Chapter 71
How wonderful it is to wake up at home in a soft bed! After lounging around for a couple of minutes, I waited for the alarm to ring, quickly freshened up, and headed to the training hall. Integra was already waiting for me there. I smiled warmly at her, drew my rapier, and immediately rushed into battle. For the next two hours, my precious mother joyfully chased me around the arena, and I tenaciously, even successfully, resisted and counterattacked in places. Then a short break for breakfast, and then back to the arena, and so on all day! By dinner, my hands were shaking with fatigue; I could barely lift a fork from the table. Mom was also exhausted, and our vampires were now tenderly feeding her with a spoon. I even felt a little envious: Victoria was slicing steak, and Alucard was spearing a piece with his fork and carefully placing it into his mistress’s mouth.
– Mistress, let me help you? – Vasya climbed onto the table and looked at me in a fatherly way. – I can see that you’re completely fed up!
– I wonder how? – At that moment, I was holding a knife with both hands and trying to cut a piece of meat, my strength leaving me.
“Look what I can do! ” The snake wrapped the tip of its tail around the handle of a fork, then swung it like Poseidon’s trident and speared a piece of veal, then slowly guided it to my lips. ” The older mistress has her fangs, but you have none. This is bullshit!”
With the help of the cursing tail, things went faster: I cut the meat, and Vasya fed me. When Mom saw this, she almost choked, but then she winked cheerfully at me and saluted with her glass of wine.
“Thank you, you’re the best! ” I leaned back in my chair, satisfied, and thanked this wonderful snake.
– Of course! Vasya is a real sucker! – The familiar proudly raised his head. – And if you tell me shit, I’ll tell everyone that I gave you oral sex!
– Bitch! – I tried to grab this bastard, but he dodged and, sticking his tongue out at me, disappeared into the ventilation.
Having finished my meal, I trudged wearily back to my room. It seemed like there was no point in being so upset on the last days of vacation. But there were several reasons…
Let’s start with the fact that Sergei liked my handling of a blade, so he signed me up for the international fencing championship. Among wizards, of course. The competition was scheduled to take place in Paris at the end of November, and this activist and entertainer took charge of all the organizational matters. He was “embarrassed” to ask my opinion, simply presenting it as a fait accompli, and, surprisingly, my mother supported his initiative.
Entering my chambers, I took off my clothes on the go and headed to the bathroom, where I took several vials of potions from the shelf and turned on the water.
Last night, in addition to the upcoming events at Hogwarts, we were actively discussing the upcoming championship. It turned out that in the Wizarding World, there were other competitions besides Quidditch. Naturally, I wasn’t even surprised; the rules there were much simpler and more stringent, but for wizards, that was the norm. Personally, I’ll be representing Wizarding Britain among minors, and that’s the only selection criterion! The championship doesn’t discriminate by gender, height, or weight, as long as you’re under seventeen. So I’ll be competing against some big shots who are several years older than me. When my mother asked about safety, Sergei only chuckled. Firstly, there were always Master Healers on duty in the arena, and secondly, I had a “save slot,” as I call it, a soul catcher. And thirdly, Dark Lord himself, along with Maria and Valentina, will also be present, since Soviet athletes will also be attending.
I grumbled a bit, of course, for the sake of appearances, but eventually agreed; I was interested in trying my hand myself. And since there were no worthy opponents at Hogwarts (and even if there were, I didn’t meet any), Mom had to put everything aside and focus on my training. We knew perfectly well that a couple of days wouldn’t improve my skills, but I needed it to calm my nerves and collect my thoughts.
The bath filled to the brim and I slooooowly sank into the hot water. The healing potions immediately took effect, and my body completely relaxed. Except my head.
Last night, my mother told me that Her Majesty has truly appreciated my talents, and I’m attending the Accolade on the last Sunday in August. We discussed this over the winter, as I was eager to leave the jurisdiction of Wizarding Britain, but to do it with the full ceremony, and in St. Paul’s Cathedral, no less… When I heard this news, I was stunned for a few minutes, and then I didn’t know what to say, because it’s a Great Honor! That’s right, with a capital H.
