Journey Starting from Platform Nine and Three-Quarters

Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, nine months went by, bringing us to the end of August 1988.

During this time, Lockhart had purchased two shops in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade Village, selling Cockatrice Yolk Shampoo.

Lockhart's fame attracted a large number of wizards, who were curious why a writer like him would go into business.

However, after the first wizard washed their hair with the newly purchased shampoo and resolved their long-standing issue of dry, yellowing hair, many wizards rushed to buy it.

To everyone's delight, the shampoo was priced differently from Lockhart's novels, which often cost over ten Galleons. A 500ml bottle of shampoo only cost one Sickle.

This price was enough to tempt witch, especially those in the prime of their youth, who bought it by the case and took it home.

Who wouldn't want their long hair to be shiny and smooth!

Therefore, by the time Lucius Malfoy noticed Lockhart's small business, it was already too late.

Lockhart's two shops were crowded with people every day. In terms of reputation and effectiveness, Cockatrice Yolk Shampoo completely outperformed Slick and Smooth Hair Potion.

The pure-blood families were eager to do something but had no idea where to start. The Potter Family was already a mere shadow of its former self—even the last Potter was locked away in a cupboard at his aunt's house.

Besides the Potter Family, which other pure-blood family would produce shampoo? They could only watch as Lockhart gradually took over the shampoo market.

Lockhart was overjoyed, knowing this was just the beginning!

So, Lockhart excitedly ran back to the castle to ask Moriarty about the next plan, and Moriarty told him that he was going to Hogwarts to study.

A week ago, Professor McGonagall had entrusted Lockhart with delivering Hogwarts' admission letter to Moriarty, as she couldn't find the location of Slytherin Castle.

Lockhart slapped his forehead and chuckled sheepishly, "Look at my memory, I forgot about the young master's enrollment. Of course, the young master will attend Hogwarts; it will be Hogwarts' greatest honor!"

Moriarty nodded calmly, but his heart was not at peace. After more than a year in the Harry Potter world, he would finally be able to systematically study the magic of this world.

On the morning of September 1st, Moriarty woke up an hour earlier than usual and enjoyed a comfortable hot bath in the washroom.

Before heading to Hogwarts, Moriarty decided to use his accumulated lottery draws to see what good prizes he could get.

"System, how many lottery draws do I have?" he asked.

"Host has accumulated 18 exploration draws and 1 achievement draw."

"Give me an 18-draw first, and then the achievement draw!" Moriarty had his reasons for this arrangement. The prizes for one exploration draw included 20 daily items, 10 spells, 10 potions, 5 alchemy items, and 5 magical creatures.

Consecutive draws would undoubtedly increase the probability of getting good prizes.

"Okay, wishing the host good luck!" The system quickly finished the draws.

"Congratulations to the host for obtaining 5 daily items: a teacup used by Queen Victoria, three quills used by a Gryffindor student five hundred years ago, a pair of chopsticks, a Level 2 Merlin's Badge from the 15th century, and a large color television!

Congratulations to the host for drawing 6 spells: Cruciatus Curse, Memory Charm, Banishing Charm, Rictusempra, Densaugeo, Weeping in the Snow.

Congratulations to the host for drawing 4 potions: Draught of Living Death, Skele-Gro, Babbling Beverage, Antidote to Veritaserum.

Congratulations to the host for drawing 2 alchemy items: Cara Boots—increases movement speed by 12% (effective usage time: 3 days), Unlucky Hat—the wearer will be unlucky for two hours (considered a defective product from a failed attempt to create a lucky hat by a medieval alchemist).

Congratulations to the host for drawing 1 magical creature: Peruvian Vipertooth Dragon Egg.

This lottery draw has ended, and the rewards have been distributed. Wishing the host to become a behind-the-scenes boss soon!"

Moriarty felt a warm current flow from his mind to his entire body, and in an instant, he learned the spells and potions he had drawn. The remaining prizes were also placed into the system space by the system.

Moriarty ignored the daily items he received. He reviewed the spells and potions he had drawn in his mind and found that he had still profited.

