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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
- 153
- 154
- 155
[Note: “x-x” = speech & ‘x-x’ = thoughts & *x-x* = telepathy & #x-x# Parseltongue]
BRANCHING OUT
~~~ SUNDAY 29^TH AUGUST ~~~
In the end, the last meal of their honeymoon had been taken on the train, very relaxed. English fish and chips [on plates not in newspaper] as a main course and treacle tart with custard [as a concession to Harry] as a sweet.
There were piles of letters awaiting Draco and Harry when they had a quick glance at their desks. That early in the morning they decided that they were too tired to open them and promised each other to do so after lunch on Sunday.
Because Pansy was moving into a new flat built into the basement of Ollivander’s shop with Gregory; Dudley had claimed the Garden Flat at Chantry Cottage to live with his new wife. Hermione and Ronald had taken over Bagshot Cottage from Ginevra and Astoria who were now ensconced in the first floor refurbished rooms at Chantry Cottage. Hyatt and Fenton, using some of the money they had earned in Istanbul took up temporary residence in the Farmers Arms.
At church that morning after the service all their friends wanted to know what had happened. Over lunch and well into the afternoon the quartet related most of the facts, choosing the story to suit the known interests of the people they were talking to. For instance: John got a résumé of the services attended and a bit about Kaiser Wilhelm. Richard was entertained by the various vintages drunk. Blaise and Gilda were given the stash and the gifts from the Curator of the garden in Amsterdam. Mrs Amis was introduced to Fenton and Hyatt. Thus there were numerous stories and multiple listeners. So much so that it was teatime before any serious letter opening took place.
As in the muggle World, the various magical entrepreneurs had sent acres of leaflets extolling the virtues of their particular products. The pile of discards was ten times larger than that of the real mail.
“Don’t throw that one away Draco, please. I use them for my horse rubs.”
“Okay, Tor … How about this one?”
“No … They’re rubbish.”
“I’ve got my new practice roster. It starts on Tuesday and the first match is in three weeks time.” Ginevra waved it about.
“Book the matches in our communal diary; we’ll try to come to them all, Ginny.”
“Yes … I have done … There’s one for you and Draco, Harry; that’ll keep you fit.”
“There’s one from Uncle Arthur addressed to both of you.”
Draco held his hand out, still immersed in his Quidditch training schedule.
“Well … Go on, Draco … Open it.”
Draco handed the envelope to Harry: “You do it!”
The Gryff read it with an increasing smile on his face and then sat there grinning.
Draco let out an exasperated sigh: “Go on then, tell me the worst?”
“Um … Oh … We’ve got our promotions partner. We’re to see the Minister first thing on Monday morning.”
“Congratulations, you two. See what married life does for you.”
Scowling, Draco screwed up an unwanted leaflet and threw it at Astoria. That started a general paper throwing contest. In his excitement Harry nearly screwed up the promotion letter. Sonny popped in, took one look, shook his head and popped back out again.
~~~ MONDAY 30^TH AUGUST ~~~
Gallus and Francis had asked the Blakes to go and see them at Francis’s office. The two males had their ministerial interview and all four of them arrived just in time to be offered Coffee at Lawton House.
“While you’ve been away,” Francis started: “Gallus and I have been looking into the trust’s structure. It is becoming quite a task to administer it and is taking up more and more of our time. Yes I know we get paid for it, but we do have other things to do as well.”
“We feel that you should appoint an administrator,” continued Gallus: “You four have many responsibilities but have not been trained in estate management. I know Draco’s father started to train you, Draco, but do you really want that kind of money-grabbing attitude to be the trust’s ethos?”
“No way,” Draco looked shrewdly at their two advisors: “I imagine that you have someone in mind.”
Gallus contemplated his feet for a moment and then looked up boldly: “Yes, we do. However it’s a little more complicated than that. Bertie Bogrod has recently come into quite a big inheritance. He’s been growing dissatisfied with his governorship of Gringotts and has decided to resign. He’s bought a house opposite mine in the Close, next door to David’s farm, and at the moment is playing at being a free agent. I know him, and quite soon he’ll become bored with all this new found wealth and will either squander it or will want to invest it in something. I really don’t think Bertie’s the kind of person to be a gentleman of leisure.”
“So you want us to save him from himself before he starts to wallow, do you?”
“Yes Astoria, we did have that in mind,” replied Francis: “He’s got a good brain and is a proficient administrator but might just be tempted to blow all his new fortune on frivolous living.”
“So we need to find him something that will be challenging mentally, something that he has a fiduciary stake in, and something that will stop him spending his money wildly.”
Draco chuckled: “I imagine you already have a scheme in mind. You’ve already got Harry and Ginevra hooked on the idea of saving someone. You’d better tell us about it.”
