Harry Potter and The Guild Of Avada

by Elderron Emerindyl

Harry Potter is expelled from Hogwarts when he internationally disgraces Severus Snape. Dumbldore whom is no longer the headmaster at Hogwarts uses his links through powerful wizards to find Harry a Place in an overseas school where he'll be safe from Vol

2. Harry Potter & The Guild of Avada Cont

CHAPTER SIX EMERINDYL, SAPHRICORN, AMERAID, RUBERAGON

"Its part of the swording ceremony," a smiling face appeared, it was Brydie, "I hope your sorted into Saphricorn, although you'll probably end up in Emerindyl - I'd say that's our equivalent for your Gryffindor," she glanced over at Mezentius, who was still staring at his feet, "Is everything alright Mezentius?" Brydie tried to see his face, "Professor ConDoin just introduced himself to me," Harry announced, "I should have known - that jerk always does this, he pics on all the Ameraid students," Brydie placed her hand on Mezentius' shoulder and lifted his head, "I don't know why you just don't hit the guy, a good Furnunculus charm would do the trick" "I can't do that," Mezentius spoke out, trying to hide his tears from Harry, "He's a teacher, I'd be expelled," "You wouldn't be expelled," Brydie almost snorted, "You're the smartest kid in our grade, Mezentius - Professor Emerindyl wouldn't expel you," "Well I wouldn't do it anyway," Mezentius mopped his face dry, "Now lets get down the front so we can sit together," They made their way down the long deserted tables, where Harry and Mezentius sat at the Ameraid table and Brydie sat right next to them on the Saphricorn table, and it wasn't long before the room filled up. There were two giant clocks hanging on either side of the Koalingo Academy Coat of Arms, on the wall above the teachers table, one of which Harry noticed to be a normal analogue clock, the time was half past ten, the other was a weird one that had twelve hands on it and some planets, he had absolutely no idea how it worked. Harry glanced over to see that the fourth table, which was the Emerindyl table, was completely empty. There was a sound of bells ringing, and then the teachers walked in and sat at the front table. Everyone went quiet and then Professor Emerindyl stood. "You must be all excited to see which house Mr Potter is sorted into, however it would not be proper to begin until everyone is here, so you may all talk among yourselves until the Emerindyl house arrives," Professor Emerindyl sat down and began talking to the other teachers as if this was normal. And strangely enough the students started talking among themselves as if this was normal. "This is Harry," Brydie and Mezentius introduced Harry to a group of Saphricorn and Ameraid students. The Ameraid group was really shy and started mumbling hellos under the breath; the Saphricorn's were very loud and all tried to shake Harry's hand at once. "Hi, Harry," came a hundred greetings at once, "Hello," "How are you?" "Hello Harry," "Hi" "Hi" "Hi" Harry kept replying as best he could, "How are you?" "Hi" "Hey Harry," came a voice he knew, It was Hyperion, he had just entered with a group of Emerindyl's, "Fifteen minutes late Emerindyl," Professor Emerindyl stood and addressed the Emerindyl house, "Your early," "They are usually a half an hour late," Brydie said to Harry, "Very well, now that we are all here," Professor Emerindyl announced, and the hall fell silent, "As you will remember I had told you all that I was called for business in Britain - as you can see - I have returned, and Harry Potter has returned with me," he gestured for Harry to stand, "He shall be spending the year with us, which means of course that he will need to be sorted," There was a sudden wave of whispering spreading over the crowd. Harry caught a couple conversations; "Oh cool, I love the sorting," "This is going to be great," "I wonder if the swords had enough time to prepare - they only had six months," Harry didn't understand what was about to happen. Professor Emerindyl looked towards the door at the front of the hall that Professor ConDoin had gone through before. "I would like silence while I ask the head teachers of each house group to enter with the four swords," Professor Emerindyl stayed on his feet as four head teachers entered Golden Hall through the door Professor ConDoin had disappeared into earlier. Each teacher was dressed in the finest of robes that Harry had ever seen; there was a woman, no taller then Professor Flitwick, whom was dressed in fine robes of purple silk finished off in golden lace, another woman of the height Harry thought normal for an adult, whom was dressed in very fine robes of green velvet with gold lace, cuffs and waist tie. Then a male teacher, very plump with brown hair and a smile from ear to ear whom was dressed in blue velvet robes with golden cuffs, collar and waist tie, and then the final teacher, whom Harry knew to be Professor ConDoin who's robes were Identical to woman's in the green only they were red with the gold cuffs, collar, waist tie. "They are the house head teachers," Brydie explained to Harry, "And those robes are the house robes, we all have a pair, in case of a smart occasion," The only difference in the way Professor ConDoin was dressed was a purple medallion hanging around his neck on a very expensive, and very heavy, looking golden necklace. "What's the medallion for?" Harry whispered to Mezentius, But Mezentius did not answer; Harry noticed that Mezentius was glaring at Professor ConDoin with a look of pure poison. "Mezentius?" Harry looked back and forth from Mezentius to Professor ConDoin, Next thing Harry's attention was turned to four huge gemstones which now floated into the room through the door from which the teachers had just entered. There were four. An Emerald, a Sapphire, an Amethyst, and a Ruby. The teachers held the swords vertical in their hands, as if ready to strike; each sword had a golden handle; each golden handle had many gemstones encrusted into it each encrusted with the same gems as the large ones floating in mid air in front of the holders of the sword. Professor Emerindyl gestured for the teachers holding the swords to carry on. And in a screeching sound that only magnified off the walls and pierced every ear, the teachers holding the swords had swung them down and had driven the swords into the gems floating in front of them. "What? In the name of the Dark Lord is going on?" screamed a squeaky voice that resembled that of a person after having inhaled helium, Harry looked around for the source of the voice, and found that everyone was focused on the sword in the ruby. "Oh, so you are awake?" Professor Emerindyl was leaning over the teachers table peering down at the swords, "Right you are," screamed a slightly more high-pitched voice, "Now I would like to know why," Harry realised this time the sound was coming from the sword in the sapphire, "Please calm down - there has been a slight change in this years plan, we have just enrolled a new student, he'll need to be sorted," Professor Emerindyl spoke down to them, "A new enrolment?" squeaked the sword in the emerald, "Well we shall have to sort the child," "Well don't expect anything great Emerindyl," squeaked the sword in the ruby to Professor Emerindyl, Professor Emerindyl nodded and then spoke out to the students, "The sorting ceremony will now begin," Professor Emerindyl sat down and the glowworms all of a sudden lost most of their brightness. Harry stared around the silent room; every face had a look of anticipation. The four gargantuan gemstones began to glow so powerfully that the room was now green, red, blue, and purple. The four head teachers took the seats either side of Professor Emerindyl. Professor ConDoin was seated on Professor Emerindyl's right hand side along with the Ameraid head teacher; the Emerindyl head teacher was seated on Professor Emerindyl's left along with the Saphricorn head teacher. Everyone's, as well as Harry's, attention was focused on swords, "So you have decided to come to Koalingo Academy?" said a booming voice, "So now it is time for the sorting swords to welcome you," Music started in the background, fast and bouncy music that made a lot of the students laugh, Harry understood this when the swords started singing in their squeaky little voices, even he himself snuck in a laugh.

Welcome to Koalingo, such a perfect school, You can be serious, or you can act the fool Learn your spells - better yourself, Learn defense for your health, Koalingo is a perfect School. Don't bring pets into class, Or they'll shove them up your ..nose Koalingo is, Koalingo is, Koalingo is a perfect school!!!!!!

"Now don't tell me you have come all the way to Koalingo and you don't know the different houses?" said the booming voice again, "Well let the sorting swords introduce you,"

I introduce the Emerindyl house to you, These students are brave, and kind hearted too. ("That's me," Hyperion laughed,) Very late when needed the most, But this house is the perfect host. Enter their team and be slightly surprised Everyone is equal in this group's eyes



Perhaps Ruberagon would suit you more, These students are sneaky and always sure. Here you'll find the path to power, To keep your friends close, and your enemies in cower. You'll learn what you need to become the best, And become far more powerful then the rest.

Perhaps you belong in Saphricorn, Where your bonds are close as if they're sown. Where hard work and toil are easy tasks, And you carry pets into every class. ("I though you got in trouble for taking pets into class?" Harry asked Brydie, "Not Saphricorn!" she smiled) Your always happy, jolly, and enjoy a laugh, No other house is as good by half.

Ameraid house would be a fine decision, Where greatness is made by pure envision. Where shyness to your enemies makes you look like a coward, When in fact you are the one with the greater power. Knowledge equals power this is your creed, Curiosity is the only vice you'll heed

There was a roaring applause from the students as the stones stopped glowing and the glowworms brightened the room again. "Mr Potter - If you please, Harry," Professor Emerindyl gestured Harry to the stones. Harry stood from his seat and walked to the very front of the teacher's desk. He looked around noticing every eye was on him. "You are to try to draw each sword from its stone, from this we shall decide which house group you most belong," Professor Emerindyl smiled, Harry walked to the sword in the Ruby, he knew it was the Ruberagon sword, if he withdrew it from the stone, he would become a Ruberagon student. He placed his hand on the sword handle and pulled. "What do you think your doing young man?" the squeaky voice of the sword rang in his ears, Harry let the sword go in surprise, "It is Traditional that students begin at the emerald sword and travel across to the ruby sword, Harry" Professor Emerindyl smiled, "Yeah so you keep your dirty great hands off me!" the Ruby sword squeaked, Harry walked past the other two swords to the emerald sword, he placed his hand on the golden handle, and sure enough he withdrew the emerald sword. The golden blade had encrusted on it in emeralds the word 'Emerindyl'

The Emerindyl table roared with cheers and clapping - a smile spread across Harry's face. And the female Professor in the Green robes, seated next to Professor Emerindyl, winked at him. "Congratulations Harry," Professor Emerindyl smiled, "Congratulations indeed," Harry placed the sword on the Teachers Table and began off to the Emerindyl table when another voice yelled squeakily at him, "Hang on a minute," Harry spun around to see faces on all the other three swords they were glaring at him what Harry saw, was anger. "Harry it is tradition to try all four swords - just in case there is in possibility that you may also be suited for another house," Professor Emerindyl smiled at him in his genial manner, Harry quickly apologised and returned to the line of swords. The Sapphire sword was next, gold like the emerald sword but this sword was encrusted with sapphires the size of golf balls, and larger. He placed his hand on the handle and attempted to withdraw the sword, this time he could not budge. "So you are not destined for Saphricorn Mr Potter," chuckled the plump Professor seated next to the Emerindyl head teacher. Harry moved to the third, this was the golden sword with large amethyst stones encrusted into it. He thought for a bit before he placed his hand on the handle. It wouldn't be bad to go into Ameraid, Mezentius and he had gotten along quite well. Although when he attempted to withdraw the sword, just like the sapphire sword, the amethyst sword did not budge. The Ameraid head teacher tipped her head to Harry and gave him a small smile. "Well, well, Mr Potter," Professor ConDoin spoke up - the entire hall went dead quiet, "Only one sword to go - feeling confident?" "Proceed, Harry," Professor Emerindyl edged Harry along. Harry placed his hand on the handle of the ruby encrusted sword. This time the sword didn't say a thing. But Harry had a thousand thoughts going through his head. He didn't want to go into Ruberagon, especially since the house group was named after the father of that countries most evil wizard - a wizard who's powers rivalled even Voldemort's. But horror struck him as the sword slid easily from the stone and the word "Ruberagon" encrusted into the golden blade in Rubies shone for all to see. The whole hall fell silent, not a sound was heard. Harry looked up at the Teachers table, "Well that's something that doesn't happen everyday," Professor Emerindyl chuckled and gestured for Harry to bring the sword forward to the Teachers Table, "Well it would seem we have a dilemma," Harry stared up at Professor Emerindyl. "Rest easy, Harry, This is a common thing at Koalingo Academy - many students have withdrawn two or even three swords from their stones," Professor Emerindyl smiled, "Then ." Harry faltered, "What is the dilemma?" "Well, its not everyday a student withdraws both the Emerindyl and the Ruberagon swords from their stones," Professor Emerindyl looked to the crowd, whom were all waiting with the biggest grins on their faces, even the Ameraid students were grinning. "It would seem that a battle is in order, a sword duel between the Head teachers of Ruberagon (The Ruberagon Students cheered) and the Emerindyl (The Emerindyl house just as loud as the Ruberagon house) Houses," Harry looked back at Brydie, Mezentius, and Hyperion in curiosity; they all appeared to have looks of pure excitement on their faces. "Silence please," Professor Emerindyl spoke so quietly that Harry thought the students would not have heard him, but as if it was a spell - the whole gathering ceased all noises. Professor Emerindyl clapped his hands and the four gemstones disappeared, along with the Ameraid and Saphricorn swords, at this point the two people either side of Professor Emerindyl; the lady in the emerald green cloak and Professor ConDoin in the Ruby red cloak, both stood walked around their side of the table and stood on the stage in front of the Teachers table. "Professors," Professor Emerindyl was standing with his hands clasped together, "Begin," he puled his hands apart from each other and waved them out in a horizontal line in front of him. And just like that the two head teacher's cloaks turned into solid heavy armoured cloaks reminiscent of Harry's Quidditch Robes. Neither had their head covered, Harry saw the Emerindyl teachers face, she was very young with her dark brown hair tightly platted to her head held down tighter by a golden emerald head dress. Professor ConDoin was wearing the same kind of cloak, yet a flaming red cloak, still with the amethyst jewel on the golden necklace around his neck. But as fast as they jumped into battle positions, the woman in the Emerindyl head teacher swung her sword forward and pointed it at Professor ConDoin - Professor ConDoin stabbed his sword into the floor kneeling down leaning his head on the tip of its handle. "What?" the crowd appeared to be outraged at something, "Silence, quiet now," Professor Emerindyl stood and the crowd ceased all noise at once, "It would appear, Harry, that Professor ConDoin has accepted Professor McGonagall's request for you to join the Emerindyl house," "What ." Harry looked over at the Emerindyl head teacher, and he could see it in her, no this woman was not Professor McGonagall of Hogwarts, but she was a relative, perhaps a daughter, Harry could see it in her face. "There you have it young, Harry" Professor Emerindyl had a small but distinct smile on his face, "You have been sorted into Emerindyl house,"

