With the arrival of the ministries and retreat of the Death Eaters, Professor Alfsson had opened the barriers to the Hall and the Barracks. The total count was in; they had lost forty-eight seventh years, twenty two sixth years, and all but Professors Draganov, von Marienberg, Alfsson, Konig, Rodriguez, and Albu. Many more were injured, including Klaus who had lost an eye. The loss of half the teachers, including the Highmaster was an especially crippling blow. The ministry forces quickly set to treating the injured, and securing the area. The ministries had responded as quickly as possible, mustering a strong enough force to overcome whatever force was attacking the Institute. The British never really understood the continents' fear of another Grindelwald; he was not like Voldemort, Britain's Dark Lord, who struck from the shadows, he did not engage in terrorist attacks. No, Grindelwald waged a full total war. It was brutal, and toppled whole governments. And, the fear of another doing the same was present throughout the continent. That the defenses of the fortress were destroyed so easily was very worrying for the different governments, who began to plan how to better defend their own places of import.
It was determined that the students would be sent home and arrangements with other schools would be made. Instead of the normal transportation, the different ministries set up portkeys that would take each student directly home. Before they left The entire student body was gathered, and addressed by the Professors. Professor Albu was the highest remaining Professor and so addressed them. First she had the school pay their respects with a moment of silence.
"Now, I am sure you are all wondering what will become of the school and yourselves, yes? First thing the school will be rebuilt, and built stronger with more defenses. We have already contacted many different groups, including the ministries that came to our aid, and even goblins." That caused a murmur. Goblins generally would not help create defenses for wizards in case a new war broke out between the two. "Further, we have been in contact with schools about your studies for the rest of the year, You will be taken into those schools to facilitate your learning, but you will remain Durmstrang students. Beauxbatons has been kind enough to take students from Germany, Austria, Scandinavia, and Hungary, Koldovstoretz has agreed to take students from the other nations east of those going to Beauxbatons. Professors Rodriguez and von Marienburg will accompany those who will be going to Beauxbatons, and Professors Konig and Draganov to Koldovstoretz. Professor Alfsson and myself will be overseeing the reconstruction. We will be contacting each of you in several days to arrange for the transport. For now go home, regroup, and enjoy time with your families." With that the vast majority of students began to leave.
Making his way to Professor Albu, Harry thought it best to ask now. "Excuse me Professor?"
"Hmm...Ah Black good. I needed to speak to you. I take it you noticed that I did not mention Britain, yes? Well you are our only British student, and due to that man's interest in you, we thought it best to send you somewhere more secure." Harry was not liking the direction the conversation was taking. His face must have shown that, "It is well known that He fears only one man, and that man has shown his skill. He fought and stuck down Grindelwald when no other could, and he led the fight against this man last time."
"You are sending me to Hogwarts." The worry Harry felt was very evident in his tone.
"Just like the others you are still a Durmstrang student, and Professor Alfsson and myself will be checking in regularly to insure you are maintaining our requirements." Harry couldn't tell them the reason that he did not want to go to the school had nothing to do with safety, but rather a personal conflict. So, he remained quiet. "Fret not, you should have no issues in Transformation, and Minerva McGonagall is a superb teacher. For your other subjects, well the other professors will be in contact and I will be going through records for those-those that can't. Understand? You best be off now." With that Harry left. Grabbing his things, he activated the portkey with the word home.
Next thing he knew, Harry was standing inside in his entranceway, instantly his aunt was there, hugging him. "Oh Harry!"
"I'm fine Aunty. See all my fingers and toes." She gave a huff and dragged him to the dining room.
"Sit, eat. I can't believe he attacked Durmstrang! Are you sure you are all right? I bet you are hungry. Milsey." The house elf instantly appeared, "Please bring us some food." And, with that the elf disappeared. "Now I want to know everything that occurred!" Harry then spent the rest of the evening, or morning as it was now, describing the battle. Only stopping for some of the food that Milsey had brought, he could not resist Milsey's pasties. At the end Aunt Dorea got up, walking back and forth. She seemed more upset than when he had arrived. "You should have been in the Barracks! What year are you?"
"I, ah, uh, fifth?"
"Exactly, fifth. When the Highmaster says fifth year to the Barracks, you go to the Barracks!" Harry was looking at his plate very intently. He wanted to say that he was the best duelist out of students, he was the reason Voldemort was there, he couldn't stand back and let others fights his battles. So many reasons, but then Aunt Dorea hugged him. "But, you are you, and I doubt you would do anything else. I am proud of you for that. Though in the future make sure to take care of yourself, or you'll drive me to an early grave." Harry smiled at that.
"I promise Aunt Dorea."
"Good, now have they said what you will be doing for school?"
"Yeah. They are sending kids to the schools closest to their home countries." Harry's face showed his worry over that.
"Well, that is good. Hogwarts is strong with Dumbledore. Good wards."
"Durmstrang was strong, and look what He did there." The bitterness of that statement wouldn't be lost on a toddler, let alone a seventy year old witch.
"Yes, yes it was. But, you have to remember He is scared of Dumbledore, always has been. So, it is a safe place. Also, Fudge has had to provide some more protection for the school after his blunder with that trial coupled with your statement. Now, he will have to send more. Durmstrang was strong, but it did not have the numbers to hold it."
"He is going to be eating out of Dumbledore's palm now. He spent how long discrediting him because of Voldemort? He has to change his tune now."
"Don't be to sure there Harry. He may claim that the attack was not done by Voldemort or the Death Eaters."
"But, we saw them! We heard him! He introduced himself!
