The mastermind behind Hogwarts

Chapter 527 Singing a Different Tune (910)

According to the Daily Prophet.

A series of reports about Dumbledore appeared in European newspapers.

Surprisingly.

The reports were all about Dumbledore's "dirt".

"That's what the editors and reporters said."

Lockhart reports to Moriarty at Slytherin Castle.

This is so bizarre!

Lockhart described it vividly.

"They all claimed that Dumbledore was a crazy old man."

"These people are everywhere, even throughout Europe!"

"Do you still remember the young master of the French newspaper 'Le Monde'?"

"It's that third-rate tabloid that slandered you three years ago, claiming you had connections with vampires."

"Now they're saying Dumbledore is being controlled by a dark wizard! Hogwarts is in constant danger!"

"How ridiculous!"

"And the Daily Prophet, too, bombarded Dumbledore without a word leaking out beforehand!"

"This was premeditated!"

Lockhart stood up for Dumbledore.

When he was in school, he sent a letter to Dumbledore, asking the headmaster for permission to start a school newspaper.

Lockhart was ridiculed quite a bit for this at the time.

But Dumbledore surprisingly agreed!

The school newspaper was not implemented only because it was obstructed by the four deans.

Therefore, Lockhart felt a sense of gratitude towards Dumbledore.

Moriarty knew this well and reassured Lockhart.

"Dumbledore will be safe and sound."

"This little thing won't shake Dumbledore's position."

"What puzzles me is, why did he criticize Dumbledore?"

Moriarty, standing atop the castle, gazes out at the distant mountains and fields.

Pegasus and unicorn play happily on the green grass.

"Him? You mean...?"

Lockhart was a little confused.

"Who else could it be?" Moriarty chuckled lightly, "He's directing the Daily Prophet, mobilizing media resources across Europe, and focusing all his firepower on Dumbledore, the most powerful white wizard of our time."

"Only Gamp possesses this ability."

"He was the one who started this."

"I still don't know what he's up to."

Moriarty couldn't help but feel puzzled.

Given Lockhart's promotion and raise, Gamp should be pointing the finger at himself.

What business is it of Dumbledore of his struggle with Gump?

However, since Gump has chosen to take action against Dumbledore...

Moriarty had no choice but to respond.

"I will personally write a letter to Dumbledore."

"Hogwarts' personnel arrangements have been questioned."

"Professor Lupin is probably not able to take the position, and there will likely be someone else chosen for this year's Defense Against the Dark Arts professorship."

"And the school board members also need to be taken care of."

"The Ministry of Magic may intervene at Hogwarts through the school's board of trustees."

"Yes, the Ministry of Magic!"

Moriarty's eyes suddenly lit up.

He figured it out.

The Fudge faction has sided with Gamp!

Gump's actions against Dumbledore were not limited to just a few reports.

So what if we ruin Dumbledore's reputation?

So what if you pin all the blame on Dumbledore and smear him as the greatest dark wizard in history?

Who dares to imprison Dumbledore in Azkaban?

Do you expect Dumbledore to surrender easily?

Moriarty gave a slight sneer; that was impossible.

Since the two parted ways, even Moriarty didn't know where Dumbledore was.

Moreover, Voldemort's remaining soul fragments are now few, and all the Death Eaters have been captured.

Dumbledore no longer had anyone he needed to defeat, nor any reason he had to die.

Dumbledore is only going to be stronger now!

"So Gamp came up with this idea."

Moriarty's eyes gleamed.

"Use the Ministry of Magic to restrain Dumbledore."

"As long as Dumbledore remains a white wizard, he will never dare to disobey the orders of the Ministry of Magic."

"This way, we can gradually erode Hogwarts through the Ministry of Magic."

"Hogwarts has been infiltrated, and ultimately, it will threaten my interests!"

Moriarty had now seen through Gamp's intentions.

Gump is going to make a move against Hogwarts!

It's probably not just Hogwarts.

All 11 magic schools in the world are part of Gamp's plan!

The only difference is the order in which they are done.

Moriarty's guess was quite right.

Following his three major plans—politically suppressing Moriarty, commercially encircling and suppressing Moriarty, and eliminating Moriarty in battle—Gampo launched a series of counter-offensives.

Another plan for education was developed.

Eradicate the influence of the Slytherin family through education!

Hogwarts will be the first to be affected!

Dumbledore is the headmaster of Hogwarts.

They were clearly the primary target!

Having figured all this out, Moriarty immediately began making arrangements.

