Chapter 92: Unexpected Emergency

Before Claire and Jae could reach the reception desk, one of the Welcome Witches in white aprons stepped out from the desk and approached the two.

"What do you think you're doing?" Demanded the Welcome Witch. "Pets aren't allowed here."

"This isn't a pet," Claire claimed. "He's a wizard who Transfigured into a dog by mistake."

"Yeah, and he can't change back," Jae added.

The Welcome Witch didn't look convinced. "Where did you find this wizard?"

"I found him at Hogwarts," Claire answered. "He was roaming down the halls dressed like this, so I knew he was no ordinary dog."

"We would have taken him to Madam Pomfrey, but she was too busy to see us," Jae said. "And if anyone can Un-Transfigure a wizard, it would be you guys."

The Welcome Witch paused and said, "If that's the case, you should take him to the fourth floor immediately. There might be adverse side effects depending on how long this wizard has been Transfigured as a dog."

"Don't worry," Claire assured. "We'll take him right away."

After the Welcome Witch went back to the receptionist desk, Claire encouraged Fang to follow her while Jae checked to make sure the Welcome Witch wasn't looking at them anymore. Fortunately, she wasn't which allowed Claire to take Fang up to the patient room where Hagrid was. Upon entering the room, Fang immediately ran over to Hagrid's bed wagging his tail.

"Fang!" Hagrid exclaimed. "Yeh brought Fang here? How?"

"My friends and I came up with the brilliant plan to dress Fang up as a wizard who accidentally Transfigured himself into a dog at Hogwarts," Claire explained. "Andre made the outfit, and Jae backed up my story when I snuck Fang past the Welcome Witch at the reception desk. I did all of this so you would feel more at home while you were still recovering. But try to keep this visit a secret, since pets aren't allowed at St. Mungo's."

"I won' breathe abou' this to another livin' soul," Hagrid said. "And I really appreciate what yeh did fer me, Claire. Because now me homesickness is completely cured!"

"That's fantastic!" Claire beamed.

"All I wanted was the excuse to sneak Fang into this hospital," Jae said.

"But you still helped make Hagrid feel better," Claire pointed.

Jae looked surprised. "Hadn't thought of it that way, though you're right."

"Maybe this shows working here might not be so bad after all."

"Well, it has been…nice."

"Fer what it's worth, I think both of yeh have done well," Hagrid said.

"Guess it's time for me to let Madam Strout know that I've completed my assignment," Claire realized. "Hopefully, she won't ask too many questions."


Claire found Madam Strout in the Alchemy Room, still brewing Wiggenweld Potions with other Healers and Mediwizards. She told her about her positive progress with Hagrid, but didn't mention Fang.

"You've certainly exceeded expectations, Miss Krystal," Strout remarked.

"Thank you, Madam Strout," Claire said.

"In fact, one of the Healers who checked up on Hagrid recently said he really appreciated our help, which is more gratitude than he's given from previous visits," Strout pointed out. "Have you considered working here after you graduate from Hogwarts?"

"Honestly, I'm not sure," Claire said.

"Well, you don't have to decide right away," Strout replied. "Although I do think you would make a wonderful Healer."

Before Claire could respond, Chiara came into the Alchemy Room.

"Madam Strout!" Chiara cried. "A severely injured wizard has just been rushed into the hospital, and it's your brother, Claire."

Shocked, Claire immediately followed Chiara with Madam Strout in tow. In the Hospital Ward, Jacob was lying in bed with his eyes closed and bandages wrapped around his chest, shoulders, and arms.

"Jacob!" Claire shouted.

"Please keep your voice down, Miss Krystal," Strout said firmly. "He may be your brother, but you still must be courteous to the other patients."

Strout then checked Jacob's vital signs while Claire tried to keep her breathing steady with Chiara squeezing Claire's hand in comfort.

"He's been given emergency treatment and is doing fine so far," Strout stated. "But this would be a good time to learn your next lesson."

"And what is that?" Chiara asked.

"How to diagnose your patient," Strout said.

While Strout unwrapped Jacob's bandages to get a better look at his wounds, Claire and Chiara silently watched. The skin on Jacob's chest and arms was scorched and peeling.

"These wounds are unusual," Strout noted.

"I think they're burn marks," Chiara said. "But I'm not sure where they came from."

"Depending on the severity of the burns, we might have to prevent Jacob from going into shock," Strout said. "Fortunately, we use Burn Healing Paste to speed the healing process up so he shouldn't go into shock during treatment."

"Dragon…claw…," Jacob murmured.

"Dragon?" Claire leaned close to Jacob. "What kind of dragon?"

"Chinese…Fireball…," responded Jacob.

"So that must be it," Strout said. "He was burned by a dragon."

"Are you sure?" Chiara said, getting Strout's attention. "I mean, you said the wounds were unusual. Maybe he was attacked by something else."

"Like what?" Strout asked.

Chiara hesitated to answer. "Could I do my own research on this?"

"Of course, Miss Lobosca," Strout smiled. "I think you and Miss Krystal should look further into this incident. Consider it your next assignment."

While Chiara left to find a dragon expert, Claire made her way to the Ministry of Magic to find Mad-Eye Moody. In the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Tonks was organizing paperwork while Moody watched her. Claire immediately told Moody what happened to Jacob, and he listened attentively.

"I wish I could give you a straight answer, Claire, but Jacob deliberately kept me in the dark on his latest assignment," Moody answered after a pause. "The truth is, I haven't seen or heard from him in quite some time."

"But he's worked together with you before," Claire said. "So if he kept you in the dark, then whatever he was doing must have been really important. Maybe it has to do with his hunting down the remaining members of 'R.'"

Moody looked concerned. "Then we might have to consider the possibility that this incident was an attempt to prevent Jacob from testifying at the upcoming Wizengamot trial. After all, his testimony is crucial for keeping the White-Robed Wizard locked up in Azkaban for good."

To be continued…