"That was a load of crockery!" Brydie complained all the way towards their first class, "Its not fair - ConDoin's only stopping himself from being severely embarrassed again," "Again?" Harry asked "Well they have come up against each other before!" she smiled, "four years ago," "You mean to say that no one has withdrawn the Emerindyl sword and the Ruberagon sword together in four years?" Harry asked "Nope - the last person was actually ." Brydie stopped as Hyperion butted in, "That's enough gabble, we're going to be late for class," Hyperion sped up his walking, "Since when have you worried about being on time to class?" Brydie smirked, "It's probably got something to do with who is waiting at our classroom door," Mezentius kept his eyes to the ground as they reached the class door and Professor ConDoin was waiting there, "Your all late - I will not tolerate it in my class, five points from each of your houses, which I guess now makes ten points from Emerindyl - welcome to Koalingo Mr Potter," he had a very severe look on his face as the four of them filed in and took a seat at the very back of the room, "No! I will not have any over filled tables! Mr Douglas please move next to Alexander Dribbles desk!" Professor ConDoin ordered, "But Professor ." Hyperion began to argue back, "Now!" Professor ConDoin snapped, Hyperion gathered his things up and moved down next to a very plump kid who appeared to be seated alone, Harry saw from the state of the kids mouth, that Dribble, was a perfect last name for him. "Now, as you may have noticed I am here teaching you instead of your previous teacher Professor Canon," He stared around the room, "This is due to the arrival of Mr Potter whom is supposed to be doing his fifth year! Now if any of you know what is important about your fifth year you'd be able to tell me what certificate you gain after the completion of it?" A student in red robes raised his hand, "Ah yes, Mr Nino?" Professor ConDoin smiled "Nino?" Harry laughed, "Malvado Nino," Brydie stated, "Rotten to the core - you want to steer clear of him, Harry" "O.W.L.S sir," Malvado replied, "That is correct ten points to Ruberagon," Professor ConDoin announced ("Ten points?" Brydie worded to Mezentius in disbelief) "Yes ten points Miss Morris, and seeing you think ten points is not fair lets see twenty points from Saphricorn and Ameraid for you insubordination" Professor ConDoin glared at Mezentius, as if begging him to argue the matter. But Mezentius and the other Ameraid's sat silent, so Professor ConDoin continued with the lesson, "It would seem that Professor Canon never did teach you the ways of obedience - that is all about to change, the key to becoming powerfully strong against the Dark Arts is to overpower it without magic," Harry could see that the Ruberagon students weren't paying attention at all throughout the entire period. And by the time class had ended, Emerindyl, Saphricorn, and Ameraid had lost a maximum of seventy points each, while Ruberagon had gained fifty. "What a .." Brydie was talking about Professor ConDoin, "I can't believe he can do that!" "Well at least you only have to put up with him for one year, Harry," Hyperion was acting cheery again, "I hope," Harry spoke as he played with his food, "Feeling a little home sick?" Brydie looked at Harry, "No," Harry jumped up, "Not at all"

Harry's next class was Transfiguration with the Emerindyl head teacher, whom Harry thought was a relation to Professor McGonagall at Hogwarts. "Good morning class - I assume Professor ConDoin has informed you of our decision to move you all ahead into the fifth year?" she asked, There were murmurs of yes's and nods of head here and there, "Which means we will be trying something new and rather bold," she smiled, The class suddenly jumped to attention, "We are to begin on your animagus training," she waved her hand at a cupboard to the right of her desk and a red velvet pouch glided across the room to her, "This!" she lifted a golden necklace out of the sack with an emerald stone on it, "Is an animagi charm necklace - you will all need one each, there are different stones depending on what house group you are in," she held up three different stones, Harry noticed there was no ruby stones there and it hit him that there were no Ruberagon students there, "They have alternative training now," Mezentius told Harry, by this time Harry was sure Mezentius could read minds, "Professor McGonagall told me before class - they train to turn into Dragons so they need a bigger classroom," Harry nodded in reply, "Here you go Mr Potter," Professor McGonagall handed him an emerald animagi necklace. "Thank you," Harry put it on, "Ok class - now, first thing you need to do is decide what animal you would like to become," Professor McGonagall spoke, "Focus on that animal, and you should very easily be able to become it while you are wearing these charm necklaces," Harry knew immediately what he wanted to become, "A Stag, Harry?" Mezentius asked him, "Whys that?" "Er . My ." Harry faltered, "Oh . enough said," Mezentius smiled, Brydie and Hyperion stared at Harry and Mezentius strangely, "Well I am going to become a Unicorn," Brydie smiled, "I daresay you'll become a merman, Mezentius?" Brydie smiled, "It's the only way you'll get on the Ameraid Quidditch team," "Don't you have to be a good flier to play Quidditch?" Harry asked, "Yes if your playing against Ruberagon or Saphricorn," she smiled, "But the best games are when Ameraid play Emerindyl," "Why?" Harry asked "You'll see," Brydie smiled, "The next Quidditch game is Ameraid verses Saphricorn - depending on who win, the winner will be playing Emerindyl in the semi-finals, then who ever win that will play Ruberagon in the Grand final in November," "Are any of you on the House teams?" Harry asked "Brydie is Chaser for Saphricorn - she's fantastic on a broom!" Hyperion announced, "But none as good as Mezentius on a broom that's for sure," "Come along you four - I want the whole class to have been in their animagus before the period is over," Professor McGonagall was walking through the noisy room giving orders, "Ok," Brydie smiled, "Me first!" she placed her hand on the sapphire hanging on the necklace and chanted, "Caballoconuncuerno!" and in an instant, she transformed into a Unicorn so white that the moon would envy her, her single horn on her forehead was also very white but with a blue- gold swirl in it, her hooves were also shining this blue-gold colour her mane and tail too were a deep ocean blue. "Fantastic Miss Morris - that is a very hard spell to say correctly 15 points for Saphricorn," Professor McGonagall smiled as she continued to Mezentius, "What are you to marvel us with Mr Fumbleknot?" she was smiling, Harry could tell that she was genuinely curious and waiting with anticipation to see what Mezentius could do, "I am going to become a merman," he announced, the rest of the class stopped to look, even the other Ameraid's waited silently watching. "It is a very difficult spell to perform, if you say it incorrectly ." Professor McGonagall looked slightly worried, "I won't, I am sure I have it!" he looked up at her waiting for approval. She nodded, Harry watched Mezentius very carefully, "Mediohombre delosmedios pescados!!" the whole class shielded their eyes as a bright light filled the room, and when the light disappeared Harry opened his eyes feeling triumphant, Mezentius had pulled it off. The class cheered loudly, even the Ameraid's cheered. "Excellent Mr Fumbleknot 20 points to Ameraid," Professor McGonagall smiled, "I daresay after a few practices you should be able to do that without the incantation," She walked on and the class continued, "Well I guess it's my turn," Hyperion sighed, "You'll be turning into a Grindylow?" Harry asked, Hyperion nodded, "Not that it will matter, my Quidditch position doesn't require being able to become a Grindylow," By the time class had ended everyone in the class had managed to transform except for Harry. "Come along, the bell will sound soon - hurry now I need those charm necklaces back for my next class, " she walked around the class gathering them up. Hyperion didn't want to give his up, "Please Professor, just to practice with," he begged "No Mr Douglas - if I give you one the whole class will want one," she replied "But I will keep it secret - you can slide it to me under the desk," "No Mr Douglas," "But ." "That was excellent!" Harry looked at Brydie and Mezentius, "I wish I could do that," "You will eventually, Harry" Brydie replied, "I guess this means you make the water Quidditch team? Mezentius?" Mezentius shrugged, "I hope so," The bell for the end of class rang and the students began to file out, "No Mr Douglas, go to your next class now," Professor McGonagall was just finishing, "Mr Potter can I see you please?" Harry walked over to the teacher's desk, "Oh I get it," Hyperion winked at her, "I'll pick it up from you later, Harry," "Mr Douglas now, before I permanently transfigure you into a Grindylow," she spoke sternly, Harry again saw the Hogwarts Professor McGonagall in her face "Did you enjoy that, Harry?" she asked, Harry nodded. "I daresay you aren't taught this at Hogwarts?" she looked at him with curious eyes, "Well they never taught me it when I was there - my aunt taught me," "You . you were at Hogwarts?" Harry asked stammering, She nodded, "I was, my father would have me go nowhere else, not that he knew of any others mind you," she smiled "Why?" Harry asked curiously, forgetting his manners. "My mother is a muggle," Professor McGonnagall announced, "My father too - Its was Aunt Minerva who took me in, my father wasn't too happy about me being a witch, but seeing his sister was too, he didn't mind too much" "You mean to say . that . er . how does that make your aunt a witch then?" Harry asked, "Aunt Minerva was also muggle born," she smiled Harry was shocked, "I never knew that," "There is a lot that you don't know, Harry," she smiled, "Oh now you had better hurry along to Lunch or you shall miss it all together," Harry turned, and the moment he stepped outside the room, "What did she want Harry?" Brydie asked "Did she give you one of the charmed necklaces?" Hyperion asked under his breath, "No," Harry laughed, and then he noticed, "Where's Mezentius?" "In the library," Brydie replied, "He spends almost every lunchtime there," "Anyway, that doesn't matter right now, I know there are a bunch of Emerindyl's that want to meet you, Harry," Hyperion grabbed Harry's arm and started into the Golden Hall

By the time lunch had ended Harry had shaken hands with so many other students in green robes that he didn't think he'd be able to use his hand for a week. He had thought he had escaped it all when he heard yet another, "Hello, you must be Harry Potter," but this time it was different. "Your . English?" Harry asked, "Right you are," he smiled and held out his hand to shake Harry's, "My names Michael Peters, but call me Mike" He was a very tall boy of at least seventeen years of age and he looked remarkably like Harry's old Quidditch captain, Oliver Wood. Harry shook his hand and asked, "But why ." "Why not Hogwarts?" Mike smiled, "I used to go to Hogwarts - I left after my second year. Like you I was sent here for safety purposes," "Voldemort?" Harry asked, "Yes, my mother is a true believer in Divination, Professor Trelawney told my mother I'd die if I stayed in England - old crackpot - my mother believed her, and I ended up here," he pulled a look that said 'oh, well' "Its good here anyway" Harry nodded even though he'd much rather be back at Hogwarts. "Well," Mike shot one last smile at him before saying, "I best be off," he then looked at Hyperion, "Quidditch training tonight about seven," Hyperion nodded, "See you then," "He plays Quidditch?" Harry asked as they walked on down the corridor, "Does he," Hyperion laughed sounding as if Harry had asked a stupid question, "He is the Emerindyl Quidditch captain,"

The last class of the day was Divination, and to Harry's surprise - when he showed up for class there was not a single person there. "Good Afternoon Mr Potter," a woman in violet robes entered the classroom through a door in the back, "And welcome to fifth year Divination," "Where ." Harry faltered, "Where is everyone?" "Well, there is a slight problem with Divination at Koalingo," the woman answered as she ushered Harry into a big cushy armchair in front of her own desk, "You see, Australian wizardry people are not great believers in Divination - therefore, you are my only student in the fifth year," "How many students do you teach in other grades?" Harry asked, searching the woman's face, "Well . oh look at me, I haven't even introduced myself," Harry could tell the woman didn't want to answer him, "I am Professor Solosi - I will be your Divination teacher for this year . and any after . if your still here. This year you will move into advanced Divination," The rest of the class turned out much better then Harry would have thought possible for Divination. And by the time the period had finished (75 minutes later) Harry was pleased to see that this Divination Professor hadn't predicted his death even once.









