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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
- 159
- 160
- 161
[Note: “x-x” = speech & ‘x-x’ = thoughts & *x-x* = telepathy & #x-x# Parseltongue]
ASSISTANCE
~~~ MONDAY 6^TH JUNE ~~~
On Monday morning Estéban and John said Matins together, with the four seers joining them. Afterwards they took Estéban on a tour of the parish and then through the portals to Hogwarts for lunch. The afternoon was spent on a tour of the school; followed by going to Grimmauld Place for a dinner which Narcissa was hosting.
Although, in the Wizengamot, Fellows of different races were accepted, there was still a long way to go as far as the rest of the population was concerned. With Hermione’s connivance Narcissa was holding a number of ‘getting-to-know-you’ dinners, where a variety of races met in a less structured atmosphere. Each meal was centred on a topic which, after much research, all the participants had in common. This particular one was flower-gardening. Knox and Kellie had spent a lot of time in the roof-top garden making sure there was a decent display. They were at table with Dorothy and her team who, with a major input from the Schwartzberg’s elves, had managed to make the floral table centrepiece extremely decorative too. This engendered the interest of all the participants and by careful engineering they were divided into a number of cross-race groups for the perambulation of the roof-garden. At the end of the evening both ladies were fairly happy with the result, having overheard various conversations about swapping cuttings and seeds plus invitations to visit each other’s gardens.
~~~ CO-OPERATION ~~~
After the tour of Hogwarts, Narcissa’s dinner and Estéban had left to stay with John again that night; the seers were sitting around in the lounge area, by themselves.
“James has begun to glow silver. It was very perspicacious of Estéban to realise that an extra blessing was needed.”
“I think you should have a look at all the children born to Society and ex-Order members, Ginny; and then we could ask Estéban to bless them too.”
“Yes, I will. I get the feeling that Estéban is a fairly reclusive person, don’t you?”
“Mmm … Yes … Although he and John seem to have made friends.”
“John has that loving outgoing personality which automatically makes you want him as a friend.”
“Hmm … I was chatting to Estéban during dinner he seems to have no fixed schedule. Ronnie tends to cover the parochial side of the habitants and occasional pilgrim parties. Some of those parties don’t want a blessing from a catholic priest; probably because they belong to some evangelical sect or other. They just want to look round the mediaeval trappings of his church. Ronnie was saying that the non-believers are more welcoming, wanting to experience all that the church can offer. Including that piece where they climb inside the reredos and place their hands inside the pot that Saint Spyridon’s image holds. It’s a fairly small parish and Estéban has a lot of time on his hands.”
“Um … How about getting him to be a co-chaplain at Hogwarts. John said he made some telling points in the ethical debate, and I get the feeling that we mages have added a lot to John’s normal parish work. I agree with Ginny that Estéban seems to be a loner, I know what it’s like!”
“Okay Harry, seems like a good idea; will you ask him tomorrow?”
“I suspect that Ronnie has developed a routine which, although he does not mean to, makes Estéban feel left out.”
The others nodded the acquiescence and then the topic wandered off into their usual pre-nocturnal hibernation chatter.
Draco and Harry had energy to spare when they arrived in the bedroom. A salacious shower was followed by bedbound frolics and a send-to-the-broonies spell before slumber overtook them. Through the link they could feel their spouses having much the same experiences.
~~~ TUESDAY 7^TH JUNE ~~~
John and Estéban came to share breakfast with the seers: “Harry; did you know that John and I both belong to the Community of Saint Jude; as does his friend Giuseppe? It’s a guild of exorcists and the like. We would like to meet more regularly, however I ought to go back to the pueblo, you know. Because I’m still learning about pastoral work in rural Spain.”
“What did you do before you were sent to us?”
“The Spirit led me to try and evangelise a number of motorbike riding youngsters. The church I was attached to was in one of the poorer parts of Madrid and I was fairly successful in integrating some of the leather clad young men into the congregation. Another rival gang of bikers attacked and caused mayhem; breaking into the church and frightening the flock. In the end the local bishop, a reactionary, decided that I was wrong to go out to the bikers and an argument took place. I’m afraid I was rather scathing about the bishop’s attitude.” Estéban looked at his feet for a few moments: “I was sent to a penitential order for reformation and they used brutal methods. The reason I was in that particular parish was because the parish priest was a fellow Thaddite in the same way that John and Beppe are. Monsignor Ricardo is the administrator of our order in Spain responsible to the Vicar General for exorcists in the Curia and, once they found out, were horrified that a priest with our special gifts should be treated so ignominiously, hence the quick transfer.”
