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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
- 66
- 67
- 68
[Note: conversation =: “speech” & ‘thoughts’ & *telepathy* & #Parseltongue# & {telephone}]
(Bank holidays in Great Britain are statutory one day holidays. In the north of Britain ‘fell’ is a word for a large hill.)
~~~ DEDICATION ~~~
This was going to be an unusual week. It was Holy Week at St Godric’s and in preparation for their confirmation there were services each evening with a time of meditation afterwards. Monday was about watchfulness; being aware of the subtle snares of sin. Tuesday covered repentance; knowing that, as humans, we would slip and how we might repair the damage sin has caused, not only to others, but to our own souls. Wednesday’s theme was forgiveness; we cannot be forgiven if we do not forgive first. Draco and Harry wondered how that might apply to Mundungus and their being part of the Wizengamot.
Maundy Thursday was a surprise. It started with a very early boarding of the Hogwarts Express. There were no attacks. The early arrival at Kings Cross enabled the Dumbledorians’ attendance at a magnificent Eucharistic celebration of the institution of the Lord’s Supper. It seemed to the company to be the glorious release of being forgiven and they gave heartfelt praise. But then the tenor of the service changed. The priestly vestments came off as did the choir’s and servers’ surplices. The altar was stripped bare; every ornament was removed or covered over and all but the minimum lights were extinguished. In the gloom, penitential psalms were read and the awful truth of the following day’s memorial came home.
By common consent they did not have dinner that night, water sufficed the rumblings of empty stomachs. No pastimes took place either, some meditated, some read and some walked quietly around the garden. The whole village seemed hushed. There were no shenanigans in bed for our two, and for many of the other couples, too.
Breakfast was silent. Most people drank water, but nothing else. The contemplative atmosphere continued until just before Midday when a single tolling bell called them to the ‘Watch by the Cross’. There was music, but in a minor key, the hymns marked the transition from the contemplation of one Station of the Cross to the next; telling the story from Jesus’ condemnation to his crucifixion and death. Each took quarter of an hour and lasted as far as three o’clock with the deposition and burial following on.
Afterwards they broke their fast lightly with fish salad and juices. Somehow it did not seem appropriate to indulge in anything but the mere needs of sustenance. Most of the evening was given over to discussions about what they had experienced and what was to happen to them soon. Soberly they retired to bed. Draco and Harry hugged for comfort but did not indulge themselves.
~~~ SATURDAY ~~~
They were still solemn. Many Dumbledorians sought out their fellows and apologised for things said or done during their school years. Draco forced himself into a contrite mood and made sure he sought forgiveness from everyone. He was surprised by the number of Dumbledorians who sought his forgiveness too. Harry realised that as leader he had often overridden others and asked clemency from them. They in turn said sorry to him for myriad things. Lunch had a quiet feeling of new beginnings and budding optimism. It was their last meal before the big event. Quiet walks were the order of the afternoon and by the time dinner would have been served they were all immersed in prayer-books or bibles. As the sun neared the horizon they cleansed themselves and put on sober garments. Some wore white, others black; there were dark shades of red, green or blue too, especially in their cloaks.
Thus attired they walked in solemn procession to St Godric’s. The congregation was there in force, but it was difficult to see them because the church was in darkness. They went quietly to their reserved places. After some preliminary prayers John lit the paschal candle. Holding it up, he intoned: “The light of Christ!” To which the congregation chanted back: “Thanks be to God!” This happened twice more on a higher note each time, whilst John went in procession towards the font. As he went along, the servers lit tapers from the candle, and handed them along the rows; so that the congregation could light their own small candles – one for everyone. The church gradually filled with light to reveal the statues and hangings restored. It also revealed an imposing person in a gold cope with a mitre on his head. On his way John paused, said a prayer of blessing and lit the candles on the Easter garden. The congregation and the Dumbledorians became aware of the flowers decorating the rest of the church.
