Sir Harry J Potter GCOM

[Readers please note: ‘butties’ are Lancashire slang for ‘sandwiches’ – with connotations of a hot filling.]

### VISITATION ###

The following day was Sunday.

“Wake up, Partners!” Kreacher’s foghorn voice broke into some rather pleasant dreams the hugging pair were sharing.

“Mmwhat …? Go away Kreacher it’s Sunday morning; we can have a lie in.” Harry waved a dismissive hand.

“Not this Sunday morning you can’t. You have a duty to perform.”

“Oh for Merlin’s sake, what is it?” Draco had come-too and was blearily grimacing at the elf-knight.

“Minister Arthur says to give this to you both and to make sure you act on it this morning.”

“More bloody politics, no doubt,” grumbled Harry.

Draco’s hand flopped out from under the bedclothes and Kreacher handed him the parchments. Draco hauled himself up into a semi reclining position and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes; peering at the topmost missive. Then he sat bolt upright.

“Hey Partner, wake up properly. We’ve got special permission to visit my Parents in prison.”

Harry shook his head and reached for his glasses, as he did so a note dropped from between the official forms, seeker instincts at the fore, he grabbed and opened it.

“Draco, Uncle Arthur says that we should get your parents permission for the partnership and that he’s arranged a special visit. Merlin …! Look at the time … We have half an hour to be there.” Harry jumped out of bed and ran into the bathroom.

“I’ve got some bacon butties for you to munch as you get dressed, Partners. The portkey is this old glove. There’s some orange juice in a jug with the tumblers on the table.” Pop; and a grinning Kreacher was gone.

They managed a quick shower together, with Draco worrying how he should sell the partnership idea to his parents. Harry was no help, saying that they should play it by ear because there was no time to plan anything thoroughly. They bickered slightly and still niggling got dressed. Draco fussed over his own appearance and then over Harry’s so much so that when the glove glowed they only just grasped it and their breakfast in time.

Bacon butties in hand, they landed in a small neat office. Auror Digitallance was standing waiting for them:

“Hello Sir Harry, nice to see you again. Is your charge behaving himself?”

“Hello Digitallance. Yes, he’s behaving himself and making a name as an advisor to the Wizengamot.”

“Mr Malfoy, my … you look much better since when last I saw you … I’d heard about your debut as an advisor … Nice bit of Arithmancy that. I rather like Benjamin Wilberforce he’s a friendly old ghost and can make the boring Wizengamot minutes come alive when he relates the debate that took place. Frequently we have to look up old references on obscure points of law and he’s very erudite.”

“Thank you Auror Digitallance. Perhaps we could persuade him to replace Binns at Hogwarts.”

The trio chuckled.

“I’m afraid that you cannot see your parents together and I have prevailed upon your Mother to be first. I suspect she will be more supportive than lowering Lucius. He’s a real pain in the arse, that one. Oh …! Sorry!”

“Don’t apologise, I agree with you.” Draco smiled and then looked thoughtful: “I’d rather there was some physical separation between us when we talk to him.”

“That can be arranged. Do you want me to drop any hints, so that his wrath is abated somewhat before you meet him? Probably won’t make much difference; he’s always in a state about something or other.”

“Are you aware why we’re here?”

“Yes. I was told in strictest confidence by Chief Shacklebolt. However, the rumour mill has been working for a couple of weeks already. Might I suggest that political alliance would be the best way to still some of his wrath? I’ve no idea how you’ll get over the problem of having no heirs.”

“Thanks for that hint, we came over in a bit of a rush and haven’t thought things through.” Draco shrugged: “Oh well, perhaps Mother will have some ideas.”

“Does the physical separation requirement pertain to your mother as well?”

“I don’t think so, thank you. Well, Harry what do you feel?”

“I’m okay with that. Like you I’d want to be leery of your father. Those hints might help to set the scene.”

Digitallance let his breath out: “Good … I’ve arranged a quiet lounge for the first meeting … Once you’ve finished your breakfast perhaps you’d like to follow me, please.”

### INTERVIEW ROOM ###

The room was one that they used to interview the less recalcitrant inmates; Draco recognised it from his kindly interrogation. Digitallance made sure they were comfortable and departed to find Mrs Malfoy. He was only away for a few minutes.

“Hello Darling,” Narcissa entered and immediately hugged Draco. “Sir Harry, how good of you to arrange this meeting.” She gave Harry a slight bow: “I must thank you too, for speaking up for my son at his trial; I do hope he is behaving himself.” She paused and then looked hopeful: “I suppose it’s too much to ask of the authorities to be left un-chaperoned with Draco?”

