You are leaving the rift in Crossover land. minor crossover detected.
Can you see it?
...
Amen
St. Michael's was a relatively small church. Relative of course to the monstrous cathedrals that dotted London and were by far the more frequented. St. Michael's was in an out of the way location and thusly had very few parishioners but still it remained open, even for those few, a light to lighten the darkness of the world.
This would be the third time she had stood outside the place. She knew he was in there, but there was just something about a witch walking into a church that seemed both blasphemous and a terribly bad idea for the witch. Still, she was sent for a reason she had to go in. With trepidation she walked across the street and up the stairs and through the doors. The vestibule was lit just enough to keep one from crashing into things and small enough it barely mattered. Passing into the church proper the light increased dramatically but still cast long dark shadows everywhere.
There were a dozen pews on either side of the aisle and a piano in the right front corner. Front and center was the alter, a nice but clearly humble piece of work with a depiction of Jesus walking on water, holding up Peter while the others disciples in the boat look on as the storm rages around them. She recognized the story of course, having attended church and Sunday school when she was young, before she had learned she was a witch.
As she pondered her youth a man dressed all in black with a white collar emerged from a side door by the alter and began lighting the candles. It wouldn't have seemed so strange to see except he was using a small flame carried between two fingers to light them. That's impossible had been the first thing to come to mind but the feat at least proved he was magical.
"Forgive me father for I have sinned" she said, it seemed appropriate in an ironic way.
"Haven't we all" he replied, still his back to her as he continued lighting the candles one at a time.
"I have practiced the art of witchcraft upon my fellow man" she said.
"No you haven't" he said, "Hogwarts hasn't taught actual witchcraft in over a hundred years, since the last Professor of the subject, Miranda White, passed away and left the position vacant."
Hermione stared at the priest in confusion. She hadn't known that. Why hadn't she known that? That sort of thing should have been in Hogwarts a History dammit.
"Let's not beat around the bush Hermione, you didn't come here for confession."
The last candle lit the servant of god turned to face her at last revealing a familiar bespectacled face.
"So it's true" she said accusingly.
"What's that" he queried, stepping down from the alter.
"This" she gestured to the way he was dressed, "You, a church, really?"
"Was there an actual statement in there somewhere?"
She growled, "You're a traitor" she shouted.
"How so?" he asked nonplussed.
"You're a priest, a witch burner, opposed to all things magic."
He allowed her a moment to stop panting angrily before calmly responding to her accusations.
"Of the three you only got the first one right" he said, "No one has burned a witch since the inquisition and I know you saw me light the candles so that proves your third statement false."
"Don't lie to me Harry, I've read the bible I know what it says about magic" she declared.
"You can't believe everything you read in the bible" he said, "The original was written millennia ago and it's been seriously edited several times since then not to mention all the translations and the errors that come from that. Most of that magic and witchcraft stuff was added in the inquisition period."
Hermione gaped, a book that didn't tell the truth. Now that was blasphemy.
"At any rate, I doubt debating theology is why you came here tonight" he said turning back to the alter, "What's on your mind?"
It took her a moment to realize she was being addressed.
"Oh, uh, Ministry, the Ministry sent me."
"I assume you refer the wizards Ministry of Magic" he said, nodding his head knowingly, "I suppose that would explain those two gentlemen following you under the invisibility cloaks."
Hermione could only look on in bewilderment as his arms shot out to the sides and a pair of misty looking garments flew past her on either side into his waiting hands. The thud of bodies tumbling to the floor caused her to spin around and see two men quickly picking themselves up, dressed in the all too familiar robes of the auror corps.
"Good evening gentlemen, come for mass?"
Neither seemed to pay the question any mind, too busy grumbling to each other to care.
"What the hell are you doing here" shouted Hermione.
"Our Job Weasley" said the tall lanky one harshly.
"Yeah, since it took you three days just to walk in the door, the Minister was getting impatient" said the short squat one.
"Just wait till we tell him this though" said skinny.
"They'll have your head for sure" said squatty.
The two aurors turned their wands to Harry simultaneously and were simultaneously disarmed.
"There will be no violence in this house of god" spake Harry with power and authority that made the two men quake.
Gathering up their wands they dashed out of the church, dignity be damned.
"Well, that was…" Hermione tried to speak but found that words evaded her.
"I trust that was the gist of the message you were sent to deliver" said Harry.
"Well, yeah, I mean not like that but…"
"Consider your message delivered" he said, "have a pleasant evening."
Saying this he knelt before the alter and bowed his head.
"Not going to try and convert me" she said sharply, not caring for the way she was being ignored.
"The good shepherd will give all for his flock, going to any lengths for those that need to be saved" he said, then cast a glance over his shoulder, "but the smart shepherd knows that some sheep have no desire to be saved."
Fuming Hermione left the church, cursing and blaspheming left and right as she did.
… One hour later
As he was preparing to put out the candles for the night his cell phone rang. It was not uncommon for him to receive calls but at this hour of the night.
"Hello"
He listened intently, his face growing ever darker the longer he listened.
"Your pet abomination can't handle it" he said darkly.
"I see. Yes Sir Hellsing, I'll be there shortly" he said then slapped the phone closed.
He approached the alter and opened a hidden drawer in the front, pulling out a shining silver derringer with a cross etched on it and placing it on the alter. Stepping into the side room for a moment he returned wearing the garb of a more active sort of priest, his long robe cut for ease of movement, a white cross prominently displayed on his back and on the side of each arm at the shoulder. He set his wide brimmed hat upon the alter and reached up to the central cross. Unlatching it he swung the hidden door open and pulled a shining sword from within. The door swung closed and Father Potter knelt down holding the sword before him like a holy crucifix.
"Oh lord, bless your servant as he goes forth into the night to slay the undead abominations which prey upon your flock" he prayed, "Thy will be done, Amen."
