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
- 57
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- 59
[Note: conversation =: “speech” & ‘thoughts’ & *telepathy* & #Parseltongue# & {telephone}]
~~~ GIFTS ~~~
In the morning they cabinetted to the cottage. Molly was there in amongst a flurry of elves.
“Hello dears,” Molly hugged Draco first and kissed his cheek.
D: *That was to prove I was welcome, I think, I can hardly breathe*.
H: *She was the first one to show me mother love, so I endure it*, as he endured the crushing embrace.
Harry kissed Molly’s cheek: “How are things going, Auntie?”
“I think I have the names of all the people coming and on what day. Kreacher’s found me some scribe-elves and they have written your official cards for you, based on the ones we have received so far. Those will need your approval only; they left the personal ones, for you to write. They’re in your study, your elves are there; so are Erwin and Regent. There’re sandwiches, Winky’s fleur wine, and Hyacinth’s sticky chocolate cake to keep you fortified. Don’t be too late to bed.”
“NO AUNTIE, WE WON’T.”
Chuckling, the pair went down to the study. Pullet and Phealey had everything ready and sat handing the cards to their masters. Once agreed and in the envelopes the cards were handed on Robbie and Bobby who attached them to the leg of one of the line of owls that Regent and Erwin were supervising.
Approvals saw the sandwiches away, but with the personal cards they had to be very careful not to daub them with chocolate. Same for their four elves, who were enjoying the cake just as much as their masters were. There was a large bowl of Christmas nuts, treats and berries for the owls to choose from.
The task was over; it was half-past eleven. Two mages were feeling tired, but had enough go in them to have a go in the shower and another go between the sheets before snuggling down in sleep.
~~~ CHRISTMAS EVE ~~~
Despite knowing that they had no duties that day, two bright seneschals were up with the birds. They were drawn to the bubble window by the perfume of a vase of yellow roses on a stand. Once there, they looked out on to a bright day, crystals of frost twinkled on leaves and the grass. The sun’s rays caught the frosted canvas over the pool and made it look like snow. Both mages felt good to be alive and in love. The outward expression of that love was a deep comradely kiss, it tickled their libidos but did not arouse. Under the shower they soaped each other caringly, but not carnally.
“It’s a good thing we let Greg organise the draining of the pool a couple of weeks ago,” Draco remarked as they dried themselves: “Otherwise the frost might have damaged the tiles.”
“Mmm, yes.” Harry was feeling hazily comfortable. In that peaceful frame of mind, they descended the stairs.
Their peace was soon shattered. Various friends were there and heartily greeted them. The Breakfast table was communal, rather like a student one at Hogwarts. However, the food did not appear magically, each diner had to choose what he wanted from the long row of tureens on the sideboard.
D: *Hmm … There seem to be an awful lot of people around just now*.
H: *Um … Yes … Some that I thought were going to their parents for Christmas*.
D: *Maybe carol singing in the village square has drawn them here. Uh oh! Minerva and Filius have just arrived. She has that purposeful look about her*.
H: *I thought we’d got away from school and ceremonies for a week. Brace yourself she’s coming over*.
“Ah! Harry and Draco, just the two we wanted to see …”
“… Good morning, Minerva,” Harry put a slightly exasperated edge to his greeting.
Her tight smile appeared: “Good morning to you both. We hope you’ll be coming with us to witness the carol singing in the square. I believe it starts in quarter of an hour, so you have just enough time to get your warm overcoats on.”
D: *Your guess was right, Lover*.
“Fine … We were wondering why you were all here.”
They received their coats and scarves etc. from various grinning elves.
D: *They’re up-to-something, Partner*, he internally surmised, whilst being helped into his outdoor garments.
H: *Um … I agree … They want us out of the house, I think. Probably some sort of surprise. We’d better not spoil their fun*.
D: *I’m wary of surprises … they were not always pleasant*.
H: *I think the habitués of Chantry Cottage have a different mind-set to those at Malfoy Manor*.
D: *I do hope you’re correct*.
