บท 7: chapter 7
Chapter 7:
–Valerie–
I told Rose about the Hellsing organization and shared some painful chapters from the beginning of my life. As I spoke, I watched her expression shift from curiosity to sadness. When I finished, she surprised me by pulling me into a tight hug.
"I'm so sorry," she murmured softly. "It sounds like you've been through hell."
I managed a weak smile, appreciating her comfort. "Thanks, Rose."
Unfortunately, our moment was cut short when the doors at the back of the bank swung open, making me tense instinctively. I half-expected a mob of angry goblins, but instead, only three small figures emerged–all of them were unarmed and dressed in tidy little banker suits. The goblins glanced nervously around the lobby, their wide eyes darting between the bodies on the floor and Griphook's corpse—the source of the chaos.
The goblin in the center took a cautious step forward and addressed us with a deep bow. "Lady Potter and Lady… Tepes. Please forgive Gringotts for what has transpired today..." His voice trembled, and it was clear he was terrified I might shoot him next.
The thought crossed my mind for a second, but I wasn't a psycho who killed for no reason.
That didn't mean I wasn't still furious though...
I crossed my arms and glared at the three goblins. "Why should I? I came here to buy information, paid an obscene price, and one of your own sold Rose and me out to the Death Eaters!"
…Technically, he only sold Rose out, but it was the principle of the matter.
The lead goblin gulped, his eyes flickering nervously to Griphook's body before continuing, "Yes… we sincerely apologize. Griphook has been a problem for years. We suspected he's been stealing from clients' vaults for a while."
My eye twitched in irritation. If they knew he was trouble, why hadn't they dealt with him?
Rose's eyes widened in concern as she spoke up, "Wait! He was in charge of my vault. Was he stealing from me?"
The goblin straightened, attempting to regain composure despite the tension in the air. "We'll need to check our records thoroughly, but if he was, we will return or reimburse all assets, Lady Potter." He introduced himself as Brunak, vice manager of Gringotts' London branch. His earnest expression made it clear he genuinely wanted to set things right.
We left the bank to track down my new father, Alucard. It had been over twenty minutes since he chased Lucius Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange out of the building. Either he'd caught them by now, or they'd escaped. I hoped it wasn't the latter, but sometimes Alucard got a little too excited when hunting, and mistakes happened.
As we stepped into the alley, I noticed it was less deserted than before. A group of official-looking witches and wizards stood gathered on the bank steps, all dressed in matching robes. Among them was an older blonde witch with a monocle and an impressive chest, striding toward us with purpose.
"Rose Potter?" she asked curiously. "I'm Amelia Bones, head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement."
I immediately sensed she was no-nonsense, someone who had little patience for anything but the facts.
"I remember you," Rose responded, bitterness lacing her voice. "You tried to throw me into Azkaban on trumped-up charges after Umbridge sent dementors after me two summers ago."
Madam Bones looked uncomfortable but nodded. "Yes… that was a miscarriage of justice. I apologize for that. I came to check if you're alright."
"I'm fine," Rose replied, although her voice wavered slightly. "Some Death Eaters tried to capture me, but they were dealt with. There are a lot of bodies inside, though." She glanced at me nervously.
Madam Bones shifted her attention to me. "And who are you supposed to be? I wasn't aware the Girl-Who-Lived was running around with vampires. I assume the bodies are your doing, vampire?"
I crossed my arms defiantly. "My name is none of your business," I said flatly. "And I don't need to answer your questions, considering I don't recognize your government as legitimate right now."
Her expression morphed from confusion to disbelief, and I couldn't help but smirk at her reaction.
"What the hell are you talking about?" she snapped. "Of course the Ministry of Magic is legitimate!"
"Uh-huh, sure," I scoffed, waving a dismissive hand. "They're doing a great job running the magical community." I gestured around Diagon Alley, now practically a ghost town. The only business open was Gringotts, and even they had to post guards outside—though not very effective ones. "If your government can't even protect the only magical shopping district in the country, then it might as well not exist."
I heard snickering behind Madam Bones. An older punk girl with pink hair stepped forward, grinning playfully at us. "The cute vampire girl makes a fair point, boss," she said, winking at me before turning back to Madam Bones. "You know, I haven't been paid in three weeks. I'm starting to think the Ministry's gone bankrupt…"
"Tonks, please!" Madam Bones exclaimed in exasperation. "This is not the time for jokes."
Tonks shrugged. "Not joking, boss... When's the last time you got paid?"
Amelia took a deep breath, clearly trying to keep her temper in check. "We received emergency reports of a Death Eater attack on Gringotts. Given the severity of the situation, we came to secure the area and ensure the safety of our citizens."
I tilted my head slightly. "Well, you're a bit late, don't you think? We've already handled it."
"Clearly..." she replied with a sigh. "Normally, I don't condone blatant murder, but at this point, there's literally no one left to even punish you." She gestured behind her and Tonks. "I hate to admit it, but you're probably right, vampire. The six of us are the last Aurors left working at the Ministry. Everyone else has either quit or fled the country."
Only six Aurors left in the entire country? That was... pitiful. It pretty much proved my point about the magical government being as good as gone.
I suddenly yelped when I felt a hand suddenly on my shoulder. I spun around to find Alucard grinning at me. First, he hides in my shadow all day, and now he's sneaking up on me for fun. I pouted and stamped down on his foot as hard as I could to get back at him!
"I'm back, daughter," Alucard announced, the only sign of his pain was a slight twitch of his lips.
He wasn't alone. One of the captured Death Eaters, Lucius Malfoy, was slung under his arm—covered in blood, groaning, and missing his right leg, severed clean at the knee. Blood dripped from the poorly patched wound onto the cobblestone.
"What the hell is that supposed to be?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I see you've noticed 'Stumpy' here," Alucard said with a dark chuckle, clearly amused by Lucius's gruesome state. "The woman managed to escape, so I made sure he couldn't do the same. Care to heal him, daughter, before he bleeds out?"
I glanced at the pool of blood beneath Lucius, then at the group of Aurors with their wands raised. "I'll heal him later," I whispered, eyes flicking toward the onlookers. "When we don't have so many eyes on us."
