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Harco Empire	By : Toddy Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Draco Views: 34417 -:- 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
- 169
- 170
- 171
[Note: “x-x” = speech & ‘x-x’ = thoughts & *x-x* = telepathy & #x-x# Parseltongue]
~~~ NETWORKING ~~~
Back at home things were developing nicely. Ginevra acted as the magical organiser in Godric’s Hollow, whilst Astoria, together with Narcissa and Augusta, indulged in the political side. They supplied Draco and Harry with much political ammunition for the British Wizengamot debates. They also were enthusiastic proselytisers for the Progressive Party, using Number Twelve’s facilities to have lunches, dinners and meetings to further that group’s political ends.
Draco and Harry also discovered a physical network. It started one August Saturday when Dardanellus and Festus invited them to visit the quarry.
“We’ve found something rather interesting. It seems in prehistoric times that some muggle miners used the cave system formed by the River Gribble. Then at some time in the mediaeval period some more of them created further adits. We broke into one of them whilst exploring a quartzite vein containing some gold and lead content. That’s possibly what the middle-ages delvers were after.”
“So, where does that lead us?”
“The Gribble comes out in the grounds where the new estate will be built in Great Grumblewell. Now, if we could clear the old workings and put down some rail, then our quarrymen could deliver the stone the builders need almost on the doorstep, without having to incur the expensive transfer and using those polluting muggle lorries.”
Hugo had joined them underground: “t’ price us could offer gives a good return an’ it undercuts t’ price any of t’ other quarries. t’ Grumblewell Councillors can now insist that t’ consortium abides by t’ contract.”
“I take it there’s a catch?”
“Yes Draco. We need authorisation to buy some more rails and sleepers,” said Festus: “We’ve located a closed quarry who are prepared to let us have a job lot cheaply, as long as we arrange to take it away by the end of the month.”
“So, as well as buying the track, you’d like us mages to do another overnight job; like we did with Henry’s machinery, would you, Hugo?”
“Well it ‘ad crossed our minds like!”
“What does Bertie say?”
“’E thinks it’s worth it.”
“We’ll have a board meeting tonight and let you know the decision tomorrow.”
“Reet!” Hugo looked pleased and stomped off to continue his quarrying.
They had their board meeting and agreed.
###
The following day a phantom-lorry full of pseudo-people drove up to the disused workings. As soon as it arrived a large number of practical students were side-alonged into the derelict quarry. It took them two days to uproot and stack all the track-work they could find. Then it was the turn of the senior practical students – those who had their apparating licences – to do a midnight flit. That took three nights to complete. Thus, the Blakes quarry gained a great quantity of used Decauville-type track. By the middle of July, the goblin students had trimmed the ancient tunnels and a combined party laid the tracks inside. The muggle quarrymen placed the ones at the Grumblewell exit of the tunnel so as to preserve the knowledge of magicals from unknowing muggles.
There was an unofficial passenger train in celebration. Those in the know put on their oldest clothes and rode squashed inside the gritty skips used for stone haulage. It was exciting and yet boring, because they had to keep their heads down and, in the dark, could see little. The mediaeval miners had not made very high tunnels and the goblins had only trimmed off dangerous protrusions. Thus, the roof only just cleared the tops of the skips; far too low for the normal passenger vehicles. Also, the vehicles bucked and slewed because the track was only laid out to quarry standards; nothing like the smooth lines used between the quarry and the village. Griswold had fashioned one of their thaumic/electric engines with a low driving seat, so at least the driver could see where he or she was going.
From then on for the next two years the thaumic/electric engine worked two trains of stone each day, and the Quarry co-operative earned some decent money. Being able to pay the Harco Trust back for the capital expended, plus a reasonable rental for the quarry. This was a legal arrangement. Whereas the excavating could be argued as training for the goblin mining students and thus fall inside the Trust’s educational/training objectives; actually, mining for profit could not. However, Francis set up a separate co-operative trust, called the Potboy Trust which included any products that the villagers made, grew or quarried were covered when sold for profit. It had significant muggle tax advantages. Especially when Bertie sorted the accounts and found many different ways to create legitimate expenses. Those included the running of the railway which, like many other preserved railways had its capital assets owned by a charitable organisation; the duly muggle registered Griffondale Railway Society.
~~~ POLITICS ~~~
Having had their holidays around Beltane, Draco and Harry felt it unwise to push for any during the summer. This suited the other younger aurors who wished to take their older children on holiday when Hogwarts was in recession. It also earned the two male Blakes some unofficial brownie-points from their mates.
