Chapter 14
Alucard and Seras' trip to Brazil yielded quite a bit of new information. Chile and Argentina were dotted with old Nazi bunkers and facilities that were all in the process of shutting down and being dismantled, Millennium was manufacturing fake vampires using modern technology fused with magic distilled from the remains of Mina Harker, one of Alucard's ex wives, and the man responsible for it, otherwise known as 'Doktor' was in fact Josef Mengele, who had undergone extensive plastic surgery before being turned, and a doppleganger had been placed in Argentina to help fake his death. Also, Alucard could now speak Portugese and learned a whole bunch of fun card tricks.
Harry arrived just two hours after Seras and the two had been inseperable since. Harry struggled to convince Seras to give him enough privacy to even use the restroom, which lead Harry and Integra to speculate that it was Seras' vampiric tendency toward obsession making itself known. Seras was worried at first but Harry just shrugged and smiled, saying that having the undivided attention of the most beautiful woman in the world was hardly a bad thing.
They finished giving their reports, and Seras reluctantly left to go speak with Walter about a malfunction she'd noticed on her cannon. She wanted to try to separate from him so that she could learn to manage the obsession. Harry remained and continued discussing the results of his successful outing to France.
"We had to kill her companions, they were preparing to out her to Millennium. Thankfully we didn't find any phones on them. Zorin will blame Iscariot for their deaths, since they're very active all over the area." Harry said. Integra nodded.
"I think you should take the journal, Harry. If you can find a place for it in that jacket of yours, it'd be best if you had it near you at all hours, in case she needs our help and we're not in my office." Integra said. Harry nodded and took it from her, putting it in one of his many, many pockets. Integra chuckled as he did it.
"You know I could charm your clutch to be like that too. I can expand the storage by a thousand times, and no matter what you put in there it will never get any heavier." Harry said.
"That's actually a really good idea. Integra said, dumping the contents out on her desk and handing it to Harry, who after a bit of wand waving handed it back. Integra marveled at all of the storage, amusing herself by reaching her entire arm into the small handbag all the way up to her shoulder.
"Just think about what you want and it should fly into your hand." Harry said.
"If yours can do that then why do yo need so many pockets?" Integra asked. Harry looked at her like she was an idiot.
"Have you seen this thing? Soooooo many pockets!" He said with childish glee. She shook her head and laughed, before dismissing him. He stopped as he got to the door, and looked back, giving her a fond smile.
"Integra, you are a beautiful woman. I just thought you should hear that." he said, before walking through the door. She sat there staring at the door, a happy smile growing on her face.
Of course he didn't make it three feet out of the door before a blonde, red-eyed missile plowed into him at full speed.
"I'm sorry, I can't do it! I need you near me!" she said, causing him to laugh.
"Baby steps, my love." Harry said, snaking his arm around her, resting his hand on her hip as he guided her down to the cafeteria. They found a seat, after Harry took what he wanted from the trays, and Harry slid her a corked flask of blood. Normally Seras would just bite him, but they soon realized that in public that tended to freak people out when you're in a building full of vampire hunters.
"Seras, I have an idea." Harry said.
"What's that?" she asked, before taking a swig from the flask.
"Why don't I move into your quarters with you?" Harry asked, causing Seras to spit a mouth full of his own blood at him in surprise.
"Well that's definitely a new experience..." Harry said, wiping the blood out of his eyes.
"Oh my god I'm sorry!" Seras said, scrambling to find more napkins. Harry laughed, stopping her and taking out his wand, with a wave he was clean again.
"Don't worry about it, at least it was my blood and not someone else's" Harry said.
"I'd love for you to move in, but..." Seras said, hesitating.
"What?" Harry asked.
"I'm not really ready for, well, you know.." Seras said blushing. Harry smiled.
"I'll never push you into anything you're not ready for Seras. Truthfully I just want to live with you, I always feel better when you're close. I don't think I'm ready either if we're being honest." Harry said. She smiled fondly and agreed immediately, once she realized it wasn't just a ploy to get into her pants.
They made short work of moving Harry's things over. At one point while carrying a box labeled "Random magical doodads" Integra walked by and asked what they were doing. When Harry explained, while Seras hid red-faced behind him, she shrugged and told them to use protection before continuing on her way. Harry laughed and Seras wanted to crawl into a hole.