I wasn't about to go flaunting the Holy Grail in front of strangers, and I hadn't even told Rose about it.
The Aurors, aside from Tonks and Madam Bones, were visibly terrified by Alucard's sudden arrival. A few pointed their wands at him, but their faces betrayed their fear. None of them looked brave enough to actually cast a spell.
Alucard, of course, found their fear thoroughly entertaining. His grin widened as he took a step closer to them.
"Stay back, monster!"
"Don't mess with us!"
"How are you walking around during the day, bloodsucker!?"
"Oh, I didn't realize the fun police had arrived," Alucard said, his eyes gleaming dangerously.
I snickered despite the tension. "Not quite. These are the actual police... well, magical police, at least."
Alucard gave them a long, appraising look, his grin never faltering. One of the Aurors trembled so badly that a wet spot formed on the front of his robes. The stench of urine hit the air, and I wrinkled my nose in disgust. Another Auror turned and bolted down the alley, screaming at the top of his lungs, "I quit! I didn't sign up for this!"
Madam Bones pinched the bridge of her nose and muttered something under her breath before glancing at the humiliated Auror. "Go clean yourself up at Tom's pub," she ordered, sounding utterly exhausted. The Auror scurried off, head hanging in shame.
With a deep sigh, Madam Bones turned back to us. "Well, thanks for that. Now there are only five Aurors left in all of magical Britain." Her voice dripped with sarcasm.
Alucard gave her a cheeky grin, followed by an exaggerated bow. "It was my pleasure, Magical Police Woman. I am Alucard. I see you've already met my daughter."
"Your daughter has been difficult," Madam Bones huffed. "She won't tell me anything about herself. Are you going to be just as difficult, or will you actually answer my questions?"
Alucard leaned in closer, his grin widening. "Oh, aren't you a forward one? If you wanted to get to know me so badly, all you had to do was ask. I haven't been with a woman in over twenty years. Why don't we go somewhere quiet and... get acquainted all night long?"
Madam Bones's face turned bright red. "W–What...?"
I couldn't help but snicker, and both Rose and Tonks were stifling laughter.
"What do you say? Want to get out of here?" Alucard teased again.
"You know what? I don't even care anymore!" Madam Bones declared, throwing her hands up. She turned to the three remaining Aurors and barked, "Get into the bank and secure the Death Eater corpses!" She shot Alucard one last flustered look before stalking off after her men.
"Smooth, Dad," I said, shaking my head.
"Hehe, I've still got it," Alucard chuckled.
"I don't think I've ever seen my boss so flustered before," Tonks added, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes. "Hello again, everyone. I'm Tonks, one of the last remaining Aurors in this dinky little country." Her grin faded as the reality of that statement set in.
Rose tilted her head curiously at Tonks. "Weren't you part of the Order of the Phoenix?"
Tonks sighed. "The Order's gone, officially defunct after Dumbledore's death. The older members were too busy squabbling for power to actually plan how to fight back against the Death Eaters." She rolled her eyes. "I tried to do something productive, so I begged Madam Bones to let me rejoin the Aurors. In hindsight, maybe not the best move. I didn't realize just how boned the Ministry is. Voldemort could stroll into the main lobby tomorrow, and there'd be no one to stop him. His Death Eaters probably already control the Wizengamot because the DMLE can't even hire new Aurors anymore." Her shoulders slumped.
It sounded like she'd been through a lot of pointless drama recently. "Want to quit your job and come work for Hellsing?" I asked casually, unsure of how she'd react. "We have benefits."
Tonks raised an eyebrow. "What is a Hellsing? And what kind of benefits are we talking about?"
I nodded toward Rose. "Why don't you explain?"
Rose grinned and launched into the same explanation I'd given her earlier. By the time she finished, Tonks was staring at me with the same shocked expression Rose had worn before. "Voldemort and his Death Eaters are going to be screwed when they face a fully trained Hellsing army!" Rose was practically bouncing with excitement.
Tonks looked intrigued, but before she could respond, Rose turned to me, eyes pleading. "Can I join Hellsing too, Valerie?"
"Don't you have one more year left of school?"
Rose crossed her arms. "What's the point of going back to Hogwarts if the Death Eaters are about to take over? I doubt anyone outside the Ministry even realizes how close everything is to falling apart."
"I didn't know either," Tonks added with a sigh. "I probably wouldn't have rejoined the Aurors if I did…" After a beat of silence, she smirked at me. "Anyway, I accept your offer, Valerie! Take me to our new boss. Is she nice?"
Alucard chuckled beside us. "Hehehe… no. Integra's a real slave driver."
I smiled, shaking my head. "She's only like that with you because you annoy her constantly." It was true—there hadn't been a single day in that mansion without Integra screaming at Alucard at least once.
"I can't help it. She's too fun to tease," Alucard said with a shrug. He hefted Lucius Malfoy's unconscious body over his shoulder, and with our group ready, we made our way back to Tom's Pub to leave Diagon Alley.
On the way, I asked Tonks if she wanted to inform Madam Bones about her very sudden resignation, but she waved me off. "The old lady will figure it out from my absence," she said. "Maybe she'll wise up and finally flee the country with her niece."
As soon as we stepped into Tom's diner, the worst smell of my life once again assaulted my senses. It was like the scent had been specifically designed to make me hate it. I gagged, pinching my nose shut with two fingers as my eyes watered.
Alucard dropped the groaning body of Lucius Malfoy onto the ground once again. He wrinkled his own nose, confirming that I wasn't just imagining the foul stench.
"Is something wrong, Valerie?" Rose asked, concerned.
I glanced around the dingy pub, still holding my nose. "The stinky man is back!" I groaned, stomping my foot in frustration. "I thought I was rid of him!"
"Stinky man?" Rose tilted her head.
Before I could explain, a voice called out from nearby.
"Rose!" A man sprinted toward us, relief on his face. "Thank goodness you're okay! We were worried when you disappeared."
It was the same man from the bus earlier, and judging by his reaction, he and Rose knew each other. But when he noticed me and Alucard standing beside her, his demeanor shifted. He growled at us…literally. "You're the rude girl from the bus earlier! How did I not see it before!? You're a bloody vampire! Get away from Rose, you monster!"
