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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
- 89
- 90
- 91
[Note: conversation =: “speech” & ‘thoughts’ & *telepathy* & #Parseltongue# & {telephone}]
~~~ REMEMBER ~~~
That Saturday 13^th afternoon Francis informed Harry that he was truly the lord of the manor and an amount of ribbing took place between Harry and his lover Heir of Malfoy. This also revealed Michael’s water-rights as resident miller; not that he seemed to be pressing forward very much. In fact, two mills had been authorised, the other one had been pulled down when the dower house was built at Milkwood. This gave Hortulanus and Coleman ideas of reinstalling a wheel at the end of the big barn, once phase three was complete.
The students and Dumbledorians nearly filled the two transepts and the transept gallery at church on Sunday 14^th; the Blakes reckoned that, with the addition of the older students yet to come, there would be no more room. D&S said that they had a plan to create another gallery in the transept opposite. Harry was surprised when a couple of the older Aurors turned up as well. The impromptu football and netball matches had assorted supporters cheering for each side as by now teenage muggles, goblins, elves and mages mixed quite freely.
At lunch, Ginevra reported that she had failed on one of her Quidditch trails but was going to try out for the Holyhead Harpies after Christmas.
Hermione and Ronald had another row, because he had seen her talking privately with Francis. It had been a particularly scholarly chat about a case Francis was involved in, and had titillated Hermione’s grey matter. Eventually Ronald apologised, but only after Harry and Draco had reiterated more than once that Francis batted for their side. Nevertheless, there was almost a week of ‘tell-Hermione-this’ and ‘inform-Ronald-that’; before the rift was properly healed. The result of the argument was that Draco. Francis and Hermione got together in a little huddle.
The outcome of the huddle Draco reported back to his lover: “Harry, have you heard about muggle genetic research?”
“Vaguely! Why do you ask?
“It seems that there is a set of magical genes which are recessive.”
“So?”
“Francis thinks that both of Hermione’s parents must have had Magical ancestors and he thinks that one your mother’s parents must have passed on the gene to her and thence to you. He says he’s going to study the various family trees.”
“I’ll be interested in what he finds out.”
~~~ LIAISONS ~~~
During the following week the Blakes received contracts in reply to their acceptances. Minerva told them that Mr Nott would not be returning to Hogwarts. She had been informed, by letter, that his parents did not feel that his best interests lay in academia. Even Hermione could not read anything more into the terse words of the missive. That now meant that Harry and, to some extent, Draco had two Slytherin, ex Theo’s fan club, female admirers to deal with in Bemata Scabior and Orla Quirk. This was not helped by congratulating the two girls on a superb performance at the duelling club.
After their group tutorial, whilst they were drinking chocolate, the Smiling Ones laughed at the Blake’s predicament.
“Why not take them off our hands for us?” Draco whined pleadingly. Harry could feel his lover’s laughing insincerity although it did not show
“Not on your life! They’re too far advanced in hexes thank you,” replied Honorius. “Besides, squinty-eyes and battle-axes are not our favourite hunting ground.”
“Now if you were trying to get us off with a couple of Huffs and Ravers, who rather like serious music, that would be an entirely different matter,” added Septimus.
“I suspect you are quite able to make sweet music with them without much help from us,” Harry put in slyly.
“Yes … Well … Professor Holderness has inveigled them to join our music classes. Like us, they’re a quartet, but they play various saxophones. Ham … Err …” Crassus looked sheepish; “The professor is adapting some scores for us to practice together.”
“Really?” Draco winked his eye lasciviously.
“You see,” continued Crassus, ignoring Draco’s imputation. “We’re going to give a couple of concerts at Christmas – one at Hogwarts and one at Godric’s Hollow for the muggles.”
“Good! We’d love to come and listen, will the programme be the same?” asked Harry.
“Some, yes! We’ll be doing a few more ‘pop’ items in the school concert, and extra carol ones for the muggles,” explained Mordant. “Thanks for the chocolate; we’d better get going as we have a late rehearsal.”
