Disclaimer - The world of Hogwarts belongs to JK Rowling. Only the characters outside of this world are mine.

- This story is also posted on my account on AO3

A.N - I apologise for no chapter last month. My Nan passed away and I was not in the right frame of mind to be writing or editing. I am starting to get back on track now.

Chapter 11 - School tests

Tuesday 1st December

Erlendur came and collected Agnar soon after. Harry had a feeling he would be going through the same process he himself had gone through not long ago. Been care system checked, told the rules and making sure the boy had everything he needed. Considering he had come from Magere the last part probably wasn't the problem. Harry quickly started on his work again and the rest settled down to help him. They were taking the rest of the day off apparently. But that didn't stop them writing addresses on the return notes from the fan mail and helping him write out responses.

"You got a good system here. I wonder where the stuff sent before went." Philipa rested her head in her hand.

"We don't know and I don't react well to probing spells."

"Sensitive?" Adrian looked over. Harry only had to node in response for the boy to go back to his work.

"Hem do you know what properties your family has?" Mark looked up this time.

"Not off the top of my head. But it might be in some of the information I got from Gringotts. I was more focused on the different creature inheritances and strange gifts on the list."

"So would I," Mikkel spoke.

"That's not the point. It's illegal to steal someone's mail but for a minor, in your circumstance, I think they might have just redirected it somewhere. With a mail ward, it has to go somewhere. Keeping it is stealing it but sending it somewhere for when you are older isn't. If someone found out they would probably also only get off with a warning. Especially since you were living with unawares. It would make sense to send it to one of your own properties. The fact you don't know about them and they were sending the mail there makes the crime a bit worse. But the main fact there is hiding your heritage which you should have been told about." Mark explained.

"So they might have just sent it somewhere else."

"More than likely. Let's finish this today and then tomorrow I could go through it with you. I'm studying law and we could start to make a case."

"I'm currently under the ICW and they're looking into a few other things for me."

"Even better." Mark smiled and Harry had the sudden feeling that someone was going to be in big trouble.

That night he sat with the Magere students. But the next morning despite everyone been awake he made a point of sitting with Tabitha, Jakob, Demelza and Eveline.

"Our turn this morning." Jakob smiled.

"You are still my friends and helped me out before."

"Good. Did Erlendur tell you about this weekend?" Tabitha asked.

"He told me with the others when they arrived back from Magere."

"Who's the new one? Never got a chance to ask last night." Demelza shot a look at Agnar.

"Agnar Heimirsson from what I worked out he was recently bitten by a werewolf."

"Probably somewhere he wasn't supposed to be." Eveline grimaced. "A couple here like that, parents won't have them at home. It's not fair really. Lycanthropy is more excepted outside the UK but still, parents abandon their children, even if it isn't the child's fault. In this case, probably is."

"That's not fair!"

"No it isn't but that's the bureaucrats for you. I got to go."

"Have a good day Jakob." Harry waved the boy off who just shrugged.

"The teachers make the lessons more fun this week as it keeps students focused."

"Snape would never do that. Really only Flitwick did." Harry shook his head at Tabitha's smiled.

It wasn't long and the girls left as well. Harry stood at that and headed for the study room with the rest of the Magere students. They quickly fell into his timetable and did the homework for the subjects he was working on. All of them worked together, helping each other out and Harry was amazed to learn that in some cases, he could even help them. Only the Seniors noticed Erlendur standing at the door watching them before leaving to send a note to the headmistress.

Lunchtime was when Harry handed Mark the stack of papers and the boy quickly leafed through them.

"Wow, this is amazing to be the heir to so many. You'll be a force to be rivalled with when you're older. A, here we are!" he pulled out a few sheets and lay them out. Harry could see quite clearly that the word properties was written at the top. It was amazing to see he had so many. However he also quickly noticed a few were rented out.

"Which one would it be?"

"Could be any. Though I doubt it is any in England."

