Chapter 3 - Lots of Letters
Saturday 7th November
Harry had written a letter back asking about a teacher visit but also that his guardians didn't like magic so arriving by magical means might but unwelcome. The school hadn't said anything about sending the Orb back if they had wanted to attend or the information pack so Harry kept them, putting them in the broken desk. The Gold Orb had become precious to him. It showed him that despite what some people thought due to his grades and struggling with doing spells he did have the ability to be a great wizard or as it seemed Sorcerer.
The next few days continued as if he didn't now have a debate on which school to possibly attend. Ron finally sent him a letter a week after they had left Hogwarts. The day the letter arrived Harry couldn't help feeling a bit sombre that it should have been the first Quidditch match of year Gryffindor vs Slytherin. He still had no idea on what school to attend and Hedwig had yet to return. He had been over the booklet they had been given and the information brought by the Eagle dozens of times and still had no more of an idea. He guessed it depended on what the schools said about the summers. For him, it always came down to the summers and the Dursleys, never the magic itself which wasn't fair.
Hey Harry
How are you getting on at the Dursleys, if they get too bad let us know and will bust you out again? Things are different here as mum has us studying the theory while she makes up her mind. Charlie is trying to get mum to send us to that school in Romania and Bill is agreeing with him. Mum wants us to home-school for a year which will mean applying for a underage magic waver for us all. Percy wanted to attend that Magi Academy that had Hermione so hyped up over. But then those strange magic orb things arrived and none of them turned orange like it said they had to. Percy and Ginny got blue while me, Fred and George all got green. Now Percy is trying to get into Merlin or Euro-Glyth. He doesn't want to be home-schooled. Fred and George have no idea and I don't much care either.
On another note when mum helped Ginny unpack she found a strange black book in her things that felt strange to her. She had dad test it and it came up dark magic, he's sent it to Bill to have a look at. Weird huh, wonder where she got it. I bet it was Malfoy in Diagon, remember he pulled one of her books out her cauldron.
Anyway let me know when you decided and if I can we can go together. Haven't heard from Hermione yet have you.
Ron.
Harry smiled and made that another plus to Se Ridica if he went Ron might go. It really was the best school for his friend but Harry didn't know. Quietly he wrote a reply while Errol rested, the Weasleys really needed a younger owl but couldn't afford one and he knew they wouldn't like him helping them out either.
Hey Ron
I don't need busting yet, just doing chores and Dudley isn't here as he is away at Smeltings so OK so far. I haven't heard from Hermione yet but she doesn't have an Owl and I sent Hedwig off with a letter to one of the schools and she hasn't returned yet.
I haven't made my mind up but have the option of 2 that would mean I don't have to return to the Dursleys but Se Ridica is one of them. Ron which is better trying to learn everything from your mum or having lots of people. I imagine Se Ridica also has quidditch and yer there are the magical creatures but as long as there is no fighting it should be a problem. Ask Charlie for more information as if him and Bill want you to go they must like and know something about the school. Not to mention depending on the search it might be years before Hogwarts re-opens.
Percy always liked studying and maybe going to a school that is study focused might be good for him. But looking at it Merlin was fast paced and studying mastery level at 6th year. Maybe Percy might be better at Euro-Glyth or something, its a day school so would settle your mum as well. But for the higher schools like Arwindale and Merlin, I think Percy might be a bit old.
As for the strange book, it wouldn't surprise me but how could you prove it? Maybe Bill will find out what it is but the dark magic is worrying. Depending on what it is Ginny might need counselling would your mum and dad be able to do that? Hogwarts doesn't or we would have had it after last year thinking about it.
Anyway, hope it gets sorted and let me know.
Harry
"Take that when your rested Errol" the old owl hooted in thanks before settling down to rest.
Amalia Petrescu sighed as she quietly read through and wrote out notices to the various Hogwarts students that had applied. It seemed that the information on acceptance hadn't made it into the information sent home with the students. Some had known by reputation but others hadn't. So now she was repeatedly sending notes on go to Gringotts and get this. Some families she knew by reputation did have magical creature blood and so was sending a note saying their names had been put on the list they were compelling and they had a high chance of admittance but could you please go to go Gringotts and get your percentages or use a potion if you are able before sending it.
Without thinking about it she picked up the next letter to read through. Instantly she raised an eyebrow at the admission of interest due to the year-round program. Another miss notification by the school. Many had actually been asking about holidays outside the program not wanting to attend due to it. It was even more interesting it was coming from Harry Potter of all people. Shaking her head she started writing a more complete information letter adding information on the hostels. She didn't know if the Potters had creature blood or not off the top of her head. She was aware they had had one Potter attend previously but that was several generations back. Even if he didn't come and attend she could at least help and hopefully someone else would notice the fact that the boy-who-lived didn't want to spend much time with his family. It wasn't normal. If he did come she would certainly look into it and have him assessed for abuse or neglect. She just hoped that wasn't the case and he was just an eager child but her gut said otherwise and in a school like this, she had learned to listen to it.