Everyone crowded around them as they went down Almoners Row. So much so that it was not possible to see who had stayed behind, if anyone had. The Smiling Ones were already there, blowing gently through their instruments to keep them warm. The string quartet was in attendance too. With them was the church choir on a slightly raised platform. Almost as soon as the magely party arrived they started with ‘O come all ye faithful’ and from then on there was music for well over an hour. Not all of it was ecclesiastical, the Boar’s Head Carol, for instance. Sometimes the choir sang unaccompanied and occasionally one of the instrumental groups would perform. The schoolchildren gave an interesting rendition of 'Away in a Manger', too. The audience was encouraged to join in some of the well-known carols. The participants were encouraged by a wassail cup which passed from hand to hand. There was some alcoholic content and it was hot; kept warm by an occasional discreet magely charm.
When the Dumbledorians returned, the Yates and the Smiling Ones came along as well. Once inside everyone removed their outer garments. Draco and Harry were slightly hampered by their elves ‘helping’ them.
D: *I know they’re up-to-something*, he sent whilst struggling with Pullet and his overcoat.
H: *McG’s coming over, so we’ll soon find out*.
Greg was the first to reach them: “I have a construction charm to teach you. It’s called ‘Detegentem et Consituet Rectus Ibi – Expando!’ and the flourish is like this,” he demonstrated: “Now you do it!”
There was an audience of eager faces, so Harry shook his head as if to clear cobwebs, and started to learn the moves. Blaise had to encourage a reluctant Draco, but he decided not to quibble. As was usual, words were learned separately from flourishes. Soon both mages had everything to their teacher’s satisfaction.
“But what does it do?” asked a slightly exasperated Draco.
“That’s the next part, Professors,” said Minerva with a Draco-esque smirk.
Gregory cleared his throat and glanced at some parchment in his hand: “Harry and Draco, your friends want to give you a slightly early Christmas Present …”
Harry groaned, Draco giggled.
“… It has an element of self interest in it as well and has to be performed out there.” Gregory pointed towards the door which led to the pool.
Harry went towards the opening: *It’s lighter than I expected*.
Draco was following: *I think they’ve removed the canvas roof*.
Gregory stopped them when they were just inside the enclosure and the other participants formed a queue; each of them held a flat package wrapped in Christmassy paper. Justin handed Gregory his package, behind them was Hannah, Anthony and Michael. Phealey and Pullet were next with Minerva behind them. And so the oddly assorted queue continued, including adults, elves, goblins, the Smiling ones and the three Yates.
“Now don’t forget the charm, Harry. You point here at the beginning and then there just before ‘Expando’ … Okay.”
“Yes, I think so.”
“Good … Happy Christmas,” Gregory held out the package.
Harry went to take the package.
“No, Harry … Cast the charm.”
“Fine … ‘Detegentem et Consituet Rectus Ibi – Expando!’”
The package unwrapped; a flat glass-like panel appeared and upended itself on the outer edge of the newly cleaned tiled surround. It then expanded into a beautiful glass panel which matched the Moorish panels on the existing divider into the covered patio. Gregory made a fixing spell to the corner and then it was Justin and Draco’s turn. That had another panel in place. Hannah’s package was different; it contained a doorway resembling the existing doors. Anthony’s and Michael’s window panels took them to the outer corner of the pool surround. Pullet and Phealey had a corner post to be fixed. Minerva’s packet was triangular, and Harry was instructed to point upwards at the end. The triangle expanded to make a double glazed roof; point uppermost and based on top of the already erected panels.
