Chapter 33: A Mole in the Midst

"I don't think Filch is the mole," Claire said to Merula as the two left Filch's Office. "He may not like students, but he cares a lot about Hogwarts."

"Yeah, I got the same impression," Merula agreed. "So this was ultimately a dead-end."

"Perhaps, but we still have plenty of suspects to cover," Claire reminded Merula. "You just keep Filch off my tail, while I look into our next suspect Madam Hooch."

Reluctantly nodding, Merula parted ways with Claire. Later in the day, Claire met up with Ben at the Training Grounds for their Flying Class.

"Not sure if Charlie's assumptions have merit, but that's what we're here to find out," Claire said to Ben.

"But Madam Hooch is quite competitive when it comes to Quidditch," Ben pointed out. "And you could argue that competition can lead to a desire for more power, which can be obtained in the Cursed Vaults. Otherwise, why is 'R' searching for the vaults to begin with?"

Just then, Madam Hooch walked over to Claire and Ben.

"What are you two doing standing around?" Madam Hooch demanded. "Come on, speak up!"

"Um, we were talking about competition and how it can lead to wanting more power," Claire said. "Preferably, the kind that can be obtained elsewhere."

"Like a potion or something?" Madam Hooch guessed.

"Yeah, something like that," Ben concurred.

Sighing, Madam Hooch said, "Competition should encourage athletes to become stronger themselves without resorting to an outside source, and value their teammates above all else. It's just a shame I have to deal with so many fools as of late."

"What do you mean?" Claire asked.

"Someone's been repeatedly flying over the Black Lake and trying to dive-bomb the surface," Madam Hooch answered. "I'm almost tempted to think it's one of you two."

"It's not either of us," Ben claimed. "Honest!"

After a pause, Madam Hooch walked away. "Get your brooms ready for today's lesson, and leave the mystery of this foolish flier to me."

Claire and Ben did as Madam Hooch asked. Then together, they learned the Bell Tailslide technique. It involved moving the broom in a vertical direction up first, and then steadily downward before dashing forward in a straight line. Naturally, Claire was the first to try it and she got it right the first time while riding the broomstick she won during the Outdoor Festival. Later, Ben met up with Claire.

"I think it's safe to assume Madam Hooch isn't the mole we're looking for," Ben decided.

"Yes, her thoughts on competition make me think she wouldn't agree with 'R's methods," Claire agreed. "Plus, she told me once that she had strong feelings about Rakepick that seemed to be negative in tone. So it wouldn't make sense for her to work with an organization that has Rakepick in it."

"Then that leaves Professor Snape as our final suspect," Ben realized. "Do you want to deal with him yourself?"

Nodding confidently, Claire left the Training Grounds and made her way over to the Potions Classrooms. Snape was inside, and he was too distracted brewing a potion to hear Claire enter.

"Have you ever flown over the Black Lake, Professor Snape?" Claire asked bluntly.

Snape turned to Claire. "What I do in my spare time is none of your business."

Quickly changing the subject, Claire said, "Do you think Rakepick was misunderstood? And by that, I mean, do you think she thought she was in the right?"

"There are plenty of examples of people like Rakepick," replied Snape. "For instance, You-Know-Who believed so much in his cause that he thought he was doing the right thing. But whether he was right or not is debatable."

"Are you saying Rakepick was justified, then?"

"No, because what she did was unforgivable. It's one thing to believe in something so passionately to ignore all reason, but it's another to bring danger to an entire school, put other people in harm's way, and even murder an innocent student."

Reminded of Rowan's death, Claire lowered her head. "Yes, that is true."

Giving Claire a suspicious look, Snape said, "You had better not be planning another ill-advised adventure again. Didn't Professor Dumbledore and I tell you enough times to focus on your studies instead of going after Rakepick and her ilk?"

Before Claire could answer, Barnaby suddenly burst into the Potions Classroom.

"Claire! There's an emergency in the library!" Barnaby shouted.

Without questioning him, Claire followed Barnaby out of the classroom while Snape trailed behind. They made it to the Hogwarts Library very quickly, where several students were gathered together making nervous whispers among each other.

"Standing around like a bunch of gawking fish isn't going to solve anything," Snape said, getting the students' attention. "Now get out of my way."

The students parted, leaving a wide enough path for Snape to walk through as Claire and Barnaby kept up with him. At the end of the crowd stood a stone statue that resembled a student.

"Not again," Claire murmured.

"It's horrible, Claire," Barnaby said, clenching his fist. "Those stupid Cursed Vaults are just…so full of curses!"

"How could I have forgotten about the Statue Curse, when I've been focusing too much on finding this mole?"

Taking Claire's hand, Barnaby attempted to smile bravely. "Maybe it'll help if you talked to me about your investigation so far."

So Claire took Barnaby to a corner of the library that was absent of students. There, she told him about her attempts to interrogate Filch, Hooch, and Snape.

"I think Filch and Hooch are in the clear, based on their viewpoints alone, but I'm not sure about Snape," Claire said in conclusion. "Still, I'm pretty sure the mysterious flier Hooch mentioned is the mole. So we need to get into the Black Lake before they do."

"What about finding out their identity?" Barnaby asked.

Frowning, Claire responded, "That will have to wait for now. Because if we don't stop this Statue Curse soon, none of us are safe."

To be continued…