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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
- 229
- 230
- 231
[Note: “x-x” = speech & ‘x-x’ = thoughts & *x-x* = telepathy & #x-x# = Parseltongue]
~~~ NEW LINKS ~~~
After lunch, D&H went through the ivy screened gate with Gregory to see his apartment.
Things had moved-on in just over twenty-four hours. The first-floor pool had some façades erected around it. Close to the floo room was a reception desk and then at the back of the pool the frontage of the Gringotts agency was taking shape. On the return, opposite the reception desk, the frames for a shop fascia were in place.
“This is where the ‘Thaumic Aids’ shop will be. Pansy and I with Ferndock and a couple of the Glaswelltdy elves will run it between us.”
“Explain that a little more, please Greg. Do I take it that Ferndock is a goblin?”
“Yes Draco. He’s like me in status, only he’s a staff fashioner. You know that Pansy is into charming pendants, don’t you. Well she’s branching out and charming the quartz carvings the Glaswelltdy elves make so well. The idea is a co-operative, so that any magicals needing specifically charmed objects can buy them through our shop. That will include elf rings as well as staffs and wands.”
“Got that idea, thanks. Will you all be living together in the apartment?”
“No. Just Pansy and I. Ferndock has a place two waystations away and the elves will stay with their compatriots in the elf accommodation, here. Oh! And I’ll have a side-line in instructive comics. One of Terbia’s young werewolves has an artistic talent and is reproducing the pictures I drew that Minerva liked so much.”
“Quite an establishment you’re envisaging.”
“Not really. It’s like the Harco Trust: mutual co-operation and reliance. By the way, we’ll be applying to become trading members of the trust. Francis says that much of what we sell could be seen as educational equipment. After all, students need wands, staffs, or rings in order to learn their thaumic skills. And the books are definitely instruction manuals. Seamus and Dean are going to supply us with St Michael translation amulets, too.”
“It might be worth considering being members of the Abdul Trading Trust that Carlos’s setting up.”
“Right! However, we do need to be part of a larger set up. Whichever or both.”
By this time, they had walked through the subterranean passage and were in the dusty apartment.
“There’s a large and a small bedroom. At the moment Pansy and I’ll have the large one. When our first kid arrives, he or she’ll have the small one. When the second one appears then we’ll swap rooms. If they’re different sexes, then it’s possible to divide the large room fairly easily.”
“I take it that this room will be the living area. I like the view over the mountains, is it real or transmitted?”
“Real. Though I understand that some of the flats will have thaumic windows.”
“It’s different from a muggle apartment.”
“Apart from being magical, why’s that Harry?”
“There’s no kitchen.”
“Why should we need one? The elves will be looking after our meals for us. All part of the co-operative atmosphere. It ensures their welfare too. None of us will own elves. Like your corps of elves, Abdulmuralla will have a Corps. None of the elves in the Harco Corps are showing signs of distress or dying early. They still belong, but to the greater family. In a way we’re taking your ideas a step further. Hermione says that it’s the belonging to an establishment that gives them the stability and meaning. Like Kreacher and Dorothy, our elves will be represented on our board of management, so they’ll have their say.”
“You seem very committed to this Greg,” Draco observed: “Not quite the pure-blood outlook we were brought up to believe.”
“I should think not. Look at the state our elves were in. I have no intention of following that path, thank you very much. Besides, Hermione would quickly be after my blood if I reverted to those patterns of behaviour.”
Harry giggled: “She can be very strident sometimes. She was worse when we were students.”
“Yes! we know!”
###
D&H left Gregory putting up a counter and went up to the next terrace. This had an entirely different atmosphere. A number of thaumic tents had been pitched under the loggias. Next to each was an open area screened with canvas. In these areas rudimentary shops had been set up. The two seers were reminded slightly of the market streets in Istanbul, except that there was no calling to would-be purchasers trying to attract custom. Not only were the goods sold of the type that could be found in Diagon Alley, but there were a number of food outlets; fresh and cooked. This pertained on the terrace above, too. Thereafter it was quieter.