Alucard's usual amused facade vanished in an instant. "It takes a monster to know a monster… werewolf." His voice was cold. "My daughter finally made her first friend. It would be rude to separate them, so why don't you buzz off and take a flea bath? Your stench is unbearable."
I finally realized what the foul stench was. In our study sessions, Alucard had told me that werewolves smelled particularly awful to vampires and that I would immediately know once I crossed paths with one, but I always assumed that he was exaggerating. Unfortunately, he was not…
Remus stiffened, his eyes flicking to Rose.
"You've got it all wrong, Remus," Rose said softly. "Valerie is actually really nice… and so is her dad."
I blinked in disbelief. Nice? Had she not just seen Alucard shoot down six Death Eaters and rip off Lucius Malfoy's leg? What part of that screamed "nice"?
Before I could speak, Tonks cut in, bitterness lacing her own voice. "Why are you even here, Remus? And thanks for noticing I'm here too!" she added sarcastically. "It's not like we dated for six months or anything…"
Remus barely glanced at her. "Hello, Tonks. I'm not here for you. I'm here for Rose. She needs to come back with me—Voldemort is after her!"
His raised voice sent the rest of the pub's patrons scrambling for the exit.
Rose's eyes narrowed. "Oh, now the Order cares about me?" she snapped. "You all forgot I existed! You sent me back to the Dursleys, even though Voldemort has my blood. If those so-called blood wards ever worked, they definitely don't now."
Remus looked guilty, but Tonks wasn't about to let him off easy. "Yeah, Remus! If the Order really cared, why is she here with us instead of under your 'protection'?"
Remus sighed, frustrated. "We had to settle things first. Dumbledore had no will, and sorting out his estate took time—"
"You're kidding, right?" I muttered in disbelief.
Rose crossed her arms. "Voldemort's about to take over, and you're all squabbling over Dumbledore's belongings? You're nothing but bloody vultures!"
Remus stepped forward, bristling at her accusation, but before he could get closer, I placed myself between them and hissed, "Back off."
His hand moved toward his coat pocket, likely for his wand. I sighed. Why did wizards always reach for their wands the second they got upset? It was like pulling a gun without a second thought.
"I've had enough of you, vampire," Remus growled, his wand halfway out.
Before I could react, Tonks moved with surprising speed, her wand already out. "Stupefy!" A red beam flashed across the room, and Remus hit the ground with a heavy thud.
"Hmph!" Tonks huffed, sliding her wand back into its holster. She shook her head at Remus's unconscious body. "Should've known he was trouble. Can't believe I actually dated that guy..."
Alucard spoke up. "It was probably his werewolf pheromones," he explained. "Werewolves can release subtle pheromones when they're interested in a mate. Over time, it can influence the other person, make them more attracted to them."
"Are you serious!?" Tonks' face flushed with indignation. She stomped over to where Remus lay and gave his unconscious body a few angry kicks. "Buggering asshole!" she spat. "How dare he take advantage of me like that!?"
Rose scowled, clearly on Tonks's side. "Screw him. I thought he was cool in my third year, but then he literally tried to eat me during a full moon. I've never felt safe around him after that." I had a feeling there was more to the story, but it didn't seem like Rose wanted to share anything else.
I sighed. "Let's just get out of here before anyone else shows up."
With subtlety already out the window, I called for a Hellsing car to pick us up. Rose and Tonks sat up front, while Alucard and I slid into the back with Lucius. Begrudgingly, I summoned the Healing Grail from within my soul and poured a couple of drops of healing blood into his mouth—not enough to restore his leg, but enough to keep him alive for interrogation. After that, well… his fate was sealed.
–Narcissa Malfoy-Black–
Narcissa Malfoy had just settled into her favorite armchair with a glass of wine, fully absorbed in a trashy Muggle romance novel. She found the stories laughably predictable but strangely comforting—a guilty pleasure she'd never admit to anyone. Just as the heroine was about to confess her love for the brooding bad boy, the door to her private reading room burst open. Startled, Narcissa yelped and quickly shoved the book behind a silk pillow, her heart racing as her sister, Bellatrix Lestrange, stumbled in.
Bellatrix looked like she'd been through hell—her wild hair more tangled than usual, her face smeared with dirt and blood. Scratches lined her arms, and her once-elegant silk leggings were shredded beyond repair.
"Bellatrix!" Narcissa exclaimed, jumping to her feet. "What happened?"
Bellatrix, who had left barely an hour ago on some urgent Death Eater mission with Lucius, groaned as she collapsed into the chair across from Narcissa, ignoring the blood now staining the fine leather.
"We screwed up…" Bellatrix rasped hollowly. "I can already feel it… slipping away."
Narcissa's stomach dropped. "What do you mean? What's slipping away?" She moved closer, her brow furrowed with concern.
Bellatrix's eyes welled with tears—something Narcissa had rarely seen from her typically unshakable sister. "My magic, Cissy. It's leaving me. In a few hours… I'll be nothing."
Narcissa recoiled, horrified. For a pureblood witch, especially one from the Black family, losing magic was worse than death! "What did you do!?" she demanded.
Bellatrix let out a bitter laugh, more of a sob. "I broke our family's most sacred contract. The one Mother and Father always warned us about… but I didn't believe it was real! I thought it was just a legend."
Narcissa froze. There was only one contract Bellatrix could mean. "You went against him? You met him in person?"
The ancient Black family was one of the most powerful magical lineages, not because of their strict pureblood policies as everyone thought, but because of an unholy pact made centuries ago. A long-dead ancestor had signed a binding contract with an infamous vampire—Dracula. The Black family was granted a portion of his power, passed down through their bloodline, in exchange for an eternal vow never to oppose him or his descendants.
And Bellatrix had broken it.
Narcissa took a few steps backwards and sank into her chair, trying to comprehend the enormity of her sister's mistake. "What exactly did you do?" she asked again.
Bellatrix swallowed hard, whispering, "I was so close to capturing Rose Potter for the Dark Lord. But… she wasn't alone. I didn't realize until it was too late—she's friends with Dracula's daughter. And… I was stupid, Cissy. I tried to kill Dracula. I cast the Killing Curse on him."
