Chapter 93: Dragon Claws

Claire felt a deep pit growing in her stomach. "You're right. And if Jacob isn't at the trial, there won't be anyone to back up my own testimony."

"What about Merula?" Moody asked. "Is she still 'R''s mole?"

"According to me and Corey's investigation, she said in a note that she didn't want to work for 'R' anymore and they sent a threatening note back. But Corey thinks we could persuade Merula to act as a double agent for us."

"Do you think she could be turned to our side?"

"I'm not sure, but there's a part of me that thinks she can help us."

"Keep in mind that Merula is still an unknown variable, so don't put too much faith in her."

"Of course. But my main priority is to figure out what Jacob was doing before he got injured."

"Try talking to Mundungus Fletcher. He and Jacob were frequently in touch."

"Sounds like a good enough place to start as any."

Claire then sent an owl from the Ministry to ask Corey to meet her in Knockturn Alley right away. She then put on the black cloak she wore when she transported Fang through the Floo Network and Apparated to Knockturn Alley's entrance. To her relief, Corey was there wearing his own black cloak though his face was covered in soot implying he used the Floo Network to get here.

"Merlin's Beard!" Corey exclaimed as he and Claire descended into Knockturn Alley. "I can't believe I'm actually going to Knockturn Alley. My parents never let me go here."

"Try to curb your enthusiasm," Claire advised, seeing a Dark Wizard eyeing them suspiciously. "Knockturn Alley doesn't have the most friendly people hanging around."

"Oh, right," Corey said, lowering his voice. "So what are we here for?"

"To ask Mundungus Fletcher about what my brother Jacob was doing before he got severe burns and wound up at St. Mungo's," Claire answered.

"Sounds serious," Corey remarked.

Eventually, the two of them found Fletcher selling something to a Dark Wizard before the two parted. Claire immediately walked up to Fletcher with Corey trailing behind.

"Well, well, if it isn't me favorite Hogwarts student Claire," Fletcher greeted. "How can ol' Mundungus help you?"

"Tell me what Jacob was doing recently," Claire demanded.

"Yeah! Tell us you…unsavory…man," Corey stuttered.

"Hey now! There's no reason to get hostile with me," Fletcher said defensively. "If you'd asked politely, I might 'ave told you what you wanted t'hear. But if it's a fight yeh want, then you'll get one!"

Before Fletcher had the chance to pull out his wand, Claire used Expelliarmus to disarm him.

"I didn't want to have to fight you," Claire insisted. "But I need to know what happened to my brother. He's at St. Mungo's suffering from severe burns, and it's unclear where those wounds came from."

"All I know is 'e was close to gettin' an artefact that 'R''s been after fer ages," Fletcher said.

"Did he say anything about dragons?"

Fletcher folded his arms. "Unless you got information t'sell me, I'm not tellin' yeh anythin'. Might as well get back to sellin' me potions."

"What kind of potions?" Corey asked.

"Glad yeh asked," Fletcher said, turning his attention to Corey. "I've got Baruffio's Brain Elixir made with genuine dragon claws!"

"Dragon claws?" Claire gasped. "This changes things!"

"How?" Corey asked Claire.

"Jacob mentioned dragon claws in his weakened state," Claire said. "I thought that might have been a clue as to what gave him his burns in the first place. But if dragon claws are a potion ingredient, we need to go see Penny."

While Fletcher walked away in disinterest, Claire Apparated to St. Mungo's where she found Penny in the Alchemy Room.

"Penny," Claire said, getting Penny's attention from the Burn Healing Paste she was brewing. "Is Jacob okay?"

"He's stable, for now," Penny said nervously. "The first two doses of Burn Healing Paste didn't work on Jacob's wounds, so Madam Strout is having me brew more."

So Claire helped Penny with the brewing while asking her about dragon claws as a potion ingredient. Penny claimed that depending on the species of dragon, the claws had different effects. Though in general, dragon claws were known for their brain-boosting effect.

"What about Chinese Fireballs?" Claire asked. "Is there anything special about them?"

Before Penny got to answer, Talbott arrived in the Alchemy Room.

"Claire, you need to get to the Hospital Ward straight away," Talbott said. "Something's wrong with Jacob!"

This forced Claire to immediately follow Talbott into the Hospital Ward, where Madam Strout had a concerned look on her face.

"I'm afraid I have bad news, Miss Krystal," Strout said solemnly. "The Burn-Healing Paste we've used isn't working, and your brother's condition is getting worse."

"No…," Claire murmured, looking down at Jacob.

"Have you found anything about what your brother was up to when he got injured?"

"Chiara and I are still investigating the matter."

"Perhaps you should try speaking to your brother. Sometimes hearing a familiar voice will help a feverish patient break through."

Wiping away the tears forming in her eyes, Claire sat next to Jacob on his bed and squeezed his hand tightly. "Jacob? It's me, Claire. Can you hear me?"

Jacob tossed his head back and forth while sweat poured down his forehead. "Ryu…Chinese Fireball…dragon claw…."

"We're doing everything we can to help you," Claire assured. "But I need you to tell me what you were doing so we can find a way to cure your injury."

"Ryu…Ryu…," Jacob mumbled before falling asleep.

"Do you know what 'Ryu' means?" Claire asked Strout.

"Not off the top of my head," Strout said. "It could be a name, a spell, or even a place."

Unsure of what to say, Claire left the Hospital Ward and wondered into the reception area churning over what Jacob said in relation to what Fletcher claimed. But none of the information clicked, and she was left feeling no less in the dark than before. She was snapped out of her thoughts when she noticed Chiara and Charlie standing together and ran over to them.

To be continued…