Harco Empire | By : Toddy Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Draco Views: 34417 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0 |
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or films. I do not make any money from the writing of this story, just enjoyment. |
[Note: conversation =: “speech” & ‘thoughts’ & *telepathy* & #Parseltongue# & {telephone}]
~~~ SCILLONIAN ~~~
September 19th brought Hermione’s twenty-first birthday dinner and four weeks later Blaise reached the same arithmantic number of years.
Three weeks later, just before Halloween, Draco had a sending. At least that is what he called it: “It’s about the two Scillonian mages and their mother, Harry,” he said: They seem to be in some sort of trouble … Something to do with fire, I think.”
“Now you come to mention it, I can smell burning. I just thought it was someone’s autumnal garden bonfire, but I can’t see any smoke,” added Harry.
F: *Your talents are still growing, my children, you can now feel the distress of those you have helped before. Especially those with whom you have connected*.
D: *I suppose it’s Because Harry had his prick inside both of the McLaggens*?
F: *That has something to do with it, yes. You, my son, will have an especial bond with Rory now*.
H, drily: *Thanks for that unwanted information, Fawkes*,
F: *Not at all! You are learning that every action has its consequences. Even overtly negative ones can have positive repercussions*.
Harry looked at Dean and Seamus: “Right, we’re going to see what’s wrong in the Scillies.”
“Who told you?”
“No-one, both Draco and I think the McLaggens are in trouble – You know in here,” Harry tapped his head: “You get the idea.”
“I think you purples have more range than we do, but yes we understand. We’ll go and ask Orcas to help.”
Harry daffodilled Kingsley and got permission to look-see. Kingsley also said he would alert Mackenzie in case they wanted some help.
The Burrow being nearest; D&H ported to it first.
“I don’t think we should go directly to Laggen Lodge, do you?”
“No … I know the place on St Mary’s where the McLaggens moor their boat when they’re visiting. That is magically hidden away. It’s not too far from the boatyard where we returned the motor launch, we’d better hire a boat from there again.”
“Good idea, Harry, I’ve got our credit cards with me.”
“Let’s hire a sailing boat with an outboard motor and only use the motor in an emergency. We can easily cast a non-video around the boat if it is travelling with the elements and sails make the least noise.”
“Hmm … A void with engine noises would be a dead giveaway,” Draco chuckled.
They changed into casual clothes, ported to the Weasley residence and mass-apparated to the landing place. Five minutes’ recovery time had them climbing the cliff face path, going through the disguised gate. Ten minutes had them at the boatyard.
“Hello Mr Potter, have you come to return another boat to me?”
“Hello … Not really … Um … Why have you lost one?” Harry shook hands with the owner: “Meet my partner Draco.”
As they shook hands the boat-owner told them of another missing cruiser and they arranged to hire a boat with a small cabin and sails. Explaining that they had left their luggage where they had landed and hinting that they had arrived through the air; which the proprietor assumed was by plane. Draco had brought some containers of food which they had left at the landing-place, so they felt that they were not really fibbing. Once the transaction was complete Harry steered whilst Draco crewed; setting off towards the private pier and accioing the food containers. Once out of sight Draco took over the helm so that Harry could make up a non-video bubble and hide their craft. That done, Harry took the tiller again.
Draco had his eyes closed using his Legillimens talent: *Lucy’s there all right and very annoyed with his satraps because they haven’t broken through. I’m now concentrating on the McLaggens … They’re very tired but unharmed so far*.
H: *Their wards are beginning to break up, the attackers seem to be using some sort of Confringo with a fire element in it*.
Draco concentrated: *There are six of them attacking*.
O: *Greetings Seers, dost thou want some help*?
H: *Hello Orcas, nice of you to offer, where are you*? Harry realised that he could hear Orcas without touching her. He marvelled that his thaumic powers were still expanding.
O: *In that red cloud at ten o’clock west of you with the setting sun’s rays on it. I have Dean and Seamus with me. Fawkes is somewhere around too, they asked me to come. That’s a nice thaumic fire down there, can I go and play with it*?
