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
- 236
- 237
- 238
[Note: “x-x” = speech & ‘x-x’ = thoughts & *x-x* = telepathy & #x-x# = Parseltongue]
~~~ VALENTINA ~~~
Having inspected its interior, Janos quickly exited the tent and then walked around it, counting his footsteps. Back at the front he went inside. Two minutes’ later he came out. His normally tanned face was as white as a sheet:
“Where’s the rest of it?”
“What does he mean, Harry?”
H: *They haven’t been inside one, have they?*
D: *So it seems!* “Why don’t you two have a look inside.”
They came out, also looking shocked: “Some illusion, that!”
“No illusion, Max,” replied Draco: “It uses the same kind of space-time thaums that the cabinets do. We don’t know who originally charmed the tent, but they must have been strong. Probably a linked pair.”
“What’s he talking about, Harry?”
“Thaums are units of magical power. The stronger the wizard, the more he can wield when making a charm. Charms are a particular set of Latin words with a specific set of wand gestures. What muggles call spells, we subdivide into categories, thus: charms - which are positive, cantrips - which can be used either way, hexes – are minor temporary hurtful spells, and curses which are more permanently hurtful and can go as far as killing someone. If two of mages link, they can use even stronger spells. Also, they won’t tire as quickly.”
“Tire?”
“Yes, using magic uses up your energy, almost as much as doing it by hand. As you can imagine, charming the tent must have taken a lot of effort.”
“So, you were tired out after saving us from the storm, were you?”
“Not overmuch. Water doesn’t put up too much resistance if part of the propulsion charm has a cutting cantrip in it as well. It’s even easier on a railway, with the wheels not resisting the forward motion, but that charm as no cutting part; so the air acts against you. At least that’s the theory. Of course, gravity effects the trains when going up a gradient.”
“That’s why my taxi got hot!”
“Same idea.”
“Why is cutting a cantrip?”
“Think of cutting a cake up into slices and giving some to your friends. You actually destroy the cake for a good reason. It can also be used in a bad way, say; if you were duelling and you started to cut up your opponent.”
Robbie was standing nearby, so Harry nodded to him before Janos asked another question.
“Do you want us to bring up your things, Harry?”
“I can drive you to the apartment, if you like,” offered Janos.
Draco honed-in on the conversation: “I think we’re likely to stay here for a couple of days at least.”
Janos looked disappointed: “So you won’t be needing me then.”
“Why? Don’t you want to stay?”
“I’d like to, but I have to earn my keep, otherwise our house will have no food.”
“Your house?”
“It’s uncle’s house really, but we all share. We’re all people who were displaced by the war that finished about twenty years ago. We were children and no-one cared what happened to us, but Uncle Neb. He has this old house and us older ones each have a room. Well … a divided part of a bigger room, but we are private. Those of us who can work do so and bring our wages back. It all goes into a kitty and helps to support some of us who are not well enough to go out.”
H: *I’m worried in case the uncle Neb is a sort of pimp.*
“So, you drive a taxi, all the time, do you?” asked Draco.
“I can earn better money elsewhere. Though it’s frowned upon by the authorities.”
“What, exactly?”
“You already know, or you’ve guessed.” Janos blushed and pushed his elastic topped trousers down. “You lot are fun to be with, but some of my clients want to do hurtful things.” He sighed: “But they pay well. When I can get it. I don’t really like it, but … … Being with you lot has been a pleasant break.” He pulled his trousers up again: “So now I must go, I suppose.”
D: *Tour guide?*
H: *Good idea.* “Have you ever been hired as a guide? You know; showing people around, rather like you did for us. You did say you knew these mountains, didn’t you?”
“I’d have to ask uncle and you’d need to agree a price with him. I think I’d enjoy that; besides, I know that you don’t want nasty things from me.”
“Do all the people who live at your uncle’s house do what you do?”
“Two or three of us, yes. Some work as cleaners or delivery agents; that’s mainly the girls though. Uncle doesn’t want them to get into trouble. Two of the boys work on the ferry, and another in a garage. Four of us are too shattered to work outside. If they can, they help with the house and cooking.”
