AN: Sorry for the delay. This chapter has been sitting in my to-do for a month now, but I never got around to re-reading and fixing it. I've had a lot on my plate lately, not the least of which is switching from Windows to Linux. That and I haven't been feeling very inspired lately, so I didn't want to force it. I have a few good ideas though, so stay tuned.
And to my detractors, not the ones pointing out spelling, punctuation or contunity errors but the ones complaining about where I'm taking this story, I hear and understand your criticisms. I will as always endeavor to improve myself, and your feedback has been invaluable in that pursuit. I feel though that it is somewhat less than constructive. I mean, there's telling me I forgot I killed off a character, then there's whining because my characters don't fit their mental image, or bitching that I'm all opinionated in my author's notes. If you don't mind me turning the tables, I've got a bit of constructive criticism to offer you:
Eat a five-gallon Home Depot bucket full of dicks.
Chapter 13
"I think this will be the first vacation I've taken since I was a little girl." Integra said, rolling her suitcase down towards the entryway and settling it next to Seras and Harry's bags.
"Same." Seras said, looking behind Integra where Harry was nervously speaking to Zorin who was trying her best not to roll her eyes.
"Seriously Zorin. Bad dream, indigestion, mood swing I don't care, you call me, ok?" Harry said.
"Harry I have Rip, Schrodinger, and Pip along with the rest of Hellsing, not to mention all of our magical friends and the Infernals here. On top of that Alucard knows you'd incinerate him if he let anyone harm a hair on my head. You left me a whole case of blood vials. I promise I'll be fine." Zorin said.
"I just.. I worry. Not only about them, but about you." Harry said, pointing at Zorin's belly, which had swollen significantly recently.
"It'll be fine, Schrodinger can you talk some sense into your dad, please?" Zorin begged. Schrodinger laughed and hopped down from the bench he had been sitting on.
"Dad, Go. We will call if anything happens that we can't handle easily, ok? Go show Mom and Auntie Integra a good time." Schrodinger said.
"Alright.. if you're sure..." Harry said.
"Get out of here, you dork!" Zorin said, laughing before hugging him and pulling Schrodinger in.
"Ok, ok. We'll be back in a month. I'll miss all of you." Harry said.
"We'll miss you guys too." Schrodinger said. He smiled as he watched Integra and Seras take ahold of Harry as he apparated them away to the French countryside, where Harry had "Rented" a chateau that overlooked the Mediterranean, complete with a private beach, a stable with horses and plenty of land on which to ride them. It also featured a small vineyard. Integra had squealed in delight when she'd found out.
"Ok, Mom. Let's get you back home, shall we?" Schrodinger said, offering her his elbow. She took in and smiled, allowing him to escort her to the Portal room. Just as they were about to enter, they were stopped by Alucard.
"We still on for tomorrow?" Alucard asked.
"Yes, if you're free." Schrodinger said. Alucard grinned and nodded.
"Best bring your A game, little wizard." Alucard said, snickering as he walked away. Schrodinger smiled brightly. He'd used the same nickname he'd used for his father.
"What's that about?" Zorin asked. Schrodinger guided her through the portal and to their home.
"Alucard agreed to teach me how to fight with small weapons. Swords, knives, staves and such." Schrodinger said.
"Oh.. Why?" Zorin asked.
"Magic and superhuman strength and speed are great, but that's no reason to limit myself. If Dad's right, in a couple of months we're in for a big fight. Plus if we're out in the muggle world and I have to defend myself, or someone else, it'll be easier to explain away the superhuman strength if I have a weapon." Schrodinger said. Zorin grimaced. She was thankful that Harry's estimation of the earliest that the demons would arrive was a month after her due date, but she still hated the idea. She had just found a peaceful, wonderful life, and once again it was threatened.
"Out of curiosity, why didn't you ask Integra?" Zorin asked.