Lockhart played a limited role in this matter.

Since we've chosen to join the Auror Office, we can't afford to waste extra energy on education.

"Marcus, I need you to issue a statement."

"While vindicating Rupert Hager."

"Publish some of your research."

Marcus nodded solemnly.

Five years have passed, thanks to Moriarty's guidance.

He has been studying magical creatures and magical animals for five years.

It would be a lie to say I had no insights at all.

Some of his views and research even surpass those of most wizards.

Perhaps only Newt Scamander can compare.

But when Marcus carried out Moriarty's orders...

But then they discovered...

There was no newspaper, no reporter.

I'm willing to accept Marcus's invitation for an interview!

"Great, they've started to boycott me!"

Moriarty knew that this disappearance was not lifeless.

"Lilith, who was sitting next to me, said with a smile."

"You and your just laws have likely faced resistance as well."

"Our channels for speaking out have been cut off."

A chilling aura appeared in Lilith's eyes.

"They're really courting death!"

"Remember the warning the Daily Prophet's editorial team and board of directors received?"

She turned her head and asked Moriarty.

"Of course, I had old Flint and old Foley visit them, and then they were as docile as sheep."

Moriarty knew what Lilith was talking about.

Four years ago, Rita Skeeter wanted to dig deeper into the Slytherin family through Moriarty.

The Daily Prophet was warned by old Flint and old Foley, and Rita obediently became Moriarty's mouthpiece.

"Now she's sided with Gump," Moriarty said with certainty. "That essay, 'Albus Dumbledore's Mistake,' must have been written by her!"

"I will have my lawyers sue the Daily Prophet for monopolizing the news industry!"

Lilith began writing a letter, her expression serious.

"Marcus, why don't you also visit the board of directors of the Daily Prophet on behalf of the Flint family?" Moriarty said casually.

Although he knew the chances were slim.

Those people dared to refuse Marcus's invitation.

This indicates that they have found a new backer.

Gampo!

It can only be him.

Moriarty realized that Gamp was going to encircle and suppress him commercially.

"Lilith?" Moriarty suddenly asked, "How's things going on Percy's side?"

"Our foundation and insurance may need to play their role sooner rather than later."

"You're going to war with Gringotts?" Lilith asked, biting the quill pen and staring blankly at Moriarty.

This exposed some of her teeth to Moriarty's view.

Recalling the scene of Lilith transforming back into human form from her white snake form, Moriarty felt his mouth go dry.

"Hmm..." Moriarty swallowed, then pondered, "I need to raise funds to start my own newspaper!"

"Since Gamp has cut off the channels of communication."

"Then let's carve out our own new track!"

"I am full of ambition," Moriarty said.

One idea after another popped into my mind.

The media in the magical world is very backward.

They're still at the level of newspapers and news agencies.

Moriarty, on the other hand, had a vision for the future.

His mind was filled with countless ways to spread information.

This time he's going to take it out.

Lilith then understood.

The funds needed for the preparation are naturally an astronomical figure.

Moriarty would never let this money pass through the hands of a fairy.

The celebrity effect brought about by Moriarty meant that those who followed him would not deposit their funds in Gringotts.

"If you take action, at least half the funding of the English wizarding world could leave Gringotts!"

"Those greedy demons will absolutely not agree to it."

Lilith's beautiful eyes sparkled with a smile.

"So Percy needs to speed things up."

"Yes, I'll send Jericho to assist him immediately," Moriarty said firmly, "Let foreign wizards get involved."

"I want Gamp to know."

His era is over!

"The current mainstream trend is globalization!"

"It's about global harmony!"

To Moriarty, it was like Muggles founding the United Nations.

Wizards should also connect with each other, strengthen their ties, and perhaps even establish a wizarding United Nations.

"teacher!"

Marcus spoke loudly as he walked in.

"As expected, they rejected me again, they rejected the Flint family!"

"It seems they intend to completely break with you." Lilith rested her chin on her hand, anticipating Moriarty's next move.

Moriarty scoffed dismissively: "How wonderful, it'll be too late for them to regret it."

Marcus added, "But sir, a small newspaper has accepted my offer! — Well, I can't call it a newspaper, it's just a small private workshop that publishes a paper from time to time."

Moriarty's eyes lit up. "Who?"

"Sing a different tune."

Marcus picked up a brightly colored magazine.

(Bonus Chapter 9 for the Alliance Leader! Luna will appear in the next chapter.)

(End of this chapter)