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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
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[Note: “x-x” = speech & ‘x-x’ = thoughts & *x-x* = telepathy & #x-x# Parseltongue]
~~~ MORTALITY ~~~
Draco and Harry were among the guests at the finale of Tom’s programme. Whilst he was out from under cover of the wards they had accompanied him everywhere and one of them had slept in the same room, maintaining a small set of wards. That was probably a good idea because they were disturbed twice. Neither of the seers could be absolutely sure that it had been satraps, but the coincidences made them ninety percent sure. Finale over; for the next few weeks Mackenzie had the Smiling-ones acting as auror-guards. However, no further disturbances were reported. Tom fulfilled his promise and came to take short lessons with the students. Managing to enthuse even the most reluctant to swim and the fans to try some of the less complicated dives. He also occasionally managed to join in with the mad gay swim times in the cottage’s pool.
~~~ BEQUESTS ~~~
A week after Easter David the farmer, son of a squib, died from a stroke. He was sixty three and had been working Close farm almost by himself. He had one farmhand – Mr Lambert – and they had been helped out on various occasions by the loan of some elves from the Corps. David had no immediate family and had originally left his property to the church with the proviso that Mr Lambert and his family should not be evicted from their cottage. However, at roughly the same time that Samantha had died, he had altered his will to leave the farm to the Blake Trust without that proviso. Mr Lambert was therefore very worried about his continuing employment and tenure.
At much the same time, Justin was left in charge of Zabini Apothecary, because Blaise and Gilda had to go over to Sicily to attend his paternal grandfather’s funeral. When he returned he said that there was a legal wrangle about his inheritance. It seemed that his mother had put in a counter claim. However Uncle Niccolo was pursuing this through the Italian legal system, on behalf of his heir. Francis also became involved because Blaise wanted to put this property into the Trust’s portfolio.
A few weeks earlier a Miss Ysabel Blake had died. She had been the other sibling of Miss Maud Harrison. Miss Ysabel had been a recluse living in London. Whereas Miss Maud had married and had no children; Miss Ysabel had always been a spinster.
“I had heard that Miss Maud and her husband separated after some years of trying for babies, Francis informed them: “Probably their magics didn’t match. Miss Ysabel’s house and income has been left to Harry, as ‘the Saviour of Magicdom’ with one proviso that Finkelpuff – her house-elf – be not required to move. In other words – the house had to be used by other mages.”
Harry was not as surprised as he should have been; mainly because he had received similar smaller bequests of money and precious items before, and for very much the same reasons; all of which ended up in the Trust’s coffers. “Okay, Francis, where is this house?”
“Number Fourteen Limmguard Place.”
“So is it near to our town house?”
“I have no idea, I haven’t visited it yet.”
“Are there more vanishing houses then?”
“Probably in another square.”
“I thought all the other London squares were all inhabited by muggles.”
“I have no idea really, but based on this information maybe there are others. She was very reclusive and could have had magic windows placed inside facing outwards. They would show the muggles ordinary people going about their normal business.”
“Fine, I understand. What are we going to do about it?”
“I suggest, firstly, getting Finkelpuff some help in cleaning the place.”
Pop: “We’re already doing that Harry.”
“Thanks Dorothy. Any ideas about how to use it?”
“Erm … You know the Blakes were the poorer end of the family, don’t you.”
“Yes Dorothy?”
“Well … at some time the rooms have been divided up into flatlets. At various times families of impoverished Blakes have lived there communally. She was the last. It was in one of these that Miss Ysabel originally resided.”
“But I thought the Harrison connection had lots of cash.”
“Miss Maud did,” Francis informed them: “It came from the Harrison side not from the Blake side, as you would expect. I understand that Miss Ysabel was a proud old lady who wouldn’t accept help from her sister. We learned recently, that even after Maud died, she didn’t touch the large sum left to her. It’s still in the original Gringotts’ account untouched and accruing interest. Latterly she lived in one room in the basement and none of the rooms above were used, so I was told. Finkelpuff was the only other one there and she only used part of the kitchen.”
“How come we did not know about her? We could have looked after her properly.”
“As I said before, Harry. She was a proud old witch and Miss Ysabel used a different solicitor to Miss Maud – he was the one that contacted me after her death.”
“So we’ve been given flatlets in London. It shouldn’t be hard to sell them or let them out.”
