Toppers Wallow

After a quick tea, Draco and Pullet went into the potions lab and Harry went to see the farmers whose crops they had resuscitated.



“She\'s an awkward old biddy,” said David, one of the farmers. “Some of us offered her grain, but she said that we were trying to poison her poultry, so we backed off, you see.”



“I think I might be able to sneak some into her garden. We\'ll soak some of the grain in physic to get her hens on an even keel again. Then we\'ll try to get John to talk some sense into her. It was he who first alerted us to her hens’ plight.”



“Okay Mr Potter, I\'ve got a half sack here, take that. Let\'s see if you can do better than we did. I\'ll take my hat off to you if you manage to outwit the old dear.”



Harry had much the same response from the other farmers and returned home obscured by sacks of grain he was carrying, magically lightened to ease the strain. Pullet chose some grain for soaking in the lab, and took a bucketful which he promised to scatter next door once it was dark. Harry gave John a telephone call to tell him what was happening.



After dinner David rang to say that a couple of his cows were off colour and asked if they had a draught to help. Draco promised to come round and have a look at the animals in the morning, because David had said it was not urgent. Draco spent most of the evening immersed in Severus\'s old apothecaries, researching diagnostic spells, and possible cures for unwell bovines.



He was exhausted when he came to bed, his shoulders and back ached from poring over the old tomes. Harry found a vial of Ernie\'s balm-oil and set about massaging his lover. Draco loved it, basking in the skilful manipulations of his amour. Inevitably, whilst frontal massage was in progress, other forms of entertainment started to become prominent. Harry managed to make Draco feel good in more ways than one; receiving in payment, a creamy libation. In his turn, a newly energised Draco managed to use some of the sweet smelling oil on Harry\'s urgent protrusion, procuring a gasping conclusion. Snuggling in a sweet-smelling nest two satiated swains slept entwined together.



On Thursday morning Pullet reported a successful grain scattering mission and Draco went to see David\'s sick cows. When he came back he delved into the apothecaries again, and then went with Pullet into the woods to gather various ingredients. Meanwhile Harry had written his first lesson plans and owled them off to Gran. Lunch was casual and slightly late.



Bangs from the Apparating Area announced the arrival of Gertie and her three charges. Draco and Harry went to greet them and hand them in through the wards. Once they had been shown around Draco went to excuse himself saying he had some cattle potions to make.



“Please Professor may we help,” asked Gregorian. His two friends looked on eagerly and hopefully.



Draco looked dubious and about to refuse, but Harry caught his eye and mouthed ‘dry run’.



“Why not?” Draco’s frown melted into a smile as he realised what Harry had meant. “Making potions is a very serious business, boys. We have to be very, very accurate and do things in the right order; otherwise we may poison David\'s cows instead of healing them."



Three young goblin faces looked very serious. “YES PROFESSOR, WE UNDERSTAND.”



Draco flushed at his new title. “Right now! I shall give you each an ingredient which we have to prepare ...” Draco took his students downstairs into the lab. Pullet followed them and was encouraged to join in.



Meanwhile Gertie had met Winky and they were chatting about the various dishes she was preparing for dinner, Phealey was helping too. Harry felt slightly put out at having his guests commandeered. However he soon cheered-up when Erwin arrived back with his lesson plans approved, with only one small suggestion attached. He went down to the study with the papers and found his senior house-elf reading one of the new books which Harry had ordered from Flourish and Blotts.



“Kreacher?”



“Yes Master?”



“You know this new equality legislation? Well, Hogwarts was to enrol people classed as sentient beings. The centaurs have Firenze and Bane sorting their learning requirements and inputs out. Hamish is the new goblin professor and there are a number of first year goblins starting. However no elves have applied. Do you have any idea how we can encourage suitable elfin applicants?”



“I\'m not sure that I like the idea of our youngsters being encouraged to step out of line. Our job is to serve our masters’ wishes.”



“So if your masters told you to go to Hogwarts and attend classes, would you go?”



“Err ... Yes ... I suppose I’d have to. You aren\'t going to tell me, please Master.”



“No, Kreacher. Don’t fret. I think you are a little too old for becoming a first year.” They both giggled and Harry continued, “However Phealey and Pullet are more of the age I was thinking about, or maybe some who are slightly younger. You know how the legislation reads, about slow integration, getting the youngsters to meet and react with others of their same age-group. You know how Pullet likes helping with Draco and his potions; Phealey has asked if he can come to my DADA groups.”



“Maybe an approach might be made; suggesting that it would be and extension of their helping skills. Even the DADA could be seen as helping to defend the masters’ household.”



