Moriarty in Diagon Alley (Seeking Votes and Bookmarks)

Moriarty finished reading the report on the new book launch and turned the newspaper to the second page: celebrity interviews.

Rita Skeeter wrote: "With Slytherin in Eastern Tibet conquered Britain's wizards in just three hours. Even with our discerning eye, we could not find a single flaw. Senior Ministry of Magic officials and prominent figures from every field have expressed varying degrees of praise. Not once in a century has any book received such an honour."

Below were photographs and reports of Rita's interviews with famous figures.

First was the author, Gilderoy Lockhart.

He looked bright and energetic in the photograph. He commented, "Ever since I met Moriarty, my life has been as wonderful as if I'd drunk a bottle of Felix Felicis that never wore off!"

Then came the head of the Fli Family. Nar Fli had made his first public appearance since the First Wizarding War.

Moriarty looked at the old man in the photograph. Lockhart had mentioned Old Fli's family to him before. His wife had died long ago, his son had perished in the First Wizarding War, and the entire Fli Family was left with only this old man, half buried in the grave.

Facing the interview, Old Fli made a dry joke. "You ask me about Mr Moriarty? I think it is proper for me to address him that way. His outstanding performance makes us overlook his age.

"Mr Moriarty reminds me of Salazar Slytherin. I have no doubt about his talent. Perhaps he will open a school of magic that admits only children from Pure-blood families."

Amelia Bones, the current director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, held a different opinion, but she too gave Moriarty high praise.

She said, "Old Fli is being overly sensitive. Mr Moriarty will attend Hogwarts—there is no doubt about that. Just think: what changes will the Heir of Slytherin bring to Hogwarts after enrolling there?

"As Mr Lockhart said, Mr Moriarty belongs to magic, and so do we all, whether Pure-blood or half-blood."

Beneath Old Fli's and Bones's interviews, Rita Skeeter added a line, eager to stir up trouble: "The dispute between these two regarding bloodlines cannot help but remind us of Mr Moriarty's noble origins. However, an unnamed Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor at Hogwarts has expressed a rather baffling view on the matter."

"The spell Mr Moriarty used in Eastern Tibet falls within the category of Dark Arts, but that is judging it by modern magical standards—I mean, Slytherin family magic does not distinguish between Dark Arts and White Magic. So when did we begin dividing magic into categories? I think..."

Before the professor could finish, Rita had abandoned him. What Rita wanted was news, not a lesson.

Moriarty could not help smiling when he saw this.

That professor was rather interesting. If he ever had the chance to meet him, Moriarty wanted to have a talk with him, because clearly, he was a wizard who truly thought about magic.

Unfortunately, the times had cast him aside. Rita had put his words in the newspaper only to add another joke.

Moriarty read several more interviews, all of them full of praise.

At the end of the report, Rita particularly wrote: "Several magical books are preparing to include Mr Moriarty's story and his Magic Circle in their pages.

"These books include, but are not limited to, History of Magic, Modern History of Magic, Magical Theory, Magical Defence Theory, The Rise and Fall of Dark Arts, Important Magical Events of the Twentieth Century, Great Discoveries of Modern Magic...

"This is truly unbelievable, but there is no doubt that Mr Moriarty has earned such recognition. According to reliable records, the last person to be included in so many major magical books was none other than Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore.

"We do not know whether Hogwarts, A History will add Mr Moriarty's deeds, but perhaps we will find out after Mr Moriarty enrols.

"However, according to Rubeus Hagrid, Hogwarts's Keeper of Keys and Groundskeeper, Mr Moriarty appears to have been connected to the great riot at Hogwarts several months ago. Clearly, this is yet another groundless accusation..."

"Hogwarts? A great riot?"

Moriarty found it strange. How could Hogwarts have experienced a great riot in 1987? But Hagrid would not lie.

"Luke!" Moriarty summoned his House-elf. "I want every issue of The Daily Prophet from 1987."

"At once! My master wants an entire year's worth of The Daily Prophet, and Luke will bring it to his master! Even though it will be very difficult." Luke was filled with fighting spirit and was about to leave.

"Wait," Moriarty called him back. "According to the plan, it is time for me to go to Diagon Alley. Inform Lockhart and have him make the arrangements."

