Chapter 15 - The Decision

All speech Icelandic

After the deputy left, his friends converged on him. They were interested in learning what they had spoken about. Not to mention how it had gone. Tabitha, Demelza, Jakob and Eveline had commented that they didn't have some of those rules at Euro-Glyth. But they weren't needed at a day school. They had a no fighting rule and a modified no steeling. There was also a no leaving the grounds rule. However, they didn't have the orange vests for detention. Detention students all stayed behind after school for an hour, so there was no need for it. They also didn't have the brewing rule. Then again, no students were allowed to brew outside of class.

Euro-Glyth did have the no magic in the halls rule. However, like at Hogwarts, it was mostly ignored. Just like the no running in the halls rule. Pranks were allowed and not monitored, but fireworks were banned period. Pets weren't allowed, so that was no trouble. The school did have a no-bullying rule, although like Hogwarts punishments varied a bit. Teachers though did use their head, and it was mostly fair. Euro-Glyth did have a cloakroom for outside clothes. Though that was due to students travelling from different climates, rather than keeping the school clean.

Agnar was horrified at some of what they were saying. That was until Harry mentioned how it was at Hogwarts. That just made the whole group appalled.

"Guess that is different schools for you" Tabitha muttered. "They have different rules and different ways of doing things."

"I think I prefer the extra rules and the set punishments. Means you always know what you're going to get and what you're getting into if you break a rule."

"It also means that all teachers follow the same thing. Instead of you hoping that this teacher catches you and not this one. Just because they are more lenient" Harry added.

"I've done that before" Jakob laughed "Part of the fun."

Monday 28th December

All speech in Norwegian

It was a tired group of teachers that met up Monday evening. But they knew now the hard bit was over and it was now down to the Mentors. All three were thankful that some of the other staff had taken over reviewing the student's folders. They had to mark who had unfulfilled punishments and give the rest a clear folder. No to mention filing grades away in the usually secure and restricted files in the archives. Some of the more longstanding teachers had been given tempory access. So far, they seemed to have been doing an excellent job with it as well.

"Right then lets start. We had two pull out, leaving us with 18 students. Jai how did the first student you visited go."

"I started with a second-year Draco Malfoy. He seemed quite egotistic and one who believes he was a bit above the rules. He seemed disappointed that some classes were not offered until later. But also that school ran until he was 21. I think he believed prior that the additional 3 years were optional. We got as far as talking about mentors when he said that he didn't need one. I stopped there and told him I was on a tight schedule and needed to leave. His parents were also closed off and the very typical British purebloods. An arranged marriage. I got the feeling that it was only due to British social laws that Draco was placed under the right care association. If not, he would have been mixed up in this little scandal."

"Very well that is one down" Rosaland filled out his name to the top of a rejection letter. She quickly handed it to one of the waiting Eagles. These letters would go out tonight, and a final list would be sent to Se Ridica, Beaxabutons and Dumstrang who needed the list, as short as it would be.

"I visited Evie and Kevin Wakelin. They are currently staying at the Oslo Hostal. I spoke to each separate and got different feelings from both." Haley started. "Kevin seemed to be a very energetic boy. Yet also one that prefers to work at his own pace. He studies the subjects he really enjoys fully. Though he needs pushing in the rest. He also came off as a bit closed-minded to me. If we have a reserve list, I would put him on that but otherwise let him go somewhere else."

"I have one this time, and I'll review it myself at the end."

"Evie is another one altogether. She's a small, talkative young girl who is very nice. She said that been grounded was like what her parents do when they are miss behaving. To be honest, I don't think their parents are the ones that put that family down under the wrong care provider. She's a good kid. I think she would go far here with the right mentor to help bring it out."

"I want to vote Evie as well."

"We have one acceptance. Next"

"Oliver Wood" Jai started "He's the only sixth year we have left on the list. Oliver is a keen athlete. But like has been noted before knows he can't play sports for the rest of his life. He wants to be a spell crafter after. Oliver's parents are keen for him to follow his dreams and will help him any way they can. He was a Quidditch captain at Hogwarts and does care for his teammates. We looked through the rules and what would be expected of a sixth-year student. He also understands that he would have to work hard to graduate. The only compulsory subjects he doesn't have an Owl in are Latin, Norwegian, Mathematics and English. His parents have been teaching him all but the Norwegian since he was young. He is also willing to sit the L. in them. Since he wanted to be a spell crafter, he is already taking ancient Runes and Arithmancy. We spoke about the seminars as well. Oliver is willing to either sit in on the ones he has missed or read up on them. He would then write an essay to cover the material instead.

