Sir Harry J Potter GCOM

[Readers please note: ‘back yard’ in Britain refers to a small hard-paved area at the rear of a house, usually where rubbish bins [trash cans] are kept.]

### US ? ###

“You know, Harry, that squirting bath is very relaxing,” said Draco as they were undressing in their room at the town house: “We ought to have one here.”

“You mean the Jacuzzi.” Harry emphasised the last word.

“Yeah, whatever!” Draco waved his hand dismissively.

“Why bother? It’s only a couple of doors away. Anyway where would we put it?”

“Hmm … In the cellar?”

“That place has still to be sorted, and I want to take my time about it. Anyway with all those stairs I reckon Granary Cottage via the cabinets is nearer now.”

“But we have to walk across the lawn to get there. It’ll be cold in the winter.”

“We could pitch the tent next to the back door.”

“I don’t fancy ruining those lovely tiles by knocking tent pegs through them.”

“Um … How about, when we rebuild the veranda, we have a Jacuzzi fitted. A folding window partition closed for winter and opened out in the summer.”

“I’d sort of figured we’d have a greenhouse there.”

“Hey … what’s this ‘we’ thing all of a sudden?”

“Oh …! Well …! Hmm … Sorry to impose on you, Sir Harry.” Draco put on his best indifferent expression.

“Climb down of your high horse Mr Malfoy. We were both using the term. I had only just realised it, that’s all.”

“Yes but … I shouldn’t have supposed.”

“Nonsense! We get on well together. We enjoy ordinary gardening, not the rarefied stuff that Neville does. I must admit I was seeing you beside me in this planning.”

“Oh! Really?” Draco had a tentative look of hope in his eyes.

“Yes; really! A number of things have happened today that seem to have cemented us nearer together. The way we co-operated in the garden was instinctive. Also the way we decided about the sex thing, we both had the same take things slowly ideas. On top of that we both had a terrible home life.”

“Yes but my family had money you didn’t.”

“So … The boot’s on the other foot now. I have the money and you have the expertise to ensure I use it properly. As you said; you saw your father spend it unwisely – or at the very least he let Voldie squander it. Partners have to have some differences as well as some things that keep them together; otherwise we’ll lose interest in each other. Like the way we misunderstood each other just now.”

“Okay pax, can we still use ‘we’ then?”

Harry giggled and hugged Draco, looking into his eyes. Draco saw that look again, the one with the deep meaning.

“Oh, Harry. I don’t think I’m good enough for you, I’ve done some horrible things and enjoyed some of them too.”

“That was in the past. You have a chance to put things right and I want to help.”

“Why?”

“Because I have a special feeing about you; not something I can really explain, but when I look into your eyes I get lost in their depths.”

“What?”

“Yes; like now!”

“But … But … I see it in your eyes.”

“So … Maybe our souls recognise us as mates, even if our brains are reluctant to admit it, or we feel ready to totally embroil our corporeal selves.”

“I still want to take things slowly. Being next to them fucking really turned me off the idea. It reminded me of what I’d seen when the deathies did things like that to Imperiused Muggles.”

“No probs, I haven’t changed my attitude either. Let’s just promise that when one of us upsets the other we try and sort it out without taking the hump and shutting the other out. I’d rather say if I find I’m uncomfortable with something and know you won’t fly off the handle.”

“Okay, but you’ll have to make allowances when the nasty Malfoy crawls out from under the stones in my mind.” Draco grimaced warily.

“I already do,” Harry gave Draco a friendly squeeze: “Now what were we planning?”

“Bubble baths and greenhouses, I think.” Draco gave Harry a beaming smile.

“So … The old veranda wasn’t the whole width of the house was it?”

“No … Yes I see … Jack-bath one side and the greenhouse the other.”

Harry sighed and emphasised the second word: “The Jacuzzi would be permanent, so it could be partially set into the floor, otherwise it would stick above the window sill.”

“Okay, but which side?”

“Morning sun for the greenhouse evening sun for the Jacuzzi, okay?”

“Hmm … Workable idea … Puts the bubble bath in front of the kitchen window and the plants overlooked from the dining area. Hmm … What about the parlour and the bedroom above it?”

