A Different Sort of Bond

DISCLAIMER: I don't own the Potterverse!

AUTHOR'S NOTE: The previous few chapters have been altered to remove Ron from the group that went to the Baffin Bay location. He ended up on the Pacific island with the rest. This chapter is a bit short but it's been so long since I last posted a chapter I wanted to get something out today.

Chapter 30

A routine seemed to be set on that first day that was only disrupted by the arrival of the tutors. They would all breakfast together dressed for the beach, then they would go to Daphne and Harry's suite for a study session. Most days the others wore even less when they were all in the sitting room studying. They would study the rest of the morning to try and prepare for the classes they knew were coming.

Afterward they would put back on anything they took off and meet for lunch. Occasionally they would see a senior goblin at lunch. He would ask them if everything was to their satisfaction and they would assure him it was. After lunch all of them would explore the place then head back for dinner. Then the girls would go bathe together and Neville would chat with Harry and Daphne while waiting for Tracey to come back.

The week passed in that fashion until on Sunday Trebuchet came into the dining room just after dinner to report, "The tutors you have hired will be here by morning. Would you like to see them individually as they get here or all of them together tomorrow morning?"

"Tomorrow after breakfast," Harry said. "That includes the two curse breakers?"

"Yes, sir," the goblin replied.

"Good," Harry said. "Then tomorrow we can start finishing our education and getting combat ready. Once we are done we'll get the adults from the other island and deal with Voldy and his death munchers once and for all."

Trebuchet nodded, "I'll go make the arrangements for them to be lead to rooms as they come in and make sure they are briefed and fed before you meet them."

The next morning everyone was excited and speculating about what they would learn. "I wonder if they'll pick up where we left off or if they have something different in mind," Hermione said.

Harry said, "When we were arranging this we agreed to give them freedom to arrange their own lessons but I am sure they will finish teaching us the NEWT level courses before jumping into any advanced lessons."

Trebuchet lead the group of tutors in. The first man shook Harry's hand hand saying, "I'm Ralph Wending. I'd like to thank you, personally for providing me and the missus with a way out of the madhouse Britain has become. If I didn't come here I don't know what I would have done."

"I'm glad to have helped," Harry said. "How bad has it gotten? We left a week ago when they attacked my friend's wedding reception."

"The Ministry has fallen!" the man replied. "Nobody has seen any of the main figures on the Light side of things except Dumbledore. He escaped when the Death eaters took the building and I hear tell he's got Hogwarts locked down tight. Nobody leaves and nobody gets in unless they can prove they're a student and swear a magical oath that they aren't working for you know you. They say that the armor suits from inside are now marching around the outside walls and attacking anyone who doesn't halt when asked."

Bill and Fleur were the last two people in and Bill said, "He's right. I can confirm the school is in war mode. Locked tighter than a miser's vault. All the old and apparently not so secret passages are sealed now. I think we all got out just in time. In fact if I hadn't gotten your message to come here I'd have left anyway and gone to visit Fleur's relatives in France."

Trebuchet nodded, "I have had communication from my people this morning. All our doors are shut in Great Britain. You won't find a goblin above ground anywhere in magical Britain until this war is finished, and then only if the current dark lord loses. We have credible intelligence that he plans genocide for us so we'll not give him the chance."

Daphne said, "Wow, I hope our pulling out didn't cause that."

Neville said, "Now you sound like Harry. No, they caused whatever it is they did. The only thing you could have done if you stayed was die and take Harry with you."

Daphne took a deep breath and nodded, "Thank you Neville. I hope you heard that too Harry."

Harry nodded, "Yes, it means we have even more reason to learn as much as we can as fast as we can. Bill? Do you know any magic that speed up time for us? I don't think we can be ready in under a year at best and I don't want to think what Britain will look like in a year or worse two."

"Sorry Harry, that can't be done," Bill replied. "You managed to get everyone you could to safety. The rest will have to take care of themselves."

