The Malfoy Trial
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Harry Potter › Slash - Male/Male › Harry/Draco
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
17
Views:
14,604
Reviews:
24
Recommended:
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Currently Reading:
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Category:
Harry Potter › Slash - Male/Male › Harry/Draco
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
17
Views:
14,604
Reviews:
24
Recommended:
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.
Teaparty
Harry duly filled in the chastisement form with Justin countersigning it. He dispatched it by owl. Then the quartet shared a leisurely dinner together. After a leisurely coffee the two Aurors rose.
“Thanks for the entertaining day Harry and Draco, but we have things to do at home.” Justin hugged each of them in turn.
“Do we have an invite to next Friday’s performance?” asked Seamus giving Harry a kiss on the cheek and a quick grope.
Harry slapped Seamus’s wrist: “Can you wangle it for each Friday? We’d rather keep this a closed shop if possible. I think Ron as a witness would be a disaster.”
“Do I detect a slight slackening in your regard for him?”
“None at all,” Harry grinned and gave a knowing look: “I just know what he’s like, and I prefer to keep the vibes as loving as possible.”
“Okay, I’ll drop a hint to Kingsley.”
“Oh please do. If necessary I’ll do the same; he still feels he owes me lots of debts for some reason.”
“Could it just be something to do with Voldie, perhaps?”
They all chuckled and then the two trainee Aurors flooed home.
“Fancy a game of chess, Draco? I’m not as good as Ron.”
“I know something you are good at,” said Draco in a sultry voice.
“Um … What’s that?” Harry blushed slightly.
“Soothing stinging bottoms.”
“Oh … Sorry! I forgot to ask how you were feeling. Does it sting too much, if so I’ll be gentler next time?”
Draco chuckled: “Don’t play the innocent with me, Potter. You know exactly what I want; I can see the bulge already.”
“And here I thought we’d have a quiet evening together after all the earlier exertions.” Harry looked archly at his vassal. “Oh well! If I have to, I must. C’mon Draco; upstairs with you.” Harry pretended to be reluctant.
Draco was wondering how to manage the next stage in his campaign as he climbed the stairs admiring Harry’s well-proportioned behind. Then he had an idea. He undressed and sat on the bed whilst Harry found the unguent. Harry stood there in his clothes looking at an undressed vassal.
“Don’t be such a prude, Harry. You know what will happen in the end, don’t you? Why not strip now, so’s to be ready when the urge takes us?”
“Um … Well … I s’pose so.” Harry duly climbed out of his clothes.
Draco noticed that, having planted the idea in Harry’s mind, certain parts of his body were beginning to prepare for it. Harry grabbed the salve putting a large dollop on his finger ends. Draco lay down across the bed with his head nearest Harry. Harry shuffled slightly and leant forward to apply the gunge and start massaging it in. Of course Harry’s pieces were above bed level and Draco managed to move one of his hands to caress Harry’s horn. Tugging on it and shuffling himself gently Draco managed to get his face in very close proximity. He tried a quick lick.
“Ooh … That was nice.” Harry said without taking his eyes off massaging Draco’s bum. “Do it again, please?”
A few more licks and Draco shuffled again. Now he could put his lips round his lord’s mushroom. He did so and gave an experimental suck. Harry looked away from his task and down at Draco’s face.
“Merlin! Draco, what are you doing?”
Draco gave another quick suck and moved his head slightly: “Why; don’t you like it?”
“I never said that! Seamus told me you might … Um … I didn’t think you’d want to. I find it’s quite enjoyable.”
“May I resume, please, Milord?”
“In a minute. I’ve done your bum and I’d like to wash the grease of my hands.” Harry took his scarlet stalk with him to the bathroom. Draco lay on the bed delighting in the sight of Harry’s nakedness. Harry had a pee whilst he was there and walked back slowly and thoughtfully.
“Um … Draco … Um … move over so’s I can lie down, please.”
Draco shuffled round and then was surprised when Harry reversed himself: “Seems only fair that I try the experiment both ways; doesn’t it? You’ll have to tell me what to do.”
“First rule is: use your lips and not your teeth; there is an exception but we’ll come to that later. Second rule is: only take in what you can comfortably accommodate. Third rule: use your tongue imaginatively. That’s enough info to be going on with.”
“I think I’ll copy you; at least to begin with.”
