A commotion in the corner of your room draws your attention, and you find the new Defense against Dark Magic professor, Mortis Grimthorn, interrogating the two house-elves. Mortis, his wand pressed into the neck of one of the elves, is speaking in a hushed yet sinister tone.
“I know you saw something, little elf. What did you see?!”
“See nothing, Master Grimthorn, we swears it!”
“Swears on our lives, Master Grimthorn!”
You separate the two house-elves from Mortis, and they immediately begin to thank you profusely for rescuing them. You lean forward, staring them in the eyes, searching for any signs of deceipt.
“Please, Master Viator, we don’t know what happened to young Master Shoehorn.” “We told you, only heard the fizzle, the crack, and the plop!” “We had just arrived, the Groundskeeper Gruffus told us to clean here.” “We don’t have to listen to Gruffus, no can use magic means not a master, but sometimes we listen.” “Yes, sometimes.” “And poor Master Levinwood.” “Poor Lumenspire.” “His sacrifice will be remembered by all house-elves!” “A truly wise wizard!” “A wise wizard of secrets!” “With secrets to share!” “He shared one with us.” “A word.” “A secret word for secrets.” “Revelare!”
You step between Mortis and the house-elves. The Defense against Dark Magic professor seems vexed at first, but he soon calms and lowers his wand.
“Don’t pretend to look so disapproving. You and I both know we need answers, and there are frowned-upon, yet effective, ways to elicit them. I don’t mind being the villain if it means solving this crime. First, a slumberweave spell, and now petrification? One by one, we may soon fall prey to this madness unless we get to the bottom of it!”
He turns towards the two house-elves and throws them a menacing glare. The elves cower in the corner in response.
“Since the Lysandra rumor is obviously false, having seen to her demise myself, and since we’re told that Raven the Bloodthirsty has been accounted for, any reasonable witch or wizard would conclude that these heinous acts are being committed by someone here with us, but who? I would cast suspicion on you and everyone else here, with the exception of that promising young Drakonov witch. We were actually discussing my syllabus in the hall near my office when we heard of this common room commotion. Tread lightly, child, you and the rest are all still suspects.”
