Toppers Wallow

“C’mon Draco; get up. The boys have already gone to church and we’ll be late. You know how long it takes you to get ready.”



“Shut up, Harry. Sunday morning is for lying in bed lazily.”



“Not in this household it ain’t, we do that on Saturdays. C’mon lover, we can’t let John down. We have a position in this society to fulfil. Besides I want to go and say thank you to God for giving me you.”



“Can’t you do that right here?”



“I suppose I could, but I’d rather do it in church, thank you.”



“Oh … But …”



Draco’s remonstrance was interrupted by a number of bangs from the Apparating area. Harry looked out of the window to see most of the DA coming up the path towards the house.



“Draco! Make yourself presentable. Most of my friends have arrived. I’m going downstairs now.”



Harry met his friends on the lower patio.



“Have the bells started ringing yet Harry?” asked Seamus. “We’ve come ter support you at church; after all John did say we’d be welcome.”



“Thanks Guys, I wasn’t expecting that. We’ve still got half an hour before the bells start. Dean, do me a favour, go and roust Draco, I want him to come with us too. He was rather chuffed when you shook his hand, you know.”



“Yes I know; you should have seen his face when I did it.”



“Perhaps we’ll see more of him if we’re quick,” suggested Seamus, smirking.



Dean and Seamus rushed upstairs.



“Hello Mate, Minerva says we’ve got a new potions tutor.”



“Yes Ron, we have. Do you know who it is?”



“Yes! She told me that as well.”



“There’s something more too.”



“What?”



“Billy and I’ve agreed to be just friends, and Draco’s sharing my bed, now”



“Bloody hell Harry! Did they have a fight; it’d be just like Malfoy to do something like that.”



“No! It was all very amicable. Billy and magic don’t really mix, Draco and magic do. You know that his father imprisoned and tortured him, don’t you. Then when he escaped Mulciber caught him and continued the same treatment.”



“Why? I always thought he was against all that we stood for.”



“No longer, he’s definitely changed sides. I reckon he’d have done so if Dumbledore had lived, you know. Then he showed Dobby where to find us when we were imprisoned at the manor.”



“You quite sure, Harry. It’s not just your hormones leading you on, is it?”



“I don’t think so. Our magical auras have also united. We’re still exploring that side of our relationship and it includes wandless magic.”



“Oh well. Neville’s Gran and Minerva have been talking to me, too; on much the same grounds. I’ll try and be civil to him, just for your sake.”



“Thanks Mate. He was very worried about meeting you; he wants to try, and for the very same reason, too.”



Hermione had listened to the conversation. “He was very good at potions, Harry; I hope he doesn’t behave like Snape did, all snarling and sniping. He’s too near the students’ age to get away with that. I’ll have a go at him to see if we can help, he’s definitely got a brain, and a brilliant one at that.”



“Why thank you Miss Granger.” Draco had appeared and he linked his arm into Harry’s. “Your brain’s jolly decent too; probably better than mine, I think I was held back by my attitude. You got some bloody good marks, beating me quite often. My father got really peeved about that, beating me unmercifully each time I failed to come out top of the class. He used Crucio more than once.”



Harry side-hugged Draco, having seen a telltale tear appear.



“Erm … Malfoy … Erm … Draco … Look … I know we’ve been at each other’s throats since before either of us knew Harry. Erm … Well … We’re going to be working together so I’ll try not to get up your nose if it’ll help.” Ron was very red in the face and Harry could see him quivering.



“Oh … Well … Weasley, sorry I mean Ron … Err … Thanks for the offer. In return I’ll try not to be the obnoxious oaf that I used to be. Harry’s going to kick me if I do, but that’s not the real reason. I saw Voldemort in all his glory and I realised how utterly alien he was. I’ve still got lots of hang-ups, you’ll have to forgive me many times yet, I think. However I really want to try to be the new Draco and not the old Malfoy. Perhaps we were both behaving childishly, but we’re adults now, and I, for one, want to try to behave rationally for a change.” Draco was very pale and he shook in trepidation.



Ron’s mouth had fallen open while Draco had his say. “Erm … Draco … Erm … Will you shake hands?”



“Thank you, yes!” Draco extended his hand tentatively.



Ron grabbed Draco’s hand and pumped vigorously. Hermione smiled broadly patting both participants’ backs. The DA members had witnessed the reconciliation and burst into applause and at the same time the church bells started ringing their call to divine service.



An arm-in-arm foursome headed down the lane, leading their troops; Ron was flanked by Harry and Hermione and Harry had Draco on his other arm.



As usual Samantha was giving out the books and gave a smiling greeting to each of them in turn. Various people in the congregation nodded, smiled or raised their hands in greeting; Harry felt very much a part of the congregation, even if this was only his third time. Draco smiled benignly, practicing noblesse oblige for all he was worth. Inside himself, he felt awestruck as his Muggle renaissance was given another boost. Tactfully, Billy placed himself next to Draco unobtrusively helping with the books, and avoiding any hint of engendered jealousy.