"Want to see something cool?" Harry asked. Seras looked at him and nodded. Harry took hold of the closet doorknob and turned it clockwise, opening the door to reveal their closet. Harry had expanded it significantly to accommodate both hers and Harry's clothing, which had thrilled her because even with all of their things there was still a lot of room to work with.
He closed the door, then grinned, turning the knob counter-clockwise. When he opened it, her jaw dropped. Behind the door was a large room with stone walls, no windows and an enormous, lavish sofa sitting in front of a fireplace. It was lit by several balls of what Seras presumed to be magic hovering a few feet down from the ceiling. Harry took her hand and lead her to the couch and pulled her into his lap.
"I wanted somewhere that was just for us. Our quarters are fairly spartan, and while your coffin is comfortable to sleep in, it's not quite suitable for just sitting and talking." Harry explained.
"It's beautiful." She said, gazing in wonder around the room.
"I'm glad you like it." He said before leaning in for a kiss. It lasted for quite a while, and Harry smiled when he felt Seras' hands wandering around his chest.
"Mmmm Harry..." Seras moaned, running her hands through his hair. Harry broke the kiss and held her back with his hands on her shoulders.
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves... I don't think either of us are ready for that quite yet." Harry reminded her. Seras whimpered but nodded. Her mind was lost in a haze of passion and lust, had Harry so desired, she would have given herself completely to him. She was grateful for his restraint, even if it did leave her frustrated.
"What else can you do with that magic door?" Seras asked as the two walked out an hour later.
"So far I can switch between the closet, our special room, and a potions lab." Harry said.
"Where have you been getting your potions until now?" Seras asked.
"I've been popping over to my place and brewing them when time allows. It's going to be a lot easier to do it here." Harry said.
"I suppose that makes sense. Hermione was asking me about that." Seras asked. Harry quirked an eyebrow.
"You've been talking to Hermione?" Harry asked.
"Yeah, she gave me her number when you were recovering from the last attack." Seras said.
"Should I be concerned?" Harry said with a grin. Seras giggled.
"She's been telling me all sorts of embarrassing things about you." Seras said with a smirk. Harry shuddered dramatically and they both started laughing. Eventually it died down and they continued on their way back towards the cafeteria.
"I'm worried about her." Harry said.
"Why?" Seras asked.
"Our world is... I think our world is dying." Harry said. Seras gaped at him.
"So many people died in the war. There are so many wizarding families that are on the verge of collapse. The war has all but doomed several to extinction. The whole of wizarding society in England is based on the prominent families all voting on legislation. It's been that way since the old monarchy was overthrown. With so many families disappearing, compounded with the ones that we lost in the last war, I don't know what's going to happen." Harry said.
"That's awful, Harry. But why are you worried about Hermione?" Seras asked.
"What's left of the government is mostly made up of the old blood purists. They view people like Hermione as a bigger threat to them than Voldemort or even Grindelwald." Harry explained.
"And Hermione's determined to stay the course and see things through." Seras observed. Harry nodded.
"I've been trying to convince her to leave, hell even Ron is on board with moving to a flat in muggle London. Hermione refuses though. She's dug in her heels, and historically muggleborns who have stood up to the system haven't fared well." Harry said.
"Maybe she'll be the one to make the difference?" Seras said. Harry grimaced.
"If anyone could it's her. It's just that.. the Wizengamot is mostly controlled by the old blood purist families. However the Ministry department heads including the Minister himself, local community administrators and prominent social figures oppose the blood purists, and they've been getting louder and louder." Harry said.
"Well that's good, isn't it?" Seras asked.
"Wizarding Britain is dividing itself, immediately following a brutal war that caused an upheaval of the entire nation. Our infrastructure hasn't recovered, it actually seems to be getting worse. The population is lower than it has been since the Rennaisance, and the economy is in ruins. Now we're poised to start lunging at each other's throats. Man's resolve can only be tested so far before it breaks. If things keep up, there could be another war." Harry said. Seras frowned.
"That's awful. Are the other magical communities like this?" Seras asked. Harry shrugged.
"Magical Russia is basically an anarchy, there's no central magical government just town mayors who may as well be warlords. On the other side the MACUSA is a booming center of civilization, and incredibly modernized. Belgium, Greece and Bulgaria look a lot like wizarding Britain." Harry explained. He shivered.
"Where's Integra?" seras asked.
"Meeting in the conference hall with the convention." Seras said.
