Chapter 104: Secret Meeting

"We need to help each other out for the greater good," Claire reminded Corey. "Merula may have done questionable things in the past, but right now we need her insight to take down 'R.'"

"And I'm one of the nicer members of 'R,'" Merula added. "The White-Robed Wizard will never betray 'R' no matter how many Galleons you throw at him, and the Metamorphmagus…let's say she's not to be trifled with."

Corey sighed, and then gave Merula a thumbs-up. "All right, then I say Operation Double Agent is a-go!"

For the next few minutes, Corey, Merula, and Claire discussed their current plan for handling 'R'. They decided Corey would act as the go-between to pass the information Merula had to Claire without 'R' suspecting anything.

"This is just like that Conebush and Persimmons novel The Dead Drop at Livingstone Graveyard," Corey realized.

"Okay, well now that things are settled here I'm going to check on Jacob and the others," Claire said and Apparated to St. Mungo's.

There, Talbott brought Claire to Jacob who was not laughing anymore.

"Hey, Pip," Jacob said hoarsely.

"Is everyone okay?" Claire asked.

"Everyone affected by the laughing curse is recovering well," Madam Strout said as she walked over to Jacob's bed. "Though I've been busy handing out lozenges and preparing broth for Mr. Krystal, Miss Haywood, and myself."

"Will I be able to testify at the Wizengamot trial?" Jacob asked Strout.

"I don't see why not," Strout said. "But for now, you need to rest and regain your strength."

"Looks like we'll be testifying together after all," Jacob said to Claire. "Were you worried you would have to testify alone?"

"A little," Claire underestimated. "But I'm just glad you're doing better for real this time."

"We did have help from the Swan Patronus," Talbott pointed out. "If it wasn't around, we would never have guessed the CD case was the source of the laughing curse."

"That's more true than you know, Mr. Winger," Strout said to Talbott. "You see, I was the one who cast the swan-shaped Patronus."

"You?" Claire and Talbott exclaimed at the same time.

Strout gave Talbott a sympathetic look. "Your mother and I were very close when she worked here. So after she died, I was heartbroken. This caused my Patronus to change and resemble your mother's Animagus form the swan, which I conjure whenever I think about her. And I have been thinking about your mother a lot lately because the anniversary of her death is coming up, and you remind me of her. Like her, you're reserved, sensitive, and thoughtful about others."

"Really?" Talbott looked to Claire.

"That sounds like the Talbott I know," Claire said.

"If she were alive today, I know she would be proud to see you following in her footsteps," Strout added, smiling at Talbott. "Now before I resume my duties, I have something."

From a pocket in her apron, Madam Strout took out a gold circular item.

"Your mother wore this," Strout said. "It's the St. Mungo's Certified Healer Insignia. All this time, I've kept it. But, I think you should have it now."

"Thanks, Madam Strout," Talbott said as he accepted the insignia. "Maybe I'll earn my own."

"So you're thinking of becoming a Healer?" Claire guessed.

"Yes," Talbott nodded solemnly. "Working here has made me realize I want to be a Healer, like my mother."

"And you have become a valiant Healer in your own right, Miss Krystal," Strout said to Claire. "You have heart, and that's what counts."

"I'm honored, Madam Strout," Claire blushed.

Later, Claire met up with Mad-Eye Moody in the Ministry of Magic. She gave him an update on the laughing curse situation and Merula.

"You're in a class of your own, Claire," Mad-Eye complemented. "I can see the makings of a great Auror in you."

"I'm just glad the curse was lifted and everyone's okay," Claire said, trying not to think about having decide what her ultimate career would be. "And with Merula on our side, we might finally have the edge over 'R.'"

"While I may still be wary of trusting Merula, you're clearly more forgiving than I am."

"Not entirely," Claire corrected. "I haven't forgiven her for everything she's done, but she's our best chance at stopping 'R' from hurting more people."

"Can you guarantee the information Merula passes along through Corey will be trustworthy?"

"Her warnings have proven to be accurate thus far. So I trust what she says is true."

Mad-Eye paused. "I'll verify the authenticity of her information, but in my experience you don't trust anybody. Still, your faith in new allies is commendable. Now we need to find the person who gave Jacob the cursed CD case."

"It could be the Metamorphmagus, since they can look like anyone."

"True, but it could be someone from 'R' we don't know. I'll check with my sources here in the Ministry while I suggest you ask Merula what she knows."

"Right."

Claire then Apparated to Hogwarts and sent a message to Corey to meet her in the Courtyard. It was nighttime and a chilly winter moon was out.

"Are you here?" Corey asked, emerging from the shadow of the fountain. "It's so dark."

"Yes, it's me," Claire said quietly. "I have a message for Merula."

"Ooh, our first secret meeting!" Corey smiled. "This is exciting! Just like the Conebush and Persimmons novel The Shadowy Corner and the Flaming Sword. Except in that story, the go-between ended up on the wrong end of a flaming sword. I hope I don't end up like that."

"Let's hope not," Claire grimaced, picturing the gruesome death in her mind. "I need you to ask Merula if she knows who was responsible for the laughing curse."

"What specific information are you looking for?"

"Mainly their identity, so they can be caught."

"Got it. Any ideas, though?"

"Perhaps Madam Xeep might know something."

To be continued…