D: *We’d rather you played with the satraps causing it*.
O: *Ooh! Yes, please … How soon*?
H: *We’ll go in as soon as we’re all in position. Will you take the ones on the far side of the island*?
O: *Love too … Just tell us when*.
Five minutes and all was set. Harry changed the non-video and made their boat look like another dragon. With everyone firing Incendios the small army attacked.
The flames around the collapsing wards ceased as the attackers turned to defend themselves against more powerful flames. It was almost too easy; the satraps had expended too much magical energy trying to defeat the ward dome. Three of them were set on fire and jumped into the sea to quench themselves. The Seignior with two rear-guards decided to leave. Orcas spotted what was happening and she, with her riders, set off in pursuit. It was a good thing that it was dark because the dog fight was very magically-visible as Lucius and the others dodged in and out of the clouds to avoid the dragon.
Meanwhile the pair in the boat went to pick up the three drowning satraps. There was some resistance but with two strong thought-connected mages trying to arrest them the swimmers stood little chance. Once they were incarcerated Harry healed their burns before Draco encapsulated them. Thus it was a fairly easy job to send the three bedraggled satraps into custody with MacKenzie. Five minutes later their boat approached the landing at Laggen Lodge.
A very weary Wisteria greeted them: “How did you know we were under attack?”
“We weren’t totally sure that you were, but our little voices seemed to say that it was worth coming to look,” Draco replied.
“I’m glad you did, Berwyn and Galvin have just collapsed; they were holding the last of the wards, and when the pressure came off our wards burst. You know what it’s like when your magic goes wrong, don’t you?”
“Yes, we do. I’ll go and check that they’re all right,” offered Harry: “I’ll put them to bed and let them sleep it off.” He went off to comfort the boys and put them into a light recovery coma.
“You should get some sleep too, Wisteria. We’ll keep watch, not that I think Lucy will come back. We have two friends who are chasing him on board Orcas.”
“Orcas … What kind of boat is that?”
“She’s the dragon who helped the Golden Three escape from Gringotts and she lives at Hogwarts.”
“That one, yes I vaguely remember being told about it when you were here last.”
“Any idea what Lucy was after?”
“Not really … He said he was angry with us for not giving up the ring … But I get the feeling that he wanted us off the island for some reason.”
“Hmm … Probably … He’s looking for somewhere to base himself. Now you have the island producing a good harvest he probably hoped to settle here. At least, that’s my theory. He’s done it in other places too.”
“Really? You must tell me …”
“… I promise, but you’re worn out. Go to bed. If you don’t I’ll incarcerate you and put you there.”
“Okay … I’ll be a good little witch and do as the partner of He-who-lived-twice orders … But you are going to tell me before you leave the island.”
“Yes, I promise, now go to bed.”
Wisteria gave Draco a kiss on the cheek and wandered off upstairs. She passed Harry as he came down from settling the brothers.
D&H ambled outside onto the terrace; searching mentally to find where Orcas was. They sensed disappointment and offered aid.
O: *No we don’t want any help thanks … They made triple images and went different ways, we, of course, chased the wrong one. Still … We captured her and landed on a rock. Then we found she was an image and she melted away. We’ll be with you in ten minutes or thereabouts. I could do with some wood to eat*.
D: *There’s a pile of driftwood outside which the McLaggens keep for cooking on. I expect it’s big enough. I’m told there are some Betula-Numviridis on an island nearby*.
O: *Now that is proper dragon food, I hope there’s enough, I'm famished*.
Once Orcas had landed she got directions to the dragon trees, ate some foliage, flew back and then curled up to snooze. The others put up some temporary wards and took turns to keep watch, or snooze on some enlarged cushions on the floor of the living room.
~~~ MORNING ~~~
There were no disturbances, but everyone arose late because of either exhaustion or interrupted sleep patterns. It was Mackenzie flooing in at ten o’clock that got the household stirring.
