Arc IV: Part XI
Slowly dragging from his cigarette, hoping it would bring a semblance of solace, Sirius glanced briefly at the sidewalk where Xenia sat, lost in her own thoughts, her eyes focused on some distant point. The usual liveliness in her demeanor had been replaced by a tangible, quiet sadness, leaving Sirius feeling utterly helpless.
During the time he had assisted her in the nursery, one of her monologues informed her about the deep bond she had formed with Maksim, Istvan, and Bajnok since their childhood years in the nursery before departing together to Koldovstoretz school and their adventures in the sanctuary.
Finally, Sirius decided to put things in motion and moved away from the bus stop shelter to approach her, grappling with finding suitable words that would convey empathy. Yet, the weight of the melancholy emanating from her caused his words to stumble, and all his lips could muster was whispering a sincere, "I'm sorry". Receiving no answer, he retreated to a nearby bench where he sat and looked at the sky…After a moment, Xenia caught Sirius off guard, breaking his train of thought with the sudden gesture of offering him her hand. Sirius's eyes met the anger in her eyes, and his concern about her was instantly cast away.
Carried by her determination, Sirius clasped her hand and let her take him along in her disapparition, abandoning the bustling city street to reappear moments later in a dingy alleyway nestled between two residential buildings. Their sudden apparition startled a cat from its slumber on top of a garbage bin, its fur brisling as it hissed angrily at them…Xenia released Sirius' hand and they stood silently for a moment, taking in the deserted surroundings until she beckoned him to follow her toward the main street, repelled by the thick air carrying the smell of decay, and Sirius diligently followed her along the alleyway, their footsteps echoing on the pavement as they grew closer to the main street.
They emerged on a wide double-sense avenue and walked toward a bus stop. It was early in the morning, the sun had just started to peek over the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the city. Regardless of the sweltering heat, a group of men wearing pristine suits and ties were already lining up on the sidewalk, patiently waiting for the blue LAZ-695N bus that had just appeared in the distance to reach them.
As Sirius followed Xenia, his eyes shifted from her back to the men and how hypnotized they appeared, their eyes training on the road ahead, not allowing a single glance at the two strangers walking past them... Despite the animation of the city, sounds of car horns, and scratching breaks, there was an air of quiet purposefulness.
Xenia led Sirius to a deserted street and gestured toward a shop on the other side, from behind a lamp post. "We've arrived", she whispered.
Sirius peered discreetly at the shop, with uncertainty. "We've been silent for a good while…Have you thought about a plan?", he asked.
"As Zoran is giving me a 48h window before meeting him…I suggest we use the best of it to get prepared instead of going straight to him. Perhaps there is a way we could locate the hideout where he keeps the Dragon and my men captive…And this place could be the starting point of our hunt", Xenia replied.
Sirius nodded, "Perhaps we can release your friends before the deadline, and even avoid crossing paths with Zoran", he said.
"Hopefully…If I think he'll probably insist on keeping the Dragon near him, he might keep them somewhere else. If not, we won't be offered any other choice than to confront him and hope Ermindo has successfully neutralized all the bombs by the time it happens" Xenia said.
Sirius pondered a second before asking, "What about the spy Zoran has placed in the Sanctuary? It could be anyone…Someone close to Ermindo, and in good position to stab him in the back."
"I trust Ermindo…The rat won't stay anonymous past mid-morning", Xenia replied with a confident voice. "All the magical signatures that crossed any minor ward in the sanctuary have been meticulously examined and identified, the moment the first bomb exploded…Let's go", she said hurriedly before striding confidently across the road.
The store's display window boasted an eye-catching collection of violins and cellos, arranged in neat rows and sparkling under the bright lights. From sleek, classic, ornate instruments, the selection showcased an impressive range of styles and sizes. The intricate details carved on the varnished wood caught the light, while the glossy strings glinted with promise. Each instrument seemed to be beckoning them to approach and give life to their emotions through the melodies its strings could produce.