In short, anyone who completed the Accolade became a Knight of Her Majesty’s Order and a protector of the Church of England. There were no judges over this person other than the reigning monarch and the Maker. Only the highest aristocrats were granted such an honor, and soon I would be one of them! This title brought a wealth of privileges, but also enormous responsibility: “I am no longer my own, but a faithful sword of the Crown.” I would be obliged to carry out Her Majesty’s every command without question, and that was a little frightening… What if, as a test, she ordered Hermione’s death? There were precedents for such things in the old chronicles; one of my ancestors had beheaded his best friend, the King’s way of testing his loyalty. Of course, that was a long time ago, and times had changed, but a slight fear was still there.
Emerging from the hot water, I lathered a washcloth with soap laced with medicinal extracts and began scrubbing my scarred hands. I needed to be in good shape tomorrow, as I had to spend the entire day in the arena again, and only the rapier in my hands drove the bad thoughts from my fuzzy head.
My mother understood my fears and worries perfectly, so she never left my side. The trepidation in my hands was compounded by the fact that in the past couple of centuries, I was the first Hellsing to undergo the full initiation rite. The last heads of the Order died unexpectedly in battle, and the Crown had to urgently conduct a simplified initiation, as the Order could not exist without a head. My grandfather was knighted aboard a battle cruiser, and my mother in the hall of the estate. Only now did I understand what my death would lead to. If both my mother and I were gone, the Order would be disbanded! Therefore, I simply had to undergo the initiation and become the Crown’s Punishing Blade.
Having calmed down and regained my composure, I climbed out of the bath, changed into my pajamas, and collapsed onto the bed. After settling in, I telekinetically pulled my dark magic notes to my side and immersed myself in this fascinating read. An hour later, there was a knock on the door, and my mother entered the room in her favorite silk robe. Seeing my beloved, I put my notebook down, and Integra, with a sly smile, lay down next to me.
– Are you worried? – Mom put her arm around my shoulders.
– A little, Mom, – I looked into the blue eyes. – Were you worried?
“No, my thoughts were occupied with something else then…” The woman sighed sadly. “First my father’s death, then my uncle’s betrayal… They hadn’t even managed to remove the traitors’ bodies from the estate yet, and Her Majesty and the Archbishop were already presenting me with the Order’s regalia.”
– Hmm… – That’s all I could say. – And how did you cope?
“It was difficult at first. I went to school in the morning and spent the evenings with advisers and mentors.” Mom chuckled cheerfully. “Sometimes Her Majesty would call me to her, and we would talk for a long time. I learned a lot from her.”
– What about school? How did the teachers feel about your absences? – I telekinetically lured my bag to me and pulled out a bottle of juice. – Were there any concessions?
“Darling, I studied at the Imperial Academy…” The woman accepted the glass and took a sip. “There are no concessions there. The chemistry teacher was especially fierce once…”
Several hours flew by in a cheerful and interesting conversation, during which I learned many details about the youth of a certain platinum blonde. We parted around midnight; it had been a busy day, and we were both tired, especially since another couple of days of brutal training loomed ahead. At least the conversation had calmed me down completely, and now I can’t wait to appear before Her Majesty in all my glory.
***
The fencing marathon was over, and we did our usual morning exercises outside, especially since Saturday was warm and sunny. I decided to rest and relax that day, so I allowed myself to lie on the sofa with a book until lunch. However, lounging around isn’t my thing, so by three o’clock, Elvira, Victoria, and I were in the Rolls-Royce and heading to Crawley. Hermione welcomed us with open arms, and we spent the rest of the evening exploring the charming town. Fortunately, there were plenty of parks and cozy cafes, and Emma and little Hector kept us company for a while. He’s almost two years old now, and he’s growing up very inquisitive and restless.
At precisely nine o’clock in the evening, I said goodbye to my friends and headed into central London with Victoria. An hour later, I stood on Langate Hill, admiring a masterpiece of medieval architecture. St. Paul’s Cathedral stood at the highest point of the British Empire’s capital and was astounding in its size. Of course, it’s the largest Anglican church in the world and also the seat of the archbishop.