Mackenzie’s first task was to make out a report about the incident and while he was interviewing the participants individually, Harry told of the places that Lucius had raided. Wisteria shared her continental train holiday which had been with someone called Miss Maud. The island witch was able to show the Blakes pictures of their holiday, as well as recounting some of her adventures all over Europe.
After lunch Harry and Mackenzie went out with Galvin to carry out a belated round of the lobster pots, just getting their catch in the baskets as the collector came round to pick them up. Draco and Dean went off with Berwyn to catch some fish whilst Seamus stayed with Wisteria; cultivating and cooking. Wisteria learned a few new crop growing charms.
A late tea had them lazing around in the living room after all four of them had set up the tholus again – it had started to drizzle outside.
During the chat Wisteria informed them: “Now that I have a little more spare-time, I’ve been looking into our family tree and it seems we are connected both to the Black and Potter Families. My Grandfather was Oscine McLaggen and he married Cassiopeia Black. Now his father was Hulbert McLaggen who was married to Elsinore Potter. They may be other connections further back, but I haven’t reached there yet. I think Brutus Malfoy has a look in somewhere, but I think the resultant stillborn was not recognised by either family.”
“That’s Brutus, alright, he was supposed to have been very naughty,” averred Draco: “According to the Malfoy records he sowed seed all over the place, but he was very careful to avoid muggles. I think he was trying to ensure that mages continued because the muggles were trying to kill us off at the time.”
“So to some extent you all are Blake’s of one kind or another. That’s good!”
“Why so, Harry?”
“You’re the only mages on the Scillies, aren’t you?”
“Yes, but how does that matter?”
“I think Lucy may try again because you’re isolated; he’ll probably bring more Satraps with him. I suspect that you don’t want to leave the family home, so we need to defend it properly.”
“Yes we do. Those extra wards you put up a few years ago did a good job. Thanks for remaking them.”
“We have a system that continually updates the wards. Lucy’s always trying to break through. As he develops a ward breaker, our team develops a counteracting ward-charm and applies it. Now, because you’re family; that gives me a good reason to offer you attachment to our portal system, but only if you agree.”
F: *You should have done that first time round, my son*!
H: *Perhaps Mr Phoenix. Hindsight is not a good judge and, to be fair, you did not suggest it, did you*?
D: *Don’t argue with him Harry, he’s still feeling delicate from his recent fiery reincarnation*.
“What does that mean?” asked Berwyn, interrupting the silent conversation.
“Somewhere near your chimney we would make a magical door, called a portal. As Family, you would be able to use it to access any of our domiciles. As a reverse, any of the Dumbledorians and a few other friends would be able to come here. On top of that there is a barter system that Kreacher our Reeve works. It supplies food and drink all over the system. Your fish and lobsters would find a wider, but private market with no middle-man charges. Because you were linked, the ward system would be made compatible and updated automatically.”
“Kreacher … Mmm … He’s the Wizengamot elf, isn’t he?”
“Yes, Galvin, he’s our Reeve as well.”
Pop: “Did I hear you mentioning my name, Draco?”
“Hello, Kreacher, we’re just trying to persuade the McLaggens to join the Portal system.”
“I could find a couple of elves to help out, if you like Mistress. We have a few who like fishing and Merlin knows how many are good cultivators.”
“Go on Mum, say yes, you were wondering what to do with the onion glut, weren’t you,” Berwyn urged.
“Cheese is one of the things we have to buy in, butter and milk for that matter,” suggested Galvin.
“We have cows at Godric’s hollow so milk products would be available.”
Wisteria sat silently with her eyes closed, seemingly communing with herself. Then she smiled: “Yes I think we should, although I’m a bit worried about seventy people tramping all over our island all the time.”
“At first, everyone will want to look, Mistress, and then things will settle down. It’s just like walking through a couple of doors. Harry and Seamus like sailing, and Mackenzie’s a fishing freak. My wife, Winky, gets quite fed up with the quantity of inedible fish he catches. At least now she’ll get good saltwater fish instead of buying-in all the time.”
