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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
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- 168
[Note: “x-x” = speech & ‘x-x’ = thoughts & *x-x* = telepathy & #x-x# Parseltongue]
~~~ PERMANENT WAY ~~~
The following day Jocasta and Timothea were up early to sort out the tram-lines at the cross-roads. They found that they had a number of voluntary helpers and not all of them were Magicals.
“Make our staffs look like fire lances, Chuck.”
“Good idea.”
They melted the tarmac until it became pliable so that a volunteer or two could shovel it out of the way. Once clear, they undid the fastenings lifted the tramlines out of their holes; placing them on a flat truck. Griswold took the lines back to his workshop to heat treat them back into some semblance of straightness and level. Whilst he was doing that the stone sleepers were dug out and re-seated in a level formation. This time the goblinesses’ fire-staffs resembled Kango-hammers, in order that the sleeper-packing could be carried-out efficiently. By three o’clock the lines were returned and were in place ready to have the tarmac melted around them to restore the road surface.
A little later some of the children came up, holding their mothers’ hands: “Can we go and meet our daddies please?”
Both train-goblins were taken aback, still getting used to the co-operative nature of the community they had joined.
“We’ll go and get the carriages and be back in quarter of an hour; all right?”
“Ooh! Yes please. Can we bring our candles again, please?”
“Of course you can.”
They took their pump-wagon and tool/guards-van back as quickly as they could; using travel thaums to move the train when no-one was watching. They were met by a smiling Griswold and Sylvia.
“We’ve managed to make another carriage so we now have a rake of four. We’ve made a few modifications so that people can hang their lanterns. We’ve also put a flat truck in the middle of the consist so that passengers can stow their baggage there and retrieve it easily. You two rest up, we’ll take the train out. You’ve already had a hard day’s work and we managed some time off this afternoon.”
“Thanks, we were feeling a bit bushed. I’m really enjoying getting used to this team work we even had muggles helping us with relaying the crossroads lines.”
Arthur Smart also came with them so there were two on the footplate and one guard. Under the bypass, past the station over the river went fine. Then, as they drew near the Pastures level-crossing, they espied a work party.
One of the muggles detached himselve and came over to the now stationary train.“Hello, we hope you don’t mind but we’ve moved the hedge in our two gardens,” said one of the occupants of 16, Riding Mill Lane: “And paved an area to make a little halt.”
Griswold wiped his hand across his brow: “Well we did stop here every time and it was difficult getting out in some places. Thank you, it was most thoughtful.”
“We thought to call it Pastures Halt, is that okay?”
“I’m sure Harry and his team will like it.”
The next surprise was almost at the cross-roads. The rails actually ran in the road for a hundred yards or so, very close to the pavement edging. There was a running-in-board erected at the side of the pavement, reading: ‘Oak Lane Platform’. There was a small shelf below the sign on which one or two lit candles in jars were stowed.
“Hey, Maister! Can we ride t’t’ yard and back, please.”
“Of course, hop into the carriage.”
“Thanks a lot. Me mum says she’ll have a mug o’ tea for each of ye when ye return.”
The children were excited but did not misbehave on the way to the terminus. There the crew found another running in board had been erected. It read ‘The Close Terminus’ and that also was candle lit.
The engine and guards-van swapped ends and set off nearly half full, Oak Lane added some more, as did Pastures Halt. Arriving at the station some people elected to alight, but most travelled all the way to the Quarry where the engine unhooked to take water and they had plenty of volunteers for the guards-van to be pushed around the loop. Back in nice time to meet the next set of commuters and another candle lit-ride to The Close. This time they waited for half an hour, supping the proffered mugs of tea. The same procedure met the next main-line train in.
One of the church stalwarts asked hopefully: “Will you be taking us for the eight o’clock tomorrow morning?”
“Yes, we can, shall we say seven forty from here, and five minutes later at the two halts?”
“Thank you; that is most kind; that should give us five minutes to change trains. It should be light enough for us not to need candles.”
This seemed to set a weekday precedent. One morning train and three evening ones – the candle-lit evening ones always had people going to meet relatives off the big train and a number of Great Grumblewell residents came along for the ride too.
On Friday night a sizable deputation of muggle villagers knocked on the cottage door.
“Do come in and sit down. Would you like a drink?”
Most of the visitors accepted either fleur-wine or butterbeer.
“It’s about the little train.”
Harry smiled: “I thought it might be.”
“Yes … Well … On Saturday, d’you think it could run for the nine o’clock out of the station. Not many commuters work on a Saturday, but we do like to go to the Carlisle shops.”
