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}]
~~~ CHALET CADMUS ~~~
When our two prepared to land; there was no need for Draco to exert himself because a small family of house-elves popped into being. He coiled and threw the painter to a young elf who caught it expertly and reefed it round the bollard. Meanwhile another elf – probably a younger sister – had performed the same service for Harry at the stern.
“Welcome to Chalet Cadmus, Masters. I am Nubbins and this is my partner Scrod who is the cook. I can sense that one of you has held the resurrection stone, do you still have it?”
“I’m sorry Nubbins but it was broken in the battle of Hogwarts and the pieces reside somewhere in the Forbidden Forest. We thought it best to leave them there. However, I do have the Ignotius Hallow if you would like to see it?”
Nubbins looked closely at Harry’s forehead: “You must be the great Harry Potter then. We have read much about your exploits in the Prophet International. Some say you are magically linked to a former death-eater.”
“Yes; this is Draco Malfoy, son of the dreaded death-eater Lucius. Draco was never a death-eater and we are linked magically, as has been reported; making us into a purple pair. We are also linked emotionally as well.”
“Elfin-kind are very discreet about their families’ relationships, Masters, you have no fear of us spreading gossip. Now … How can we help you?”
“I understand that, as the only living heir to Ignotius and because there are no longer any living heirs to the other two brothers, I have inherited this residence and possibly some more.”
“Yes Master that is true, I hope those naughty snakes did not inconvenience you too much. They are forever trying things on with people who land on their ledge.”
Draco burst out laughing: “They out Slytherin-ed the Slytherin Prince … Oh well … It was quite enjoyable … Is there a way to avoid that if we come here again on a boat? It is somewhat debilitating.”
“I’ll chastise them. They should not have treated their masters in such a way. A drop of blood would have sufficed, as is usual. May I apologise on behalf of the household. The problem is that we cannot get rid of the sentinel serpents; they’re all tied in with the wards. Destroy them and we destroy the whole residence. Next time, point your wand at them and threaten them with Rictusempra, they cannot abide being tickled.”
“Thanks for that idea, however we don’t use wands any more, we can focus with any part of our bodies; we usually point our fingers …”
“… Don’t you dare …!” Alarm spread all over Harry’s face.
“… I didn’t intend to.” Draco smirked dirtily at Harry.
“Just an in joke, Nubbins … Now … How about showing us round your domain?”
“Yes Masters, I’d be most pleased to.” Nubbins eyed his new masters carefully, thinking that he knew what the in-joke was and their sexual disposition.
The elf led the way into one of the matching doors on either side of the boat haven. This opened on to a quay under a vaulted ceiling two stories high. The mages noticed a steam launch and a small sailing yacht named ‘Peverell’ ensconced in the enclosed basin which had an equivalent quay on the other side.
“I’m afraid the steam launch no longer works, Masters. Its boiler ticket ran out many years ago and I suspect it is rusted through by now.”
H: *Something for Seamus or Dean to rejuvenate for us, Lover*.
D: *I’m not sure that they are that mechanically minded*.
The butler took them up one flight of stairs and they emerged through a door on to a ‘U’ shaped internal balcony overlooking the boats below. On either side were doors: “These were the wine cellars, Masters, not that they have had any in them for over a couple of centuries.”
*They’re clean, I wonder what we could use them for*? observed Harry as they inspected them.
Another flight of stairs took them into the hall with reception rooms leading off it. The west wing held the kitchen and dining room, whilst the eastern block had the morning room and withdrawing room. Both main rooms had large bay windows facing the lake and overhanging the external basin. This floor was two storeys higher than the water, plus being above the garden and the strip of wild land between them and the lake. Thus they were presented with a wonderful panorama of the Swiss Alps in the east, which tapered into green hills in the west.
Below and between the two wings, supported by the arches over the boat haven, was a spacious tiled courtyard sharing the gorgeous views over the water. Within that, a number of ornate outdoor chairs and urns of flowers were scattered around. At the rear of the terrace were two curved and angled windows one storey higher, supported on baroque columns. The reason for these became apparent when the party ascended once more – they were passageways to the four bedrooms, the master chambers had balconies over the bay windows below. Each bedroom viewed had an ensuite facility incorporated. The landing on that floor contained three portraits of the brothers. Our mages and portraitures bowed to each other and expressed formal greetings.