Narcissa's eyes widened in shock. "What!?"
Bellatrix nodded, tears spilling down her cheeks. "Now I'm paying the price…"
Narcissa's blood ran cold. The consequences wouldn't stop with Bellatrix. The entire family was bound by the contract. First, Bellatrix's magic would fade, then Narcissa's, and next, Draco's. If the contract still considered their estranged sister Andromeda a Black, she and her daughter Nymphadora might be affected too. Narcissa's mind raced. Their family carried Dracula's power in their blood—Nymphadora's Metamorphmagus abilities were proof of that ancient pact.
"What about my husband?" Narcissa whispered.
Bellatrix grimaced. "Sorry, sister. You're probably a widow now. If Lucius isn't dead already, he will be soon. And if he's not… he'll wish he was."
Narcissa should have been devastated, but instead, all she felt was a cold sense of relief. Lucius had been a pompous fool, more concerned with his own image than the well-being of their family.
And he was a terrible lover…
The worst part was their marriage contract had forbidden her from seeking satisfaction elsewhere. Over the years, she had grown deeply unhappy. "...Well," she said dryly, "that's unfortunate. But we have bigger problems now." She took a deep breath. "We need to find Dracula immediately and beg for his mercy. If we don't, the Black family is finished. Our ancestors will curse us from beyond the grave, and we'll be nothing but useless Muggles."
Bellatrix let out a shaky breath, her face ashen. "I know. We have to grovel before him. It makes me sick, but if we don't, we'll lose everything."
Narcissa nodded, steeling herself. It wasn't just their magic at stake—it was their legacy, their entire bloodline. "Do you know where he is?"
Bellatrix nodded weakly. "I had one of the junior Death Eaters tail him. Once I know where he's staying, I'll kill the fool to cover our tracks, and then we'll go throw ourselves at Dracula's feet."
Narcissa sighed. Bellatrix's plans always left something to be desired, but at this point, they had no other choice. "Fine. We need to be fully prepared to humble ourselves…"
XXX
บท 8: chapter 8
Chapter 8:
–Valerie–
The atmosphere in the room felt tense to say the least. Integra was glaring daggers at both Alucard and me.
"I can't believe the two of you brought unknown magic users into my home, our fortress," Integra complained as she crossed her arms. "Don't either of you know how foolish that is!?"
I raised my hand slightly, trying to calm the situation. "You let me into your home when you barely knew anything about me..."
Integra scoffed, waving her hand dismissively. "Oh, please. You were harmless when Alucard first picked you up." She didn't see me as a threat at all back then.
I pouted, muttering to myself in dejection... "I wasn't harmless, I already killed four people…"
While I stewed in my own thoughts, Integra turned her attention to the two witches—Rose Potter and… Tonks. I suddenly realized we probably should have asked for Tonks' full name before bringing her with us.
"It's just Tonks, boss lady," Tonks chimed in, though a small flush of embarrassment crept across her cheeks. "I don't answer to my first name!"
I blinked. Seriously, what was her first name? It couldn't be that bad, could it?
Integra's piercing gaze zeroed in on her, and her tone became even icier. "If you want to work for me, then you will tell me your full name and any other information I want to know about you." She paused, eyes narrowing slightly at the pink-haired witch. "...Understood?"
Tonks shifted uncomfortably under Integra's scrutiny, running a hand through her short, bubblegum-pink hair. "Alright, alright, I get it," she muttered.
Alucard chuckled darkly from his position beside me, clearly enjoying Tonks' discomfort. "Go on, girl. We're all waiting," he teased, his voice dripping with amusement.
Tonks shot him a glare, but eventually sighed in defeat, her shoulders slumping slightly. "Fine... It's Nymphadora." She said the name quickly as if hoping we wouldn't hear it properly.
Integra raised an eyebrow. "What was that?"
Tonks groaned. "Nymphadora! My first name is bloody Nymphadora!" she exclaimed with a scowl.
"Pffft! Hahahahaha! Nymphadora!? Did your parents hate you or something?" I couldn't stop laughing. Alucard was right next to me, chuckling as well. I even saw a rare smile crack across Integra's usually stern face.
Tonks's face was as red as her hair just randomly turned. Huh? That was new.
"Please just call me Tonks!" she whined. "I hate my first name and you can't legally change it in the wizarding world!"
With the tension settled, Integra led us to her sitting room where she started conducting interviews with Rose and…Nymphadora.
Pffft…
Integra was not happy with what she heard about the wizarding world, particularly when Rose described her years at Hogwarts. As Rose talked about her time there, it became clear that she had spent most of it in near-constant danger after receiving her magic letter at age 13. The more Rose revealed, the deeper Integra's frown became.
"At least you're a survivor," Integra muttered, her arms crossed as she eyed Rose critically. "That will help you a lot on this job."
Rose nodded with determination, then looked over at me with a bright smile. "I want to be brave and cool like Valerie!" she declared. "I'm tired of letting people walk all over me and decide how I should live my life. In the muggle world I should already be an adult!"
I felt my face heat up at the unexpected compliment, but before I could respond, Integra's sharp gaze swung toward me. She stared in disbelief, raising an eyebrow. "Brave and cool? The hell is she talking about, blondie?" Integra asked, clearly unconvinced.
I glanced away, muttering under my breath, "You're blonde too..."
Before I could explain properly, Rose jumped in. "Valerie pointed her revolver at my stupid cousin and made him piss his pants!" she exclaimed with a little too much excitement. "And then she killed a bunch of goblins who worked at the bank!"
Integra blinked a few times at Rose before she swiveled her head and her eyes narrowed in my direction. "...You were supposed to go on a simple recon mission to gather some intel. What the hell happened? I thought you were supposed to be the smart one…it turns out you're just as crazy as Alucard is."
I gaped at Integra in disbelief. Oy! She can't just write me off like that! It wasn't my fault those shitty goblins sold us out. There's a reason they are always the bad guys in video games! You can't trust the little shits!
I glanced around, hoping Alucard would back me up here, only to realize he already ran away through the walls! He left me to explain everything to Integra when he was the one who actually killed people!
