In order not to waste time, Moriarty allowed Lilith to go ahead to Malfoy Manor.
Seeing Lilith finally mounting Xiao Wang, Jericho grumbled, "Miss, you should pick a female hippogriff. What about Ace of Hearts? She's your loyal partner."
"No!" Lilith leaned forward as she wrapped her arms around Xiao Wang's neck, "Little Wang, let's hurry. I can't wait to see Mrs. Malfoy."
"Why though? The Piliwick family doesn't have ties with the Malfoys," Jericho questioned.
"Wanna know?" Lilith said, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Then show us your riding skills, cowboy!"
"Piece of cake!" Jericho's eyes locked onto a hippogriff. He stepped into a run-up stance, ready to vault onto the creature's back.
Marcus interjected, "Jericho, I should remind you: don't treat the Poker family mounts like horses. Show respect or they'll drop you from 300 feet."
"Oh! I'll be gentle," Jericho rubbed the back of his head and cautiously reached out toward the hippogriff he'd chosen. "Take it easy, baby. I'll be gentle. Is this your first time being ridden too? Yes? Great…"
Jericho stroked the eagle-like creature's mane gently, his gaze tender as if looking into the eyes of a lover.
Moriarty and the others stifled their laughter. Leon shouted, "Jericho, stroking magical beasts like you're wooing your date? You're such a—talent! Are you trying to date a hippogriff?"
"What hippogriff? She's my Ace of Hearts!" Jericho declared with pride.
The group broke into laughter and mounted their hippogriffs, soaring into the sky.
Marcus led the group, guiding the creatures, and thirty minutes later, they arrived over Wiltshire.
From high above, Moriarty observed a crowd surrounding Malfoy Manor.
"Looks like all of British wizarding society has turned up," Lilith said in amazement. "So many people—are they all here to seize the Malfoy estate?"
Moriarty's brows knit together. "Not just British wizards. There are more foreigners among them."
Word had spread faster than expected. The once-mighty Malfoy legacy teetered on the edge of collapse.
"Let's descend!" Moriarty commanded. "Marcus, you take the mounts and block the manor's entrance. Leon, you and the others secure the villa. Lilith, you're with me—we're seeing Mrs. Malfoy."
"Understood, sir!"
"On it!"
"No problem!"
Their united voices echoed above the flapping of wings as the hippogriffs swooped downward, drawing all attention toward them.
"What in Merlin's name is that?" an Indian wizard asked his companion, clearly spooked.
"It's the beast!" the other whispered, kneeling in prayer.
"That's a hippogriff!" a European wizard snapped, unimpressed.
"There are riders! Who are they?"
"That gray-haired boy leading them… he looks familiar…" muttered a black-robed wizard, hiding among the crowd.
"Quick, they're descending!"
Panic spread. Wizards scattered, clearing a large space in front of the manor.
Crash-crash!
Thirty-six hippogriffs landed with a coordinated thud. Marcus leapt off and shouted at the onlookers, "Disperse immediately, or we won't guarantee your safety!"
"You think you can stop us, kid?"
"What about the shipment Lucius promised at the Athenian Bazaar?"
"He still owes me fifty thousand Galleons!"
Angry voices rose as the mob surged forward again.
Marcus ordered the Poker mounts to hold the line. The beasts growled lowly, their sharp claws halting the crowd's advance.
Taking the opportunity, Moriarty and his group slipped inside the manor. Before the villa stood a few familiar faces.
Mr. Parkinson, Mr. Nott, and Mr. Greengrass—all former close allies of Lucius Malfoy—had arrived in a show of support. But the crowd outside ignored them completely.
Ironically, they feared the hippogriffs more than the old pureblood families. The expression on the patriarchs' faces was awkward—it was humiliating to be upstaged by magical beasts.
"Mr. Moriarty?" Mr. Parkinson called out with a smile. He eyed the entourage behind Moriarty with some confusion. "Were you invited by Draco to the Malfoy Manor?"
"Pfft!" Jericho burst out laughing. "Draco? The dragon? Cute name, but no offense, sir—we're not here to play with children."
"We are the Hogwarts Pureblood Army!" Leon declared proudly. The young purebloods straightened their backs in unison.
The patriarchs' eyes widened in disbelief.
"Hogwarts Pureblood Army!?"
"Hogwarts Purebloods?"
"Hogwarts?"
"Pure bloods!?"
Even the crowd outside paused in awe.
Everyone asked the same question internally: Who the hell just arrived?
The patriarchs were dumbfounded. Days ago, Lucius was still issuing orders and seeking out the Jewish Marquis. Now he was dead.
And now, a new force—the Hogwarts Pureblood Army—had emerged without their knowledge.
Why didn't we know?
Who formed it?
Who's the leader?
What are they planning?
Their eyes fell on Moriarty. Answers appeared in their minds, and bitter realization crept into their hearts.
Mr. Parkinson frowned. "You're here on Dumbledore's orders, right?"
"I invited Mr. Moriarty to Malfoy Manor!"
The doors to the villa opened, and Narcissa Malfoy stepped out. She wore a black dress; her skin pale as moonlight, like a noble vampire from a gothic tale.
Her elegant, light-gray eyes—hallmarks of the Black women—were swollen and red from crying.
She'd lost weight, but not her pride. Chin lifted, she stood tall and proud as always.
"Gentlemen, I trust you've seen for yourselves—Mr. Moriarty of House Slytherin has brought the Hogwarts Pureblood Army to Malfoy Manor. As such, no other guests are welcome today."
The crowd went silent. All eyes turned toward Narcissa and Moriarty.
Lilith shot a side glance at Narcissa, her eyes flaring with sparks.
So sly! She had invited Moriarty for help, yet Narcissa was now claiming he came as her guest?
Slytherin, indeed!
Despite her calm appearance, Narcissa was panicking on the inside. Only Moriarty noticed her hidden anxiety.
The daffodil that once bloomed so brightly had withered under tragedy's weight.
She tried to maintain her composure, but things would never return to how they were.
"Mr. Moriarty, please come inside. I must speak with you in private," Narcissa said, her voice tinged with restrained emotion. She gestured for him to enter.
Several aristocratic witches behind her blinked in awe.
This was the same woman they'd comforted minutes ago—the widow in despair. Yet here she stood, regally commanding attention and securing the presence of the most powerful Slytherin.
Some of the ladies burned with jealousy.
Since school days, the women of the Black family had always been the most admired.
Moriarty moved.
He stepped forward and entered the villa. Lilith followed immediately, and Jericho remained at the entrance with the others.
Narcissa's eyes darkened slightly as she followed behind them, closing the doors with quiet finality.
Inside, the manor still gleamed with wealth. Moriarty sat on the main sofa; Lilith casually took the seat beside him. Moriarty raised a brow at her but said nothing. Lilith smiled innocently and ignored him.
Narcissa stepped in and spoke gently to Lilith, "Miss Piliwick, could you check on Draco? He's locked himself in his room, and I'm worried…"
"Sorry, I can't!" Lilith refused with a sharp tone. Trying to send me away? Not happening.
Her smile returned, cold and elegant. "Don't worry. We'll have time to console your son. But right now, let's get to the point."
Narcissa looked at Moriarty. He gave no reply. His silence meant consent.
"Alright," Narcissa sighed and sat on a single armchair. Tears welled in her eyes, threatening to fall.
"Mr. Moriarty, you saw it… just two hours after The Prophet published the prophecy, strangers began appearing outside my home."
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