CHAPTER 22:

THE PITFALLS OF REPUTATION

Harry was a little surprised when, during lunch, Rias came to speak with him at the library. He knew Raynare was keeping an eye on Asia, who was eating lunch with Koneko. "Harry, may I talk?"

"Sure," Harry said to the buxom red-haired Devil. He led her over to a quiet corner of the school library and cast a few Privacy Charms. "Talk away. Just keep in mind, Raynare would have me neutered if you're going to try to seduce me, age-gap aside. Then again, she's way older than I am."

Rias giggled. "It's fine. I just wanted to talk about a problem I have…something you've suffered yourself. I mean, if you don't mind."

"As long as it's not too personal."

"No, it isn't." She looked pensive, before asking, "Harry, how did you cope with your reputation being the way it is?"

Harry blinked at the unexpected question. Of all the things he expected her to ask (like asking him to use Infuse on her to boost her power, or to join her Peerage), he wasn't expecting that. Eventually, he decided to be honest and tell her. "…With difficulty. I know that sounds facetious, but…it's the truth, Rias. I think I can guess why you asked. Hermione mentioned this a few times, why you decided to learn at a Japanese high school…aside from you being a Japanophile. Your family is one of the top Devil families in the Underworld. In addition, your brother is the current holder of the Lucifer title, and then there's the fact that, thanks to your mother, you have to deal with the politics of the Bael family, and while Raynare's assessments of many Devils have to be taken with a pinch of salt at least, Azazel did confirm that Bael family politics are pretty toxic. Hell, you have a cousin who got ostracised because he couldn't manifest the Power of Destruction, and yet, he's currently a rising star now due to his intense training regimen. Sairaorg, I think he was called."

"Yes. I see you have a fairly good grasp on the situation for a relative outsider. And indeed, I did want to be schooled here in Japan partly to get away from that reputation. So too does Sona. But…I still have expectations made of me…and many decisions made for me. Being engaged to Riser Phenex is just one of them. My big brother can't interfere due to politics, my parents don't seem to listen to my concerns, or those from my brother and Grayfia…they still love me, I am sure, but they are wilfully blind to Riser's faults. I want to have the choice who to wed, not some arranged marriage to some High Class Devil just to act as a broodmare. Even now, I'm worried, and not without reason, that Riser is going to push the wedding date forward. The original agreement was for him to wait until I finished at least an undergraduate degree at university, but now…I think he's impatient for his prize."

Harry, after a moment's horrified thought, gently hugged Rias. "I'm sorry. But…you know what happened to me? I mean, after the Battle of Hogwarts?"

"I'm well aware that you became a hybrid between Ddraig and Albion. In fact, I knew long before my older brother confirmed it for me, and told me about your abilities. For all that you were a hero who tried your best to stop Voldemort and the Death Eaters, Magical Britain treated you poorly, to say the least. In many ways, Devil society is not dissimilar. Even without the Old Satan Faction causing problems, the fact remains that bloodlines and nepotism matter more than merit. The main reason my brother and the other Great Satans are in charge is because of their sheer power. But there's a lot of politicking and backbiting." She looked away. "I wanted little part of that, hence my being educated here, at a normal human high school."

Harry was struck by her words. While she hadn't suffered as he had suffered, she did have a reputation she never asked for or wanted. "Yeah," he said. "In the end…I wouldn't have minded a more normal life. Well, I wouldn't have minded Hogwarts as much if it weren't for the xenophobic warlock gunning for me. But are you trying to ask me to help you? You said Sirzechs told you about my abilities."

"Of course, but…I am reluctant to ask you for a number of reasons. Firstly, you're affiliated with the Grigori, even if you're technically a mercenary, so your loyalties from that viewpoint are suspect, even if I do believe you're a decent person. Secondly, you're currently trying to fix this mess with Raynare's former cell. Thirdly, I should have enough time before my marriage is brought forward. Fourthly…I suppose there's the pride of getting more powerful in my own time and pace, without what is effectively a cheat code. And then, there's the very real possibility that, given your power, my Evil Pieces may not be able to convert you anyway." Rias then smiled at him. "But most importantly, you are Hermione's friend, and as far as I am concerned, that makes you a potential friend for me. My Peerage…joined me under bad circumstances for the most part. But I view them as my friends, as my family, and I value them as such far more than I value them as servants. And if I can make true friends outside of a Peerage, then that would be good. Because it would mean I can make friends not by being the heiress of the Gremory family…but as myself, as Rias."

