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
- 20
- 21
- 22
[Note: conversation =: “speech” & ‘thoughts’ & *telepathy* & #Parseltongue# & {telephone}]
[Sorry about the delay in posting - been on holiday in India]
~~~ SUN TINGLE ~~~
~~~ CHANTRY COTTAGE ~~~
Preliminary to dinner they raided the kitchen garden. It was hot so they opted for salad items and for sweet they gathered fresh strawberries from its beds. There was a ham in what appeared to be an electric refrigerator and there was milk and cream in there too.
“Hey Guys, I thought magic and electrics didn’t mix.”
“They don’t, but we can use other means,” said Dean: “I’ll tell you over dinner. I’m concentrating on de-slugging the lettuce.”
Harry took the hint and continued slicing the cucumber.
Once the sweet had been cleared away and they were relaxing over coffee Dean explained further:
“There are circadian slates on your roof, Harry. In fact, they are a form of plant rather like the pebble cactus. If you look carefully they have a green cast in them betraying the chlorophyll. They have a daily cycle storing up energy during the daylight hours and releasing it during the night. Normally they would glow but using a traducer charm on them we can tap that energy and transfer it just as a plant would. Using capillary tubes, we can move that energy to the places we need it. Thus your refrigerator is supplied with energy to keep it going during the night. The neat trick is to have another type of slate, nature’s photoelectric cells if you like, absorbing the sun’s energy and releasing it immediately via the tubes to keep your refrigerator going during the day. A judicial mix of these roof coverings thus keep it going, even when it’s cloudy. There’s enough energy left over to provide hot water and an amount of light, too. In the morning I’ll show you how it works and teach you the transfer charm.”
“How much light?”
“Enough to light the stairs and hallways.”
Harry looked at the glowing sconces: “Um … They’re not candles, are they?”
“That’s our area of expertise,” put in Blaise: “We are developing a type of fungus that can be found in some caves. As you can see the results are quite encouraging. Not as bright as muggle lamps, but then they tend to want to waste their energy that way. I still don’t understand why they spill so much of their street lighting into the sky. We’re more selective, the sconces only glow in the dark when a mage is present in the room. It has to do with the wild magic that collects around us. The ones in the bedrooms can be put out by the usual nox charm or lit by the lumen charm. We have to rest the plants in the light so we have a rack outside. If you find yours waning, just swap it for one on the rack.”
“Do I suppose that it’s bright in here because there are a number of us present?”
“Quite right. Say you were in your study then the ones nearest you would glow brighter. However, it takes a little time for them to react. That’s why the stairs and passageways are lit the other way.”
"Dean and I are working on some ideas about shielding electricity and thaums from each other," advised Justin: "These arrangements will tide us over until our experiments are successful."
They chatted on, as they would have done in a common room at the academy, until it was time for bed. Seamus and Dean opted for the double bed with Harry trying out his own gift from the Dursleys. The other three retired to the four bunk room.
~~~ SUNDAY 02/08/98 ~~~
Awaking in the morning Harry had a shower, dressed and wandered downstairs. The others had risen before him and were preparing a cheese, toast and marmalade breakfast accompanied by orange juice. Towards the end of the meal the bells of the village church could be heard starting to ring, calling the faithful to worship. Blaise, Seamus and Dean rose and went to go out.
“Where are you going?”
“To church, of course.”
“You didn’t go whilst at Hogwarts.”
“We did during the holidays.”
“It was only on Christmas Day that the Dursleys went.”
“It’s a compromise, really,” Dean informed him: “I attended the Ebenezer Chapel at home and those two went to the Catholic Church; different ends of the spectrum, so to speak. There are neither here, only an Anglican parish church so we go there. There’s enough ritual for those two and I enjoy the hymns and readings. Are you coming with us, Harry?”
“Um … I’m not sure …”
“… Oh; come on Harry, just to please us? Village life centres round the church and you ought to get to know some of the residents. If you’re worried about what to do, we’ll show you. I’ve got a special feeling about today, please come?”
“Okay, if you think I ought. What shall I wear?”
“Something neat and clean, but not best clothes. I have some neat jeans, and a pullover.”
“Oh; I think I can match that.” Harry went upstairs and found Molly’s recent birthday present jumper, which was of a light knit and a pleasant fawn colour.