“I’m sure that can be arranged, what about coming back?”
“We had thoughts about that … Erm … Say meet the one that gets in at just before two.”
“Fine, I’ll ask Griswold and the girls to run at that time.”
“Them two’s girls?” said an amazed male voice: “You sure? Them’s built like brick shit-houses.”
“Harry chuckled: “I have it on good authority that they are of the female sex.”
“If you say so.” The voice still sounded doubtful.
One of the women spoke up: “Most o’ we’re well built too, ‘Ugo. We ‘ave t’ be t’ dig t’ gardens and tend t’ animals. Why sound so surprised that two of us want t’ mend t’ track. That speaks o’ discrimination; that does. Thanks Maister ‘Arry for bein so accomodatin’.”
“Our pleasure, if we all pull together then we’ll make our part of the world a better place to live in, won’t we?”
Nods and affirmative noises greeted that statement. The deputation accepted another round of drinks and went on to discuss things of village importance. Out of that came the idea that they might have their own market once a month. Mainly with the idea of selling the surplus vegetables, but things progressed to handicraft ideas, one couple liked carving wood and were joshed by the rest for always giving their carvings as Christmas and Birthday presents. One of the ladies was into water-colours, and another pair made stuffed fabric animals. Very soon they were discussing dates. A commuting couple said they would print and give out leaflets on the big train.
Harry suggested that they hold the market between the big buildings at the quarry and Grandpops said he’d rig a canvas top in case it snowed. The idea being that the first fair would be called an Easter Fair. One of the commuters knew of someone who was restoring some vintage fairground rides. He said he would ask if they could be made available. In deference to John’s susceptibilities about Lent, they proposed to hold the fair on the Bank Holiday Monday.
When John was asked, he replied: “With so many of my parishioners thinking it would be a good idea, I can hardly refuse can I. Why not do as some of the continental churches do. Make an Easter procession for our saint and finish up at the quarry.”
“It’s a bit far to carry that heavy statue, Father.”
“Oh yes, I suppose it is. What a pity.”
“Why not put it on wheels? Some of the statues are carried on decorated lorries.”
“Better than that, let’s put Godric on the train and decorate one of the flat trucks.”
“Ah wuz clearin’ round t’ roots o’ one o’ t’ trees in t’ churchyard and some o’ t’ line showed through. Ye know, them lines must ‘a gone went reet up t’ church walls. No doubt t’t’ bring t’ stone as close as possible.”
“So it may not as difficult to move the statue, then?”
“Ah! That what ah thowt.”
“John, would you mind if we uncovered the rail in the churchyard?”
“As long as it doesn’t disturb any graves. Then I'll have no objections. Make sure that you're only uncovering what is already there, then there can be no legal problems.”
“’Ah! We know aboot faculties, Father. 'T might be good for bringin’ gravestones in, too.”
###
The next Saturday there was a reporting back session.
“The lines are clear of any graves and stop at the back of Saint Godric’s Chapel,” reported Jocasta: “They look as though they might have actually gone inside the church through that blind arch.”
“Which arch is that?”
“The one that, inside the chapel, is recessed to hold the statue of Saint Godric.”
“We’re suggesting that he could be moved out backwards, said Dean. The blind arch appears to have been a window at some time and was filled in to form that beautiful blue reredos behind him. It would not take too much work to ease the whole arrangement out, arched reredos and all. The arch would still support the fabric of the wall.”
John chuckled: “We’d better not tell the diocese what we’re doing. I’m sure we’d need a faculty. If it works, we can present them with a fait-accompli, feigning innocence. If they granted permission it would take months to process it. It might just make Christmas or Easter next year. It’d be great for Godric to tour the parish he’s responsible for.”
“We won’t do it if it looks as though the statue or reredos will be irreparably damaged.”
“I expected you wouldn’t. Now. What about other things?”
“My friend says he’d love to give his fairground rides an outing. He says he’s got a fairground organ but the traction engine that drives it doesn’t work.”
“Is it moveable?”
“Yes, Griswold. It’s on a trailer at the moment.”
“Perhaps I could look at it at my workshop.”
Hugo chuckled: “Well … I did sort of suggest …”
“… Got the idea … Of course, I will.”
On Monday Dean and Seamus were in the chapel; seeing if St Godric could be moved. John and Timothy came to see how things were going.
“Erm, John. Have you ever been beneath the altar before?”
“No. It appears to be a solid box, so I had no need to disturb it. Why do you ask?”
