Harry blinked in surprise, but moved over slightly to give her room
She opened to the back and groaned, “Haven’t these damned wizards ever heard of an index?”
“What are you doing?” he asked.
She glanced over to him and smiled. “I am going to help you research. You are my friend after all.”
He smiled brightly at being called ‘friend’. “Thank you, Integra. I really mean that. I never had any friends before I came to Hogwarts.”
Integra nodded. “I only went to upper class all-girls schools before I came here.” She paused, “And I didn’t have any friends either.”
“Why not?” he asked.
“Harry, I think you out of everyone here knows best what it is like to be different. To have circumstances out of your control make you just DIFFERENT then everyone else,” She paused for a moment. “All the girls at that those schools are little spoiled brats. All they want is to do is lord over everyone else, spend money, be told great they are… they do not and cannot understand me. They could never comprehend what my families duty is…”
Harry blinked. “I’ve been wondering that, Integra. Everyone seems to be afraid of you because you’re a Hellsing. Why is that? When ever I ask they all act like I’m talking about… you know who.”
Integra scoffed. “Do you mean Voldimort?” she replied, a little too loudly.
There were several gasps as all eyes turned to her.
Integra rolled he eyes and looked at Harry. She was speaking to him, but did so loud enough that everyone could hear. “Harry, being afraid to say someone’s name gives that person power over you. I refuse to live in fear of a simple name, to give someone that kind of power over me… do you want to give the bastard who murdered your parents that kind of dominion over you?”
Harry scowled. “Of course not!”
She smiled. “Good. Name are powerful. Names can bind and banish evils and demons. They can give you great strength as well, because if you know what it is you know it. If you know it, then you can find the strength to defeat it. Do not be afraid to say his name. Just because everyone else is a coward does not mean you have to be.”
Harry smiled. He was standing a little taller, a little prouder. It was as if what Integra had said had an effect. “Why do they talk about your family like they do Voldimort?”
“My family line began in the last 16th century, in Holland. We were called the Von Helsing at the time. We were hunters of monsters and demons… my family history is very illustrious but I can tell you the details later. It was the actions of my great great grandfather, Abraham von Helsing who made us what we are today.” She laughed, “It was serendipity really… he helped defeat a famous vampire, one you have doubtlessly heard of…”
Harry shook his head. “No, I don’t know anything about the wizarding world, like famous vampires…”
Integra shook her head. “Harry, do not be an idiot. I am talking about Count Dracula.”
Harry gawked. “Your great great grandfather beat DRACULA?!”
She nodded. “Yes… one of the survivors of Dracula’s savagery was a woman named Mina Murray. Some years after the attack, she became a member of a group of intrepid adventurers called the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. At the same time supernatural menace was being to rear its ugly head in the empire. The League was sent many times to deal with these oddities, but they were not suited for fighting the terrors of the night… Knowing this, Mina found Abraham von Helsing once again, and asked him to come with her and speak to the Queen.”
Integra smiled. “He spoke to great lengths to her majesty about the threats. He told her that the best way to control the supernatural was to know it, and to be forever ready to destroy if should it be a threat. She hired him, and tasked to him creating and leading a secret army of hunters to protect the crown, church, and country from any supernatural threat. Because of his deeds in the name of the crown, she eventually granted him the title of lord, beginning the modern history of my family.”
Harry nodded. “Then why are you ‘Hellsing’ now?”
She shrugged. “Changed it during World War I. It sounded too German.”
“Oh, I see… so that’s why you didn’t have any friends?”
She nodded. “Yes. They cannot understand what its like. I am going to grow up and I am going t be tasked with protecting England from things most people only see in their nightmares.”
“I think I understand.”
She smiled. “Thank you Harry… now, why didn’t you have any friends?”
Harry sighed. “You’ve heard about my aunt and uncle, right?”
She nodded.
“They made me sleep in a cupboard under the stairs, and I had to wear my cousin Dudley’s old hand-me-downs… and he’s twice my size. Dudley and his friends would bet me up and make fun of anyone would talk to me.”
Integra scowled. “It is absolutely abhorrent that people such as those should be you guardians! You are a good person, Harry Potter, far to virtuous to be punished with such suffering… ”
Harry sighed. “What other choice is there… who else will take me in?”
Integra though for a moment and stood up, her face a very mask of determination. “Come Harry, I need use of your Owl.”
He blinked. “Why? I have to do this report!”
She grinned. “The report can wait! I just had an idea!”
He blinked. “What?”
“I am going to ask my father if you may stay with us while you are not in school!”
He gawked. “Really… but… but I don’t want to be a bother!”
“Nonsense!” She looked to him with a smile. “I live in a mansion, Harry. A castle even. We have guest rooms that have not been occupied for decades! We have room to spare in spades! Boarding you over vacations will be anything but a trouble!”
Harry just stood in place, speechless. “I don’t know how to thank you…”
She smiled. “I look out for my friends, Harry, and I see something special in you…”
“Thank you, Integra…”
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(Posted Thu, 02 Dec 2004 07:24)
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