“You’d need to find suitable magical tenants, you know.”
Harry giggled: “A ‘Come and live in one of Harry Potter’s flats’ advertisement should get enough responses, don’t you think?”
~~~ EMPLOYMENT ~~~
A week or so later the Dumbledorians were at the cottage sitting around the pool. Harry noticed the Smiling Ones in a worried huddle and no girlfriends with them. They kept on glancing his way and grimacing, so he decided not to let things fester.
“Okay, you four, what have I done wrong.”
“’S not you specifically, Harry,” Honorius replied: “’S our girlfriends. You see … Can I tell him Mates?” He got affirmative nods. “They’re getting stroppy. We asked them to marry us and they said that they would, providing we were in a less dangerous profession. They were rather pleased when we got the cushy number of guarding Tom. But we cannot expect to have those kinds of jobs all the time. You and Draco resigning have also helped them to up the pressure.”
“We’d like to take up music professionally,” Crassus added: “But we don’t think we can make enough money to live on. So we need a supplementary income from somewhere; especially as we hope to have children.”
“Hermione’s been talking to them about the Catlin’s potion that Draco made and she and Ron took. It’s got our fiancées all worked up,” added Septimus.
“She’s full of it now. They’ve just found out she’s pregnant again, they used that potion,” Harry informed them: “Not that they hadn’t been trying beforehand. It took one kind of magic to overcome their magical barrier. What sort of jobs are you looking for?”
“Something to do with people, we don’t see us as quill-quarks, or earth-diggers; for that matter,” explained Mordant: “Quite honestly; the ‘glorious champions of right’ idea has paled significantly now we’re in the job.”
“Well I did warn you, didn’t I?”
“Yes you did, but we’d just left school then and were somewhat starry-eyed. Now we’ve found out what working life is really about … It’s not as glamorous in reality as it was in our dreams … Oh well … We’ll stick at it for the moment, all eight of us are saving up to buy a couple of houses in your development – we’ll have to share to begin with. Only when the second baby of a different sex arrives will we have to move on. Keep an ear out for anything for us please, Harry. But don’t tell Mac yet, please?”
“Okay, I’ll keep a look out.”
“THANKS!”
~~~ WALKING ~~~
Harry went off to look around Close Farm with Hortulanus and Murdoch. On the way there Harry quizzed his friends: “How is Mr Lambert coping?”
“Quite well, Harry. David had been taking things carefully ever since the doctor diagnosed his heart trouble. Poppy also had a look at him, but muggles heal differently to mages.”
“Mr Lambert knows about our corps of elves. Once we heard David was ailing we came round and talked to him. The result was that the corps helped out quite often. It was easy because Close Farm’s fields enclose your property, Harry; that is until they meet the Woodyates fields. The in-fields are under the dome and the broonies have been helping with the pollinating.”
“Fine … Um … What I’m really getting at is whether Mr Lambert can run the farm as foreman; being responsible to you, Horrty.”
“He’s good with the practical things, in the same way that I am. David looked after the paperwork, I’d prefer not to have to take that on.”
“So we need to ask Bertie to deal with the procedures, yes?”
“Will he mind?”
“I doubt it – that’s his forte, just as yours is practical matters. It’ll give him something more to put into the new computer of his.”
“I thought electronics and magic didn’t mix well.”
“That’s what I thought, but Iva … [here Harry reminded himself of secrecy] … I’ve been told that Dudley managed to use one when they were at the safe house during the last war and I’ve met another elf who uses a computer more recently. Don’t forget we have all our lights working from the generators here. Then the team managed to get the TV’s working for us. Computers use TV’s and we no longer interfere with them. So if elves, muggles and mages can use them, why not someone of your race?”
The conversation ceased because they were at Close Farm.
A worried looking Mr Lambert met them at the gate, with a fistful of official forms in his hand: “Hello Mr Potter, these arrived in t’ post yesterday, I can’t make head nor tail of ’em.”
“Not to worry Mr Lambert, I’ll ask Mr Bogrod to deal with them.”
“Is he t’ new Farmer; come to take over t’ work, has he?”
“No, you must know him; he’s our administrator, lives almost next door to the farm.”
“That’s Neville, I allus thought his surname was summat else.”
“Not that side of the farm, the other side.”
“Oh! You mean Bertie. I thowt he worked for t’ bank.”