The Castle's House-elves became busy. They continuously brought ancient, luxurious wizarding robes from the dressing room and dressed Moriarty.

Two hours later, Moriarty appeared in Diagon Alley accompanied by Ingo and Luke.

When the first wizard casually noticed Moriarty's grey hair and grey eyes, then shouted, "Look! Isn't that Mr Moriarty? I saw in Hogwarts, A History that Salazar Slytherin also had grey hair and grey eyes!"

As soon as he did, more wizards quickly approached Moriarty, their gazes fixed firmly upon him as though they were looking at an incomparably precious treasure.

Luke watched the surroundings warily, as if ready to cast a curse at the crowd at any moment.

Moriarty, however, remained unhurried as he calmly walked towards Ollivanders Wand Shop.

Just then, Lockhart arrived with Rita and a large group of reporters, stopping the restless wizards.

This had been planned by Moriarty and Lockhart all along. Lockhart raised a hand in a "stop" gesture toward the wizards and said with unprecedented solemnity, "Ladies and gentlemen, I know you desperately want to learn about Moriarty—to know everything about him. But I ask you to restrain yourselves!

"Moriarty is undoubtedly a genius! But geniuses need nurturing; they need room to grow. He loves magic and is immersed in its world. He does not wish to be disturbed.

"But at the same time, he is exceptionally kind and approachable. He knows he has gained a great many fans, and for their sake, he is willing to spare a little time to answer their questions.

"And I, Gilderoy Lockhart, am honoured to serve as the link between you and Moriarty!"

The crowd erupted in cheers. Lockhart smiled in satisfaction. "Ask whatever questions you have! One at a time. I will select some of them and pass them on to Moriarty!"

"Me! I'm utterly fascinated by the Magic Circle Mr Moriarty used!"

"No, I should go first! I've been here for an hour already."

The wizards rushed to speak over one another. Some even cast Sonorus on themselves so that their questions would reach Lockhart's ears clearly.

Lockhart was beginning to struggle against the increasingly unruly crowd, but fortunately, one of Rita's actions rescued him.

Rita had a photographer take pictures of Moriarty's back as she said, "Mr Moriarty has permitted us to take photographs of his first visit to Diagon Alley. This is a rare opportunity to get close to Mr Moriarty.

"You should know that at the end of Mr Lockhart's novel, Mr Moriarty returned to the Castle Salazar Slytherin left him. It is very difficult for us to see him out in public."

Her words reached the crowd, and the wizards immediately let Lockhart go. Questions could be asked at any time, but Moriarty might not visit Diagon Alley again for a long while.

None of the wizards wanted to miss this opportunity. They watched Moriarty enter Ollivanders Wand Shop.

One wizard asked, "Doesn't Mr Moriarty already have the Slytherin staff? Why does he need another wand?"

Lockhart cleared his throat. "Moriarty doesn't need to answer this question. I, who have devoted my life to fighting Dark Magic, can tell you the answer! Moriarty did this to study the differences between modern magic and ancient magic!"

The wizards outside the shop began discussing it, while Moriarty walked inside. Ollivander came forward to greet him.

"Moriarty Slytherin? I never thought that one day I would sell a Wand to the Slytherin Family.

Now then, child—oh, I mean no offense. I know many people call you 'sir' nowadays, but before the study of wands, you truly are only a child. Even I am no more than an apprentice, all right?

So, are you prepared? To receive your first Wand."

Ollivander spoke softly, yet his words carried great weight. Moriarty sized up the old man before him. If he had said such things to anyone else, they would surely have scoffed, but Moriarty could hear the sincerity in Ollivander's voice.

"Yes, sir." Moriarty nodded politely. "I know your rules. I can cast spells with either my left or right hand."

"Ah, yes." Ollivander looked enviously at the Slytherin staff in Moriarty's hand. "I read Lockhart's novel. I know."

It was obvious that Ollivander dearly wanted to cradle the Slytherin staff in his hands and examine it, but he restrained himself. He drew a long box from the wall, took out the Wand within, and handed it to Moriarty.

"Try this one. Eleven and one-third inches long, Acacia wood, with a Thunderbird tail feather core."