CHAPTER SEVEN HYPERION'S HATRED

The next few weeks had been much the same; each class was becoming more and more enjoyable, Harry thought it was due to winter ending and the warmer months of Spring appearing in full bloom - even Professor ConDoin seemed to be a lot nicer to him. Even though this didn't change Professor ConDoin's favourite sport of taking points from Emerindyl just for fun. Harry seemed to be enjoying being at Koalingo so much that it was a complete surprise to him to find out that he had already been there for two months. Even other people seemed to be sharing in the high spirits.

"Muggle studies was fantastic," Brydie spoke in an almost yell, "Did you know Muggles have this thing they point at a . er . a television and it makes the pictures change?" "It's called a remote control Brydie," Mezentius told her, "Its almost like a wand," Brydie smiled from ear to ear, "Its amazing how close muggle get to doing magic themselves without really doing it," "Brydie is full blood," Mezentius explained, "She's never seen a television before," "Do you have Quidditch practice this evening?" Harry looked over to Hyperion, Harry had watched Hyperion and the others in the Emerindyl team go off for practice many times, but he had still not ever gone to watch, "Hyperion?" Hyperion looked over at him, he was sitting at the Emerindyl table in the Golden Hall, shining his broomstick. Which Harry was happy to see, was a Firebolt. "Do you mind if I come to Quidditch practice this evening," Harry asked, Hyperion sat silent for a moment and then answered, "I don't think Mike would ." "Mike would what?" Mike appeared behind Harry, "Come on Hyperion practice time," "Harry wanted to go along to practice," Mezentius announced "That's a great idea," Mike smiled, "I've heard you're a good flier," Harry grinned from ear to ear. "Well go and get your gear and we'll see you on the pitch" Mike started off, "Er . I'll come with you, Harry," Hyperion spoke up, "I've forgotten my gloves," "Ok, well five minutes then, I'm timing you," Mike laughed and walked off out the Hall. Harry was heading for the Golden Hall entrance door when Hyperion grabbed his arm, "There's a faster way, you know," Hyperion steered Harry towards a large tapestry that had a brilliantly decorated Grindylow on it, "This way is much faster," The Grindylow in the tapestry winked at Harry and in a sudden burst of speed, Harry felt himself being pulled into the tapestry, the next thing he knew he was lying on the bank of the lake, where all the Emerindyl dorm huts were placed around. "Slightly wetter way, but much faster," Hyperion helped him up, "Only the Quidditch team know about that portal, we use it when in a hurry," Harry wondered why Hyperion was so clean and dry, while Harry could swear he just felt a frog climb down the leg of his pants. "Limpioseco," Hyperion chanted and in an instant Harry was clean and dry, "What kind of broom do you have, Harry?" "A . a Firebolt!" Harry answered, "Limpioseco?" "Advanced book of spells chapter three," Hyperion explained, "You really are behind at Hogwarts aren't you?" Harry walked on towards his hut, a touch of heat on the back of his neck from Hyperion's 'Hogwarts' remark "Do you miss it?" Hyperion inquired, "Hogwarts, I mean," "A little," Harry lied, there was nothing more that he wanted now, then to be back at Hogwarts even with all the fun he was having. Hermione and Ron kept in good contact with him - which just made him feel more homesick. "I think its sad," Hyperion said slyly, "Well Professor Emerindyl must be in agreement with me - why else would he be making friends for you?" "What?" Harry stopped dead in his tracks, "What did you say?" "Well you consider me a friend don't you Harry?" Hyperion asked, "And I do consider you as one, so maybe you should know - Professor Emerindyl came to Brydie, Mezentius and myself before you came here - he asked that we befriend you," "What?" Harry couldn't believe his ears, "Why else would Mike allow you to come to practice? He doesn't like you either - Professor Emerindyl has charged everyone with making you feel welcome," Hyperion sneered, "But your smart, Harry. You probably knew this all along!" He starred at Harry with a piercing look, Harry starred back, "I think its great that you can except handouts and still keep a smile on your face!" Hyperion had achieved what he was trying to do, "Well I better be getting off to practice - you can come if you want to, just mind the things people say behind your back. I've heard a lot of it - they are being really harsh," And with that Hyperion strutted off, leaving Harry bewildered standing in the doorway of his hut.

That evening Harry looked out his window to see Hyperion and the rest of the Emerindyl Quidditch team heading back through the village-like Emerindyl common . er . area. Harry hadn't gone along to the Quidditch practice. They were all laughing and cheering, a couple of them patted Hyperion on the back before saying a hardy, "Great Practice" "You did well" and then walking off to their own cabins. "Its not fair is it Hedwig?" Harry had Hedwig perched on his arm; she nibbled his fingers as he attempted to tie a letter to her leg. He had written a letter begging Professor Snape to allow him to return to Hogwarts, after all, by his calculations there was enough time for Snape to answer, and for him to return to England, just in time to meet the Hogwarts express in two days. "Take this straight to Professor Snape and bring his reply back immediately," Harry told her, he hated having to suck up to Professor Snape, but if what Hyperion had said, was true, then he wanted to leave as soon as possible. "Harry?" A voice came from the fireplace, "Hermione?" Harry spun around to see not one but two heads in the fireplace, "Ron! Hermione!" "Hey Harry!" Ron's red hair was glowing in the flames and he had a huge smile on his face, "Harry, how are you?" Hermione enquired, "Is it good in Australia?" Ron asked "No," Harry answered, "I .er ." he thought of whether he should tell them that he was about to send a letter yo Snape begging him to allow him to return. "No?" Hermione asked, "Why?" "Never mind - everything is fine" Harry thought it best no to, "School starts soon?" "Yep," Ron didn't sound too pleased, "Two days and counting," Hermione looked the complete opposite of Ron, "Its really good that you are handling everything ok - I heard Snape over talking with Fudge, he says you'll be begging to come back before the start of Hogwarts first term - he doesn't think you can handle being away from here," "But you proved him wrong Harry," Ron smiled, "Teach that rotten git a lesson," "I knew you would," Hermione smiled, "You're a Gryffindor - bravery is our code!" Harry nodded in agreement, "Who are you sending a letter to?" Hermione saw Hedwig, whom was now pecking at the letter, "Would you like to pass it through? Then you'll save Hedwig the flight," Harry knew that these kind of fire/phone calls were much more, as you could pass items through to the person on the other end, Harry had seen Mrs Weasley do it once before with a piece of toast. "Er . no one," Harry removed the mangled letter from Hedwig's leg and scrunched it up, "I'm not going to send it now," "Well it was great to see you again," Hermione smiled, "Mum wants to say hello - we have to go now, long distance call and all," Ron looked slightly ashamed, "Ok, bye Ron, Hermione," Harry smiled weakly, "See you, Harry" Hermione bid farewell, "Yeah, bye, Harry," Ron said as he and Hermione disappeared, Mrs Weasley's face appeared straight away, and even though he could hear Ron in the background telling her not to make a fuss over Harry, as he knew Harry didn't like it. By the end of the telephone call Mrs Weasley had supplied Harry with three boxes of home made cookies, some school supplies, a plate of fried sausages, a small leather bound book, and a small package from Fred and George.

Hedwig flew down and picked up a sausage in her claws, and Harry in remembering he hadn't eaten dinner himself started eating one while examining the box he had gotten from Fred and George. But it wasn't until ten minutes of examination had passed that he realised that there was no way to open it. "What the ." he gave up, pushed the box to one side and picked up the book. After opening the cover he saw that it had 'Hermione Granger' scrolled on the inside of the cover, and a piece of parchment folded up with 'Harry' written on it, this piece of parchment turned out to be a letter,

Dear Harry, I know this is kind of an inconvenience, but I need you to do a favour for me. This is my autograph book, ever since I found out I was a witch I have been collecting autographs of famous witches and wizards.

Anyway, I was wondering if you could collect some famous Australian wizards autographs for me - if you see any of course.

And you should know that there are some famous wizards in Koalingo at this very moment . if you checked out the history like I told you to. Thanks Harry, I miss you!

Hermione Harry placed the book in the inside pocket of his robes. * The next day was Saturday, and so Harry had a chance to sneak out of Emerindyl Lake and back into the castle before any of the other Emerindyl's had arisen. When he got to the Golden Hall it was as deserted as ever with the only sign of movement being the odd house elf running to clean a spot of dust which may appear here or there.

He walked to the very front of the Emerindyl table and sat down - immediately four different breakfast dishes appeared in front of him, but he was in no mood for eating - he couldn't leave Koalingo now. He couldn't stand Hermione being disappointed in him. But what could he do. He wasn't very happy there at the moment.

There was a sudden slamming noise as the double entry doors of the Golden Hall opened and seven people in purple Quidditch robes entered the with huge smiles on their faces, while a large group of Ameraid's followed in cheering. "We won!!" An Ameraid student cheered, "I can't believe it," The Saphricorn students entered none looking too happy. Brydie saw Harry and walked down to him, a look of disappointment on her face. "We lost," she pulled a face that showed she wasn't too pleased, "I can't believe it," "Lost what?" Harry looked at her, he had planned to give them the silent treatment after what Hyperion had told him, but he had no idea what was going on. "The Quidditch match," she said to him as if it were obvious, "Why didn't you come? Hyperion told us he asked you but you wanted to stay in bed," "Quidditch match?" Harry looked at her; no one had told him there was a Quidditch match on today. "That's ok, at least you didn't see how badly we lost," she pouted, "So why didn't you come?" Harry didn't have a chance to answer as the Emerindyl house entered cheering themselves, Mezentius walked over to Hyperion, Harry, and Brydie "Looks like we play you next," Hyperion smiled "Water Quidditch - here we come," Mezentius cheered Harry had so much fun celebrating with the Ameraid's and the Emerindyl's that he had forgotten to be mad with anyone. Hyperion's words to him, the night before, had washed completely from his thoughts but something that sat in his thoughts was the fact that Hyperion hadn't told him about the Quidditch match. "It was a fantastic game," Mike was cheering, "We'll have to start training for the water Quidditch match - we are in agreement of having a water Quidditch match?" Harry looked at the Ameraid Quidditch captain - this was a girl she had long black hair and also looked to be in her seventh year, "You bet - this could be either of our last matches ever," she smiled. Harry then remembered that the Koalingo year ended in December, Mike and the Ameraid Quidditch captain (Jennifer Aldridge) would be graduating from Koalingo. And they were both aware that whoever lost this match would never get to play another Quidditch game at Koalingo as Saphricorn was now out of the Tournament and whom ever lost the next game, would also be out. The celebrating went on for a considerable length of time and everyone found it a shock when they were all told they had to vacate the hall so the House elves could set up for dinner.