"Hem?" Erlendur walked over and looked at the parchment. "Is there any information in there to do with House Elves. The Potters are bound to have them. One might know or be able to find out." there was much shuffling as everyone looked through. But no sign of house elf names.

"What does that mean?"

"It means that all the house elves in your family were either born into the family or gotten in other means. Not brought. It might be they bargained for the elf someway."

"You could try calling out Head Elf, who knows it may work." Torny shrugged. "But call in English."

"Head Elf of the Potter Family," Harry stated firmly and they all waited. Just when he was about to give up hope there was a distinct pop and there stood an elf. He looked a little different however he also had the same clear appearance as Dobby. This elf though was much older and instead of been dressed in a pillow case had a suit on.

"Young master Harry. Will was wondering if you would ever call. How can Will help you?" he spoke in clear English without the miss pronouncing of words as Dobby had.

"Will I never knew about you but am learning now. I called you because I had a mail ward on me. Do you know where my post went? I believe it was to one of the Potter properties."

"O yes, Will knows. Do you want it all brought here?"

"How much is there?" Erlendur joined the conversation. Harry had almost forgotten he could speak English.

"Lots and lots. Post only stopped arriving recently."

"Will are there other Potter Elves?"

"Yes, Master Harry. The Potter family has elves born into the family and those rescued from nasty wizards who don't treat them properly."

"Alright, can you get a couple to sort the post into different categories. But also how long since it arrived. Be careful some things may be spelled."

"We have already been ordering the post of how old it is. We can do the rest."

"Alright, can you sort the stuff that arrived in the first 6 months and then contact me, work from there and let me know."

"We can do that."

"I might not always be here Will, will you be able to find me."

"Now Will know's your magical signature unless you are behind strong wards Will can find you."

"Alright speak to you soon Will." with that the Elf disappeared with a pop and Harry looked at the rest.

"We're so going to have fun this holiday. I am really glad you were brought here." Klara laughed and the others shook their heads.

"Thanks."

"No problem."

Wednesday 2nd December

It was Wednesday morning when Will returned. Harry and the rest agreed while they would file the proposals it was so out of date it would be impolite to reply. Instead, they would send a note to be posted in the newspaper saying he had been behind mail wards. But also that the wards had now been removed and that was why he had never replied. The letters were another matter. They had already started addressing that when replying to their current ones so a new postcard was devised.

Thank you for your letter in the past. I didn't reply as at the time I was under mail wards. They have now been removed and new precautions put in place. Your letter was nice and thoughtful, I enjoyed reading it.

Harry Potter

Anything with a gift would have an extra note about that but there was a few that would need a more personal touch. For the most part, though it was solved. The gifts they started to go through as they came in. Clothes he was now too big for were sent to the various Hostals to be used. Teddies and toys went much the same way but Harry kept one of each. He had never seen magical toys before or had a chance to play with them, so they went into his room. No one looked at him strangely for it.

For pictures, they got a couple of scrapbooks and everyone in the Hostal enjoyed going through the pictures and sorting them into the different scrapbooks. Any photos were given to Will and sent to be filed with the letters from that person. Even though he had never been Harry had Will set up a permanent room for the sorted post in Potter Manor. Every completed scrapbook was sent to be put on display there along with the other ornaments and some of the other gifts he had been sent. It seemed like a bad idea to have breakable things in his room at the hostal.

By Friday between them they had gone through a year and a half worth of post and also kept up with the new stuff. Harry had just started receiving replies from people saying they understood and were pleased he was now replying. Of cause, Friday interrupted that.

Friday 4th December

From early morning there were people arriving. It was organised chaos as Harry stood in the corner with Agnar and watched. The other Magere students seemed to be intent on helping. They moved luggage up and down the stairs for students not able to yet do it themselves.

The students from Merlin had been the first to arrive quickly followed by Kennecott. Dumstrang were last in the afternoon not long before Euro-Glyth started arriving from their last day of school. Only once everyone was back and downstairs did the lounge room begin to feel full with everyone there. But as he listened to a very similar speech as the other day when Magere arrived, Harry relaxed. All these kids were there for similar reasons to him or the visitors. There were about 30 students living in the hostal, including kids too young to attend a magical school. It was nice knowing he wasn't alone and if the last few days were any indication it didn't matter what school they attended. Everyone here stood together and banded together. Because this was their home.

