Moriarty's outstanding performance in Transfiguration class had drawn everyone's attention. Students from all four Houses eagerly anticipated how he would perform in other classes.
In Potions class, Professor Snape strode into the classroom.
Unlike Professor McGonagall, who needed harsh point deductions to remind students to behave in class, Professor Snape possessed an intimidating presence that could bring the classroom into perfect order without the slightest effort.
Perhaps it had something to do with his fearsome reputation, or perhaps it was his cold expression, black hair, and the long hem of his robes.
That attire made him look like a huge, terrifying bat.
As he stepped onto the podium, the Little Snakes and Little Lions hunched their necks, waiting for roll call.
When he reached Moriarty's name, Professor Snape paused. His black eyes were cold and empty, just like his tone.
"Mr. Moriarty, the renowned one," he said, his voice only slightly louder than a whisper. "I assume you know that students of Slytherin House have always paid a tremendous price to bear the name Slytherin."
Moriarty was certain that, in those words, he saw Snape himself.
"Of course, they have all succeeded as well." Professor Snape spoke slowly. "But you are different. Think about it—how much effort, how much sweat must you give to be worthy of the Slytherin surname?"
He really was a good professor, Moriarty thought.
Professor Snape raised his voice. "If it were not for your surname, I would not say this much to you. Do you understand, Mr. Slytherin!"
"Yes, Professor," Moriarty answered loudly. "And I know exactly what I am doing."
"Very well. Let us see whether Mr. Slytherin is a qualified Slytherin..." Professor Snape sat down in front of Moriarty and stared into his eyes. "Listen. What would I get if I added Asphodel Root Powder to Wormwood Infusion?"
"A Draught of Living Death," Moriarty said calmly.
Professor Snape said emotionlessly, "Name the most common ingredients required to brew Swelling Solution."
Moriarty glanced at the Potions professor. Clearly, this was second-year Potions coursework.
But he still answered smoothly, "The most common ingredient is puffer-fish eyes."
"Who invented Shrinking Potion?"
All right, this time it was third-year material!
Moriarty smiled. "Zygmunt Budge, Professor."
Next, Snape asked about several points of knowledge that would not be covered until the fourth through sixth years. Moriarty answered with fluent, clear explanations.
Their exchange lasted no more than three minutes, yet after Moriarty had answered every question, Snape stared at him for a full five minutes!
No one knew what he was thinking, and Moriarty did not feel as though his mind had been invaded.
"Slytherin gains five points," Snape suddenly said. He rose and walked away, his voice echoing through the classroom. "The Draught of Living Death is the first Potion you will learn today! Do not make me say it twice!"
Professor Snape began explaining the brewing steps for the Draught of Living Death. Soon, the classroom filled with the rustling sounds of writing. Moriarty, however, curled his lips upward. Since the Draught of Living Death was today's lesson, did that mean it did not count toward his points?
Severus Snape really was an interesting man.
"Mr. Moriarty, aren't you taking notes?" Lilith asked softly.
Moriarty shook his head. "The best way to remember is always through practice."
As he spoke, he took out the ingredients needed to brew the Draught of Living Death, along with a cauldron and scales.
Listening to Professor Snape's explanation, Moriarty began brewing according to the steps.
"An arrogant genius!" Snape suddenly sneered. Then his pace of explanation abruptly sped up, as though he had a machine gun in his mouth and Moriarty was the enemy.
The Little Snakes and Little Lions immediately found themselves miserable. Jericho simply stopped taking notes and watched Moriarty brew his Potion instead.
Lilith, on the other hand, kept her wrist moving, her quill producing line after line of elegant handwriting.
"I copied legal statutes from a young age, so I'm used to it." Lilith shrugged, stealing glances at Moriarty's Draught of Living Death whenever she could.
Thanks to Professor Snape's rapid explanation, Moriarty's brewing process was greatly shortened. Once he ground the asphodel root into powder, only one final step remained.
Jericho cried out dramatically, "Hey! Mr. Moriarty, perhaps you do not need to attend class at all. I believe that if someone showed you the Potion recipes just once, you could learn every Potion!"
