Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Harco Empire	By : Toddy Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Draco Views: 34417 -:- 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
- 73
- 74
- 75
[Note: conversation =: “speech” & ‘thoughts’ & *telepathy* & #Parseltongue# & {telephone}]
~~~ ADULTHOOD ~~~
Over breakfast Hermione and Ronald joined the same seven.
“What are you doing for Beltane?” asked Hortulanus.
“Merlin … We’d forgotten all about it … Um … It’s tomorrow isn’t it.”
“You seem unduly perturbed, Harry?”
“Hmm … I think we are … You know about the portals don’t you?”
“Yes Draco, Minerva took me through it to meet the other staff, although she called it a cabinet.” Hortulanus looked slightly puzzled.
“Portal is the proper name, Horrty, the cabinets use much the same thaums but have lesser capacity and were colloquially dubbed vanishing cabinets during the war before last,” Hermione supplied.
“Well!” Harry continued: “We charmed two six months ago just after Halloween and, according to the books; the transit thaums should be ripe to make another one just after Walpurgis Night.”
“So?” Hortulanus still looked puzzled.
“It nearly killed them both,” explained Ronald.
“It won’t this time, will it Draco?” Hermione looked at him piercingly: “You have done your research, haven’t you?” She saw both Blakes looking down at their plates. “That’s most unlike you, Draco. Now if it were Harry, I could have expected it. He and Ron are always putting things off until the last minute. Oh well,” she sighed: “I have a list of the relevant books and chapters; I expect you would like to borrow them.”
Harry stood up, and went to Hermione, bent down and kissed her cheek: “Thanks a lot, Herms; I knew I could rely on you.”
Hermione looked baffled whilst the rest of the crew sniggered. Nevertheless, she handed over the neatly written parchment.
“Um … Can the rest of you do without us today, please? I think we have a lot of reading to do.” Harry waved the vellum around.
“We’re going to write up our lesson plans, aren’t we, Seamus?” Dean gave his lover a very meaningful look.
Seamus sighed: “I suppose we are,” and looked resigned.
“Mind if I join you?”
“Very welcome, Horrty. My partner can be a slave driver, sometimes.” Seamus ducked as Dean tried to playfully punch him. “Maybe I won’t be too sore at the end of the day.” He rose and escaped a further battering.
As before, they did break for sessions in the pool, but the hard work went on, as it had during the previous day.
It was at dinner that Hortulanus asked the same question.
“Why is it so important, Horrty?”
“It’s the coming of age ceremony in goblin culture.”
“Fine … I don’t remember being told about it … We’re happy to support you.”
“Thanks, but that was not quite what I meant. I passed through the fire a few years ago.”
“I take it from that remark that part of the ceremony is passing through fire,” Draco wore his interested expression: “Is it magical or physical?”
“Physical, Draco. The participants ideally should be between their seventeenth and eighteenth birthdays, but it has been known for some to hold back for a year so that the correct number can perform it. It’s aimed at midnight between April and May.”
“Do I take it that the numbers are arithmantic?”
“Of course – of the usual threes and sevens.”
“There are twenty-eight working Dumbledorians at present, that’s one too many.”
“No it isn’t, Ronald. Hamish will have already passed through the fire.” Hermione corrected.
“Do I take it that you want to participate?”
Harry looked at Draco and then at the ones around the table: “Yes I think we would want to show solidarity with our goblin friends.”
With an amazed look on his face Hortulanus replied: “Well I never, twenty-seven! Erm … Can I get Hamish involved?”
Everyone nodded.
“Blaise and I’ll get the troops sorted, Guys,” Hermione volunteered. They went off to use the floo.
The others sat quietly whilst Hortulanus explained what went on.
~~~ BELTANE ~~~
The cottage and its environs were a hive of industry. A long fire had to be built on Niggle edge. The three goblins [because Gallus had become involved] had insisted it had to be exactly forty-nine feet long and three feet wide. Kreacher was supervising the corps of elves which was emptying one of the cellars at Number Twelve and the Elder Elf then ensured that it was thaum-tight. Winky and her helpers were busy making oatcakes to Gertie’s recipe. Draco and Harry were trying to have a quiet time together in the study in preparation for the portal charming on the following day, but were constantly interrupted by incoming Dumbledorians asking questions about Beltane and being referred to one of the goblins.
One of the interruptions was John accompanied by Dolores.