Draco grinned and set about licking Harry’s knob-end; feeling an equivalent sensation in return. Sucking came next and Draco was surprised at the capacity of Harry’s mouth.
There were times when their tongues laved the veins on the shaft, times when they played with or sucked each other’s balls. Harry started to get adventurous and seemed fascinated by Draco’s glans.
“Uh … Uh … Harry! What are you doing?”
“Trying to put my tongue where you had you little finger in me. Don’t you like it?”
“Of course I do-oo-oo-oo-oo; oh!”
Both of them vibrated in pleasure when Draco returned the complement.
Harry watched Draco’s balls move up and knew what was coming. He debated whether to keep sucking or not, his lips still round the pulsing prick. Whilst he was debating, his own orgasm took over and Draco sucked him clean. So Harry did the same. He found the taste not as repulsive as he had imagined, the unusual tang was quite pleasant. So he made sure that no drop escaped his tongue; causing Draco to shudder when Harry’s tongue slid over a particular sensitive spot. Harry gave a few pleasurable shudders of his own too. Draco reversed himself.
“Well, Milord! Was that to your liking?”
“Merlin yes, Draco! We must do it again.”
Draco started to shuffle round. Harry caught his shoulders.
“Not immediately, please. I think some more kissing might be worth a try.”
“Whatever you say, Milord.”
That part of the proceedings went on for a long time, with occasional stops to catch breaths. At some time one of them drew the bedclothes up to keep out the chill. Fairly soon the kissing reheated their desires, but being very comfy it led to frotting more than anything else. Harry did a cleaning charm and they drifted off to sleep hugging each other.
###
It was Draco who woke first on Saturday morning; so he gave Harry the frotting alarm call.
“Mmm … nice.” Harry indulged Draco in a kiss. A little later he patted Draco’s bum: “Come along, Lover. Time for a shower before Kreacher comes and makes rude remarks. Once he hears the water running he’ll know we’re up and not come upstairs.”
“So … We switch on the shower and go back to bed!”
“Wrong on two counts, Lover. Firstly, he’ll spend the morning moaning about the amount of coal he’d had to shovel. Secondly, Winky would complain because the breakfast was burnt.”
“What’s this ‘lover’ thing?”
“You started it, so I thought I’d try it out. It sits nicely on the tongue, doesn’t it?”
“Yes Lover, it does. I can think of something else that sits nicely on my tongue too.”
“Not Now! Merlin! I think I have a voracious sex fiend in my bed.”
“You’re no laggard yourself, Love.” Draco groped Harry’s woody and leapt out of bed.
The chase ended with both of them in the shower. Draco arrived first and grabbed the soap, starting to soap his mate as Harry closed the door.
“Stop it, please. I have to get out for a piss, we forgot in the heat of the chase.”
“Wait a minute … Turn round.” Draco was in a similar state and, as Harry turned round, aimed his jet straight at Harry’s balls. Harry huffed at the erotic feeling and then concentrated on returning the compliment. It took a minute for his flow to start, by that time Draco was finished. Draco stood, letting Harry aim where he liked. Draco was just wondering what it would feel like to be hosed from behind, when Harry ran out of water.
Harry had the soap this time and set about soaping his love, paying particular attention to his delicacies. Draco rose to the occasion and grabbed the soap from Harry’s hand. Soon both of them were stiff and slippery with soap, not long afterwards they added some lubrication of their own – the evidence escaped down the drain.
After breakfast they went to the upstairs office for some more estate work and then flooed to Potterton. The sun was out so shorts were on for a couple of hours before lunch. After a light lunch and another foray on to the fourth terrace they went for a swim before flooing to see the Headmistress.
###
When they arrived in her office Hermione was there so they exchanged surprised greetings and waited on Minerva’s words. Pleasantries were exchanged whilst the tea and fruit cake were consumed. From that Harry learnt that Hermione had also had an equivalent letter when she had arrived home.
Once the crockery had gone Minerva started: “I’m so pleased that the three of you have decided to return to school to finish your education. However there is a problem and one which I hope you may be able to solve. As you are aware, the Auror service has taken on working trainees, who will also be taking part in some of the school activities. Mainly because of the paucity of skilled operatives, due to death or incapacity. Well … Hogwarts is in a similar position. Irma Pince was severely burnt when the Death Eaters tried to set the library afire. Something happened to Horace during the fighting which has undermined his ability to deal with groups of people. I believe this was because he was surrounded by a dozen combatants; St Mungo’s is still trying to remove the effects of all the curses put upon him. Lastly there is no hope of recruiting a DADA Professor.”
