The mastermind behind Hogwarts

Chapter 77 Sordaya's Challenge

Fudge was clearly dressed up. He was a stocky, short man, and today he had his hair styled in curls, wearing a pinstripe suit, a violet tie, a long black cloak, and silver pointed boots.

Moriarty watched Fudge walk over, and he knew that from this moment on, every word he spoke would have to be carefully considered. However, these painstakingly crafted words were not Moriarty's true feelings, but merely tools to achieve his goals.

Just like now, Moriarty lightly shook Fudge's hand, quickly separated it, and said in a nonchalant tone, "I think Mr. Fudge should be well aware that our headmaster, Dumbledore, has always opposed students' involvement in politics, but I've come anyway. Does Mr. Fudge know why?"

Fudge's eyelids twitched when he heard "Dumbledore," and after hearing Moriarty's question, he looked at Lucius in a panic.

Before Moriarty arrived, they had considered many ways to talk, but Moriarty pointed out a core issue that was not in their minds!

How should I answer that?

Fudge stood there awkwardly, not quite able to say, "Because I can offer the Slytherin family many benefits after becoming Minister of Magic, please support me!"

Fudge also had his own ulterior motives. There were too many pure-blood families, and they were too greedy. There was never enough benefit to go around. If he promised Moriarty a benefit today, he would have to promise Malfoy a benefit tomorrow. A week later, he had already been sidelined before he even became Minister of Magic!

It was obvious that Fudge had not yet become a hypocritical politician. Moriarty glanced at him and followed up on the previous question, saying, "The reason I came is because I hope that Mr. Fudge can bring about different changes to the wizarding world."

Every adjustment in social structure brings unprecedented opportunities. Pure-blood families often possess vast wealth, but whether we acknowledge it or not, pure-blood families as a whole are becoming out of touch with the times! How to seize these opportunities to achieve a series of goals, such as wealth appreciation and family expansion, is the question we, as family heads, should be pondering.

The purebloods exchanged glances, their eyes shifting repeatedly as they seemed to be exchanging a silent message: Moriarty, he truly lives up to his reputation!

Moriarty made it clear that he would choose whoever could bring about change in the wizarding world to be Minister of Magic!

This is so Slytherin!

Although everyone knows that Moriarty's "bringing change to the wizarding world" means "providing convenience for pure-blood families," no one says it aloud.

We support Fudge as Minister of Magic not because he can provide us with conveniences, but because he can bring about change in the wizarding world!

Listen to that! What a resounding slogan, what a perfectly legitimate reason!

Many purebloods laughed and nodded to Lucius. They were most afraid of Moriarty's unyielding attitude. As long as Moriarty had something to do, then Fudge's matter could be discussed.

Lucius, of course, wasn't going to let the atmosphere become awkward. He feigned anger and shouted, "Dobby? Dobby! Begin the banquet! Do you want my distinguished guests to stand and talk?"

He walked between Moriarty and Fudge. "I heard that Mr. Moriarty taught the house-elves at Hogwarts a few Chinese dishes. Today, I've come to try the Chinese cuisine at Malfoy Manor! I specifically instructed Dobby to learn it!"

Of course, Mr. Fudge, your favorite dish—escargots in Provence—is indispensable.

"You're always so thoughtful." Fudge nodded with satisfaction. Mr. Parkinson leaned closer. "Lucius, do you have my favorite pan-fried salmon fillet with crab butter sauce?"

"My old friends, you can always find everything you need at Malfoy Manor. And so can you!" Lucius said to the crowd, bowing to the pure-blood guests even though the Weasleys, whom he hated most, were among them.

Dobby, accompanied by house-elves, brought out dishes and wine from the kitchen, and the banquet soon began. Lucius sat in the main seat, with Moriarty and Fudge on his right, and then the various purebloods lined up on either side.

As the food and wine were enjoyed, the atmosphere became lively.

The Malfoy family's house-elves were indeed excellent cooks, and Moriarty gave an objective evaluation after dinner.

Now, small groups of wizards began to move about the room, wearing the characteristic smiles of nobility, clinking glasses with others. Lucius was surrounded by a large crowd, and he introduced his companions to Moriarty one by one.

Among them, besides the group of Death Eaters like Lucius, Moriarty also saw a great beauty.

She was Mrs. Zabini, a renowned beauty in British pure-blood circles.

By 1989, she had had five husbands, all of whom died, leaving her a considerable sum of money.