–Rose Potter–
Well, that turned out easier than expected. Rose plopped herself down on one of the guest room beds in the Hellsing mansion, sinking into the plush covers with a sigh. The room was richly decorated, with deep mahogany furniture and heavy curtains that draped down from the high ceiling, giving it an air of old-world luxury. A fire crackled in the ornate fireplace, casting warm light across the room.
She and Tonks would be sharing the room for the next few days while their new employers got the two witches sorted out with their new roles in the organization.
Tonks smirked at Rose as she leaned back in a luxurious armchair across from the bed, crossing her legs and drumming her fingers on the armrest. "Swanky," Tonks commented, her eyes glinting with amusement. "You know, Dumbledore warned us Order members that you were prone to making rash decisions without fully thinking them through. But I didn't think you'd actually follow a random vampire because she was pretty."
Rose shot her a half-hearted glare and pushed herself up on the bed, crossing her arms defensively. "First of all, the rest of the Order pretty much forgot about me after Dumbledore was murdered by Snape," she muttered. Her voice softened as a hint of color rose in her cheeks. "And second of all... Valerie is really, really pretty."
Tonks snorted, folding her arms behind her head. "Oh, I noticed," she teased, eyes twinkling as she leaned in as if sharing a secret. "But that doesn't change the fact she's dangerous, Rose. You said she took down all those goblins without so much as a scratch."
Rose huffed and turned her gaze toward the window, where rain lightly tapped against the glass. "They had it coming," she grumbled defensively, her irritation only growing at the smirk Tonks sent her way.
"Oh, Merlin, you do have it bad for this girl," Tonks said with a laugh, leaning back in the chair. "I can't believe it—Rose Potter, the Chosen One, swooning over a vampire."
"She's only a dhampir." Rose felt her cheeks flush even hotter. "I can't help it! She's... even prettier than Fleur!" she blurted out before she could stop herself.
Tonks raised an eyebrow at that, her grin widening. "Fleur? You mean that French Veela from the Triwizard Tournament?"
Rose nodded quickly. "Yeah, her," she said, her gaze drifting back to the bedspread. "According to Hermione, she was my 'gay awakening.' Too bad I was too shy back then to ever try asking her out."
Tonks chuckled and shook her head. "Well, you know what they say—third time's the charm. Or, well, second time for you, I suppose." Her tone took on a teasing edge as she added, "So, are you going to be too shy to ask Valerie out too?"
Rose chewed her bottom lip and glanced away. "I don't know," she admitted, her voice barely a whisper. "I don't even know if she likes girls."
Tonks rolled her eyes and gave a dramatic sigh. "Oh, she does," she said with the confidence of someone who had seen it all. "I could see the way she was eyeing Madam Bones's chest when she thought no one was looking—not that I blame her. Those Bones women are... something special."
Rose snorted despite herself. "Susan Bones was sometimes called 'Susan Boner' by the boys in school," she recalled with a giggle. "You know, because her large boobs gave them all boners…"
Tonks snickered. "Some things never change…" she said, before giving Rose a curious look. "But come on, Rosie. If you're already halfway swooning over Valerie, maybe you should just go for it? No point in wasting time."
Rose's mind wandered back to Valerie—her flawless skin, her beautiful long blonde hair, her striking eyes, her perfectly proportioned body, and finally those plump lips.
…If Valerie did like girls, maybe Rose had a shot. But even if Rose did, there was no guarantee she liked only girls. Oddly enough, if it meant Rose could also be with the girl of her dreams, Rose didn't completely hate the concept of having to potentially share.
Urgh…Tonks was right, Rose really did have it bad for Valerie.
Rose sat back against the headboard, drawing her knees up to her chest as she looked over at Tonks. "What if… what if I'm just setting myself up to get hurt?" she asked quietly. "I mean, she's a dhampir, Tonks. The daughter of Dracula himself–"
"Who's a lot weirder than I thought he would be, to be fair," Tonks interrupted.
Rose ignored that outburst and continued. "Isn't Valerie…like immortal?" Rose asked hesitantly.
Tonks shrugged. "Meh, love is love. Who cares if it's not forever. I'm immortal too you know," Tonks said casually and Rose's eyes widened.
"What!? Since when?"
Tonks snorted playfully. "Since I was born. I try not to think about it, but being a full metamorphmagus means that I can technically keep myself young forever. Although the human brain doesn't have unlimited space for memories, after a few centuries I will start to forget things that happened hundreds of years in the past." Tonks explained…
"Maybe I'll ask her out," Rose said hesitantly, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. "But I think I'll wait a few days first, just to get to know her a bit better. We only met today, after all." She glanced at Tonks. "Can I still come to you for relationship advice, though?"
Tonks shrugged, giving her a lopsided grin. "Sure, but keep in mind I dated Remus Lupin… weird pheromone attraction and all. Not exactly the poster child for love advice." She chuckled. "Before him, I dated this bloke who I'm pretty sure will someday die trying to shag a dragon."
Rose giggled at the mention of Charlie Weasley. Hearing his last name brought her thoughts back to her old friends, Ron and Hermione. She hoped they were both okay and not panicking too much over her sudden disappearance. She'd send them letters tomorrow to let them know she was safe. Hermione would probably get a kick out of meeting Valerie—Rose was sure of that.
But Ron… Rose wasn't so sure how he'd feel. He was a great guy, loyal to the core, but he did have a habit of getting jealous whenever she or Hermione made new friends.
–Valerie–
I sat cross-legged on my bed, gazing into the shimmering surface of the Resurrection Grail resting in my lap.
"Let me get this straight," Rowena's voice echoed from the Grail, laced with icy disbelief. "The last Hogwarts headmaster–who was just murdered–had been in charge of Hogwarts for how many decades!? And during that time, he systematically removed almost every useful elective, dismissed most of the staff, and stopped teaching any magic that actually matters!?" she huffed out!
I winced. "That's what it sounds like," I admitted, my voice tinged with sadness. "...Rose and Tonks said the number of electives has been cut to the basics. Alchemy is gone, and most advanced defensive magic courses have either been watered down or canceled entirely. Even some of the longtime professors are gone." I bit my lip, hesitating. "I always dreamed of seeing Hogwarts, but now... I'm not so sure. It feels like he tried to drain the magic out of his own magic school."
