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Harco Empire	By : Toddy Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Draco Views: 34430 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or films. I do not make any money from the writing of this story, just enjoyment.

Chapter List
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- 263
[Note: “x-x” = speech & ‘x-x’ = thoughts & *x-x* = telepathy & #x-x# Parseltongue]
~~~ FREEDOM ~~~
That same Tuesday morning, Draco and Ginevra set off on the duple, securely wrapping themselves in the invisibility cloak. Ginevra was steering whilst Draco held a minor charm. It soon became apparent that the tingle was felt by the mage holding the charm and that the broomstick’s magic was affected as well but without the steering mage feeling anything. Therefore, Ginevra had increasing difficulty in controlling their transport the nearer they approached the walls. They experimented and found that it might be possible to land in the centre of the garden and hold a charm without feeling the tingle or losing control and assumed that the defence had something to do with the walls. More experiments helped them to lay down safe limits from the walls and buildings, and a slight tingle zone next inside.
One anomaly they did note was close to the electrical thing on stilts. There was a distinct lessening of the tingle. In fact, Draco managed to step on to the top, close to where the wires were connected. He tried his test charm and there was only a slight tingle. They felt this was puzzling and so followed the wires as they spanned across the water to the first pylon where no tingle occurred when Draco tested, and then went further until there was a junction with the main line. Here the slight tingle returned.
“I don’t think there’s any electricity flowing through these wires, Ginny.”
“We should talk to Harry and Hermione they know more about muggle things than we do. However, it bears out what Oxana reported, doesn’t it?”
“Hmm … Good idea to ask those two. It’s getting dark; we should be getting back to camp.”
When they arrived back there was a heated discussion happening between one of the muggles and Probert.
“If you light up the tents like that the illumination will show through the trees and the prison warders will see it. Then they’ll come and investigate.”
“They are unable to see anything on the island but the normal trees, even in the middle of the day. I have an occlusion all around the island.”
These were the kind of arguments going on, not only between these two protagonists but between others like them. One side seemed unable to understand what the other was trying to say.
Draco shook his head and then raised his voice: “How about one or two of you coming outside to have a look?”
“We can’t; there’s still some light in the sky and we daren’t risk them seeing us. We’ve been so careful not to show our fires at night; just in case we were spotted.”
“I understand that … Hmm … Alex, could you make an occluding shield to look like water.”
“Yes; but it wouldn’t be perfect.”
“Enough to hide what we’re doing in this poor light?”
“Yes Draco, I can see where you’re going with this.”
“Okay! Now, Elder Grandiam, will you accept temporarily my assurance that the gaolers cannot see any light. And then will you come to the hidden side of the island and let us show you how the occlusion screen works?”
“If you say so, but I’m still very worried.”
Grandiam and some of the others followed Draco, and a few of the mages on to the shore that faced away from the island. As they passed through the occlusion there was little difference because it was not yet fully dark. Alexandrou and Fredrik took the boat out a little way on to the lake with the muggles watching them. A couple of firestaff-flourishes and some Brythonic had the boat and its occupants disappear. A minute later the boat reappeared but in a different place. Fredrik had quietly rowed a few yards.
“That’s the sort of thing I meant, Elder Grandiam. Now you and a couple of others can go aboard the boat and we’ll row right round the island; using one of those shields when we’re in sight of the prison. That will allow you to see if any light is giving us away, won’t it?”
“I-I suppose so.”
There was room for eight people so the two ward makers plus Ginny and Draco accompanied Grandiam and three muggles two of whom knew how to thoroughly muffle their oars. Slowly the company rowed round the island. When nearing the sight line from the castle, Fredrik and Alexandrou erected their shield. Being cunning they made it show empty water on both sides of the occlusion.
“Are you sure we’re opposite the castle, all I can see is water and the tree lined shore?”
“Take a look at our island. There is that promontory where the rocks allow you to keep watch but remain hidden.”
