The mastermind behind Hogwarts

Chapter 405 Lockhart is the one who gets the most out of things.

"I wonder if this is a good thing or a bad thing?" Lilith shrugged, retreated to her seat, then suddenly remembered something and leaned closer again.

"I brought back a piece of flesh and blood, and it seems a bit strange. Do you want to take a look?" Lilith asked Moriarty.

Moriarty's eyes widened: "What did you say? You brought out a piece of flesh and blood? Flesh and blood from the Blood Feast!"

The Blood Feast was filled with Ye Jingyu's magic; a piece of flesh contained an unknown amount of dark elemental magic, and Lilith actually brought the flesh out with her.

Moriarty didn't know whether to call Lilith brave or reckless.

"Give it to me, now! I'm not kidding you!" Moriarty scolded Lilith in a low voice.

Lilith's face darkened, feeling wronged, but she stubbornly retorted, "I have my reasons for bringing that thing back—I'm not as fragile as you think, I won't be affected by the darkness."

Moriarty patted Lilith, looking into her dark, bright eyes, and said seriously, "The moment you said those words, that thing had already affected you. So why did you exhaust your magic?"

"You mean?!" Lilith tensed up instantly, her bright face turning deathly pale. "Flesh and blood will drain my magic?"

She then became puzzled: "But this doesn't make sense, otherwise why would that Eskimo eat flesh and blood like that?"

"That's a good question," Moriarty said sternly. "Whatever the purpose of flesh and blood may be, you must hand it over to me now."

Lilith had already agreed in her heart, but she didn't want to back down, so she snorted, "Why should I?"

Moriarty chuckled: "Fine, then I won't take you to the Soviet Union."

"Huh?" Lilith immediately became listless. "Fine, take it. Look how much you like it."

She pulled a crystal ball from under her robe, inside which was a piece of dark red flesh, and handed it to Moriarty.

Moriarty quickly put the bag back in his pocket, planning to study it properly later, while not forgetting to make a sarcastic remark.

"Hey, using a crystal ball to hold it, you're a real genius."

Lilith pouted. "Let me know when you go to the Soviet Union, okay? Don't forget. (︶︿︶)=凸"

Moriarty started eating again, warning, "If you go to the Soviet Union and continue to make decisions on your own, I'll consider having the Sorting Hat sort you into Gryffindor next year—making you the first transfer student in Hogwarts history, and also a new student."

Lilith leaned closer to Moriarty, giggled, and hugged his arm tightly: "I know, I'll be good~ But I won't be scared by you. I'll take the Gryffindor sword with me when I go to Gryffindor."

When she mentioned the sword of Gryffindor, Moriarty thought of fairies.

The fairies forged the Gryffindor sword, perhaps because they knew about the lost weapon of the four great masters.

"If you can get past Professor McGonagall, I'd love to see a female swordsman born."

Moriarty put down his knife and fork; he had almost finished eating, as had the others. They began to talk to each other.

Dumbledore, sitting on the professor's bench, knew it was his turn to speak, to summarize the semester and some of the events that had occurred.

Dumbledore flicked his fingers against his wine glass, the soft sound silencing the Great Hall.

"Another unusual year, isn't it?" Dumbledore smiled easily. "I find it rather strange that every year is so unusual for us."

The students laughed. The year before last they saw a basilisk, last year the whole school was infected with a virus, and this year's league was also an eye-opener.

"Perhaps that's the charm of magic."

Dumbledore fondly recalled, "When I was young, I fantasized countless times about what adventures I would experience in the future. Would they be very unique and very fantastical?"

"But I didn't get what I wanted."

Dumbledore sighed. Apart from the years he spent with Grindelwald in Godric's Hollow, he had spent the rest of his time busy with calculations.

"I'm so glad to have gone through these things with you, like the Five Schools League and the battle against the Dark Wizard."

A commotion arose among the students; what they wanted to hear was about to happen.

"I'm sorry that the Five Schools League couldn't produce a result," Dumbledore said regretfully, looking at the players from various countries.

Because Yuzuru Kafu has been labeled a dark wizard, his magic institute is also under investigation by the International Wizarding Association—but they probably can't care less about that now, since the Minister of Magic of Japan has been assassinated.

Professor Genya and his students from the magic institute sat at the fifth long table, feeling uneasy. They were confused and afraid, and all they wanted was to get back to their hometown as soon as possible.

Lady Tokugawa remains in St. Mungo's Hospital. She has suffered too much mental torment, and the Tokugawa family has no intention of taking her back, perhaps because the family is too busy with its own problems.

Michaela, Krum, and Brian all nodded in agreement. Although they ultimately failed to determine a winner, they acknowledged each other's strength.

