By mid-October, Great Britain had fully embraced autumn. Rain fell more frequently, and the little wizards of Hogwarts donned wool sweaters and thick coats beneath their school robes, wrapping themselves in layers to stay warm against the damp chill.
Professor Randy, the vampire who had caused a stir the previous term, returned to his post as the Defence Against the Dark Arts instructor. This time, however, he did not attempt to hide his identity. Rather, he leaned into it.
Using himself as a living case study, Professor Randy allowed students to observe a vampire up close during class, giving detailed lessons on their physical features, behavioral traits, and most crucially—their weaknesses.
"Everyone knows that vampires are afraid of sunlight, garlic, silver, and crosses," he began in his smooth, accented voice, pacing before the blackboard. "But let's be honest—how many wizards walk around carrying crosses or silver swords?"
The second-year students of Slytherin and Gryffindor houses listened intently, some leaning forward in curiosity, others shifting uneasily in their seats.
"That's why I advise you to focus on learning the Patronus Charm. It is not just effective against Dementors. It is also a potent deterrent against many dark magical beings."
Lilith Pilivik raised her hand, her tone direct. "Professor, if a vampire kills a wizard, are they held accountable under wizarding law?"
At her question, Professor Randy's expression darkened slightly. "Ah… that's a heavier topic," he admitted, pausing a beat before continuing.
"As a half-blood vampire, I have always walked the line between the wizarding world and the dark world. I was born in France, but I have wandered through Greece, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and even Russia.
I can tell you this without hesitation: the population of magical creatures in the dark world far exceeds that of wizards. Vastly so.
Every year, the number of wizards killed by magical creatures is several times the standard wizarding casualty rate. The number persecuted or driven into hiding is even higher."
A hushed murmur filled the classroom as the students digested the information. Even the bold Gryffindors seemed unnerved. Moriarty, seated near the front, noted how deeply Randy's words affected them. He glanced sideways to see the pale expressions on some of his classmates.
Yet, amidst the tense atmosphere, the soft scratching of a quill caught his attention.
Lilith was writing.
Her quill moved swiftly across her parchment, recording Professor Randy's every word. Her face was impassive, but the white knuckles clutching her quill betrayed the intensity of her focus.
"Ahem." Professor Randy cleared his throat, apparently realizing that his lecture might have been too grim for second-years. "Of course, I'm speaking globally here. Most magical creatures rarely initiate conflict with wizards—they're more inclined to avoid us."
Gradually, color returned to the students' cheeks, and the atmosphere lightened.
But Lilith wasn't done. Her hand went up once more.
"Professor? Hypothetically, if the International Confederation of Wizards passed laws to regulate dark magical creatures—would you support such legislation as a member of that world?"
Professor Randy regarded her seriously, then shook his head slowly.
"No. No one wants to be shackled. While drafting regulations is simple in theory, enforcing them is another matter entirely. Would such laws provoke the magical creature community? Could they incite rebellion or retaliation?
Remember, vampires do more than kill—they can convert wizards into one of their own. And no wizard, given the choice, would want that fate.
And vampires are merely one group among many in the dark world."
With that ominous note, Randy glanced at the clock and closed his textbook.
"That's all for today. Dismissed."
He nodded to the students and left. The classroom emptied gradually, with students moving in hesitant clusters, their chatter subdued. Lilith remained at her desk, packing her things in thoughtful silence. She didn't even register Moriarty and Jericho walking past her.
"Keep an eye on her," Moriarty said quietly to Jericho once they were outside.
"Miss Pilivik? Why?" Jericho asked, half-distracted.
"You didn't notice anything strange about her?" Moriarty asked sharply.
Jericho rubbed the back of his head. "I mean… sure, she was a bit intense. But I thought Professor Randy's class just rattled her nerves. That whole 'dark creature law' bit was just talk."
"Lilith wasn't just talking," Moriarty said, voice low. "She's the kind of person who makes talk into reality."
Jericho blinked. "Come on, even if she wanted to write a law, it's not like she could just do it. Legal processes are long and complicated."
"Unless she had a team," Moriarty muttered. "Hogwarts is the perfect place to start building influence. Don't underestimate her."
Jericho's mouth hung open for a moment. "Wait… I thought we were the only real faction at school—the pure-blood army, your faction."
But Moriarty was already striding ahead. Jericho hurried after him.
"Should I have Leon assign some older students to watch her?"
"No, nothing too overt," Moriarty said. "Lilith is well-liked by the upperclassmen. If she finds out we're watching her, she'll become more careful."
Jericho grinned slyly. "I see. You care about her. Maybe there's still hope for you two."
Moriarty snorted. "Save your romance theories for someone else, loverboy."
Yet, his instinct about Lilith proved true.
By four o'clock that afternoon, a group of students in pristine white coats appeared in the castle. The oldest looked to be about fourteen or fifteen, the youngest no more than eleven. They moved swiftly and deliberately through the halls.
Out on the Quidditch pitch, a group of first-year Hufflepuffs had just finished their flying lesson when they were approached by a fourth-year Ravenclaw girl.
"Hi there!" she called brightly. "You all should know the official rules of Quidditch. It's important!"
Among the first-years was Cedric Diggory, a sports-loving boy who had dreamed of playing for the Hufflepuff team since arriving at Hogwarts. His hand shot up.
"I'd like to know the official fouls—especially the obscure ones. I don't want to get grounded mid-game for something I didn't know!"
The older girl beamed. "Smart thinking! The Department of Magical Games and Sports officially recognizes over 700 different Quidditch fouls. But the list is classified—for a reason.
They're afraid that if the full list went public, people might try to replicate the illegal moves."
The younger students laughed. Cedric, however, looked disappointed.
The senior smiled knowingly. "Don't worry. I said you were asking the right person. We've compiled a list of the thirty-nine fouls documented across the last five World Cups, along with the ten most common fouls in history."
She held up a shimmering golden card. "Here. Just tap it with your wand and say, 'Law and Justice.'"
Cedric's eyes lit up. "Brilliant!" He took the card and did as instructed.
With a flash, dark ink formed lines across the surface:
"Teams and Players of the Fifth Century Cup."
"Thirty-Nine Fouls from the World Cup."
"The Ten Most Common Fouls."
Cedric tapped the last one and read the results aloud.
"Pulling robes, deliberate collision, broom slamming, goalpost ramming, elbow strikes, ring interference, Quaffle-holding fouls, disruption tactics, illegal Snitch handling, aggressive pinching…"
"Wow! That's thorough!" he said, scanning more of the list.
He tapped through the remaining categories, absorbing the extensive details about each foul and Quidditch regulation.
He looked up to thank the Ravenclaw girl, only to see her across the field, handing more enchanted cards to other students.
Moriarty was right—Lilith's network was growing.