Suddenly, Sirius frowned in confusion at Xenia's rapid change of demeanor as excitement etched on her face, when she approached the store, her eyes widening with anticipation. She eagerly placed her hands on the glass, pressing her face against the surface, squishing her nose on it as she peered inside the store. Shortly after, a broad smile broke across her face, and she hurried toward the store's entrance.
She grasped the door's knob and wrestled it with all her might, only to find it firmly locked. Undeterred, she started to pound her fist loudly on the door, shouting, "I know you're there! I saw you crouch, and still can see from here! You're hiding behind the counter at this very moment and wearing your red jumper!"
"I'm not! I'm hiding under the piano!", a girl's voice shouted back, before letting out a frustrated curse.
Xenia smirked and said "Got you! Now, come open the door!"
"Go away! Mom has five classes t teach this morning and she and Dad will soon be here!", the girl retorted angrily.
"So what?! Your mom loves me!", Xenia said, frowning.
"She hates you! They both do! The last time you were here, you broke the piano!", the girl shouted.
"Didn't I fix it?", Xenias asked, her voice filled with irritation.
"You know pretty well they're not regular muggle instruments you dumb troll! It's way more complicated than that!", the girl replied.
Xenia kicked the door and said, "Kalyna! I wouldn't be here if it weren't urgent!", she said.
"Well, you don't need to come inside, we can perfectly talk from where you are", the girl retorted.
Xenia cursed and pulled out her wand, aiming it at the door. "This is my last warning! Either you let me inside, or I'll blast the door, cause a scene and leave you to explain all the mess to your parents alone!" she said with a sincere menacing tone.
"You wouldn't dare! You know perfectly well that I'll never speak to you ever again if you do", Kalyna replied.
"What difference would it make? Aren't you refusing to see me right now? While I still haven't caused any trouble!", Xenia said with an exasperated rolling of eyes she usually grants Sirius.
A moment of silence followed, only disturbed by the passing buses, before a woman strode toward them and tapped her wand on the door, opening it. She looked meanly at Xenia before her eyes widened in surprise as they found Sirius beside Xenia on the doorstep.
Kalyna was a young woman in her mid-twenties with fiery red curls cascading down her back in perfect ringlets. She was wearing a pair of round spectacles and a blue apron over her dress, giving a ballerina's graceful silhouette.
Ignoring Xenia's attempt of hug, she smiled and cleaned her hand on her apron before hastily extending it to Sirius for a handshake. However, her gesture was interrupted by Xenia after she shoved her aside to storm toward the counter. Kalyna cursed and hurried back inside the store and jumped on Xenia in a vain attempt to retrieve the violin that the Dragonologist had started to recklessly manipulate.
"HANDS OFF! YOU'LL RUIN THE STRINGS!", Kalyna yelled as she wrestled the bow away from Xenia's hands, who wielded it like a sword.
Sirius joined them inside the store just as Kalyna finally managed to retrieve the bow and violin from Xenia, and placed it carefully back in its case, scolding Xenia for her recklessness. Xenia protested and retaliated by snatching Kalyna's glasses before jumping onto the counter, out of reach of Kalyna's gesticulating arms.
"How many fingers am I holding up?" Xenia asked, waving frenetically her hand in front of Kalyna's face.
"GET DOWN and give them back! My head hurts without them!", Kalyna shouted, angrily pulling out her wand, "Xenia! I swear, I'm going to curse you!"
Sirius paced through the shop, progressing forward cautiously to avoid the various instrument scattered around the place. He breathed in the warm, earthy scent of the wooden walls and shelving units as he made, he explored the aisles, his eyes taking in the array of musical treasures surrounding him. Regardless of the chaos produced by Xenia and Kalyna, Sirius felt slowly invaded by a soothing calm as he carried on his exploration.
Suddenly, he stopped as his eyes caught sight of a gleaming black grand piano, and a smile spread across his face. Sirius glanced behind his back at the two girls still bickering, before walking shyly toward the piano. He stopped at it and looked at it enviously, then dared lifting the keyboard's lid to reveal the gleaming ivory keys within.
