Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

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
- 192
- 193
- 194
[Note: “x-x” = speech & ‘x-x’ = thoughts & *x-x* = telepathy & #x-x# Parseltongue]
~~~ ANCESTORS ~~~
Harry was staring absent-mindedly at the mist over Draco’s lit vegetable mask.
“Hello, Harry. Do you not wish to speak with us?”
Harry jumped and regarded his mist again. There were two filmy figures before him, both of which he recognised from the Mirror of Erised. “Mum, Dad, is that really you?”
“Yes Harry. We’ve been waiting patiently for years now to talk to you.”
“Sorry Dad, I only found out about this, yesterday.”
“Yes, we know, my cherished son. We are very proud of what you have become. We never knew that you were the one destined to rid the world of that evil one.”
“Can he break through and terrorise us here, Mum?”
“No Harry, he’s bound in Hell. Even in front of the Throne of Judgement he would not recant. Nobody bothered to pray for him either so he had no support.”
A stream of vituperative Spanish from near Draco’s lantern interrupted the conversation. Harry touched his Saint George and understood it was a very angry spectral Don Luiz Podrido-Temporal telling Draco off for replacing his portrait in the Spanish Palace.
Between the two vegetables another mist coalesced: “Do shut up, Louie, you are holding the rest of us up.” Misty Severus stood there, scowling at Draco’s ancestor.
Sirius appeared on the other side of the angry Spanish ghost: “Okay Sev, three, two, one:”
“IN LOCUM REDITO,” both spectres said and pointed their hazy wands at the Don, making him disappear.
“That’s better, thanks Mates.” Uncle Travis gave the other two spirits the thumbs up.
Harry’s parents had a fit of the giggles whilst this was happening.
The next hour or so was quiet chatting about things personal. Harry was surprised how nice Severus was and supposed it had something to do with the proximity of his mother. He also noticed Fred’s apparition talking to the Weasley group plus others whom he did not recognise.
Draco thanked his grandfather Abraxas for the money he left in the special vault.
“It was my guardian angel’s suggestion, I think. At least the thought came to me forcibly when I was thinking about our ancestors. I thought I saw a phoenix and he told me to.”
“Do you think it was Fawkes?”
“Yes, Grandson, I now know it was. It seems that mages’ guardian angels usually appear like a phoenix.”
“That’s odd. When we were in the chapel it was the image of Saint Godric that talked to Mother.”
“Not really. You were in a church environment. Many priests chat to the saints’ effigies in their churches, so their guardian angels use that medium to communicate with them. Thus the Godric’s Hollow angel can communicate with any of the parishioners, but they have to believe. Just as Petunia does, that’s why she got the message to go and help Narcissa. If you ask one of your muggle friends to lend you a book about Don Camillo, I’m sure you would understand more and be amused at the same time.”
“So, if I had your portrait, you could guide me that way?”
“No. The portrait is the remnant of me, I left behind. Part of the process of Judgement means that if we were a mage, we can choose to leave behind the thaumic piece of us in a portrait. It remains in the present, we have no need for it where we are now. You will find that my portrait was instructed to help you, but not your father.” The spirit chuckled: “Louie, is incensed because he instructed his essence to spy for the current Lord Malfoy. It’s not much use in the palace gallery, is it? The death-eaters destroyed his other one at your manor, so he’s stuck.”
“I think I’d like to have your portrait in my study. I’ll retrieve it from the manor.”
“I’m sure my thaumic essence would appreciate that, Grandson.”
Tonks came to see them, arm in arm with Remus: “Sorry we’re late, but we’ve been talking to Andromeda in England after she put the children to bed. We must thank all four of you for helping out with Teddy. He’s growing into a very presentable young man. We look forward to talking to him when he’s old enough.” Even as an apparition Tonks could not stop changing shape and colour.
Then finally Albus appeared: “Harry and Draco, at long last you became friends. I despaired of you ever joining together. You did right in making the foursome a practicality. Ginny and Astoria I commend you for your forbearance with these two.” The ethereal twinkle was still there. “I am so glad that you have accepted Fawkes as your guide. I hope you listen to him more than I did. Perhaps you didn’t know but he’s your guardian angel. Something I found out when I arrived in this realm.”
“Um … Uncle … Why were you not at the station when I went into Narcissa’s psyche?”
