Birthday Celebrations

Uncle and McGonagall joined the silver and gold Duumviri for breakfast round the retiring room table.

The Junta started to formulate some agenda items. There were worries about the safety of the Company’s rank and file once they became known to the other side. Their families had to be protected, so that the blackmail system could not be used to subvert them. Draco related what it felt like to have those torn feelings. They pondered how to extend the bubble network and how many people should know about the links. Blaise was understandably worried about the Zabini estate’s vulnerability.

As they were finishing their meal, Fred and George knocked, coming in when invited.

“We think that our shop has been burgled …”

“… There’s been some disturbance, but we can’t find anything missing …”

“… The place feels funny, sort of greasy …”

“… We haven’t opened up, Monday mornings are slow anyway …”

“… Could you come and look at it please?”

It was agreed that the Silvers would go to the Zabini Estate and start making wards; the Golds to go to Diagon Alley. Before that, Draco and Harry altered the Manor’s wards to make a bubble tunnel to their balcony, whilst Blaise and Alan made a Potfoy magic-lock on it. This enabled the creation of a bubble connection to the Estate.

§§§§§§

The Golden Duumviri recruited Susan and Tony before going to the Weasley joke shop, Narcissa also went with them. Once established inside; Draco cast revealers. There were some dark violet hexes revealed mainly around the doorway. And one or two boxes of joke sweets had the same aura. Narcissa suggested that the sweets be taken to her lab to be decontaminated, so they placed an isolating charm around them. The Golden Boys made some careful notes about the hexes and went off to consult with Uncle and the Hex tome. They recommended a ‘closed for stocktaking’ notice be stuck on the door as a temporary measure. Severus, Harry and Draco made a preliminary study of the charms needed to protect the premises and made some provisional ones round the twin’s flat over the shop. Creating, in what had been a small attic owlery, a Potfoy magic-lock.

§§§§§§

At the cottage, once they had identified the hexes, Uncle and the boys used one of the outhouse stores and induced the curses on to its doors. Harry tried one out, he felt sick and unwilling to go through the door; as soon as he turned away the feelings left him.

“These were intended to deny the twins any customers and slowly ruin them.”

Heads together with Tony and Severus the Golden Duumviri devised a way of turning the curse, so it only affected Death Eaters and their minions; then went back to the shop.

§§§§§§

As well as fitting the revised hexes they also devised some telltales to give warning of further intrusions. Next came an experiment in removable protections for the merchandise, Susan became involved in this as some form of retractable aura seemed the best way. However it did mean that someone had always to be resident on the premises to enable the protector.

Over lunch all the points were discussed with the twins. The Golden Duumviri adapted a magic-lock to suit the shop. That meant anyone could come in whilst the shop was open, barring dark sympathizers who would be affected by the altered hexes. Once the shop was closed the ward’s magical door could be shut and the premises totally enclosed by protectors.

This time a dome could not be made to cover the premises; neither could a simple oblong box be fashioned for, at the back, a small piece of the Ollivander’s shop intruded into this design. Draco and Harry investigated; calling Uncle and Tony in to help as they felt dark forces had been at work.

“It’s another of those repulsion curses, then there’s an imprisonment one inside it as well. Is it possible that he’s been imprisoned? Maybe Voldemort got a warning about new wizards, or wanted no more pupils to start at school. Minerva should be owling the letters to first years this week. So their parents wouldn’t be able to buy some of the needful supplies on the list. I think we should break in, let’s make some private revealers and see if there’s a hole in these curses’ nets.”

The twins had intended to make Weasleys wrigglers, a new form of toy and had inveigled Sossogenese to be a model. As usual, he was listening to the conversation via Harry’s ears.

‘You do realise that the cellars are conjoined by a bricked up doorway?’ he hissed.

Thanking the snake the party went downstairs to where he indicated the old doorway was. Moving some shelves Tony found that this part of the wall had no repellent curses. Foolishly, but in this case fortuitously, the Death Eaters had anchored the curse at ground level forgetting the basement. Resolving to try a rescue; all of them Evanesced the bricks and went in. The party was met by a small group of very worried elves.

“Masters, please help? We’ve been feeding him best we can. But he’s been Incarcerated and not able to move for weeks.”

“Show us where your master is, and we’ll see what we can do.”

