Moriarty looked at Tonks strangely. Just as he was about to release the silver snakes' restraint, a system prompt appeared in his mind.
"Mission Released: Perfect the Whispering Serpent! Reward: 5,000 points! Mission Duration: Two years! Mission failure will result in host obliteration!"
Moriarty immediately asked the system what it meant by "perfecting" the Whispering Serpent, and the response outlined three levels:
1. Increase the number and variety of snakes summoned.
2. Achieve Salazar Slytherin's original goal—drawing magic power through the summoned serpents.
3. The system's additional challenge—if a serpent entangles an enemy, Moriarty has a chance to acquire one of their special abilities.
Because of this sudden mission, Moriarty found himself studying Tonks more intently.
Though he noticed her curvaceous figure, what caught his attention was the transformation in the silver snakes. The ancient Latin inscriptions on their bodies became even more vivid, glowing faintly with magic.
Yet, what was even more curious was how Tonks' face flushed red, her hair shifting to match the color.
Moriarty sighed internally. This mission is even harder than convincing Snape to use shampoo. No wonder the system gave me two years.
Still, two years might not be enough—Hogwarts didn't offer Latin classes, which meant Moriarty would have to figure out rune magic on his own.
As he observed the silver serpents tightening further around Tonks, he realized she might actually faint if he didn't release the spell soon.
With a wave of his staff, the silver snakes slithered away. He helped Tonks onto a nearby mat before explaining the situation to her.
"No wonder you were staring at me like that just now," Tonks huffed, still catching her breath. "You were actually focused on those snakes! Here I thought you were some kind of… um, pervert?"
Noticing Moriarty's sharp gaze, she quickly changed the subject.
"Do you really think your idea will work? Absorbing magic? Stealing abilities? Even Merlin wouldn't have thought of something that bold."
"That's because Merlin didn't need it," Moriarty replied, watching as her hair turned white again. "If I succeed, then after those silver snakes absorbed your power just now, I would have gained Metamorphmagus abilities. Then I could…"
Tonks interrupted him with a grin, staring at his hair. "And then you'd dye this thing green? Hahaha!"
Her laughter rang through the room. Annoyed, Moriarty flicked his wand.
"Confundus gibberish!"
Tonks' words suddenly changed.
"Hufflepuff's late-night kitchen is delicious! I'm going to eat until I'm a hundred and never get fat!"
"Professor Dumbledore is such a crazy old man—yes, after locking Grindelwald in Nurmengard!"
Realizing what was happening, Tonks quickly covered her mouth and retaliated with a silent spell, hitting Moriarty with a Muffliato to stop him from speaking.
The two broke into another duel.
This time, their exchange didn't last long before Tonks collapsed onto the mat, laughing. "You're a great opponent, Moriarty."
"Fighting you has helped me refine my basic magic." Moriarty glanced around the room. It still felt a little empty.
"Basic magic?" Tonks leaned back on her hands. "I've already self-studied sixth-year Transfiguration, and you call this basic? Oh, wait—your family magic! I want to see it."
"You already saw the silver snakes."
"Nooo, I mean the real thing! The magic circle! The giant ice serpent! Just like in those legendary wizarding novels!" Her hair turned bright yellow in excitement.
Moriarty shook his head. "Next time. It's time for breakfast, or we'll be late for class."
"Fine," Tonks huffed but grinned as she stood. "But when I see that ice snake, I'd better be prepared."
"Make sure you practice your Shield Charm."
"Iron Armor Charm, then?"
"I doubt that will be enough."
"What about the Patronus Charm?"
Laughing, the two left the Room of Requirement and headed toward the Great Hall.
---
The enchanted ceiling of the Great Hall reflected the sky outside—cloudy and gray. The four long house tables were already filled with breakfast: jugs of milk, plates of fish, mountains of bread, eggs, and stacks of sausages.
Tonks glanced up and changed her hair to match the sky. "Looks like rain today. See you later, little brother~"
"Goodbye, Nymph."
The two parted ways near the Slytherin table. Moriarty had barely taken a seat before Jericho leaned in with a grin.
"Is that why Mr. Moriarty woke up early? A date with our senior?"
Gemma, sitting nearby, glanced toward the Hufflepuff table, where Tonks was cheerfully chatting with her friends. She winked at Moriarty.
"And with a Hufflepuff girl, no less."
Moriarty picked up a slice of bread, unbothered. "It wasn't a date. We're not interested in each other like that."
Jericho smirked, not entirely convinced, but he dropped the subject and leaned closer. "I overheard something this morning. Keith and Ralbo—those two from our dormitory? They were talking about you. And not in a good way."
Moriarty's expression didn't change, but he took note of the warning.
This wasn't the first time he had heard about someone in Slytherin plotting against him. Lilith had warned him twice before, and now Jericho was confirming it. That meant the situation was serious.
For Slytherin students to scheme against the heir of Slytherin himself… What would Salazar think of his descendants now?
No wonder Dumbledore was always wary of Slytherin. Some pure-blood families had become too arrogant.
Moriarty finished his breakfast calmly before asking, "What class do we have first?"
"Transfiguration!"
Lilith's voice came from behind him as she walked up to the table.
Jericho's expression turned playful. "Miss Piliwick, I don't think I've ever seen you answer a boy's question so quickly before."
Lilith shot him a cold look. "I just wanted to walk with Mr. Moriarty up the stairs."
Jericho blinked, then grinned. "Mr. Moriarty, would you mind taking me along as well?"
At that, a dozen first-year Slytherins turned their eager gazes toward Moriarty. Everyone knew that if they followed him, they wouldn't have to deal with Hogwarts' shifting staircases.
Even Keith and Ralbo were among them.
Opportunists, Moriarty thought.
Still, he nodded. "Let's go. No one wants to be late for Professor McGonagall's class."
The Slytherin students followed him eagerly, watching as he tapped the Slytherin Staff against the stone floor. The floating staircases adjusted themselves perfectly, forming a direct path to the Transfiguration classroom.
By the time they arrived, Professor McGonagall was preparing to shift into her Animagus form but stopped in surprise.
For their punctuality, she awarded Slytherin five points.
Just then, Percy Weasley entered the classroom.
"Good morning, Professor McGonagall—oh…"
He hesitated, clearly not expecting so many Slytherins to arrive before him.
His eyes flickered toward Moriarty, as if he wanted to say something, but when he noticed Keith and Ralbo staring at him, he quickly sat down and buried his face in his Transfiguration textbook.
Before class started, Moriarty turned to Jericho.
"Jericho, how much do you know about Ilvermorny, the wizarding school in America?"