A Different Sort of Bond

Chapter 31

January 1999 Potter Island in Baffin Bay

They had all worked hard and after two years they had made remarkable progress. Small class size, expert instruction, motivated students, and no breaks longer than three days in a row allowed them to progress much faster than they would have normally. Ginny and Luna had caught with the older students and kept up thereafter. They were unable to take their OWL tests on the island of course and no one was able to take their NEWT tests either but the instructors had given them sufficient tests to show how deep their knowledge of the subjects were. In Runes and Arithmancy Harry, Neville, and Hannah had picked up an understanding of equal to OWL level even though they had never taken any of the classes previously. The rest of the group had a better than NEWT level understanding of Runes and Arithmancy and if they had been normal students would now be on their way to Mastery of the subjects. In Defense, Potions, Transfiguration, and Charms they had all could have passed their NEWT examinations. Neville had finished his Herbology studies in and around his other studies and was assured that he could easily pass the NEWT exam in that course.

There was more to learn but their instructors gave them a week off and had an improvised graduation ceremony planned. They had all gathered around the exercise pool and talked about whether they should continue.

Neville, who had gone back to his masculine figure by this point said, "I don't know about the rest of you but I am painfully aware of how much I still have to learn. We haven't even started warding and curse breaking yet because some of us, including me, aren't far enough along in our Rune studies. We're well educated compared to most Hogwarts graduates but we still have a long ways to go to before we have learned everything the instructors can teach us. And we'll need every advantage we can get if we plan on going back to magical Britain and helping out."

Harry nodded at that. He was wearing swim trunks. He along with Neville and Hermione were the only ones who still wore suits when in the pool when there were no teachers around. "That's true, Neville," he said. "But can we justify taking even more time to study? We have no idea if magical Britain is even still there to save."

Daphne said, "If we go back unprepared we won't accomplish anything positive. We'll be outnumbered horribly regardless so we'll need to do hit and run tactics until we can find or create allies. To do that successfully we'll need more skills than we have now." She hugged Harry, "I know you worry but rushing in half ready will be worse than not going at all. While we are out of his reach Riddle and his people will have to worry about us and we'll provide hope to any resistance. If we go in too soon and get caught or killed then that's less thing for Riddle to worry about and less hope for our side."

Tracey said while changing the diapers on all three babies, "Besides, it's at least as likely that the war is over and Riddle has been defeated by a coalition raised by the International Council and we're not needed at all. Sure the prophecy probably means you'll have to get rid of Riddle yourself but as we keep pointing out just because he is probably alive doesn't mean that he can still cause trouble. The IWC has some magic proof cells in the basement of their Geneva headquarters and they could always stick him with Grindelwald. Either way he'll keep until you can safely show back up officially."

Hermione said, "They are right Harry. Once we leave here we'll have to deal with whatever situation is going on back home. We should be absolutely sure we can handle it before we go."

Harry said, "What do the rest of you think?"

Susan said, "Well I don't want to go back yet if the war is still on. Can't we find out one way or another before we decide? Have you asked the goblins Harry?"

"I have and they claim not to know anything," Harry replied. "The British branch of Gringott's is still closed though so everything can't be back to normal can it?"

"Not necessarily," Luna said. "It might just not be profitable enough to re-open. If the death eaters were all killed then between them, those who fled, and those stuck on this island and the one in the South Pacific, their might not be enough account holders of sufficient size to be worth the bother. People might be flooing requests to banks on the continent or the new Ministry might have set up its own bank. It's even possible that one of the Swiss banks that work with the IWC arranged to have a monopoly in Britain in exchange for funding and the goblins don't want to admit they have been banned from re-opening their British branch."

Hannah looked up from where she was rubbing lotion on Susan. The artificial sunlight in the room couldn't either tan or burn even a fair skinned redhead like Susan but that hadn't stopped Hannah from offering or kept Susan from accepting. Hannah said, "I hadn't thought of that. I know some people were upset about the goblin monopoly on banking that weren't blood supremacists. They might have taken the chance to change things while they could. With the old Ministry fallen all its old contracts and agreements are null and void. If the war is over then we might return to a significantly different Britain."

"Which is the only reason I want to go back," Susan said. "I have no relatives or friends left over there. They were all either at the reception or had left already. I do want to try to have a hand in any rebuilding going on but without being prominent in the war I doubt I'll have much say. A conquering hero would go far but a person who left before it got bad and came back after it was all over will have no real political prospects."

Ginny said, "Remember Harry, only you can release people from that island. No one else can find it and they can't leave except on the ship only a Potter can sail. If you get yourself killed what about them?"

Harry sighed, "I'm not trying to get myself killed Ginny. I have a son now and a wife if Daphne will ever agree to marry me. I just don't want to leave the Riddle situation hanging over my head any longer than I have to."

