The mastermind behind Hogwarts

Chapter 36 Conversation

"Yes, that's true. So how did you know? As far as I know, you don't have any connections with the Ministry of Magic." Dumbledore crossed his arms, rested his chin on his hand, and looked at Moriarty.

"Does an award from an academic journal warrant the Minister of Magic's personal presentation?" Moriarty retorted, walking up to the Sorting Hat, touching the tip, and casually saying, "It's obvious. She's after my fame and hopes to boost her approval rating through celebrity influence."

Moriarty added, "It's just the same old political tricks. I don't like it."

Dumbledore smiled kindly: "I'm glad you can see through the hypocritical mask on the faces of politicians. Although every year graduates enter the Ministry of Magic to work, I have always opposed students who have not yet graduated having too much involvement with the Ministry of Magic."

Moriarty nodded noncommittally, glanced at the professors in the room, and said, "If there's nothing else, I think I should go to class. Professor Flitwick is teaching about softening spells today."

"Wait a minute," Dumbledore suddenly said, then winked at Moriarty, "Prepare well for the Quidditch match. I dare say this Slytherin vs. Gryffindor match will be the most exciting one in the last decade."

Moriarty readily agreed and then left.

Watching him leave the office, Dumbledore turned to Professor McGonagall: "Minerva, it seems Mr. Moriarty isn't interested in your Transfiguration Club?"

"Yes, Albus," Professor McGonagall answered truthfully. "Miss Gemma Farley mentioned it to Mr. Moriarty, but he made no comment."

Dumbledore rubbed his temples. "Severus, what do you think?"

"Who? Slytherin?" Professor Snape sneered. "That fool Blanche once said: if you show Moriarty the recipe and steps for a potion, he can brew the corresponding potion!"

In potions alone, Slytherin's qualities leave us no reason to doubt him; he is intelligent, powerful, calm, and... I can feel love in his potions.

"Love?" Dumbledore stood up and moved closer to Snape. "I can't believe you've actually said that word!"

Professor Snape's eyes flickered for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure: "Believe it or not, instead of guessing here, go ask Gilderoy Lockhart. I felt the same familiar sensation in that guy's shampoo."

"Gilderoy Lockhart..." Dumbledore walked to a bookshelf, took out "With Slytherin in the East," turned the pages, and said softly, "Perhaps, some things have been forgotten..."

Meanwhile, in the Charms class classroom.

The news that Moriarty won the Most Promising Newcomer Award at Transformation Today is already widely known.

When Moriarty walked into the classroom, the little snakes and eagles all clapped.

Professor Flitwick on the podium had to use his wand to conjure a large bunch of ribbons, which both completed the celebration and quieted the classroom.

"I really regret that there are no academic journals on Charms in the magical world, otherwise you would definitely have won the award," Professor Flitwick shook his head with great regret, but soon he cheered up: "However, I think Mr. Moriarty, you will soon show your skills!"

Because Professor Dumbledore has allowed me to start a dueling club! To teach first to fourth-year wizards dueling techniques, and, well, you can also learn about some advanced spells in advance.

The young wizards around him began to discuss it with great interest, but Moriarty was extremely wary; the opening of the dueling club was by no means accidental.

Is it Dumbledore, trying to test me? To test my strength!

After making his judgment, Moriarty quickly devised a countermeasure. He stood up and said to Professor Flitwick, "Professor, I want to register."

The young wizards were taken aback at first, then took it for granted. After Moriarty sat down, Jericho stood up impatiently: "I want to sign up too, Professor!"

The young wizards' enthusiasm seemed to have been ignited, and the entire class signed up with Professor Flitwick. Penelope and Lilith, as if by prior arrangement, were the last two to sign up.

Moriarty saw the two women exchange a glance, and a fighting spirit flashed in their eyes simultaneously.

After Lilith sat down, Moriarty asked with a smile, "When did you and Krivat develop such a rapport?"

Lilith rolled her eyes. "You clearly wanted to ask me why I'm at odds with Krivat."

"Could it be that conversation on the train?" Moriarty guessed. "Is it that serious? I don't think either of you are that naive."

"Of course it's not because of that one time, although we really can't agree," Lilith glanced at Moriarty, "Alright, don't ask any more questions. Just know that I'll beat her at the Duel Club!"

"Hey, Mr. Moriarty, stop talking about girls all the time," Jericho, who had just returned from Professor Flitwick's, sat down next to Moriarty in an instant, as if afraid Moriarty would disappear. "We haven't sat down and chatted for almost two weeks! I have no idea what you've been up to every day!"

Faced with his urgency, Moriarty simply shook his head: "I'm sorry I'll be away for a while after class, but I'll tell you what I'm doing someday—if you want to know, if you're qualified."

Jericho lowered his head, his expression shifting between light and shadow, while Lilith seemed to be getting to know Moriarty all over again, her dark eyes gleaming.

The three of them remained silent throughout the entire class. After class, Moriarty walked out of the castle and slowly made his way to a hilltop not far from Hagrid's hut.

Blood Man Barrow is already waiting here.

"Slytherin!" His voice was shrill and hoarse, as if he were whistling. "I thought you had inherited the will of the Four Great Masters and had returned to protect the school!"

"Have I done anything to harm the school?" Moriarty silenced Barrow with an even stronger voice, his eyes filled with displeasure. "Barrow, I only respect you because you've served Hogwarts for a thousand years, yet you suspect me just because I inquired about the Chamber of Secrets?"

Moriarty laughed mockingly: "Do you think I'm the same person who first opened the secret chamber? Foolish idea! And most foolish of all, you actually tried to stop me! That's why you'll never gain Salazar's forgiveness! Because you completely misunderstand him!"

Mentioning Salazar, Barrow's brows furrowed in pain, his gaunt face contorted, his beard trembled, and his body swayed back and forth.

"What exactly do you want to do!" Barrow growled in a suppressed voice.

Moriarty calmly looked him straight in the eye: "That's exactly the question I want to ask you. What are you, all of you, going to do to me?"

A struggle crossed Barrow's face, but he finally sighed. "One day in December 1987, the Pen of Acceptance wrote your name on the Book of Admission, and from then on, this castle underwent a strange change."

Barrow looked at Hogwarts with a gaze that had never been so gentle.

Moriarty sharpened his focus, gripping the Slytherin staff tightly in his hand. He had a premonition that what Barrow was about to say would be related to the Hogwarts riots and the moonless night.

Sure enough, Barrow continued, "I think you must have gotten some information from the newspapers. I heard from the students that the wizards called that change the 'Hogwarts Riot,' but that's a rumor, a misconception. Hogwarts will never have a riot!"

"On this point, I agree with you."

Barrow hummed in agreement, his gaze towards Moriarty softening considerably. He said, "While it wasn't a riot, there was certainly chaos!"

(End of this chapter)