Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

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
- 202
- 203
- 204
[Note: “x-x” = speech & ‘x-x’ = thoughts & *x-x* = telepathy & #x-x# Parseltongue]
~~~RESIDENTS ~~~
Astoria watched as Finkelpuff quietly told her new helpers how she wanted things to be. There was no shouting, but she was firm. Unlike Kreacher when Harry first got to know him, Finkelpuff had always worn a decent uniform, the colour reminded Astoria of their Honeymoon and the four staff on the train.
“Mistress, do you think you could change the colour of their uniforms please? I’m not much good at that kind of charm.” Finkelpuff said, after she had inspected her half dozen helpers; all in assorted get-ups.
“What colour?”
“About the same as mine?”
“No problem,” Astoria waved her fingers and six smart new elves stood in their plum coloured uniforms.
Finkelpuff went through their duties with them and then everyone had lunch. About two thirty there were bangs of incoming apparition. Astoria opened the door and looked out into the square: there were three magely couples plus a slightly disapproving Bertie. Astoria could see why he was a little put out. It was obvious that the tourists had visited WWW because they all wore joke hats. Nevertheless, they were looking around the square in admiration.
“This is more like I imagined London to be,” one witch remarked: “Are we allowed into the central park?”
“Yes madam,” Astoria replied: “All the residents use the house key. Welcome to the Ysabel House Hotel.”
Immediately there were pops as the elves appeared and offered to take their luggage.
“That’s more like it,” One of the wizards replied, and: “Thank you,” as he gave up his suitcases to an elf.
Bertie went to Number Twelve to use the portals. The half dozen followed Astoria into the Hotel's small lounge, where Finkelpuff enquired when they wanted tea.
“In about an hour’s time … err …”
“… Finkelpuff … Astoria added quickly.
“… Finkelpuff, thank you.”
“Fellow mages,” Astoria waited until they paid attention: “We have only recently inherited this house, which was divided up into small flatlets. You are our first guests and a slight surprise. Not you personally, but because one of our goblin friends at Gringotts suggested you were unhappy with your muggle hotel. Thus, we rushed about this morning ensuring the rooms were habitable. Now if you find something not quite right please ask me or Finkelpuff, who is our chief-steward here, and we will attempt to organise things better.”
“How much per night, Madam.”
“I’m Astoria, and that depends on whether you want full board, half board, bed and breakfast or just rooms for the night. Twenty-five galleons for full board, down to eighteen without meals.”
“At last, a currency we can understand, thank Merlin. Half board would be fine, we rather like your Fortescues, we had lunch there you know.”
Astoria smiled: “I see you also called in at the ‘3W’s.”
“Best joke-shop we’ve seen for years. Perhaps we could freshen up before our afternoon tea?”
“But of course, one of our elves will show you to your rooms.”
A number of pops and the visitors followed their smaller counterparts. Astoria went downstairs to see how Finkelpuff was bearing up.
“Look out of the window Mistress, we’ve got gardeners,” the old elf said in awe.
“That will make the view better from the windows, won’t it? Kreacher’s obviously pulling out all the stops for us.”
Pop: “Of course I am Astoria; we have to make guests welcome don’t we. The maintenance team are ensuring the french-windows are fully operative.”
“Thank you, Kreacher; that was very thoughtful of you.”
“All part of the service we poor downtrodden elves try to provide,” he replied with mock sarcasm and popped away before Astoria could think of a suitable reply.
Astoria sensed someone coming in at the front door and went up to greet them.
“Hi Tor, how are things going?”
“Harry, why didn’t you switch on and warn me?”
