Barnaby Lee x Reader - Year 7

On the Case

"Corey—" Lana tried, but he cut her off.

"Don't bother trying to come up with a cover, Lana. I know something's been up between you and Merula."

"But how did you know?" Lana asked.

"It's obvious you suspect her of something. You've been snooping around, asking about where she's been all summer. You think it's suspicious that she's been in a good mood and, frankly, I agree with you." Corey said.

"She's not acting like herself at all!" Lana frowned.

"And you won't accept her answer of 'feeling different'. You keep pushing the issue...like you're trying to get to the bottom of something. I also asked around about classes going reports on dark witches and wizards. There aren't any."

"To be fair, you're the one who suggested I was working on a report. I just...didn't correct you." Lana reasoned.

"I suppose that's fair. Oh, and you're duel with Merula? You were far too worried about it for a so-called 'friendly duel'."

"Maybe I should've given you more credit, Corey." Lana stated.

"Definitely. I'm Head Boy for a reason, and it's not just because I'm popular." Corey told her.

"Corey—"

"Let me finish, Lana. People often think I'm just a goofy joker, but there's more to me than that. And I'd...really like to show people that I'm more than just...facts and jokes." Corey said, seeming a bit shy, "So, I'd like to help you. With Merula."

"You want to...help me? You're not angry with me?" Lana asked in surprise.

"Why would I be angry about solving a new mystery?" Corey smiled, "I mean, this is the opportunity of a lifetime!"

"I'm not sure what you mean by that..."

"We can be wizard detectives!" Corey grinned, and Lana internally facepalmed, "Like Detective Copper Conebush and Auror Kit Persimmons!"

"I'm sorry, who?" Lana asked, feeling completely lost.

"From 'The Detective Files of Conebush and Persimmons'? You know, the greatest wizard detective series...ever!"

"That's not ringing a bell, Corey." Lana chuckled.

"Uh, like...Mad-Eye Moody?"

"I'm not sure how much Mad-Eye would like being called a 'wizard detective'." Lana mused.

"Mad-Eye? Did you just call him Mad-Eye?" Corey asked in shock.

"Yeah? He told me to."

"I can't believe you know Mad-Eye Moody!" Corey awed, "That makes this so much more exciting!"

"Calm down, Corey." Lana chuckled.

"Oh, sorry! Sometimes I get carried away." Corey apologised sheepishly, "What were we talking about? Oh right, the fact that you're totally suspicious of Merula!"

"Yes, that's right."

"Well, there's only one solution then: we team up like Detective Conebush and Auror Persimmons!"

"You really wanna team up? It could be dangerous!" Lana warned.

"Lana, the entire world is dangerous. I could walk out to the quidditch pitch and get hit with a bludger."

"Well, you do make a solid point. Alright, we'll discuss the situation first, before making any decisions." Lana said. They began talking, Lana reluctantly telling him everything about her witnessing Merula and the dark witch in Knockturn Alley.