One side has a door in it and there’s a mechanism beneath it that appears to be a revolve; like under a stage in a theatre. We had a look at one when we were making the stage in the barn.”
“Are you suggesting that the saint can be turned around to face outside?”
“It looks possible. He’s not fixed to the reredos.”
“Mmm … That explains an old minute in the parish records. It said that the open-air services had been discontinued because the congregation took no notice of the saint and were sitting on the gravestones talking. So, go on, try it.”
The two mages issued a number of lubricating charms, not on themselves, but on the mechanism. There was a grinding noise and the saint wobbled. Seamus aimed his wand at the underside of the arch and down the sides; issuing a strong cleaning charm. He vanished the resultant dust and the spiders scuttled away; leaving a slightly visible crack between the reredos and the arch. More grinding and slowly the statue and its backing started to revolve. Five minutes and the internal arch was full of stones and the saint was looking out over the graveyard.
“Well that works!”
More grinding and the saint came back indoors; regaining his expected place in the chapel.
John breathed a sigh of relief: “Somewhere there must be a faculty already granted. I didn’t fancy misleading the diocesan authorities.”
“We’ll get Griswold and the girls to make a suitable plinth on a flat truck.”
“Mmm … I shall ask Dolores if the children would like to decorate its surrounds. Then I’ll ask Petunia to organise some flowers.”
Durinh the rest of the week Godric was able to gaze on the churchyard more than once as the quarry group worked on his wheeled conveyance. On Good Friday, after the ‘Watch by the Cross’ service, he had a ride out, just to make sure he did not fall over. On one of the times they had him turned Hermione walked by.
“That explains it,” she exclaimed: “There’s an old framed pen and ink sketch on one of the walls in the college. I thought it was a bit fanciful, but Godric is shown looking out at the parish, just as he is now.”
“Thanks Herms. Nice to have corroboration from another source.”
On the Saturday afternoon before Easter the decorating squad gave Godric a special polish. That’s not inferring that they ignored him normally, but the fact that others would see him made them extra careful. Another group spent much time creating the Easter Garden, which contained a miniature representation of the empty grave with the stone to be rolled away by John at the first communion service at eight o’clock the following day.
It was St Godric’s turn again to host the bishop for a confirmation service. Thus, the candidates from neighbouring parishes joined with the ones from the academy to take onto themselves the promises their godparents had made for them at baptism. The service followed the same pattern as when Draco and Harry were confirmed. In taking part, as members of the congregation, they reminded themselves of their own promises and vowed to try harder in the coming year.
Naturally the village wanted to celebrate, but the weather was not co-operating so, instead of the square, the Annex offered up its barn. In the end the Weasleys converted their outdoor show of fireworks into an indoor one, as at some Christmas parties.
###
It seems that many people’s prayers had been answered the following morning, because the depression had moved on leaving a sparkling sunlit scene, smelling very pure. The statue was revolved and eased carefully out its place onto the decorated flat-waggon and taken to The Close terminus. There Timothy said a couple of prayers asking God’s blessing on their enterprise. Under Dolores’s direction, the schoolchildren set too, decorating the flat truck with bunting, candles and pictures of stories from the saint’s life. The passenger carriages were next, they were also decorated in a fine style with families and pensioners also helping out.
That Monday the 17^th had Saint Godric, together with a trainload of excited schoolchildren, moving off towards the quarry. The goblinesses had extended the passenger line in a half circle so that it ended up in what was now the market space. Shunting the saint into his specially prepared alcove the train returned to pick up the choir and instrumentalists. Once aboard, they had an impromptu practice as their carriages rolled along. It had the effect of drawing peoples’ attention to the decorated train, especially when they passed through the main-line station where the large train had just arrived and was disgorging its passengers. The result was that the little train made a number of trips bringing people to Saint Godric’s Easter Fair.
The statue presided in its alcove on the decorated wheeled plinth whilst the trading went on. The vintage fairground rides made quite a hit too. The little railway was a success, taking fathers and children for rides, whilst mothers did serious shopping. To be fair, most wives took time off to ride with their children whilst the fathers also made their purchases. There was music as well. The church choir managed a number of traditional songs and one or two arrangements that Dolores had made of pop-songs. When they were not singing the Griswold-repaired traction engine powered the fairground organ.
One of the stalls which drew admiring customers was run by the Glaswelltdy Elves, suitably glamoured. They had for sale the various quartz statues they had carved from the many tailings around the mining academy’s internal rubbish dumps. They also sold some of Anthony’s jewellery. Naturally! some of the knitters had a woollens’ stall and that attracted many buyers. A number of individual families ran produce stalls filled with baked items plus jars of preserved fruits and jams. Each farm had a stall selling spring vegetables.
