"Don't worry, gentlemen, don't worry." Moriarty's eyes flashed with unexpected joy. He was already devising ways to intervene in the Quidditch World Cup. The British and American Departments of Magical Games and Sports had both thrown an olive branch to him.
"Slytherin Castle welcomes interesting individuals, gentlemen," Moriarty said with a composed and refined smile to Ludo Bagman and James Blanche, extending his invitation with poise. "I shall instruct my housekeeper to send formal invitations to both of you. Please await further notice."
Ludo was ecstatic. As a senior Ministry official, he understood all too well how many times the current Minister of Magic had hit a wall when dealing with Moriarty.
There existed an unspoken rule within the British magical community: no one should casually request an audience or a visit with Moriarty.
To date, the only known individual publicly acknowledged to have been invited to Slytherin Castle by Moriarty was Gilderoy Lockhart—one of the many reasons behind Lockhart's surge in popularity.
Now, Ludo had received an invitation too, and he could already envision accolades and mountains of Galleons within reach.
Other wizards in the vicinity cast admiring looks at Ludo and James. Beyond the allure of associating with Moriarty, the prospect of stepping foot into the legendary Slytherin Castle was more than enticing.
James was similarly thrilled. He couldn't contain his excitement, throwing a celebratory punch into the air—his expression, posture, even the glint in his eye mirrored Jericho's mannerisms. Jericho shook his head in amusement; James had just mocked him for similar antics.
Moriarty and Lilith exchanged glances. Then Jericho looked at James again—it was undeniable now. That was clearly a father and son duo.
"Ding Dong~ System Notification: Host has encountered two key individuals involved in the 421st Quidditch World Cup. Two mission options are now available."
Mission 1: Join the American National Quidditch Team and represent the United States to win the World Cup!
Deadline: End of August 1990
Reward: 10,000 points + initiation of a mission series in the American magical world
Failure Penalty: Permanent prohibition from flying on a broomstick
Mission 2: Join the British National Quidditch Team and represent the United Kingdom to win the World Cup!
Deadline: End of August 1990
Reward: 20,000 points
Failure Penalty: Public disgrace and being branded a pariah within the British magical community
Host must select one. Selection is irreversible.
"Wealth favors the bold. I choose Task Two!" Moriarty selected the second option without hesitation.
From the moment he crossed into this world, national borders no longer held meaning for him. His soul was once Chinese—should he now assist Chinese wizards simply due to that? Certainly not.
His choice was based solely on the greater reward, and he had no immediate intention of entering the American magical world.
"Mr. Moriarty?" Jericho prompted softly, "Shall we proceed? Everyone's arrived."
Moriarty looked ahead and saw Cornelius Fudge, bowing respectfully to his guests. "Ladies and gentlemen, my most distinguished guests! Please, treat this place as your home. Enjoy yourselves!"
"He's slick with words, I'll give him that. Even without support, Fudge could talk his way into a high position," came a low, raspy voice beside Moriarty. Lilith whispered, "Uncle Barty?!"
Uncle Barty?
Moriarty turned to find a middle-aged wizard with neatly combed gray hair—Barty Crouch Sr.
In the past, Barty had been a man of great distinction. He came from one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight pureblood families and wielded considerable power. It was even rumored the Crouch family descended from the Peverells.
But now?
Barty resembled a bitter clown beneath a lemon tree, gnawing on lemons.
"Lilith," Barty gave a curt nod to the granddaughter of his former superior. Though the Piliwick family had withdrawn their support for him, Barty held no grudge against Lilith. Instead, he placed his hopes in Moriarty. "Mr. Moriarty... sir... show them that not just anyone can become Minister for Magic."
He cast a hard glare at Fudge, then silently receded into the crowd.
It was the only thing he said the entire evening, and his broken spirit was evident.
"Poor man," Jericho murmured, shaking his head before hurrying after Moriarty, who had already begun striding into the hall.
As agreed beforehand, Justus Piliwick, leading the heads of various powerful families, began his coordinated approach.
The flow of wizards moved slowly. Along the way, Moriarty caught sight of Leon Minchum, representing the Minchum family, accompanied by several senior Slytherins. They all gathered naturally behind Moriarty.
Moriarty turned a firm gaze toward Fudge, who visibly faltered, his confidence evaporating under pressure.
"Please, everyone, come in," Fudge said with forced cheer, trying to maintain composure.
Justus tapped his cane as he passed Fudge. "Mr. Fudge, I assume you're aware of Mr. Moriarty's recent proposal?"
"Proposal? What proposal?" Fudge blinked in confusion. He was startled—surely the ruling family hadn't endorsed a proposal without informing him?
"But—Mr. Moriarty isn't a Ministry official, nor a Wizengamot representative. How could his suggestion be classified as a formal proposal?"
"You're technically correct," said Leon Minchum, stepping forward confidently, "but over half of the Ministry's officials have already submitted this exact proposal to Minister Millicent Bagnold—drawn up entirely by Mr. Moriarty."
"You?" Fudge's brows furrowed. He found it insulting that the ruling families sent someone as young as Leon to confront him.
But Leon was undeterred. "You weren't even informed? I'm a mere intern, and I knew!"
Leon's heart soared. His bright expression beamed with confidence and gratitude. Moriarty and Justus had helped him prepare for this moment. The Minchum family's influence would undoubtedly rise once again.
"Enough," Justus said, tapping his cane. "Leon, deliver the bill to Mr. Fudge. Mr. Fudge, I suggest you review it carefully."
With shaking hands, Fudge took the scroll of parchment—only to tear it up in blind fury and toss the pieces skyward. "This is outrageous! No one will ever agree to this!"
Moriarty calmly drew his cedar wand and cast, "Reparifarge!"
The parchment reassembled itself midair and floated gently into Moriarty's hands. Without another word, he turned to leave, with Justus and the others following.
After only a few steps, Moriarty paused and said, "Seems we'll have to consult our headmaster at Hogwarts for his opinion. Jericho?"
"Yes, sir?" Jericho replied at once, unsure what to call him but eager to respond.
"Go inform Mr. Lockhart and Mr. Marcus that I'm willing to support—"
"NO—!"
Fudge interrupted with a roar. "Bring that proposal back. I... I believe we can negotiate."
The words choked in his throat. He could barely breathe. Grasping the unicorn statue at the entrance for support, Fudge realized—Moriarty hadn't even stepped inside, and he'd already lost.
Moriarty and Justus shared a knowing smile. The guests chuckled softly. Moments later, everyone was seated comfortably in the grand hall of Fudge's manor, enjoying a lavish luncheon.
Afterward, a long and exhausting debate ensued between Fudge, Moriarty, and the ruling families.
By the end of the evening, Fudge finally obtained the support he needed—but at a steep cost. He agreed to relinquish significant power as part of his appointment as Minister for Magic.
He made the following concessions:
Appointed Barty Crouch as Director of the Department of International Magical Cooperation
Appointed Arthur Weasley as Director of the Office for the Detection and Confiscation of Counterfeit Defensive Spells and Protective Objects
Appointed Arnold Peasegood as Team Leader for the Accidental Magic Reversal Squad
Handed control of the British dragon-breeding industry to the elder Flint
Awarded Gilderoy Lockhart the Order of Merlin, Third Class
Promised the pureblood families several estates
Promised the ruling families additional seats in the Wizengamot
...and much more.
Most critically, Moriarty's Wand Suit Program and Joint Magical Education Program were approved internally.
JOIN MY PATREON TO READ ADVANCE 50+ CHAPTERS
patreon.com/HACKDWORLD