Chapter 21: Questions and Forgiveness

"Mind control?" Claire couldn't believe Olivia's words. "My dad never mentioned anything about mind control!"

"Your dad?" Olivia was confused. "What does he have to do with my memories?"

"Well, I guess you have a right to know," Claire realized. "I recently learned that my real father, whom I haven't seen in years, is 'R''s official leader."

"Blimey!" Olivia exclaimed. "And I thought my faulty memories were bad enough."

"I need to confront him about this plan, because he has a lot of explaining to do," Claire said firmly, and left Olivia's office in a hurry.

She made her way to the Owlery and sent a message to her father Peregrine to meet with him. Later that day, she got a reply from him saying he wanted to treat her to a Butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks after her classes. Claire accepted his invitation and found him at the same table where they had discussed her future.

"Quite the long face you've got," Peregrine noted as Claire sat across from him. "Is it love troubles? Jacob told me you and your boyfriend Barnaby Lee are going through a rough patch. He sounded like a nice guy despite being all muscle and no brains."

"No, I'm not upset about that," Claire said, trying to hide her anger with a casual tone of voice. "I heard something about 'R.'"

"Hopefully, it wasn't from the Ministry," Peregrine said frowning. "You know we can't trust them, right?"

"This information came from a trusted source not in the Ministry."

"Oh, good! What did they say?"

"That 'R' is planning to use mind control to get rid of the Ministry's corrupt officials."

Abruptly, Peregrine chuckled. "That's all?"

Claire couldn't believe her father's reaction. "You're not going to deny it?"

"Of course not! It's a crucial part of the plan. But I think you should hear the full story before you jump to conclusions."

"So what can you say that will convince me that it's not what it sounds like?"

"If your father gets testy again, he won't be allowed back in here," Madam Rosmerta interrupted.

"Don't worry, luv," Peregrine said. "I promise to behave this time."

Peregrine then winked at Rosmerta, which caused her to blush much to Claire's embarrassment.

"Well, I'll hold you at your word," Rosmerta replied. "Two Butterbeers?"

"Yes, please!" Peregrine took out three silver Sickles, which satisfied Rosmerta as she quickly brought two Butterbeers to their tables.

"Basically, we plan to put the idea of retiring from the Ministry inside the minds of the corrupt officials we target," Peregrine said to Claire in a low voice after Rosmerta left. "It'll be a completely harmless interaction. And if you join us, we can do much more."

Unable to drink her Butterbeer, Claire said, "I'm…still not sure about joining you."

"How much time do you need?" Peregrine demanded, looking disappointed. "We've given you seven years to decide, and we can't wait any longer."

After Peregrine finished his Butterbeer, he left without saying another word. Claire then decided to meet Merula at the Boathouse, though she seemed miserable.

"It looks like your friends aren't as forgiving as you," Merula said before Claire got the chance to talk. "Ever since you decided to let me stay, every Circle of Khanna member has either been ignoring me or barely talking to me. And I'm already unpopular in school. Even Ismelda, who I consider to be the closest thing to a friend, won't speak with me unless we're completely alone. Now why did you ask me to meet you here?"

"To be honest, I'm not sure how to ask you this question," Claire said. "Because it might cause you to break your vow."

Caught off-guard, Merula narrowed her eyes at Claire. "Why should I help you, then, if this question could put me in mortal danger?"

"Because it's the right thing to do!" Claire argued. "If you could answer my question, we'll be one step closer to figuring out what 'R' truly is. And you want to stop them, right?"

Merula hesitated before saying, "Fine. I'll try to answer your question in a way that won't get me killed."

"What do you know about 'R''s plan to use mind control?"

"I don't know anything about mind control."

"You're not lying, are you?"

"No! It's not like my Aunt goes around talking about all of 'R''s plans and secrets."

"But you knew about Burke and the cursed CD."

"All she said was 'Burke's idea is no laughing matter'. I didn't exactly know what she meant at the time, but it sounded important so I told you."

"Then this mind control business is not something you've heard about."

"Not a word. My Aunt only tells me about stuff that's related to my two main jobs."

"Two? I thought your main job was trying to get me to join 'R.'"

"Remember when I saved you from the Final Cursed Vault?" After Claire nodded, Merula continued, "Well, I didn't go into the vault just to save you. I was instructed by 'R' to look for an old crown that was hidden inside the vault. The reason I was able to go in and out of the vault easily was because my aunt had given me a potion that counteracted the vault's effects on me."

"Did this crown have a name?"

"It started with an 'M,' I think. Or maybe an 'N'?"

"Any idea what they were hoping to use this crown for?"

Merula shook her head in disgust. "I didn't want to do it, but I had no choice. You should've just kicked me out of the Circle when you had the chance."

"Why?"

"Because I'm a danger to myself and your friends! I may not like them all, but I know how important they are to you."

"Listen, Merula," Claire said, holding Merula's wrists. "In spite of everything you've done, I believe you can still change for the better. What you've told me may not be much, but it's a good starting point for further research. Now I'm going to tell Jacob what I've learned."

Hearing Jacob's name made Merula release herself from Claire and turn around to hide her reddening face. "If you see Jacob, tell him…that I'm sorry."

"Sure thing," Claire agreed and left the Boathouse.

To be continued…