Arriving at the font John blessed the water and two servers led those to be baptised towards the font. There were muggles as well as mages. Draco and Harry joined Hamish in that procession, because they were to become Christian Godfathers to the three goblins. As Harry watched his friends being received into the Church he realised how much the font and a Penseive resembled each other in shape. He was admonished gently by Draco for letting his mind wander. Their newly baptised friends followed in procession back to the altar, and the majority of the Dumbledorians followed them. Hamish and the remaining three had already been confirmed. There were some muggles too.
The process was slower than the baptism, as each person took onto themselves the vows which their godparents had taken for them. Harry and Draco had wanted to be last, but John had overruled them, because they had to precede their godchildren, so they were three-quarters down the queue waiting for the bishop to lay his hands on each of them; confirming them by name
D: *Poor Bishop, I bet his hands ache*.
H: *Now who’s letting his mind wander*?
D: *I consider myself duly chastened*.
Draco was first of the pair and Harry felt his mate’s astonishment. Harry was next; the tingle was different and on his head, but an immense calm settled over him and he felt a sense of being welcomed. With misty eyes our two, and many others, regained their places. The bishop gave an address, but although they paid attention; little of what he said was retained, because of the heightened emotional state they were experiencing. Service over; a quietly joyful procession returned to the cottage, drank a fortifying mug of Winky’s special chocolate and retired to bed. D & H hugged for comfort and, as their amazement waned, drifted off to sleep.
~~~ SUNDAY 04/04/99 ~~~
A full peal of bells called them to the final act. It was a fine day, and in their finery they walked to church. No sombre hues this time, celebratory colours everywhere with the men almost outdoing the ladies. This was to be their first communion. This was the symbol of union with their Saviour, one that should be renewed regularly so as to remain in a state of grace. From the solemnity and darkness of Lent, Easter Day was a glorious contrast. The smell of the flowers filled the church. Many parents had come to see their offspring take their first communion. Indeed, most of them had been present at the service on the evening before. So much so that every room at the inn was full, cottage guest rooms also. Some magical tents on Chantry Cottage’s lawn and a few others elsewhere accommodated the overflow.
The result was that the church was crowded; with the newly confirmed being lodged in the chancel where the choir used to sit – the choristers were in the back balcony with some woodwind players. The servers were seated inside the sanctuary on chairs from the church hall. The hymns were joyous and many contained peals of alleluias; as did the responses. The new ones took their communion first; Draco and Harry felt a fortitude being added to that inner calm and marvelled. As before, the content of John’s address was soon forgotten whilst they sorted out their inner feelings. In a happy daze they shook hands with seemingly hundreds of people and wandered over to the Farmers Arms for a celebratory lunch. This celebration was also for George’s slightly delayed birthday.
The parish marquee had been pitched over the bowling green with the coconut matting preserving the surface beneath. Upon this the guests feasted. Despite being warned of the effect of rich food and good wine on fasting stomachs; Draco and Harry were fairly woozy by the end of the special meal. Many of their compatriots were too. Hamish was the soberest and he led the Dumbledorian giggling snake back to the cottage, going twice around the square before choosing the correct exit.
A row of elves greeted the celebrators with offers of yellow sober-up potions. Certain muggles had accidentally joined the procession and availed themselves of the proffered doses; only realising later that they had met elves for the first time. The Dumbledorians paired off with the confused muggles and explained some of the magical realities. The three seneschals were dead set against any form of oblivation; they argued that, as the muggles were all locals, they would have to be told sometime, because more and more magely families were taking up residence. The Yates felt relieved too because most of their contemporaries were within the secret now. Some explanation of the warded tholus took place at the same time.
~~~ MONDAY ~~~
Shall we say that being a bank holiday, relaxation was top of the agenda? Kreacher ordained that a running buffet would be available all day. Thus early risers were having their second meal when the laggards were having breakfast. Some of the muggle confirmands joined them and were a little shocked at the unclothed ambience surrounding the pool, however, noting no prurience, soon joined in. From then on, the few village young adults joined their magely counterparts in hanging out around the cottage environment in a loose camaraderie.