Sirius sat on the cushioned stool, running delicately a hand over the smooth surface of the wood, struck t the contact by a pang of nostalgia as reminiscing childhood memories at Grimmauld Square. He recalled the rare moments when his uncle would visit, and they would sit in the library to explore the basics of piano together…As the years passed, their playing became more intricate, and Sirius could recall the joy and freedom he felt as they played together old classics, sometimes venturing into improvisation.
Sirius placed his fingers gingerly on the keys, his heart heavy from the reminisces of his uncle and his sudden disappearance…Then, he took a deep soothing breath and started playing, replacing the last hours' successive commotions with serenity flowing along the melody he played. The piano's sound expanded through the shop and gradually, as distant memories flood his mind, he grew more confident, and quickly the music drowned out the girls' bickering behind him.
Sirius carried on playing until he felt a presence beside him, before Kalyna's soft voice say, "Although is evident that you haven't played for a long while…It's beautiful."
"Be careful not to offend him, Kalyna…Maybe Lord Black is considering dropping a large bag of gold for it", Xenia whispered mockingly behind them.
Kalyna shrugged, "This piano isn't for sale anyway…By the way -since Xenia didn't have the courtesy to introduce us- I am Kalyna Tkachenko, and it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Black", Kalyna said.
Xenia chuckled, "Listen to her…Isn't she an authentic Disney princess?", she asked, receiving a dark glare from Kalyna.
"It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Kalyna…But, it will be Sirius and only Sirius", Sirius replied.
"All right…So, if I may ask…What is someone like you doing with someone like Xenia?", Kalyna curiously asked.
Xenia pocked her head, frowning, and asked, "What's that supposed to mean?", threatening her with an oboe.
Kalyna smiled, "Let me rephrase my question…Sirius, what is a distinguished gentleman like you…Doing with a primitive, cavewoman like Xenia?", she asked.
Sirius raised his hand to shut Xenia's reply, and said, "There has been a serious incident in the sanctuary, and we're trying to find some friends who can help."
Kalyna's smile disappeared and frowned before twisting her neck to look at Xenia, "What is he talking about?", she sharply asked.
Xenia put back the oboe on a shelf, and crossed her arms, "Zoran attacked the sanctuary a few hours ago and went as far as blowing up the 56th sector, destroying silos…Moreover, the boys were supposed to show up during the day but we're still with no news of them… They said in a letter that they stopped here on their way to Island, so I wanted to know if you received any news from them since."
Kalyna nodded, "They visited about two weeks ago…With a funny kid. I showed them around and had lunch at a nearby restaurant. We spent the afternoon together before they left shortly before nightfall."
"Nothing since?", Xenia asked.
"Not a single word since their goodbyes…" Kalyna whispered, with a shrug. "I guess it's a common habit…My so-called friends disappear for months and only remember me when they need something…So, I wasn't surprised that they ghosted me since leaving."
Xenia nodded, sliding her lip under her teeth. "I'll remind you that you also own an owl, among other ways to contact me…So, I assume they tried borrowing it?", Xenia said.
"They did…It was only then that I figured out the true reason they visited. Why else would they, right?", Kalyna asked, with a sarcastic tone. "I refused of course…Regardless of their instance. Only my parents and me can use it anyways."
"What did they try borrowing?", Sirius asked, looking simultaneously from one girl to the other.
Pride etched on Kalyna's face as he replied, "Through centuries…"
"One hundred years tops!" Xenia whispered under her breath.
"…My family has elaborated and polished a unique kind of magic", Kalyna continued, standing up. She walked to the counter from where she retrieved a violin and came back to sit on a chair beside the piano. "You'll understand better with a short demonstration!"
Kalyna's fingers gracefully moved over the strings of the violin, coaxing forth a soft melody weaving a bewitching spell around them…As the seconds ticked by, the space world around them began switching and warping, as though some unseen forces manipulated reality itself.
