The interrogation chamber was like a scene straight out of hell.
The walls were made of red brick, the floor covered in a tattered, moth-eaten carpet that had long since lost its purpose. The entire basement was old and in disrepair, with drafts and damp air seeping in from all directions, spreading a thin layer of dust over everything.
It was clear that this place hadn't been used in years.
"I suppose this must be the filthiest corner of the Sistine Manor, am I right, Miss Theresa?"
At being called out, the stitched-up maid lowered her head apologetically and murmured, "I will personally train Felicia over the next week, ensuring she understands what true maidly discipline entails."
"That sounds wonderful." Nolan nodded approvingly. "Once you've properly trained Felicia, Miss Theresa, you might finally have some time to relax. Speaking of which, you've been serving the Von Draugr family for centuries now. If it were any other race, you would've long retired by now… I should offer you a reward for your unwavering loyalty. Is there anything you desire?"
Theresa pondered for a moment before answering, "If possible, I would like a denser set of bones."
"You have good taste, Theresa!" Stephanie the necromancer beamed, her excitement evident. "Bones! The most vital part of the body is its skeletal structure! A true warrior tempers their very bones, not just foolishly trains their Transfiguration skills. These vampires don't understand a thing!"
Amid Stephanie's passionate discourse on the significance of bone structure, the trio descended the rickety staircase leading deeper into the chamber. As they made their way down, faint whimpers and soft cries echoed from below.
"Penelope?" Nolan raised a brow. "I never imagined our dignified senior would be capable of making such sounds."
"Even the most refined woman has a side of her that can be… thrilled and excited, my dear Nolan." Stephanie licked a finger with a sly smirk, then gestured impatiently at Theresa. "Come now, open the door and let us see."
Theresa complied, pushing open the heavy iron door, revealing the inner chamber of the interrogation room.
And there, bound to a large wooden cross, was the Ravenclaw sixth-year beauty—Penelope Clearwater.
She was stripped bare, pale and vulnerable, like a helpless little lamb. Thick ropes wrapped around her wrists and ankles, securing her to the wooden frame in a pose eerily reminiscent of a crucifixion scene—perhaps an intentional jab at Christianity, given Felicia's disdain for the faith. All she lacked was a Longinus spear to complete the sacrilegious imagery.
As for Felicia herself, she stood gleefully nearby, a candle dripping hot wax in one hand, a whip in the other, clearly relishing the torment.
"Felicia," Nolan sighed, slightly at a loss for words. "Two years ago, she was your student."
"And so what?!" Felicia pouted, folding her arms with exaggerated indignation. "Two years ago, I went out of my way to take care of Miss Clearwater, treating her as my future sister-in-law, hand-picked for my darling little Nolan! It was exhausting, but I still wrote her letters, invested time in grooming her—more than I ever did for your precious Eve! And how did she repay me?"
With that, she swung the whip down sharply, the leather snapping against Penelope's bare skin, causing her to let out a sharp gasp.
"How did she repay me?!" Felicia shrieked, a manic gleam in her eyes. "I only wanted to secure a good thrall for my dear brother, yet she refuses to accept her fate! While I was away and while Nolan was out hunting Muggle girls, she actually tried to escape from Randall Gorge! Ungrateful little wretch!"
Nolan blinked, utterly unbothered by her outburst.
Honestly, he couldn't quite understand why Felicia was so furious. In his eyes, Penelope was the true victim in all of this.
Rather than repaying you, she should be cursing you to high heaven for what you've done.
Stephanie, on the other hand, was thoroughly enjoying herself. She let out a delighted whoop, raising both hands like a religious fanatic witnessing a divine revelation. Somehow, she had acquired a whip of her own and eagerly joined Felicia in their "disciplinary session."
"Help me, Nolan!" Penelope's voice was hoarse from prolonged crying and pleading. Her wide, teary eyes clung to him like a drowning woman grasping for a lifeline. "I swear on Merlin's name, I won't try to run again! From now on, I'll willingly join the Von Draugr family, become one of you! So, please—just make Professor Felicia stop! She's lost her mind!"
"You clearly don't know the real Felicia," Nolan said flatly. "She's always been insane."
Ignoring Penelope's pleas, he turned instead to his sister. "So, Felicia, I assume you can now tell me—out of all the witches at Hogwarts, why did you choose this one for me? What makes her different from the rest?"
"Oh, Nolan, I'm so glad you finally asked!" Felicia beamed, practically vibrating with excitement. She passed the candle to her new accomplice—Stephanie—before sauntering up to Nolan with a smug little sway to her hips. Then, slipping behind him, she wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her chin to his shoulder and whispering against his ear.
"Vampires and wizards are naturally incompatible. The Ancestry spell you developed only worked in its early stages because it borrowed from the bloodline of an ancestor. But in order for regular wizards to use it without potions, you've been struggling for years, haven't you?"
Of course, he had.
Nolan recalled the countless nights spent in research, the endless discussions with renowned scholars, the endless trials and errors.
"Vampiric power and wizarding magic do not mix. When Libera became a vampire, she lost most of her abilities as a witch… But some individuals are exceptions. There are those who can inherit the blood of a vampire yet retain their wizarding magic. For example—you, my sweet little brother. With your immense magical talent, who would ever suspect you of being a vampire?"
Felicia's voice dripped with amusement. Then, with a sly, knowing glance, she turned her attention back to the suffering witch.
"And then… there's her."
She smiled mischievously, eyes twinkling with cruel delight as she pointed toward the quivering, bound Penelope Clearwater.
~~~----------------------
Patreon Advance Chapters: patreon .com / HPdreamer