On the top level they met Teddy and his friends again. A temporary barrier had been placed across the upper reservoir and that group of mages were busy cleaning the drained half out. Harry recalled Dean and Seamus doing much the same at the cottage, just after his eighteenth birthday.
“We’re going to re-proof it as well, Dads,” Teddy told them: “I suspect this had a roman ancestry by the way the pozzolanic concrete has been made. It could well have been a reservoir for a roman villa lower down the valley.”
“Hispania Ulterior, was an early Roman conquest,” remarked Draco: “Taken from the Carthaginians a couple of hundred years before the birth of Christ, I believe. So, it’s quite possible. All their country villas were really farmhouses; therefore you’d expect them to want to irrigate their fields and orchards.”
“It’s quite possible that Abdul or his predecessors adapted this site from a roman foundation,” posited Alexandrou: “In my country their villas were usually ‘U’ shaped or built around an oblong interior open area. We’ll have to look out for possible clues when we’re cleaning the leats.”
The two seers watched the cleaning process. Occasionally helping out with the occasional charm, until the sun went down.
D: *I fancy sleeping in our bed at the cottage tonight, Harry. *
H: *We’re both of the same mind, Lover. We’ve had a few interesting adventures in these dry mountains. I think I prefer our greener landscape better. I’m not one for living in caves, however well appointed. They remind me a little of the confined space in the cupboard-under-the-stairs.”
D: *I was thinking more about comfort. Individual sleeping bags are alright, but …*
H: *… Not conducive to our usual amorous activities. *
D: *Exactly! *
D&H excused themselves gracefully, knowing quite well that within a few minutes they could return if there were a crisis.
###
Just before they entered the portal Carlos found them. “Hey, what intentions do you have for Johann?”
“No real plans. Probably find him a room somewhere and then some form of employment.”
“He seems to have latched on to me.”
“Is that a problem?”
“No! If you don’t mind, I’d like to offer him a place. He seems to know a lot about buildings. More than I do, anyway. I need someone who will ask awkward questions about the practical side of things. I’m more into ideas than nuts and bolts.”
“If his brother returns, he may well need defending from him.”
“Well!” Carlos laughed briefly: “I do just happen to have a few ex aurors in my team. They also just happen to have a thing about combatting the Seignior. So, he should be fairly safe.”
“Are there other attractions, too?” asked Draco with a wink.
“He’s got a nice body and seems willing. Though I’ll have to do what you two did, in order that the y’Azimbura family lives on.”
“Try not to hurt him too much. He’s new to our scene, even if he is a bit eager.”
“Not to worry, Harry. I shall go carefully; I’ve had a liaison go badly wrong on me too. I’m getting a bit old for furtive one-night stands.”
Gregory intruded, he urgently to talk about the division between his nascent establishment and that of Gringotts, so Carlos went to sort it out. D&H turned again to enter the transit room. Again, they were interrupted, this time by Johann.
“Erm … Harry … Is it all right if I stay here?”
“Why? Do you want to?”
“Yes. Carlos hasn’t a clue about structures. He can build his imaginary castles, but they’d fall down at the first light Bombarda.”
“Where will you stay?”
“He’s got a tent here, with a couple of spare rooms. He did sort of suggest that I could use one if I wanted.”
Draco chuckled dirtily: “There wouldn’t be any other ulterior motives, would there?”
“Well … He hasn’t told me to get lost … and he has invited me to dinner. So ...?”
“Go gently with him. We think he’s had one disastrous love affair,” advised Harry: “Don’t be hurt if he talks about taking a wife. You know our set up, don’t you?”
“I do now. Are those children really yours, or war orphans?”
“They are biologically ours, Johann,” Draco reassured him: “You already know of our real preferences, but our strong thaumic genes would have gone to waste had we not sired some offspring. We love our wives like sisters, not bedfellows, and we know that our feelings are reciprocated in a like manner.”
“Pure-blood politics again,” Johann sighed: “I thought I’d got rid of them when Cassius departed.”
“I can hardly be called a died-in-the-wool pure-blood,” countered Harry: “I was brought up by muggles. I can now, however, see the logic behind preserving a strong pool of thaumic genes, whatever you call it. Even if it did seem distasteful when we first discussed it.”