Suddenly, with a deafening roar, a towering wave burst through the storefront window with an explosive force, sending shattered glass and splintered wood flying in all directions. The instruments that had moments before been producing the shop's enchanting atmosphere, were now reduced to twisted wreckage, swept up in the churning waters that now surrounded Sirius.
Despite his valiant efforts to resist, Sirius was quickly caught up in the swirling vortex, tumbling and gasping for breath as the salty water filled his lungs. The weight of the waves bore down on him with crushing force, as though determined to drag him down into the depths of the ocean. Yet, regardless of this forced submission to fate, there was a strange beauty in the way the waves swirled, in the way they seemed to dance around him with a hypnotic grace.
The moment Sirius admitted his defeat, the flood that had trapped him suddenly evaporated in a massive cloud of smoke. He felt himself slowly land on a soft surface, and as the smoke dissipated, he found himself standing on a beach of warm, thin sand. Confused and disoriented, Sirius turned slowly spin around to take in the palm trees and blue sky above him before the sea suddenly started boiling.
Then, as if rising from the depths of a nightmare, a figure emerged from the murky waters, sending chills down Sirius' spine. His heart thudded in his chest as he recognized the sinister skull helmet atop the wizard's head, and he instinctively reached for his wand, only to find it missing. A sense of dread consumed him as he watched in distress as the newcomer raised Sirius' own wand, pointing it directly at him. Panic set in as he tried to move, to flee, to do anything to escape the inevitable, but his body refused to cooperate, leaving him frozen in his spot.
In a flash, the unforgiving curse was cast, and Sirius braced himself for the impact, his mind racing with fear and desperation, his efforts to dodge futile, his feet rooted to the ground, sentenced to submissively face the sickly green jet of light head-on toward him.
At the last moment before the impact, a wall of sand rose up between them, shielding Sirius from any harm. Then, just as suddenly, the sand beneath him gave way, and Sirius was sucked down, back into the store where he had been before. Slowly, his head moved from right to left as he took in his surroundings, but everything was just as it had been before Kalyna had begun playing her violin.
She smiled at him and placed her violin on the piano before sitting down next to him on the stool. For a moment, they sat there in silence, as though unsure of what to say.
"I apologize if the experience was too intense," Kalyna said with a note of regret. "Our charm creates a strong illusion that is impervious to Occlumency, no matter how skilled you may be."
She then turned to Xenia, a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips. "However, I did advise our friends that attempting to use this charm on a dragon would be futile. Nevertheless, they persisted in their endeavor."
"Why?" Sirius growled; his frustration palpable as he rubbed his throbbing forehead. "It seemed to work quite well on me, didn't it?"
"Sirius, a dragon's mind is too complex to be affected by Legilimency or hypnosis...otherwise, my job would be incredibly easier," Xenia said.
Kalyna nodded. "I told you what I know. ..Now, I suggest you leave before my mom arrives!" she said.
"Alright...but I didn't just come inquiring about them… As I said, Zoran is responsible for what's happening, so I want to ask you for..." Xenia trailed off.
"An invitation... You want an invitation…. Just say it!" Kalyna said, sighing before shifting her gaze away.
"I do...but I doesn't change that I also miss you, and planned on visiting soon," Xenia said.
Kalyna raised an eyebrow at her, then smirked before turning towards Sirius. "Sirius… I will be performing a concerto in one of the most luxurious palaces in the wizarding world tonight, reserved only for a restricted and distinguished audience," she said, handing him a card.
Sirius smiled seeing his name slowly embroiding in gold letters on the card, "Thank you, Kalyna. It will be a pleasure,"
Xenia reached out an open hand, and Kalyna shrugged. "Sirius is free to choose his plus one," she said.
"Kalyna, how would your concerto help?" Sirius asked.
"Very important people will be present… That includes some big shots of the underworld," Xenia replied.
"I understood our plan was to avoid Zoran's path, not rushing to him," Sirius said, frowning.