“Because the site is on a great slope, Masters; you can see that the landward door is halfway up the flight of stairs from the main floor. Thus the back bedrooms are at ground level if seen from that side, reducing the outline considerably. Anyone seeing the residence from that angle would assume a very modest chalet. Also, the occlusion only presents the upper floors to the lake thus preserving the modest appearance. Above this floor, within the eaves, are two single bedrooms and the elf accommodation is inside the attics over the wings. “Do you wish to see them?”
“We’d not want to pry into your personal apartments, Nubbins. We have seen the excellent way you have kept the other rooms. What we do need however is a small room that backs onto a chimney.”
“Perhaps one of the two cloakrooms, Master Harry? The one on the kitchen side has the flues rising within it. Its equivalent on the other side is the downdraught for the heated air system.”
“Show it to us please, Nubbins?”
Draco and Harry worked out that they might eventually connect the Chalet to Maison Malfoi via L’Isle Gétorac and make a triangle with the Chateau apartment.
At Harry’s insistence the elves sat with them on the terrace whilst their peculiar establishment was explained. The domestic arrangements were discussed as well as the proposed portal link. It turned out that all the male elves at the chalet were called Nubbins and all the female ones, Scrod. If a partner died the next couple took over and the suffix senior was applied to the remaining elder one. ‘Junior’ was affixed to the sons and daughters. Scrod said that the chalet’s magic ensured that four resident elves was the norm, with an occasional retired fifth elf. This was a tradition dating back to the Peverell brothers and, at Draco’s prompting; Harry refrained from altering the arrangements.
Draco pointed out that there was probably a service-geas on the elfin family, which had given them purpose without having masters to supervise them. He also pointed out that the portraits of the three brothers probably acted in the same way that the picture of Walburga had had for Kreacher.
Using the landward door, the mages explored the extent of the wards. The area was not large. Harry estimated half an acre at the most. There was a kitchen garden which the elves proposed to expand, now that they had masters to feed again. A small orchard offered some of the more delicate fruit and its edges were blurred by intrusions from the flower garden. The whole was backed by a thicket of almost impenetrable bushes where, they were informed, the tholus terminated.
At the end of the tour Nubbins Junior promised to sail over the following morning to collect his new masters and the two mages sailed a meandering course back to the Gasthaus Zauber.
###
Back at the hotel Draco and Harry enjoyed their dinner, waxing lyrical about the sightseeing whenever being overheard was possible; most of the rest of the time they conversed mentally; discussing the possibilities of their latest addition.
In the morning Draco paid the bill and Harry thanked Herr Zauber, deliberately managing to suggest – apparently inadvertently – that they were continuing their sightseeing tour towards Geneva with a friend. On the public quay an englamoured Nubbins Junior helped them into the small yacht and set sail. As previously, they did not make a bee-line for their destination, but zigzagged all over the lake for most of the morning, cameras in hand. Quite soon Harry had taken the helm and Draco was lazily trailing his hands in the water and pointing out places of interest; Nubbins Junior being content to handle the sheets.
Lunch on the terrace was a leisurely affair followed by the mages taking out the boat by themselves. Draco had pointed out that Kingsley did not require them until the following day, so they could spend some leisure time together. There was a fraught minute or two when they spotted the Zauber motor launch. Draco disguised them both, in case the boat contained mages from the opposition.
Harry sent out a gentle probe: “They’re muggles, Draco; Herr Zauber did say he had muggle guests as well.”
Draco let the disguise gently melt away: “I suppose we’re being too protectionist in our thinking. After all, there’s very little chance of us two being spotted amongst all these muggle holidaymakers.”
“You were right to be cautious, Herr Zauber might have had other mages staying, not that I felt the vibes.”
“Yes, but living under all the protections can alter our outlook. It’s you who keep saying our job is protect all the world not just ourselves.”
“You need a safe environment so that your forensics work without interference, so that concentrates your mind. However, you do go out, especially on those plant hunts of yours. I, on the other hand, frequently go beyond the wards to investigate and put things right, but I need a safe environment to question suspects and make reports. It’s a matter of balance.”
