The First Great Fan- An Epilogue

I hope this isn't getting boring. I know I like my stories, but that doesn't mean others do, too. Let me know if this is dragging on, or if you like the little side trips I take. A baby takes a long time to build, you know.

Chapter Sixteen: Family Affairs

Harry stepped out of the shop, smiling happily at the conclusion of his transactions with the artist inside. The man, Mr. Argoss S. La Menthe, was a prominent painter of portraits, most famously, the newest additions to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He had completed the portraits of Professors Dumbledore and Snape, that now hung proudly in the office of the Headmistress.
Harry had commisioned three of his works, all to be done from his memories or old pictures, and La Menthe had even quoted him a decent fee for these extravagances. Harry had commisioned the third one only because the first two had been inexpensive enough for him to afford it. He smiled even brighter at the thought of them hanging in his parlor, where the tapestry had been just two days before.
The fact that La Menthe could paint a portrait from a memory, was due to a very special penseive that he had in his studio. The spell that filled it, though similar, was not as simple as the one that drew memory for the others that Harry knew of. The penseive, shaped more like an easel with lucid flowing colors, like chromium clouds, covering its surface, held a memory, it was merely a shade of the actual thought. The memory was still intact, within the mind of its owner, and only what was seen by that person showed, no extra background details were revealed, clogging up the vision or the portrait it helped to create.
Harry would have hated being without the memories he had shown to La Menthe for any length of time. He was also not fond of the idea of their being lost or misplaced accidentally.
He felt so good, he decided to do a little extra shopping before going about his other errands on this trip. He ducked into Wrongnat’s Little Wizards to buy some new clothes for Teddy, and maybe a few toys as well. After this, he stopped in to the Weasley's shop and visited with George for a bit. He stayed just long enough that he would not be late for his last bit of business in the Alley.
When he finished his visit, he headed over to the Leaky Cauldron to discuss some arrangements with the current proprietor.

Duke stared at the door, watching the arrival of the guests and feeling more and more out of place. The people who came to this party at the Leaky Cauldron began to look like royalty compared to the frequenters of Grimmauld Place. Duke was dressed in his dailies, a t-shirt and jeans, and wondered if he shouldn't have worn his Sunday things. Before he could decide, Harry popped up and caught his arm. "Hey, Duke. I've someone I'd like you ta meet." he said pulling Duke toward the bar. "Duke Dursley, this is Hannah. Hannah Abbott-Black, this is my cousin. We're all like family, ya know?" Harry said with a wink. Duke was totally confused as he looked at the girl next to Harry. Here was what a vision looked like, and she had obviously bewitched him. Witches could do that, Duke knew.
"He means that my dad was his godfather. I guess that works, huh?" Hannah said, reaching a hand out to shake Duke's. The hand hovered and Duke reached out, taking it in his and placing a light kiss on her knuckles. "Wow, how chivalric. Is that even a word?" Hannah blustered.
"My dad was his tormentor, and uncle by marriage. I'm surprised that he even talks to me anymore."
"Well, Harry is a unique one." Hannah offered.
"Much as I would love to stand here and listen to you gush over me, I need to mingle. I wish I had never agreed to host this thing. Keep my cousin out of trouble, won't you Hannah? I'll be back as soon as possible." Harry said as he watched the new arrivals come in through the door. He bustled away before either Duke or Hannah could answer him.
"You don't have to muggle-sit me, you know. I've learned who the shady characters are, and Charlie tends to keep an eye out for me. I'm sure you've other wizards that you'd rather be spending this time with. You go on, Miss Abbott-Black." Duke bowed just enough to be impressive, without getting a laugh from the possible watchers, and Hannah smiled.
"Actually, the only wizard I ever wanted enough to even have a crush on, died in fourth year. I've sworn off of them, these days. As for shady characters, perhaps you could show me who to watch out for. I'm a little rusty on my 'bad wizard watching'. Years of not using it will do that, you know." Hannah leaned close in a conspiratory way. Duke smiled wickedly.
"Oh, My pleasure, Miss Abbott-Black." he said.
"Just Hannah, okay. That's too much of a mouthful for anyone, especially a Muggle." she teased.
"Well, then, Miss Hannah. Take that group of stuffed-shirts over there. The ones in the brocades and flounces. A lovely group, perhaps. But, I wouldn't trust them with my . . .eh, Galleons. Shady, nearly every one. The one with the blond hair, though. Him, I trust. Cause Harry trusts him. He would, too. He's father to the pouf that Cousin Harry's in love with, after all." Duke winked the girl's way.
"That group is all members of the ministry, Duke. They are the leaders of our whole world. How can you say that about them?" Hannah asked, scandalized by the boy's words.
"I don't trust em, cause Harry don't trust em. Know how I know? Cause Harry don't joke about none of em. He cuts up about old Malfoy, and that guy Shakelman, but not them. He gets real serious when they come into conversation. Ask any of the Weasleys if you don't believe me." Duke defended.
"I'm sorry, Duke. I didn't mean to offend you, really I didn't. It's not the first time I've heard about crooked politicians, it's just that I was hoping that was all behind us, now." Hannah sighed and sipped the cup of iced tea in her hand. "I guess there's never an end to evil. Oh, and I think you meant, Shacklebolt. Kingsley Shacklebolt, the new Minister of Magic."
"Yeah, him. Don't worry none, Hannah. Harry's keepin an eye on them, and that's good enough for me. I heard all the tales about what he did, and how he won the war for you, and for us Muggles, too. I'm right proud to have a cousin that's such a hero." Duke puffed up when he spoke and Hannah smiled happily.
"You're right. How about we go find Charlie and Viktor. I've wanted to meet him since the Tri-wizard Tournament. Come on." Hannah pulled Duke away from the bar and he grabbed two glasses as they headed into the crowd.