"Zoran considers himself too important to attend events like this, and no one would complain about his absence… However, he will most likely send a Brigadier to represent the Federatsiya, someone high enough in the organization's hierarchy to know what we need. Once identifying him, we can take him somewhere quiet and extract the information we need… If we're fast, we'll all be back in the sanctuary before dawn," Xenia said.
Kalyna sighed and facepalmed, while Sirius shook his head. "That's possibly the worst idea I've ever heard," he whispered.
Xenia replied sarcastically, "Oh, sorry. Would you rather suck his dick instead?"
Sirius retorted, "That's quite the joke! However, if Zoran has entrusted him with representing the organization, it means that he deems the guy competent enough to safeguard the Federatsiya's secrets… It's possible that we could overpower him if we team up, but he won't go down without putting up a fierce fight! Moreover, you should consider that the Federatsiya possesses means to detect when one of their own goes missing or requires assistance. So, even a single misstep and Dragan will have to add two more names to the list of missing persons."
Kalyna nodded in agreement and tapped her temple, whispering, "Use your brain for once, Xenia."
"Why are you so fucking pessimistic?" Xenia snapped angrily, flipping Kalyna the middle finger.
"Pessimists are just experienced optimists," Kalyna shrugged, unfazed.
"Don't take his side!" Xenia scolded Kalyna, then turned to Sirius. "If you think you have a better plan, please, enlighten us. I could really use a good laugh right now!"
"Well... Kalyna has given me a legitimate invitation… I'm a wealthy and famous man, groomed from birth to navigate events like this. So, I'll simply show up, blend in, engage in conversation with the attendees, and Zoran's guy will probably approach me first… Then, I'll find an opportunity to be alone with him, neutralize him, kidnap him, then use my legilimency on him…Or even let Ludvik personally break his mind and clean all memories of my involvement in this" Sirius explained.
"It's not a stupid idea at all... It could actually work," Kalyna chimed in, smiling at Xenia's defeated expression. She conjured a brown leather briefcase and handed it to Sirius. "It's been bewitched with an extension charm… You can use it to smuggle that bastard out of the palace."
"Yeah... that should do it!" Sirius nodded approvingly.
"Just one thing... this concerto is incredibly important to me! Performing there is a privilege and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity… If you mess up and they trace it back to Xenia, my career will be ruined beyond repair! They'll make sure I can't even get hired to teach kids!" Kalyna hasted to say, her concern evident on her face.
Sirius placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "That's why I'll go alone," he reassured her gently.
"Fuck you! I'm going too... Don't worry, Kalyna. I promise it'll go smoothly… A problem doesn't benefit anyone," Xenia interjected.
Kalyna remained silent, looking skeptically at them before tossing a set of keys to Xenia. "You can wait at my place if you can remember where it is... Now, you really have to leave," she said, glancing anxiously at the pendulum clock.
Xenia hugged her and kissed her cheek. "Thank you so much! Let's go, Sirius."
"Before you leave, Sirius, I need a word with you," Kalyna said sharply. "In private."
Xenia shrugged and left, her boots echoing on the pavement as she exited the store. Once the door closed behind Xenia, Kalyna turned her sharp gaze towards Sirius. "You know, it would be wise to snap that wand in half and reduce it to ashes while you still can," she said, her voice low and serious. "I've seen the hold she has on you, and it's terrifying! You're a strong wizard, Sirius, but that wand possesses a power over you that I fear you underestimate."
"Thank you for your concern, but I've faced worse than a rebellious wand," Sirius replied with a kind smile.
Kalyna let out an exasperated sigh and stood up, her eyes revealing her worry. "You don't understand, don't you? That wand's power should not be underestimated… It's not just a tool; it's a force that can corrupt and control you! It's already weaving its way into your soul, feeding off your weaknesses and desires."
She glanced at the clock on the wall and continued, "And time is not on your side. It's probing your mind and your entire life, searching for any vulnerability to exploit… And once it finds one, it will use it to possess you completely."
