THE MASTERMIND OF HOGWARTS

Moriarty took the wand in his hand, but he felt nothing special. He mobilized his magic and gave the wand a slight wave. A green snakehead formed in the air before Ollivander.

The wandmaker observed it carefully and shook his head. "It's not that the wand chose you," he mused. "Rather, it had no choice but to submit to you."

He quickly retrieved another wand and handed it over. "Thirteen inches, yew, with a core of unicorn tail hair."

Moriarty took the wand and repeated the gesture. This time, the snakehead that formed was not green but white.

Ollivander glanced at the white apparition with an intrigued expression. "It seems the unicorn core is influencing the magic… but the fact that it's changed color means you're instinctively altering it through Transfiguration. If you haven't studied Transfiguration yet, then your raw talent must be truly remarkable."

He set the wand aside and looked at Moriarty with a serious expression. "To find a wand that will serve you for life, you need to let your heart be open. Approach it like a child who has never used magic before. Otherwise, no matter how many wands you try, the result will be the same."

Moriarty remained silent as Ollivander retrieved an armful of wands.

For the next thirty minutes, Moriarty tested dozens of wands. Each time, he could wield magic with ease. The wands bent to his will like obedient pets, but none reacted with the expected resonance.

At last, Ollivander sighed in frustration. Moriarty, intrigued by the entire process, remarked, "It seems as if you're testing whether I have a 'pure heart' in this wand selection. May I ask why, sir?"

Ollivander chuckled, acknowledging his perceptiveness. "You see through things so easily. Very well, you are truly sharp." He stepped forward and met Moriarty's gaze. "There are many wands in this shop, yet not one of them compares to the greatest wand ever made—the one wielded by Albus Dumbledore."

Moriarty immediately guessed that Ollivander was referring to the Elder Wand, one of the legendary Deathly Hallows. But what did this have to do with him? He waited patiently for the old wandmaker to continue.

"Lockhart was not mistaken in his claims about you," Ollivander admitted. "You have exceptional talent, Mr. Moriarty. That's why I want to offer you a unique opportunity—to study wandlore with me. If you have questions, I will answer them. If you wish to experiment, I will provide you with materials."

He leaned in slightly, his voice filled with excitement. "And of course, any wand you create will be yours to keep."

Ollivander's eyes gleamed. "I want to see if you can craft a wand more powerful than Dumbledore's."

Moriarty understood the offer but shook his head. "I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I must decline."

Wandlore was an intricate branch of magic, requiring countless experiments and decades of study. To Moriarty, it was merely a fascinating aspect of magic—like a beautiful comet streaking across the sky. Worth admiring, but not worth chasing.

Ollivander sighed, disappointed but unwilling to give up just yet. He carefully retrieved another wand from a hidden compartment and presented it solemnly.

"Eleven inches, holly, with a core of phoenix feather. Beautiful and flexible. This wand has a twin… a brother wand, wielded by a man whose name I hesitate to speak."

His face darkened, and he murmured, "You are a descendant of Slytherin. I feared that, if given this wand, you might follow the path of that other Slytherin. That's why I didn't offer it to you at first."

He seemed to catch himself and chuckled weakly. "Ah, listen to me rambling. Of course, you won't, will you?"

Moriarty ignored the old man's nervous ramblings. He was mildly offended by the comparison. To be placed alongside a man who had no nose and a severe case of megalomania? How distasteful.

He raised the wand before him, examining it closely. There was no doubt—this was the twin to Harry Potter's wand.

Just then, a notification from his system rang in his ears.

"Ding dong! A wand compatible with fire-element magic has been detected. Possessing this wand will increase the host's fire magic level."

Moriarty's eyes gleamed with an idea.

If wands could be attuned to fire-element magic, then surely there must be wands attuned to other elements as well—such as water magic.

He turned to Ollivander and performed a simple Freezing Charm on the shop's door. Elegant frost patterns spread across the surface.

Ollivander's eyes widened in realization. His expression transformed from curiosity to excitement. "Merlin's beard! I nearly forgot—you can summon ice snakes through magic circles! Of course, of course! This changes everything!"

He rummaged through his storage, muttering to himself, until he finally pulled out a white box.

"This is it! A wand that has never been used to cast magic before." He opened the box reverently. "Twelve inches, cedar wood. As for the core… I regret to say I do not know. It was crafted by one of my ancestors over five centuries ago."

Moriarty looked inside. A creamy-white wand lay within, untouched by time. The moment he laid eyes on it, he had a strong premonition.

"Ding dong! A wand compatible with water-element magic has been detected."

A slow smile spread across Moriarty's lips. He lifted the cedar wand. The moment it touched his fingers, a cold sensation traveled through his arm, spreading to his heart.

And then—

"Congratulations! The host has leveled up. You are now a Level 27 Elementary Wizard."

Moriarty nodded approvingly. "This is a good wand."

Ollivander beamed. "Yes! This time, the wand truly chose you! Seven Galleons, if you wish to take it."

"I'll take it," Moriarty said. "And not just this one—I'll also be purchasing the holly wand. Name your price."

Ollivander frowned. "A wizard may only purchase one wand before school begins. If a wand is lost or broken, a replacement can be provided, but no one has ever purchased two at once."

Moriarty remained silent, his gaze unwavering.

In the end, Ollivander caved.

"You are quite the difficult one to deal with, Mr. Moriarty," he sighed. "I'll allow it. But do promise me you'll consider studying wandlore in the future."

He carefully placed the holly wand in a box and handed it over.

Moriarty took an emerald from his enchanted purse and set it on the counter. "The Slytherin family does not owe debts. Whatever the value of the holly wand, I believe this gem is sufficient payment."

With that, he took the wands and left.

Upon stepping outside, he was met with an unexpected sight.

Wizards throughout Diagon Alley had gathered, their eyes fixed on him. As he raised his newly acquired wand, the crowd erupted in cheers.

"For Slytherin! For magic!" they cried.

They understood the significance of this moment. Moriarty Slytherin had returned to England, and his acquisition of a wand marked the beginning of something monumental. Lockhart had proclaimed it—a new era of magic was on the horizon.

Moriarty acknowledged the crowd with an impeccable aristocratic nod.

He turned to his butler. "Luke, I have an important task for you." He handed him a list. "Acquire all of these items and send them back to the castle."

"Yes, young master." Luke bowed and departed toward Flourish and Blotts.

As Moriarty prepared to leave, he noticed Ingo staring at Gringotts with an intense expression.

"You can forget it, Ingo," Moriarty said coolly. "I won't be going there. The Slytherin family does not store wealth in Gringotts."

But Ingo, unusually defiant, responded, "Master will take me there. Because I have a reason you cannot refuse."

Moriarty frowned. He had a feeling things were about to get complicated.