Harry and Fawkes admonished Draco silently, because they could feel some more sly Slytherin innuendos about to be voiced. Draco scowled and then smiled; admitting it would be most un-professorial to make the comments he was imagining.
~~~ MARKING ~~~
Tutorials over, Draco and Harry went into their studies, brought out various student essays and sat companionably on their sofa in front of the fire, marking. Occasionally one or other of them would read out a particularly brilliant piece, or sometimes they laughed at some of the more hilarious gaffes. This was the first time they had worked together in close proximity and found, contrary to their expectations, that this helped their work instead of inducing erotic lapses of concentration. It was nearly two o’clock in the morning when Draco saw Harry drooping and looked at the clock. After their shower it was cuddle time in bed.
~~~ SUNDAY 14/11/99 ~~~
The Blakes awoke quite refreshed whilst the birds sang the morning chorus; as they showered and dressed Draco reminded Harry of the special service to come. Encouraged by our pair, groups of Dumbledorians went round and woke-up the fourth-years, cajoling them into breakfast.
Harry overheard a remark: ‘I wasn’t sure about the dance a couple of weeks ago, but it was cool. Maybe church will be also.’ Smiling, he conveyed these thoughts to Draco.
As John had intimated, the bells were half an hour late starting the call to service. A group of Arithmancy students listened avidly as Coleman told them about the numerical base of change ringing and showed them some blue-line diagrams. Once inside the church and after the first hymn John stood up and gave the notices.
“They are not,” he explained, “in the normal place as it would disrupt the special order of service. We started later, so that we could observe the two minutes’ silence at eleven o’clock, in tune with the rest of the nation.”
The service had a particular thank-you theme to begin with, remembering with gratitude all those who had bequeathed peace to the village and nation. Before the offertory procession came the main difference. The All Saints hymn was sung as everyone moved outside into the square. Once everyone was settled surrounding the war memorial, John continued:
“We remember those who gave their lives that we might live in peace.”
“We remember those who stood for peace and were martyred for it.” Samantha followed on with a list of martyred saints; placing a wreath at the bottom of the war memorial.
“We remember those who died in the two world Wars.” Grandpops Foley read the names on the memorial; depositing another wreath.
“We remember those who died more recently defending innocence and justice.” Richard added more names from the villagers’ recent history; putting his wreath alongside the others.
“We remember those who fought for justice and right living.” Hamish recited a few names including Gornuk. As he stepped forward with his wreath the memorial changed. There were a group of goblin warriors looking heroic and defending a flag on which ‘justice’ and ‘right living’ were emblazoned.
“We remember those who served their fellows unto death.” Dorothy’s list included Dobby; then she walked forward and the memorial changed shape into a hospital group of elves.
“We remember our colleagues who so recently were killed fighting an evil which threatened the whole world: Alastor Moody, Fred Weasley, Nymphadora Tonks, Colin Creevey, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape. They died that we might have true peace.” Draco came forward with his wreath and the Potter family group showed. Around the base the names that Draco had recited were added to those of Lilly and James Potter.
John Continued: “They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.”
Then Coleman spoke: “At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.”
“WE WILL REMEMBER THEM,” affirmed the congregation.
The clock struck eleven and Peter put his trumpet to his lips sounding ‘Last Post’.
Then there was silence.
Two minutes later Peter sounded ‘Reveille’
Quietly the congregation moved back into the church. Once inside, the offertory hymn was started. ‘Fight the good fight with all thy might’ the congregation sang and the service followed its usual, if somewhat later, normal pattern.
When Draco and Harry came out of church, they found most of the fourth-years and a number of Dumbledorians standing round the memorial in quietude, conjuring flowers and laying them beside the wreaths. One of them looked up.
“I hope you don’t mind professors, but we are remembering others who lost their lives when that nasty being attacked innocent witches and wizards throughout Magicdom.”
