Toppers Wallow

Harry found Griphook at his desk. “Hi Griphook, I see you’ve been promoted.”



“Hello Harry, yes. That old goblin’s been retired; he tried that game once too often and forcing you to disrobe was the last straw. So you don’t have to show me your wares this time? What have you done with Billy?”



“We remain friends but not bed-mates. Draco’s my present amour, it’s easier being linked to a magician. Billy will occasionally come with me as he’s acting as my Muggle agent at Godric’s Hollow. Do you need to see Draco’s attributes to prove our relationship?”



“Tempting as it may seem he’s magical enough, thank you. Billy had to be vouched for in private, not what that nasty old bugger made you do. Billy’ll not be able to go to the vaults without you I’m afraid. Why not set up a Muggle transfer account for him? I know about your monthly payments, not that one is due just yet.”



“I didn’t know we could do that. Can we do it for house-elves too?”



“Yes I think so, being recognised magical beings under the new charter, that should make things much easier. I could get the papers together in a couple of day’s time, if you like.”



“You promised to visit me at Godric’s Hollow and bring the wife and youngsters. Why not come down and bring the papers with you?”



Draco watched the transaction with an open mouth.



“Of the old blood I see.” Griphook extended a hand to Draco, ignoring Harry’s invitation. “It’s just as bad for us too. We’ve grumbled about not being equal, and now we legally are, we’re not sure how to deal with it. Did you know that my son has been accepted into Hogwarts? He’s real keen on potions, like most of his friends are. I think the acceptance count is about twenty at the moment.”



Draco’s jaw dropped even further, but he held out his hand nevertheless. “Err … Well … It looks as though I’ll be his Potions Tutor then, Minerva’s offered me the job recently and I’ve accepted.”



“Don’t take any lip from him, clout him if he starts messing around, I do.”



“I think I’ll just threaten to tell his dad; Tutors and Professors have to abide by certain rules you know.”



“Snape used to clout them with a book, so I\'ve heard.”



“Yes … Well … We’re trying not to be like Snape was, thank you. I was supposed to be his favourite, but I was as scared of him as anyone else, ask Harry.”



“My supervisor’s beginning to scowl at me. Come Gentlemen let me show you to your vaults. Key’s please?”



Draco’s vault was first, his pile was quite small, but he asked where the extra had come from. It was explained that the Ministry had transferred his first term’s payment in advance, so Draco drew some gold out. Draco was overawed by Harry’s pile, remarking that it looked more like the Malfoy millions as Harry took a large bagful out. Almost at the same time the same amount fell out of the roof. Griphook explained that it was his monthly interest accruing, pleading not to have to dance the degrading jingle again.



“I’m quite surprised, Harry; you are as filthy rich as you suggested,” said Draco in awed terms, as they waited to ride back to the surface.



“So you’ll accept the gift I’m going to give you, then? If your dad could afford give you the best broom on the market, you realise that I can too.”



“My dad? I’ve never dared to be so familiar with him, ever. He was cold and austere and punished me harshly for the slightest misdemeanour, as you know. Calling him dad would imply loving him. Now I’ve experienced some proper comradely love I realise how very afraid I was of him. I regarded him as a money bank, to be tricked out of all I could get, and that wasn’t often, as you know.”



It was Griphook’s turn to be flabbergasted. “Erm … Draco … please can I call you that?”



“Yes, of course. Any friend of Harry’s is a friend of mine, though I’m still getting used to it.” Draco looked at Griphook enquiringly.



“Well … I’ve just seen me from my son’s point of view … Erm … I think I’d better do something about it, before it’s too late. No wonder he looked uncomfortable when I hugged him during the celebrations of Voldemort’s defeat.”



“Don’t just give him everything he asks for either, Griphook. Make sure some of it is a reward for an achievement; let him be able to sob in your arms when something goes wrong and help him put things right. It never happened to me and I was an obnoxious prick until Harry rescued me.”



