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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
- 196
- 197
- 198
“x-x” = speech & ‘x-x’ = thoughts & *x-x* = telepathy & #x-x# Parseltongue]
[Where someone is transformed by Polyjuice a letter will appear after their name referring to their new aspect until they return to being themselves again.]
~~~ RECOVERY ~~~
Ginevra-t managed to give Draco-d and Olaf-a some energy potion because they had missed breakfast; that tided them over until a house elf brought coffee and biscuits at around eleven. Meanwhile Harry-w had gone walkabout, unobtrusively familiarising himself with the layout and telling a house elf to bring his coffee and biscuits to the edge of the pool. Harry surmised that Travers must have had a Large appetite because the frightened elf brought enough for two. Harry-w palmed half of them and slipped them to an invisible Ginevra-t, when she arrived near the nest; even managing to pour some of his coffee into a mug that had mysteriously appeared out of the bushes, next to him.
Ensuring that no-one was around Harry-w slid into the bushy nest and had a long conversation with Ronald via Astoria and the extendable ears. They fixed a time when the attack would start. Harry-w had only just scrambled out when he heard someone calling Travers name.
“Over here!” he called out.
G:*He’s called Nolan Scabior, he and Travers are friends. His nickname is Scabs.*
“I thought we had a date for golf, Willy?”
“Sorry, I forgot. You know how it is when you come off evening duty late. I got little sleep for some reason.”
“Nice story! I bet you were hard after watching all those new-ones.” Scabior nudged Harry-w in the ribs and winked knowingly.
“Come off it, Scabs. We’ve both seen it too many times to get that worked up. However, there was one that looked a bit like His-Nibs’ son.”
D:*Both of them had me when Voldie reigned at the Manor.*
“Yes, he was a good fuck, wasn’t he? All that pale young skin and his tight new arse. You enjoyed him too, didn’t you?
H:*Thanks for that info, Lover.* “I think I like them when they’ve matured a bit. He’s got nice sized prick, hasn’t he?”
“So you did watch then? No wonder you had little rest. I bet you wanked for half the night. Here I was hoping to beat you whilst you were dozy.”
Harry-w took a chance: “So you’ve sussed how I managed to beat you last time then?”
Scabior chuckled: “Of course, we’ve been friends for too long for that one to work twice. You look half dead, were the new ones lively?”
“Yes very! It was quite a struggle holding them down until the fervour took hold. Why His-Nibs doesn’t let us Incarcerate them, I don’t know.”
“Don’t start that old one up again, Willy. You’ve already annoyed our Lord and Master with that argument. He’s threatened to attach you to Esmeralda if you’re critical of his actions again and you never know who’s listening.”
“Okay, Scabs, I’ll be careful, but sometimes he’s a real pain in the arse.”
Scabior chuckled again: “I agree, but if we want power, we have to bide our time and hide our doubts. With these new amphibians as troops, we’ll each have a piece of the world to rule just as we like. Now go and get some sleep, get the house-elves to bring you something in your room for lunch. Merlin help you if he catches you asleep on duty again.”
“Yes, that last punishment was bloody painful. Okay, I’ll be a good little satrap and have a sleep, can’t have the Malfoy mad at me again.”
As Scabior turned to wander off Harry-w and Ginevra-t ambushed him. He was Langlocked, semi-Incarcerated and given a potion that made him look drunk. Harry-w supported him on a slow walk to the quadrangle where he was Polyjuiced and substituted for the final Auror Jorgen-t.
Job finished; Harry-w went to Travers’ room yelling for a house elf.
Pop: “Yes master?”
“Bring some lunch here, in my room, please?” Harry-w looked away and held his breath, realising that ‘please’ would not be part of a satrap’s vocabulary when dealing with a house-elf.
“I see you have a yellow mark, too, Master?” the house elf grinned.
Harry-w looked up; he saw the yellow stripe on the house elf’s brow, and nodded, smiling back.
“We all support Headmistress Holstein, Master, whilst she’s in residence it’s our duty. Not one of us wants to serve the upstart Seignior. But we pretend to do so. He’s already slowly roasted the Reeve and his family over the bonfire for defying him. They shrieked for almost an hour before they died.” The elf sobbed and looked mournful.
Harry-w hugged the surprised elf and mopped up his tears with a hanky.
“Thanks, Master. How can I help?”
“There are five other yellow-striped satraps. We were the ones who were captured yesterday, and we’ve swapped identities. The real satraps are connected to Esmeralda, temporarily transformed to look like us. Could you arrange for our group to meet here, when the remaining two come off duty, and find us some lunch, please?”