During that time, it was unclear what Lucy and his satraps were doing, whether Draco’s suggestion of a spy in their midst had made the Seignior draw in his horns whilst interrogating his supporters, or whether he was still scouting for secure headquarters was not apparent. No reports of malfeasance either at home or on the continent could be directly attributed to satrap incursions. That is not to say that the Aurors were idle. All the usual mishaps and minor misdemeanours took place and had to be investigated and their perpetrators charged in front of the Wizengamot Watch Committee; with only a few serious ones brought before the whole of that august body.
The result was not as expected. Draco, Harry and the Progressive Party seemed to get involved in long political arguments. The Old Codgers were no longer frightened of being murdered in their beds and fought harder against any projected reforms. The complacency of those seneschals who held the middle ground could see no reason for upsetting the status quo. There were times when the dinner parties at Number Twelve were more an outlet for the members’ frustrations than for planning new reforms.
“What we need is another Lucy scare,” moaned Astoria, when they arrived back at the cottage.
“I sometimes wonder whether it’s worth us elves being there at all,” sighed Dorothy.
“In a way I agree,” said Hamish: “But we are making some progress; even if it is very slow.
Draco huffed: “Despite our chagrin, just imagine what it would be like if the old codgers had their way.”
“I think I could do without all the excitement of another fight,” put in Harry, thoughtfully: “I’ve actually managed to clear my desk of impending reports, and I’ve been able to experiment with some new defence charms.”
Draco grimaced: “Trust my mate to see the bright side.”
Harry nudged him on his side: “Last week you were gloating because you’d had the new Calmative Potion credited to you. It’s helped your status in the Guild of Potioneers, hasn’t it?”
Draco was undeterred in his gloom and returned a lacklustre: “I s’pose so!”
“Well, you have various birthday parties to look forward to including your own and mine.”
Draco shrugged: “All that does is make me feel old.”
Harry smirked: “Does that mean; I can look forward to some uninterrupted sleep when I go to bed tonight?”
Draco narrowed his eyes: “I shall expect my conjugal rights, nevertheless.”
“Good! So, you’re not as suicidal as you make out, then. I was just beginning to wonder if I needed to find a new mate.”
Draco jumped up and grabbed Harry’s shoulders: “Don’t you dare think that. We made an everlasting pact, and I aim to keep my side of the bargain.”
“Fine … Stop grumping and come to bed, or would you prefer the moss in the glade?”
“No. I prefer your hot arse in the hot shower.”
Harry groped Draco and ran off. Amidst the slightly derisive laughter of their friends Draco took off after his love. Needless to say, they both were exhausted and very sensitive ‘down-there’ after their watery indulgence. Harry got his uninterrupted sleep too; hugged by a satisfied smiling blond.
###
They had another amorous episode a week later. All four of them visiting the swans and finding Maeve, Morgan, Nigel and Nora waiting for them. The Irish undines were more versatile than the other water-folk. Their conjoined tryst took place on the swans’ lawn. Somehow the cygnine audience did not put them off their stroke. In fact, it encouraged the well-keepers to indulge in their own sexual capers.
~~~ WHERE TO ~~~
In October the company were discussing where to make the next Portal at the end of the month.
“We ought to think of those who are separated by water,” suggested Seamus: “I know that it was a great relief to the Irish mages when we connected the Fortress.”
“When we went to the Ring of Brodgar for the summer solstice it was difficult apparating all that way in steps. So somewhere on Orkney would be good,” suggested Hermione.
“The Mc Dougal’s and the Mc Lairds live up there and a couple of their children were attacked two years ago. So they’d like some extra cover.”
“So … Are we saying a public portal? If so, who will guard it?”
“Duncan Mc Laird is the mage-custodian of the Ring. What about him?”
“Um … Duncan Mc Laird?”
“Yes Harry. He’s the seneschal who recently joined the Progressives. You know, Lorcan’s Son. Lorcan’s the retired minister whose funeral we attended a couple of months ago.”
“Oh right! Seemed a nice enough chap.”
G: *Had a good aura too. *
That seemed to satisfy everyone, so it was agreed to approach Duncan at the next Wizengamot meeting.
“Who me? Is this because I’ve just received a high security rating from Kingsley?”
“Not really. We Blakes felt that you were the right kind of person and our Society members backed us up. I understand you’re friends with Niall FitzGerald?”
