A/N: Here I am working up the motivation to get this guy finished. I do hope you readers enjoy!
Portions of this one-shot are borrowed directly from the game, which I do not own.
Year 7 - Finding Fletcher
The smell of stale smoke caused Arah to sputter as she wafted the ash away, soot covering her 3-day-old clothes. After a feeble attempt to pat herself clean, she stepped out of the fireplace, taking in her surroundings.
It had been a while since she last traveled by Floo. Even when she did, it was always to Diagon Alley for a quick trip to Gringotts or a visit to Flourish and Blotts. Never did she take the Floo Network to Knockturn Alley. Arah strained her eyes as they adjusted to the dark and dingy shop. Old antiques and creepy trinkets surrounded her; a shriveled hand lay on a shelf, frozen in an infinite reach- a little silver ring melded into the wrinkled skin that had turned the finger black. Shrunken heads hung from the rafters and other ominous instruments with pointy edges. There was little room to walk without bumping into a questionable curiosity. It didn't take long for Arah to recognize the place. Borgin & Burkes.
In any other circumstance, she would find herself nervous to step foot in a place like this- let alone at this hour. But these circumstances were different. Much different. There was only one thing on Arah's mind.
Mundungus Fletcher.
Arah twisted her way through the narrow aisles, passing by an old tarnished mirror. The ghostly reflection startled her as she recognized the face as her very own. It took her aback- to see how she had transformed after 3 days of no sleep, no food. It had clearly taken its toll on her. The stress and worry seemed to have aged her several years - cheeks sallow and her blood-shot eyes creased, casting dark shadows beneath them. Arah clinged her robes closer, pulling the hood over her silver hair as she made her way for the entrance. A dodgy wizard swung the door wide- almost knocking her back.
"Oi, watch where you're going, witch." The man hissed.
"Sod off," Arah mumbled under her breath, grateful to leave the shady shop. Heavy clouds hung thick in the night sky, shielding any light the moon might have provided. She peered around the darkened alley, adjusting her cloak to make sure she was concealed. Best to be cautious.
There was a cold mist in the air, making her skin feel cold and clammy as she searched the labyrinth of Knocturn Ally- eyes scanning for the familiar bald stout man known as Mundungus Fletcher. The man who never sleeps- the man who could find you anything you want or tell you anything you need... for a price of course.
That was going to be a problem, Arah thought. She hadn't quite thought through her plan before coming here- but time didn't allow for her usual methodical thinking; nor her current state of mind. Be it lack of sleep, food, or the fading effects of her wide-eye potion- planning was the last thing on her mind. The funny part was...she didn't care. Not at all. There was no fear, no alarm, just a prickling maddening drive to find Mundungus. Maybe Chiara was right to warn her of the prolonged effects of depending on a Wide-Eye potion. Arah certainly didn't feel herself, she felt...off.
Lurking down a path of uneven stairs, Arah passed a set of WANTED posters, the mugshots of dark witches and wizards glare at her as she made her way through a tunnel - footsteps echoing across the dampened concrete. An older witch leaned against the wall up ahead- murmuring madly to herself. Arah skirted past the old hag as she exited- hearing a familiar voice echo through the unlit streets.
"A fake!? No, my friend. This 'ere is as authentic and one-uffa-kind as you and me bo'f. 'Ere, give it a turn if yous don't believe me." The sketchy voice rang from a darkened corner.
Arah turned to find Mundungus holding what appeared to be a time-turner; the least bit surprised to catch him selling something suspicious...again. Arah approached the two men, dropping her hood as drops of rain began to fall from the thick clouds.
"Best take your chances somewhere else," Arah said to the stranger. "You won't find anything 'authentic' from the likes of him."
"Well looky 'ere! If it isn't me favorite 'ogwarts student, Arah Annon. Tell me, 'ow can ol' Mundungus be of service?" He grinned, his gold tooth glinting in the street lamp.
"I need to speak to you," Arah said, eyeing the other man. "Alone."
After a brief moment of consideration, Mundungus gave a quick jerk of his thick head as the man nodded and walked away- 100 galleons richer for not falling for such a miserable scam.
"So, Arah Annon, what can I do ya fer? You in the market fer a genuine gold watch?" He slithered, opening his suit vest to reveal an array of valuable silver and gold pocket watches; likely stolen from sorry unexpected witches and wizards. "Or would a rare vile of Felix Felicis interest you instead?"
Arah could already feel what little patience she had running thin. "Not today, Mundungus. I need you to tell me about Jacob's latest mission. What did my brother tell you?"
"Hmmm," He put on a theatrical charade of thinking. "I'm not quite sure I know what yer talkin' about."
Arah felt a slow burn starting to flare within her- face getting hot as the rain began to fall.
"I don't have time to play your games, Mundungus. I know he spoke to you recently."
"Well, I might 'ave an easier time remembering fer a pretty galleon or two." He smirked mischievously.
"Please, Mundungus. I need you to tell me. It's important." Arah pleaded - knowing full well she had nothing to offer.
"Well, that's too bad, innit? " He put on a fake pout. "Maybe I'll remember next time when you bring me some coin." He chortled to himself as he turned, striding away.
Arah felt her chest tighten- gripping the wall as a wave of panic coursed through her veins. Her mind went hazy with terror for her brother; picturing Jacob's time running out - succumbing to his mysterious injuries. All because of a silly greedy thief.
