A Different Sort of Bond
Disclaimer: Same as previous chapters
Author's Note: Many thanks to my newest BETA and all my older ones too.
Second Author's Note: Edited on 05/28/2016.
Chapter 28
After they had all eaten, and Astoria was sent back to her room, with a promise from Daphne that she'd visit. Then a goblin came to escort them all to their rooms. All their rooms were along one hallway.
Hermione told the others, "I want to shower off the sweat and sleep. If our clothes are back early I will be out earlier. Otherwise I'll wait until I can be suitably dressed."
Ginny was given the room across from Hermione. She entered without comment and closed the door.
The next room on the right was Luna's. Susan had the room across from her. Hannah had the room next to hers. Across from Hannah was an empty room.
At the end of the corridor were two doors. Harry and Daphne went in one and found a sitting room, then a door led them into a bedroom, with a walk in closet and a full bathroom attached. It was the same for Neville and Tracey.
Daphne said, "This sitting room is huge! It looks to be over twenty five feet in all directions. The carpet is deep as fuck and really soft." She stroked a chair, "These furnishings look elegant and antique. The walls are a nice, soft white and the fireplace is thankfully cold.
Harry said, "I agree. This looks nice."
A squeal of joy was heard from the other suite. Harry found himself hoping the bedrooms at least were soundproofed. Then he remembered silencing charms and smiled.
Daphne said, "Let's see the rest of it before we decide." Then she reached behind her and unhooked her bra, "First though I'm getting out of these sweaty clothes." She sighed in relief as she took it off, "Normally I'd have gotten naked long past, but I didn't want to bother until after I'd seen Tori."
Dobby appeared to collect the clothes she removed. Harry stooped down to Dobby's height, "Hello Dobby! Are you being treated well here? Come to think of it, why are you here?"
"Oh yes Harry Potter sir!" Dobby said. "They is treating Dobby well indeed! And Dobby goes where Harry Potter sir goes."
Harry said, "I'm glad to hear that Dobby." He looked up and saw Daphne at the doorway to the next room looking impatient. As relieved as he was to see his friend being treated well, seeing his naked girlfriend looking impatient overrode his desire for small talk so he quickly shucked his boxers and hurried to the bedroom door.
Dobby smiled as he disappeared with the clothes.
Harry took Daphne's hand so they could easily cross the threshold and said, "Sorry to keep you waiting dear."
"It's alright," she said. She smirked, "At least you're properly dressed. Let's enter the bedroom, check out the closet space then take a shower."
He smiled, "Yay, a shower I get to be awake for."
She snorted, "You are too easily pleased."
The bedroom was even larger than the sitting room with a mirrored dresser off to the right with a single well-upholstered chair in front of it. To their left was the open door to the walk in closet. Just past it on the same side was the bathroom door. The door to the closet was open and inside they could see a closet bigger than bedroom Harry had slept in at the Dursleys. It was empty at the moment but they could see many hangers along the wall and shoe racks and dressers as well. There was a full length mirror along the far wall of the closet. Straight ahead from where they entered was the bed. It was a king-sized sleigh-style bed with black silk sheets, white pillows and a red comforter embroidered in gold. To the right of the bed was a windows with the curtains open showing a blizzard outside.
Harry said, "It's so weird to see a blizzard and feel so warm."
Daphne smiled, "That's only because you didn't grow up with magic." She took his hand and led him into the bathroom, "Now let's go check out the bathing facilities."
Once inside she looked around. "I like the two sinks below one large mirror. Lots of counter space and my own sink. I'm a fan." She snorted when she saw two toilets side by side, "That's rather unusual but I have no problem with it. I guess the architect thought it might come in handy considering our condition but I doubt we'll need it unless we both eat some bad seafood or something."
Harry said, "A sunken tub and a shower. Now that's what I call decadent."
She looked over at the tub, "It looks easily big enough for two. Want to try it out or use the shower?"
"I'd prefer the tub," Harry said. "We can soak out any soreness from the long day."
She nodded, "Well you're the wandless wonder, start the taps going while I see what they have to put in for bubbles and scent."
Harry put a finger on the taps and directed a little magic at them. The swan shaped spout started pouring out hot water and he sat on the edge of the tub until Daphne came back with two bottles.
"These should do," she said and poured some of both in the water.
Harry summoned two washcloths from the rack on the wall and slid into the tub. Looking up at her standing in front of him on the rim he said, "Now here's a lovely view."
She smiled back, "Thank you." She stepped into the water, "If you'll summon my wand from the counter I'll enchant the washcloths."
"Maybe I want to wash you," Harry said.
"You can rub whatever you like later," Daphne said. She stretched a long arm and snagged her wand from the sink counter, "I want to make we're both clean first." She waved her wand over both washcloths and they started moving under the cloud of suds covering the top of the water.
