ADB#27

DISCLAIMER: I don't own the Potterverse!

Author's Note: Many thanks to Jesternz my newest Beta.

Second Author's Note: Edited on 5/28/2016.

Harry lead them to a study that was paneled in dark woods, with a thick red carpet on the floor that swallowed the sound of their footsteps. It had a fireplace that was cheerfully blazing away unfortunately making the room even warmer. There were several comfortable looking leather armchairs scattered around the room in pairs or trios. Along one wall was a bookcase along one wall and there were lamps in all four corners

Harry walked up the nearest lamp and tapped it with his wand. It lit up and smiling he lit the others too, "Everyone find a chair and take off your outer robes before you pass out from the heat. We all need to remember to stay hydrated and avoid heat exhaustion. Heat will kill just as dead as cold but more insidiously. We can live with it and even train in it if you remember to stay hydrated and dress appropriately."

Hermione added, "I certainly agree to dress appropriately for the temperature. If you wear clothing made to cope with an English winter in this heat, and don't stay hydrated, you will pass out. If no one finds you then you might even die."

Harry nodded as he tossed his robe and shirt along with the clothing he was holding for Daphne on a chair and went to sit in another. "This is serious business."

Daphne moved into a chair near Harry to sit next to him. Susan took off her robe revealing a long sleeved wool tunic that reached her knees and tossed the robe on top of the others then hesitated. She kicked of her shoes and looked questioningly at Hannah, who shrugged.

"It's up to you Sue, " Hannah said and added her wool robe and shoes to the pile. Hannah took off her sweater to reveal a silk shift underneath and tucked into a skirt that she then added to the pile as well and sat in a chair.

Susan wiped sweat off her forehead and considered, "Can somebody douse that fire?"

Ginny was closest and pulled out her wand. She cast a quick spell, "Aguamenti!" and sprayed water into the fireplace and it went out but sent a cloud of warm white fog billowing into the room. Not hot enough to scald the steam made the room feel humid and sticky.

While Susan debated between comfort and modesty Luna stripped to her bra and panties, and left everything else on the chair.

Ginny took off her robe, sweater, and wool pants leaving her in a tank top and large cotton bloomers.

Harry turned back to the fireplace and cast, "Glacius!" The fireplace bricks frosted over and the temperature in the room dropped.

Susan dithered a little longer, then she pulled off her wool tunic with a little help from Tracey and tossed it on the pile. She sighed in relief. She ended up in bra, and opaque tights and went to see if Tracey needed help.

"It's hotter than mum's kitchen in August," Ginny said.

Both Neville and Susan helped Tracey out of her wedding gown which got laid on a different chair. Then Susan and Tracey helped Neville take off his tuxedo and lay it on a chair and this left both him and Tracey in bras and boxer shorts.

The three of them went to sit with Hannah leaving Hermione as the last one. Hermione pursed her lips then sighed and removed only her robe and shoes. She went and sat next to Ginny, "Well we are all sitting but I do hope we won't be arguing."

Harry smiled, "Well I'm not planning on doing any. I just wanted to rest while I wait for Spell Dodger."

It was actually a different goblin who found them, still sitting around the room, about ten minutes later and introduced himself, "Hello Mr. Potter, I am Trebuchet, the primary architect of this fortification. Spell Dodger thought this made me the best person to answer your questions while he oversees speeding up the schedule."

Harry smiled, "First, I'd like to say that I know we are here months earlier than we had planned so there is no reason to expect you'd be 100% done. That said could you tell us how close to done you are and specifically if we have a thermostat or some other way to fine tune the temperature in here?"

The goblin blinked, "A thermostat? No, sorry, I've never heard of one before. A way for the customer to fine tune the temperature for himself sounds like a great idea though. Let me just make a note of that and I'll continue with my briefing." He pulled out a self-inking quill and a piece of parchment out of the goblin army uniform he wore and made a note. Then he unrolled a scroll and said, "This structure has two dozen suites furnished for humans with ensuite bathrooms, complete with bedding, and everything else we could determine human bedrooms and bathrooms normally have. We had planned for you to come by in a week or two to verify that we hadn't missed anything but as it is if you notice anything missing let us know and we will do our best to supply it." He grinned, "For a price of course, unless it was specifically asked for and is missing."

He looks up from his scroll, "Actually that applies to anything that can be purchased outside in the muggle or magical worlds. We will supply it either gratis if it's an integral part of what we were contracted to supply or for a fee."

Looking back down he continues, "We have food supplies for 24 humans for three years. We have staff removing food from stasis in order to get it ready to feed you and your guests. We have enough lecture halls, lab and practice spaces for all the classes and they have been supplied to the requirements of the teaching staff. The teaching staff themselves can't be here until a week from today but the housekeeping and cooking staff are here."