“Hmm … I s’pose so … Oh … There’s another aspect; while my father is concentrating on our defences, he is at least not worrying the wider world … Oh dear … Ascendio!”
“What was that?”
“That lady single-manning the dinghy with the red striped sail, fell in. She didn’t have her life-line on.”
“I can see her; she’s looking quite confused … Still … She’s got the life-line on now.” Harry gave the lady a wave and she waved back.
~~~ WORK ~~~
Two chipper mages reported to their boss on the morrow. Most of the work was routine and in their bored moments D&H jointly daydreamed about their new acquisition. Saturday had them attending the village dance and Easter Bonnet competition and Sunday morning in church.
Lunch over, the Cabinet met when D&H disclosed the chalet. Michael thought that his parents knew someone who was into steam launches – probably a member of Windermere’s steam launch society. He undertook to make discreet enquiries and a debate took place about more muggles being allowed access to the portals. They eventually agreed that Alf and Gaston were okay, because they had a magical heritage as evidenced by them being able to see merfolk, but accepting muggles from outside their immediate communities might not be advisable.
The following week turned out to be six days of semi-boredom at the Ministry; apart from the jollifications for Dean’s twenty-first birthday. D&H doing extra duties to compensate in advance, because they knew of the drain on their resources after portal making the following week.
Beltane eve and May Day were regarded by the wizarding community as bank holidays; thus Monday and Tuesday were for jollifications. Aurors do not have that luxury so, by arrangement with the other aurors, D&H worked the Monday morning shift, resting up in the afternoon and observing the fire jumping at midnight. Porting to the chateau Harry opted to floo to Chalet Cadmus, with a miniaturised cabinet. Once there he linked with Draco and, with some slight tremors, a new portal was added to the system. Defrag served his special chocolate mini-gateaux and two exhausted practitioners retired to bed at the chateau.
###
It was Hermione who woke them at eleven, all eager to be handed through to the new abode: “Did you know that the chalet is on the same ley line to the one that leads from Hogwarts, through the cottage, Number Twelve, and le chateau?”
“No we didn’t, Herms. At least give us time to wash and get dressed,” said Draco drily.
“Oh sorry, I guess my enthusiasm overrode my propriety. I will get Defrag to make you some brunch, may Ron and I join you, please?”
“Of course, now scoot,” Harry gave her a kiss on the cheek.
###
In fact, all the Cabinet took part in the brunch so D&H handed them all through. The repair of the steam launch was deferred indefinitely, because they agreed that Michael’s steam contacts would not understand the requirements of a magical furnace for heating the water to make steam.
Now the portal had been made and whilst the two perpetrators recovered in the afternoon, Kreacher introduced himself and took the Nubbins family on a quick tour of the various Blake domiciles. Being a bank holiday most of the Dumbledorians were available and decided to see the new acquisition, taking dinner on the terrace afterwards.
###
Hermione and Ron stayed over at the Chalet that night. Grammarian and Probert, who was Hermione’s star pupil, joined them in the morning, they took all day carefully surveying the extant wards and circumspectly harmonising them with the Harco establishment wards. In fact, the new wards formed an inner layer to the old ones, being knitted closely where entrances were present. The snakes’ activities were curtailed somewhat, being constrained by an automatic Rictusempra not to interfere with medallion holders. However, they were given a greater freedom to respond to any other mage or muggle seeking entrance; not only at the lake entrance but also at the landward gates, a position that they had not been granted before then.
D&H went walkabout from those front gates and saw that there was a short curving unkempt drive about fifty yards long. Before it reached the road it crossed a disused single track railway; not that their entrance looked as though it was used either. Ideal, they thought, for keeping a low profile. Judging by some mechanical clatter there was a quarry of some sort beyond the trees lining the road.
D: *So that’s why Nubbins said that the wards had a noise barrier in them. The road is fairly busy and if ever trains come along they might disturb us*.
H: *It doesn’t look as though it’d been used for ages; the grooves are all filled up with gravel. Let’s go back, there’s little of interest here*.
The next arrival was Fawkes who flew in and inspected the new premises; enigmatically promising that this was only a start. The rest of the day was spent lazily wandering around their new garden, seasoned with a liberal amount of sitting on the rustic seats, gazing at the view and chatting to their friends.
