A Different Sort of Bond

Disclaimer: See previous Chapters

Author's Note: Many thanks to Oxnate, the beta reader for this series and also to all those who have favorited, reviewed, or followed. This chapter has not been beta read either. I hope Oxnate is not annoyed at me posting this before he's finished working on the previous chapter but it's been done for a few days and I'm not the most patient of authors. I really want to know what you think of this chapter so please review!

Chapter 16

The next morning was Sunday. Daphne floo'ed her parents from their VIP suite and let them know what happened and where Astoria was now

Mr. Greengrass said, "As long as she is safe there I think it's the best place for her. I'll lay some groundwork to make sure this doesn't cause her problems after the war. You did say that your headmaster would not be calling any aurors or making formal charges at the ministry?"

"That's correct father," Daphne said. "I'm sure I could persuade him that she was not in her right mind and he seems willing to protect her reputation so he would let the story stand even if he privately did not believe. In fact it's quite possible she wasn't, we should have her checked as soon as possible. Either way though she shouldn't see any time in Azkaban for this." She grimaced, "I never thought any of us would use the old 'I was imperiused' defense but it should work for her."

Alexander Greengrass nodded his head, "I'll smooth things over from the ministry side. Sadly, I don't believe it will be difficult. A few favors called in and perhaps a few owed but no more than that. Do try to find out if she was drugged or imperiused though Daphne. I hope so even if I can't quite make myself believe it." He sighed then said, "You'll be here on the twenty-first as usual dear?"

"Yes dad," she replied. Glad to move to another topic she added, "I'll be bringing Harry with me regardless. I think you'll like him."

Her father asked, "Has he been told about the ritual?"

Harry replied to that, "Yes, Mr. Greengrass."

Daphne looked a bit relieved that he said nothing else and added, "Tracey will be bringing Neville home on the same day. He's nice too."

"I look forward to meeting them both then," came the reply. "See you soon dear, I love you."

"I love you too," Daphne said then closed the connection.

Harry and Daphne spent the day relaxing and avoiding Hermione who wanted to spend the whole day cramming for the exams that started on Monday. They agreed that either they knew or they didn't and a few hours more weren't going to make much difference.

Monday morning came and with it the first of the early end of semester tests they'd been studying for. They were to take two tests a day until done. The tests distracted Harry from the problem of Astoria until Wednesday night when they received a floo call from Daphne's father.

"I spoke to Madame Bones before she left today," he said. "She was not happy about Astoria getting off free and clear but was not much surprised. She is not going to try to go after to Astoria as long as she stays out of the rest of the war. I'm not sure how she found out but I guess she has her methods. Please keep your sister at your hideaway until all of this is resolved. That way she won't be tempted to do anything that might cause people to stop looking the other way." Mr. Greengrass looked a bit embarrassed as he continued, "I was right about how easy it was to arrange for this to be swept under a rug. Since he was a squib with no magical family willing to claim him most had no problem with it. I do not approve of this attitude in general you must understand but if it means by little girl comes home to me rather than go to Azkaban I won't argue against it. The only possible fly in the ointment was Dumbledore and he has told me he considers it an accident rather than murder. Tell her that as long as she keeps her nose clean she can come home after the war and resume her life with nothing hanging over her head."

"She'll be fine," Daphne said. "I'm more worried about you and mum."

"We'll be fine dear," her father said. "We're realists and know we've done the best we can for her." He sighed then added, "Stay safe and we shall see you on the Solstice." With that he withdrew and broke the floo connection.

Harry turned to his girlfriend, "Do you think she'll try anything against us when we see her on the island?"

Daphne shook her head sending her loose blonde hair flying briefly, "No, I think by then she will realize it's a lost cause. She may try to wheedle us into sending her back early but she won't attack us. If only because she'll need us to get off the island."

"Good enough," Harry said. "Bode is coming to separate us soon. It's going to be odd at first I think. My life has changed for the better because of this I might actually miss being connected for the first few days."

"Really? Even with all the waking up in the shower and the learning things about women that you never wanted to know?" Daphne asked smiling. She was less cynical and sarcastic then she used to be before the accident but she still loved to tease him.

"Yes," Harry said. "Even with all that. I'm glad he's able to do it but I will always think fondly of this time."

Daphne smiled, "I believe I'll take that as a compliment Potter."

"I believe it is one Greengrass," Harry said with a smirk. "Did you learn anything about men?' He was never one for banter or teasing before but he was slowly learning. He'd never be much of a tease but he was getting better at banter.

She snorted, "Men are simple, they like sex, food, and sports. Heroes, on the other hand, are apparently a bit more complex." She put a finger to his lips as he was about to protest, "Do not say you aren't a hero. Didn't anyone ever tell you not to argue with your girlfriend? I'm always right."

"Even when you're wrong?" Harry asked with a grin.

"Especially then," she responded.

They were done with their tests by Thursday afternoon. Hermione went back to their suite with them, "I think we should tell each other about our answers to that last test. I'm sure I got some of those wrong."

"Actually I wanted to go to the greenhouses," Neville said. "I haven't been since Sunday."

Tracey quickly said, "I'll go with you dear. Want to come Daph? You haven't seen Bob yet."

Daphne gave Tracey a thankful smile, "Yes, I should go see him once before the semester ends."

Harry nodded, "He's a fun vine, you'll see. Coming Hermione?"

"Oh I suppose so," she said.

