Toppers Wallow

On Sunday the lovers looked out of the bubble to see that it was cloudy; Draco and Harry had already had some fun earlier in the night and so were quite content to cleanse each other lovingly under the shower. It was umbrellas and waterproofs for the walk to church. Once the magicians were inside and singing the first hymn, the elves secreted themselves in the balcony, thus allowing them to participate without being seen by anyone downstairs. John’s sermon was about forgiveness and new beginnings using the quotation: ‘how many times shall I forgive my brother, seven times? The answer came back: No, seventy times seven’. Draco squeezed Harry’s hand at the idea behind the quote; then they were both taken up by the fresh start idea relating it to their new posts at Hogwarts.



After the service Draco and Harry had a quiet chat with John, explaining about Gregory’s new duties and introducing him. The football pitch was somewhat waterlogged, so, as it had stopped raining temporarily, they borrowed the school’s playground and played a version of basketball instead. Both teams were of mixed sexes so there was much hilarity when the girls played to netball rules, and the boys to basketball ones. The Farmers Arms was more crowded than usual, so some of the farmers joined the magical party in the back room. David and the others knew about the new purchases and wanted to give our pair advice on how they should run their freshly acquired properties. The pair listened attentively and tried to remember those things that they thought most useful.



Once back at Magnet Cottage, the rain having started again, only a few felt like using the pool, so the canvas covered patio and main room became the focus for games and chat, acquiring the relaxed atmosphere of a weekend common room. They all decided upon an early light dinner, giving time for those who were returning to Hogwarts to Apparate home and finish their packing on Monday; thus avoiding being told off by irate parents. The working wizards and witches wanted to have a good night’s rest at home, because they had all taken time off to cover the emergency and knew that their work would be piling up. Francis lightly kissed Gregory goodbye, also going home.



After everyone else had left, four Muggles, three magicians and a party of house-elves sat round the dining table, discussing the ideas that had been imparted during lunch and planning the next week’s work. Kreacher became bookkeeper for the combined households and Dorothy kept a record of what they had decided. Draco and Harry were agreeably surprised at Gregory’s leadership when things practical were discussed. Their offer had obviously turned on a tap of new, but common sense, ideas for the exploitation of the combined estates. Billy was equally energised by Gregory’s ideas and they seemed to be forming a working partnership. Harry was relieved because, for a change, someone else was taking charge; and yet he felt slightly jealous too. It emerged that Phealey and Pullet had been busy, they reported on the items transferred to the Hogwarts penthouse, furthering our pair’s relief.



As the day had been winding down slowly, instead of intense feelings, Harry and Draco were in a quiet contemplative mood, so they undressed each other and partook of a joint shower. Sitting in bed with their arms round each other’s shoulder, they quietly reminisced about the happenings since they had met, and supported each other in their teaching plans for the coming term. Slowly succumbing to sleep, they slipped under the covers and slumbered in each other’s embrace.



Monday morning, Draco rose, looked out of the bubble and stretched. “Good morning Harry, it has stopped raining and the sun’s peeping behind the trees. Every leaf is tipped with silver, the view’s enchanting.”



“Ugh! I hate early risers; come back to bed. Besides the view I can see is enchanting too. Your woody is catching the sunlight.”



“Trust you to feel earthy when I’m feeling poetic. Maybe I’ll consider your offer; if there is anything in it for me?”



Harry drew down the covers enough to let Draco see an anticipatory scarlet finial.



“Mmm … I think poesy can wait. Things practical seem much more exciting at the moment.” Draco dawdled sexily back towards his reclining lover, who had his eyes firmly fixed on a certain scarlet dagger mounted inside fair curls.



As Draco approached, Harry turned over and arched upwards. Draco admired the fleshly globes now on view and noticed something winking pinkly in between them. There was a sheen there and Draco could smell the aroma of lavender oil emanating from it. Understanding the message he mounted the saddle provided and commenced riding his partner, neighing in lust. Once at the gallop he needed to steady himself, so he reached round to grip the body in front of him. To his delight he came across something that would make a stallion proud, holding it and blending his movements so that both conjoined lovers became as one. That conjunction soon produced the results that they required; whinnying in delight the two of them gave of their best resources before collapsing on the bed.



“Thank you Lover, that was most enjoyable. Maybe we can view the fairy silver on another day.”



“You know, I’ve found that rising early does have certain rewards.”



“Your rising accoutrement was enough reward for me. However, this is our last chance to be lazy before having to work for our living.”



