Chapter 14
Integra woke up the next day with a ridiculous, goofy smile on her face. She looked at both of her lovers and smiled at the sight of them sleeping peacefully next to her. Through a feat of acrobatics she didn't think possible she slipped out of the bed and made her way to the bathroom without waking them. She shivered as the cool air hit her naked skin, and reached for her robe which she'd had the foresight to bring with.
She was surprised to see a fresh copy of 'Voix de Paris' the French equivalent of the Daily Prophet on a small table next to the toilet. Her mood dimmed as she read through the front page article.
Magicals repoted missing from the streets of Belgrade!
In the magical districts of Belgrade, a hot spot in the ongoing White Lung pandemic, dozens of people have been reported missing by friends and family. Search efforts are hampered by quarantine restrictions, on both the magical and non-magique parts of the city. Authorities have requested that anyone who sees the people pictured below, report their locations to the Ministry immediately.
In the meantime, the Ministry again requests any non-human magicals with medical experience, magical or otherwise, please contact your local government to sign up and contribute to the relief efforts. White Lung has been proven to only affect entirely human individuals, any humans with non-human ancestry, be it Goblin, Veela, Vampire, Veela or House Elf have been proven to be immune from the disease. Your help may be the key to seeing us through this devastating illness.
The number of deaths associated with the pandemic remains low, with twelve known individuals having succumbed, but medical professionals all agree, that is unlikely to remain the case for long. As always, wash your hands vigorously after coming into contact with other people, avoid crowds as much as is feasible, and ensure any under-aged magicals are wearing bubblehead charms when travel amongst others is necessary. Furthermore, ensure all vaccinations are up to date, in order to keep your immune systems strong and healthy.
"Damn." Integra said quietly.
"Integra? Where'd you go?!" Seras asked from outside the bathroom.
"I'm in the loo, I'll be right out." Integra said, taking the newspaper with her after washing her hands and walking into the room. Seras smiled brightly and sat up, grinning at Integra.
"That robe is lovely… but it looked better on the floor." Seras said with an exaggeratedly sleazy leer. Integra laughed, and shrugged the robe off, letting it fall to the floor. Integra adored the way that Seras bit her lip when she took her in.
"I'm still a bit sore from last night you know." Integra said, giggling when Seras started pouting.
"You're no fun. What's that?" Seras asked, pointing at the newspaper.
"Do you read French?" Integra asked. Seras shook her head, so she sat it down on the table and reached into Harry's bag, withdrawing a blood replenisher, downing it before settling in beside Seras and tipping her head to the side. Seras grinned and rolled over on top of Integra, descending and gently biting her neck.
"White Lung is getting worse, and people have started disappearing in Belgrade." Integra said. She glanced to the side as she saw Harry sit up and stretch his arms.
"Morning!" Harry said, before frowning at Seras.
"Seras! We've been married for a day and you're already cheating on me with this tart?" Harry said, grinning.
"Tart?!" Integra asked, struggling not to laugh. Seras detached and smiled up at Integra.
"What can I say? She's hot." Seras said.
"She really is." Harry said, laughing.
"Harry, I'm curious about something." Seras said.
"Oh?" Harry asked. Seras nodded.
"I thought virgin blood was supposed to be different from.. uh… 'worldly' blood." Seras said, causing Integra to laugh.
"Every vampire I've spoken to has attested to that." Harry said with a shrug.
"Integra tastes the same, and I was there. She most certainly is no longer a virgin." Seras said, leering at Integra again, who this time blushed and smiled.
"Strange… I'll ask Imogene when we get back." Harry said. Integra stilled.
"About Imogene… are you sure you're okay about not using protection?" Integra asked. Harry smiled brightly.
"Are you sure you're ok with potentially being pregnant again?" Harry retorted. Integra smiled.
"Of course… it's just.." Integra said.
"All the babies, Integra. I'm going to have all the babies." Harry said, leaning forward and kissing her.
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Schrodinger stood, his arms folded over his chest, looking extremely uncomfortable as a fifth year Gryffindor girl named Selena Miller loomed over him.
"You're such a cutie!" She said, placing her hands on his shoulders and looking down fondly at him.
"Um.. thanks." Schrodinger said quietly.
"You're gonna be quite the lady killer when you're older." the girl said. Schrodinger shrugged.
"Excuse me, I'm supposed to meet some friends in the library." Schrodinger said. He flinched when her hand went up and started playing with one of his ears.
"Oh, come on. They won't mind if you're just a little bit late…" The girl said.
"Tell me, Miller. How would you feel if I were pawing at you like that?" Andrew Brown, Seventh-year Hufflepuff and Head Boy said as he emerged from around the corner.
"My father would have your head!" Selena said. Brown's grin grew predatory.
"And what pray tell do you think his father will do when he finds out you've got your hands on him?" Brown asked, positioning himself between him and Selena. She sputtered for a moment, and finding she had nothing to say she turned and stalked off.
"You ok, mate?" Brown asked Schrodinger.
"Yeah. Thanks, Brown." Schrodinger said.
"Andrew, please. So before Miller decided to harass you, where were you heading? Curfew is in fifteen minutes." Brown asked. Schrodinger fished through his things before producing a slip and handing it to the head boy.
"I've got watch with Mr. Watkins tonight." Schrodinger said. Brown grimaced.
"I hate that we've got a firstie keeping watch over the castle like this…" Brown said.
"I assure you I'm quite capable." Schrodinger said, looking rather offended. Brown looked at him for a moment before chuckling.
"No, that's not what I meant. It's just it shouldn't be your responsibility. You should be worried about making friends and passing tests, though from what I hear you're not having much trouble in either of those fields." Brown said with a grin. Schrodinger rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, yeah." Schrodinger said.
