Chapter 49: Unexpected Reveal

After leaving Ollivander's, Claire followed Fletcher to Flourish and Blotts while Jae went back to Hogwarts. Fletcher claimed another clue to the whereabouts of the mysterious Dark Witch who inquired about Claire's wand lay there. But upon entering the bookstore, Madam Villanelle frowned upon seeing Fletcher.

"Mundungus said you have information for me, Madam Villanelle," Claire said, trying to break the tension.

"For once, he's correct," Villanelle responded. "A Dark Witch came in asking about the kinds of books you were interested in. She was talking out loud about a wand, and so distracted that she almost knocked over a book display. Also, she wanted to know about your brother's book interests. Did you find him, by the way?"

"Yes, I did," Claire answered. "But what makes this stranger is the Dark Witch you're describing also came by Ollivander's asking about my wands. I don't understand why she was interested in the books I've read."

"Books can tell a lot about a person's character," Villanelle said.

"Did you tell her anything?" Claire asked.

"No, I forgot about the books you and your brother were interested in," replied Villanelle. "I don't go sharing my patrons' information to unscrupulous Witches or Wizards."

"Am I an exception, then?" Fletcher asked, pointing to himself.

While Villanelle hesitated to answer, Claire said, "Anyway, thanks for telling me this information, Madam Villanelle."

"Before you leave, you should know this Dark Witch already seemed to know quite a lot about you," Villanelle said to Claire. "I would even say she probably told others about you as well."

Then as Villanelle went to attend her customers, Claire said to Fletcher, "Perhaps the Hogwarts mole was telling this Dark Witch information about me."

"Sounds like Hogwarts has gotten more interestin' since I last attended," Fletcher remarked. "Any idea who this mole you speak of might be?"

"First, I thought it was a teacher. But now, I'm starting to think it's a student…."

"Trust nobody but yourself, Claire, which is what I always say."

"But by that logic, I shouldn't trust you."

"Now hold on! I tol' you abou' the bleedin' problem in the first place."

"Okay, but I've got my eye on you until we find this Dark Witch."

"Luckily, I 'ave an idea of where she mig' be."

Following Fletcher, Claire and him went through the Floo Network ending up in the Hog's Head Inn fireplace. While Fletcher tried to avoid eye-contact with Aberforth, who banned him from the pub 15 years ago, Claire's eyes fell upon a suspicious-looking Witch with feathers in her wide-brimmed hat.

"Looks like the Dark Witch that Ollivander described," Fletcher noted.

"Yeah, you're right," Claire agreed.

"Eavesdrop to find out if it's really her," Fletcher suggested.

Pulling up the black hood she was wearing, Claire moved closer to the Witch with the wide-brimmed hat and listened in. The Witch was talking to a Dark Wizard in a bowler hat, discussing 'information coming in' and 'meeting soon' with someone. Unfortunately, their exact words were lost amidst the argument going on between Aberforth and Bilmes.

"That's her," Claire whispered to Fletcher after sneaking back over to him. "She said something about getting information and meeting with someone."

Just then, the Witch with the wide-brimmed hat and the Dark Wizard with the bowler hat got up. This forced Claire and Fletcher to hide behind the bar, which they crouched behind. Meanwhile, the Dark Witch and Wizard went into a nearby passageway without looking behind the bar.

"Whew! That was a close one," Claire remarked.

"I do wonder why that Witch is so interested in you, though," Fletcher said in a confused tone.

"Maybe it has something to do with what the Mahoutokoro Wizard told me about 'R,'" Claire guessed. "But more importantly, I think she's going to meet the Hogwarts mole though I don't know where."

"Luckily fer you, I hav' a lead on where this meeting's takin' place," Fletcher brought up.

Claire couldn't believe what she heard. "Really?"

Fletcher nodded. "I'll send you a message when the time's right. An' bring that Invisibility Cloak o' yours. Trust me, you'll need it."

###

Following a lesson on the Sopophorous Bean in Herbology the next day, which was an ingredient in the Draught of the Living Death Potion, Claire got a message from Fletcher to meet him in Knockturn Alley. So Claire put on the black outfit she wore the first time she went to Knockturn Alley and used the Floo Network to get there. He was standing outside Borgin and Burkes, and walked up to him.

"You said in your message that the Dark Witch was heading here," Claire reminded Fletcher. "But where is she?"

"Oh, she'll be 'ere soon enough," Fletcher assured. "We're just early is all."

"I hope this is worth it, because I need to know why this Witch is asking about my wands and reading habits. Plus, I've got a final essay to write for Professor Flitwick."

"You'll do fine on that essay, if you can handle Cursed Vaults. I see you brou' yer Invisibility Cloak like I asked."

Tucking the cloak under her arm, Claire said, "Where will you hide?"

"Don' worry abou' old Mundungus. I brou' an' Invisibility Cloak o' me own. Now let's put em' on and keep quiet. She's goin' to be 'ere soon."

So Claire put on her Invisibility Cloak while Mundungus did the same. From down the nearby stone steps walked the Dark Witch. She then leaned against a nearby wall as another set of footsteps echoed from the opposite direction.

"Late as usual," the Dark Witch muttered.

From out of the darkness appeared Merula, who stood across from the Dark Witch.

"Well, no matter," the Dark Witch continued. "Are you ready to join 'R,' Merula?"

Merula nodded without hesitation. "I've done everything you've asked, and ready to leave Hogwarts for good. 'R' should be my real family."

Smiling menacingly, the Dark Witch removed her wide-brimmed hat. In an instant, she changed into a much older Witch with white hair tied in a bun and wearing a small pointed hat that was curved to the side.

"You have proven yourself worthy, after learning the truth," replied the older Witch.

"Does this mean I'll finally get the power I deserve?" Merula asked.

The older Witch nodded. "You'll have all the power you could possibly desire. That is, if you do as I say."

"Of course. I'll bring Claire Krystal into the fold. She will join 'R' just like I have."

"But your journey is only beginning, Merula Snyde."

Suddenly, the older Witch grabbed Merula and the two of them Apparated away. Claire removed her Invisibility Cloak, trying to process everything that just happened.

To be continued…