Dumbledore took in all the reactions and said with a smile, "I regret that the league may not be able to continue, but I'm also happy to see the players' performance and growth. If I had the right to present awards, I would definitely give an award to every player!"

"At the same time, I am also pleased to announce that, in conjunction with the league's founder, Mr. Moriarty—"

People turned to look at Moriarty, and many now realized that Moriarty was the founder of the Five Schools League.

Moriarty nodded slightly. Although there was no championship, the reward still had to be given.

The joint education program was a key part of his plan. The five-school league was put on hold, but who says there can't be a seven-school league or a ten-school league!

Dumbledore continued, "...and after discussions with Mr. Fudge, the Minister of Magic and a member of the Hogwarts Board of Governors, it was unanimously decided to award a prize to each contestant!"

A round of applause erupted in the Great Hall. With the Slytherin family and the Hogwarts Board of Governors backing it up, the amount of money would certainly be substantial.

"Then, I must also explain the reasons for the league's temporary suspension."

Dumbledore became serious and scanned each student: "We must admit that there is too much shadow and evil in this world."

"Dark wizards are everywhere—they can be in England, or they can be in Japan!"

"This group of dark wizards from Japan, wearing masks made with the title of vice principal of the magic academy, appeared openly before us."

"They kidnapped the pure-blood children, attacked the Malfoy family's manor and house, intending to incite a conflict between the pure-blood families of England and Japan!"

The students gasped in surprise. So that's how it is!

Some of the older pureblood snakes shook their heads and asked what had happened to the Malfoy family in recent years.

Last year, the head of the family, Lucius, was beheaded, and it is said that he died with a green leaf on his head.

This year, my entire family is gone.

What bad luck.

As Dumbledore described it, the students became increasingly convinced, and the students of the magic institute tried their best to shrink themselves away and minimize their presence.

Moriarty nodded slightly. This was the official explanation. The Immortal Organization, the Prophecy of Immortality, and the Blood Feast were things they certainly wouldn't tell the public.

"Throughout this process, I must especially commend the two wizards!" Dumbledore exclaimed.

"They displayed indomitable spirit and unwavering perseverance in their fight against the dark wizard, and of course, their superb magic!"

"I think you all know who they are now, let's give a round of applause to Gilderoy Lockhart and Jericho Blanche!"

Before Jericho's name was even announced, applause erupted, drowning out all the sound in the auditorium.

The students chanted Lockhart's name.

Jericho scratched his short hair. "You really have to become famous early. Professor Lockhart stole all my thunder."

Lockhart stood up from his professor's seat with a broad smile and immediately launched into an emotional speech: "My students, I'm so excited to hear your approval!"

"Ooh ooh ooh ooh!"

The calls for it grew louder.

"You know, I graduated a long time ago, but I've always been proud to be a Hogwarts student, and now something else has happened that I'm proud of—I protected you, I protected Hogwarts, and I protected the wizards of England as a professor!"

Lockhart had clearly put in the effort for this speech, not only dressing up carefully but also speaking eloquently and persuasively.

Moriarty saw tears glistening in the eyes of many students, and Dumbledore was also moved, as if he were seeing Lockhart all over again.

Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape seemed to agree on this: This guy is quite the talker!

During Lockhart's twenty-minute speech, the students forgot about the dark wizard and looked at Lockhart with adoration.

"...I once said that Hogwarts students got more of me."

"Now I must add that not only has Hogwarts gotten a better version of me, but soon, the British Ministry of Magic will also get a better version of me!"

"Yes, that's right, I'm going to join the Ministry of Magic—Minister Fudge has already spoken to me about it."

In order to better leverage my international influence and build a greater force to combat dark wizards, the ministry has created a special department for me, under the Auror Office.

But I'm in charge of it; it's brand new, and its name is the International Anti-Black Wizard Special Task Force! I'm the captain!

"I will establish three groups, each with ten members and one group leader. I can select you from this year's Hogwarts graduates to join my department!"

"Your senior, Leon Minchem, has decided to join and will serve as one of the group leaders."

Lockhart's tone was full of confidence and solemnity, which moved everyone, as if they could see the dark wizard having nowhere to escape under Lockhart's attack.

Even Professor Snape had to admit that wizards are all talented.

Clearly, Lockhart had used all his talents on the Oblivion Charm and his speeches, which had the students on the edge of their seats.

The end-of-term party concluded with everyone's hopes for the future and discussions about Lockhart.

Moriarty and his friends boarded the express train with laughter. He sent invitations to his friends. Third grade was over, but some things were not over.

(New volume, please subscribe!)

(End of this chapter)