“I think I can see where this is leading, Headmistress.”
“I rather thought you might, Hermione. I’m rather surprised that Draco didn’t.”
“I did, but Hermione beat me to it, as ever.”
Hermione looked up sharply, expecting a Malfoy sneer. Instead she was met by a delightful smile; so she smiled back. Harry, by this time had worked things out too, and felt a glow of happiness that the two friends he would be working with were trying to be accommodating.
“However let me finish.” The Headmistress continued: “In times past there were places in the staffing establishment for tutors. What the governors have allowed me to do is offer the three of you those posts. Technically you will be under the supervision of Professors, in the event it looks as though you’ll be doing at least ninety percent of the work. Horace will be around for you to consult, Draco, once he’s out of St Mungo’s. The same pertains with Irma and Hermione. As for you Harry, Kingsley has agreed to be your consultant. All this will, of course, be if you are agreeable.”
Harry could see Hermione itching to ask a question.
“There is more yet, Miss Grainger, please exercise patience. As the trainee Aurors will spend some time at school and some time working. We have worked out a series of concentrated short courses which will last over three years. The governors feel that that kind of arrangement should be offered to the three of you. Hermione and Draco, your Potions are almost at NEWT’s level and Harry has been showing greater promise. The governors and I suggest that you cooperate in achieving the set syllabus before the term starts. Harry, your defence skills need little honing so Kingsley will test you and suggest the areas needed for you to qualify. Hermione you already have achieved the basic knowledge to run the library, and Draco is almost there too. The Archivist at the Ministry has agreed to come and advise you until such times that Irma becomes cogent. You will, of course be paid for your services. Now what do you say?”
“Um … Draco and I had agreed to bring each other up to scratch on potions and DADA. Hermione’s at my standard too. Could we not have the same course together in both cases? That would give all three of us two qualifications.”
“You have a point Harry, I think I could twist Kingsley’s arm a little. What about you Draco?”
“Hmm … If Harry’s going to do it, so must I. Not that I object in the slightest, you know how I love potions work. There are some problems though; the worst one being the Mentorship and Chastisement Order.”
“I’ve had a chat with Milady Thaumaturge of the Wizengamot – she thinks that an alteration to the supervision order can be made to allow you to be in the same building whilst awake. She says the Auror department can alter your collar to allow this.”
“There’re a couple of minor problems too. As head of two houses there’s quite a lot of estate work, especially accounts. On the top of that there are two Potter properties where we are renovating houses and gardens plus a number of Black properties that the solicitors are still sorting out. I do need to keep on top of those, too. Draco was helping me, as his father had given him some training in estate management.”
“I see; well, maybe I can help there too. I take it you noticed many more house-elves about.”
“YES.”
“There’s been a standing arrangement for hundreds of years. When a building no longer belongs to a magical family, the house-elves come to Hogwarts for shelter, as Winky did. One of the jobs I have, apart from looking after the school, is to reassign house-elves. I know your views on the subject Hermione; however most elves are happier if they are attached to an establishment and not given clothes. I already know we have a superfluity of garden-elves and some of the defunct families used to have proctor-elves – basically ones that were trusted estate administrators. They are much harder to place. Perhaps, Harry, with Draco’s help you could interview some and take them into your establishment. Thus freeing me of a difficult problem and you to carry out the tutor work.”
Harry turned to Draco: “What do you think?”
“My father had proctor-elves to help him. There’s Kreacher’s status to think about if you take on more domestic help and then Nubbins was a volunteer, you don’t want to put his nose out of joint either.”
“Let’s involve them in the interview process. Kreacher’s getting on a bit; maybe he’d welcome some help. We could set him up as an overseer or something; same for Nubbins, there’re a lot more terraces to dig out yet and there used to be a roof garden at Grimmauld Place.”
“The proper name is Reeve-elf, Harry.” Draco smiled: “Kreacher’d be chuffed if you offered that to him. It would represent the epitome of elfin achievement. He’d be your personal representative and advisor; even the proctor elves would be responsible to him. Make Nubbins garden-super then the others would take direction from him.”
“Hermione, do you have any problems?” Minerva asked.