Sirius furrowed his brow and asked, "I've been warned that this wand would corrupt me if I failed to bend it to my will... But possess me? What purpose would it serve? A wand, no matter how powerful, cannot possess such advanced consciousness to plan so far."
"The wand itself cannot... But the moment you falter, you will realize it's too late. You would have allowed it to extend its influence too far, suppressing your consciousness irreversibly. It will use you as a vessel… Its only allegiance goes to its master, and through you, it will emulate him, reborn," Kalyna explained with a grave expression.
Sirius stared intently at Kalyna, captivated by the mixture of concern and fear on her face as her words echoes in his ears. He leaned forward, stealing a furtive glance at the wand resting in his lap, before asking, "You know to whom did it belong? The wizard you saw earlier when you hypnotized me…"
Kalyna's reaction mirrored the one most wizards and witches had when someone spoke Voldemort's name. She hesitated, "It all started long before I was born," she finally began. "In the 1950s, just a few years after Grindelwald's defeat, a new dark wizard emerged... Unlike Grindelwald and You-Know-Who, he remained anonymous, hiding his true identity behind an uncommon helmet. His intentions were unclear because he never sought followers or promoted any ideology… Instead, he appeared in random European cities at night, ruthlessly killing both Aurors and criminals… He was known as 'koshmar,' which means 'the nightmare.'"
Sirius absorbed her words, his mind racing back to the conversation he had with the innkeeper and Ludvik. "So, he was never apprehended?" he inquired, his curiosity piqued.
Kalyna shook her head. "No one knows for sure… The killings abruptly ceased one day, and it became safe to venture out at night again… Some speculate that the Aurors might have captured him and kept his identity a secret for some reason, while others believe he may have encountered someone equally dangerous and was defeated. However, It was during that time that Zoran first appeared."
Sirius furrowed his brow in contemplation. "Do you think Zoran and the koshmar were connected?" he asked, intrigued by the potential link between the two.
"Many believe they are one and the same," Kalyna replied solemnly. "Many claim that Zoran hid behind the helmet until he amassed enough power to expand his activities into the daylight…When he eradicated all his rivals and planted the virus of fear into the authorities. However, I don't know how you came to possess his wand, but..." Her voice trailed off as they both noticed Xenia watching them intently from outside the display window, her face pressed against the glass.
Sirius let out a sigh and thanked Kalyna, saying, "I appreciate your concern, Kalyna…Stay appeased, I will be extremely cautious." He then stood up and extended a hand to her.
Kalyna stood up as well and said, "I hope that extreme caution will be enough." Surprising him, she embraced him in a warm hug instead of shaking his hand, whispering in his ear, "You're aware of the consequences that will result from the path you have chosen."
The village's school was located due east of their current location near the police station. Kingsley and Patil cautiously made their way towards the uninviting set of blue and brown buildings, which stood out like a sore thumb against the charming backdrop of the quaint village.
The buildings appeared to be in a state of disrepair, with chipping paint, broken windows, and graffiti marking the walls. As they got closer, a musty smell mixed with the scent of damp earth hit their nostrils, adding their contribution to the gloomy atmosphere. As they approached the school, Patil stopped a moment, recalling his childhood memories of the drab housing projects, which the buildings reminded him of.
At the end of the concrete ramp, the school sat perched above a desolate, cracked asphalt road. As Kingsley and Patil ascended the ramp, a woman in a dark cardigan appeared on the porch, waiting for them…Introducing herself as the school's headmistress, she greeted them warmly, offering a genuine smile that caught them off guard.
It was a refreshing change from the guarded and suspicious attitude they had encountered during their investigation so far… Ever since they began their investigation, Kingsley and Patil had been met with distrust and suspicion. As the headmistress welcomed them with a genuine smile, Kingsley silently expressed his gratitude for her spontaneous and friendly demeanor. He took a moment to study her face, which was as flat as a pond, adorned with two striking blue eyes… Despite her warm welcome, he couldn't help but scrutinize her for a few seconds, trained to look for any sign of deception.