“Okay lets have a snuggle and a snog or two, or three.”



Funnily enough, what should have quietened their attitudes actually reawakened the desire to be active. After half an hour’s cuddling they rose and showered; then ran nakedly downstairs and into the pool. There was more splashing and horseplay than dedicated swimming, but it suited their enlivened states of mind. Breakfast was followed by broomsticks. Still naked, they occluded the wards so that no one could see, they swooped low over the roof and chased each other, they found Billy’s tennis ball and played Quidditch. Hot and sweaty they jumped off their steeds and plunged directly into the pool; exhilarated the pair splashed and played until coffee time.



Having worked off some of their youthful high jinks they had a planning session, listening to each other’s ideas for teaching and making one or two suggestions. They thought hard about what made Minerva’s, Pomona’s and Filius’s classes so enthralling. They also thought of the fright Barty Crouch Junior had given them, disguised as Mad-eye. They also wanted to avoid the too stern approach that Severus had adopted. Harry pulled Draco’s leg about being a younger version of Snape. Draco got his own back, by mimicking Harry as a male Sybill. They both wondered how they would deal with students of their own age or slightly under. Naked they sat round a table scribbling notes on silently conjured parchments.



In the afternoon Draco started telling Harry what he had learnt about plants from his mother. Immersed in green thoughts they wandered round the garden, Draco explaining and Harry practicing. Slowly a dream like state drifted on to them. Going into the woods they followed their first path, admiring remembered shapes and discovering new sights. As before two magicians sat in the sweet smelling glade, silently communing until dusk overtook them. They had stayed rather too long, so shivering they took the tunnel and went upstairs for a hot shower.



“We stayed out too long,” Draco remarked through the steam.



“Yes, I know, but that special togetherness mood was one I didn’t want to break.”



“I know! I enjoyed it too; maybe one day we’ll become adult and sensible.”



“Probably tomorrow, when we become professors for the first time.”



“Mmm … I’m dreading that, and yet I’m excited about it too.”



“Me too! Slytherin caution and Gryffindor duty are still at war inside me.”



“Well! I know two leading proponents of those houses who are still not at loggerheads.”



As if to seal that statement their kiss was long and luscious.



Dinner in the dining room, at a small table bedecked with roses, was served by thrilled house-elves asking questions and contradicting each other about Hogwarts facts and traditions. Two amused magicians sorted the truth from the rumour, but failed to quench the excited expectation of what tomorrow would bring. Exploding snap was the choice of their would-be students, so the partners showed them the rudiments and watched benignly as organised chaos took place.



Being in a mellow mood, they climbed the stairs and went straight into the bubble; the sky was clear and the stars were twinkling. Being in the country there was little light pollution. Nearly two hours were spent identifying constellations and planets. Harry was grateful for the lens effect that Dean had built into the glasswork. Draco said that he felt as though he was floating miles above earth when Harry mentioned his thoughts. Two hours concentration and closeness had their hormones raging again, so a salacious shower was mooted, followed by languorous lovemaking in bed.



§§§§§



The early morning was still leisurely and quiet. Someone in the Auror’s office had flooed to say that a new Apparating area had been opened at Kings Cross; so that the elves and goblins could arrive unseen by Muggles. Unfortunately, owing to the lack of space on platform 9¾, the facility was not available to ordinary magicians. Harry and Draco therefore left half an hour earlier than their young house-elves, Apparating to Don Galley and walking to the station.



They got there in good time to find Arthur Weasley and Hestia Jones at Kings Cross.



“Hello Harry, Draco; I’m glad you’ve arrived early. Ron and Hermione are checking the train at the moment. We’ve had a tip off that there maybe some trouble on the journey. Our contact had to be very quick as there were people coming, so we’re unclear whether it’s an attack on the train or some form of internal sabotage. George and Percy have rigged up something to check people’s luggage before it goes on the train and we’ve arranged a ‘by invitation’ coach for ourselves and any DA Members who are travelling.”



“So if nothing comes of the checks, we’re to expect an attack, is that it?”



“Yes Draco; although it might just be a threat to keep us on our toes. Our carriage is one of the old ambulance carriages, and has inward-opening windows so you can hop on your broomstick and fly out in defence.”



“That presupposes that we have our broomsticks with us.”



“We asked Kreacher to Apparate here with yours. We only got the message about half an hour ago, so it was all a bit rushed. He put them in the first compartment.”



“Where is this carriage?” Harry asked.



“Behind the guards-van, it was added at the last minute.”



