Since then, Moriarty had been bringing a few snakes into the Room of Requirement from time to time. After countless experiments and meticulous refinement of the teleportation runes, he finally cracked the puzzle of short-distance teleportation through serpentine-linked magic. The system was now more stable, precise, and faster than before.
As March rolled in, the British weather turned bizarre. Certain parts of the country suffered intense cold spells while others welcomed early spring with blooming primroses. Even Hogwarts, steeped in magic, was not exempt from the whims of nature. Marcus informed Moriarty that magical creatures within the Forbidden Forest had become unusually active.
Some bold creatures were even proudly strutting through the woods, their tails held high in mating displays, turning the normally mysterious forest into an odd, romantic scene.
Meanwhile, Jericho confided to Moriarty that his revision efforts were going poorly. The looming June exams weighed heavily on him. Ever since the conclusion of the Quidditch match, Jericho—the once spirited American cowboy—had lost much of his zeal, becoming noticeably sluggish and unmotivated.
Lilith, on the other hand, brought more promising news. She had successfully mastered the Disillusionment Charm.
The trio quickly decided to go on another nighttime adventure. Moriarty suggested the Room of Requirement as their rendezvous point.
Leading Jericho and Marcus up to the eighth floor, Moriarty looked around but did not see Lilith.
"Come out, Pilivik!" Jericho called out. "Pilivik?"
"Shut your drake throat! I'm here," came a melodious voice from the corridor.
Lilith revealed herself by lifting the Disillusionment Charm. Her silhouette shimmered into view, and she addressed Jericho—whose voice was in the throes of adolescence.
Moriarty raised an intrigued brow at Lilith. "The Disillusionment Charm renders the caster visually consistent with their surroundings—like a magical chameleon. I didn't expect you to be the first among us to master it. Quite the talent, indeed."
A gleam of pride flashed in Lilith's eyes. "Looks like I've gotten ahead of you this time!"
Jericho scoffed. "Please~ If Mr. Moriarty hadn't been busy perfecting large-scale memory charms and long-term stabilization spells, you wouldn't have gotten ahead."
"Large memory charm? Permanent curing spell? What are you talking about?" Lilith asked, genuinely puzzled.
Jericho smirked but turned toward Moriarty. "Sir, shall I tell her?"
Moriarty nodded. "Alright. But this isn't the place. Let's enter the Room of Requirement first."
He demonstrated the proper way to open the magical door, pacing thrice and silently thinking, I need a room suitable for a meeting.
A luminous door emerged from the stone wall. The four of them stepped inside.
The interior resembled a majestic meeting chamber: a grand round table surrounded by a dozen velvety chairs, a plush white carpet, a silver ceiling with elegant chandeliers casting a warm, soft glow.
Lilith smirked as she took in the decor. "Aha, so this is the little den where you and Tonks spend your 'study sessions'? Finally decided to invite us?"
Jericho glanced at Lilith with surprise. When had she become so assertive?
"Master, your seat," Marcus said respectfully, pulling out a chair for Moriarty, who took his seat with practiced poise.
"Knock, knock, knock." Moriarty tapped the tabletop rhythmically. "Lilith, everything I say next—take it seriously."
Lilith straightened up immediately, and Moriarty began to brief her on his current mission and the plan to publicly reveal the existence of the Chamber of Secrets.
The more Lilith heard, the wider her eyes grew. When Moriarty finished, she was left momentarily speechless. After a long pause, she said solemnly, "If this succeeds, and you don't make any significant mistakes in the next thirty years, you could easily choose between becoming Headmaster of Hogwarts or Minister of Magic."
Marcus and Jericho exchanged excited glances.
Moriarty remained impassive. "And if it fails?"
Lilith's expression turned grave. "Then… at best, the Ministry will exile you from Europe under public pressure! That would be considered lenient.
Remember Millicent Bagnold? That hag won't let it go. She'll bite down on you with everything she has left before stepping down.
You may be close with Mr. Lockhart, but he won't be able to shield you. He could even be dragged down by your actions.
