The mastermind behind Hogwarts

Chapter 83: Teachers and Students on the Express Train (Happy Mid-Autumn Festival everyone!)

After the gathering of those in power, Jericho moved into Slytherin Castle, and soon after, Marcus and Leon arrived, thus forming a small Hogwarts clique led by Moriarty.

In mid-August, Moriarty formally invited James Branch and Ludo Bagman to visit Slytherin Castle.

Moriarty told the two directors that he had decided to represent the British national team. Ludo was overjoyed, while James looked disappointed.

"Don't be disappointed, Mr. James," Moriarty said. "No guest who has entered this castle has ever left dejected."

James waited for what was to come, and Moriarty told him, "Next year's World Cup will be held in Canada, and as everyone knows, the Canadian Ministry of Magic always follows the orders of the U.S. Ministry of Magic."

James wore a smug expression, and Moriarty laughed: "The World Cup is a huge business opportunity, and you have considerable influence in the sports world. Faced with such a large pie, aren't you even slightly tempted?"

"Yes, of course," James said frankly. "But there are too many people eyeing this piece of the pie."

"So you need my help." Moriarty smiled faintly, looking at Ludo. "And I need Mr. Ludo's cooperation with the British Ministry of Magic!"

Ludo caught the scent of Galleons and leaned forward, feigning urgency: "Mr. Moriarty, how would you like us to cooperate?"

"To be honest, wizards' money is harder to earn than Muggle's money, so this time I'm going to get involved myself," Moriarty said seriously, clearly he had another big plan: "Listen, gentlemen, what I'm talking about is the 'Star Creation Project'!"

I will lead the British national team to a perfect record and win the World Cup! Think about the business opportunities involved, and you'll know how to cooperate with me.

Ludo and James were taken aback by Moriarty's confidence. After realizing what he meant, they closed their eyes and shook their heads. They believed in Moriarty's talent, but to say that Moriarty could win the championship... well, Merlin would probably be wearing stockings by now!

Let a boy under 13 years old lead the national team? Am I crazy or is the world crazy?! This is Ludo's thought.

James's thoughts were more direct: I don't believe Moriarty can beat my nephew Maxi Blanche III!

"I know you don't believe me, but that's okay. I've done a lot of preparation for the World Cup, Mr. Ludo. You can keep an eye on my progress throughout the year. And Mr. James, I'm sure Jericho will tell you about my efforts for the World Cup."

Moriarty smiled confidently and calmly. This calmness influenced the two directors, gradually dispelling their sense of absurdity. They began to think along Moriarty's lines and concluded that the money earned from the star-making project was enough for them to squander for two lifetimes!

Ludo and James exchanged a glance and nodded with some skepticism. If Moriarty couldn't do it, they wouldn't suffer a loss; at most, they would just lose some reputation.

After seeing off the two directors, Moriarty locked him in a laboratory, determined to develop a new type of flying broomstick that would render the Nimbus 1700 obsolete.

Jericho and Marcus, two Quidditch enthusiasts, also offered some help, but summer vacation always flies by. The young wizards were still enjoying their carefree summer vacation when the second school year rushed in.

At the start of this academic year, Moriarty moved up to the second grade.

Moriarty and his two companions arrived at the station in a unicorn carriage. Ingo cast a goblin-like spell on the carriage, making it invisible to Muggles but visible to wizards.

Jericho, basking in the envious glances from the wizards, grinned and said, "Prefect Leon really made a mistake by not coming with us! Oh, I bet he misses these envious and longing looks. How long has it been since his family was looked up to like that?"

"Compared to Leon, I actually have more faith in William. It's a pity William's heart is too wild." Moriarty said as he stepped down from the carriage, his Slytherin staff once again inseparable from him.

Marcus, chewing on a toffee, followed Moriarty off the train. He looked at the express train and noticed that all the young wizards seemed to be focused on the front of the train.

"Is that the boardroom at the front of the train?" Jericho mused. "Could it be that a remarkable new student has arrived this year?"

"What's wrong with them?" Marcus asked, pulling aside a young Slytherin wizard. "Why are they all running to the front of the train!"

"You didn't know that?" The little snake ran to the car without turning around. "Everyone's saying a beautiful woman got on the school board's train! Come and see!"

"Has he never seen a woman before?" Jericho scoffed. "Or is it that no one on the train has ever seen a woman before! Where's Pillivik? She should be here waiting for Mr. Moria; she must know what happened."