“Kreacher, you call me Mistress as a good elf should, but you call the others by their given names, why’s that?”
“They won’t talk to me if I call them Master or Mistress …”
“… He’s a Wizengamot member and a Dumbledorian as such he’s our equal …”
“… So if he starts being humble we ignore him completely …”
“… After all, we have elfin professors at Hogwarts why should elves demean themselves that way?”
“That’s fair; I’m Wisteria, Kreacher, glad to meet such an esteemed elf.” She held out her hand.
Kreacher glanced once at Harry and firmly gripped the Scillonian witch’s hand.
“That goes for us too,” added Galvin, with Berwyn nodding his acceptance.
“Very good! Once our pair have made the portal I’ll have some helpers for you to interview, Wisteria.” Kreacher looked hard at Harry who giggled.
“Then I’d better get on with it, hadn’t I my Lord Reeve.” H: *Where do we connect it*?
D: *We could use the Burrow node, it has a spare place*.
“Kreacher?”
“Yes Harry?”
“We’re going to attach this portal to fill the Burrow node. Is that all right with you?”
“Seems okay to me, it’ll use up all the English portals bar the manor and the fortress, otherwise La Maison would be next nearest.”
“That’s just what we were thinking.”
“Does that mean you’re cutting off one of your houses just to accommodate us, Harry?”
“Not really, Wisteria, there’s a ley line that passes very close to your House; it will enable us to connect you easily.”
“What’s a ley line?”
“A line of thaumic power, connecting important places. You have that dolmen at the crest of the island, that’s counted as a marker. If you want to go into details, ask Hermione or Grammarian.”
“That’s interesting, not heard of them before. I might well take it up with one of them, once I have some spare time.”
“We’ll make your emblem a lobster; if that’s alright with you?”
“Quite appropriate, yes; thank you.”
“Portals are private for Dumbledorians, our family and friends,” explained Harry: “It will become clearer once we take you through. Tomorrow is Samhain and we were debating where to make the next portal.”
“No Lover, today is Samhain. Staying up most of the night has made us think it was all one day.”
“So it has … Um … I don’t fancy solo apparating.”
“We should go back; we’re sponsoring a couple of orphan ex-students when they jump through the fire. So if we mass-app, there won’t be the dizziness will there?”
“Fine … You’ll port on from the Burrow then?”
Seamus put an artificial pained look on his face: “But only with your permission Milord Mage-who-lived-twice.”
Harry chuckled: “Sorry; I was being a bit obvious wasn’t I?”
“YES,” was the chorused reply.
Draco flooed WWW. Lee and George responded so they apparated away to collect the two cabinets. Depositing one at the Burrow and the other at Laggen Lodge. Draco made a mass-app with Dean and Seamus so he was in position to take the burrow cabinet out of its stasis box. There was the usual whump and the cabinet melted into a space near the McLaggen fireplace.
###
Once the portal had been made and the mages had had a long sleep, one of the next tasks was to find the motor launch that Lucius had taken.
The boat had drifted away, dragging its anchor. Luckily there was an infinitesimal residue of wild magic left on it and D&H were able to pinpoint its whereabouts. It was dangerously near one of the water races which, at low tide would have dragged it onto some sharp rocks. A party set off in another boat to tow the missing launch to safety. On arrival at the spot Berwyn said that he was very worried about taking his boat near, in case it too was dragged into the imminent, dangerous maelstrom. Harry stripped off and, with a long line in hand, dived into the water. He nearly hit his head on the bottom, because the sea was shallow enough to wade in. On nearing the launch, he saw that its anchor and cable were caught up in a tangle of seaweed. He also saw that there was less than an inch of water beneath the boat.
Reckoning that if he climbed aboard the craft would touch bottom he tied the rope onto a cleat and signalled to the others to haul away. This loosened the taught anchor cable enough for Harry to free the hook and chuck it on board. None too soon either, because the current was beginning to flow. As the launch drew away from the rocks Harry swam behind the stern, using it to shelter him from the increasing drag towards the white water.