“So why did I turn out able to love, my uncle and auntie were equally distant and harsh?”



“Probably because of your mum’s love charm, Harry; coupled to the fact that you found some caring mates in Hermione and Ron, plus all your Gryffindor supporters. My lot were always sniping at each other.”



“Thanks for the advice you two. I can see some interesting times ahead. You wizards are much more complicated than we thought, nicely though, mind you. This integration business has many hidden traps, and I can see that our side will have to try harder too, not just play the poor downtrodden goblin bit. Ah well, we’d better get back, I still have an unforgiving supervisor to satisfy. This way gentlemen, please?”



They went up again at breakneck speed. On leaving, Griphook promised Harry that he would owl him about the standing orders and transfer position, ducking out of the question about visits.



Harry’s and Draco’s next port of call was Quality Quidditch Supplies. A furious argument took place as Harry wanted Draco to have a Firebolt like his own, but Draco thought it too expensive and opted for the new Nimbus two-thousand and two, which was supposed to be the equal of the Firebolt, but much less costly. In the end Harry got his way by arguing that he was paying for it. Draco grumped a bit, but was secretly pleased that Harry had insisted.



Madam Malkin had their gowns ready, so it was just a matter of paying for them. Harry wanted to pay for both purchases, and another argument ensued. Once Harry felt that Draco had regained his ruffled aplomb about the broomstick Harry gave in, secretly smiling to himself.



They paid a courtesy call on Ollivander, and found him fitting a young goblin out with his first wand, watched by a glowing mother. Harry recognised her from a photograph he had been shown.



“Hello Mrs Grumbleweed, I’m Harry Potter, I’ve just been talking to Griphook in Gringott’s. This is my partner Draco Malfoy.”



“Oh! Pleased to meet you, you\'re to be Gregorian’s new DADA Professor, aren’t you?”



They shook hands.



“Are you interested in Potions, young man?” asked Draco.



“Oh yes Sir. The Headmistress says we have someone special to be our tutor.” Young Gregorian was wide eyed and breathless. “Someone who was very special to Professor Snape before he was killed by that terrible wizard.”



Draco preened. “Well young man, you’re shaking his hand.”



“Oh really? Will you sign my volume of ‘Potions for the Beginner’, please?” Gregorian looked into his new cauldron and drew out the said book, looking hopefully at Draco.



Draco duly signed the flyleaf, smiling as he did. When he looked at Harry there was a tear in his eye.



“Oh Marvellous!” Gregorian tugged his mother’s sleeve. “Look we’ve got a Malfoy teaching us, isn’t that great. I can’t wait to tell my friends. We were wondering who it would be. Thank you Professor, when’s our first lesson, please?”



“I think you should wait until you get to Hogwarts and are sorted, don’t you?” Harry stepped in for Draco, who was overcome and speechless.



“Yes Professor Potter, Sir. I’m looking forward to your lessons too. Were you both in the same house?”



“No! I’m from Gryffindor and Professor Malfoy’s from Slytherin.”



Young Gregorian’s face fell. “Oh dear, I don’t know which one to choose.”



“Why not leave it to the sorting hat. We had very specific reasons to go into the houses we did, but many others allowed the hat to sort them. It’ll smell burnt when you put it on. Voldemort tried to kill a friend of ours by burning it on his head. Happily for both of them, he didn’t succeed.”



“You’re talking about Sir Neville and the Sword of Gryffindor, aren’t you? Will he be there too?” Gregorian was jumping up and down with excitement.



Draco had recovered enough. “He was with us yesterday and said he would be at school when it opens.”



“Did he really chop up that magic snake with the sword?”



“Yes Master Gregorian, we both saw it quite plainly.”



“Ooh! Wicked! C’mon Mum I can’t wait to tell Probert and Selwyn.”



“Perhaps you ought to let your wand choose you first,” suggested Ollivander, smiling from behind the counter. “Or else you won’t do very well in Professor Potter’s class, will you?”