“How is it that you’re on the game, then?”
“On the game?”
“Yes! Selling your body.”
Janos blushed: “Some of my mates and I experimented when we were younger. That’s when we camped up here. We had no families, there were no jobs because of the war. We lived off food from abandoned farms and played at being soldiers. The captives paid the sexual forfeit. Being skinny, that was usually me. Not that I minded too much; I was part of the band. Soon they went to help the partisans. All dead, no doubt. War isn’t glorious. I hung around the bivouacs and did bits of jobs like cooking and foraging. That sort of petered out as rations grew short.”
“Not a good life!” Harry put a sympathetic arm around Janos’s shoulders: “Is that when your uncle found you?”
“No! I was doing that before Uncle found me. The soldiers were not too worried who they fucked when they were randy. Quite often it was being fucked or being tortured - possibly to death if they thought you were on the other side. I never knew which squad was which, they moved around so much. Not much choice, was there? Besides, they would give me food as payment and when you’re starving that’s a great incentive.” Janos shuddered and looked at his feet
H: *Merlin! That’s awful!*
D: *Voldie did that to me. I had the food, but the death threats and the things I had to do … They were real enough.*
“I didn’t mean to shock you … Sorry!”
“You didn’t. We were discussing what you told us.”
Janos looked puzzled: “But I didn’t hear anything!”
“It’s another magical thing, Janos. We can talk to each other in our minds.”
“Can all you wizards do that, Harry?”
“Most can’t. We have special powers because we are partners, and because we are thaumically strong.”
Draco could see the conversation wandering away: “I think you should drive me down to the apartment so we can pick up our belongings. In case anyone sees us, we’ll make a bundle that looks like a tent and bring that back with us. Before we come back though, I’ll go and see your uncle. We’ll say that we’ve decided to stay a bit longer and would like to camp up here. Then offer him some rent. I shall also ask for you to act as our guide and agree a fee for your services. You obviously know your way around here from your war games. Are you happy with that?”
Janos smiled: “Of course I am. I like being with you, even if it is for a short time. I can forget taxis and tricks for a bit.”
“Tricks?”
“Yes Draco, the people who pay me for sex.”
“Oh! Sorry.”
“No need to be, I’m used to it by now. C’mon the sooner we collect your things; the sooner I can be free of it for a bit.”
H: *We should try and find a better life for him.*
D: *I agree, imagine what will happen when he’s not so attractive … Hmm?*
H: *No thanks.*
~~~ TOWN HOUSE ~~~
Draco went with Janos to pick up the mages’ things from the apartment. Watched by an intrigued and astonish Janos; Draco conjured up some tent-like packages which were packed into the taxi along with their luggage.
Then it was to Uncle Neb’s house. A sprawling mansion which had definitely seen better days. From what Draco could see; at some time, the grounds had been sold off to builders, probably to make ends meet, so he was not expecting much when he entered the front door. Inside was different. It smelled and looked clean, quite obviously the interior had been imaginatively redecorated a few times and looked reasonably prosperous. Draco had a flash of inspiration. Maybe the dilapidated exterior was the muggle equivalent of a glamour so as not to attract attention.
Nebjosa, for that was Uncle Neb’s real name, looked austere and patrician. Draco had a vision of his father, if only he had not been corrupted.
“What exactly do you mean about him being a guide?” Nebjosa regarded Draco suspiciously.
Draco guessed at what was meant between the lines: “We may be gay, but we’re not into rape. I have a loving partner in Harry, and the same holds for the other two. We want to hire Janos because we’re interested in prehistoric remains. We have heard that there are some hidden away in the mountains and Janos says he knows them. He also mentioned something about ancient routes only know to the smugglers. We can only go by maps, it’s much better to have someone who has actually been there.”
“I take it that you know of Podimoc Grad?”
“Yes. It was Janos who showed us where it was. That’s what got us thinking of doing some more exploring.”
