A Different Sort of Bond

Disclaimer: I do not own the Potterverse!

Author's Note: I decided to publish as many chapters as I have ready and hopefully that will take any time pressure off my beta reader as he can edit them at any time and in any order and I'll just replace the current one with the edited one. If you'd rather wait until he has corrected any grammar and spelling mistakes you can do so. I'll add another author's note when each chapter has been beta'ed. However if the reviews are to be believed several of you are wanting to read the chapters as soon as they are written. So unless my beta objects I'll post them as they are done then fix them as indicated. I hope you enjoy them.

Chapter 18

They had all gathered by the kitchen door skyclad. Eight adults and four teens. Harry was actually glad he had spent the last few months getting used to nudity. Otherwise he wouldn't be able to stop blushing and stammering awkwardly as they waited for the priestess of Hecate to lead them out into the snow. Harry shivered as his bare feet touched the snow and cast a silent warming charm on himself and Daphne. Tracey caught it and gestured to herself and Neville. Harry smiled and cast one on them too.

Soon they were at the stone altar and the priestess said a prayer over it. The air warmed as she blessed them in Hecate's name and the snow melted beneath them. "Even in the depths of winter there is always the promise of new life. Aspects of the goddess signifies both. In winter the ground sleeps in preparation for the explosion of new life in the spring. The Earth is not dead in midwinter but merely resting. We are come here to celebrate the fact that tonight marks the halfway point. It may be the longest night of the year but from this day on the days will be getting longer and soon the snows will melt and the Earth will burst forth with new life and hope for the New Year. In celebration of this potential a couple will dedicate the most life affirming of actions to the goddess on her altar. Is there anyone here who wishes to volunteer?"

Harry took a deep breath and raised his right hand, "We volunteer."

"Does your partner also agree?" the priestess said.

"I do," said Daphne.

The priestess gestured, "Then climb upon the altar and celebrate life and love together in honor of Hecate."

Harry and Daphne approached the stone altar and rather awkwardly climbed on top of it. Daphne moved on top of Harry and smiled down at him, "Just relax Harry. Forget everyone else and concentrate on me."

"I think I could manage that," Harry said smiling back.

They begin moving together and soon experience a simultaneous orgasm. When they recovered and looked around they were no longer on the altar or in the clearing. They were floating among clouds but they were not alone there. A woman nearby was studying them with a small smile on her face. She was Hecate, goddess of magic, crossroads, moon, ghosts and necromancy. Her face seemed to shift from old to young as they watched. She gestured and a loveseat facing an easy chair appeared from nowhere.

"Let's sit and chat for a bit before I give you my decision on your petition," the goddess said.

Harry sat on the loveseat and pulled Daphne down with him. She was wide-eyed and open mouthed so he spoke for both of them, "Are you Hecate?"

"Indeed Mr. Potter," she replied. "I am Hecate and I am of two minds about your request."

"How so?" he asked.

"Well on the plus side Daphne has always been a loyal and respectful follower of mine," Hecate said. "She joined in a proper celebration dedicated to me and not only volunteered herself for the demonstration but convinced you to do the same. She also called upon me to destroy the foul magic infesting that diadem and I hate things like that. This makes me want to grant her request. On the other hand this accident was good for both of you and some of that will be lost if you are returned to your previous state. You both have your insecurities. You find it hard to believe that someone as bright and lovely as she is would want you. She is a jealous woman at heart and has become most cynical in her opinions on males around her age. She has not had to worry about you yet because you were always there. No chance you were out with other girls and she could always count on you being there when she woke up. You wouldn't cheat on her but she needs to be sure of that or she will leave you and not return. In just the few months you have been together she has become less abrasive and you have become more assertive. You complement each other well."

Daphne and Harry are both embarrassed by this time and neither say a word. Hecate continues, "There is also the fact that without her connection to you she has little raw magical power and the death eaters will attack those close to you. She is much safer attached to you physically, magically, and emotionally than just emotionally. She is well skilled but only with the tie to your magic has she been able to use all of her knowledge properly. You plan to destroy more pieces of the broken soul of Tom Riddle and this is a good thing but if I restore her exactly as she was before the accident she will also have no protection from poisons or direct contact with either the soul pieces or any body they inhabit. So there are things on both sides of the scale." She looks Harry directly in the eye, "Which way would say it is pointing?"