“Of course, Seer Harry. That is you, isn’t it? Elder Kreacher told us all about you until the shield-ward came down. You must let us know how we can help, when the time comes.”
“How did you know?”
“Some of us saw the changeovers. They were very cleverly carried out. And then there’re the inflexions you use when talking, and the fact I saw the faintest scar mark under your yellow splash. We elves can detect when someone is wearing Polyjuice glamour. Only this one’s really tough to penetrate; normal mages won’t see it; so you have no need to worry.”
“Before we attempted the rescue, we agreed that Seer Draco and I were not to talk to Lucy because he might suss us out. What is your name, please?”
“I’m Ganglion, Master. I was Assistant Reeve until our Reeve was burned; so I suppose I’m Reeve now, not that His-Nibs has appointed anyone. You were very wise, Master Harry, not to speak in front of him; he has a very acute ear for deception. He’s caught a couple of his minions out and had them flayed.” Ganglion grinned mercilessly and then changed his expression: “I’ll go and get your friends and your meal!” Pop.
~~~ COUNCIL ~~~
Over lunch the seven transformed-mages held a council of war and then retired to bed in order to be alert for when the time came. They agreed to share a table at dinner, before when Ginevra-t would report back to obtain Ronald’s agreement or any fresh instructions about timing.
~~~ ACTION ~~~
The six mages-t shared an early dinner table in the mess room, because they had been rostered or swapped duties with others so as to be all on duty outside at the same time. Harry-w confirmed that Ronald and he had agreed the retiming of the rescue attempt. Draco-d told them that he had no sympathy at all with Scabior and Travers, describing what had happened to him at the manor some years previously; after that even Harry-w could find little space in his heart for forgiveness, and the others; none at all.
The mages-t first duty was to unplug the students for the night. Once that was done the seven mages went to warn their contacts and lead them in the gathering dusk to where they would be of most use.
The trusted professors, led by Olaf-a, were to surround the hall of residence that the satraps had appropriated to themselves. The elves, with Ganglion in charge were to douse as many lights as possible in that building and inside the other compound where the few trusted and compos-mentis students would keep the disaffected professors in check. The elves had been given some ‘Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder’ to cast inside those compounds, so as to increase the confusion. The rest of the rescued Aurors in various disguises infiltrated the quadrangle with the two seers; Ginevra-t was still in the nest hideout acting as liaison via Astoria to Ronald.
While this was happening inside, the Dumbledorians plus Scandinavian Aurors with Auror volunteers from all over Europe quietly went out in boats to surround the dome. Each boat had a red-dome maker in it plus a trio of people to defend them and the squib fishermen who were steering. Now it was dark, Rhysiart and the cogent Dragons were out in force with four warriors seated on their backs. Orcas was leading them with Ronald, Seamus, Dean and Ganymede all emplaced: Fawkes hovered over them.
Ronald started the count down, relayed by thought via the Astoria-Ginevra link to the inmates; Parselthought via Orcas to the other dragons, by Dean’s handhelds to the captains on the boats, and goblin-thought via Ganymede to the goblin supporters including some dwarves. Together with Fredrik, the Dwarves and Goblins had donned diving suits, eaten Gillyweed and, accompanied by the merpeople, were ready to attack or delve under the stinging edges of the wards.
“… Three … Two … One … Attack!”
Creating the red dome alerted an almost comatose Esmeralda and her most hideous scream of rage filled the dome. The elves cast the darkness powder and Harry-w plus Draco-d fired ‘Diffindos’ at the Succtopus’s tongues managing to sever four of them. Willibald-t and Dissendium-t had their insides ripped out and their blood cascaded over the four-remaining horrified, polyjuiced satraps on the dais. Those four satraps were out of it, because their genitals were burning from the Succtopus’s splashing fluids. They were partially buried under the coils of tongue that were still attached; which held them down by their weight. The other Aurors fired Confringos, Sectumsempras, Incendios and any other aggressive hexes at the writhing sac beneath the dome.
Outside; the red dome did its work on the earth-thaum anchored wards, exposing Esmeralda’s mantle for the dragons and their riders to attack with fire and aggressive hexes. Under the water there were goblin fire-staffs at work burning the stinging edges of the mantle and forcing entry via a few quickly-excavated sand tunnels. The merpeople, holding sharp shell saws, were cutting out the stinging frills.
The noise was indescribable, with the dragons roaring and the Succtopus screaming, this seemed to hide all the cacophony of shouts that the various mages, and defenders, were using to encourage each other.