“I’m sorry to interrupt your quiet time”
D: *I bet he isn’t really*.
H: *Shut up Malfoy*.
D: *Duly chastised*. “You’re not the only ones. Forgiven! What can we do for you?”
“Put on your glad rags and attend the maypole ceremony on Saturday.”
“The schoolchildren have been practicing, and you two seem to be regarded as the heads of the magical community here.” Dolores looked imploringly at them.
“We may be a bit worn out, you know. We have a fire ceremony to attend at midnight.”
“Yes we’d heard. The villagers usually have a bonfire too. Hamish has persuaded us all to come to yours instead. That’s why the maypole is scheduled as an afternoon do.”
D: *We could make the portal after the bonfire. Then we can sleep in during the morning*.
H: *Fine*! “We have another duty as well so we may be a little woozy. It put us in bed for quite a few days after we did it last time.”
“However, we think we have learned what caused that. Could Minerva stand in for us?”
“She’s agreed to come, plus some of the staff.”
“Just make sure we can sit down, please?”
John looked perspicacious: “Are you intending making another portal? It’s the only thing I’ve heard of that lays you two low.”
“Yes, to go between Milkwood Hall and Hogwarts – intended for public use.”
“Can you not put it off?”
“The Fluence may not let us. Beltane morn is the most providential when certain magical barriers are thin. Otherwise we would have to wait six months until Samhain and we have another one planned for that.”
“A lot of the reason we were so exhausted was that we waited for a couple of days and the barriers that inhibit transit thaums were beginning to regain their strength and we charmed two pairs. No-one had ever done that before.”
“The other main reason was that we did not contain the thaumic-reaction properly. Not that we really knew what we were doing the first time. It was all an accident. This time we have studied the charms properly and think we know what to do.”
“To be fair; much of this is conjecture based on some ancient texts some of which are in Egyptian Demotic, not exactly the easiest to read. They bear some relation to runic texts which Draco has been studying.”
“I wasn’t aware of any demotic texts existing outside certain archaeological institutions,” remarked Dolores.
“Ask John what he has seen in the Hogwarts library.”
“Yes My Dear, Augusta and I have been studying Minoan Hieroglyphs referring to ancient Jewish history and the Old Testament. The magical community has preserved all kinds of fascinating manuscripts that many of us though were lost forever. They do tend to be somewhat single minded though; as one would expect from a magical library.”
Harry could see three curious people starting to get engrossed: *Draco, behave yourself*! “Perhaps you could allow us to have some preparatory rest.”
“Of course, Dear Boy, I apologise for taking up your time. I look forward to seeing both you; if you are compos mentis tomorrow afternoon.”
Both of them said goodbye and retired.
“What did you mean about behaving myself, Harry?”
“I could feel your research curiosity arousing. We do need some rest.”
“Very well, if we go upstairs and lock the door I have a potion that will knock us out for five hours.”
“Should I tell Kreacher to wake us up?”
“I hope you weren’t maligning my potions prowess?” Draco’s smile was enigmatic.
“Not really, just putting in place an extra precaution.” Harry’s smile was loving.
“Very well, I agree.” Draco pecked Harry on the cheek.
They asked Kreacher to rouse them at half-past ten, retired upstairs, locked the door and after undressing retired to bed. Draco was very careful not to put more than five drops of the purple potion into their water. After drinking they counted to twenty-seven and fell to sleep.
~~~FIRE~~~
Pop: “Masters, Masters, wake … Oh … I see you’re awake now. Very efficient potion that. You woke right on the dot. Here are your tokens.”
“Thanks Kreacher, so were you. We’ve nice time to get dressed and go up to Niggle Edge.” Harry looked at his well-worn children’s trousers and compared them with Draco's well pressed ones.
“Yes, the procession departs in half an hour from the War Memorial.”
H: *I thought it was going to be a private ceremony*.
D: *Not with you being part of it, Love*.
H: *I s’pose so … It’ll be good for you to be seen taking part. Probably help to polish the Malfoy image a bit*.
D: *As long as Malfoi Père doesn’t come and spoil things for us*.
H: *Some of Niggle Edge is under the tholus*.
D: *Let’s hope they’ve been sensible and built the fire there*.