Harry thought for a moment then answered, "I notice whenever you speak of separating us you only mention returning her to exactly as she was before the accident. Is that significant?"

The goddess smiled, "Very good. Yes, there is an option that leaves neither exactly as she was before nor sharing a hand with you. It offers a compromise and I might think it the best solution but it has one drawback."

Daphne sighed and entered the conversation for the first time, "What is the drawback?"

"It is a permanent solution," Hecate replied. "If you both agree to this it will be for the rest of your lives. There will be no hope of eventual reversal."

"Well we are at that point now anyway," Harry said. "If you refuse us we'll be stuck as is for good. So I'm willing to hear you out."

Hecate nodded then asked Daphne, "And you?"

"Of course I will listen goddess!" Daphne exclaimed.

Hecate smiled, "Well the solution is for you two to be connected just not physically. Daphne you will still have access to his magic and your blood will remain as one so you will keep your protections against both Riddle and all poisons. You will never be far from each other so neither of you will be able to worry about what the other might be doing. Harry you will be able to feel Daphne's emotions when you want. You will never have to guess what she feels for you. I shall also give you both specific magical knowledge to help you in your quest against the unnatural one who calls himself a lord."

She moved forward, "I will give you this knowledge regardless of which you decide to do." She walked up to the loveseat and tapped them both on the forehead. "Daphne, you have now a spell to detect soul jars, horcruxes, and similar things within ten meters. Harry now has a healing spell that varies effect depending on the amount of magic when it is cast. It is a very clever spell and one that such a strong mage can make great use of." She walked away from them, "I shall leave you to discuss your options. To be clear, those are to go back to as you were before the accident, to remain as you are now, and to remain connected magically but not physically. You will need to stay close but you will have both hands free and no physical connection. Let me know when you have chosen." With that she walked far away until they could barely see her in the foggy air.

"I'll go along with whatever you decide," Harry said.

"No, we should decide together," Daphne said.

They talked about it. They tried to find all the pros, cons, and potential loopholes or traps in each option. Then they made a decision and called Hecate over. Harry said, "We have reached a decision."

"Good," Hecate said. "What is it?"

Harry replied, "We will go with the third option."

Hecate said, "You agree with this Daphne?"

Daphne nodded, "I do."

"Very well then," Hecate said. "I will send you back now and the solution will take place as soon as you are back. Be well." Hecate gestured and all of a sudden they seemed to be flying. Their flight seemed to last several minutes then all of a sudden they were laying on the stone altar again.

Harry moved to get off Daphne and fell off the altar, "Oof!"

Daphne leaned over, "Are you alright dear?"

Harry grinned back, "Fine, just embarrassed." He sat up, "Hey we are separated!"

"Of course!" Daphne said. "Hecate always keeps her word. Now get up off the grass and give me a hand off this altar."

Harry grinned and stood up then lifted Daphne down from the tall stone table. As he feet hit the grass the sun rose. "Wow, we spent longer away than we thought."

"Aye," Anders said. "You did. We were starting to wonder a bit, to tell you the truth. Thought maybe you'd said the wrong thing during your divine interview or maybe too much of the right thing and she was planning to keep you."

"No uncle, I am back and I have both hands free," Daphne said. "There is more to the story but I can tell it after a good night's sleep."

The priestess smiled and said, "I take my leave of you." She apparated away with a pop.

Alexander Greengrass said, "We should follow her example and leave for the house before the warmth completely deserts the area. The goddess has answered our petition and the sun has come up after the longest night of the year. Time to eat a bite, drink a mite, and sleep. In the morning we shall ask her what the goddess said." He led them all back into his house and to get a glass of something hot and some cookies.

Harry handed Daphne a napkin full of the lemon-poppy-seed ones she liked best. Then he took some for himself and a mug of hot cider.

Daphne ate her cookies with a grin, "It's so nice to be able to use two hands again!" She grabbed a mug of hot cider for herself and smirked at Harry, "So planning to spend the night alone now that you can?"

Harry blushed but his reply was instant and his voice was firm, "Not if you'll let me stay with you."