“Does it have a corridor connection?”



“At both ends.”



“So we might just use the tail end one to launch out of, as well.”



“I didn’t think the railway authorities would allow that” Harry surmised



“I bet they’d like it less if they have to admit to a train being attacked, or sabotaged,” Draco put in.



“Best not to let those in charge know. If necessary we’ll sweet talk the guard,” Harry countered.



Ron and Hermione came up to the group, reporting that nothing seemed magically amiss with the train.



“I\'ve been thinking about tactics,” said Ron. “It might be best if we say we’re having a reunion party for the DA members, so we’ve hung a few streamers in the carriage’s windows. Most of them will have their broomsticks in their luggage and therefore the Members can collect them quite unobtrusively from the guards-van. I doubt the Death Eaters will attack until we’re well away from habitation so that will give us time to brief the DA after we get moving.”



George’s and Percy’s scanner made hissing noises and had steam leaking from it. The machine also had lots of revolving wheels and reciprocating arms either side. Draco was intrigued and, with Harry, inspected the apparatus minutely. By this time various families had arrived, most of them were quite happy to have their luggage screened. Those who objected were soon cowed by the incredulous stares of the others. Most of the magic folk said that they felt happy about magicdom being forward looking; remarking that at last we coming into line with the Muggle airport authorities and Eurostar terminals.



The idea of a party for DA Members was a good smoke screen and prompted some soon-to-be sixth-years into asking how to become members. The special coach made Draco and Harry wonder if they were forming another elite, like the Slug Club, but based upon merit instead of influence.



As Ron had predicted nothing untoward happened, apart from the usual student high jinks, until they were well clear of the metropolis and its surroundings. They found that the guard was Argus Filtch’s son, and had an entirely different frame of mind to his father’s.



“I know he’s an old grump. But so would you be if Voldemort had killed your wife in front of your eyes, just because you caught him breaking the rules when he was a student. Now, how can I help Mr Malfoy?”



From then on Douglas was very helpful and, once the briefing was over, he sat with Ron and a railway map, identifying places on the line that were well away from the general population.



Draco and Hermione put their heads together muttering over some parchments that Hermione had produced.



“Douglas? How often will we stop for the engine to take on water?”



“Twice, Draco; once at York and again at Mossend outside Glasgow. Why do you ask?”



“Hermione and I have come up with a way of mirror shielding the moving train, but we’ll need the DA outside when it’s stationary to set it up initially.”



“We no longer stop at a platform to put water in, so you’ll not be able to get out.”



“Couldn’t we pretend to be railway workers, or something?”



“To do that you’d need orange vests like this one.” Douglas took the said item out of his guard’s bag and showed it to them.



“Harry, Billy said that you made those overalls out of paper, could you do the same for this, say, out of old copies of the Prophet?”



“I think so. Were you going to keep your copy, Justin?”



“I’ve read all that I want, thanks. Here you are.”



Harry managed to make three orange vests out of Justin’s newspaper and soon had a small pile of the safety garments, enough for one each. Douglas gave them a short talk on rail safety and then Hermione told them about the altered ward-charm.



“It’ll be like a continuous spiralling thread from the back to the front, a loop or two round the engine and then a reverse spiral back to this carriage. As it will need to flex as the train rounds corners, so two people will need to hold the ends constantly. Draco reckons that we could hold it for half an hour without tiring so we decided on quarter of an hour shifts to conserve our energies.”



Draco took over. “We will pass it beneath the couplings of each carriage and then behind the bogie for six turns until we meet the next bogie etc.” He conjured up a model of a carriage so everyone could see what he meant. “Each pair will cover a carriage with a double thread and then join this to the next couple’s threads.” Again he demonstrated. “Hermione and I will be the first two end holders and Ron will organise us in pairs thereafter. The shield will allow medallion holders through it but not anyone else. Harry will hold the front ends whilst the Engine crew are outside, and then join them together, using his silent wandless magic, once the crew are back on their steed. He’ll ride in the very front compartment with the trolley lady, in case there are signal checks and the crew have to dismount.”



There was just enough time to practice before Douglas announced that they were slowing for the York water stop. Once stationary in the sidings, the Members all climbed down out of the Guards van door. Douglas said that any railway workers, if they were watching, would know it was a special and think nothing of the numbers of other staff alighting. Later on, in the train, Ernie reported that, whilst they were working, he had overheard a shunter remark about it being a high security train and had made a surmise that it had royals on board.



