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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
- 78
- 79
- 80
[Note: conversation =: “speech” & ‘thoughts’ & *telepathy* & #Parseltongue# & {telephone}]
~~~ TRANSFERRING ~~~
Draco and Harry spent two days sorting out themselves and, in the process, realising that they would have to work harder this academic year than last.
Saturday 14^th and it was Lee and Mandy’s wedding day. It had many of the same supporters that Percy and Audrey had had the previous week and, for that matter, Oliver and Katie would have the following Saturday. During the reception afterwards Draco and Harry swanned around together chatting to people.
*You’re quite getting good at small talk, Harry*.
*No I’m not. If you weren’t by my side prompting me, I’d dry up. I think that when we are together people are less at ease. They’re still not used to the idea of the Saviour and a reformed Voldie disciple being magical partners. So they aren’t as pushy as they would be to me by myself*.
*That argument holds good for me also, when you think of it. They’d probably try and hex me, but not in front of you*.
*Uh-oh, can we hide? There’s a determined looking McG descending on us*.
*Hiding under the cloak would be a bit obvious. Better get it over and done with*.
Harry sighed, schooled his face and said: “Hi Minerva, looking for us, were you?” and gave her a cheeky smile.
Minerva smiled tightly: “I also heard that previous sigh of resignation, Harry. Yes, I was, Hamish has an idea he wants to try out. I think he’s already had a preliminary chat with the Annex team – probably when we were sorting out your further educational requirements. He’s asked that we meet on Monday morning next at his cottage. I am not quite sure what he’s getting at, but Filius is all for it. They want to use the Milk Wood for some purpose.”
“Seamus was muttering about games in the trees. Perhaps it’s that.”
“It could be, Draco. Would you two be free on Monday?”
*It’s your turn to say yes, Draco. After all, you did say something about ‘over and done with’*, Harry’s sending had a joshing tone to it.
*Thanks a bunch*! “Very well, Minerva, shall we say eleven o’clock?”
“Yes. Hamish and Filius had something to do first thing. I think that would suit them, too.”
Harry thought he would chat to Seamus or Dean, and find out what they were plotting. Draco was going to the same with Horrty. But they retired to bed unsatisfied.
Sunday was busy with church and the Sunday lunch. Then, of course, there was the weekly visit to see Andromeda and Teddy for tea. In the evening somehow the trio eluded the pair or they ended up in large groups where such confidences were not possible. Two slightly frustrated mages retired to bed. However, they soon found a delightful way of working out those frustrations and giving the broonies a bounty of special food.
Monday morning’s domestic meeting with the elves covered the usual routine of checking who was using what accommodation and which elves were working where.
“It’s very useful having Number Twelve as an overflow, Masters,” remarked Dorothy: “Both for the elves and the Dumbledorians. Grouchy and Huppert were underused before and that did not help their feelings of self-esteem. They’re blossoming now that their rooms are being used regularly.”
“That was the point I was trying to make, Master Harry,” said Kreacher: “Our mental and physical health is best served by having and serving in a particular position within a household. There are still unattached ones with us and recently making three messenger-elves helped the three who were beginning to fade. Now that the mages use the daffodils and ask for errands to be done, their health and outlook is improving. Being unattached affects different elves differently. At the moment I have none who are showing the signs, but I fear that if in six months they are not attached we will be starting to lose them. All of the student-elves are now attached, most of them to a sponsoring household and a few as part of the Hogwarts establishment. That at least gives us a lot of time to sort out a suitable position for them.”
“Does that mean that most families are now seconding their teen-elves, Kreacher?”
“Yes, Master Draco … Well … a few of the ‘Old Codger’ Pure-blood families don’t, but their tradition is to treat their elves reasonably anyway. It was only the pushy pure-bloods that followed Voldie who treated elves as despicable lesser beings. Unfortunately, there are still some incommunicado elves imprisoned by members of your father’s régime.”
“Literally imprisoned?”
“Some, we think. The Fluence does not let the others talk about their situation.”
Harry looked puzzled: “Um … You managed to talk to Bellatrix whilst serving Sirius at Number Twelve.”
“That’s because I was told to ‘Get out’ by your Godfather, Master. He gave me no instructions as to how I was to behave or what I was not to say. In fact, he seemed to be depriving me of my position. Thus the Fluence encouraged me to attach to someone else. I must admit it was not just for my health’s sake, but out of mine own contrariness also. Like Master Draco I have a different outlook now. The Fluence would not let me betray you because a proper trusting master-elf bond exists; as it did between me and Master Regulus.”