###
Wednesday and Thursday were Ministry days, Friday was lesson preparation and Saturday was Hogwarts Express day. D&H saw the students off with their Dumbledorian escort, walked back to WWW and ported to the chalet.
Berwyn was there: “Hi there, one of the boat hire people has gone out of business, so we put in a holding bid for their dinghies. There are too many for our purposes perhaps you might like to share?”
“Perhaps you would like us to share in the cost as well,” snarked Draco, amiably.
“Trust you to see through my subterfuge, Draco. But yes, we could not afford the whole lot.”
Pop: Kreacher appeared: “The elves are coming in on that too, some of us like sailing, so it’s a legitimate charge on those galleons we’re earning.”
“Now Alf’s finished your other sloop, he wants to retire and we’ve offered him an anchorage at our haven. He says he’ll have a look at the dinghies and repair them as necessary one boat at a time with no time limit. However, there is a time limit on the holding bid; six o’clock this evening.”
“Are they in reasonable nick?”
“Most of them, Alf will deal with the unseaworthy ones first. There are four recently refitted ones and the rest vary. Galvin and I think we’ve made a reasonable offer and Alf thinks it’s okay too.”
They ported to Laggen Lodge, sailed to the closed boatyard, and returned towing a string of boats, some of which needed almost constant bailing. No-one was watching, so they did it thaumically.
After lunch, Saturday afternoon was spent minimising a number of sailing dinghies and porting them to Chalet Cadmus. By the evening the boat haven’s internal basin was nicely full of boats, all waiting for the forthcoming summer season.
###
The Chalet’s elves came and joined the others for the Sunday service, marvelling at how mages and muggles, elves and goblins, managed to relate so well. It was wet and windy in the fells, but on Lac Léman the sky was blue and the breeze balmy. As had been planned, after lunch the Dumbledorians and friends descended upon the chalet in force. Winky, Hyacinth and Scrod had planned running buffet type meals in the salle-à-manger and had opened the french-windows in that room and the petit-salon to create a circulatory area which included the terrace. Harry and some of the Slyth contingent who had already acquired the rudiments of sailing; each took charge of a boat with other would be learners as crew.
Warned about the snakes everyone was doubly sure that their medallions were somewhere about their persons at all times, even when swimming – much to the snakes’ chagrin. Sunbathing on the terrace drew a number of participants, as did sitting under the trees in the garden chatting, reading or just watching the others messing about, on or in the water.
~~~ NEXT FEW MONTHS ~~~
Hermione still experimented with protective wards and shields, making use of the two successive bursary awards from Gringotts and helping Francis with some of his legal work; both Magical and muggle. Probert showed much skill in ward making; so Hermione took him under her wing. Astoria was interested in researching the portal making ideas also joining the team.
Vernon made a small workshop where Harry’s bedroom might have been had their new house still been at Privet Drive. He became a partner in WWW creating all kinds of amusing little inventions, some serious, others humorous. He also started to mess around in boats on the lake and, because of that, Petunia fell in love with the chalet.
“It’s so peaceful here, Harry,” she told him: “I still get worried when I see strangers outside in the village. Here I know they cannot see in and the water seems to make a visual barrier. Draco’s mother and I come here for tea quite often. Are we allowed to ask Samantha, I’m sure she’d love it too?”
“Yes, Auntie; it’d be just like Father John visiting Hogwarts through the portals from the cottage.” Harry chuckled: “How will you explain our magical world to her and, for that matter, nearly a thousand miles in four strides as well?”
“Is it that far? Mmm … I suppose it is … Well I never … I’m sure Narcissa can come up with an explanation.”
“Samantha will need to wear a charmed medallion like the one you wear, you know. Don’t forget to hand her through the portals, either.”
###
A month or so later one afternoon, when Draco and Harry were visiting, they saw the three ladies going out in the Peverell with Vernon at the helm. Samantha wore a slightly bemused look upon her face and a chiffon hat upon her head. That was one of the last outings she had before she died. Harry was glad that such a kind lady, who had led such a sheltered village life, had managed to see a little of the world outside Godric’s Hollow before she passed away.