I once again examined the snow-white columns supporting the roof’s vaults, whose triangular façade was covered in stucco. To the left and right of it rose tall towers, crowned with golden spires and adorned with statues, and then turned my attention to the enormous dome, a true work of art. This magnificent building was visible from almost anywhere in the capital, and up close it was downright breathtaking.
Victoria and I exchanged glances and walked up the high white stone porch to the temple’s enormous wooden gates. Integra, dressed in her usual pantsuit, was waiting for us there, along with a short, gray-haired old man, whose wrinkled, clean-shaven face held a sly smile and whose brown eyes shone with life.
“Hello, Archbishop, hello, Mom.” I nodded politely to those who greeted me.
“Pleased to meet you, child.” The old man in a white cassock with a modest silver cross on his chest nodded in response.
– How was your walk? – Mom hugged me with a smile. – Are you ready?
– Great! – I smiled back. – Of course.
“I suggest we dispense with the unnecessary bows and begin the ceremony.” The Archbishop gestured toward the gate. “We’ve had everything ready for a long time. Child, do you know the prayers?”
– Yes, Your Eminence. – Thanks to Father Benedict, I know the Holy Scriptures almost by heart.
“We’re not at a formal reception right now, so just call me Father Geoffrey.” The old man winced slightly.
I nodded in response, and we entered the cathedral. Inside, it was even more beautiful than the outside: the high ceilings were painted with various frescoes and images of saints, and the stained-glass windows were stunning in their beauty and intricacy. The sunlight filtering through the multicolored glass added a sense of solemnity and mystery to the space.
The archbishop gave us time to admire the cathedral’s furnishings, then led us through an inconspicuous door into a small room furnished only with a wooden wardrobe and a narrow bed. A small round window provided little light, but I could see a simple wooden crucifix on the wall.
– Get changed, I’ll be waiting outside. – The old man crossed us and left the room.
Then Mom and I undressed completely, even our underwear went into the closet, from which I pulled out two white linen dresses. The ceremonial robe had long sleeves that had to be rolled up, and the hems were shortened slightly because they swept along the floor. After adjusting the dress to fit, I kissed Mom on the cheek goodbye and, my bare heels slapping on the marble floor, went to find the archbishop. Integra remained in this room praying for me all night.
The old man appeared behind the door, looked me over critically, smiled, and extended his hand. So, hand in hand, we walked along the red carpet past the numerous rows of wooden pews and stopped before the altar.
Having crossed myself before the face of the Creator, I knelt down on the soft cushion provided, and grasped my crucifix with both hands. The most difficult part of the Accolade had begun: I had to stay awake and pray all night, for which I’d taken potions in the car. I’d have to cut back later, as at twelve, I looked fourteen, just like Hermione, and Elvira looked like a younger sister next to us.
“Are you ready, child?” The Archbishop interrupted the silly thoughts in my head, and I nodded confidently in response. “Well then, I leave you alone with the Creator, and I bless you. Your sister will be by your side and will support your Faith.”
“Thank you.” I nodded to the old man and smiled at Victoria, who was sitting in the front row, and clutched the crucifix tighter.
Seeing a higher vampire in the Temple, especially with the Holy Scripture in hand, was very strange, but I had long since stopped being surprised by anything. Victoria’s job was to support me and my mother, keep us awake, and bring us water, as we weren’t supposed to have any other food until dawn. Turning away, I focused on the face of the Creator before me and whispered a prayer:
I give my life to the Creator.
I pray that He will accept her.
I give my strength to the Creator.
I pray that He will not deprive me of it.
I give my blood to the Creator.
I pray that she will quench His thirst.
I lay my body on the altar of battle,
I pray that He will grant me a noble death.
I pray to Him for protection, giving everything in return…
Staying on my knees all night was difficult, but I managed. When the prayers ended, I simply began quoting Scripture or expressing my thoughts in simple words. Oddly enough, I didn’t feel like sleeping; the place was filled with divine energy and seemed to invigorate me. And when the first rays of sunlight filtered through the multicolored stained-glass windows, I heard a familiar voice behind me.
