In the days following their perilous reconnaissance mission, a new dynamic began to solidify within the Rookery. The initial outright suspicion towards Hasel and Hermione had, for many, softened into a wary curiosity, punctuated by moments of grudging respect, particularly from those who had witnessed Evie's tacit approval of their performance. Clara Thorne, true to her word, assigned Henry Greene to work closely with Hermione, their combined intellects tasked with unraveling the mystery of Starrick's "tainted" artifacts. Hasel, meanwhile, found herself under the tutelage of Evie Frye, whose training methods were a stark contrast to her twin brother's boisterous approach.
Henry and Hermione transformed a dusty, forgotten corner of the warehouse into a makeshift research den. Crates became tables, shelves were fashioned from loose planks, and the air soon filled with the scent of old parchment, drying ink, and the faint, citrusy aroma of the herbal tea Hermione frequently brewed to aid her concentration. Henry, with his access to the Brotherhood's fragmented archives and his network of contacts among London's more eccentric antiquarians, procured an assortment of obscure texts – some genuine historical treatises, others lurid penny dreadfuls filled with folklore and superstition, all of which Hermione devoured with her characteristic intensity.
"The challenge," Hermione explained to Hasel one evening, rubbing her tired eyes, a smudge of ink on her cheek, "is that we're dealing with something that doesn't fit neatly into either of our established understandings of magical or ancient artifacts. Your sense of 'concentrated malice,' Hasel, is a crucial starting point. It suggests a deliberate imbuement, a perversion of natural energies, or perhaps energies from… somewhere else entirely."
Henry, poring over a tattered Latin manuscript that spoke of 'anima corrupta' – corrupted souls or spirits bound to inanimate objects – nodded in agreement. "Many cultures have legends of cursed items, objects that bring misfortune or exert a malevolent influence. The Templars, in their arrogance, have always sought to control power, whatever its source. If Starrick believes these objects can grant him an advantage, he won't care about their origins or the potential cost." He tapped a passage in the manuscript. "This text speaks of rituals, of binding sites where the veil between worlds is thin. It's highly speculative, of course, full of medieval paranoia, but…"
"But it resonates with what we suspect about our own arrival," Hermione finished, her expression troubled. "If the Department of Mysteries, with its concentration of temporal and dimensional magic, acted as a catalyst, and if our passage somehow… damaged the Veil, as you theorized, Hasel, then it's conceivable that other things, other energies, could be bleeding through. Or perhaps these 'tainted' artifacts are native to this world, but are now more easily… activated, or their influence amplified."
The weight of that possibility, the idea that they might be indirectly responsible for unleashing new dangers upon this unsuspecting era, was a heavy burden. Hasel listened, her own understanding of magical theory far less academic than Hermione's, but her instincts, honed by years of confronting Voldemort's dark creations, screamed that they were on the right path. The cold, cloying wrongness of those boxes in the carriage had been undeniable.
While Hermione delved into ancient texts and arcane theories, Hasel's days were spent under Evie Frye's exacting tutelage. Evie's training was less about brute force and more about precision, stealth, and exploiting the environment. She taught Hasel how to move like a whisper through the crowded London streets, how to use the shadows and the teeming throngs of people as a cloak. They practiced silent takedowns, not with the brutal finality Evie herself employed, but with an emphasis on disarming and incapacitating, techniques Hasel found more palatable.
"Your magic gives you an advantage, Potter," Evie conceded one afternoon, after Hasel had successfully used a silent, wandless Disillusionment Charm to evade her notice in a mock pursuit through a bustling marketplace. "But you rely on it too much. What happens when your 'wand' is gone, or when you're in a situation where even the slightest flicker of unnatural light will betray you?"
Evie pushed Hasel to hone her physical senses, to read the subtle cues of her surroundings, to anticipate an opponent's moves. They spent hours on the rooftops, not just practicing acrobatics, but learning to observe, to map out patrol routes, to identify escape paths. Evie, with her cool, analytical demeanor, was a demanding instructor, but Hasel found a grudging respect for her skill and dedication. There was a shared intensity between them, a focus born of necessity and a commitment to their respective causes.
