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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
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[Note: conversation =: “speech” & ‘thoughts’ & *telepathy* & #Parseltongue# & {telephone}]
~~~ ARISTOCRATS ~~~
Quarter of an hour later Carter showed Dudley in.
“Bloody hell, Specky! You’ve got servants,” was Dudley’s greeting. “Dad’ll be really envious.”
“Hello Dudders. No need to tell him if you don’t want to. What brings you out into the country? I thought you were a hidebound city dweller up to his ears in computers. This is my partner, Draco. Fancy a cup of coffee?”
“How-do-you-do! Thanks; with milk and no sugar. I like your parrot. What breed is he?”
Harry and Draco could feel Fawkes’s indignation and chuckled.
“He’s a phoenix Dudders; and feeling very sore at you just now. He might even incinerate you if your thoughts continue in that vein.”
“Oh! Yes, I learnt about them at school some time ago. Erm … Something to do with fire … Erm … Mythical … So were wizards, but I know better now … How do I apologise to him?”
“He reads your mind, and accepts your apology,” said Draco. “Is this a friendly visit or do you have some purpose?”
“Some Purpose err … Draco! You see, it’s all right doing my father’s computer work for him, but that’ll soon be ended. His firm’s been taken over by a multinational and both of us are to be made redundant.” Dudley looked sadly at Harry. “On top of that, Mum’s getting quite fearful. Your friends’ wards have kept the nasty attackers off, but she flinches when they come, she even flinches now when a normal stranger walks by. You know Mum, how she doesn’t like the neighbours talking about her. Well … They’re doing so … And with a vengeance. They also gossip about these unsavoury characters that appear every so often and prowl round.”
Harry smiled wickedly: “You mean the gang you used to hang about with?”
“All right, Specky! Yes, I know I was beastly to you, no need to rub it in. All of us, but Smithy, have grown out of it; he’s inside for robbing an old lady. I think the turning point for me was when you rescued me from those mind-sucking things; not that I acknowledged it at the time. Then, when we were in shelter during that war of yours, I really rethought my position. I think those nasties are your enemies trying to hurt you by attacking us.”
“So? Why come and see me?”
“I was hoping you’d have some ideas about helping. Not that Mum and Dad know I’m here. Perhaps Mum would ask for help, Dad wouldn’t. You know how he hates to be wrong. I think he knows deep down that he’s been nasty to you and, in a way; you rubbed it in by arranging for us to be sheltered. He was astounded by how well regarded you are in your world. I think … What I’m saying is … Will you shelter them again, please?”
“Not you as well?”
“I’m still young and resilient; I dare say I could change my name and start afresh, but they’re not up to it any more. When we were told we were being made redundant it broke Dad’s heart; he felt he was no longer wanted. You know how inventing and selling tools were his life; now he’s moping around feeling totally worthless, although the multinational has offered us good separation bonuses. Mum’s become quite jittery; I think she’ll have a nervous breakdown if they say at Privet Drive much longer.”
Draco thought about the idea: “Come on Lover, I know you can’t be hard hearted and Slytherin about this. You finished your ranting and raving some time ago. Dudley’s appeal hits you right in your Gryffindor conscience, I can feel it. What if they bought a house in Godric’s Hollow with the redundancy payment?” *Better still, offer them the house the second-years have just finished renovating*.
F: *I approve also; it is part of the scheme of things. Vernon has an important part to play in the future*.
“Would that be possible, Harry? Not that they’d admit it, but they’d feel safer near you. Come to think of it, so would I,” admitted Dudley ruefully.
Harry acknowledged Draco’s and Fawkes’s sendings. “I suppose you’d want to carry on with your computer thing.”
“Not really; I really did that to help Dad. After you left and I got over my gang days, I started to help Mum in the garden; now she hides in the house most of the time so I look after it all. I started growing vegetables in my spare time on that overgrown plot. You know the one, the one Dad always pretended wasn't his."
"That was where your gang had a hideout, wasn't it?"
Dudley blushed and looked at his feet. Draco had an image from Harry, of him being stripped, held down and wanked, aginst his will.