As for the pure-blood families—the ones powerful enough to help you won't dare, and the ones who would want to help…" She glanced at Marcus and sighed. "Wouldn't be able to."
Jericho and Marcus grew visibly anxious. They were riding Moriarty's coattails in pursuit of power and prestige but hadn't anticipated such risks.
Moriarty nodded calmly. "Understood. Tomorrow morning, I'll make the announcement. I'll need your full cooperation."
Lilith smiled knowingly. "I expected no less. Once you make up your mind, there's no turning back. But if all you wanted was support, why bring me here? You've got more fans than Gilderoy Lockhart. Tonks and Gemma alone could rally your whole fan club."
Moriarty leaned in suddenly, his face just inches from hers. Lilith's cheeks flushed pink.
In a whisper so soft it was barely audible, Moriarty said, "Bring your little group. I want them."
Lilith's blush vanished, replaced by a chilly seriousness. She held Moriarty's gaze for a long moment, then gave a silent nod.
Moriarty leaned back. "You may go. Good night, Lilith. Sweet dreams."
Lilith gave a slight hum and departed gracefully.
Turning to his companions, Moriarty issued swift commands.
"Jericho, fetch William, Leon, and the rest of the Quidditch team."
"Marcus, bring the supplies I've prepared in my dormitory."
Both nodded and quickly left.
William and Leon were still awake. The moment they heard Moriarty needed them, they abandoned whatever they were doing and rushed to the Room of Requirement.
Once assembled, the group held an intense discussion late into the night. What they spoke of remained a mystery, but by morning, something extraordinary was in motion.
In the Slytherin common room, all the team players were dressed in identical silver-green robes and pointed wizard hats. They gathered solemnly outside Moriarty's dormitory.
William and Leon had already informed the rest of the Slytherins to wear the same robes. Those without them used Transfiguration to make standard robes resemble Slytherin housewear.
Their collective formality sent ripples through the castle. Rumors spread like wildfire, even catching the attention of Hogwarts' resident ghosts.
At precisely ten o'clock, Moriarty emerged.
Clad in a flowing medieval wizard's robe and the elegant wizard's hat gifted by Lilith, he was a vision of serene majesty. The pristine white robe, paired with the emerald Slytherin staff in hand, gave him a glow that seemed almost ethereal.
He led the procession of snakes into the Great Hall.
"Fly, my owls!" Moriarty called, raising his staff. A great flock of owls—led by the mighty Poseidon—soared into the hall, delivering packages to every student at the four House tables.
Bill Weasley, seated at the Gryffindor table, tore open his package. Inside, he found a shimmering card and a snake scale.
The silver-edged card read:
"I, Moriarty Slytherin, extend a sincere invitation to Gryffindor seventh-year student Bill Weasley to the Chamber of Secrets.
For centuries, the chamber has been shrouded in fear and legend. But I reveal to you now: a basilisk, over a thousand years old, resides within.
She is not a monster. Her name is Shiva.
The scale you hold comes from her most recent shedding.
Today at noon, I shall guide her to her true home, completing Salazar Slytherin's legacy.
Join us. Witness the truth. Help carry forward the true purpose of the chamber."
Bill blinked. He scanned the other tables—everyone had received the same letter, with only the names changed.
Stunned, he rushed to find Professor Dumbledore. But before he could leave the Great Hall, he heard his brother Percy shout from the Gryffindor table.
"Gryffindor's brave! Follow me! We're going to the Chamber with Mr. Moriarty to greet the basilisk!"
Bill froze. What's gotten into Percy?
Suddenly, cheers erupted from the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables.
Tonks had summoned her Patronus, Michelle. The soft white rabbit hopped along the table, proclaiming in a cheery voice: "Who but Mr. Moriarty would unite all four Houses to visit the Chamber of Secrets? A thousand-year-old basilisk? Her name is Shiva? She sounds adorable. I want to be friends!"
Meanwhile, Penelope Clearwater blushed with excitement. "Calling all Ravenclaw geniuses! Mr. Moriarty says there's a riddle even he couldn't solve. Let's go test our minds!"
And Bill? He ran even faster.