Chapter 48
Seras walked gingerly towards their bedroom, each step more awkward than the last. She knew she would always miss this time she shared so close to their child, but she would not miss the discomfort and inconvenience. When she opened the door she was met with the most peculiar sight. Harry was sitting, cross-legged on the floor with a pile of parchment in his lap, and a quill in his right hand. He was sticking his left hand into the fireplace, which was currently burning with bright green flames.
"Harry, are you stuck?" Seras asked.
"Nope! Some of my ministers requested my presence for a budget meeting. I was there for a few minutes when I realized my presence was not of any use, since I'd already signed off on everything they were discussing. Apparently the bylaws require my presence when they're being finalized, but they don't specify how much of me needs to be present." Harry said.
"Ok, but wouldn't what you're doing be easier with both hands?" Seras asked.
"Oh, definitely." Harry said, looking down and crossing out a word on the document, before scribbling in the margin next to it.
"Then why not a foot?" Seras asked.
"Well the thing is, right now instead holding my daughter, getting food for Integra or rubbing your feet I'm here with my hand stuck in the floo, so I felt it appropriate to make my displeasure known." Harry said.
"You're flipping them off, aren't you?" Seras asked.
"You know me so well! Are you ok, love?" Harry asked. Seras giggled, and nodded, before waddling over to the bed.
"So far. I can't wait to meet them." Seras said, rubbing her belly.
"Me too, I can't believe it's almost ti-OWW FUCK!" Harry said, wrenching his hand back from the fireplace.
"One minute, dear." Harry said, before sticking his head in the fireplace. She couldn't hear what was being said but she could hear the muffled sound of yelling on both ends. After a moment he withdrew his head and stood.
"Amelia is coming through." Harry said, shaking his hand.
"What happened?" Seras asked. Before he could answer Amelia Bones walked through the floo with a smirk on her face.
"This traitor assaulted her God-Emperor!" Harry whined.
"Side note Amelia, make room in the budget for a shiny new Guillotine. Thanks." Harry stage whispered to her.
"Of course, at once, my liege." She said with an over dramatic bow.
"So what was it that warranted you trying to break my hand? Did Arthur request more money in the budget for magical dampening in electronics again? I already approved that." Harry asked
"No, I'm afraid the purpose of my visit is far more urgent." Amelia said. Harry just looked at her. For a moment, then rolled his eyes.
"Fine.. come on then but if Integra says no, it's no." Harry said. Seras laughed.
"You ok, love?" Harry asked. Seras nodded.
"I think I might take a quick nap." Seras said, yawning.
"Ok, find me when you wake up" Harry said, walking over and kissing her. He gestured for Amelia to follow and he guided her to Integra's room, right next door, before knocking.
"Integra? Any chance I could borrow Regina? My pain in the ass employee is demanding an audience with her royal highness." Harry said. He heard Integra laughing.
"Which one?" Integra asked.
"Amelia." Harry said.
"Oh good, that's fine, come on in." Integra said. Harry opened the door walked in.
"Amelia, how are you?" Integra asked.
"I'm well. There's no more pain, and I feel like I'm back to normal. Of course Harry won't let me go back to work." Integra said, pouting.
"Like I could stop you." Harry said with a grin. Integra laughed and picked up Regina who had been staring intently at the broomstick/snitch mobile he'd made for her. Amelia took her in her arms and cooed at her.
"She is absolutely beautiful." Amelia said.
"She's been so much better for us than everyone said she'd be." Integra added.
"Sue was like that too, she was always a quiet baby, rarely fussed. Good luck when she's a teenager though." Amelia said, rolling her eyes. Harry groaned and clutched his belly.
"Ugh, the other baby is hungry. I hate waking Seras up, but she'll regret it if I don't. Excuse me please." Harry said, walking through the shared door in to his and Seras' room.
"He's very attentive." Amelia said, looking at the door as it closed.
"You have no idea. I feel spoiled." Integra said. Amelia chuckled, swaying back and forth for the baby's sake.
"I envy you. I was alone when Sue came into my custody. I had to learn it all as I went along." Amelia said.
"Didn't you have anyone?" Integra asked.
"Augusta Longbottom helped me tremendously, but she also had Neville to look after, and unfortunately for the same reasons." Amelia said. Integra nodded.