“Oh well! If what Goodman Griphook was saying comes to pass and I become the head of our family, I suppose I shall have to think on the same lines, too. A very sobering thought. Thanks for letting me stay here. I shan’t let you down. I shall regard what goes on here as part of the oath, even if it isn’t. That goes for this recent discussion, also.”
They said their goodbyes and managed to escape back to the calmer atmosphere of Chantry Cottage.
~~~ SAMHAIN ~~~
Then it was Samhain. The seers joined in the international celebration on Blaulindeninsel organised, as usual, by the Durmstrang staff.
It was some of Astoria’s spirit family who provided the next challenge:
“We have been worrying about our family and its continuance, Astoria,” observed one of her ultimate grandfathers: “At long last we have found a suitable candidate. However, it is up to you to recognise him.”
“Yes, Honourable Ancestor, I will do that. Tell me his name and whereabouts, please?”
“That we may not reveal. The Spirit will lead one of your family to him. It is up to you to respond to him.”
“Will it be Draco or Scorpius?”
“Neither … Your family is greater than that, my daughter. Find them within the union that God has blest.”
“That adds another five to the list plus another if Cousin Edward is included.”
“It is not Teddy; that I can tell you.”
After the séance and the All Saints service at Beauxbatons the seers discussed this prompting, but their knowledge was no further advanced. Fawkes declined to advise them also.
###
Over the next few weeks, they called frequently on the new Spanish project. Seeing order and permanent structures appear out of the tented chaos; admonishing Teddy for spending too much time on the water system and helping Carlos set up his Trust Council. Over those weeks the seers could see Carlos and Johann growing together. Rather like Draco and Harry were complimentary, that couple started to knit together too.
~~~ CHRISTMAS ~~~
A fortnight before the winter holiday one of James’s infrequent letters home arrived:
‘Dear Dads and Mums,’ it read: ‘I’m looking forward to the forthcoming holiday at home. Hogwarts is alright, but I miss my brothers and sisters quite a bit. It’ll be lovely to be home again. I have a special friend, we call him Dewi Jones, but his real name is Gwydion Gwyrdd. As an orphan, his very strict adoptive family brought him up, but now they’ve found out that he’s magical they’ve disowned him, so he’s got nowhere to go at Christmas. I remember Hardad telling me about his lonely Christmases at the academy. So, can I ask Dewi to stay with us, please. Your loving son, James’.
“I must tell him not to use contractions when writing,” grumbled Draco: “They’re bad enough when used in speech. And he forgot the question mark after please. I shall speak to him about it when he comes home.”
“Gwydion Gwyrdd,” Astoria mused: “Gwydion is mentioned in the old magical legends. Then again gwyrdd is Brythonic for green. Maybe he’s the one my ancestors mentioned.”
“Comparing my Christmases at Hogwarts, which I thought were great at the time,” put in Harry: “To the ones we now celebrate, I realise that there is no comparison.”
“The Weasley family welcomed Harry, so we should welcome another lost mage,” suggested Ginevra: “One extra mouth won’t cause any strain on our arrangements. I write and tell him yes.”
Meanwhile Astoria and Draco got to work on the genealogical books in the libraries, even roping Uncle Travis into the search. They eventually found an entry ‘Missing – presumed dead in the fire that consumed his parents – the Gwyrdd family supported the light in opposition to Voldemort. Death-eaters admitted setting the house on fire’.
Draco reported back on their findings: “We think it’s the Fluence calling more mages into being. Dewi’s ancestry is tortuous. No particular family can claim him. However, Xerxes Greengrass married Agatha Malfoy, then later Gregorius Greengrass married Dorothea Potter, to be followed a generation or so later by Llewellyn Greengrass and Mari Evans. It seems that they changed their patronym to Gwyrdd and it’s from them that Dewi is descended through a further five generations; most of them squibs or muggles. I’m quite surprised that the gene has lasted that long.”
