CHAPTER FOUR--MENTOR LEXI

Almost a week had passed before the young human woke from his induced sleep. Bleary emerald green eyes fluttered open to see a calm gaze of hazel. Blinking furiously, Harry forced his vision to focus, barely noting that he was not wearing his glasses. Dull pain echoed through his entire being as a small groan floated from parched lips.

"Hold on there, child." Gentle hands carefully held a cool glass of cold water to his lips. Greedily, he drank half the glass. "Be careful now. You'll be dizzy from the healing."

Raspy, his voice scratched his throat in throbbing paths, "What happened?"

The low voice gently spoke, "You are in the healer's ward. You have been here for almost twoweeks trying to heal your injuries."

The bright green gaze cleared quickly. Eyes widen at the sight of a female centaur. Unlike the darker centaurs in the Forbidden Forest, she was a light gold with a darker chestnut colour for hair and tail. She chuckled at his delight at something familiar. "Who are you?"

Carefully arranging her lower body, she laid down on the ground while her upper body bowed lightly. "I am Lexi. But to you I will be called Mentor Lexi."

"Mentor?"

Hazel eyes gleamed in enjoyment. "Of course. During you stay here; you will be trained beneath our laws. A mentor is someone who will help you. Someone who you will learn from, trust, and depend on. As your mentor I am responsible for your training and housing. I would give you clothing, food, and rules. I will also talk with other mentors to help me strengthen your weaknesses or strengths. As a student you are responsible for practice and constant training."

Harry was confused by her words, "Training! But I can't stay here!"

Mentor Lexi smiled. "Calm down, child."

Arms crossed, a pouting face, "My name's Harry Potter."

"Alright then, Harry. Our training program includes mages, guides, council members, mentors, and guards. Our realm has non-humans. You are the first human to enter our world to be trained. Each program depends on the strength and will of the person. In this training you will learn various magic other than your wizardry, languages such as elfish, weaponry, hand-to-hand combat, shielding, body shifting, and mind-to-mind connection to future team-mates."

"Languages? I can't possibly do that!"

Laughing, Mentor Lexi couldn't help but love the naïve boy, "It's quite easy. You will learn. You will have others who can help teach you inside and outside class."

"Oh. Uh, when can I leave?"

"The council has already decided that after your training you may return. Until then we would like you to stay. We believe it's your only hope to stand up to your enemy."

Black hair fell in his face as he tried to maneuver his position to a more comfortable one. Mentor Lexi quickly helped. "This council, who are they?"

"The council rules various realms but one. The demonic world already has a ruler. She is someone to fear and respect. Only those of demon blood and with her permission are allowed to call her by name. The rest of us simply call her by the name of Queen. Until you leave us the council will require your obedience. We will still require your trust should you decide to not follow our rules in your world."

"I can do that. What about everyone here?"

"In this realm, as you know, there are no true humans. Everyone has non-human blood in them or are ghosts, spirits. We are creatures feared or distrusted. We are creatures of vampires, demons, ghosts, veelas, centaurs, werewolves, and more. We all live together and train together. It is rare for our people to integrate themselves into the Muggle or wizard world. We try to discourage it because of the prejudice from others. One thing we do know is that our time is faster."

"Faster?"

"Yes. The council had spent the weeks deciding how fast our time could be according to yours. This way you would have a better idea when you leave us. For one year in the muggle and wizardry world we pass five years."

Sleepy emerald eyes looked back as one hand brushed over his forehead. Then the sleep quickly vanished as both hands rubbed at the one spot on his head. "My scar!"

"The healers had someone enter your mind and break the connection to that scar. You were dying and the being inside you.."

"Voldemort."

She raised a brow at the name but continued, "This being, Voldemort, tried to encourage your death through this connection. One of our mentors, with your help, broke that connection. You had become lucid about a day after that, complaining of the loss before falling back into a deep healing sleep. Your explanation said that you needed that contact for the visions that could save your world. Lyra, the mentor that helped you, went to one of our seers and gave them the connection. All the visions or dreams will be seen by the seer and recorded for you."

"Thank you." Harry took this time to explain his part. "Voldemort is my enemy. He killed my parents when I was little and has been after me since. In my mind I can see what he does and says. He promises his followers that I would never be able to destroy him, no one would. He's after those who cannot defend themselves as well as other wizards. I must go back as soon as possible or my world will crumble to his control."

"Don't worry. We'll find a way to help you. Until then, get some rest. You'll need it for your training will start next week." Hazel eyes watched with maternal interest as the young male lay back, instantly falling asleep.