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Harco Empire	By : Toddy Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Draco Views: 34430 -:- 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.

Chapter List
- 130
- 131
- 132
[Note: conversation =: “speech” & ‘thoughts’ & *telepathy* & #Parseltongue# & {telephone}]
~~~ SWIMMING ~~~
Harry and Draco went to see Griswold. He was surprised that they were not going to prosecute him, even more so when Draco said he could find a supply of the potion. His fear was abated when they told of the fire plan, he said he would be sorry to see his home go up in flames, but quite understood the reasons; preferring a reduced life to Lucy’s tortures. After seeing his temporary workshop in the Grimmauld cellar he felt it was adequate. His biggest surprise was the portals when they walked through hand-in-hand to the Cottage; remarking that he was almost sure that the other side did not know about them.
The rest of Saturday was spent transporting the machines to safety. The materials transportation would be put off until Monday, mainly because Seamus and Dean wanted to get the few students - the trustworthy ones remaining at the annex over the summer holidays - involved in transport-beam making with the elves.
Fawkes appeared and asked what they had been doing. Harry and Draco filled him in.
D: *It’s unusual for our flying conscience not to be around when one of us gets into trouble*?
F: *I do have other responsibilities, you know*, he huffed, *Such as when I had to transport the Satyrs*.
Cajole as they might, the Blakes could not get their flying companion to say where he had been. However, he did let slip that the two mages’ range would soon be greater.
Grouchy found Griswold a guest room to stay in at the London house, and for the next few days he contentedly puttered around in his underground workshop. He found that he had a companion sometimes – Crassus.
~~~ CRUISING ~~~
A few days later a fire broke out in Carnation Drive and the late edition of the Prophet carried Scrofulous Pucey’s obituary. The muggle press wondered how the authorities had allowed so much combustible stuff to be stored in a residential district. They also praised the fire-brigade for containing the fire so as not to damage other people’s property. The reports were much as Honorius had suggested; plus, an allusion in the Prophet that it might have been a satrap who caused it, because Scrofulous had been seen working for the light and made references to him having been seen taking lunch with Harry.
The following Saturday Griswold was taken through the portals by hand by a party of Dumbledorians. They were going to enjoy the sailing on Lac Léman. He marvelled at the setting and understood that unless one of our two mages held him by the hand he would not be able to exit the chalet. Content with his lot he set about exploring the chalet and its adjoining small estate. He remained within the wards and in his explorations he came across the steam launch. He went to find the Blakes.
“Erm … Harry?”
“Yes, Griswold?”
“The steam launch; do you intend using it at all?”
“It’s hors-de-combat,” Draco replied: “The boiler has rust holes in it, for one thing.”
“Why do you ask?” Harry mentally jogged Draco as he questioned Griswold.
“Well … You know how I like making machines work … Erm … I’d like to get it going again. I notice that it is equipped for charm-heating the water. I suspect there was a fire-hole glamour in the usual place for the grate … Erm … With your permission I’d like to get Crassus involved as well.”
“How long would it take?”
“If we use thaums … Then about a week, but doing it the muggle way; quite a few months.”
“Fine … Get Crassus involved and would you ask Selwyn as well. Oh! See if Cole would like to join in, please. As a muggle he can’t do magic, but we’ve managed to charm a special medallion for him and his mates which gives them some insights into how we operate.”
D: *You nearly told him, didn’t you*?
H: *Did I cover it up well*?
D: *He’s already asked about them. I told him they were only for Dumbledorians, presented when they were voted in*.
H: *Did he accept that explanation*?
D: *I think so – I’ve warned the others*.
“Why are you two silent all of a sudden.”
“Sorry – we can mentally communicate. It becomes so natural that we sometimes forget when others are around us. It was nothing important.”
“Oh! Is that how you summoned help when I had you incarcerated?”
“Yes!”
“It’s a very rare talent that; even rarer than the gift of Parseltongue.”
“We think that even that language can be learned too; some of us are working on it.”
“Really … Mmm … Now; what about the steam launch. It would be easier if I and the others could work here.”
“How about using one of the wine cellars …?”
D: *… You’re going fishing again …*
H: *… Shush! Draco*. “They’re just above the boathouse. Maybe you could use one as a workshop and the other to store things in.”
“I’ve had a look and they’re quite long; with a partition half way, I could store behind it and have a workshop near the windows.”