"Mr. Blanche, why are you not writing down what I said? Perhaps you think you have already learned it? Slytherin loses three points!" Professor Snape walked over.
At that moment, Moriarty added the Asphodel Root Powder to the Wormwood Infusion, and the Draught of Living Death was successfully brewed. Professor Snape gave a rare nod. "Mr. Slytherin has earned Slytherin House twenty points."
"Thank you," Moriarty said with a smile. "That is a very distinctive way of awarding points, Professor."
The Little Snakes laughed as well. It was not often that two Slytherins appeared at once.
Lilith refused to concede. "Mine is nearly done too. I do not believe it will be worse than yours."
Moriarty looked over. Lilith's Draught of Living Death was as standard as one in a textbook, only slower to brew than his.
After Professor Snape inspected her Potion, he said, "Slytherin gains three points."
Once Severus Snape went to inspect the Little Lions' progress, Lilith curled her lips. "So stingy. Only three points."
As if he could never be upset, Jericho was still grinning despite losing points. "Getting three points is already quite good. You do not mean to compare yourself with Mr. Moriarty, do you?"
Lilith's eyes flickered, and she said nothing. But Jericho seemed as though he had discovered a new continent. "I really want to crack open your head and see what is inside. You actually want to compare who earned more House points than Moriarty? Wow, wow!
"According to my calculations, Mr. Moriarty earned our House sixty points in two classes! You only have three points. A twentyfold gap is huge, isn't it, Mr. Moriarty?"
"Do not provoke her," Moriarty said. Seeing what looked like killing intent flickering in Lilith's eyes, he jokingly told Jericho, "If you keep doing this, perhaps she will come up with a hundred ways to ruin you without breaking the law."
"Hmph." Lilith glared faintly at Jericho and turned her head away. "It is good that you know!"
Despite her words, Moriarty saw the proud little girl's lips curl upward.
Jericho rubbed his short hair, then quickly shifted his attention to his Potion. Moriarty watched him skillfully pick up the ingredients, sort them, and begin brewing.
His movements carried a little of Moriarty's style. Jericho smiled sheepishly at him. "Your posture and movements look cool. When I saw them, I wanted to imitate you..."
"Excellent memory, and exceptional imitative ability." Moriarty gave the little wizard from the United States an inquisitive look. "Jericho, how many more surprises have you prepared for us?"
Lilith turned back around and said to Moriarty, "Just watch. Mr. Blanche will definitely show off his skills in tomorrow's flying class. Want to bet, Mr. Moriarty?"
Jericho held his forehead and smiled bitterly. "Miss Lilith, why do you not become a reporter! The Daily Prophet? Or The Quibbler?
"The Quibbler suits you better. After all, you always manage to grasp information that outsiders do not know."
"Who allowed you to call me by my name?" Lilith casually stirred her cauldron with a spoon. "Also, do not compare me to those two trash tabloids.
"As for thinking I am nosy? In fact, I did not deliberately collect information about you. I simply analyzed your behavior after gathering a great deal of information."
"Do you remember what I said on the train, Mr. Moriarty?" Lilith's gaze became profound. It was hard to believe she was only eleven.
"I am not a little girl who only knows how to dream. In order to achieve my goals, I began taking action the moment I entered Hogwarts.
"The Little Wizards at Hogwarts are the best subjects for investigation. I have no intention of prying into their privacy, but I need to know their character.
"So, one investigation report after another came out, just like brewing a Potion. Not only Jericho's—there are reports on Hogwarts first-years and second-years as well!"
Moriarty recalled how she often sat with the older student Gemma and asked, "Have you already begun interacting with third-years?"
Lilith snorted. "Third-year upperclassmen are different from first- and second-years. They are quite mature. You have already felt that yourself, have you not!"
Knowing she was implying something, Moriarty smiled. "Do you care that you are less mature than them, or that you are less mature than those girls?"
Lilith rolled her eyes and fell silent.
Jericho rested his chin on his hand and idly flipped through his textbook. He felt like an abandoned tool.
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