Chapter 11
Integra was dragged out of a rather pleasant dream by the sound of Regina crying.
"Mama's coming, dear." Integra said. She stood, putting her slippers on and glided, feeling weightless, on her way to the crib. She smiled and reached down to pick Regina up, then sat in her rocking chair next to it and fed her. She heard a knock on the door.
"Who is it?" She asked.
"Seras!" Seras said.
"Come in!" Integra said. The door opened and Seras came in, carrying Nicole.
"Hey you." Seras said with a bright smile.
"Hi. Last night was amazing." Integra said.
"It was, wasn't it? I told you you had nothing to worry about." Seras said, pulling up another chair and settling across from her.
"I briefly thought it was just a wonderful dream. I can't tell you how grateful I am that you're willing to include me." Integra said.
"It wasn't a difficult decision for me. You're amazing, Integra." Seras said.
"Harry worried me a bit, I couldn't read him after I blurted it out like a moron." Integra said.
"Hush, Integra. Nobody gets to call you names, especially you." Seras said. Integra nodded.
"Besides, Harry doesn't rush into any decision, even ones he's confident about, without giving it thought. You mean the world to him, Integra." Seras said.
"I know, and you both mean the world to me. I just have no experience with this." Integra said.
"Neither did I when I met Harry. He makes it really easy to learn." Seras said grinning.
"When did you discover you were attracted to women too?" Integra asked. Seras laughed.
"I don't know, how long have I know you?" Seras said. Integra's eyes widened.
"Seriously?" Integra asked.
"I've never encountered a woman that I felt like that about until you. Honestly, I was terrified." Seras said.
"Really?" Integra asked. Seras nodded.
"Growing up in a religious orphanage gives you lots of hangups about same-sex relationships. Spending time with Harry and especially meeting Rip and Zorin made me realize it was silly. Love is love, and love is beautiful." Seras said. Integra's heart swelled.
"I've always had a feeling." Integra said.
"Oh?" Seras said. Integra nodded smiling down at Regina and fixing her top. She lifted her to her shoulder and started patting her back.
"When I was a girl, away at boarding school. I had a bit of a crush on one of my instructors." Integra admitted. Regina belched causing the two women to laugh.
"She was beautiful. Honestly, she reminded me a lot of you. Bright eyes, cute little nose, she could easily throw me across the room." Integra said laughing. Seras blushed and smiled.
"How'd you find that out?" Seras asked.
"She liked to pull the girls aside and speak with them, getting to know them. When it was my turn I told her that I enjoyed fencing. She mentioned she studied jujitsu and I asked for a demonstration. The bruised bum was worth it." Integra said, laughing.
"She was the only teacher there worth a damn. It's a shame her visa expired and she had to get back to Australia." Integra said.
"Is that why you never found someone?" Seras said, bouncing Nicole on her knee, much to the toddler's delight.
"No, it was more.. Well you know what I do for a living. By nature I need to be very secretive. I was always afraid to bring someone home and have to explain Alucard to them." Integra said, before standing and placing Regina in the playpen in the corner of the room. Seras stood and put Nicole there who squealed excitedly when seeing her sister.
"It's peculiar, Harry had more reason to be secretive than I, and yet he refused to do so. He was an open book from the beginning, he shared everything, even when it was painful. What's more is he never pried when I was reluctant to share." Integra said. Then she smiled, pulling Seras into an embrace.
"Then there was you. I know I was awful to you at first..." Integra said.
"Don't, Integra. We're beyond that now." Seras said, smiling and leaning her head forward against Integra's.
"I've been so restrained my whole life. Withdrawn. I'd put up this impenetrable barrier around me, refusing to let anyone in. Plenty had tried, mind you. The other Knights, Walter, even Pip though he was always respectful... You and Harry on the other hand... I don't want to be shielded from you any more. I want to let you in. You make me feel safe." Integra said, her lower lip quivering.
"I'm glad." Seras said before capturing her lips with her own.
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"Are you sure about this, Harry?" Zorin asked. Harry grinned.
"Absolutely." Harry said.
"But what about Ron? Even Neville?" Zorin asked.
"Well Ron refused, he's worried I'll make him wear a dress..." Harry said, causing Zorin to laugh.
"Neville understands why I'm asking you. He's fine being a groomsman." Harry said.
"Do it, Zorin. Come on." Rip said.
"But Schrodinger?" Zorin said.
"Ring bearer!" Schrodinger announced. Zorin smiled, scrubbing her eyes.
"I'd be honored to be your best woman." Zorin said.
"Awesome!" Harry said, hugging her.
"I suppose this means I'll need a tuxedo..." Zorin said.
"Oh, no you don't. I'm told you look stunning in the bridesmaid's dress." Harry said.
"Of that I can definitely assure you." Rip said leering at Zorin who blushed.
"So how's the honeymoon going to work now that you've brought Integra into the relationship?" Zorin asked, blatantly changing the subject.
"Well I won't go into details, but she's coming with." Harry said.
"I'm sure she is..." Rip said with a salacious grin. Harry clamped his hands over Schrodinger's ears.
"Don't corrupt my precious baby boy!" Harry shouted in mock outrage.
"You know I can hear easily through your hands, right dad?" Schrodinger said.