“Why not have both cellars? Divide them; using one for your combined project and the other for your experiments.”
“Does that mean that I could base myself here?”
“It’s a possibility … You’d not be able to go outside the wards, as you already know. It wouldn’t be safe yet. Lucy’s cunning enough to think that we might have set up a smoke screen.”
“Not to worry, Draco’s got me a supply of the potion, I’ve got a new project to play with and the Headmistress wants some of the previous headmaster’s machines looking at. Quite a few got damaged during the battle of Hogwarts. Before you say it, I know not to go there yet; several of the Seignior’s supporters’ children still attend. Mr Shacklebolt has explained about my gradual re-appearance into magical society under my new name. I’m still very surprised that you didn’t prosecute.”
“Our side believe in forgiveness, Griswold. Beside which, you have taken that oath, haven’t you.”
He chuckled ruefully: “You’ve got me both ways, haven’t you. I’d be silly to expose myself to Lucius’s wrath, and the oath. There’s a third reason too: had I not been forced to take the potion first time, I’m almost sure I would have been fighting on the side of light. I still haven’t found out what hold Voldie had on my parents, they were fairly lukewarm about the pure-blood thing. My great-nephew Adrian was in Slytherin, you know.”
“Yes. I played Quidditch against him a few times,” said Harry: “He seemed a reasonably decent sort.”
“He was,” added Draco: “His parents went into hiding when Voldie came into power the second time.”
“Yes! They used a vanishing cabinet and destroyed its counterpart afterwards. I still don’t know where they went to. They took Adrian with them, I think.”
“He’d done his NEWT’s before he disappeared. He’d make a good Slyth recruit for the Dumbledorians, Harry.”
“We’ll jump that hurdle when we come to it, Draco. Now Griswold; let’s go and talk to Nubbins. There’s a decent single bedroom on the third floor, so I’m told.”
So it was that Griswold became a permanent guest at the chalet and a number of trusted and discreet students were shown the intricacies of thaumic machine construction.
~~~ ONWARDS ~~~
That month of August had come and gone in a blur of activity, including Ginevra’s twenty-second birthday celebration. Thus the First of September found the Blakes unobtrusively supervising the Hogwarts train and arranging a protection exercise to try out prospective Dumbledorians including Alexandrou.
Blaise’s and Hermione’s birthday – another combined do – was a large dinner party at Chalet Cadmus, with an awning over the terrace and fairy lights; courtesy of the broonies. They had considered fireworks, but decided that, in so public a place, drawing attention to the residence was unwise. Griswold made up for it, by having a few small moving tableaux on show. One was a sailor on the lake being repeatedly drenched by a large wave, he had fair hair and Draco had his leg pulled about a similar incident in August. Another had a dark haired bespectacled mage tobogganing and bumping into a tree which shed its load of snow to cover him. There were one or two others as well, each poking gentle fun at one of the Dumbledorians.
Once the holidays were past memories, Dónall and Niall attended one of Number Twelve’s Political Dinners and were impressed by the ideas being discussed; especially when they retired after the meal into the very comfortable surroundings which Narcissa had created in the London house.
“It seems to me Draco, that we pure-bloods can be too hide-bound by tradition. I would have expected a Malfoy to be a stickler for doing things the correct way. However, you seem to be steering a careful path, building on your base, but not afraid to experiment.”
“One of the things that I remember is how my father became mesmerised by Voldie’s vision of a perfect world. I also remember how that monster tried to force people into that vision. My father is so indoctrinated with those ideas that he is still trying for world domination. I’m afraid that it has warped his mind, and he seems incapable of comprehending the evil that it represents.”
“I suspect that Harry has quite a lot to do with your changed attitude, though.”
“Very much so. I had already seen where my father was erring, but was unable to tear myself away from his expectation of unswerving obedience. He expected that I would happily follow in his footsteps. As I matured I learned that there were other ways of winning hearts and began to doubt my family allegiances. Shall I say that I had a rough time of it when my father understood my thoughts?”
“I think you underplay the torture you went through.”