“Mmm … So it is … I’ve hidden there many times watching.”
“Can you see anything that makes our island look inhabited?”
“No … We’ve been very careful not to disturb anything on this side.”
“Okay … Can you see any light leaking from a tent, or any possible cooking fires?”
Grandiam scrutinised the scenery very critically as they slowly circumnavigated the camping-island and had finally to admit that no hint of occupation could be seen.
“Does this shield thing alter its appearance in the daytime also?”
Fredrik cast a glittering eye on the muggle questioner and answered haughtily: “Of course it does, otherwise a big chunk of darkness would be just as visible in the daytime. It’s not a shield thing; its proper name is an occlusion.”
“Oh …! Sorry …!”
Fredrik realised that he had been a little harsh in the way he had replied. Softening his tone, he explained: “Perhaps you could imagine a kind of mirror, which reflects the weather outside back. Only this mirror rectifies the images and shows what is supposed to be on the inside in the same light. It has a memory and remembers what the clearing looked like before we set up camp. It combines this memory with the kind of light showing on the outside and pictures this to the outside. However, it is not a physical thing hiding us away; it is a permanent illusion which allows us to pass through and, of course, the rain and the sun’s rays in the daytime. You will see this when we land. The beach we used will look deserted, but once inside the tree belt, we will pass through the occlusion and then see the camp as it really is. As added safety we have made it so that only the people inside when we made it can pass through either way. Any stranger coming towards it will find an impenetrable wall of tall trees and dense prickly bushes in his way. Thus we will keep any snoopers who might land from the patrol boat. The occlusion also acts as a sound barrier, so we will not need to converse in whispers, as we are doing at present. It’s mainly made up of earth-mahiya, so that it remains erected even when the creating mage no longer attends it. Does that help?”
“Ourt-vizeumy! That sounds complicated, no wonder you’re a magister,” said one of the muggles as they came inshore
Fredrik chuckled as he climbed out of the boat: “It’s much easier to make than to explain, a good half of ward-making is visualising in your mind what you want and not the creating incantation. I’m sure our two seers here; just think what they want to do. They’re much stronger than I and they no longer use incantations.”
Ginevra grinned: “We just think the incantation, Fred, and point; but you’ve raised an interesting idea. That’s one we’ll have to investigate further.”
“There’s an American author called David Eddings,” ventured one of the rowers: “He writes about an imaginary world in which there are a very few people who wield the mahiya. He describes it as the ‘will and the word’; perhaps it’s like that?”
“Could be?” mused Draco aloud: “I’ll have to go to a library when I get back.”
Before the conversation continued some more ‘ourt-vizeumy’s!’ were exclaimed, as the party walked through the occlusion from the gloaming into the noise and lighted tents of the clearing.
“Is everything safe as it should be, Elder?”
“You can see for yourself. Just walk quietly to where the boat is hidden. It’s like going through a soundproof curtain. Don’t take a light with you; otherwise when you pass through you might disclose our position. Just look back; then you’ll see how good the occlusion is. These magisters certainly know their job. Thank you Magister Fredrik and Magister Alexandrou; I would never have believed such a thing was possible.”
Alexandrou gave a small bow: “All part of the service, Elder. Seriously though, what about Vidma Trephine’s occlusion over the Okruh, that’s much bigger than this.”
“Well … Now you mention it … Yes, it is.” He shrugged: “It’s always been there so we’ve paid it little thought. Oh …! It’s like the shields you used to hide us from the Glags, isn’t it?”
“They were temporary, but yes. I’m famished, even making the temporary shield to hide the boat from the prison is hard work because it has to be sustained by the mage’s mahiya. Shall we go and find something to eat?”
In the centre of the camp there was a larger tent – almost a marquee – inside were seats and tables and adjoining it was the cooking area which the elves had taken over. All the muggles present had met elves before and so were unfazed by their presence, which made things easier for the Captain and his helpers, most of whom were looking forward to seeing the masters and mistresses again; so there was an air of anticipated excitement around.