"You may want to cast a silencing charm on that door." Integra said.
"Why?" Amelia said. Integra grinned as a female moan and a thud could be heard through the wall. Amelia blushed and cast the charm.
"It's a vampire thing apparently, the baby gets hungry, so Seras will feed more than normal, and wizard blood is like an aphrodisiac to vampires. At least according to Seras, Rip and Zorin. Alucard basically always... Well..." Integra said.
"Alucard?" Amelia asked.
"A depraved sex-crazed degenerate, yes." Integra said causing them both to laugh.
"Is it true about him and the Queen?" Amelia asked.
"Phillip's in on it too apparently. I try not to ask for details." Integra said.
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On the other side of the island, a group of children were assisting several adults in cleaning up the damage done by the attack by Millennium. At first the wizards that had volunteered to assist offered to do the work for them, however Anderson, Heinkel and Yumie insisted that the kids do their fair share. Anderson's goal was not just to protect and feed the children he was also raising them to be good, hard working young men and women, and so far he'd been doing an admirable job. Several of the older children were inquiring about staying on after adulthood to study under Anderson and continue working with the orphans.
"Ok there, Yumie?" Sirius asked. Yumie looked over at him then off into the distance for a moment.
"I am well." Yumie said, her voice monotonous. Sirius looked concerned and went to dig deeper but was stopped by Heinkel.
"It's the nature of her condition, it takes her longer to recover from emotional trauma. She is not lying, but it's going to be a while before switching back and forth is easy for her again. There are times when they both try to answer at the same time and it confuses her." Heinkel said. Sirius nodded.
"If there's anything we can do to help, you know how to get in touch with us." Sirius said.
"Father Anderson!" one of the orphans, an seventeen year-old named Julius said.
"What is it lad?" Anderson asked, wiping sweat off his brow.
"I have today's mail here." Julius said.
"Ah, ok thanks." Anderson said, accepting a small bundle of letters from him.
"Call if you need me, I'll get back to fixing the walkway." Julius said.
"Thanks again, lad." Anderson said, untying the bundle. Anderson chuckled when he saw several letters offering credit cards or insurance policies for James Potter. Harry had made a point to ensure that the records offices all knew about his parents' death but some businesses were persistent. He discarded them, per Harry's instruction, but happened upon a letter in a plain white envelope with no return address. He shrugged and opened it and found inside a handwritten letter.
Father Anderson,
I cannot reveal my identity directly, as this letter may be intercepted. For the same reason I fear I must be cryptic. I wish to meet you in person. It's about one of my wayward 'employees.' The Uffizi Gallery is quite nice, especially around noon. Please bring your young friend... The one that trains pigeons.
-anonymous.
Anderson paled, while reading it. He knew exactly who had sent the letter, and whom he was talking about.
"Father Anderson, what is it?" Heinkel asked.
"The Holy Father wants to meet tomorrow at noon in Florence, and he wants me to bring Harry." Anderson said.
"Could it be a trap?" Heinkel asked. Anderson shook his head.
"We are the only ones that know Harry sent him a pigeon. May I borrow your, uh, 'phone?'" Anderson said. Heinkel nodded and handed him her compact. He opened it up and called Harry.
"Holy shit, Heinkel, you look awful." Harry said with a grin.
"How'd you know it was hers?" Anderson said with a grin.
"Yumie wouldn't give hers up because she calls me to make sure I'm still alive every hour, so it had to be Heinkel. What's up?" Harry asked.
"The Holy Father asked to see us tomorrow in Florence. I know this is an important time for you but..." Anderson said.
"The Pope would not have requested a meeting if it weren't urgent. I'll be there, I'll have a portkey made up for Florence immediately." Harry said.
"Thanks, lad. How's the child and her mother?" Anderson asked.
"Both well. Regina's a lot easier to take care of than everyone said, she barely puts up a fuss." Harry said.
"Some of them are easier than others. Keep her close and remember every moment, lad." Anderson said.
"I will. I'll let you know when everything is ready." Harry said. Anderson nodded and handed the compact back to Heinkel who was bouncing on the balls of her feet.
"Heya Heinkel." Harry said.
"So..." Heinkel said. Harry rolled his eyes and appeared with a small pop right next to her.
