Chapter 12 - Christmas Shopping and Review

All Speech Icelandic

Monday 14th December

With the tests out the way, Harry found he could relax a lot more. Everyone had finished with homework and school, so apparently, now the fun could begin. That Monday they were all wrapped up and headed out to see some of the local tourist attractions. Even the kids that had lived in Iceland for years were looking forward to it. They went to the black sand beaches, ice caves and glaciers. Harry was amazed to see it all. Even Tabitha who had been before said she could never get tired of the ice caves.

Tuesday was spent shopping while Wednesday was more exploring. Thursday they were told to take their swimming costumes as they were going to something called the Deep Blue Lagoon. It was a natural spring and apparently extremely popular. Natural spring didn't do it, and Harry could only stare at the thing in awe. When Ron and Hermione's letters came back, he sent off his replies. In them, he told them of some of the things he had seen just not naming places.

The Friday before Christmas Erlendur arranged for them to go to Butikk Distrikt in Norway to do their Christmas shopping. He would be taking the younger children to an indoor play place to run around. Harry was torn on where to go as he was still small enough to go to the soft play place and had never been to one before. In the end though, wanting to go with his friends, who were too old won out, along with the need for Christmas presents.

The Shopping centre in Norway was actually in an old Muggle building. The muggles thought it was not structurally sound but too old to be destroyed. So it was left as a historical monument you just couldn't go inside of. This made the building a bit of an eyesore outside. But inside was very different. Shops lined the outside of the walls of the four-story building with a large food court area on the ground floor. Children flew around on brooms over the upper two levels. A safety net had been stretched out across the first to protect the people eating on the ground floor. Harry had only been to Diagon Alley twice, but it had nothing on this place.

"Wow," he whispered as Mark made them gather around.

"Alright, everyone. Stay in groups of at least 3, and we'll meet back here for check in every hour. Remember for others at the Hostal it's not needed to buy something as cards and pictures or models will be done this week. If you do want to buy something try to stay away from chocolate as you will get a lot of it. Alright, you lot off you go" Harry quickly linked up with Tabitha, Jakob, Eveline and Demelza. Just as they were getting ready to go Harry also spotted Agnar looking a bit lost. Quickly he grabbed the other boys arm to pull him along.

"Thanks!"

"No problem! Until you came, I was the new one and am still just as lost as you sometimes. I've only been here about a month. Tabitha and the others can keep us in check on what's needed."

"Good idea."

"The top floor is all robes and clothes, the middle floor has most of the art, music, toys and stuff. The first floor has travel, owls, pets, furniture and that sort of thing. So we probably don't need that floor. We mostly want the second one." Tabitha quickly led them to the stairs and up to the second floor.

"I need to pop in and speak to the man in the post office before we go. My box is here. Since I'm here it's best I speak to him. Where is Gringotts on all this?"

"Gringotts is the only one on the bottom with the food courts. Their vaults and the like extend under the earth and under the city."

"That makes sense" Harry nodded as they got to the second floor. Here he could only look around in amazement. There were so many shops they didn't have in Diagon Alley. There was as said art and music. But also the broom shop, quidditch supplies, sweetshop, muggle games, magical games, Norway souvenir's, writing supplies, a store full of Christmas decorations, a store selling sports equipment and a store selling weapons. There were others too, more than should be possible but thanks to magic was.

"Let's start in the souvenir shop. We might be able to get some of yours there Harry" Harry nodded knowing it was a good idea. They had all the traditional t-shirts, cups, keyrings and the like. Knowing Hermione, he got her a book on magical Norway. While for Katie, Alicia, Angelina and Oliver he got them all cups with different quidditch sayings on them.

They decided to leave there and headed to the art store. Knowing they were going to be doing models. Harry picked up some easy ones in the shape of different animals to paint for his new friends at the Hostal. The rest of the hostal would just get cards and maybe a small picture.

"Where next?" Jakob looked around. "I need to pop to the joke shop for a friend at school."

"Same here" Agnar nodded, and Harry agreed. So that was the next stop. There he found some muggle joke items he knew the twins and Ron would enjoy.

"Can we pop up to Claires for a moment" Demelza picked the next stop. Harry wasn't too sure about heading up to a girls store. That was until he saw the eye masks for sleeping and the different hair clips and the like. He decided to get a couple of sparkly hair clips for Ginny. He remembered she had always worn them when he had seen her. Those were plane brown though, and these were new and in different colours.

It was then though they needed to check in. So they trouped down and then back up the stairs to the stationary shop. Here Harry picked up a Norwegian school planner for Percy. He decided that was enough presents for his friends. So Harry followed the others around as they popped to the music shop, muggle toy store and magical toy store.