Ollivander was in a very bad state but still breathing. The smell and detritus surrounding him was overpowering. Retching, the wizards Evanesced the mess and removed the Incarcerating hex. They caught the quivering man and took him to the bathroom, instructing some of his elves to clean him up, and put him to bed. Ollivander was unable to speak but his face showed his gratitude to his rescuers.

“We need Madam Pomfrey to look at him urgently but how?”

Tony and Susan volunteered to go and get her, making the recognisers for her on the way. Also checking, as they went, that there was just enough room for a triple bubble in the attic owlery.

A very surprised Matron arrived within half an hour and promptly set about some restorative charms. Meanwhile the Golden Boys had made a start on the curses.

“Uncle, we’ve removed most of the hexes quietly. But these two look as though they will explode when we destroy them; any ideas please?”

Severus came to look. “See if you can find an empty wand box, I’ll show you a transfer charm which I think will work. Then we’ll take the box and the attendant curses to the ruin and blow them up there.”

That explosion occurred just before teatime. Uncle held the shield whilst simultaneous destroying hexes were hurled by Draco and Harry. Gudrun served tea in the cottage’s lounge whilst the three of them recovered in the deep armchairs.

Back at the shop afterwards Ollivander was coherent but still very weak. With Madam Pomfrey hovering protectively, Severus obtained Ollivander’s permission for the duo to create the necessary protectors round his shop, including the equivalent inside provisions that the twins had been given. Harry and Draco transferred one of the altered nauseous hexes to Ollivander’s door too. They put up the ‘closed for stocktaking’ notice and added ‘open next week’. Hoping that Ollivander would be well enough by then.

A still shaken healer was given some refreshment by the twins. Severus sat with her explaining the developments that had taken place. Neville and Ginny bubbled in to see if they could help, so they became impromptu nurses taking turns to sit with Ollivander whilst he recovered.

§§§§§§

Dinner at Hogwarts was followed by the Silvers taking the Golds to see the Estate.

“We were unable to make a single dome or box,” Blaise explained. “So we made a series of interconnecting ones, a bit like the Muggles’ domes at the Eden Project. We reckon that, at a pinch, with the entire Lodge’s output, we could feed the Company, the Order and all of Hogwarts staff and pupils. Then we could be sure no one had tampered with the food.”

Draco volunteered the output of the Malfoy greenhouses, to vary the diet. Harry thought that Uncle’s orchard would come in handy too. As would the, as yet, unconnected sheep pastures of Susan’s guardian and any input from Tony’s parents.

The Junta convened for evening cocoa and discussion, drawing in Narcissa. They agreed that urgent thought be given to making new pairs of cabinets and that Blaise and Alan would head up that research with Narcissa and the twins, if necessary using Susan and Tony as well.

§§§§§§

The following morning at the Junta breakfast the first problem was that Percy had, with Umbridge’s conniving, been given the sack from the Ministry. The presumption round the table was that it was because of the warning he had brought to his family. The other presumption was that Dolores Umbridge was in league with the Death Eaters. Uncle said he would talk to the frightened Ollivander, to see if he required an assistant. Then Severus would have a chat with Percy. That out of the way, the Golden Boys were called to Hogwarts. The Headmistress went with them where they met with a distraught Seamus.

§§§§§§

“You’ve got to help; my folks are imprisoned in Finnegan’s Fortress.”

They found out quickly that he meant besieged. And that there was a secret tunnel that he had crawled through to come and get help.

“There’s a ruin of a tower not too far away from where I Apparated, we could go there,” Seamus answered when he was asked.

Madam Pomfrey relieved her two helpers, Narcissa gave up her experiments temporarily, so the whole Company and four members of the Order Apparated into the bogs of Ireland. As Seamus had said, the tower was ruined but still had a reasonably waterproof undercroft. It was from this place that the secret tunnel ran. Blaise and Alan volunteered to follow Seamus after they had received their daffodils from Ron. The Golds bubbled up and went to reconnoitre, returning with the enemy’s dispositions. Quietly small groups of soldiers were bubbled to strategic positions. The last out was Ron who bubbled up so he could see the entire battleground and direct their assault.