“In the circumstances, Mother, it would be best if Harry stays.” Draco leaned over and very deliberately took hold of Harry’s hand.

The gesture was not lost on Narcissa: “Yes, I see … So the rumours are true then.”

“Yes, Mother. We have come to ask for your blessing on our partnership.”

“I am not opposed, but there are things we should discuss first. The first one is the thorniest; that of heirs …”

… Draco bristled and drew in a breath to reply …

… Narcissa held up her hand …

“… Hear me out first. I have had time to consider various ideas. There’s little else to do here. You need concrete ideas to put before your father, whom I suppose, is to be seen as well.”

Harry and Draco nodded affirmatively and Mater Familias continued: “Firstly, you must realise that many mages go through a period of preferring their own sex. It seems to last longer in magical circles, possibly because we live longer. If Lucius gets uppity about that, ask him how long he bedded Severus before we got married. For that matter, Molly Prewett and I were very deep friends also.”

Draco gasped: “Then why do our families feud so much?”

“That’s of Lucius’s diseased mind, not mine. Although we did have a nasty row when we parted; we’ve healed it since though. See this cardigan, well … Molly sent it to me only a few weeks ago … You’re talking this all very calmly, Harry. May I call you that?”

“Yes, Mrs Malfoy. One thing I have learned is to listen to others before I act. It was a painful lesson, and it got Sirius killed. Though I must say, that in our present state of mind marrying girls is not on the agenda.”

“I understand, I remember how Molly and I felt about men. There are other options you know. How about adopting a child? After the recent debacle there must be many suitable orphans. One that springs to mind readily is young Teddy. He has Black blood in his veins as has Draco. Harry, as heir to the Blacks you have a good claim to him too. I have a feeling that a few generations ago a female Potter married into the Black line. Later Charlus married Dorea, so the blood runs both ways.”

“Father always said that Malfoy blood was pure and we had no other connections.”

“So he believes. Have a look at “The Ancestry of the Great Families” in the Black or Potter libraries. You will find some diversity in detail from the tome in the Malfoy library. In fact you might find it interesting to compare all those volumes. Each family altered the records at some time. All for political reasons of course; I doubt that even the one in Hogwarts restricted section hasn’t been tampered with at some time.”

Draco chuckled: “I bet Hermione would love to do a research project on it.”

“Never mind Hermione, I have a partner would enjoy that kind of research too.”

Narcissa smiled: “I see you know my son, well, Harry. Books and gardening were his escape from the hell that the Manor became under Voldemort’s rule; or before that when Lucius was having one of his keep-Draco-pure purges.”

“Yes; we both have that love of gardening, as we found out at the weekend. Mine was an escape too – from my overbearing uncle and an over-fastidious auntie. The adoption idea definitely has possibilities. Any others?”

“Yes, surrogacy; it has been practiced in the past. Your father’s father was made by that process, Draco. One of the family members was infertile, so a helpful young lady was found, someone who had the right connections, blood-wise. Look up the record Draco – Oh dear – It was probably destroyed with the manor.”

“Did you know that a special provision was made for our library in case of fire, Mother? We have it intact in a tower at Hogwarts plus the two elves that looked after it.”

“That is good news; Grouchy and Huppert were my favourites. I hope you treat them better now, Draco.”

“Yes, Mother.” Draco sighed and looked sidelong at his lover: “Harry made me apologise to them.”

“Well done Harry. Treat your elves well and you will have a well ordered household. At least that is what Walburga always said. Not that she always practiced what she preached. How is she?”

“Kreacher still adores her and we’ve come to an understanding, Mrs Malfoy. She recognises me as the legitimate head of House Black. I think I prefer the idea of adoption, at least as a first line of defence, so to speak.”

“I think Andromeda would be pleased to have Teddy off her hands. Not that she complains, but when she visited last week she looked very drawn. So a couple of pseudo-dads to help with the feeding and night walking would help greatly. Her house is quite small and he’ll soon be exploring everywhere. By the time he’s entering Hogwarts it will be time when you two decide to remain as you are or marry into decent families.”

“But, Mother …”

“… Yes, I know, Darling. Molly and I were together for about ten years and so were your father and godfather. Things change; look how you’ve changed since before entering Hogwarts. For that matter, look how the pair of you were at loggerheads to begin with and until quite recently. With that in mind I am prepared to give your partnership my blessing. I think therefore, Harry that you had better call me Mother.”