"Food time" Jakob interrupted what would have been another shopping suggestion from Eveline.

"I agree" Agnar laughed. "I'm starved."

Many from the Hostal seemed to have the same idea, but it was also again near check-in so made sense. The food stalls around the edge of the large food court had food from all over the world. Both muggle and magical.

"Let's get a bit from a few different ones to try and share" was Tabitha's suggestion. No one had complaints. It was an excellent suggestion and made sure there was at least something they all liked. It made for an interesting fair for eating. But was something Harry had never thought of doing or trying.

"One more hour everyone then we have to get back. We need to get ready for Yule and Christmas" Mark made the rounds.

"Seasonal shop it is" Eveline cut off any other idea. No one objected. Harry didn't know what the Seasonal shop was. But once he sore it was full of Christmas decorations he got into the swing of buying tinsel and different ornaments for his room.

It was a tired group that arrived back at the hostal.

"Alright everyone things away, time to decorate rooms and this Hostal. Let's turn it into a winter wonderland" Erlendur called as they arrived back. Around the lounge was boxes and boxes of different Christmas decorations. The Dursleys had never let him help set up for Christmas. At Hogwarts, it had always been the house elves, teachers and seventh years that had set up. This was a new experience, one he was going to enjoy.

Harry started off with his room after taking his things upstairs. What had been a bare empty room when he had first arrived was no more. His ever blinking post box was on the desk. The wardrobe was full of clothes. The shelves around the room were full of toys and ornaments. His school trunk was in the corner. But after putting all his brought Christmas presents on the bed, he didn't know where to start.

"Harry how you doing?" Robert popped his head around the open door.

"I've never done this, I don't know where to start."

"Not that hard. I'll help" the older boy smiled. He didn't say anything else, no comments on why, nothing. It wasn't needed, not here. "Let's start with taking some things down off the shelf. It's something mum always told me. Put some things away or when you take the Christmas stuff down the shelves look bare. If you put some stuff away and bring them back out, it doesn't. I'll see if we can get you a storage box off Mary, you decide what to put away. Be right back."

"Right" Harry muttered to himself. He pulled all his ornaments and teddies off the shelf except for the couple in red and green. By the time he was finished Robert was back. They packed everything into the box that then slid under the bed.

"Let's see what you got." Harry had gotten a mix of everything. Tinsel, ball balls, a mini tree with ornaments, snow globes because he had thought they looked cool, a winter-themed fleece for his bed and a Santa stop here poster for the wall.

"This we can work with. Right fleece on the bed, lets put the snow globes on the shelves and twist some of the tinsel through. The beads we'll hang on the wall, and the stretchy thing called a garland goes across the ceiling. I'll do those with magic." Carefully as Robert worked Harry put the snow globes up and passed the tinsel through. It looked cool and hid or disguised the rest of the objects left on the shelf beside the bears. By the time he had finished Robert had his posters on the walls with the beads around them. The garland thing was strung across the ceiling sending sparkly patterns around the room. Together they put up his mini Christmas tree and decorated it. Once finished Harry smiled, he had never had a room look like this, and it was nice.

"Downstairs scamp, go help. I'm going to check on the others."

"Sure" Harry laughed and ran out of the room, only pausing to lock it as Robert set off, and he ran downstairs. Erlendur already had the garland up. Some of the older kids were teaching, the younger kids spells to help. All the crests above the fireplace had a tinsel frame over them, and the tree was in the corner. But so far only had the fairy lights on it.

"Come help, Harry. Just pick a box, you have this room, the reading room, the dining room and all upstairs landings to do. Somewhere is a Christmas name tag for the doors. I've had yours done so when you find them put them on the sofa everyone will find there's" the hostal head called out. Laughing with everyone else he dived into the boxes. One by one more kids arrived downstairs as people laughed and shouted up and down. At some point, someone put Christmas music on that could be heard everywhere.

There were snow globes and little houses placed on shelves. Tinsel was everywhere up and down the stairs and around every door. Stickers with different snow scenes were put on every window, even those in peoples rooms. Throws and rugs were placed on the floor, pictures and posters were changed for Christmas scenes. A shelf in the reading room was cleared out for Christmas books. In the kitchen, Harry could see Neevia getting out plates and cups with Christmas scenes on them. While Gunnar went around clearing away the empty boxes to put away and getting rid of the tinsel that fell to the floor and made a mess. The tree was the last thing to be done, and everyone took turns putting an ornament on the tree. Erlendur had the honour of putting the tree topper on as they all sang songs. To Harry, and many others, the whole thing was magical. The only thing marring it was when he had to leave that night for the OSS, but again he wasn't the only one.