Daphne smirked, "Well we don't have anyone here who can marry us according to my religion and no temples either so we can't get married. Just be glad you aren't celibate and stop whining about it."

Ginny said, "Merlin yes! It's been almost enough to make me swing on the other side of the street. I'm a legal adult in the wizarding world now and all the professors I ask still tell me I'm too young. Are you sure you don't feel like sharing Daphne? Or you Tracey?"

"I'm sure," Daphne said. "And you should stop whining too. Maybe if you did an instructor would think you were mature enough to handle it."

"I'm not sharing either Ginny but one more year ought to do it," Tracey said. "Surely you can last?"

"I guess I'll have to won't I?" Ginny replied with a pout.

Hermione said, "You think we can learn everything in one more year Tracey?"

"We've gotten all the basics out of the way," Tracey replied. "A year should be enough to fill in the rest. At least all the stuff that can be taught in a classroom and that might be useful in a battle. We have learned to apparate and make portkeys, even if we can't leave the island without Harry's blood in them. All that's left is applications of the stuff we have already learned like creating wards and cracking them, knowledge of healing beyond first aid spells, and the basics of spell creation. We won't be experts in a year but at that point we'll need practical experience to go much farther." She took a deep breath, "Then we can leave and see what's happened to our country."

June 2000 A.D.

On Potter island in Baffin Bay

It took another eighteen months but eventually all of them were rated as apprentice curse breakers, and have each created at least one spell. Only Hermione and Tracey have mastered the advanced healing spells. They meet back by the pool to discuss things again.

"Okay," Harry said. "Now I think we are ready. Anybody disagree?"

Tracey said, "Our children are old enough that we won't have to make special arrangements for them but Hermione's research clearly shows that Fleur's little girl shouldn't travel by portkey for another six months."

Hermione nodded, "I'm surprised no one has discovered it before." She shrugged, "Then again from what I could tell most magical people don't travel with infants under a year much at all. Which is probably wise, all things considered."

"I'm amazed Fleur could look so beautiful even when nine months gone," Ginny said.

"Well she does have an advantage," Luna said. "Being part Veela must help with that."

"I think Daphne looked just as radiant and lovely while pregnant," Harry said.

"That won't get me to marry you any sooner Potter," Daphne replied and the others all laughed.

"I'm pretty sure he meant that Daphne," Hermione said. "He's totally nutty about you."

"You sure he's not just nuts?" Daphne said but then she kissed him to take the sting out of it.

"Am I nuts for liking you?" Harry teased back. "Are you sure you want to ask that?" Then he kissed her and they kept going until Hermione interrupted.

"I thought we came here to discuss whether to stay or leave," Hermione said. "Not to watch Harry and Daphne make out."

"Hah!" Ginny said. "So more than three years with no sex is bothering you too!"

Hermione blushed and looked at Luna who smiled back. Luna said, "Not quite three years for us."

Hermione blushed and said, "Hey, I'm allowed to experiment a little right?"

"Of course Hermione," Harry said.

"Getting back to the topic," Ginny said. "If we do stay long enough for little Victoria to be able to portkey safely what is left to learn?"

"Well I checked with the goblins and they offered to have an expert of theirs teach us about Guerilla warfare and something he called "small unit tactics". If Harry is willing to pay for it of course," Hermione said.

Harry nodded, "I'll check the price but I'm willing in principle. We can get better at warding and curse breaking too." He sighed, "I want to go but I can't take a chance on little Vicky's life no can we leave her behind with her parents. Everyone try not to get pregnant though. I don't want any more delays."

"Tell Fleur that," Tracey said.

Harry smiled, "I think I will." He gave Daphne a kiss then asked, "Come with me love?"

Daphne sighed and stood, "Tracey will you watch Alexander for us?"

"Sure," Tracey said.

Daphne turned to Harry, "I'll go if you let me do the talking."

Harry smiled, "I think I can manage that. It will be good practice for being married I hear."

"You only think you're funny," she replied. "Keep making jokes like that and Ginny won't the only one sexually frustrated around here." She ignored Ginny's mutter as she took Harry's hand and they left the pool to look for Fleur.

January 2001

"Are we ready now?" Harry asked.

"Yes, Harry I think we're as ready as we're getting," Hermione said. "Pack for an English winter and start making portkeys for us. We'll leave as soon as everyone is packed and has a portkey."

In forty-eight hours everyone was ready and Harry had made a large portkey for everyone. Fleur had Victoria in an enchanted baby carrier that would ensure she was brought along safely. Everyone else including the other children were standing and holding onto the long chain portkey.

"Okay," said Harry. "Here we go!" Then he triggered the portkey and they all disappeared in a flash of light to reappear in England.