“Good idea Kreacher. Quite a few house-elves listen to you. They’re quite chuffed that you led that army, so they look to you as a leader. How about you chatting to the parents of suitably aged young elves? Taking your idea to them about increasing their skills to help. Draco and I will enlist Pullet’s and Phealey’s help in our classes, so that any young elves have some sort of role model. Possibly trying to expand the idea of house-elves into lab-elves, defence-elves, librarian-elves; you do a much better job of keeping my books in order than ever I would, and you enjoy reading too.”



“You don’t mind do you?”



“No Kreacher. You have my blessing in trying to improve yourself.”



“Thank you. Yes Master I’ll see what I can do.”



“Good. Let me know who are amenable and I’ll talk to their masters, to get them released to be able to learn, as part of their duties to the household.”



Harry and Kreacher continued the discussion for a quarter of an hour until three excited goblins burst in on them all as equally potion spattered as a fired-up Pullet.



“Please can we go and swim now? Professor Malfoy says we’ve done well and can have some time off; though we have to return later to bottle the potions.” Gregorian asked.



“Is Draco coming as well?”



“No Professor. He says he has some other things to do in the lab.”



“How well do you swim?”



“Not very well, but we like splashing around.”



By the time they had gone upstairs and outside, Pullet had obtained Harry’s trunks and towelling robe. Winky had made miniature ones for her two charges and Gertie produced some for her boys. Kreacher had adapted some more of the rings, to have handles on them. By the end of the session the three goblins had gained enough confidence to try going out of their depth and to swim a length without the use of the rubber rings. As it was still warm enough, they hauled out and sat on the pool’s edge partaking tea.



Griphook arrived, being handed in by Draco. As soon as he saw him Gregorian jumped up.



“Dad, Dad. We’ve helped Professor Malfoy make a potion, and Professor Potter’s taught us to swim. Isn’t it great?”



“Yes Son it is. I hope you behaved yourselves?” Griphook smiled at Harry questioningly.



“Hello Griphook. They’re enthusiastic and haven’t misbehaved yet. Do you have the papers, please?”



“Yes they’re all here. Do you want to deal with them now?”



“Have some tea first.” Draco said, shaking Griphook’s hand. “Then I’ll watch the youngsters on the broomsticks whilst Harry’s in the study.”



Whilst they were downstairs, Griphook and Harry heard splashes and shouts of laughter, but nothing alarming. Because the local post office acted as an agent for one of the mainstream banks accounts were set up for Carter, Billy and Harry to use for Muggle transactions.



“Griphook, I have something to give you.”



“I don’t need fees, Harry. This is part of the service Gringott’s give.”



“No. It’s in this parcel.”



Griphook started to unwrap it. “How did you get this, it was in my vault?”



“We had to fight Death Eaters yesterday, and it came unbidden.”



“Oh! Porlock said something about helping the centaurs, when I passed him this morning. Not that we had time to chat as our supervisors were frowning. Thanks I’ll put it back. Are you likely to want it again?”



“Quite probably. The Master seems to be attacking small groups. I think I ought to show you how to operate your medallion so that you can call for our help.”



Before they started Kreacher announced Hamish and departed, and between them they told Griphook about their little battle and then shared galleon knowledge. Hamish told them about how he was thought-linked to Porlock and Tarmindale and they, in turn, to another goblin each, thus forming a chain. A discussion took place as to how they could help each other in an emergency; until through the window, their attention was caught by zooming youngsters, so they went on to the lower patio to see the progress made.



“Thanks to your two’s chat at the bank, I seem to have made a hit with my son. I was surprised how quickly he responded.” Griphook said quietly to Harry while they watched.



“I’m so pleased for you. I’m rather enjoying teaching them too, their so enthusiastic.”



“Ah yes, Griphook.” Hamish asked. “Would you be willing to come and talk to my classes about Gringott’s and the services they offer?



Harry said he was surprised at the scope of magical and Muggle banking arrangements, maybe there are other services on offer too.”



“I’d love to, but I’m not sure my supervisor would approve and as long as I don’t have to perform that silly jingle.” The others giggled.



“If I asked Minerva to formally request your services, would that help?”



“It’d get up my supervisor’s nose and I think I’d like that. He’s of the old school and says each race should keep their relevant places. Then, he didn’t like my reinstatement either, I think he was in Bellatrix’s pocket before she was exposed and killed. I’m not far off being made a supervisor myself, so an official request for my services would put me in good standing.”



“Anything else we could do to help?”



“Well I need some personal clients, Harry; preferably ones with piles of gold in a vault.”



“Am I eligible?”



“I’m glad you asked because your parents’ supervisor has retired. I think I have the forms with me.”



“Okay, let me sign up. Oh! And I’ll ask Draco to do the same. He’s got a separate one from his father’s, it is small at the moment but you never know, at least he has a steady income for a few years.”