“Would you be too offended if I called you Auntie? You see I call Auntie Molly that and she was a pseudo-mother to me. Besides it would put you on the same status-rating, you having been close mates for ten years.” Harry had a hopefully impish smile on his face.

“That will suit me well, Harry. That is what I used to call Molly’s mother. Now you have to go and face the monster. Do not forget that one parent’s blessing is ample for what you envisage; perhaps that will lessen the impact of his anger.”

Digitallance knocked and, when bid to enter, brought in some coffee and biscuits. They chatted for a while about things inconsequential before plucking up courage to go and face the Malfoy.

### BEHIND BARS ###

As they entered Digitallance managed a quick thumbs-up to Harry. This room was the sort of set up Harry had seen on the TV, with a grilled barrier between the visitors and the inmates. Lucius was scowling through the bars when Draco and Harry appeared.

“You should have come to the head of the house first,” was his growled greeting. Then his face softened slightly: “Do you know that you are the first visitors I have been allowed? Your mother has had many, according to the rumours.”

“Hello Father, you have met Harry before, haven’t you?” Draco kept his expression neutral.

“Sir Harry, Son. The queen has knighted him, after all. I suppose it was inevitable that whoever won the battle would end up as Knight Commander.” Lucius scowled at his offspring and then gave the slightest of sneering nods towards Harry. He turned back to Draco: “I see you have a very high powered chaperone. They must think a lot of me to make sure my son is so well supervised.”

Harry started fuming at Lucius’s overweening pride and supercilious stare, but for his partner’s sake ground his teeth together and said nothing.

Draco sighed: “Father, you forget where you are and what you are charged with. I have made a partnership agreement with Harry, just as you did with Uncle Severus. We came hoping that you would agree to it.”

“Who told you about that? I suppose it was your mother. She’s a conniving bitch if ever there was one.”

Harry had managed to compose himself and could see Draco getting furious: “You do know, Mr Malfoy, that the family records and library survived the holocaust Voldie brought upon the manor. I am sure that the correct family tree is among them. They are now housed in one of the Hogwarts’s towers. It was a precaution set up by your grandfather, I believe, in case of fire. Grouchy and Huppert were there and were transported too.”

“Those two prying, underhand elves. I should have expected it. The number of times I had them chastised for interfering with the family papers. I hope you punished them severely.”

It was Harry’s turn to feel discomposed and Draco’s to rescue his partner: “Father, the partnership agreement?”

“A sound political move, my son,” Lucius whispered; whilst Harry was pacing, trying to contain his anger: “Don’t give him everything until you have a written pardon for me in your hand. Then you can drop him and find yourself an obedient little pure-blood wife.”

Draco was speechless at his father’s presumption that the visit was about rescuing Voldie’s old lieutenant.

Luckily for Draco, Harry had good ears and understood his lover’s father’s dementia. It resembled Harry’s uncle’s almost blind self-centredness. Harry chuckled inwardly, having found something else that united them.

“Do I take it that you approve of our partnership, Mr Malfoy?” Harry smiled winningly and slightly vacantly.

Lucius saw duped innocence in the smile and it resonated with his own delusions of importance: “Of course, Sir Harry,” he smarmed: “I look forward to serving you as one of your new band of knights, that is as soon as you have sorted out my present minor inconvenience.”

“So you are happy that Draco and I become partners?”

Lucius looked crafty: “Just a little paperwork will sort everything out, won’t it, Sir Harry?”

“Of course it will with your say so. Draco and I will retire and see to it; as we now have your permission?” Harry transferred his vacant adoring look to Draco. “Come along Lover; you heard that you have your father’s blessing, we have papers to sign.”

Draco had recovered from his shock and looked at Harry’s slightly simple expression. For a moment he wanted to object, and then he twigged the deception.

Draco adopted his best authoritative tone: “Come along Harry, you know you promised to see the Minister, let’s not keep him waiting.”

“Yes, Lover,” Harry replied meekly, dipping his head apparently humbly, and turned to leave the room with a grinning Draco following.

Lucius, rubbing his hands in anticipation of his impending release, did not see two giggling teen-mages in the doorway high-handing each other in glee.

Digitallance was also grinning when Draco and Harry re-entered his office: “I have never seen such a performance. I wonder how long it will take before he realises.”

“So you were watching us?”

