Chapter 105: Burke

"Isn't she suffering from amnesia, though?" Corey recalled.

"Yes, but through Legilimency I could probably get the answers I need from her unconscious," Claire said.

Corey looked surprised. "A Legilimens! I didn't know you were one."

Hesitantly, Claire responded, "I didn't think I needed to bring it up."

"Tell me about it," Corey insisted with an excited gleam in his eye. "What's it like to read other people's minds?"

So Claire told Corey about her history with Legilimency from her brother sending images to her mind to her using it in the Buried Vault.

"I can't believe you didn't tell me sooner," Corey remarked.

Just then, Claire heard footsteps and looked to her left. It was Beatrice, and she was being accompanied by Victor.

"What are you doing out so late?" Beatrice asked Claire.

"Could ask the same of you two," Claire rebuffed, glancing suspiciously between Victor and Beatrice.

"Nothing special," Victor said casually. "Just taking in the moonlight and contemplating the darkness."

"It's the only suitable reaction to the inevitable tragedies of life," Beatrice added.

"Are you taking in the moonlight?" Victor asked, looking at Claire and Corey.

"Yeah, actually," Claire lied. "The moon is especially…tragic tonight."

"Indeed," Victor agreed. "One cannot help but feel like an infinitesimal speck underneath the uncaring majesty of the moon and stars."

"Um, Claire," Beatrice said sheepishly. "I actually wanted to thank you, for curing Penny. Now I know how she felt when I was trapped in that painting my first year. Someday, I hope me and my sister can repay you."

"Sounds like you're actually quite keen on adventure and getting into trouble, Claire," Victor noted. "If you ever need help from an undead soul like myself, I suppose I could clear my schedule for you."

The next day, Claire returned to the Janus Thickey Ward with Chiara. Madam Xeep noticed them right away.

"Hello, Miss…." Janus paused to recall. "Krystal! To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"I just came to ask you a few questions, Zenith," Claire said.

"Ah! You remembered to call me by my name," Xeep said excitedly. "Go ahead. Ask away!"

"Has anyone strange come to visit you lately?" Claire asked.

"Only the Healers and you have visited me since I've been here," Xeep answered.

"Not even someone from an organization called 'R'?"

Xeep looked frightened. "No, no, no…"

"What's wrong with her?" Chiara wondered.

"She reacted in a similar way when I first asked her about 'R,'" Claire said. "This confirms that she might know something after all. Legilimens!"

Waving her wand over Xeep's head while holding her own head, Claire felt her mind wander. To her disappointment, Xeep's memories were out of focus giving Claire the sensation like she was walking through thick fog. But throughout the foggy memories, there was a mysterious Dark Wizard that appeared in most of them and the name 'Burke' kept being repeated several times.

"What did you see, Claire?" Chiara asked after Claire opened her eyes.

"A Dark Wizard, and I heard the name 'Burke,'" Claire said.

"Do you think that could be a person, or a place?"

"I'm not sure, but I'll ask Mad-Eye if he has any ideas."

So Claire Apparated to the Ministry of Magic and told Mad-Eye Moody about what her Legilimency on Madam Xeep revealed.

"The name 'Burke' might be a reference to Caratacus Burke, one of the original founders of the Borgin and Burkes shop in Knockturn Alley," Moody said. "It is rumored that many dealings with Dark Wizards happens there, but we've never been able to prove anything. Maybe I should pay them a visit."

"I should go with you," Claire insisted.

"Your tenacity is appreciated, but you're still only a student," Moody reminded Claire.

"Hasn't stopped me from investigating stuff before."

"Yes, but this is official Ministry business. Right now, you need to focus on your career assignment at St. Mungo's. I'll contact you when I know more about the situation."

After Moody Apparated, Claire was disappointed. She returned to the reception area of St. Mungo's finding Corey and Merula there.

"Hi, Claire," Corey said. "My, um, femur is...bruised?"

"Good thing you're not a Slytherin," Merula said to Corey. "You're terrible at lying."

"That doesn't explain what you're doing here," Claire said.

"Hayden insisted on pretending to be injured so we wouldn't draw too much attention," Merula said to Claire. "I have new information."

Interested, Claire moved closer to Merula while Corey kept an eye out to make sure no one in the reception area was listening.

"The 'Burke' you're looking for is actually an undercover agent from 'R,' and they're working here at St. Mungo's," Merula whispered.

"I see," Claire acknowledged. "But why did you come to tell me in-person when you could've told Corey and had him tell me?"

"He would've bungled the information, so I insisted on telling you in-person," Merula explained.

"Do you know anything else?"

"That's all I could get out of her," Merula said, referring to the Metamorphmagus. "I don't know what Burke looks like, but he's deep undercover."

"Well, it's a start," Claire admitted. "If he was responsible for the laughing curse, then I've got to find him before he strikes again. Thanks for the information, Merula."

"Don't get all soppy with me," Merula said embarrassingly. "I'm just keeping my promise."

"So we can return to Hogwarts now, right?" Corey asked Merula.

"Yes," Merula said. "Now hold on tight."

Corey held onto Merula as she Apparated away. Claire then went to find Madam Strout hoping she might know where Burke worked in the hospital. She found Strout in the Alchemy Room with Chiara.

"How nice of you to drop in, Miss Krystal," Strout said as Claire entered the Alchemy Room. "Miss Lobosca and I could use an extra set of hands."

"We're brewing more Wiggenweld Potion for our stock," Chiara explained to Claire.

"You can ask whatever questions you have while we brew," Strout added.

Claire sighed and followed Strout's instructions. While Chiara grabbed sprigs of mint and Dittany, Claire stirred them along with the other Wiggenweld ingredients in a cauldron with Strout supervising her.

"What I wanted to tell you is…I think someone from a dangerous organization has infiltrated this hospital," Claire said to Madam Strout.

Strout's eyes widened. "This is quite the serious accusation. Are you sure?"

"Claire wouldn't make this kind of accusation without proof, Madam," Chiara said.

"Is there one particular person you suspect?" Strout asked Claire.

"Burke," Claire stated. "Is there anyone who works here with that name?"

To be continued…