Hamish transferred his account; he said he was dissatisfied with the service he was given. Griphook was very pleased, because it belonged to his awkward supervisor. When asked, Draco signed up as well.



Dinner was a success, followed by friendly conversation and Griphook telling them the tale about his rescue from the piles of burning gold. The youngsters looked glum when they were told it was their bed-time, but one look from Draco had them falling into line reasonably cheerfully. As they left Draco promised to let them know how the cows responded before term started.



Friday morning Percy Apparated in, bearing the model Harry had requested, complete with the alterations suggested. With Phealey, they Apparated to Hogwarts, whilst Draco went to physic David’s cows. Harry found the model ideal, and asked for another one to be made, giving Percy a cheque for the advance payment. Percy had never seen a cheque before and the resultant conversation had him agreeing to ask Griphook to become their personal banker. Percy went, leaving Harry wandering around the practice room with his teaching plan in hand, working out the best places for his students to be. Ron and Hermione joined him. When he explained what he was doing they said that they had had the same idea. The rest of the morning was spent in the teaching areas and giving Phealey some tuition in charms, so he was just ahead of the students with his knowledge. Harry referred him to a book.



“Master; sorry, but I can’t read.”



“Really! Well we’d better do something about that. Kreacher can read, so I assumed that all elves were taught.”



“No Master. Very few of us can read. Regulus was a good master to Kreacher and showed him how.”



“Do you think that’s why no elves have applied to come to Hogwarts?”



“Yes Master. They’re afraid of being shown up in front of the others.”



“So some sort of crash course would be in order for you two, would it?”



“Ooh yes please!”



“Right! We’ll start this afternoon.”



“Thank you. Can I serve lunch now?”



“Yes please. Have you enough for Hermione and Ron?”



“Winky had assumed you would ask them.”



Somehow Phealey informed Pullet and he came to thank Harry, so five of them had lunch together, after which Harry and the two elves went back to Magnet Cottage. Once there he had a talk to Kreacher who said he still had the parchments Regulus had used to teach him. Harry set two magic quills the task of writing out the primer ready for the first lesson.



Draco interrupted. “Harry, on my way back from David’s I had a look in at Woodyates. The trio were somewhat puzzled, as some work they had started had been completed by someone else overnight. They also said that the washing up from breakfast had been done whilst they were outside. I immediately knew that house-elves were responsible, so I had the boys leave the lunch washing up, borrowed your cloak of invisibility and sat quietly in the kitchen. Sure enough, three young house-elves appeared and started cleaning the dishes. They got quite a shock when I appeared from behind the cloak. It took some persuading to get them to talk to me. Basically, their parents and the young one who Winky was friends with, had been tortured and killed by the previous occupants and the young ones had gone into hiding. They were afraid to show themselves to Muggles and so did things when the trio weren’t around. There’s an older sister and a pair of twin boys, the boys are just the right age to come to Hogwarts, but they seem reluctant.”



“Did you find out whether they could read?”



“I didn’t think to ask them. Some of the ones at the manor looked after the accounts and the library so I assumed that all elves were taught.”



“Yes, that’s what I thought too. However Phealey and Pullet say they were never taught.”



“Ah! That explains why Pullet made a mistake when I asked him to get an ingredient for me. I’ll apologise to him, because I made an out of order remark when we were making potions yesterday.”



“I have the quills copying out a primer for each of our two, we could copy some more. Have you introduced the trio to them yet?”



“No! I got them to come here to meet Kreacher and Winky. Winky says she’ll keep an eye on them for us. I left a note asking the trio to come to dinner, here. We can make the introductions then, I think.”



“Kreacher?”



“Yes Master Harry?”



“Would you be able to teach them? Draco and I are going to be very busy teaching other things at Hogwarts soon. Perhaps they would learn more easily from you, you know how the primer works. Maybe, if we make a big household here, servicing the farm with the basics, that would relieve you of some duties.”



“Are you telling me to?”



“No! Asking! Like we agreed some time ago.”



“Could you start them off, please? I had better see what Woodyates needs, and settle them in here. There’s plenty of room under the eaves and Master Billy has made us some separate rooms. All sleeping together got a little too personal, if you see what I mean.”



“Okay, I have no problem with that. How many pupils could you handle comfortably? Draco and I have only just found out that many elves can’t read. Phealey and Pullet say that’s probably why we have no applicants.”



Before Kreacher could reply the fire became active.



“Is Draco there,” asked Griphook.



“Yes I’m here.”



“Have you given permission for your estate in Scotland to be sold?”



“I didn’t know I had one.”



“Mmm! That’s what I thought. Right; I’ll put a block on the transaction. May I come to see you later on?”



“Yes, of course. Is there anything I can do meanwhile?”