"Listen, mate. Let me know if she bothers you again, right? Headmistress McGonnagall and your father have enacted very clear rules about sexual harassment in this school. Nobody has to take that shit, right?" Brown said.
"I will. Thanks again." Schrdoigner said. Brown nodded and took his leave. Schrodinger shook his head and reported to Watkins' office. He knocked on the door and politely waited until he was admitted in.
"Mr. Blitz, please be seated. I assume you've met Mr. Filch here." Tobias Watkins, newly minted School Security officer said.
"Yes, sir." Schrodinger said.
"Pleasure to see you again, lad." Filch said, offering his hand which Schrodinger shook.
"You as well, sir." Schrodinger said.
"Make sure you don't keep this young man up too late tonight. Vampires are normally nocturnal, but he is most certainly not, understood?" Filch said.
"Yes, sir." Watkins said.
"Very good. You remember to practice with that rifle, now." Filch said.
"Yes, sir." Watkins said. Filch grinned.
"Ask Schrodinger here if you need any assistance. He's quite the marksman." Filch said.
"Of course." Watkins said. Filch put his hat back on and walked out the door. Schrodinger noted that his posture was straighter, and he seemed more self-assured.
"He's strict, but fair." Watkins observed.
"He and I defended the castle when my Father returned from the infernal realm. He has some amazing stories from the war." Schrodinger said.
"Right. Well to business then. I've got you for two hours, then it's off to bed, understood? I want you to patrol the eastern corridors and then report back here in half an hour. Also, I want you to wear this at all times." Watkins said, handing Schrodinger a long, floor-length trench coat that appeared to be of military design.
"Sir?" Schrodinger asked. Watkins' expression softened.
"It's got the strongest fire protection I can muster. It's infused with flame retardant chemicals, a fire extinguishing potion and overloaded with flame freezing charms. After hearing what happened… I wanted you to be as safe as possible." Watkins said. Schrodinger shivered, and nodded.
"Thank you, sir." Schrodinger said.
"There's loads of storage for ammunition, but Professor McGonagall has prohibited the carrying of firearms inside the castle unless it is under threat of attack, and I quite agree with that sentiment." Watkins said.
"Of Course, sir. Small arms ammunition in a building made of magically-enhanced stone will ricochet quite a bit. Besides…" Schrodinger said, lifting one of his hands and transforming it into a set of wicked looking claws.
"I am not unarmed." Schrodinger said with a grin. Watkins laughed.
"I suppose you're not." Watkins said.
"Sir, I have a question, and I am not in any way complaining, but why is it that I'm being asked to patrol?" Schrodinger said, wincing when his voice cracked.
"Well we have plenty of personnel and the seventh year prefects, head boy and head girl are all versed in myriad forms of defensive and offensive spells, however your father and Headmistress McGonagall agreed that if we didn't include you, you'd have found a way to involve yourself under our noses. This way we can at least protect you." Watkins said with a grin.
"What makes you say that?" Schrodinger asked.
"I'm only a few years older than your father, we all watched him traipse around the castle like he owned the place, killing dark lords and basilisks, saving all of our asses while the staff sat on their thumbs, neither of us have any doubt that you'd follow in his footsteps." Watkins said with a grin. Schrodinger laughed.
"You know he's not my biological father." Schrodinger said.
"True, but given that he inspired Granger and Weasley to follow him without even trying, and given the valor you displayed in defending the school, I'm guessing it's a safe bet." Watkins said. Schrodinger blushed.
"Fair, I suppose." Schrodinger said.
"Now come on, let's get to it." Watkins said, gesturing for Schrodinger to lead the way.
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"Mother, I'd like for you to consider selling the manor and moving to a smaller home." Draco said.
"Preposterous! It's been in my family for years, even if it bore your father's name." Narcissa said.
"Yes, it's large, and very well known. Unless you're planning on putting up the fidelius and making it unplottable, it is a big, obvious target and you live alone there." Draco said. Narcissa sighed.
"I just.. I hate the idea of losing yet another piece of my history." Narcissa said.
"So sell it to Sirius. For all we know he's got properties all over muggle London." Draco said.
"Muggle london?" Narcissa asked, vaguely disgusted.
"Mother look at what that thinking turned us into. IT's a hard pill to swallow, believe me I know, but that nonsense about blood purity has ravaged our family. The Blacks are a shadow of what they once were. On top of that, look at what inbreeding has done to our family…" Draco said, sharply, but his tone softened when he continued.
"Your sister." Draco continued. Narcissa's eyes welled up.
"I know…" Narcissa said.
"The world is changing, mum. Lucius didn't want to change with it, and now he's dead." Draco said. Narcissa sobbed and grabbed Draco, pulling him into a hug.
"I'm sorry, I hate being like that but it's the truth. I don't want Scorpius growing up thinking he's superior to everyone else… Same with his little sister." Draco said. Narcissa gasped and stared up at Draco who was smiling
"Really?" Narcissa said. Draco nodded and smiled.
"She's about eight weeks along." Draco said.
"Oh! This is wonderful news! Can I tell Andromeda?" Narcissa asked, her sorrow completely forgotten. Draco laughed and nodded.
"Go ahead, but make sure she doesn't spread it around. Things are better but we still have many enemies on both sides." Draco reminded her.
"Of course.. oh. That's right. Draco you need to keep her safe! That horrible disease is going around." Narcissa said.
"I know. We've taken steps. One of which is living in a small, unremarkable flat in muggle London." Draco said, looking seriously at her.
"I'll talk to Sirius tonight." Narcissa promised.
"Good. You can't spoil your grandchildren from beyond the grave." Draco said. Narcissa laughed.
"Of course I can. That's what wills are for." Narcissa said.