"Swimming tomorrow Mezentius?" Brydie asked Mezentius at dinner, in light of the celebrations; Professor Emerindyl had aloud everyone to choose a seat at any table for dinner this evening. Harry had forgotten about what Hyperion said, as he had remembered what Brydie said about believing Hyperion. But what he couldn't help wondering was why Hyperion had said what he did. "HE SAID WHAT?" Mezentius stood up in outrage. The hall went silent and everyone starred at him. Harry starred at Mezentius; eyes wide open in alarm. "Awe," Mezentius quickly took his seat again and everyone in the hall started laughing, but soon the noise of a thousand chattering kids began again. "When did he say that to you?" Mezentius was livid "Say what?" Brydie looked confused "He told Harry that we are being forced to be friends with him," Mezentius told her, she appeared to have the same reaction as Mezentius, "That lying scum," she was all of a sudden furious "That's not all," Harry, continued, "He never told me about the Quidditch match today - that's why I wasn't there," "I wondered why you'd prefer to stay in bed," Mezentius looked at him, "But why would he say that," "Who say what?" Hyperion took a seat next to Harry, "No one," Harry spoke quickly, * The next day was Sunday and this time, everyone in the Emerindyl common room was still in bed when Harry arose. After dinner the night before Brydie and Mezentius had invited him to come swimming with them. Harry thought this was a rather strange request, considering the castle was at the peak of a mountain, and the only swimming areas he had seen within the castle, was Emerindyl Lake, and Harry knew neither Brydie nor Mezentius were aloud to come into the Emerindyl dormitory area. "Oh, Harry - good, we were wondering what was keeping you," Brydie greeted him, Harry saw Mezentius was standing at a huge drawbridge speaking to a teacher. "Professor Emerindyl gives everyone a day pass to go down to Koaltumut for the day," she announced, "There are some excellent swimming holes - not too big, but we still have quite a bit of fun," "Come on guys," Mezentius called them, a bunch of` Ameraid's came along also, Harry recognised six of them as the other members of the Ameraid Quidditch team, "Your having practice? Water Quidditch practice?" Harry asked seeing that one of the members of the Ameraid team had a broom over their shoulder, "Um . er ." the person with the broom shot a look at the Quidditch team captain, "Its okay, Harry's no spy," Jennifer smiled, "Yes Harry - your welcome to come along," Mezentius was just standing smiling at him - he nodded to Harry, "Thanks," Harry smiled back, "Are you lot together?" asked the teacher at the gate, Mezentius nodded, "Very well," The Professor answered, she waved her hand and a dragon with a large cart, much the same as the one Harry and Professor Emerindyl had arrived in, appeared in front of them. "The dragon will take you down and return to pick you up from the Koalingo Station at exactly five in the afternoon, do not be late," "Yes Professor," every Ameraid answered as everyone filed into the cart. Immediately the cart took flight down the mountain.













































CHAPTER EIGHT THE GUILD OF AVADA

"Ok, well we have to go and find out if there's a water hole - why don't you show Harry around?" Mezentius and the rest of the Ameraid Quidditch team walked off in the direction of a shop called Ally's Aqua Sports, while Brydie walked forward dragging Harry along with her - the small town was filled with Koalingo Academy students. Brydie started the tour, "That is the Three Broomsticks, you can go there for a drink or for a meal, the owners name is Roselyn, she is a very nice woman - they sell the best ." "Butter Beer?" Harry asked, as he waved to Mike, the Emerindyl seeker, he was walking out of the Three Broomsticks. "Yes. How did you know?" Brydie looked puzzled, "Oh, you must have one near your school, they are a world wide chain, you know," "And that's the school supply shop - I try to stay away from there as much as possible," she walked on some more, "And this! This is the only shop really worth looking at," They walked into a shop that had a large brightly coloured sign that read Colleen's Comical Collectives. "This is the best joke shop you'll ever find - none other is worth a look in," she said as they entered to the sound of a doorbell that laughed madly at Harry and Brydie as they walked towards the front desk. "Oh, Miss Morris I was wondering when you'd be back for more," said the store clerk, whom looked to have appeared from no where, "What did you think of the Bang-Blasting Boomers?" "They were fantastic! I set them off in Professor ConDoin's office," Brydie giggled, "Can I get another bag?" "Of course," the shop clerk turned and walked into the back of the shop where he appeared to be rummaging through boxes, "Oh, I have something else for you," Brydie looked up from a jewellery box that turned into an echidna and rolled into a ball every time she tried to touch it, she had been teasing it. "This," he handed her a long box that had a brand on the side with three W's on it, Brydie opened it; "You sell wands now?" she didn't understand, "No - take it out and give it a wave," the shop clerk told her, he smiled as he watched her pick the wand out of its box. The very moment she waved it, with a small pop, it turned into a rubber spider and began crawling up her arm. She screamed and knocked it off, as it hit the ground it turned back into a wand. "Created by a new company called Weasley's Wizard Weezers," the store clerk laughed as Brydie recovered from an almost heart attack. As soon as she caught her breath she too began to laugh, "That was excellent," she cheered, Harry looked at her in confusion; he had thought she would hate them after almost suffering from cardiac arrest. But she loved them. And now Harry knew Fred and George had used the money he had given them last year, for the precise thing they had said they would. "How did you get them?" Harry asked the man "They came very highly recommended from a Wizardry Joke shop called Zonko's, in Britain." The shop keeper told him, "I have more stock from that company on the way - whoever's making these products must have a love for jokes," Harry nodded, as he knew Fred and George Weasley had made the fake wands, and he knew more then anything, that they loved jokes and playing tricks. "I'll take a dozen," Brydie told the shopkeeper,

"They can't be very safe, can they?" Mezentius seemed not to share the opinion of Brydie about the wands; Brydie had showed all the Ameraid's them as she arrived at Ally's Aqua sports where they were waiting "I mean, what if someone you try to play the joke on has a weak heart or something," Brydie rolled her eyes, "You could kill them," Mezentius answered his own question, "Enough of this, can't we just start practice," Brydie wined, "Oh, yes," Harry looked at the Ameraid Quidditch team, "You have to show me how you play water Quidditch," "Ok," Mezentius walked over toward the water, "It's simple enough to understand," he turned and looked around, "Ally said there wouldn't be any muggles today," he said to himself more then to anyone else, "Subida!" Harry jumped back with considerable shock as all of the water in the water hole lifted from the ground in a perfect moulding as if it were jelly. "It won't quite look like this in the real match, Harry" Mezentius told him, "But this is the best we can do for now," Harry stared up at the mass of floating water thinking how it wouldn't be bad at all if this was what it did look like, "Come on team," Jennifer walked first into the floating jelly-like water, as she touched it, she turned into a mermaid and started swimming around the floating mass as if she were flying on a broomstick. The rest of the Ameraid team followed, including Mezentius, the one student Harry had seen before, that did have a broom, did not enter the water, but took to flight at once, he hovered above the water, looking down. "Take a seat, Harry?" Brydie said as she said some enchantment and two small shrubs moved into the shape of big puffy lounge chairs. Harry sat at once all the times staring around at the six mermaids inside the water. It turned out that the other Ameraid's that also came, were the practice team, the Ameraid Quidditch team would use them for back up and for training. "They are excellent!" Harry looked at the back up team, they were as fast as lightning and Harry soon found out, just as damaging. Within the first hour of practice, Harry saw that the back up Ameraid team were so brilliantly qualified at what they were doing that it was sometimes hard to tell which of the two teams were the actual frontline Quidditch Team. "That's the fifth time he has caught the snitch in the last hour," Harry marvelled at the two seekers above the water. The snitch, which Harry saw not only had wings but also a tail, was just as fast as the normal snitch Harry was used to catching, except this snitch not only flew deadly fast above the water, but occasionally it would dive below the water and shoot just as fast below. Only below the water it left a trail, which was no good for the seekers anyway, considering they could only ever go beneath the water for mere seconds, as they weren't aloud to change into their animagi form and would have to return to the surface for air. "Hyperion does that?" Harry asked, still gazing up at the seekers shooting around above the water faster the Harry had ever seen someone on a broomstick. "Does he?" Brydie laughed, "I'd never admit it to his face - but Hyperion is most definitely the best darn seeker at Koalingo," "Really?" Harry looked at her with curiosity, "Yep," she replied, "His record for catching the snitch is less then three minutes," Harry sat jaw opened, overwhelmed at the very idea. There was a loud scream and Harry looked up to see one of the seekers fall off their broom and into the water, Harry watched as the girls body seemed to shoot across the water surface until it flew right off the side and down towards the ground where it landed on the arid, rocky ground with a thump. "Are you ok?" Brydie kneeled down beside the fallen seeker. She was a girl of about Harry's age, most definitely in the same year as he, with long black hair and a facial expression that showed pain. "She'll be fine, just a broken collarbone," Brydie investigated, Harry stood aghast at what Brydie had just said and how she had said it. As it had sounded something as simple as if she had said 'it was just a scratch' "Yeah she'll be ok," Mezentius was now standing behind Harry, "Would you like to have a go, Harry?" Harry whose full attention was on the girl seeker whom was at the moment lying on the ground in what looked to be considerable pain thought Mezentius and Brydie were mad. "Don't you think she needs medical attention?" "You're probably right - I'll take her up to the castle," Brydie spoke as she conjured up a magical stretcher and levitated the girl-seeker onto it, her limp, dry, dusty arms hanging over the sides, "I'll see you at dinner," "Yes, we'll be coming soon, it is almost four," Mezentius announced, "Ok, Harry, water Quidditch is almost kinda exactly the same as normal Quidditch," Mezentius explained, "Well it is for the seeker anyway, only difference is you'll never know when a bludger is coming your way, and you'll only get to chase the snitch under water for as long as you can hold breath," Harry nodded; he had been watching the two previous seekers, earlier, very closely. And he was sure he knew what to do. He hovered around above the water as he saw yet another mermaid, one he hadn't noticed before, swim to the bottom of the water and release the bludgers and the snitch yet again. Harry watched the snitch dart around below the surface; it was easy to keep tabs on it as he could see a trail of bubbles it left behind as it shot through the water. And then it happened, the water suddenly turned dark blue and Harry could no longer see below the surface. He looked, alarmingly, at the other seeker who smiled weakly as if this were a normal thing to happen, he confirmed this by shouting to Harry, "So we can't see the bludgers coming!" Harry nodded with a half-afraid smile on his face. The rest of practice went smoothly and Harry had decided that water Quidditch was far more enjoyable then normal Quidditch - although he'd never admit it. "Enjoy that?" Mezentius asked as he dried his hair, Harry nodded with a bruised cheek and puffy black eye. He had been hit by bludgers almost ten times during the practice session. He wasn't too happy to see that the other seeker hadn't a scratch on her. He felt like a real fool. "Its ok, Harry," Mezentius chuckled to himself, "You should have seen her after her first practice session of water Quidditch."