"He likes the idea of the privileges and the rules comparing it to things he had done at Hogwarts. He noted about when they received Harry Potter on their team. Oliver and the rest sat down and showed him how to do broom care properly. This was to make sure he was safe doing it and so that the broom was safe to fly. He's older but also willing to work his butt off to graduate here on time."

"Haley?"

"I liked Oliver; he's a good kid. If he were younger, I would have said he would make a great Stor and to be careful who we gave him to."

"He was upset when he learned he would most likely not get a Liten as an older student. But we spoke about how friends help and support each other. I think, even from September we would be able to put him down as a reserve. You know, for if anyone Stor was too sick to care for them or was expelled. He was also upset about maybe been too old for the Repository expedition squad. However, after a moment, he then commented that he would wait on that. Instead of applying straight away because he might be too busy anyway. He wants a school to stay till he graduates not chopping and changing and those were his words."

"Lets put him down. He can be our wild card" Rosaland said after a moment of thought. Both were eager on him, and his grades were good. He was also one of the students that had sent notes thanking them for the notice of their interview. "Next"

"Biko Kisawahi. He liked the rules and many of the subjects. He was also one of those comparing schools. He's one of the three Sorcerer level students. Biko had a lot of respect having been raised to respect adults and people. However, I think he would be better sooted in a more structured setting. As we were talking, I think he thought that himself. Japanese schools are more lecture-based with more strict rules. After Hogwarts, I think his parents were more leaning there. But he is a good kid."

"Lets again put him on the reserve for now, but it is ultimately his choice, and we only have 1 spot for fourth years."

"Falicity Eastchurch" Haley started again. "Another good kid and good with respect. We talked about the rules and punishments. However, I saw her grimacing at the idea of been grounded and wearing orange vests for detentions. Honestly, I would say she might adapt. Still, I don't know, and it would take time. If she was a first-year I would say reserve but not now."

"A no it is then" Rosaland smiled and sent off another Eagle with a rejection letter.

"Roger and Nathan Sutherland" Jai shook his head. "These two I spoke to separately and are currently residing in the Paris Hostal due to our little scandal. Roger is another third year and didn't seem to keen on some of our rules. Honestly, he would be better elsewhere. Nathan is a first-year, and the only one of his siblings who's care provider wasn't messed as he was already under the BCS. Right now he's a bit unsure about it and gaining a bit of an attitude. Honestly, I don't know with him. I would put him on reserve. But I think he would be better in a day program so he can reconnect with his siblings on a more personal level then been separated."

"Reserve it is and halfway there."

"Carlson Trueblood" Haley introduced. "He is again mixed up in this care system business. He's a first-year and very bright and very preceptive. He was unsure about the idea of rules as they were so different from what he knew."

"We have had notes saying that Carlson is a bit of a free spirit" Rosaland flicked though to the information sheet she had on their final candidates.

"I definitely got that he struggled to sit still. In all, I think he could get by here but not thrive. They have also applied to Merlin. While they have rules, they are not to our extent, and I think he might do better there."

"Another down" Rosaland wrote the first years name onto a note and sent it off with the Eagle.

"Cedric Diggory is next on my list" Jai looked down. "A fourth year and another quidditch player. His parents are pushy. Those who want their kids to do the best and think their kid is the best out there. Cedric himself is more grounded. He too was interested in how been a fourth-year would effect him possibly getting a Liten of his own. I told him that he would probably be put in reserve for if there were problems or we received a larger intake, then there are mentors for. He excepted that.

"We also spoke about L. and seminars. His father asked if the earlier ones would be waved. Cedric cut in saying he didn't want to be different and would either sit on them or request to write up an essay for them. His mother seemed to approve of that saying he was a good boy.

"We also went over the rules. Cedric just nodded saying that at Hogwarts, the boys couldn't get into the girl's dorm. But nothing was stopping the girls going into the boys, and he had heard talk of things happening. He was again telling me comparisons to the teachers at Hogwarts. I would like him to be a good contender for our one fourth-year spot."

"Noted"

"Fay Dunbar" Haley looked at her dwindling list. "Another good student and a second year. She is eager, and a muggle-born so had a good grounding for many subjects. She liked the idea of learning more about the magical world in the seminars and the idea of mentors. Her parents are a bit lost with all the magic, but they are trying. They really just want what is best for their daughter and going to a good school is part of that. The girl's parents are well off and see learning to be a lady and etiquette important. Fay doesn't seem that bothered about learning these and is more interested in sports. I would put her down as a reserve for our second years and see who else comes up. They are also looking into Beauxbatons, and think either school would do well. However, her parents may prefer Beauxbatons due to them wanting etiquette, and they do have sports there."