“Good morning, Star, glad to see you.” I turned and met the gaze of Father Benedict, dressed in a formal monastic habit.
“Hello, Father Ben.” I smiled back and tried to stand up, but my legs were numb and wouldn’t obey me. “What are you…”
“Confession is required before the service,” the powerful man came closer and helped me stand up. “And I decided it would be better if you spoke to someone you knew.”
– You’re right… Thank you… – I started rubbing my numb thighs. – Ugh… Give me a minute…
When our legs began to obey us, we left the spacious hall and, after walking down several corridors, found ourselves in a small room. As we walked, I noticed that the temple’s decor was very austere and rather modest, well, with the exception of the central hall. The small room contained two wooden benches, placed opposite each other, and a round table with my breakfast. I happily devoured a piece of rye bread and washed it down with a glass of water; at that moment, the food seemed especially delicious.
“Well, we can begin.” Father Ben waited until I finished eating and then sat down opposite him. “Rigel, you’re supposed to confess before the service…” The man thought for a moment. “You’re still too young for sin, but perhaps you did something bad and regret it? Don’t worry, everything you say is a secret that won’t leave the confessional. Servants of the Creator take an oath of secrecy.”
“I know,” I said, leaning back wearily with a smile and resting my elbows on the stone wall. “Holy Father, you’re right. I’m still very young, but I’ve already done a lot of bad things…”
Over the next hour, I told Father Benedict about my adventures: the murder of Mrs. Dietrich, the poison testing on freaks in a back alley, and the prostitute who died only because she was a bystander. I didn’t forget about the maniac in the manor’s dungeons and the textbooks I used to learn the art of torture—five in all. Then it was my turn to tell him about the unfortunate killer at Hogwarts, who had been under Imperio, and the pre-Christmas adventures at Knockturn, when, on my orders, Victoria killed Valerie’s mother and Olaf. I think I remembered them all. So, if you count the Beasts, and I couldn’t bring myself to call the Hog and the Horse people, then fifteen people have died at my hand, and that’s in twelve years! But I’m sure there will soon be much more blood on my hands…
“…I think that’s all…” I lowered my head, examining the cracks in the stone floor. “I can’t lie to you, Father Ben, so I’ll tell you honestly – I don’t feel sorry for these people. This world has become cleaner and safer without them, just a little, but still. I understand that my actions were terrible, and excuses won’t help…”
“Unexpected…” Father Benedict said when I finished my confession. “It’s gratifying that you understand the gravity of your actions and even show some remorse, although some of the people in your story are hardly human. I myself fought and killed, so I have no right to judge you, but you can atone for your sins by serving the Creator; I feel He has accepted you.”
“Thank you, Father Ben.” I nodded gratefully at the man, my heart truly feeling a little lighter. “But I’m not planning on becoming a nun…”
“You don’t need to be a priest to carry the Light.” The priest smiled and straightened up. “It’s quite simple: do good deeds: help those in need and protect the weak—that’s what the Holy Scriptures teach. Always act from your heart, not for profit; help simply because it’s what the Creator intended. In a few hours, you will become a Holy Knight. It’s a great honor, but also a tremendous responsibility. The defenders of the Church are ready to sacrifice themselves for others. Are you ready for that?”
– Ready! – I looked firmly into the priest’s eyes. – I am not afraid of death.
“Don’t rush me to meet the Creator.” Father Ben stood up and patted me on the shoulder. “Always remember that your death could bring great sorrow to your family and friends, and you’re still too young and have your whole life ahead of you.”
– Got it. – I stood up too.
“Come on, I’ll take you to your mother.” The priest chuckled cheerfully. “She’s been waiting for you for a while, I bet.”
A few minutes later, I found myself alone in a small room with a tall, platinum-haired blonde in a dress military uniform. At the sight of the general’s epaulettes, instinct kicked in faster than reason; I stood at attention and relaxed only when I saw the cheerful smile on her sweet face. It was extremely unusual to see my mother in epaulettes, but the uniform suited her and even accentuated her chiseled figure.