There was a little icing on the cake, when the Zeller’s train pulled into the station and shunted back into the siding. It was a party of Belgian mages who alighted, and they joined the throng in the market. In the same way many of the throng seeped into the wool sheds and jewellery workshop, when they opened to give demonstrations to the Zeller party.
One of the other and rather unexpected attractions was in the church itself. The Easter Garden and the flower arrangements drew many appreciative comments.
At the end of the day Saint Godric came back to church. They had to be very careful removing the decorations, because people had laid monetary gifts at his feet.
“Your quarry people should get this,” said John.
“Douglas was given money enough for the train’s costs and we’re sharing the surplus with the quarry people,” replied Draco: “They and the villagers have made profits on their sales. We know you look after the various itinerant tramps. So why not use it to help them with clothes. As you know Winky has an arrangement with Isabel to provide them with a meal. I’m sure that that is what the saint would have done.”
“Very good, I’ll take instruction … Yes … Thank you, I know four of them who would welcome some warm and waterproof apparel. Not that they stay for too long. Come the urge and they’ll be suffering from wanderlust again.”
~~~ FORTNIGHT’S HOLIDAY? ~~~
The privations of Lent had been endured; looking forward to the joyful celebration of Easter, which was now past. Being late this year there was only a fortnight separating that festival from Beltane. Those fourteen days saw much activity in the village.
Ginevra had been regularly patrolling the grounds and had noticed water seeping through the dam which supplied water to the village. It had been built by an enterprising Lord of the Manor well over three hundred years ago and was now beginning to show its age. Constructed of earth with a clay core – the only known technology of the day – it had received the attentions of many aquatic animals who liked to build their nests alongside their environment. It was now becoming obvious that, over the years, a number of these burrows had pierced the clay core and were now causing the dam to leak. The mages’ immediate response was to cast freezing charms regularly on the dam, but that was a debilitating temporary measure.
Griswold had surveyed a route that could take the narrow-gauge railway line from the station up to the dam and once the frost was off the ground Timothea and Jocasta had commenced preparing the track-bed to receive sleepers and rails. Thus, the materials needed could easily be transported to the dam. As well as creating that extra half a mile of track they had constructed a loop at the main-line station, so that the daily trains did not have to run the half mile to the quarry in order for the engine to run-round. It also had the advantage of being able to pass trains at this point.
Griswold had made another two train-staffs, limiting the original one to the section between the station and the quarry. One of the two new ones covered from the station to the village terminus, whilst the other one was for the new section as far as the dam, where there were run-round facilities.
Griswold and Sylvia had also been busy. Between them they had produced a supposedly electrical engine. In fact, it was propelled by the magely driver covertly using his or her magic. However, the machine hummed when it was in use, giving no chance to hurt muggle susceptibilities. Of course, those in the know, like the Stamps, the Yates and the Quarrymen, were privy to the deception and thought it was a good joke. In fact, another such engine patrolled the Quarry’s zigzag track hauling skips as necessary. To that end two more of Harry’s friends were called upon to help out.
Despite an age difference of six years Alicia Spinet and Jack Sloper had married and were now living with her parents in the village. They had their names down for first new house to be built in the Close.
Using your own magic to move the trains was quite wearing and so between them and Sylvia the two supposedly electric engines could work all day, as long as there were some rest periods for the drivers.
In order to repair the dam, they had to weaken it first, by excavating a trench in which to deposit a new stone and concrete core. This meant that two mages had to continually hold freezing and stability charms on the place where the others were working. To make things easier they had lowered the water-level as far as was possible in order to maintain the village water supply. As with relaying the railway into the village everyone muggle and magical mucked in together.
Because Astoria and Ginevra had created the orchard dome the whole pool was now protected so no-one had worries about being attacked whilst concentrating on the job. Although the mages had detected a number of unsavoury characters wandering around the outside of the new dome.
###
The second Friday came, and the work was done, it was a beautiful day and an air of celebration hung around. The seers stood looking at the finished area.
G:*I think that those unsavoury characters might have been deliberately weakening the dam before we put up the dome, in order to flood the village.*
D:*It’s quite possible. My father has acted in underhand ways before.*
Grandpops Foley came to chat to the Seers: “Some of the younger pensioners who like woodwork have been labouring on a little surprise for us, so it seems. They’ve produced just over a dozen of those picnic tables with fixed seats for four people. What they need is an attractive place to site them.”
“Do I take it you have a place in mind?” asked Harry.