The OSS though had also been transformed. There was a giant tree, tinsel, beads, garland and decorations up. His room was empty, but that didn't matter. Nothing, not even the vaccination he had to have could get his spirits down.

All speech in Norwegian

Saturday 19th December

"Alright I know it is a Saturday and after the end of term but we are short on time so thank you for coming. We'll go Hostal by Hostal starting with Oslo. Haley who was there?" Rosland sat in yet another meeting to do with the closure of Hogwarts and possible new students.

"Right in Oslo, we had Evie and Kevin Wakelin, Draco Malfoy, Peter Scott, Edward and Matthew Lesnar. All of them were checked on the first day to see which Care system they should be under. This is due to a note sent around by the Reykjavik Hostal. Four out of six were discovered to be under the wrong system. The Wakelin and Lesnar children are still at the Oslo Hostal, and their younger siblings have now joined them. Out of the children Draco Malfoy, Evie Wakelin, Kevin Wakelin and Matthew Lesnar have passed through to final interviews.

"Peter Scott, some of his opinions on the history section even if it was fundamental were disturbing. And he clearly hadn't made any attempt to study Runes or Arithmancy knowing they were core subjects. His knowledge of Maths and Latin was abysmal for a first-year pureblood. He did, however, have advanced knowledge in Potions compared to some.

"Edward Lesnar is also a first year. For him, it was the opposite problem. He had studied or made an attempt to for Runes and Arithmancy. But it looked like someone had forced him to memorise the subjects and he had no understanding. For History, he kept writing creatures are beneath me on the paper over and over for the creature questions. The others he kept writing this is what school is for. He is not one for self-study.

"Now Draco Malfoy passed but is another kettle of fish. He is a second year but has made a good attempt at Runes and Arithmancy. His knowledge is that of a few weeks of learning, but he understands the subjects. Potions he must have had a private tutor or something as his knowledge was well ahead of other children. For history, he had little knowledge of magical creatures but plenty in other areas. Some of his answers though did seem forced, but I want to give him a chance.

"Matthew Lesnar passed and has clearly been self-studying potions, Runes, Arithmancy and Latin for some time. While better than some children his knowledge could be a bit spotty and not as understood or as smooth as you would get from a competent teacher.

"Now Evie Wakelin is a first year and is clearly from a family that sends children to an unaware school before Hogwarts. Her maths skills were some of the best I saw. This did carry onto Arithmancy where she made a good attempt and has done a decent amount of learning for the time she had. For History, she was able to tell you the unaware side of things but not the magical this gives her a good grounding. Potions her knowledge was shot, but we were expecting that. She didn't know about preparation or reactions but could tell you about the potions themselves which is worrying and actually the standard. Overall she would be one to really watch for the interviews.

"Lastly Kevin Wakelin also had good maths skills but not as far as his sister. He was able to carry this over to Arithmacy where he had made a basic attempt but nothing noticeable. For History, he struggled to remember some facts and had no idea of magical history, but that is probably due to his time out of school. His potions were like the rest of the students. For his options, he took Care of Magical Creatures and Runes. Both of which he has good scores in and are clearly subjects he enjoys. Overall he passed, just.

"Alright let's look at Athens next" Roseland shuffled her papers.

"And that brings us to Paris" Rosaland turned back to Jai who had the summery from Lurline Gurkie.

"Paris had Nathan Sutherland, Roger Sutherland, Susan Bones, Cho Chang and Linda Chaddesley. For our care system mess, we have 1 out of 5 which is worrying but a better percentage than others. Roger Sutherland's siblings have joined them at the hostal. Out of the 5 siblings, only Nathan wasn't under the wrong system since he is supposed to be under the BCS anyway.

"Onto scores. Nathan performed poorly in potions, but that is the theme for the most part. History was good, but that is probably from prior teaching. Arithmancy and Runes have had a basic attempt but from a first year with no instruction is good. Maths was again poor but had a good grasp at Latin and English. The others were good for his level of education. Lurline has passed him.

"Roger is a third year. He has a poor grasp at potions. History is slightly better than his brother. However, this is from independent teaching prior and self-study, not from the school teacher. Arithmancy and Runes are good for 3 months of standard education. Latin and English were good, and he showed a good attempt at using his arithmancy knowledge to further that of maths. Lurline has passed him.

"Cho Chang showed good knowledge in all subjects for a third year. Lurline has made a note she was approached by a student saying that Cho had been questioning them repeatedly on the Repository. Apparently, she was putting on an act for interviews. Such she has been failed."