Dudley pretended he had not been discommoded: "Those vegetables helped when Mum had a thing about people trying to poison her; I could show her that what she was eating was wholesome. I rather enjoy that and think I’d like to try something in that line, getting outside more might just slim me down a bit, and that’d please my medic.”
*Okay Lover, I hear you*, replied Harry at Draco’s internal prompting. “We have a farm and acres of kitchen gardens, perhaps you could try that out. Horrty, who’s in charge, could do with some more help. He’s a goblin but his team are muggles and elves, although the muggles know about us mages; we’ll take you to meet him if you like.”
“There’s that house at the end of the Manchester owner’s row,” suggested Draco. “It belongs to our trust now and has been recently done-up.”
“Um yes … I always thought it looked like my old home; the garden’s much the same size too, but without the extra plot at the back. Dudders, if you get along with Horrty and his team, we could use that as an excuse for you to move here, and you could invite Uncle and Auntie along to live with you, so to speak.”
D: *You’re becoming more Slytherin sly, every day, Lover*.
H: *It’s all that very close contact I have with a certain ex-pupil; it must be rubbing off*.
D: *Rubbing up, would be better, you’re starting to have a bulge*.
H: *It’s thinking of close contact with you, you gorgeous hunk. plus what the gang did to me*.
F: *My Sons, don’t be so crude; apply yourselves to the task in hand*!
D&H: *SORRY FAWKES*.
F: *And so you should be*.
“Why are you two silent? Is it something I’ve said?” Dudley looked worried.
“No Dudders. Because we’re magically paired, we can share thoughts. We try to be up front before other people, but occasionally we lapse. Draco was being suggestive, as usual.” Although Harry scowled at Draco he also squeezed his hand lovingly.
Dudley thought a minute and then realised the Blake’s true relationship: “How many people know about you two? Isn’t it awkward?”
“Our friends do,” Draco explained. “Most mages put it down to our combined auras and so impute little. We’re not going to join parades or anything, but if someone asks genuinely then we tell them. We have a couple of lady friends who feel much the same about each other; we occasionally pair up to fuel the smokescreen, as, by and large, the magical establishment is extremely straight-laced. Things will eventually come out, but we ain’t going to push it down their throats.”
“Mmm … I understand … I think Dad would have a fit if ever he found out.”
“So you’re one of us then?” asked Harry in surprise.
“Don’t know really. At school we boys messed around with each other. Dad hinted that he had too. For a year or so I was very pally with Oscar, I’m supposed to be visiting him now. Then Deidre came along and we had some fun too, but that fell through. I find myself fancying arses, no matter which sex, as long as they’re the right shape and firmness. You won’t tell Dad or Mum will you?”
“Your secret’s safe with us, just as ours is with you. Savvy?” asked Draco.
Dudley nodded his head in agreement and Fawkes snickered, shimmering on his roost.
Harry wondered if Dudley would throw a wobbly at the idea of house-elves, but felt he’d better grasp the nettle of introduction; only to find out that Dudley and the other Dursleys had met house-elves before; whilst being sheltered.
Kreacher arranged for them to go over to have tea at Woodyates, on the way they looked in at the house. Apart from the fact that the house was reversed, it resembled the layout and dimensions of Privet Drive inside as well. After the lunch discussion with the Yates and a tour round the farm, much of the idea was set to go ahead. Dudley rang Oscar, to let him know what to say and then departed on the 18.08 train.
~~~ PLANNING ~~~
Sunday 28^th was crowded but uneventful. In church John announced that the next dance, the following Saturday, would be on a Victorian theme: “Knee britches and crinolines, Dear People, cravats and shawls. Plenty of time to plan and make them. Don’t forget, next Sunday is Advent Sunday so there will be the usual candlelit service in the evening to mark the beginning of the Church’s year.”
D: *That dance’ll be when the second group of fourth-years are here*.
H: *Yes … Then the Wizengamot Recess meeting the next Saturday*.
D: *I’m presenting a paper to the Guild …*
H: *… And I’ve got an extra day with the Aurors in the Saturday afternoon*.
D: *Then there’s the Ministry Ball soon which it’s politically useful to attend*.
H: *The end of term ball follows on the next day. Then we’re guarding the train back to Kings Cross the following day*.