– Good morning. – Mom smiled and, coming up, ruffled my hair. – Did you manage?
“Of course!” I nodded happily in response, and my gaze fell on the second set of dress uniform, this time with the shoulder straps of a lance corporal. “Is this for me?”
After a nod, I quickly changed and transfigured a full-length mirror. I’d learned this at camp, as I always needed to look perfect. Taking out my wand, I smoothed out a few wrinkles, adjusted my jacket a bit, and tidied up my hair. After looking at my reflection with satisfaction, I accepted the ceremonial scabbard from my mother and placed in it the rapier sheath I’d been given for my birthday many years ago. This Über-blade had been waiting a long time for its moment, and I’d finally grown up to it. Finally, my mother and I looked each other over and, finding nothing to complain about, we walked out into the central hall.
The temple was packed, almost every seat occupied by respected members of the Empire’s high aristocracy—surely, considering the occasion. My mother walked ahead, and I followed proudly behind her, catching many approving and thoughtful glances. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted the Finch-Fletchleys, the Lancasters, and even Walter and Victoria among the guests, all sitting in a friendly group in the second row. In the front, gathered were Elizabeth II’s eldest sons with their wives and children.
We stopped five steps from the altar, and my mother bowed and stepped aside. I was to walk the remaining distance alone and unaccompanied, thus confirming the voluntariness of my decision. The Archbishop and Her Majesty the Queen of the British Empire were waiting for me at the altar. Approaching, I drew the blade from its sheath and, holding it at arm’s length, knelt down (this time, a special soft rest had been installed for my comfort).
The Archbishop looked at me approvingly and crossed himself, and Her Majesty accepted the weapon and placed it on a special stand before the altar. Next followed a solemn service in honor of the Holy Knights, who are the defenders of the Empire. Naturally, I remained kneeling and listened attentively. After the final prayer, Father Geoffrey approached my rapier and, sprinkling it with holy water, blessed it. So that the knight’s blade would carry the will of the Creator into the world and combat corruption and heresy, for the good of the Empire, of course.
Having finished, the archbishop stepped aside, and the Queen took the rapier by the carved hilt and approached me; I lowered my head in a sign of humility.
“I, Queen Elizabeth II of the British Empire, in the name and glory of the Creator,” the blade touched my right shoulder. “I hereby knight Rigel Integra Hellsing of the Sacred Order of Her Majesty’s English Legion of the Lawful, Supernatural, and Immortal Night Guard.” The blade touched my left shoulder, and I looked up.
“I, Rigel Integra Hellsing, swear,” I look the Queen straight in the eyes. “To my monarch, I swear unwavering loyalty and devotion. From now on, I am his servant, his hand and his eye, until the end of my days. I will never betray and will direct all my will and strength to fulfilling the missions entrusted to me, may the Creator be my witness!”
As soon as I said the last word, the crucifix on my wrist began to glow brightly. This glow was visible even through my clothes, enveloping my body completely and quickly absorbing it. For a second, I felt a flush of heat, and then everything returned to normal, but in my gut, I felt something had changed. Looking at the elderly lady who was the reigning monarch, I felt a connection, not like with Vasya, but something akin to the thread that united me with Hermione. So, I had not become a servant and was not obligated to unquestioningly carry out my overlord’s every whim, which was understandable—a knight cannot be a slave. The Queen knew this perfectly well, so her orders would always be aimed only at the well-being of the Empire. Her Majesty smiled kindly at me and touched the top of my head with the blade.
“Stand up, Rigel Integra Hellsing.” I rose smoothly and immediately received a resounding slap. “This is the last blow of your life that will remain unanswered.” The Queen handed me the rapier.
“So be it,” I slashed the blade across my palm and put the blade back in its sheath (when drawing a sword, a knight is obliged to feed it with blood), after which I took a step forward.
Her Majesty placed her hands on my shoulders and kissed me on the cheek, right where the slap had landed, and stepped back, making way for the archbishop.
