The Great Hall buzzed with excitement as students animatedly discussed the recent Quidditch match. Laughter and chatter filled the air, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
Lilith sat across from Moriarty and Jericho, her expression a mix of exasperation and relief. "You two had me worried sick!" she huffed, stabbing a piece of grilled pork chop with her fork before taking a bite. "Looking at Snape's face this afternoon, I really thought he was going to expel both of you!"
Jericho chuckled, leaning back casually. "Come on, Lilith, give us some credit. We're still here, aren't we?"
Before she could retort, Keith approached their table. Moriarty observed him closely—despite the fall, Keith looked surprisingly well-rested. The Levitation Charm had cushioned his impact enough that a few hours in the hospital wing were all he needed to recover.
Keith stopped before Moriarty and gave him a solemn nod. "I owe you," he said sincerely. "Without your spell, I don't know what would've happened."
Moriarty simply nodded in response, offering a faint smile. "Just be more careful next time."
Keith lingered for a moment before retreating to the Slytherin table. His companion, Ralbo, remained unusually quiet, focused solely on his food as he tore into a chicken leg.
With Keith's arrival, the conversation quickly shifted. The Slytherins debated the cause of his fall, with many pointing fingers at Percy Weasley.
Ralbo spoke up, his voice carrying over the noise. "Weasley said it! Just before Keith got on his broom, he muttered that Keith would die. You all heard it."
All eyes turned to Percy, whose face had gone pale.
The Gryffindors were quick to defend him. "That's ridiculous," one of them scoffed. "Keith's fall had nothing to do with Percy. He just lost control. Stop looking for someone to blame."
The Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws chimed in, analyzing the situation from different angles. The Ravenclaws, always inclined toward logic, noted that the issue likely stemmed from the speed of Keith's broom.
"Keith has neither Moriarty's talent nor Jericho's skill," one of them pointed out. "Even if there was some magical surge, it wouldn't have made him shoot into the sky like that. Something was off about that broom."
Moriarty listened, unimpressed. It was a debate destined to go nowhere. Too many opinions, too little evidence.
After dinner, he returned to his dormitory, still mulling over the finer points of his Levitation Charm. The concealment method wasn't perfected yet.
---
Early the next morning, Moriarty intercepted Tonks in the corridor on the eighth floor. After explaining his request, she grinned.
"So, little brother, you need my help brewing a Baffe Brain Refresher?" she teased, tilting her head.
Moriarty smirked. "Only for the prep work. Nothing too complicated—just chopping up some small tree roots and such."
Tonks pulled out her wand, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Careful, or I might just hex you."
Moriarty chuckled. She might joke, but she had already agreed to help.
After their visit to the Room of Requirement, Moriarty headed to Charms class.
Professor Flitwick, ever the enthusiastic instructor, beamed as he welcomed the students. Moriarty had earned the tiny professor's favor by frequently proposing innovative ideas about Charms Theory.
The best part? Flitwick had strong opinions on ancient magic. During one discussion, he revealed insights that surprised even Moriarty.
"Many ancient spells are ill-suited for modern wizards," Flitwick explained, pacing excitedly. "But with the right modifications, some can be adapted."
Moriarty was fascinated. He sought to bridge the gap between ancient and modern magic, refining spells passed down from Salazar Slytherin himself. Even though those spells were already highly efficient, there was always room for improvement.
Their discussions earned Moriarty a level of respect for Flitwick he hadn't expected. Despite his general distrust of goblins, he had to admit the professor was brilliant.
Flitwick, in turn, often used Moriarty as an example, encouraging both Slytherins and Ravenclaws to ask more questions.
One student who particularly took his advice to heart was Penelope Clearwater. She was always the first to answer Flitwick's questions and had mastered the Levitation Charm almost immediately.
While Moriarty had already been proficient, Penelope's quick learning gave her newfound confidence.
She carried that energy into Astronomy class.
---
Professor Aurora Sinistra led the Snakes and Eagles in observing the night sky through telescopes. They learned about various stars, planets, and constellations.
Penelope, already familiar with Muggle astronomy, excelled. When she quickly sketched an accurate map of Jupiter and its moons, Professor Sinistra awarded Ravenclaw twenty points.
The professor then turned to Moriarty. "Oh? You've drawn one too? Let's see."
After a brief examination, she nodded approvingly. "Excellent work, Mr. Slytherin. Ten points to Slytherin."
Lilith, watching from the side, couldn't hide her curiosity.
"Why are you so good at astronomy?" she asked.
Moriarty understood her unspoken thoughts.
Unlike Potions or Transfiguration, where prodigies occasionally emerged, Astronomy was rarely pursued with enthusiasm. Most students saw it as impractical.
But Moriarty thought differently. Prophecy and divination were deeply linked to astronomy, and he hadn't forgotten the dark wizard's words about immortality.
For that reason, he even considered continuing Astronomy in his fifth year.
After two classes, Penelope's reputation skyrocketed.
Everyone now knew that Ravenclaw had produced a first-year girl who could keep up with Moriarty—at least in one subject.
The Ravenclaws, naturally, sang her praises.
---
The subsequent Herbology class was uneventful. No young prodigies emerged—except for Moriarty.
The other students watched with a mix of admiration and resignation as he effortlessly recited the history and properties of dittany.
Professor Sprout beamed. "Ten points to Slytherin, Mr. Slytherin."
At this, the Slytherins recalled the thirty points deducted from Moriarty, Lilith, and Jericho by McGonagall. Without that penalty, Moriarty's contributions to Slytherin would have already reached a hundred points.
His ability to earn points wasn't just talk—he was delivering results.
Lilith and Jericho, eager to regain lost points, looked for their own opportunities.
Jericho impressed Madam Hooch in flying class, and Lilith successfully performed the Sneezing Hex in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Professor Randy Cullen awarded her five points.
Moriarty, however, was more interested in observing Professor Cullen.
The man had piercing black eyes, dark brown hair, and an unnervingly pale complexion. His black cloak gave him an almost spectral appearance.
Moriarty had also noticed that Cullen ate very little in the Great Hall.
A suspicion formed in his mind. Was Cullen a vampire?
It wouldn't be shocking. A vampire teaching at Hogwarts wasn't unheard of. And so far, Cullen behaved like any other professor.
But why had Dumbledore hired him specifically for Defense Against the Dark Arts?
Moriarty found no immediate answers, so he tucked his suspicions away for later.
---
Unlike most students, Moriarty ranked History of Magic among his top three subjects.
During the first lesson, Professor Binns covered notable historical figures. When he mentioned the Goblin Rebellions, Moriarty raised his hand.
"Professor, could you go into more detail about goblin history?"
Binns, who rarely deviated from his lectures, actually complied. Unfortunately, his droning voice still lulled most students to sleep.
Only Moriarty remained fully engaged, taking diligent notes. Occasionally, he wore a thoughtful expression as he analyzed the material.
Lilith, watching from the side, couldn't understand his fascination. Most considered History of Magic the dullest subject at Hogwarts.
As class continued, Moriarty shifted the discussion.
"What about the Chamber of Secrets?" he asked.
The question instantly roused the class.
Professor Binns, looking almost scandalized, dismissed it as a mere legend. "Only verifiable historical facts matter," he insisted.
Still, he indulged Moriarty with a brief overview, though it didn't reveal anything new.
By the end of class, rumors about Moriarty's interest in the Chamber of Secrets had begun spreading through Hogwarts.