As the company ate they discussed various possible plans of action.
“I’ve talked to my aunt again,” said Maryssa: “She introduced me to Farad one of the mages; he’s Oxana’s husband. They were suspicious of me to begin with, because no-one knew which dormitory I belonged to. I had to tell them the truth about our rescue mission. That made them more suspicious until I told Farad a short story which Oxana had told me to tell him if I met him. It established my credentials and was about him and Oxana on their wedding night. Not that I would repeat it to you prurient people.” She grinned and looked around.
The company chuckled and Maryssa continued: “He says that the treadmills are attached to electrical generators, most of which are unused, because the remaining fit prisoners are no longer able to trot for hours on end. He was surprised when I told him that you thought the magical restraints were electronic in nature. He had experienced the tingles when he tried to escape a few times. He also said that the mages were force-fed a liquid that affected their abilities to use magic.”
“Did he say whether it affected his sex drive?”
“He suggested that the newer ones were more affected than the long term prisoners and then looked embarrassed. I didn’t like to draw him out further.”
Draco and Ginevra reported about their findings, followed by Harry and Astoria.
“You’ve reminded me of something, Harry,” Maryssa stated:” Farad said he was on treadmill duty tomorrow morning, if that’s any help.”
“Quite possibly, we’d have to converse in whispers so that the warder didn’t hear us.”
D: *Don’t forget he speaks Parseltongue, Harry. Don’t you remember Oxana telling us just before we met Trephine for the first time? *
H: *Oh … Yes … Now I do. There was a lot going on at the time. *
“My Aunt and Farad seem to be the leaders of the groups. They said they would take the trusted lieutenants into their confidence.”
“Hermione, do you think the tingles would cease if the treadmills stopped and there was no electricity flowing through the wires?”
“Most likely, Draco. But the switchgear would probably draw the power needed from the grid.”
“So we’d need to cut the wires beforehand then.”
“That’d be very dangerous. Whoever did it might get electrocuted.”
“Fell a tree,” suggested Grandiam.
“Please explain?”
“In high winds sometimes trees come down over the power lines and sever them. Occasionally a tree becomes rotten at the base, or the beavers gnaw through them and they fall. If done in the forest, away from the main line someone may not notice, especially if, as you say, there is no external electricity being used by the castle.”
Slowly a scheme was put together for the rescue with Maryssa and Harry deputed to talk to the aunt and Farad in the morning for fine tuning before the assault began. It being late everyone retired to their tents. The seers chatted a little longer but soon followed the rest of the company into bed and a hugging sleep.
~~~RESCUE~~~
After Wednesday breakfast Harry and Astoria went into the tunnel and with Lamellas’ help sealed up the tunnel into the rest of the Goblin system. When they arrived at the rock-face into the prison they found a number of muggles quietly removing the loosened rock which Ganymede’s explosion had cracked. The result was a roughly door shaped opening hidden behind the upper sections of a treadmill; well out of sight, unless the warder chose to closely inspect the inside of the treadmill and peer up through the inner spokes.
Grandiam grabbed Harry’s hand: *We thought that some of the prisoners could climb out if the treadmill was stopped in the correct position, Magister. *
H: *Good idea but we’ll have to cut through a couple of spokes for people to get through. *
GR: *We’ve cut one and have saws here ready for when the diversion starts. Magister Farad is walking the wheel at the moment. He’s due a rest period in ten minutes, when another wheel starts up. I feel sorry for the nasty-one now. They’ve had wires connected to his cock and he’s been screaming. It was useful because, when the last rest period took place, we managed to saw one of the spokes off. The loose rock removal is just about finished. Any slight noise we make is hidden by the squeaks and groans of the treadmills as they revolve. *
H: *Thanks, I’ll talk to Farad when the wheel stops. *
GR: *Won’t the warder hear you? *
H: *We’ll use Parseltongue to begin with – it sounds like hissing and will be quieter than all the squeaks and groans – then we’ll touch-talk if we can. *
Grandiam nodded his understanding as he let go of Harry’s hand.