Harry was struck again by her words. It sounded like a confession. He guessed Hermione telling Rias about his life contributed to this. While he had been betrayed more than once, he hoped that Hermione being friends with her would help. "Well, I guess we could, Rias. And not just with me. While Raynare's probably not going to be friends with you anytime soon, Asia's another matter. While Raynare's point about not pressuring Asia to join your Peerage stands, I do want her to make friends. I don't care if they're Devils, as long as they're decent people. Issei understands she's off limits to leer at?"

"I've made that very clear. Hermione and I are licking him into shape. Issei has a good heart underneath his lewdness, Harry," Rias said. "I had him profiled before I brought him into the Peerage. In fact, I nearly approached him myself, but Kalawarner attacked him before I could arrange a suitable meeting. I did know Kalawarner was inveigling him, but I would have thought that she would have tried to recruit him, not kill him. Which doesn't make sense. Well, until Hermione brought up a frightening possibility."

"Which is?"

"They wanted me to bring Issei into my Peerage. Not as a sleeper agent, but rather, as a smokescreen for something else, a distraction. With Issei as my Pawn, Hermione believes that they thought I'd be distracted by getting him up to snuff, while they did something else. And given Asia's arrival, the bearer of Twilight Healing…"

"…That makes way too much sense. Except...it would mean that they would know of Asia's excommunication when they did that."

"It may not have been Asia. I know Azazel has a keen interest in Sacred Gears, and that the Grigori are keeping tabs on a number of wielders on his behalf, meaning they would know of many other Sacred Gear wielders. But Twilight Healing would be a boon, considering its ability to heal quite rapidly."

"While that hypothesis may not be true, it does make a scary amount of sense. Especially considering…" He clammed up, not knowing whether Rias knew about the Sacred Gear Extractor.

But then, she surprised him. "My brother told me that the Grigori had found a way to extract Sacred Gears from their wielders, even if the process is fatal to the bearer. They have something like that at your base, don't they?"

"They requested it for some reason. And before you ask, yes, Asia is well aware that she's being used as bait by Azazel and Michael, even if I detest that. I intend to do my best to protect her, which is why you are allowed to revive her, but as an absolute last resort."

"…Thank you, but as desperate as I am to strengthen my Peerage, I'd rather it not come to that. Asia deserves a chance to live her life on her own terms. Still, to be so bold as to do such things on the territory Sona and I are administering…they are proving reckless. The Fallen have to know that if they attack me with impunity, they would only provoke my brother and Serafall. Unless they really do want to trigger off another war."

"I won't let that happen. Just promise me that you'll help us protect Asia, okay?"

"You don't need to ask. I am a Devil, a creature of sin, but I am far from evil. And if Raynare's comrades are acting outside of Azazel's official edict, then that means that we can intervene if need be. Besides, it's why I assigned Koneko to be with her at lunch. Koneko has the ability to sense ki, what you and I would consider life force, and I often use her as a scout and spy when one of my familiars won't suffice. She would be able to see any threat coming, and as a Rook, she would be able to withstand most attacks. In addition…Koneko likes Asia already."

"Really?"

"Yes. Koneko doesn't connect to people easily. It's a long story. However, she and Hermione have a strong rapport."

"If there's any way I can help her, or your other Peerage members…"

"Not until they trust you. They look favourably towards you thanks to Hermione, true, but that's not the same as personal trust. In addition, Akeno still has issues with her Fallen heritage, even if she's beginning to accept it thanks to Hermione. Because you're agents of the Grigori…she may not view you as an enemy thanks to Hermione, but she would find it hard to trust in you, at least emotionally."

Harry nodded. "But you do?"

"Hermione trusts you, and I doubt the man who vanquished Voldemort would be working willingly with people you couldn't trust. And she vouched for Raynare and Mittelt, having met them. But such tensions between the Devils and the Fallen can't be eased overnight, Harry. I may trust you, but I have my responsibilities, and I need to keep in mind that, even if Azazel truly wants peace, he can't keep enough of a leash on his mutinous subordinates."

"Maybe. Azazel doesn't want to be a leader. He just wants to do research. But frankly, there's nobody else who can keep a rein on them like he can, or want to," Harry said quietly. "But you can't please everyone. I'm sure your brother has the same problems."