The final shriek came from the dying Succtopus. It was both external and internal to those whose thoughts were linked. It seemed to despair of ever having been persuaded to leave its warm home in the tropics, of never being able to see its Kraken mate again, and to wonder how its invincibility had been overcome. The four seers and the dragons were temporarily frozen by the internal magic being produced through Esmeralda’s death throes. Lucy took advantage of the enforced lull and, with many of his satraps, managed to disapparate from the carnage; bursting a hole through the dying Succtopus’s mantle.
There was still a big problem; that of the dead Succtopus’s shroud. It was slowly subsiding and draping itself over the island. Once the scream had finished and communications were resumed, multiple co-ordinated Diffindos were aimed at its thick hide. Sections were cut away to allow fresh air to enter and to ensure that the inmates were not crushed under its weight. The defenders vacated the quadrangle on the run, taking with them the four remaining, still screaming satraps. Esmeralda’s bulging, quivering abdomen filled the courtyard and burst open. The smell was incredible, but what was extremely harrowing were seemingly hundreds of semi-human foetuses all wriggling and spilling out onto the flagstones. There was no hope for such immature beings to survive and some of the tougher fighters volunteered to put them out of their misery – they returned from their grisly task in tears and vomiting.
There was a mass withdrawal from the island, having ensured that the wounded were taken care of [including the four Polyjuiced satraps]. The other captured ones were secured and incarcerated. The seers made sure that their army had somewhere to sleep. That completed, the Seers took Draco’s anti-Polyjuice potion and, in their real bodies, retired shattered to their Väderöbod bedrooms for the remains of the night.
~~~ WEDNESDAY 6^TH JUNE ~~~
The Seers were awoken early; to share an almost silent breakfast with the leaders of the expedition.
Timothy and Estéban were side-alonged and held an open-air service of thanksgiving for the troops. Then there was the task of offering absolution to those who had had to undertake the mercy killing. Every bed-bound patient was visited; and many distraught students comforted. The two curates had been given imprimatur to forget their flocks whilst they consoled and encouraged the victims back to some state of normalcy; their two parish priests had said that they would cover their duties at home.
In all, twenty satraps had been captured; the sixteen fit ones were put under the supervision of some Scandinavian Aurors and made to clear up the mess in the quadrangle. It took four days before the place looked like a school again. Dean and Seamus held an impromptu building lesson with some of the older students who were not too traumatised, because the collapse of the Succtopus had damaged parts of some roofs and a few walls. The beast’s mantle was cut into small pieces which, the helpful squib fishermen found out, made excellent bait. The dead contents of Esmeralda’s womb were taken to a small bare island nearby and cremated along with her main body.
Of course, the inevitable magical-press coverage was rampant. Much to the Seers disquiet, they had to be interviewed and fêted, however, they gritted their teeth and smiled benignly. Astoria and Draco kept the other two in check when they wanted to hex Rita for her impertinent questions. Nevertheless, ‘Our Valiant Four led by Heroic Harry’ ran to two extra printings later that day, in both the Prophet and Prophet International.
~~~ SATURDAY 9^TH JUNE ~~~
Once the rumpus had quietened, the Seers left after lunch to spend some recovery time in the Tabernacle. By slowly retelling the events in neutral and restful surroundings they came to terms with their responsibility for what had happened, and Ivanovna had more information on succtopii – if there were any more alive.
They spent an equivalent of seven days in that Tasmo; returning on the Saturday/G to have tea at Chantry Cottage with the Dumbledorian cabinet. The Seers’ now calm attitudes helped their friends with their worries over what had happened. Tim and Estéban were also there helping in the conscience salving process. Although it was dusk outside, the group of friends managed to have a splash around in the pool before dinner.
Afterwards the Seers indulged their passion for bridge, whilst a near normal Saturday evening’s playful atmosphere surrounded them.
~~~ SUNDAY 10^TH JUNE ~~~
The normalcy of the Sunday morning routine was almost boring, however, being able to give corporate thanks to their creator for the rescue brought all the Dumbledorians together. After Parish Lunch they all repaired to Chantry Cottage where they held an official meeting.
After the usual preliminaries Ganymede rose: “Mr Chairman, I propose Fredrik Holstein as a member. He was ace underwater, showing us where we could dislodge the mantle without getting stung. Then he tackled two satraps who had cornered three of our underwater party. That resulted in one less satrap and one incarcerated.”
“Carlos saved Justin and Lavender with a quick shield and afterwards incarcerated its perpetrator,” suggested Ernie.
“We should include Olaf,” proposed Ginevra: “He went much further than we expected an Auror to go and covered the Yates three times when they were rescuing fallen members.”
