Chapter 95: Dai Ryusaki

"Well, I suppose you two had the best intentions," Filch said after a pause. "But I'm going to be the one to give the sweets to Madam Pince!"

Then Filch walked over to Madam Pince, who was standing by the gate to the Restricted Section, and handed her the box. She opened it and was delighted by the sweets. But after eating one, she immediately hiccuped and ran off with Filch following her.

"Wow, that was terrifying and exhilarating," Liz remarked. "Just like the time we caught Tim the Wampus Cat."

"Let's go," Claire said, getting up from the table. "We don't know how long Pince or Filch will be gone."

Nodding in agreement, Liz followed Claire to the Restricted Section.

"Spooky," Liz remarked, looking at the floating candles and flying books.

"I know, but now we need to focus on looking for anything with 'Ryu' in it," Claire reminded.

First, Claire checked a book on Dark spells called Magick Moste Evil but couldn't find anything.

"Look!" Liz said, picking up a book with a flame-shaped symbol on the cover. "I think this could be useful."

Claire took the book from Liz and flipped through it. "This is a history of the Mahoutokoro School of Magic!"

"Isn't that the Wizarding School in Japan?" Liz said. "Wonder what that book is doing in the Restricted Section of all places."

"I'm not sure, but the White-Robed Wizard who attacked me was a former student of that school," Claire said.

"Either this is a huge coincidence, or maybe we've stumbled onto a clue!"

"This book says there was a professor at Mahoutokoro hundreds of years ago named Dai Ryusaki," Claire said, looking at the text. "He created a powerful weapon, but was stopped before it could be used."

"What kind of weapon?"

"It doesn't say, because the information about the weapon apparently died with its creator."

"So where does that leave us?"

"Maybe Corey might know something about this Dai Ryusaki."

Fortunately, Corey had managed to get back to Hogwarts from Knockturn Alley through the Floo Network. He agreed to meet Claire in the courtyard, and she told him what had happened since they last spoke.

"I can't believe Merula actually helped you," Corey remarked. "Maybe she's more complex than we initially thought."

"Perhaps, but I still don't trust her," Claire said. "But I needed your encyclopedic knowledge about all things in the Wizarding World to fill me in on this Dai Ryusaki wizard."

"Do you know who you're talking to?" Corey said sarcastically. "The Legend of Dai Ryusaki and the Dark Scroll is one of my favorite tales in the history of the Wizarding World!"

"Then tell me what you know about this legend, because my brother's life may depend on it."

"Well, legend has it that Dai Ryusaki created a mind-enhancing potion that was so powerful that the potion was deemed dangerous. So Ryusaki was arrested and the potion was destroyed. But rumor has it that before he was arrested, Ryusaki hid a Dark Scroll that had all of the potion's ingredients written down. To this day, no one knows for sure if this Dark Scroll actually exists."

"Has anyone tried finding it?"

"Sure, but no one's found it in the hundreds of years it's been missing."

"Maybe Jacob did find it, and one of the potion's ingredients is a Chinese Fireball claw."

"But that doesn't explain his injuries."

"Perhaps there was a protection spell on this scroll that hurt Jacob badly."

"Doesn't this seem too good to be true?"

"It's no crazier than me uncovering an ancient curse at the bottom of the Black Lake."

"True, but that would be amazing if you brother did find the scroll."

"Yes, and potentially dangerous if 'R' has the scroll now."

"If we knew what the protection spell on this scroll was, it might help save your brother's life."

"The only person who might be able to tell us that would be Professor Dumbledore."


Heading into the Headmaster's Office, Claire found Dumbledore tending to Fawkes the Phoenix.

"I have heard about your brother's injuries," Dumbledore said. "How is he?"

"Not doing well, I'm afraid," Claire sighed. "I don't want to lose him again."

"While I understand your concern, you must have faith in these kind of situations," Dumbledore responded. "Have you found anything regarding what caused his injuries?"

"My current theory is that he was hurt by some kind of protective spell, and I had hoped you might know which one."

Dumbledore pondered for a moment. "A spell that causes severe burns, and Burn-Healing Paste doesn't work…. I think it might be Protego Diabolica."

"Protego Diabolica?" Claire repeated. "I've never heard of that spell, not even in Bill's private Defense Against the Dark Arts lessons."

"It's a very powerful Dark charm that creates a protective ring of black fire which harms the enemies of the caster," Dumbledore explained. "And I believe it is favored by the current headmaster of Mahoutokoro. But how could your brother have encountered such a spell?"

"Do you know about the legend of Dai Ryusaki?"

"Yes, I'm familiar with the tale. Many are unsure if it's even true."

"But could it be?"

"The tallest of tales often spring from a seed of truth, so it might be. Now I believe you should return to St. Mungo's with your newfound knowledge."

Claire nodded and Apparated back to the reception area of St. Mungo's. She found Madam Strout and told her about what she had learned.

"My word!" Strout exclaimed after Claire finished explaining. "I'm surprised your brother even survived the effects of Protego Diabolica. He must have cast a shield charm at the last minute. With any luck, this new information should help me adjust my treatment of your brother so he'll recover better."

After Strout left the reception area, Chiara approached Claire.

"We should let Madam Strout do her job," Chiara suggested. "Besides, our class field trip is just about over. Maybe we should get Butterbeers at the Three Broomsticks. It might help ease your troubled mind."

So Claire agreed and the two of them Apparated to the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade. There, Claire was surprised to see everyone from the Circle of Khanna including Merula among them.

To be continued…