Chapter 13
"Harry, isn't that a good thing?" Seras asked. Harry gave her a look that she never thought she'd see from him. He was afraid.
"Seven years isn't a lot but even a wizard will see appreciable aging between the ages of 23 and 30. I haven't taken the antidote, Seras. There has been no change to me." Harry said.
"I still don't understand." Seras said.
"I've been shot, impaled, crushed, hit with killing curses, and yet I keep coming back completely fine. Now I find out I might not be aging." Harry said.
"Think about it Seras. In five hundred years everyone in this room will probably still be alive, but Hermione? Ron? Integra? They'll be gone. I know that's a reality you've been facing since you were turned, and it's one I will stand by and face with you, but what about beyond that? A thousand years. Ten thousand years. How long until you are too weary to go on?" Harry asked.
"Oh God..." Seras said, the horror of it becoming apparent. Harry shook himself
"A problem for another day. Today we celebrate Helena's womanhood! I should bake a cake. Shaped like boobs!" Harry said.
"Harry.." Seras said.
"Come on it'll be awesome! Strawberry Harry Boobcake!" Harry said with false enthusiasm.
"Harry." Seras said, more sternly. Harry deflated, collapsed into a chair and cried.
"What's wrong?" Helena asked.
"Harry's just discovered he might have a problem in the distant future." Seras said, holding him.
"What is it?" Rip asked.
"An eternity without all of us." Seras said, hating herself when she felt harry wince.
Rip, Seras, Helena and eventually Zorin tried to cheer him up but it just wasn't in the cards for that day, so Seras took him home and they went to bed early. She held him as he cried himself to sleep. He awoke hours later, he'd had a nightmare about watching Seras burning to death in a self-imposed funeral pyre, screaming goodbye to him as the flames consumed her. He knew he wasn't going to be able to sleep so he got up and got dressed, and after putzing around in his potions lab for an hour he got a ridiculously stupid idea.
He found himself outside in the woods again, turning the resurrection stone in his hand, this time he was not calling his family though. He had someone else to interrogate. By the third turn, a figure appeared, cloaked in black with a pale female face and purple lips upturned in a grin.
"Hello, my Master. It took you long enough to summon me." Death said to him.
"I didn't know it could do this. The thing doesn't come with an owner's manual." Harry joked. Death laughed.
"I just wanted to ask one question, and I'm sure there are things you can't or won't tell me." Harry said. Death nodded patiently.
"Am I going to live forever? Am I doomed to an eternity alone?" Harry asked. Death smiled.
"I can't give you precise details, but what I can tell you is that your fear is unfounded. You are indeed capable of dying, and one day, a long time from now, you will. Seras will follow you shortly after." Death said. Harry fell to his knees sobbing, and was shocked to feel Death come to him and comfort him.
"My master you have so many trials ahead of you. It's cruel what fate has done to you. Use the gifts you've been given wisely, and don't forget to live your life. " Death said.
"Thank you. I couldn't handle an eternity without them." Harry said., sitting up on the ground. Death smiled, then sat beside him.
"So, while you've got me, anything you want to know?" Death asked.
"Yes, and this is the most important thing I could ever ask you." Harry said.
"Go for it." Death said with a challenging smile.
"Will the Chudley Cannons ever win the cup?" Harry asked. Death laughed.
"For real though, this whole master of death thing. It's total bullshit right? I mean I'm pretty awesome, but being able to boss around a deity?" Harry said.
"Yes and no. You cannot, 'boss me around.' but until your time has come, no mortal hand can bring your end. You will live far longer than a normal human, but one day you will be reunited with all of your loved ones. Not even fate is that cruel." Death said.
"Is fate another Deity? Are there 'fately hallows?" Harry asked with a grin. Death laughed again.
"I wish you'd summoned me earlier, my master. This has been a wonderful distraction. Still, I must return to my duties." Death said, standing up
"Of course, and thank you again. Every time I use this I say the same thing. If you see Dumbledore, kick him in the balls for me." Harry said with a grin. Death chuckled.