“Of course, he’s a high security risk and I’m not having a leading member of the Wizengamot attacked on my watch.”

“He’ll make a fuss when he finds out, you know!”

“Perhaps! Maybe we can string him along for a week or so. My colleagues could do with some peace.”

Draco turned to his partner: “Harry; when you went slightly vacant you had me momentarily worried.”

“Yes …? Really …? I used to play that game with Uncle Vernon when he was ranting and raving about thrashing the magic out of me.”

“Hmm … That’s quite Slyth of you.”

“Well I have learned a few things from my partner, you know. I think we had better go and thank Uncle Arthur, don’t you?”

“Is he coming to lunch with us?”

“No! We’re going to lunch with them. Don’t forget to be equally Slyth and not show your dismay at their higgledy-piggledy house.”

“I was part of the team that cleared the curses away, Sir Harry. It’s a maze, but I found it totally fascinating too. Maybe you could explore it and make intrigued remarks, Mr Malfoy.” Digitallance smiled and handed them the same old glove: “In two minutes it will take you to the Burrow, gentlemen.”

“Thanks, Auror Digitallance. Perhaps a slight retelling of our deception would add a little happiness to the jailers’ lives?” Draco gave a slight smile.

“Are you sure. It was a private interview you know.”

“Having lived in Hogwarts for seven years, we know how the rumour mill works. Give them a good time, Okay?”

“Thanks Mr Malfoy, I will.”

The glove glowed and two young mages found themselves on a patch of grass in front of the Weasley residence.

### THE BURROW ###

They were met by a worried looking Ronald

“Hi, Ron,” Harry greeted, feeling warm inside as he viewed the building he felt as his second home: “The place has cleaned up nicely. Hasn’t it.”

“Hi, Harry, Draco,” Ronald looked apprehensively at the Slyth.

“Nice to see you again, Ron. Beautiful rural setting, quite a change from the forced plantings that surrounded the manor. Harry says your room’s right at the top; does it have a good view? My room had little; too many big trees in the way, you know.”

Ronald’s face brightened: “Yes Draco, occasionally you can see the sails of the Lovegood’s windmill and that’s nearly twenty miles away. Fancy coming to have a look? It’s up there,” he pointed: “That window in the roof.”

“Love to. Interesting way of supporting the upper stories on stilts; but I think we’d better greet your parents first, don’t you?”

“Okay, follow me.” Ronald turned and behind his back Harry gave Draco the thumbs-up.

Hermione saw what happened and linked arms with the lovers: “Thanks for that,” she whispered.

Draco winked at her.

Draco had met all the people many times before; he was used to Molly’s fussing, and the friendly kitchen atmosphere. It was a bit cramped but he managed and carefully complimented the hostess on the quality of her cooking without being over-effusive. He was genuinely intrigued by the haphazard way the house had been built, asking pertinent questions of Ronald and getting back answers about relative stresses and strains, routeing of drains, waterproofing etc. It was almost like one of Ronald’s construction lessons. In the topmost room Ronald found a detailed map and they had fun spotting the various villages etc. However it was not quite clear enough to see the Lovegood domicile. On the way down the tight spiral stairs Draco joshed Ronald about the Canons lack of progress and received back as good as he gave about the Wasps, the team Draco supported. They were still chuntering when they grabbed the glove to Grimmauld Place for their tutoring lessons.

### AFTERMATH ###

In the evening, Weasley and Malfoy sons had a couple of friendly games of wizard’s chess.

As they shared a shower Harry looked lovingly at his partner: “You were ace about the Burrow, Draco. Thanks for keeping the peace.”

“It was no chore, Harry. The place does feel welcoming; Molly’s food was of the highest order as usual. So the place is ramshackle, but you should have seen what Voldie did to the Manor. The Burrow’s like a three dimensional jigsaw puzzle and I’ll need many more visits before I understand how everything fits. Uncle Arthur told me some of the history of how it grew with the need to accommodate more offspring. It’s something that I can identify with. That was how the Manor started off. He says there are fish in that almost lake and has offered to lend me some rods. Oh yes … I managed to slip Auntie a note saying how much Mother appreciated the cardigan.”

“Your amazing, Lover!”

“Yes I know … All the Malfoys are … At least that’s what Father thinks … I know differently though … A certain messy-haired, green-eyed mage gets my top marks for amazingness.”

The hidden invitation in the statement obtained Harry’s full attention, so the bathroom became a temporary knocking shop.