“Yes, it’s a bit difficult to visit but we correspond regularly. However, we do see each other for lunch after the Wizengamot meetings. My daughter’s taken a shine to his son, d’you know.”
“Is that a liaison you wish to encourage?”
“That sounds like a pure-blood type of question, Draco. But yes, I’d be quite happy if they decided to get married and so would Niall. Why do you ask?”
“The Portal would give you and your family members easy access to the FitzGerald Rath.”
“That’d be good! I could use their cabinet web to reach Niall’s place. So, count me in please.”
When the asked Minerva if she was okay with it, she replied: “There are a number of magely families up there whose offspring will soon be eligible to join the Academy. They were worried about the attack some years ago and debating whether it was safe to send their children. It will be a boon to be able to offer them safe transport.”
So it was that, on All Hallows Eve, the Orkney Islands received their Portal attachment. Within a week or so, each family had joined its cabinet to their neighbour’s; thus forming a diminutive safe network.
~~~ FAMILY ~~~
The next highlight was, of course, the Christmas celebrations. For James it was his second celebration and he was into everything. When told no, sometimes he would desist and sometimes he would have a temper tantrum. It seemed that Harry had a way to get the best out of his oldest son, but even that failed sometimes.
He had an escapade with the Christmas tree. He wanted to reach a certain bauble which was out of his reach, even when he mounted his play-broom [inherited from Teddy who now had an intermediate model]. So – clever little boy? – made a stack of stools and climbed up. James’s building skills were not as good as his Uncles Seamus and Dean, so his edifice toppled when he reached the top. To steady himself he grabbed at a branch thus upsetting the balance of the potted tree. Net result: a screaming child buried somewhere under a lot of greenery. Ginevra in rescuing her son did not know whether to be cross or relieved that James was unhurt; except for his pride, that is.
Whenever James saw the tree thereafter, he exclaimed: “Naughty tree! Fell on me and hurt me!” He did, however, stay at least two feet away from it, thus, from then on, the presents and baubles were safe from inquisitive hands.
James loved the snow. His various pseudo-uncles loved pulling him on his toboggan, even managing to find safe but exciting slopes for him to slide down. He had a lot of trouble on the frozen pond. Not being able to stand. It also became a ‘naughty pond’, because he received some minor bruises from falling down.
After they had attended church on New Year’s Eve and, being a Sunday, the midday meal was rather special because all the Dumbledorians relaxed at the cottage. Later on, James was persuaded to go to bed earlier than usual, so that he could have an hour at midnight watching, from daddy’s knee, the WWW firework display.
Monday, 1^st January, had a dozen or so Blake family members joining Niccolo’s family at the Patrimonio. For some reason Blaise persuaded the party to wear red underclothes. In fact, a number of naughty-ish jokes were made and certain jaunty members were persuaded to show theirs off. The main part of the meal was cotechino, a sort of boiled sausage. It was served on a bed of herb lentils and was very tasty. Maximiliano and Vittorio were invited for the meal as were a number of other magely residents of the Villaggio. Part of the after-dinner ritual was for Blaise, as heir, to offer each one of them a small plate with honey cake and sweets on it. Harry, playing the innocent muggle-raised card, found out that they represented a wish for plentiful food and increased wealth in the forthcoming year.
###
In the middle of January Ignatius and Sigmund came to church and afterwards, at the village lunch, nobbled Draco and Harry.
“We’re hoping you can help us”
“If we can we will. What’s on your minds?”
“We need a place to service our train,” ventured Ignatius: “The place where we used to do this has given us notice. Not that we had an argument, but British Rail needs the space to expand its own servicing facilities.”
Seeing there was no immediate rebuff. Sigmund continued: “We’ve had a chat to the Smarts and to Douglas.”
“I see!” said Draco with a smirk: “Do I suppose that you wish to use the other building in Potboy Quarry.”
“Err … Yes?”
“Perhaps you’ve had a chat with Bertie too.”
“Err … Yes?”
“Have you agreed on a rental?”
“Err … Yes? But there’s more to it, as well. The mechanics we employed don’t want to move up here and Griswold has a couple of eager elves who would like to be employed by us.”
It was Harry’s turn: “I imagine that because you’re away for long periods in the summer that you would like us to take them into the Harco family.”
Sigmund smiled hopefully: “It had crossed our minds that that would be an acceptable solution. We would also like to offer placements for a catering elf. Winky and Molly think that they could find a different trainee for each trip, so as to give them job experience of our specialised work.”
