Chapter 18: Banishment

One round of Butterbeers and a quiet meal later, Peregrine looked at his two children with gladness. "I think this dinner turned out great."

"Well, it was better than the first one anyway," Claire admitted. She looked at a clock on one of the walls in the Three Broomsticks pub. "I should probably get back to Hogwarts. Dumbledore doesn't want me to break any more school rules."

"Sounds understandable, given that you broke into a professor's office," Peregrine agreed.

Then as Claire left the table, she expected Jacob to follow her. But instead, he was still seated.

"Aren't you coming, Jacob?" Claire asked.

"I think I'll stay a little longer," Jacob said. "Maybe recount some of my adventures to Dad."

"Looking forward to hearing them," responded Peregrine.

Unsure of how to feel about Jacob's sudden amiability, Claire left the Three Broomsticks and entered the Great Hall. Everyone was just finishing up dinner and leaving, though some remained. Chiara waved Claire over to the Ravenclaw table, where she, Charlie, and Talbott were seated.

"Were you kidnapped by 'R'?" Charlie asked. "How come we didn't see you at dinner?"

Claire didn't know how to answer.

"You'll have to excuse Charlie," Chiara said to Claire. "Tulip told us what happened in Dumbledore's office and so Charlie's been fretting all day."

"It's been…emotionally taxing," Talbott complained.

"Oh, I'm sorry, guys," Claire apologized. "I appreciate your concern for me."

"But what does this mean for the Circle?" Charlie said nervously. "Is the Professor Green investigation over?"

"And what about 'R'?" Talbott added.

"What these boys are trying to say is they're concerned about our group's future," Chiara said.

"Then let's discuss it instead of getting worked up about it," Claire decided. "For starters, we're going to put off the Olivia Green investigation for the time being."

"No duh," Talbott said. "That attempted heist you pulled was too risky, even compared to the things our group has done in the past."

"However, Olivia talked with me in private after Dumbledore dismissed us and she's agreed to view the memories at some point," Claire said.

"So we might as well hold off the investigation anyway," Chiara realized. "Because until she looks at those memories, there's nothing left for us to pursue."

"Has anything new happened with your dad?" Charlie wondered, but immediately regretted asking when Claire gave him a defensive look.

"Peregrine invited me to dinner again tonight," Claire confessed. "That's why I wasn't here in the Great Hall."

Chiara briefly clenched her fingers. "How did it go?"

"Better than the last time, when Jacob stormed out," Claire admitted. "In fact, Jacob's attitude was completely different this time and I'm not sure if he's actually changed his mind about our dad or if he's just pretending to be nice to get more information out of Dad."

"Either way, that's your affair to deal with and not us," Charlie said. "Instead, we should focus on Merula. She kidnapped Corey — "

"And is now a known member of 'R,'" Talbott interjected. "I think we should banish her from the Circle."

"But…isn't that a bit extreme?" Claire disagreed.

"She's completely unpredictable!" Charlie argued. "One minute, she's helping us find the Cursed Vaults to foil 'R'. And the next, she's working for the very group we made the Circle to fight against. I know she didn't hurt Corey, but that doesn't mean she's not capable. Fred and George's safety is my top concern as a Circle of Khanna member, and Mum would kill me if anything were to happen to them."

Claire thought about Charlie's concerns and then said, "We'll put it to a vote. The majority will decide whether Merula stays in the Circle or not."

"Who's going to tell her?" Chiara asked. "She should have the chance to make her case, but she's been avoiding everyone lately."

"Maybe you could talk to her," Talbott suggested to Claire. "You know her better than we do."

"Fine," Claire reluctantly agreed. "Like I don't have enough on my plate as is."

Realizing how late it was, Claire decided to turn in for the night. On the Grand Staircase, she spotted Merula going down some stairs and followed her.

"Merula!" Claire shouted. "I want to talk to — "

Turning back, Merula made the most intense glare Claire had ever seen like she was about to use the Death Curse on somebody. But before Merula could descend the next flight of stairs, they swung away from the wall and moved to a different position.

"Well, that's just brilliant," Merula grumbled. "Are you here to tell me about all the fun you're having in the Circle of Khanna without me, Krystal?"

"No," Claire answered. "But I wanted to talk to you about the Circle."

"Then spit it out!" Merula said crankily. "I've got better things to do than talk to you."

"Everyone in the Circle wants to put your membership to a vote and decide whether you should stay or be banned."

Merula was shocked by the news. "They can't kick me out! I'm a founding member, for crying out loud! Why did you bother telling me?"

"I was talked into it," Claire said. "But I also thought you should know."

"So you're not even telling me of your own free will?" Merula clenched her fists. "Those backstabbing cowards you call friends should've just told me instead of making someone else do it for them!"

Claire tried not to let Merula's insult get to her as she said, "It doesn't matter whether they told you or I. You were going to find out either way. Just be sure to be present when the vote happens, so you can tell your side of the story. Maybe it'll sway some votes in your favor."

"More like pity votes, which I don't need," Merula said as she turned away.

"And this is why you're alone," Claire said as she walked down to the staircase landing Merula stood on and forced Merula to look at her. "You're not honest with anyone but yourself, and think acting all distant and mysterious makes you somehow better than everyone. But that stubborn selfish attitude is why you don't have friends!"

To be continued…