Then came the anger - a fierce wrath erupted within her - too strong to control. The air seemed to crackle around her as Arah's vision went red with rage. Her hands shook- fury swelled as she ripped out her wand. Growling, she ran to him- gripping his shoulder and whirling him around - a look of shock plastered on his confused mug. Arah shoved him against the wall- the force causing his cap to fly off. She pointed her wand directly in his face.
"Have you gone mad?!"
"I mean it, Fletcher. Tell me everything you know." Arah spat through her teeth.
"Now listen 'ere, there's no reason to get 'ostile with me." Mundungus stammered- arms raised in defeat. "No need to cause trouble for ol' Mundungus. Can't believe you'd treat yer ol' friend like some no-good crimin-"
"Shut up! What do you know about Jacob?" Arah demanded. With a quick slip, Mundungus reached for his own wand as Arah flicked her wrist- causing his wand to clatter across the wet brick.
"Spill it before I use leglimens to scour through every bleeding memory you have in your slimy excuse of a skull" Arah snarled, shoving her wand closer to his bald scalp- a whimper escaping his lips.
"Okay- okay!" A mixture of rain and sweat pooled down his blubbering face. "Alls I know's is 'e was close to gettin' a hold of an artifact that 'R' has been after fer ages. Not sure 'e even meant to tell me that... but I've always got me ear listenin' for information."
R? What could R possibly want with an old artifact? Hadn't the cursed vaults been what they were after all along? What could they possibly be after now... Arah's mind raced, but forced herself to push aside her thoughts- focusing her attention back to her brother. That's all that mattered to her right now anyways.
"Did he say anything about dragons? Fire? Anything?!" Arah asked, wand digging deeper into his skull.
"No! Wait, I ... I dunno!" he stuttered.
"YES OR NO?"
Mundungus squeezed his eyes shut. "NO, HE DIDN'T, I SWEAR!"
"Arah?!"
Arah flinched- jerking her head to see a soaked Jae standing in the ally- a look of dumbfoundedness at the bizarre scene unfolding before him.
"What's going on here?"
"Oh thank Merlin," Mundungus heaved. "Jae, please. Talk some sense into your mate 'ere, she's lost the damn bloody plot."
Arah turned her attention back to Mundungus, pushing him harder against the bricks - teeth gritting as her anger deepened. A gentle hand lay on her shoulder.
"Whoa, now. C'mon Arah, leave the poor bloke alone." Jae said softly, voice filled with concern. "It's just Mundungus. This isn't you." He slowly guided her trembling wand away from the quivering man.
Jae was right, this wasn't her. Not at all. Arah seemed to awaken from her fever dream at the realization of what she was doing- a wave of disgust and shame washed over her at the scene played out before her. She felt her resolve dissipate - lips beginning to tremble as tears threatened to spill down her rain-soaked face. She choked back a sob, dropping her wand and stepping away from him. Mundungus gripped his chest with relief. He seemed to battle an onslaught of emotions- ease, disappointment, then apprehension as Arah began to weep.
"What is this about, Arah? What's happened?" Jae asked worry etched on his features.
"it's Jacob." She managed between gasps. "He...he's going to die if I don't find some sort of explanation for what happened to him. My brother is going to die, Jae."
Jae stood there in silence, taking in the news as he lay a comforting hand on Arah's wracking shoulders. Mundungus cleared his throat, tidying his soaked vest as he straightened himself.
"I... I'm sorry to 'ear about Jacob." To Arah's dismay, she believed him. For once, he truly sounded genuine. "If I'd known, I would 'ave told you everything. I consider Jacob me friend."
"I'm sorry, Mundungus." Arah sniffled. "I don't know what came over me."
"I do. Your 'ol pal, Mundungus, 'as been a desperate man once or twice in 'is life... desperation drives you to do crazy things - things even I'm ashamed to admit." He smiled pityingly. "Yer brother didn't go up against no dragon. I know this because I tried to sell 'im a fire protection potion and 'e said 'e didn't need it."
Arah furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. "Your sure?"
"Swear to Merlin."
If it wasn't dragon- then the healers were going at this all wrong. No wonder why Jacob had declined. There was something much darker and mysterious at work here, and 'R' was involved somehow. Arah thought of the artifact Mundungus mentioned- she recalls the glimpses she had seen in Jacob's memory; the foreign-looking buildings, the ancient scroll. She needed to find answers and had a feeling this "ancient artifact" would lead her there. But where to start? There was no time to hunt down and interrogate the leader of 'R'... but wait. She didn't have to. All she needed was to find someone with ties to 'R'. A member. And she knew exactly who she needed to talk to.
"Jae, how quickly could you get me back to Hogwarts?"
"I may know a shortcut or two. But why Hogwarts?"
"I need to talk to Merula Snyde."
"Merula?" Jae raised an eyebrow.
"Better not to ask."
"You know I'm not one to ask questions." He said, lifting his hands defensively. "It's not my business unless you make it mine. Speaking of which..." Jae shoved a hand deep into his pocket and flipped Mundungus a gold galleon. "For your trouble. Here is what I owe you for that Wolfsbane. Thanks for spotting me, Fletcher."
"Always a pleasure, Mr. Kim" he winked, pocketing the gold. "And Arah- I do 'ope you are able to 'elp your brother. If there is anything 'ol Mundungus can do- please let me know. On the house, of course."
Arah managed to give him a weak smile- "Thanks Mundungus."
With a tip of his hat, Mundungus apparated away.
A/N; Next Chapter coming soon! Please leave a review to let me know what you think! (I foresee probably 2 more chapters after this before I close it out)