"No you can't." Harry said with a grin. Schrodinger grinned and rolled his eyes. Harry took a deep breath and smiled.
"I love autumn." Harry said. His gaze was diverted behind Schrodinger where Rakka and Thaelynn were approaching across the field. Harry grimaced, apparating over and casting a barrier over Rakka.
"You need to be careful, Rakka. Even when it's cloudy you're still in danger." Harry said.
"Yeah yeah, Thaelynn's got some news." Rakka said.
"Oh? Is it the magical cure for demon cancer? Because that's what you're going to need if you keep traipsing around without protection..." Harry said. Rakka looked stunned.
"Is demon cancer even a thing?" Thaelynn asked.
"Harry, I'm sorry.." Rakka said, looking shocked.
"Don't be sorry, Rakka, be careful. I can't stand the idea of you or any of the other Infernals being injured or sick because of me. You're all very important to me and not just because you're helping us in this war. Do you understand?" Harry said.
"Y-yeah.. Sorry boss." Rakka said. Harry smiled and reached his hand out towards the forest, summoning a stick which he transfigured into an over sized parasol, which he handed to her.
"This'll do once the barrier fades. Now what was the news?" Harry asked.
"The No Quarter has been completed, and is ready for testing." Thaelynn said quietly.
"Excellent! Any trouble with its special features?" Harry asked.
"None, though the commander will have to be a magical to use it." Rakka explained.
"Understood. Come, lets go inside to eat, I'm starving. "Harry said, He strode forward leaving them behind as he went to collect the three vampires.
"I told you, Rakka." Thaelynn said with a grin.
"I've never... I'm not used to leaders who actually give a shit, you know?" Rakka said, quietly.
"Well get used to it. He'll gladly take a bullet or a curse to save even the lowest ranking of us. According to Ascott, he has. Way too many times.." Thaelynn said.
They all walked through the gates and into the great hall. There were few students there, however the quiet conversation that had been going on ceased as they walked through.
"Ooh, it's been a while since I sat at the Slytherin table." Harry said with a grin, leading them there.
"You get used to the stares." Harry said, needlessly loudly. Several students looked away, giggling. Harry rolled his eyes.
"You sure it's ok for us to be here?" Thaelynn asked, looking around nervously. Harry looked at her curiously before realization dawned.
"Holy shit you're the first Dwarf to step foot inside of Hogwarts aren't you?" Harry asked. She nodded nervously.
"Well at least until next year." Harry added.
"What?" Thaelynn asked.
"There are four Dwarven children enrolled in next year's batch of firsties I think. Couple Goblins too." Harry said.
"Really?" Thaelynn asked excitedly. Harry grinned and nodded.
"Reminds me, we're looking for a pair of magical engineering teachers, one Dwarven and one Goblin, you guys tend to run circle wizards in that regard. Can you see if anyone back home is interested?" Harry asked. A House elf appeared with a note pad
"Whaddaya want?" The elf asked.
"Lovely to see you too, Jerry." Harry said.
"Yeah yeah, now out with it." Jerry said taking their order. Zorin requested plate of fish and chips and Harry glared at her.
"Three plates of fish and chips, please." Zorin said, sheepishly. Harry nodded.
"You got it." Jerry said, taking the rest of their orders and disappearing.
"Zorin, please. If your body is telling you you need to eat, you need to eat. Nobody here is going to judge you. Have you seen how much Thaelynn eats?" Harry asked.
"Yeah I'm like a garbage disposal." Thaelynn said proudly. Zorin shrugged.
"Work in progress, Harry." Rip said, bringing Zorin in for a one-armed hug. Harry noticed there was a discarded issue of today's Prophet so he opened it and frowned.
"It's really all over the place now." Harry said.
"What?" Rip asked. Harry showed her the paper.
Medical professionals on both the Magical and Muggle side of things have been reporting more and more cases of the new mystery illness. Emperor Potter-Victoria and Muggle prime minister Tony Blair's mitigation policy has proven fruitful so far, as no cases have been identified in the United Kingodom. Experts suggest that it is a matter of time and have been distributing information on how to avoid spreading this and any other illnesses.
Firstly, it is advised that if you feel ill in any way, you should self-isolate and inform those closest to you of your situation. While the illness does not seem to affect birds, it is advised to handle owl-delivered correspondence carefully, making sure to sterilize any mail with magic before opening it. Hand washing is critical, cleaning spells have proven ineffective at preventing the spread of other diseases in the past so it is advised that thorough washing with soap and warm water be done frequently.
Symptoms of this illness include fever, nausea, fatigue, headache and general flu-like symptoms along with an increased appetite. If you are experiencing any or all of these symptoms, please contact the Ministry of Health using the methods listed below, and once again, self-isolate. More information will be published when it is available.
"That's awful..." Rip said. Harry nodded.
"It affects muggles and magicals alike. So far it seems to only affect Humans. I had a meeting with imogene and Amelia about this yesterday. Aurors are undergoing specialized training and are being issued protective gear and have been ordered to use bubblehead charms whenever possible. Minerva is running lockdown drills as well, not just for the disease but for Millennium attacks as well." Harry said.
"That sucks." Zorin said.
"Yeah it does." Harry said.