When all was ready Ron gave the signal. Eighteen broomsticks took to the air and bombarded the ensconced Death Eaters from behind. At the same time, those inside the fortress threw out hexes. Wormtail took to the air first; his still naked figure was soon surrounded by the battle witches throwing hexes at him. He tried an Incendio or two, but missed his targets every time because Molly’s tuition had taught the girls how to duck and dive. His last burning curse was aimed at Connie who countered it with the modified mirror charm and Wormtail fled with his broom trailing flames. The opposition faltered after its leader went. Soon there were bangs and the forces of Dark Apparated taking their wounded with them. As before, there was another charred Death Eater less to swell their ranks; so Uncle disposed of the unrecognisable body.

The Finnegans offered lunch and thanks all at the same time. Over the meal some details were explained and reassurances given, then the problem of bubble connection was discussed as this was seen to be preferable to traceable Apparation.

“You know Justin’s parents live on the Isle of Man. It’s a tax haven for the rich and they’re rolling in it. Trouble is they’re both Muggles so they may not cooperate.”

“That’s a reasonable distance from here, but we need a link near the coast in England to complete the chain.”

“My Uncle James lives within bubble distance of the Finch-Fletchleys. I have an invitation to stay with them this holiday.” Susan continued, “Uncle James and Justin’s parents quite often visit. We usually fly there and they do the same to us. There is a difference though, we use broomsticks; they use their private helicopter.”

When the giggling stopped Susan and Seamus agreed to go and see the F-F’s. If necessary they would use her Uncle as the first persuader for cooperation, and then possibly the Grangers as the final ones.

Seamus and Susan Apparated off to see Justin and his parents.

§§§§§§

Seamus came back fairly soon. “We need our army again. Be quick! Follow me; I know where we are to land.”

Another mass Apparation took place, this time into a clearing in the middle of a small wood on the Isle of Man.

Blaise and Alan bubbled up taking the daffodils Ron had given them. Their reconnaissance showed two cowering adults plus Susan holding a shield and Justin firing off Incendio jinxes left right and centre. The other problem was their house beginning to catch fire. Most of the assailants fled when help arrived. As there were only five persistent Death Eaters to deal with, half the company went to scare them off, whilst the others produced water charms to put the fire out before it took a good hold. The result was another burnt husk and four fleeing Dark Ones on smouldering broomsticks.

As could be expected, there was no quibble about being protected, being part of the bubble link or anything else. As both sets of Duumviri were beginning to tire, the house was given added protection immediately, Alan and Blaise accepted the offer of hospitality saying that they would set up the protection at Finchley Farmhouse, as it was somewhat erroneously called, the following day. Susan stayed with them so that she could guide them to the Bones’s home the following day. She also helped Justin with some repairing charms and getting rid of some of the charred timbers in the mock Elizabethan mansion.

As McGonagall knew James the next mass Apparation was to there.

§§§§§§

“You’ve arrived a couple of hours late Minerva. They had a go at me but I fought ‘em off, there were only four of ‘em and one looked to be in a very bad way. Well n’other one’s in a bad way too, now.”

Minerva explained the running battle that day and what was being done to make the secret highway.

James was very happy to cooperate. “Though I don’t know as you can put wards over two mountains an’ three valleys. P’rhaps the in-farm would do, not that I’ve much strength left since that little skirmish. Then there’s Boncaster village, they’re all my tenants too, p’rhaps some kind of warning ward. Y’know, to tell me when th’evil b’stards are about.”

This time it was Harry and Draco who accepted the hospitality of Boncaster House, so they could set up what protectors were needed and establish a bubble-port in the morning. They had a quick look at the house’s protectors and decided that it would really be a matter of strengthening and extending them. The others Apparated back to the cottage.

§§§§§§

It took most of the following morning to establish the necessary protectors. James had various people call on him, as he was known to be a good alternative vet. The outhouse he used as a surgery was given shop protectors. The in-farm was fully protected with a modified Potfoy magic lock projected round the sheep-dip, rigged specially to sense sheep only. Unbeknown to the farm workers each of them had farm-specific recognisors made, so their comings and goings would be unhindered as long as they used the recognised gateways.

One young man caused a scare, because he vaulted over a wall taking a shortcut to see his girlfriend, and then he couldn’t understand how his clothes caught on fire. Luckily for him, the duck pond was nearby so he jumped into it. Apart from singed hair, and a telling off for jumping over the dry-stone wall [you’ll dislodge th’stones doing that] he was unhurt. However, in that small community word soon got round and he had to endure some ribbing from most of the villagers. His exploit was often repeated to chuckles over drinks in the local for years after that.

