Sorry for the delay on this latest chapter! I wanted to wait until more chapters got added to the game before continuing. Hope you enjoy this latest entry!
Chapter 32: Question of Loyalty
As the moon rose over the Black Lake, Mad-Eye Moody had taken the White-Robed Wizard to the Boathouse with Claire following him after the two Apparated from Knockturn Alley. Though before Claire followed Moody, she gave some of her Floo Powder to Tonks and Jae so they could return to Hogwarts safely.
"It's a good thing you and Jacob showed up when you did," Claire remarked as the Polyjuice Potion wore off and she was back to her normal self again. "Otherwise, Rakepick might have killed me and my friends."
"Through my network, I learned she was planning to come out of hiding to attend the 'R' meeting," Moody explained. "And when your brother told me about your plan to infiltrate the meeting as Rakepick, I knew you were in danger and decided to interfere."
Claire paused and said, "I learned from the other 'R' members about a mole they planted in Hogwarts who's helping them find the final Cursed Vault."
Not reacting to this news, Moody put the White-Robed Wizard in a chair within the Boathouse and used Wingardium Leviosa to briefly lift the ropes from the wizard's body before setting them down. This in turn bound the White-Robed Wizard to the chair, who didn't struggle during the process.
"Got anything to say?" Moody frowned. "You've been awfully quiet."
"Why should I talk to the likes of you?" The White-Robed Wizard sneered, still speaking in English. "Agents of 'R' are not scared so easily."
"You maybe working for 'R' now, but you're a rogue student from Mahoutokoro first," Moody reminded. "That white robe of yours is proof. Now tell us who your Hogwarts mole is and why you wanted Krystal dead."
"I did not intend to kill Krystal," the White-Robed Wizard claimed.
"Liar!" Claire objected. "You attacked me at the Lakeshore, remember?"
"Originally, I wanted to take you back to 'R,' who want you to join them," the White-Robed Wizard replied. "They are hoping you will someday become their leader."
Clenching her fists, Claire said, "I would never join your group! Especially not the same people who ordered Rakepick to kill my best friend!"
"Who is your current leader?" Moody asked. "Is it Rakepick?"
The White-Robed Wizard paused. "I would never tell the name of our leader to anyone, especially an Auror."
"So who is the mole, then?" Claire demanded.
"They are a loyal follower of 'R' and its cause, which you will be too someday," the White-Robed Wizard said to Claire.
"No, I will not!" Claire insisted.
"But you will," the White-Robed Wizard responded.
Moody used Everte Statum to send the White-Robed Wizard flying backwards, which destroyed the chair and knocked the wizard unconscious from the impact.
"What did you do that for?" Claire asked Moody.
"He wasn't going to tell us anything more," Moody said. "Plus, having him unconscious will make it easier for me to take him back to Azkaban."
Claire looked down at the White-Robed Wizard. "Do you know what he meant when he implied 'R' wanted me to lead them? It doesn't make any sense, because I hate them."
"He was probably trying to rattle you, but it might be best to keep this information to yourself until we can verify the wizard's claim. In the meantime, you've got an immediate problem to deal with."
"Yes, the mole, whom I intend to identify and stop from achieving their goal."
###
The following evening, Claire had the Circle of Khanna members meet at the Hog's Head Inn despite Aberforth's apparent distain for their presence. She told them of the partial success of infiltrating 'R' and the Hogwarts mole, which naturally got everyone talking about the most likely suspects.
"I have a good mind to believe Filch is working for 'R,'" Ismelda claimed.
"Professor Snape often seems mysterious and dark to me, which makes him suspicious," Liz butted in.
"Madam Hooch has a pretty killer instinct for Quidditch, so maybe we should keep an eye on her as a suspect," Charlie suggested.
"Perhaps we should split up and investigate these people separately," Merula brought up.
"Agreed, though we must exercise caution as the mole will probably do everything in their power to not get caught," Claire stated. "But if we work together, we can beat Rakepick and 'R' to the final Cursed Vault."
"Plus, that evil witch will get what she deserves," Merula grinned.
"Even justice will be brought to Rowan," Ben added.
###
The next day, Claire and Merula dropped a Blood Pop candy on Mr. Filch's cat Mrs. Norris which got Filch so mad that he forced the two into his office.
"You two have a lot of nerve dropping a Blood-flavored lollipop on Mrs. Norris' fur!" Filch snapped angrily. "Now she won't let me near her!"
In response, Mrs. Norris' yowled from a dark corner of the office.
"Have you got anything to say for yourselves?" Filch asked, glaring at Claire as he spoke.
"Look, we didn't mean to drop the lollipop on Mrs. Norris' fur," Claire lied.
"Ungrateful students," Filch grumbled. "And the school gives me and Mrs. Norris no respect for everything we do to keep you ingrates in line!"
"Seems you have a problem with the school," Merula pointed out. "Maybe enough to want to harm the school in some way?"
"Not on your life," Filch objected. "Hogwarts has given me a home and job for years. It's not the institutions' fault that you lot are so careless and stupid. Though in the case of you two, I think you're up to something."
"Why do you say that?" Claire asked, trying not to sound nervous.
"I was watching you in the Great Hall earlier," Filch claimed. "Seemed like you dropped the lollipop on purpose, while Miss Snyde kicked Mrs. Norris so she'd be right in the lollipop's path."
"That's ridiculous," Merula laughed. "Krystal was just being her usual clumsy self, while I tried to kick the lollipop back in her face and hit Mrs. Norris by accident. I mean, accidents do happen, you know."
Filch didn't seem convinced, when he got distracted by Mrs. Norris' yowling.
"Get back to your classes for now, but I have my eye on you," Filch insisted and went to attend Mrs. Norris.
To be continued…