Another five window panels were gifted and then Filius presented another triangular roof panel – that created the hipped return. Next came three windows from the choir-teens with Ginevra and Astoria presenting a rectangular roof panel, creating what was obviously going to be the lean-too part of the roof. Only two window panels were given plus a curious roof panel with a bite out of it – the bite fitted around Harry’s and Draco’s bubble window. The final bay was more complicated; two windows, a corner [courtesy Robbie and Bobby] and a further five end panels completed the surround by being attached to the cottage’s wall. The triangle given by Molly and Arthur was not for the roof but as a decorated filler above the five end window panels. Hamish was last with a rectangular roof panel, in was fixed on top of the filler and two side panels, thus completing the structure. The 3W’s contingent appeared, including Fiorello and Ollivander. Their wands pointed at the pool’s base. Instead of the current white tiling there appeared a beautiful rainbow graded floor, indigo at the deep end and brilliant red at the shallow end, passing through all the hues in between. Blaise and Neville were last, accioing a number of potted plants, some for the corners and some in hanging pots on the cottage wall; level with the second storey.
By this time the company were congregated around the empty pool’s surround. Wands and fire-staffs pointed downwards issuing Aquamenti caldum, whilst the elfin rings warmed the air above. Meanwhile certain adults of various races moved towards the patio.
“Thank you all very much. This is magnificent.”
“I share Harry’s sentiments entirely.”
There were a number of murmured replies.
Gregory ensured an absence of adults: “As was indicated earlier, there is an amount of self-interest.” He waved his wand: “Exuero Nos!”
Clothes gone, everyone jumped in. There was more splashing than swimming. Inside, it could have been a midsummer day; outside, the frost still sparkled in the sunlight. After about an hour Kreacher announced lunch. People hauled out, dried off, and dressed in their retrieved clothes. After the meal, those who were staying with families apparated away, however some remained for the midnight mass before going home.
Once it was quieter, Harry and Draco went to admire their gift; the plants had started to flower as a result of broonie attention. Eventually the lure of the water captured them. Others joined them, but not in the previous rough and tumble. Quiet enjoyment was on the menu with occasional hushed conversations. Later, deck-chairs poolside and fruit-drinks served through a kitchen window made the afternoon relaxing. Draco and Harry recovered their quiet peacefulness from the early morning.
Dinner had just over a dozen people present; they were pleasantly subdued as though awaiting something. That calm anticipation continued throughout the evening until aroused at eleven o’clock by a fresh peal of church bells. Dressed warmly for the short walk; they joined the expectant throng emerging from holly wreathed doorways tramping towards the church’s glowing windows. Harry held hands with Draco; his other hand was in Hermione’s. Both of them were remembering the previous Christmas Eve.
Harry gave her hand a squeeze: “It was worth it, wasn’t it?”
“Yes … Not that I would like to go through it again.”
“We may have to, you know. Draco’s dad still has to be dealt with.”
“We have new and unexpected people to help, thank the Lord.” Hermione smiled at Draco.
Harry let go of the blond’s hand and side hugged him instead.
“Thanks Herms, I shall pray for courage to live up to that expectation.” Draco had a tear in the corner of his eye.
Saint Godric’s smelled of pine and evergreens. Each window had a tall red candle shedding a golden glow on its glistening wreath and the nearby congregation. The atmosphere was mysterious and welcoming. After the first hymn a procession formed, coming out of the sanctuary and halting at the base of the pulpit. Draco silently observed that there was a curtain which had not been there before. It was soon taken away to reveal what had been hidden.
The pulpit was cantilevered out from the wall, below it was a place where Samantha’s ladies usually had a vase of flowers. The flowers had gone; in their place was a miniature room of some kind. It was difficult to see around people’s heads but the straw on the floor seemed to contain various plaster figures of animals. There were human representations there also. John placed something in the straw and said a prayer of blessing. After the ‘Amen’ the procession returned to the sanctuary and the service continued. During his sermon John referred to a crib. Neither seneschal could sort out what was meant, ‘surely not cards or cheating’ they thought. All became clear when they returned from receiving their blessing. The congregation did not return to their seats immediately, instead they went to look at the miniature room first; lighting a tea-light and placing it in the one of the holders provided. The various mages joined this human snake. People were pausing to look under the pulpit.
There was a representation of a stable. A plaster lady in blue was kneeling looking at the effigy of a new born infant which appeared to be lying in a cattle trough. A statue of what they presumed was the father stood with a protective hand on the woman’s shoulder. Various farm animal representations were looking at the baby and there were model sheep with a couple of men in long robes.