“Well, we hadn’t until we started to rebuild the dam. Now that open area on the other side of the pool by the orchard is quite nice. Open to the sun and yet sheltered by the trees, and the bluebells are just coming out.”
“Um, yes, I can smell them. Do you think that might be a good place to make into a picnic area?”
“Yes, and Miss Sylvia thinks that they could run the train up here at weekends. We already have visitors coming to ride on the little steam train and look at the weaving shed. They also like to look round the church. The village square, I’ve heard them say, looks quaint too. I’m helping Martha by displaying some of her watercolours in my shop, and the Amis boys do quite well too.”
“I take it that Richard isn’t left out of the equation?”
“Some of the visitors play bowls; or like to watch our matches. As you know a pint of ale seems to be the done-thing whilst doing that. Then there are lunches and snacks as well.”
G:*I’m encouraging the muggles to build up the tourist trade, Guys. The Stamps started off the idea, and then Griswold’s steam engine has enhanced it. I’m rather hoping that we can stop the drift away from our beautiful rural setting, but without making it too naff.*
D:*I like the idea, Ginny. I was worried that they might become too dependent on us magical people. This way they have something separate and we can mingle without standing out too much.*
A:*That was my idea too.*
“Fine, Grandpops, we also support your ideas. When do you want to put them here?”
“We wondered if today might be possible, Harry. The makers have taken their tables to the nearest halt on our Griffondale Railway.”
Harry chuckled: “I like the name, who decided on it?”
“Grandpops smile back: “Err … It sort-of came to us a few weeks ago when we were celebrating winning the first bowls match of the season. That’s the name of the team, also. Pastures Halt is quite close to the bowling-green and the visitors were fascinated by us using our train to take them there from the station. It’s sort of spreading the word gently, you know. A number of people have heard of it and come to play when we have no fixtures.”
There was a humming noise and an engine arrived pushing all of the five flat trucks that the railway owned. Upon each truck there was a couple of short lengths of Decauville quarry track. Alicia was the driver and the two goblinesses rode with her.
Jocasta looked at Grandpops: “Well … Can we?”
“Yes, Harry says it’s alright.”
“Good! We thought he would.”
The two railway girls had help unloading the first two lengths of track. It was obvious, by the way that people picked up shovels that the whole exercise had been already planned. Whilst the two panels were placed in position and secured, the short train detached and ran back before pushing the empty truck into the loop. It was parked there and left. The train then came back and, as soon as the workers were satisfied with the line, it ran over the two new panels so that the next two panels could be unloaded at the head-of-steel. The same process was repeated leaving the next empty truck coupled to the other one, and running back with the next set of panels. Once all ten panels were in place the rails reached just beyond the small footpath bridge over the head of the pool.
The engine retired taking all the empty trucks with it. Quarter of an hour later it reappeared. This time five picnic tables were on board the flat trucks. Pushing up to the bridge, the volunteers unloaded each table and carried it across the footbridge into the picnic-area-to-be. Again, an amount of shovel [and unseen wand] work took place, to ensure that secure and level places were available for the tables and their fixed seats. By the time the first five had been bedded-in, the train had arrived with another five. There was another trip making fifteen in all. As it was a slightly delayed lunch time; the returning train had the coaches on it. In them were wives and young children, all bearing colourful cloths and baskets of food.
Kreacher had come with them: “Erm … Harry, would you and the other mages make a screen in the trees, please? Then we can pop in with the magical establishment’s supplies.”
“Of course, we will.”
###
Most of the afternoon was spent relaxing in the sun and trying out the canoes in the pool.
Harry was chatting to the goblinesses: “Are you going to take the track up, now that the dam is repaired?”
“We had thought to leave it down. Replacing the Decauville temporary track, of course. Then we can bring the tourists up here when it’s fine. A few of the ladies have this idea to have a café carriage. It’s a sort of shop on wheels, with a folding canopy; where the visitors can buy homemade snacks. Griswold thinks he can fix a hot water urn on it too.”
“Fine … I love the idea.”
Draco and the two wives mentally agreed with Harry.
Harry looked around contentedly at the various groups, noticing that muggles and magicals quite often shared the same table He also noticed Blaise and Justin’s party had some strangers in it. He thought he recognised them.
D:*Its Blaise’s Uncle and Auntie from Florence. They brought him up, you know, especially after his father had died in suspicious circumstances. Their names are Niccolo and Calendra. They regard Blaise as their heir. Their magics never gelled to produce one of their own.*
H:*Thanks for the info. Let’s go and greet them.*
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