Chapter 46: Regrets
While Claire cried on Merula's shoulder, Ben explained the Circle of Khanna managed to subdue the rest of the 'R' members pretty easily. Then not long after, Mad-Eye Moody and the Aurors arrived having heard a report of an altercation near the bridge. So as they secured the 'R' members, Ben sent the other Circle of Khanna members to the Boathouse to recover from their minor spell-related injuries.
"I'm glad no one was seriously injured, or even killed," Claire said, drying her tear-stained eyes.
"Me too," Ben agreed. "But I'm sorry to hear about what happened to your dad, Claire. I suppose this means 'R' is no more."
"Right you are, lad," Moody said as he approached Ben, Claire, and Merula. "We just put Verucca in custody, along with the rest of these fleabags. As for you, Claire, what you did here was incredibly brave…and remarkably stupid. You're lucky it didn't turn out worse."
"The consequences didn't matter, because I had to save my dad," Claire insisted, then she asked Moody, "Did you find him? He went off the bridge, and didn't have his wand…."
Hearing that made Moody flinch before saying, "I'll send a team to look, but I doubt he would have survived that fall."
As Claire's tears welled up again, Moody suddenly pinched her shoulder.
"Criminal or not, he was still your father. I'm sorry for your loss," Moody said.
"Thanks, Mad-Eye," Claire nodded.
"You should be proud of what you and your friends accomplished, though. Because of their efforts, these Dark witches and wizards will be heading straight to Azkaban where they belong. I've also received word that Professor Dumbledore has returned from his business and would like to speak to you this evening, Claire."
Then as Moody walked away, Claire looked over the captured 'R' members.
"We did it," Claire muttered. "'R' is finally defeated."
"And so the Circle of Khanna's main objective is completed," Ben said.
"Khanna," Merula added, placing a hand over her heart. "Your sacrifice was honored today."
Later when the stars had come out, Claire went into the courtyard where Dumbledore was gazing up at the sky like the first time she spoke to him in-person.
"You've learned a great deal of protective spells in your time here, correct?" Dumbledore said.
"I have," Claire answered.
"Can you tell me one of them?"
"Um, Protego."
"Very good," Dumbledore nodded in appreciation. "I would like you to help me cast some protective enchantments around the castle."
"Does this have to do with 'R'? Even though all the members have been rounded up and are on their way to Azkaban as we speak."
"No, Claire, this is in preparation for the arrival of something much more important. It's the reason I was away during your battle with 'R,' though I'm sorry I wasn't there to help when the school needed me most."
Shaking her head, Claire accepted Dumbledore's apology. As the two cast various protective spells throughout the castle, she told him about the battle from her perspective and almost choked when describing her dad's fall from the bridge.
"It seems you were pushed to your physical and emotional limits in that battle," Dumbledore remarked once all the enchantments were in place. "How are you holding up now?"
"Not too well, I'm afraid," Claire admitted. "I'm worried about whether my dad is truly dead or not, thinking about my friends who were injured in the battle, and wondering what my future holds since I'm graduating soon."
"Sometimes, the most difficult situations show us how strong we truly are. And your brother, how is he?"
"He'll be released from St. Mungo's, and I'll be there to help him."
"You two should be together during this time, given your enormous loss. But don't forget how many lives you saved with your bravery and leadership. And be sure to rest and find joy in your final days at Hogwarts before your next big adventure out there in the world."
"Thanks, Professor, I will."
As the morning sun shined through the windows of Jacob's hospital room at St. Mungo's, Claire Apparated next to his bed startling him.
"Who's there?" Jacob asked, still blind in the eyes.
"It's me," Claire said.
"Claire!" Jacob reached out to Claire, who took his hands gladly. "I'm so glad to hear your voice. Moody told me all about your battle against 'R' on the Hogwarts bridge, including Dad's fall from it…."
"Moody promised he would let us know when the Aurors find him."
"Do you think Dad could have survived that fall? Because Moody thinks he didn't."
"I'm trying not to think about it for now until it's certain either way."
Jacob paused and then said, "Maybe we should talk about Dad. It might help lift the weight off our chests, because he's still our dad — even with everything he's done."
Claire knew her brother was right, and so she recalled everything she remembered about Peregrine. "The Dad I remember from childhood was kind."
"He would always spend time with us when he came home from his business trips," Jacob added. "But maybe he wasn't the best at making soups when we were sick."
"Though Mum isn't that much better with her cooking."
As Jacob laughed, he looked downward. "I just hope Dad's in a better place, wherever he is."
Seeing Jacob's distraught face, Claire decided to change the subject. "You're cleared to leave in a few days, right?"
"That's what the Healers say. I guess I just need to accept that I'm permanently blind, even though the Healers haven't given up on curing me yet. But now that 'R' is done for, I'm not sure what I'll do with my life."
"Neither do I, but Dumbledore says now's the time for healing."
"Sounds like something he would tell you. Though on that note, do you have regrets?"
"From what?"
"Your time at Hogwarts."
Claire thought long and hard about that question before saying, "Ultimately, no. While there may have been things I wish I had done differently, I was able to meet so many people who are now good friends of mine. I was able to reunite with you after you've been gone for so long, and became a hero in the process."
"I wish I could say the same thing. For one thing, I would never go near those Cursed Vaults if I had to do Hogwarts all over again. Then maybe, I wouldn't end up like this."
Claire squeezed Jacob's hands, but he withdrew them.
"Please don't pity me. I'm adjusting pretty well, all things considered. Now go do what I wasn't able to do: graduate!"
To be continued…