“Have you got a tame lawyer? I think your father’s trying to pull a fast deal by way of disinheriting you. I’ll gather the papers and bring them with me. By the way Harry, thanks for the ‘3W’s’ account, I’ll soon have enough for a supervisor’s portfolio.”



“I’ll have a chat with some of the DA members, see if they’ll transfer.”



“I have a lawyer friend. I’ll floo him right away.”



“Thanks! See you in a couple of hours, Draco. Bye!”



During the floo conversation Kreacher had been thinking. He agreed that the lack of literacy could be the main recruitment problem. He also said that up to twenty elves would be his maximum, as long as he had extra help in the domestic arrangements. The next floo was from Minerva, asking that she have a couple of respite days over the weekend. Harry agreed straightaway. Hermione and Ron made the same request quarter of an hour later; adding that they would like to help with the literacy teaching.



Teatime had Griphook arrive; he and Draco took over the study. Francis Apparated to the front door and took his tea with him to the study. Harry met the elfin twins, Robbie and Bobby, with their elder sister Hyacinth; explaining the sort of establishment they had in mind. Robbie and Bobby were as lively as Pullet and Phealey and readily agreed to become literacy students. Hyacinth preferred to be with Winky doing domestic work. Harry’s first lesson got underway with four enthusiastic pupils.



Dinner had to be out on the patio in order to accommodate the various guests and the boys. Hyacinth was fairly timid at first, but the boys made her feel welcome and thanked her for all the unseen jobs that had been carried out. She was overcome and ran sobbing into the kitchen. Billy was worried that they had said the wrong thing, but Winky soon explained that all she had had before was criticism and kicking.



Francis, new to the household, was a little taken aback by the free and easy way everyone related to each other.



“I’m beginning to see what you meant in your speech to the Wizengamot, Mr Potter, about being able to relate as equals. I have worked with Griphook before, purely on a professional basis. I meet Muggles in court and have a house-elf at home. I never thought I’d share a meal with any of them. I must say it’s a refreshing experience, one that I’d like to continue some time.”



“Call me Harry please. If you wanted to stay overnight or even for the weekend we’d be most pleased to offer you our hospitality.”



“Really … Um … How do I tell my house-elf, Washer?”



“I know her, Master Francis. Can I ask her over here too?” Kreacher looked at Harry, who nodded, and then at Francis.



“Yes please, Kreacher, she gets a bit lonely sometimes.”



“Will you be staying, Griphook?”



“I think I’d better get back to Gertie and Gregorian, thanks Draco. I’ll see you both at Gringott’s on Monday morning.” Griphook looked at Draco and Francis before he went to the Apparating Area.



Almost as soon as the goblin had gone, Washer appeared with a weekend case of Francis’s clothes etc. She was quite shy, soon making friends with Hyacinth. Harry felt that they both were a little overawed by the mixed noisy establishment. Minerva and Francis struck up a friendship too. They both liked poetry, and soon were wandering around the garden, quietly discussing the pros and cons of blank verse.



Draco and Harry shared a salacious shower and then sat in bed as Draco told Harry what he had learnt about his estate.



“It seems it became mine as soon as I became an adult in both worlds. My Father wanted to deprive me of my birthright and was in the process of selling it to a Muggle consortium. Francis is unsure whether I can stop the sale; however both he and Griphook are sure that the money will now come to me, and not Lucius. I reckon he’s going to be very angry when he finds out next week. Perhaps we ought to think about extending the wards to include the whole parish, a bit like Hogwarts did recently to the forbidden forest following the attack on the centaurs. We’re not going to be here all the time and he’s quite likely to be sneaky and attack when we’re absent, knowing him.”



“We’d better talk to John. I know most of the DA members are coming on Sunday for the blessing of the harvest; we could get them to do it overnight on Sunday. Then the Muggles won’t see what we’re doing.”



“Mmm, good idea.”



“Masters, Masters. Can we show you what we’ve written?” Four exuberant elves burst into the room.



“Ooh, sorry. We didn’t think you’d be in bed yet.”



“Don’t worry Phealey; at least we weren’t in flagrante.” Draco smirked.



“Oh! You share a bed too. Are you twins as well?” Robbie was open mouthed



“No Robbie, we’re lovers.” Harry blushed slightly.



“But you’re both men?” queried Bobby.



“Silly! I told you they were gay, like us,” interjected Phealey.



“So you did, but I didn’t believe you.”



Draco took hold of one of the parchments and started to read. He invited Bobby to look over his shoulder and they went through the document together. Harry did the same with Pullet. Then the other two’s papers were looked at. A short impromptu lesson took place with the pupils sitting on the bed. Both magicians were very surprised when they received quick kisses from all four elves, by way of saying thank you and goodnight.