Not long afterwards the wheel started to decelerate, so Harry lay down on the floor ready to try to touch Farad.
“Stay in the wheel, You; here’s your drink.” The warder pushed a bottle through the spokes at Farad.
“Thank … hhh … you …hhh … I’m out …hhh … Of breath … hhh.”
#I’m Harry Potter, I believe Maryssa told you about me. #
#Hello, yes she did, I’m Farad, Oxana’s husband. #
“Are you trying to tell me something?” The warder pushed his truncheon through the outer spokes and poked Farad’s ribs.
“Sh-sh-sh … No … Sh-sh-sh … Just catching … Sh-sh-sh … My breath … Sh-sh-sh.”
The warder grunted and walked over to supervise another wheel.
#I’m going to touch you. Then we can speak in our minds. # Harry laid is down stretched hand on Farad’s shoulder: *The gaoler won’t hear anything this way, so his suspicions won’t be roused. *
*My reception’s a bit muzzy, probably all the potions the lace our drinks with. *
*Put this pill into your water, it will help. It’ll fizz so be ready to suck in the bubbles. *
*Thanks! * Farad put the pill in and started to slurp: *I have just under a quarter of an hour to rest before this thing has to start up again. According to the old hands; there used to be twelve of them all going at the same time, but about two or three decades ago the warders stopped most of the wheels. I imagine that was when the nuclear generating station blew up. Most of the older prisoners are dead; worn out by this godforsaken toil. Once a week we go up to the garden for half a day. It’s hard work up there too, but at least we get some fresh air. Mmm … My head feels clear … I reckon I could try a charm and it might work …*
*… Don’t; you’re too near a wall and if you try to cast the tingles will knock you out. *
*The tingles? *
Harry then explained to Farad what they had found out and surmised. By the time he had finished it was time for Farad to start walking again; so Harry withdrew himself into the wall. Astoria was chatting to the others by touch-talk in case the tunnel echoed, but Harry focussed on Ginevra and Draco outside.
H: *How’s the tree felling going? *
D: *We found one that the beavers had started to chew and used that. We didn’t see any sparks. There were bushes beneath the pylons and the ends went into those. Nothing went on fire so we’re hopeful everything’s alright. *
G: *We rowed very slowly so that the ward masters could make a credible occlusion around the boats. We had a bit of a fright when the patrol boat came close. I had a fire hex ready just in case, but they were unable to see us. The muggles were awestruck again. Anyway, we’re in the tower. Maryssa and her aunt have brought the invalids up to sit in the sun which is shining on the wall next door. So they’re where we want them. *
Other bits of the plan were discussed until Harry was told that Farad’s wheel was slowing down again. This time Farad leaned forward, pretending to be faint and put his hand up to support himself. All Harry had to do was stretch his hand through the gap.
H: *When do you go off duty? *
F: *After this next session of walking. *
H: *Can you hide forty pills somewhere? *
F: *They don’t search us anymore, so yes. The one you gave me earlier is still working. I can feel my mahiya-core stirring. It’s a wonderful feeling after many years of abstention.*
Harry told Farad of the plan and the part that they hoped he would play.
F: *Wait until we’ve all had lunch. We have to use a route through the edge of the garden to return to our dormitory cells. Some of us are bound to want to chat to the invalids in their chairs and the warders are fairly relaxed about it. *
H: *Fine. We’ll stop now, your rest period’s nearly over and Grandiam says he’s finished sawing the hole. *
F: *See you a couple of hours’ time. *
Harry squirmed back, and sat shaking the sawdust out of his hair. That done, they walked back to the island to confer.
“We’re going to have to rescue that satrap as well.”