When he came down again he found that Neville and Justin had decided to go as well. They walked down the lane into the village square, pausing to look across at the war memorial and remembering the magical statue that it contained. The great west doors were not open, so they walked up the north side of the church towards the porch. Arriving inside the creeper covered church, they were handed the books by a pleasant middle aged lady who greeted them. “Nice to see you again Boys, are you still repairing Chantry Cottage?”
“Yes thank you Samantha and for the next week or so. This is Harry the new owner, he arrived on Friday.”
The lady shook hands with Harry. “Nice to meet you, I’m Samantha Kidson; I used to know the previous owners, before that dreadful fire.”
“They were my parents.”
“Oh … I am sorry if I brought up painful memories.”
“Actually, I’d like to learn more about them, as I was fostered by an Aunt and Uncle who didn’t say much about my Mother and Father. Perhaps you would like to come to tea sometime and tell me more about them?”
“Thank you Mr Potter, I would like that. Maybe in a week or so once you’ve settled in properly.”
Harry smiled at her and went with the others to find a seat. They chose one where they could see what other people were doing and copy their actions. Whilst waiting for the service to begin Harry looked round the church from the pew. As they entered he had noticed that there were two wide transepts with seats in them and had wondered how people sitting there could see the altar. They had chosen seats in the nave with a good view of what was going on. Harry saw four large arches; two at the entrance to each transept and two crossing the main body of the church; which, he supposed supported the central tower. He realised that the bell-ringers must be up there in the tower, and wondered how they got down. Remembering vague bits of information from books read in his cupboard at Privet Drive; he looked at the various architectural styles. Harry thought that it was an ancient church which had been restored substantially during the Victorian era.
Dean knew the hymn tunes, and Harry followed him. The others kept quietly swapping books with Harry so that he could follow the service. The Vicar preached a sermon from the low pulpit on the south side pillar about using the various talents we had been given, stressing that the gifts were for the good of all people, not just the churchgoers. He quoted the parable of the talents, saying that our skills would atrophy if we didn’t practice them regularly. Then he drew out examples of gifts from various members of the congregation, and included Dean’s and Seamus’s repairing skills as one of the illustrations. Harry followed the others to the altar rail and, kneeling, received a blessing, when it came time for the majority of the congregation to receive communion.
After the service the vicar was at the porch door, making sure he greeted everyone.
“Hello Dear Boys, how’s the work at Chantry Cottage going?”
“Quite well so far, I have at least another week’s work. This is Harry Potter, the new owner.”
“How-do-you-do, nice to see you attending church; are you some relation to the previous owners?”
Harry felt a tingle in his hands as shook with the Vicar. “They were my parents.”
“Oh; I see. I hope I haven’t put my foot in it.”
“No Sir, you haven’t. I was talking to Ms Kidson, she said she knew them. They died when I was very young so I would like to know more about them.”
“Samantha’s the right person to ask, she used to visit them occasionally. I came here a few years after the tragedy, but I have heard about it. You have my condolences. Perhaps you would like me to come and bless the house for you, as it is almost a new one again.”
“Thank you, may I think about the offer, and come back to you?”
“Of course, Dear Boy, I shall be available whenever you require me.”
Their group moved on out into the sunshine.
~~~ MALFOY MANOR ~~~
The Malfoy Scion was now well in his father’s control and he was becoming very aware of the twisted designs of his progenitor. He knew now that he wanted out, and he thought he needed to satisfy the geas somehow. Staying with the present company would not allow any contact with Harry, unless he was captured and forced into sexual slavery. That would be against all of Lucius’s wishes for his son. Something that was becoming plainer every day as Draco was introduced to various possible brides. So far he had managed to make them decline the match, most were ugly beyond words, all having evil designs upon the supposed Malfoy fortune and holdings.
During June and July, the Wizengamot’s main business had been trials of various captured death-eaters. As the convictions grew so did Lucius’s anger. Somehow that anger was directed at the newest, youngest member and, in his imaginings, the Malfoy saw Potter as the main cause of the fall of the pure-blood party. In fact, the pure-blood party had been losing ground before the resurgence of Voldemort. That evil beast’s depredations had turned some of the lukewarm supporters into die-hard opponents. That was why Harry’s Emancipation Bill had been so quickly passed. That was another annoyance to prick the Malfoy’s side. Draco got the drift that some sort of retaliation would be planned during the summer recess, but was unable to find out what it was.
