The mastermind behind Hogwarts

Chapter 539 Zhang Qiu and Ginny

Moriarty is looking for the book "Defense Against Magic" at Flourish and Blotts.

As you can tell from the name, it's a magic book that has absolutely nothing to do with wands.

And this book actually appeared on Hogwarts's start-of-term list.

Moriarty knew then that the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor for this year would undoubtedly be Umbridge.

The clerks at Flourish and Blotts stacked the new textbooks together in a prominent position, and Moriarty took one.

At that moment, Zhang Qiu walked into the bookstore and saw Moriarty waving happily.

"Honey~"

Zhang Qiu called out softly, gesturing towards the door to indicate her name.

Moriarty followed her gesture and saw a couple standing outside the door, both of whom appeared to be Chinese.

These appear to be Zhang Qiu's parents.

Zhang Qiu walked up to Moriarty, took his arm, and asked with a joyful look in her eyes, "Are you ready? Um... I mean, to meet the parents."

"Of course, today will be your happiest day," Moriarty assured him.

Zhang Qiu was wearing a pink dress today, while Moriarty was in a black suit. The two walked out of the bookstore side by side.

They look like a couple attending a wedding.

Zhang Qiu's parents witnessed this scene and nodded in approval.

They were very satisfied with Moriarty's looks and image.

However, the Zhang family was not unaware of the undercurrents in Europe.

Zhang Qiu's parents were worried about her safety.

Moriarty brought the Zhang family of three to the Leaky Cauldron bar.

This is the only shop in Diagon Alley where you can have a conversation.

As Moriarty entered the bar, the noisy atmosphere inside immediately quieted down.

Uncle Tom, the owner, greeted Moriarty like an old friend, even though Moriarty hadn't been there many times.

Moriarty requested a guest room; the area below the bar was too unpleasant for conversation.

In the ensuing conversation, Zhang Qiu's parents asked Moriarty several questions.

All of this is related to the situation in the European magical community.

Moriarty was surprised by the Zhang family's insightful understanding, but he also said that he was fully capable of handling the situation.

"To be honest, I don't want Qiu to return to school this year," Mr. Zhang said firmly, a very serious man. "The black wizards in Japan have been very restless lately, and many Japanese people have gone missing."

"I don't know if this has anything to do with Gamp."

"Several elderly people in my family told me that the European Gamp has grown into a towering tree."

"Compared to him, your foundation is still too shallow."

Seeing that Moriarty was listening attentively, Mr. Zhang continued.

"The elders in the family also said," he paused, a hint of reminiscence flashing in his eyes, "that Gamp once launched a dragon-hunting campaign—no one knows why, but they traveled all over the world, and naturally, they came to our China."

"We stopped his group at the border, and since then, very few black wizards have come here."

Mr. Zhang's tone carried a hint of pride.

"What I'm talking about is... Gamp's gang, they have a blue giant... uh..."

Moriarty saw him frown, trying to remember.

"There was also a red-haired wizard, and a particularly tall, deathly pale male wizard."

"It's strange that these people hunt dragons all over the world."

With Mr. Zhang adopting a complaining tone, Moriarty had already made up his mind.

"Is it strange? For most people, hunting a fire dragon is a thankless and arduous task."

"But for Gamp, he would do anything to become a god."

"Those fire dragons hold the secret of elemental relics!"

Moriarty figured it out almost instantly.

I just don't know which element it is.

Moreover, Moriarty discovered that the Zhang family was using Zhang Qiu's parents to send him intelligence.

"After hearing your story," Moriarty said with a smile, "China is practically a forbidden land of black magic."

Mr. Zhang laughed heartily, his face beaming as someone praised his homeland: "Yes, that's right, we are the forbidden land of the dark wizards!"

No wonder old Pilivik sent his son and daughter-in-law to China; he knew that Gamp couldn't extend his influence into China.

Moriarty suddenly realized.

At the same time, she also began to have some thoughts about her own background.