“What about Aunt Wally’s portrait, then?”
“That was self-preservation, more than anything. She was a difficult mistress when she was alive. However, she had been my mistress and occasionally would give me things to do, even as a portrait. I declined less slowly, because of it; so I suppose that the Fluence must have felt that I had some sort of a position.”
“Thanks Kreacher, I think I understand a little more about the welfare of elves. Do we have anything more to discuss …? No …? Well, I declare our meeting ended.”
Draco and Harry wandered over to Granary Cottage. When they arrived Minerva and Filius were there as was Hamish, Dean, Seamus, and Horrty plus Gregory.
“Hello you two, would you like a cup of coffee? Hilda’s just taken our orders.”
“Yes please Hamish,” Draco could feel Harry agreeing: “For both of us.”
Pop: “Two extra coffees Masters,” pop, Harvey disappeared again.
“We’ve had an idea, friends,” Hamish started: “Horrty and I have attended these courses before. In a way it’s part of goblin culture and we notice that some of the muggles do the same kind of thing. They’re called team building exercises. In part it’s a light-hearted way of getting groups of people to co-operate more closely and rely on each other. I already see this in the way the Dumbledorians relate. Different people take the lead for different purposes, depending on their perceived roles. Now, although I’m not against the house system, it is not the be-all and end-all which, when taken to extremes, allowed Slytherin to be castigated. Competition is good, it sharpens our intellects and gives us goals, but if it divides us too much it is wrong. Somehow the Dumbledorians have managed to include muggles and all the houses and Horrty and I think that this kind of experience should be available for others to sample. To this end we hope to organise some wide games over the weekends to come.”
“I take it that you would like to use the Milk Wood, Hamish.”
“Yes Draco, at least for the actual games. We identified a suitable area on David’s farm, and he is willing to let us use Ghost Wood Field as a camping ground, it’s still under the village tholus. We thought of four-man tents, they would be magical but not luxurious; containing just bathroom and sleeping facilities. They would be grouped around a larger meeting tent which would act as messing facilities also; probably under some kind of occlusion. We thought to start with half of the second-years one weekend, and the second set the following weekend. They are now used to the house system so we want to try inter house co-operation, thus each member of a quartet will be from a different house and they would form up with other tents to make two evenly balanced teams who would compete against each other, but just for the weekend. If the experience works then we would want to expand this to other years.”
“How do you intend getting them here, Hamish?”
“Via the public portal.”
“Um … Forty youngsters … That’s a tall order … We’d be out of it for the weekend … Um … our workload is already increased this year.”
“I agree with Harry … The use of the portals … Hmm … If there were some slightly dubious ones among the students, they wouldn’t be accepted by the village wards … Hmm … Some of the ones seem to need the cabinet enchantment and some just open if we present ourselves ... …” Draco continued muttering to himself
“Fine … We’d better go and talk to Uncle Travis.”
*Wait a minute partner*.
*Fine!*
“What do you think, Filius?”
“It’s worth a try, Minerva. I want to get our students meeting with young muggles of their own age. There are some here who know about us and who already integrate with the Dumbledorians. It might be an idea to introduce our students to a bit of muggle culture like the dances or church services; maybe even the Sunday lunch. Albus’s peaceful ideas did mention this in the legacy document. Quite a few of our charges know little of the muggle world. Because of the statute and two Voldie wars, many magical families huddled together for safety. Before that, there was some contact. This is a semi sheltered environment where some understanding might be reached. I know what a culture shock it was when I went out in muggle London for the first time. Our youngsters have to realise that they have great powers; powers bestowed for the good of all mankind, not for a narrow-minded pure-blood autocracy. They are special gifts for very special purposes and consequently carry a heavy load of responsibility.”
Gregory looked amazed: “Erm, Filius, you’ve just decided me. Uncle Garrick says I have the ability to become his apprentice. I was hesitant about it, having seen how hard Draco and Harry have to work. But then Horrty’s come along, he’d make a better coach/caretaker than I would. The wand-talent is very rare, so I’m told. It’s obviously where I must be in order to fulfil my proper destiny. Problem is I’d be much worse off. Starving in Ollivander’s garret … Well not quite.”
Harry looked at the goblin: “Well, Horrty, are you willing to step into Greg’s shoes, so to speak?”
Hortulanus grinned: “I think they’re a bit big, Harry, but yes, I would like to take on that challenge, coupled with the agricultural teaching.”
“Well Minerva, is that possible, after all you’re the paymaster?”