"Let's sit down first." Moriarty led Jericho and Marcus onto the train. The aisle was packed with people, not a single girl, just little boys! They peered inside, jostling and pushing.

A fifth-grader called out excitedly upon seeing Moriarty arrive. Soon after, Leon pushed his way through the crowd, waving and shouting, "Mr. Moriarty! Over here! I've reserved a boardroom for you!"

He tried to approach Moriarty, but there were too many people, making it difficult to move. "Excuse me, excuse me! What did you say? To admire the beauty? No way! I need to go out and meet Mr. Moriarty! Excuse me, I'm the prefect! Please, make way for me!"

Leon finally made his way through the crowd to Moriarty. "What's going on? Who's on the train?" Moriarty asked.

"Sir, I don't know!" Leon wiped the sweat from his brow. "Damn it! What are they all talking about, appreciating beauty? Did Professor Dumbledore invite some weird sister band?"

"Appreciating beauty, a great beauty..." Moriarty murmured the keywords people mentioned, and suddenly remembered a snow-white figure—was it that beautiful elf?

An elf? An elf!

"The reason our people have been targeting elves lately is because of a legend about a headless vampire ancestor."

The words of the old Jewish vampire leader still echoed in my ears.

A first-year vampire professor, a second-year elf professor...

Moriarty seems to have grasped some clues!

"Leon, make them clear the way." Moriarty decided to test the beautiful elf, and if he guessed correctly, the one causing the commotion was the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Diana.

Leon sent people to organize it. He now unconditionally obeys Moriarty's orders, and the young wizards believe that the position of president of the boys' student council is rightfully Leon's, so they generously give way to him.

Upon hearing that Moriarty was going to enjoy the beautiful scenery, the young wizards all revealed ambiguous smiles.

Keith and Larpo chuckled slyly, "If anyone could be chosen by goodness, it would definitely be Mr. Moriarty."

Leon walked over and said in a low voice, "Sir, I've found out. He's in the No. 1 boardroom, and there's only one person inside."

Moriarty nodded and walked toward compartment number one at the front of the train. A minute later, Moriarty knocked on the sliding wooden door of the compartment.

The door opened slowly, and Diana sat on the soft leather sofa with her legs crossed. Her skin was as white as the sofa. Today, she had a completely different demeanor than she had in the principal's office that day. She was wearing a khaki blazer, which made her look much softer. Her pointed little ears were no longer so striking, but rather delicate and exquisite.

This woman can pull off so many different looks! And she's even mastered Muggle fashion sense; no wonder she captivated all the little wizards on the train.

When Moriarty realized that Diana didn't intend to speak, he turned around, closed the door, sat down opposite her, and said softly, "I thought Nicolas Flamel was sitting in this box, but it's you."

"You're talking nonsense," Diana said with a slight smile. "You know I'm here, that's why you came to find me. Elves have a rather unique ear structure, you know."

Moriarty knew from Diana's words that Diana must have overheard his conversation with Leon.

Diana's smile grew even brighter, making her look stunningly beautiful with her exquisite features. "So even the famous Moriarty gets nervous when he tries to chat up girls."

Moriarty wouldn't tolerate her teasing, shaking his head and laughing, "I don't think I could ever forget that the person sitting in front of me is an elf who looks delicate but is actually bigger than Dumbledore."

"What's wrong with elves?" Diana pouted, clearly displeased. "Aren't elves beautiful?"

Moriarty blinked. Diana's performance was unexpected; this elf was quite troublesome!

"Aren't elves nice?" Diana puffed out her chest. Just then, the train started moving, and her snow-white figure suddenly became turbulent, like two large headlights, dazzling the eyes.

"Or is it that Mr. Moriarty thinks elves aren't powerful enough!" Diana stood up, hands on her hips, looking down at Moriarty. Her bright, snow-white skin blocked Moriarty's eyes, obscuring his entire vision, while a faint, milky scent wafted into his nostrils...

"You should know that I'm your Defense Against the Dark Arts professor! I'm more than capable of teaching you little wizards!" Diana smiled, sat down next to Moriarty, and exhaled. "I think Mr. Moriarty will understand that soon enough."

Moriarty's expression changed slightly, and he walked out of the private room without saying a word. Diana watched Moriarty's retreating figure with a meaningful smile.

It's Mid-Autumn Festival again, and another day for asking for votes, favorites, follow-up reading, and donations! I want to advance! Come participate in the event in the comments section, and I'll be giving away freebies!

(End of this chapter)