Kingsley flooed in to congratulate the newly confirmed and was taken aback by the muggle presence.
“I knew about the Yates, Harry, but you’ve added a half dozen more. They should be oblivated.”
Draco paused for a minute: “Hmm … Kingsley … In the final reckoning … you are a servant of the Wizengamot, are you not?”
“Yes … That’s correct … And I intend carrying out its instructions.”
“Ah yes … So you should, too … However, the Wizengamot is made up of seneschals who take a democratic vote. Is that correct?”
“Yes that’s correct,” Kingsley was becoming impatient: “What are you getting at?”
“Well … You are a member by reason of your office, and there are three more standing by you. I know that Hugh is nearby and I’m sure he’d vote with us. An eighty percent majority is fairly robust I would say, wouldn’t you?”
Kingsley burst out laughing: “Like father like son. Okay, now you’ve gained a stay of execution at least.”
“Hmm … The longer we leave it, the less tenable the reason becomes, doesn’t it?”
“Yes; delayed oblivation is never as effective.”
“It didn’t stick on my guardians either, Kingsley, they can remember me making Aunt Marge into a balloon.”
“I don’t think I ever heard about that, do tell?”
“I know the story, so I’ll say goodbye;” Kingsley disapparated from Toppers Wallow.
“I most definitely haven’t.”
“Nor me.”
They had gathered an interested audience who were all intrigued so Harry had to tell the tale. After it was finished most of the crew fell about laughing, including the Yates. There was a small knot of youngsters looking slightly worried. Draco drew Harry’s attention to them. They were a quartet so before approaching them our pair went in search of Seamus and Dean. They were not too difficult to find. One quartet approached the other, not obviously, but indirectly and gradually.
“You know us two, don’t you, Sam?”
“Well, we thought we did, Dean, but now we’re not too sure. Making people into balloons … That is either a big joke, or it’s too horrible to contemplate.”
“It’s both, that’s the problem. Magic is a terrible force if used incorrectly, just as the H-bomb could be, but we live with it, don’t we?”
“Yes but what Harry did – you did do it, Harry?”
“By accident, before I learned to control it, yes …”
“… That’s why we went to our special school, to learn that control,” Draco soothed.
“Still … it seems so personal.”
“So was being chased up a tree by her so-called pet. It was a nasty dog that had already torn bits out of my trousers seat. She wouldn’t call it off until two hours after my normal bedtime. I was scared shitless of falling asleep, losing my grip and being torn to pieces. She thought it amusing.”
“Did she recover?”
“I’m told that I caused her no lasting harm. However, she won’t visit my old home any longer. She doesn’t communicate with my Uncle and Aunt anymore, either.”
“Do you still call it home, Harry?”
“In the same way you still regard the Manor as yours, Draco. Neither of us had happy childhoods, Sam. I was starved and deprived, Draco was tortured cruelly.”
“Go on, you both look well off.”
“Harry’s bedroom was a cupboard under the stairs …”
“… And Draco was regularly tied down and beaten bloody.”
“Ugh! You’re having us on.”
“They aren’t, both of their so called Guardians assaulted them sexually as well.”
“You should be real nasties from that kind of upbringing.”
“We found love, Sam; not conventional, I grant you, but more than just mates. An aspect of magic is that it occasionally binds people together, and we’re the result.”
“We have no problems about you being gay. But the other … It’s weird and scary!”
Harry and Draco swapped ideas for a minute. Draco looked at Seamus: “Have you got your sticks nearby?”
“Going to do a Dolores trick? Sounds like a good idea, accio broomstick.”
The others followed suit.
“Where did that come from?”
“My room over there. Which one of you is brave enough to take a ride with me around the lawn?”
“You won’t drop me will you?”