Fleur gave her fiance a look, "It's not so bleak Harry. Remember the non death eaters outnumber the death eaters by many times. If they have started to move openly that just means they are easier for the general populace to spot and target. They should not need your aid."

Harry sighed, "I wish that was true but there was a prophecy made that said only I can kill Voldemort."

Bill said, "Even if that was a real prophecy and you have interpreted it properly, that doesn't mean that they can't win without you. Nothing is stopping them from dealing with his retinue for one thing. For another even if they can't kill him that doesn't mean they can petrify him, or transfigure him, or at least stun the crap out of him from a distance then pour draught of living death down his throat. None of those is killing him but all of them will keep him from causing more harm until you can safely dispose of him for good."

Fleur smiled, "See? It's not all on your shoulders. Besides even if the British don't do that the ICW will."

"They will?" asked Hermione.

"Oh yes," Fleur said. "Voldemort states he wishes to rule the muggles. This would violate the statute of secrecy, and it's an international statute. That would get the ICW involved if he succeeds in overthrowing the ministry."

"He already has I'd say," came a voice from behind her. "I'm Orion Sanderson, I tutor in Ancient Runes and their use in enchanting. I also work for the Wizarding Wireless making sure all the enchanted broadcast equipment works properly and replace anything broken. I was avoiding going in the last few days because death eaters have taken it over. I am also very grateful for your portkey. I was, like the other gentleman said, already planning to leave the country even though I don't know anyone in any other country. I doubt I'll go back to England when this job is over. I'll go see if the Canadians or Americans can use my talents."

"So then the problem may be over soon?" Tracey asked.

Fleur looked uncertain, "Well the ICW may already be involved but like the muggle UN it has no forces of its own. It will need to call up wizards from its member countries. Depending on how many it is decided they need that may take anywhere from one week to months. Still it certainly won't be years. Get as strong as you can Harry and take as much time as is necessary to do it. Your home will still be there when you are done."

Harry finally smiled, "Thank you Fleur. I'm feeling better about things now."

Trebuchet said, "Very good Harry. Now let me introduce you to everyone." He gestured to people as he spoke, "Mr. Ralph Wending is here to teach Arithmancy. Mr. Orion Sanderson is here to teach Runes, and if anyone shows enough aptitude he can teach enchanting as well. Ms. Bertheusen will teach Transfiguration. Mr. Weasley will start out teaching Defense until you each have a NEWT and then will switch to teaching warding and curse breaking. He won't teach anything proprietary to Gringott's but will teach the standard course on it. Ms. Delacour will teach Charms up until NEWT level then assist Mr. Weasley in teaching warding and curse breaking and she will have the same restrictions. Last but not least we have Ingrid Svensen who will be teaching Potions. They have been briefed on the environmental situation and had a chance to settle in. I'll leave you now so you can talk together and get started on your education."

As Trebuchet left Harry said, "How are you all not sweating in those robes?"

Fleur smiled, "Temperature control charms Harry. While you look very cute in your swim trunks I think I would be a distraction if I dressed the same. Although if you are the only male student perhaps that a needless concern as I know you are not affected by my allure and are well able to concentrate past my looks."

Daphne smiled, "He certainly is but poor Hannah is drooling already. I doubt she'd be in any shape to learn if you were dressed like we are."

Hannah blushed and closed her mouth, "I … I am not drooling! How dare you say that Daphne."

Bill shrugged, "No one here will care if you like girls Hannah. I'm familiar with goblin hiring practices and they wouldn't pick anyone biased in any way to work with Harry. That said, you do need to be able to concentrate in class."

"I can," Hannah said. "I promise. If I can study with Daphne shaking those huge melons at me I can learn to ignore Fleur's allure."

Daphne snickered and said, "I promise not to shimmy in class ok?"

Bill chuckled, "You'll be learning the temp control charms soon enough then you can dress how you like regardless."

"Daphne will probably keep wearing that anyway," Hermione said. 'But the rest of thank you."

"Good!" Bill clapped his hands. "Now let us go view our classrooms and start our first day properly."