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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
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- 227
[Note: “x-x” = speech & ‘x-x’ = thoughts & *x-x* = telepathy & #x-x# = Parseltongue]
[‘Sows’ is Cornish for an English person – probably slightly derogatory like the Welsh ‘Sais’]
~~~ ECCLESIASTICAL ~~~
In the evening a smiling Ganymede reported back: “John is quite content to let the others participate, except when we sign the registers. He would like Olwen to be part of the ceremony.”
“Olwen?”
“Tim’s fiancée. Seems they met in the theology college. She’s in a church in York.”
“So that’s where Tim has been rushing off to on his days off. I take it she’s ordained.”
“We presume so. We went to find Tim and he was sitting all lovey-dovey with her in his room. He said they had an important announcement to make on Sunday.”
“I expect it will be their engagement.”
“Not sure … Tim seemed more worried than that. At least, he stopped smiling when he said it.”
“Have you talked to Estéban?”
“Yes. And it’s a yes from him too.”
“So when’s the wedding?”
“Ours or theirs?”
“Both, I suppose.”
“Ours will be like yours, but not quite. A joint ceremony but we won’t be making a sextet; just three pairs. First Saturday in August. Tim and Olwen the following Saturday.”
Sunday came around and Minerva nobbled the seers before the church service.
“Do you think that we could have a private meal together after service? We need to discuss something fairly urgently. I suggest in my rooms at Hogwarts.”
“Fine. We’ll get the grandmas to look after the children.”
“Thank you.” Minerva rushed off and was seen to be persuading some other people too.
During the service in the place where John usually gave out the notices about parish events in the coming week, Tim was asked to say a few words.
“As all of you know from the Banns already published, I intend to wed my beloved Olwen in a few weeks’ time. As many of you have heard, many rural parishes are hard pressed to find priests to fulfil their livings. So much so that combined parishes have been formed and one priest has a number of churches to look after. Only the lucky ones, like us, still have the luxury of one priest to a church plus a curate. Olwen and I have been offered a combined living responsible for seven churches in Devon. Something I am inclined to take up. However, it does not mean I will sever my connections with the academy’s students because one of the churches is dedicated to Saint Carantoc. Which, I understand, is situated quite close to the Burrow.” Tim chuckled: “How Carantoc became Catchpole I’m not sure. Probably some ancient ‘Sows’ mishearing the word. Seriously though; once our honeymoon is over we shall take up residence in the new combined Ottery parishes. Our induction, to which you are all invited, takes place on the first Saturday in September. I hope it will be a fine day, because my new church is smaller than this one.”
The next items were John calling Tim’s and Olwen’s second banns and the godsons’ first. When John looked around the congregation Harry held his breath, but no-one objected.
Of course, after the service everyone wanted to come and shake Tim’s hand and wish him well. The seers, after a time, managed to offer congratulations and offer lunch apologies before making their way, via the posterns, to the headmistress’ rooms. They were surprised to see many of their fellow trust directors there as well as most of the Hogwarts’ governors.
D: *Now we know who she was so hurriedly nobbling before service.*
H: *Seems so!*
The seers settled into the seats indicated and commenced to eat their soup. However, Minerva stood and cleared her throat:
“Fellow Magicals, most of you heard Father Timothy’s announcement this morning; that he was moving to another incumbency. However, he has assured me that his tutor duties here will not be affected. I understand that he will be taking a substantial cut in his stipend in order to be with his wife. This seems unfair to me; he is so committed to his work with our magical students that we should show him our gratitude. As you know Hogwarts covers one third of his stipend and the trust another third as long as he is resident in Saint Godric’s parish. In his new appointment he and his wife will, jointly, receive more than he presently earns. However, if you add their present stipends together there will be a substantial reduction by about a third. Now, the Bishop in which Saint Godric’s is situated is envisioning appointing another curate in Timothy’s place and hopes that the present arrangement could continue. I have the feeling that his board of finance might be prepared to put in a larger share. Can we match it?”
Minerva sat down and commenced spooning her soup whilst the other diners burst into animated chatter.
Draco looked at Gallus: “Could we afford to up our contribution too.”
“Possibly! Our income is slightly exceeding our expenditure at the moment.”
Dorothy looked pensive: “Perhaps we could provide meals for both of them and the new curate when he or she is appointed. Three extra mouths to feed would hardly be noticed.”
“On the present member’s contribution rate,” Justin added: “That should work out at the equivalent of three galleons per person per day. For Estéban and Ronnie we allow four galleons per day so that they can entertain as well. And then there is a book figure for domestic service. Not that we actually count what is spent but Gallus does so like to keep the books straight.”
