Sooo sorry for the long delay! I learned the Hogwarts Mystery game's main story was coming to an end months ago, yet I've been holding off finishing my fanfic of it because of how much I've enjoyed writing this story. And since I've been writing it for a number of years, it's come to mean a lot more to me than it did when I started writing it. Hope you enjoy the last chapters that'll come out, and thanks for supporting this fanfic!

Chapter 43: Anniversary

Mad-Eye Moody then got up and walked out of the inn, leaving Claire feeling more miserable than before. She decided to pay Jacob a visit after classes were over, thinking he might know about other Legilimens. But when she got to the reception desk, Madam Strout told her Jacob had been moved into a room of his own. Though after Claire found the room, she found Merula sitting next to Jacob as he lay in bed.

"What is she doing here?" Claire asked.

"Claire?" Jacob asked. "Is that you?"

"Yes, it's me," Claire confirmed. "But why is Merula with you?"

"She's just visiting," Jacob explained. "We were talking about the future."

"I came here because…I feel responsible for what happened," Merula said, her usual cool demeanor melting into a guilt-ridden expression. "Bringing you that invitation from Verucca ultimately led to Jacob's blindness."

"But not bringing the invitation would have gotten you killed, because of your Unbreakable Vow to remain loyal to your family," Claire said. "And speaking of family, how did you get in here? Madam Strout told me she was only allowing family members to visit Jacob."

"Well, I may have lied to her and said I was a distant cousin," Merula claimed.

"Hmm, I'm surprised you didn't claim you and Jacob were engaged," Claire joked.

"Engaged?" Jacob was confused. "When did that happen?"

Hearing that, Merula blushed. "Oh, pipe down, Krystal! And by that, I mean Claire. I would never get engaged to Jacob. Not in a million years!"

Then Merula turned to leave, but Claire intercepted her.

"Before you go, have you decided your next move?" Claire asked.

"Even if I have, I wouldn't tell you," Merula answered bluntly. "The only move I'm making right now is to go meet Aunt Verucca and crash some anniversary party."

"That seems odd, considering your aunt is being hunted by the Ministry."

"I don't know what she has planned, but I have to go."

After Merula left, Claire filled Jacob in about what Moody told her regarding the Aurors' investigation on their father.

"Sounds like they don't have a clue on who this Legilimens is," Jacob said. "Unfortunately, I'm not familiar with other Legilimens either. Isn't Dumbledore a Legilimens, though?"

"He is!" Claire remembered. "And so is Professor Snape. You don't think 'R' is going to try sneaking into Hogwarts again, do you?"

"Dad will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. So if that's what it takes, he might go that far."

"Hopefully, he doesn't know Dumbledore is away on business. Now I just need to figure out when Dad is going to execute his new plan, before Verucca or Mad-Eye nab him."

"While I want to believe Dad can be saved, I still think he should be held responsible for everything he's done including what happened to me."

"Really?"

"But I trust you'll make the right choice when the time comes, unlike me…."

"Don't say that, Jacob."

"You're not the one who's blind! I keep running into things, hearing voices I can't always identify, and having frequent nightmares. Sometimes I think I'm living in a nightmare right now, but I'm not sure if I'll wake up."

"Everything will work out," Claire assured as she hugged her brother once again. "The Healers are doing all they can to help you."

"I know they are," Jacob murmured. "Even Madam Strout has been telling me of the various resources this hospital has for helping blind people. Maybe I should consider looking into those, except I can't see."

Jacob tried to laugh at his own joke, but he ended up crying instead. Claire continued to hug him until a Healer came in to do more tests on Jacob, forcing her to leave much to Jacob's dismay.

Later in the All-Purpose Room, Claire found Elton Elderberry talking to Olivia.

"Hi, Claire!" Olivia said. "I was just telling Elton what happened in Knockturn Alley, which Dumbledore told me about."

"You're lucky to be still alive, Miss Krystal," Elton remarked. "My heart would have broke if you had perished. So as a reward for your courage, you're free to ask me anything you need from now on!"

"How is your brother doing?" Olivia asked. "When I visited him earlier today, he was more glum than a Glumbumble."

"I think he's…doing well," Claire said, trying to make Olivia feel better.

"That's good," Olivia sighed. "I was worried when he didn't laugh at my Chizpurfle joke. You're such a good sister to him."

"Well, I try to be. I'll let Jacob know you asked about him when I see him again. Mr. Elderberry, I have a question for you."

"Ask away!" Elton said eagerly.

"Do you know if there are any important anniversaries coming up, like ones that are related to Dai Ryusaki in any way?"

Elton wracked his brain for upcoming dates. "There's the 137th anniversary for the creation of Cauldron Cakes."

"Yum!" Olivia exclaimed hungrily.

"Justus Pilliwickle's birth anniversary is soon. Or did it pass? It is also nearly the 100th anniversary of the Great Sasquatch Rebellion! And Dai Ryusaki's death is coming up, which will be three hundred years ago on June 22nd."

"That's it!" Claire realized. "It's that anniversary Merula was talking about."

"I'm not sure why this anniversary has got you excited, but at least you're focusing on something other than your usual shenanigans," Olivia said.

"Sorry, Olivia, but I've got to go," Claire abruptly said. "My friends and I need to make some final preparations."

To be continued…