“He’s working for the Trust now.”
“So Mr Potter, how long have I got, before we have to move out?”
“That’s very blunt Mr Lambert.”
“Aye … Well … Us northerners allus is. You haven’t answered t’ question.”
“Why, do you want to leave?”
“Nay … I’m snug where I am, but I can’t manage t’ paperwork.”
“So … If Bertie looks after the paperwork you’d like to stay on, would you?”
“If you did, the elves would come and help,” added Horrty.
Mr Lambert smiled: “Aye, I’d be reet glad to. Ah’m all reet wi’ sheep but t’ cattle’s a different thing.”
“Okay, I’ll put it to the Board when we meet,” said Harry: “It has to be a joint decision of all of us, you see. We’re going to meet in a couple of days; meanwhile your status here has not changed. Maybe one of the other farmers can take on the cattle.”
Mr Lambert was less worried and took the posse around the farm, showing them the machinery, sheep, cattle, crops etc. From this excursion, Harry gained the feeling that Mr Lambert loved his job and was reasonably competent at it as well.
~~~ BOARD MEETING ~~~
The four seers attended as did Bertie, and Kreacher. Dorothy was there as she was, ipso facto, secretary to the Trust as well as their representative in the Wizengamot. Francis attended as legal advisor and Gallus as financial advisor (policy). Advised by Francis, they were told about the need to properly instal the officers of the legal body for which the trustees were responsible Their first act was to ask Bertie to look after the farm’s paperwork; to which he agreed. The next acts confirmed Harry as chairman and Gallus as titular treasurer – in fact Bertie would be keeping the books as administrator, but Francis advised that the two offices should be kept separate. He also revealed the large amount the TV Company had paid for getting Tom back and keeping him safe. It was large and generous. However, it was nowhere near the amount of ransom the Seignior had demanded.
Bertie started off his report to the Meeting: “I have been looking into the accounts, Mages. We need to work out a policy for each property. Now that Harry and Draco are no longer bringing in wages as Aurors there is a possibility that the trust won’t earn enough to pay their emoluments and expenses. One of our sources of income has been from selling food to Hogwarts and to the Farmers Arms, however much of the food we produce stays within the trust to feed our corps of elves and the director’s families and guests. The barter arrangements Kreacher has overseen with people like the McLaggens and Gaius Gratian keep the food costs to the minimum. Other sources of income are varied; for instance: the rent Hogwarts pays for Milkwood, the rents on the three flats at the cottage. Not forgetting the income from muggle sources because Harry is Lord of the Manor and the voluntary sums paid by Dumbledorians when they use the trust’s facilities for recreation.”
“Voluntary subscriptions?”
“Yes Harry; One Galleon per night for an adult plus a Swan-Try for each child. Three galleons if they have all the meals. May I continue?”
“Yes Thanks?”
“The minimal charges we make with Michael Miller for the supply of electricity to the villagers. The bulk of the income is from investments, the Malfoy family income and the Black family’s investments which were restored by the Wizengamot; plus, the Potter monies. Harry’s seed money in the three W’s, and the shares in Fortescues also bring in a fair amount of money. However, on the negative side there are some properties which are not paying their way or even balancing their budgets. The most glaring is the Grunrasenhof, Palazzo Pevrello, Grimmauld Place and the Dacha Malfede.”
“What about Chalet Cadmus?”
“They’re on a break-even foundation. Costs are low with four elves to feed, balanced by the voluntary contributions, the orchard produce and the freshwater fish our members catch.”
“You didn’t mention Hacienda de Alfareros.”
“That makes a slight profit; by custom the habitants give the Hidalgo a small proportion of their crops etc. Before Harry blows a fuse, I have checked with Heironimo, no one is reduced to poverty by doing that. Some of it he redistributes to the needy, but a tidy bit of capital has built up over the last couple of centuries. It’s with the Vatican Bank and they are quite astute.”
“Surely the Manor loses money?”
“You and your mother settled quite a bit of the Malfoy investments on it. Gallus has been making that pay for them. The money received amply pays for Ernie and his wife plus two healers. It’s almost impossible to tell where the food bill starts and ends. The Corps of Elves takes turns to serve there. Many grateful families bring extra food and bedding etc. The Guild of Potioneers gives their medicines and salves free of charge. The Wizengamot pays a percentage of our taxes as well. On balance The Harco Hospice stays buoyant and sets aside yearly amounts towards future repairs and improvements. In some ways it’s in a better financial position than St Mungos.”