The goblin chuckled: “Of course I do. As Justin says it is a book figure only. Using the present remuneration plus food and services as a basis, we could offer the equivalent of half of the present contribution each to Tim and the new curate; but augment it from elf help. As we’d be feeding Olwen as well that should bring their joint earnings almost up to their present stipends. When children come it would automatically rise.”
Meanwhile the Governors had also been discussing things amongst themselves. Whilst they were waiting for their sweet to arrive Zandra remarked: “At present Timothy conducts the ethics classes and has taken over pastoral responsibility for our students. When John first started this there were many fewer students because the other races were only just starting in the first year. Now the academy is fully integrated and has post-graduates too, the specification has nearly doubled. It has also meant an equivalent rise in the incoming fees. We feel therefore that we should increase the input accordingly. We suppose that, while Timothy will continue with the ethics class the new curate will take on the pastoral duties. No doubt there will be some crossover, nothing is quite as cut and dried as it is on the administrator’s books. So, once the new curate is appointed, we will double our present contribution.”
Harry responded: “We have an arrangement with the two Spanish priests whereby the trust’s contribution is in food and domestics. As well as contributing our financial support we intend extending the upkeep-in-kind provision to both Timothy and Olwen plus the new curate when appointed.”
Minerva smiled: “That’s what I hoped would happen. It gives me the bargain to offer the two bishops concerned because I know the tight budgets that constrain them. Now, all we have to do is discuss what wedding present the Governors are going to give the newly-weds. I believe that some of the Trust’s directors are giving individual ones.”
The sweet was served as further discussions started.
A:*We seers could furnish a room for them. I’ll get Molly on to it, she will know what their rectory looks like and measure it up.*
DG&H: *GOOD IDEA!*
G: *I’m sure Olwen mentioned a gift list. We could suss out which room then.*
Seamus grinned: “I bet yer discussing what ter give them. We’re offering ter decorate.”
Molly contacted Olwen’s parents and over the next few weeks elicited the bride-to-be’s dreams about the house they would inhabit. John managed to get Timothy dreaming of an ideal study and together with the seers and Minerva worked out what could be done. As with Harry, when he first lived in the cottage, the parents and family looked after the main bedroom, the trust took on the dining room, the governors the kitchen, leaving the seers with the lounge. Dorothy had three elves in mind to attach to the new household. And the Parochial Church Council decided to furnish the study.
~~~ AFTERNOON ~~~
Somehow Timothy had not told his intended about the magical world until that day when the banns were called the second time. She had understood his involvement with the academy but presumed that he held his classes at the Annex. It was only when, after lunch was over, that she went on a tour of Saint Godric’s parish and saw certain strange things happening.
“How do they do that, Darling? Those furrows are just appearing. Is there something underground causing them?”
“No Dear-one, that goblin student over there is using his staff.”
“Did you say goblin? And how does he cause the furrow to open up whilst standing there? Surely goblins are mythical beings, or were you pulling my leg, because he looks slightly odd.”
“Oh! You do know what the academy teaches, don’t you?”
“I assumed the normal kind of subjects and that you dealt with R. E.”
“Oh dear … Are you sure I didn’t tell you?”
Olwen hugged him: “You sound distressed, Darling. Surely the lessons at the academy can’t be that alarming.”
“Hum! When you shook hands with many of the congregation did you feel anything?”
Olwen giggled: “Some were slack-allices and some squeezed too hard, if that’s what you mean.”
“You didn’t tingle then?”
“Only after that farmer nearly wrung my hand of its wrist.”
“Ah!” mused Timothy: “I’ve become so used to it that I no longer feel how strange it is.”
“Now you’re intriguing me. What strangeness is this?”
“You see, we’re on the edge of an alternative world here. On that parallels our own, but has a different ethos.”
“I’ve noticed a few gay couples, so what?”
“Goodness! How I wish Harry or Draco were here, they could explain it better than I can. Please hear me out without thinking I’m insane. Saint Godric’s is situated within a specially protected area. You can see that by the abundance and variety of the crops. It’s not an A. S. S. I. in the way other areas are, this is guarded by a thaumic dome. A number of conjoined ones, I believe. The Academy teaches young magical people how to handle their very special thaumic talents, so as not to destroy the world.”
“You must be joking, Darling! Thaums? Magic?”
“I’m sorry Dear-one, but I’m not. That young goblin over there, is being taught how to plough using his staff. It’s that thing he’s holding that resembles a walking stick. Now if he were a mortal, he would most probably be using a wand. Elves use their rings, and our newest recruit, a kobold, uses his truncheon, so I’ve been told.”