“As long as Harry and Draco treat their elves properly; not really; except for where we would live.”
“You’d each have an apartment here, Bedroom, Bathroom, Lounge and study. Oh dear! You and Draco would have to share. Now that does present a problem. All the available apartments are single bedroom ones. It would be very difficult to get two beds in. The founders imagined committed couples or single people. Oh dear.”
Harry looked at Draco and lifted his eyebrows. Draco smiled and nodded an affirmative.
“That may not be such a problem, Headmistress.”
“Call me Minerva please. Why not a problem?”
“Um … Well … Um … You see … Draco and I have taken to sharing a bed just recently. I keep on waking him up when I have nightmares and if I shout too loud his collar Crucitates him. If he’s there with me he can sooth me instantly.”
“Oh! I see! That would solve the problem. Is there anything more, Harry?”
“Um … Yes … We sort of like each other … Um … More than just friends.”
Hermione started giggling.
“Shush Hermione!” Minerva looked crossly at her. “The wizarding world is more open minded that the Muggle one. Because we live much longer, so our sexual development quite often takes longer. Attachments like Harry’s and Draco’s are very common. Some last a lifetime, some less than that. When they reach twenty-five they’ll know their minds better. Severus and Lucius were a couple for many years, as were Molly and Narcissa; although that one ended rather bitterly. Then, the Marauders were a tight knit group until Harry’s dad married. I always thought that that was one of the reasons why Peter betrayed them.”
“So we can be open about it, then? That was one of the things that was worrying me.” Harry was smiling too.
Draco squeezed Harry’s hand: “Sorry Love, I thought you knew. Everyone knows about Justin and Seamus, don’t they? None of the other Aurors bat an eyelid about it, do they?”
“I s’pose not. D’you think Whippet and Holder are?”
“Of course they are, everyone knows that. George and Fred were; I wonder if Percy’s taken Fred’s place. Not that it matters.”
Hermione’s jaw was on her knees. Minerva was chuckling quietly.
“That settles it then; Draco and I would like to take your offer up, please Head … Um … Minerva. When do we start?”
“Yes! I’d like to come on board too, please.”
“How about this coming Monday morning? We’d need to attend the Wizengamot to get the variation order, but that should be no problem. You need to interview some elves before then. I envisage a four day week until term starts. Thereafter five days minimum plus duty professors every fifth weekend.”
Draco was nodding, so was Hermione, so Harry said yes.
“Thanks for the entertaining day Harry and Draco, but we have things to do at home.” Justin hugged each of them in turn.
“Do we have an invite to next Friday’s performance?” asked Seamus giving Harry a kiss on the cheek and a quick grope.
Harry slapped Seamus’s wrist: “Can you wangle it for each Friday? We’d rather keep this a closed shop if possible. I think Ron as a witness would be a disaster.”
“Do I detect a slight slackening in your regard for him?”
“None at all,” Harry grinned and gave a knowing look: “I just know what he’s like, and I prefer to keep the vibes as loving as possible.”
“Okay, I’ll drop a hint to Kingsley.”
“Oh please do. If necessary I’ll do the same; he still feels he owes me lots of debts for some reason.”
“Could it just be something to do with Voldie, perhaps?”
They all chuckled and then the two trainee Aurors flooed home.
“Fancy a game of chess, Draco? I’m not as good as Ron.”
“I know something you are good at,” said Draco in a sultry voice.
“Um … What’s that?” Harry blushed slightly.
“Soothing stinging bottoms.”
“Oh … Sorry! I forgot to ask how you were feeling. Does it sting too much, if so I’ll be gentler next time?”
Draco chuckled: “Don’t play the innocent with me, Potter. You know exactly what I want; I can see the bulge already.”
“And here I thought we’d have a quiet evening together after all the earlier exertions.” Harry looked archly at his vassal. “Oh well! If I have to, I must. C’mon Draco; upstairs with you.” Harry pretended to be reluctant.
Draco was wondering how to manage the next stage in his campaign as he climbed the stairs admiring Harry’s well-proportioned behind. Then he had an idea. He undressed and sat on the bed whilst Harry found the unguent. Harry stood there in his clothes looking at an undressed vassal.
“Don’t be such a prude, Harry. You know what will happen in the end, don’t you? Why not strip now, so’s to be ready when the urge takes us?”