“Well … That builders yard behind the church is up for sale. I don’t know why Mr Cartwright kept it on. However he died recently and his widow is returning to live in one of the almshouses. There is outline planning permission to build houses on the site and we have many magely people looking to live in Godric’s Hollow.”
All the while the seers were having an internal and approving *debate*.
“I think I see where this is going,” said Ginevra: “We appeal to him for the money to buy the site and develop it, because it is too big a scheme for our present finances to encompass as a whole. Then we offer him a directorship of the trust and he acts as administrator.”
“Yes Ginevra, that’s it.”
“We were discussing having different races on the board, weren’t we? So that would fit in with our ideas as well,” added Astoria.
“There’s a bit more too.”
Harry looked resigned: “Go on.”
“It’s the elves and their pay. They have it in one account and are not spending it. Kreacher’s been to see me and would like to invest it …”
“… Kreacher as an elfin Director … Great!” Harry interrupted, coming out of his lethargy: “That completes the idea … When do we interview them?”
“Erm … We thought an exploratory lunch, in an hour’s time?”
Astoria burst out laughing: “You had this all sewn up, didn’t you? Not that we mind.”
There was just one snag.
At the luncheon Bertie was all for it: “I’m a bit like Aberforth in that respect. If the capital’s tied up I won’t be tempted to spend it. I’m quite sure that was what Gallus had in mind, didn’t you.”
His friend just smiled and nodded.
However Kreacher was a different person: “No, I’m not suited to all that. I’m quite happy to be your Reeve and Elder Elf and a Seneschal, mages, but a directorship is too much. You need someone more organised than that.”
Ginevra had an idea: “What about Dorothy; she makes good sense of all the minutes.”
“She keeps excellent accounts,” put in Francis.
Harry summoned Dorothy, who after some cajoling agreed to be the elves’ representative. So it was that two new director’s joined the board. At Hermione’s insistence they had a public ceremony, so that she and Narcissa could make political capital out of the ‘equality of races’ issue. Rita was scurrilous as usual, but it only confirmed in other sensible mages’ minds the rightness of the outcome. Luna wrote a serious article in the Quibbler lauding the Harco Trust for its foresightedness.
~~~ WEDNESDAY 1^ST SEPTEMBER ~~~
Although there had been no threats the Seers thought it wise to mount guard on the Hogwarts express. They were agreeably surprised by the number of volunteers there were to help; not that they had asked for any. The three godsons were starting their final year and went with the Seers to supervise three coach’s protectors, each young goblin taking a sixth-year hopeful under his wing. The eager helpers were somewhat disappointed when there was no attack. However the Seers were gratefully relieved.
Seamus’s and Dean’s students had built a gallery at the back of the Great Hall for occasional visitors. This meant that the duty Dumbledorians stayed to witness the sorting and partake of the feast before departing to their homes.
~~~ FRIDAY 10^TH SEPTEMBER ~~~
The four Seers decided that they should fulfil their promise to Heironimo. So after the males had finished work, they all ported to La Maison Malfoi in Guéthary; intending to apparate to a clearing in a wood near the village, which they thought would be deserted. Thereafter,to fly down to the Hacienda de Alfareros. All went to plan until they mounted their broomsticks. Suddenly the air was filled with fireworks and they had to go to ground in the nearest scrubby coppice for fear of being seen flying.
“I wonder what they’re celebrating.”
“Perhaps when we eventually arrive at the Hacienda we can ask Ronnie.”
“I say we banish our robes, miniaturise our ’sticks and make out like muggles. We’re only a mile or so from Harry’s house and with all this light around we’re not likely to stumble into any pitfalls, are we?”
They took Astoria’s advice and started walking. Half an hour later they entered the pueblo and found the inhabitants dancing in a circle around a bonfire on the little gravel area in front of the church. There were a few onlookers, among whom Draco spotted Heironimo.
“Hello Hidalgo Harry, come to join our celebrations have you.” Heironimo said after Harry had touched his Saint George pendant.
“Not really, this is our promised return visit. What are you celebrating?”
“It’s Maria Theresa Day, Harry. The queen that united France and Spain – at least until the revolution and the little Corsican thought he could do it by force. Now we have a royal family again so we are allowed to celebrate our illustrious heritage once more. That’s the official line,” Heironimo winked: “Really it’s just a good time to have a knees-up after the harvest has been gathered in. Will you be staying for our Harvest Mass on Sunday?”
Harry mused a minute whilst he others mentally urged him to accept: “I’d love to Ronnie. Perhaps someone could show us round the estate tomorrow … Mmm?”