The priest sprinkled me with holy water and made the sign of the cross, and then placed a small silver Catholic cross on my chest; my mother had the same one, only a little bigger.
“Greetings to the Knight of the Crown and Defender of the Church of England,” Elizabeth II addressed those present loudly, and I received a standing ovation. “I am proud of you, girl.” The Queen said these words much more quietly, and gently nudged me toward the guests.
I no longer had the strength to respond, so, nodding gratefully, I headed toward my mother, who looked at me proudly. However, the ceremony didn’t end there; a celebratory buffet awaited us outside. For this purpose, numerous awnings had been set up in the temple courtyard, with tables set up beneath them laden with various drinks and delicacies.
My body, smelling the enticing aromas, remembered that I’d been subsisting exclusively on holy spirit for almost a day, and my stomach growled demandingly. But I couldn’t devour the food; we were in polite company, after all—I had to keep up appearances. So, for the next few hours, I drooled as I accepted congratulations from influential aristocrats of the Empire and members of the royal family. I especially liked Lady Diana and Uncle Charlie, such a sweet and cheerful couple; my empathy was overjoyed for them. Along with their congratulations, they presented me with an invitation to a gala reception scheduled for early December. What a busy year this has been; maybe I should really blow up the Chamber of Secrets with a FAB? Well, to keep my resources organized, I have a fencing championship and a reception with the Crown Prince. When will I look for this diary?! Of course, first I need to find the entrance to Salazar’s ritual hall… Oh well, that’s for later.
By the end of the event, my legs were starting to give way and my head was spinning mercilessly, but I persevered through this ordeal. I raised a glass to the health of Her Majesty, then to the well-being of the Empire, and only then were we allowed to go home. I vaguely remembered the drive to the parking lot, but I did remember the caring vampire.
“Little sister, Mistress, here you go.” As soon as the Rolls-Royce started moving, Victoria handed Mom and me a paper bag each; the smell coming from them even brought me back to my senses. “These aren’t royal delicacies, of course, but they’re quick and tasty.”
Inside were simple hamburgers and fries with a bottle of lemonade, but I was ready to kiss the vampire. Sweet, beloved Victoria had supported us all night, and now she’d saved us from starvation. The proud Baroness and her heir devoured the street food with relish, then leaned against each other, snoring contentedly. At least Hogwarts wasn’t until the day after tomorrow, so there would be time to catch up on some sleep…
***
On September 1st, dressed in my school uniform, I was walking down the stairs, dragging a pink suitcase behind me. This time, I decided not to take any chances, and the night before, I’d packed Cthulhu and the porcelain monsters, which were mistakenly called dolls, into my luggage. It’s a shame I didn’t get to talk to Alucard, but I’ll definitely track him down during winter break and ask him about the Eternal Lady; I’m sooo curious how the hell she saved my memories.
Downstairs, I met a cheerful Victoria and a pleased mother. The latter looked me over critically, brushed off a nonexistent speck of dust, and smiled. Then we waited for the perpetually late Elvira and got into the Rolls-Royce, and then Walter whisked us quickly to the station. The Finch-Fletchleys, along with the Grangers and Creeveys, were already waiting for us in the parking lot. I actually noticed that Dan and Jake had become suspiciously close and were now discussing something, glancing conspiratorially at their wives.
The company perked up at the sight of us, and greeting hugs began. We were practically family to the Grangers, and the Creeveys simply couldn’t do otherwise; they were such simple and kind people. Only Lord Finch-Fletchley tried to adhere to etiquette, but it was difficult.
After chatting for a bit, we crossed over to the magical part of the station and found ourselves in the clutches of a large and very friendly red-haired family. Security prudently stepped aside, and Mrs. Weasley burst into our ranks, with Arthur right behind her. Having endured a second wave of hugs, the younger generation moved away from the adults a bit. The younger Weasleys got their share of hugs too. Jake decided to compete with Molly, but in the end, friendship prevailed.
Away from the adults, I finally had the chance to say hello to Ron and his brothers and sisters, as there were three girls in the group of red-haired boys. Percy introduced us to Penelope, his fiancée, and we already knew Genie and Luna.