Harry had started to feel at home with the service, the hymns were still new, but he listened carefully and by the third verse had picked up the tune. John’s sermon touched on how Saints Peter and Paul had had quite different outlooks, but managed to co-operate in spreading the Gospel. To some extent it was a rehash of the talents theme but with the emphasis on working together to achieve agreed aims.



Draco was introduced to John, who, as usual was greeting his departing parishioners. Both of them jumped when the tingle took effect; then they looked at Harry.



“Err … Harry, you told me about the tingle, but this was an electric shock,” Draco said quietly.



“Yes I agree,” said John waving his hand around in recovery.



“Um … Well … I suppose it’s because we’ve had our auras united. Perhaps seemly nods will do in the future, or rubber gloves, or something.”



John patted Harry’s back comradely; there was no frisson that way. “Maybe it’s only first time Dear Boy. If not my ears will light up next time I come visiting and you have to hand me in.”



“I think another session with ‘Rites of Priests and Wizards’ is called for. If we get stronger, as we seem to be doing, I don’t want to electrocute you every time we meet.” Harry giggled slightly.



This time, on the way to the pub, the magicians just beat the choristers in the impromptu football game, mainly because of Draco’s nimble footwork. Grey and Wash went home with their parents for lunch. Despite his father’s disapproving scowls, Cole’s mother managed to slip him a big plate pie, a large cherry cake and some homemade ginger beer. He ran to the barn with them and quickly rejoined Billy at the lunch party in the Farmers Arms.



They ate inside this time, being too breezy to partake outside. Richard had a pleasant back room into which they all crowded. This time his mates insisted that Harry shared the cost with them all.



“If we do this regularly, as we seem ter be starting ter do, we’d better have it on an even footing,” said Seamus. “We’re not taking any arguments from the Parish Mage or his aristocratic partner.” This was said with a broad smile and a side-cuddle of both of them, as he stood between the two lovers.



Richard set up pitchers of cider on a side-table, Winifred and Carter, despite remonstrance, served the refreshment to each person. Harry did make sure they sat down for the meal, but realised Winky and Kreacher were happier helping with the serving and allowed some latitude in his attitude. Towards the end of the meal Wash and Grey came round.



“Are you lot still eating?” They quipped, helping themselves to some cider. “Perhaps you need some help with the afters.”



Wash came over to Harry looking serious, despite the tankard in his hand. “Harry, whilst you have your army here, could we go over to see Woodyates Farm. The three of us were chatting last night and we feel it might help us to put things in a better perspective. With your friends around us we know we would be protected if anything went wrong.”



Harry listened to his little voice for a minute or two before agreeing to the request.



“I think we’ll ask Father John to come with us, as well; don’t you?”



“Why?”



“If there’s anything malign there then he could exorcise it, couldn’t he?”



“Can’t you magic it, Harry?”



“Possibly Wash; however we’re better at protecting something once it’s all right. John’s much better at getting rid of nasty spirits than we are. Let me go and see if he’s free.” Harry raised his eyebrows at Draco.



“Shall I organise the troops, Harry?” Draco responded raising his eyebrows in understanding. “Your little voice is working overtime today,” he added, sotto voce.



Harry gave him a beam and went off towards the Vicarage.



Knocking on the door he was greeted by Isabel, John’s wife. “Hello Mr Potter, come to borrow my husband for some scheme of yours?”



“Um … Well …”



“It’s all right; I’m used to parishioners needing him at all times of the day. At least it’s not the middle of the night. Do come in.”



“Err … Peace be on your house, Madam.”



“Why thank you. You are welcome in peace. Have I to take your hand or something?”



“Perhaps for the first time, yes; I think. I can’t really remember what’s proper.”



“You’re doing all right Dear Boy,” came John’s voice from inside. “I’ll be with you in a minute or two.”



Isabel showed him into John’s messy study, clearing some papers off a chair so Harry could sit. They chatted about the dance, as seen from one of the sheltered one’s perspective, and then about the next one.



“Ah, Harry, Dear Boy, how can I help?” Isabel withdrew.



“Wash says the boys want to go and look at Woodyates Farm. My little voice seems to think you ought to come and exorcise it. Afterwards I’ll get Hermione to put up some wards round the buildings.”



“Why all the bother? I don’t mean about the exorcism but the wards.”



Harry then explained about looking after the forfeited property and his plans for the boys.



“Right Oh, I’ll just get my bits and pieces then. Would you go back to the boys and get them to put their cassocks and surplices on. Oh, and ask Wash to bring the processional cross, as well. I’ll see you in a few minutes outside the Farmer’s Arms. I dare say we’ll pick up some interested parishioners on the way. Will that cause any problems to Hermione?”



“We can do the wards quietly afterwards, if that’s all right?”



“You know that side better than I do, I’ll rely on your judgement. I imagine you don’t want the other side to know about the protection you’re providing, mmm?”



Harry nodded. “See you in a few minutes. I’ll get the boys organised, I think Draco will have got my lot in order by now.”



Harry left John peering under piles of papers for something.



Back at the pub Harry was met by a smiling Ron. “Hey Mate; Draco has really turned over a new leaf. He was courtesy incarnate when he got us organised. His explanation was lucid too. I’m revising my opinions about him drastically. Have you done an Imperio on him, or something?”