Ron had the organisation down pat and as soon as the tender was replenished his minions had completed their task and were boarded. Whilst Harry had been waiting alongside, the engine crew had invited him on to the footplate, an invitation he was very pleased to accept. He waited until the signal giving access to the main line was showing clear, and unobtrusively united the ward-ends just as the train was starting to move.



At the back, Draco and Hermione learnt a lot about reeling in and paying out the ward-threads, getting the feel of the tensions involved, they also discussed innovations that would not need the continuous flexing. There were a couple of false alerts for signals at caution, but nothing happened until they were well clear into Scotland having crossed the border bridge at Berwick on Tweed. A few miles further north of that, as the train was threading a narrow tree-lined valley, there was an emergency application of brakes. From the engine, Harry looked ahead and saw what appeared to be a fallen tree, but he had his doubts and so cast a silent clearing spell. As he had suspected, it was an illusion.



“That was a peculiar mirage,” he said; using a faint belief-charm.



“Not seen one like that before, quite gave me a turn.” The driver replied. “It’s getting towards evening, probably a shadow cast by a tree trunk.”



Because of the tree mirage the brakes had slowed the train down considerably and, being on an uphill gradient it took time to recover speed. Harry took a chance and weaved a mild Nonvideo charm on the engine crew. It was a good job he had done so, because mounted Death Eaters came whizzing out of the surrounding forest. They were somewhat nonplussed because they had expected the train to have come to a stand. They were even more chagrined when they found their hexes and curses rebounding at them. For a time they followed the accelerating train and then gave up, defeated. Ron, Blaise and Zacharias managed a few pot-shots from the open rear connection, setting at least two broomsticks on fire and downing one Death Eater.



A little later, after the train roared through Dunbar on the avoiding line, Harry was able to relax because they were passing through the increasingly populated areas approaching Edinburgh. Their passage through Waverley and Haymarket stations was cautious, but non-stop, taking the Midcalder line towards Glasgow. They stopped for water at Mossend and then took a northern route round Glasgow. During the water-stop Harry wheedled the crew into letting someone else have the joy of a footplate ride, silently hoping that there would not be another attack. None came, and Ron enjoyed the ride over viaducts and through tunnels, spotting places where the train had chased the flying car in their second year.



An hour or so later, they took the Hogwarts branch and in the darkness of evening slowed down for the station. Hagrid was there calling for first years and Ron had to use a mild Nonvideo to stop the engine crew realising that they were seeing goblins and elves. Douglas took time off to go and see his father. He knew that, whilst the engine was running round its train, they had to wait at least an hour before there was a spare path for their empty-stock working. The DA Members took up some of that time to unravel the temporary wards.



§§§§§



Once the Sorting Hat had done its work and dinner was over, the staff who had travelled with the train made a full report to the staff-meeting. Headmistress McGonagall said she was pleased that there were members of staff to oversee the protection of the students. She also asked that her thanks be relayed to the DA Members. Hermione and Draco described the altered wards and explained how they had managed to maintain their flexibility.



Harry informed them of his and Draco’s recent purchases emphasising the fact of the paintball range and its uses in training students in DADA. He said that approximately twenty-four students could be accommodated at any one time and suggested a rota of weekends, giving each student at least two experiences each year. The staff supported this idea. Minerva said that fifty four new students had started their first year.



Hamish did some calculations: “It seems to me that if the rest of the staff covered Harry and Draco’s weekend duties, each group of students could have three such experiences. We Goblins use a similar experience when we want to build trusting teams. I’ve been on one or two and, as well as being fun, they help you to test your own limits and find your own weaknesses. They helped me to become more mature and part of that is what education is all about, isn’t it?”



That settled the matter; the other staff said they were prepared to give up an occasional extra weekend to help out. Minerva asked Hamish to attend the first two or three in order to help Harry and Draco learn how to stretch the talents of the youngsters. Of course our pair were very pleased; it meant that they were at home every weekend, which suited them fine. Hamish suggested they start with the first-years, as the team building would help them settle in to their new routines.



Minerva said that she would arrange with the Hogwarts house-elves to send enough cooked food for the students attending so as not to tax the duo’s resources. She also said she would teach our pair the techniques of mass Apparating. “After all,” she remarked, “your newly combined strength should be able to Apparate a full train-load of students.”



Harry looked alarmed.



“It’s all right Harry,” Minerva continued, “I know that the train ride is part of the anticipatory fun. I wouldn’t dream of depriving our students of that experience. You must admit, however, that if the train had not been defensible, your combined powers could have saved a lot of lives.”