“So, Ricardo was a good guy then – as we had suspected. Um … Did you enjoy your stay here?”
“Very much so; if possible, I would like to come again.”
“Now we’ve made a portal you can come and go as you please, and in return so can our friends visit Pueblo de Alfareros.”
“Will that upset Nigel’s and Leanne’s status?”
“Not really! We discussed it at the last meeting and thought that some of the members should attend your church regularly,” put in Draco. “After the blessing and the driving off of dark forces, we’re glad that you have the same sort of wards around the Hacienda, Imelda’s croft and Saint Spyridon’s Church as we do, here. We got the feeling that you might be targeted corporeally by my father; now he probably knows that you and Ronnie are associated with us. Therefore a few more regular magical presences will add to that protection.”
“I had never thought about that; perhaps those fiends will be too scared to report their failure.”
“I wouldn’t bet on it; I know how persistent my father can be if he thinks you’re not telling him everything; he doesn’t take failure kindly. Besides, we’d be failing in our duty as Seers-cum-Hidalgos in not ensuring your safety; wouldn’t we?”
“That’s an argument I cannot refute. Not that I really want to, anyway.”
*Well done, my son. You have recruited another into the team and not just for yourselves.*
“Good! That’s settled.”
###
Ginevra and Harry ported to the Manor with Estéban where he wanted to visit some of the badly affected inmates.
“I think some of these patients might be helped by a blessing, Harry. Would you mind if I came along later?”
“We’ll go and see Ernie and Lavender, they’re in charge here.”
They found Ernie in one of the wards and explained to him what Estéban had in mind.
“Of course, you may. Just liaise with John; he comes here too, and for much the same purposes, although he is more comforting than blessing.”
“So, may I use the portals to your house, Harry?”
“Any time you want, Estéban. If you want a holiday there is a Venice Palazzo where you could visit Beppe, a Viennese town house, a lakeside chalet and an alpine cabin. You already know about Guéthary and the apartment near Paris. Just show your medallion to the house-elves if they seem dubious. You could even watch Quidditch at the Harpies.”
“I’m glad you mentioned holidays, Harry. John is feeling quite harassed at the moment; he and Isabel could do with a break,” suggested Lavender.
“He knows Giuseppe at St. Marks, so maybe they might like visit there.”
“Make sure he has at least three weeks. Okay?” Lavender was quite forceful.
“I agree with my wife. He’s heading for a nervous breakdown if he doesn’t let up soon,” put in Ernie.
“Okay, okay, I get it. I’ll go and chat with the bishop first and see if he can find a locum. Then I’ll organise the church council to insist that they can cover for him.”
“If it’s any help, Harry, I could cover his ethics lessons at Hogwarts.”
“Um … Good idea Estéban, I’ll have chat with Minerva, too.”
*Nice to see you integrating him already, my children – you are going to need him and Heironimo very soon.*
~~~ WEDNESDAY 8^TH JUNE ~~~
Minerva was quite happy for Estéban to conduct the ethics lessons and agreed that John was doing too much. So that was the first part organised. Estéban ported back to the Pueblo after conducting the Wednesday session for John. When Harry reported back to the Seers that evening, they also mused that Estéban seemed to have a special calling to the disturbed patients at the manor.
~~~ WEDNESDAY 22^ND JUNE ~~~
The parish marquee appeared on the lawn of Woodyates farm. The Yates had managed to keep Dudley unaware by having him work one of the far fields and even taking a picnic out there at lunchtime. Justin put up a temporary glamour so that when Dudley arrived back at the farm in the evening everything looked normal. Accompanied by Millicent, he came into the dining room to find that there was no meal to satisfy his ravenous appetite. Only then was the glamour lifted so that everyone could celebrate his quarter-century with him.
The party lasted well into the night. They did not disturb anyone because the field was well away from any human habitation. Quite a few participants were hollow-eyed and listless when they rose to go to work the following day.