Occasionally, Evie would incorporate Hermione into their sessions, particularly when it came to infiltration techniques. Hermione's knack for disabling primitive alarm systems (often with a discreetly applied Freezing Charm or a cleverly transfigured component) and her ability to quickly decipher coded messages or notice minute details that others missed, earned Evie's quiet approval.
"You two are… an anomaly," Evie remarked one evening, as they shared a meager meal of bread and cheese on a rooftop overlooking the twinkling gaslights of the city. The usual cacophony of London was a muted roar below them. "Your abilities are unlike anything I've encountered. Jacob sees you as a pair of exciting new weapons. Henry sees you as a fascinating academic puzzle." She paused, her gaze distant. "I see you as… a complication. And a potential asset. But the line between the two is dangerously thin."
"We just want to help, Evie," Hasel said sincerity. "And find a way back home, if that's even possible." The longing for their own time, for their friends and the world they knew, was a constant ache beneath the surface of their daily struggles.
Evie's expression softened almost imperceptibly. "Home is a powerful motivator. But be careful what you sacrifice to reach it." The enigmatic words hung in the air, a subtle warning that Hasel couldn't quite decipher.
Their integration into the Rooks was a slow, uneven process. Some, like the burly Garrett who had initially threatened them, now offered gruff nods of acknowledgment, particularly after witnessing their increasing competence in training or hearing whispers of their usefulness on the Lambeth mission. Others, like the perpetually sullen Thomas, remained deeply suspicious, muttering about "unnatural" influences and bad omens. But Clara Thorne's authority was absolute, and her conditional acceptance of the witches meant the rest of the Rooks, however reluctantly, followed suit.
One afternoon, Clara summoned Hasel, Hermione, Evie, and Henry to her office. The maps on her table were marked with new, ominous symbols, centered around a district known for its opulent townhouses and secretive gentlemen's clubs – the heart of Templar influence in the city.
"Henry, Hermione," Clara began, her voice crisp and businesslike. "Your research into these 'tainted' artifacts. Any progress?"
Hermione deferred to Henry, who adjusted his spectacles. "We've cross-referenced historical accounts of similar phenomena with Brotherhood records. There are recurring motifs – sudden outbreaks of madness, inexplicable violence, objects that seem to… drain the life or will from those who possess them. Many of these accounts are linked to individuals or groups who later became known to the Brotherhood as Templar sympathizers or agents."
Hermione added, "The energy signatures Hasel and I sensed are consistent with descriptions of items used in… coercive rituals, or items that are themselves the product of extreme negative emotion, almost like a psychic residue given form and purpose. We believe Starrick isn't just collecting them for their power, but perhaps to amplify some other force, or to use them to influence or control key figures in the city."
Clara nodded slowly, her expression grim. "And that brings us to our next problem. We've had word of a high-level Templar gathering, scheduled to take place in three days at a private club in the West End – The Osiris Club. Starrick himself is expected to be in attendance." She tapped a location on the map. "Our sources suggest he may be planning to 'gift' one of these tainted artifacts to a prominent city official, a man whose loyalty the Templars are keen to secure."
"A demonstration, or a means of control," Evie murmured, her eyes narrowed in thought.
"Either way, we cannot allow it," Clara stated. "This is not a direct assault. The Osiris Club is a fortress, and a public confrontation with Starrick there would be suicide. But we need eyes and ears inside. We need to know which official he's targeting, what exactly he's planning, and if possible, to observe the effects of one of these artifacts firsthand, from a safe distance." She looked directly at Hasel and Hermione. "Your unique… sensitivities… might be our best chance to understand what we're truly up against. And your Disillusionment Charms, if as effective as you claim, could provide the perfect means of infiltration."
The air in the small office crackled with tension. This was a far more dangerous proposition than their previous reconnaissance mission. This was stepping directly into the Templar's den, into the heart of their power. But it was also a chance to gather crucial intelligence, to potentially avert a disaster.
Hasel met Hermione's gaze. The fear was there, a cold knot in her stomach, but so was a flicker of the old Gryffindor recklessness, the ingrained need to act in the face of injustice. They had come to this time, to this war, by some twist of fate. And perhaps, just perhaps, they were uniquely equipped to fight it.