“Not too sure. When Hermione and I first saw the cottage there was a memorial plaque which rose from the ground whenever a mage came to look. Part of me wants to keep it, so’s to remind others what a beast Voldie was. The other half wants to repair the house and make it look good, as a statement that we cannot let bad people rule our lives.”

“Hmm … I understand. Were it your only house you would need to have all the rooms habitable. In a way it’s an extension of this house so that isn’t as necessary; however the damp has to be dealt with. I rather fancy the parlour as a private study room, but not in its present state.”

“Yes I agree. Let’s get the other things sorted first. Maybe something will come up to help us decide.” Harry gave Draco a kiss, snuggled down and closed his eyes.

### WIZENGAMOT ###

This Saturday there was no last minute rush.

There was time to enjoy a shower and eat a leisurely breakfast before flooing to the Ministry. The knightly party plus its advisers took their seats in ample time, being able to chat to various Fellows about what was on the order paper.

To start the proceedings a review of sentencing took place. The people on Court duty during the week were technically a sub committee of the Wizengamot and the review usually rubber-stamped their decisions. Occasionally questions were asked; however most sentences went through ‘on the nod’. Not this week though:

“Madam Chairman, why was the Flint estate not confiscated as per the statute?” Gorgonzola Spinet asked.

“The statute gives permission for the estate not to be sequestered, Sister, where there are reasons that innocent family members would be left destitute. It also gives guidelines as to what destitution means.”

“I move, Madam Chairman, that in this case the family was consenting to the acts of the heir, Marcus, and that they suffer the full rigours of the law. After all, he will not be returning to freedom nor has he any children that need support; which was the reason for the abatement clause.”

Mordicai Malthus rose. Harry expected some more nasty remarks.

“Sister Gorgonzola was not on that particular judicial sub committee, I believe. I have read the report, even if she has not. There were extenuating circumstances, all of which were set out in the judgement.”

“Brother Mordicai has some connections with that family, so I am informed,” Gorgonzola almost spat: “And he stands to profit from that family not being penalised.”

“I take it that Sister Gorgonzola means the hundred galleons a year from a trust fund set up two centuries ago. As she well knows it has been a subvention to the St.Mungo’s comforts fund ever since I received it. Therefore she is erroneous in stating that I stand to profit; in fact our hospital would loose out if she has her way.”

Other people joined in the long debate about the decision with much veiled name calling. Whilst this was happening Harry re-checked the report to see if there was any reason to challenge the ruling; he could find none. Draco was scathing about the ‘Screw-them-for-everything’ party: a group bent on vengeance against any convicted death-eater’s family; not that he cared if the remains of Malfoy Manor were sequestered. The vicious people’s tenet seemed to be that the patriarchal adults were responsible for their progeny and should have stopped them; who, in the case of the family concerned, the immediate parents were already dead. The acrimonious debate was still raging when the coffee break recess was called.

The knights sat at a table with Kingsley and the Weasleys. Mordecai wandered over.

“Sir Harry, I wonder if you could support me in this matter. Gorgonzola and her cronies are determined to ruin the Flint family. There were some dodgy financial deals which she says she was conned into. They failed quite spectacularly; all she wants now, is vengeance with a big ‘V’. A number of us advised not to venture her capital, but she insisted she knew what she was doing. As we predicted, it quickly went pear-shaped and her fingers were burnt quite substantially.”

“You already have our support Brother Mordecai. I have, in the meantime, re-read the report, what the judicial group decided was fair and just. Please don’t be offended when I accuse you of being obstructive by way of spiking her guns.”

Mordecai smiled: “All is fair in politics, Sir Harry. I bear you no ill-will about being defeated about voting rights. I’m a true democrat and accept that decision now it has been made; I look forward to the voting.”

On returning the squabble continued. As before Draco counselled patience whilst the majority of members became bored with the avaricious wrangling. After an hour Harry rose and was recognised by the chair.

“Sister Gorgonzola has stated that the ruling was inadequate. I and my colleagues have studied this and the relevant laws. Surely she does not want to condemn a number of aged relatives to be penniless. Our idea of equity was challenged last week by Brother Mordecai’s group, who were being obstructive of progress. Their contention would have set us back into the pre-Voldemort days of internecine warfare. In the same way Sister Gorgonzola’s motion would cause strife and impede our peaceable way forward. I ask that the matter be put to the vote forthwith.”