They returned to Koaltumut with enough time to go the Three Broomsticks for afternoon tea. "Harry may require an extra large butter-beer after that practice Rosie," Jennifer smiled at the shopkeeper as they walked in, "My god, what happened to your face?" Roselyn, or Rosie as Jennifer had just called her, was a short plump woman with frizzled black hair, "First Water Quidditch practice," Mezentius told her as he and Harry took seats at the bar while the others went to tables at the very end of the café, "He appears to have enjoyed it though," Harry smiled in agreement of this. "Well - I think you must be made of stone to keep going after being so badly beaten by how many bludgers did you say?" she appeared to be slightly nosey, but that was ok Harry thought, as she was a very nice woman. "Nine . I think, it may have been ten," Harry squinted as the talking hurt the bruise that spread from his cheek up to his left eye. "Ten bludgers and you've not been rushed back to the castle - I saw a young lady walk by here before with another girl on a stretcher," Rosie told them, Harry nodded. Mezentius told her about the seeker and the broken collarbone. "You must be very tough Harry - to withhold a beating of ten bludgers when others cannot withstand a fall from a broom," she dished him up another large mug of butter beer. By the end of dinner Harry was feeling very strange indeed, everything seemed to blurring in front of him and he was finding very hard to walk in a straight line. "Its time to go and catch the dragon back to school," Mezentius grabbed Harry's shoulder, Harry nodded; he appeared to have a smile on his face although he himself didn't feel like smiling at all. Jennifer laughed when she saw how Mezentius was near dragging him along outside, "What's wrong with him?" she stared at Harry still almost smiling, "I don't know," Mezentius looked alarmed, "Can you help me please?" Jennifer grabbed under Harry's other arm and led him back towards the Koalingo station, where they boarded the dragon carriage. "What have you done to him?" said a voice Harry couldn't hear over the booming noise of his head drumming. "Nothing," Mezentius had managed to keep his temper about what Hyperion had told Harry, Hyperion examined Harry closely, "He looks . he can't be?" "It doesn't make sense," Mezentius shrugged, "Not that you care anyway," "What's that supposed to mean?" Hyperion was beginning to get his back up, "Come along you two we are here," Jennifer stood between them, Together, still bickering, Hyperion and Mezentius supported Harry off the carriage and through the drawbridge where they thought it very weird that there was no teacher there to greet them. "This isn't right," Jennifer looked around the sun had begun to set and there was not yet a single torch alight anywhere around the courtyard. "Milton should have all of these torches burning madly by now," Mezentius looked up at Jennifer for support, or perhaps guidance. Jennifer took charge immediately, "Prefects - you are to stay here with this lot - nobody leave here until either I return or a teacher shows up," she turned to two other Ameraid's, "You two come with me," And with that she sped off into the darkness of the castle, "What's going on?" Hyperion starred at Mezentius, Mezentius, ignoring Hyperion sat Harry down on the ground, "Are you ok, Harry?" "Fi'm ine!" Harry said groggily, he then blacked out. * Harry woke up what seemed like five minutes later; only he knew it was much more as there was blazing sunlight cutting through the closed curtains. This hospital wing wasn't much different to the one at Hogwarts, the same kind of paintings hung on the walls and there was the same distinct smell of bleached white sheets and blankets. He sat up in his bed and felt the familiar drumming pain in his head, which he felt every time he awoke in a hospital wing. He looked to see Mezentius and Brydie seated on chairs beside his bed - they were both asleep. "Oh, Harry your awake," Professor Emerindyl whispered as he entered the room trying his best not to awaken Mezentius and Brydie, "They have not moved from those seats for the last two days," he informed Harry "What . happened to me, sir?" Harry starred up at Professor Emerindyl "Do you not remember?" Professor Emerindyl looked at him curiously, "No," Harry shook his head, and he was telling the truth, he could remember nothing of what happened on that night that he now knew was two nights ago "Well perhaps it is better that way - although I am sure you'll find out soon enough," he looked at Brydie and Mezentius, whom were beginning to stir. "I will leave you now - I am sure you have a lot to discuss," and with that he disappeared out the door. Mezentius and Brydie opened their eyes at the exact same time, Mezentius immediately sat up, but Brydie, still half asleep, was looking around the room blankly. "Your awake," Mezentius spoke quietly, as there appeared to be other students, filling each other bed in the hospital room. "I noticed," Harry smiled, "You have been waiting for me to wake up for two days?" "Well, we were worried," Brydie spoke at last, "And it got us out of class," she chuckled, Mezentius and Harry joined her, Harry stopped laughing and turned to face them with a serious look, "What happened that night?" "Well you fainted because of the Butterbeer, apparently someone tampered with the stock, and it affected you faster then anyone else," Mezentius informed him, "Anyone else?" Harry asked, "Hyperion's in that bed, and the seeker Juliet, that fell of her broom during practice the other day, she is in another room," Mezentius told him with a grief stricken look on his face, "It seemed a little weird to me that she was off her game, I knew we shouldn't have gone for that drink before we played - but Mike was trying to find out where we were training, he even bought us all a round of Butterbeer - he'll do anything to win a Quidditch match, as if we were stupid enough to give away any of our secrets," Harry laughed it hurt his ribs, he pulled up his shirt to see his chest all bruised, "How?" Harry looked up in alarm, "Well, we really aren't supposed to tell you, but the night we got back something weird was going on here - Hyperion was supposed to look after you but of course he fainted from the Butterbeer as well," He glanced at Brydie who sank slightly in her chair, "We went to find Jennifer, she hadn't returned from going to find a teacher - we found a heap of first, second, and third years all huddled in the golden hall," "We were going to lead them out," Brydie spoke up, "But when we were passing the Defence Against Dark Arts classroom a flash of green light shot out the door and hit on of the first years," "Avada Kedavra?" Harry looked in horror, "At first that's what Mezentius though," Brydie stated, "But the student is alive an well and hasn't missed a single class," Mezentius informed him, "Anyway . the green light scared everyone and so naturally they ran for the exits and you and Hyperion were trampled, along with all this lot," Brydie pointed her finger in the air, meaning everyone else in the room. "What were they all doing on the ground?" Harry asked, as he saw the room was filled with seventh year boys, the only non-seventh year boys were Hyperion and himself, "Butterbeer we assume, they all went to Koaltumut for the day," Mezentius was giving the facts, "Mostly Ameraid's and Emerindyl's with the exception of one Ruberagon and three Saphricorn's," "That seems a little interesting that it's only one Ruberagon," Harry put in, * Harry was pleased to be released from the hospital and he got right back into his classes the next day, first class, being Defence Against Dark Arts. "Ok class, put away your books and pay attention to me," spoke a voice Harry thought out of place in the Defence Against Dark Arts Class, then he realised why, "Professor Canon?" Brydie starred at Mezentius, "Who's that?" Harry asked, "She's our old teacher, why would we have her again?" Brydie looked back over to the teacher while she was pushing a fat copy of Dark Arts The Mind, The Power Written by Gillian Combatison back into her bag. "I saw Professor ConDoin this morning," Mezentius worded to them after which they heard, "Mr Fumbleknot and Miss Morris, we are waiting for you," Professor Canon didn't look too happy, "Now that the class is silent," she looked very severely at Harry's table, "I would like to ask if anyone in this class has heard of The Guild of Avada?" Every student in the room raised their hand except Harry, "Well for the benefit of Mr Potter who should be informed of such information I'll have ." she was eyeing the crowd, "Mr Nino tell us all what The Guild of Avada is," "The Guild of Avada," Malvado spoke in a voice Harry thought sounded almost identical to Draco Malfoy, "Is the Guild of one of the most famous Dark Arts Practitioners of the world - Ms Avada Kedavra - Most famous for her Deadly curse. Which she used many times to kill her rivals, and supplied many other dark wizards with the perfect way to delete their enemies," At this point he locked eyes with Harry, "It is believed she was the teacher of both Merdin and Arthlin, nobody knows there last names, but they were the inventors of the other two unforgivable curses - the Cruciatus curse and the Imperious Curse," Harry said these curses quietly to himself under his breath at the same time as Malvado told them to the class. Harry didn't notice it then, but Mezentius was looking at him curiously. ".But the Guild - which is what I have been told to inform you of, Mr Potter, is the underground society that these two other wizards, Merdin and Arthlin, began in memory of their dearly departed teacher," he went on, "The members of the guild of Avada believe they have a right to be in this very Academy of Witchcraft and Wizardry. They have even tried to become students; here at Koalingo with some teachers and students secretly forming the House Avada whose stone was the black opal. Of course when they were discovered all teachers and students belonging to that group were banished from Koalingo. It is believed by some that the Avada house still exists and is in seclusion meeting irregularly plotting to take over Koalingo - which I think is a stupid thing for them to hope for," "Very true Mr Nino - 5 points to Ruberagon," Professor Canon smiled "I haven't finished Professor," He spoke out, "There's something else, everyone may fine interesting ." "Indulge us Mr Nino," Professor Canon sat on the corner of her desk, "Well, its rumoured that the Guild of Avada has returned to this area of Australia - I read it this morning in The Cauldron," he smiled, "Which is why I think that it is much more a coincidence that they return, just before what happened here two nights ago,"







































CHAPTER NINE A GRAVE ANNOUNCEMENT

***************** IMPORTANT The following Chapter contains material that may cause grief to anyone who has lost someone through youth suicide. Please do not proceed if you have experienced such a thing and find the subject painful for memories and may cause you to become distraught. *****************

"You think it was the Guild of Avada, don't you?" Harry looked at Mezentius as the left from their Defence Against Dark Arts Class, "I can tell, you have that look in your eyes that Hermione gets every time she is pondering something," "Hermione?" Brydie looked at Harry, Harry had told them nothing of his friends at Hogwarts as it made him homesick, Mezentius nodded, "I do," "But what would they all of a sudden decided to return for?" Harry starred at Mezentius whom appeared to be deep in thought, "I dunno,"

"I have been researching this for weeks," Mezentius slammed a huge gook down on the library table, "A History of Dark Arts Written by Professor Arutha ConDoin," "Our Professor ConDoin?" Brydie looked up from a comic she was reading that she had cleverly hidden inside a hollowed out spell book. "The very same - he has written a great many of the books here in the Library," Mezentius pointed to a section that had nothing but books written by Professor ConDoin. Brydie stood up and walked slowly over to the section of Professor ConDoin's books. "Unfortunately there isn't really anything in this book that Professor Canon didn't tell you last lesson," Mezentius flicked through the pages, "Hey," Brydie called them from where she was among the shelves. "Mezentius can you ask Miss Morris what she is doing in that section, as far as I know Professor ConDoin knows nothing about Potions," Professor Concoction stared over at Brydie, the librarian Mrs Crump, was starring towards there with anger, she hated any form of noise, "Yes Professor," Mezentius and Harry stood and travelled over to Brydie. "Brydie, Professor Concoction wants you back over ." he looked over to her just as she pushed a book in front of his face, "Did you know ConDoin runs the Australian Wizardry Defence Force?" Brydie asked, "What?" Mezentius took the book and started reading, "But he's just a teacher?" Harry looked confused, "No, she's right, Harry," Mezentius read aloud, "Currently a Professor at Koalingo Academy of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Furst Arutha ConDoin ." "First?" Brydie looked at him "No, Furst - I don't know what it means," Mezentius screwed his face up, it wasn't very often that Mezentius didn't know the answer, but he continued to read on, ".is the head of the Australian Wizardry Defence Force where he is in charge of over five-hundred-thousand wizard soldiers. And with his only superior being Lord Elwyn Emerindyl, Professor ConDoin is a very powerful wizard indeed," "Lord Emerindyl?" Harry asked this time, Mezentius and Brydie nodded as if this piece of news were common knowledge, "But this can't be right," Mezentius shook his head, "Professor ConDoin was once a member of the Guild of Avada ." he read loudly to Harry and Brydie, ". a member so strongly in fact, that he once made an attempt on the life of Penelope Crudge - wife of current Australian Minister of Magic Forellius Crudge," "Why would the headmaster employ an x-dark wizard?" Mezentius starred, "I'm sure he has his reasons," Harry shrugged; he knew perfectly well that Dumbledore had done the same thing with Professor Snape.

