Chapter 45: Closure

As Claire raised her wand, Rakepick didn't waste time and cast Diffindo. This caused cuts to appear on Claire's arms and chest, but she ignored the pain. So Claire cast the Windy Spell Ventus at Rakepick, who used Protego to block it. For several minutes, the two fired spells at each other though neither faltered. While Claire did occasionally use Episkey to heal her wounds, all Rakepick did was bear the pain and keep casting.

"You've definitely gotten better at Dueling since we last met," Rakepick admitted, breathing heavily. "But not good enough to beat me."

"Expelliarmus!" Claire shouted, causing Rakepick's wand to go flying out of her hand.

"Impudent brat!" Rakepick snapped.

"Rakepick, it's over," Claire insisted.

"Never!" Rakepick argued. "Whatever is in that Cursed Vault belongs to me!"

Claire pondered over what to do, when an idea suddenly came to her head. She then put away her wand. "All right. The vault is yours."

This surprised everyone, including Rakepick. She laughed haughtily as she picked up her own wand. "I knew you would see the light of reason eventually, Krystal. You've done a great service for me and 'R.'"

"Enjoy your prize," Claire said, giving a fake smile.

Seemingly buying it, Rakepick walked past Claire and went up the stone stairs into the Cursed Vault itself. Once Rakepick was through the doorway, Claire took out her wand again and said, "Confringo!"

The energetic blast from the wand caused more rocks to fall from the ceiling of the cave, blocking the entrance to the vault once more. On the other side, Claire and the others heard Rakepick screaming in fear.

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After Claire healed Ben, Jacob, and Merula's wounds with Episkey, they left the cave and the Black Lake entirely. Barnaby was still on the Lakeshore, and was genuinely glad to see them. But when he learned about Rakepick getting past him, he profusely apologized until Claire calmed him down by claiming he did his best. While Jacob Apparated to give Mad-Eye Moody an update on the vault situation, Claire decided to speak to Dumbledore while Merula, Barnaby, and Ben went back to their dorms. In the Headmaster's Office, Dumbledore was already present when Claire entered.

"You found the final Cursed Vault?" Dumbledore asked.

Due to her previous conversations with him, Claire wasn't surprised that Dumbledore seemed to know about the vault already and nodded solemnly. "I did."

"And Madam Rakepick?"

"She's trapped in the Sunken Vault, for now."

"I see. What happened in the vault?"

"There was darkness, and then I saw painful memories. Ben, Merula, and Jacob experienced the same thing."

"Your experience reminds me of what the Dementors do to the prisoners in Azkaban. They have the power to absorb a person's soul, and it leaves them in a painful state until they're nothing but a shell of their former self."

"I suppose if I had stayed in the vault long enough, that could've happened to me. Luckily, Merula was able to pull me out. Then Rakepick showed up, and so I dueled her. We ended with a draw, and I tricked her into going inside the vault."

"And I'll make sure she's the last person to enter that vault ever again," Dumbledore promised. "Thanks to your efforts, these Cursed Vaults won't affect Hogwarts. And for that, I thank you."

"Even though you told me not to go looking for them?"

"While you broke many school rules, it was ultimately to break an ancient curse that could have brought disaster upon the Wizarding World in the wrong hands. I expect Magical Historians will label you a hero."

Claire's eyes widened. "A hero?"

"Very few have been brave enough to face the Cursed Vaults, and lived after going inside them. Though I sense there's something missing to keep you from being truly happy right now."

"Well, I just…can't believe it's over."

"Then perhaps you should seek closure, from the beginning of your journey."

"Jacob was the reason I wanted to find the Cursed Vaults, so I'll start with him. Thank you, Professor Dumbledore."

Dumbledore smiled in response. Then Claire went back to her dorm and after a restless sleep, she woke up much earlier than usual. So she decided to head down to the Lakeshore just before the sun rose and signaled for Jacob with Vermillious. In a second, Jacob appeared.

"Are you in trouble with Dumbledore?" Jacob asked.

"No, he actually called me a hero," Claire said.

"Wow, a Hero of Hogwarts." Jacob beamed proudly. "Guess that's better than just being 'Jacob Krystal's little sister.' Course that's never going to change."

"So, what will you do now?"

"That's an interesting question. I can't very well go back to Hogwarts and just play at being a 'normal' student."

"Joke's on you!" Claire laughed. "I've never been a normal student — most of the time. Though I do wonder why 'R' was after the Cursed Vaults."

"Or interested in you, for that matter."

"According to the Mahoutokoro Wizard, he told me 'R' wants me to lead them someday."

"Really?" Jacob looked genuinely surprised.

"But Mad-Eye Moody was skeptical, so the Wizard could've been lying."

"Even if that is true, I'll protect you no matter what. You didn't give up on me, when everyone else did, and now you've given me purpose."

"Purpose for what?"

"To take down 'R'. I know you won't be safe until every last member of their cabal is gone. So take care, Pip, and be sure to tell Mum about your boyfriend Barnaby."

"She already knows."

"Then tell her not to worry about me, okay?"

"I will."

Smiling, Jacob vanished once more. An owl then flew from the nearby trees with a letter in its mouth. Taking it, Claire opened the letter and saw that it was from Mad-Eye Moody asking her to meet him at the Hog's Head Inn during Free Period. Upon following Moody's instructions, though, Claire saw him giving her a very stern look from his one eye.

To be continued…