“Montecristo?”
“The wine stocks are selling well, at a galleon-swan per bottle, and Cardio assures me the vintage this year will replace the stock sold. He is not allowing the cellar to deplete year by year, but the stock will be lower before the harvest and goes up after vintaging.”
That meeting did confirm that Mr Lambert would be acceptable as Close Farm’s foreman; continuing to live in the farm’s cottage with his wife and children. After a few more administrative items, the meeting ended with them agreeing to seek ways of making the various establishments earn their keep.
~~~ PROPERTY ~~~
Thus, it was Friday afternoon before the four Blakes could inspect their new acquisition in Limmguard Place. Their Reeve had Ysabel’s old house-elf come to see them after lunch.
“Finkelpuff will have to accompany each of you,” Kreacher explained: “Because she is the secret keeper until you arrive; after that it will automatically transfer to Harry as Lord Blake and Miss Ysabel’s legitimate heir.”
When Finkelpuff side-alonged Harry, he was reminded of his journey with the dying Dobby and landed in tears.
“Master, Master; what is the matter? Has Finkelpuff done something wrong?”
Harry took a big sniff: “No Finkelpuff, you have done nothing wrong. I was reminded of a very loyal friend, Dorothy’s son, Dobby …” In amongst sobs, Harry continued to explain what had happened.
Because they were linked magically, as soon as Harry landed in the new house, the other three were able to apparate into the same place. There they found a moist-eyed Harry, with an old elf sitting on his knee whilst he told her of Dobby.
Story over they began to inspect the domicile.
It appeared to be in a similar square to theirs and, as such, had its windows facing south over the square and north over some trees, Harry thought he saw a glint of water beneath those. Nearly all the rooms, bar the basement, were bedrooms, some of which were linked as family suites. The rooms were now sparkling after Dorothy had had the corps of elves clean the place from top to bottom. Finkelpuff, though old, did not have Kreacher’s original surliness. It was obvious that she had been well regarded by Ysabel and had loved her mistress equally. They had inhabited the basement, where there was an owner’s flat in the corner. A communal kitchen and dining room made up the rest of the basement. The ground floor above had two bedrooms that had been some kind of sitting rooms near the entrance and two family-suites. From then on there was nothing but bedrooms above, each with a small bathroom attached, in the same way that 12, Grimmauld Place had. There was no rooftop garden, just a paved area. Unlike Number Twelve this house had a small forecourt at basement level, with steps leading up to the pavement.
After the inspection, the seers sat in the dining room having tea and rich fruit-cake, listening to some of the stories that Finkelpuff told them of the impoverished Blakes who had lodged there. They were not harrowing, but amusing tales of make-do-and-mend. During the conversation Fawkes flew in and was introduced to the elf-in-charge.
F: *I think you seers ought to go walkabout outside.*
H: *Why is that?*
F: *Some more learning coming up.*
Despite being pressed the cryptic bird would not offer any other explanation, so four Blakes mounted the stairs and went to the front door.
~~~ HOUSING ~~~
Draco opened the front door of Number Fourteen, Limmguard Place, and bowed the two female seers through it.
“Doesn’t this look like our square, Astoria?”
“Yes Ginny, However, there are quite a number of similar Georgian squares in London.”
“Here’s the key to the gate in the iron railings, Mistress.”
“Thank you Finkelpuff.” Ginny strode over the narrow road and used that implement so that the seers could enter the garden.
“Are you sure this isn’t Grimmauld Place, the pool and the sandpit are in the same place.”
“That’s Georgian planners for you,” Draco added drily “… Oh … Wait a minute … That looks like Mother and Grandmamma sitting over there.”
“Well, well! Those two boys sailing the boat are the spitting images of Scorp and Al.”
Narcissa spotted her grown-up children and waved.
“How far is Limmguard Place from Grimmauld Place, Mother?” asked Draco after they had greeted each other.
“What are you talking about, Darling? We’re in the garden in front of our home.”
“Are you sure, Auntie?” asked Harry; spotting James with Lilly playing tag near the bandstand.
“Yes, quite sure. Are you feeling all right? You all look puzzled.”
