Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

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
- 136
- 137
- 138
[Note: conversation =: “speech” & ‘thoughts’ & *telepathy* & #Parseltongue# & {telephone}]
~~~ CONTRACTS ~~~
In church on Sunday Harry nearly had kittens when John called the first set of banns. After asking if anyone knew of just cause or impediment, John paused and took a long meaningful look. Luckily, no one stood to object.
*Thank Merlin for that*! sent Draco as both of them let out explosive breaths: *One down, two more to go*.
The entire congregation wanted to personally shake their hands and wish them well. Harry felt a bit jittery because it reminded him of the aftermath of defeating Voldie, when he could go nowhere without people wanting to thank to him, so his mate kept on sending calming messages to keep him on an even keel.
Francis came to see the two Blakes as they strolled towards the pub for lunch: “Hey, you two, I tried to find you yesterday, but you were dodging around all over the place. Did you know that you have a joint inheritance from Maud Harrison?”
“Who’s Maud Harrison?”
“One of your many Black/Blake relatives. It’s an odd bequest, you may only use it to entertain your friends grandly, or so it says in the will. Bills of less than a thousand galleons shall not be met. I think the old dear wanted to give you a good time to remember her by.”
“That sounds like elaborate balls with lots of people.” Draco grabbed Harry and did a giddy twirl. “Then again it might cover the wedding costs.”
“I’m not sure I could manage that, after this morning’s handshaking,” a slightly dizzy Harry shuddered and wrung his hands.
Draco ignored his mate’s angst: “Are you coming for lunch, Francis?”
“Of course, Draco; part of the social round, don’t y’know. So you’ve set the marriage date, have you?”
The two mages then had to explain about the joint arrangements and advise Francis of the proposed date of the betrothal ceremony. Plus, the fact that Ginevra and Astoria ought to be made Trust Directors.
~~~ DISCUSSION ~~~
In the Farmers Arms Richard had set up a table for twelve so that the intendeds could discuss honeymoon ideas. Once Draco had mentioned the Palazzo in Venice, everyone had cottoned on to the idea of a joint honeymoon. Various ideas were put forth all with different destinations in mind. The girls liked the idea of Venice and Paris plus some of the more romantic places. The boys thought of energetic pursuits, with lakes, mountains, and sea bathing to the fore. They all agreed that they wanted to see some new places with stunning scenery. Naturally they had an audience, who also called out suggestions interesting and fantastic.
Douglas and Marilyn were there, [trains on Sundays did not start calling at their station until three o’clock in the afternoon and Argus was watching their house].
“Why not go on one of those land cruises” suggested Douglas: “Then you can take in all the destinations. Some firms will organise special itineraries so you can sleep whilst they’re taking you from place to place then you are able to visit during the daytime.”
“Most of them won’t be doing much sleeping!” came a caustic remark from out of the crowd. There was a general guffaw in reply.
A number of the intendeds’ eyes lit up as they thought about Douglas’s suggestion.
*It has some merits, Partner. Maybe this legacy could foot the bill. I know those kinds of things are rather costly*.
*This meeting’s going nowhere fast; there are far too many onlookers. Let’s go back to Chantry Cottage – just the twelve of us plus Douglas – Mmm*?
After the meal Draco and Harry managed to diplomatically extricate their dozen friends and walked them back to Chantry Cottage’s lounge. Douglas came with them whilst Marilyn went back to open up the ticket office.
Douglas explained about land cruising in more detail; then Harry and Draco told them about the curious legacy and suggested that this would be a legitimate expense under the category that Francis had told them about. Going muggle seemed to appeal to everyone; Harry, Dudley and Hermione had their doubts, but did not voice them too loudly. Eventually the dozen agreed to write down the places that they might like to see, placing them in order, Draco and Hermione were deputed to be the people who sorted out the results. Douglas went away promising to find some contact addresses and telephone numbers.
Everyone was far too focussed to notice Fawkes listening and purring.
~~~ MONDAY ~~~
That evening, when they arrived home, Draco and Harry found a note asking them to come and see Douglas.
“Hello the Blakes!” Douglas greeted them: “Have I found something very special for you? It’s at the upper end of the land cruise market, minimum price about five thousand pounds per person. That should meet your bequest’s requirements; about a thousand galleons each. Rail rumour has it that the firm has just lost a very valuable client. A few weeks before he died he’d booked them for the main summer period. It seems they have three coaches, one for the crew, one for sleeping the clients and the other one as a dining room cum lounge cum observation carriage. No more than a dozen can be catered for at any one time. They move their carriages at night and then stay at a station during the daytimes. There are only two or three set up’s like this one, all very, very exclusive.”