“Because she is still living.”
“Yes, I see that. But why did I meet you at the station the first time. After all, I was still in the land of the living.”
“The station idea was just a way of helping you to understand, Harry. You were just outside the Hall of Judgement, not that you could see it. When I arrived earlier, Saint Peter asked me to stay outside until I had met you. Only after that did I come before the Throne of Judgement.”
“Um … So are you in heaven?”
“Yes, and it’s a great place to be. I had made quite a few mistakes, but I was supported by all the prayers and eulogies at my funeral and afterwards.”
“But your funeral was a couple of years before we met.”
“Time works differently here, My Boy. Everything that has passed is available now. I’m still getting used to it. Distance has no meaning either. Should I want to, I could meet all my ancestors at the same time and see their lives, but only if they’re willing too.”
“Does that mean you can see what is going to happen as well?”
“No. That’s the Creator’s perquisite and, of course, his army of angels. I’m sure Fawkes will have some more information soon. Wait for his guidance, don’t do as I did. Jump in and then ask Fawkes what to do.” Dumbledore giggled: “His fury can be quite incandescent!”
It was well after one-o’clock when the spectral emanations started to fade. There were general adieus happening all round the circle, with promises to talk on the next All Souls Eve. The ritual did not stop there. Each shade experienced had to be properly laid to rest and personal meditations upon their words had to take place. Then came the closing turn-wise circulation, holding the lit effigies. At the end of the seventh perambulation, the vegetable emblems were thrown into the dying fire which flared up and then went quickly cold.
###
The traction beam returned the participants to Durmstrang, where they drank and ate some special refreshments; posting afterwards to their respective academies. Many returned to Montecristo where, after a suitable sleep-period the great hall was set up as a disco. There was a running buffet on the lawn outside. Various student high jinks were planned for Friday and Saturday also. Each academy hosted something special for the participants, who travelled easily from event to event via the posterns.
###
To give them their due, they did turn up for the various Sunday services even if they were a little wasted. In the afternoon the Dumbledorians were quiet also. Having let off steam for two days, they were coming to terms with their forebears’ observations, they were also sharing what had happened and seeking advice. For a time, the four seers retired to the Tabernacle; finding the atmosphere conducive to their deliberations and asking many questions of Ivanova, plus the enjoyment of Igor’s provisions.
###
Things settled down thereafter only to be jollified when Christmas came around. Balls to attend, cards to be written [many more because of their extended connections] and received. The family party took place at Number Twelve, as usual, whilst the elves used the cottage. WWW new year fireworks in Milkwood’s grounds were also attended by some students from the other academies.
2012 stared off white and by February the village was cut off. Although it affected the muggles badly, for the mages using the postern network it was much as normal. For a couple of days one weekend, although it was freezing, the sun shone brightly; enticing many of the villagers to take toboggans out into the nearby fells and enjoying long downhill runs. Those that were snowbound extended their holiday for a couple of days thereafter.
~~~ OUTCASTS ~~~
Sylvia came to see the mages on Wednesday morning: “Erm … I don’t want to alarm you, but I think there’s a pack of werewolves hiding somewhere in the quarry. Last night was the full moon and our pet dogs were cowering and whining. I’m almost sure that I heard wolf-like howls. I put it down to my imagination, but Hardy came and asked me to look at some strange footprints in the snow leading into one of the no-longer-used adits. I suggested that the miners stayed well away until I had come to see you.”
“They’re likely to be in a much-weakened state if we capture them now,” said Draco: “According to what I’ve been told it takes them a couple of days to recover.”
“I’m not sure we should try and capture them, Lover. You know that Lupin was a werewolf, don’t you?”
“Yes! What’s that got to do with it? They’re dangerous semi-animals not fit for human society.”
Harry shook his head: “Your inbred pure-bred prejudices are showing, Draco!”
“They’re evil. I should know. I had to suffer Fenrir being with us at the Manor. He was ill-bred and beyond bloodthirsty. He resembled a human Nagini in his disgusting appetites.”
“Are you saying then that Lupin was evil?”
Draco scowled at his partner realising from sharing Harry’s thoughts; that Lupin was on the side of light: “He was an exception, probably because of the influence of the Potter family.”
“SO …!” Harry looked at his partner meaningfully.