“Yes … Well … We are. We thought we were in Limmguard Place, you know, the house that Ysabel Blake left us in her will. It’s that one over there.”
F: *Interesting fact that,* sent a glowing blackbird perched on a bough.
D: *Okay wise-bird what’s the game?*
F: *Have you ever seen the name board for Grimmauld Place?*
D: *No!*
F: *Perhaps you should go and find one.*
“Fawkes is being enigmatic again, Mother,” Draco pointed at the disguised phoenix: “He suggests we go to find the name board for the square.”
“I’ve never seen one. We always apparated into Number Twelve when visiting Auntie.” She shrugged: “Now we use the portals, of course. I suppose there’s a sign between the chapel and the house where the road enters. This is intriguing … Come along James, Lilly; we’re going exploring,” Narcissa held out her hand and Lilly grabbed it.
“We’re going to look at the square’s entrance dears, do you want to come?” She called out to the two engrossed sailors.
Albus looked at Scorpius and grimaced. Scorpius grinned back and then turned to Narcissa: “We’ll be quite safe here, thank you Grandmother.” Then he spotted the rest of the family. “Oh! A family outing is it. Come on Al, we’d better join in.”
Albus looked around and saw there were no muggles present. He made a beckoning movement with his hand and the boat sailed towards him.
H: *I wonder if he knows he’s using the Fluence?*
D: *Probably not, Harry. Unlike you, he has always had mages around him using thaums. You were strong enough at his age. Wasn’t that when you unconsciously apparated on to the school’s roof?*
H: *Mmm … I think I was about that old, yes.*
They waited for whilst Albus lifted the model boat out of the water. Then fairly purposefully the little army dawdled, at Lily’s pace, towards the only break in the solid wall of houses surrounding the garden. As they came out of one of the railing gates they almost bumped into Justin’s father.
“Hello Harry, nice to meet you again.”
“Hello Mr Finch-Fletchley, I’d like you to meet …” Harry went on so that the muggle knew the others – it turned out that Justin’s father was called Henry.
“Well now,” Henry quizzed: “What brings you to Grimond Place? Are you visiting friends?”
“You have just added more to our puzzle, Henry,” stated Grandmamma: “You see. We thought we were in Grimmauld Place, and our Seers were sure they were in Limmguard Place. To solve the conundrum; we were going to look at the name board at the entrance.”
“That is intriguing … I must say that I’ve never looked at the name-board myself … Number Sixteen has been in the family for quite a few generations, so I’ve known the square since before I was James’s age. Justin’s visited many times too.” Henry joined in the search party.
“There it is, hidden in the shrubbery … It’s not very legible, is it? Anyone about … I’ll try a quick cleaning spell.” Harry pointed his finger and cast.
The sign shook off the dirt of ages and then appeared to be changing its name. Firstly, it read ‘Grimmauld Place,’ but before that was fully displayed ‘Limmguard Place’ was starting to replace it – rather like the modern message boards in trains.
Henry watched curiously: “Do you think your spell has altered it, Harry?”
“No, it was a straightforward cleaning charm, one which I’ve used many times before.”
D: *Last time was on the spooged sheets in front of Teddy.* Harry ignored the jibe.
“Perhaps it’s like the war memorial, Harry,” suggested Narcissa: “You’re both Ysabel’s heir and the Black heir, so it cannot make up its mind which name to become.”
Draco gave Henry a brief description of what happened on Remembrance Day.
“If you all stand back, then it should revert to the proper name, shouldn’t it?”
“It depends on what you consider ‘proper’ means, Henry, but yes that’s the theory.”
They stood back and the former blurred state occurred. So, when Henry came close to the sign it read ‘Grimond’; Narcissa nearest had it showing Grimmauld. Harry told it that he was the Ysabel heir and ‘Limmguard’ appeared.
“Hello Harry, what are you doing in my parent’s home square?”
“Hi, Oliver, what is your parent’s address then?”
“Number Eighteen. Why do you ask?”
“What’s the next line of the address?” asked Draco with an amused smirk on his face.
“Drimmlaug Place, surely you know that?”
“No, Young Man, that is what is puzzling us,” said Henry: “I’m a – what-d’you-ma-call-it … Err … Muggle, I think I live in Grimond Place but now?”
The group told Mr Wood Junior about the changed names and, true to its nature, the sign changed to ‘Drimmlaug Place’ when he was nearest.
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