“Harry, your chief Kinsman, Alex, led the Italian group and they captured five satraps. Their shields also protected a group of students who were about to be overwhelmed, too.”
“We really ought ter include Tim and Estéban,” suggested Seamus: “They are ethics tutors at the various schools; and are giving help both with the raped students, as well as giving us absolution where necessary. There is a precedent in the four Yates’ muggles and the Harco Foundation is financing part of Tim’s salary.”
“Perhaps it ought to be contributing to Estéban’s as well,” added Hermione: “He and Tim would really qualify as Praetors”
“We are providing food and lodging at the Hacienda, Hermione. Perhaps that counts,” suggested Draco.
“We’ll do a cost check – it might actually mean we have to up our Tim’s contribution,” put in Justin looking meaningfully at Bertie.
“I’d like to propose Gabrielle and Gottfried,” said Probert: “That red dome was one of the most difficult to fabricate and without their input we would still be waiting. Our next project is to sort out the many medallions we all wear. Gabrielle has an idea that would combine all the charms into one medallion. Gottfried thinks that various people would need different levels of charm. For instance; the muggle members need extra protective and magic awareness charms. Also, we should have special medallions for older members who have access like Minerva and the Praetors, for instance.”
Luna spoke up: “We should include Proclus too. He’s a very tactful organiser. Most of us were volunteers, but the European Aurors all needed persuading. He also whizzed around the network obtaining gifts of potions supplies from many of the Guilds.”
“If possible, I would like the Captain Elves to have access to the cabinets, please?” asked Kreacher: “Not membership, that is for special services, but for administering the estate, Dorothy, Denison and Winky should be included as well.”
“Let’s make a category of Associates, and then those elves and other beings like them can have some recognised status,” suggested Ronald.
There was little dissension about the proposals, followed by a long debate mainly about what level of charm was needed for which kind of membership. Nevertheless, approval was given for all the nominated people to become members, with hardly any discussion at all. As well as the Kreacher nominated elves, the two curates, Viktor and the Heads of each school were to be asked to become Praetors.
The Ward team added Fredrik to their number because he had recently graduated and had been staying with his parents whilst looking for a suitable position. He would be developing underwater anchors, because the ones on the island were not as secure as they could be. This also pertained to certain ones in the Montecristo bay.
~~~ SUNDAY 17^TH JUNE ~~~
After the various services in the morning and the parish lunch, good surf was reported at Guéthary, so everyone ported away to indulge in their passion for water sports. Estéban, being a Basque, had learnt his skills on the rough Biscay coast, and took great delight in teaching the less able performers. In the evening, round the dinner table the investiture of the new members took place. The Seers agreeing to see each Praetor individually.
Many of the Praetors had gone to the chalet and indulged in slightly less energetic water sports there. So, the seers took the new ones along and had a little initiation ceremony there. Gerhard and Olympe were very surprised at the extent of the portal system.
###
Later in the week George informed the seers that he still had two unsold pre-charmed sets of cabinets.
“It might be an idea to connect the Nordic Academy to Durmstrang using one pair,” thought Draco: “I’ve calculated the distance and it’s slightly less than from Durmstrang to Toverijeil where the European posterns meet ours.”
“Good idea, we discuss it with our Nordic partners,” said Astoria: “We seem to be able to convert cabinets at any time, it’s the original connecting that takes all the energy.”
Astoria went over to see Gunnhilder and she fire-called Noemi who apparated over. Astoria explained what the seers had in mind. She had to explain in greater detail about what it meant, but her audience seemed amenable.
“I like the idea,” agreed Noemi: “Is there any way we could be connected to the Nordic Ministry too? You did say that you had a connection to your Ministry.”
“It is not direct to the Ministry. Gringotts guards that adytum, but it is in Diagon Alley and the Ministry has opened up a door there, not too far away.”
“We have a Gringotts in Oslo in Smugmagist it’s not too far from our entry there.”
“Erm … What is Smugmagist, please?”
“Oh! Sorry, Harry! It’s our equivalent of your Diagon Alley. Only available to beings with the thaumic gene. We would have to ask their Hierophant.” Gunnhilder made a fire-call. “He’ll see us in half an hour. Meanwhile let’s have some coffee.”
###
Ushered into the Hierophant’s office, they explained their suggestion.
“Does that mean that our couriers could use the connection?”
Astoria smiled: “I expect they will be of good character.”
The Hierophant looked puzzled for a few seconds: “Ah yes, I understand. You explained about people of dubious character. That was one of the ideas that attracted me to your request. I’m afraid that we goblins have a few shady characters too. We call them pilferers. You are aware of our system of transport, Seer Greengrass, well the pilferers operate at the nodes where we change carts. They don’t take it all, but charge us rent, as they call it. So, we must allow a certain amount to be pilfered when we exchange bullion with our other branches. As long as we stay within our own countries nothing goes missing, but cross a national boundary … Need I say more?”