"Thy will be done, my master." She said before fading away. Harry walked back to his bed feeling infinitely lighter. He slipped into bed and snuggled up to Seras, Kissing her head and then fell asleep.
When she awoke, Seras was confused to see a smile on Harry's lips as he slept. She tried getting out of bed without waking him but it didn't work.
"Morning babe." Harry said with a grin.
"Hi Harry." Seras said, with a sad smile.
"Everything's going to be ok, Seras." Harry said.
"Harry it's not healthy to ignore your feelings." Seras said. Harry grinned and suddenly Seras shuddered with an overwhelming sense of relief, contentment and optimism.
"What was that?" Seras asked.
"I brought my occlumency down for a second. Just so you know I'm not bullshitting you. It's going to be ok." Harry said. He got up, and walked into the bathroom, and turned on the shower.
"Sure is lonely in here..." Harry said. Seras grinned and stripped her clothes off on the way to the shower.
Later, they lay laughing and exhausted, but at least clean on their bed and Seras looked up at Harry.
"What changed?" Seras asked.
"You might not believe me." Harry said.
"Try me." Seras said.
"Well I was concerned about the subject of death, so I decided to consult the highest authority in the matter. She's very sweet, by the way.
"Who?" Seras asked.
"Death." Harry said, reaching over her and grabbing his coat, rummaging in the pockets and withdrawing the resurrection stone.
"This is the resurrection stone, I told you about it. Last night I couldn't sleep so I called Death." Harry said. Seras stared at him wide-eyed.
"What did she say?" Seras asked.
"That you and I were going to live very long lives and die around the same time." Harry said with a smile.
"That's sweet. I think." Seras said, thoroughly confused.
"Best not to think too much on it. Long story short, existential crisis over!" Harry said, jumping to his feet and getting dressed.
Harry opened the Zorin and Rip's oven and withdrew his masterpiece. With a smile, he assembled the pieces and begun the process of adding the finishing touches. Helena, Zorin, Rip, Hermione, Seras and surprisingly at Helena's insistence, Integra sat gathered in their parlor, having been evicted from the kitchen while Harry worked. They occasionally shot concerned glances at the kitchen door when they heard a cackle, or maniacal laugh.
"I'm trying really hard to not imagine what is going on in there." Hermione said.
"It's best not to. Thank god he cleans up after himself." Zorin said with a grin.
"Thanks for inviting me along, Helena." Integra said
"Schrodinger! Excellent timing! Bring to me the blood of the damned!" Harry shouted
"What?" Schrodinger asked.
"Red food coloring!" Harry said.
"Oh! Here you go. Harry are those..." Schrodinger started to say but was interrupted
"No spoilers!" Harry shouted.
"It's my pleasure, Integra. When he was helping me, I saw his memories. It's obvious that you mean me no harm." Helena said, casting a wary glance at the kitchen.
"I'm curious to find out what goes on in that head of his, but I'd never try to invade his privacy like that." Seras said.
"Honestly, if you ask him I'm sure he'd invite you to, as Alucard called it, 'ride the meat bus.'" Hermione said with a grin.
"I get to do that every night though." Seras said with a sly grin. Hermione and Integra blushed crimson, and Zorin, Rip, Helena and Seras laughed.
"What are they talking about Harry?" Schrodinger asked.
"Seras will be happy to explain what she meant after we eat." Harry said.
"Crap." Seras said.
"Just kidding. She was talkin' about hopping on my dong!" Harry shouted.
"Jesus Christ!" Integra shouted.
"It's Harry, Integra! Keep up!" Harry shouted.
"Harry I don't think you're a very good influence on me." Schrodinger observed.
"So I hope you realize that after this we are going clothes shopping for you." Seras observed.
"Ooh can I Come?" Hermione asked.
"Actually if it would be ok, can I come along as well? I need to pick up some things. My pants are starting to get tighter." Integra said.