"Well first off her style requires a lot of finesse, and practice. It's something I plan to ask her for after we've beaten Millennium and their Infernal allies. Secondly, Integra is mortal, and if I make a mistake I'd rather it be against someone who can regenerate limbs and happily ignores pain." Schrodinger said.
"Ah.. Good call. How are you feeling, by the way?" Zorin asked. Schrodinger grimaced.
"Not too much different. It took a moment to get used to being a little taller, but I think it'll be bit before the full effect of it kicks in." Schrodinger said, and as if to illustrate what they were talking about, his voice cracked and squeaked as he said it. Zorin giggled.
"And then there's that." Schrodinger said with a grimace.
"Well Harry said that his voice only took a couple of weeks to change. Maybe you'll luck out." Zorin said.
"Maybe. At least I'm not the only one going through it in my class." Schrodinger said
.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*
Remus and Tonks sat, slumped back in their chairs looking like death warmed over, while Sirius happily danced around their kitchen brewing their favorite potion.
"Oh Merlin this is the worst hangover ever. Getting old sucks." Tonks said.
"My heart bleeds." Remus deadpanned.
"Don't get strung out... by the way I look... don't judge a book by it's covvvvver!" Sirius sang in a shockingly good imitation of Tim Curry.
"Will you stop that! Christ, no more TV for you." Remus whined.
"Joke's on you I saw it live right after graduation." Sirius said with a grin, setting two cups full of hangover cure in front of them, which they drained immediately.
"Merlin that tastes worse every time, but it's so worth it." Tonks said. Sirius laughed.
"So what are you two up to today?" Remus asked, sipping his coffee.
"Amelia asked me to give a talk to the Aurors about conflict de-escalation, Harry sent me to a muggle police seminar last week and it was really enlightening." Tonks said.
"I'm bringing Imogene to the orphanage to give a few of the kids a checkup." Sirius said.
"You've really taken to that." Remus observed. Sirius nodded
"Yeah at first it was almost a joke, just a dig at my mother, but now, especially after talking to Anderson, I think I could really see myself devoting my life to this. Better than rotting away in this sty anyway." Sirius said.
"I'm proud of you, Sirius." Remus said seriously.
"Thanks, mate. So... Is Imogene single?" Sirius asked. Remus threw a muffin at him, which he caught and took a bite out of.
"Oi, don't let Harry find out you were about to waste a muffin." Sirius said.
.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*
"This is bad." Rip said, sitting at Florean Fortescue's with Luna, pointing at the newspaper spread out In front of them.
"It keeps getting worse." Still nothing in the UK, but a few people just died from it in Georgia." Luna said.
"What's going on?" Helena asked, wiping her hands off after she delivered an order to a group of teenagers. Rip handed her the newspaper.
France and Italy have joined the rapidly growing list of European countries closing their borders in response to increased cases of the new epidemic that people are now calling White Lung, due to the white frothy discharge indicative of the disease. Thus far there are no confirmed reports of anyone recovering from the disease, and it is this reporter's sad duty to report that the first deaths have occurred. The bodies are being sent to specialized laboratories in hopes of learning more about the disease and perhaps getting us closer to a cure.
The Muggles have made no headway with the disease, despite their admittedly superior prowess in epidemiology research. Obviously without endangering the Statute, funding has been provided by many magical governments, including and especially Magical Britain routed through Gringotts towards the many research projects their scientists have begun. We will report news as it arrives.
"I really don't like this. My hate for the man aside, I remember my father telling me horror stories of the 1918 Influenza pandemic. That killed fifty million, and there are a lot more people around today." Rip said.
"It was awful. I was here when it happened, between the flu and the war, people were so scared." Helena said.
"What can we do to help?" Luna asked.
"Harry's already started." Rip said, pointing to a poster on the wall explaining the importance of handwashing.
"He and I spoke to a group of vampires who volunteered to help with logistics, given that we can't be infected by mortal diseases. Remus said the werewolves are on board as well, since they seem to be immune." Rip said.