“I have researched the Greengrass/Glaswelltdy family tree,” added Astoria: “Dewi is the nearest relative to me and could be considered as the legitimate Greengrass heir. There are no more branches extant.”
“Well, that sorts one inheritance problem out,” remarked Draco: “I was not looking forward to inducting Scorpius into managing two estates.”
“I’ll tell Da and Ma about the legitimate heir when we see them at Christmas. They’ll be so pleased.”
###
On the due date all four parents went to meet the children at Kings Cross Station.
With James there was a shy golden-blond boy, who kept his eyes firmly on his shoes. Only looking up when he was addressed directly: “Thank you for me, inviting. Behave I will, properly.” He replied to each of their greetings and politely shook hands.
G: *I’ll mother him a bit, see if I can draw him out. *
H: *Molly nearly smothered me – so please be careful. *
G: *I’m not my mum, I’ll have you know, Mr Potter! * Ginevra’s sending sounded indignant. But her face was smiling: *He’s holding my hand in a very firm grip! *
As the family trotted along the platform amid the rush of people all wanting to shake Harry’s hand, wishing him the season’s greetings, Gwydion clasped Ginevra’s hand even more tightly. He chatted to James infrequently and stared around as if he had never been inside a large station.
James managed to grip Draco’s hand and whisper: “Dewi was really cut up about his adoptive parents disowning him. I don’t think it was an official adoption either. He arrived a couple of days late at the beginning of term. His late sorting put him in Gryffindor in our dorm, that’s when we made friends. We both have the same gauge measurement, too, and are the strongest in our year.”
“Harry will be pleased to know he sired a strong mage.”
James chuckled: “We were very embarrassed first time. I know you told us about it; but knowing is quite different from having it done to you. Our dorm mates gauge each other now. Did you wander around naked in your dorm?”
“My dorm was circumspect, but Hardad’s was free-and-easy; so I’m told. I think we lost our inhibitions when the Harco group got together in the Green Ladies Room.”
“We could have come home that way, couldn’t we?”
“Yes, you could. But that would single you out from your student compatriots, wouldn’t it?”
James sighed: “I suppose it would … Being the saviour’s son is hard enough … At least with Dewi I have someone equal to me in thaumic strength. That’s probably why we got together in the first place. Anyway, it was fun on the train, pranking and being pranked.”
“Yes, we did it too.”
Meanwhile Gwydion was opening-up to Ginevra: “My guardians said, that in a house fire, my parents had died; ‘Divine Retribution’ they called it too. Not that they would ever tell me what sin my parents had committed. At Hogwarts, told to Jimmy, did I. Found out about Voldemort and the magical war. Headmistress McGonagall, some research, did for me. It seems my real parents were magical. That monster burned them alive because they wouldn’t join him. No recollection I have of them. All I can remember is Mam and Tad.” Gwydion looked sorrowful.
“Did they mistreat you?”
“Not really … properly, I was fed and clothed. They’re chapel, you see. It was their Christian duty, they often told me. Behave properly, I always had to.” Gwydion grimaced.
“Did they beat you?”
“Only when I sinned.”
“How often did that happen?”
“Twice or thrice a week.”
Ginevra cringed internally, and so did the other connected seers.
D: *That’s worse than my father! *
H: *About the same as me, then. *
Gwydion looked up at Ginevra and smiled: “It’s wonderful being at Hogwarts, I haven’t been thrashed at all, and I can choose what I want to eat without anyone saying I have to eat something because it’s good for me; or reminding me that I am luckier than the poor starving African children.”
Slowly, over the walk to Grimond Place the seers learned that Gwydion had had a very strict upbringing, where he had to obey the rules or be thrashed. His guardians belonged to an ultra-Calvinist chapel with strict Old-testament views. The Seers also learned that he dreaded Sundays at his former home. Chapel three times and nothing but ‘improving books’ to read for the rest of the day. After evening chapel, he had to give a précis of what he had read during the day. However, unlike Harry’s continually disapproving guardians, Gwydion’s did give him treats when he got things right; or passed his biblical examinations with good marks.
