A very boring chapter, I'm sorry, but heyho, at least there is one. I'll admit I've hit a wall with this, and i am laking the inspiration to write decent stuff, and the pressure of oncoming exams isn't helpful. But never mind me, i hope you guys can enjoy the chapter, thanks again for the review, they mean a lot! R&R and have a good one!

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(Next evening)

Sir Integra glared out of the large, curved, window of her office, and down at the soldiers who were training in the yard below. The yellow and orange rays cast out by the setting sun lit her stern features, and extenuated the angles of her face with heavy shadows. Behind her stood Walter, waiting in silence, for his employer to process the knowledge he had just imparted upon her.

"Let me get this straight…" She said, irritation lacing her words like flames "After the meeting, Seras collapsed due to the fact she had begun her…mating season…?"

"Yes sir Integra, although Alucard has since informed me it is named temporum lamia" (*Time of vampires*) replied the retainer, careful not to test the iron maiden anymore than was necessary

"So Alucard knew this would happen?" Integra asked, her impatience growing

"Yes, although he assumed it wouldn't happen for at least a century or two, therefore thinking that it wouldn't affect you, hence why he neglected to tell you and why he was so surprised himself." Taking a moment to consider her words, Integra took a long drag of her cigar before continuing. When she finally did speak the smoke rose in tendrils from her mouth, making her look somewhat like an ancient and lethal dragon.

"So, after Seras fainted, Alucard took her to the basement, where Miss Pennaguille helped revive the girl, in the process revealing herself to be very familiar with witchery."

"Indeed" Walter replied in a concerned tone

"Yet another thing we didn't know about our guest, and that she neglected to tell us" Integra let the latter part of the sentence sound slightly colder. She knew she should have pressed for more information about the girls past when she had the chance. She had felt sorry, knowing how the memories of loss could harm and torture the mind, but this constant feeling of being in the dark was not acceptable. To discover that someone of her own flesh and blood was practicing magic via a third party was disgraceful. "And you neglected to make me aware of this situation, as it was happening, Walter because…?"

"My apologies madam, you were asleep and there seemed no point in waking you as there was nothing you could have done to aid the situation." Walter bowed slightly in apology and looked Integra up and down for a moment. The white-blond haired woman had her back to him, but stood at an angle so that she could see him from the corner of her eye. She wore a steeled expression and was clearly trying her best not to punch something. The butler mentally applauded her for such restraint; under such circumstances many would have lost their temper, especially Sir Integra, but as a matter of fact she seemed to be taking the whole situation rather well.

It was at this particular point in time that a small knock came at the door of the office and a young face poked through a gap in entrance. Bethany wore a solemn expression and waited patiently to be invited inside, clearly a result of her military training.

"Come here" Integra demanded, her tone booming, sounding not unlike a parent about to scold a reckless child.

Walter watched as the young girl walked towards the desk her head bowed in mild shame. The only sound was the sharp click of her heeled shoes on the polished stone floor. The girls Dark blond hair had been straightened and swung about her hips, she wore an elegant white top that hung from her shoulders by thin straps; with layers of soft material giving her an graceful, almost gliding, manner. She wore tight, dark washed jeans, underneath the top, making her also seem taller than he had previously remembered her to be.

"I'm so sorry" She blurted as she reached the desk, much to Integra's and Walters surprise. "I would have told you about my…about me being…but I wasn't sure how much you knew, or how you'd take it. I'm sorry" She descended into an uncertain silence, but she held her head up and looked Integra straight in the eye, unafraid to be reprimanded for her lack of information sharing skills. There was an odd moment between the two women as they regarded each other, Integra stood, silhouetted by the setting sun, like a hawk inspecting its prey whilst Bethany held her head high a self assured look on her face, illuminated by the last rays of sun. Both clear heirs to the Hellsing name.