Judging by the rocks visible above the waves the two boats were not really making much headway and Harry feared they would all be dragged back into the forming white water. Taking a risk, he jumped aboard and started the engine. For an agonising moment both boats stood still with their engines straining. Berwyn had a bright idea and hoisted the sail … That gave them just enough leeway to beat the tide and, with hearts pounding, they began to pull away.
Back at the hire place the boat-owner was relieved to have his launch back.
He joshed them: “Let me have your telephone number; then when another boat goes missing I’ll know who to call out.”
“Of course, if you only hired out to trustworthy clients, our services wouldn’t be needed,” Harry replied in an equally bantering manner.
“It’s not too bad, I’ve made some profit, and after all, they have lost their deposit again. That’s what covered your borrowing of the boat last time. Do you want another now?”
“No thanks, but we would like to buy a couple of sail-boats, a bit bigger than dinghies, if you knew of any going.”
“I have four new ones coming in; I could let you have a couple of the old sloops, which I was going to sell to the islanders if anyone wanted them. Bermuda rigged; same style as the one you borrowed. Would they be any good?”
“Yes please, that was the type I had in mind. I’d like them thoroughly overhauled beforehand, but I prefer used ones, some of my friends get very uptight if they think they damaged a new one and we all bump into things occasionally. Besides, the boats will have had the kinks worked out of them.”
“The season’s over, that means I can keep one of my part-timers on to do the boats up.”
“Part timers?”
“Yes. The Islands’ main economy is visitor based, so apart from maintenance there is little to do in the wintertime. We save up the unimportant jobs until we’re slack. Alf is a steady worker and getting too old to fly over to the mainland regularly. That is, of course, if he can find some temporary work there. We should have one sloop finished at Christmas and the other nicely in time for the next half term. With Alf doing them you’ll get a thorough job, but he works steadily.”
Harry accompanied the boat-owner on an inspection tour with Berwyn following on an asking pertinent questions. They eventually agreed a price, once one was ready, one of the McLaggens would collect it. Thus there would eventually be some sail-boats for the Dumbledorians to use, without impinging of the fisher-mages’ work.
###
As Kreacher had intimated there was a great influx of people coming to see the newly attached lodge. They arrived via the portal which was outside one of the half-landing guest rooms, backing on to the living room chimney. Berwyn and Galvin had to curb the fisher-elves enthusiasm, so that only the agreed quota was taken out of the water.
Once the McLaggens had become used to the connection Draco suggested that Gastropod became their steward, with his mate Binder and a household of two other elves, one for fishing and one for cultivating, all lending a hand to the others as necessary. Binder had shown some promise as a cook, so Wisteria took her in hand and, once a month they put on a special Saturday lunch-picnic for the Dumbledorians under a canvas roof over the terrace.
At other times the McLaggens visited the village dance and quite often the Sunday lunch at the Farmers Arms after church.
While AFF and its agents attempt to remove all illegal works from the site as quickly and thoroughly as possible, there is always the possibility that some submissions may be overlooked or dismissed in error. The AFF system includes a rigorous and complex abuse control system in order to prevent improper use of the AFF service, and we hope that its deployment indicates a good-faith effort to eliminate any illegal material on the site in a fair and unbiased manner. This abuse control system is run in accordance with the strict guidelines specified above.
All works displayed here, whether pictorial or literary, are the property of their owners and not Adult-FanFiction.org. Opinions stated in profiles of users may not reflect the opinions or views of Adult-FanFiction.org or any of its owners, agents, or related entities.
Website Domain ©2002-2017 by Apollo. PHP scripting, CSS style sheets, Database layout & Original artwork ©2005-2017 C. Kennington. Restructured Database & Forum skins ©2007-2017 J. Salva. Images, coding, and any other potentially liftable content may not be used without express written permission from their respective creator(s). Thank you for visiting!
Powered by Fiction Portal 2.0
Modifications © Manta2g, DemonGoddess
Site Owner - Apollo