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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
- 143
- 144
- 145
[Note: “x-x” = speech & ‘x-x’ = thoughts & *x-x* = telepathy & #x-x# Parseltongue]
BALLS AND CELLS
~~~ THURSDAY 12^TH AUGUST ~~~
Pisa Centrale: 17.00 – Firenze S.M.N: 18.30
Another leisurely stroll by a different route had them back at the station. After the exertions of the hot afternoon, an hour’s rest in the air-cooled comfort of the lounge chairs was very welcome. It became longer than an hour because the Florentine shunter had no idea where he had to berth the carriages for the night. It took a lot of shouting and arm waving from Iggy to rectify things.
The three coaches sat at their eventually allotted platform, with their passengers recovering from a very boring half hour tour of the sidings.
“What’s for dinner tonight, Siggy?”
“No idea, Mr Dudley. I’m on strike.” Siggy grinned at them.
“Okay … I know … We’re going out for dinner … Right?”
A familiar figure appeared, walking along the platform accompanied by Aggie; both of them climbed aboard.
“Hi, Guys. I bear good tidings and a dinner invitation from my Uncle and Aunt.”
“Hello Blaise, where’s Gilda; shouldn’t you be watching the shop at the Hollow?”
“Multiple questions again, Dean? Erm … With Auntie Calendra organising a feast … Erm … No … We’ve put up the ‘Gone Fishing’ notice. I hope you don’t mind, Harry and Draco, but I borrowed a medallion for Gilda and we used the portals as far as Venezia; then apparated here.”
“Not at all my man, some charge is due, I think.” Draco pretended to be calculating: “How about an excellent dinner for me and my friends?”
“With wine or without?” Blaise grinned at his blond friend.
“It wouldn’t be an excellent dinner without a superb vintage.”
“Then I’ll pay the price.” Blaise bowed ironically towards the Blakes and then looked at the other mages: “The offer is extended to you all.”
“THANK YOU, WE’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.” came back from the rest of the company.
“We have a couple of minibuses waiting for you. The dinner is a formal affair and the Florentine Minister for Magic will be attending. I hope you have a suitable speech ready, Harry?”
Harry went into a blind panic and rushed to his cabin looking distraught. Draco grimaced at Blaise and swiftly followed on. Flopping on to the bed next to his agitated lover, Draco stroked Harry’s back, calming him.
“Come on, Love. You know the form by now. You’ve done it many times before. I have a copy of the ‘Formal reply to a welcome’ speech, all you have to do is slot in the story you want to tell. Blaise has given me the form of etiquette so you won’t get the names wrong.”
“I wish it were you doing it, you’re much better than I.”
“Perhaps, but you’re the celebrity, I’m merely the supporter. Listen to me? My father would be shocked at a Malfoy playing second fiddle. You have a lot to answer for Mr Potter.”
“Never mind ‘merely’ unless you’re there I’ll go to pieces, I know I will.”
“I’ll be right next to you, like our foursome always is. Now pull yourself together, smile, put on the smart robes, and slay them all with your wit.”
Draco took Harry through some deep breathing exercises and then helped him to dress. As usual they were the last pair out. Hermione squeezed Harry’s hand comfortingly as he passed; Draco kept a calming hand on his back whilst they were on their way.
~~~ DINNER BY THE RIVER ~~~
Uncle Niccolo Zabini’s Residenza overlooked the Arno, with a view of the Ponte Veccio from the retiring room windows. Here the various VIP’s were informally introduced, Draco carefully providing Harry with leads whenever his partner seemed to be becoming tongue-tied. Harry’s nerves settled somewhat, relying on Draco’s social charms to oil them around the throng.
Harry was pleased to see Narcissa there, as well as one or two others whom he recognised from the wedding. Hermione was guiding Ronald around in much the same way. Da Greengrass re-introduced them to the Duchessa di Montefiore alias Astoria’s Great Aunt. She was descended from a Zabini from a previous generation or two who had married into the Greengrass clan. She made a few derogatory remarks about the attitudes of the surrounding dignitaries, soon having the Blake foursome in stitches of laughter.
Then came the procession, the lesser preceding the greater, the only ones outranking the Blakes were the Minister and his wife. As had been usual Ginevra walked with Draco and Astoria with Harry, underlining the foursome’s integrity. At least that was the reason given; the real reason was that the two pure-bloods could mutter behaviour instructions to their mates, whilst smiling regally.
During the long meal Draco ensured that Harry had enough wine to drink to loosen his nervousness, but not enough to make him reckless. The result was that Harry sailed through the after-dinner speeches with great aplomb, using his usual ‘we’re a team’ theme at the end of his story.