"I don't care that you're a witch," Integra stated suddenly, almost spitting the words "I care that you didn't tell me, in person." The words were borderline emotional and Walter noted a small amount of betrayal in his employers eyes, though it was hard to say for definite with the light behind her.

"I apologise, but surely you can understand my hesitation in sharing my true nature" the young girl replied coolly, seemingly unaffected by the hash tone of Integra's' words "Not many would be so welcoming to such concepts"

"I prefer to judge people on their actions, not their heritage" The woman replied, her voice low, but a little less icy now.

"Its not who we are, but what we do that defines us?"

"Yes, quite…" Integra raised an eyebrow at the odd use of a batman quote but decided not to dwell on the subject. "You saved Seras, and for that I thank you. However I will now expect you to tell me properly about yourself and exactly why you seem to know so much about vampires"

"Oh well its not vampires alone," Bethany replied with a more relaxed pose, and tone, clearly she felt more at ease reciting her knowledge that explaining her actions "it's actually a large variety of demons and mythical creatures. As said I worked as an assassin for the government. However I was also trained as a low-level witch and studied great depths into supernatural society. There really is a fascinating amount of material, if you know where to look. If you just…" Bethany continued to ramble on about her adventures in ancient libraries, and conversations with impossible people, to the Hellsing heiress, only stopping when it was clear the Lady had endured enough talking.

"Alright, alright. That's enough for now." Integra interjected "As long as there is nothing else of pressing importance I think we're done talking about this for now." Bethany smiled, happy to not be kicked out of the manor so soon, even happier to see her smile returned by Integra. "Anyways, if you wouldn't mind, I'd like you to continue to monitor Seras' condition and give me a report on her status when you can."

"Of course, it's the least I can do!" Bethany nodded enthusiastically, a larger smile now painting her face.

"What information do you have so far on this 'temporum lamia'?" Integra asked, now taking a seat in her oversized office chair. Walter, who saw this as a clear sign that the conversation was definitely going to be civil, and that now was the perfect time to retrieve consumables, quickly left the room in the aim of making a large pot of tea. Bethany, noting the shift in mood, took her seat in a large leather chair in front of Integra's desk. The chair was comfortably squishy, but still offered enough support for the sitters not to end up slouching, or find themselves in any difficulty to stand again.

"I have made a few notes on what I can remember of the matter," Bethany started 'but the more vital information will be some of the books that I own. You may need to give me some time to collect the sufficient data for o full report." Integra nodded in understanding and took a dag from her cigar whilst Bethany continued her explanation. "But from what I can recall, at the moment, the 'temporum lamia' is a stage of a vampires life, in which, the vampire becomes fertile. It occurs only in females and signals when she is ready to take a mate and/or carry a child" Integra raised an eyebrow and coughed slightly on the cigar smoke, but Bethany ignored this, however, and continued to recall the facts in her mind. "The female releases hormones that other vampires can smell, attracting them to her. This is recorded to effect any vampire attracted to females, regardless of gender, thus such events do not always end up in the creation of offspring."

The conversation was interrupted, as Walter walked through the large doors, pulling a large wheeled tea trolley behind him. Quite how he had managed to assemble the entire ensemble in such a short amount of time utterly perplexed Bethany; he truly was a wonder butler. She watched in silence as he poured out tea into two matching china cups, and offering them to the two ladies. The tea trolley seemed to produce and amazing array of cakes and sweet nibbles, and only proceeded to distract the young girl further. Sir Integra was forced to clear her throat loudly, to recapture her informants' attention.

"Yes, right, anyways, where was I?" She asked out loud "Ah yes, the temporum lamia, it usually happens on average about a century after a vampiress' creation, later for those of a weaker blood line and earlier for those of a stronger one, but even then fifty years is considered the absolute youngest from which the process could be survived. It lasts on average somewhere between one month to nine, but it stops almost immediately after a mate has been selected. The thing is Seras must not only be from an extremely strong blood line, via Alucard, to have gone through the transition so early, but also have incredible strength within her own body to survive it. The reason it happens so late, normally, is because their bodies are…recreating themselves, for lack of a better term. All the cells are replaced at incredible speed and so vampires who are older, and with more power, are more likely to live on as the have regenerated their bodies before and know how to control the pain, and prevent themselves from loosing too much blood in the process."