“Good. I think we can talk business.”
They agreed a rate per day, for Janos’s work. They agreed a price per week for the camp site. Draco thought it was cheap, but remembered that the cost of living was lower there. So he paid for two weeks, and made sure that he had cleared anything owing from the apartment. Both parties parted with pleased smiles and a handshake.
“I’ll send one of the lads with you in the taxi, so he can bring it back. Janos has a mobile, if you need the taxi for something, he can arrange that for you.”
“Thanks.”
Janos’s friend was just as carefree about his driving, and had an equivalent loud-mouth too, but they arrived in one piece, even if a little shaken.
Draco consoled himself: ‘Not as bad as the carts at Gringotts’ as they hurtled around yet another narrow hairpin bend.
H: *What isn’t?*
D: *Janos’s friend’s driving. Will you cast a glamour, please? Its best that the friend sees an empty site with us lot waiting for the tents to arrive.*
H: *Got the idea! While you’ve been away, we’ve set up some temporary wards. It was also a teaching session for Max and Vito. Ginny and I have also obtained a cabinet and set up a link to the Patrimonio. I felt a bit isolated here.*
D: *Good thinking!*
Knowing that Janos was wearing the scarab they had given him. Draco caught hold of Janos’s hand: *I’m talking to your mind, Janos. When we get to the quarry, Harry will have hidden the tent you saw, so don’t act surprised.*
Janos’s eyes widened, but he nodded his understanding and pursed his lips.
When they arrived, Draco could feel some more magical presences behind the glamour and supposed they were Dumbledorian visitors, via the new link. The four visible mages ensured they took hold of the tent packs, so that Janos’s friend did not suspect the ruse. Everything was sorted into piles and then the taxi left. Janos watched over the rim of the quarry until it was well away. He gave the signal and Harry lifted the glamour to reveal Probert and Zacharias.
“How did they get here, Draco? and how did you talk in my mind.”
“I can only talk in your mind if we’re touching skin to skin. Your scarab has also to be touching your skin and must be reasonably charged. You could have replied that way, but it takes a little practice. They got here using a portal, it’s a sort of magical transport machine. Looks a bit like a twin door wardrobe. This is Probert one of my godsons, he’s a goblin; we call him Probes. The other mage is Zacharias nicknamed Zack. This is Janos guys, our muggle guide, wears a scarab.”
Janos shook both by the hand: “Sorry if I was rude. I’m still getting used to all this.”
Probert chuckled: “My godfathers like throwing people in at the deep-end, just to see if they can swim. If it gets too much, we’ll help you out.”
“Thanks! My head’s still above water at the moment. I was a bit surprised when he talked in my mind, though. Why are you here?”
“We’ve made a tholus. Imagine an invisible dome over the quarry, that stops hexes and curses, plus the magicals that would want to harm us.”
“That sounds like a good idea … Err … Harry told me … Err … Hexes are naughty spells and curses the horrible ones. Right?”
“Yes!”
Harry came over with another stranger: “Janos, if a stranger comes here; we will have to make the campsite look as though there are different tents. This is Justin, he’s good at permanent glamours. A glamour is a strong charm that hides the reality. Come and watch so, you know the difference between the real tent and the pretend ones. They’ll look almost identical.”
“What’ll happen if I go to the wrong tent?”
“You’ll walk right through it, and if it’s raining; you’ll get wet.”
“Got it. Thanks for the warning … … Jebote! That was quick!”
By the time the campsite was neat and tidy, the participants where all hot and sweaty. So, what was second nature to the Dumbledorians, when seeing water, kicked in. They stripped off and jumped in. Because the quarry acted as a sun-trap the pool was not as cold as might be expected – much about the same temperature as the pool at the cottage. Janos’s eyes inspected everything on show and then decided to join them. Being an all-male party, an amount of horseplay took place which developed into one of their favourite games: cock-tag. Janos was worried to begin with, but soon realised it was not a precursor to him being raped. Then his naughty side appeared, and he made sure that, after he was tagged, he targeted someone whom he had not felt-up before. The result was that, although he was not fully rampant, his cock was harder than anyone else’s.