Gregorian looked at Harry and blushed. “Sorry Professor.”



Harry smiled and winked at him, then directed his amused gaze towards Ollivander. The choosing was not as dramatic as Harry’s had been, but there were a few boxes flying about. Whilst Gregorian and Ollivander were sorting out wands Harry turned to Mrs Grumbleweed.



“I’m trying to persuade your husband to come and visit, but he seems reluctant. Could you help?”



“He dithers a lot, you know, not that you’d think it from looking at him. How about we set a date and I’ll make sure he comes.”



“Wednesday or Thursday this week perhaps, as soon as Griphook gets off work? Maybe you could come earlier with your children. They could have a splash round in the pool, and he could join us later.”



“I’m looking after Gregorian’s two friends on Thursday afternoon, whilst their mothers take all the other little ones to the clinic. I was wondering what to do with them; could we impose d’you think?”



“Why not; we might just try to get them flying as well. It won’t hurt if they fall off into the pool will it?”



“Are you quite sure, Mr Potter?”



“I think you should call me Harry, don’t you?”



“Well … All right … I’m Gertrude, but everyone calls me Gertie. Say about two o’clock, if that’s all right, I’ll have fed the three ever-empty stomachs by then.”



Harry told Gertie about Toppers Wallow, lending her five medallions to enable her to come direct to the Apparating Area. Gregorian had a yew wand in his hand with its sliver of dragon tongue core, so they admired it before a proud mum and a chuffed son left the shop.



Ollivander closed the shop for lunch, inviting Harry and Draco to join him. When they arrived in the joint flat Percy was there, putting the kettle on and finding the bread and various cheeses for the repast.



“Oh Hello Harry, Malfoy; are you both staying for lunch? The first course is very plain but Fortescue will bring something up to enliven the sweet. I’ll ask him to bring up two extra portions.”



Percy picked up one of the speaking tubes, removed the whistle and blew down it before holding it to his ear. A short conversation followed with Percy transferring the cup end from ear to mouth and back again. Having finished, he re-plugged the whistle. Harry was intrigued by the contraption, so Draco told him that the Manor owned a small array of them.



“They’re good over shortish distances,” he explained. The whistle alerts the recipient and he replies, that’s why Percy held the end to his ear. He talks to it whilst Fortescue listens, then listens whilst Fortescue talks. It works okay, as long as you remember to put the whistle back after the end of the conversation. My father used to get furious with Mother because, when she wanted not to be disturbed, she would unplug all the whistles in her room. I got thrashed if I did it, most days that was my alarm call.”



George was next to appear. “Hello Harry, Draco how nice to see you, you’re keeping our boy wonder sweet I hope?”



Harry bristled and Draco giggled.



“I heard about the green man episode from Ron, you both have my admiration for prancing around semi-naked in public like that.”



Fortescue had arrived whilst George was talking, so a red faced Harry had to explain what had happened, to Fortescue and Ollivander. Draco was no help at all, as he kept on giggling in embarrassment.



After the meal George took them downstairs to his basement workshop where he prepared to demonstrate the model Harry had ordered.



“Hang on a minute,” Harry asked, “I need to tell the ministry what we’re about to do, so they don’t get and funny ideas about the Master attacking the Alley.”



Flooing over, they conducted the experiment trying both good and bad Imperio curses on the model. George also explained that it reacted to many other curses that were not on the embargo list. Just over two hours were spent trying hexes and charms out, before Harry flooed the Ministry to say the tests were complete and reasonably satisfactory. He asked George for a few minor adjustments and then offered to pay for it. A similar argument occurred as had with Richard about the meals, Draco acted as go between and eventually a cost price was agreed upon.



Percy took them upstairs again, this time into a small roof top garden.



“It’s an Apparating area for galleon holders only,” he explained. “Just like the one at Toppers Wallow. We call it Don Galley. If you can imagine the small basement yard outside Grimmauld Place’s back door there’s an equivalent one there too. It’s called Cold Grimy.”