Now she gazes at Moriarty with tender eyes, wanting to have a drink with him.

Her son, Blaise Zabini, was too ashamed to look at his mother, and Draco and others teased Blaise Zabini that he was about to have another little dad.

Soldaya sensed their disrespect for Moriarty in their words, his eyes darted around, and he spoke a few words to Draco, Pansy, Nott, and the other children.

At this moment, Moriarty got rid of Mrs. Zabini, and Mr. Macmillan introduced Moriarty to his companions, an act that immediately revealed the fact that the Twenty-Eight Purebloods were divided into two teams.

Therefore, Moriarty deliberately acted as if he were close to the McMillan and Weasley families.

These families have a close relationship with Dumbledore.

Fudge quickly noticed this and confided his concerns to Lucius: "The Pilliwick family finally gave up on Barty Crouch, but Headmaster Dumbledore is still the most popular choice! If Mr. Moriarty publicly supports Dumbledore, I don't think I can participate in the election—I can't offend both the most powerful wizard in Europe and the purest pureblood in Europe!"

"Moriarty is playing both sides," Lucius said, taking a deep sip of his drink. "He won't support you unless you give him some benefits."

"And what do you say?" Fudge looked dejected. "What I can give him, Dumbledore can give too! What I can't give, Dumbledore can!"

Lucius did not speak. He ordered Dobby to remove the cutlery and leftovers, turning the table into a black round table with thirty chairs.

People realized something, the sounds in the room gradually faded, and everyone stopped smiling and walked to the round table.

"The Twenty-Eight Holy Purebloods are a unified whole, and every Minister of Magic election has been held by us! And this time is no exception. It's time to change our Minister of Magic!" Lucius said with great pride. In the past, the leaders at pureblood gatherings were always the Black family, the Crouch family, or the Selwyn family. Now it's the Malfoy family's turn.

"Now, I ask you all to send your children out! They'll be a few years older if they want to attend the meeting." Lucius tapped the floor with his cane, glanced at Draco sitting on the sofa talking, and the heads of the various families gave their children the same instructions.

However, the children all looked at Moriarty, and when they realized that Moriarty had no intention of leaving, they immediately frowned and became unhappy.

Draco stood up and yelled at Lucius, "Dad? Why is it that a descendant of Slytherin gets to attend meetings with you while I have to leave? He's not even that much older than us!"

Pansy was the first to support Draco: "Yes, if the descendants of Slytherins can attend the meeting, so can we!"

The Greengrass sisters, Crabbe, Gore, and Theodore also voiced their protest.

Moriarty coldly swept his gaze over the children, and Lucius sensed something was wrong. Before Lucius could erupt in anger, Narcissa picked up Draco and led him outside, but Draco kicked his legs wildly, trying to break free from his mother.

Pansy and the other children were still making a ruckus. The expressions of the various purebloods were all different. Augusta Longbottom revealed a sneer. Compared to them, his grandson Neville was still very well-behaved.

"Draco Malfoy!" Lucius roared angrily. "Narcissa, let him go, Dobby! Take him back to his bedroom and don't let him out for three days!"

On the other side, he bowed to Moriarty to apologize, but Moriarty ignored him. His gaze passed over Draco and the other seven children, rested on Breszabini, whose face was flushed, for a second, and then left, finally settling on the calm-looking Soldaya.

"Using the childlike tendency of people like Draco and Malfoy to compare themselves to others, he's expressing his dissatisfaction with me," Moriarty said, walking towards Soldaya, looking at the boy who was half a head shorter than him. "Now I'm standing in front of you. Tell me, what do you want?"

"Soldaya? You? You orchestrated this whole farce?" Old Selwyn stepped out from the crowd, looking at his grandson in astonishment. "Why did you do this?"

"Why?" Sordaya glared at his grandfather with disgust. "To distance myself from you, of course! You purebloods are all waiting for a Slytherin descendant; you probably see him as the second Dark Lord, don't you?"

"Excuse me, but I'm not like you! The Selwyn family is born noble—don't confuse me with that Death Eater father! The Selwyn family will rise to prominence again in my hands!"

Soldaya swept his disdain across the purebloods, then looked directly at Moriarty with a predatory glint in his eyes: "I've heard many people say you're a genius, and my favorite thing to do is to stifle geniuses! Take out your wand, fifteen minutes! Just fifteen minutes and I'll give you an unforgettable memory!"

(End of this chapter)