They returned the gesture, introducing themselves to the headmistress…Without a word, the woman gestured for them to follow her into the building, which appeared to be a strange mix of pseudo-modern architecture and unfinished construction. The interior was just as puzzling as the exterior, with bare walls and unfinished floors suggesting that the building was either undergoing a never-ending renovation or had been abandoned entirely.
As they walked through the narrow corridors, the sound of their footsteps was muffled by the low-ceilinged polystyrene panels… Some of the panels were ill-fitted, creating small gaps through which shafts of light streamed in. The walls were adorned with colorful children's drawings, some pinned up and others painted directly on the surface. At intervals, small coat racks were mounted at kids' height, holding tiny raincoats and backpacks.
The headmistress led them to a slightly open door, cautioning them to be quiet as they approached. "Let's try not to make noise," she whispered in a mysterious voice, "the summer children have special needs."
They entered an office that felt more like a waiting room, with several chairs arranged around a coffee table. Display cabinets lined the walls, filled with numerous registers and textbooks, while a small fridge hummed softly in the corner, supporting a coffee machine.
An oak imitation desk dominated the center of the room, engulfed in a profusion of green plants that spilled over the edges of pots and trailed down the sides of the furniture. Small plates filled with water were arranged around the plants, creating a verdant oasis in the midst of the sterile surroundings, while the air was heavy with the smell of damp earth, lending the room a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere.
"Initially, we believed that we had experienced a flooding incident. However, after the plumber assessed the situation, he confirmed that the pipes were undamaged. Therefore, we are at a loss as to how it could have occurred…. Regardless, we took the necessary steps to dry everything," the headmistress stated before gesturing toward a display case. "As you can see, this cabinet was opened… It contains our archives… Strangely enough, nothing appears to have been stolen or disturbed."
Patil knelt down, carefully examining the lock on the cabinet, and gestured for Kingsley to join him. "With over ten years dealing with car thefts and break-ins, I'm sure that whoever tampered with this lock has some extensive knowledge in the field. Furthermore, the lock remains undamaged… It's quite intriguing."
Kingsley released a sigh of relief, finally obtaining the evidence he had been searching for. He straightened up and addressed the headmistress, who had been observing the investigation from the sidelines. "Did anyone happen to hear anything during the time of the break-in?"
"Well…You know, the school isn't really monitored. ..We do have a guard, but to be honest…In a small village like ours..." she trailed off.
"Can you provide any insight into when you believe the break-in occurred? Was it last night or the Friday night prior?" Kingsley inquired.
"It could have been any night or even during the day... Regardless of the time of the year, our small school is bustling with activity. Children with special needs come to catch up so that they are not left behind at the start of the new school year… However, there's truly nothing of value to steal here and the children rush to the footballs and swings the moment the bell rings! All of them without exceptions" the headmistress replied.
Patil picked up one of the registers and swiftly flipped through its pages. Each volume contained lists of names, teacher comments, and administrative letters from a specific year. "Very well," he said. "Although, you will need to visit the village police station to provide a statement."
The headmistress appeared taken aback. "Is that all? Aren't you going to collect fingerprints or any other evidence?"
"Didn't you just mention that nothing was stolen?" Patil countered, casting a glance at Kingsley, who was lost in thought while examining another register.
"But someone still broke into the school! Perhaps the intruder caused damage that we haven't noticed yet!" the headmistress retorted.
"Excuse me, were you in charge when Kian Andrews attended this school approximately twenty years ago?" Kingsley interjected abruptly, lifting his gaze from the register.
The headmistress appeared surprised before responding, "You mean the poor young man who was found dead in the forest?"
"Precisely," Kingsley confirmed.
The headmistress nodded and said, "Yes… I was his English teacher before being promoted to headmistress. Do you believe this burglary is somehow connected to him?"
"Could you tell us more about him, please? We're to sort out all this mess, and we could use your help" Kingsley requested.