“Sorry! I’ve just been with Draco and he’s in one of those potion moods, so I switched off.” * I’ve had no sex for the last two nights either; he’s very preoccupied. I thought it was finished, but a floo-call this morning has made him regress. Is that better?*
A: *Yes thanks. Why are you here?*
H: *Duty calls, greeting American cousins, or something like that. What are they like?*
A: *Better than at first sight, they were all wearing WWW joke hats. Despite that they behaved in a civilised manner when they entered the house. One of the ladies liked the square’s ambience too. Uh-huh, here they come.*
H: *Ginny says she has a meeting, and it’s your turn with the babies. I offered, but she was quite rude in her reply.*
A: *It’ll be a preoccupied mood, no doubt; she was ratty with me yesterday. Finkelpuff will be serving afternoon tea to the guests. I’ll stay until that’s over and go to relieve Ginny afterwards. She’ll probably need a boost to her pride, we had most of the wardrobe out before she could decide what to wear before the last meeting.* “Good afternoon again Mages, this is Harry one of the co-owners of the hotel.”
Each guest mage shook Harry’s hand, and went to sit down in the reception lounge.
H: *That was much easier, there was no fawning,* Harry sent.
D: *Your fringe is hiding the scar so, they probably don’t know that you are that Harry yet.*
Finkelpuff poured the tea whilst the other elves carried it round, also offering fancy buns and slices from a three-tiered cake stand. During tea Harry tactfully enquired about the guest’s homes and thus avoided revealing too much of his own background. He also found out what sights they had seen and those they wanted to experience. Having lived in both worlds, he did have some insight into muggle London.
As Finkelpuff’s elves cleared away, Sonny came down the stairs with someone following: “Honourable Mages, Mr Henry Finch-Fletchley and Father Estéban,” he announced.
“Hello Harry and Mages. I have come to offer an invitation for tomorrow. I’m chairman of the muggle residents’ association, and after learning about our magical neighbours yesterday, we thought to have a welcome picnic-lunch in the gardens on Sunday. Estéban says he will conduct a Mass for us beforehand so, we’ve booked the grandstand all day.”
“It’s the Spirit working again brothers and sisters. I had a call to come to Harry’s house and then found out about the new hotel. I think it ought to be blessed, don’t you?”
“Some of us aren’t Catholics, Father.”
“If you are regular communicants at your own churches, then you will be welcome to partake tomorrow. If not, I will willingly bless you when the time comes. Now, about this house blessing, Harry? He’s an Anglican, by the way.”
Harry closed his eyes for a few seconds: “I sense there are others nearby.”
Estéban chuckled: “Yes; the Yates, some Dumbledorians, and Hamish’s choir plus the Smiling Ones. We’re the advance party, so-to-speak.”
“Quite a few of the residents also,” added Henry.
Harry turned to the guests: “Fellow American Mages, I would like to invite you to the blessing of the … Um …”
“… Ysabel House Hotel …” Added Astoria, quickly.
H: *Nice name, where’d it come from?*
A: *My hurried invention when I greeted the guests earlier. Oh … and Finkelpuff is now the chief-steward.*
H: *Fine … That’s what it’ll be.*
Teacups cleared away, everyone went outside into the square. Estéban quickly dressed in his canonicals and joined the rest of the robed choir and servers. The form of the service was much the same as at the other houses; Hamish having found a couple of American hymn-tunes to fit the familiar words.
Sherry was offered around afterwards, as people used the basement dining room and the french-windows to access the paved garden [late back-yard] and admire the corner cascade with its water plants.
After Astoria and most of the blessing party had departed, the guests were sitting in deck chairs in the garden.
“How long will you be staying?” asked Harry.
“Just over the week, thank you. We’re due to go on tour a week on Wednesday.”
“Harry, I would like to offer my services as a muggle London guide,” offered Henry: I’m free on Monday if your guests would like a tour.”
“Now that’s more like the hospitality we expected,” came from one of the matronly witches.
“Would that holiday be a train tour?”
“Yes Harry, perhaps you know of Messrs Caudwell and Zeller?”
“Yes, we do, they took us on our honeymoon.”
“Just you and Astoria; that must have cost a bomb.”
“Oh … No … Um … She’s not my wife, she’s my partner.”