H: *I know – It’s a representation of Jesus’ birth; you know … Like in the readings*.
D: *Poor guy, no proper bed, no one would even give a pregnant girl a room to have him in. At least we were born in hygienic circumstances, even if things went wrong later*.
Having placed their tea-lights, the pair moved off in a very solemn mood and, at the end of the service, still had mixed feelings when they sang: ‘Yea Lord we greet thee, born this happy morning’.
It was obvious to Messrs Potter and Malfoy, that others were assailed by the same thoughts as they walked back to the cottage.
Hermione looked at their sombre faces and realised some of the thoughts behind them: “A new baby being born is still a cause for rejoicing, Guys; even if the place is disgusting. It’s the result of two people’s love, a miracle of new life. Are you really sad that Teddy was born and has no parents? Or do you cherish him? There is so much promise for the world he will grow up in, now that Voldemort is no more. That baby in the crib brings hope of salvation for us all.”
“But he’s supposed to be a king,” objected Draco: “Someone to be brought up properly and to learn to care for his people. Starting off in a cow byre is not a good omen.”
“Neither was Harry being brought up by magic-hating muggles … Need I say more to one who was brought up properly by pure-bloods? And I don’t mean to offend.”
“I’m not offended, Herms. It was meant as a debating point … Hmm … I see what you mean. Hmm … Much food for thought, there. Thanks.”
The pair were still in a thoughtful frame of mind when they hugged prior to sleeping.
~~~ CHRISTMAS DAY ~~~
Out of bed to the bells pealing, a quick shower, dressed and outside. A few flakes of snow greeted their trot to church.
“Why are we going twice, Harry?” Draco asked as he looked around a different congregation consisting of the elderly and young parents with their children.
“We’re supporting our friends in the choir, and John. There are some others here who came last night.”
“I understand the support idea. Perhaps I feel happier this morning. It’s the hope we are celebrating, not the appalling circumstances. An expectation that we can continue to fight evil and cannot be demoralised by it.”
“Um … Thanks, Lover. Yes, I see.”
Both of them could sing the carols with greater feeling. At the end of the service they lit another tea-light and placed it front of the crib and its effigies, truly praying for fortitude when facing the evil of the satraps. Glowing internally, they returned peoples’ greetings with a heartfelt ‘Peaceful Christmas’.
Molly had decreed that presents be given after the meal. There was a mixed bag of guests. Hermione’s parents, Coleman [still being nagged by his father]. The whole Diagon Alley group including Lee; Gregory, and some Weasleys, [Ginevra had gone with Astoria to her parents]. Hamish had asked if Dolores could attend so she was welcomed; as was Francis when they found out that he was by himself. Pullet and Phealey preferred to be there [the other elves were celebrating in Number Twelve]. Terry Boot no longer had any family neither did Katie Bell and, of course, Dean and Seamus. Blaise was in the same position, [his mother wanting to kill him in order to get her hands on money that his legitimate father had left him] Gilda had had her muggle parents killed when the death-eaters wreaked the bridge. Thus, twenty-seven people sat down to eat an enormous meal. Winky and Molly had competed in a friendly way to produce special extras and cooperated in cooking the turkey and the basic vegetables. The elves having the same diet in proportion; there were twenty of them.
The banquet took time to consume. There was a rest period in between courses, when the half of the non-cook mages washed up and cleared away. After the pudding the other half did the same service. Work over, over-full bellies rested in overstuffed chairs whilst presents did the rounds. A complete list of who gave what to whom would be both confusing and boring. Weasley jumpers, of course, Draco was most surprised when he received one. Harry received a joint gift ‘The Crafting of Defensive Charms’ by Oliver Holdheart. Terry, Hermione and Ronald joined him in poring over that. Draco’s present was a joint book as well; ‘Potions for Farm Animals’ he garnered Blaise and Katie in his reading group.