First-year students would not learn the Cruciatus Curse and Banishing Charm, while Weeping in the Snow belonged to Water Elemental Magic, an attack on the spirit.

Skele-Gro was also very useful.

Moriarty had taught himself ancient Runic Script and several other soon-to-be-lost magical scripts. It was undeniable that he felt fatigued.

The system could not help Moriarty with this at the moment, but Skele-Gro could.

The dragon egg, of course, was a cute little creature.

Moriarty was very satisfied with this lottery draw and hoped that the achievement draw would be just as powerful: "System, give me one achievement draw!"

After the system's usual blessing, it replied: "Congratulations to the host for drawing a small bottle of Felix Felicis! Friendly reminder: Felix Felicis has an unexpected effect when used with the Lucky Hat."

A small bottle of Felix Felicis, about an ounce, immediately appeared in the system space.

"Felix Felicis... Well, alright, alright. Although I don't need it for now, I'll use it eventually."

Moriarty finished his bath. Overall, the lottery draw was very good. Having good luck before going to Hogwarts was quite important.

He stepped out of the bath, put on a bathrobe, and looked at himself in the mirror: his build was slightly taller than his peers, with a high nose bridge and a fair, handsome face that exuded a sharp, chiseled coldness.

The other combination—soft gray hair lazily resting on his shoulders, and gray eyes as clear and translucent as crystal—added a touch of mysterious aura.

"Young master? Breakfast is ready, would you like to eat now?" Luke's voice came from outside the washroom. He knew that after Moriarty had breakfast, he would be heading to King's Cross Station.

The house-elves had already prepared the required textbooks and essential supplies for Moriarty.

After Moriarty was fully dressed, he went to the dining room and found Lockhart, Ingo, and the house-elves all present.

They congratulated Moriarty one after another, and even Ingo said a few pleasant words.

After everyone had a pleasant breakfast, Moriarty left Slytherin Castle.

Around eleven-thirty, Moriarty arrived at King's Cross Station. His luggage was packed into a bag with an Undetectable Extension Charm, so he wasn't dragging heavy luggage or pushing a trolley like other young wizards.

Instead, Moriarty's good looks frequently drew people's attention.

Poseidon, the Snowy Owl Luke had bought for Moriarty, perched on Moriarty's left shoulder, drawing further curiosity. Several children eagerly tried to coax Poseidon into flying.

But upon reaching Platform 9, Moriarty vanished from sight in the blink of an eye!

"This is Platform Nine and Three-Quarters."

Moriarty smiled faintly. He knew how to enter the platform, of course. He saw the flowing crowds – Wizards everywhere, along with owls, toads, and cats.

It was so lively, it didn't feel like a platform at all, but more like a dreamlike scene from a fantasy movie.

The cacophony of conversations, the dull thud of luggage being dragged across the ground, the calls of various pets... all mingled together.

And of course, most importantly, a deep red steam locomotive was parked beside the crowded platform.

The sign on the train read: Hogwarts Express!

"Ding dong~ Host detected discovering the Hogwarts Express. Reward: One exploration lottery draw."

Moriarty found the magical world's modes of transportation quite interesting.

Portkeys and Floo Powder could be considered similar types of tools, while flying brooms, the Hogwarts Express, and the Knight Bus were another category.

Taking this express train, for example, involved one hundred and sixty-seven Memory Charms!

Having just learned the Memory Charm, Moriarty became intensely interested.

Lost in thought, he walked through the noisy crowd and boarded the train. The young wizards on the train were all talking excitedly, but one little boy inadvertently saw Moriarty and let out a scream, covering his mouth...

Moriarty walked away indifferently. He disliked noise and went to the back of the train, where he found an empty compartment.

Moriarty sat by the window, took out "Magical Theory," and continued reading from where he had left off.

It was a magical book discussing the relationship between ancient Runic Script and spells. Moriarty spent his free time expanding his knowledge of Potions and Runic Script.

Perhaps he could find clues about large-scale Memory Charms within Runic Script.