~~~ SUNDAY 3^RD JULY ~~~
At the Parish lunch Draco was highly embarrassed. Egged on by Harry every villager, Dumbledorian and student shook Draco’s hand and wished him a happy twenty-fifth birthday, many of them giving him a potions ingredient. Then Richard produced an enormous birthday cake instead of the pudding. In the evening a short burst of WWW fireworks spelt out the same message in the summer sky.
“Just you wait for your quarter-century,” he muttered to Harry as they prepared for bed. His face displayed a very calculating look.
~~~ THURSDAY 7^TH JULY ~~~
When Harry shook hands with John’s bishop, they both registered the tingle. For a change Harry managed not to stumble over the formal greeting; mainly because he and Draco had practiced it until he was word perfect. It was the bishop who was hesitant and had to refer to a bit of paper.
“It’s like this, Bishop. Since John has had our school annex resident in his parish, he felt that he should have some input to the spiritual welfare of the pupils.”
“And quite right too, Mage Harry.”
“The number of regular communicants has now multiplied by at least four because most of my society members wish to participate as well. We all feel that Saint Godric’s is our home church.”
“Yes; the Archdeacon informs me that your parish precept is one of the highest in the diocese, mainly due to the enormous increase in the electoral roll.”
“We feel that he is acting as unofficial chaplain to both the academy and the society and it is tiring him out. Our medical people say he needs at least three weeks holiday away from the parish, and that fairly soon. Through the society’s good offices we can offer various houses all over Europe where he could stay. The problem is finding a priest to take over while he’s away; including persuading him that he must go.”
“Half of that problem is solved by me ordering him to go; the locum part is much more difficult, because all our spares are acting to fill the holiday gaps. To put it bluntly I have priests covering three or four country church services every Sunday. Then there are the pastoral duties to be covered, as well. Things will be a little easier after Michaelmas, when some new ordinands come on stream. I was thinking that Saint Godric’s might rank as a priority for a deacon curate if we could afford the salary.”
“I suspect that John will have had a breakdown by Michaelmas; our medics seem to think it’s quite urgent.”
“What about this priest whom John telephoned me about concelebrating?”
“Who, Estéban? Um … I could ask him; I get the feeling that he might be willing. You know he’s from the Roman Church, don’t you?”
“Yes. I didn’t see any objection on that score from our part and I still don’t. I gather he’s some sort of assistant pilgrim chaplain in Spain and was visiting with you.”
“Yes … Um … I can easily get in touch with him.”
“Mage Harry, I am aware that John uses portals to reach the main academy. Do I suppose that the system stretches as far as Spain? When I was a parish priest there was a resident mage in my parish, and we have kept in touch ever since.”
“Um … That’s a relief … Yes … Venice and Vienna too and other locations. If you don’t mind me asking: who is this mage?”
“Ramses Johnson, I believe his daughter Angelina is a member of your society.”
“Yes, that’s correct. So, you’d be willing to strong arm John if I get Estéban to agree to take over the services. The wardens are already on or side and have the parish council members all set up to cover pastorally as necessary.”
“I see you have been busy,” the Bishop chuckled. “Just let me know, and I’ll see that John goes away, I’m sure Isabel will back me up, she has chatted to me more than once about her worries.”
That settled, Harry said he would see Heironimo to get permission and then persuade Estéban to see the bishop where things could be finalised.
That evening he went to see Heironimo, who verified that Estéban could act as stand-in.
“He’s at a bit of a loose end here, the habitants are so used to me that they don’t relate to him,” said Heironimo: “I think this inter-discipline idea is why the Spirit, through Ricardo, sent Estéban here.”
After cajoling Estéban, Harry rang the bishop to make an appointment for the Spanish priest.
~~~ SATURDAY 9^TH JULY ~~~
At lunchtime John blew in for a chat and a bite to eat. “Harry my boy; I’ve just heard that the bishop’s coming to celebrate on Sunday. He says it’s just his normal parish visiting routine, but I suspect it’s more than that. Will you ask your lot to be circumspect, please? I’m not sure how much he knows about mages.”
“He’s quite aware, John; no need to worry. Angelina’s dad was his local mage when he was a parish priest, and they’ve kept in touch.”