Rosaland Cerishsil shook her head and she went through the orbs sent back by the students of Hogwarts. Many had also sent back notes begging to still be allowed to attend. She guessed those were from the so-called 'studious' Ravenclaws. Honestly sorting children like that is only encouraging only one group of students to study. And she bet the others outside of it who liked to study and did, were outcasts of their 'house', so had never understood it been a graduate of Se Ridica herself.
Out of some 300 students that they had sent orbs to at Hogwarts about 75 would have the potential to attend Magere Akademi. Out of those they would start with those interested in the school and send out secondary invitations to the most powerful if they didn't reply. She was just thankful that almost every student had sent their orb back. Of those that hadn't, it seemed they had received the acceptance letter and wanted to keep their orb, but had also sent a letter of interest. Rosaland was starting there, she would look at the orbs themselves second.
The first letter came from a sixth Year Oliver Wood. He was warlock level and had good grades so she put him on the list of potential students. They never took over 30 a year but never really filled all their years so had spaces for up to 3 or 4 a year to possibly take. Rosaland didn't think they would take that many as the students would have to want to attend and work. Many would be visited or visit the school themselves and that would weed them down, it always did. They never took students who just wanted access to the Repository. The scholars came for that and students could apply through their school for the month of July if they were interested. They were a school first and a Repository of Knowledge second.
The next letter came from fifth-year Aspen Burke. Aspen if she wanted to attend they would gladly have her, any school would as a Sorcerer level student. They did well at the school as they tended to be driven students and how they worked and the spells tended to help them reach that Sorcerer level potential. At Hogwarts, she would probably only reach Magi if she was lucky and then Warlock if she worked after she left Hogwarts, the lessons just weren't geared to that level potential, its why they checked.
Next followed several letters from students that hadn't sent back the Orbs, if they didn't attend they would collect the orb in some way but they never did get them all back anyway. Another letter that caught her eye was from fourth-year Cedric Diggory he was Warlock level but again a hard-working student if the grades he had sent with the letter was any indication. The next several were all from first years. Rosaland knew it would be these students that adapted to the school the best and the ones she was looking to taking. They hadn't had long at Hogwarts and were the right age to start.
Next came the second and third-year letters and again two caught her eye. One was from Susan Bones. Rosaland knew Amalia Bones so guessed the girl was her niece. She was Mage level and another that would never reach her full potential at Hogwarts, Merlin knew Amelia hadn't if what Rosaland suspected. The last letter in the pile was from Harry Potter. He was one of the several that hadn't sent the orbs back so she didn't have a clue what his potential was. But his letter was polite and interesting. He thanked them for the information and asked for a visit but noted that his guardians were fearful of magic. Rosaland frowned at that she had found that a magic-fearing relative never bode well for children. Her own experience was proof enough and it was why she had campaigned so much to get the Hostals opened. They had now been working well even before Magere Akademi opened. She would have to be careful about who was sent and look into it. Even if he didn't attend she would make sure that was looked into.
Tuesday 10th November
It was three days later when Hedwig returned at the same time as the strange Eagle. Harry could only stare at the two of them as Hedwig seemed to glare at the Eagle who wasn't bothered.
"OK. Here Hedwig" he reached out to his tired owl and removed the letter before she went to her cage to rest. Quickly he then released the Eagle who left obviously not needing a reply this time. He decided to start with the letter from Hedwig since his poor owl had worked hard for it and it was the one he had been waiting for the longest. It had only been about a week and he was actually surprised it had only taken that long.
Se Ridica Padure Scoala
Dear Mr Potter
We were delighted to hear from you and many other students as well. We were aware of Hogwarts closing and were contacted about possibly taking some students. I am sorry to inform you that we actually don't have a year-round program. Students stay over the summer for various reasons, due to abuse or not been welcome in their own country due to their status as a magical creature, or parents deaths. Some students like to stay at the school so they can continue counselling or activities. Others stay in hostels.
Hostels if you haven't been informed are buildings set up by different schools to house children who can't stay with their own family for one reason or another. Many schools co-habit the same hostel so the costs are spread out over the schools. This cost is either included in tuition or paid for by the school depending on the school itself. Some people even donate back to the hostel they stayed at once they are able to, so other children don't have to worry about that cost.
The school's headteacher becomes the children's guardian with the hostel manager or head, usually, a squib or wizard becomes the child's foster parent of sorts. If the children living there are too young to attend a magical school they will either attend a magical primary school if there is one nearby or a non-magical primary school that is local. Children will stay at the hostel until they graduate the school when they are then found an apartment or other home depending on their circumstances or they are adopted. This is due to the fact there aren't many magical orphanages in many countries. Entrance into the hostel depends on the school but children can stay there temporarily on request if needed and then be evaluated for a more permanent place. This is a bit like been temporarily taken into non-magical foster care on request and then been evaluated to possibly stay permanently by social services.