“My magic first showed, when a broken winged bird to hold, I was given. Sorry, I felt for him. Wished for his healing, did I. Surprised I was, when the wing healed, and he flew off. In last year’s snow, on the mountains a frozen lamb was found. The farmer, dying said it was. I held it, crying and wishing, then the lamb recovered, it did. My guardians, a healing gift, they thought I owned. A Spirit gift they thought I had, and very happy were. Blest for their charity towards me, they thought themselves. When Hogwarts letter arrived, horrified, they were. Me scolded and thrashed they did; burnt letter too. Then others arrived, Headmistress McGonagall too, to guardians she explained. Devil’s advocate they thought her, devil’s spawn they thought me. Exorcism they tried, but other manifestations still occurred. Annoyed, they threw my chattels out, door locking against me, too. In barns I slept, whilst walking to Hogwarts. Other farmers friendly were, me gave food when with their harvest I helped. Magic, I think helped me too, in those tasks.”
D: *Sounds to me like they used ‘Christian Charity’ to browbeat Gwydion instead of loving him. *
A: *I agree. His gifts they felt were their recompense for taking him in. No wonder they were annoyed when it was made obvious that they were Gwydion’s innate powers. *
G: *More reason for me to mother him. * “You understand about the Spirit prompting, I take it.”
“Yes!” Gwydion looked worried.
“No need to be frightened of us. We believe too. We celebrate our thaumic gifts and we’re sure they’re God-given to be exercised for the good of all people.”
“Madam Pomfrey also says so. Me a good healer, she thinks I may make. Chapel you attend then?”
“We go to church, yes. And the priests bless our work.”
“Guardians say that church has lost its way. They, the only pure believers, say they are.”
By that time, they were standing outside Number Twelve.
Wilfred came over: “Hello, are you a new recruit?”
“Yes Pastor. To take me away have you come?” Gwydion looked afraid again.
“Why should I do that?”
“My guardians say I’m devil’s spawn.”
Wilfred looked puzzled and glanced at Ginevra.
“Dewi only started at Hogwarts this term and had an ultra-Calvinist upbringing, Willie.”
“I see. No, Dewi, I have no wish to take you away. I dare say that you are still getting used to the alternative world you now inhabit. Know that you are in the care of good Christian people. No doubt you will hear of the ones that follow the devil, but not your present associates, they are on the side of the light. You will, no doubt, meet other priests and ministers who support the thaumic community. I imagine you know the teaching: ‘In my Father’s house there are many mansions’.
“Yes Pastor. John chapter fourteen, verse two.”
“I see you know your Bible, well done. Well … you are living in one of the more unusual ones. If ever you want to discuss things, my door is open. I live in Number One above the chapel. No doubt you’ll come with the others to the dedication service here on New Year’s Day.”
Harry chuckled: “I think you’re in for a big surprise Dewi. We’ll be attending Christmas and New Year celebrations all over Europe, and with different Denominations too.”
“Jimmy did say that to different churches we’d be going. But all over Europe?”
“You’ll be let into the secret soon enough, but for now we’ll go and have dinner here. Would you like to join us, Willie?”
“Thanks, it’ll save me making some at home. I dare say that it will also be more appetising than the meal I was planning.”
After dinner Wilfred said his church had a social evening planned, so the family went along to that as well.
“Different, it is,” whispered Gwydion to James: “Happy and laughing are they. In our meetings laughter was frowned upon. Peaceful they were, not noisy, like this.”
“Do you not like it?”
“Oh yes. Like a Hogwarts common-room it is. Like that, I do, greatly, so relaxed.”
Gwydion was not as surprised about the extent of the portal system as Harry expected. The seers supposed that that was because of him using the posterns for lessons in the various academies. What did surprise him though was the closeness of the Practical Annex at Milkwood.
###
During one of the many seasonal celebrations that the seer family attended around the winter solstice. Draco, under the expansive influence of a little too much imbibing, during one of Abdulmuralla’s celebrations, passed a slightly off-colour remark to Johann.
“No, we haven’t yet. I’m getting used to trusting someone who isn’t trying to manipulate me all the time. It just doesn’t seem appropriate. That’s not saying I don’t have frequent wet dreams about him, but …!”