“Perhaps, I prefer not to live in bitterness about it. After all, Harry rescued me and cared for me whilst I went through a very difficult period of readjustment. His friends helped greatly, there was an ambience of caring love; something that I had never experienced before. I learned that you could disagree and yet remain friends. That was probably the biggest lesson. Being able to laugh at myself and at other’s pranks without engendering any hurt feelings, was probably the next lesson. I have learned to sift through what I was taught, both at Hogwarts and the Manor, and tease out the positive elements in tradition and adaptation.”
“That sounds a little pretentious.”
“Hmm … Sorry … There’s still a lot of ‘proper upbringing’ in me. Formative years in the Manor have definitely left their mark.”
Dónall chuckled: “Yes. I understand. Perhaps I’m lucky that Rodger still regards me in a friendly way. My father was almost as unbending as yours. So I made up my mind not to be as rigid. I think it’s paid off.”
“He had an enquiring mind when he was in my class, not that he will ever make a potions master, but he knows the basics.”
“To my surprise he’s volunteered to take up estate management. I must say it does set my mind at rest about the future and he seems to have an aptitude in that field. Now … My daughter is the feisty one. Everything we stand for seems to displease her. There are times when I tear my hair out trying to deal with her.”
“She’s reasonably behaved at school, maybe it’s a phase she’s passing through. I agree she’s not meek, but neither does she act wantonly either. Some pure-blood daughters seem to think that school is a licence for debauchery. Night patrols can become quite embarrassing.”
“So I’ve heard. But then, we got up to all sorts of pranks when we were at Hogwarts, didn’t we?”
Draco chuckled: “It’s called the learning process. The subjects taught are only the skeleton. Personal experimentation helps the students to learn the social graces, or not, as the case may be. Sometimes they are more important.”
Niall and Harry were having very much the same discussion but theirs turned to how isolated Niall and his family had felt. He thanked Harry profusely for allowing the ward team to come and update his wards.
“You know, my charges will sleep better now, with those protectors around them.”
“Do you mean your family?”
“No … Oh … You probably don’t know of my duty … Sorry. You see I look after Lîr’s Children.”
“Who is Lîr?”
“He’s like your three ancient ancestors, part real and part legendary. The Celts called him the Sea God. I expect he was a very powerful mage who ruled in the days of yore. Anyway, according to legend he had some daughters and an evil spirit changed them into swans. It’s our clan’s duty to look after them. So that’s what I do.”
“So you’re stuck with them and they’re stuck with you.”
“You could say that, but I regard it as a privilege. It ensures the continued prosperity of the clan. Maybe you’d like to come and see them.”
F: *That, my son, is your next duty*.
Harry looked to where Fawkes had just appeared sitting on his perch: “I think I would like to do that,” then he smirked: “We have a bird that we look after; that multi-coloured bird over there. Trouble is he keeps on disappearing.”
Fawkes seemed to glow with disapproval: *Scoring points is a Slytherin trait, not a Gryffindor*, he admonished: *Now get on with your arrangements, those swans need to talk to you*.
“When would you like us to come? Um … Your Clan’s prosperity?”
“Yes … Not many people know this but, every now and again one of the swans lays a silver egg.”
Harry looked suitably impressed: *Lucy’s bound to go after them, isn’t he*.
Both Fawkes and Draco replied: *YES*!
“I think we should provide some more protection if that is so, Niall. Lucy’s bound to want to get at them.”
“Lucy, who’s Lucy?” Dónall asked, joining the conversation.
“Our pet name for Draco’s dad, Lucius. Aka the Seignior. He’s short of cash.”
“I can understand your concern … Erm … And ours, for that matter. Yes, extra protection would be very welcome. We are always taking precautions at the Well of Urdd.”
“Could we come over on Monday, d’you think?” *What’s the Well of Urdd, Draco*?
*No idea, but Uncle Travis will know. Probably something to do with Lîr*.
“Yes please, one of us can take you through our cabinets.”
Neither puzzled young mage noticed the significant look that Dónall gave Niall.
~~~ WELL OF URDD ~~~
Draco spent quite a bit of Sunday afternoon with Travis and came out much better informed. He transferred a précis of his knowledge to Harry during their usual snuggling sleep that night. Waking on Monday morning they chatted whilst washing and dressing. Draco had found at least three legends about the children of Lîr, so they started to wonder if they would ever find out the truth. Even the knowledgeable Travis was flummoxed.
Breakfast over, they ported to the Rath. Niall met them and conducted them through a series of cabinets to their destination close to the south-west coast of Ireland.