Boncaster House had been a fortified farmstead in the days of the border reivers. It had been modified since then, but still retained the buildings in a defensible square grouped round the sheep yard. The other main feature that remained was the interconnected roof space, so one of the out facing haylofts was adapted for the bubble-port. This was pointed out to Seamus, Susan and Justin, when they arrived with the silver pair, nicely timed for tea and hot buttered pikelets.

The incomers reported on the safety of the F-F’s demesne and said that the bubble-port was situated in a substantial tree house where Justin used to play. Its advantage was that it was on the edge of the protected area and had had a rope bridge made to the house. This was hidden amongst a holly tree’s leaves and was almost invisible. As all visitors had to report to the estate gate another adaptation had been made so that ward releasers could be made once the guest had been identified. There was a secondary system on the rope bridge which was enclosed in a magical spiral-warded tunnel. It meant that magicians moving through the link had no need to disturb the family, in much the same way as the Surgery’s upper office avoided disturbing the Granger’s patients.

Seamus came with them as far as the cottage, had his link-recognisors made and used the link to have a quick look in at Hogwarts. He then departed using the bubble line intending to show his parents how to make bubbles and where the various bubble-ports were.

§§§§§§

The Goldstein residence was an old windmill set within a prehistoric circle; its cap had been removed and replaced by a small observatory, which was last used by Tony’s grandfather. With a small amount of adaptation it was possible to make this into the bubble-port and aim it towards the cottage. It so happened that a dome fixed to the prehistoric remains nicely nestled at the foot of the observatory, so a smaller subsidiary dome covered the bubble-port. It was an evening’s work to complete this link thus making all the officers’ homes part of the network.

§§§§§§

The enemy must have retired to lick its wounds, as little was heard for the next week and a half. Apart from an attack on a Dark sympathiser’s home; where Parvinder Lal and his wife were killed and his two children taken to St. Mungo’s with severe burns and trauma. There was a supposition that the parents had decided to come to the light.

This lull gave the Uncle and the Golden Boys time to explore the items in some of the labyrinthine cellars under Grimmauld Place. There was a breathing space for the enlarged Inventors Group; enabling them to start creating their first set of cabinets and test them. Some thought was given to registering the three new magicians with the Ministry, but this was let slide, owing to the difficulties of the provenance required.

Percy started work at Ollivander’s, surprising a certain junior minister when she looked in through the window. Percy was dying for her to come in, so he could find out her true allegiance, but she just scowled at him and waddled on down the alley. He was disappointed, as he had been rather looking forward to her being sick as she walked in through the door. Now that four people were available on the premises, the Golden Boys altered the aura protectors to work as long as one of the four was resident. Ollivander had given Percy four top-floor rooms, which he had converted into a flat.

Weasley Wheezes had had a couple of successes in the jinx field, as a few Slytherin boys had puked after they had tried to enter. No surprises there; as expected they all had Death Eaters in their near ancestry, but it was useful confirmation just the same.

Sossogenese wriggled his way through various establishments finding drains and disused tunnels, which were suitably warded. By the middle of August no more advances had been made in the search for the locket, although there still seemed acres more of unexplored magical items in the headquarters’ cellars. A collection of ceramic flowers were found, Hermione and Ron experimented with them, using the good offices of Susan and Tony. After some experiment they were found to have a greater range, especially when used within the link system. Once Ron had activated them they seemed able to hold up by themselves, needing a magical feeder boost every fortnight. There were some damaged flowers which the inventors promised to repair However, there were enough spares that one good one could be distributed to each linked and protected household. This gave an early warning system which would bring a quicker response to some of the outlying bubble connected places.

§§§§§§

As there were five Sundays in that particular August, the Company decided to go to church on the middle one. There were no dramatic moments this time. The Rector had obtained his Bishop’s approval for them all to take communion if they so wished. The company felt that this was very reassuring and would fortify them in the weeks to come. At the parish breakfast, the congregation smiled and were friendly, but there was none of the five-day-wonder inquisitiveness of their first visit. Draco and Harry managed to remember those who had said they would pray for them; thanking them for their efforts.