On the way back the party refrained from using the minibuses, preferring to walk. Some of the elves took their formal robes back to the train, leaving an elegant party in evening dress to stroll nonchalantly through the old city streets. They were not the only party dressed up to the nines, because there had been a gala night at one of the muggle opera houses.
~~~ FRIDAY 13^TH AUGUST ~~~
At nine thirty ante meridian, Blaise and Gilda joined them; acting as unofficial tour guides. They had, courtesy of the Minister, a private tour through the Uffizi Gallery and some of the Ducal secret passages. Ronald became embarrassed by the many nude statues and pictures. Harry and Draco thought that David’s attributes were a trifle on the small side.
Once outside, the row of living statues surprised Pansy and Millicent, especially when Pansy wondered why they were clothed and one of them rudely put her right.
Walking over the Ponte Veccio a small alley was found; then in a glass fronted reception area they rode in a lift. At its top was a delightful terraced garden which eventually led via some quiet lanes to the Giardino di Boboli and, of course, tartan rugs on the grass, with the customary large wicker picnic baskets. The sub-arboreal breeze was very welcome. So most of the rest of that afternoon was spent wandering around the gardens and the Belvedere Fort; taking in the glorious views over the city.
In order to return to the City centre they caught the open topped tour bus taking the long way round via one of the opera houses to reach their destination.
~~~ EVENING JOURNEY ~~~
Firenze S.M.N: 19.15 – Venezia St. Lucia: 21.00
They found that the carriages had been turned when they arrived at the station. Windows open and indulging in an informal meal, they sat in the train whilst it wound its way to Venice. On arrival there was no room to lodge the train, not that it mattered. For, once they had alighted, a flotilla of lantern-lit gondolas was there to greet them. The girls went all gooey as they were rowed up the Grand Canal with the gondoliers singing romantic songs. Harry and Draco were impressed, hugging each other lovingly in the double seat under the felze of their conveyance.
Narcissa, being the hostess, had all their rooms waiting for them. Draco and Harry had their usual one with a balcony overlooking Venice’s side watery thoroughfare. The romantic mood having been set by the gondoliers, they made love gently before drifting off euphorically into the arms of Morpheus.
~~~ SATURDAY 14^TH AUGUST ~~~
Sporcaro was busy preparing food so the gondoliers of the previous night had been retained. Our party had a personal tour of all the main sights, including St Marks with its gold tessellated arches, patterned marble floors and interesting treasury, reminding Harry and Draco of their earlier visit. Giuseppe, they were informed when they asked for him, was out visiting John.
So, as a substitute, on a nearby island there was another campanile to climb, although this one had lifts inside it.
Afterwards, their water transport took them to visit Helena Rosier, a friend of Narcissa’s, who had a private house on the lido, where a light lunch and swimming facilities were available. After tea, the gondolas wound their way along quaint smaller channels and under many balustraded bridges back to the Palazzo.
Under Narcissa’s direction the elves had put up sumptuous decorations, and she had used the portals to import Hamish’s choir and the Smiling One’s octet. John and Giuseppe were also present. Dolores was playing a portative organ and the evening commenced with Vivaldi’s Gloria, in front of an invited, masked and caped audience in the crowded family chapel. Many of the audience were the ones the Blakes had met at the Zabini’s in Florence.
The next part of the entertainment was a walking buffet in the Palazzo’s internal piazza, taking place at the time most Latins indulged in the evening walkabout.
Francis collared Draco and Harry: “I’m afraid I still haven’t reached the end of my searches into Ms Lestranges murky dealings.”
“Do you have anything positive yet?”
“No, apart from having recovered the deeds to the Schwartzberg. It seems your father was trying to get you evicted through the muggle courts. The old adage about possession being nine points of the law was very pertinent, especially as he could not explain why he was unable to visit the property without revealing the magical truth. The fact of the ‘no offspring’ reversion clause in Bellatrix’s betrothal contract put the nail in his legal coffin, so to speak.”
Harry chuckled and then looked serious: “Oh yes! Francis; it seems I have rediscovered another property on the Portugal-Spanish border. Once we get back I’ll provide you with the details.”
“You’re building up quite an estate, Harry. I take it that it is on the Potter side.”
“Yes, that’s right, Francis, but it must be put under the Foundation’s title, same as this Palazzo and Chalet Cadmus.”
“Just as the Malfoy ones are … Hmm! We’d better move;” Draco interrupted: “Mother’s beginning to scowl at us; no doubt she feels we should mingle with the other guests. Will you be staying, Francis?”
“For the time being, yes please. Your mother says I can use the portals back to Chantry Cottage when the Smiling Ones and Hamish’s choir return with John. Some of the muggle choristers don’t really believe that they’re in Venice, despite having been taken on a trip to St Mark’s. John and his friend came with them and they gave an impromptu performance of some of the choruses, he’s one of the priests there, you know. Then the choir are giving a performance next Saturday in St Godric’s, it’s in aid of the Alms-houses fund.”