“So what do you call this outfit,” asked Draco: “And when could we meet them?”
“Caudwell and Zeller. Their coaches are at Waterloo station on Wednesday afternoon, if you’d like to see them. I can set up a meeting for you if you like?”
~~~ WEDNESDAY ~~~
This day was a normally London day, so the Blakes managed to wangle the afternoon off. Lunch at Grimmauld Place was followed by Draco insisting that Harry dress smartly.
“Why; we’re only going to look at a train?” Harry grizzled.
“Yes I agree, but we should look as though we have enough money to afford the sort of outfit that we intend to hire. Your normal scruffy look would get us written off as anoraks; no way would the owners let that kind of enthusiast onto such a train.”
###
They caught the tube to Waterloo and climbed the stairs to the entrance. It took five or six enquiries before they were directed to platform nineteen which was next door to the Eurostar international terminal. As they walked along the platform they could sense Fawkes, after thirty seconds they found him, disguised as one of the numerous station pigeons.
“There appears to be a rear viewing balcony,” remarked Draco, as they walked up the platform approach.
“That dark maroon livery looks good doesn’t it? Almost like the Royal Train.” Harry stared at the shiny clean coaches. “Look; there’s a man in a plum coloured uniform. Perhaps he’s the bloke Douglas said would greet us.”
“Mr Malfoy, Mr Potter?” said man enquired, walking towards them, hand outstretched.
Draco offered his hand and Harry followed suit, and the customary greetings were exchanged.
“I’m Ignatius Caudwell; I understand that you might be in the market to use our land cruise facilities.”
*You deal with it, he speaks your language*, Harry sent. Draco gave him a pleased smile.
“My partner and I are considering such a venture. Much depends on us coming to a mutual understanding especially about the route to be covered.”
“I see! Perhaps you would like to inspect the facilities we offer. I have taken the liberty of setting up a small video presentation in the lounge car, showing some of the places that we have visited recently.”
“Thank you, please show us the way.”
They boarded through a side-gateway in the balcony at the rear of the train; there were a few small chairs here and a square table set out in one corner of the open area.
“This balcony can be totally open like this in good weather, and partially protected in case of inclemency,” Ignatius told them.
A sliding door led them into the lounge part. Harry thought there were a dozen and a half very comfortable looking armchairs.
“All our chairs are stable and can be moved to suit our passengers’ needs. Useful in cold climates when the observation platform would be too chilly; cosy at night when you relax after dinner with the curtains drawn.”
Next came a short side passage and they peeked into a very compact galley. The other half of the carriage was set out with individual tables for four. It had a dark purple carpet and deep blue upholstered dining chairs.
“We can set this up into one long table also, dependant on your wishes. We have allowed for entertaining guests, should you wish to invite people when you visit. All meals on board are silver-service, of course. We have an extensive cellar, but are quite willing to serve local vintages to match the local dishes, should you wish to reflect the countries through which you travel. Totally your choice.”
They crossed into the next carriage through the connection and into a carpeted side corridor; Ignatius opened the second door along. They entered a cabin with a double bed on one side, a small wardrobe next to the door and a desk with a chair set under the window. This particular cabin was done out in shades of green.
“Through here,” Ignatius slid a door open, “are the usual facilities.”
Harry looked into a small tiled bathroom; the toilet was on the outside wall backed by a frosted window. There was a washbasin opposite the door and towards the corridor wall was the shower.
*We could fit both of us in there*.
*Good! I love our salacious showers*.
Ignatius showed them another cabin; this was set up for two bunks, giving a little more floor space. Peach was the dominant colour here.
“We can convert the cabins, as you require. If there are young children, we can erect a bunk over the parents’ double bunk.”
They peeked into a couple more of the cabins all tastefully decorated with different colour schemes. The end cabins had an altered bathroom layout in order to accommodate the return of the passageway. They went through into the third carriage.
“The first three doors are our private cabins. We have four staff; the third cabin is for the duty railway staff because we need occasionally to hire special help. There is a store and the engine room, followed by the driving cab. As you see the outer end doors are closed at the moment. There are times when we have to attach to a train because of the tight timetable, usually close to busy conurbations. Mostly we prefer to use our own motive power. Although we have a small cab, hidden under the large table in the balcony; we only use it when there are no turning facilities. Thus we try to keep the viewing balcony at the rear of the train. If you would like to return to the lounge car, I will give you a short presentation about places you might like to visit.”