“I think that is entirely appropriate, Madeline,” Harry encouraged. “We just put the ones on the list who died in the battle of Hogwarts. By all means add to the list.”
“Do you do this every week?”
John had wandered over. “This is one special yearly service, My Dear. However other groups come at other times, when they commemorate happenings which have a particular significance to them.”
“May we come to another service, Professors?”
“You’re most welcome to join the other students and Dumbledorians who come each Sunday, although we start a little earlier most times,” replied Draco.
John turned to Harry. “Thank you for those marvellous illusions; they added an extra depth to the service.”
“Sorry John, but we didn’t do it. Somehow the memorial is magically charged, when magical humans approach, there is this statue of Harry’s family,” Draco replied. “You can see it when the students place flowers. The other two reacted to Hamish, a goblin, and Dorothy who is an elf. Those two transformations surprised us as well. I wonder if it would alter its appearance if a centaur or dragon came near it … Hmm?”
“Perhaps that experiment would really send the villagers up the wall. Come to think of it, it stretches my acceptance level to its limits,” replied John.
“Next time you come through the portal to Hogwarts, John. Remind me to introduce you to Firenze one of our Divination professors, he’s a centaur,” said Draco. “Smile sweetly at Harry and he’ll take you to see Orcas. It’s more difficult talking to her as she only speaks via Harry’s mind, he can translate for you. When they have a conversation I mind-meld with Harry, it’s quicker than him translating everything.”
“I take it that this lady you speak of is a dragon?” John looked perplexed.
“Yes! She’s enormous. Four of us rode on her back, once when the evil ones struck at the centaur home herd and we went to defend them. We had our mirror defences up, so we were rather like a silver flying tank breathing fire and hexes,” replied Harry.
“Erm … Maybe I’ll duck that one … Talking horses and flying reptiles … Erm … I think this is one of your splendid jokes … Is it?” John had a slight smile on his face, hoping he could share the joke.
“No. We are deadly serious, John,” said Draco. “In our world many of the so-called mythological beings exist, albeit in small numbers. That’s why we had to protect the centaur herd. Dragons are slightly more numerous although their numbers are dwindling; Norway and Sweden have ridgebacks and short-snouts, the Balkans have horntails and longhorns. Each continent has some. Wales has a few common greens and the very rare reds. I believe the Hebrides still have some blacks somewhere. I think Orcas is a black, ‘arasdhu’ is the Gaelic. Hey Harry, is our Blake/ Duindhu heritage anything to do with Orcas being a black.”
“Don’t forget the ‘Draigdu’ who guarded the temple here before Christianity came along. Is that the Parseltongue heritage, d’you think? If so, why can’t you speak it?” asked Harry.
“Because you have the most connections?” posited Draco.
Harry saw John looking puzzled, so over pre luncheon sherries the Blakes told John about the search Francis was conducting and the various name changes he had unearthed.
“Well now, Dear Boys, I think I’ll order a rummage in some of the old parish documents. The county muniment department has them on microfiche and, as parish priest; I can demand a search be taken, free of charge. I’ll have a chat with Francis first and get a list of names. That sounds very interesting, my lord.” John gave Harry a mocking bow. “I wonder does ‘Lord’ come in front of ‘Mage’ or after it. Mmm … My Lord Mage has possibilities … Mage-Lord sounds vaguely like Star-wars … I’m going to enjoy this … That is if the parishioners aren’t too demanding.”
“While you are looking, keep in mind the mill and leat serving it. That’s what started the whole thing off,” suggested Harry.
“I’ll list any millers; that should be relatively easy to find from the domicile columns. I wonder if my writ includes the manorial court rolls. It’s worth a try.”
~~~ MORALITY ~~~
The fourth-years were in a solemn mood when they entered the functions room, slowly, throughout the meal, they thawed into their usual happy and slightly unruly mob. Having had an unusual muggle experiences, they were game for anything Hamish, Dean and Seamus suggested. Coleman’s mathematical group were soon up to their ears working out quantities for a cement pour that afternoon, whilst Dean had a group making the cement magically and Seamus’s people prepared the trenches to receive it. Between the post-practical swim and dinner a small group of fourth-years headed by Madeline came to see Harry and Draco.