“Do I have a seconder, please?” asked Madam Chairman.

Mordecai rose and indicated that he would second the voting proposal. Needless to say, the anti-Flint motion was lost.

The rest of the session was an anticlimax; apart from the knightly party getting dirty looks from Gorgonzola and her supporters as they adjourned for lunch.

### CONSORTIUM ###

Earlier in the week Harry had told Gallus about the two new families who wanted to join the Consortium and the governor had talked to his board. So, in the evening, when the original six members met for cocktails in the Clearwater house next door, he had some idea what Gringott’s was prepared to do.

“Gringott’s is not prepared to put up any more money than they have already,” he reported to looks of dismay: “However I have family funds and we would be prepared to come in for one share, if that was deemed adequate.”

Draco spoke up: “The original estimates were for paying builders to renovate the properties, if we intend to use the in-house team, then we would be paying for materials only. I have these new estimates worked out on that basis.” He handed out some parchments: “As you can see there is a greater margin for contingencies. On that basis I recommend that the two new families be accepted plus, of course Gallus as a full private partner. I have one warning though; we would be taking on a family whose present head is a Muggle, although his son is a mage.”

The short debate was constructive; in the end it was felt that Henry Finch-Fletchley would be an asset because of his obvious entrepreneurial skills. Before they sat down to dinner, Harry and Draco were dispatched to ask Henry and Cadmus Wood to attend with their wives. Once they, with Amanda and Ursula, had been introduced to everyone the company sat down to eat. Harry was struck by how much this dining room resembled the one at number twelve; although everything was the other way round.

After Dinner Ronald was called upon to explain some new ideas that he had. The main one being connecting the houses via their roof-top gardens. Something that he and Draco had costed and could easily be met from the contingency reserves; still leaving a considerable amount for things unforeseen. As a trial measure it was agreed that the Woods, Clearwater and Potter establishments would be so linked at their own expense, because they were already next door neighbours. To be refunded if all the members decided for the scheme.

Draco said that he had been approached by the Zabini family, who, now the hostilities were over, wanted to have a residence in England once more. Abraham reported that he was in serious negotiations with the Muggles at number thirteen and that their solicitors would meet during the coming week. The others, apart from Henry were not as far forward with their plans, although none of them reported adverse reactions to their gentle enquiries, so far.

In a mellow mood they followed Ronald to see the new elf attic at number twelve. It was a bit of a squeeze, because everything had been scaled down to elf-size. They took it in turns to visit and admire the bathroom facilities which, Ronald reported, were from an Irish leprechaun company, care of Seamus. As they were not made of gold he didn’t expect them to disappear, he informed them jocularly. Kreacher pretended to be shocked at the insinuation, reminding Ronald that leprechaun was just an Irish name for an elf as duende was in Spanish.

Next they had a look at the possible connection between houses.

“As the houses are mirror images,” Ronald explained: “On one side there is already a level surface between the roof-top areas. On the opposite side the staircases abut and an external half stair will need to be made in place of the sloping roof. We did it here because it enabled the elf loft to have access.”

“I like your apparating area, Ron. Can you fit one up at the Wood house, so Oliver can go straight to his team’s headquarters?” asked Cadmus, with a smile: “A couple of weeks ago we nearly had a nasty accident because he uses our back yard. I was putting rubbish out in the bin and he landed in it.”

The company chuckled and then started questions about elf-lofts and how they might be adapted for elfin families. Ronald promised to draw up plans based on different families’ ideas. He also suggested that he talked to their reeves for their views on the subject. Back in the drawing room the reeves were brought in to the equation.

Henry’s down-to-earth attitude made quite a hit with Kreacher. Something that Draco was very surprised about.

### ROUTINE ###

The eighth year group settled in to a routine preferring their set-up in the tower to the bun-fight in the hall. The goblin twins joined in the construction group making it truly ecumenical. Occasionally Harry or Draco would be drafted in to help Gallus with particular aspects of his training. Later on he was cajoled to make an input into Septima’s Arithmancy classes. The result was that Minerva received a dozen advance goblin requests for first year students for the ensuing year. In the same way Kreacher and Justin integrated elves into the present curriculum and in turn gave Minerva an extra ‘Appreciation of Gift’s’ course. One, where each group shared insights into their own cultures. As could be expected, Dame Hermione was very supportive.

