Disclaimer: Walter's not mine, whatever characters from Hellsing will show up aren't mine either.

School and a new threat

Walter was very excited. Today, he would go to school for the first time. His mother had taken him shopping, and he was now in possession of what he thought was the most beautiful book bag in the entire history of mankind. He stood in front of a mirror with his treasure, but was somewhat disappointed with the rest of him. His hair had been cut according to school regulations, short. Really short. Walter felt naked, being used to having his hair longer than that. His mother laughed at the expressions he made in the mirror.

'You shouldn't make faces like that, Walter! It isn't that bad!'

'Oh yes, it is! I feel like a cactus!' The boy answered.

His mother smiled at him. Not as she used to, though. Her smile had this worried expression it. She caught the boy staring at her, and quickly looked away.

'We have to go now.' She said.

Walter held his mother's hand as they walked to school. It was a large building, overlooking the dirty pavement below it, that was now filled with lots of restless children. Walter look around to see if there was anyone he knew in the crowd. He spotted a rather small boy, like himself, with the exact same haircut standing in the corner. He let go of his mother's hand as he made a beeline for his short-haired companion.

'Hey, Heinrich! It's me! Walter!' The boy called Heinrich looked up, smiled and waved.

'Hello, Walter, where have you been? I thought you weren't going to show!'

'For the first day of school? How could I miss it?' the boys were chatting happily with each other, till the bell rang.

As the students were slowly making their way inside the building, Walter kissed his goodbye's to his mom. When he and Heinrich entered the classroom, most of the good spots had already been taken. The only two vacant seats were each on a different side of the classroom. Walter and his friend really wanted to sit next to each other, so they asked one of the boys who was sitting in a bench by himself, if he would move. The boy gave them a very dirty look. As he got up, he whispered something in Heinrich's ear. The boy blushed, but said nothing and sat down next to Walter with a scared look on his face.

'What did that guy say to you?'

'Nothing. Don't ask.'

Walter sighed, and opened his math-book. The lesson passed without other such oddities occurring, but Walter was on his guard. His father had taught him, that things weren't always as they seemed and the young boy had taken this to heart. When it was finally time for a break, and the students went outside to eat their lunch, Walter dragged Heinrich with him to a corner of the playground.

'I demand to know what that guy said to you, Hein!' Heinrich blushed and looked away.

'I already told you, it's not important!'

Walter grabbed his friend by the shoulders and shook him.

'Answer me! Did he say something nasty to you?' Finally. Heinrich caved in under all the pressure. The boy began to cry.

'He, he said that…that he wouldn't hurt me now because of your father being such an important politician and all that. But, if he ever caught me alone, he would, he…'

Walter sat down on a nearby bench. He couldn't believe it.

'…but that's not all.' his friend continued, now a bit more peaceful,' he said I was a filthy yew, and didn't deserve to live. Walter, I'm scared! What if they hurt my father, and take him away? What will mother do without him? I'M AFRAID!' Heinrich began to cry again. Walter approached his friend, and motioned for him to sit down on the bench. They sat next to each other for a while, till recess was over.

'I will let nothing happen to you, Heinrich! You are my friend, and I will not let you get hurt! Understood?'

Heinrich nodded.

'Thanks, Walter! You're a real friend.'

They made their way to the classroom silently. Walter hated to admit it, but he was just as afraid as Heinrich.