“Professors; there’s a group of us who have free periods on Wednesday afternoons. We were wondering if it would be all right to ask your vicar to come and talk to us. We’ve seen how your moral outlooks have affected what you do and say and would like to debate with him, so we can develop our ethics.”
“Have you asked John yet?” queried Harry.
“We felt that we should ask you first,” Madeline replied.
“Are you hinting that we should ask him for you?” Harry’s eyes were piercing.
“Not really, Professors; although your support would be welcome; we were confused about him being a muggle, albeit a tingly one, and the period being inside normal school hours.”
“Do you see this as a schoolroom environment, a tutorial element or some sort of discussion group?” asked Draco.
“We hadn’t got that far; some sort of discussion group possibly?” Madeline replied.
“I think we could call it a group tutorial; in the same vein that Draco and I hold for some of our other students. How about using the lounge area, here or at Hogwarts?” suggested Harry.
“Could we? That’d be great.” The others in the party looked pleased.
“You have our permission to ask John and offer either of the rooms for him to choose. He’ll be taking you for an ethics debate this evening. Why not ask him then?” said Draco.
“THANKS PROFESSORS” was the group reply.
“I think I’ll just go and see Minerva, just to make sure we’ve not overstepped the mark.”
“Okay Draco, I’ll hold the fort here.”
~~~ BED CHAT + ~~~
Only a few of the Dumbledorians were staying for the meal, so the patio was not unduly overcrowded. By the time Harry was relaxing with his friends Draco had returned with a big smile on his face. Harry had no need to ask; he knew, via the D&H mental link, that Minerva was pleased with the idea.
During Chocolate Madeline came over to say that John was willing to conduct the ethics tutorials. Like Draco they came back with smiles on their faces. Harry’s little voice felt gleeful at the decision, too.
Lying hugging on the bed Draco said: “Minerva said she was hoping to get John involved on ethics, but had wondered how to do it.”
“Madeline says that John would like to use the lounge at the Annex,” countered Harry.
“I’m off the first period; I’ll bed them in and leave John to get on with it. I’ll hang around in Horrty’s office, just in case, but I doubt there’ll be any need; this lot are far too serious. Maybe we missed out; defeating Voldie at any price clouded our judgements. Perhaps I would have been encouraged to stand up to Father earlier,” observed Draco.
“Yes, well … You chose the light, no use agonising over what might have been … What’s now is important.” Harry sealed the statement with a kiss and soon two cuddling partners were soon fast asleep in each other’s arms.
###
During the day in between giving or receiving lessons, the Blakes wrote their letters of acceptance, but deferred owling them until after the weekend. Nothing startling occurred, even when all the fourth-years came to stay for the weekend. It was a reduced group because of many not returning after the battle. The students made an agreement on certain hurtful hexes not being used, but, within the confines of the wood, everything except apparition was allowed. Hortulanus and the Yates had thought up some extra twists to the games designed to test the ingenuity of the participants. Seamus and Dean had placed extra charms on the muggle trio, who wore special amulets thanks to Hermione’s expertise. The talismans increased the charm’s potency and held it; so that the young Yates could detect and deflect various spells. Fawkes had fun flying round the woods and creating havoc, calculating his sallies to test the participants further.
When he returned to his perch later, D&H got a distinct drift of: *By Merlin, I needed that*! and a fiery phoenixian chuckle.
~~~ APOTHECARY ~~~
Blaise and Gilda joined the Dumbledorians for Friday Dinner as usual, Justin and Susan were with them. However, the quartet seemed excited about something.
Draco looked at the bubbling foursome: “Very well, Guys, I can see you have news to tell us. Spit it out.”
“It’s Justin’s father Henry, he’s been so good to us.” Uncharacteristically Blaise fell silent, glowing in enthusiasm.
