{Half A Hero} Hufflepuff!Reader

Chapter 18: The Headmaster's brother

The greenhouse creaked with the wind. It's old frame rusted with age and neglect.

"I never cared much for your hobbies," He started. "But I thought you at least would. Brother, mine."

The Joker picked up a trowel. He brandished it to the moonlight with a sigh. He tossed it aside. Shattered glass crunched underfoot as he made his way deeper. The twisted undergrowth crept closer more and more.

"Watch it, you."

A flick of his hand, a flicker of light, and the plants around the clown burnt a glimmering purple. He frowned.

"He keeps breeding purple into things."

Joker cackled at that and continued searching for a family token. Granted, it wasnt his family, but the only son of this legacy threw that all away.

The green house opened to a courtyard. The centre of the cobblestone tea place had already been destroyed. A set of stairs revealed.

"Ah, half the job's done then." He said with pip.

Joker made his way down, and touched his finger to each torch he found. Each flame roared to life. The crackling sound of wood eaten resonated through. 

"I'll make it pink. Call me a sentimental old fool."

A rat squeaked.

"What did you call me?!"

A finger gun this time. His favorite in a pinch. A shot of pink, and the rat scampered away with a new dye job.

"I'll make everything pink!" He shouted. "You hear me, Brother!"

He stared at the Crest. The aged stone door had plant engravings, as he had become use to seeing.

Returning to Gotham's dark and dreary damp would sadden him if it weren't for good ol' Bats. He considered hanging around Ivy for his sudden need for plants. Better that than caring for them. He only liked looking at them.

A purple gem glistened in the heart of the door with a menacing air. That wasnt here last time.

"Must be from your wife. Glad she left. Was never fond of her cooking."

Harley's curse blade ought to do the trick. Just Jimmy it out. The flick of the blade echoed through the stairwell. He held his breath. He waited for any other noise. Nothing. Not even Batman.

Joker let out a dramatic loud sigh, arguably louder than any of the noises before, and chipped away at the rock around the gem. The blade shattered. It was fine though, he would just pretend not to know what Harley was talking about if she asked where the blade was...

It was a peculiar gem, once he did get it out. It had a mossyness to its core. He decided to keep it. Maybe it'll work like Kryptonite to Superman, but to his dear, sweet brother. The blackmail you could get with this bad boy.

Hell, the shutting down of magic schools around the world!

He would be able to save his dear, sweet niece from this world of segregated education. Even if it kills him.

Especially if it kills him.

But this was just the cherry on top. This gem. Because what he needed was actually behind the door. The gem hissed in his pocket. He ignored it and decided a summoned war hammer might do the trick this time.

Joker had been coming here between major heists and pranks, hoping to figure out a way in. He noticed a crack.

"Finally losing nerve, eh?"

He tightened his grip, and swung again with all his might. Another chip at the 'stone' revealed wood under the plaster.

"I could have done this the entire time!"

He huffed and a grumble, then continued the thwacking. Joker spoke between heavy hits.

"I'll find you, Brother mine. Give us Gravy boats for a wedding gift."