“I’ll get one of the habitants to do it. I’ll have to be in church making sure the housewives don’t smother the altar in decorations. The rest of the church I don’t mind too much about, but I do draw the line about the place of consecration. Oh! And I’d better make sure your pew is cleaned and has room for you all to sit in too. It’s so long since the last Hidalgo sat there that it has been used for a store of cleaning items and a plinth for flowers etc. Now … That’s going to create some political problems. Would you mind if I introduced you now, then no one will feel that their nose is put out and they’ll willingly alter their plans to accommodate you. It’s considered a great honour to decorate your pew. Usually the winner of the raffle just fills the space with artfully arranged flowers. Hmm … You don’t suffer from hay-fever do you?”
Harry chuckled: “No Ronnie none of us do. Perhaps it might be an idea to meet the lady concerned first.”
“What a good idea! That will definitely help. Now let me see if I can find her.” Heironimo searched the dancing crowd and then the bystanders: “Ah! There she is - - - Doña Imelda?”
“Si Padre?”
Heironimo took Imelda’s hand and held it on the Saint George. She looked at him oddly.
“Doña Imelda this is Hidalgo Harry and his three companions. He has come to claim his inheritance.”
“Does that mean you’ll throw our good priest and Brother Ingo out of their home, Señor?”
“No Doña Imelda it doesn’t. He will continue to act as my steward here as the priest has for many generations. However, we do intend staying for a couple of days so that we can attend your Harvest Mass.”
“What an honour Hidalgo, to decorate your pew and have you grace it too.” She held out a timid hand.
Harry shook it and then both of their eyes widened.
H:*She’s a mage,* he sent to his companions, still holding the Doña’s hand.
I:*Of course I am and our priest’s a Discerner.*
H:*Yes we know. We met him about six weeks ago.*
I:*Were you in that bunch of American pilgrims? We want to encourage them; they help our locality’s economy. The area is not very well off.*
H:*Perhaps we should talk openly Imelda?* he let go of her hand.
She immediately grabbed it again: I:*No we should not – you won’t understand what I’m saying; nor I you, for that matter. Are you all transferors?*
H:*Transferors?*
A:*I think Imelda asks whether we can transfer thoughts like this, Harry*
Imelda looked at the others in amazement: I:*None of you are touching him!*
H:*Thanks for that, Tor.*
Ginevra held her hand up so that Imelda realised who was sending: *We have been given some special gifts, Imelda. We inhabit each other’s minds if we need to. We used to touch at the beginning but our gift has been expanded.*
I:*That is something special. Does it work with Ronnie? Because he’s looking at us rather oddly.*
D:*We haven’t tried it with a muggle yet, but he does have the tingle.* Draco grabbed Ronnie’s hand.
D:*Ronnie, are you able to hear us in your mind?*
“Yes, I can. How do you do that?”
D:*It’s one of our gifts and transcends the need to understand different languages, because we all hear in our native tongue. Try and reply in your mind, this time, please?*
R:*Mmm … Like this …?*
D:*Yes, that’s right; it shortcuts your Saint George talisman in a way.*
R:*Mmm … I see … Could I talk to Doña Imelda in this way?*
I:*Not directly, Father. I’m not a Transferor. These Brujos have a special talent that allows this communication and it is only possible with you because you’re a Discerner. I doubt it would work on Brother Ingo.*
R:*Mmm … I see … We’ve collected a crowd of parishioners with our silent talk and holding hands. Harry … I’ll lend you my Saint George; then I’ll introduce you to the villagers. You can say some brief words of welcome; nothing elaborate and they’ll be able to understand you.*
I:*Brujo Harry, don’t forget to say that you have not come to oust Father Ronnie from his home. We’re very attached to him and Brother Ingo, and you’d start out on the wrong foot if they thought you were going to evict them, or alter the way things are.*
H:*Point taken, Imelda. Thanks for the advice.*
Harry put on Heironimo’s Saint George and kept hold of the priest’s hand after he had obtained the villager’s attention, Harry was introduced and made a brief speech in which he praised Heironimo as his steward and hoped that a long and fruitful co-operation was just beginning. Harry also said that he was looking forward to meeting some of them individually on Saturday and that he and his friends hoped to join them for the Harvest Mass on Sunday.
Harry obviously said the right thing because the majority of the villagers wanted to shake his hand afterwards. Having practiced glad-handing before, after the battle and at balls etc., Harry was able to give some apparently genuine responses to the well-wishers.
D:*You’re getting very good at that, Harry, you almost convinced me, too.*
H:*I’m switching you out, Draco; you’re putting me off my stroke.*
Imelda was holding Ginevra’s hand: I:*Brujo Draco, you sounded sceptical of our Hidalgo’s genuineness,* she sent, sounding shocked.
D:*After killing Voldemort, he was mobbed by well-wishers frequently and it got extremely wearing.*
I:*Oh! Harry’s that Harry is he? No wonder he has special gifts. So he has the correct surname for the title too. Ooh I say! We are honoured aren’t we.*
D:*Please don’t say that to him. It gets him all edgy and flustered. Too many people fawn over him like that. We try and shield him from admirers; they usually want him to do something for them. They often have ulterior motives. Not that we think you do, Imelda.*
I:*I might have; you know?*
Draco looked at Imelda and saw she was smiling roguishly, so he chuckled back.