“A Honeymoon when you’re only living together?” said Matron looked shocked.
“Um … It’s not that either. I have two partners and one wife … Um … I’m not explaining this at all well, am I?”
F: *Dug yourself a nice little hole, my son,* observed the psychedelic pigeon sitting on the garden wall.
Harry scowled at Fawkes and continued: “I married Ginny. Draco and Astoria are also married, but we live as one unit, bringing up our children jointly. Some other friends also got married at the same time so, we all honeymooned together. At present we have produced four children; so as not to reduce the magical population. We are also joint trust directors; the trust that owns this house and quite a few others as well.”
“Two pairs living as one; not heard of that before.”
“Yes, you have Martha, three or four years ago. It was reported in the Prophet International. You were the one who drew our attention to it … Oh … That Harry … Gee … Glad to meet ya, Mr Potter.”
There was another round of hand shaking, but the Americans were not too effusive; much to Harry’s relief. Henry also relieved the seer’s building tension by starting up a consultation on places to visit.
Harry saw that Henry had the party well in hand and, after promising Finkelpuff he would return to host dinner, went off to consult Number Twelve’s library.
As he descended the front doorsteps he spotted a dark robed mage out of the corner of his eye. Auror instincts kicked in, and crouching he pointed his finger at the person.
“Don’t be silly, Harry; I’m not a satrap.”
“O hello Zandra, out visiting, or do you live here?”
“Live here, of course. I came over to find out what all the ecclesiastical fuss was about. I thought I saw your unruly mop among the celebrants. Who were you visiting?”
“Not visiting, we also have a house in the square … well … two now. Estéban came to bless the new one for us …”
Harry continued with a description of the changing names etc. It came out that the Chairman lived at Number Seventeen, Auldmill Gardens. The other hidden corner house; thus, throwing Henry’s surmise out of the window.
“Will you be attending the service and picnic-lunch tomorrow?”
“I didn’t know there was to be one.”
“Henry Finch-Fletchley, Justin’s father, is chairman of the muggle residents’ association and has invited everyone …” Harry continued with a brief outline of the more recent happenings, plus the fact of the impending ward making.
“We’d love to come, Harry. I see you’re building another mixed community here.”
“Not really, the Fluence has already carried that out, all we’ve done is uncovered the fact and will be providing the protection it needs.”
Whilst they were talking Mr Dobson came out of Number Seventeen [the other end of Harry’s row] and was introduced to Zandra.
“I saw you outside, Harry, and came to offer my services, if your guests need a tour. I’m a full-time registered London Guide.”
“Henry’s with them just now, he was finding out where they wanted to go.”
“Oh … Right … I’ll not interfere then. He’s registered too; although he’s only part-time.”
“I think he was only offering Monday; maybe you could cover some of the other days.”
“Mmm, that’s an idea.”
“Come with me and I’ll introduce you.”
“May I come too, Harry; I’d like to see the inside of this new hotel.”
“Of course, you may, Zandra.” Books forgotten; Harry took two more residents to meet the guests. It turned out that one of the guests was vice-chairman of their State Wizengamot so Zandra and he became engrossed in political small talk.
Harry did manage to go to Number Twelve, but not for the books. He needed to get changed for dinner and his smart robes were at Chantry Cottage. He arrived in the bedroom and was almost smothered by a Draconian kiss.
“Pleased to see you’re back in the land of the living, Lover” the green-eyed seer remarked whilst he was recovering.
“Yes … Well … We solved it at last … Merlin, I do feel randy,” Draco raised his eyebrows suggestively.
“Not just now, Darling. It’s my turn to be preoccupied.” Harry started changing into some decent robes.
“Oh-h-h … Why …?” Draco looked very disappointed.
“I’m being host at our first hotel dinner.”
“What hotel?”
“The one we opened whilst you were smooching with Theodora.”
“I don’t smooch with Theodora I’ll have you know,” Draco scowled at Harry.