Over lunch Harry was caught up by the Weasley gang giving Ginevra useless advice about her next Quidditch trial, based on what she had thought she’d missed at the last one. Draco and Astoria sat together planning the costumes for the Victorian evening.
Justin decided to follow a more sedate form of Birthday celebration on Monday 22^nd consisting of a formal dinner at Number Twelve followed by a concert of Strauss tunes played by the Smiling ones and their female saxophone companions. Hamish had adapted the scores.
~~~ INVITATIONS ~~~
The owls on Wednesday morning brought official looking envelopes for all the staff members.
‘The Right Honourable Dirk Creswell, Minister of Magic, requests the pleasure of the company of Harry James, Lord Blake and his companion on the occasion of the annual festival dinner and ball. To be held in the Grand Reception Rooms of the Ministry of Magic during the evening of Saturday18^th December.’
Draco received an identical one except it was addressed to Draconius Travis, Lord Duindhu.
“It’s THE place to be seen, Harry,” said Draco preening his hair.
However, Harry remained dubious. So they discussed this with Minerva during coffee break.
“I strongly advise you to accept; all our professors go. A word of advice, find two presentable girls to accompany you; the establishment isn’t quite ready for openly gay couples just yet.”
D: *If ever,* and Harry agreed.
F: *It is important that you attend*, supplemented Fawkes from his perch on Harry’s shoulder.
“Let’s ask Ginny and Tor,” suggested Harry, with slightly more enthusiasm; although Draco could still feel some pessimism lurking in Harry’s thoughts.
When asked, both girls were very willing to be escorted to their first official engagement. Knowing that quite a few Quidditch stars would be there clinched the deal for Ginevra. The appeal to Astoria’s hauteur finalised her decision. The two girls started planning their gowns and how to make-over their male escorts; whilst their escorts replied formally, and tried to avoid being measured; not that they succeeded.
~~~ 7^TH YEAR WEEKEND ~~~
That weekend had Harry’s group of trainee Aurors going to try out combat training. Hortulanus, Dean and Seamus had inveigled Hermione and Astoria to supplement the occlusion with an inverted mirror tholus over the Milk Woods. That would ensure that any stray combative hexes did not stray outside. The tholus’ edges just missed all of the Woodyates orchard and stew-ponds plus Harry’s wood, but managed to stay inside the village tholus. Marker stones were set at intervals round the perimeter and an anchor stone for the hub at the centre. Within this area the participants, all having passed their tests, were allowed to apparate as well as use broomsticks plus many hexes and charms. The occlusion was there so that stray flashes and bangs did not disturb the neighbouring muggles. The trainees conferred and came to a mutual agreement as to which hexes and curses were taboo. Two small refuge areas were allowed, representing warded houses; one at each end of the combat area.
When he explored the battleground Harry felt it was very authentic; especially when the participants let rip. Draco flinched slightly and nearly replied with a hex once or twice, almost forgetting the warded observer ball which surrounded him. Fawkes really went to town, creating lifelike horror images and suchlike.
Ernie and Lavender were in attendance as was Poppy Pomfrey. The magi-medics had little to do apart from the usual burns and scrapes. Various trainees had to be un-hexed from freezing and binding spells, but luckily there were no broken bones this time. There were, however, a number of participants to be dried out, as they had fallen or been hexed into the small reservoir. All in all, everyone was happy with their practices, even the participating Slytherins were, now that Theodore’s baleful presence was no longer looming over them. Millicent and Pansy came out top; having created a most formidable team. Harry added to the girls’ dreams by congratulating them profusely. Draco thought that maybe they should be asked to become Dumbledorians, but both an embarrassed Harry and a wise Fawkes advised caution.
~~~ DANCE ~~~
Some of the trainee Aurors were Dumbledorians and they had told their colleagues about the dance. The result was that the spare accommodation at the Farmers Arms was fully booked by those who did not have relations living in the village.
The netball court was covered by a refreshment marquee and the schoolrooms acted as cloakrooms whilst the parish rooms were the ballroom. Muggles had invited friends to come, and mages had done the same. Samantha and her ladies had been busy not only with the decorations but making small dance cards for everyone; the cards contained an etiquette reminder. In the marquee were light refreshments laid out by Winifred/Winky and Mavis with their teams of helpers.
