The mastermind behind Hogwarts

Chapter 40 "Singing a Different Tune" and the Letter

Moriarty was surrounded by the little snakes as he returned to the common room. Everyone was excitedly talking about the game. William couldn't stop smiling. For the first time, veteran players like Leon discovered how great it felt to win a game without fouling!

"We'll be playing Ravenclaw in four days," Jericho said, seemingly tireless, as he hopped over to Moriarty with his flying broomstick. "Could you please not end the game so quickly? Let me show off a few more skills in front of Ravenclaw's beautiful senior!"

Moriarty laughed, "I always catch the Golden Snitch so quickly because I don't want you to attract too much hatred. I dare say if you were to show off in front of Ravenclaw's goal, you can forget about being a senior. You might even be single for seven years in a row."

Moriarty was in a good mood, not only because he won the game, but also because he received a reward of 200 points.

"System, exchange for the passive skill 'Tidal Force' for me."

"800 points have been spent on the Tide item for the host. The host has leveled up to Level 28 Novice Wizard!"

Moriarty felt a cool sensation flow from his heart to his limbs and his whole body. He had finally learned this useful passive magic!

Although it is a magic spell, it actually has two passive effects: First, when injured, it can restore a small amount of health every three seconds.

Second, during combat, you can add a layer of tidal effect to the enemy. When you add three layers of tidal effect, the chance of freezing the enemy increases significantly.

It's versatile, offers both offense and defense, provides feedback, and even upgrades your level. These 800 points were totally worth it.

Moriarty led the snake back to the common room, where Jericho was still talking: "When will we be able to score by a large margin? I mean, 160-0 seems too insecure. When will we be able to score by more than 1000 points? That would truly demonstrate our strength!"

The little snakes burst into laughter. William, gripping Jericho by the neck, chuckled, "Overtaking your opponent by 1000 points? You really dare to say that! If you want to exhaust us, just say so. You want to exhaust us so you can enjoy the cheers of the senior girls all to yourself, right?"

Lilith, Gemma, and the other upperclassmen burst into laughter: "Jellico, did you know? You have a title now too, 'Speedy Kid'!"

Jericho looked incredulous: "You must have made this up again to tease me."

"No, no," Gemma waved her hands repeatedly, "I can vouch for you, it really was a group of senior students from the four colleges who gave you that name. They thought you were too fast, um, too fast, you were too fast."

Gemma could barely contain her laughter, and the little snake, realizing what was happening, doubled over with laughter, while Jericho blushed deeply.

The Slytherin students thus spent a pleasant morning and afternoon, and in the evening, the first-year snake went to the Astronomy Tower to have an astronomy lesson with the first-year eagle.

After class, Penelope found Moriarty: "Our academy's match against yours is in four days. Good luck, I'll be supporting you!"

"Oh?" Moriarty smiled meaningfully. "You don't support Ravenclaw, but you support me?"

Penelope's cheeks flushed red, but she raised a small fist to her chest and said firmly, "I will next year, because I'm joining Ravenclaw! So, you only get my support in these three games this year~"

Penelope raised her little face, gave Moriarty a smug smile, and then ran away.

The next morning, Moriarty sat at the long table for breakfast. This time, without Tonks' support, everyone ate the same milk bread and sandwiches.

Suddenly, a large flock of owls flew in, with Poseidon standing out among them.

The young wizards remembered that today was the day the new issue of the newspaper was released, and they all picked up the packages that had fallen in front of them.

Not long after, applause rang out in the Great Hall, the loudest coming from the Slytherin table. The young wizards had discovered the official report in the Daily Prophet that Moriarty had won the Transfiguration of the Day award for most promising newcomer.

"Snapped!"

Lilith slammed the newspaper on the table. "What despicable bureaucrats! Just because Mr. Moriarty refused to be photographed with the minister, they put a story that should have been on the front page in this corner?"

Newspaper articles about Moriarty were only the size of a fist. The front page was filled with trivial gimmicks.

Moriarty didn't seem to care at all. He unpacked the package, pulled out a magazine, and turned it upside down to read it.

This way of reading caught the attention of Lilith and Jericho, who came over and said, "What are you looking at? Why don't you try something different!"

The first page of the magazine featured a picture of a witch and a wizard.

The witch had a ferocious expression, wore a pointed wizard's hat, and was dressed in a red wizard's robe.

The male wizard was slightly younger, but his face was equally ferocious, and he held a staff in his hand.

The title proclaims in bold: Unveiling the secret behind the Slytherin descendant's refusal to appear in the same frame as Minister Bagno: A battle between two generations of ministers!

The three of them quickly finished reading the article, and Lilith was furious: "What has Lovegood portrayed you as? He actually said that you refused to take a photo with Minister Bagno because you wanted to become Minister of Magic! That madman who spouts nonsense!"

"None of us will believe it." Jericho, Marcus, Keith, and the others shook their heads sincerely.

Moriarty said casually, "Relax, I only subscribed to The Quibbler because the Daily Prophet has been so boring lately."

“Indeed,” Lilith agreed. “My family predicts that Minister Bagno will step down by the end of next year at the latest, so the minister has strictly prohibited all news about the Ministry of Magic.”

Moriarty narrowed his eyes: "Has your family said who the next minister will be? I remember you said that your grandfather promoted Barty Crouch."

"Yes, Barty Crouch was originally the most competitive candidate for Minister of Magic, but he was a disappointment! He had a good-for-nothing son! Now many people support Cornelius Fudge," Lilith said resentfully. If Barty Crouch became Minister of Magic, the Pilliwick family's power would be further enhanced.

Moriarty recalled Fudge, who kept bowing in the headmaster's office. Who could have imagined that Fudge would rise to become Minister of Magic no later than 1990?

Many students watched Moriarty and Lilith discuss the Minister of Magic with obvious longing and awe.

Lilith suddenly said, "No, I have to write a letter home!"

She left after saying that, and Leon finished his last bite of bread and left as well. He went to write a letter to his family, deciding to follow Moriarty's advice and use the family's limited resources to thoroughly investigate Bill Weasley.

At that moment, Moriarty picked up an envelope from the package.

"To my esteemed master—your ever-loyal servant, Lockhart."

It's Lockhart's letter!

Lockhart was Moriarty's chosen man to take the lead, and he couldn't afford any mishaps, so Moriarty hurriedly opened the envelope.

"Dear young master, by the time you read this letter, I will have already arrived in North America!"

A week ago, I heard that Headmaster Dumbledore was trying to find out my address through some channels.

As you know, as a master of the Oblivion Spell, very few people can remember my family. Unless I promote my business at Flourish and Blotts or hold a book launch, very few people can find out where I am.

But I have to be wary of the Foley family; who knows if old Foley will sell me to Headmaster Dumbledore.

So I went to North America two days ago under the pretext of exchanging information about my new book. Please don't worry, I will be back around Christmas.

P.S.: Luke told me that your dragon egg is about to hatch, and if you have time, you'll definitely see a baby dragon when you come back for Christmas.

Your most loyal servant, Lockhart.

After reading the letter, Moriarty held it in his hand, but when he opened his palm, the letter had turned into a pile of scraps of paper.

Dumbledore's inquiry into Lockhart was something he hadn't expected, and even now he doesn't know where Dumbledore got the idea.

However, Lockhart handled the situation very well, which further increased Moriarty's opinion of him.

The thought that Fudge would take over as Minister of Magic gave Moriarty the first time he considered taking the position.

(End of this chapter)