After the end-of-term celebration, students departed one after another to begin their summer holidays. Three days later, Marcus boarded a Portkey to Romania, and the final guest of the castle—Moriarty—also departed. Navigating through the bustle of Diagon Alley, he made his way to London.
There were many methods available to travel from London to Greece, but Moriarty opted for the most efficient and inconspicuous: flying via Muggle aircraft.
While Moriarty's broom-flying skills were exceptional, traversing such long distances on a broom wasn't practical, nor did it allow for concealment from Muggles. Though Floo Powder or Portkeys might have served, Flint's business had not yet extended to Greece.
Now, Moriarty stood before the gates of Heathrow International Airport, clutching a modest handbag. Amid the sea of Muggle travelers, Lilith waved energetically at him, her sunhat bobbing as she smiled.
"I don't believe for a second this is coincidence. You waited here on purpose," Moriarty remarked as he approached her. Today, Lilith wore fitted jeans and a simple white shirt, complemented by a creamy yellow handbag slung over her shoulder. Her fresh, radiant smile stood out in the crowd.
"I overheard what Leon said. I figured you'd be chasing clues in Greece. And I know you—you're not like those stuck-up pure-bloods. You'd travel the fast and comfortable way, of course. As for where to wait? Heathrow's the biggest international airport in London. Seemed like a good gamble," she said brightly.
Her tone was bubbling, as though she had achieved something great—like becoming an Animagus. She even looked like she wanted to leap into the air with excitement.
Instead, she restrained herself and strolled around Moriarty. "So, Mr. Moriarty, would you mind having an extra traveling companion?"
"Come on. Let's not miss the 9:20 flight," Moriarty said with a slight smile, striding into the airport. Lilith grinned and followed, steps light and eager.
Once aboard the plane, Lilith craned her neck, examining the interior with fascination.
"My family never allowed me near the Muggle world. They tried shaping me into a traditional pure-blood. But when they heard I'd be traveling with you, they agreed without hesitation!"
It was the first time Moriarty had seen Lilith so talkative, and he realized—no matter how composed she usually appeared—at heart, she was still a young girl.
The rule forbidding underage magic outside of school was quietly disregarded. Using a discreet charm, Moriarty secured a window seat for Lilith, letting her admire the clouds and sky. He sat beside her.
As the plane lifted off, Lilith grew slightly dizzy and instinctively grabbed Moriarty's arm.
Next to them, a blond boy, perhaps four or five years old, was experiencing his first flight. Panic flickered in his eyes as he clung to his mother, who comforted him gently.
"Mummy, I'm scared… Can you tell me a fairy tale?" the boy mumbled, nestling close.
"Of course. Let me tell you about King Arthur," she said, stroking his hair as her voice softened into a soothing cadence. "Legend says King Arthur was raised by the great wizard Merlin. He was clever—just like you. One day, with Merlin's help, he drew the sword of kings from the sacred lake…"
"Mummy, do you really think wizards exist?" the boy asked, sleepily rubbing his eyes.
"Yes, darling. And maybe one day, you'll meet one."
"I wanna be a wizard when I grow up…" he murmured, sucking his thumb and drifting into slumber.
Lilith and Moriarty exchanged smiles at the innocence in the boy's words.
"Do you think," Lilith said as she leaned on Moriarty's shoulder, "that little guy will get a Hogwarts letter when he turns eleven?"
"Maybe. Maybe not."
"Let's bet on it!" she said excitedly, sitting upright and holding out her palm. "High five and swear! I say he will go to Hogwarts."
"Then I guess I have no choice but to bet against it," Moriarty said with mock regret. "Why must you force me to crush a child's dreams?"
Clap! Their palms met.
Lilith used the moment to lean against him again, her voice teasing like a cat's purr. "Moriarty~ Tell me a fairy tale too."
"Shall I get you a nanny while I'm at it?" he teased, nudging her. "Or better yet, maybe I should gift you a pacifier for Christmas."
Lilith laughed and shook her head, and after a while, both drifted off to sleep. Five hours later, the plane touched down in Athens.
Moriarty and Lilith stepped out of the airport into the sweltering summer heat.
"Moriarty, do you know where the Greek wizarding community is? I mean, is there an equivalent of Diagon Alley here?" Lilith asked, scanning the busy streets, suddenly aware of how out-of-place they looked.
"Leon said that when Bill Weasley visited Athens, his first stop was the Parthenon. Let's start there."
With that, Moriarty cast a Disillusionment Charm over himself. Lilith grumbled enviously, "You already mastered that spell this summer? I'm going to fall so far behind…"
"Don't be ridiculous. Come on!" Moriarty summoned his Nimbus 1700 and motioned for her to hop on. Lilith clutched him from behind as they soared into the sky.
Within ten minutes, they landed in the shadow of the ancient Parthenon. While Lilith marveled at the architecture, Moriarty inspected the marble pillars for signs of magical entryways.
The legendary temple, known among Muggles as the "Seventh Wonder," stood tall with 46 fluted marble columns, intricate friezes, and a central statue of Athena, goddess of wisdom.
"They say Athena and Poseidon competed for this city," Lilith mused. "Maybe there's a clue hidden in the sculptures."
After a few careful observations and trials, Moriarty located a tiny bump on the crown of the seventh statue in the seventh row. It was a statue of a robed priest with an ornate headdress—cleverly concealed.
"No wonder no one notices. There's definitely a Muggle-Repelling Charm here," Lilith whispered, noticing how passersby ignored the structure completely.
After they prepared themselves, Moriarty pressed the bump. The statue creaked aside, and a hidden entrance gradually expanded behind it.
Moments later, a towering archway appeared—tall enough even for Hagrid to pass through. It opened onto a winding, marble-paved street lined with magical shops.
They had found it. Exchanging a glance, they stepped in.
As soon as they passed through, the archway vanished, the statue returning to its original form.
Inside, the sun blazed down on the white stones of the avenue. The heat was intense—even more than the Hogwarts greenhouses.
"Welcome to Soskis—Ross Street! Ah, a young couple, how lovely! And already with a child!" a hearty male voice boomed.
Before either could respond, a bearded wizard with a warm smile beckoned from the steps of a temple-like building.
"What did he say?" Lilith asked, glancing at Moriarty.
Unfortunately, Moriarty—who was fluent in five languages—only had basic Greek and couldn't fully translate.
Nonetheless, it was clear they were being welcomed. Moriarty noticed a stone plaque bearing a string of Greek characters and the number 1436.
"You're British, aren't you?" the man asked in heavily accented English. "If you need a place to stay, the Sembourg Inn is your best option! Established in 1436, and welcoming international travelers ever since!"
Now Lilith understood. She smiled at Moriarty and said, "It seems like a good choice. This inn is in a prime location—right at the heart of the street. Not every business gets that kind of access. Don't you think it's similar to the Leaky Cauldron?"
"Indeed," Moriarty said, glancing at the sun. "Still a few hours before nightfall. Let's explore a bit first."
He approached the innkeeper and discreetly handed him a gleaming ruby.
"We'd like a guide," he said softly. "Show us the area—but if you try anything shady, your hotel's long history ends today."
The innkeeper's eyes widened slightly before he broke into an even wider grin. "Understood! Follow me, young master and miss!"
And with that, Moriarty and Lilith were introduced to the hidden heart of magical Greece.