"Blind box lottery? The reward of chance... maybe I should drink some Felix Felicis before the lottery?" Moriarty pouted. "System, is there any kind of mission or lottery that has no risk and only real rewards?"
"Yes, the host can start the sign-in task by paying 10,000 points."
"Tsk, 10,000 points! Okay."
Although Moriarty only had 100 points at the moment, having a clear goal made him confident he would earn enough points in due time. With that thought, he was able to sleep peacefully. When he awoke, the sky was slightly brighter.
As soon as Moriarty opened his eyes, the system prompt chimed: "Today's random task: Invite the host to the Hogwarts kitchen and teach the house-elves any Chinese dish. Reward: 100 points."
Though the system's tone remained cold, Moriarty found it oddly endearing today. 100 points wasn't much, but the task was simple, had no punishment, and contributed to a steady accumulation of points. Plus, preparing a Chinese dish would be a welcome change of taste.
Deciding to complete the task, Moriarty forwent his usual visit to the Room of Requirement and instead headed toward the Hogwarts kitchen. He began his journey at the Gryffindor common room entrance, where the path to the kitchens started.
Most Gryffindors didn't have the habit of waking up early, preferring nighttime activities instead. The corridor was silent, with the little lions still sound asleep. Moriarty made his way down six floors, descended the marble staircase into the foyer, then turned left into a wide stone corridor. Soon, he reached a portrait of a silver bowl brimming with fruit.
He scratched the large green pear in the painting, and it wriggled before letting out a laugh, transforming into a doorknob. Moriarty grasped it, opened the door, and entered a vast room with a high ceiling.
The kitchen was as large as the Great Hall above it, with countless gleaming copper pots and basins stacked against the stone walls. At the far end, a massive brick fireplace roared warmly.
At least a hundred house-elves stood within, beaming with pride as they bowed and curtsied. "O noble and great descendant of Slytherin, your name has spread throughout the castle! The family of house-elves has served Hogwarts for generations, and we shall fulfill any request you make."
"Enough, enough," Moriarty waved dismissively. "I'm going to teach you how to make a Chinese breakfast. Pay close attention! Fried shrimp and slippery wontons, mung bean and lily lotus seed soup... and a two-color hibiscus egg roll! Learn quickly—I intend to eat breakfast soon!"
The house-elves, naturally talented in cooking, picked up the skills instantly. Moriarty barely needed to demonstrate a second time before they had mastered each dish.
Having successfully earned 100 points, Moriarty praised the elves, who were moved to tears. Uncomfortable with their emotional display, he quickly diverted their attention. "Enough with the tears! I'll teach you a few more dishes: Royal Palace Roast Duck, Ants on a Tree, Sesame Chestnut Chicken… I expect to smell roast duck at dinner on Friday night!"
Time flew by as the elves busied themselves with cooking. Soon, it was breakfast time, and students began filling the Great Hall.
Moriarty pulled Tonks toward the Slytherin table. "Nymph, in return for the nutritious breakfasts you've arranged for our team, I'm treating you to a unique Chinese breakfast today."
Tonks had been irritated by Moriarty's unexplained absence from the Room of Requirement. However, hearing this, she sat beside him eagerly.
"Fried shrimp and slippery wontons!" Moriarty announced, and the food appeared instantly.
Dumbledore, seated at the professors' table, observed the scene with interest. "High standards! Even the headmaster has never received such treatment before."
He nodded approvingly at Moriarty, though it was unclear whether he was impressed by Moriarty's ability to command house-elves or the allure of Chinese cuisine.
Moriarty stood and addressed the Great Hall. "At seven o'clock on Friday evening, I invite every gentleman and lady to the Great Hall for a Chinese dinner of the highest standard, prepared by the house-elves."
The students murmured excitedly among themselves. Dumbledore smiled. "Excellent! Since I will enjoy the same treatment as young Mr. Moriarty, I suppose I won't have to dock the house-elves' pay."
So that's the kind of headmaster you are... Moriarty shot him a bemused look. Professor McGonagall and the other professors exchanged glances but, accustomed to Dumbledore's eccentricities, said nothing.
Tonks, imitating Moriarty, called out, "Mung bean and lily lotus seed soup!"
A bowl of porridge appeared before her, its fragrance drifting up. She eagerly took a sip, savoring the taste.
Some of the more traditional pure-bloods, including Leon, cringed at Tonks' lack of table manners. However, seeing William nearly bury his face in his bowl, they simply shook their heads.
To break the awkwardness, Leon changed the subject. "Mr. Moriarty, are you hosting the Chinese dinner on Friday because we'll have already secured victory over Hufflepuff in the Quidditch match that morning?"
"Obviously," Moriarty replied, swallowing a wonton before glancing toward the Gryffindor table. "Unless Charlie manages to beat Ravenclaw by over 300 points, our victory is assured. By Friday, we'll be the champions."
"Yeah!"
"Nice!"
The Slytherin players exchanged high-fives. Their team had kept a clean sheet every match, securing a 300-point lead over Gryffindor. It was mathematically impossible for Gryffindor and Ravenclaw to create such a large gap, meaning the fourth consecutive Quidditch trophy belonged to Slytherin.
"You're speaking as if I don't exist!" Tonks huffed.
The Slytherins offered her sheepish smiles, realizing their opponent's Seeker was sitting right at their table.
After a pleasant breakfast, Moriarty and Tonks parted ways. The Slytherins had Potions class that morning, where they practiced brewing Forgetfulness Potions.
Lilith, who aspired to surpass Moriarty, was once again bested. Whether it was the Boil-Cure Potion or the Forgetfulness Potion, Moriarty remained unmatched. Meanwhile, Percy maintained his position as the consistent third-place student.
At noon, Moriarty, free for the rest of the day, gathered a few flying beetles and headed to the Room of Requirement.
"I need a room where I can store sundries."
The room shifted accordingly, transforming into a vast storage area filled with dusty, discarded objects. Moriarty was searching for the broken Vanishing Cabinet, its twin located in Borgin and Burkes. Once repaired, it would allow him to travel to Knockturn Alley and hunt dark wizards.
"Vanishing Cabinet—Accio!" Moriarty cast the Summoning Charm. A luxurious, intricately carved black cabinet flew out from a pile of old books, landing with a heavy thud.
To avoid being crushed, Moriarty swiftly cast a Levitation Charm, gently setting the cabinet down. He then pointed his cedar wand at it.
"Reparo! Reparo! Reparo!"
Draco Malfoy had taken half a semester to repair the Vanishing Cabinet in sixth year, but Moriarty, with twenty years of magical expertise, accomplished it in mere moments.
To test it, he placed the collected beetles inside, closed the door, and waited. Upon reopening it, two beetles were gone, having successfully arrived at Borgin and Burkes.
Satisfied, Moriarty retrieved a vial of Polyjuice Potion from his system space, took a sip, and transformed into a nondescript middle-aged man. Pulling a black cloak over his shoulders, he stepped into the Vanishing Cabinet and shut the door behind him.