“You are serious, aren’t you,” Olwen felt Timothy’s forehead to see if it were hot.
Timothy side-cuddled his fiancée: “Just stand and watch!”
They did. Hortulanus had three trainees trying to turn the soil. The two onlookers had to admit that the young goblin was the best. The other two were unable to hold anything like a straight line; although there was some improvement.
“This is strange, Darling. I suppose I shall have to get used to it whilst here.”
“And in our new parishes too, Dear-one. They’ve asked me to continue teaching the ethics classes.”
“So, you’ll be missing for nearly two days a week?”
“No. I’ll use the posterns and portals. Oh gosh! You don’t know what they are, do you? C’mon let’s go and find one of the seers. It’s time you had a medallion, and some better instruction too.”
As luck would have it the directors’ party was strolling back from the Annex postern.
“Harry!”
“Hi, Tim, and Olwen, how goes it.”
“I think my fiancé is having a big joke at my expense. Although I’ve seen a few puzzling things.”
Draco cottoned on: “Your first experience of magic, is it?”
Olwen showed surprise, yet again: “Are you in on the joke too?”
“No way, it’s far too serious to joke about, at least to a beginner. I take it that Tim’s just told you?”
“Yes. We were watching a young goblin trying to plough. Err … Was he really a goblin?”
“I should imagine so. Many of the so-called mythical creatures exist in our world, from huge dragons to minute fairies and a lot in between. Here you’ll just meet us mages, the goblins, the elves and the broonies, under normal circumstances. May a shake hands again?”
“If you wish.” Olwen held out a tentative hand.
They shook hands.
“I thought that that might be it,” said Draco: “You’re not a discerning priest, just an ordinary muggle one. I’m not being intentionally rude about your calling or your consecration, but certain priests can tell when we shake hands, because a special tingle takes place. I imagine it’s genetic, as thaum-handling appears to be, but it could be a special gift of the Spirit. As far as I know nobody has done any research on it.”
“Is that what you meant, Darling?”
“Yes. Dear-one. Err … Draco, does that mean that Olwen can’t wear a scarab and use the posterns?”
“The Smarts and Yates don’t tingle, and they can use them. Her scarab, once charmed, will be effective; just as Hermione’s parent’s scarabs are.”
There was a pop and Bobby appeared. Olwen gripped Timothy’s arm and hid partially behind him, peering over shoulder.
“Here you are Master Draco, Kreacher sends this spare scarab for you to charm for Olwen. Good afternoon Mistress, I hope I didn’t scare you too much. I’m Bobby, Master Draco’s personal elf. Has anyone taken you flying yet?”
“Hello Bobby. Flying?”
“Yes, Master Harry took Mistress Dolores flying when she first encountered our world.”
Olwen looked suspicious: “That wouldn’t be on a broomstick, would it?”
“Of course … I doubt there are any dragons around here, and I think Buckbeak’s at Hogwarts now.”
Olwen shook her head and shuddered slightly: “This is all very new. Do I suppose Buckbeak is a dragon?”
“No Mistress he’s a hippogriff. If you went to Hogwarts you could meet him and Orcas, she’s a dragon. But then Goodman Hagrid has many magical creatures under his care.”
Olwen closed her eyes for a minute: “Maybe later, thank you.”
“Yes Mistress.” Bobby popped away.
Timothy hugged his fiancée tightly: “Sorry to surprise you like this, Dear-one. It has become so common-place to me that I forgot you didn’t know. Do you want to leave?”
“Just let me hold your hand. I know you are real. The rest is like an hallucination. And yet … The ground is solid, the birds are singing, and I can see and hear the wind in the trees.” She shook her head to clear her thoughts: “Am I to understand that I shall be in contact with this other world even when we move to Devon?”
“Yes, Dear-one, so I can use the postern and portal system to get to the academy. That’s why I have this scarab.” Timothy showed Olwen his medallion.
There was another pop; Dorothy appeared: “Mistress Olwen. Part of our wedding present to you will be three elves assigned to your house. They will do the cooking, gardening and other domestic chores for you. With seven churches to look after, both of you are going to be very busy. The rectory is already inside a thaumic protector dome because Molly’s house is close by and so are a few other mages houses. Although it will also be different because the greatest majority of your parishioners will be muggles.”
“What’s a muggle?”
Timothy chuckled: “All of us non magical people, Dear-one.” He looked at Dorothy: “Won’t the muggles see you and ask questions.”