"I can't believe she is making us squeeze the poison out of theses Lobalug's," Brydie complained as she squeezed a little too hard and the poison squirted out, burning a hole in Professor Concoctions desk, "Careful," Mezentius snapped, "You know that is poison?" he starred at her as if she was an idiot, The door creaked open and the three of them looked up to see Professor Concoction entering the classroom, "That should be enough, thank you," she didn't appear to be mad in the slightest, just slightly disappointed, "Perhaps next time when your in potions class, you'll actually do your potions work - I credit you for working under your own initiative, but please do it in your own time," she smiled weakly, "Now hurry off to dinner, - Headmaster has informed me that Hyperion Douglas is up and about again - you might see him at dinner," They placed the Lobalug's they were squeezing, back into a tray of seawater. And hurried for the exits, "Lets get out of here before she sees that hole you put in her desk," Mezentius lead the way as the fled, "Your return has you as tired as ever Arutha," Mezentius, Harry, and Brydie stopped dead and pushed themselves up against the wall as they heard Professor Emerindyl speaking to Professor ConDoin inside a classroom they were standing next to, "Perhaps you'd wish to take an extra week off before returning," "No, I couldn't - after what happened here . I believe this would be a terrible time for me to take holiday for merely being tired," Professor ConDoin replied, "Nonsense, I have returned myself and all is well," Professor Emerindyl retorted, "I didn't know Professor Emerindyl was away," Harry spoke out Mezentius shushed him, "Yes, but Professor, if it is indeed the Guild of Avada, this may be our chance to rid our world of them once and for all," Professor ConDoin spoke strongly about what he was saying. "You will never completely defeat the Guild of Avada, Arutha," Professor Emerindyl was explaining

"That settles it, he can't be in on it," Brydie said as she slumped down to dinner, by this time they had completely disregarded the rules and just sat together at any table, except the Ruberagon table of course. "He? In on it?" Harry was confused, "Mezentius and I thought Professor ConDoin was in on it," she explained, "He may still be," Mezentius, announced, "He could be acting," "Well, I learnt over the last few years, you should never accuse a teacher, just because you don't like them," Harry pulled a half serious face "But its got to have been an inside job, I just know it - some one had to know that both Professor Emerindyl and Professor ConDoin weren't going to be here," Mezentius blurted out as he thought. "But who?" Brydie looked up at the teacher's table. Professor Emerindyl and Professor ConDoin had arrived and Harry agreed with Professor Emerindyl - Professor ConDoin did look very tired and rundown. "I agree with you though, Harry," Mezentius spoke through half chewed sausage, "But I think we should still investigate him, if we are right then we could be facing disaster - If Professor ConDoin is the Guild of Avada's inside man, then we are in serious trouble, he could be using the Australian Wizardry Defence Force facilities to be training dark wizards," A laugh sounded behind Mezentius as Hyperion sat beside him, "Getting a little carried away there," Mezentius was still mad with Hyperion after the lies he told Harry, "Did I ask for your input?" Mezentius spoke coldly, "I dunno, don't care really," Hyperion started digging into the food, "But you have got to be kidding - Professor ConDoin, a dark wizard? Come on Mezentius, the only reason you don't like him is because you're a wimp," Smack! Before anyone knew what was going on Hyperion was lying on the ground with Mezentius standing over him, wand pointing at Hyperion's face. "Mezentius Fumbleknot!" shrieked the last voice they wanted to hear right now. Professor ConDoin, now the only teacher not deep in conversation, had stood from his chair and was now moving quickly towards them. "Your in for it now Fumbleknot, "Hyperion spat glaring at Mezentius, "Mr Fumbleknot, what on earth do you think your doing?" Professor ConDoin was now standing over Mezentius. Mezentius lowered his wand. Every pair of eyes in the Golden hall was now starring over at them. "Come with me," Professor ConDoin swept from the room with Mezentius right behind him, "You'll have to watch yourself, Hyperion, unless you want to go straight back to the hospital wing for another week," Mike laughed as everyone turned back to their meals * "He didn't take a single point from Ameraid?" Brydie spoke in disbelief the next morning as they were on their way to Care of Magical Creatures. "Nope," Mezentius shook his head, "Even though it would be rightly warranted - he didn't," "Perhaps he was just too tired," Harry, sighed, "But he's never too tired to dish out a punishment," Mezentius spoke, "He loves punishing students," "Especially Ameraid's," Brydie put in "On time for once Emerindyl's," came a cheery female voice, it was Professor Madbury, a short stocky woman whom looked like she could handle just about anything Hagrid could handle. She was standing in front of her desk with a bag over one shoulder, "Do not unpack your things - we are going to go out onto the mountain today to see if we can find a Demiguise - can anyone tell me what a Demiguise looks like?" No one put their hands up. "No I didn't think so," she smiled, "Can anybody tell me why hardly anyone knows what they look like?" A Saphricorn student raised her hand, "Because they are invisible," "Correct, five points to Saphricorn," Professor Madbury smiled, "A Demiguise actually looks like an ape, very . um . dopey in appearance, but is highly sort after in every country it is found in, except Australia - can anyone tell me why the Demiguise is not hunted in Australia?" "I know this answer," Brydie raised her hand, "Because we use the invisibility charm instead of skinning animals to become invisible," "Correct - five more points for Saphricorn," The trip down the side of the mountain had been one of students looking shiftily behind themselves many times, Harry even thought at one point, he had seen a student in Emerindyl robes sneaking around behind some trees, but reminded himself that they were perfectly safe and he shouldn't over react. After all, he had seen Professor Madbury tackle a fair few dangerous creatures since he started at Koalingo, and he knew that the Guild of Avada would not be stupid enough to attack with Elwyn back in the castle. "Here," Professor Madbury whispered, "Quickly, over here," The class moved uneasily towards her, "In the tree behind me, third branch up you'll see a section where the branch is connected to the trunk," "But its not," spoke an Emerindyl student, "It's not connecting at all - that branch is floating," "No it isn't," Mezentius whispered, "There's a Demiguise hanging off it," "You can see it?" Harry asked him, Harry had been the only person that heard, "Can't you? It's a big ugly ape thing," Mezentius was starring straight at the gap in the branch while Professor Madbury went into details about the creature.

After class they returned to the Golden hall to find a thousand seats laid out in rows, no tables - set up for a whole school assembly. Professor Canon and a few other Professors were instructing students where to sit. "What's happening?" Mezentius asked an Ameraid student as they sat down in the front row. The Ameraid student shrugged, "Professor Emerindyl wants to tell us all something," "I heard one of the teachers went mad and started cursing their class," Harry heard a Saphricorn say to another Saphricorn, "Well I heard it was a student who went mad and cursed their teacher," the other Saphricorn replied "Someone's been killed," Brydie announced as she sat down on Harry's left, "What?" Harry and Mezentius spoke at the same time, Brydie nodded, "A seventh year pulled her own wand on herself," "Who?" Again Harry and Mezentius spoke at the same time. Brydie just shrugged "Silence everyone," Professor Emerindyl stood at the front of the hall, the teachers table had also been removed and he was standing alone on the stage, there were many other adults there whom no one seemed to know. "Moments ago - I was called from my office by the screams of a seventh year class," Professor Emerindyl announced, Everyone in the hall shuffled slightly, Harry turned his head around to see a group of seventh years sitting on the ground at the back of the hall, each drenched with tears, some of the strange adults appeared to be consoling them. "After arriving at the classroom I was met a most distressing site," Professor Emerindyl lowered his head, "A female student in the seventh year, has used the Avada Kedavra curse on herself," There was a wave gasps throughout the room, "Calm down, quiet please," Professor Emerindyl had more to say, "Being an inexperienced witch, she has not died, but has harmed herself a great deal - that student has been apparated to Diamond City Hospital, although it s not known yet, her current status," Tears were already rolling from the eyes of a great many students. "We have called upon many magical councillors if anyone would like to speak to them - it is natural for you all to grieve - this is a most terribly sad thing to have happen here or anywhere for that matter," he pointed to the exits, "The councillors will all be waiting for you in the courtyard out side - do not hesitate to go to one of them if you feel the need. Now, I would like you all to make your way to the front courtyard, do not stray, I will call you all back in when we have anymore to tell you," All of the students stood weakly, some looked as if they would fall over "I would like all Ameraid students to remain please," Professor Emerindyl; spoke as Professor ConDoin stepped up towards him. The Ameraid head teacher also stepped up on the stage. "Brydie please stay," Mezentius grabbed her arm, "You too Harry," "Um . of course,' Brydie sat down, Harry nodded and took his seat again. The rest of the Ameraid's all moved up to the front seats. And as soon as the hall was quiet again the Ameraid head teacher started speaking. "The student, whom was just apparated to Diamond City Hospital was an Ameraid student," the very short head teacher announced Harry quickly looked around, a hundred names shooting through his head but not one of them seemed likely to be a student who would do something such as making an attempt on their own life. "This students name is Jennifer Aldridge," the head teacher spoke - the words drumming through Harry's ears as his heart leapt in disbelief, "As I know, you all must have known her - this will be very hard for you to all handle, but I must remind you that we are all here for you - there are over a hundred councillors and teachers that are here for you to talk to - we ask that if anyone needs to talk about this, then do come, bottling anger is not highly suggested," at this point she looked directly at Mezentius.

"I can't believe she ." Mezentius spoke and then faltered. Everyone was sitting around in the football-oval-sized courtyard, some sitting talking some in tears and some whom were playing some kind of sport with a beanbag they were kicking to each other. "You should go and speak to a councillor," Brydie put her hand on Mezentius's shoulder, "No," he moved from her, "I am just fine - thank you," he snapped "I don't know what your wining about, Mezentius, you heard Professor Emerindyl, she made it to the hospital - witches and wizards can be cured after being an inch from death," Hyperion smiled menacingly

Professor Emerindyl appeared at the top of the oversized stone steps that lead up to the entrance courtyard, "Everybody to the Golden Hall, thank you," he returned inside, everyone gathered their things and filed into the hall, When Harry and Brydie took their seats, they looked around for Mezentius but he was nowhere to be seen. Professor Emerindyl took the stage and immediately the noise ceased. "This morning, a seventh year Ameraid student, used her own wand in an attempt on her own life," Professor Emerindyl took a deep breath, "That student has since died in Diamond City Hospital,"







































CHAPTER TEN THE INVITATION

The next few weeks at Koalingo were nothing like Harry had experienced since he had began there, the spring holidays would begin that afternoon, and nobody seemed to be smiling with anticipation. Even Hyperion had let up with being a jerk to Mezentius. Jennifer's death was a shock to all, even the Ruberagon's seemed to be highly affected by it. They seemed to look as if they were running from something. They never turned a corner without sending someone ahead of them. "Will you be staying here at Koalingo for the spring break?" Brydie asked Mezentius, Mezentius nodded, "My parents wanted me home, but I think I'll stay and keep, Harry, company," Brydie nodded, "Well my parents are renewing their marriage vows since its spring and all - so I have no choice, but I'll be back after the first week because they are going on another honeymoon and I will not stay with any of my relatives," Harry nodded and pulled a weak smile, "Well I know where I'd like to be for the holidays but it isn't going to happen, two free weeks of relaxation here at Koalingo then, hey?" Mezentius smiled weakly, he had been affected greatly by Jennifer's death, he never told anyone, but Harry could tell; Mezentius had had a crush on Jennifer. "Well," Brydie stood, "Our last lesson of Charms for this term,"

Their charms teacher was none other the Professor Emerindyl himself, and this was by far Harry's favourite subject. Professor Emerindyl was doing cheering charms with them in attempt to brighten the school up - no one was happy considering this was third year work. And in their current moods no one appeared to be doing it correctly - or it just wouldn't work on them. "Come on . if you believe this to be third year work then you are all doing dismally," he smiled from ear to ear, no one shared his enthusiasm, "Come along, no one leaves until I see a smile on everyone's face," He ended up releasing them early without a single smile on anyone's face. "Harry can I see you please?" he spoke just before Harry had a chance to retreat. Harry walked over to him and he pushed an envelope in front of Harry. It was a bone-coloured envelope with emerald green scripting that read

Headmaster Elwyn Emerindyl Koalingo Academy Mt Kosciuszko Australia Southern Hemisphere

Harry turned the letter over and his heart leapt as he saw the seal on it. It was the Hogwarts seal. "You may read the letter," Professor Emerindyl nodded, Harry took out the parchment folded up inside it and read:

Dear Headmaster Koalingo Academy, Sincerely Albus Dumbledore

Elwyn, I received word a week ago of what has happened at Koalingo and I give you my deepest sympathy. I hope all is well now As you may remember Hogwarts suffered a loss last year of a seventh year student by the name of Cedric Diggory. The school will be holding a memorial day for Cedric in one week's time. I understand that your school Spring holidays are during this time. And so believe this is the only time possible that we could have you away from Koalingo with the current activities progressing in Australia. I would like to formally invite you, Harry Potter and any other students who would like to come (i.e. any students not going home for spring break) to attend our memorial service and spring feast. This is a three-day schedule, and will require two nights of stay. R.S.V.P as soon as possible so I may inform Severus. Sincerely, Albus Dumbledore

"We're ." Harry faltered, "Yes Harry," Professor Emerindyl smiled, "In the second week of the spring holidays we will be attending the memorial service and spring feast at Hogwarts," * It'll be autumn there won't it?" Brydie asked Harry as they joined up after Harry's last class of Divination for the term, "I think so," Harry nodded, "I hate the cold," Brydie faked a shiver, "Its so cold - that's when I am coming back - maybe I'll just meet you in London, you'll have to talk Professor Emerindyl into showing everyone Diagon Alley - you'll have to trade currency anyway," "Cedric Diggory?" Mezentius looked up from the invite to Harry's face, "Um . I'd rather not ." Harry had not spoken of Cedric's death since it happened, Mezentius nodded, "I understand," For the sake of brightening everyone up before sending them home, Professor Emerindyl had cancelled that afternoon's classes and held a school fair in the Castle courtyard Harry had never realised how big the courtyard had actually been until he noticed how many things actually fit into it.