“Um … Well … I s’pose so.” Harry duly climbed out of his clothes.
Draco noticed that, having planted the idea in Harry’s mind, certain parts of his body were beginning to prepare for it. Harry grabbed the salve putting a large dollop on his finger ends. Draco lay down across the bed with his head nearest Harry. Harry shuffled slightly and leant forward to apply the gunge and start massaging it in. Of course Harry’s pieces were above bed level and Draco managed to move one of his hands to caress Harry’s horn. Tugging on it and shuffling himself gently Draco managed to get his face in very close proximity. He tried a quick lick.
“Ooh … That was nice.” Harry said without taking his eyes off massaging Draco’s bum. “Do it again, please?”
A few more licks and Draco shuffled again. Now he could put his lips round his lord’s mushroom. He did so and gave an experimental suck. Harry looked away from his task and down at Draco’s face.
“Merlin! Draco, what are you doing?”
Draco gave another quick suck and moved his head slightly: “Why; don’t you like it?”
“I never said that! Seamus told me you might … Um … I didn’t think you’d want to. I find it’s quite enjoyable.”
“May I resume, please, Milord?”
“In a minute. I’ve done your bum and I’d like to wash the grease of my hands.” Harry took his scarlet stalk with him to the bathroom. Draco lay on the bed delighting in the sight of Harry’s nakedness. Harry had a pee whilst he was there and walked back slowly and thoughtfully.
“Um … Draco … Um … move over so’s I can lie down, please.”
Draco shuffled round and then was surprised when Harry reversed himself: “Seems only fair that I try the experiment both ways; doesn’t it? You’ll have to tell me what to do.”
“First rule is: use your lips and not your teeth; there is an exception but we’ll come to that later. Second rule is: only take in what you can comfortably accommodate. Third rule: use your tongue imaginatively. That’s enough info to be going on with.”
“I think I’ll copy you; at least to begin with.”
Draco grinned and set about licking Harry’s knob-end; feeling an equivalent sensation in return. Sucking came next and Draco was surprised at the capacity of Harry’s mouth.
There were times when their tongues laved the veins on the shaft, times when they played with or sucked each other’s balls. Harry started to get adventurous and seemed fascinated by Draco’s glans.
“Uh … Uh … Harry! What are you doing?”
“Trying to put my tongue where you had you little finger in me. Don’t you like it?”
“Of course I do-oo-oo-oo-oo; oh!”
Both of them vibrated in pleasure when Draco returned the complement.
Harry watched Draco’s balls move up and knew what was coming. He debated whether to keep sucking or not, his lips still round the pulsing prick. Whilst he was debating, his own orgasm took over and Draco sucked him clean. So Harry did the same. He found the taste not as repulsive as he had imagined, the unusual tang was quite pleasant. So he made sure that no drop escaped his tongue; causing Draco to shudder when Harry’s tongue slid over a particular sensitive spot. Harry gave a few pleasurable shudders of his own too. Draco reversed himself.
“Well, Milord! Was that to your liking?”
“Merlin yes, Draco! We must do it again.”
Draco started to shuffle round. Harry caught his shoulders.
“Not immediately, please. I think some more kissing might be worth a try.”
“Whatever you say, Milord.”
That part of the proceedings went on for a long time, with occasional stops to catch breaths. At some time one of them drew the bedclothes up to keep out the chill. Fairly soon the kissing reheated their desires, but being very comfy it led to frotting more than anything else. Harry did a cleaning charm and they drifted off to sleep hugging each other.
###
It was Draco who woke first on Saturday morning; so he gave Harry the frotting alarm call.
“Mmm … nice.” Harry indulged Draco in a kiss. A little later he patted Draco’s bum: “Come along, Lover. Time for a shower before Kreacher comes and makes rude remarks. Once he hears the water running he’ll know we’re up and not come upstairs.”
“So … We switch on the shower and go back to bed!”
“Wrong on two counts, Lover. Firstly, he’ll spend the morning moaning about the amount of coal he’d had to shovel. Secondly, Winky would complain because the breakfast was burnt.”
“What’s this ‘lover’ thing?”
“You started it, so I thought I’d try it out. It sits nicely on the tongue, doesn’t it?”
“Yes Lover, it does. I can think of something else that sits nicely on my tongue too.”
“Not Now! Merlin! I think I have a voracious sex fiend in my bed.”
