Chapter 56: Proof of a Conspiracy
The following day, Claire and Corey agreed to start their private investigation of Merula as 'Wizard Detectives' in the classes they shared with her. So Claire's mind was occupied as she was heading to her first Muggle Studies class in the East Towers with Corey. It took place in a large room full of Muggle-related contraptions and technology, including a large projector screen behind a large desk at the head of the classroom.
"I've learned a lot about Muggle artifacts from my dad," Charlie said to Claire as they entered the classroom. "He likes to collect them in his spare time and spend hours trying to figure out what they're for."
"Speaking of artifacts, I hope we get to study Muggle art in this class," Badeea grinned.
Compared to the usual wooden desks that occupied most Hogwarts classrooms, this one consisted of multicolored lawn chairs that reflected the school's house colors of red, blue, green, and yellow. While Claire and Corey sat beside each other in the front row, Barnaby sat to Claire's left and Merula occupied the seat to Barnaby's left.
"Muggle Studies is the perfect place to keep an eye on Merula," Corey said quietly to Claire.
"Because we might get to see her do something that will prove she's nefarious?" Claire guessed.
"Exactly!" Corey beamed.
"Keep your voice down," Claire warned. "We don't want Merula to know we're spying on her, and the lesson's about to begin."
Just as Claire spoke, a man in a stylish green coat with a brown mustache and goatee arrived in the classroom.
"Sorry for the delayed class, students," the man apologized. "I am Professor Arif Sikander, and I will be teaching Muggle Studies while Professor Quirrell, the usual teacher for this class, enjoys his European tour. This year, we'll be delving into the 'awesome' technology and culture of our non-magical friends!"
"Awesome?" Merula made a sharp laugh. "What have Muggles done that's so great anyway?"
"Everything, Miss Snyde," Professor Sikander smiled. "We have them to thank for things like radios, linguistic innovation, and indoor plumbing. Now today, we shall look at the Muggle inventions that we use in the magical world."
"My summer was way more interesting than this…," Merula groaned.
"To be fair, Muggles have been able to do a great deal without magic," Corey pointed out. "But I think the Wizarding World is far more interesting. Would you agree, Claire?"
"Well, having grown up among Muggles for the early years of my life, I'm not sure if I do," Claire said. "After all, we have to thank them at least for indoor plumbing."
Most of the class muttered in agreement, including Ben whose parents were both Muggles. From there, Professor Sikander began his lecture while Claire occasionally glanced over at Merula. But Merula quickly noticed, forcing Claire to look away.
"From light bulbs to radios, Muggle inventions have made their way into the Wizarding World," Professor Sikander said as he finished the lecture. "They've achieved 'righteous' things, as the Muggle kids say, without the aid of magic and that's worthy of celebration. So that concludes our 'radical' review of Muggle contributions to our magical lives! I look forward to seeing you all for the next lesson, where we will be discussing the history and function of the rotary telephone that Muggles use as a form of communication over long distances."
As the class began to pack up, Claire turned to Corey, "Have you seen Merula do anything suspicious? I stopped watching after she made eye-contact with me at the beginning of Professor Sikander's lecture."
"She's been taking notes during the whole class," Corey said.
"But why would she bother taking notes for Muggle Studies?" Claire questioned. "From her earlier attitude, she clearly doesn't care about this class whatsoever."
Then Claire quickly looked over at Merula, and saw her transfigure one of the notes she wrote into a black quill.
It's the same black quill 'R' left messages in, Claire realized in her head.
Merula then pushed the black quill towards the edge of her desk, where Ismelda subtly picked it up as she left the classroom.
"Maybe if I can get my hands on that note, I can prove Merula has joined 'R,'" Claire suggested to Corey.
"Yes, and it will give you some insight into their plans," Corey added.
"Could you keep an eye on Merula, while I go after Ismelda?" Claire asked.
"Detective Hayden is on the case!" Corey declared.
###
Trailing Ismelda, Claire managed to follow her to the Owlery. By the time Claire ascended the stairs to the very top, she accidentally bumped into Ismelda.
"Didn't expect to see you here," Ismelda remarked.
"Same," Claire said.
"Have you come to see Talbott?" Ismelda asked snidely. "Are you cheating on Barnaby?"
"No, I'm not," Claire insisted. "I haven't seen Talbott in a while, so I thought I'd visit him."
"Okay, but I'm going to tell Barnaby," Ismelda warned as she descended the stairs.
"You know he won't care!" Claire said, and entered the area where all the owls were nested. She noticed Talbott standing nearby and walked up to him. "Did you see Ismelda drop a black quill somewhere?"
"I was too busy feeding the owls to notice," Talbott replied. "Why do you ask?"
"That quill is a transfigured note from Merula, and I need to know what's on it," Claire said.
"All right, I'll help you find the note if you agree to help me feed the rest of the owls."
"Sure, and we can find the quill along the way."
While the two looked around, Talbott communicated to the owls to see if they saw where Ismelda hid the note but couldn't get any answers from them.
"How are things going between you and Badeea?" Claire asked. "You seemed to get along really well during the Outdoor Festival last year."
"We're just friends," Talbott insisted, though his cheeks were slightly flushed. "But sometimes, Badeea comes up here for private painting and star-gazing sessions with me."
Before Claire could make a remark, she noticed a black quill buried underneath a pile of letters that had been discarded by the owls who were unable to deliver them to their proper recipient.
To be continued…