"Awe . I think I'm going to be sick," Brydie grabbed her stomach as she stepped of the Ferris wheel. Which was a wizards Ferris wheel, which meant it did not only go around and around, but it also flipped side ways and shot into the air every few minutes before landing back on its stand. "You shouldn't have eaten those sherbet worms," Mezentius looked at her pityingly "You want some, Harry?" she held them up to Harry, squirming madly around her hands were a handful of brightly coloured sherbet covered worms. "They're not real? Are they?" Harry watched as one managed to wriggle free and squirm into a whole in the cemented ground, "No," she shook her head, they're really yummy," she smiled even though she looked ready to throw up, "Hello there," said a familiar voice behind them, they turned to see Roselyn working at a portable milk bar, "Feeling better I see," she smiled, "I am sorry about the Butterbeer - I dunno what happened to it," she screwed her face up, "That's ok," Harry smiled, he didn't for a second think it was her fault, "Hows about a drink on the house? Butterbeer all 'round?" she smiled "No!" Harry, Brydie and Mezentius all spoke at once "Didn't think so," her smile faded, and then came back as fast as it faded, "I have just the thing - lovely cold and it settles stomachs," "I'm in for some of that," Brydie said as she burped very loudly. Mezentius and Harry nodded also. "Okey dokey - just wait a minute, its in a drum behind the tent here," she smiled as she stepped around behind the half-tent that her store was in. "Hey," Mick was smiling from ear to ear as he sat down beside them, "Everyone ready for a holiday?" "You seem to be," Brydie chuckled, "Oh, I am - believe me," he smiled, "Don't forget Mezentius - Aqua- Quidditch first week back," he appeared to be in far higher spirits then Mezentius, Mezentius nodded, "Listen, have you seen Hyperion?" he asked, "We're supposed to be using his family Aqua-Quidditch pitch for practice over the holidays," The three of them shook their heads, "Ok, well if ya see him?" he started, they all nodded, He disappeared with a quick, "See ya later, Roselyn," as she appeared back with their drinks, she was shaking her head, "Terrible employee that boy - always late for work," she poured their drinks, "Tis the way of the Emerindyl," Brydie said and they all laughed as they tapped their glasses and drank down their drink. * "Oh dear," Brydie sighed as she settled her heavy bag on the front stone steps later at seven o'clock that evening, "Back to Britain for a week, a whole week before you guys come down," "You'll be fine - you won't even miss us," Mezentius laughed, "Probably not," she laughed back, she then looked at Harry, "Dudley will be back for his autumn break - do you want me to tell him anything?" Harry nearly chocked on the mere oxygen he was breathing, "Didn't think so," she smiled, "See you in a week," she said as she grabbed her bag and hurried down the oversized steps to the Dragon draw carriages, where a goblin jumped off grabbed her bag and opened the door for her. Mezentius sighed, "I wonder who else is staying for Spring break," They both jumped up and headed back to the Golden Hall, when they got there, they saw a handful three Ameraid's, about five Saphricorn's and two Ruberagons. "Less then usual," Mezentius said as they made their way towards the Ameraid table, "I don't think Professor Emerindyl would mind you sitting with us - after all, you are the only Emerindyl student here - Hyperion is always the first Emerindyl to leave," Harry sat down smiling. Just as Professor Emerindyl entered the room, "Come now what is with all this unsociableness," he clapped his hands, and the next thing Harry knew, he and every other student in the room were seated at a large circular table, and the house tables had disappeared. "We are not in our house groups over the holidays - school has ended for two weeks," He walked over to the table and sat among them. "A great opportunity has come up for everyone here in the second week of the holidays," he looked around, "We have been invited to attend Hogwarts Academy of Witchcraft and Wizardry for a Spring feast and memorial service for the loss of one of their students during a Tri-Wizard Tournament last May," Everyone looked straight over at Harry at that point. Harry saw that one of the two Ruberagon students to stay behind was Malvado Nino. "And I believe after the support we received from Hogwarts a month ago when a student left us - it is my belief that we should return their favour, and show our gratitude," He stopped looking around and starred straight at Harry, "We will be leaving for Hogwarts in a weeks time - and for you shoppers, we will be making a short stop in London to visit Diagon Alley so you may exchange currency and doing a spot of shopping," at this point he winked at Harry, "I believe we'll be meeting Miss Morris there," At this point he stood, "Now - I believe at this point I shall be bidding you all good night - you know the holiday rules - you have full run of the castle but are to keep away from the Teachers Corridor unless you need to see someone," He looked directly at the Ruberagons, "There is no excuse for being inside a classroom," Harry looked over at Malvado Nino, who was now grinning, "I am not sure - after the festival - if you are at all hungry, but I believe the house elves have prepared it for you anyway," he clapped his hands and the table filled with plates of food, "Dig in," he smiled as some of the students began to eat, Harry watched Professor Emerindyl whisper something into Professor ConDoin's ear and they both stood and exited the room. "I guess you'll be staying in the Ameraid Dorms?" Terry Tumut, an Ameraid student Harry had only ever spoken to in class, asked Harry as the food began to disappear from plates as students stopped feeding from them, "Well your only other choice is the Ruberagon Dormitories - the Saphricorn's are also staying in our dorms - there dorms are being fumigated for fleas," Harry and Mezentius chuckled at this. It was a well-known fact that the Saphricorn dorms were thriving with pets, and with the warmer months approaching, student's cats and dogs were beginning to produce fleas - Harry remembered many of the Saphricorn students were itching as they boarded their carriages to go home.

Soon all of the plates were clean as a whistle and every person, except for the Ruberagons, appeared to be ready for bed. "Where are the Saphricorn common rooms?" Harry asked as they headed out of the Golden hall moments later, "Well the entrance to the Ameraid common room is quite secret - that's why the Ruberagon students aren't aloud to stay in our dormitories on the holidays - Amberly Ameraid forbid it," Mezentius spoke as all of the Saphricorn students and himself, followed the Ameraid students toward the fountain in the entrance courtyard. The fountain, Harry thought, was finely crafted with stone mermaids and dolphins, fish and coral all magically glowing lavender tinted. Mezentius stopped at the face of a particularly large, boring looking fish. "Password?" the fish spoke, spitting bubbles out of its mouth, which fast floated up into the air and out of site. Harry blocked his ears as an almighty screeching sound filled his ears; Harry came to the conclusion that whatever Mezentius was saying - he was saying it in mermish. The next thing Harry knew he was covered in a lilac goo that was streaming from the fish's mouth and covering every student standing there - and as soon as each student was covered Harry's body tickled with a light coolness as he looked around to see that he was now swimming. It was like he had swallowed a mouthful of gillyweed, he had gills on the sides of his neck and he was swimming through the water with his webbed feet and hands. Mezentius was swimming in front of him smiling and waving his arms. Mezentius had not taken on the same form as Harry - he had taken on his animagi form; a merman. Harry looked around to see all the other Ameraid's shoot past him, all in the form of merpeople, they were soon followed by others that looked like Harry, 'These must be the Saphricorn's' Harry thought Mezentius nodded to him and the pointed towards something behind him. To Harry it looked slightly blurry. It was at this point he had realised he had lost his glasses. He looked around madly, but Mezentius grabbed hold of Harry's wrist and they took off at high speeds. Only seconds later Harry and Mezentius had reached the doorway to one of the most magnificent castles he had ever seen. Mezentius pulled Harry down towards a bubble-like door and they both touched it at the same time. Harry felt a cool sensation flow through his body as he and Mezentius slipped through the bubble. "That was weird," Harry, gasped for air, as his gills vanished and he found himself lying on a mauve marbled floor. "Welcome to Ameraid palace," Mezentius smiled as he held pulled Harry up from the ground. "My glasses," Harry rubbed his eyes, now saw from the water. Mezentius placed his hand through the door bubble and pulled it back into the palace holding what looked like Harry's glasses but completely made of glass. "Water goggles," Mezentius handed them to him, "A simple spell to make water hold in shape, they should be about your prescription, we can look for your glasses in the morning - this is just a fountain, they can't go too far," "Where . we're in the fountain?" Harry looked out through the many windows of the room he was standing in. "See for yourself," Mezentius placed his hand on Harry's shoulder, Harry turned and almost fell over from shock as a goldfish, the size of a killer whale, was staring in on him. "That's humungous," Harry starred in awe, "No," Mezentius laughed, "We're just small," he smiled Mezentius turned and started off towards a stone staircase behind him, "There are 134 stories in the palace, plus a main dining room and recreation centre," he smiled, "Amberly Ameraid was always one for the finer things in life," Harry gaped at the spiral-stone staircase, which appeared to travel upwards forever. "Which floor do you live on?" Harry was standing with his mouth wide open in amazement. Mezentius laughed, "There are faster and easier ways to get to the 133rd floor," Harry starred at him. It turned out that the easier way to get that far up the palace was to exit back into the water and swim upwards, unfortunately the water only went as high as the 73rd floor, but that, in Harry's mind, was better then nothing. "This is my room," Mezentius spoke as they reached the second highest floor, "Jennifer's was the next one up - her parents came to empty it this morning," There was an awkward silence in which Harry had no idea what he should say. In the end it was Mezentius, who spoke first, "My bedroom is in there - you can have the guestroom which is across the hall - you should like it," Mezentius smiled sneakily, He led Harry across the hall to two large willow doors. The two doors were both incredibly sculptured and had lion doorknocks, which growled at Harry when he went to touch the door. "Its ok," Mezentius told them, "Harry will be staying in this guestroom for the spring break," "Well thass alrigh' then," the two lions spoke with rather strong Scottish accents. The doors then swung open and Harry peered in. The room mirrored Mezentius' room but looked quite different seeing the room was green - Emerindyl's colour "I have no idea what the Emerindyl common room looks like so I'm sorry if you don't really feel right at home?" Mezentius jumped to apologies before Harry had a chance to react, "No, no, no," Harry said immediately, "Its perfect,"

The next morning was the strangest Harry had ever had a Koalingo Academy - there was no noise at all, and entering the Golden Hall to see the round table in the middle of the hall was even stranger. He sat down half expecting to blink and find himself back at Hogwarts seated at the Gryffindor table with Ron and Hermione. Unfortunately when he did blink, this didn't happen. "Morning Harry," it was Terry Tumut whom had spoke to Harry the previous night; he walked into the hall followed by the two Ruberagon students. Terry sat down next to Harry, while Malvado and the other Ruberagon sat on the direct opposite side of the table. "How'd you enjoy your Ameraid room?" Terry asked as he poured milk into his bowl of Weet Bix Harry nodded as he starred across the table to Malvado - who had just unrolled a piece of parchment on the table. "Mezentius made you a pair of glasses I see?" Terry started spooning down his cereal, Harry pulled off the glasses he had used to replace his missing pair the previous night; he had totally forgotten to check the fountain that morning. "Right handy trick that," Terry spoke through a mouthful of Weet-Bix, "Its amazing what an Ameraid can do with that water - a couple weeks ago I saw Jennifer sculpt this amazing dolphin statue and ." Terry went quiet as Mezentius entered the golden hall and made his way slowly across to Harry. "Sleep well?" Mezentius asked as he sat down and poured himself a glass of orange juice. "Yes, thanks," Harry smiled, "What do you do here on the holidays?" Harry looked around. He remembered the holidays he and Ron spent at Hogwarts and thought that there had always been something to investigate - so what would he find to do now? "Well I am going out on the castle gardens to do some homework," Mezentius flung his bag over one shoulder, "Your welcome to join me," "Yeah Mezentius," Terry was chuckling to himself, "Its his first day of holidays at Koalingo Manor and he wants to go into the gardens to do homework," he spoke sarcastically. "Well then I guess I'll be going into the gardens alone," Mezentius smiled, "Better hope the Guild of Avada aren't waiting for me," he exited the hall laughing. "Weird, that one," Terry was still looking towards the door, "I wouldn't laugh about something like that - but its alright for him isn't it? His bloodline will protect him," Harry looked over at Terry befuddled, "Bloodline? But he is muggle born?" "Yes," Terry nodded, "But his wizardry heritage is better then any pure- blood here at Koalingo," Harry just stared, "Well he is the heir of Ameraid," Terry spooned the last of he's Weet-Bix into his mouth and started spreading Vegemite over some toast. "The heir of . of Ameraid? Amberly Ameraid?" Harry asked, mystified. "The very one," Terry smiled, "You see - Amberly Ameraid's only child was a squib, totally and utterly powerless - nothing to his mother," "But where does Mezentius come into this?" Harry starred at Terry, whose face was smudged with vegemite. "Well Amberly Ameraid is a great, great, great, great . something grandmother of Mezentius' - he is the first wizard in his family since the great Amberly herself," Terry was now mopping his face clean of black-brown smudges of vegemite, he appeared to have finished his breakfast, "Come have a look - there's almost as many books in the library about him as there is about you,"