The younger Weasleys stood out from their older brothers with their tans; Ron was downright sunburned and periodically scratched his peeling ears and nose, which looked comical. And Luna simply stood out. While the redheads were dressed in ordinary, well-made dark robes, the girl arrived on the platform in a pink nightgown and green galoshes, and the purple top hat and glasses on her head looked even more appropriate.
“Ron, where is Luna’s father?” I quietly whispered in the guy’s ear and watched as the gray-haired girl with a dreamy smile admired the locomotive.
– Um… – Weasley was embarrassed.
“Xeno’s completely lost his fucking mind.” The eldest brother approached us from behind. “This morning, Mom went to the Lovegoods’, and Luna was waiting for her on the doorstep with a trunk and dressed like this. That psycho went to visit his relatives in the Czech Republic the day before yesterday and forgot about his daughter. Ugh!”
The guy spat with hostility and immediately received a punch in the side from the cute blonde, who also happened to be his fiancée.
“Percy, stop insulting people, maybe he went to get treatment.” The girl looked sadly at Luna. “Poor girl, have you checked her things?”
Here everyone looked closely at the bright green painted chest on which a fragile girl was sitting.
“I’ll definitely check on the train.” Ginny came up to us and hung on her older brother. “You’ll help me carry our things, right?”
“Where else would I go?” The older brother stroked the girl’s head and smiled. “Don’t forget to put on your ceremonial robes, all the Malfoys will die of envy!”
“They’ll be jealous anyway!” The tanned red-haired girl let go of her brother and ran to her friend. “Luna, what are you staring at?!”
After Ginny left, our rather large group began to communicate; both adults and children missed each other.
– Jas! Look what I have! – Ron pulled a rusty piece of iron out of his pocket and turned to his friend. – It’s a fragment of a torpedo boat, I pulled it from the bottom myself…
“Girls, look what we came up with!” the twins said, drawing attention to themselves. “This thing…”
“In the fifth paragraph of the Hogwarts Charter,” the boring Percy was telling Penelope something, shouting over the twins, “it says…”
The adults weren’t far behind either:
– Jake, it’s better to take… when hunting.
– Tegra, my dear, I prefer…
– The silent blocks need to be replaced…
– And I’m cooking milk porridge for Hector…
Eventually, a whole crowd gathered on the platform. There were truly a lot of us, and we didn’t care about anyone else. We chatted cheerfully, shouting over the smoke-filled locomotive. Many purebred wizards grimaced and turned away, but they didn’t dare say anything against us; their instinct for self-preservation was still intact. But there were exceptions: at one point, a smaller delegation approached our rather large group.
Leading the group of venerable wizards was the illustrious Lord of Magic, Malfoy, and his wife. Behind him, other representatives of the magical aristocracy stood proudly. The blond wizard introduced us to the Greengrasses, Crabbes, and Goyles, who nodded in response and began introducing their offspring. It was boring. Where were the joyful hugs and promises of fishing trips?! The aristocrats’ children also tried to maintain a straight face, but they were struggling. Diana’s brother, who was looking curiously at the prospect, soon found himself in the company of Ginny and Luna, while Daphne’s younger sister began discussing the design of a steam locomotive with Colin, explaining “why its wheels turn.”
The adults, seeing the children’s spontaneity, relaxed a little, and the tension flowed into, well, as much small talk as possible. Greengrass took Creevey into his confidence and began asking about the milk supply, Lucius began whispering something to his mother, and Molly began telling everyone the recipe for her signature kidney pie. Diana and Daphne joined us at this point, and we watched, barely suppressing our laughter, as the twins demonstrated humorous artifacts with illusions of snouts and trunks instead of noses.
Soon the Goldsteins appeared on the platform, and the Jewish family joined our ranks. Amid this frenzied conversation, I noticed Black’s crooked face; the wretched man grimaced at the sight of our company and pointedly turned away, but I managed to nod to Vega and her younger sister. Then the Longbottoms appeared on the platform, and Neville’s grandmother glared at Victoria, who waved sweetly to her grandson.