As soon as Erlendurs talk was over Harry turned to get ready to leave for the OSS. Only he wasn't the only one. They weren't all heading for Greenland. Some were going Norway, Sweeden, Spain, France or England but they were all going.

"See you all on Sunday." Erelendur waved them off as they set off in groups to the portkey point.

"Harry ready to get started again?" Dr Vang smiled as he arrived.

"As I'll ever be." he rolled his eyes.

Saturday 5th December

Saturday saw a busy day at Snjó Kastala Farfuglaheimili. Out of the 75 possible students who had the potential to attend Magere Akademi, 45 had been invited for the tests. All warned there were only about 3 places per year for students. The competition was high. Every hostal would have about 5 students but some would have 6. A staff member from Magere would go to each hostal during the week to administer the tests. Results would then be reviewed by a pensieve and the exam paper. Before the final interviews would be conducted.

The 5 students staying at the Snow Castle Hostal looked around in interest at the 15 to 20 'children' ranging from about 3 to 20 scattered around the downstairs rooms.

"I won't give you the language potion, all your tests are to be done in English so that would just cause problems. Most here know English or are learning as it is mandatory for all the schools here. You will have a few problems with the younger children and some of the students from Dumstrang have troubled English but do manage." Erlendur led them through to the cloakroom. "These pegs here have been cleared for you." Quietly the group stripped off their winter gear and followed the man out the room collecting their bags. "We have put you in the guest room. There are other children staying there and it takes 16 so all of you will be on bunk beds. Please respect this as they respect you." without a word he handed over the keys and showed them to the downstairs room that was the biggest in the building. It was stocked full of bunk beds both around the room and in groups.

Without a word, the five found an area no one had taken and took over it.

None of them really unpacked but there was space under the beds for bags and a shelf each to put the real necessities on.

"Oliver wood. Sixth-year Gryffindor." he was a tall boy with brown hair and eyes.

"Isabella Schoely. First Year Gryffindor." she was a small girl with long blond hair in a plat down her back.

"David Trueblood. Third Year Gryffindor." he was short for his age with black hair and grey eyes.

"Carlson Trueblood. First Year Slytherin." the small boy said cautiously. He was the only one so far not a Gryffindor. Carlson looked almost identical to his brother only been shorter.

"Falicity Eastchurch. Third Year Ravenclaw." She was taller than David and had shoulder black hair and blue eyes.

"You all looking to go to Magi?" Falicity looked at them.

"Yeh, I'll just homeschool if I don't get in until I graduate. Not chopping and changing at my age." Oliver shrugged.

"I was thinking here or Beauxbatons. Not yet sure if I'll return to Hogwarts. Depends how long it takes to reopen I guess." Falicity turned to the other three.

"I was thinking Beauxbatons or here myself. Mum wants me to go Beauxbatons but dad insists I at least try. I can't care really." Isabella smiled at Falicity.

"Magi or Merlin. Magi would be better but Merlin seems OK." David shrugged.

"Shall we go explore?" Falicity stated after a moment of silence. Since there were no objections the group slowly made their way out and around before settling in the lounge room. There they saw that the others seemed intent on getting their homework done early.

"Is this everyone?" Oliver looked around asking the others quietly.

"No some are at the OSS." one of the students turned and looked at them. "I'm Isabella Myren second year Merlin Academy. The Omegas and those under the OSS will be back tomorrow."

"That's good. None of us are under the OSS." David looked at them.

"Don't count your bets. Over here we'll get you care system checked, found one Brit already this month. So i'm not taking any chances."

"There is another Hogwarts student here?" Oliver frowned.

"Yes, and he was in the wrong system. You'll see him tomorrow, he's applying for Magere as well." Erlendur ushered them all into the dining room where there was a man waiting. "Oldest first what are you?"