“Fine! Now you’re thinking straight, we can put the sex off until later; duty first Mr Malfoy!”
“Oh … Very well then … Hmm … What do we call it?” Draco started to find his evening robes.
“Tor named it Ysabel House Hotel, and she promoted Finkelpuff to chief-steward. I told her I approved.”
“Won’t Finkelpuff be overwhelmed?”
“Not really. Tor says that she is re-living the old Blake family days. Besides which Dorothy and Kreacher have provided some helpers from the Corps.”
“Hmm … I hope we’re not taking Tom’s clientele away.”
“The Americans didn’t like the Leakey Cauldron. Maybe we should go and see him and sort things out.”
“There’s just enough time before dinner.”
“I’m ready; what about you?”
“Just fixing my hair.”
Harry sighed and sat in a chair with a patient look on his face.
Ten minutes later the two seers ported to WWW and from thence walked to the magical Inn.
“Good evening gentlemen, what can I get you?”
“Two fleur wines and a quick chat.”
“Give me a minute. I’m giving directions to a muggle hotel to another couple of American mages. We’re full to overflowing – I’ve even got a couple of young mages sleeping in a tent on the lawn upstairs.”
“Hold it! We may have a better solution.”
“I hope so, they’re quite annoyed – now tell me.”
“We’ve inherited a small house in our square, and it was converted into flatlets. Six other American mages were fed up with their muggle accommodation and Bertie suggested they come to us. We still have eleven rooms vacant.”
“Oh …!” Tom looked defiant.
“That’s why we came to see you. We don’t want to pinch your clientele. Maybe we could come to some arrangement?”
D: *Offer him a booking fee.*
“What are you charging?”
Harry told Tom and sent: *How much, Draco?*
“That’s a bit more than I do, as you well know. But then your neighbourhood is more refined than our back street … Mmm …”
D: *One percent and let him beat us down to two and a half.*
“How about we give you a booking fee?”
“That’s a possibility. How much?”
“One percent?”
“Nah – Five percent.”
Draco got his two and a half after a little more haggling.
“Right Ho, I’ll introduce you to your new guests.”
H: *You bring them, Draco. I’ll go back and warn Finkelpuff.* Harry went back to WWW and ported to Number Twelve.
When Draco apparated the new guests in, he had four Americans with him. They were also going on the tour but were not aware who their counterparts would be. The elves took them to their rooms and said that Dinner would be served in one hour’s time.
Finkelpuff had just expanded the oval table to set another four places when the floo flared. It was Tom.
“Hi Harry, want another set of Americans?”
“That will be the full complement.”
“I thought you said you had eleven rooms vacant.”
“We have nine rooms spare now, unless they want singles. What I meant was that if they’re going on a train tour next week with Caudwell and Zeller, then the train is now full up.”
“Yes, they did let something slip about touring. Those are the people you had your honeymoon with, aren’t they?”
“Quite correct. Have the new pair had dinner yet?”
“No.”
“Well we’re serving in half an hour – one big oval table.”
“Sounds grand!”
“I’ll come and get them, okay?”
###
So it was that a dozen American mages were entertained by two British ones and introduced to each other as putative train companions.
~~~ WARDS ~~~
As the meal finished the ward team appeared. The Americans were intrigued by the idea of ‘warding a neighbourhood’ as they put it. They were also fascinated by the fact of the mixed team using Latin as their normal means of communication.
“It puts us all at the same disadvantage,” explained Probert: “And we use such very complex charms in that language that it becomes almost second nature. Once we start thinking in the old roman language for the charms, it’s easier to stay in the same language for communication. We’ll be making a Saint Paul’s ward for this area, Harry.”
“Not heard of that one.”
“We need a semi-circular dome for strength, but that has to sit on a square set of walls. If you go and look inside the cathedral you will see how Christopher Wren did it very successfully. Although our drum will only be about a foot deep; so it has just the minimum clearance.”
“That’s one of the places your Henry is taking us on Monday,” remarked Martha.
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