Draco smiled: “Go on?”
“He’s given us the money to help our dreams,” said Susan.
“I should be a registered chemist very soon,” Gilda snuggled up to Blaise and kissed him.
“You know the village chemist is retiring at Christmas, don’t you?”
“Yes Justin. Tell us more, please.”
“Sorry Harry. You know Susan’s good at thaumic massage, don’t you?”
Draco giggled: “They’re so dazed it’s like getting blood out of a stone. May I guess? Henry FF has agreed to buy the chemist’s shop. So Gilda can set up.”
“Yes that’s right. Blaise is going to set up as an apothecary. Aren’t you Darling?”
“Yes, and Susan will have a magical massage parlour. Juicy’s got this idea to help people who’ve been disfigured in the various wars by using permanent glamours, so he gets a consulting room.”
The place is big enough for us to make reasonable sized flats above and share the ground floor and basement. Only it’ll need some refurbishment. Dean and Seamus have agreed to do it.”
“It’ll retain its pre-Victorian front, so’s to be in keeping with the village architecture,” explained Dean: “The shop at the front will have two counters. Gilda’s dispensary behind one; looking all clinical and neat.”
“We’re adapting the present counter fer Blaise’s apothecary and store. That’ll be what the magely customer will expect. Then the back rooms will become Juicy’s consulting room and Susan’s parlour.”
“They’ll be doing it their spare time,” said Justin: “And we’ll help where we can.”
Gilda came out of her clinch with Blaise: “It will take until next June when I come out of my pharmacy internship and can dispense on my own. I think that Amicus and Gareth want to supply my love with the ingredients. They leave at the end of the year and are going plant-hunting. Then my husband-to-be will fund the stocking of both Dispensary and apothecary shelves from his resources.”
“Then Gran’s agreed to supply them with stuff from our greenhouses,” added Neville: “Hanna’s going to help out too.” He looked piercingly at Draco: “I think we’d be most pleased if some of our friends would brew potions for us to sell.”
“Very well, I get it, a sort of communal effort in which I am to participate, is that right?”
Susan looked at Justin: “You haven’t told them the conditions of your father’s gift, have you?”
“Oh … Err … Sorry. Dad says that his gift should be my share in the Trust. That is if you accept it.”
D: *We cannot refuse can we*?
P: *No, my sons, you must not*.
H: *We’d better do as our feathered conscience advises. Anyway I was inclined to do so*.
“It can fit inside the Trust’s declaration to enhance the well-being of society quite easily,” suggested Francis.
Harry chuckled: Got it all sown up, have you?”
Various magicals nodded and Kreacher informed: “I have four elves in the corps who were attached to various apothecary premises which were trashed by the death-eaters, and who no longer have owners. The Trust would be doing them a great favour by accepting them.”
Draco smiled at the Reeve; “I wouldn’t dare oppose so many arguments. Not that I want to. Harry and I had seen this coming. Francis, please will you see to legal niceties for us, making sure Blaise is added to the director’s names. Justin too because it’s his capital via Henry.”
The various Dumbledorians crowded round, congratulating the quartet and asking when the nuptials would be held. They were planned for the coming summer holidays in just over six months’ time.
~~~ COUSIN ~~~
That weekend the Wizengamot meeting was short and Kingsley busy; thus D&H were able to have lunch at home. As the meal ended Harry received a daffodil call from Douglas.
{Hi Harry. I’ve got a bloke about your age asking where he can find you; he says he’s your cousin.}
“Is he substantially built?”
{You mean fat? Yes, he is; says his name is Dudley.}
“Yes, I know him. Do you want me to collect him?”
{No! I’ll tell him how to find Chantry Cottage; only I wanted to make sure he’s okay, he looks kinda brutal to me, if you know what I mean.}
“That’s Dudley all right. I used to be afraid of him, but now the boot tends to be on the other foot.”
{Right! I’ll tell him where you are. Cheerio!}
“Goodbye! Thanks for your protection, we appreciate it greatly.”
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