Draco’s first impression was that it was misty and much warmer than he expected in November. In fact, the mist seemed to be steam rising from a tree girt lake which reminded him of Hendy’s abode. The lake was much larger but it did contain an island with oak trees growing on it. Harry agreed with Draco’s observation and, being more adventurous, knelt down by the side of the lake to dip his hand in its waters.
D: *Careful, Harry, the lake may have a curse on them, as one of the legends suggests*.
H: *No, the emanations feel benign, besides, the water is much warmer than I expected*.
Niall was watching the two mages covertly, he needed to assess their reactions and so deigned to interfere with their experimentation.
D: *There were four original swans, all the references are sure about that. But whether three cobs and one pen or an equal number of sexes the tales differ*.
H: *Maybe we’ll find out, there are four swimming towards us*.
The swans glided over quite quickly, leaving rippling wakes behind them in the water. Once close, one of them dipped its head, reminding Harry of the way Buckbeak acted. So, automatically he responded in the same way, with Draco following suit.
“Greetings, Revered Ones,” said Harry as he bowed.
The swans bowed their heads in recognition and then the leader turned and hissed at his companions: #It seems they are not the expected ones. They do not speak the ancient tongue#.
Harry grabbed Draco’s hand: #Ah, but we do! At least I do and my companion can understand whilst I touch him. We were not aware that swans spoke the sacred language. However I have spoken to owls, snakes and satyrs#.
Niall smiled secretly, watching the exchange.
#Most swans do not have the ability; however we are special#.
Draco sent something to Harry who said: #I am Harry and my companion, Draco, has been reading many traditional tales concerning your origins#.
#I am Nuala and my sister is Aida, my two brothers are Fiacre and Conn#. As Nuala introduced them each swan bowed its head. #Perhaps you would like to swim with us to our island? We have need of your help there#.
*I feel that this I okay, Harry*.
*I heard that sending, Draco*, sent Nuala: *That is the way we normally communicate. Although it only works when we are within three yards of each other. The old tongue carries further, we also converse with snakes that way*.
#I see we have a common language# observed Niall: #I forbore using it in case you thought me dark#.
Draco kept hold of Harry’s hand so that the swans could understand what was being said: “Hermione is making a dictionary of Parseltongue, and Harry is conducting lessons with some of the seneschals. Do you mind if we go swimming with them?”
#I have only been asked a few times, it is regarded as a great privilege to be asked. Please go, you are confirming what Dónall and I felt about your destiny#.
Another swan appeared and made its swishing landing: *Have you persuaded my sons to accompany you*?
N: *Yes, Revered Sage, they had just accepted*.
“Draco, why are the swans not fighting the newcomer?”
“He’s Fawkes in disguise. You know, the phoenix you met at our London Home. It seems he knows the Children of Lîr.”
Niall bowed towards the new entrant: “Welcome to the Well of Urdd, Revered Sage.”
Fawkes sent to Draco who smiled: “He thanks you for your welcome, Niall. However, he is impatient that we get moving.”
As Draco said this he and Harry commenced stripping, and then both of them nakedly dived into the water. The human side of the swans secretly admired the two mages’ physiques.
*We are so relieved that you can understand us this way*, sent Aida as they swam: *We find it difficult using the sacred speech when in this form*.
*So one of the legends is true*, replied Draco: *You have another form. Is it human*?
*It resembles humanity, but we are only allowed two separate days each year to inhabit that body*.
*Is it at the equinoxes or just after them*?
*I see you are well read*, remarked Conn: *Midnight of the third day after the thaumic equinox until the midnight of the fourth day*.
*Does that mean you’re immortals, then*? enquired Harry.
There was a hiss of laughter from the swans. *’Fraid not, Harry*; sent Fiacre: *Like most magical creatures we do live longer, but nowhere near as long as the monks suggested we did*.
*We reproduce in the swanly way, Harry*, Nuala informed: *By laying eggs. Most of them are the silver eggs that keep the Geraldine Clan wealthy. Just occasionally one comes out with an ordinary looking shell. That is a cause for rejoicing and a cause for sadness, because, as well as the new cygnet, it foretells one of us dying. You see … The Fluence only allows the four of us to exist at any one time. There is a very brief period of three days when five of us are alive. That’s when the fading swan hands over his or her thaumic heritage to the new one*.
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