Chapter 17: Second Time's the Charm

As Claire tried to figure out an answer to Olivia's question, she suddenly thought about Rowan and compared her death to Duncan's.

"You're not the only one who's lost a friend," Claire said after a pause. "My first friend at Hogwarts, Rowan Khanna, was killed by your predecessor, Professor Rakepick, who was secretly working for 'R'. I can't let her death be in vain, which is why I want to know everything about 'R''s future plans."

"That's terrible," Olivia said sympathetically. "I'm so sorry. Now I understand why you want to see my memories so badly, Claire."

"But it's ultimately up to you whether you want to see them or not."

"No, I've made my decision. I will view my memories after all."

"Will you let me know what you see?"

"Of course, Claire. And you can keep calling me Olivia, so long as you don't break into my office again like you promised."

"I will keep my word, Olivia. Now I've got to tell my brother about what's happened."

"Please do. I have a feeling I'll see him again sooner or later."

Then Olivia gave Claire's Invisibility Cloak back to her, and Claire used it to sneak out to the Lakeshore to contact him. One Red Sparks spell later, Jacob Apparated in front of Claire. He listened to what Claire had to say about breaking into Olivia's office, the day trip she had with their father Peregrine, and the Circle of Khanna finding out about Peregrine because of Merula.

"Did you tell Dumbledore about Dad?" Jacob asked.

"No, I haven't gotten the chance to tell him," Claire said. "And now that he's made me promise to be a good model student until I graduate, I'm not sure when I will."

"It's too bad Merula told the Circle about our dad the way she did," Jacob said bitterly. "Something in my gut told me she couldn't be trusted, but you seemed to trust her so I didn't say anything. Now she's made a mess of everything, and I'm not sure why she did it. Your friends must hate you for deceiving them."

"They're all processing the news in their own ways. Ben's especially hurt because of how it relates to Rowan's death, which he still feels responsible for."

"And your boyfriend Barnaby?"

"We're…trying to work things out."

Jacob gave Claire a sympathetic look and then said, "Dad wants to have dinner with us again."

Claire was surprised by this. "It didn't go well the first time."

"Maybe he thinks the second time will do the trick."

"You're not going, right?"

"I would have said, 'yes', but I've been doing some thinking. Being angry at Dad isn't going to get any answers out of him, so I've decided to be civil and accept his invitation."

"Civil?"

"You don't think I can be nice?"

"One time you locked me in a cupboard under the stairs 'for fun'. Your words!"

"But I was a kid when I did that. I'm an adult now, so I should try to be more civilized anyway."

"Then you won't storm out?"

"I'll sincerely try not to."

The following night, Claire went into Hogsmeade after classes were over. She went into the Three Broomsticks where she saw Jacob, and together they went to the table where Peregrine was sitting.

"Jacob, Claire!" Peregrine said happily. "I'm so glad you both accepted my second invitation."

"Well, thanks…for inviting us," Jacob said nervously.

"Don't feel bad about storming out last time, son," Peregrine said. "In fact, I was quite impressed with how dramatic it was."

"You were?" Jacob wasn't sure how to feel about this.

"And speaking of drama, I got an interesting letter from Professor Dumbledore," Peregrine mentioned, looking at Claire. "It had to do with you."

"I'm…not sure I should tell you about it," Claire responded.

Peregrine sighed. "I can't help you as a father if you don't tell me what's going on."

"He might know about Olivia's relation with 'R,'" Jacob whispered to Claire.

Nodding in agreement, Claire asked Peregrine, "What do you know about memory tampering?"

"Does this have to do with why you're in trouble with Professor Dumbledore?"

"Sort of. I broke into a professor's office, but only to retrieve these memory vials my friends and I discovered in her office. The vials had her initials on them, and she doesn't seem to remember certain things very well."

"Her name is Olivia Green," Jacob filled in. "She was a friend of mine from school. Do you know her?"

"Can't say I do," Peregrine said. "But the mere thought of memory tampering…it's deplorable!"

"Dad," Claire said, noticing Peregrine was starting to get angry again.

"It's basically rewriting history," Peregrine continued. "Just like what the Ministry of Magic has done to my legacy — "

"Enough, Dad!" Jacob insisted.

Realizing what he was doing, Peregrine apologized, "Sorry. Your Mum always told me I spent more time talking than listening. But I hope you uncover the truth about Olivia's memories, Claire. I know it'll help you make the right decision."

"How do you know?" Claire said doubtfully.

"Because I'm your dad," Peregrine claimed.

Jacob shook his head in annoyance. "You're going to pull that card again?"

"Why not? It got you to finally go to bed when you were little, Jacob, always asking questions to stall for time."

"I wasn't stalling," Jacob argued. "Besides, that was when Mum wouldn't let you read bedtime stories anymore."

"That's right!" Claire remembered. "She said you tended to over-exaggerate the stories you were reading to us."

"Especially when they were accounts of his adventures," Jacob added.

"Oh, I didn't exaggerate my adventures that much," Peregrine bragged. "I'm sure you both have a few adventures under your belts. You'll have to tell them to me sometime."

"Yeah," Jacob said as he smiled a little. "I would like that."

Seeing Jacob's smile surprised Claire. "Didn't you tell me you wanted nothing to do with our dad?"

"That's true, but I guess I can't stay mat at him forever," Jacob responded.

"A wise decision," Peregrine complemented.

"But don't make a big deal about it, old man," Jacob said snidely.

"Old?" Peregrine was insulted.

"Come on, Jacob," Clare responded. "He's not that old."

To be continued…