“No! I told you he’d adopted a fresh approach to life, didn’t I?”



“I think I could quite like the new Draco, Harry.”



“Why thank you, Ron. You ain’t so bad yourself you know; now we’ve stopped riling each other.” Draco had walked up quietly, and now gave Harry a side-hug and a big smile, raising his eyebrows. “All ready for the off, Partner.”



“John’s getting few things together. Oh and I’ve got to get the boys dressed in their choir outfits.”



Wash had come to see Harry. “I’ll get them to do that, Harry. There are some other servers around too; shall we ask them to get togged-up?”



“Yes, I think John would appreciate that. Oh! And he wants the processional cross too.”



“Got it organised already, Harry.”



John arrived ten minutes later from the direction of the church, to find the full procession waiting for him, with crucifer, taperers and thurifer all in full ceremonials.



“Well done all of you. Now that those bad people have left, Mage Harry is to take possession of the farm. He wants to be sure there are no evil influences left behind. The ritual is very much the same as we performed on Magnet Cottage, last week.”



Everyone nodded understanding.



John said a prayer before they started off, although the chatty atmosphere did not quieten until they were at the farm gates, where another peace prayer was said and the procession proper formed up.



At the threshold John said, “We come in peace, those who wish not peace should depart hence.” He censed the door and sprinkled holy water before they went inside. As with Harry’s cottage, each room received its blessing. Eventually they approached the cellars where Draco and the boys had been imprisoned. Harry enacted the unlocking spells and an air of cold menace came forth. John sprinkled the holy water and there was something like a scream, not really audible, but felt inside the mind. Next they seemed to experience a malevolent rushing wind, although neither the candle flames nor the rising smoke from the censer were disturbed. The oppressive atmosphere departed, leaving the warm summer afternoon, with the birds chirping happily; something that had been missing when they arrived.



John looked at Harry with a slight smile. “Did you feel it?” he asked.



“Yes. I’m glad you came and blessed the farm, thank you. That sense of foreboding has gone. The next bit’s up to us, once it’s quiet.”



“Glad to be of service, Dear Boy. By the way, you can help me next Sunday; we’re blessing the harvest, before it’s brought in.”



“No problem I’ll be there.”



“Err … John … Can we come too?” It was Neville who asked. “You see my speciality is plants so I’d like to be present if possible.”



“Of course, Dear Boy. Are you any good at resuscitating flattened crops?”



“I’ve learnt a few charms that might help, why?”



“Come with me now, I’ll show you a few fields that were almost ruined by that storm a fortnight ago, perhaps you could try something to help. Harry says you can all do flash-bang, but I think something more subtle would be better, don’t you?”



The Vicar, Neville, and Luna wandered off. Most of the other participants took that as a sign to go about their business leaving Harry’s closest friends and the boys at the farm. Hermione and Ron detached themselves and went to set up the wards.



Billy watched for a bit. “Harry, why aren’t they flying, like you did?”



“There’s no opening round the chimney as in my wards, so there’s no need to go up on the roof. Working as a pair they can project the wards to each other over the top of the building, anyway.”



“Oh! I see. This place isn’t in such a mess. The plumbing needs titivating, and a good lick of paint all round would make it liveable. Of course a good scrubbing would help too”



“Harry, what’s going to happen to the farm once it’s repaired?”



“Probably sold, or let to a tenant. Why do you ask, Wash?”



“It seems a shame to let the land go to waste. Whoever takes it on will have his work cut out to get it back into production. It’d take at least two years to have it fertile, you know.”



“Do you fancy taking the job on, then?”



“It’d be a real challenge, but I’m not sure I’d want to take it on by myself. Err … Can I think about it. I’d like to chat with my dad and the farmer whom I sometimes help, see what they think.”



Harry could feel Draco almost urging him on, but his little voice advised caution.



“I doubt that anything can be decided until the court case is over, and the legal niceties attended to, perhaps you’d like to help Billy get the buildings in order. Our Ministry says it’s prepared to pay whoever does so.”



“Could the others help too? It’d get our dads off our backs for a bit; they’re always going on about getting a job, now we’ve left school, but there aren’t so many opportunities in the countryside.”



“Billy’s my agent, he’ll sort things out, but I’m sure he’d welcome the help. Go and chat to him, okay?”



“Thanks Harry, I’ll do that.” Wash went off to collect his friends and find Billy.



“That was an ideal opening to get them sorted, Harry. Why didn’t you press home your advantage?” Draco was almost shaking his lover.



“Whoa, stop! Have you ever been coarse fishing, Draco?”



“No! Father tried to interest me in fly fishing a few years ago, why?”



“Uncle Vernon took Dudley and I a few times, he used to throw various kinds of bait into the water to see what the fish fancied, then he’d bait up the hook once he’d found out.”



“Okay; I get the picture. You’re hoping they’ll come up with the idea of taking over the farm. Is that why you didn’t want us to tell them straightaway?”



“Yes! Though I must say my little voice had a lot to do with it, too. C’mon lets walk back over the fields, I fancy a bit of exercise to walk off our large lunch.”



Choosing a path they had not followed before, Draco and Harry wandered off into the countryside.