“I quite see how advantageous it would be. Yes, I’m sure it might be possible. How many couriers would you need to license?”
“Three from our bank and three from the London bank. We are extremely careful when we choose them, you know. They also carry precious stones.”
“I’ve heard that the muggles have such well screened couriers too,” added Harry.
“Yes. We discretely trade with some of the Amsterdam diamond dealers, so we are aware. Our couriers are drawn from the ranks of the door-guards. They regard it as an honour to serve. All our guard commanders are past couriers, it ensures absolute honesty and integrity. ”
“I would need to check with the Trust directors, however I’m sure they will agree.”
“I need to put it past our board of governors too. I’ll plead that the arrangement has mutual benefits on both sides.”
The directors of the Harco Trust had no hesitation in backing the arrangements. Draco and Ginevra set up the cabinets between Durmstrang and Helltröllstimø a few days later. Noemi being the first Nordic to use the connection to be welcomed to the Academic Principals’ meeting.
It would be September before her students started to use the link, although Proclus, Dean and Seamus did come through to supervise some of the senior Nordic students as they repaired more of the damage the satraps and subsiding Succtopus had caused. In fact, those students came to Milkwood to stay, because the two professor mages needed a place to train the Nordics. Somewhere they could make mistakes whilst learning the skills. Two Spanish and three Italian seventh-years also joined in that summer course.
Two or three weeks later it was Harry’s and Astoria’s turn to connect Helltröllstimø to the entrance lobby of the Oslo Gringotts branch. There was a small ceremony when the three couriers were presented with their personal medallions. They were then taken through and met their counterparts in London. Then the ceremony was repeated when the trio of London couriers were included.
~~~ VOYAGE ~~~
Because Lily was now in her first year at school, this had freed Ginevra to come and help with the emergency. All four seers returned worn out by their efforts.
Narcissa took one look at them: “Go to Laggen Lodge. Galvin and Berwyn have provisioned Sirius enough for two weeks. Now go and relax. When the children come home. They will be no trouble to look after, Petunia and I will be enjoying our grannies’ privilege.”
The seers put up a little fight more for appearance sake; but were soon passing through the portals to the Scilly Islands. True to Narcissa’s word; the McLaggens had the Sirius ready to sail.
“Hi! The Four. Neptune says that the west coast of Ireland will be fair for the next couple of weeks. The southerly wind will help your north-west course, should you wish to take his advice.”
“I imagine there’ll be some merfolk around. It’s nearly time for us to renew our affiliation,” observed Astoria, “Thanks for getting the sloop ready.”
Quarter of an hour had everything stowed and Ginevra hauling up the sail. Harry took the helm to start with. Not that they went that far that first day. Once they arrived at Round Island, they dropped the hook in its lee and just lazed around in and out of the sun. Somehow the gentle swaying of the waves lulled them, as a mother would rock a child in its cradle. They slept soundly that night and, once a lazy breakfast had been eaten, set off towards the south-western tip of Ireland, they were in no rush.
That night the Sirius moored in the outfall of Lough Urdd. The following day they paid a courtesy call on the swans. They were in luck, Dónall and Niall had swum over to collect a silver egg. The result was a midday picnic and a long chat about Irish folklore. Dinner on the sloop, led to a second night in the safe moorings.
From then on it was a gentle putter around Ireland and back to the Scilly Islands. This included a session with the merfolk and calling in to see mages they knew who had seaside demesnes. One such house, the Cadwallader family owned, was hidden in a dense wood on the edge of some cliffs not too far from Cardigan. Owen Cadwallader had been the chaser in the Hufflepuff team and was four years younger than Harry and Draco. Although a supporter of the light, he had not joined the Dumbledorians, being more interested in fishing than fighting.
It was getting towards dusk and the seers were looking for a safe haven for the night. Draco spotted a small fishing boat and suggested they ask the owner where they might moor. To their surprise it turned out to be Owen.
“Hello Professors, nice sloop you have there,” he called out as they neared his lugger: “Have you caught much?”
“We’ve been cruising around Ireland for relaxation purposes,” replied Draco.
“It’s alright for some, I have to earn a living on the sea. Sailing much further tonight?”
“We were rather hoping you might know a safe haven nearby.”
“No probs. I was going to return home with my catch. Follow me and you can be safe for the night.”
“Thanks!”
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Harco Empire