Outside, everyone seemed to be armed with burning torches. Pullet and Phealey had spares and gave them to the two Blakes. This procession was not as organised as one of John’s ecclesiastical ones. It straggled, chattering, along Chantry Lane and Ghost Wood Hollow; picking up more strands of participants at each intersection. They hit the boundary path and turned right in order to clamber up Niggle Edge. The Blakes were relieved to find that the long fire was snugly inside the tholus’ periphery.
Everyone sorted themselves out: children and teenagers to the left of the fire and adults to the right. Once everyone was in place Hortulanus gave the signal and all the torches were thrown into the fire. A number of the adult magicals cast Incendios at the same time.
The fire was nicely ablaze by the time the church clock started to strike midnight; the flames were at least nine feet high. As the ninth bong sounded the Dumbledorians cast their childhood tokens into the fire.
“THUS WE PUT AWAY THE TRAPPINGS OF CHILDHOOD”
As the eleventh bong sounded they joined hands and exactly on the twelfth jumped through the flames together.
There was a sponsoring adult on the other side holding out an oatcake which the jumper took and returned to the other side of the fire, walking round one end or the other; followed by the adults. He or she broke the oatcake in pieces offering a piece to at least one other younger person saying:
“Thus I take on the responsibilities of adulthood and hope you will follow the same path.”
Andromeda had acted as Draco’s sponsor and Molly acted as Harry’s; Arthur had been Ronald’s. The final act was offering the last piece of oatcake to their sponsor.
“I thank you for sponsoring me and I give you this token of my gratitude.”
To which the sponsor replied: “Thank you, but I also have a responsibility towards you as my protégé.” They broke the remaining piece in half; “We will share sustenance as all adults should.”
As Draco and Harry received the piece back and put it into their mouths; they felt a curious pulsing in their feet.
H: *It’s happening just like that Egyptian scroll said it would*.
D: *It was a very obscure reference, but I agree. Why are you starting to grow a golden collar*?
They squinted hard, holding hands. Slowly around Harry’s neck a golden glow appeared for about five seconds. It then spread and dispersed down his body; sinking into the ground.
H: *No idea*!
The Headmistress came up to them: “Did I see a golden aura a moment ago?”
“Yes, Minerva; around Harry. We didn’t know if others could see it.”
“Those who have been bonded can, but we have to be watching at the correct time. It happened to me when I was confirmed as headmistress. That’s why the academy’s magic responds to me.”
D: *We could have easily missed it. I imagine that you are definitely the Resident Mage now*.
There was a sharp tingle – not unpleasant.
H: *I think the Fluence has just confirmed it*.
“Did your feet pulse when that happened, Minerva?”
“No, why do you ask?”
“Well … Ours are pulsing now.”
“It’s probably a reminder to undertake a thaumic responsibility. Hogwarts does it to me when I forget to look at its reports, or miss one of the other magical duties I have to perform each year.”
“Um … We’re both pulsing so it must be a joint responsibility; I think.”
“I bet it’s the portal charming we’ve been planning.”
“Are you sure you’re strong enough?”
“Yes thanks, Minerva. We’ve been studying books and parchments about it. The nearer to the magical equinox the better and we’re performing in small enclosed spaces this time.”
“Very good! Perhaps you would like Filius and I to stand by, just in case.”
The Blakes felt an extra strong pulse when she offered; so they replied in the affirmative. Four mages excused themselves and walked rapidly down to Chantry Cottage.
Upon arrival, they ported to Number Twelve to be met by George. Once they had arrived and descended to the thaum-free cellar, Draco entered one cabinet and Harry the other whilst Minerva, Filius and George kept guard outside.
Harry and Draco sought out each other’s minds, concentrated, and with a flourish of fingers said “FACEMUS PORTAM PUBLICUM!”
There was a rumble, almost as though a low flying jet fighter had flown by, and then one cabinet door opened. Minerva rushed to support a pale looking Harry.
“Thanks for that. It was nowhere near as bad as last time. I’m a bit shaky; so is Draco.”
The other cabinet door opened and Draco came through: “Please would you miniaturise these and place them where you need them. We hope that the users will not need medallions to work them. As long as they are kept within the Hogwarts and village wards the satraps will not be able to access them. At the moment the other portals will be reserved for medallion holders only.”
Kreacher arrived bearing four mugs of hot chocolate. When he had handed them around; both Blakes grabbed a hand each: “WE CONFER UPON YOU THE RIGHT TO ALLOW OR DISALLOW ANY ELF OF OUR HOUSEHOLD THE TRANSITION OF ALL OUR PORTALS.”