They fed the vine and petted it. Daphne admitted that it did remind her of a puppy more than anything truly dangerous. After they headed back in to have dinner in the great hall. Seamus asked Harry, "So you're all done for the semester mate?"

Harry nodded, "Yup! We get separated tonight then either leave in the morning or the afternoon if we end up needing a little more recovery time."

Ron said, "Now I wish I'd done it with you. I have two tests tomorrow and Care of Magical Creatures Saturday morning."

"Well at least you don't have to worry much about how Hagrid grades you," Harry said.

"True," Ron agreed.

When they got back to their room after dinner Tracey again asked the elves to make sure the place looked presentable and then they just waited until Bode knocked some thirty or so minutes later.

"Good evening!" Bode said as he strode in. "As you know, I'm here for to separate Harry and Daphne. However I'd like to check on the two others as well to make sure all is well before the holidays." He pointed to Harry and Daphne, "If you'll go into your bedroom and undress then lay on the bed I'll be there after I give the pregnant ones a quick check-up."

Harry nodded and started to go but Daphne held him back.

Daphne said, "Will this be another ritual requiring unguents, oils, and creams?"

He smiled, "No but it does require nudity and strange symbols on the floor. You could actually stay standing for this one if you wanted. I just figured it would easier to lay down."

"We'll stand," she replied.

"As you wish," Bode said.

Once inside the bedroom Daphne said, "Shrink everything and move into the bath temporarily Harry. That way will have plenty of room and we won't disturb our friends by having stuff flying out into the outer room."

Harry shrugged, "Sure, Daphne. I'll just stick our clothes in the hamper first." He gestured and their clothes vanished to reappear in the dirty clothes hamper then he shrank all the furniture and stacked it in a corner of the bathroom. They were standing ready in the center of the now empty room when Bode came in.

"Ah good," he said. "Everything is ready. I'll just start drawing the required runic shapes on the floor."

He started with the wall of unity as before but after that he just drew a ring of runes around the couple, "Since we aren't dealing with either an evil spirit or a chance of possession the protections are simpler." He took a deep breath and let it out, "I should warn you that this might hurt and worse, it might not work. You know why it took so long to devise the procedure for separating you and it was necessary time but the longer you are connected the larger the chance that your magic will decide that this," he gestured to their joined hands, "is the norm and resist any change. Considering the strength of Mr. Potter's magic, if that happens you'll be locked in beyond anyone's power to alter."

Harry shrugged, "This is still our best bet yeah?"

Bode nodded, "Yes."

Daphne scowled, "Then get on with it! We have places to be joined or single."

Bode nodded and started moving his wand in arcane patterns and chanting in Etruscan. A light burst from their joined hands and was soon too bright to look at. It brought with it pain and several strange sensations, then both Harry and Daphne passed out.

They were woken up by Tracey, "Bode left an hour ago. He re-enlarged everything, put you both in bed, and said not to wake you right away." She smirked, "I think that last was because he's afraid of Daphne."

"It didn't work then?" Harry said.

"No," Tracey said.

"Don't give up Harry," Daphne said. "We can still petition the goddess for help. It's one of things that people do at these celebrations."

Harry looked skeptical, "And you think there is a chance of her answering our petition?"

"If you volunteer to be the couple on the altar she is bound by ancient tradition to give you a public answer," Tracey said. "You are not guaranteed a yes but you will get an answer."

"So she might say no," Harry asked.

Daphne smiled at him, "I know what you are thinking Potter. The goddess has no reason to dislike you or refuse you and every reason to like me. If you can bring yourself to do it on the altar with me I believe we'll get what we ask for."

"I'll try," Harry said. "Well let's get up and dressed, unless you have planned for us to apparate to your house naked or something as a last surprise."

Daphne giggled, "It's a little chilly outside for that and we'd have to walk through the school and out to the edge of the wards to apparate. So I think we'll just get dressed and floo out from the Deputy's office along with the others."

Tracey grinned, "I'd love to see the expressions on faces if we did leave school in the nude but yeah it's easier to just floo. Hermione is coming with us and then taking the Knight Bus to her home unless I can convince her to join the rest of us."

Harry flushed at the idea of Hermione watching him and Daphne on the altar but said nothing. It was pretty unlikely that Tracey would convince her.

Soon enough they were dressed and out in the sitting room. "Hi Hermione," Harry said. Daphne hugged her one armed, "Thanks for all your help and have a good holiday. Don't forget to keep an eye out for trouble and floo us if you need help."

"My folks don't have a floo but I can send a patronus if I need you," Hermione said. She hugged Harry, "Take care Harry, sorry the Unspeakable couldn't help. Try not to be embarrassed and enjoy the holiday."

They left the room and shortly were at McGonagall's office. She took a look at Harry and Daphne and said, "Oh dear. I guess I should make your residence in that room permanent then?"

Daphne rushed to agree before Harry could mention anything about the Solstice, "Yes Deputy headmistress." She wanted to keep the room regardless and figured if the paperwork to make it permanent got done then even if they were separated when they came back they'd be able to keep it.

"We'll need to stay as well," Tracey said and Neville nodded.

"Of course," Minerva said. "I have no problems with that. If anything your grades have improved so there is no reason for you four not to continue to room together." She looked at Hermione, "I might even consider allowing Ms. Granger to join you if she wants. I know you've all become fast friends and she spends most of her time with you four these days."

Hermione smiled, "Thank you ma'am but I'm happy enough where I am."

The Deputy Headmistress nodded and activated her floo. Once all five had gone through to their destinations she closed it again and went back to grading papers.