Harry screwed up his forehead: “That seems acceptable, but I suspect there’s more.”
Ignatius chuffed: “I didn’t think we were so transparent. Ah well … In for a penny, in for a pound. The continental tours are becoming too expensive for our clients, but we are attracting more who just wish to tour the British Isles. As you know most of our patrons come from the magical world overseas. Now, if we were based here, we thought that maybe we could ask your permission to use the public portal from Gringotts to bring them here to start their tour. As you already know we vet our passengers carefully.”
Sigmund added: “We imagine them staying at the Farmers Arms for a couple of nights and doing what Hermione calls ‘The culture of rural England introduction’ to the village; much on the same timetable that we have previously used.”
Draco guffawed: “You have so many of our colleagues involved, we’d be risking sore ears if we refused. However, this should go before our board meeting to be discussed.”
Ignatius chuckled: “I believe you have one later today. Bertie said he’d put it on the agenda.”
“Fine … We let you know the decision afterwards.”
###
At the meeting the financial side of the request was discussed, and Francis offered the draft contract for perusal. With a couple of amendments this was to be offered to the Zeller train quartet, because the board felt that they were in a win-win situation. All parties came to agreement, so the legal instrument was signed and sealed.
Just after their children’s birthday the Zeller train moved into the refurbished train shed in Potboy Quarry. The Blakes were pleased because it brought discerning tourists into Godric’s Hollow without swamping the ambience. The villagers were pleased because it brought money into their micro-economy without being too demanding. The magical tourists were pleased because of the relaxed welcome, something that visiting a capital city could not offer, and yet they had easy access to the bright lights and sights.
~~~ CRUISING ~~~
After church and lunch at Easter the Blakes were forced to have a quiet time to themselves. The Matriarchs took over care of the babies plus Teddy and almost pushed the seers into it because they were looking jaded; so they decided to go cruising from Laggen Lodge. The grandparent group had forewarned the Scillonian mages of the likelihood of a magely party using their boat so the McLaggen sons had provisioned the sloop Sirius for at least a week’s voyaging. Astoria also felt that she wanted to test her boating skills before taking other people out under her sole captaincy. She had an idea to take some of the Progressive Party members out during the summer recess.
As they drew out from the shelter of the islands the breeze stiffened and the sailboat heeled over. There were a number of thumps and curses from Astoria in the cabin as she fielded items that had not been properly secured. Within a few minutes a very sheepish Draco climbed up the companionway. He had been severely told off for not securing things as he had been asked.
“It’s your fault if your shirts smell strongly of aftershave, Mr Malfoy, you should have screwed the cap on securely,” Astoria’s angry voice followed the Slyth out of the cabin: “Had you hung them up as Harry did, that mistake would have not been as disastrous.”
“I’ll go and pacify her, Draco,” said Ginevra, grinning: “You take over the lines.”
Quarter of an hour later Ginevra relieved Harry at the helm and he went below to start on dinner. He went into the forward cabin to hang his waterproofs and found that it was still full of perfume fumes which made his eyes water, so he opened a couple of portholes and spread the waterproofs over the bedding to keep off the worst of the splashes coming in.
“I think we’d better eat outside tonight, Astoria. We’d all be weeping in that stink.”
“Ginny was almost as bad, but I caught her things when they slid off the seat, “Astoria was still smouldering: “I just shoved everything in the under-bed drawer. If she complains of creases, I’ll tell her off too.”
“Here, have a sherry, we can relax whilst we cook,” Harry offered the mollifying glass.
“Mmm, thanks. Why can’t our partners be tidy?”
“Draco normally is … I think he’s just excited … Being under sail in a boat this size is something quite new to him. You can’t really count our Honeymoon cruise on the big private yacht in the same category, or flitting around Léman in a dinghy, can you?”
“No, most definitely not … This is much cosier, and we’re not exposed to the elements down here either … Now what vegetables do you want me to prepare?”
They set about making their first meal, Harry remembering to lift the guards on the cooker as well as only filling the pans etc. one-third full. By the time the meal was ready they were nearing Lizard Point. They kept well clear of the jagged rocks as they rounded into its lee. Near Kennack Sands they found a temporary safe anchorage and hove too.
Over dinner there was a long discussion about crossing towards the Channel Islands and whether they should use the ‘Navigamus Celera’ charm Harry had recently learned.
