Chapter 36: Secret Meeting
"Duncan, I-I wanted to apologize," Jacob said to the ghost of his dead friend.
Surprised, Duncan's ghost said, "For what?"
"Everything!"
"You really think a blanket apology is good enough?"
"Give him a chance to speak," Claire urged Duncan.
"It's because of me that I got you and Olivia involved in my stupid quest to find the Cursed Vaults out of curiosity," Jacob continued. "All I did was put you guys in danger and attract 'R''s attention. So I'm the reason we ended up working with them."
"But that doesn't explain why neither of you visited me!" Duncan snapped. "I was alone after I died! And if you really wanted to apologize, you could have seen me at any time!"
"Please, Duncan!" Claire interjected. "Calm down."
As Duncan tried to cool off, Olivia clenched her fists.
"The only reason I didn't visit you is because…I didn't know where you were," Olivia said. "But if I had known, I would have visited you every single day even after I graduated."
"You died because of me," Jacob said, glancing between Duncan and Olivia. "And you lost your memories since I didn't come with you to confront Rakepick."
"Don't blame yourself," Olivia insisted. "You might have lost your memories too. But I'll never forgive myself for not telling either of you about 'R''s plan before Duncan died. If I had told you sooner, Duncan, you might have never…."
As Olivia cried, Duncan said, "Neither you or Jacob are to blame for my death! Only 'R' is responsible, since they were the ones who made me brew the Erumpent Potion to begin with. I'm still not going to forgive Jacob for joining 'R,' but now I've heard that you've rejoined them?"
"Not anymore!" Jacob declared. "The leader of 'R' manipulated me into rejoining. He's my biological dad, and Claire's."
"Merlin's Beard!" Duncan exclaimed. "If I had known your dad was responsible for all the misery he caused us, I would never have agreed to help you find the Cursed Vaults!"
"But you don't understand," Claire interrupted. "Our father isn't in control of his actions. He's under a curse from an amulet belonging to a wizard named Dai Ryusaki, who was wrongfully executed by the Ministry because of a miscommunication."
"A miscommunication?" Duncan did a double-take. "How does something like that happen in the freaking Ministry of Magic?"
"I don't quite get it myself. But from what I've gathered from this reconciliation is Jacob and Olivia blamed themselves for your death even though you didn't," Claire said.
Jacob wasn't satisfied. "I should've still exposed 'R' when I had the chance, so I understand if no one forgives me for it."
"What are you talking about?" Olivia argued. "I said we're not going to dwell on the past and look towards the future! That's exactly what we're going to do. Right, Duncan?"
Duncan paused and then nodded. "All right. I forgive you, Jacob."
Suddenly, a snowy owl flew over the group and dropped a letter in Claire's hands. She immediately opened the letter and read it.
"Merula wants to talk to me," Claire said. "It's about Dad."
Immediately, Claire left the trio and went to the Boathouse where Merula said she would meet her. And Merula was indeed present.
"How is Lee doing?" Merula asked.
"I heard from Charlie that Madam Pomfrey said Barnaby will make a full recovery in due time," Claire said.
"Hopefully, he doesn't blame you for what happened to him. Though personally, I was surprised by how quickly things escalated."
"Barnaby's not the type to hold grudges, so I don't think he'll blame me."
"You're only saying that because you love Barnaby. But you don't know what he's thinking."
Claire didn't like Merula's implication, so she decided to change the subject before she got angry. "So what is it about my dad that you wanted to talk to me about?"
"Aunt Verucca wants to speak to you, alone, without Peregrine."
This request took Claire by surprise, which made her suspicious. "Is it another trap?"
"Verucca didn't say anything about what she wanted to talk about," Merula answered. "She only told me to bring you to her, and that's it."
"Where is the meeting taking place?"
"Knockturn Alley. Get your darker clothes and meet me back here after classes are over."
"All right. I'll meet you here."
Donning her black scarf and coat, Claire met up with Merula at the Boathouse as promised. She then Apparated with Merula, arriving in Knockturn Alley where Verucca stood.
"Very good, Merula," Verucca congratulated. "You've done exactly as I've asked, for once."
Merula frowned.
"Now go to Tallow and Hemp to get me some of those poisonous candles I've been dying to get," Verucca said sarcastically. "Of course, I won't be the one who dies unless you do what you're told."
"Yes, Aunt Verucca."
While Merula sulked away, Verucca turned her attention to Claire. "Your father is out of control. I honestly didn't know he was going to use your boyfriend as a test subject for the experiment."
Claire didn't like the sound of this. "Why are you so concerned about Barnaby?"
"I don't care about him! But a stunt like that could make 'R' the Ministry's number one target, and they're already hot on our heels as is. This is exactly like the time when Rakepick went rogue..."
"Rakepick? What do you mean?"
"The day she decided to act on her own, she nearly exposed our entire organization. But she was only an agent. Peregrine is our leader, which makes his recent actions more problematic. Dumbledore is now giving his full attention to us, which means 'R''s plans are in jeopardy!"
"So? I couldn't care less!"
Verucca gripped her hands tightly together. "Your father's failure is a problem for both of us. I need him to succeed in our group's mission, and your future outside of Hogwarts could be ruined because of your father's bad reputation."
Thinking about what the Aurors might do to her father made Claire wince. "I suppose…."
Stepping forward, Verucca tepidly held Claire's hands. "If you help me figure out the source of your father's madness, I promise 'R' won't go forward with Peregrine's brainwashing scheme and leave your friends alone."
"And my father?"
"Leave him to me. But he won't be harmed."
"You promise?"
"When have I ever not kept a promise?"
Thinking back, Claire realized Verucca never lied to her in their interactions. But while she still didn't trust Verucca, she desperately wanted to have her old dad back. "Well, I have one idea."
To be continued…