Draco started to sneak into his father’s study most days. He went looking to see where the next bridal proposal was coming from, so that he could think of a suitable idea to make the girl refuse to marry him. One day, whilst idly looking for a book, [one of the many subterfuges] he noticed his father becoming agitated about something he was writing and managed a quick peek when Lucius left the room momentarily. To Draco’s horror he saw that it was not another proposal, but that two simultaneous village raids were being planned. He heard his father returning, and, in scooting quickly back to the bookshelf, missed the place names where the raids were to take place. The next time his father left the desk it was with the parchments Draco had briefly scanned, taking them to the Manor’s owlery.
~~~ CHANTRY COTTAGE ~~~
Harry had been slightly disturbed by the tingling in his hands and by the mention of his parents, but he was also heartened by the friendly welcome he received. He and the others ambled slowly back, pausing to watch the choirboys kicking a football around, leaning on some railings watching the ducks on the pond and then sitting down at a shaded table outside at the Farmers Arms.
“Hello, you must be Mr Potter from Chantry Cottage, what can I get you sirs. We have a rather nice piece of roast lamb today, or perhaps a salad?”
Harry checked that he had enough muggle money on him before he ordered the roast. Justin suggested some cider to go with it because Harry was in a quandary about names of drinks.
“It’s almost as pleasant as that Butterbeer we had yesterday, but be careful, it has a kick too,” whispered Justin, after the landlord had gone to fetch their order.
“Thanks for that, I’ll have to get used to muggle drinks again, not that I’ve had any alcoholic ones before.”
Quite a few of the congregation came for their Sunday lunch at the pub as well. Harry felt quite relaxed by the friendly greetings. Most of the people avoided mentioning his parents, as they were unsure of his reaction. All in all, Harry decided that Sunday lunch at the Farmers Arms might well become part of his life here. Sated, the quintet walked slowly back to the cottage, Harry was feeling at peace with the world for the first time in ages.
When they arrived inside Chantry Cottage, Harry said, “I think I shall work on the special wards for the outside door, as that is the most vulnerable. However, first I’m going to look up something. When the Vicar shook hands with me I felt a slight tingle; I know it means something, but I must check it out.”
“Yes,” Justin agreed: “I felt it too.”
Blaise smirked: “Going to do a Hermione, are you? You might find that some clergymen are specially gifted.”
“We’ve unpacked our books in the study. A shelf for each person. Please return them to the shelf you borrowed them from. You have been allocated the lowest shelves.”
“Right then, I’ll see you in a bit.”
In looking for the correct book, Harry started to shelve the ones out of the crates. He found the book he wanted and sat down to read. About an hour later he felt the wards being disturbed and the front doorbell rang at the same time. Checking his wand was handy, Harry went to see who was there and, grabbing his school robe from the peg, he answered the door.
“Oh; hello Vicar, do come in. Oh no! Sorry can I start again?”
The Vicar smiled and nodded acquiescence.
“Worshipful Father of Souls, I, Harry James Potter, bid you welcome to Chantry Cottage in friendship and in peace.”
The Vicar took a quick glance at a piece of paper he was holding. “Venerable Mage, I, John Terence Green, greet you in the love of the Lord Jesus.”
“His love is most welcome, and I offer you the protection of my being and my residence.”
“I accept your offer of protection and hope that it will be extended to all my parishioners.”
“That I will extend right gladly; do please enter.”
“Peace be on this house and all who reside here.”
“Those who come in peace will be welcomed in peace.” Harry grasped the priest’s hand and drew him through the wards and inside the door. “I see neither of us is exactly what we appear. I had to go and look the correct greeting up and then forgot it.”
“Same here! It’s not often that I have to greet such a person as yourself. I wrote mine down, just in case.”
“Did you have the alternative written down, in case I rejected you?”
“No! I didn’t think you would, but I did quickly revise it, just in case.”
“That sounds as though you have recently had such a rejection.”
“Yes! Although I didn’t get into the ritual before the door was slammed in my face.”
“Should I be aware of the person concerned?”
“Yes! His name is Araxes Goodfellow and he lives on Woodyates Farm.”
“Fine … By the way I prefer to be called Harry.”
“All right Harry, I will. In your turn, you must call me John, okay?”
By this time the two conversationalists were sitting on the patio.
“Hey Guys, do come and sit with us.” Harry then looked at John. “John, all of us here have those special gifts and we very close school friends.”