As they returned Harry did a quick count and found that there were six double cabins in the passenger section. They sat in the comfortable chairs facing the middle partition on which was mounted a plasma screen. Many of the places seen in the video were places that had come up in the discussion after Sunday lunch, Harry felt very heartened; however, Draco inwardly counselled caution.
“Were we to take up your offer,” Draco commenced in his best aristocratic voice: “Would we be able to stipulate the places we required to visit?”
“As long as they had a railway station, or one close by; yes. However, the order in which they were visited would depend on the feasibility of timetables and the length of time you wished to stay in any one place. Where daylight travel was to take place, we would endeavour to find the most scenic route. I must warn you, however, that entry and exit from most large cities is not in the least picturesque. If you would prefer it, we can arrange to stop on certain nights in order that you indulge in undisturbed sleep. Most of our passengers prefer a mix.”
“Thank you; we will discuss this with our colleagues. Would it be possible to borrow your DVD to show them?”
“I have a copy already prepared which you may keep. How many people do you envisage would be accompanying you?” Ignatius held out a transparent envelope containing a disc.
“The full dozen, it will be a rather special occasion for us all. I understand that you have recently had a cancellation, perhaps that slot is still available?”
“You are obviously well informed. Yes; four weeks in the high season are still unclaimed. We had a very regular booking with her. Miss Harrison will be sorely missed. We have been anxiously trying to find replacement hirers.”
Both Magicals jumped when Ignatius mentioned the name.
“Would that be Miss Maud Harrison?” Harry enquired.
“Yes, Mr Potter, why do you ask?”
“It seems we are amongst her heirs. She left us a peculiar legacy which has to be spent on entertaining our friends grandly.”
“That sounds just like her. Sometimes we would set off with only her aboard, but by the end of the journey the cabins would all have been used, most of them more than once. Quite often we would pause at a wayside station and someone would appear, almost out of nowhere. They would disappear in much the same way, too. I think she rang people up as we went along; either that or she was telepathic …”
*Apparition*, both partners thought together.
“… Some of them were midgets with big ears. They’d sleep two to a single quite often …”
*House elves? Perhaps Phealey and Pullet would like to come*.
“… Chef learnt quite a lot of special recipes from some of them,” Ignatius mused. He shook his head, as if to clear cobwebs away: “Oh! Sorry! Chef doesn’t mind if passengers want to prepare their own meals. Ah; here he is.”
The chef appeared with a tea trolley. It held different tea pots, fine bone china, assorted triangular sandwiches and a luscious looking cream sponge.
“This is Mr Malfoy … And Mr Potter … Our chef, Sigmund Zeller.”
Chef Zeller shook hands with both of the Magicals; then he handed out the refreshments.
“Our two prospective passengers are heirs of Miss Maud, Siggy.”
“Really? We had lots of fun when she was aboard. I do hope you choose to come with us. I enjoyed the little people’s company greatly.”
“You would; they practically take over the domestics when they arrive.” Ignatius mocked his partner.
“Caudwell and Zeller … Hmm … I wonder … If I said Hufflepuff to you, would it have any meaning?” Draco’s smile was enigmatic.
“Of course it would, we have relations in that house. So … You know of Hogwarts then? Ex-students perhaps?” Sigmund smiled and rubbed his hands together.
“Yes; however, I don’t feel any magical aura emanating from you two.” Draco smiled back.
“You wouldn’t, we’re all squibs. Malfoy …? Potter …? Well are you?” Sigmund leaned forward and lifted Harry’s fringe. “Oh! Honoured to have you aboard Mr Potter. That makes things much easier.”
Both proprietors jumped when Fawkes discarded his disguise and landed on Harry’s shoulder.
“The Prophet said you were getting married soon. Erm … Is this to be your honeymoon?” Ignatius enquired carefully, pretending that the fiery bird was not regarding him fiercely.
“Yes; both of ours, plus four other couples, we’re having a joint service at Godric’s Hollow on a Saturday in just under five weeks’ time,” said Harry patting his fringe back into place.
“Really? That’s the day when Miss Maud’s booking was due to commence. Do they still have the siding at the station?” Ignatius was now smiling happily.
“It’s very overgrown outside the station, and covered in tarmac where it goes through the car park. Why do you ask?” Practical Draco came to the fore.