It was still quite warm when they laughingly hauled out. The elves had erected an awning and carpeted the grass with a towelling carpet. There were a number of cushions scattered around too. The participants lay on the towelling with their heads on the cushions, discussing the ideas that Harry and Draco posited. Out there, still naked, they had their evening meal, and then the visiting mages departed. The five that remained planned what they would do tomorrow, before retiring. They also indulged in some repartee as the watched the glorious sunset.
~~~ SCOUTING ~~~
Maximiliano and Vittorio were reasonable flyers, but had not been on a duple before. So, the first hour was spent making sure they felt happy using one. Thereafter they borrowed Harry’s cloak and whizzed off to look at the terrain. Whilst the Italian pair were practicing, the other three pored over a map, with Janos suggesting places near the confluence of the ley-lines. They divided the map into a number of zones for the surveying pairs and would report back to Janos who would make notes based on their sightings. The day was divided up into half hour slots. One pair aloft and one pair recording things of interest. Janos was to categorise what had been seen and advise what he thought they might be. It also allowed for rest and refreshment.
After tea they sat around and discussed their findings:
“There appears to have been some sort of megalithic enclosure up there,” Harry pointed. “Could have been a fastness, could have been a circle.”
“There’s an old tale of ghost attached to it,” remarked Janos: “Something about human sacrifice.”
Draco had a look at the map: “Quite likely, the ley-lines all cross just about there. So, the demesne, if there is one, should not be too far away.”
“We noticed something that seems to suggest an interruption in the geological pattern,” put in Vittorio. He pointed to the map: “There are a number of small streams running in alluvial valleys, but this waterway just appears out of a rock. It’s almost as though the valley has been blocked, because you would suppose from the pattern that there should be a valley there.”
“Do you see that inlet?’ Janos pointed on the map: “A river comes out of a cave there. A bit like the way the Ombla appears near Dubrovnik. However just a stream appears in that other place. There’s an old lady who lives close to that. She has a funny reputation,” said Janos: “She sells old fashioned cures for ailments, made from her own herb garden. Some of the gullible locals also say that she can tell fortunes.”
There was a flash of colour and Fawkes appeared. Janos jumped and stared at him open mouthed.
F: *Tell your muggle friend to stop gaping. As you’ve given him a scarab; you’d better explain who I am.*
“This is Fawkes, Janos, he’s a phoenix, and is our flying conscience. He usually appears when something important is about to happen. I suspect that your old witch is the event he’s celebrating. Oh! And he says to stop showing your surprise.
F: *Well guessed my sons – your deductions are improving. She’s called Valentina.*
Draco grinned at Fawkes: “Very good, Mr Firebird, we’ll visit Valentina tomorrow.”
Fawkes nodded and flashed out of existence.
“How did you know she was called Valentina? Why do you call her a witch, I haven’t heard anything nasty about her?”
Harry tapped his head: “Fawkes told us in here. To us a witch is just a female wizard, Janos. It doesn’t imply anything bad. There are bad ones, Draco’s aunt was one but, from your description, we think Valentina’s on the same side that we are.”
Janos’s curiosity then led them on via Bellatrix and Voldemort to Harry’s role and Draco’s redemption. Not only did it inform Janos, but the Italians filled in a few gaps in their knowledge, as well. The discussion lasted throughout dinner and almost to bedtime. They shared a shower, but such was the questioning that little titillation took place therein.
~~~ VISITATION ~~~
In the morning, after breakfast the quintet set out. First to be encountered were some rubbish-strewn steps: just natural debris from long disuse. There being no-one about the mages used thaumic means to make the steps useable. Then there was a pause whilst they recovered their breath in the lower of the two quarries. A stroll across this quarry was followed by another thaumic clearance session. As they descended the second set of steps, they observed the gatekeeper in his large vegetable garden. He was half hidden behind some bushes and peering at them suspiciously.