She grinned then and grabbed his hand, "Come on then, we'll have hours before anyone wakes up and I find I'm not at all tired." Harry had just enough time to put his mug down before she dragged him from the room.

Anders said, "I think that is your future son in law brother."

Alexander nodded, "Aye, I think you're right."

Harry woke up in the shower with her again the next morning, "Was this a joke or were you just taken by nostalgia?"

"Neither," Daphne replied. "The goddess did say we would not be able to be too far apart remember?"

"Yes," Harry said. He started to ask a question but Daphne cut him off.

"Well I think I have found the limit," she said. "It is that we must be in the same room. When I woke up I found that I could go anywhere in the room just fine but not leave it. So I brought you along. If you had hopes of ever pissing in peace alone discard them now. Hecate also said this was permanent."

"I remember," Harry said. He shrugged then, "Well its better than being physically connected still. At we have both hands free and can do separate things at the same time as long as both things are in the same room. As you once said, I'm counting this as a win."

"So a lifetime of waking up like this and having to share a bathroom is fine by you?" she asked.

"As long as it's with you," he replied. Then he kissed her.

She smiled, "I think I got as lucky as a woman can get." She asked, "Can you shampoo my hair? Once we are both presentable we can go tell the others what Hecate said over brunch. After we can discuss how best to get Bill involved in our search. We'll be seeing him in three days on the twenty-fifth."

"Right, to check the old Gaunt shack for a horcrux," Harry said as he lathered her long hair with shampoo. "Conditioner next or another round of shampoo?"

"More shampoo," she said. "We need to check on how the goblins are doing before we do that and check on my deluded sister."

"And ask if all the tutors have received their portkeys," Harry added.

Daphne agreed, "Yes. However all that can wait until we've exchanged Yule presents. Normally I'd ask if you'd managed to buy for everyone but seeing as how I was there I know you have. Including Christmas gifts for the Weasleys."

Harry grinned, "Ah but one of those gifts was for you and I merely told you it was for someone else so there is still a bit of surprise left."

Daphne was privately sure she knew which one that was but kept it to herself. Out loud she said, "I had Tracey get yours. I hope you like it."

"I'm sure I will," Harry said.

Soon they were done in the bathroom and still chatting about plans for the day they walked back into the bedroom together and saw Tracey sitting there dressed.

"Hi Tracey," Harry said. "Just came to ogle or here to say breakfast is ready?"

"I think the goddess might have made some changes in you Harry," Tracey said.

Harry shrugged, "After making love in front a bunch of naked people, including her parents and you, I don't feel as nervous about being seen naked as I used to be. So I guess we should dress huh?" He went towards the dresser that had his clothes, "It'll be weird putting on clothes manually after all these months of doing it by magic."

"If you want to dress me with magic you can Harry," Daphne said.

Harry grinned, "Okay." He waved his wand and conjured panties in the Potter tartan on her.

She looked down and smiled, "Claiming your territory Harry?"

"Why not?" he replied. "You claimed me months ago right?"

"Very true," she replied. "I'll make you an offer. You dress me and I'll dress you."

"I accept!" Harry said. His wand moved more and a scarlet silk skirt appeared on her.

Daphne's wand flew to her hand and she conjured a kilt on Harry in his family's tartan.

Tracey blinked, "You still have access to Harry's magic?"

Daphne grinned, "Yes! I'll tell everyone all about it after we eat. That way I will only have to say it once." She conjured a sporran to go with Harry's kilt and put the Potter crest on it.

Harry cast a support charm to lift and separate her breasts, supporting them in individual cradles before conjuring a bra on her also in the Potter pattern. He followed that with a shimmery golden shirt with a deep décolletage. "There!" he said. "That's perfect."

She smirked, "I'm happy as well. You look good without a shirt and it's traditional to wear naught under your kilt."

"Fine by me," Harry said. "If anyone asks though, I'll tell them it was your idea."

Daphne pulled Tracey off the bed, "Let's go eat."

Harry followed them out. They discovered that they needed to cross a threshold or doorway at the same time or be in contact with each other. So by the time they entered the dining room they were holding hands again and upon seeing them her father called out surprised, "Are you back to that then?"

Daphne smiled and raised both hands, "No, I've both hands free. There is more to it than that but we'll tell the story after we've eaten. What's for brunch?"