At dinnertime Molly suggested Christmas cake and fleur wine. She had no response and wisely put off that delight until later. However, she demanded party games as recompense. The participants groaned, but joined in. Draco felt that they were juvenile and made silent disparaging remarks to Harry – however the blond soon became an avid competitor. 3W’s crackers caused a lot of hilarity. Each one had an unconventional challenge, a small firework and a mobile hat inside. Hamish accioed a portable organ and with Dolores playing, narrated a musical story where one had to guess actions or characters from the tune played. This metamorphosed into singing Victorian ballads around the instrument. Molly did manage to cut the cake after the impromptu concert. The participants had at least one piece each, washed down by Winky’s special fleur-wine. Totally bushed and full, but content; the participants wished each other goodnight and crawled into bed.
~~~ BOXING DAY ~~~
Some of the crew supported John at his short, said St. Stephen’s Day service, the rest got up late. Draco and Harry were in that group. Cold meats and salad for lunch was acceptable, after which Ginevra and Astoria appeared. Their appearance was somewhat unusual. Knee high shiny leather boots, white, corded close-fitting high-waisted trousers; a black close fitting jacket, with a white stock and a high domed hat.
“Are you coming to support us, then,” Ginevra demanded.
“Do we have to get ourselves dressed up like that?” asked Draco with an incredulous stare.
“Of course not, only the riders wear this.” Astoria patted her get-up.
“You’re going to ride sticks in public. I’m sure the Statute of Secrecy doesn’t allow that.”
“Not broomsticks … Horses.”
“Oh … Right … Are you in a race?”
“No … A hunt.”
“What are you hunting? Oh … This is getting confusing … We’ll come and see what you’re doing, won’t we?”
Putting on warm clothing they trooped out into the square. There were quite a lot of mounted people there, including a man in a scarlet jacket with some dogs milling around the feet of his horse. Many of the villagers were there. Almost as soon as the mages arrived a horn sounded and the riders trotted off in the direction of Goldover Hill.
Harry saw their friendly farmer: “What are they hunting, David.”
“Foxes, Harry,” David shrugged: “Not that they often catch one. If I see one lurking around my hen-pen I shoot it.”
“Why?”
“They kill indiscriminately. If one gets inside a pen then most of your fowl will be dead. The fox will carry one off and eat it. I think they get mesmerised by all the fluttering and squawking. Young Washington makes sure your hens are properly cooped every night, that’s a good way, but if they’re loose during the day, you still have to keep a wary eye out. I don’t clip my birds. Okay, I lose a few, but they can fly up, away from a foxes’ snapping jaws. My pens have high roosts too. Most birds are sensible and realise where safety lies, anyway.”
“So what use is the hunt?”
“More the fun of riding than anything else. You’re not competing, as in a race, and there are obstacles to avoid. ‘Any fox worth its salt will lead the pack a merry dance and then sit up a tree laughing at them.’ So the saying goes. At least our hunt doesn’t artificially breed them. Most of the time they’re riding over the open moorland, so they don’t damage our fences. The Master always checks for damage if they come over our land and we get compensated. It’s these ruddy saboteurs who get my back up, with all their flimsy townie excuses. Let us rural folk enjoy our traditional pastimes. The townies should worry more about drug pushers and the many appalling road deaths in urban areas.”
“Um … I see … According to our history books, there used to be elf hunting but it was outlawed a couple of centuries ago. It’s not the same anyway, elves can talk and reason just as you and I can. I wonder if Greg knows a way of warding against foxes, trouble is, they won’t have magical signatures. Thanks for telling me, I enjoyed seeing them all ride off like that.”
Ginevra and Astoria came back later, covered in mud and red in the face.
“Did you catch the fox then?” asked Draco, with a supercilious grin.
“No, but we enjoyed the ride, didn’t we Ginny.”
“Yes … I … Did … Greatly …” Ginevra was still out of breath. She took a big gulp of air: “Harry. Tor and I have a special request to make of you and Draco.”
“This sounds intriguing. Say on!”