"That is disappointing but not unusual" Rosaland made a note.

"Linda Chaddesley had a poor grasp of potions and history. She never took runes or arithmancy and has made no attempts at it. Her other subjects were standard and not standing out. Lurline has noted that she seemed very loyal and that if this were a first-year assessment, she would be recommended for the waiting list. However, as this is not, she has failed unless you are making a waiting list?"

"No not this time we are pass and fail all the way through, the cutting down to what we can take will be difficult enough."

"Lastly" Jai took a deep breath "is Susan Bones second year. Susan has mixed knowledge of potions from a basic tutor and self-study in reactions and preparation. The actual use of what potions are used for is standard with the other students. History is at a decent level for self-study and mostly based around the government, hospitals and the last British war but better than most. She has clearly studied the subjects she was interested in. She has made a good attempt at Runes and Arithmancy and has a higher than normal grasp of Latin, maths and English for an English pureblood. Her other subjects were all high for a second year, and her defence scores were up there as well. Lurline has passed her."

"Thank you, Jai now onto Finland. Haley?" Rosaland made some notes before moving her papers.

"And finally Reykjavik. Jai?"

"Reykjavik had Oliver wood the only sixth year to get this far. Isabella Schoely first year, David and Carlson Trueblood third and first-year respectively. Felicity Eastchurch third year and Harry Potter second year. For the Care system, we had three out of six. But Harry Potter was found soon after he arrived and the reason this mess all started" Jai shock his head. He should have known that was where it had started.

"I suspected as much. Carry on" Rosaland waved her hand, all of them were getting tired now.

"Right. Isabella had two younger siblings that are now at the Hostal and Carlson, and David also had two that are currently there as well. All four were under the wrong system. Onto the subjects. It was Jacob Cox that evaluated the lot, and he has noted getting some second opinions on this.

"Oliver Wood performed to a high standard. He has taken his local L. called OWLs. He had a good grounding on potions and from what we have seen that is either from tutors or self-study. He did take Runes and Arithmancy at school and did well on those. His Latin was excellent having been taught before Hogwarts. Even if he is a sixth year Jacob was impressed by his manner and when arriving seeing him help the younger children.

"Isabella Schoely as a first-year did alright. She had no knowledge of ingredient preparation or reactions. She struggled with knowing what potions did what, mediocre compared to the others, which is saying something with that result. She hasn't made an attempt at Runes. Though she tried to cross over her basic math knowledge to Arithmancy, she doesn't have a high enough understanding of maths to make a decent attempt. Her Latin score is the only one that really stood out.

"Carlson Trueblood had a basic understanding of potions reactions and preparation along with what potions did. He has made a decent attempt at Runes and Arithmancy, particularly the last with crossing over an adequate knowledge of maths. His Latin score was up there, and he also had a decent History mark.

"His brother on the other had a poor potions mark. So that must be self-study or something to do with the potions master been Carlson's head of house. David also didn't take runes or arithmancy and hasn't made an attempt at them. He did manage to cross a little over from maths to Arithmancy but not that much. His Latin was good, and his history was ok.

"Felicity Eastchurch. Jacob noted that her potions was in the middle range from what we have seen and apparently self-study. Her attempt at runes and arithmancy showed a methodical approach to the subject. This showed higher knowledge then her few months in a class should allow. And while a bit patchy her history also showed self-study. However, looking at the patterns, it shows she took a methodical approach here as well. It was partly our test questions that make that look patchy. She was however behind on her Duelling, but that again seems to be a bit standard. Yet, she had attempted that.

"Lastly Harry Potter. Harry Potter has been at the hostal longer as I dropped him off nearly a month ago so has had help here. His potions are behind but shows recent knowledge and studying the same with history, runes and Arithmancy. For Arithmancy, he has been crossing over maths knowledge which is advanced. English was also good, and Latin was a bit behind for a second year but good for Hogwarts. Duelling showed advanced knowledge probably closer to a third year than where he is. But as I said he has also been at the hostal longer and they would have helped him. The duelling knowledge is probably all his own along with the maths. They would not have assisted with that, and the understanding of the subject would be his own.

"Jacob has noted it was a difficult choice and if he could, he would have put all but David Trueblood forward. He has cut Isabella as while methodical and good it doesn't show interest or broad knowledge. Jacob thinks she would be better sooted elsewhere. At the moment she will have to stay at the hostal due to the care system mess. But can be moved later depending on the school she attends."

"Thank you. I shall review this and see about narrowing it down a bit and then we'll go onto the final stage the day after boxing day. This is going to be tight, but we'll do it."