The same four malcontents were hanging around as they walked back. This time they ran before anyone waved a dismissive hand at them.

Alan and Blaise found they were developing the same kind of hand magic that Draco and Harry used. However, their internal talking was nonexistent. The Golds explained about the rings, and promised to look in Grimmauld’s magic junk rooms to see if there was another pair.

At the Manor’s Supper that night, Susan remarked about the rose coloured aura round the Rector, and Tony had noticed some undefined pink magic round the altar, which magnified at consecration time.

“Next time we go, we’ll try to see if there are wards of any kind.”

That subject petered out, especially when the allocation of three newly made pairs of cabinets was brought up for discussion. One decision was easy; that of the promised Longbottom Lodge link to the Surgery. As Blaise was the only officer without a direct link he was offered the next pair. After some debate it was decided to offer the next one to Seamus as the extended bubble link could become fragile and there would be a base where other Irish witches and Wizards might bubble in to. These decisions were made minor by the next announcement.

Narcissa stood up; she had a parchment in her hand. “I have just been owled by the Ministry. They say that my husband has escaped from Azkaban. They say he was under a lighter regime because he was co-operating with the authorities. They say that he abused his position and escaped. The owl is signed by Dolores Umbridge.”

There was silence for two or three minutes then Blaise asked; “Ms Malfoy do you think he will try to return here?”

“Yes, that is a possibility. As far as I know Sossogenese and the Golden Boys have found and protected all the secret entrances, but there is still a possibility of one untraced one. We found another one at the Burrow only two days ago, it was blocked by sewage but we still fitted shields. Based on that find, guards were made for all the other sewage outlets, and I believe, all of them have been placed in position.”

It was Ron who spoke next. “Hermione and I think that we might be able to put detectors through the new flower system. If both sets of Duumviri could possibly rig detector wards we could link them all together.”

Severus was next. “Friends, maybe we should rethink our tactics. Up to this moment we have been scurrying around reacting to threats and increasing our defences. Perhaps we should take the fight to the enemy, if we can find him. We should think of bubble patrols, not quite the kind envisaged for Hogwarts, but seeking ones. Any of our pairs could mount such patrols. One in the bubble and one by the shell and close enough to a new flower to call up reserves if something were found. What do you think?”

Harry and Draco supported the new initiative immediately; soon the Silver Boys did the same. There was a deal of discussion about the merits of the idea. Although the Company members took a more proactive stance, the Order members were still hesitant. They preferred the quick response idea, which on present showing was slowly whittling away the Death Eater numbers. Both parties agreed about the bubble patrol idea so that was to be enacted from Monday morning; Harry and Draco volunteering to look after the Manor.

Blaise and Alan had a short discussion about their two territories then, as Connie and Betty promised to cover the surgery, the Silver Boys opted for the Estate. Weasley twins plus Percy would cover the London end, and were promised the next set of cabinets which Uncle and Mother said they could have ready by the end of the week. The decision was backed by the worries about the large number of magical people in the Diagon Alley area, obviously some of them would be untrustworthy Dark sympathisers.

As for areas, Seamus was to be asked to act with his parents, as they now knew the bubble charm. Susan said she would team up with Justin and cover their two outposts. Neville was to ask his aunt, so that covered Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. Ginny and Molly decided, as expected, to cover the Burrow. Lupin, McGonagall and Tonks would cover the cottage, and maintain a presence at Hogwarts with the help of whichever Order Members were assigned to guard duty. Tony was by himself, but promised his parents would help.

“My Dad is housebound and pensioned after taking part in one of the major battles some time ago. I feel sure Father would like to be part of this again, even in a small way. He has been champing at the bit and feeling depressed about being useless. It will make him feel good to be part of the battle again.”

“Your Mother was a good flyer at school, Tony. She showed me some very interesting rolls and dodges. I’m sure she’d love to help.” Molly was enthusiastic.

§§§§§§

Draco and Harry were equally worried. In bed they faced each other niggling over the problem of Lucius’s imminent return.

H: “We’re not going to get any sleep at this rate. We need to distract ourselves.”

D: “Mmm? I know what’s wrong, we forgot our massage; Accio Rose Seduction oil.

H: “Well now … I get to do you first?”

