Moriarty was surrounded by his fellow Slytherins as they returned to the common room, the excitement of the match still fresh in their minds. William wore an unstoppable grin, and for the first time, Leon and the other veteran players realized they didn't need to resort to fouls to secure victory. The feeling was exhilarating.
"In four days, we'll be playing against Ravenclaw," Jericho, always brimming with energy, leapt toward Moriarty with his broomstick. "Can you not end the game so quickly this time? I want to show off my skills in front of the beautiful Ravenclaw seniors!"
Moriarty smirked. "I catch the Snitch so quickly every time because I don't want you to attract too much hostility. Trust me, if you show off too much in front of Ravenclaw's goal, don't expect any admiration. You might just end up single for all seven years at Hogwarts."
His good mood wasn't just due to the victory—his efforts had been rewarded with 200 points.
"System, exchange for passive Magic Tide," he commanded mentally.
"The host has spent 800 points in exchange for Magic Tide. The host has been upgraded to a level 28 elementary wizard!"
Moriarty felt a cool sensation flow through his body, spreading from his heart to his limbs. He had finally acquired this highly practical passive magic. Magic Tide had two major effects: first, whenever he was injured, he would regenerate a small amount of life every three seconds. Second, in battle, he could apply layers of Tide to an enemy. Once three layers accumulated, the enemy's chances of being frozen increased dramatically.
With its balance of offense, defense, and healing, Moriarty knew the 800 points had been well spent.
Jericho continued his chatter as they walked. "When can we finally rack up an overwhelming score? I mean, 160-0 is alright, but when will we see a 1,000-point difference? That would really showcase our strength!"
The group erupted into laughter. William playfully grabbed Jericho in a headlock. "A thousand points? If you want us all dead from exhaustion just so you can bask in the seniors' cheers, just say so."
Lilith, Gemma, and the older students chuckled. "Jericho, did you know you've earned a new title?" Lilith teased.
Jericho blinked. "What? You made something up just to mess with me again, didn't you?"
"Not at all," Gemma assured, suppressing a laugh. "It was given to you by some senior girls from all four houses. They say you're too fast—a real 'Sprint Kid'."
The entire common room burst into laughter, and Jericho's face turned bright red.
The Slytherins spent the morning and afternoon in high spirits. That evening, the first-years attended Astronomy class with the Ravenclaws. After class, Penelope Clearwater approached Moriarty.
"Four days from now, we'll be playing against your house. Good luck! I'll be cheering for you," she said with a smile.
Moriarty raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You're supporting me over Ravenclaw?"
Penelope blushed slightly but lifted a determined fist. "Just this year! Next year, I'll be on Ravenclaw's team. So for now, you only have three more matches to enjoy my support!"
With a smug grin, she turned and dashed away.
The next morning at breakfast, Moriarty sat at the Slytherin table, eating his usual milk bread and sandwiches. Unlike last time, Tonks wasn't there to provide her unique touch to the meal.
Suddenly, a flood of owls entered the Great Hall, with Poseidon standing out among them. It was newspaper delivery day, and the students eagerly grabbed their packages.
Soon, applause rang out, particularly from the Slytherin table. The reason? The Daily Prophet had published an official report on Moriarty winning the Most Promising Newcomer Award from Transfiguration Today.
"Snap!"
Lilith slammed the newspaper onto the table. "Those insufferable bureaucrats! They buried the report in a tiny corner just because Moriarty refused to take a picture with the Minister. This should've been front-page news!"
Indeed, the article was barely the size of a fist, while the front page was occupied by trivial gossip.
Moriarty, unfazed, unwrapped another package, pulling out a different publication: The Quibbler.
Lilith and Jericho peered over his shoulder. "Why are you reading that nonsense?" Jericho asked.
On the first page, a witch and a wizard were depicted. The witch, clad in a pointed hat and red robes, looked fierce. The younger wizard held a staff, his expression equally intense. The headline read: The Secret Behind the Slytherin Heir's Refusal to Pose with Minister Bagno: The Battle of Two Generations of Ministers!
They quickly skimmed the article. Lilith was livid. "Lovegood is insane! He claims you refused to be photographed with the Minister because you want to become Minister of Magic yourself! Preposterous!"
Jericho, Marcus, and Keith shook their heads. "We don't believe that nonsense for a second," they assured him.
Moriarty chuckled. "Relax. I subscribed to The Quibbler because The Daily Prophet has been too predictable lately."
Lilith nodded. "My family predicts that Minister Bagno will step down by the end of next year. He's suppressing all Ministry-related news to maintain control."
Moriarty narrowed his eyes. "Any idea who's likely to replace him? Your grandfather backed Barty Crouch, right?"
Lilith sighed. "Barty was the strongest candidate… until his son ruined everything. Now, Cornelius Fudge has a lot of support."
Moriarty thought of Fudge's subservience in the headmaster's office. Who would have guessed that by 1990, he'd become Minister?
Around them, students listened in awe. The conversation about the Ministry fascinated them.
Suddenly, Lilith stood up. "I need to write to my family!" She hurried away, as did Leon, determined to investigate Bill Weasley as per Moriarty's advice.
Moriarty, meanwhile, picked up a letter from his package.
To My Esteemed Young Master, From Your Ever-Loyal Servant, Lockhart.
Lockhart was Moriarty's chosen pawn, and he couldn't afford any complications. He quickly opened the letter.
**Dear Young Master,
By the time you read this, I will have arrived in North America.**
Lockhart explained that Dumbledore had begun making inquiries about his whereabouts. Aware that few could track him without his self-promotion, he had preemptively left for an overseas book tour.
Lockhart reassured Moriarty of his return by Christmas and mentioned that Luke had exciting news: The dragon egg was about to hatch.
Moriarty clenched the letter, and when he opened his palm, the parchment had crumbled to dust. Dumbledore probing Lockhart was unexpected. What had caught the old man's eye?
One thing was certain—Moriarty would need to stay ahead of the game, especially with Fudge's eventual rise to power.