Dorothy smiled: “Before you came to Godric’s hollow did you see us?”
“No. Neither did I believe you existed.”
“Exactly. You had to be deliberately introduced. All we ask is that you don’t deliberately introduce us to a muggle without asking one of the seers first. You’d be surprised how invisible we can become. Think of how long Ronnie and his predecessors shared a house with us elves without knowing it; hundreds of years.”
“Who’s Ronnie?”
“A Spanish priest, Dear-one. He’s at the hacienda on the Portuguese border, where Cerroverde is, the Iberian academy of magic. We can visit if you like.”
“Talking of visits; have you bought the air tickets yet?”
“No Dear-one, we’ll use the portals, once one of the seers has charmed your scarab.” He looked at Harry: “I can hand Olwen through can’t I.”
“Yes, except the ones you haven’t been shown. I think that maybe you haven’t visited the Dragons or Satyrs yet.”
“I’ve met Brightness, Brilliance and Bishop Vasil. I’ve also linked with Orcas, does that count?”
“Have you ported beyond Vienna yet?”
“No. Grandmamma has reserved us those seats at the Musikverein, Dear-one, as we hoped.”
“Good! Thank you Darling. I’d better have this scarab thing charmed, hadn’t I?”
“Very good. I think we’d better give you the Saint George charm as well as the usual recognisers.”
“What does the Saint George charm do, Draco?”
“It’s a translation charm. If someone speaks a language you don’t understand, you get them to touch it, then they hear you in their language and you hear them in yours. We just tell unknowing muggles that it’s an experimental device and not on the market yet. Mages, of course, will realise it’s thaumic. You wouldn’t really be lying, because they are very exclusive, and we do not sell them. If you haven’t met Hermione yet, you’ll find that she and her group are always experimenting with them and adding extra charms. Now let me charm it for you.”
Both Harry and Draco co-operated in the charm process and at the same time Astoria checked that Timothy’s scarab was up-to-date and fully charged.
Arriving back at the cottage, Harry took Olwen on her first broomstick ride and then introduced her to the normal Dumbledorian Sunday evening hubbub and certain magical games. She turned out to be a very good chess player. Although, to begin with, the destructive pieces tended to put her off her game.
###
As Wednesday was her normal day-off and Timothy had no classes because most of the students were on holiday, Harry and Draco took them both on a tour of the portals. At Laggen Lodge Olwen said she was a keen sailor, so a short trip was arranged just to see how well she could handle Sirius. The following Wednesday, she and Timothy took the sloop out for the day, Draco was inclined to put the cloak on, mount a broom, and see exactly how much sailing was being done, but Harry dissuaded him, mainly by behaving too sexily for the blond to ignore his urges. Needless to say: both pairs were totally bushed and glowing by the end of the day.
The following Wednesday was serious and yet joyful. Choosing the furniture that people had promised as wedding presents and where they were to go. Choosing the wall and ceiling decorations with Seamus and Dean. Choosing garden plants with Hortulanus and dreaming of the completed house when they arrived back from Honeymoon. Thursday was Olwen’s departure service at her church in York. In a fairly tearful mood, she returned for the last time to her flat. Friday had her remaining things packed so that she could stay at the Farmers Arms ready for her big day. Those that she was not taking on holiday were thaumically transported to the new rectory.
###
What a big day it was. The church was packed to overflowing, because many of the York congregation had come to support her. The students, past and present, wanted to support Timothy and there were numerous relations of Olwen’s as well. The seers made sure that the bridegroom did not overindulge on Friday night and kept him close when he realised that no-one from his own family was supporting him. Molly was especially mothering to him a couple of times, just as she had helped Harry. Estéban was his best man.
As with all major village events, the square had been transformed. The canvas shaded the participants, because it was warm and sunny. Timothy had expected something like this, but it was a pleasant surprise for his new wife. Narcissa had let Olwen’s parents into the secret in good time, so that they did not become agitated about the preparations. The few elves who were there had adopted glamours, so as not to betray the Statute of Secrecy. Before they departed the newly-weds had time to see some of the usual WWW firework display. Once the couple were inside the portals the seers mounted guard to ensure that no pranksters followed the lovers through. After a reasonable length of time, the four of them individually visited every portal in the system, so as to hide the tracks from any would-be mischief-makers. The two had at least two undisturbed days before meeting some of the Dumbledorians at a concert.