"Oh! Can I feel?" Hermione asked. Integra lifted her shirt and pulled her waistband down, proudly displaying her small baby bump. Seras's eyes shot open.
"I can hear their heart!" Seras said.
"Oh!" Integra said and they all descended upon her.
"Alright people. Behold, my magnum opus!" Harry said, walking out of the kitchen holding a stainless steel platter. Atop it was a pair of nearly identical cakes, one with red frosting and the other with white.
"Seriously Harry?" Hermione asked.
"What?" Harry said.
"Harry I thought you were joking." Seras said.
"I'm always dead serious about the culinary arts, love." Harry said.
"Then why, pray tell, am I looking at a pair of tits in cake form?" Integra asked.
"They're called breasts Integra. Red's for vampires, white's for normies." Harry said with a grin. Helena fell over laughing.
They spent the afternoon celebrating Helena's long overdue ascent into womanhood. The cake as expected was delicious, and not for the first time Seras insisted that she'd won the boyfriend lottery. Harry sat with Schrodinger, catching him up on what he'd missed, and promising to give him a journal and mirror.
"I'm curious to see if they work when you're off doing your thing." Harry said.
"That would be wonderful!" Schrodinger said.
Harry, Schrodinger and Zorin waved goodbye to the others as they left on their shopping trip.
"Why aren't you going with then, Zorin?" Schrodinger asked.
"I have enough clothing. Shopping really isn't my favorite activity." Zorin said with a smile, leading them back into the house.
"So like I was saying earlier, we can do the same thing for you that we did for Helena when you're ready. I kind of figured you were enjoying being a kid for now." Harry said. Schrodinger nodded.
"I'm not quite ready for that just yet." Schrodinger said.
"Well we find ourselves with a couple of hours to kill. Want to go to the manor and shoot at stuff?" Harry asked
"Ja! That would be fun!" Schrodinger said with a grin.
"You in, Zorin?" Harry asked. Zorin nodded
"I could use some practice." Zorin said. Ten minutes later they stood in the range, Zorin and Pip along with several of the Wild Geese were staring open-mouthed as Schrodinger systematically destroyed all of their accuracy and speed records, while firing a .50BMG no less.
"I'm not sure why you're surprised. Schrodinger's rank was earned, he's quite adept at marksmanship." Harry said
"Unlike the Major, who couldn't hit the broad side of a barn" Schrodinger said with a smirk. Schrodinger and Zorin suddenly shuddered as an instinctive terror washed over them. Harry saw it and grimaced.
"Hi Alucard." Harry said.
"Good afternoon, little wizard." Alucard said. Schrodinger squeaked, and put the rifle down, hiding behind Harry.
"It's ok, Schrodinger. He won't hurt you." Harry said, also grasping Zorin's shoulder and squeezing it.
"I see you're quite the gifted marksman, little one." Alucard said, smiling down at Schrodinger.
"Danke sehr." Schrodinger said timidly.
"Soon you will be used to it, Schrodinger. Alucard... Well alucard is an asshole but he's not in the business of harming children. Also Integra would cut off his balls and suffocate him with them if he hurt you." Harry said. Alucard cackled
"That she would. Once you have become accustomed to my presence, little one, I'd be honored if you'd allow me to teach you a few things." Alucard said, his voice dripping with malice.
"D-Don't you hurt him!" Zorin said, clearly terrified but still positioning herself between Schrodinger and Alucard. Alucard's grin widened as he slowly approached Zorin with a menacing grin.
"Alucard?" Harry said, completely devoid of emotion.
"Yes, little wizard?" Alucard said. Harry raised a hand which burst into magical flame.
"Leave." Harry ordered. Alucard snickered, and disappeared through the wall behind them. Harry extinguished the fire.
"Let's get out of here." Harry suggested. Zorin and Schrodinger were happy to comply. Harry took Zorin and Schrodinger's hands and apparated to their home.