The headmistress locked eyes with Kingsley for a moment, then nodded and confidently walked towards a display case. She opened it and murmured, "The 60s," before retrieving a register and swiftly flipping through its pages. Abruptly, she stopped and furrowed her brow, her expression displaying her surprise.
The headmistress sustained Kingsley's gaze for a moment, then nodded and confidently walked towards a display case. She opened it and muttered, "The 60s," before taking out a register and quickly flipping through the pages. She abruptly stopped and furrowed her brow.
"Is there a problem?" Patil asked.
"Yes... It's quite strange... Kian's record is here, but Claire Docherty's is missing…How is that even possible?" said the headmistress, her tone reflecting genuine confusion.
Kingsley gently pushed the woman aside and carefully examined the missing page before inquiring, "What exactly do these books contain?"
"They hold the class lists and teacher's remarks… They serve as sort of a log for the school... Honestly, I'm utterly bewildered!" the headmistress replied.
"Does the school hold any other documents corresponding to the classes from the 60s?" Kingsley inquired.
The headmistress pondered for a moment before responding, "Well... We would need to check upstairs... The cafeteria logs, for instance. Or the medical examination reports... Everything is stored in the attic! Follow me! Nobody ever goes up there... It's like a forgotten place," she concluded, a hopeful expression on her face.
They ascended the linoleum-covered stairs, taking four steps at a time, following the woman who seemed to be brimming with excitement about the whole situation… They traversed a narrow corridor until they reached an iron door. Once facing it, the headmistress stood speechless, her eyes wide open in disbelief.
"This... this is incredible!" she exclaimed. "This door has been forced open as well!"
Kingsley inspected the lock. It was indeed open, but it seemed to have been handled with care. The Auror took a few steps inside the spacious, windowless attic room, except for a skylight covered with bars. Metal structures held stacks of files and papers, emitting a scent of dry, dusty paper.
"Where are the files from the 60s?" he inquired.
Without a word, the headmistress walked towards a gate and immersed herself in the thick files of compressed registers. The operation lasted only a few minutes, but the woman remained resolute in her response - the files had vanished as well.
"Was there any incident involving Claire during that time?" Patil asked.
"No! She was a diligent and composed student!" the headmistress retorted firmly.
"You mentioned that the documents stored here include medical visit reports...As far as you know, has Clair ever been the victim of harassment or other form of violence by fellow classmates? From Kian, perhaps?" Kingsley probed.
"Absolutely not!" the headmistress replied with unwavering conviction.
"Can you recall any Incidents surrounding her, strange occurrences, things that neither you, her teachers, nor herself could comprehend... Events that may have unintentionally harmed her, leading her to be mocked or marginalized by other children?" Kingsley questioned.
"Never!" the headmistress responded firmly, visibly irritated, her breath heavy.
Kingsley was about to press the issue further, but Patil stepped forward and asked, "Is there a way to obtain copies of these files? Perhaps there are other class photos available?"
The headmistress turned to Patil with a sense of relief and stated, "I will immediately submit a request to the county academy and try to reach out to former classmates... even though it has been over a decade since everyone left this village."
"Thank you, ma'am," Patil replied before gesturing for Kingsley to follow him.
Before leaving, Kingsley locked his gaze on the woman's eyes and said, "A scientific team will arrive later today to collect fingerprints and any potential clues. Therefore, you must cancel all classes for the day. Come up with any excuse, such as construction work, water damage, or anything else, I'll leave that to you… But, I don't want anyone here today, do you understand? And especially no journalists!"
The headmistress nodded with a perplexed expression as Kingsley swiftly made his way toward the gate. Outside, Kingsley and Patil walked to meet the uniformed police officers who appeared nervous near their police car.
"Inspectors! There's been an incident!" one of the officers exclaimed urgently.
"What happened?" Patil inquired; his tone filled with concern.
"A grave has been vandalized! It belongs to that madwoman who tragically drove her car off the cliff two or three months ago!" the other officer replied.
