Chapter 34: Mending Old Wounds

While Madam Pomfrey monitored Barnaby, who was lying sprawled out on his hospital bed, Claire and Jacob went over to an empty bed where they sat down and talked.

"The real reason I joined 'R' was because I wanted us to be a family again," Jacob said. "When I was trapped in that Buried Vault portrait, it was the only thing that kept me sane. And seeing Dad again brought back that desire, which was why I agreed with his cause and volunteered to help him with the experiment. But I should've known better…."

"You couldn't have known Dad was taking advantage of your feelings," Claire argued. "I might have done the same if I were in your shoes. Even a small part of me wished we could reunite as a family with Mum."

"Maybe it's time we moved on from the past," Jacob suggested. "But there is an old wound I'd still like to heal. My friends, Olivia and Duncan, I haven't seen them in so long."

"I will do everything I can to help you accomplish that. But now, I've got to tell Dumbledore what happened."

So the next morning, Claire immediately went to the Headmaster's Office's where she saw Dumbledore conversing with Olivia.

"Claire!" Olivia exclaimed. "What's happened? I heard Barnaby Lee was taken to the Hospital Wing last night by you and your brother."

"Actually, that's what I wanted to talk to Dumbledore about," Claire said.

"Oh, then I'll make myself scarce," Olivia offered.

"No, Professor Green," Dumbledore said. "You can stay. What did you want to say about Mr. Lee and his condition? Madam Pomfrey told me that he hasn't awoken yet."

"That's right," Claire admitted. "Yesterday, my father was conducting an experiment at the Shrieking Shack involving Dai Ryusaki's mind-enhancing potion and the Crown of Mneme. He was trying to test their capabilities as part of his plan to brainwash corrupt Ministry officials into retiring, and he used Barnaby as a test subject. I tried to stop him, but he wouldn't listen and my brother was the one who tested the crown and the potion. But then something went wrong, and the crown zapped Barnaby with some kind of energy that hurt him and made him pass out. Jacob then took off the crown and I sent it flying away, which allowed Jacob to Apparate Barnaby and I out of the Shrieking Shack. And that's how Barnaby ended up in the Hospital Wing."

Dumbledore said nothing for a long time, though his frown increased by the minute. "Your father's devious plan is a matter for the Aurors to settle! But instead, you endangered your own life and that of Mr. Lee's!"

"I know, Professor," Claire sighed. "And I'm really truly sorry for what happened."

"But if it weren't for your quick thinking, Mr. Lee may have ended up in worse shape than he already is. And 'R' would've been able to move forward with their plan."

"So…am I in trouble, or not?"

"You are in serious trouble, Miss Krystal. Thus, Professor Green will be keeping a close eye on you from now on to make sure you stay out of further trouble until graduation."

"Well, you can count on me!" Olivia said after a pause of disbelief. "I promise I won't let Miss Krystal out of my sight, or my full name isn't Olivia Mehira Green!"

"Meanwhile, I will be working directly with the Ministry on a more aggressive approach to capturing your father," Dumbledore said to Claire.

"Are you going to have him executed?" Claire asked, thinking about Dai Ryusaki's fate.

Sensing Claire's unease, Dumbledore asked, "What would you have us do, if it were up to you?"

"I think…my father can still be saved," Claire said. "He's not himself because he's cursed, but I know the real him is somewhere in there!"

"How long do you think your dad has been cursed?" Olivia asked.

"More than ten years," Claire said. "He found an amulet that was worn by Dai Ryusaki, which he kept because he was fascinated by Ryusaki's story."

"And you believe Ryusaki's amulet is the source of the curse?" Olivia looked concerned. "If that's true, it might take years for your father to recover from the amulet's mental effect on him — if such a thing is possible. When a person has been exposed to a curse long enough that twists their mind the way it has to your father, it is nasty business."

"Professor Green is right, I'm afraid," Dumbledore said. "But we'll do everything we can to free your father, Claire. He will still have to answer for his crimes and be treated fairly in accordance with Wizarding Law. The outcome will most likely be severe."

Claire didn't like the sound of this and couldn't speak, forcing Olivia to escort Claire out of Dumbledore's office.

"Olivia," Claire said after her silence. "My brother wants to reunite with you and Duncan."


At the Lakeshore during Free Period, Claire and Olivia arrived though Olivia was nervous.

"This is unreal," Olivia remarked. "I'm actually about to see two people I haven't seen in years, and one of them is dead!"

"Would it be better if I brought Jacob first and then Duncan later?" Claire suggested.

"Yes, that would be better," Olivia agreed. "Gosh, I don't know what to say to your brother! Our last interaction ended on such a sour note, and then he got expelled and I never saw him again."

"Just be yourself," Claire said. "Vermillious!"

Casting the red sparks into the air, it was only a matter of seconds before Jacob Apparated next to Olivia who briefly flinched in surprise.

"I brought Olivia," Claire said to Jacob. "She wanted to talk to you first before I brought Duncan, if that's okay."

"That's fine," Jacob nodded and glanced awkwardly at Olivia. "Hi, Liv."

"Hello," Olivia said sheepishly. "You look like you haven't aged since the day you were expelled from Hogwarts, and that was five years ago."

"While you were out living your life, I was trapped in a portrait inside the Buried Vault," Jacob said looking mildly irritated.

To be continued…