Chapter 98: Offered Assistance
"As you can see, Corey is Wizarding pop culture and history genius," Claire said to Jacob. "It was thanks to him I was able to learn more about Dai Ryusaki's Dark Scroll."
"Then I owe you thanks," Jacob said, smiling at Corey.
"Oh, no need to thank…me," Corey said scratching the back of his neck.
"Well, I'm glad to get you two together in light of my recent assignment at St. Mungo's," Claire said. "I've been assigned to the Janus Thickey Ward today and have been tasked with helping Zenith Xeep."
"Mad-Eye told me about the case," Jacob said, frowning.
"I wonder if Xeep knows about the Dark Scroll," Corey contemplated.
"Perhaps that's why 'R' investigated the Cursed Vaults," Jacob said thoughtfully. "They weren't after that curse in the Black Lake, but the Dark Scroll."
"Except up to this point, nobody even knew the Dark Scroll was real," Corey pointed out. "So how could 'R' have figured that out?"
"Someone could have told them, or they uncovered knowledge of the Dark Scroll's existence on their own," Claire said. "They seem like a big enough organization to do that."
"Okay, then we all agree 'R' found out the Dark Scroll was real," Jacob decided.
"But the question is when they figured it out," Corey said.
"I'm not sure if that's more important than deciding what we're going to do with Jacob's half of the scroll now," Claire disagreed.
"Agreed, Pip," Jacob nodded. "My current plan is to keep it as far away from 'R' as possible."
"Do you have it on you?" Claire asked Jacob.
"Of course not!" Jacob replied. "It's somewhere safe for now, and the only person I would give it to is you."
"But I can't take it, since I keep running into 'R' members left and right," Claire said. "Which means — "
Claire turned to Corey, who flinched.
"Wait, you want me to hold onto the scroll?" Corey realized.
This made Claire feel guilty. "If you don't want to — "
"Are you kidding me?" Corey interrupted. "This is my chance to shine! And I know just the place to hide the scroll where no one will ever find it!"
"I'm not sure about this, Pip," Jacob said anxiously.
"No one would ever suspect Corey of having the scroll," Claire insisted. "Even the Circle of Khanna doesn't know about Corey."
"I swear on my parents' shop in Hogsmeade that I won't let you or your brother down!" Corey vowed enthusiastically.
This made the Mediwizards that were present tell Corey to lower his voice, which he immediately apologized for.
"Fine, I'll give the scroll to you after we're done talking," Jacob decided.
"Brilliant!" Claire smiled. "And be sure to get some rest, Jacob. You'll need all your strength for the upcoming Wizengamot trial."
"Jeez, you sound like Madam Strout," Jacob remarked. "Maybe you should be a Healer."
"Maybe, but in light of this…I've decided what to do about Madam Xeep," Claire said.
Back in the Janus Thickey Ward, Claire approached Madam Xeep who was lying in bed.
"Oh, I know you," Xeep said.
"You do?" Claire's eyes widened.
"You were talking to Madam Strout earlier," Xeep replied. "You're…. I'm sorry, but I can't remember your name."
"Claire Krystal," Claire said. "Does that name sound familiar to you, Madam Xeep?"
Xeep paused. "No, but it does have a nice ring to it. I'll try to remember your name. And please call me Zenith. My friends call me that. We are friends, right?"
"Yes, Zenith," Claire said, trying to put on a brave smile. "I'm here to help you actually."
"Splendid!" Xeep beamed. "That means you'll be giving me my treatment, right? Strout says I have to take a restorative potion every day."
"That's exactly what I'm here to do," Claire confirmed.
From the trolley next to Xeep's bed, Claire picked up a bottle that had Xeep's name on it and gave it to her. Xeep tried to drink from the bottle, but she made a sour face.
"I've never liked taking medicine," Xeep said. "Or at least, I don't think I have. This medicine also makes me feel fuzzy…."
"Let me know if you get dizzy and I'll get Madam Strout," Claire offered. "Does the potion help in any way?"
"It does make my mind…clearer, like I can remember things more easily. Quick! Ask me something about my life."
"Does the name 'R' mean anything?"
"That sounds familiar…I think I met her at a show…." Xeep then groaned as she held her head. "Ow, my head…."
"Are you okay?" Claire asked.
Shaking her head, Xeep looked at Claire quizzically. "Hello, Claire. Are you here to give me my treatment?"
"I just gave it to you," Claire said. "Don't you remember?"
"No, I don't." Xeep frowned.
"Maybe you should rest," Claire suggested. "It might help."
Xeep nodded and immediately fell asleep. Then Claire heard flapping and looked up. She saw a transparent white swan fly over patients' heads in the ward before vanishing into the walls.
"The white swan!" Claire realized. "So what Talbott saw was real, but it wasn't a ghost. It was a Patronus, but I'm not sure whose it was or why it showed up."
Claire then went to the Alchemy Room where the Mediwizards were putting up festive decorations for the upcoming Christmas holiday. She found Talbott reading a book there, and told him about the white swan she saw.
"So I wasn't imagining things…," Talbott said.
"I'm sorry I didn't believe you at first," Claire apologized. "But after seeing the swan, I realized it was actually a Patronus and not a ghost."
"Why would someone cast a Patronus at St. Mungo's?" Talbott wondered. "And I don't think it's just a coincidence that this Patronus looks like my mum's Animagus form."
"Maybe this Patronus is protecting something, or someone," Claire guessed. "So let's figure this out together."
"But why would you work with me?"
"We're friends, dummy, and friends help each other out. You want to figure this mystery out because it's related to your mum's death, and I want to help you."
Talbott looked downward as his eyes became misty. He quickly rubbed them before saying, "Thank you. I'm not used to having someone to rely on, and it's…nice."
"I'm sure if Badeea were here, she would be more than happy to help you too," Claire said.
For a moment, Talbott's tan cheeks turned slightly pink. "Yeah, I'm sure she would."
To be continued…