“Well … It’s about the hunt ball tonight … Err …”
Draco caught the drift. “Tor; would you consent to be my partner this evening, please?” He made an extravagant bow.
“Thank you, Draco. If we’re not properly escorted some of the older men might think we’re available. One of the reasons Ginny was out of breath is that she was pursued by an ardent middle aged admirer. He was so intent on the chase that he failed to see a low bough. The muddy pool he fell into certainly cooled his ardour.”
Once the laughter ceased Harry was slower on the uptake, as usual: “Oh … Um … Yes; would you, please come with me, Ginny?”
A look of relief flooded across Ginevra’s face. “Why thank you, kind sir, I would be delighted to accept your invitation.” She swept an equally extravagant curtsey and winked at Draco. “We’d better get back to our cottage to change into something suitable.”
Once they were in the privacy of their own room changing into evening tails for the forthcoming frolics, Harry looked at Draco quizzically. “Um … Exactly why did we ask those two to come to the dance?”
“Perhaps it was a peace offer, because they gave us the cold shoulder a month or so ago. Maybe it’s because they’re grateful for becoming members; then again, as we heard, because it’s more difficult for two girls to go unescorted. I’m not the best person to ask why girls do things, anyway.”
“Um … Yes … Their motives are a bit of a mystery, aren’t they?”
The Hunt Ball was really a glorified village dance. So the slight worry Harry had had about his ineptitude was soon dissolved. The two seneschals plus their escorts thoroughly enjoyed themselves. They had a quiet giggle when Ginny’s suitor turned up – he had a battleship of a wife who kept glowering at him. The quartet thought that she had heard of his amorous chase.
The next few days promised quieter pastimes in the newly fallen snow. However, one such snowfall on the 28th was magically induced. As each flake settled it seemed to induce a growing lassitude in anyone with the thaumic gene. Only when the Yates came to the cottage and accused their magical friends of being gloomy did the truth become apparent. Harry and Draco then set about countering the hex. They found that when they went to consult the Duindhu Library, their lassitude fell away. That proved beyond a doubt that the atmosphere in the village had been thaumically doctored. Using Number Twelve's library Harry deciphered which dark hex had been used. Then in the laboratory, Draco concocted a suitable potion to counteract this. By the following day all the Dumbledorians had been dosed and were up to their usual holiday high jinks. They did, however, keep sipping the potion just to make sure. Harry and Draco told everyone that they thought the Seignior was trying to freeze their magical abilities, prior to an assault.
"Why didn't the tholus stop it?" asked Dean.
"The intent of the satraps was evil and if it had been them they would have been repulsed," Harry explained: "But the snowflakes had been doctored by a potion. Potions do not have a mind and therefore cannot be said to have evil intent."
"I am developing a potion which will counteract that," added Draco: But it will take a little time before it can be sprayed onto the tholus.”
When the massed satraps made an assault on the village's protecting dome they were surprised. Thanks to the Yates, the defending mages were not as apathetic as expected. Nevertheless it was a hard fought magical battle. Those outside trying to burst the dome and those inside thickening and repairing the weak spots. The Seignior was obviously pushing his minions hard, because they kept up the assault throughout the night. It was halfway through December 30th's afternoon before the bombardment ceased and the attackers disapparated. Then it was an all-out thaumic effort to repair the damage caused. Despite working in shifts the defenders were extremely tired by mid evening. So all the usual entertainments never started and quite quickly the only noises in Chantry Cottage to be heard were snores.
Waking in the morning of New Year’s Eve was not easy. The nervous tension from the previous two days was taking its toll, not only on our two mages but on many other Dumbledorians as well. Quiet pastimes in and around the pool allowed them to come down from their ‘battle-high’. So, by the time the evening came they were compos mentis enough to enjoy the 3W’s firework display at midnight and then flop back into bed.
New Year’s Day delivered equilibrium and Draco was of the opinion that his father was keeping a low profile because of the failure of their recent assault and in the expectation of a large amount of cash coming in from the sale of the Scottish estate.
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