~^Chapter 8~^

Decades ago, during the winter of lost souls, the vampier Vlad Draculea was finally defeated. Though such knowledge does not appease nor lend solace for the crimes committed against both God and nature during the course of his reign, or the actions taken to end it... The monster has been defeated... but for how long...

My compatriots of that day inspire guilt in my cold heart. For such acts as we too committed, there will be no rest, no peace, no salvation. May God look upon us with pity and wrath for what we have created... May we be smote to the deepest pits of Hell for what we have done with wickedness in our hearts.

The vampier has been defeated... and built anew. The No Life King lives on. Harker's warnings be damned on the def ears of this old fool. A curse of my own making now burdens the Hellsing name. I only pray that my future heirs will remain ever strong and vigilant in dealing with the grave mistake of their ancestor...

'Dracula' he was named in life and freedom... 'Alucard' now and forever more shall he be addressed, as a weapon of Hellsing.

I owe Harker undying gratitude, and penance, for his aid in helping to re-create a monster which I once sought to destroy. I pray too, for his heirs, fore the Nosferatu Alucard will know two Masters. Unknown to Harker, his blood will be a guiding key to ultimately controlling the fallen King. The boy knows not his own potential... Blood is the currency of the soul; Harker is by no means weak of spirit.

My Lord in Heaven, guide the controlling hand to righteousness.

My Lord in Heaven, cast me down to the purifying fires, so I may repent my sins, and carry the burden of my Heirs.

My Lord in Heaven, lend strength to those innocent of false creation.

My Lord in Heaven, forgive me.

O0o0o0o0o0

July 26, 1991; 9:00am, Hellsing Headquarters, Private Dining Room.

Drumming fingers boredly against the table top, Integra's eye twitched as a grandfather clock chimed the hour. Eight o'clock in the morning... and her charge was late for breakfast. An hour and a half late. Tardiness was not something the Knight tolerated, from anyone but the Queen herself. Walter has left to retrieve the boy shortly before breakfast was to be served, they both should have arrived by now.

Jerking a case of cigars from her front pocket, she lit one to calm her increasing temper. Patience was not something the Hellsing head was known for possessing, however logic told her that she very well must at least remain sympathetic to Potter's needs. Doubtless this delay was simply a result of the boy's lack of knowledge of how things operated in the mansion.

Much as the situation still grated on her nerves, she could show no sign of her frustration around Potter. Walter had taken the liberty of requisitioning all files pertaining to her mysterious new 'Lord of the manor', few though there were. Mostly the files were from his schooling; grade reports, counselor notes, and several concerning letters from a school nurse, which had apparently never reached their intended destination: Child Services.

For all intents and purposes, Harry Potter did not exist outside of base records pertaining to his schooling. Despite his skill and authorization, not even a birth certificate could be sniffed out by her faithful butler. While she believed the Goblins to be innocent of deliberate deception it set her on edge, knowing next to nothing about the boy now acting as her Heir, beyond what she could see with her own eyes (and what she could grudgingly order her vampire servant to tell her).

The only option left to her was to question Potter herself. The thought of undergoing such a trial nearly made her wince. Dealing with emotionally scarred children was the last thing on earth she ever wanted to do. Curse her sense of honor and duty. On good conscience, she could not adopt the boy, and then treat him as a distant acquaintance. If the boy was going to be her Heir, she was damn well going to see after him herself.

Brooding darkly on rebellious thoughts of simply having Walter deal with it, she nearly missed the familiar 'wrong' sensation seeping into the room. Glaring sharply at the end of the table, Alucard lounged comfortably in the seat meant for Potter. He looked far too smug, and far too happy. Narrowing her eyes, Integra growled as a thought passed her mind.

"What have you been up to, vampire?"

Donning a put-upon frown, Alucard cradled a hand to his chest and looked wounded. Integra was not amused. Little could spur her night-walking servant to willingly be up at such an ungodly hour of the day. Seeing as no order had passed her lips to his ears, it left but one option.

"I believe I made it abundantly clear that you were to stay away from Potter."

The smirk was obvious in his voice, even as Integra glanced away furiously, snuffing out the remainder of her cigar in a decorative center-piece vase in front of her.

"Why, Master, I don't recall you saying that at all. I believe your orders were clear; I was not to bother him or make my presence known to him uninvited. I was simply watching him to ensure your safety, Integra."

Integra did not bother to hide a derisive snort at that. Without a doubt, Alucard was telling the truth, at least in part. She knew her servant well, however, and pressed on. "You will be introduced to him in due time. Until then, GET OUT OF MY SIGHT AND DO NOT EVEN THINK TO GO NEAR THE BOY AGAIN!"

Yelling the last part, her fist pounded the table to accentuate the order, other hand drawing her gun and taking aim in one swift motion, hammer cocked and finger slowly squeezing the trigger. Alucard howled in delight, leaning forward almost eagerly as he stared his Master down.