Draco sighed: “Here goes Harry again. Wanting to save the world. You do realise that they are dangerous.”
“I’m not a fool. I know that they can be dangerous. When we go to meet them, we will take every precaution, if of course they are there. The only evidence we have is footprints in the snow, rather like the yeti in the Himalayas. Now, are you coming, or is it up to me?”
“I’m coming with you Harry,” said Astoria, having accioed something: “I have a thaumic gun that fires silver bullets.”
Draco scowled at Astoria: “I was hoping you’d help me dissuade Brave-heart here,” he shrugged resignedly: “You’ll all call me a coward if I don’t come, so count me in.”
“You can stay and look after the kids, if you like, Draco. One of us has to.” Ginny put in.
“I’m tempted, but you’re much better at mothering them than I am.” Draco sighed again: “I was really trying to dissuade my Lover, but Tor’s support for him undermined that stance. Come on let’s go.”
They used the train to reach the quarry. Much better than tramping through the drifts of snow. Timothea and Jocasta had fixed up a snow-plough and had cleared the line. In places the high winds had drifted the snow into twelve-foot deep banks. In others there was hardly any snow cover at all. Travelling along was rather like being at sea and breaking through the waves, only these were white and frozen. Passing under the bypass they noted that the muggles had snow blowers out, trying to make it passable. Problem was that there was a brisk wind which caught much of the machine-blown snow and deposited it on the carriageway behind. It was obvious that Great Grumblewell would not be freed at least for two days more at the present rate of progress.
Arriving at the quarry the three seers were met by Hardy with a shotgun in his hand.
“’Allo ’Arry, Dodo’s made me a special cartridge up.”
“Special?”
“Aye. Taken out th’ shot and put siller bits in instead.”
Harry smiled: “Nice to see you’re taking precautions. They may only be needed at the next full moon. I’m rather hoping that these people are the okay ones.”
“Didn’t know there were any good uns.” Hardy looked surprised.
“My father was friendly with one, and he taught me a lot about DADA – magical defence – You know. He kept himself on an even keel by taking the wolfsbane potion. Trouble is that both Draco and I know of a terrible one who was cruel and bloodthirsty in the extreme. He’s dead now, thank Merlin.”
Dardanellus and Festus walked up, both brandishing swords. Draco looked at them and blinked; realising, at the same time, that the sunlight was being reflected off silver blades: “I see you two are prepared also.”
“We hope they are benign beings, like the ones in Hogwarts Forest. Still it’s best to be ready. We had a look at the footprints and compared them with the ‘Magical Beasts’ book. We’re ninety percent sure now.”
Blaise came flying in on his broom [In hang glider disguise]: “I’ve brought our stock of Aconitum potion with me; should they need some.”
“Thanks, Blaise. Okay, Hardy, show us where this adit is, please.”
“Aye, this way. We’d better use th’ trolley.”
They piled into one of the skips and Dardanellus used one of the thaumic engines to take them up the zig-zags to the very top. Once there, they trudged quietly through the snow as far as adit number seven.
Harry signalled that he and Draco would go in and that the others were to stay on guard, prepared to take action if they rushed out pursued by angry werewolves.
H: *Ready?*
D: *I must be mad, but yes.*
The two mages disappeared into the dark passageway as far as the natural light would allow.
D: *Time to use our Hendy senses.*
Both of them said the incantation mentally and then became inconspicuous. The advantage of the charm was that it enhanced their vision and hearing so there was no need to cast a lumos. Very carefully they crept down the adit following the rusty rails and treading carefully on the sleepers for quietness. Suddenly a bright light shone at them; ruining their night-vision.
“Who’s there?”
The pair stood still and kept quiet, trusting in Hendy’s inconspicuousness and trying to peer beyond the dazzle. The light waved around as though the person behind it was looking into every crevice.
“Come back and lie down, dear,” a female voice cajoled: “You’re disturbing the young ones.”
“I’m sure I heard some footsteps and I think I can smell human sweat.” The light waved around some more, whilst the two mages breathed very slowly.
Seven tense minutes passed until the light dimmed. The lovers stood there with their eyes closed trying to regain their night-vision.
D: *Now what do we do?*
H: *Not sure. Let’s give it another seven minutes and then go forward a little.*
They heard shuffling around and then silence. Extremely cautiously they took a few steps and then halted, listening. Just heavy breathing, most of it their own. A few more steps and another halt. Peaceful almost-silence. Five more cautious advances had them inside a cavern. Within the cavern there appeared to be some buildings with flat roofs.