"AMS." Erlendur quickly translated what Oliver had said before the man cast the spell, obviously the person testing them. Everyone was relieved at the red glow that was quickly dispelled.

"I'll go next BCS...I'm on watch," Falicity muttered. Erlendur didn't push for a reason and instead translated before the spell was cast. Again a yellow glow appeared and the Falicity relaxed.

"Maybe we'll all be fine." David shrugged. "AMS." once again Erlendur translated and the spell was cast. This time though it didn't glow red but yellow. "You got to be kidding!"

"No, you are in the wrong system. We'll take you for a quick visit to BCS in Greenland to get checked."

"Mum and dad said I was under AMS," Carlson muttered suddenly unsure after his brother had been found to be under BCS. Erlendur just nodded and quickly the spell was cast thankfully turning red and the small boy relaxed. Quickly the ministery man said something before Erlendur translated the other way.

"He is going to take you to get checked anyway since your brother was found to be misplaced. Do you have any other siblings?"

"Yes."

"They will have to be checked as well and the Ministery will look into who recorded you wrong. You are last."

"BCS," Isabella replied and for the last time, the spell was cast. And again instead of yellow a red glow appeared.

"One to BCS and two to AMS. We'll hopefully have you back tomorrow. Grab an overnight bag." Erlendur ushered the three out. Oliver and Falicity looked at each other in shock. If you added the other in, that was 3 out of 3 wrong. It couldn't be a coincidence, could it?

Sunday 6th December

Harry stretched as he arrived back at the Hostal. The last weekend had been the most fun. More people had arrived on Saturday in a rush. Harry had quickly realised they were from Hogwarts or younger siblings. The clue had been when he had spotted Trinity Lynn that years head girl and Gryffindor. She was supposed to be under BCS but apparently not.

Without a word, he headed into the cloakroom and pulled off his waterproofs and boots before walking out into the main room.

"Harry!"

"Oliver!" Harry looked up at his Quidditch Captin.

"Should have known." the older Gryffindor shook his head. "Wrong system and OSS right?"

"How did you know?" Harry whispered.

"They checked me and the others here for the tests. 2 out of 5 add-in you that is 3 out of 6 in the wrong system."

"They'll be back today or tomorrow. I did wonder. I saw Trinity Lynn at the OSS yesterday."

"But she's under BCS, or supposed to be."

"Apparently not." Harry shrugged. "I'm going to get changed." he headed for the door and Oliver followed stopping at the bottom room. Harry didn't think anything of it until Oliver shouted him when he was three steps up.

"You went past."

"No, I have my own room since been here longer. Come on if you want." he didn't particularly care they had seen each other enough at Hogwarts. Oliver blinked but did follow him up.

"Nice room. I'll wait outside while you get changed." the boy popped his head around and then stood outside.

Harry just snorted and quickly changed pulling off his jeans and t-shirt before the thermals followed. Sighing in relief he pulled on his beloved fleece and another t-shirt before opening the door to Oliver. He then turned to unpack. First came the clothes before his book and the ever blinking post box.

"What's that?"

"Post box. I had a mail ward on me before but we took it off. Now I have a post box in Norway and all my post gets sent there, checked for spells before sent to me through the box. England knows to route anything through Norway. Everyone else now has to put Via Norway on the letter or post it at the shop to get it sent. They'll find out. Works best that way with the international post all around."

"You're becoming wiser." Oliver grinned."O no, I learned that after sending poor Hedwig all the way to Romania and back." Harry laughed and Hedwig hooted in the corner. She wasn't too amused at that box but seeing the amount of post coming in and out had learned to be thankful for it.

Harry opened the box and saw it was the normal pile of fan mail. But then again he wasn't expecting a return letter from Ron or Hermione until tomorrow.

"Only you. You like it here then?"

"Yeh they got me clothes that fit, they're looking into the Dursleys and everyone here is nice. I'm learning stuff and they were helping me get ready for the tests next week."