“You’re no laggard yourself, Love.” Draco groped Harry’s woody and leapt out of bed.
The chase ended with both of them in the shower. Draco arrived first and grabbed the soap, starting to soap his mate as Harry closed the door.
“Stop it, please. I have to get out for a piss, we forgot in the heat of the chase.”
“Wait a minute … Turn round.” Draco was in a similar state and, as Harry turned round, aimed his jet straight at Harry’s balls. Harry huffed at the erotic feeling and then concentrated on returning the compliment. It took a minute for his flow to start, by that time Draco was finished. Draco stood, letting Harry aim where he liked. Draco was just wondering what it would feel like to be hosed from behind, when Harry ran out of water.
Harry had the soap this time and set about soaping his love, paying particular attention to his delicacies. Draco rose to the occasion and grabbed the soap from Harry’s hand. Soon both of them were stiff and slippery with soap, not long afterwards they added some lubrication of their own – the evidence escaped down the drain.
After breakfast they went to the upstairs office for some more estate work and then flooed to Potterton. The sun was out so shorts were on for a couple of hours before lunch. After a light lunch and another foray on to the fourth terrace they went for a swim before flooing to see the Headmistress.
###
When they arrived in her office Hermione was there so they exchanged surprised greetings and waited on Minerva’s words. Pleasantries were exchanged whilst the tea and fruit cake were consumed. From that Harry learnt that Hermione had also had an equivalent letter when she had arrived home.
Once the crockery had gone Minerva started: “I’m so pleased that the three of you have decided to return to school to finish your education. However there is a problem and one which I hope you may be able to solve. As you are aware, the Auror service has taken on working trainees, who will also be taking part in some of the school activities. Mainly because of the paucity of skilled operatives, due to death or incapacity. Well … Hogwarts is in a similar position. Irma Pince was severely burnt when the Death Eaters tried to set the library afire. Something happened to Horace during the fighting which has undermined his ability to deal with groups of people. I believe this was because he was surrounded by a dozen combatants; St Mungo’s is still trying to remove the effects of all the curses put upon him. Lastly there is no hope of recruiting a DADA Professor.”
“I think I can see where this is leading, Headmistress.”
“I rather thought you might, Hermione. I’m rather surprised that Draco didn’t.”
“I did, but Hermione beat me to it, as ever.”
Hermione looked up sharply, expecting a Malfoy sneer. Instead she was met by a delightful smile; so she smiled back. Harry, by this time had worked things out too, and felt a glow of happiness that the two friends he would be working with were trying to be accommodating.
“However let me finish.” The Headmistress continued: “In times past there were places in the staffing establishment for tutors. What the governors have allowed me to do is offer the three of you those posts. Technically you will be under the supervision of Professors, in the event it looks as though you’ll be doing at least ninety percent of the work. Horace will be around for you to consult, Draco, once he’s out of St Mungo’s. The same pertains with Irma and Hermione. As for you Harry, Kingsley has agreed to be your consultant. All this will, of course, be if you are agreeable.”
Harry could see Hermione itching to ask a question.
“There is more yet, Miss Grainger, please exercise patience. As the trainee Aurors will spend some time at school and some time working. We have worked out a series of concentrated short courses which will last over three years. The governors feel that that kind of arrangement should be offered to the three of you. Hermione and Draco, your Potions are almost at NEWT’s level and Harry has been showing greater promise. The governors and I suggest that you cooperate in achieving the set syllabus before the term starts. Harry, your defence skills need little honing so Kingsley will test you and suggest the areas needed for you to qualify. Hermione you already have achieved the basic knowledge to run the library, and Draco is almost there too. The Archivist at the Ministry has agreed to come and advise you until such times that Irma becomes cogent. You will, of course be paid for your services. Now what do you say?”
“Um … Draco and I had agreed to bring each other up to scratch on potions and DADA. Hermione’s at my standard too. Could we not have the same course together in both cases? That would give all three of us two qualifications.”
“You have a point Harry, I think I could twist Kingsley’s arm a little. What about you Draco?”
“Hmm … If Harry’s going to do it, so must I. Not that I object in the slightest, you know how I love potions work. There are some problems though; the worst one being the Mentorship and Chastisement Order.”