At the same party, a reasonably sober Carlos was chatting to Harry: “He knows the score, Mother has an heiress lined up for me. I’ve yet to tell the girl about my real amour. Mother knows I’m gay and just shrugs. ‘Do your duty, produce and heir, preferably male, then enjoy your lover,’ she says: ‘It’s not as though your father and I were in love. We were friends, but he was not my type – I like ’em young and athletic.’ She’s busy talking contracts at the moment. I think I’d like to bed him, but not just yet. It wouldn’t be fair on him if the wife-to-be insists on absolute monogamy. What we haven’t had, we cannot miss. Although I can dream.”
###
It was very obvious that Gwydion was enjoying his holiday, and the family’s children had taken to him. He had quickly become a member of the village gang of magical children so, on the day before the Hogwarts Express left a family meeting was called.
“Dewi, have you been happy here during the holiday?”
“Yes Hardad, a great time I’ve had, thank you. No Christmas do I remember, that was so joyful.”
“Our understanding is that your previous guardians no longer wish to offer you a home. Is that correct?”
“Yes, homeless I am.”
Astoria smiled: “Draco and I have been researching your ancestors. It seems that, many generations ago, we both had the same forebears. Bearing that in mind we are cousins many, many times removed, it could be said that in a way we are family. We would like to make that official, but we will only do that if you agree.”
“Like a loving family I never had, you have treated me. Most willing to join you, I would be. Jimmy, Scorp and Al as a brother, treat me already. A liking to Lil I also have.”
“There’s more as well, Dewi. The house of Greengrass needs an official heir. Draco and I only had one child, Scorpius. He would have had to hold the Greengrass estate in trust.”
“To take away Scorp’s, patrimony I would not like.”
“Scorpius will inherit the Malfoy estate, Gwydion. Our idea is that you with, Scorpius, James and Albus, will be coached in thaumic estate management, probably taking the subject as an OWL or NEWT subject. Each of you will eventually take over an estate from us.”
“I, a pure-blood, am not. Many squibs and muggles in my family tree, I have. Would I not acceptable be?”
Harry chuckled: “It seems the Fluence has recognised you. Tor and Draco have all the written proof of your ancestry to present to the Wizengamot office. Anyway, we’re moving away from the pure-blood supremacy ideas. Most of the family trees have aberrations in them. Draco’s family has about ten doubtful alliances in its history.”
Gwydion looked quizzically at Draco who replied: “My father doctored our family tree to hide a squib ancestor and we think that my other patricians did the same. Tor and Herms are starting some research, not only into our families, but many others too. So, I don’t think you need to worry overmuch.”
“Oh! Then, this family I would like to belong to, please.”
“There are various legalities to be sorted and it might be advisable for you to adopt the Greengrass-Blake patronym.”
“Me, a Gwyrdd was born. A Jones brought up. So, a Greengrass-Blake I would consent to be, too. Especially if, to a happy family, I will belong.”
The following day amid the snow, the family waved goodbye to James and Gwydion as they boarded the Hogwarts Express at Kings Cross.
~~~ BLIZZARDS ~~~
Almost as soon as the Christmas celebrations had finished, the bad weather set in. It was normal for the Cumbrian hill villages and towns to be cut off for a couple of days each year, but the blizzards howled over the fells for longer than usual, filling every hollow with snow and the frost making every raised area into a skating rink. The bypass cuttings were packed with hard snow, and the viaduct was closed after three vehicles slid over the parapet whilst trying to brake on the hard-packed ice. Luckily the cars landed on the frozen river. The ice cracked and slowly subsided, that just gave the shaken occupants enough time to escape. Unseen, a couple of magicals managed to levitate the cars on to the bank, where they stayed until the thaw.
Most of the local schools were closed because neither teachers nor pupils could make their way there – One disadvantage of centralised education. However, the Parish school did remain open for those who were resident in the village. Some of the curriculum was altered to include snow-based practical lessons. It was surprising how children could enthuse about mathematics when encouraged to calculate and test the speed of a sledge down a measured incline; especially if they are riding on it.