"You coming, Yumie?" Harry asked. He barely got the last syllable out before he'd been attacked by monochromatic blur. Harry apparated them back to Hellsing and got them settled in a reading room. His timing could not have been better. Regina was crying, and Integra was just about to fall asleep.
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"It's like murtlap. If you process it incorrectly, you might get the opposite effect. Instead of healing cuts it will cause fissures." Schrodinger said to a group of fourth and fifth years including Vanessa who was beaming proudly at him.
"That makes so much sense!" A third year said, scribbling notes down on her parchment. A chime sounded and Schrodinger pulled out a watch that Harry had given him.
"That's lunch. The text is good, but seriously, check out Sylvian's Summary of Simple Salutary Solutions, it goes into more detail, and Dad made sure there were at least fifty copies of it available." Schrodinger said. Everyone packed their things and thanked Schrodinger. One of the third year girls went to thank him a little more personally but fled when she noticed Vanessa's death glare.
"You are very much like your father young man." Minerva said, smiling as she approached.
"You were watching?" Schrodinger said. Minerva nodded.
"Ever since your father's defense club I've made a point of looking in on extracirricular or study groups when I can." Minerva said.
"This isn't anything official, they just needed some clarification." Schrodinger said. Minerva looked at Vanessa who grinned and shook her head.
"Clarification on third, fourth and fifth year potions... from a first year?" Minerva asked. Schrodinger looked offended.
"I like to read ahead..." Schrodinger said, neutrally.
"Forgive me, I didn't mean it like that. Your proficiency in that particular subject is well known. I actually wished to speak to you about that after lunch." Minerva said.
"Of course, Headmistress. I apologize, I'm still getting used to being around so many new people." Schrodinger said.
"It's completely understandable. Please come to my office after lunch." Minerva asked.
"Is there a password? Something like chocolate frogs?" Schrodinger asked. Minerva laughed.
"No that was my... predecessor. I don't think the headmistress' office being locked is ever a good idea." Minerva said.
"Oh! Ok, then. I'll see you after lunch." Schrodinger said. Minerva took her leave, leaving Schrodinger and Vanessa to pick up their areas.
"You know, I think you scared Matilda." Schrodinger said with a grin. Vanessa laughed.
"Can't have the common rabble harassing Prince Schrodinger." Vanessa said, grinning. Schrodinger rolled his eyes.
"I still haven't forgiven you for calling me that during the feast. Everyone calls me that now." Schrodinger said.
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After lunch, and some playful banter between Schrodinger and his friends, he made his way to Minerva's office. He wasn't sure why she wanted to meet him, but he doubted he was in trouble, he didn't remember breaking any school rules recently. Minerva's door was open and she was sitting at her desk reading. He knocked on the door frame and she gestured him in.
"Have a seat." Minerva said, and he did.
"How have you been enjoying Hogwarts?" Minerva asked.
"It's wonderful! I've met so many new people, and the classes are very interesting for the most part." Schrodinger said.
"For the most part?" Minerva asked. Schrodinger stiffened.
"I didn't mean to sound ungrateful..." Schrodinger said. Minerva smiled.
"I think I understand what you meant. Some classes at your age level, potions in particular, are probably not very challenging. You're a very gifted student." Minerva said.
"Thank you. I understand I'm ahead in some subjects, I don't mind going over everything again though." Schrodinger said. Minerva stood an walked towards the back of her office.
"You're very polite to not complain about it, but I know firsthand the consequences of students who don't see their subjects as challenging. Even with your father's increased teaching standards, there are quite a few students showing proficiency beyond their years, but none quite so much as yourself." Minerva said.
"I can stop reading ahead, mistress..." Schrodinger said sadly.
"You'll do no such thing! One of the many, many failures of my predecessors has been refusing to challenge gifted students. The quality of our potioneers, warders and even aurors over the past fifty years has suffered as a result. No Schrodinger, I didn't bring you here to ask you to slow down." Minerva said, pulling the black drape off a portrait behind her desk. The figure in the painting squinted, allowing his eyes to adjust to the light.
"This here, is the most gifted potions master that studied and taught at this school since the time of the founders. He's responsible for several of the potions and salves we use today. He's also the man who taught your father." Minerva said.
"Gutten tag, Professor Snape." Schrodinger said, he stood up and bowed his head slightly to him.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Blitz. I believe you and I have quite a bit to talk about." Snape said.