“In a way it’s a form of further education, not that there’s much in that budget at the moment.”
“Um … Further Education! Draco, is that within our trust’s terms? You know, supporting people.”
“Francis gave the deed the widest possible meaning, so I should think so. Hmm … I see where you’re going with this. I think we could.”
“Fine … Greg, the Trust should be able to offer you a bursary towards your further education … probably something like the one that Gringotts gave to Herms.”
“Really? Great! Thank you very much. Erm … You’re helping me again, Harry … Why? I wasn’t nice to you at school. Come to think of it I wasn’t good for Draco either.”
“How much was you and how much your father, Greg?”
“I gloried in the power I was given. I had been ordered about all my life, now the boot was on the other foot. However, it soon paled, especially when Draco was so compliant …”
“…I should think so, with both of you bullying me …”
“… It was fun baiting Harry, he used to get so het up, but after the Sectumsempra incident I could see where this was leading and became very frightened. That was when my Father started leaning on me. The pressure grew worse and I would prevaricate. Quite soon I was caught out. Father was furious; I was stripped and beaten frequently. Somehow I managed to fool them into thinking me compliant, but back among my peers that artificial enthusiasm disappeared. That Theodore reported me back. Next holidays were horrendous. No clothes, little food and everyone torturing me, including sexually. I existed, wishing I wasn’t alive; looking forward to going back to school. But that was little better with the Carrows in charge. They’d been primed to watch me. I tried to appear nasty, but I no longer had a heart for it. I was put in that tower of theirs and tied up; then Theodore was let loose on me. That guy, he’s got a twisted mind, and most of his tortures were sexual in one way or another. I’ll not go into detail, but most of them ended with me aroused and bleeding at the same time.” Gregory shuddered and a couple of tears rolled down his cheeks. Unexpectedly he smiled: “I feel much better, having told you all. Sorry if it was distressing. Draco said it would feel less fraught if I told about it. I didn’t believe him then, but I do now.”
Impetuously Minerva came over and hugged Gregory: “You’re with friends now, Gregory, Harry and Draco have proved that to you, haven’t they?”
“Yes, and so have the Yates guys and Horrty. They went through much the same kind of thing. We’ve been swapping experiences. Horrty had it worse.”
“I think I’m over the worst.” Horrty smiled a sad smile: “Our little group at Woodyates have supported each other; hugged each other when one of us had the habdabs. We still do sometimes, but it has eased greatly. I was looking forward to marriage, but they raped and killed my dearest angel. I don’t seem to have much appetite for sex at the moment. Maybe it’ll return, maybe I’ll live in bachelorhood. I know I’ve got a mixed bunch of caring guys supporting me. That’s sufficient for the moment.”
The rest of the session was sorting the second years into quartets, and allocating the annex tutors various supporting positions. Hamish and Hortulanus were to provide some tuition into wide games. They even decided to ask if the three Yates muggles would like to help. Harry and Draco vouched for the medallions that they wore, and said they would enhance them if necessary. Lunch sealed the pact.
~~~ PORTAL STUDY ~~~
In the Duindhu library Travis was his usual erudite and helpful self. There were half a dozen books to peruse and copious notes to make.
“So-o-o Uncle … It appears that because we are linked and so strong, we doubled the distance possible between two cabinets.”
“Yes Draco, that is my conclusion also.”
“The ones we charmed and opened should therefore be called portals,” Harry posited: “And the shorter distance ones called cabinets … Um … That doesn’t account for the two we discovered at Woodyates.”
“Voldie’s influence, perhaps, or that they were special to begin with. I know they were very ancient,” averred Draco: “References to Merlin making them appeared in the papers.”
“Fine … We’ll use cabinet and portal to differentiate in future and advise the others.”
After dinner they apparated to see Horace Slughorn. He went through their findings with them, asking questions and suggesting subtleties that might improve their ideas. Tuesday morning they spent with Filius and then with Minerva, they added improvements. Lunch with Kingsley refined their ideas further.
“Why don’t you go and talk to Monan? You’ve got the security clearance. If she thinks it’s okay, then I think you’ll have little to worry about.” Kingsley gave Draco a wristlet.
They used their wrist bands to open the vanishing cabinet door and use the chain to Huskier Island.
D: *I wonder who set them up, I’ve been working out the distances and if another magi-league was added, they’d be out of range. As it is they’re almost in a straight line*.
H: *More fuss than our portals, though*.
H: *You do realise that one of the stopping places was somewhere in Longbottom Mill, don’t you*?