Rowena's eyes flashed dangerously, and her scowl deepened. Even through the ethereal connection, I could feel the heat of her anger. "It's not his magic school!" she snapped "It was my magic school! A place I painstakingly built with my friends to ensure that the wonders of magic would never die out! How dare one man try to ruin all of that? Good riddance that he's dead!"
I shifted uneasily on the bed. "To be fair to Dumbledore," I began cautiously, "I don't think he did it out of malice. He probably believed he was doing what was best, considering how many Dark Lords have risen in the past century. If he refused to teach dangerous magic, he might have thought it would keep students from becoming threats later on." I faltered. "Rose speaks highly of him at the very least… it's hard to completely hate the man, but I don't think I could ever bring myself to like him either."
Rowena scoffed, her expression a blend of disappointment and frustration. "Ignorance has never protected anyone, Valerie," she said. "To deprive young witches and wizards of the knowledge and skills they need to defend themselves is to send them into the world ignorant and willfully sabotaging their futures. My school was meant to empower its students, not coddle them into helplessness."
I nodded at her in understanding as her expression softened.
"And you should visit it at some point, Valerie. There are artifacts I left behind, ones that only I or my successor can access."
I perked up at that. "Artifacts? Are they powerful? Expensive? Possibly dangerous?"
I sensed our time was running out as Rowena chuckled softly. "You'll just have to see for yourself when you visit the castle. But don't rush. I left the artifacts protected by heavy enchantments you won't be able to break quite yet. Your magical studies are progressing, but you're still a novice."
The Resurrection Grail's magic faded, and I stored it back within my soul. I'd speak to Rowena again in a few days.
A knock came at my bedroom door.
"It's open," I called out.
One of the guards who patrolled the mansion peeked his head inside, looking slightly perplexed. "You're needed downstairs, Miss Tepes. We have some... unusual guests," he informed me.
…If Integra didn't look happy when I brought back Rose and Tonks, she was downright furious now as two more visitors showed up unannounced at the gates of Hellsing Manor. They were both escorted inside after surrendering their wands.
I recognized one of them right away—the woman from the bank, the one who had taunted Rose and tried to curse Alucard before fleeing when her spell failed. She stood there, looking much more nervous than she had the first time we saw her.
The other woman, though, was a different story. She had long, flowing blonde hair and wore elegant robes that hugged her curves tightly. Her beauty was striking, almost regal. I could tell that she was slightly nervous as well, but she was still much more calm than her companion.
"Bellatrix Lestrange and Narcissa Malfoy," Tonks spat, her voice dripping with disgust. She took a step forward, her hand hovering near her wand. "What the hell are you two doing here?"
Rose mirrored Tonks' glare, her wand clenched in her own hand as if barely restraining herself from hexing the two women on the spot.
Bellatrix tilted her head, an almost sweet expression crossing her face as she regarded Tonks with mocking affection. "We're saving your pathetic little life, our dear half-blood niece," she purred. Narcissa's gaze remained cool and aloof, though her eyes flicked toward Tonks with a hint of something that might have been pity.
I could see the veins practically throbbing in Integra's forehead as she stepped forward. Her sword remained sheathed at her side, but she slammed it down against the floor with a loud clang, instantly drawing everyone's attention to her.
"I would like to know what is going on—immediately—and why you two have invited yourselves to my manor," she demanded. "The only reason we're even having this civil discussion instead of throwing you both in the dungeons, with our legless prisoner, is because you surrendered to the guards without a fight." she said.
Integra could be a real badass when she wanted to be. She didn't have any magic whatsoever, but these two older witches were practically shaking after she spoke.
Bellatrix and Narcissa exchanged a quick, uneasy glance before both of their eyes drifted over to Alucard, who was lounging on the couch as though this whole situation was an amusing play put on for his entertainment.
Integra followed their gaze and sighed in exasperation, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Of course, it has something to do with Alucard," she muttered. "What did you bloody well do this time?"
Alucard pulled down his sunglasses with a lazy, almost innocent blink. "Me?" he said, feigning shock. "I didn't do anything… this time." He grinned.
Narcissa spoke up. "This isn't about anything he's done recently," she said. "It's about a contract made centuries ago between our family and Dracula—your Alucard. Back then, the head of the Black family made a deal with Dracula. In exchange for our family and future generations promising never to harm Dracula or his kin, he gave us certain… blessings. These blessings helped raise our family to the top of the wizarding world and were meant to be passed down through many generations."
I blinked at this, glancing at Alucard. The whole story sounded rather out of character for him. Since when does he willingly help random fucking people? "Did you really do that, Father?" I asked.
Alucard let out a dark chuckle, pausing dramatically before answering.
"Hehehe… I have no idea," he said with a shrug.
Narcissa's composed demeanor cracked just slightly, her eyebrows shooting up. "What!? That was the most important moment in our family's history! It marked the day we rose above all other magical families in Britain and took our rightful place at the top. How could you not remember?"
Alucard shrugged again, still looking thoroughly unbothered. "Well, maybe it was the most important moment in your family's history, but to me, it sounds like just another Tuesday," he said nonchalantly. He tapped a finger against his chin thoughtfully. "...Although, I suppose if I bothered granting a blessing to some random wizard, there must have been something in it for me..."
Integra rolled her eyes, exasperation clear in her voice. "Obviously, you would've gotten something in return, Alucard," she said sharply. "Try and remember what that might have been, because whatever it was, it must have been substantial enough for you to bother."
Alucard's grin widened. "Ah, now that you mention it, I am starting to remember. Yes, yes…" His voice took on a darkly amused tone. "In exchange for offering the Black family my blessing, their Head gifted me with one of his virgin daughters. Her name was Annabella Black… She a pretty little thing with long black hair and the face of a true temptress. I made her one of my vampire brides." He leaned forward slightly, a wicked grin curling his lips. "We spent a couple of decades together before we eventually went our separate ways. I wonder if she's still alive and out there right now?"
"Oh my God!" Integra threw her hands up in the air.
His gaze slid over to Bellatrix. "You know," he mused playfully, "you sort of look like her. Except, of course, the years haven't been very kind to you." He tilted his head. "Aren't witches supposed to age slower? Why do you look so… worn out?" he asked bluntly.