D: *What do you make of those?*
H: *There’s a muggle story about hiding some precious works of art in Welsh slate caverns during their last big war. They were stored in hutments, but the precious objects were removed when peace came. Maybe there were some here as well and whoever’s here is using them.*
D: *Seems like a possibility. Now what?*
H: *Let’s go to that doorway, wait to see if we’ve been sussed. If not, we’ll have a look inside.*
D: *Very well!*
Three more cautious approaches got them peering through the doorway.
D: *There’s carpet down on the floor.*
H: *Seems to be tidy too. Oh Well!* “I’m Harry Potter, come to see you. If you mean peace please come out one by one. If you have your wands drawn or look at all aggressive we will take appropriate action.”
“See … I told you I smelt human sweat. Okay, I’m coming out to parley. The others of us will stay inside the house for the time being. I’m Proclus Swinburne, werewolf, looking for shelter from the wiles of the Seignior.”
The two seers stepped back a few paces with their fingers pointing at the doorway.
H: *You stay hidden, Draco.*
D: *I have a body-bind hex on the tip of my tongue.*
H: *Good!* Harry became visible and created a ‘baubillious-globus’.
Proclus came out of the doorway, hands spread wide in the universal gesture of peace: “Are you really Harry Potter?”
“Yes!” Harry drew his fringe aside: “Here is the scar Voldie gave me.”
Proclus stared at it for half a minute: “We’ve been hoping to find you. Someone said you lived in the vicinity. Every time we asked we got different directions.”
Harry felt Draco touch his hand: H: *Definitely a werewolf, but no evil thoughts. Another of Lupin’s clan then?*
“Yes, well, we are guarded in letting everyone know where we are. Did you know Fenrir?”
“Not Circe likely. We made ourselves scarce when his pack was near. We did meet Remus on a couple of occasions. He helped us escape from Fenrir’s clutches twice. Good man that. Pity he got killed in the battle. Said we should contact you once Voldemort was defeated. But you’re so elusive. We travelled to Ireland three times, only to find you gone. Scilly Islands once but you were up in the Hebrides.”
Harry chuckled: “Yes, we do seem to get about a bit.”
Proclus smiled: “You can say that again, in spades. Erm … you said we? Do you mean you and your wife?”
“There are four of us, who are blessed partners. Draco’s with me now, but you can’t see him.”
“I’d heard you had a cloak of invisibility, has he borrowed it. Oh! Draco? As in Draco Malfoy? The Seignior’s son?”
“The very one,” said Draco emerging into view: “But using a different charm. I’ve disowned my father. I much prefer the side of light.”
“Good charm! Yes, I’d heard you had, and taken up with Mr Potter here. Now what?”
“Perhaps you had better show us your house and we meet your colleagues.”
“Some of them are not too well. The change, you know. It was so cold to be outside as well, so they caught chills. In a way we’re a family, all bitten by Fenrir at some time or other. Terbia is my partner, not that we’re married, but we’re much the same age, being bitten during the first war. The rest are children that survived Fenrir’s attentions. Many didn’t, and he ate some of them.”
Terbia must have been listening, because she came out of the doorway offering the peace gesture. Draco held hands with Harry and used his legillimens gift on her, pronouncing her clear.
A: *I have Ernie with me, Blaise is coming too plus a couple of goblins, we’re in the trolley.*
D: *Very good!* “Some of our friends are coming in one of the mine’s trolleys, one’s an apothecary and he has some wolfsbane potion with him and another’s a magi-medic he can look at your charges.”
“How do you know?”
“We four seers have a mental connection and Tor, was outside listening to our chat, so she’s arranged some help.”
“Merlin! This is almost too much to take in. You’d better come inside and see the kids.”
Draco was surprised at the cleanliness and comfort displayed inside. He had always thought that werewolves were despicable things and incapable of looking after themselves. This was definitely not the case here. They house was clean and tidy, if a little threadbare in places. Much better than Number Twelve had been when they stayed there at the beginning.
H: *Revising your ideas again?*
D: *You know I am. I now see why you took to Lupin.*
They could hear the trolley rumbling cautiously down the line as they sat sipping tea in the Swinburne’s sitting room, after having seen the young werewolves. All of them not feeling well. Most of them nearing Hogwarts entry age, too.