“You mean that sunken yard full of rubbish?”



“Yes! Kreacher cleared it up before he left, and keeps on popping back to keep the whole house shipshape too. Mind you, Winky helps a lot as well. See you next Sunday.” Percy closed the door, Harry and Draco then Apparated to Cold Grimy.



Opening the kitchen door they were greeted: “Hello Master, ready for tea and cherry cake.”



“Kreacher, you told me you wanted a proper house when you came to Magnet Cottage. What are you doing here?”



“Oh dear, Master’s cross with me, I’ll put my hands in the mangle, shall I?”



“Oh no you won’t. Add that to the list of things you mustn’t do to yourself.” Then Harry saw Kreacher grinning at him. “You’re getting just as cheeky as Griphook is. That’s what comes of letting others have equality.”



“I think Master is being just as facetious as I was. Least I hope he was? Or maybe Master Draco’s been infecting you with pure-blood ideas.”



Draco looked askance, then realised the joke. “I’ll not have these lesser beings talking to the Defeater of Voldemort like that. Leg irons and branding will cool his ardour.”



“Yes Master Draco, how hot and how big?” Kreacher appeared to be trembling, but then he winked at Harry, who burst out laughing.



Kingsley came through the door and found three magical beings rolling around in laughter. “Oh! Harry, Draco, what a surprise. Congratulations on your appointments professors. Care to share the joke?”



Once the giggling was under control Harry explained about the escapade with Griphook’s predecessor and the long list of don’ts that Kreacher was amassing. Meanwhile Kreacher served tea, telling them that Wash’s mother had given Winky the recipe for cherry cake.



“That reminds me, Harry and Kreacher, I have a favour to ask of you both. I think I’d better include you in this too Draco, seeing as you have made it up with Harry. I’ve come across a couple of young house-elves who’ve been disowned by their owner’s and families alike. Erm … This is a bit delicate.” Kingsley stalled looking abashed.



“Could it be two gay house-elves by any chance?” enquired Draco.



“Yes; exactly. They need two owners who understand, and a couple of liberal minded senior house-elves to foster them.”



“So you thought of Harry’s peculiar household immediately. Did you?” Draco was half serious and half joking.



Kingsley eyed him carefully, half smiling. “It was Poppy; actually, she’s had them in the elf ward at Hogwarts, as they were in a pretty bad state when we found them. She says you worked wonders with the three Muggles.”



“By having sex with them Kingsley, that’s how we healed Draco too.”



Kreacher burst out laughing. “Oh … Masters … Oh … they’d … have … to ride … yours … like a Muggle … on horseback.”



Draco saw the funny side immediately, leading Harry into fits of laughter also. Then it dawned on Kingsley what they were laughing about, firstly he looked shocked before joining in the mirth.



Harry recovered first. “Okay Kingsley we’ll try, though not as Kreacher suggests. I take it they’re enamoured of each other?”



“Yes Harry.” Kingsley was still smiling, “they’re called Phealey and Pullet.”



The company burst out laughing again.



“Go on Kingsley, you\'re having us on.” Draco giggled.



“Sorry, but I’m not. We think Phealey was supposed to be fealty, heaven knows where Pullet came from, unless it was because that his ex-family rears hens.”



“Perhaps we could change their names?”



“Oh no, Master Harry. Once we’ve been named we cannot change them. If we could, don’t you think I’d like to have been called anything but Kreacher? Winky and I are too old to have elfins; it would be nice to know our masters will be looked after properly when we go.”



“Okay Kreacher, you’ll get my vote. What about you Draco?”



“Why not, but I think we ought to ask Winky first.”



Pop: “Ask me what Master Draco? Did you like the cherry cake?”



“Yes thanks Winky, it was delicious.” Draco went on to explain about the two boys.



Winky went into hysterics about the apt names too, but agreed with the rest of them about the teen-elves’ adoption.