A/N: Another chapter for you to enjoy!

Don

-DCM-

Hadrian left Lady Lonel and Daphne alone with Herminie in the common room and made his way up the steps to the boys first year dorm room. On the third step he slowed and paused. Winter's wind had started to blow across his mind. The gentle stirrings holding the deep cold warmth of something of import. Four times in the past had he felt Winter's Wind swirling in his mind in this particular way. By the fifth step the wind had started to build and Hadrian was certain. A small smile forming on his lips as he became so.

"Borash, attend me" Hadrian sub-vocalized and felt his battle brother step into existence next to him, the stair way stretching around him to accommodate his bulk.

After a quick look around and seeing no danger, Borash let his battle axes fade back into his medallion though his armor stayed in place. He was curious about the summons, but seeing the look in Hadrian's eyes while his hair was being tossed by an unseen wind, a sudden realization and excitement entered his normally stoic eyes.

As Hadrian and Borash moved to continue up the stairs, pale blue patterns started forming on Borashs' armor, complimenting the ornate ridges and spikes that had begun forming as well. By the time they reached the door to the first-year boy's dorm room, the plain and functional armor had been replaced with what appeared to be completely different set of armor. Spikes, ridges and pale blue patterns splashed across its entirety, making Borash look much more elegant than normal, but no less deadly. Instead of his normal single-handed battle axes, two monstrous crystal bladed axes formed at his sides, the blades gleaming in the dim torch light.

The pair stopped in front of the door, armor flowing around Hadrian, his staff forming in a sheath on his back, the crystal blade glowing as the wind blowing through his mind strengthened. Hadrian raised his right hand and opened the door to the dorm room.

Neville stood by his bed, his thoughts turned inward. Part of him knew that this moment would be one he would look back on and realize it was a moment that would define his life. He had made a choice, and that choice was to stand. Not only to stand but to stand with Hadrian Snowlock. And to stand with him against what ever he stood against. He had not known Hadrian for long, less than 3 days, but he knew his place was at his side, and in that moment, he knew deep inside, deep where his magic and his being were one, that he was not only making a life-long choice, but he was making the right choice.

It was then that someone opened the door to the dorm room. Neville looked up and wasn't surprised to see Hadrian standing there staring back at him, looking like a wind was blowing his hair in a dozen different directions at once, his eyes radiating an inner power. Neville straitened his shoulders and looked into those softly glowing eyes, a gentle cold wind starting to blow across his mind.

Hadrian looked into the room and saw Neville standing, looking resolute and determined.

"Kastoni, attend me" There was a swirl of wind and snow and Neville watched as a half man, half spider appeared in a burst of snow and ice. One glance at Hadrian and Borash and ornate silver armor with light blue patterns started forming over what Neville knew to be a Skraeling warrior. The hilts of two long crystal swords could be seen over his shoulders. Neville was surprised to see the warrior only had one eye, the other appeared to be a shining pale crystal, a pale peach in color. The warrior noticed Neville's stare and stared back at him, his face blank. After a brief moment, he gave Neville a slight bow of his head, and stepped back to make room for Hadrian and Borash to enter the room.

Hadrian took two steps closer towards Neville. "Silver Moon, attend me" Another flurry of wind and snow, and the largest white wolf Neville had ever seen stepped into the room, its' hackles raised. With a quick glance around the room, the wolf too took a few steps to the side and sat on its' haunches. Neville noticed the crystal claws on the wolf even as an ornate silver harness formed over the chest and back of the beautiful creature. Neville didn't know how he knew, but he knew this wolf was female, tall, fierce, and elegant. She too looked at Neville in curiosity for a few moments, then with a quick nod of her graceful lupine head, she turned to Hadrian and looked at him expectantly.

Hadrian took three more steps and stood directly in front of Neville. Neville didn't know when he had moved forward, but he stood with Hadrian in the center of the room while the cold wind whipped around both of the boys. Borash, the Skraeling, and the wolf stepped forward, Borash behind Hadrian, the Skraeling to Neville's left, and the wolf to the right.

Hadrian's eyes started to glow. "Aries, attend me" Hadrian's voice was a whisper, yet held a depth of power Neville had never heard or felt before. He felt the swirl of wind and snow behind him, knew that someone else had been summoned to his room, but was unable to break the gaze that he shared with Hadrian. The clatter of a pair of hooves sounded behind Neville.

In that moment Neville knew. Knew his timid life was over, knew the direction it was going was going to be forever altered and he felt joy. It was with a sigh of relief that he stood just a bit straighter, his head held just a bit higher.

Hadrian reached out, and put his hands on either side of his face. At the same time, Borash reached around Hadrian with his right arm and placed his hand on Neville's chest, the Skraeling put his right hand on Neville's left shoulder, the wolf stood on her back feet, and put her right paw on Neville's right shoulder, and he felt a hand on his back.

The wind around them picked up, blowing bed curtains, and a few loose parchments around the room. The snow and ice blowing in circles thickened, and made anything beyond the small group hard to see, and everything beyond faded. Frost slowly started to form over the hands of those touching Neville, and the wind kicked up to a frenzy pace.

But Neville didn't notice these things. The only thing he saw was Hadrian and his glowing eyes. Glowing eyes staring directly into Neville's resolute brown eyes. And then Hadrian spoke:

"Child of sorrow, last of his line, slow to anger, resolute to stand.

Warrior with the will of a young Iron Oak, strong and tall.

The green leaves of your wakening soul providing shade and rest to others.

Standing for others so they may stand strong with you.

The Heart of Winter calls you to be judged."

The wind, ice, and snow built to a crescendo, frost crystals completely covering the six as they stood in the middle of the room, until they were all part of one solid crystal, the shapes of those inside barely able to be seen.

After a few brief moments, there was a pop, then a crack. Followed by more, and then more again. Soon the whole surface of the crystal was cracked and cracking. After another brief moment the entire crystal exploded downward, scattering ice crystals across the floor of the dorm.

"Warrior with the heart of an iron oak, the Heart of Winter has judged you.

You have been found in balance, strength balanced with compassion.

Growth balanced with decay, justice balanced with mercy.

Resolute to nurture, giving of yourself that others may grow.

You are found worthy and named Brumal Hiemal, a Guardian of Winter."

Neville was surprised to see tears on Hadrian's cheeks, but was unsurprised when he noticed his own cheeks were wet with tears. Surprised they weren't frozen, but unsurprised they were there.

"Welcome Brother!" a deep gruff voice came from behind him. Neville turned and saw a tall, muscular Satyr behind him.

"Yes! Welcome!" this from the wolf. A smile and a gentle nod from the Skraeling, and a grunt from the furry Yeti behind Hadrian.

Hadrian's eyes shown with happiness and more tears. "I knew it!" he whispered "I knew it the moment I saw you!" It was then that Neville's world slowly turned black as he passed out, strong hands catching him and lowering him gently to the floor.