By Halloween more houses in Grimmauld Place were in legal process; number thirteen had been bought by the group and renovated. The Zabinis had bought it from the consortium and were due to move in during November. The Burrow had been cleansed and the Weasley clan now resided there, this had made room for Blaise’s parents to stay at number twelve in the meantime. Gallus had commuted his share into purchasing one of the renovated houses and was hoping that number nine next door to the Wood residence would be his by Christmas. With the Zabini house on stream the roof top connections now extended as far as the Goldstein home, all of which had an elf loft and an apparating area. Each elf loft had been tailored to the needs of the family and their reeves.

### SAMHAIN ###

One Friday evening a week before All Hallows Eve, Molly had been shopping and, as was usual had stopped over for dinner. Lollobrigida and Ernesto Zabini were in residence having arrived back from their Caribbean Island just over a week ago. Some of the neighbours had dropped in too, because the orphans wanted to practice their hospitality skills on a formal dinner party. All the mages retired to the Tapestry Room afterwards.

“What are you doing for Halloween?” Ernesto asked.

“We were hoping to join in with the party at Hogwarts, but it is still a security risk,” Harry replied, squeezing Draco’s hand gently.

“Surely that is for minors. I would have thought that you, Harry, especially, would want to commune with your parents.”

Harry looked perturbed and sorrowful. Draco jumped in.

“You do know that Harry’s parents died to save him, don’t you Mr Zabini.”

“Yes I was aware, but that is not what I meant. Our family has a custom at Samhain of calling upon our ancestors. Those on the other side who wish to communicate with us make themselves available at this special time of the year when the veil is at its thinnest.”

“Do you mean we have to go into the Death Chamber?”

“No, no! That would be very dangerous. That piece of the veil would be very attractive to those of us who had seen violent death. I suspect that that refers to all of you since the battle. By quiet contemplation and fasting we make ourselves available. If our dear ones wish to communicate with us they will, just as they might when we are in extremis.”

“That happened to me when Voldie came back. Various relatives held him at bay whilst I apparated away.” Harry looked very sombre: “They walked with me, too, just before I defeated that beast finally. I think I should like to meet them in less frightening circumstances.”

“We cannot force them to come, only make ourselves available. Most times we meet someone who is interested. It is not for the faint-hearted, because sometimes the spirits are angry with us. I suspect we are fairly robust, though.”

“Something like the Mirror of Erised then?”

“Better than that, Harry! As well as seeing the spirits you can communicate with them and they with you. I almost said talk, but it isn’t quite like that. It feels like talking but both sides are silent, however you do understand what is being communicated and can ask questions.”

“There are no dark arts involved, are there?”

“Coming from you Draco, that question surprises me.”

“Yes … Well … I have no wish to dabble on that side of the fence again and I’m sure my partner has no wish to, either.” Draco looked at Harry who nodded his head in agreement.

Blaise and Justin looked at each other and raised quizzical eyebrows. Molly and Arthur smiled. Ronald and Hermione nudged each other.

“Okay, okay! What have I said that intrigues you all?”

“For a Slyth you’re being very dense, Partner.”

“Hmm … What?”

The others chuckled at Draco’s incomprehension.

“Draco and I have made an agreement to be together as partners. We sort of drifted into it and the more we co-operated the more we wanted to combine forces. We are still being surprised about the things which connect us. Is that right, Partner?”

“Harry …! I thought … Well yes …! Great! I’d love to be your partner.”

Hermione clapped her hands in glee: “Well done you two! We’ve seen it growing for some time now. All we need is the ring ceremony.”

“What?” Harry looked aghast at his female friend.

Draco chuckled: “I think, Lover, you have just proposed to me and I have accepted.”

“Well … You started it by calling me Partner … Not that I object … Ring ceremony, Hermione?”

“Yes to make it official. Samhain would be a very propitious time.”

“Well, Harry?” Draco looked intensely at his partner.

“Um … Okay … Um … How about after we’ve talked to my parents. Would that be okay Mr Zabini?”

“Sounds a wonderful idea, young man. As Miss Granger says it would be a very auspicious time.”

As the dinner party broke up Arthur and Kingsley put their heads together for a short conference.