Moriarty sampled a bit of everything on the table, though he found Lilith's gravy particularly difficult to swallow.
"I'm suddenly curious—do you have any siblings?" Moriarty asked Lilith, who was seated to his right.
Lilith, in the middle of spearing a pork chop with her fork, glanced at Moriarty before eyeing the glass of gravy ice cream she had proudly prepared.
"I know what you're getting at," she said with a smirk. "But no, I don't have any mischievous younger siblings. My childhood was incredibly dull—just thick tomes of laws and regulations to keep me company. That's probably why I enjoy cooking."
Moriarty raised an eyebrow. "And that's why you create dark dishes? Are you trying to poison me with gravy ice cream so you can inherit my Slytherin staff?"
The younger Slytherins around them burst into laughter, while Lilith snorted and played along.
"Well then, you might as well prepare yourself for my lamb summer pudding, potato-chip-baked jelly, and carrot sausage pie. I plan to unveil a new dish every week—don't forget it."
Gemma Farley set down her roasted chicken and grinned. "Really, Lilith? Why don't you just open a food shop in Hogsmeade?"
"I bet Professor Dumbledore would visit," William added with a chuckle. "He has quite the sweet tooth."
"Speaking of sweets, I recall you mentioning on the train that you don't like desserts," Moriarty remarked as he helped himself to a slice of chocolate sponge cake. "Then why is there always some sort of dessert in your magic food?"
"That's because I love meat," Lilith replied matter-of-factly, cutting into her pork chop with almost ceremonial precision.
A second-year Slytherin gawked. "Oh, Merlin's beard! How do you eat like that and not get fat?"
"Lilith only gets more… plump," Gemma teased, her eyes glinting mischievously.
Lilith gasped. "Senior Gemma!" Her cheeks turned slightly red as she shot Gemma a playful glare. "I bet you've secretly peeked at a girl bathing before!"
"Wow—" The Slytherin girls erupted into giggles, while the boys suddenly perked up, listening intently.
Gemma's face flushed crimson. Even though she knew Lilith was only joking, she had never discussed such a topic openly before.
"Is this paid content?" Moriarty mused, tapping his staff against the table. "Tell me more about you and Senior Gemma, and I'll grant you a louder voice. I'm even willing to sponsor you… one whole Knut."
The girls laughed so hard they could barely eat, while Lilith and Gemma exchanged glances, suddenly seeing Moriarty in a different light.
At that moment, a tall sixth-year Slytherin at the head of the table stood up and glared at Moriarty. "Enough of this nonsense! This is Slytherin, not some rowdy Gryffindor gathering."
"Relax, Leon," William said, patting his shoulder. "Tonight's the Sorting Feast. It's different from usual. There's nothing wrong with enjoying ourselves."
"Don't touch me!" Leon jerked away, his expression stormy. "Winning three consecutive House Cups doesn't give you the right to lecture me! That's simply what a Quidditch captain is supposed to do."
William's face darkened. He wanted to put Leon in his place, but as a prefect, he knew resorting to force wouldn't be a good look.
"Leon Minchum, sixth-year prefect," Lilith suddenly interjected, standing up. "Nephew of Harold Minchum, the former Minister for Magic, correct?"
Leon's gaze sharpened.
"I admit our conversation was a little lively, but who gave you the right to discipline us? Headmaster Dumbledore hasn't said anything. Professor Snape hasn't said anything. None of the other professors have, either. So why do you think you can?" Lilith's tone was razor-sharp. "Or perhaps… you're just trying to establish your authority? Unite Slytherin under your leadership now, so next year, you can run for Head Boy?"
Leon stiffened. The barrage of questions struck like hexes, and Lilith's unwavering stare made it clear she had no intention of backing down.
His lip curled. "Well, well… I've heard that the only daughter of the Piliwick family is notoriously rebellious. Maybe you should have been placed in Gryffindor instead."
"No, no, Mr. Leon, you mustn't say that," Moriarty interjected, tapping his staff lightly on the floor. The motion drew all eyes back to him. He smirked. "If Lilith were a Gryffindor, that sword of theirs would probably lop off your hair one of these days."
A subtle chill swept through the air. The younger Slytherins instinctively touched their heads, feeling a sudden unease.
Leon was affected, too, though he knew he hadn't been cursed. He narrowed his eyes at Moriarty, trying to gauge the meaning behind his words. But then he scoffed, recalling his long-standing rivalry with Gryffindor.
"Typical Gryffindors," Leon sneered. "They finally get their precious sword back, and suddenly they think they're better than us. Well, I wonder… should the Slytherin staff just sit by and watch, or should it stab the Gryffindor sword right in the arse?"
Leon's supporters roared with laughter. He smirked and returned to his meal, dismissing the conversation.
Lilith scowled. "If we weren't at the dinner table, I'd hex him."
Moriarty shook his head. "That's not wise. Leon is cunning. He won't engage in a direct conflict with you—he'll attack through subtle means instead."
"Mr. Moriarty is right," Gemma agreed. "Leon is a conservative traditionalist, but he excels in Charms. Only William is better than him in our House. And everyone knows he's gunning for Head Boy next year."
"Thank you, Senior Gemma," Lilith said sincerely. "And thank you for supporting me."
Gemma waved dismissively. "You should be thanking Moriarty. Leon holds grudges. If anything, he'll come after him next."
Lilith's expression turned concerned. "Be careful, Moriarty."
"I'm more interested in hearing how you'll thank me," Moriarty teased, raising an eyebrow.
Lilith thought for a moment. "I'll cook for you! Something you'll actually enjoy."
Moriarty groaned and shoved a spoonful of strawberry ice cream into his mouth to avoid answering.
Lilith and Gemma giggled, thoroughly entertained.
Moriarty sighed. "Girls…"
"By the way, Lilith," Moriarty continued, "you mentioned the Head Boy election earlier. I actually don't think Leon has a chance of winning next year."
Lilith frowned. "Why bring him up again?"
Leon, still within earshot, clenched his jaw.
A blonde Slytherin boy seated beside Lilith took a bite of roast beef and asked, "Why not? What makes you so sure, Mr. Moriarty?"
Moriarty glanced at him. "Jericho Blanche, right? A first-year."
Jericho grinned. "Obviously. And I'm honored to meet you, Mr. Moriarty—but I won't be shaking hands. Too much grease."
Moriarty ignored him and gestured towards the Gryffindor table. "Can you spot Bill Weasley, the current Head Boy?"
The Slytherins searched the hall, but there was no sign of the eldest Weasley sibling.
Lilith's eyes widened. "Percy Weasley constantly talks about his brothers, but he's never mentioned Bill. That's… odd."
The students glanced at the Gryffindor table. Sure enough, only Charlie and Percy Weasley were present.
"What does that mean?" Lilith asked, puzzled.
"It means Bill Weasley has more important matters to handle than attending the Sorting Feast," Moriarty explained. "And you know what else? Bill Weasley is not just a Weasley—he's a pure-blood, respected by others, and yet… he's fiercely loyal to Dumbledore."
Leon's expression darkened. He gritted his teeth.
Moriarty smirked. "So, tell me, Leon… do you still think the next Head Boy will be a Slytherin?"
Leon said nothing.
Meanwhile, Dumbledore, watching from the High Table, met Moriarty's gaze and smiled knowingly.