~~~ INTERLUDE ~~~
A week after Solestitia Draco and Harry found their way to the chalet. They had intended to go sailing at Guéthary but Neptune had given them a warning, via Gaston, that it was unwise to do so. Not to be disappointed they decided to use an inland sea instead. Therefore, Chalet Cadmus was graced by their presence for a couple of days.
Towards the end of the second day when it was almost time to come-in; there was a bumping on the boat as though they were riding over something underneath. D&H peered over the side and saw a merman pointing at the hidden entrance to the boat haven. He was also tapping his shell. Harry gave him the thumbs up.
H: *It’s twenty-six weeks since we played with them*.
D: *So it is. Merlin, I’m starting to go hard in anticipation*.
H: *I thought the merfolk were salt water inhabitants*.
D: *So did I … Ah well … We’ll be able to ask them soon*.
As soon as the Peverell entered the occlusion a number of heads appeared. In order not to run them down D&H hove to, circling the boat until it lost way. Quite soon a number of smiling mermen were sitting on the boat’s gunwale. Harry shrugged at Draco and they both stripped off their clothes to reveal the shells beneath. The mermen were still wearing their shells, so sitting between two of them, Draco entwined his hands with theirs.
?M: *You’re a new one. Who are you*?
D: *I’m Draco and my mate is Harry. We were inducted by the mermen near the Scilly Islands about three months ago*.
?M: *Very good … That means we can have you this time; are you going to take your shell off*?
D: *We need to swallow gillyweed first*.
?M: *There is some growing beneath you. I will go and gather some*.
Harry was in contact with another pair: *We are not mermen, Harry; they inhabit the sea. We are Lymnads, their freshwater cousins. You met some when you tried to free the hostages in the black lake*.
H: *But they were ugly*.
L: *You mean, like this*? the lymnad transformed.
*Yes, very much like that. I think I prefer you as you first appeared*.
The lymnad transformed again: *It’s what we call our terror-form. We use it when the silly muggles get too near danger. I don’t think our sea-cousins can do that*.
H: *So does that mean we have to fuck around with them, as well, every half year*?
L: *I thought you were more intelligent than that*.
Harry looked at him quizzically, trying to work out what was meant.
D: *We’re communicating with them, Harry, so it must hold good*, Draco replied when he felt Harry’s puzzlement.
H: *Um … Yes of course. Sorry Mr Lymnad*.
M: *I should apologise too, I forgot to tell you my name. I’m Meltwater and my mate is Gravelbanks*.
H: *Pleased to meet you both … Um … One of you will have to leave go, so’s I can eat my gillyweed*.
A minute later, Harry could feel the block forming so he jumped in and removed his shell. The two Lymnads did much the same. It seemed that these underwater folk had their small village contained within the basin in front of the chalet. When Draco inquired why; he was told that, for safety’s sake, Cadmus had originally included them within the wards.
Very soon D&H were in no state to think coherently, their libidos having taken charge. An hour of continuous double titillation was followed by a brief gasp of air and another mouthful of gillyweed and then the Lymnads swapped places for a further hour of fun.
It was quite late when the Blakes flooed back to the chateau. They were shattered from their escapades, so D&H decided to rest their highly sensitised limbs there before going into work the following day.
~~~ MILKWOOD ~~~
Now that the Barn was converted into an indoor mini-stadium, both the Annex and the church school used it as a gymnasium. As planned there was a balcony which, for some keep fit addicts, acted as an indoor running track. It was also possible to stage pageants during the inclement winter months as well as use it for junior flying practice. On certain Saturdays it hosted the village ball and on others it became a temporary cinema. With some alteration it also served as a theatre for various amateur dramatics and musical concerts. The result was that there was something interesting for the villagers and students to do every Saturday evening, if they so wished. This helped tremendously with the ‘togetherness’ feeling which the Blakes wanted to engender.
###
This year also saw Phealey and Pullet recognised as fully fledged professors; they had passed the required extra NEWT’s as well as the Augusta-taught tutoring course. They were now taking all the students bar the senior years which were still Draco’s and Harry’s sole provinces. Thus the pair of mages were able to be at the Ministry the equivalent of three days a week.
But more was to come!
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