“Well … assuming you decide to use us; that is … We could have the carriages there for you to board after the wedding feast. Your house-elves could load up what was needed before hand. We have an arrangement with E.W.S. and one of the preserved steam groups to borrow an engine and crew for trips like those from there to Folkestone. We were about to cancel the hiring. Will you want us to make arrangements for your phoenix as well?”
“Is that possible?”
“Yes, that is if he will use one of the retractable owl perches on the balconies.”
Urged by Fawkes, Harry nodded his agreement and sent: *Go on! Make the booking*.
D: *This is one of your Gryffindor coincidences isn’t it*?
H: *John would say it was the Spirit working*.
F: *Get on with the booking, my Sons; this is all part of the plan*.
D: *All right, all right, I know when I’m outnumbered*.
*Yes, you are! Now just get on with it*. Fawkes ruffled his feathers indignantly.
“We would like to make the booking, Brothers Caudwell and Zeller. I have a list of the places that our friends have suggested they would like to visit. Hermione and I have placed them in order of preference.”
“Is Hermione your fiancée, Mr Malfoy?”
“No. Draco and Hermione are the brainy ones deputed to work it out. She’ll marry Ron … Um …”
“It’s all right Partner, no need to explain. I have put the names of the pairs down on the list. I do hope you’ll be discreet about the unusual pairings.”
“We’re extremely discreet Mr Malfoy. We would have no clients if we weren’t. That’s why Miss Maud always came back to us; and others too. You may charm us with a ‘Nonrevelo’ if you like”
“You call her Miss Maud; does that mean you are fairly relaxed about names? We are. If so you may call me Harry, if you like; my partner is Draco.”
“Thank you, Mr Harry, I’m Iggy and my partner is Siggy.”
Harry was about to protest about being ‘Mr’, but Draco advised him internally not to push his luck.
“Um … Iggy … Do elves count in with the twelve?”
“Usually Mr Harry, however, please explain what you have in mind, I’m sure a few more could be fed and seated. If they need accommodation the luggage areas under the roofs can be sorted to accommodate them. Only you would lose the skylights if that happened.”
“Um … Well … We have two very dear friends who are elf-professors at Hogwarts. We’ve shared a bedroom quite a few times. Say, you sorted the baggage space above our bed, I’m quite sure they would like to come if they were invited.”
“We’ve heard about your emancipation ideas and applaud them. It has already made quite a difference in our standing with the Magical World, not that it made any difference to Miss Maud. Come to think of it my young nephew mentioned something about the potions and defence professors, I think. Sometimes I find it hard to follow all the intricacies of student politics at Hogwarts. I’m sure we’d be pleased to accommodate your professors on that basis, Mr Harry.”
Draco put on his efficient face: “Will you require a bankers’ draft? If so would you like it in Galleons or muggle money?”
Ignatius sat up: “Miss Maud had paid her deposit; so, as her heirs, you are entitled to its benefit. A bankers’ draft in galleons would be most acceptable. There is a five per cent discount for galleons. Muggle money depreciates too quickly. I’ll send you the bill with the outline timetable, if that is acceptable.”
“Yes, quite so! We look forward to your suggestions.” Draco rose, and Harry followed suit.
Leaving handshakes were offered plus various pleasantries and Fawkes resumed his disguise. As they went back towards the station entrance they passed a group of muggles. A plum uniformed woman was pushing a luggage trolley full of suitcases, and another woman clad in the same coloured uniform that Ignatius wore, was showing the group the way.
D: *Next set of customers, do you think*?
H: *Mmm, yes. I wonder, are they pairs? If so, married or gay*?
D: *It matters not. We’d better go and see Francis and tell him about the arrangements*.
~~~ DIAGON ALLEY ~~~
Before they went to see Francis, they called in at Madam Malkin’s for their betrothal robes.
“I don’t see why we’ve got to by special robes just for that day,” Harry grumbled.
“You will when the day comes,” answered Draco enigmatically.
“Hey Draco, you have a silver dragon on your back, why do I have lightening on a white-flowered tree in a planter.”
“It’s your name badge, Silly. It’s not a tree, it’s a privet bush and it’s an earthenware container.” Draco saw Harry looking bemused: “It’s a pot, you dolt.”
“Oh; right! I suppose the lightening is my scar then.”
“Quite right, in the same way that my Draco is Latin for Dragon.”
~~~ SATURDAY ~~~
Morning had the duo reporting back to the dozen. It was agreed to ask Pullet and Phealey. They were in the pool and, once asked, quickly dried themselves and joined the throng.
They ported to Finnegan’s Fortress for the betrthal ceremony, taking John and Isabel along as well.
- 136
- 137
- 138
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