"Oy that gives you a head start!" Oliver laughed and Harry smiled. It was then that Will popped in and handed him the normal bag before popping out again seeing he had company.

"Come on I'll need help with this."

"What is it?" they walked out the room and Harry locked the door behind them.

"When we took the mail ward off we discovered people had been sending me post for years. It took some digging but we discovered where it has been sent to before that. Now the elves there are sorting and checking it for me before handing it over for replies. I then hand it back and it's filed properly. We're ignoring all proposals and business ventures. Just sending generic cards out the others have been addressing, while helping me write some replies to everyone else." "So that's why I never got a reply as a kid." Harry stopped and looked at Oliver in shock who laughed.

"Harry I think everyone at Hogwarts must have sent you a letter at least once as a kid."

"Lovely wonder if I will see one from Malfoy."

"Maybe not him." the older Gryffindor shuddered.

"More post!" Tabitha called out seeing him.

"Have a good weekend Tabitha? Yeh, more post. Not much new but a bit old."

"Let's get to it then." Jakob grabbed the bag while the others around didn't hesitate to grab the cards. Oliver and the other Brits were amazed to watch as everyone grouped themselves and it was soon passed around. Harry had been here longer but it was clear by what he wore and how everyone acted he had been excepted as one of them. To Oliver, it was sad but also nice at the same time. He vowed that if they ended up at Magi together he would watch out for his little seeker.

The tests started with a vengeance the next morning in the dining room. Harry and the rest were sorting the post out in between. That afternoon Lola and Lexie Trueblood arrived with Tayler and Silas Scholey. With them, they brought Isabella, Carlson and Davids school trunks. Carlson, David and Isabella opted to stay in the bunk room, as they called it, until the end of the tests.

Monday morning was Transfiguration both paper and practical. Charms were Monday afternoon in the same manner before Latin was the last of the day.

Tuesday was Potions theory and English in the morning. The afternoon was History and Astronomy theory.

Wednesday had Herbology theory and Maths in the morning. The afternoon had Ancient Runes and Defence theory.

Thursday morning had Arithmancy theory. It was then they were told there wouldn't be a defence or Potions practical. It was something they were all thankful for.

Harry sighed as he dropped into his bed and looked at the calendar on Thursday 10th December. Oliver and Felicity were the only two of the 5 that had arrived able to go home. The others would have to stay. They were leaving tomorrow and would be back if accepted after Christmas to get their school things. Standing he made his way to the desk where the letters from Ron and Hermione were waiting. He had separated them from the rest and left them with the tests going on. Now it was time to write back.

Hey mate

Not much has changed here. We're all still studying. But mums decided that if we don't get into Se Ridica we'll be joining Percy at Euro-Glyth. He's been excepted. Euro-Glyth, Beauxbatons and Dumstrang seem to be the only schools that have made their minds up so far. I think Kennecott and Nyx are this week but not sure.

Bill had that book looked at it and said it was really bad dark magic. Dumbledore has it now and is looking into it. But not sure how much time he'll have since Hogwarts seems to be keeping them busy trying to find that monster. They still haven't.

Anyway, how you getting on? Have you had the tests yet? Mum says to invite you to Christmas but I told her you might not be able to come.

Ron

Harry laughed at Ron's letters. His last few had been longer. But this one definitely betrayed the fact it was all quiet on the Weasley front.

Hey Ron

Sounds like it is all quiet there. Strange about the book but hopefully they will find out what it is and destroy it soon. I'm not surprised about the monster at Hogwarts. If it has hidden for 50 years it can hide for another 50.

Things have been busy here. This letter is late as I went through the entrance tests this week and all seems positive. They're aware of Snape and Bins. So are giving us leeway there. However it is on the understanding if we get excepted, we'll have a tutor in the subject for at least the first term. They're giving us a fair chance at least. There were others here for the tests and they had them Care system checked after what happened with me. Guess what out of the six of us, including me, three of us were in the wrong system. They checked the younger siblings of the other two, all four were wrong as well. So out of the five that arrived to join me for the tests, only two are going home. The others have to stay with their siblings until they can determine who had them noted wrong. They're still looking into me as well.