“Yes, I know. Farad isn’t going to give him a pill so, he’ll have to be treated as a muggle. That should keep him from making too much trouble. The way the warders have been punishing him he’ll be glad to escape. We can incarcerate him if necessary once he’s on the island.”
“Maybe he’ll want to change sides; I doubt he’ll want to face Lucy’s wrath. We could take him to Montecristo to talk to the other two; they’re fully reformed.”
“Mmm … That’s a possibility.”
Probert reported that, during the crew’s lunch break; he and a couple of muggles had managed to sneak, under an anti-Apericum, into the patrol boat’s moorings and had added water to the fuel tanks, thus disabling it. They had also removed all the oars from the boathouse. Harry reported that Farad would arrange for only muggle prisoners to be in the wheel-cavern for the post-lunch shifts. People checked their watches and agreed timings based on Farad’s estimation of the finish of lunch and then went off to have their own meal.
###
The first to leave were Maryssa’s group in the boats; which team went quietly to the tower. Grandiam’s rowers were hidden under a tubular occlusion held over and partly under the water by Alexandrou and Fredrik from the island. Her team waited to unlock the door into the prison. All of them held their breath in preparation for mayhem to be let loose.
Ginevra and Draco collected the spare wands that Trephine had supplied, mounted the duple, drew the invisibility cloak around them and set off for the centre of the garden. While Draco hid behind some blackcurrant bushes, Ginevra donned the cloak and went over to the tower door. Harry and Astoria took up position in the tunnel near the treadmill.
Farad nonchalantly strolled with the other magisters and vidmas along the path that led through the centre of the garden. When one of the warders asked where they were going Farad replied that they were going to chat to the invalids. The warder shrugged and went back into his office. Once a number of mages were at the centre Draco made himself visible and began to hand out wands. Some of the mages started to pretend to wander over towards the invalids.
Harry and Astoria obtained a view of the warder from on top through the spokes of the treadmill, once the muggle who was walking it had brought it to a stop for his rest period. Two charms rang out, Astoria’s protecting one for both of them and Harry’s Incarcerous aimed at the warder. The muggle saw the warder wrapped in silver ropes and called out to his mates. The wheels stopped turning and the lights went out.
“Baubillious!” rang out and Harry’s light ball illuminated the area. Immediately the muggle applied the brake and started climbing up to the hole in the wall, followed by his brothers and the other muggles who had been waiting outside. That group included the satrap. Ten minutes elapsed and all had climbed out past an astonished and bound warder. There being no tingle, the two mages magically locked all the doorways and set the charms and Incarcerous to free themselves in half an hour. They then retired down the tunnel a little way and used the debris to create a solid wall where the opening had been, that was enhanced with toughening earth thaums.
Ginevra heard Harry cast and quietly knocked on the door which Maryssa unlocked. Ginevra cast Langlock and Incarcerous on the warder guarding the invalids and then created an occlusion to hide the muggles whilst they evacuated the invalids into the boats.
Draco heard Harry’s ‘Baubillious’ via their connection. He nodded to the assembled mages who prepared to apparate. He set up a temporary occlusion which he knew would not fool the warders for very long. They heard the tower door close just as a warder ringing a hand-bell sounded the alarm. Draco sensed Ginevra making a blocking charm behind the door and nodded once again.
“TRANSPORTAMUS!” rang out and, holding hands for guidance sake and to allow them to pass safely through the island’s occlusion, the mass of mages disapparated to the island.
The shouting from inside the castle could just be heard outside the island’s occlusion, luckily the joyous noise inside was cloaked. Lamellas, who had been monitoring things, hidden behind the rocks on the promontory, chuckled when he heard a series of bangs and curses as the warders realised that the patrol boat would not start. There were even more when they found the oars missing.
There was one last twist to the tale. Hermione and Ronald had kept the tree-felling party on the shore. Under the protection of an occlusion along the causeway, the company had quietly removed the timbers from two of the rickety bridges. The timbers were drawn back onto the shore thus isolating the castle to all but swimmers for some time.
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