He looked unhappy then stated, "Unfortunately we cannot make any major changes to the environment without clearing everyone out for weeks while we remove the current spells and redo them. Therefore the temperature will stay as it is presently. If you need to blame someone then I take responsibility. I had been informed that you, your bond mate, and your closest friends preferred to walk about in a state of undress and I wanted to be sure the temperature was comfortable for that. It is comfortable for us. Our bank is not climate controlled so it can fluctuate but our living spaces are all this temperature. It was of course the plan for you to confirm or deny that before taking residence but we did tell you it would be habitable by this date and if you don't find it so that is my fault."

Daphne said, "You've done so much in so little time that I can't bring myself to complain. This is warmer than I expected but still well within the habitable range for humans. What is it? Somewhere in the nineties on the Fahrenheit scale?"

"Yes miss," the goblin said. "It is 35 Celsius in here."

Harry said, "I'm satisfied and I'm sure we'll all adjust." Then he had an idea, "I hope Astoria had no problems with the heat?'

"She did at first," Trebuchet replied. "She refused to wear less than three layers of clothing and refused to drink enough water." He shrugged, "So we put in place procedures to prevent her from suffering heat stroke or anything similar."

Daphne winced, hoping the procedures weren't too harsh. "Would it be possible to see her before we settle into our rooms?"

The goblin said, "I'll go send someone to tell the guards." He stepped out and returned shortly. "Are you satisfied with the job we've done other than the temperature?"

Daphne nodded, "I'm satisfied so far."

The goblin smiled, "I'm glad. Shall I have food and drink sent up or would you rather see your rooms now?"

"Can you bring our clothes from our residences?" Hermione asked.

The goblin nodded, "Yes miss. That is being done. It will take until tomorrow morning local time to get them here undetected but they are on their way."

"And what time is it here?" Hermione asked.

"It is currently 11:36 a.m. here," the goblin said.

Harry said, "Well we didn't get a chance to eat any cake at your wedding Nev or toast you with champagne so I propose we do both then anyone who wants more food can order it." He looked over at Trebuchet. "Actually considering the pregnancies we should go with sparkling non-alcoholic cider." He smiled, "At least I don't need to make a speech so there is one more good thing about today."

The goblin nodded, "I'll go arrange it." He left and soon house elves appeared with cake and champagne. Hermione gave Harry a glare but said nothing as she could tell he was surprised too. She made sure to ask all their names and if they were happy. She was glad to hear they were.

As they were sipping the sparkling cider Astoria was led in by two armed goblins. She was in a long shift which came to her knees and barefoot. She was wearing elaborate makeup that was running from the sweat pouring down her face. She ran to her sister who moved toward her as well. The guards spoke, "We are part of the guards for Astoria. We make sure she stays hydrated. After the second time she fainted from the heat we removed most of the clothing from her cell. When our commander was informed that you wanted to see her we brought her."

After her initial desperate hug Astoria pulled back and looked at her sister. "Why doesn't anyone in the family dress respectably? The old guard are right about muggleborn and halfbloods corrupting our values. I may have been forced to dress in this scandalous fashion but here you stand doing it on purpose! How are you going to find a proper husband if you don't act demure and modest?"

Hermione rolled her eyes, "Your sister already has one and you know it. Stop trying to start an argument!"

Astoria stomped a foot, "You say that but I see you are still fully dressed."

Astoria sat next to Hermione and Ginny and started to tell them of all the impositions the guards put on her. They listened and it occurred to Ginny that Astoria sounded like her great aunt Muriel.

After listening long enough to assure herself that her little sister was actually being treated quite well regardless of whether or not she believed it Daphne went back over to Harry and picked up her glass of cold cider.

"I'm glad she's being treated well, despite her protesting," Daphne said to Harry. "I've been worried that what the goblins consider good treatment of a prisoner would not agree with what I think."

Harry smiled, "I'm glad to hear that too. I'm also happy to see that Hermione and Ginny are talking to her."

Daphne giggled, "You don't think she'll hit it off with one of them do you?"

Harry shrugged, "I'm sure Ginny is completely straight. Astoria and Hermione? I don't know but I wouldn't mind as long as Hermione doesn't get hurt. I've never thought Ron was a good match for her. I love them both but they are very different people. If Astoria and Hermione did fall for each other at least it will take Astoria's mind off Draco." He shrugged, "I sort of doubt it though."

Daphne shrugged as well, "True. I won't worry about it. Now how about you strip off a bit to show solidarity with my decision? Not to mention you can't be comfortable in what you have on."

Harry nodded and stood. He walked over to the pile of clothes and started stripping. Once he was down to his boxers he went back over to Daphne, "You're right love, this is better."

Daphne smiled and called one of the house elves to remove and wash all discarded clothing, "Once it's clean put it in the person's room." The excess clothing vanished and she settled down on Harry's lap to eat a piece of cake.

Harry had no hope of seeing anything except her back but he didn't object, he just wrapped both arms around her waist and gave her a small hug.

Daphne told the guards, "When Astoria has eaten and drank her fill take her back and thank you for your diligence in her care."