D: “Yes if you like; though whether I’m still in a fit state to return the compliment, we’ll have to see.”

Harry remembered the motions that their two elves used and tried to replicate them. Shoulders and the small of his partner’s back were safe, so were his feet and calves. Then came the back of Draco’s thighs, and two seductively domed buttocks. Harry felt his arousal stiffening, and their link showed Draco was reaching much the same state. Harry persevered becoming more and more heated in the process. Succumbing, the duo found that ‘Rose Seduction’ proved to be an excellent lubricant. Both partners resolved to repeat this form of distraction again.

If Lucius had jumped through the window with a regiment of Death Eaters, the Golden Boys would have been too far gone to have noticed them.

§§§§§§

In the morning Harry apologised to Sempra for the messy bedclothes, explaining about the oil.

“Perhaps Master should leave it to us who have been trained?”

“How do you manage massage without becoming all worked up?”

“It’s all in the mind, Master. Besides you’re not my type.”

“Yes I suppose so. We did enjoy our session though.”

“If mess is proportional to ecstasy, then you must have had it two hundred times over.”

The duo secretly agreed with their elf.

§§§§§§

The Junta breakfast niggled about Lucius, if he would turn up and where, the discussion went round and round in circles. Draco and Harry made many bubble patrols that day, receiving a few shocks from lurking wildlife, but, by and large, mostly being bored.

“There must be a better way of doing this,” Harry remarked after his fourth pointless survey.

D: “I agree. However we ought to be seen participating. Another possibility is a series of magical probes. The only ones I know are detectable by the other side.”

H: “Perhaps, a single person, like your Father, would try to sneak in after dark.”

D: “So we give up our sleep on the off chance, do we?”

H: “Mmm! I suppose a hollow-eyed Company member fighting a wide-awake Death Eater is not such a good idea, is it?”

D: “No. Maybe we can do two patrols each. That’d give us time to sort through more of the jumble jungle at Grimmauld’s.”

H: “That gets pretty boring too, sometimes.”

D: “A bit of mix and match then, bored with one go to the other?”

H: “Okay. Just before dark might be a good time for a patrol.”

§§§§§§

It was Wednesday before anything exciting happened: except for Draco starting to massage Harry the evening before, with the inevitable pleasurable results.

D: “I’ve seen something lurking, Harry; near the hidden hollow. I’ll have to go down to look.” ‘I’m switching to our private talk, it’s safer.’

H: ‘Be careful. Let me know as soon as you see anything.’

D: ‘The bubble won’t fit between the trees. I’ve landed. There is definitely someone around. Damn!!!!’

Draco’s mind went all fuzzy and Harry could sense him struggling against something.

“General alert!” Harry told the flower next door to him. “Malfoy Manor, hidden hollow.”

Then he jumped on his broomstick, bubbled up and went to the site. Harry could still feel Draco struggling; his partner’s peril drove all thoughts of caution from Harry’s mind. So instead of approaching cautiously he zoomed in, de-bubbled and ran into the hollow intent on rescue.

“Incarcerous, Langlock”

Harry felt the bonds go round him before he could yell. He was dazed for a few minutes, coming-to next door to his ensnared lover.

“Now what have we here? Two for the price of one. What a prize!”

Harry realised two things. First: that it was a still naked Wormtail and not Lucius. Second: that the fuzziness between Draco and himself was gone.”

D: ‘Well done my hero, straight into his arms, just like me.’

H: ‘Gryffindor impulsiveness, I haven’t caught enough Slytherin slyness yet.’

D: ‘At least we can communicate and work something out.’

H: ‘If we can wiggle our fingers maybe we can keep him off us.’

D: ‘Well done Harry, I’d forgotten that, not that my fingers are pointing anywhere near him.’

H: ‘I managed to send a general alert call before I came out.’

“Well now, I imagine it was you two who made it impossible for me to wear clothes. The Dark Lord says I mustn’t kill you, but I think a little pay back is in order.”

The two captives could only, “Mmm, Mmm, Mmm,” back and wriggle. To their horror they realised that Wormtail is becoming sexually excited by their plight.

Using his wand, Wormtail peeled off their layers of clothing slowly, gloating at their contortions and pained expressions. Once they were naked he had an idea. Moving Draco first, the beast strung him up between two trees: legs and arms stretched in an ‘X’ shape. Then it was Harry’s turn to be strung up next door to his lover.