As she sat her mother said, "I'm surprised to see you in Gryffindor colors dear."

Daphne smiled widely, "Oh, I made a deal with Harry. He got to dress me and I got to dress him. I'm told his conjurations last uncommonly long. I guess we'll see."

Helene Greengrass turned to Harry and said, "That blouse is conjured? You must have a wonderful imagination."

Harry blushed, "Thank you but it isn't so exotic. Just a gold colored shirt."

"Non," she replied. "It is not. It fits well. Its color is vibrant. And the fabric looks very exotic to me. What would you call it?"

Harry shrugged, "I dunno. I saw one of your countrywomen wear a similar fabric in a silvery color and I just reproduced it. I thought Daphne would look better in a color that matches her though so I shifted that."

Helene reached across the table and brought some Daphne's hair over her shoulder to lay across the shirt, "It is close but the shirt is a brighter gold. I might even say purer."

Daphne swallowed a piece of scone she slathered with honey and shrugged, "Harry said a matching color not an exact match. I like it. I might try to find a match in the shops although I doubt I'd wear it with a skirt like this. It might look quite nice with a set of black trousers though."

"I'll be sure to take pictures after brunch then so you'll have a reference for going shopping," Helene said.

Daphne nodded agreement and started eating in earnest. Everyone followed suit and very little conversation flowed as hungry people ate delicious food. Eventually though everyone was sated and the table was being cleared.

"Why don't you show Harry the library?" Daphne's father asked her. "We'll all meet there to hear what the goddess said to you."

"Yes, Father," Daphne said. Harry stood and took her hand and she led him to the library.

"Isn't this an unusual place to have a talk?" Harry asked.

"What, with it being a library and all?" she replied. "Not really, it's a private one so nobody will tell us to shush if we all want to talk. Normally if you see somebody reading you should try to be quiet but it's not uncommon for people to chat at the tables here about some book or other. Or plotting mischief in whispers." She smiled at that, remembering all the whispering she did with Tracey here. "I guess I should start including you in my plotting."

Harry smiled, "I'd like that. I'll include you in mine as well."

A servant showed up with a tray of hot chocolates and set them on a table shortly before the rest arrived in the room.

Harry said, "I was wondering if you had servants. The house is so large but last night you were all doing the cooking yourself and I saw no one."

"On the holy days we give the servants the day off," Anitra Greengrass said. "So yesterday the house was empty of all but us while today we have the usual help. I think they prefer to be away while we gallivant about naked anyway." The woman who brought the cocoa smiled at that but said nothing as she left the room.

Everyone took a mug and Harry started to talk, "Hecate said she was of two minds about our problem. She said they were good aspects as well as bad. She said she had a compromise solution but that it was permanent. She also said she could make so that it was if it had never happened."

Daphne took over the tale, "But if we took that option she'd also make it so that we'd never spent all that time together and I didn't want that."

"Neither did I," Harry said. "I've become a better person because of her and I don't want to ever lose that or her."

Daphne, "She also offered to leave things be but we rejected that as well."

Harry said, "Her compromise was to break the physical connection but keep some side effects of it and add a few of her own. We have to stay in the same room but Daphne still has access to my magic and we both still have the blood protection against poison and Riddle."

Daphne added, "Harry can tell my emotions now if he wants and we both gained a little extra knowledge of magic."

Harry nodded and sipped his hot cocoa, "That's true."

"Well, it could be worse," Alexander said. "Are you happy with your choice?"

They both answered, "Yes."

"Then I'm happy too," he said.

Daphne said, "If you are all satisfied now Harry and I need to check with the goblins about construction and how Astoria is. Then confirm our arrival time with Weasley family on the twenty-fifth. Several of them are good friends of Harry and he has purchased Christmas presents for them. We also need to recruit the eldest son for a project we are planning over the Yule holidays."

"I see Harry isn't slowing you down any," Anitra said. "Good."

Daphne replied, "Nope, just gave me more resources and a cause to fight for."

Harry smiled, "First I think we should exchange presents. Then we can start on your to do list dear."

Daphne grinned, "Oh yes, I'd nearly forgotten!" She kissed Harry then pulled him up to stand next to her. She shouted, "Tallyho! To the present pile!" They rushed off and the others followed.