“You’ll get something more substantial later, Master,” Winky admonished Harry, when he laughingly complained about possible starvation.
Whilst the melee was happening, and according to the instructions on the card, the participants wandered around filling up their dance cards.
Grandpops Foley found Harry and Draco: “You know how to waltz, don’t you?” On receiving affirmative nods, he continued: “I’d like you two to lead the grand march please. If you’ll collect your ladies and stand near the door, I’ll marshal the others.”
Harry and Draco found Ginevra and Astoria, bowed to them, and offered an elbow. Having curtsied in return, the girls placed their hands on the proffered elbows and commenced a stately walk towards the door. Samantha and Grandpops ushered the others into formation and then signalled to the players inside the hall. The orchestra included goblin and muggle strings, the Smiling Ones’ wind-band and their girlfriends’ sax-quartet; not quite a real Victorian ensemble but the emanating music was true.
The grand march started with the Strauss Radetzky March and continued with his Egyptian March. Once everyone was assembled inside the hall, the introduction to the Blue Danube Waltz started. Harry and Ginevra found a space and started to whirl, not far away were Draco and Astoria. [Vienna; eat your heart out!]
During the following dances, Grandpops called some of the schottisches and reels; occasionally illustrating the dance steps with Samantha. Nearly everyone was up for every dance, however there was a short break in between, so that the gentlemen could be gallant and the ladies charming. Supper was taken just before eleven and the dancing recommenced until one in the morning. Lavender and Ernie were attendant on Mrs Pierce, whose eyes showed her joy even if her frame could not dance. There were others from the alms-houses behaving in much the same manner and having attentive couples supplying their needs.
Harry and Draco noticed and their sympathetic feelings nearly overwhelmed them.
During the meal break, Harry saw the Dursleys and wandered over, introducing Ginevra. Draco and Astoria followed them.
“Hello Auntie, Uncle. I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Dudley suggested we come for the weekend,” replied Petunia.
“Do you always have these balls, Harry?” asked Vernon.
“This is the first Victorian one, Uncle. We and our schoolmates went Bavarian previously and we had Halloween masks last time. That started a trend; I believe the next one but one will have a Gaelic theme because the Hunt Ball is next on the list”
“Oh! That sounds interesting, tell me more about the social life round here?”
Whilst Harry was explaining Dudley took Draco on one side: “Who’s that big girl with the magnificent arse?”
“That one?” asked Draco trying to suppress a giggle. “It’s Millicent Bulstrode; I’ll introduce you if you like.”
“Ooh, yes please!”
The four of them had a quiet giggle later at Dudley’s fresh amour. Funny thing was, Millicent seemed equally smitten.
H: *So much for pure-blood, Lover*.
D: *We could argue that he’s your relation, if ever it comes to being that serious*.
~~~ DURSLEYS ~~~
At the Advent Sunday lunch, Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia appeared from their upstairs bedroom at the Farmers Arms, Millicent accompanied Dudley. Vernon smiled wanly at Harry and took him to one side.
“Your Aunt’s going to have a nervous breakdown if we don’t move soon. Can you guarantee that this place would be any better?” Vernon enquired haughtily.
“There will be magical people here all the time, Uncle. The right sort like Draco and me. You’ve met Hermione and her parents already, haven’t you? She and her fiancé Ronald have put a warded dome all-round the village, like the one you have at Privet Drive only much bigger. It excludes all the undesirable types automatically. There’s a special cover for the station which is where the protection finishes. If someone strange comes looking for us, Douglas, the station master, daff … rings us up to see if he should tell them where to come. He’s already seen a few nasties fighting the invisible domes, it makes them look drunk, and he has the Grumblewell police arrest them and take them inside the police station to sober up. The dome’s circumference is about twenty-one miles; we could walk it, if you like?”
“No! Not just at the moment.” Vernon patted his extensive stomach and looked pained. “This house that Dudley recommends, is it far enough away from the edge?”
“About quarter of a mile. It looks like a mirror image of the one at Privet Drive. There’s one drawback though.” Harry quirked a very Draco-like smile.
“And what’s that?”
“No cupboard under the stairs, that’s where the central heating boiler is placed.”