“No Sam, I promise, but I will have to charm you, and you must wear a medallion.”
Sam looked worried. So Dean explained: “It’s to keep you safe and buoyant.”
Sam put the medallion and chain around his neck: “I don’t feel any lighter.”
“You won’t but the Fluence recognises you now. I have to charm you as well.”
“Do you need a boost, Dean?”
“No thanks, Draco, I’ve done it with some of the Yates guys before. It’s more about the medallion’s strength, than mine. After all, …You two charmed that.”
Sam shut his eyes whilst Dean waved his wand. He opened them once Dean said he had finished. They tried some low manoeuvres at first.
“It’s like riding a bike with no pedals,” Sam enthused, but still clung to Dean.
The others then decided it might be exciting to have a go; so they were charmed and rode tandem. As each muggle grew more accustomed to the ride, each mage took them a little higher; even daring a few dives and tight curves. The Yates persuaded some of the others to give them a ride; their partners were the first to show fatigue.
“They were up last” Sam observed: “Why are they worn out first?”
“It’s to do with magical strength,” replied Dean: “It’s just as tiring to do things magical as it is for you to dig a garden. We provide your strength as well as our own. Imagine how long you could run at this speed with me sitting on your shoulders.”
“Yes, I see. Thanks for the ride, you can put me down now, I don’t want to tire you.”
As Dean landed he received a knowing look from Draco: “Pink, red or purple?” he enquired sotto voce.
“Not achieved Purple yet, but the red bonding was really something.”
“Congratulations!”
“Thanks!”
Harry had been listening in so he landed and shook both of their hands. He then applied a sonorous: “Hey guys, Dean and Seamus have reached red level.”
“We were going ter keep it quiet, Harry.”
“Seamus, I remember a certain mage making rude mimes when we made purple. So you’re having some of your own medicine.”
Whilst the other mages congratulated one pair, the other pair took the muggles aside and explained about thaumic partnerships. It was well after dark before the mixed company had dinner and somewhere between one and two in the morning before everyone was asleep.
~~~ TUESDAY ~~~
This day was a bank holiday also, but everyone was compos mentis by coffee time. Roughly the same party met again at the cottage. As it was a fine day they decided to go for a hike and the elves provided a miniaturised lunch to go with them. Like Harry’s and Draco’s previous walk it ended up at Keplin Tarn Reservoir, but not before climbing to the top of one fell and having a picnic on the top of another. The muggles stripped off and jumped in, so did most of the mages. Dean and Seamus hesitated and Draco looked at Harry quizzically.
“Accio sealskin harness! If a couple of us stay out in turn we should be able to defeat it. You two swim first and we’ll keep watch.”
Draco and Harry sat on a couple of boulders scanning the lake for any sign of distress.
Ronald drew himself out and wandered over, dripping as he came: “What’s wrong with you two? You’re usually first in?”
“Do you know what a Kelpie is?”
“So that’s why the name of this place sounded familiar. HERMS COME HERE.”
“What is it, Darling? I was really enjoying the swim.”
“Harry and Draco are on Kelpie watch.”
“I understand, give me the harness and you two go and have a swim.”
“Thanks Herms, Dean and Seamus will come and relieve you two.”
Word spread amongst the mages and they casually insured that at least one pair were keeping a watch-out. There was no kelpie sighting that day. In their post coital musings, our pair supposed that too many people scared it off, or perhaps the presence of mages deterred it. They were far too sated and comfortable to bother finding out just then.
~~~ WEDNESDAY ON ~~~
There were less Dumbledorians around and fewer muggles, quite a number having jobs to go to. The weather wasn’t too inviting either. Although not actually raining the grey skies and howling wind was a definite deterrent to outdoor pursuits. When a certain female tutor suggested revision she was not shouted down, and the group ported to Hogwarts and used the Green Ladies Room to test each other on various aspects of the NEWT’s they were scheduled to take at the end of June. They did work hard, but it was also a game, with a score board in the form of glass columns with a rising or diminishing coloured liquid inside; Justin’s was red, Blaise’s golden, Harry’s green, Draco’s silver and Hermione’s blue.