“Good! I thought you all had. That answers the next two questions I was going to ask.” John smiled: “As well as being a parish priest, I am an exorcist. I have been trained to recognise various spirits, and that recognition kicked in when we shook hands. It seems that Harry is destined to become the village mage. He’s very strong, isn’t he? Hence the peculiar form of words when we met.”
“Oh I see … Harry would you like me to make us some tea; I think there’s some fruit cake as well.”
“Yes please Justin.” Harry nodded; then turned to John. “Do we have to say those words every time we meet, John?”
“My version of ‘Rites of Priests and Wizards’ doesn’t say, but my old professor seemed to think it was first time plus special ceremonial occasions.”
“That’s the same book that I used and yes, it was a bit vague. So when you come to bless the house, we’ll have to go through the rigmarole again. Oops, sorry! Please Father John, will you come and bless the house for us.”
“I’d love to Dear Boy, and yes we’ll have to go through the form of words again. Not to worry overmuch though, most of my parishioners are steeped in the old ways, so they won’t look askance at our doings. The new incomers will just think it’s quaint and that your robes are your college outfit.”
“They are. I still have some time at college left to do. I’ve had a year off because there was particularly bad patch in our world ending in a difficult battle. There is still some tidying up to be done and I think I will be part of it, though I’m supposed to be resting just now. That reminds me, I must check out Araxes Goodfellow, not in person, but through our records.”
“Harry’s being modest again, John. He was the king-pin in the battle against an evil overlord,” added Blaise: “He’s dead now.”
“I remember you telling me,” John looked at Harry again: “I suspect, Dear Boy; that the residents of Woodyates would be on the opposing side to yours. There are some funny rumours attached to goings-on at his farm; many of the older people will be glad to know you’re around. I think Samantha sussed you out immediately, so you can bet most of the village knows by now. She’s a bit of a busybody, but her heart’s in the right place, and she loves to spread good news. I dare say you’ll find gifts left at your door, any day soon. As I said before, the parishioners are steeped in the old ways. We’ll soon have to bless the root-harvest before it’s brought in, I would be most pleased if you could accompany me; the duties aren’t too onerous. I do the blessing and you support me, preferably in your robes.”
“All this is new to me, but I’d love to help if you think I would be useful.”
“Definitely! If we’re not careful we’ll lose what was good in the old ways. I like modern technology, computers, TV, telephones and the like, they’re all very useful. However, for peace of mind one needs to relax and the goodness in the old ways promotes a deep spirituality. Some of the old ways were evil too, just as modern consumerism can be. So, a judicious discernment and a mix of old and new are my dictums, not that I always get it right though,” John smirked brightly.
At this point Justin brought in the tea, and the two men had another little ritual to go through, offering and receiving their cups from each other. Then all of them sat and chatted about the area, its people and their expectations, munching fruitcake and sipping Earl Grey.
The Vicar got up to leave. “Oh; I nearly forgot, Dear Boys, the parish has a dance once a month, and the next one is on Saturday. Would you grace us with your presence, please? To some extent its self-preservation, if you could dance a few steps with different ladies, it’d give me a chance to chat with one or two people.”
Harry smiled at John. “I’m afraid my prowess on my toes is almost non-existent, but I’ll come and chat to people, if that’ll help.”
“We came to the last one, it was fun. I’d love to attend,” volunteered Neville.
“You would, you were dancing for days after the yule ball.”
The others laughed and John looked mystified.
“Right then, Dear Boys, I’ll take that as five yeses. Peace be on your house”
“Our peace goes with you.”
The Vicar left, he was riding a bicycle and he wobbled as he gave them a cheery wave. Back inside the house, as they washed up, Harry expressed his doubts about dancing.
“You’ll love it Harry. It’s none of the smooch and gyrate type,” Neville enthused: “They have formal dancing with someone to call out the instructions. I noted country dance tunes, line dancing, and American folk dancing, plus a Scottish reel or two. I was worn out and giggling, you must come. I fell over my feet sometimes, so did everyone else, so we forgot about being embarrassed.”
The others added their enthusiastic support to Neville's statement.
Dinner was late. Harry had finished all but one set of intricate wards with Justin helping. Blaise and Neville went into the garden whilst Dean and Seamus caught up with their paint preparation and second-coating. Later in the evening they partook of a light supper and, aching slightly, they had a showers before retiring to bed.
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