“Oh … That explains why he’s been so supportive of my getting involved. Here I was, worrying about how he would take to elves and goblins … Hey … How do you know that?”
“We’ve chatted a couple of times during the course of my duties. You do know that my job covers the whole of the British Isles, don’t you?”
“Yes; I had realised that. Thanks for the eats; I’d better go and make sure the church is clean.”
“Auntie Petunia and her team will tell you off if you do. Go and put your feet up.”
“Yes, I suppose they will. I can go to prepare my sermon then.”
“Again negative, the Bishop will be preaching, won’t he?”
“Oh … So, he will … Well that means I can …”
“The P.C.C. members have arranged a regular visiting rota.”
“That’ll give me time to visit …”
“… Visit Gran and chat about Cretan Hieroglyphics …”
“… What? Oh … Well now … I suppose I could …”
“… She’s in the library at Hogwarts. At least that’s where she said she was going when she passed through earlier. I’ll tell Isabel where you are; okay?”
John ported to the library and Harry went down the lane to see Isabel; explaining about the proposed holiday for herself and her priestly husband.
“… I’m so glad Bishop Keith knows, Harry. John’s driving me round the bend by being picky; it’s so unlike him normally.”
“Estéban will take the services and the council members will look after everything else; all you have to do is pack. There are rooms ready for you at any of our houses, I suggest Venice first, Beppe says there are some interesting baroque concerts. The following week has Strauss music in Vienna, and you can use Grandmamma’s seats. If you want the Alps try the Schwartzberg, or for beaches use Guéthary. Just wear this medallion it will get you through the portals; Kreacher has warned the house-elves to be ready for you.”
“Are you quite sure?”
“Yes; you’re part of our team and all of us have the same privileges, so enjoy them. Make sure John forgets about the Parish for three weeks. If necessary, hide his medallion so he cannot use the portals to pop back.”
“Now there’s a thought, I’m looking forward to Venice already. You know, that’s where we honeymooned. I’ll ring the children and tell them, so they don’t worry. We usually chat over the phone about something or other every week. If it’s not the phone then it’s an email or two, usually about a recipe.”
~~~ SUNDAY 10^TH JULY ~~~
Bishop Keith celebrated with John and Estéban assisting. He preached about having a balanced outlook on life; using Saint Paul’s quotation about taking a little wine for your stomach’s sake as his starting point. As with Estéban on the previous Sunday the Bishop had to undergo the ‘tingling hands’ ordeal afterwards and then attended the Parish Lunch in the Farmer’s Arms where John was cornered by Isabel, the seers and the Bishop.
“… But there’s a PCC meeting …”
“… It’s been postponed …”
“… I promised to take some sick communions …”
“…Estéban’s got those in hand. Petunia has your schedule …”
“… There is the teenagers’ club to open and supervise …”
“… Vernon and Dudley are covering that …”
John made other excuses, but the four seers plus Bishop Keith had all the answers ready.
Eventually Isabel got cross: “I’m beginning to think you no longer care for my company, John. And here I thought we were almost inseparable. Whatever happens I’m leaving tomorrow morning. Beppe’s been to a lot of trouble to obtain two exclusive tickets for the Vivaldi concert in the evening. I’m sure Astoria would like to accompany me, if you don’t.”
“All right; all right; you’re all ganging up on me; I’ll go. Now I know that the Churchwardens, Harry and the Bishop have me all tied up I’ll be a good little priest and enjoy my holiday.”
They had their holiday. John looked much better when he returned, and Isabel was all smiles once more.
~~~ THURSDAY 14^TH JULY ~~~
Harry had finished his final session of the academic year with the seventh years, preparing them for their NEWTS the following week and went to see the Headmistress:
“Minerva?”
“Yes Harry?”
“We four have been thinking about John and his work-load. Bishop Keith hinted that there might be an assistant for him, if the finance was there. If we went half and half could we make an official appointment of chaplain to the school and to the trust, do you think? Then the money would go in the pot to pay both John and his assistant.”
“I’ll put it to the governors.”
In the end a three-way split was agreed, Diocese, Academy and The Blake Foundation; all they had to do was to interview suitable candidates and then wait for the Michaelmas ordinations.
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