“Thank you masters. Does that include any of the dispossessed as well?”
“We regard them as being part of the household, even if only temporary. Don’t we Draco?”
“Yes Harry!”
“What happens if a mage, goblin or muggle wishes to pass through?”
“This one is public and as long as the wards have accepted them there should be no problem. If there are, refer them to one of us, please Kreacher.”
“Yes Masters, may I remind you of the spy glass?”
“Spy glass?”
“It’s fitted in the one at Number Twelve and allows you to see if someone who doesn’t know about the portal is in the room.”
“Show us please.”
“It was something Master Regulus fitted up.” Kreacher showed them a small hole under one of the glass ornaments. It was so arranged that it acted like a periscope and had a sliding cover behind it. Unless anyone knew where to look, it could not be detected whilst sitting in the Tapestry Room. Also, by manipulating the bottom mirror it was possible to see into the hallway.
“What a good idea; do you need a list of whom we accept?”
“Now I have passed through I should be able to sense who is allowed, goodnight.” Pop, and Kreacher was no longer there.
“It’s nearly three o’clock, Filius; I think we’d better go to bed.”
“Yes Minerva, I agree, Goodnight, Boys!”
They departed through the Hogwarts portal.
“We’re supposed to be adults now,” Draco grumbled.
“Don’t worry, I heard him calling a number of the rival Quidditch team boys or girls. Some of them were over twice our age. It’s probably because he still thinks of us as students.”
“Hmm … I expect you’re right … At least he calls us by our given names now.” Draco chuckled ruefully: “My Godfather could put all kinds of malevolent meanings into Mister; as you knew only too well.”
Harry shuddered: “Especially when I’d made another mess of my potion. Let’s go to bed, I doubt I’ll need any purple potion to put me to sleep.”
“Yes, I agree.”
They managed a quick shower before collapsing into their four-poster. Winky came and covered them up again.
~~~ MAY DAY ~~~
It was half-past eleven when they awoke, showered and ambled downstairs. The sideboard still had the breakfast tureens on it and it was obvious that the friends there had also been having a lie-in. The Blakes ambled around, plates in hand chattering to most of the Dumbledorians who had stayed behind intending to make a weekend of it.
Once they were full Draco and Harry took Hermione and the other tutors aside and told them about the portal.
The Blakes ambled down Almoners Row and John found them.
“How are you feeling? You don’t look too strained. Did you put it off?”
“Thanks for enquiring, we made it at about one o’clock,” Draco replied: “And then had nine hours’ recovery time in bed. There are still a couple of minor alterations, but we hope we’ve got the hang of it. Not that we can make another until six months have elapsed.”
“You said something about barriers?”
“Yes. They are the strongest at the solstices and weakest at the magical equinoxes. Some mages believe that you can summon the dead at those times. I was brought up to think that this was bad magic, others seem less worried.”
“We both agree that it is something we don’t want to explore just yet; although the manuscripts we were studying do mention the possibility. We’re cognisant of the fact that, in the Old Testament, Samuel’s ghost was very cross when Saul called him back and don’t want to dabble in things we’re not sure about.”
“Orthodox Christian belief suggests that it is not a good idea, my boys; but then wizardry is not orthodox either, is it? My advice is to be very, very careful. As an exorcist I have to put evil spirits away and some appear to be ghosts of people from former years who are unquiet about some aspect or another. Know that if you get into that kind of bother, I am very willing to help you; just as we did at Woodyates.”
“Thanks John, we will. Not that we are contemplating that at the moment.”
“On to more pleasant things, my boys. I have two comfortable seats for you on the dais. There’s just about half an hour before the festivities begin, have you eaten?”
“We had brunch about an hour ago, thanks.”
The two mages joined John and his churchwardens on the small platform. The maypole dancing was interesting and reasonably well performed, with occasional hoarse hints from Dolores when a pupil got in a tangle. The May Queen was crowned and most of the villagers went off in procession behind her. The Blakes declined the invitation to walk the seven miles of the parish boundaries, deciding that a quiet time in the garden was their choice.
Whilst the others had a barbecue at David’s farm the Blakes had a quiet romantic dinner and retired early; having realised exactly how much energy, physical and magical, they had expended making the new portal.
- 73
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