Harry and Draco arranged with Francis for a donation to be made from the trust’s funds and then the threesome split up, Draco and Harry going to find Astoria and Ginevra; advising them, because they were now fellow trust directors, of the current position; in between chatting to the guests.
The main room had been made over into a ballroom and was opened; the octet encouraged the walkers to partake of the many graceful Latin dances, the fun part was that everyone donned the masks that they had worn at Carnival, earlier in the year. A sparkling two hours of swirling cloaks and glittering disguises was finished by a slow progress on board one of the small cruisers, decorated overall in fairy lights. The whole scintillating throng entered St. Lucia Station, giving our party a regal send off, accompanied by colourful fanfares from the octet. The revellers returned to the on-board festivities, whilst our party left on the train; heading towards the Balkans.
Just before midnight the train stopped at the Slovene border where a cursory passport check took place for our party. A light supper had the newly-weds in bed for the traverse of Slovenia and into Croatia.
~~~ - SUNDAY 15^TH AUGUST ~~~
Venezia St. Lucia: 21.00 (Saturday) – Pivka 11.30-11.45 – Private train via Rijeka – Ostarje – Karlovac – (almost Zagreb) – Sunja – Banja Luca – Reverse at Doboj – Bypass Tuzla – Reverse at Vincovci – Beograd 14.45
After the two hectic days in Florence and Venice the friends were very pleased to have a lazy morning riding through Croatia and Bosnia admiring the rural Balkan scenery. They had just finished breakfast when the train reached Volinja where their carriages stopped. It was for another cursory passport check for them.
On reaching the other border checkpoint at Dobrlijn a single carriage was attached to their three. They noticed an Orthodox priest boarding the train. On Harry’s insistence Siggy went through to see why this was and to ask the reverend gentleman to come and celebrate communion with them.
When he came in to the carriage they found that it was a smiling Vasil come especially to greet them.
“I have a favour to ask?” Vasil smiled at them: “I have said the ladies choir could join your train; is that all right?”
Astoria chuckled: “It had better be, seeing as we’re already moving.”
“Yes … The ladies would have had to travel for a day and a half otherwise. I had heard that your special train was coming from Charlie, so I had a chat with the train authorities finding out the route. I then inveigled them to add the carriage, saying I was part of your group travelling to Beograd for the festival. They were most helpful despite the various border rivalries. I do hope you don’t mind.”
“We have heard how you manage to wangle things, Vasil, from Charlie. He says that when you appear in full regalia people fall over backwards to be helpful, so we will join the throng. You are going to celebrate for us, aren’t you?”
“Of course, and the ladies would like to be part of the service too.”
The dining car was re-arranged to make an ecclesiastical setting. Siggy was able to translate for them as the Orthodox Church services were one of his special interests and Vasil wished to celebrate in a tongue that he knew better than English. The ladies joined in and the beautiful, if slightly mournful, music filled the carriage. The service was fairly elaborate but it helped our party to relax and relate to their Creator.
In the lounge area afterwards Maggie found coffee and biscuits for everyone. However, there was a language problem so, after refreshments, the ladies retired to their own carriage. Despite being offered lunch the choir said, via Vasil, that they had made their own picnic arrangements.
Once the ladies had left, our company sank into the comfortable chairs and sat in peaceful contemplation. A quiet lunch was enjoyed whilst being updated by Vasil about the goings-on in the Satyr Seclusion until the train arrived at Belgrade, where he disappeared with the ladies in tow.
Their carriages were shunted in order to be attached to a new train heading for Bucharest. Having three hours to spare the female spouses went to look at the shops, leaving the remaining husbands resting on board. Egged on by Fawkes who indicated that another task was waiting for them; Harry, Draco, Dean and Seamus opted to go and look at the citadel.
~~~ ATTACK ~~~
Quarter of an hour’s walk had the four gay wizards at the Kalmegdan Fortress. When they asked for entry to the catacombs the lady in the ticket office was quite offhand in her dealings with them.
“It was almost as though she didn’t want us to go in, wasn’t it?” remarked Dean.
“Um … Yes … Perhaps she was trying to warn us about something.”
“Nonsense Harry; you see dark threats all around.”
“That’s what being an Auror is all about, Love.”
“Perhaps Harry’s right Draco, so I’m keeping tight hold of my wand, just in case he is.”
“Harry, would you put up a probe globe, please; I’d feel much safer.”
“No probs, Seamus; standard practice, really.”
Draco snorted and applied himself to the execrable English of the tour leaflet, occasionally drawing his friends’ attention to the more humorous gaffes.