I think they're going to have everyone tested soon as I know more were found, I saw them at the OSS last weekend. So be ready as they may check you when you arrive at whichever school. I don't think your mum and dad would have done it. But someone did me and that was after my parents died. If that's the case who has been doing it?

Anyway other than that things have been quiet I guess. I think I'm better staying here for Christmas though since I don't know what's going on. Keep me updated anyway.

Harry

Sighing he turned to Hermione's letter.

Harry

Hows things going at the Hostals? I hope you are taking care of there and studying hard for those tests. Any word on the Dursleys and what been an ICW resident means yet? How are you coping with being under the OSS? Anything more on Sirius Black? I looked into that and he's supposed to have had a trial and been found guilty. Obviously not if you said he couldn't have due to an oath.

Did Ron tell you about Mrs Weasley? You were right there. Anyway someone from Merlin paid us a quick visit to talk about my grades at Hogwarts. But also how the teaching at Hogwarts was before explaining some more about the school. Mum and dad decided that its either Merlin, Se Ridica or Euro-Glyth. The chance of me getting into Se Ridica is small so we're going for Merlin then Euro-Glyth.

I've been studying here and mum and dad are pleased to see some of what I've been learning. They say it makes it more real and shows I have learned something. We're not going away this Christmas with everything that is going on. I've been invited to the Weasleys but might stay home. I think everyone needs to settle.

Harry, I know you are holding back on your first choice for a reason and I respect that. I have a feeling I might know which it is. Harry just know that no matter what I'll stand by you. You and Ron were the first friends I ever had and I don't want to lose you over something like a school. Please be safe and no matter what write to me.

Hermione

It was shorter than Hermione's normal letters but that didn't matter. Smiling he turned to write a reply, they had waited long enough.

Hermione

Things are going well here. I sat through the entrance exams this week so that's why this is late. There isn't just me here from Hogwarts and out of the six of us three, including me, were the wrong care system. Now only two are going home and the younger siblings of the other two have been brought here as well. I think they'll end up testing everyone at the schools since I saw some others at the OSS this weekend. Wonder who is doing it as it can't all be parents, particularly in my case.

Anyway, I'm not going to the Weasleys either. Not when I don't know what is going on and needing to get settled. I love it here. Everyone treats me the same as everyone else. No one looked at me when I was introduced as Harry Potter. They know who I am but respect that I'm my own person. Everyone, no one, asks why you're here. Some you can guess as a new kid arrived after been bitten by a werewolf. But others it's not so obvious and no one cares. Its personal and not something to be talked about.

I don't know about Sirius Black or the ICW at the moment. I was more worried about the tests but they weren't that bad. We were told they were catered to the style of education we had had. But also that if we get in we'll be given tutors in some subjects for at least the first term.

Merlin, Se Ridica and Euro-Glyth would be good schools for you but I would be shocked if you didn't get into Merlin. As long as your safe and you can handle it, that's fine. Ron's on the waiting list for Se Ridica but I can see him getting in. His mum decided on Euro-Glyth for the second and Ron would be right back to Hogwarts as soon as it opened there.

Harry paused there and sighed wondering if he should really tell her. But he didn't know. It was one thing to suspect and another to know for sure and if it got out. The chance of the letter been intercepted was 50-50 at this point. He couldn't take the risk. He couldn't influence people even if it was nearly impossible. And he didn't want to chance Hermione blowing her top even if she said she suspected. Was she thinking about the same school or a different one? No, he wasn't going to take the chance.

I don't want to lose you as a friend either Hermione. Ron was the first friend I had but you were second. But I also know what you can be like. I also don't want to take the chance of someone intercepting this and it influencing people or them finding me. Not right now. I'll write as long as you do Hermione. Your right in losing someone over a school is silly.

Stay safe.

Harry

He seeled it and sent them through the box before he could change his mind. If they hated him later it was his fault. But he couldn't take that risk.