Bellatrix's scowl deepened, her dark eyes flashing with fury. "I'll have you know I was once the most beautiful and desired witch at Hogwarts!" she spat. "But then I spent twenty years locked away in Azkaban," she added bitterly.
I watched Alucard's gaze flicker with interest as he regarded her. He turned his attention to me next, as though suddenly coming to a decision. "Heal her," he said to me.
I raised an eyebrow at Alucard when he asked me to heal Bellatrix. I could hardly believe my ears, but he didn't seem to notice my skepticism. "What?"
"Go on, Valerie. Heal her," he said again, as if it were the simplest thing in the world.
Rose interrupted before I could respond. "What do you mean, heal her?" she demanded, her voice rising with incredulity. "You can't heal Bellatrix!"
"She's a murderer," Tonks added, her tone laced with disgust.
Alucard simply shrugged, unfazed by their protests. "So am I," he said matter-of-factly, his crimson eyes glinting in the dim light. "In fact, I highly doubt that the withered witch's crimes even come close to the atrocities I've committed over the centuries." He glanced down at Bellatrix, who was slumped against the wall, looking frail and exhausted. "At least she had the excuse of insanity," he added with a dark chuckle.
I hesitated, glancing over at Integra, silently asking for her judgment. She stood a few paces away, her expression hard to read, but I could see something unexpected in her eyes as they flicked between Bellatrix and Alucard—jealousy. It wasn't overpowering, but it was there, unmistakably. Even so, she gave a curt nod. "Go ahead, Valerie," she said, her voice steady.
With a resigned sigh, I turned back to Rose and Tonks, who were still gaping at me in shock. "Never tell anyone what you're about to see," I warned them. "This is one of my biggest secrets."
There was a flash of light as I placed my hand over my heart. The Healing Grail materialized in my grasp, its shimmering golden surface gleaming even in the fire's dull glow. Slowly, the chalice began to fill, the dark red liquid pooling inside until it brimmed over. I felt a sharp thirst rise within me. I shoved the feeling down, ignoring it for the moment.
"What is that cup?" Rose asked.
"It's the Holy Grail," I said.
A stunned silence fell over the room. Rose's eyes widened, and even Tonks took a small step back.
"The Holy Grail?" Narcissa murmured, her voice tinged with disbelief. "I thought that was a Muggle myth?"
I didn't answer. Instead, I knelt down in front of Bellatrix, holding the Grail out toward her. "Drink. Every single drop," I commanded.
Hesitantly, Bellatrix took the cup from my hands, her fingers trembling. She brought it to her lips and drank deeply, the crimson liquid disappearing as she emptied the chalice.
The effects were almost immediate. Her withered, dry skin smoothed out, regaining a youthful glow, and life returned to her tired eyes. Her yellowed and rotting teeth transformed, becoming white and pristine again. As the transformation completed, she no longer looked like the broken, withered witch who had been dragged before us. She looked decades younger—nearly the same age as Rose and me.
Alucard's lips curled into a faint smile as he studied Bellatrix. "You really do look like my Annabella," he said with a hint of genuine fondness before letting out a small chuckle. He turned his attention to Narcissa and the still-dazed Bellatrix. "Now then, what was the price for violating the contract?" His voice was edged with curiosity as he glanced between the two sisters.
I stood up, cradling the Grail as its magic faded, and willed it back into the depths of my soul. Narcissa was the one who answered. "The entire Black family is slowly losing their magic," she said, her tone brittle and strained. "Bellatrix's magic is nearly gone. You're the only one who can stop it and restore her powers."
Tonks gasped in disbelief, her eyes widening with fear. "Are my mother and I going to lose our magic too? All because Bellatrix tried to cast the Killing Curse on Alucard?" She turned to me, desperation clear in her gaze. "That's not fair!" Her voice shook, and she looked at me pleadingly.
I didn't understand why Tonks was looking at me as if I could fix this. I had just started learning wizarding magic and was barely scratching the surface of the kind of esoteric spells Alucard could wield. According to him, mastering the full abilities of a vampire would take decades, if not centuries.
"You won't have to worry about losing your magic for long," Narcissa said to Tonks with a heavy sigh. "Because you'll just be dead."
Tonks's face went pale. "What do you mean I'll be dead?" she sputtered, her voice cracking with disbelief.
Narcissa shook her head, looking almost regretful. "You're a full Metamorphmagus, Nymphadora," she said quietly. "That makes you a borderline magical being. Your body is sustained by magic—it is magic. Without it, you can't survive."
Tonks's expression was a mix of horror and outrage, and she looked at me again, as if I somehow had the power to change this. I wasn't sure why they thought I could. Alucard did whatever he pleased, whenever he pleased, and we all just… went along with it. Sure, Integra could point him in a certain direction, but controlling him was another matter entirely.
"Don't worry, pink-haired girl," Alucard said suddenly, breaking the tension. "My daughter seems to like you, so I hereby declare that you and your mother are void from the contract."
The declaration seemed absurdly casual for something so important, but almost immediately, Tonks began to glow faintly. A shudder ran through her, and she let out a deep sigh of relief. "Blimey, that was… really weird," she murmured, patting herself down as if to make sure everything was still in place. Her hair shifted colors for a moment, from pale pink to deep blue and back again. She still had her magic, so that was a good sign.
Narcissa and Bellatrix both stared at their niece, their faces a mix of jealousy and bitterness. Clearly, they hadn't expected Alucard to release Tonks from the contract so easily.
Alucard turned his attention back to the sisters, his crimson eyes gleaming with a hint of amusement. "As for you two," he began, letting the words hang in the air for a moment. His gaze shifted to Bellatrix, and I saw his expression change. She had often bragged about being incredibly beautiful in her youth, and now that the Healing Grail had restored her, I had to admit, the stories hadn't been exaggerations. She was striking, her rejuvenated appearance making her look like she could be my age—or Rose's.
"You remind me so much of Annabella," Alucard said, his tone almost nostalgic. "I've decided you will take her place and become my concubine."
Bellatrix's eyes widened, and she sputtered, struggling to find words. "Wh—what?" she choked out, her voice barely more than a whisper. "You… you can't be serious!"