As part of the tour they entered a labyrinth of lagums - underground passages.
“Ware malcontents,” Harry whispered.
Draco looked up ready to ridicule the cautious Gryffindors; eyes widening he lifted his hand to cast an instantaneous shield. A couple of Immobulus’s bounced off it and the battle began. Red curses abounded trying to break the shield, but the combined magic of the Blakes easily defeated that. Using the medallions to ask the Blakes for momentary shield lapses, Seamus and Dean managed to singe enough of their attackers to cause their retreat. Like sheepdogs, our four herded the half dozen satraps into a dead end dungeon-like room; Seamus made an anti-apparation charm and cast it round the cell whilst Dean fired distracting curses. Harry and Draco transmuted their shield into a blocking hex, anchored in the doorway and setting it to dissolve in forty-eight hours; eventually intending to disguise the aperture to resemble the rest of the stonework.
Suddenly the attackers realised the plight they were in:
“You can’t leave us here, like this,” their captain yelled, fearfully.
“Why not?”
“The Seignior said you’d be easy to capture, but you were ready for us. I bet that bitch in the ticket office fought the Imperio and warned you.”
“Just for your information; Aurors always enter unknown territory on the alert. Tell my Father that he shouldn’t send third rate combatants against us, they’ll always lose, just as you did.”
“Who are you calling third rate, we’re some of his best!” another attacker protested, rising to Draco’s bait.
“Some of his best?” Dean taunted: “six experienced adults, beaten by four gauche young men. Pull the other one.”
“What happens next?”
“You stay here whilst we go on to Moscow.”
“Shh Harry, don’t tell them that.” Draco had cottoned on to Harry’s intended deception.
“Oh! No I shouldn’t have, should I?” Harry tried to sound guilty.
The leader’s eyes lit up in recognition of the gaffe, but he hid the knowledge quickly by asking an unrelated question: “How long are we trapped here for?”
“The block will dissipate in two or three days, longer if you throw magic at it, that’ll just reinforce the bond. So conserve your energies for staying alive.”
“But we’ll die, that’s not fair.”
“Quite fair really, considering that the Seignior wants to do the same to us.” Draco put on his most callous voice; sounding very much like his father: “Maybe, if you escape alive, you will consider giving yourselves up to the Serbian Aurors. A few years in their equivalent of Azkaban will be less painful than my Father’s tortures.”
“No, but …”
Draco closed the verbal connection to the incarcerated ones and Harry transmuted the shield to match the surrounding walls After that the gay quartet took their time to finish their excursion.
Dean was looking worried as they went towards the exit: “They won’t die, will they, Draco?”
“No Dean, it’ll dissolve in a days’ time. They’ll be weak, especially if they struggle. Perhaps you and Seamus would like to remove the Imperio from the gatekeeper. Harry and I’ll weave a protection for her from those six. I collected their magical signatures whilst we were talking to them.”
The foursome arrived at the gate and saw the look of relief on the woman’s face.
Using a translation charm, Harry said: “Thanks for trying to warn us, we got the message. Our two friends will remove the compulsion that those thugs put upon you.”
Dean and Seamus did their business.
Harry was greatly surprised when she answered in cogent English, but with a slightly Slavic intonation: “Thank you, gentlemen. It hurt a lot to decieve the compulsion, but I knew you were good. What happened to the others?”
“We’ve hidden them in a cell for a couple of days. We can give you a shell to repel their attacks, if you like?”
“I’m a squib, so I know who you are, Mr Potter; are you referring to a personal ward?”
“That’s right, but only if you want it. We told them that we always enter strange places with a trouble-seeking charm.”
“Thank you, I’m Alicia, I’d like that, please. I have a week’s leave arranged, I’m going to Vienna to see some relations tomorrow. The ward will be useful when I return. Would you mind signing this card for my daughter, she’s due her letter for Durmstrang next year.”
“We’ll all sign it if you like?”
“Yes please.”
Alicia looked at the card after they had signed it. She had a slightly worried expression.
“Is it my signature, Alicia?”
“Erm … Yes, Mr Malfoy.”
“He’s my partner, Alicia,” said Harry: “Definitely on the side of light. His father disowned him when he helped me get rid of Voldie.”
“Oh … Really … Come to think of it, I think I read something about it in Prophet International, some few years back. Wasn’t there something about a practical magic course, as well?”
“Our two friends here are the founding professors.”
“Hubert, that’s my cynpyr, thought it was a grand idea. He’ll be so impressed when I tell him I’ve met you, he has the fluence, you know.”
The foursome chatted with Alicia for a further period, and then had to say goodbye because of their train’s approaching departure time.
- 143
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- 145
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