Thursday had them starting on Augusta’s requirements and Friday on individual swotting. They stayed together because they found encouragement that way.
They sat sipping tea.
“I fancy a swim.”
“That’s unusual for you, Herms. You usually keep our noses to the grindstone.”
“I’m slightly more mature now, Draco. I’ve realised that my mind is beginning to wallow in a fog of facts. That needs a big dose of recreation to cure it.”
“Doctor’s orders, what better inducement: ‘In locum redito!’” Justin sent his books back to their rooms and opened the portal.
They were not the only ones’ swimming.
Draco saw Sam and his friends, there was one extra: “Hi, Sam who’s the new one?”
“Meet Art, really Arthur; he’s the vowel in our team.”
“Vowel?”
“Meet Team Stamp: Samuel, Thomas, Arthur, Matilda, and Philippa.”
“Got it.”
“We’ve told Ant, about magic. I know we agreed not to; he would have been with us, but for family pressures. We five hang out together so we could hardly keep it a secret, could we? We’ve been friends since heaven-knows-when. Same class, same school same village and almost the same age, give or take three months.”
“It happens, no big deal; at least not for us lot.”
Anthony asked a lot of questions and a couple of demonstrations took place.
“That’s a bit like hang gliding,” he remarked.
“Hang gliding?”
“Yes, a big fabric wing with a frame, you hang beneath it and where there’s an up-draught you get lift, and go flying. If it’s fine tomorrow we’ll have another tramp, south this time. High Clough Gill quite often has people hang gliding.”
“Sounds interesting, you’re on.”
“Nine-thirty all right? It’ll take ninety minutes at least to get there.
~~~ SATURDAY 10/04/99 ~~~
It took two hours, because they stopped to look at interesting things on the way, or avoided marked areas containing suspected unexploded military munitions.
Half way along the steep sided valley was a tall outcrop of rock. It made a fine grandstand from which to view the flyers. One of them spotted the onlookers and made some daring turns in front of them. Unfortunately, he came too close and it was obvious he would crash into the cliff face below them.
“Levicorpus saeculi!” Seamus pointed and the bloke suddenly found lift, however his momentum carried him forward to almost crash into them and appeared to crumple one side of the wing.
“I thought I was a goner. Sorry if I frightened you. Would you mind helping me to sort this lot out?”
Justin was nearest and offered, Susan also helped. They straightened the flyer and his wing out; he made a few adjustments and took off again.
“I need to get my cloak, make a circle around me please.”
“It’s not that cold, Justin.” Nevertheless, they made the circle.
There was a crack and Justin disapparated. The muggles were astonished. They were even more astonished when he reappeared with his cape and stick plus a miniaturised picnic basket.
“Winky says we only took half our lunch with us. Now let me see … … …” Justin made some experimental passes and within ten minutes had transformed his cape into the likeness of a hang glider. His broomstick was glamorised to look like the frame. With a wobbly start he took off, carefully copying the movements of the experts. He had an exciting half hour, and then loaned his apparatus to Susan. A few more had a go as well. So enthralled were they in experimenting that only the departure of the gliding club reminded them of a date with the parish dance.
“We’ll miss most of it.”
“No we won’t.” Justin grabbed hold of Sam and draped a medallion around his neck: “Now hold tight.” Crack! And they were gone. The others followed suit.
The enlarged company enjoyed their ball. However, Justin and Susan had a preoccupied air about them. Towards the end there was a resounding bang and a flash of what could have been lightening. A couple of the old timers said that they thought a deer had trodden on an unexploded mine within one of the marked off areas.
Gregory, the wards’ keeper, had another opinion and shared it with Draco and Harry.
“We’ll have a look tomorrow,” said Draco: “We’re safe for the time being.”
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