What happens would depend on you and your circumstances. As for more information on the school, unlike Hogwarts, we don't have houses. Students are housed due to their status as a creature or a human and our uniform reflects that. We get many magical creatures and so separate children if they are submissives, Betas, Dominants or humans and who you take classes with depends on this as well. We do have Quidditch but we also have football and cheerleading as well. Students take standard subjects up to the 7th year with some options and lessons can last late into the evening or on a Saturday. The idea has been that if the student really wants to take the class it won't matter when the class is.
Our classes are set up so students can work at their own pace but slacking will be pushed by teachers. First through to third years take classes together, the fourth to sixth years and finally seventh through to the tenth year if students choose to stay. This allows a lot of opportunities to students learning and as long as you are ready to take exams when they come you can learn at your own pace.
Therefore as a second year, you would take Transfiguration, Herbology, Charms, Ancient Runes, Potions, History of Creatures, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Arithmancy, Astronomy and if you are powerful enough or a magical creature Wandless Magic. You then of cause have the option of electives. As long as you keep up with the work you can take as many or as few subjects outside of the compulsory as you wish.
As for entrance, priority is given to magical creatures or those with a suspected magical creature inheritance. To find this out you would need to go to Gringotts and request an inheritance test. Once you know if you still wish to attend just send us the part on possible creature inheritances and we will put your name on the list. Normally we only take students when they come into their inheritance or in September. To help Hogwarts we are currently compelling a list, starting with the students likely to come into an inheritance and then working down on those interested. These new students will all start in January unless they come into an inheritance prior to that date.
I hope this helps you make a decision Mr Potter and if you would like to attend please just send a note of interest and the results of an inheritance test from Gringotts, we only need the part on creature inheritances.
Sincerely
Headmistress Amalia Petrescu
Harry frowned at the fact it wasn't a year-round school but was thankful for more information on the Hostels. So he could request to stay at a hostel and then go through an evaluation to stay permanently, that was good. The information on the school just made him think it was even more perfect for Ron and the other Weasleys, maybe even Percy. He would have to copy some of the information out and send it to them if Bill and Charlie didn't tell them before that.
Quietly he next turned to the letter from the Eagle and picked it up.
Magere Akademi
Dear Mr Potter
We are pleased with your interest in our school and by the fact you have seen our letter we are aware you at least have a Magi or Megere level magical potential. As per your request, a member of staff will arrive tomorrow at 9am to speak to you and your guardians about the school and answer any questions you have. Also per your note about them been distrustful of magic the staff member will arrive via the front door. There is a tracking spell on this parchment that will lead them to the right location so please don't dispose of it until after the visit or the staff member will not arrive.
Sincerely
Headmistress Rosaland Cerishsil
Harry nodded and made a note to tell the Dursleys, he would request staying at the hostels when the teacher was here. Without a word, he put the letter in the old desk with the Gold coloured Orb and letter from Se Ridica. If tomorrow didn't go well he would go to Gringotts and request the inheritance test and look into another school asking if they could take him and if he could stay at a hostel. One way or another he was leaving the Dursleys before Dumbledore tried to stop him again.
"Up for a trip to Hermione's in the morning Hedwig" Hedwig gave a tired hoot before settling down to sleep, she would need it before going back out again.
Hey Hermione
How you doing? Any ideas on schools yet? And what about those strange Orbs?
The Dursleys are being OK and I'm looking into schools. There is a teacher from one coming to see me tomorrow and if that doesn't work I somehow have to get to Gringotts for the other I'm looking into. Have you heard about what happened with Ginny from Ron? He said he hadn't heard from you. Apparently, Bill and Charlie, his older brothers, are trying to convince Mrs Weasley to let them go to Se Ridica but she wants to home-school them. Have to see who wins that battle.
I've asked Hedwig to wait for a reply for you and if you want a letter sent to Ron, send it to me and I'll forward it for you, maybe you should consider getting an Owl.
Harry
"Wait till morning girl. You deserve a rest" Harry smiled at Hedwig, there had to be an easier way for long distance post then this as it would be too much for his poor owl flying around the world if they all ended up at different schools. He would have to look into it.
Deciding to get the horrible talk with his relatives out the way he stood and walked downstairs where the two were sitting.
"Found a school yet Boy" his Uncle was getting more and more impatient as time went on without a word from the schools.
"A teacher from one is coming here to talk to us tomorrow at nine. I have said that it would be better to arrive via the front door so they are doing that."
"You better be excepted boy or there will be trouble." Harry flinched at the threat and nodded before fleeing the living room. He really hoped tomorrow went well now.