*All the more reason to defend it then. Did your father know about the chain*?
*He was only classification eighteen, so I don’t think so. Could be, he knew and wanted to get at one of the intersections*.
*Well he didn’t*.
Harry went on to introduce Draco to Monan and she inducted the special constable into the wards interrogating charms. In passing Harry mentioned that they had used a portal to get to London.
“What’s a portal?”
Draco smiled mysteriously: “Don’t tell me the Chief’s advisor doesn’t know everyone’s secrets.”
“I can remember another much older blond saying that to me, before Voldie came back. Much the same tone too … Very good … Tell?”
“They use the same thaums as vanishing cabinets, but have a longer range; at least ninety-one magi-leagues. Vanishing cabinets start to falter after sixty-three. Effectively they are two cupboards between which distance has no meaning; open one and its counterpart gives you immediate access. There’s no dizziness or exhaustion, just a slight tingle. There's a mist middle door separating them and, whereas a cabinet will only pass three magicals at a time, a portal will pass seven.”
“The exhaustion comes from making them, Monan,” Harry added: “We were extremely depleted after charming the first two sets. The second was much better, but we were very tired afterwards. Doing it on the magical equinox made an enormous difference. We have restricted the knowledge to Dumbledorians and a very few trusted others; we don’t want Lucy’s lot to get to know about it.”
Monan chuckled: “A better kept secret than Glan’s then. He was very miffed when his new breaker didn’t work. The Oblivators have had him; he won’t be coming here anymore. He just thinks he’s just a flamboyant fop with no inkling of his previous experiments, or our island. I think you’d better have a chat with the ward team. This sort of stuff’s on the very edge of my competence. You know them don’t you Harry?”
“Yes … Still the fifth door?”
“Of course.”
The pair went to see their friends.
“I’m glad Monan knows now,” said Grammarian, “I’ve nearly let it slip a couple of times. Now let me see your plans ………”
By dinnertime their final plan was in place, but they stayed the night on the island; intending to go back in the morning. However, before they departed Monan had a chat.
“How far is your cottage from Longbottom Mill, Harry?”
The Potter looked at the Malfoy who answered: “Fourteen magi-leagues; why do you ask.?”
“We have a spare pair of cabinets. Perhaps Madam Longbottom would be safer if she could come to you in an emergency.”
“You’d probably get shouted at if you suggested that she was not capable of looking after herself. However, there is the Potter cabinet set up between her house and ours already and it was made into a portal during our first experiment.”
“That’s the problem with family owned cabinets, we don’t still know where they join.” Monan rubbed her hands together in a self-satisfied way: “Both of you and Hermione will need to come here for some of your further education, so that will make things quicker.”
###
So it was that Gran chuckled when she realised Monan had been outwitted. She said that it was also useful for her because the Annex tutors could be accessed easily; either at the Hall or attending the Mill.
Once arrived home, the first job was a trawl around the woods and moorland picking a number of specialised ingredients. Second was making the various potions that, with their brewing times, took two days. During the waiting period the pair magically cleansed the places where the new doors were situated. In Hogwarts it was in a store which backed on to the same floo that served their apartment, but two floors lower down. Leery had cleaned out the Bothy and there were three elf-bunks, one above the other in the recess by the fire. A table with vases on it and a couple of chairs made up one side of the room. There was now an elf sized bathroom in a lean-too accessed via a door where one of the windows had been.
“Is it all right if we make a little garden outside, Masters?” Leery asked: “All three of us like our little Bothy. Mistresses Hermione and Katie made a pair of daffodils between here and your study, so you will be able to talk to anyone on the network. They would like you to make two local pairs to connect Milkwood Hall and Woodyates Farm. They say the distance has defeated them.”
*Why not, the potions won’t be ready until tomorrow*.
*Fine! Do you think the reds could do the job*?
They asked Dean and Seamus and after a few experiments they too could join up daffodils locally; although their mental communications failed when presented with seven magi-leagues.
“We’ll do the ones here; every mage wants to have one in their house.” And so two more pairs of daffodils immediately joined the network and others were planned during the next couple of weeks.
Even then the two Blakes welcomed peace and quiet on Saturday afternoon. They sat quietly at the back of the church whilst Oliver and Katie took their marital vows.
At the reception Draco and Harry sat, rather like monarchs, at a table as a stream of guests, having congratulated the newly-weds, came to congratulate the portal-movers.
Eschewing the outré partying; our pair went early to bed without any shenanigans, either in the shower or in their blanketed bower.
- 78
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