###
The next Saturday was also a joyful celebration. The three godsons were getting married. This time there were families from both sides, times three, because of the triple ceremony. All the Dumbledorians attended as did the participants friends in the village, in Britain and from all over Europe, many arriving by phaeton. In keeping with goblin traditions, Harry, Draco and Hamish were best men – part of the duties of those seniors who had participated in their bonding. In the same way, the matrons of honour were the brides’ godmothers. In the square afterwards an amount of pranking took place. A number of their friends enacted cameo performances of some of the most embarrassing moments of their lives. A couple of the auror friends managed to encapsulate each pair for quarter of an hour. When released it was surprising how mussed they looked and various remarks were made about the interesting lipstick smudges about the boys’ persons. As usual WWW lit the sky with their handiwork. And as previously the seers guarded the portals before muddling the traces.
###
The following Saturday saw many of the congregation in Devon. To avoid giving the game away to the muggle participants the Zellers operated a special train to the nearest station. Both magicals and muggles were the passengers, although a few used thaumic means of travel. In that crowd who could tell if someone had been on the train or not.
The church of Saint Carantoc was crowded because all of the surrounding churches’ congregations wished to attend Olwen and Timothy’s induction. Almost as soon as the train’s passengers arrived the solemn service started. There were some TV monitors in the adjacent church hall, where those unable to cram into the church were able to participate. Then on the rectory lawn Pops Foley and his gang had erected the marquee. In it, the caterers served a buffet lunch. It was of such high quality that some of the muggles inquired where they might make a booking. They also admired the smart uniforms of the catering staff – a deep blue with ‘Harco Caterers – meals for all occasions’ embroidered on them. The enquirers were all directed to Dorothy who, after finding out what day the clients wanted, looked in her diary and, apologised profusely, said that they were already booked.
Harry overheard one of these conversations and mildly took Dorothy to task.
“I wasn’t telling a fib, Harry. We’re booked to serving our given mages all the time, so whatever date was mentioned was already spoken for. However, to refuse outright would have been rude. Hence the subterfuge.”
“Fine … Well thought out!”
During the afternoon the new co-rectors took small parties of people on a tour of their refurbished rectory, thanking the givers as necessary and marvelling at the generosity shown to them. A late Devon-cream-tea was served. Such was the quantity of cream, jam, scones and tea that the seers, and probably many other guests, decided that dinner was far beyond them. They had a Winky special chocolate and a piece of cake for supper, half an hour before retiring.
Sunday came and Saint Carantoc hosted a combined Eucharistic celebration. The seers represented Saint Godric’s and there were parties from each of the other six participating congregations. Their first mass finished, the new co-rectors managed to have lunch and rest for a couple of hours. Then their marathon restarted: Evensong in each of the other participating churches. Not as exhausting as one might expect, because Timothy covered three and Olwen the other three. However, there was a reception afterwards, so by nine in the evening they were bushed, and their heads were whirling with so many faces and names to remember. That evening they had no energy for anything but cuddling together and falling asleep in their new double four-poster bed.
###
Thursday the first of September was James’ big day. He shared a compartment on the Hogwarts Express with six of his contemporary friends. Unlike his father; not for him, the wondering relief from oppressive guardians, his parents loved and cared for him. Unlike his other father; not for him, the hiding of his uncertainty underneath bluster and haughtiness, he knew he belonged in this society and could relax. Unlike Aunt Hermione; not for him, the worried clinging to a book and wondering if it was really real, he had been brought up in a happy magical environment. He was not a stranger and he had his contemporary friends with him, those he had known for most of his life.
At this moment they were discussing which house they might be sorted into. Listing the pros and cons, their wishes and worries, and the houses their parents had belonged to.
“Well … My parents belonged to the two houses on opposing sides,” James stated: “They seem to get along together alright.”
One of his mates chuckled: “Yeah, but you have more than we do. What’s it like having four parents?”
“Hell, when I’m in trouble. Not bad if I can wheedle three of them for treats, even if the other one says no, I usually get what I want. Dad-Dray says it’s called diplomacy. Problem is that doesn’t work on my siblings. Al and Scorp gang up on me so I have to share. Lil’s even worse, she cries and says she tell if I don’t give her some. It’s quite unfair, you know, I can’t bash them and I can’t avoid them either.”
“Yeah I know,” replied the friend: “I have two younger sisters. Double the trouble. My folks expect me to look after them. It’s an impossible task, they run rings round me every time. Then, when they get hurt, I’m blamed. I’m looking forward to us being sibling free for seven years. Just imagine it?”
“YEAH!” The others replied enthusiastically.
“No matter what house were sorted into,” added another one: “We’ll still be close friends and prank all the others.”
“OH YEAH!”
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Harco Empire