"Reserve it is."

"Matthew Lesnar is our only remaining Lesnar sibling, he is again caught up in this care system mess and staying at Oslo. Matthew is very, very bright. While he liked the idea of the rules and everything else. He has received a letter from Ariwindale, and I think he would be better there. We're just not fast-paced enough, and even with everything I think he would be bored here."

"Agreed" Rosaland knew it was for the best. They had had one student before. After a year they had transferred them to Arwindale themselves, it was for the best. With that word she filled in the letter and sent another Eagle on its way. No dowt some years in the future, she would have a letter from Matthew Lesnar asking to come as a Scholar. Magere just wasn't the school for him. "6 left who's next."

"Harry Potter." Haley looked at her sheet and smiled. "I had a fascinating conversation with him about Hogwarts, which we can discuss another time. Right now, he was comparing schools and rules. He liked the rules here and said they all made sense. He even admitted that the one he may struggle with is wandering the halls at night." that got some smiles; it was always nice when a student admitted they might have trouble with a rule. "We also spoke about mentors and what he wanted in a school. He said what he wanted was a school where he could be himself and not the boy-who-lived. Somewhere where yes people might know who he was and stare. But wouldn't chase after him or expect him to be someone he is not. He was raised in the muggle world and so is just learning about the magical world. Not to mention being caught up in this little care system scandal. To be honest, if we took him I would want to pair him with Isur Yathe I think they would be a good match."

"Reserve then," Rosaland wrote his name down. So far she had six names on the reserve list and two on final acceptance. Isur didn't have a Liten yet and been a snake-fae they were trying to hold him back a bit.

"Harley Brogden next. Another placed under the wrong care system with siblings. They are currently in the hostals, so I didn't speak to parents" Jai flicked through his papers "Harley is a fraternal twin. His sister is a little angel that would have loved it here had she got the power level. She is already set to go to Beauxbatons and will love it there. Their older brother Frank is going to Euro-Glyth. He has always loved languages and wished to go before. But his parents wanted him to go to Hogwarts. Harley, on the other hand, is much like his sister but more active and into mischief. He wrinkled his nose at the number of rules. Simply nodded at the punishments and said they were fair and they were ones he could live with. Harley is a prankster but also very smart. He pranks as a way to learn and take breaks from studying. There have been several pranks at the Amsterdam Hostal. Yet all of them have been on people who would laugh and find it fun and different people. You also can't turn them all back to him. I would like to give him a chance. But I can say he would keep any Stor on their toes."

"Reserve as well."

"Isobel MacDougal is a second-year" Haley looked though he notes. "She is very studious and not much into sports. She wasn't involved with the care system mess and lives with her parents. She's a half-blood but didn't attend an unaware school before Hogwarts. She was interested in the book club, Greek, World Cultures and Calligraphy. She wasn't too sure on the martial arts class or the idea of Duelling. To be honest shes a great kid but I think somewhere else would be better."

"Agreed" Rosaland turned to her rejection letters and sent off another one.

"Susan Bones lives with her aunt after her parents were killed in the last British war with that dark lord" Jai found his notes. "She isn't caught up in the care system mess, and her aunt is head of the British DMLE."

"I know Amelia she's a strong woman, so were Susan's parents" Rosaland nodded.

"Amalia has invested in her niece not been killed and trained her in martial arts since she was young. Susan is a strong and very opinionated but balanced girl. She liked the rules and said they were much more clear then Hogwarts. Susan also liked the clubs and went for most things sporty. The only one that wasn't sporty was world cultures saying that knowing about the world would help stop wars. She's very knowledgeable about unawares and what is wrong with the British wizarding world. She's just one of those that sticks out to you."

"Reserve to see about our final spots for that group. Two left."

"Jeremy Stretton a muggle-born. I spoke to his parents, and they are both doctors who admitted not knowing how to look after a magical son. He's been living mostly at the OSS since the end of his first year at Hogwarts. This is due to his magical gifts. Both parents love him and want the best for him. Jeremy doesn't resent them for this. In fact, he says it speaks highly for them admitting when they can't handle something.