Draco arrived a little late, his day overflowing with the many obligations he had taken on. He was tired, but clean and presentable in his best wizarding clothing. He wanted to look the part of the spoiled aristocrat, at least for this crowd. His father was counting on him, since his mother was indisposed, this pregnancy not easy because of her age. He looked around, spotting Potter and his father at the same time, though not close enough to greet them both simultaneously. He made his way forward, letting chance dictate his choice. Harry saw him, turned to see Lucius also catching his arrival, and moved to the elder Malfoy's side, making it easier for his lover to please both of them. He didn't like to be that kind of burden to Draco, there were other ways for the young man to prove his feelings for him.
Lucius noted the move, nodded in approval and turned from his conversation with Rufus Fudge and Stamford Jorkins. He waited for the few seconds it took Draco to make it to his position, greeting Harry with a polite, "Mister Potter."
Harry on the other hand, did not turn his eyes as he returned the greeting, only taking in the breathless vision of Draco, in silk robes of maroon and beige, dressed just enough to satisfy and not overdo, walking through a crowd that had to part, seeing the confidence in the swagger coming their way. It was like a walking wet dream.
Draco arrived, nodded to Harry and spoke to the other blond, "Father, how is mother?" he asked, not being as perfect as he was raised, by foregoing those required fawnings he was not in the mood for tonight. "I heard she was too ill to attend." he added, making sure his father knew he was not going to spoil their secret.
"She is indisposed, but not gravely. Have you met Mr. Jorkins, Draco?" he asked, turning to the elder of his two companions. Draco winced inwardly, knowing that this man's wife had been tortured and killed by the Dark Lord in his family's formal dining room. The Malfoy's still had trouble eating there, and they had redecorated another room to replace it.
"No, how do you do, Mr. Jorkins?" Draco reached out his hand and the man grasped it weakly. He feared he would be forced to spend the evening listening to the weak words that accompanied that handshake, but Harry came to his rescue.
"If you gentlemen would excuse us, Draco should really greet Kingsley, since the party is in his honor." the golden boy said with a smile. Draco made the outward show of a grimace, and followed the dark haired wizard through the crowd. Harry stopped near the wall that led to the loo, pulled Draco close and whispered into his lapel. "I could just eat you alive, the way you look. Gods, Draco! I'm not supposed to be this hard at a ministry function."
Draco's smile was genuine, "That's the nicest thing anyone has said to me in days, Harry Potter. I'll try to make sure you stay that way, until we can make a proper excuse to leave." and his smirk was, as well. Harry swore silently, as he followed Draco to where the Minister stood with Amos Diggory.