"Do you feel it, Integra? The adrenalin, the power! Do it, my Master! Pull the trigger! Show me my place! Show me! Show me!"

Eager insanity and glee caused his eyes to glow a brilliant red, pupils retracted to near slits as his attention focused solely on the Hellsing heir. Icy blue narrowed at the vampire's display, stoic indifference carefully hiding Integra's emotions once more, not willing for her servant to gain pleasure from a reaction.

Lips twisting into an almost malicious smirk, the blonde shook her head, slowly lowering the pistol and securing it back in the holster. No, that would not do at all. Carefully keeping her voice even and commanding, Integra stood from her seat, looming over the table as she glared.

"Remember who gives the orders here, servant. Now GO!"

If possible, he seemed almost happy at her response. Nearly glowing with pleasure, he laughed loudly as he dissipated, a tantalizing whisper barely reaching her ears. She shuddered slightly and fell back to her seat once she was certain of her singular occupation of the room once more. Rubbing the bridge of her nose in a vain attempt to stave off a building migraine, she sighed.

What was she thinking? One meeting with Alucard and Potter would surely wind up a raving lunatic. As if the child did not have enough to deal with... Speak of the Devil. A brief knock announced a new arrival, door opening to finally reveal a disgruntled looking Walter, and the stoic boy. Looking them over, she blinked at noting Potter's attire.

Walter bowed shortly, fussing with a serving cart and setting the table with practiced ease, ushering Potter to Alucard's previous seat. Integra almost protested that seating arrangement now, but thought better of it, choosing instead to lift an inquiring eyebrow at the retainer. Walter, to his credit, simply shrugged non-commitally.

"There was a bit of an accident this morning that required the trip for new clothing be given higher priority. I apologize for not informing you directly. Did Mr. Wenton not deliver my message?"

"No. He did not."

Walter scowled, back straightening even more at the irritating news. He said nothing, simply giving a tight, apologetic bow, which the Hellsing immediately waved off.

"Simply have Mr. Wenton re-assigned to barracks duty for the time being. Normally he is not disobedient. Find out why he failed this task, and reprimand him accordingly."

"As you wish, Sir."

Uncomfortable silence encompassed the room as Walter strode out, leaving Hellsing and Potter to stare at each other, neither quite having a clue how to act around the other. Harry for his part avoided Integra's gaze, only shooting darting glances at her out of the corner of his eye, head bowed a touch submissively. The migraine hit Integra full force as she realized that she would have to be the one to broach the awkward atmosphere.

Taking a small sip from a glass of water Walter had provided with the meal, she bit back a sigh. Integra Hellsing could deal with deranged vampires, Catholic priests, and the Queen herself, but a small boy... left her inexplicably nervous. Finally tiring of her own indecision, she addressed the child. While her tone was strict and rather non-emotional, she put some effort into not sounding quite as cold as normal.

"I apologize for not meeting you properly yesterday, Harry. News of your arrival came on rather short notice; arrangements needed to be seen to, to ensure your safety around the manor guard. Walter has told me that you are settling in well in such a short span of time. This is good. As I am certain you know of this organization's true purpose, you must realize that your current condition makes you a liability. I have certain ground rules, that I wished to inform you of directly."

She paused to gauge the child's reaction, but simply received a blank stare for her trouble. Gritting her teeth, she mentally recalled the rather soothing sensation of shooting Alucard to ease her irritation at the boy's lack of reaction.

"While you may go where you please within the manor, as per our agreement, I must ask that you not venture in the sub-basement or back lawn without Walter or myself present. The basement is a veritable labyrinth, containing dangerous items of both magical and normal nature; you could easily get yourself lost or killed on your own. Like-wise the back lawn is a staging ground for my troops. They use live ammunition and explosives in their drills. Simply ask myself or Walter if you wish to venture into either location."

Taking another sip of water, Integra internally winced at her next order of business. Staying unemotional was easier when addressing an adult in such a manner. She carefully lessened the stern ring in her tone.

"You will be expected to eat three meals a day. If you are unable to finish your plate, you will be provided the left-overs later, in-between normal meals. You are far too thin, and obviously undernourished. Once you are of a normal weight for one your age, Walter will be introducing you to basic exorcises to build your muscles to what they also should be..."

Harry finally reacted, twitching a bit and looking confused. Observing him carefully, Integra could read the indecision in his posture. Her migraine spiked. Something needed to be done to boost the boy's confidence. This lack of vocalizing his thoughts was troubling. Leaning forward, she leaned her elbows on the table and cradled her chin against her ponderously intertwined fingers. An idea slowly began forming, and for a moment she thought herself quite mad. Such a thing was risky and dangerous... but...

"There is also someone that I would like to introduce you to, after you finish your breakfast."