“I’ve had a chat with Milady Thaumaturge of the Wizengamot – she thinks that an alteration to the supervision order can be made to allow you to be in the same building whilst awake. She says the Auror department can alter your collar to allow this.”
“There’re a couple of minor problems too. As head of two houses there’s quite a lot of estate work, especially accounts. On the top of that there are two Potter properties where we are renovating houses and gardens plus a number of Black properties that the solicitors are still sorting out. I do need to keep on top of those, too. Draco was helping me, as his father had given him some training in estate management.”
“I see; well, maybe I can help there too. I take it you noticed many more house-elves about.”
“YES.”
“There’s been a standing arrangement for hundreds of years. When a building no longer belongs to a magical family, the house-elves come to Hogwarts for shelter, as Winky did. One of the jobs I have, apart from looking after the school, is to reassign house-elves. I know your views on the subject Hermione; however most elves are happier if they are attached to an establishment and not given clothes. I already know we have a superfluity of garden-elves and some of the defunct families used to have proctor-elves – basically ones that were trusted estate administrators. They are much harder to place. Perhaps, Harry, with Draco’s help you could interview some and take them into your establishment. Thus freeing me of a difficult problem and you to carry out the tutor work.”
Harry turned to Draco: “What do you think?”
“My father had proctor-elves to help him. There’s Kreacher’s status to think about if you take on more domestic help and then Nubbins was a volunteer, you don’t want to put his nose out of joint either.”
“Let’s involve them in the interview process. Kreacher’s getting on a bit; maybe he’d welcome some help. We could set him up as an overseer or something; same for Nubbins, there’re a lot more terraces to dig out yet and there used to be a roof garden at Grimmauld Place.”
“The proper name is Reeve-elf, Harry.” Draco smiled: “Kreacher’d be chuffed if you offered that to him. It would represent the epitome of elfin achievement. He’d be your personal representative and advisor; even the proctor elves would be responsible to him. Make Nubbins garden-super then the others would take direction from him.”
“Hermione, do you have any problems?” Minerva asked.
“As long as Harry and Draco treat their elves properly; not really; except for where we would live.”
“You’d each have an apartment here, Bedroom, Bathroom, Lounge and study. Oh dear! You and Draco would have to share. Now that does present a problem. All the available apartments are single bedroom ones. It would be very difficult to get two beds in. The founders imagined committed couples or single people. Oh dear.”
Harry looked at Draco and lifted his eyebrows. Draco smiled and nodded an affirmative.
“That may not be such a problem, Headmistress.”
“Call me Minerva please. Why not a problem?”
“Um … Well … Um … You see … Draco and I have taken to sharing a bed just recently. I keep on waking him up when I have nightmares and if I shout too loud his collar Crucitates him. If he’s there with me he can sooth me instantly.”
“Oh! I see! That would solve the problem. Is there anything more, Harry?”
“Um … Yes … We sort of like each other … Um … More than just friends.”
Hermione started giggling.
“Shush Hermione!” Minerva looked crossly at her. “The wizarding world is more open minded that the Muggle one. Because we live much longer, so our sexual development quite often takes longer. Attachments like Harry’s and Draco’s are very common. Some last a lifetime, some less than that. When they reach twenty-five they’ll know their minds better. Severus and Lucius were a couple for many years, as were Molly and Narcissa; although that one ended rather bitterly. Then, the Marauders were a tight knit group until Harry’s dad married. I always thought that that was one of the reasons why Peter betrayed them.”
“So we can be open about it, then? That was one of the things that was worrying me.” Harry was smiling too.
Draco squeezed Harry’s hand: “Sorry Love, I thought you knew. Everyone knows about Justin and Seamus, don’t they? None of the other Aurors bat an eyelid about it, do they?”
“I s’pose not. D’you think Whippet and Holder are?”
“Of course they are, everyone knows that. George and Fred were; I wonder if Percy’s taken Fred’s place. Not that it matters.”
Hermione’s jaw was on her knees. Minerva was chuckling quietly.
“That settles it then; Draco and I would like to take your offer up, please Head … Um … Minerva. When do we start?”
“Yes! I’d like to come on board too, please.”
“How about this coming Monday morning? We’d need to attend the Wizengamot to get the variation order, but that should be no problem. You need to interview some elves before then. I envisage a four day week until term starts. Thereafter five days minimum plus duty professors every fifth weekend.”
Draco was nodding, so was Hermione, so Harry said yes.