The party was a success, and lasted long after Harry and Draco made their escape, along with Duke, Charlie, Viktor and Hannah. The group made a late night stop at Grimmauld, having tea and scones for a snack before going their separate ways. Charlie and Viktor dropped Duke off at his apartment, and Hannah apparated home from the doorway. Harry knew she was worried over Orion, so didn't press her to stay later than she had. He had yet to meet Sirius' son, but knew that in time Hannah would bring him around.
Draco had turned on some music, from an old Victrola that the Blacks had hexed, and was stripping off his outer robes in the parlor. The room was much less crowded looking when the tapestry was gone and the furniture had been replaced by mostly newer stuff. Harry had let Draco decide on the decor, knowing that his boyfriend was a picky man, and loved beautiful things. Harry could afford them, his fortune had certainly grown when he had been awarded the Black family vaults, and then given so many monitary gifts by thankful witches and wizards, after the war. George had also vowed to repay every galleon that Harry had loaned to him and his brother, for the start of their shop. He had the money, and loved to spoil his already spoiled lover, whenever he could. Draco loved spending Harry's money, as well.
The music surprised Harry, as he watched Draco from the doorway.
Knowing of his love for music, Duke had given Draco a muggle CD player for christmas, along with a supply of popular muggle music. Draco had given Duke a hexed music box in return. They had both laughed at the coincidence and Draco had explained about the phonograph in the parlor. It seems, that the muggle version was reported to be an attempt by those without magic to emulate a device they had managed to witness from the wizarding world. Draco was a self-described expert on this, and Harry deferred to him, enjoying any time he could agree with his lover on something. It was easier when said Victrola had no internal working parts. The device was named, so Draco said, after the witch who had invented it, a Victoria Malais Trolla. Hence, Vic-trola.
This had spurred Harry into becoming more interested in the music of his wizarding side, searching out the popular groups and songs, and sharing them with Draco, who glowed at the prospect. He was a big fan of the Twisted Sisters, and loved to dance to their fast, loud songs. This is why Harry stared from the door as Draco played an old tune, from the collection of Sirius' father's. It was slow and soft, an instrumental waltz. He dropped his robe on the settee and turned around, as his hips moved to the light sway of the song. "Don't you hate affairs without dancing, Harry Potter?" he asked as he caught Harry watching him. "Come, dance with me." he beckoned.
Harry was drawn into the room and Draco's arms. He let the blond lead, not knowing how to dance as well as Draco, and enjoying the feeling of release he had come to expect whenever he was in said arms. He held on, careful not to step on any toes, and just enjoyed the feeling of the music and the arms that held him. He felt safe, like he rarely had, and loved. It was heady stuff for a boy that had been denied these things, and a savior that had forgone them in favor of saving the world. Here, with Draco, he was just Harry Potter, the boy-who-loved, not the Chosen One, the boy-who-survived.
When the song ended, Draco pulled away, smiling at his lover and pulling Harry's hips closer. "That hard-on, still active?" he asked in a cheeky tone.
Harry grimaced. "Ruining the mood is very unlike you, Draco. Are you losing your touch?"
"Maybe. I just don't think I can handle any more romance, until I get out of these pants. I'm about to be strangled here." Draco responded and Harry looked down. The bulge in Draco's slacks was even more enlarged than normal, the trousers bursting at the seams and the closure threatening to rip open. Harry looked up at the expression on Draco's face and nearly giggled. Draco looked green. "I think that those scones may have been tampered with. Has George Weasley been over today?"
Harry held in his laugh, recalling that he had been visited by the remaining prankster. "Come on, let's get you out of those before your 'family heirlooms' are destroyed."
Draco scowled until Harry dropped to his knees, divesting Draco of his pants and trousers. He was soon face-to-cock with a monster, that did somewhat resemble Draco's penis. "How bad is it?" the blond asked, and Harry looked up to see the Malfoy heir staring off into a corner of the room.
"Their still your bits, Draco. Are you afraid to look at them?" Harry teased, running a finger down the engorged staff in his face. He watched it twitch, more of a leap when you reach this size, and was instantly fantasizing that log inside of him. "Let's go to the bedroom. I can hardly wait to see how long this hex lasts." he suggested, finally getting Draco's undivided attention.
"I look like a porn star!" the blond shreiked as he caught sight of the new improved Draco Jr.
"Come on. I like porn." Harry said seductively, "At least, I do now."


A few notes: I know that pensieves are a bit overdone in these fics, but face it, they are part of the books, and movies, and they fill numerous needs so well. Also, "Wrongnat’s Little Wizards" is not canon, I made it up. Feel free to visit there in other stories, I know I do. Argoss S. La Menthe is an OC, and he is also available for use. I have a few other shop ideas, and as they are posted, I hope others will take them to their hearts, as well. Diagon Alley is a big place, there has to be some places that prospective and returning students don't go.