“You obviously have lived here for some time. How is it that we did not see you in the quarry before?”
“Fairly simple. We have another entrance which we use. However, it’s blocked with ice and snow at the moment. If we used charms to unblock it, the melt-water would overwhelm the drainage system and flood the house. We had to go out for the full moon so your adit was the only other way.”
“Where does that other entrance come out?”
“In the wood above Somerford.”
D: *They must have passed through the village wards to do that. Our adit’s inside them.*
H: *They must be light supporters then, or the wards would have refused them.*
D: *Or else the wards don’t reach underground. We’ll have to ask Probes about it.*
H: *Um … Yes!*
###
They went out to meet the trolley and introductions took place. Ernie and Blaise went to see the children. Prompted by Ginevra, Winky popped in with a miniaturised meal for all seven of them.
“Why are you doing this?”
Draco smiled and tilted his head towards his partner: “I take it you’ve heard of the Potter Code?”
“Yes … But we thought we werewolves were outside its boundaries.”
“Well … We’re proving that you aren’t. See?”
“It’ll take some getting used to, you know. What about the other magicals?”
“Our Dumbledorians won’t bat an eyelid. In the same way we don’t wave our knickers in the air either.”
“Waving your knickers …? Oh …! I see.”
“Now, what we have to do is find you some accommodation.”
“Is it not possible to stay here?”
“Why? Do you want to?”
“We and our cubs feel safe here. We’ve put a lot of effort into making it comfortable,” said Terbia: “And, being well underground, it’s so warm.”
“If you are happy here, of course you may. Just let us know if there’s anything you need, and we’ll help. No doubt you won’t mind if Tim and Jock connect the railway properly. Now you’ve found us we’ll want to stay in touch. How’s the food situation?”
“We can get by.”
“No, they can’t!” Kreacher popped into being and the werewolves jumped: “For the time being you’ll be served by the corps. Ernie says some of your children are undernourished. There’s no way us Dumbledorians can let that go on.”
“But we can’t afford to pay you.”
“No pay needed,” Kreacher looked at Harry: “Is there?”
“You’ll have to excuse our Reeve,” said Draco smiling: “He’s a little forthright, but his heart’s in the right place. As he says, we don’t want recompense. First priority is the children’s health. Next priority is helping you to feel part of us. Come and visit us at the cottage, when you feel happier. See how we live, all mixed up, mages and muggles, elves and goblins, fairies and now werewolves.”
“We must pull our weight, we cannot rely on your charity, much as we appreciate it.”
“What do you like doing; what are you good at?”
“I’ve managed to feed our family off the land and I had a lot of fun repairing this house.”
“Okay chat with Blaise here, he’s an apothecary and needs supplies, perhaps go with Horrty he’s into agriculture. Neville takes people on plant hunts sometimes, he’d welcome a knowledgeable assistant. Dean and Seamus are into thaumic construction, maybe there’s an outlet for your skills there. Try a few things out. How about you, Terbia?”
“Me? You know, the usual domestics. A bit of this and a bit of that.”
“She’s hiding her light, Draco. She’s a great knitter and clothes maker. In her spare time, she paints thaumic portraits. That’s how we’ve managed to get by most of the time. If you’re an artist you can get away with being eccentric, even being a werewolf sometimes.”
“The Smarts, that’s a group of five muggles and a magical, are into garments and wool and weaving. I’m sure we could get you to exhibit here at the visitors’ shop and in Diagon Alley, we’ve got a few contacts there.”
###
A couple of weekends later, John welcomed a new family into church – The Swinburne’s.
###
Later on in the year, some of their children received their Hogwarts letters. Two years later Terbia became the magical arts professor for the various academies. Proclus became one of the ‘home team’ along with Dean and Seamus and various elves from the corps. He also learned to brew potions from Draco, starting with the need for a continuous supply of the Aconitum Potion, as well as helping out in the Zabini shop. He also helped Hamish in his ‘Other Magicals’ course. With the vela Professor Ailargentée from Beauxbatons, the vampire Professor Blaubart from Durmstrang and Dochart they created a specialist team that visited all the academies in turn.
- 192
- 193
- 194
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Harco Empire