"Yes dear," Harry said.
Meanwhile, in the other suite, Neville and Tracey were very happy at their rooms. The sitting room was essentially the same as in the other master suite but had a different color scheme. Seeing it made Tracey squeal and hug Neville, "It looks divine! I love it! Let's go see the other rooms."
He smiled back at her, "Sure honey. I wish I could be male for you and that it could be a real honeymoon, but I'm still happy to be here with you."
Tracey gave him a sly smile, "Well there may be one or two things we can do of a honeymoon like nature. We'll see." Neville blushed.
The bedroom was done in blue, green, and cream. There was a double sized crib next to the bed and the window was in the far wall. Hanging over each end of the crib was a mobile of melee weapons. Little axes, swords, daggers, and maces of soft plastic. Neville set one twirling and smiled. He wondered what goblin nannies were like. Then again, given that the weapons looked remarkably realistic, maybe it was for the best that he didn't find out.
Hearing Tracey squeal again got his attention. He went over to the bathroom door and looked in. He grinned at the sight of her bouncing up and down on her toes naked and five months pregnant, "You look lovely dear. But better be careful you don't knock into anything."
"Neville!" she said excitedly. "Isn't this the loveliest bathroom? And it's all ours! I want one like this in our house after the war!"
"Sure," he said. His eyes were following her nipples as they bounced, "I should get naked too. Do you think the tub will fit the both us and our bellies?"
She grinned, "Yes, I think so. While you strip I'll go find some bath oils to keep our skin smooth and hopefully avoid stretch marks." Soon Neville and Tracey were enjoying their bath as well.
Hermione sighed as she closed her door. "I wish I was more like Ginny and the twins about clothing," she said to herself as she stripped. "Oh well tomorrow I'll have my clothes and I can dress for the weather without going about in my underwear."
Once she was naked and had thanked the house elf for taking her things to be cleaned she looked around the room. It had a queen sized bed, a table with two chairs under a window, a dresser and a closet. "No en suite bathroom? Too bad, I could use a bath right now."
As soon as she said that a house elf she recognized as Winky popped in, "There is a bathing room not far mistress Hermione."
"Hello Winky, how are you?" Hermione asked.
"I am fine mistress," Winky replied. "Thank you for asking. Do you want me to get you a robe and show you to the bathing room?"
'Yes please," Hermione said. "I'd rather not go to bed dirty."
With a snap Winky draped a terry cloth robe over Hermione's arm and said, "Follow me Mistress."
Hermione put the thick robe on and followed Winky out the door she saw other house elves leading Luna, Ginny, Hannah, and Susan down the hallway. "Well everyone but the two couples huh?"
Ginny giggled, "I'm guessing the two suites have en suite bathrooms with at least showers."
That reminded Hermione of something, "Winky will you stand watch outside the bath and let us know if someone is coming?"
"Yes Mistress," Winky said.
"Is there anyone there now?" Hermione asked.
"Mistress Astoria is just leaving now," Winky said. You'll just miss her unless you hurry."
Hermione and the rest actually slowed down, "I don't mind missing her. I just want to relax and hearing her talk about how ladies shouldn't bathe naked would add stress instead."
Susan laughed, "Yes, this will be a lot more fun without her."
Hannah leaned in and whispered, "Just mind where your eyes go Sue. Unless you want me to get jealous."
Susan blushed then turned to see if anyone noticed. She saw Luna looking right at her. She didn't seem close enough to have heard them but you never knew. Sue worried for a minute but she could never read Luna's face anyway so there was no way to tell if she'd heard.
Soon they came to a door labeled "Natatorium". Inside was a large room with two pools, The nearest still had some soap foam in the water until a goblin tapped runes on the side.
"That cleans the water," the goblin explained. "We patterned this after an ancient Roman style bath. Scrub out here with these," he indicated soap and shampoo along with brushes and washcloths. Then rinse the soap off by dunking yourself in the cold pool. Once you're clean you can move on the farther pool. The nearer side is the coolest and it gets hotter the farther you go. Find a good spot for you and relax in the heat." He gestured at hanging towels, "When you're done dry off and exit and I'll reset the runes for the next group."
The ladies scrubbed off dried sweat and grime of the day and helped wash each other's hair. Then they rinsed off and went to go soak in the hot pool. By unspoken agreement conversation was light. Harmless gossip and small talk with no deeper meaning. Ginny was the first person to leave the heated water and dry off.
"I'll see you all tomorrow," she said and left.
One by one the others also left quickly after that. Luna was the last to leave. As she walked down the hallway she stopped outside one door for a moment as if considering then sighed and went to her own room.