Cock and Bull 23
Banner by herumtreiber
Title: Cock and Bull 23
Author: enchanted_jae
Characters: Harry/Draco
Rating: PG
Warning(s): None
Word count: 715
Disclaimer: Characters are the property of JK Rowling, et al. This fic/drabble was written for fun, not for profit.
Written for: Birthday gift for ldydark1, who asked for an update to Cock and Bull
Summary: Harry didn't realize building a barn would be a community effort.
Harry stood at the bottom of his small farm and looked across the hedgerow at the expansive pasture that bordered his property. It belonged to him now. Reggie Nestlehut's children had agreed to sell the pasture to Harry for a fair price, and his mind was whirling with possibilities.
"We'll need to fence it if you want to turn the horses out to graze," Draco commented idly.
"We only have one horse," Harry felt compelled to say. He also had a mule, a pony, and a miniature donkey.
"Equines, then," Draco conceded.
Harry stroked his chin in contemplation. "I was thinking about building another barn."
"That would be brilliant!" Draco said. His eyes sparkled with excitement, and Harry couldn't help but grin. If building a barn would help convince Draco to stay once his community payback was over, then Harry would build the Taj Mahal of barns.
"We can design it from the ground up," said Draco. "It will be tremendous. We need a loft to store hay or straw, proper ventilation, a wide center aisle-"
"Hold on," Harry said with a laugh. "We'll need to consult a builder, someone who knows barn construction. I can't think of anyone offhand, but I reckon Fairtrace can recommend someone."
When Harry returned to the house, he rang up his neighbor. "This is Harry Potter," he said, once Fairtrace answered. "I'm thinking of putting up a new barn in Reggie's pasture. Do you know anyone who builds barns?"
"You should get in touch with Bert Funkhauser."
Surprised by the answer, Harry asked, "Isn't Burtis too busy with his dairy operation?"
Fairtrace laughed. "Not Burtis," he said, "You want his brother, Albert. He's raised some barns in his day, along with plenty of Cain."
Harry chuckled at the joke.
"I can get you his number if you need it."
"That would be fantastic, yeah."
"Ellen! You got Bert Funkhauser's number?"
"Albert or Burtis?"
"Albert!"
Harry winced and held the phone away from his ear. He brought it back when a softer voice spoke.
"Mr Potter? This is Mrs Fairtrace."
"Hullo, Mrs Fairtrace," he greeted her.
"I reckoned it would be simpler to give you the number than give it to Roger and expect him not to get it backwards."
"Oy!"
Mrs Fairtrace rattled off the number, while Harry wrote it down. "Thank you."
"It's no trouble, Mr Potter. Roger tells me you're taking good care of Firefly."
"Oh yes," Harry told her. "Draco, my hired hand, rides him two or three times a week for exercise."
"That's good to hear. He was getting fat and lazy in our paddock. You let me know when you plan to raise that barn, and I'll contact the other ladies in the neighborhood."
Harry blinked in confusion. "Sorry?"
"Raising a barn is a community effort, Mr Potter! The men all come to help, and the women cook up a feast."
"I...did not know that," Harry admitted. "It sounds...fun."
"You just let us know when, and we'll all pitch in."
Harry thanked Mrs Fairtrace again and rang off.
Draco came into the kitchen, took one look at Harry, and drawled, "Why do you appear constipated?"
"I just got done speaking to Mrs Fairtrace."
"Roger's not dead, is he?"
"What?! No," Harry replied quickly. "She gave me Bert Funkhauser's number. He's a barn builder-"
"Isn't he too busy with his cattle?"
"No, that would be Burt Funkhauser. His brother, Albert, has experience building barns."
"What manner of mad woman named her sons Bert and Burt?!"
"How would I know?!" cried Harry. "Stop changing the subject. I hadn't realized what a...a circus raising a barn would become."
"What do you mean?" asked Draco.
"Mrs Fairtrace said all the blokes in the area would come over to help, while their wives plan to cook for everyone."
"That sounds fantastic!"
"It sounds like Bedlam!" Harry snapped, raking a hand through his hair.
Draco shifted to lean against the door jamb. "Have you ever been involved in building a barn?"
"Of course not."
"Then why not trust the locals?" Draco asked. "Clearly, they've done this before, and if it's an excuse for friends and neighbors to gather, we should let them take over while we enjoy the feast."
Harry side-eyed him. "Did you swap bodies with Ron?"
"Shut it, Potter."
Cock and Bull 24