When the train blew its whistle, the farewells began. Molly, with tears in her eyes, rushed to hug and kiss everyone. Even Daphne got caught in the crossfire, stroking the kissed spot with a silly half-smile. I, too, found myself in the clutches of the Weasleys, Arthur keeping pace with his wife, and then the simple-minded Jake Creevey, who decided to stick with the group. Pulling away, the milkman looked me seriously in the eyes and asked me to keep an eye on Colin; I, naturally, agreed. Next came Hermione’s parents, and even the reserved Lord Finch-Fletchley succumbed to the general mood and went for a hug. Finally, a vampire grabbed me, squeezed me a bit, and handed me over to my mother, who kissed me on the cheek and asked me not to get into trouble, as if I wanted that? I’m like that kitten Woof, troubles find me, naturally, I didn’t say it out loud. The respected wizards, represented by the Malfoys, also decided to take liberties, and Narcissa, curtsying, kissed her youngest son, while her friend Greengrass hugged her daughters in turn.
Having finished with all the sweet nothings, we began to board the train. First, our entire crowd escorted the future Hogwarts students to the first-year carriage. Percy and Penelope quickly loaded their bags and promised to keep an eye on the little ones. This day will probably go down in history, as Malfoy thanked one of the Weasley children. Then we split up: the Slytherins went to the front of the train, and we headed to a carriage in the middle. The twins promised to explain the students’ seating arrangements and led us to the right carriage. The adults watched us from the sidelines and continued chatting cheerfully among themselves.
– Just don’t be too scared, – said Fred.
“It’s a little noisy there,” George continued.
– But at least they are all ours!
– You just…
– Keep your shields just in case.
– The year before last, Shelby was accidentally thrown out of a window…
– And he had to get there on foot!
– A whole twenty kilometers…
– But it turned out to be fun!
– And last year…
The red-haired brothers were brazenly interrupted by a plump Jewish boy who caught up with us.
“I’ve got a business plan planned out for this year, so shh!” Goldstein fixed his hair and looked at me. “Rigel, later, when those guys go about their business, I’ll have a serious talk with you.”
– On topic? – I looked at the important Anthony.
“On the subject of the Hellsing family’s promising investments in Goldstein’s highly profitable business plan.” The boy adjusted his skullcap. “You’ll be required to demonstrate high-tech to the purebred Helmets. Do you have your Miraclephone handy?”
Amid the twins’ chatter and conversation among ourselves, we quickly climbed into the carriage, which was exclusively Gryffindor, meaning it was very noisy and, in places, cheerful. We walked down the corridor, looking for an empty compartment, but Oliver Wood blocked our way.
“Fred, George, I’ve been looking for you since this morning!” The big man grinned widely and looked at the Weasley brothers with satisfaction. “Your detention is over, which means you can play Quidditch this year! I’ve secured a compartment for the team; we need to discuss tactics!”
– Olya, we haven’t even reached Hogwarts yet… – Fred began.
“We need to escort the kids!” George continued.
“Guys, everything’s been thought out!” Wood smiled even wider and showed the twins the neck of a bottle of firewhiskey he pulled out of his pocket. Then he turned to me. “Miss Hellsing, your company has a compartment reserved for you on the right at the end of the corridor. May I pick up my team members and discuss tactics with them?”
“I don’t mind.” I nod to the guy with a smile, and I see how the twins’ eyes light up. “Fred, George, see you around!”
– Ronniekins, watch your friends… – Fred said, licking his lips.
“We’ll be there soon, or maybe not…” George continued.
“Miss Hellsing, thank you for your understanding!” Oliver put an arm around the twins’ shoulders and pulled them in the other direction. “Guys, our Hunters are already waiting! Once we find the Seeker, then Marcus…”
We watched the boys leave and quickly found an empty compartment that Wood had reserved for our group. The windows overlooked the platform, and after taking our seats, we waved to our families for a while. Soon the train pulled away, carrying us to chilly Scotland, and the view of our family and friends gave way to the English landscape. Well, here we are, my second year at Hogwarts. I hope there won’t be any surprises…