Draco kicked Harry when he looked as if he would continue the protest: Harry scowled back, but forewent his rejoinder to the headmistress.



There was some discussion about the new entrants including Hermione’s report on Kreacher’s literacy classes for elves. Hamish had made further calculations and thought that small teams of four containing no more than two members of each race would help the ideals of integration. Each professor went through a sketch of their plans for the week, most of which were revision tests to see how much their students had retained since the battle, including new skills learnt over the same intervening period. This was something that Draco and Harry had discussed with Gran, because they needed to know where to start with each group. It heartened the new teachers much, to know that their more experienced colleagues were batting on the same pitch of semi-ignorance.



The fact that the teaching schedule for the returning eighth years was still to be sorted was nibbled at. Harry’s team agreed to forgo the single periods with the sixth and seventh-years, for this term, in order to take the eighth-year remnant, most of whom were DA Members plus a few Slytherin participants including Blaise and Daphne. Draco said he could fit the extras in on Fridays by adding to one of his poorly attended classes, but would like a week’s respite. Minerva agreed with him so the eight-years would have free study periods, until that time.



“Do not forget that our weeks begin on Wednesdays, so that we break up the Thursday before Christmas,” were Minerva’s parting words.



“She always says that,” muttered Rolanda as they left the staff room, “even when she was deputy.”



Harry looked at the Quidditch coach, and saw she was smiling. ‘First time I’ve seen her smile,’ he thought.



“Yes I agree,” whispered Draco, “I haven’t seen her smile before either.”



“I think you want a quiet night, but with a long jacuzzi soak beforehand.”



“Quite right, Harry. This reading of each other’s mind takes some getting used to, doesn’t it?”



“Mmm … If we listen carefully, maybe we won’t need to kick each other. Sorry about the train thing, you nearly had to call me Potter didn’t you?”



“Never mind, give me a kiss. I’m glad Hamish is coming to show us what to do at the weekend. We’ll need to work out a relaxed timetable too.”



“Perhaps we should ask Murdoch to come here and have a chat with him. We ought to make lists of the first-years for the teams of four”



“Mmm … Good idea … But not at the moment … Now what about that kiss?”



Harry obliged his mate once they were safely inside their own apartment. They received slightly derisive applause, because they had not seen Dean and Seamus waiting for them.



When asked why they were there Seamus answered, “They’ve lumped all the boys in two spare dormitories, regardless of house. Some of them definitely don’t approve of our closeness. We were wondering if you had a solution.”



“Why not become day students and Apparate from Magnet Cottage. Alter the double bunk room upstairs and make it into a proper double,” suggested Draco. “Anyway, you won’t be starting classes until next Monday.”



“Thanks that’s a great idea. Can we do something in recompense?” asked Dean.



“Well …!” said Harry thinking aloud, “We’ve just had permission to hold paintball matches each weekend. It’d be nice if we could accommodate twenty-eight students max, all in one area. Normally it would be only twenty-four”



“Could we use all of the barn area now that Billy’s moved inter Woodyates?”



“Yes, but don’t alter its outline. See Billy, he knows what’s possible within our present planning permissions.”



“Okay Harry. When’s the first weekend?”



“This one coming, I hope.”



“Right! We’ll Apparate ter Toppers Wallow now and bring you a sketch scheme tomorrow evening. Okay?”



That set of enamoured ones went to Albus Severus and disappeared.



Draco and Harry had the Wednesday Duelling Club in mind as they retired late on Tuesday evening. They spent some time working out a routine that would be showy enough. During the practice Draco managed to immobilise Harry and used this advantage to strip him and have a lascivious play; not that his lover objected too much. Later on the tables were turned with Draco stripped and interfered with. Unbeknownst to them they had a very interested elfin audience of two, who betrayed themselves vociferously when Harry shot his final load.



“How long have you been watching?” Draco asked.



“Are you cross with us? Since before Master Harry had you all hot.”



“Not cross, a bit surprised really,” Harry answered. “Phealey, can you remember the moves we practiced?”



“Yes Master Harry. Why?”



“You could commentate the bout, as we will be using silent magic.”



“I’m not sure I could, not in front of all those magic people.”



“It’s all right Masters! I’ll coach him,” interjected Pullet. “He’ll do it, or I’ll screw his balls off.”



“Oh no you won’t!” Phealey set about his mate reaching for his tenderest parts.



Harry and Draco enjoyed watching the miniature nude wrestling match, adding squirts of lavender oil, just to make things more interesting.