"I'm really sorry about that." Harry said. He noticed Schrodinger was on the verge of tears and Zorin was shaking.
"Come here kiddo." Harry said, gathering Schrodinger into his arms, as he burst into tears. Harry pulled Zorin into the embrace. It took several minutes for them to calm down.
"It's going to be ok. Give me a moment, alright?" Harry asked.
"Harry?" Schrodinger said.
"I will be right back, I just need to grab a few things." Harry said, before apparating.
"Zorin what was that?" Schrodinger asked.
"I don't know. I've never been that terrified." Zorin said, holding Schrodinger. Harry appeared with a soft pop and smiled at them before walking into their kitchen table and sitting down at the counter, withdrawing a quartz crystal, a ceramic tile, an engraving kit and a very long black hair. He got to work carving on the tile.
"Alucard will be dealt with. Integra will be furious. Unfortunately, he was acting on instinct. The blood of Mina Harker was used in your creation, it's his nature to 'Reclaim' that which was lost to him. His intent was to dominate, not directly harm you." Harry explained, tapping furiously at the tile.
"Why hasn't he tried that before?" Zorin asked.
"Every time you were there before, Integra had been present. Were she there today, he'd have been far more restrained." Harry said. He blew dust off the plate and Zorin saw that the seal on it matched the one on Alucard's glove.
"What are you doing?" Schrodinger asked.
"I'm putting a ward keyed against him on this house. Crap, hang on." Harry said, disappearing again. A couple of minutes later he returned, this time with a shorter blonde hair.
"I needed Seras' hair to exclude her from the wards since she shares Alucard's bloodline. Integra asked me to extend her sincerest apologies, she is PISSED." Harry said. Harry poured out a small substance on the clay tile and ignited it, throwing the long black hair in, creating a jet of red flame. Harry levitated the quartz crystal into it, holding it until it acquired a red glow.
Harry doused the flames and held the Quartz aloft while levitating the blonde hair onto the surface of the crystal, and whispering an incantation. The crystal flashed and absorbed the blonde hair. He plucked the crystal out of the hair and cut a hole in the wall, and embedded the crystal into it before repairing the wall.
"Your house is now safe from Alucard. If he tries to intrude here he will SEVERELY regret it." Harry said.
"What will happen?" Zorin asked.
"His blood will turn into acid and kill him over and over again until either he leaves, or he runs out of souls." Harry said.
"Jesus." Zorin said.
"I'm very displeased with him, Zorin. You guys are everything to me, and he frightened you. I will not stand by and let the people I love live in fear." Harry said.
"How did you get his hair?" Schrodinger asked.
"He offered it to me. Once you left, his head cleared and he apologized profusely. Like I said it was instinctive, he had little control over himself." Harry said. He looked at his watch.
"We still have quite a bit of time to kill. Are you feeling up to another field trip? This one with significantly less Alucard?" harry said, grinning. Zorin looked at Schrodinger who nodded timidly.
"Let's go!" Harry said, grabbing their hands and apparating them again, this time to Diagon alley.
"Are we getting more ice cream?" Schrodinger said, smiling.
"That's on the agenda, but not the only reason we're here." Harry said diverting them into Ollivander's.
"Garrick, we've had a rough day and I have a scared child with me, can we skip the normal introduction this time?" Harry asked.
"Of course. Welcome to my store, your wand is in good condition I trust?" Garrick asked. Harry grinned and pulled out his holly wand. Ollivander's eyes shot open.
"May I?" Ollivander asked. Harry handed him the wand, handle first. Ollivander withdrew his own wand, running diagnostic charms over it and frowning."
"Have you noticed any change in the way your wand has been working lately?" Ollivander asked. Harry looked confused.
"Not really. I tend to use The Elder Wand for heavy lifting. The holly wand I use for precision work." Harry said.
"Curious.." Ollivander observed.
"What's curious?" Schrodinger asked.
"Mr. Potter-Victoria, it is with utmost regret that I must inform you, that your wand is dead." Ollivander said.