"See?" Terry pointed to a whole corridor of books, which were locked away behind Iron Gate, "Headmaster has them locked up though - 'until Mezentius has graduated'" he mocked Professor Emerindyl "Yes, I believe those were my exact words," a hand landed on Terry's shoulder. He spun around to see Professor Emerindyl towering over him like a castle to a tin cottage. "Headmaster," Terry almost squeaked. Harry sensed intimidation in Terry's voice. "You know, the Library appears to be in the teachers corridor," Professor Emerindyl spoke with a slight smile and Harry could see the twinkle in his eye that he had only ever seen on Professor Dumbledore. "Yes Professor, we are sorry - it won't happen again I ." Terry broke off as Professor Emerindyl laughed. "It would seem I will need to amend the rules slightly - you will need the library for any homework research," he winked at Harry, "You are here for homework research, aren't you?" Harry saw Terry move his hand slightly and a book appeared in it. "Yes sir," he pulled the book out in front of him and held it up, "Homework research," "Ah, very good," Professor Emerindyl smiled, "I have it sir," Professor ConDoin appeared from behind a bookshelf further down. He looked at Harry and Terry apprehensively as he walked towards them and stood by Professor Emerindyl. There was a long moment of silence. "Well we best be off," Professor Emerindyl broke the silence, "And don't worry, Terry, when you get older it will just come naturally," They trod off and Terry looked at Harry, confused to what Professor Emerindyl had said before he left. That was, until they looked at the book Terry was holding which was headed '101 Ways to Wowing a Witch' "A guide to get a girl to notice you," Terry read, "Oh my god," he smacked himself in the head with the book and Harry saw Terry's face grow red with embarrassment.

"Did you see that book Professor ConDoin was carrying?" Harry asked Terry at lunch. They had used a levitating charm to float some books on Mezentius from behind the iron gates. Which were now carefully hidden under the table in a bag in front of Harry's legs. "No," Terry flushed, "I was too busy making a fool of myself" "It was a book about the Guild of Avada," Harry announced, "I'm sure of it," "Yeah so?" Terry shuffled uneasily as Harry mentioned it; "He is the head of the AWDF, maybe their targeting the Guild of Avada once and for all," Mezentius entered the room at that moment and sat down, after immediately looking over at Terry, whose face was as red as the cherry's Harry was feasting on. Mezentius started laughing loudly. "Yeah, don't worry Terry," Mezentius laughed loud enough to have everyone look at him, "It will come naturally," Terry looked very embarrassed as Mezentius continued laughing. Harry remembered the books he had sitting underneath the table, and suddenly started thinking about them even thought he was trying even harder to think about something else before Mezentius might start reading his thoughts. "What's on your schedule for later on this afternoon?" Mezentius had finally stopped laughing although his face was very red and Harry saw the glint of tears in his eyes. Mezentius wiped his eyes, the whole time still keeping his chuckling to a bare minimum. "Er ." Harry knew what he wanted to do but he couldn't think about that right now, so he quickly started thinking about returning to Hogwarts the following week - even if it was only for three days - Harry couldn't wait, "I wanted to go into Koaltumut and pick up some gifts for Hermione and Ron," "Great idea - they should love that," Mezentius smiled, "We'll catch the first dragon into town after lunch then, shall we?" Harry nodded as he nervously shifted his bag of books, with his feet, under the table so they knocked Terry's feet. Terry used his feet to pull them towards himself and he winked at Harry while Mezentius grabbed a handful of grapes and stood up. "Lets go now - there's a dragon leaving in five minutes and the next doesn't leave for half an hour," Mezentius spoke through a mouthful of grapes. Harry nodded and stood and they both exited the hall, Harry glimpsed back at Terry whom had lifted the bag of books over his back and disappeared through the side entrance to the hall. "What kind of people are Ron and Hermione?" Mezentius asked as they made their way stealthily across the entrance courtyard towards the drawbridge, "Just thinking about what shops we should visit," "Ron likes the Chudley Cannons," Harry announced "Fire weapons?" Mezentius looked confused "No," Harry chuckled, "They are a Quidditch team," "Oh," Mezentius looked complacent "And Hermione is . well - she's a lot like you come to think of it," Harry smiled weakly "Books?" Mezentius smiled, "I know just the place," They boarded the dragon hearing the usual warning from the guard at the gate to be back at the Koalingo Platform by five that evening or they'd be locked out. Harry had become more used to travelling to Koaltumut this way as he had done it almost every weekend after his first visit. The dragon came to a stop and roared to let them know it had landed. Mezentius and Harry were he only Koalingo students in the carriage and so seemed to stand out quite a lot more then usual among the crowds of goblins, house elves, and hags which stared them out the door. "Ok, well we want Bathilda's Bookshop, she has the best Australian books stocked that you can't get anywhere else in the world," Mezentius smiled, "But I don't know about the . er . Cruddy Cannons? Is that what you called them?" "Chudley Cannons," Harry informed him while smiling "Yeah, well I have never heard of them before but we can check out Quality Quidditch Supplies, they are a world wide chain so they might have something in stock," Mezentius started off the platform, Harry in hot pursuit.

Bathilda's Book store was a lot bigger on the inside then from what it looked on the outside - It's cavernous roof seemed to be higher then that of any rooves at Koalingo and it's corridors seemed to go on forever. The walls were covered with books; there was no room at all for a picture to hang, or even a window. Harry knew that Hermione would go nuts in here with her pocket money if she ever set foot inside it. "Aha Mr Fumbleknot," a short plump woman with rosy cheeks came strolling towards them, "What can I get you today?" "Its not me today Bathilda, its my friend, Harry Potter," Mezentius smiled, Harry saw Bathilda's eyes dart to the scar on his forehead - one of the first Australians he had seen do this. "Welcome Mr Potter," she smiled, "I have read every book you have ever been mentioned in - that Lord Voldemort is a nasty character, isn't he," Harry felt himself flinch slightly, his attitude towards Voldemort had changed slightly since they had last met, but it was not fear that made him flinch, it was more anger. "So what are you looking for?" she smiled, probably sensing the need for a change in subject. "Well, the book I want is actually a gift for a friend of mine," Harry told her, "An English girl," Mezentius told Bathilda, "So perhaps a book not available anywhere else but here," "Oh we have lots of those," Bathilda started off towards a section marked 'Exclusive section' which was actually half the bookshop, "A bit of a book worm this friend of yours?" she asked as she started sorting through some books. "Yes," Harry nodded, "That's Hermione, she loves knowledge," "Ah right, yes, I have the perfect book for her," she left the shelf she was at and crossed to a shelf marked 'Australian History of Magic' "Here," she passed the heavy book to Harry, "This ought to keep her busy for a day or so, if she's the kind of reader you say, otherwise she'll never finish it," Bathilda laughed, Harry joined in as Mezentius said, "Good book that - got it out at the library a couple of weeks ago for some light reading," So when they exited the shop Harry was in the highest of spirits he had been since before Jennifer's death, "Next stop, Quality Quidditch supplies," Mezentius had walked off towards a shop with a broom in the window. The attendant in Quality Quidditch Supplies was not near as much help as Bathilda was with picking a book for Hermione. It took, Harry, half an hour to explain who and what the Chudley Cannons were and then another two hours for the attendant to find something with the Chudley Cannons on them. In the end the attendant had only found a pair of Chudley Cannon socks and a book, which Harry knew Ron already had. So instead he bought Ron some Wollongong Wallaby Quidditch Robes. The Wollongong Wallabies, Harry had discovered, were the Australian National Quidditch team, which played in the International Competition. "Do you think he'll like it?" Harry asked Mezentius later on while they were sitting down in the three broomsticks slurping down warm butter beer - Harry had just started to trust drinking from the three broomsticks again, "I mean, they aren't really his favourite team, are they," "Well if he doesn't like them he can charm it into the Cruddy Cannons colour and sever the pictures off," Mezentius smiled "I suppose," Harry smiled weakly, "We had better be heading back - that idiot in the store back there has used up all our time,"

The next few days at Koalingo were fantastic in Harry's mind. He had discovered many secret passageways the Hyperion had failed to mention and had even been persuaded to go into the Koalingo Gardens for a game of muggle cricket, although he was sure the Ruberagons charmed the cricket bat to hit the ball extra hard when it was their turn to bat. All was flowing fine and before anyone had realised it, the holidays were half over and it would be the very next day, which they would be venturing off to Hogwarts.

The atmosphere was filled with excitement and nervousness as Professor Emerindyl handed them all a list of things they would need to pack which included a pair of Koalingo dress robes which they were required to wear at the memorial and feast, and a fresh set of normal school robes which were to be warn at any other times. "Now remember we won't be the only visiting school," Professor ConDoin was announcing before dinner on the last evening, "So it is important that you are always in your uniform to show which school you come from - heaven forbid anyone do something to disgrace Koalingo - any students found doing such a thing will be immediately expelled, do I make myself clear?" The small amount of students seated around the round table all smiled and nodded, except for Mezentius whom had just nodded with no trace of a smile. "Koalingo has a fine reputation that precedes us," he seemed to stand straight at Mezentius, "I will not have anyone damage that reputation," "Thank you Professor ConDoin," Professor Emerindyl stood and Professor ConDoin sat down in his usual seat on Professor Emerindyl's right hand side, "I don't think I need to repeat what Professor ConDoin has just said but I will reinforce it - I expect you all to be on your best behaviour - the schools reputation is ultimately your reputation, and nobody wants to have a bad name," He smiled as his eyes twinkled, "Now dig in, bed time is earlier tonight - I don't believe I have to tell you why?" A couple of students chuckled, Mezentius being one of them. Food appeared on the table and everyone began eating cheerfully - it was Terry whom was first to start up a conversation, "What Hogwarts like, Harry?" Harry was slightly taken aback by the abruptness of Terry's question, he had never spoken about Hogwarts to anyone since he started at Koalingo and although he thought the question was entirely fair, he stubbed the conversation by answering, "It's a school - what can I say?" "Well surely there are things you like about Hogwarts?" Professor Emerindyl joined the conversation "Well, of course there are," Harry nodded, "But . well it really isn't much different then it is here," "Oh?" even Professor ConDoin joined in, "I have heard that there are a great many differences between Hogwarts and Koalingo?" "Well, yes there are . but Hogwarts is a castle and so is Koalingo - although the ceilings are not quite as high and the rooms are much smaller then most here," Harry answered them, "And we have a lake with a giant squid," some of the younger students seemed impressed by this, "And a forest around most of the school - but its forbidden to enter it, unless your on detention," "What are the Quidditch games like at Hogwarts?" Malvado looked across the table, "I hear they aren't very good," "No, they are good, not as amazing as water Quidditch but they are as good as any normal Quidditch games," "You shall get to see for yourself anyway, Mr Nino" Professor ConDoin addressed Malvado, "I have been informed that there will be a school Quidditch match on the third morning of our stay," "Unfortunately we will have left by then," Professor Emerindyl smiled and there were a couple of moans from the small congregation, "But perhaps I can find it in myself to stay just for a few extra hours," Everyone cheered. "Now," Professor Emerindyl stood half an hour later after the remainder of the autumn pudding had been devoured, "Now it is time for bed," There were a few moans and groans but they fell silent as Professor Emerindyl smiled and kept talking, "You will find your golden school travelling robes hanging over the ends of your beds - we have an early start - see you at four am," and with that he swept from the room as everyone else stood and made their ways from the hall. And Harry couldn't believe it. Tomorrow he would be going to Hogwarts.