As Draco was washing up the sun went down, and the almost-full moon revealed itself. That made up their minds.
“Besides,” said Draco: “What’s the use in being a mage if you don’t use magic?”
Taking it in turns on the helm and having a companion with you whiled away the hours quickly. Luminous trails in the sea, shooting stars and other vessels caught their attention. Their course was almost due east and by the time he sun was up Alderney was well in sight. Breakfast was eaten in relays as they neared the landfall; by coffee time they were tying up to one of the yellow mooring buoys. The water taxi took them to the harbourmaster’s office where they paid their fees and went off to explore the quiet island.
~~~ OUTING ~~~
They inspected the small town and wondered if there was anything more. Imagine their surprise when they rounded a corner to see two London Underground carriages sitting in a small station.
“I bet they don’t work.”
“Well, there are people sitting in them, Draco.”
“Perhaps they’re a café?”
“’S about lunchtime let’s go and see.”
“Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen, are you coming for a ride?”
“Um … Where do you go?”
“A couple of miles to the North end of the island; within walking distance of the lighthouse and Fort Quesnard. Nice day for a picnic up there; lovely views.”
“Nice idea, but we don’t have a picnic.”
“Go and see that lady in the house over there; she’ll make you up a basket if you smile at her nicely. We’ll wait till you buy some lunch.”
Whilst the girls went to buy lunch the boys bought tickets and inspected the diesel engine at the front; learning that the line was originally built in Victorian times to carry stone to make the breakwater behind which their boat was sheltering. There had been a stone company as well as the Admiralty for past owners, but now a mainly volunteer group ran the railway as a visitor attraction.
The girls arrived back with a mountain of fodder and a padded carrier bag that clinked invitingly.
“What have you bought?”
“Wait and see, we’re not to open the bag until we’re ready, otherwise the chill will go off.”
H: *That doesn’t matter, we can use a chilling charm like Fiorello Fortescue does. *
A: *No we can’t Harry, not in front of all these muggles. *
H: *Fine … But I still think we could; none of us use wands any more. *
Harry shut up when the guide/conductor started to tell them about the scenery.
The ride was very gentle if a little wobbly and ended up inside an old quarry. The gentleman who had spoken to them showed them the path and told them the return times: “They’re approximate, if we see someone coming down and waving, we usually wait,”
It took them some time to reach the viewpoint, because Astoria or Draco found various unusual plants – in the end Harry and Ginevra became the workhorses; carrying the repast to the top of the cliffs.
“No wonder they were heavy, there’s a blanket in here.” Harry remarked as he and his wife set out the picnic.
The other two were still crawling around looking at miniature plants.
“If you don’t come to eat soon, Harry and I will have drunk all the champagne whilst waiting for you,” said Ginevra, sitting smugly on the blanket, glass in hand.
“You’d better not!” Draco came rushing over to the picnic rug: “Where’s mine?”
Harry winked at Ginevra and ostentatiously upturned the bottle into Draco’s plastic wine glass – about a quarter of a glassful emerged.
“Oh dear! I shink we’ve drunk ish all,” he slurred: “You sh-should have come wh-when we called earlier.”
Draco snatched the bottle: “You’ve drunk all this? It was such a good vintage – quite wasted on such uncultured palates as yours. No wonder you’re smashed.”
Astoria had come up quietly behind Draco holding two fizzingly full glasses. When he turned around to bewail some more, he nearly knocked her over. She staggered and held out a glass which Draco grabbed urgently.
“Okay, I know I’ve been had,” Draco smiled knowingly and lifted his glass to his lips; then he spluttered: “This is lemonade!”
The other three chuckled at his discomfiture.
“That’ll teach you to demean your betters!” Ginevra explained haughtily and they all burst out laughing again.
Draco got his champagne, and, after a very tasty picnic, because the foursome was in a merry mood, they descended the path extra carefully.
The man in charge joshed them slightly: “Good thing you’re walking, I’m not sure I could trust you behind the wheel of a car.”
That just produced more giggles which some of the other passengers joined in. When they arrived at the station the lady was waiting for them.
“You forgot your flask of coffee,” she said, handing it to them. She could not understand why all the passengers – including our four - burst out laughing.
Astoria thanked her and handed over the various items they had borrowed. There was a wooden picnic table nearby, so the mages sat down and had their hot drink. During their walk back to Braye Bay and the subsequent ferry trip to their boat, they had worked off most of the effects of the champagne.
Now it was time to up anchor and move on.
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