"Christ!" Harry exclaimed, taking her hand and bolting.
"I find myself confused, Lady Integra, as to what the return on Her Majesty's investment is in contracting your organization. In fact I don't see anything that you've accomplished beyond burying a good number of Britain's sons and daughters." Sir Reginald said, sneering. Integra grimaced.
"If you bothered to read the report we so painstakingly prepared for you, Sir Reginald, You'll notice that we have suppressed multiple vampire attacks and have captured one of Millennium's operatives and questioned him." Integra said
"Ah yes, Mr. Valentine. And tell me, where is this captured vampire now?" Sir Reginald asked.
"He is currently being questioned by the Ministry of Magic regarding the attacks that have been made against them. Once again, that is in the report sitting directly in..." Integra stated, interrupted by the door opening, admitting Harry and Seras.
"Reggie, my man! How's it hanging?" Harry asked.
"What is the meaning of this intrusion?" Sir Reginald asked.
"What, cant I pop by to say hello to my good friend Reggie... What's your last name? Reggerson?" Harry asked.
"We were just discussing the report you and I put together regarding the attacks and interrogation of Mr. Valntine." Integra said, rapidly losing the war against the smile trying to appear on her face.
"Ah yes. Unpleasant business that. What questions did you have, Lord. Reggerson?" Harry asked.
"It's Sir Reginald and you will show me the respect I deserve!" Sir Reginald bellowed.
"I thought I had been." Harry said, a deep rumbling laugh was heard from the corner of the room as a pair of red sunglasses seemingly materialized out of nothingness, followed by the intimidating figure of Alucard stepping out of the shadows.
"We were fairly comprehensive on the report, Reggie. Didn't you read it?" Harry asked. Sir Reginald fumed.
"Oh!" Harry said, covering his mouth with his hands.
"Oh goodness I'm sorry Reggie. You can't read can you? Come here and I'll help you sound it out." Harry said. Sir Reginald shot to his feet.
"I DEMAND YOU CEASE THIS AT ONCE AND TELL ME WHERE JAN VALENTINE IS BEING HELD!" Sir Reginald yelled. Harry scratched his head, appearing pensive for a moment.
"No." Harry said. Alucard collapsed onto the floor, laughing even more obnoxiously.
"HOW DARE YOU?!" Sir Reginald demanded
"I have a better question. Why do you want Jan Valentine's location? Seems kind of suspicious. I mean we got the information we needed, once again in the report. Sir Integra, perhaps next time we could make him a pop-up book?" Harry asked. Integra bowed her head, her shoulders quaking as she began quietly laughing.
"Very suspicious indeed, Harry. What would Sir Reggerson, proud and upstanding member of the knights of the round table, want with a Millennium agent? Does he have some new questions? Or perhaps questions he'd prefer not be asked." Alucard said. Sir Reginald paled.
"I've had enough of this! Lady Integra, silence your dogs, or we'll do it for you!" Sir Reginald said. The amused smile vanished from Integra's face. She stood to her full height and stalked over to Sir Reginald, pulling him to his feet by grabbing his lapels with both hands.
"ARE YOU THREATENING MY PEOPLE?!" Integra asked. Reginald flinched.
"Do you feel threatened?" Alucard asked Harry.
"Maybe a little." Harry said, shrugging.
"IF YOU SO MUCH AS LAY A HAND ON ANYONE UNDER THE PROTECTION OF THE HELLSING ORGANIZATION WE WILL UNLEASH OUR FULL MIGHT UPON YOUR HOUSE!" She screamed in his face, spittle flying and landing on his glasses. He whimpered.
"I'm Sorry! I'm Sorry! Don't hurt me!" Reginald begged. Integra dropped him and turned her back.
"Gentlemen, you have my report. If you have any questions or require clarification you know where to find me. Good day." Integra said, marching regally out of the room.
"I think you know where the door is." Alucard added.
"See the sign Reggie? E-X-I-T. Spells exit. You leave through there." Harry offered, grinning before following Integra, Seras and Alucard out. Sir Reginald was too terrified to feel indignant. They followed Integra all the way to her office and took their seats in front of her desk, not even having to be asked.
"From now on I want you three present for all meetings with the knights." Integra said, lighting a cigarillo.
"Of course, Master." Alucard said
"What he said." Harry said, grinning. Integra's shoulders started shaking, and she let out a giggle before dissolving into hysterical laughter.