Did my ancestors have the same idea when they fled to Tibet for refuge?

Moriarty then chatted with Zhang Qiu's parents for a while, and the three of them got along very well.

"Well then, Mr. Moriarty, we'll leave Qiu to you."

Mr. Zhang placed Zhang Qiu's hand in Moriarty's hand, as if it were some kind of solemn ceremony.

Zhang Qiu's parents then said goodbye and left the bar.

As Moriarty watched them walk away, he said to Zhang Qiu, "Qiu'er, your parents are truly good people."

Moriarty took note of this information that helped him.

After fulfilling their mission of meeting the parents, Moriarty and Cho Chang strolled around Diagon Alley.

"First, we'll go to Ollivander's Wand Shop and Partridge's Cauldron Shop to buy Ginny a wand and a cauldron, then we'll go to Madam Malkin's Robes Shop to buy clothes for Uncle and Aunt, and finally we'll go to Florin's Ice Cream Shop to buy some desserts."

Moriarty made clear arrangements for his two female classmates.

Ginny naturally had no objections and obediently followed Moriarty and Cho Chang.

On the way, Zhang Qiu whispered to Moriarty, "Another junior has fallen for him."

Moriarty pretended not to understand, "What are you talking about?"

"Tch." Zhang Qiuji pouted: "You're just pretending. The way Little Ginny looks at you is exactly the same way I looked at you back then. She'll fall for you sooner or later."

"I still don't understand," Moriarty said, feigning ignorance one second and then revealing a wicked grin the next. "What kind of look did you give me back then, Qiu'er? Show me."

"No way." Zhang Qiu pouted even more.

Moriarty was about to kiss Zhang Qiu when she dodged him, but Zhang Qiu responded rather irritably.

Ginny, who was behind her, widened her eyes at the sight, as if she had discovered a new continent. Her eyes sparkled as she took notes of the details.

Walk to Ollivander's Wand Shop.

It's become much bigger inside, and it looks like it's been renovated.

"Oh, Merlin!" Ollivander's gaze lingered on Moriarty and the other two through his glasses. "Mr. Moriarty, Miss Cho Chang, hello. And this one, the red-haired one."

"You must be the Weasley princess."

The last sentence was said to Ginny.

Zhang Qiu replied with a smile, "It's wonderful that you still remember me."

“I remember every customer,” Ollivander said to Moriarty. “You bought a second wand from me when you already had one, didn’t you?”

"Today's main character is little Ginny." Moriarty pushed Ginny forward. "Get her a magic wand."

"Of course, she will get it." Ollivander asked Ginny a few questions, mostly about her arm length, forearm length, height, head circumference, and other measurements.

Then he took out a magic wand.

"Try this one: eleven inches, yew wood shaft, unicorn hair core."

Ollivander handed the wand to Ginny.

"Stable, strong, kind-hearted but opinionated."

"Excuse me, are you talking about me or it?" Ginny didn't quite understand.

"You and it are both, children." Ollivander smiled kindly.

Ginny used her wand to summon a tulip the size of a book.

"This is great, I want it!" Ginny exclaimed happily, unable to put it down.

"Thank you for your feedback. This stem was provided by the Gamp family and is free of charge." Ollivander bowed slightly.

Ginny was even happier. The cost of school supplies was a significant burden for her family every year. This year, the wand was free, and it would be even better if the cauldron was also free.

Zhang Qiu glanced at Moriarty with concern. Through her parents, she knew that Gamp was Moriarty's mortal enemy.

Moriarty was not angry, and calmly said, "May Merlin bless you."

Ollivander laughed and said, "May Merlin also bless you, Mr. Moriarty."

Despite their differing stances, the two harbored no animosity towards each other.

Ollivander even hoped Moriarty would learn wand magic.

That seems impossible now.

Moriarty and his two companions left the wand shop and headed towards the cauldron shop.

On the way, they met Professor Snape.

(End of this chapter)