The handshakes and greetings were over in quarter of an hour, so the villagers dispersed leaving a couple of men to ensure the fire was safe. Heironimo took the Blakes into the Hacienda via the church.
“We don’t use the main door,” he explained: “It is locked and bolted from the inside. The two main rooms are also locked, I’m afraid they may be rather dusty. Had I known you were coming I would have had somebody clean them. I’m afraid the same goes for the master bedroom and guest rooms. Strange thing though, when we inspect them they don’t smell musty; I expect that the dry atmosphere helps, coupled with us not going in very often.”
The Seers followed Heironimo through the side chapel and along a short passageway.
As he opened the door: “I hope you don’t mind but we’ve appropriated the morning-room for a parish meeting room and the estate office has become our sitting room and parish office combined.”
“This is the room you first invited us to, isn’t it? I have no qualms about it, do they serve their purpose and is there enough room?”
“Yes Harry, thank you.” Heironimo picked a bunch of keys off a wall-hook and puzzled over them: “Ah, Yes … We keep this door to the main hall locked; we use the kitchen door, however …” The keys rattled: “… Here we are!”
Heironimo showed them the dining and drawing rooms and then took them upstairs where there were five ensuite bedrooms. Ingo’s, Heironimo’s, the master suite and two almost identical guest rooms. Harry noticed another set of stairs leading upwards and asked about them.
“Just a dusty old attic, we never go up there.”
Harry couldn’t see any dust, but held his peace. They went downstairs and sat in the drawing room.
“I’ll go and find you some bedclothes I hope not to be too long.”
“Thanks Ronnie.”
The priest left the room and almost immediately there was a pop: “Buonas noches Hidalgo …” A middle aged elf bowed before Harry and started to spout Spanish.
Harry immediately grabbed the very surprised elf by the hand: H:*If we touch, you can speak to my mind and we can understand each other. I’m afraid I don’t speak Spanish. If you touch any one of the four of us we can all hear you.*
L:*Thank you Hidalgo. I was saying that you are very welcome and that we have been looking forward to serving you for many a long year. It was my great-great-great-grandfather who served the last resident Hidalgo. I am Luiz; my wife Elmira has gone to fetch your talismans. We live in your attic with our two elfins Nacho and Tonia. The two muggles think that it is full of junk but it is our glamour really …*
Elmira arrived with a pop.
L:*… My love, hold one of their hands, they’re Transferors.*
E:*Good evening, Hidalgos. I have found some talismans for you, like the one that Padre Heironimo uses. Yours, Hidalgo Harry, is Saint Spyridon, Hidalgo Draco’s is Saint Francis, Hidalga Ginevra’s is Saint Monica and Hidalga Astoria’s is Saint Clare. I thought these most suitable for you. However if you wish to change them I can find some more.*
The seers put the golden chains over their necks and heaved a communal sigh of relief.
“Thank you Elmira,” said Harry smiling at her: “I was just wondering how we were going to talk to the habitants tomorrow morning. I was going to borrow Ronnie’s Saint George, but you have made things much easier. We intend to stay until Sunday if that’s all right with you.”
“Masters don’t ask elves, they tell them.” Luiz looked shocked.
“Things have changed, Luiz. We try and be polite to each other, it helps if we co-operate. I shall expect you to advise us on how things are here, please.”
“Yes Master, I will try.”
“Thanks. Could you find us something for a nightcap, please?”
“It might be a bit difficult because the muggles leave the place in such disarray. We have kept ourselves separate from them, just looking after the locked rooms.”
“How do you go on for eating then?”
“Bruja Imelda lets us use her kitchen and we look after her house in return. Is that all right Master?”
“Perfectly all right, Elmira. She already knows about us being mages.”
“Good. Then I’m sure we can find something for you. She lives in the cottage nearby. Most of her work is in caring for sick animals.”
“What about the humans?”
“She helps with the ones who trust her as well. The others go to the nearest doctor in Alcantara it usually takes all day. I’ll go and get your trays, Hidalgos.”
“Thank you.”
Both elves popped away because they heard Heironimo returning. “Here you are Harry, sheets and pillowslips. You’ll be able to sort your beds out, won’t you? I’m off to bed now. See you in the morning.”
Ginevra sorted through the pile of clean items, giving each of them their bedding and towels, after which they went upstairs to their bedrooms; Harry and Draco choosing the Master suite with Ginevra and Astoria taking the Back guestroom because the two chambers shared the same rear balcony.
When she brought the nightcap drinks, Elmira was surprised to find Harry and Draco sharing a bed, but hid it best she could, departing quickly with the other tray for the girls, without making any remarks.
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Harco Empire