“Yes … Well … I’ve apologised for that many times; haven’t I? I hear you have made your cottage into a rather nice domicile now.”
“You must come and see it once you’ve looked at the house Dudley has in mind. I’ll show you our flat at school too, it’s rather grand.”
“So the school has moved here then, I thought it was in Scotland?”
“It still is, but we have a special way of getting there which works for everyone, not just us mages. It’s so simple, you won’t believe it.”
“Hrm … Well … Maybe … Are you quite sure we’ll be safe here?”
“Much safer than anywhere else. On a par with where you were sheltered but slightly better, because our friends have made superior wards. On top of that, there will be much more room. The height of the dome is twice as high again as the church tower over there, and the area covers the whole village plus quite a few fields and woods.”
“Dudley says he’s going to try working on a farm.”
“Yes! It’s one that I bought after it was confiscated from a ne’re-do-well, who’s now in prison permanently for torturing young boys.” Harry was rather pleased with the guilty lurch Uncle Vernon gave.
*You’re growing more Slytherin-like by the minute, Potter*. Draco hove into view.
“Uncle Vernon; this is my partner Draco, Lord Duindhu. We’re a magically joined pair.”
“Pleased to meet you my lord.” Uncle Vernon held out an ingratiating hand.
“I hope you said that to your nephew as well,” said Draco, giving Uncle Vernon a limp shake.
“Who? Harry?”
“Yes. He’s titled Lord Blake and is lord of the manor around here; been in the family since before the Romans came, so I hear.” Draco used his best aristocratic voice.
“Who? Harry?” This response was slightly louder and definitely more fearful.
“Yes! The connections are mostly maternal, but legally proved by our tame legal eagle. I recommend him; he obtained very good prices for the Manchester connections.” This was Draco at his loftiest.
Harry had a lot of trouble keeping his face straight. “I’m traced back to the keeper of a druidic temple whose ruins are in the cottage grounds. I’ll show you, if you like.”
“Very interesting runic inscription, so I hear. Not that it has been fully deciphered yet. However, some of our best people are working on it.” Draco laid it on thickly.
“Erm … Harry … Exactly what do you own?” Uncle Vernon’s re-think was plain to see in his expression.
“Let me see. The cottage; which sleeps seventeen of us plus a couple of dozen house-elves; Woodyates farm with four people in residence – room for more and with a medium sized acreage; Milkwood Hall, which we let out to the school; and quite an acreage of woods and moorland; various paltry feudal fees, mainly in kind, from the landholders hereabouts; fees in chief, hunting and fishing rights which we let out … Um … Then we have grace and favour use of the apartment at Hogwarts School. Oh! And a town house in London with innumerable rooms, not fathomed them all out yet.”
“Erm … Does all this come with the lordship of the manor?”
“Only the feudal fees. The Hall, Cottage, moors and grounds are via my parents, as you already know. The London house is from Uncle Sirius and I bought Woodyates just to help out four friends, who are now my tenants. I have plenty of funds, so if you’re a little short, we could come to terms about your new house.” Draco had projected Slytherin pride into Harry, so that he had recovered from the prospective giggles and had delivered the précis deadpan.
“How is it we didn’t know?” Vernon was looking quite impressed.
“It seems, Mr Dursley; that you didn’t enquire too diligently into Lord Blake’s background. Perhaps better treatment might have been forthcoming. Something like the way you treated his Auntie Margery.” Draco saw Vernon flinch.
“Yes … Well … She still hasn’t forgiven me for her balloon ride. Funny thing though, I seem to have only remembered it quite recently. I’d better get back to my wife and son; we’re due to see the house in ten minutes.” Uncle Vernon gave both of them a slight bow by way of leave taking.
Once vernon was out of the room the two young men fell about laughing.
“I could kiss you for that,” said Harry wiping away his mirthful tears.
“I hope for more than just kisses, Lover,”
“Okay! Now? Here?” Harry gripped Draco’s shoulders and peered into his eyes.
“Err … Harry … What if someone sees.”
“Now who’s the spoilsport? Okay, we’ll reserve it for later. Anyway, we’d better go and support the Smiling Ones and Hamish’s Choir. John says that they are doing special pieces of Advent music in between some of the Bible readings.”
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