"But the concoction you made? If you knew that no others, so young, had survived the process, what inspired you to make it?" Integra leaned forward in interest, taking a large sip of her tea.

"Well to be honest, it was all I could think of at the time. It is traditionally used to help with the later parts of the season, but it seemed to do the trick and keep her alive, well, alive as can be."

"Interesting, your quite impressive under pressure. You'll make a good heir to the Hellsing title one day."

"Thank you" Bethany said with a small grin, and a hint on surprise, pleased at receiving such praise from the woman. She had heard stories about Integra before reaching the manor, about how she was a stern woman who rarely trusted others, who would sooner shoot you than say hello. However, that was clearly not the case. She gave her respect to those who deserved it, and trusted people to do the right thing, even if they hadn't told her the entire truth.

"May I suggest for now you keep Seras off active duty?" Bethany asked, "Her current state will cause problems in battle. Any vampire that takes a fancy to Seras may end up kidnapping her, or slaughtering all your men to get at her. Either way, I think it's best if she stays here, inside the mansion, for now. The presence of the soldiers may do something to deter any vamps who get too interested"

"And what about Alucard?"

"Yes, his presence would certainly put of new suitors too. If they thought she already had a strong contester they may be les likely to approach her.

"I was actually asking if he would be a problem, considering the circumstance" Integra said, amusement tingeing her words.

"Oh. Well, I think it would do more damage, they do have a bond afterall, and severing it at this time may be more that Seras could handle giving her state, both mentally and physically." Integra arched an eyebrow as if to say 'is there anything else?' but Bethany's silence gave her the answer that she needed.

The two women began mindless small talk, now that the volatile subjects had been covered. The chatter wandered around many subjects from simple things like how they grew up to more complex topics such as the best was to assemble an attack on certain buildings around London. Eventually the conversation died down and the two women watched as the sun finally sunk beyond the horizon and the moon took its position high in the inky night sky.

"Oh and I almost forgot," Integra interjected as the tea and cakes were cleared away back onto the trolley they had emerged from "at the end of the week there will be a ball thrown in your honour. As the new Hellsing heir you must be presented to the other knights. I would like you to prepare yourself for that. It's a very important event, so you'll no doubt have to wear something flashy, but remember that you will be meeting your future colleagues and representatives of the queen. Do not let your guard down, they're sneaky bastards the lot of them." Bethany gave Integra a knowing smile before standing, giving a small curtsy and saying,

"Thank you Integra, I shall assist you in anyway I can"

"No problem Bethany, You start your lessons this evening at eight"

"uhh...lessons?" the young girl asked a slightly confused look on her face, clearly lost by the swift change in subject.

"Don't worry, it's just minor social etiquette, dancing and such things, just so you're ready for the event. By the looks of your curtsey you need it." Integra smiled wickedly at Bethany and watched as she left the room, the girls chin rose much higher than it was when she came in.

It was after the young lady had left that Walter finally spoke up and said, "I presume I am to be giving Miss Pennaguille her lessons on etiquette and dancing?"

"Yes, and while you're at it try and get Seras involved as well. It should keep her busy if she's not on missions, and she could help with the teaching of dances. She's quite well versed if I remember correctly" An image of the Christmas ball flicked into her mind and Seras being swarmed by every solider in the room for a dance. She had managed very well that night, gliding between partners effortlessly, reminiscent of a butterfly fluttering from one blossom to another, her grace matched only by the other vampire of the Hellsing manor. Integra took one last drag of her cigar before putting the thing out and starting on the huge amounts of paperwork that now sat upon her desk.