Chapter 48: Inquiry

"You guys should include some of the recent events that happened in the vaults," Claire said. "Rakepick betrayed me in the Buried Vault and the Merqueen helped me find the Sunken Vault."

Keeping this in mind and the other details Claire provided, the Weird Sisters were able to finish most of the song based on Claire's journey through the Cursed Vaults.

"This is looking pretty good, but we still need to finish the chorus," Orsino remarked.

"It should capture a turning point in Claire's journey," Myron suggested. "What would you say that was?"

"Definitely the death of my friend Rowan," Claire said. "So maybe the chorus can go something like this:

And though her time came to an end

I'll remember Rowan as the perfect friend.

"Beautiful!" Orsino beamed. "Rowan should be honored, and now she'll live on in song."

"Not just any song, but a magnum opus of modern music," Myron proclaimed. "All right, we're ready to rock at your party, Claire!"

"Great!" Claire smiled. "Just come by the Three Broomsticks when you're ready."

"Sure thing, because we'll need to practice this song before performing it," Orsino admitted.

"Right," Kirley added.

Then Claire went back to the Ravenclaw dormitory and changed out of her school robe into a blue sweater that Badeea had enchanted to have white snow falling across it. With this, she put on a nice black skirt and long dark-blue stockings. After straightening her brunette hair, which had grown slightly longer past her shoulders, and batting her green eyes at the mirror in the girls' dorm Claire went down to Hogsmeade as the sun was going down. Upon arriving at the Three Broomsticks, she was surprised to see everyone from the Circle of Khanna celebrating inside with the pub decorated by multicolored balloons. But what surprised Claire more was seeing Professor Dumbledore, Snape, and McGonagall in the center with Hagrid.

"I have not seen many content-looking faces since Professor Flitwick's lesson on Cheering Charms," Dumbledore chuckled.

"Yeh did good, Claire!" Hagrid beamed.

"Well, I'm glad everyone's enjoying themselves," Claire responded.

"A party is a good change of pace, especially for you," McGonagall said to Claire.

"Couldn't agree more," Snape butted in. "Something like this is appropriately…normal."

"Given everything you've done for Hogwarts, I hope you do continue to have more time for festive activities in general," McGonagall encouraged.

"That's right," Hagrid agreed.

While Claire politely smiled at each of her professors, she noticed Alanza standing by a fireplace in the back and walked over to her.

"Quite the amazing party we threw, Claire!" Alanza smiled. "Even your professors seem happy."

"Yes, including Snape weirdly enough," Claire admitted. "They said I should focus on being a normal student, which I couldn't agree with more given what's happened."

"Guess I'll look forward to another year at Hogwarts, only this time with no darkness!" Alanza cheered. "Now let's enjoy the party!"

Just as Claire and Alanza joined the others, the Weird Sisters were performing the new song Claire helped them write. Everyone danced and cheered, while some of the pranks were set off. Liz got Whizzing Worms in her Butterbeer, which she found delightful, while Barnaby swallowed a Hiccough Sweet. He hiccuped and coughed so much that he nearly choked, forcing Claire to use Episkey to heal him from the effect.

"Thanks, Claire," Barnaby said after taking a deep breath. "I almost died there."

"Luckily, you didn't," Claire smiled.

While Barnaby's cheeks turned a bright pink, he said, "So…now that the Cursed Vaults are sealed, and we've sort of become a couple this year, does that mean we can take our relationship to the next step?"

"In what way?"

"Maybe going on more dates, holding hands, kissing, that sort of thing."

"Not sure that would be great to do right now, with final exams coming up. But we could try those things later, when we're not so busy."

"Okay, then. I'll wait to hear from you. Also, would you mind if I sent you letters during the summer via owl?"

"Yeah, I'd love that."

So Claire and Barnaby exchanged mailing addresses before parting ways. Just then, Claire was approached by Ben and Merula.

"I have to admit this, Claire, but you threw a fantastic party," Ben said and turned to Merula. "Wouldn't you agree?"

Merula shrugged. "It's…decent."

"Rowan would have loved this for sure," Ben claimed.

"Especially with the chance to socialize with her professors, given her dream of being Head Girl and Prefect," Merula remarked.

"Well, I did become a Prefect but I couldn't take the Head Girl title away from Rowan," Claire admitted. "She would also like the chance to be with her friends."

Just then, Jae came between Claire, Ben, and Merula.

"Sorry to break you guys up, but I've got a message for Claire from Mundungus Fletcher," Jae announced. "Would you be up for a trip to Diagon Alley?"

"Yes," Claire nodded. "We'll meet him after the party."

###

Using the Floo Network, Claire and Jae arrived at Diagon Alley. Jae then took Claire into Ollivander's where Ollivander was standing next to Fletcher.

"So, you wanted to see me?" Claire said to Fletcher, trying to be stern in tone.

"'Ello, Claire," Fletcher responded. "Mr. Ollivander, could you tell 'em what you tol' me?"

"Of course," Ollivander nodded. "A Dark Witch recently came in here and inquired about your wand, Miss Krystal."

"What kinds of things did she ask about?"

"The core, wood, and flexibility of both your previous maple wand and your new ebony one," replied Ollivander.

"How strange…why would this witch inquire about my wands?" Claire wondered out loud.

"Could this have something to do with 'R'?" Jae speculated.

Frowning, Claire said to Ollivander, "Can you tell us anything else about this Dark Witch?"

"She was fairly young, wore a wide-brimmed hat with feathers in it," Ollivander described. "Also muttered something about a white-robed wizard."

Realizing this was a reference to the Mahoutokoro Wizard, Claire turned to Jae. "This could be the same Dark Witch who came to the 'R' meeting at Knockturn Alley."

"You're right," Jae agreed. "I remembered seeing her when I was underneath your Invisibility Cloak while you were disguised as Rakepick."

"Did you tell 'er anything about Claire's wand?" Fletcher asked Ollivander.

In response to Fletcher's question, Ollivander shook his head. "No, I've been in business long enough to not reveal a customer's privacy to anyone other than the Aurors."

"Well, thanks, Ollivander," Claire said.

"Glad to be of use, Miss Krystal," Ollivander smiled.

To be continued…