"How do we know werewolves are immune?" Helena asked.
"We don't for sure, but it's a reasonable bet. A small Russian village with a population of three hundred reported a rate of almost 100%, The five people that weren't infected were Werewolves. Similar situations have been reported all over Eastern Europe. They won't be deployed to assist until they're certain." Rip explained.
"Oh, and Schrodinger mentioned that all firsties are being taught the bubblehead charm. It's been proven effective against the flu and spattergroit." Luna added.
.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*
Harry and Seras looked on, smiling, as Integra rushed over to the horses that had been waiting in the stable for them.
"You're too good to us. She's over the moon." Seras said.
"Yeah.. I wonder how she'll react when she finds out this chateau is hers now." Harry said with a grin.
"You didn't!" Seras said. Harry laughed and nodded.
"She loved the horses in Texas but neither of us were fond of the weather. France is far more agreeable, plus she has a vineyard to rub in Pip's face." Harry added.
"Um.. Harry. I have a question." Seras said, looking nervous.
"Of course." Harry said, turning to face her.
"It's about Integra.. Um. If she's ready... I'd like her to be with us. You know.. when..." Seras said. Harry grinned.
"When we finally stop living in sin?" Harry asked. Seras smacked him and laughed.
"Yes. I mean... Being married finally, it's a dream come true. I never thought I'd find someone who I'd want to be with, let alone two people. I really want Integra to be a part of all of this." Seras said.
"I feel the same, but obviously we won't pressure her. She's still a virgin after all, it's a big decision to make." Harry said. Seras laughed.
"Harry I think she made that decision ages ago." Seras said. Harry smiled and nodded. Integra walked over with a huge grin on her face.
"Harry this is wonderful! They're so beautiful." Integra said, gesturing to the Horses.
"You like them do you?" Harry asked. She nodded.
"Cool, because they're yours." Harry said
"You didn't..." Integra said, shocked.
"I did. The Chateau is yours, though I'd like to borrow it for the month." Harry said with a laugh.
"Harry... you didn't need to-" Integra said, but Harry cut her off.
"Integra, come with us, please." Harry said, offering her his hand. She took it, with Seras taking the other as he lead them towards the house.
"I give. It's what I do. Sometimes, it comes back to me in a good way." Harry said, approaching the front door, which he opened.
"For the moment this home is referred to as "Chateau Hellsing" and can be reached by the floo by that name. A long time ago, it used to have another name. Chateau Delacour." Harry said.
"Wait..." Integra said. Harry nodded.
"Fleur's family. During the tournament, I saved Fleur's life twice and Gabrielle's once. During the war, Fleur was a member of the Order and I fought in several battles with her, saving her life at least three more times. Voldemort was sending envoys to a couple of prominent members of the board of governors for Beauxbatons, one of whom was attempting to purchase Gabrielle. I beheaded both of them a few weeks after the battle of Hogwarts when I found out. When Sebastien, Fleur's father, discovered you enjoy riding, he immediately offered me the chateau." Harry said.
"But this... isn't this their ancestral home?" Integra asked. Harry shook his head.
"No.. well sorta. It belonged to the descendant of a different branch of the Delacour family, and Fleur's great grandfather inherited it. They used to use it as a a vacation home, but nobody has lived here full time for about fifty years now." Harry explained Integra gave up and kissed him deeply, causing Seras to squeal happily. She broke off and leaned forward, leaning her head against his chest, then reaching out and pulling Seras close.
"I'm a little concerned about us spending a whole month away, given what is to come." Integra said.
"We aren't going to do anyone any good by running ourselves to the point of exhaustion right before we're most needed. Besides... I've got a ton of things in the works that won't need my attention until we return, and I've prepared a portal in case we need to run back to put out a fire. The only thing I'm worried about is Zorin." Harry said. Integra nodded.
"She'll be fine, she couldn't be in better hands. Besides, if she was too stubborn to ask you know Rip would." Seras said with a grin.