"…True. Anyway, it was good to speak with you, Harry."

"Did I help? I mean, it's not like there's any magical cure to these problems, Rias."

"Of course not. But I'm glad to have people to talk to about my problems, people who treat me as…well, a person. I hope we can be friends, Harry. It'll be nice to have an older man to speak to who isn't either a relative or wanting me for my looks or position."

"You're welcome. Just…don't get me to sign any autographs, okay?" Harry joked.

Rias giggled. "Of course not…"

After school ended for the day, Harry, Raynare and Asia went to the ORC HQ to touch base with Rias, her Peerage, and Hermione. "So, Asia, how did you enjoy your first day of school?" Hermione asked the Italian girl.

"Umm, it was very different. I was educated by a number of tutors, mostly in theology, but I was also taught maths and Italian and Latin, along with history," Asia said. "I can speak and understand Japanese thanks to Harry's spell, but I would like to read and speak the language without the aid of magic."

"I can help tutor you if that is your wish," Rias said. "So can Hermione. While Devils have an automatic understanding of any language, as do Angels both pure and Fallen, I did study the language and compared it to European languages, and Hermione learned the language before coming over here through mundane means. I have to admit, learning enough kanji to be considered literate by Japanese standards was taxing, even with the help of my Queen, as well as Okita Souji, who is in my brother's Peerage. And the grammatical structure is different too. But how did you find the school environs themselves?"

"…Different," Asia said. "I've never been with so many people…though so many spoke of me in…well, some called me cute, but others…I didn't like the way they looked at me."

Eyes went to Issei, who held his hands up. "Hey, I didn't do anything like that! Asia's cute and all, but I can tell she's definitely off-limits, okay? I've already been run through enough times with Light Spears, and I have to say, I'm not a fan."

"Perverts can learn," Koneko snarked. "Sirzechs must be ice-skating to work."

"Thanks for sitting with me, Koneko," Asia said.

"…I know what it's like to be hung out to dry by those who should protect you," Koneko said. "Besides…your ki is warm. Pure. Like the sun."

Asia blushed a little at the compliment, while Akeno chuckled. "Oh my, it seems Asia has a friend already."

"Asia is very likeable," Harry said. "She deserves some happiness in life. A new friend is always a good thing."

"Even so, we can't get complacent," Raynare said, crossing her arms underneath her bust. "Rias, I need you to keep your familiars monitoring the town. My comrades are under orders to conduct surveillance only on you and your contractors, but if our suspicions are correct, they may target those you have contracts with."

"…I don't pity anyone who goes after Mil-tan," Issei shuddered. "He'd scar them mentally if they even tried."

"I dread to ask, but who is Mil-tan?" Raynare asked.

"Don't. Ask," Issei hissed.

"That aside," Rias said, "I'll keep that in mind. Though why would you say such a thing?"

"I've done it before myself. Though usually, we get Stray Exorcists to act as proxies. So keep that in mind. The Strays back at the base seem to understand the pecking order, and I'll try to keep them on a leash, but too many Stray Exorcists are psychos..."

As Harry, Raynare and Asia made their way back to the church, they didn't know it, but they were being watched, at least by eyes other than those they knew of. Watched by malevolent eyes, set in a face that was licking its lips, with malicious thoughts swirling around behind said eyes like smog.

Ooh, so these are the ones Kalawarner and Dohnaseek want me to go after when the time is right? That Fallen bitch looks like she might put up a nice fight. Hmm, maybe I should find a way to do her in front of the Brat Who Lived. Nah, she's not the sort to take it. Hmm…maybe doing the mini-nun to a camera feed they watch? Ugh, but they want the Twilight Healing brat more or less intact enough. So boring, boring, BORING! Still, I will have my fun. Just you wait, Harry Potter. Voldemort was a pussy compared to Freed Sellzen…

CHAPTER 22 ANNOTATIONS:

So, the second half of the first school day, and a figure too familiar to High School DxD fans has made an appearance, unfortunately.

Now, this is the last of the chapters I have pre-written. I don't know when the next chapter will be out, as I've burned myself out on this fic for now. I hope you've enjoyed them regardless.

Review-answering time! WhiteElfElder: Hmm, that's not a bad idea. But I think Harry will consider using Infusion once he gets to know Rias and her Peerage.

No numbered annotations this time.