Apart from sledges, only one form of land-transport was available. Walking any distance in that depth of snow was highly inadvisable. There had been a couple of incidents where people had had to be dug out of what could easily have become a frozen tomb, when a hollow the snow had opened up and swallowed them. The railways, with snowploughs, just managed to keep some sort of service going. There was no timetable possible because the trains had sometimes to back up and take a run at a forming snowdrift or wait for the points to unfreeze. Unlike the cars on the viaduct trains do not slip off the rails. Helicopters were practically useless because of the raging winds and low clouds. However, the goblinesses had willing extra hands to keep the village railway moving. The mages used their powers to clear away any blockages. Supplies were brought in on the main train and then distributed via their local one. They even supplied Grumblewell via the low tunnels using some of the stone trucks. Just before the blizzards struck the goblinesses had completed the extension to Somerford, thus that small community could be supplied with the essentials, as well.
###
It was over a month before things returned to near normal; by that time the lambing season was well underway. Then more snow hit the fells. Not deep enough to hinder the traffic overmuch, but the drifts covered the ewes who had taken shelter ready to give birth. The magely community came to the aid of the nearby farmers. Thaumic probes were very efficient in finding buried animals and clandestine charms kept their body temperatures high enough for them to survive the cold. The county was sparsely populated and people with no business to be out in the raw cold were huddling around their indoor fires; thus, a number of judicial transporting charms could be used, without giving the game away. Other rural fell-areas had a worryingly low count of surviving animals, but the district around Godric’s Hollow was blessed with a yield something higher than normal. Not that the muggle farmers said anything untoward. Apart from a heartfelt thankyou as another ewe and her lamb were delivered safely into the farmer’s care and placed in their barn’s warm shelter.
After one such rescue mission the magicals were at the cottage because it was too dark to see. Hot soup and a roaring fire, had them aching but cosily content. They were chatting, because it was still a far too early to retire to bed.
“We still have more rails than we used in extending to Somerford,” remarked Jocasta: “In the autumn, on a leisure day out, we visited some caves nearby, which were available to the general public. They had fenced walkways.”
“A visitor attraction?”
“Yes. We’d had a look at our caves when the water was down at the entrance last summer. I reckon ours are much better. I don’t think we could construct safe walkways, but I am sure that we could run a railway through them. Our tentative survey shows that it could be a loop, starting at the picnic place and returning there.”
“What about disturbing Bwca?”
“We ran it by them,” added Timothea: “If the people are confined to the carriages, then they have no real objection. What would worry them and us, was if the public had access to their entrance chasm through the abyss with the waterfall. If the gongoozlers are confined in the carriages, they cannot get out and into difficulties. We thought to use the pseudo-electric engine and stop in each cavern so that the train noise doesn’t spoil the atmosphere.”
“So, you’re thinking of making adits into the first cave and out of the last one.”
“In fact, there’s a mediaeval or Elizabethan adit leading to the Golden Cavern, probably for the ancient copperas industry.”
“Copperas industry?”
“Yes Draco, the base of an ointment for bad eyes and sheep scab. It was also used to produce sulphuric acid, inks and dyes. Another by-product was a form of sulphur used in making gunpowder. We can open that adit out fairly easily. We think the adit leading to the Broonies’ pool was made so that the pool could be used for processing the ore. That will become the emergency exit required by law.”
“So, will it be regarded as a new railway?”
“We’ll tell the authorities that it is a reinstatement except for the short length near the river’s source. It’s pushing things a bit, but we did find the remains of a wooden waggonway, or something that was its forerunner. It seems from the quarry records that it went out of use in the middle eighteen-hundreds, but the owners retained the option to reinstate it and then, as we already know, forgot about striking it off when they renewed their licences. Once we have the track down, we’ll contact Captain Jeremy so he can advise us on any safety issues.”
“Do I take it that you’re aiming for the tourist season?”
“We hope so, but it depends on the tunnellers. At least they aren’t hampered by the bad weather. We’re not going in to lay track until it's entirely safe.”
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Harco Empire