The boy blinked slowly at his plate, as if just now recalling that it sat untouched in front of him. Truthfully Integra had as well for a moment. She was no longer hungry, but striving to lead by example, she grudgingly picked up her utensils and pulled her plate closer. She watched him as they ate, noting every little hesitance in his frame as he lacklusterly nibbled some toast and egg.

Frowning even more, she wanted to scream in frustration. Normal children would be famished and eager to eat under normal circumstances. Likely, the boy was so hungry that his body no longer registered the feeling. She needed to have her personal physician look him over once he was more comfortable with the situation; possibly before, if Harry did not begin eating normally within the coming week.

As she calmly waited for him to clear at least half his plate, she mentally went over her foolhardy plan. It had to happen sooner than later, with the vampire's increasing disregard for her orders regarding the child. Walter had informed her of yesterday's possible encounter, and his thoughts on the matter. She disapproved of his methods, but privately gave the assassin props for wisdom. Attempting to keep Alucard from interacting with Harry would be rather like trying to keep the sun from setting. Best to get it over with immediately, if Harry did in fact, at least know of the vampire's possible existence.

Air tight orders would have to be given, to ensure Harry's continued safety around Alucard, both physically and mentally. Integra had no clue as to her servant's thoughts or reactions to the boy, other than the obvious wanton curiosity over a potential new toy. It worried her but also gave her an odd sense of hope.

Despite her mixed feelings of loathing over the vampire, she privately admitted that he had a way about him which seemed to bring out the best and worst in people, depending on his moods and intentions. After her father's death, there had been little time for Integra to grieve beyond her brief break-down in Alucard's holding cell, and after her uncle's betrayal, she had been nearly sociopathic. She had gone weeks without feeling a shred of human emotion, going about her days like a machine as she tended to her family's crumbling foundations.

The vampire had eventually sought out his new Master, pestering her at all hours; goading her with pointed barbs and sharp remarks, taunting her over her seeming lack of strength and humanity. Even stooping so low as to occasionally comment on her age and appearance. Eventually something inside her had snapped, breaking the fog which seemed to have encompassed her mind. Even after so long, she could still recall his smug grin as she had drawn her sidearm on him for the first time ever, his laughter overshadowing the sound of the gun fire and her own enraged, grief-filled, shouts.

While his methods were suspect, and his intentions less than pure, perhaps Alucard could aid in luring the boy out of his shell. Absently extracting another cigar, Integra chewed the end, lost in thought as to how to prevent the vampire from damaging the boy more. Doubtless any order she gave him, no matter how tightly worded, could be gotten around. Perhaps simplicity was all that was needed. Over thinking a situation tended to get nothing done. Nodding slightly to herself, she turned her attention back to Harry.

He had managed to eat almost all his plate during her lapse in attention. Though he looked a bit ill now, she felt an odd sense of pride, foreign to her, given the subject, but there none the less. Lighting her cigar, she rose to her feet, pretending to ignore his twitch at her unexpected movement. She beckoned him to follow, expecting him to comply, if only out of fear of possible consequence. He followed slowly behind her as she led him out of the dining room and to her personal office.

Sitting behind her desk, she reclined a bit as she mulled over how to go about introductions. Startling the boy too badly right off would have the opposite effect of what she wished. But often the most direct approach was best with these types of things.

Harry had remained standing, remaining a careful distance from the desk. He did not fidget, but from his stance, it was clear that he was uncomfortable. It bothered her more than it should have. Glancing over him once more, she had to approve of Walter's choice of clothing. Clean and well fitting, while still being large enough to accommodate a growing child; they were a bit too casual for Integra's liking, but she understood that pressing luxury on a child like Harry would likely not go over well. For now, jeans and t-shirts would do.

Tapping the ashes of her cigar into the ashtray on the edge of her desk, she spoke evenly, as if simply commenting on the weather.

"You are aware of the existence of vampires. How would you like to meet one?"

Some emotion finally showed on Harry's face, lips twitching into a slight frown. By the mild look of uncertainty, Integra inferred that either Harry had indeed already met Alucard, or he was skeptical. In any case... She spoke aloud for Harry's benefit. Voice stern, she carefully kept her gaze away from Harry, attempting to disassociate him from the harsh command.

"Alucard, come here, now!"

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Note: Has Integra lost her marbles? Will Alucard scar Harry for life? Will Harry ever smile again? Will I finally be able to progress this story? Damn we're gonna find out, stay tuned. As always, I'm not promising when the next chapter will come out, but hopefully it will be within the month.

And before anyone reviews, commenting on the little 'prayer' tidbit at the beginning and that "But Hellsing would have been Protestant! That's not 'this' that would be in line with 'such and such other sect/religion/whatever'" Yeah, no. I don't care about organized religion IRL; all I care about are clearly noted Canon religious ties, and creative license.