Janos waved and the gatekeeper waved back: “That’s Vratsa, as well as watching over the quarries his garden supplies our house with vegetables. One of the girls comes and cleans his house occasionally. And my friend Radovan, when he’s well enough, comes and helps out in the garden. He and Uncle have been friends for ever. He knows me because I sometimes drive up here to collect our supplies and bring his shopping up. He’s a bit of a recluse. Suspicious of anyone who comes here. I told him we were friends, but he’ll still keep spying on us.”
“Will he come and see what we’re doing up top?”
“I doubt it. All those steps to climb, he is getting on a bit. Prefers his own garden domain.”
Harry perused the verdure: “Looks like he’s a good gardener too, everything looks green and healthy.”
“He’s got green fingers. Grows all kinds of stuff that won’t thrive elsewhere nearby. He says it’s how he treats the soil that’s the clue.”
They were now out of sight of Vratsa’s house and walking along a narrow lane, zigzagging down and then almost level, but to stay that way it wound around every contour of the mountains. By the time they had reached Valentina’s domain Draco reckoned they had walked twice as far as the distance on the map.
Draco forgot his calculations when he saw the garden. It was a potioneer’s delight. It must have been laid out with some care at one time, but now the beds had grown together, not that there were any weeds apparent, just abundance. His hands itched to go and pick some leaves off the rarer plants he had spotted.
H: *Smells like Snape’s store, doesn’t it?*
D: *Yes, but much fresher.*
They pushed open the creaking gate and started up the gentle slope towards the cottage, which pressed up almost against a sheer cliff. That was the cliff where, a little further away the small river emerged. At some time, it had been dammed, and from that pool ran some narrow leats; two of which trickled on either side of the path. By the time they reached the gate they were dry, having given up their water to the flourishing plants.
The other people held back a little, whilst Harry and Janos approached the door. It opened just as Harry prepared to knock. There stood a witch who reminded Harry of an older version of the headmistress. This one, however, had piercing blue eyes and a prominent hooked nose.
“Jeste li siroče koji donosi vezani dvije da me vidi, čokolade i druge kreme?”
“Da, nagrađen dama!”
Harry suddenly realised that Janos spoke English to them, and so they had not had him touch the Saint George: “Touch this pendant please Janos.”
“Why?”
“So that I can understand what you are saying when you speak in your native language.”
Janos touched: “She asked if I were the orphan who brought two mages to see her.”
Harry smiled at her: “I am one of the mages, Valentina. Draco there, is the other one.”
“Welcome to my cottage. The fiery-bird said that you would be visiting me and that you would know my name. Are you the one whom the Dark Lord marked or are you the redeemed one?”
Harry moved his fringe out of the way so that Valentina could see his lightning scar: “I am Harry Potter-Blake, Valentina, the marked one. My partner, Draco Malfoy-Blake, is the redeemed one. Janos is our guide, and we have two Italian helpers, Vittorio and Maximiliano.”
By this time the other three had approached the door.
“You have a very verdant garden, Valentina,” Draco said, as they shook hands: “There are plants growing here that I have only ever seen preserved in my potions jars.”
“You are a potioneer then, as well?”
“Yes, and I lecture in them at our academies. My partner’s speciality is defence.”
“You have academies, that is good. Our youngsters lack any formal instruction; I worry that they will never reach their full potential.”
“You have a family, then?
“No. I am the last of my line. My husband died during the war whilst helping the partisans. Not the recent troubles but the one which happened before you were born. We were married, but before any offspring were conceived, he was gone. Such a loss, such is war!”
“Our condolences on our loss Madame.”
“Thank you, but the time of grieving is long past. My purpose is now fulfilled, I have now but thirteen more years to live.”
Draco forbore asking about her purpose and asked instead: “You mentioned children, Madame?”
“Not mine, but those of the hidden magicals. The ones you come to seek.”