"I know, but Fudge has staked his career on this now. It will take quite something for him to go back on it. And, frankly, an attack on an institution in another country? No, I can't see him going back. Like I said I think more aurors will be placed at Hogwarts, and other measures will be taken to protect any other places, but I think he will play it off as attack by old followers of Grindelwald who disguised themselves as Death Eaters"
"Wha-bu-that's ridiculous!"
"Yes, dear, but that is who Fudge is. He would be destroyed if he admitted to the renewed threat. Don't worry, it will come out soon enough." Harry could only shake his head. "Well let us leave it for now. I am sure you need some sleep off to bed."
The next several days were a period of boredom for Harry. He received letters from his professors about his assigned works for the next month or so. Professor McGonagall had mailed him specifically discussing his arrival. She acted as an intermediary between him and the different Hogwarts professors to discuss what he would need. For the most part he rested and relaxed with his aunt.
She proved correct in her prediction about Fudge denying Voldemort, but he admitted that some former Death Eaters could be involved. Fudge said that the old followers of Grindelwald were using Dumbledore's claims to mask their presence, and setting the continent against Britain to distract their movements. This was widely ridiculed by the mainland ministries, but he would not budge. Many of the Ministries cut off ties with Britain, and cracked down on movement from the isles. In the ICW Britain was further isolated.
After a week of staying at the house, Harry packed his things and left for Hogwarts. He flooed straight to the castle via the Headmaster's office. Upon entering it looked much life it had the year before. As he took a moment to look around, Harry noticed he was alone in the room, which seemed odd. He had informed Dumbledore and McGonagall of his arrival time. Perhaps something had come up that required both of them. Harry decided to look through the shelves of books lining the room. Just as Harry started reading a book on battle magics called The Battles of the Druids and Pontiffs, the door opened.
"It is unbelievable! We have lost all power as teachers! How are we to run our classrooms when I am not allowed to properly discipline the students! And, what she did to the Weasleys and Pott-" Harry turned to see Dumbledore, McGonagall, and several other teachers. The teachers all stopped and looked at Harry. It seemed to take them a few moments to get gather their thoughts together.
"Ah, Mr. Black, sorry we forgot that you were arriving today. Please sit. So, we have spoken to Professor Albu quite extensively about how this will work. Some of your classes are slightly different, but we think for the majority you would be able to sit in on the Hogwarts classes. We have made a temporary schedule for you that we can adjust if need be. Now since you are not a Hogwarts student and thus not a member of one of the houses we have prepared a guest room for your use for the year. Do you have any questions?" Looking at the schedule, it seemed to be very nicely spread out, though he did notice that there was no rituals, but he could do that on his own.
"No, sir. The schedule looks fine, I see no issues with it now."
"Good, good. How about you take the rest of the afternoon to familiarize yourself with your room, and the castle." Harry knew a dismissal when he heard one, and made his way out of the room. Suddenly Harry heard a pop, and looking down, Harry saw a house-elf wearing a pillowcase with a Hogwarts crest on it.
"Umm...Hello?"
"Hello sir! I is Hokey. I is to show you to your room sir!"
"Oh, thanks I guess lead the way, then." Hokey beamed at the thanks and then led Harry through the castle. They eventually came to a large statue of a old wizard. Hokey gave the password of "Harfang" and the statue moved to reveal a doorway. Hokey left the instructions on how to change the password and recommended changing it once a week and then disappeared. Harry found his room to be quite large. There was room enough for a large desk, a decent sized bed, a sofa and low table, and a fireplace. Harry noticed several paintings on the sides of the room, but no occupants of the paintings.
Harry then decided to go look around the school. Harry's rooms were on a lower level, slightly in the dungeons, but not as far as the potions lab or the Slytherin dorm. Harry tried to find his way around, but was soon getting himself turned around. Even with being here a for several months the previous year, Harry found the layout confusing, especially the moving staircases. Last year he had spent most of his time in the castle with someone who knew the layout, so he had paid little attention to the routes he had taken, which he was now regretting. After a couple of hours and taking a random turn Harry was suddenly hit from behind and arms wrapping around him.
"You made it! Why didn't you tell me you would be arriving today!" Turning Harry found himself being hugged by Daphne. Hey quickly extracted himself so he could hug her properly.
"Ah, sorry love. How are you?"
"I am good. Better now, so are you going to answer my question?"
"It slipped my mind in the last letter. But, hey I am here now, how about we go for a walk?"
"Sounds good, I am done classes for the day. Where were you going by the way?"
"I was looking for the way outside. I kept getting lost with those stupid stairs."
Daphne laughed, "Well come on, my lost little puppy. Its this way." With Daphne's guidance they made their way outside and soon found themselves walking around Black Lake. It was nice, the two didn't talk, but rather just let themselves relax with each other. Finally they made their way to the Great Hall for dinner. Harry followed Daphne and sat at the Slytherin table. As more people arrived Harry went pretty unnoticed except by Tracey, Daphne's friend, and Blaise who sat with the two. Before the feast began Dumbledore stood and addressed the room.
"Thank you all. Last week I mentioned the unfortunate attack on Durmstrang Institute. This week I am pleased to have lighter announcement. With the rebuilding of Durmstrang, its students have been taken in by Beauxbatons and Koldovstoretz, primarily. We here at Hogwarts though will provide a temporary home to one Durmstrang student; Mr. Hadrian Black." Here Dumbledore motioned for Harry to stand, which he did and waved. As he retook his seat he saw Henry watching him intently. "Mr. Black will be with us for the rest of the year and many of you will see him your classes no doubt. I trust we will all give him a warm welcome any aid he may need during his stay."
