stared into her dark, bright eyes.

"Yes, it's very annoying." Lilith avoided Moriarty's gaze and said in a lonely tone, "I'm weak, I can't stand on my own, and a semester has passed while everyone else has made progress, but I've only improved a little bit."

"You mean, human transformation magic?" Moriarty remembered that when fighting Kogoro Tsukamura, Lilith had partially transformed her body.

Lilith nodded slightly, then looked out the window without saying a word.

Suddenly, she changed to a resolute tone and said, "At the end of August, I will go to Japan to settle accounts with the Tsukamura family."

"Did I hear that right? You? You're going to settle scores with the Tsukamura family?" Moriarty scoffed, surprised by Lilith's impulsiveness. "Your grandfather agreed?"

"No, so we had a huge fight." Lilith shrugged, then her eyes turned cold. "But Kogoro Tsukamura tried to kidnap me, and he's dead. Good—then his family must pay the price!"

Lilith turned to look at Moriarty: "I will not allow those who harm me to go unpunished."

"You've set your sights too high; for you right now, that's a constraint," Moriarty said calmly.

Lilith's eyes flickered. If I don't demand more of myself and strive to improve myself, how can I be worthy of you?

But Lilith was destined never to say those words aloud.

She simply rose calmly and left gracefully.

Moriarty shook his head as he watched Lilith's retreating figure. The Queen's path was fraught with difficulties, and he wasn't sure if Lilith could persevere.

To be honest, Moriarty didn't want Lilith to succeed.

(End of this chapter)