D: ‘I can’t bend my fingers far enough to reach him.’

H: ‘Neither can I.’

Peter Pettigrew gloated over his two helpless victims. He admired their youthful bodies, their tensing muscles – especially when he viewed them from the back. To enhance his enjoyment, he used Draco’s fine leather belt, flicking the two bubble butts and watching the duos painful reactions. Tiring of that he came round to the front ogling their flaccid attributes; then he raised his wand.

“Rictusempra Localis,” rang out twice, and the Golden Boys felt the tickling charm hit the very places that were most sensitive to it. Needless to say they rose to the occasion. Quite soon two crimson mushrooms were bobbing in time to their racing heartbeats and pointing directly at perverted Peter’s face.

D: ‘Erm … Harry … Is it just our fingers which can make spells?’

H: ‘No idea … Ooh … Not that … Don’t we have to say the spell?’

D: ‘I didn’t when I stung those bad kids, I just thought Relashio.’

H: ‘Let’s try it then, before I come to the boil and disgrace us even further.’

D&H: ‘LOCOMOTOR MORTIS, IMPERIO.’

A very surprised Peter fell over when his legs locked; then looked at his opponent’s in awe from the ground.

D: ‘He has to obey us but we can’t speak?’

H: ‘Let’s try unison thinking at him. If that doesn’t work we can at least keep him at bay, that tickling charm is still working.’

H&D: ‘REMOVE THE INCARCEROUS FROM US NOW.’

H: ‘That’s better I can feel my circulation coming back.

H&D: ‘REMOVE THE LANGLOCK FROM US NOW.’

D: “My tongue feels all fuzzy. Remove the Relashio from us now.”

The Duumviri picked up their clothes and did a quick Reparo on them also a Scourgify to free them from all the mud. They felt better with their modesty restored; then they looked at their nude captive critically.

D: “I think we should give him some of his own medicine. He seemed quite excited before; let’s see if he likes a local tickle.”

H: “Vengeance is sweet, Brother. However we should not descend to this worm’s level.”

D: “I like your pun Harry, but he’s lower than any worm.”

H: ‘Sossogenese; what are you doing here?’

S: ‘I was about to trip him up and strangle him, but your two snakes beat me to it. I brought the slithering army with me. There’s a cobra here just aching to bite him. Oh sorry … Too late … He’s done it … Well I never … Those two rattlers bit in unison.’

D: ‘We were rather hoping to preserve him alive for the Order.’

S: ‘That mix of poisons will preserve him dead for about four-hundred years.’

H: ‘Thank you all very much for coming to our aid. We weren’t sure that we could cast spells in that fashion. We would rather keep it secret if don’t mind.’

This produced a stream of sibilant laughter that needed no inside ear to understand.

As Draco and Harry bowed to the snakes, reiterating their thanks; Blaise and Alan burst in, wands at the ready. Tonks followed and fell over the stiff purple body of ex Peter Wormtail Pettigrew.

Next was Mad-eye. “You’ve killed him. You knew we wanted to question him.”

D: “Tell that to our rescuers. We should make Sossogenese a member of the Company. He brought his slithering army along. They have a very direct way of dealing with enemies.”

“You two seem unharmed. Why did you need rescuing?” Lupin was now here, plus a bevy of Company members.

H: “He had us tied up, ready to deliver us to you-know-who, but his death released us.”

D: ‘Spoken like a true Slytherin.’

“Sorry we were a little late, but even triple bubbles one at a time take minutes.”

Now the crisis was over, they triple bubbled back to the retiring room balcony. As there was no point in taking a dead Death Eater back, Severus reduced Voldemort’s second-in-command to ashes and blew them away.

The Golden Boys felt dirty inside after that incident, and asked that Sempra and Dobby used normal oil for their massage. The two elves made no comment, looking at each other in silent puzzlement.

Harry caught the gesture. “No need to worry. Everything is still all right between us two. The experience we had has put us off sex for a few days, that’s all.”

Sempra caught the mood of his masters. “So we won’t have to change the sheets every day. Great! Dobby’s hands were becoming quite water wrinkled.” He grinned.

Draco and Harry chuckled and held hands across the table. Comfort hugging was the order for sleep that night and for a few more afterwards.