A Different Sort of Bond

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Harry Potter.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I'm sorry this is late and a bit anticlimactic. I have been trying for a more satisfying ending but I think I shall have to settle for a few chapters of wrap up to give closure. Thank you for reading.

Chapter 32

The tutors apparated away once they reached English soil, except for Bill and Fleur. With Bill and Fleur stood Harry, Daphne, Neville, Tracey, Hermione, Luna, Susan, Hannah, and Ginny. As they stood looking around a voice called out, "Lord Potter is that you?"

Raising his wand as he looked for the voice Harry replied, "Yes, it is."

"Oh, I am chuffed to hear it," said the voice. "We have Riddle secured but need you to be able to finish him off." The man walked out from behind a building as he spoke, "I'm Agent Wooster of the ICW. We have been waiting for you and your cohorts."

"How do we know this is the truth?" Daphne said.

The man pulled out a badge, "Do you know how to verify an ICW badge?"

"I do," said Susan.

"Brilliant!" he said. "You must be Ms. Bones. I shall toss it toward you and you can verify it before I get any closer." He tossed it in their general direction and Susan went out to get it while they covered her.

After retrieving it she hurried back then passed her wand over it, then said, "It's real."

Harry nodded and smiled, "I'm happy to see you as well Mr. Wooster. What news?"

The man walked over and retrieved his badge, "Well we have all the terrorists left alive in custody and we are temporarily in charge of the country until at least some of its senior officials get back. We have been in touch with Madam Bones and the rest but they say they cannot leave without your help."

"Oh right," Harry said. "I, we, would have been back sooner but we thought we might be coming back into a war zone so we wanted to be as prepared as possible."

"Quite understandable," Agent Wooster said. "As it is we, the ICW team, have been on the island for seven months and it has been safe for at least four." He pulled out his wand, "I'll just send a patronus and let everyone know we're coming in. Once you deal with Riddle we can see about restoring the government or as much as has survived."

It was actually fairly simple after that. They were escorted to the temporary headquarters of the ICW. They are using a building in Diagon Alley that was abandoned when the owners fled the war.

"We have him down this way," Wooster said. "We transfigured him to stone to make him easier to deal with. No chance of escape. We actually have all his remaining allies in custody as far as we know but we are taking no chances with him." He stopped at a door, "I assumed you know a spell for smashing rock? We've investigated the prophecy and you do need to be the one to deliver the final blow but I suppose it could be by hammer just as easily."

Harry grinned, "Either way is fine by me but I do know both blasting and disintegrating spells." He lifts his wand and turns toward the door, "Let's end this."

Wooster nodded and opened the door. Inside was what looked like an ugly statue, "It took six of us in concert but we managed to transfigure him into a statue. We destroyed his snake and as far as we can tell he has no other horcruxes left so once you shatter this he should be gone permanently."

Harry nodded and drew his wand, "Perfringo!" The shattering curse he cast turned the statue into flying shards. As they flew a dark cloud rose and shouted its anger and pain, then dissipated.

"Excellent!" Wooster said. "I believe that's done it."

"Now we can go and get everyone on the island," Susan said. "Auntie Amelia will be pleased."

"Are the docks still intact?" Harry said. "We need a Potter owned ship to get there."

"The docks are damaged but The Jolly Roger remains intact," Wooster said. "It's protective wards are very potent."

"Do you have a place where we can stay the night?" Daphne said. "It's a long trip. One best started in the morning."

"And we have more questions to ask," said Hermione.

"Come with me," Wooster said. "Questions should wait until everyone is home again but I daresay we can find you a few rooms. You might be a bit crowded though. Is that a problem?""

"Not at all," Daphne said. "We have all gotten to know each other quite well."

"Brilliant," Wooster said. "Follow me then."

They followed him to a set of four rooms around a common area. Hermione, Luna, and Ginny had to sleep in the common room for a night but they had sleeping bags and they all ate food brought by house elves so it was good enough. Especially considering that they thought they might have to sleep in tents while waging a guerilla campaign.

The next morning they went down to the docks and boarded Harry's ship, The Jolly Roger. Even magically enhanced, it took the sailing ship two weeks to reach the island. At least it needed no human crew, except a Potter to be Captain and give orders.

Once they reached the island they found everyone more than ready to depart.