A loud click of the tongue drew my attention, and I glanced over to see Integra, her eyes narrowed into hateful daggers directed at Bellatrix. It didn't take a genius to see the jealousy burning in her gaze. Anyone who had spent enough time around them would have noticed how she felt about Alucard, or at least the subtle glances she sent his way when she thought no one was looking. She'd never acted on her feelings, though, and now I wondered if this would be the push she finally needed.
Or not. The two of them were a complicated mess, and no one could say for sure how this would play out. Having to call her "mom" would be kind of weird…
"And what about me?" Narcissa asked hesitantly.
Alucard's lips curled into a mischievous smile, and he tapped his finger against his chin as if in deep thought. "Hmm… My precious daughter doesn't have any servants yet, and you're certainly pretty enough. Yes, I think you'll do."
Narcissa's face contorted in disbelief, her cheeks flushing with a mix of humiliation and fury. "You're reducing me to a… a lowly servant?" she sputtered, gaping like a fish. "I'm a Black! I'm not some—"
"If you want to keep your magic," Alucard interrupted with a chuckle, "then that's exactly what you'll be from now on. You'll do whatever Valerie tells you to. Every command. No exceptions."
I wasn't sure what was more shocking—Alucard's decree or the mortified expressions on both sisters' faces.
Rose, however, seemed to find the situation incredibly amusing. A grin tugged at her lips as she glanced at me. "You know what?" she said. "I'm totally fine with this. I'm not even mad you healed her anymore." She turned to Bellatrix, who was still staring at Alucard in stunned silence. "Enjoy being a whore, bitch," she added, her voice dripping with satisfaction.
Bellatrix's face turned crimson with fury, and she clenched her fists as if ready to launch herself at Rose, but she was held back by her sister.
So, apparently, I now had a milf maid, and Alucard had himself a sexy concubine, who used to be a member of a magical terrorist organization.
Yeah, this was my weird life.
I glanced out the window as the sun began to dip below the horizon. After using my blood to heal Bellatrix, I could feel the gnawing hunger creeping up on me. It had taken more out of me than I realized, and I was starting to crave blood. I hoped Walter had finished preparing dinner and that there'd be some blood packs waiting for me downstairs.
A knock at the door, I could smell the man on the other side.
"Come in, Walter," Integra called out.
The door swung open, revealing Walter, our ever-dignified butler, but something was off. He had a distressed look on his face, and he was holding two separate phones with people both screaming on the other ends.
"I apologize, mum," Walter began, "but it seems we have a pair of emergencies on our hands. An entire town in the countryside has been overrun with ghouls. The locals are in a panic, and while no one knows the exact cause, we suspect it's the work of a vampire."
Alucard's lips twisted into a wide grin, showcasing his sharp fangs. He looked like a predator who had just caught the scent of prey. "It looks like it's time for me to go on a hunt," he said, chuckling darkly.
Walter's expression remained serious as he raised the second phone. "That's not all. We've just received another report—this one from the police. They've been trying to cover it up for some reason, but over fifteen people have gone missing on the outskirts of London in the past two days. Some of the bodies have been recovered…" He hesitated, a flicker of discomfort crossing his face. "They appear to have been eaten alive..."
Tonks, standing beside me, let out a low whistle. "Wow, we've only been part of Hellsing for a couple of hours, and it looks like we're already going monster hunting."
Integra shook her head. "Not quite. You and Rose won't be going anywhere. Valerie and Alucard will handle both incidents."
Tonks and Rose exchanged looks of mild disappointment, but they didn't argue. I, on the other hand, turned toward Integra, waiting for the rest of the plan.
"Alucard will take care of the situation in the countryside," Integra continued, "and Valerie, you'll follow up on the missing persons in London. Typically, vampires drink blood, not consume human flesh, so we're working under the assumption that this may be another type of creature. Possibly a werewolf, though the timing doesn't line up with the lunar cycle." She paused, narrowing her eyes as she assessed the situation. "I'm assigning a dozen of my finest soldiers to back you up. If anything gets out of hand, call for them immediately."
I nodded, appreciating the extra support, though a part of me was already bracing for whatever creature awaited me. Monsters weren't exactly new to me, but this wasn't some regular mission. This felt… different.
Walter's gaze shifted to Bellatrix and Narcissa, his brow furrowing in confusion. "Forgive me, but why are there two additional witches in the room?"
Integra's eyes flashed with irritation as she shot a glance toward the two sisters. "Bellatrix is now Alucard's concubine," she said, not even hiding how displeased she was of that, "And Narcissa is Valerie's maid."
Walter's mouth twitched, but the man was too professional to show any real shock.
Alucard chuckled softly, rising to his feet with an amused smirk. "You can show Bellatrix to my quarters," he said. "She'll be staying with me from now on."
I watched as Bellatrix stiffened at the casual command, her face caught somewhere between anger and resignation. The look she gave Alucard was a mixture of revulsion and reluctant acceptance.
Walter gave a small bow. "As you wish, sir." He turned to Bellatrix. "This way, Miss Black." Bellatrix followed immediately, though I could see her briefly catch Integra's seething glare before leaving and flinching slightly.
"And Narcissa," Alucard continued, his grin widening, "you'll be staying in one of the smaller rooms near Valerie's quarters. That way, you'll always be on standby in case she needs… anything." He shot me a teasing look, making sure I could see his wink through his tinted sunglasses.
I scoffed, I wasn't going to be like him and take advantage of a woman who clearly wasn't happy with her new position in life. Yes, as a dhampir I found myself either always thirsty or horny, but I had been doing fairly well at controlling myself so far since getting here.
Narcissa's face twisted with barely concealed bitterness. She opened her mouth as if to protest, but then snapped it shut again. I could see the defeat in her eyes.
It was a trippy feeling, suddenly having an actual servant. Considering I had been a slave for my entire life, it felt… uncomfortable, like the roles had suddenly reversed in the most ironic way possible. I wasn't sure how I was going to handle it—or if I even wanted to—but it was what it was.
Walter and Bellatrix waited for Narcissa at the door and she soon followed them down the hall.
"You two both know what to do, so get to it! Search and destroy!" Integra shouted at Alucard and me.
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