“We were just exploring the possibility, Madame. Our two helpers noticed the anomalous missing valley and the river’s outlet close to your premises,”
“So, they are the pair of seekers the fiery-bird told me would accompany you. I had wondered what he meant but thought of quidditch instead.”
“I suspect your Fiery-bird is a phoenix called Fawkes.”
“So, he has a name? Perhaps it’s time for you to meet the guardians. Please follow me.” Valentina turned and went into her house.
As they followed her, Draco remarked mentally to Harry, on the neatness and cleanliness of the house. Recounting his thesis of muggle glamours; because Valentina’s cottage also had a run-down exterior. The emerged through a backdoor into an enclosed, paved yard. High walls on either side, house at the front, cliff at the back. Against the cliff were a number of outhouses, one of whose doors Valentina opened. Out came a stream of snakes.
“Kill them, Harry, kill them quickly, they’re highly poisonous,” yelled Janos.
#Good morning guardians, I am Harry Potter-Blake. #
A head rose from amid the seething mass: #Thou art welcome, puissant seer. I thought thy company comprised two males and two females. I am Sossogenese. #
#Our company does consist of two males and two females. Our wives are at present elsewhere tending our realms whilst we explore. My mate is Draco Malfoy-Blake. We have two magely helpers with us, Maximiliano and Vittorio and the frightened but charmed muggle is our guide, Janos. We would deem it an honour if you would allow us safe passage. My mate has learned the sacred speech, but our companions have not the gift. #
#Our friend, Valentina vouches for you and so does Fawkes. My brothers will need to recognise you, so they do not strike at you next time you wish passage. #
#Thank you for your welcome. #
Whilst Harry was talking the other snakes had surrounded him and were ‘tasting’ him with their forked tongues. Draco understood what was happening and held a quaking Janos in a firm grip. The two Italians were on the defensive with drawn wands.
“Why is Harry hissing?”
“He’s talking to the snakes and explaining who we are. Put away your wands, Max and Vito, the snakes will not hurt us.”
“What are they doing to Harry?”
“Snakes smell with their tongues, sometimes called tasting too. Once they know him and can recognise him, they will do the same to us. That means we can ask for safe passage here at any time.”
“How do we ask? Just hiss at them?”
“No! Copy what I say.” #Greetings Guardians, may I have safe passage, please?#
Draco had them practicing until they had it; then he had them practicing #Thank you.# By the time he was finished he could sense a set of amused snakes surrounding him. So, he put into practice what he had just taught.
Sossogenese replied: #Thou art welcome puissant seer. Thy companions have not the sacred speech, but yet you teach them?#
#Just enough for them to ask your permission politely. Should they wish, at a later date, to learn more, then our academies have equivalent courses. Not that many students partake.#
#That is truly amazing. Mages used to disdain learning the sacred speech. Our congratulations.#
#Thank you!#
Each mage endured inspection followed by Janos. His fear had abated having seen his friends and indeed, Valentina, pass muster. Once past the guardians they found that the outhouse was an entrance to a tunnel in the rock, which sloped upwards. As they emerged there was another tunnel mouth to their right, not that they explored it. In front of them stood a posse of strangely dressed people, one of whom had an enormous eagle perched on his shoulders.
“Welcome, seers and mages all. We have been told that you would come. I am Nicanor, priest to our enclave.”
Another gentleman stepped forward, also with an eagle on his shoulder: “I am Qasim, imam to our enclave.”
“Thank you for your welcome, Nicanor. Salam Alaikum, Qasim.” #Greetings, feathered friends.# “Greetings Magicals all. I am Harry … …” he introduced the others.
#Hail, puissant seer,# one of the birds replied.
#I see you speak the sacred tongue, Harry.# Qasim replied: #It is the lingua franca of our enclave, because we hail from different cultures.#
Draco grabbed the hands of their companions, so they could understand.
#My partner speaks the tongue, but our companions do not. However, if they touch our skin they can understand in their minds.#
#That is indeed a marvellous gift … Behold Elysium, our home and our protectress.#
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