"Again he's a fourth-year so we spoke about subjects and what it would mean for him. He is another that would like to either sit in or write essays for the seminars. We also talked about being a mentor and how that would affect him. He responded that if it was right, it would happen if it wasn't, he would be there to help. That sometimes been neutral would make someone more approachable to another if there was a problem. I must say, I agree. He's one of those that I wish he was younger or had applied sooner. I would love him to come, but we only have one spot."

"I'll put him on reserve" Rosaland nodded and added Jeremy to the ever-growing list.

"Aspen Burke is one of the possible sorcerer class students. She is a fifth-year and lives with her parents. Her mother is a potions mistress, so that explained her higher than normal scores along with her school head of house been the potions master. Her father is a journalist. Both parents want their daughter to do well at school but also to be happy and disciplined. Aspen herself noted how varied Hogwarts rules and punishments were. She said it would be nice for them to be like the ones here or other schools. As a fifth-year, we talked about how that would affect her. She also commented that she would have enough on her plate without having a liten but would if one needed her. She also spoke about been willing to look up and write information on the missed seminars and liked the idea of having more subjects. Aspen also liked the idea of some courses only been one year. So that she could cover more of the ones she was interested and some she would just join clubs for. We also spoke about the Repository, and Aspen said that if asked, she would try out. Although she had enough to be getting on with getting ready for Owls or if she came to us L. Again an older student but I want to give her a shot."

"We have plenty of spaces for fifth years and few left in so I think she gets the spot" Rosaland looked at their list. "Right we have three so far and nine on the reserve list so I'll have a look through. Tomorrow we'll assign mentors. Have a rest" both deputies nodded and headed out, the final decision was the headmistresses.

Rosaland sighed and looked at the list. Once again reviewing what her deputies had told her. Kevin was first on the list and the only third year. They had three spaces, so could actually take him. But thinking about what was said she knew he was best going elsewhere. Maybe Se Ridica. He would cope here but not thrive, and that's what he deserved. So without a word, she filled in their 7th rejection letter and sent it off.

Next, she turned to the first years. Nathan was a good student and would do well. Still, she could see Jai's point of him been with his siblings. Which left Harley who it seemed was a little monkey. He would keep them on their toes. Except he apparently already knew when it was and wasn't appropriate for pranks. Also saying the rules were ones he could live with meant that he would hopefully follow them. Or at least wouldn't kick up a fuss when caught and punished. With the right mentor, he could go far. If he caused too much trouble, he would just be expelled. The first time he was in trouble, she would warn him too. With that, she turned and wrote Harley's name on the acceptance letter and sent off the 8th rejection letter to Nathan Sutherland.

That was, unfortunately, the easy part as she turned to the fourth years. Jeremy Stretton was a good student and a strong candidate. Biko Kisawki they were sitting on the fence with, and it seemed he was leaning towards a Japanese school. That was fine they would recognise and manage him. Cedric Diggory was another strong student, and that was the problem. Three or rather two good students. Taking her quill, she sent a rejection letter off to Biko before looking at the last two. She wished she could take both, but they had one place. Rosaland was in half a mind to take both and try their hand at expanding, but they weren't ready or prepared for that. Deciding to put that off she turned to the second years that were just as hard.

Fay Dunbar, Harry Potter and Susan Bones. All again, suitable candidates. Harry Potter had the choice of them or Se Ridica due to his creature inheritances. Yet he was also a parselmouth according to the list sent in along with others. Se Ridica would manage but may struggle as they didn't have the best system for helping sensitives. Susan Bones was another strong character and fire gifted. That wouldn't be a problem, and she was looking at here or Merlin. Both would do her good. Fay Dunbar was another excellent student and would do well. Her parents though thought etiquette was important. And while they taught some, it wasn't as focused. Sighing Rosaland looked out the window passed the waiting eagles. Why did it have to be so hard?

Taking a deep breath, she sat up and looked back at the list of five students. Five students and three places. Brows frowned she focused again on the second years. Susan Bones and Harry Potter were the ones she was leaning towards. Not because of who they were but because of the options they had. They would manage, but the environment would be better here. Fay would be great. But while she hated etiquette now, she would need to learn more then they taught to mix with her parents. With that, she took yet another rejection letter and sent it off.

That left the final two and most difficult ones. Looking again, Rosaland read through the information before slowly writing Jeremy's name on the 11th rejection letter. Cedric was such a strong character. They both were. Nevertheless, Rosaland felt he had fewer options on where he would do just as well. Jeremy had more of them and would do well in a number of places. Quietly she penned a personal note to the bottom. He deserved that. Along with a personal invitation to see the Repository in July without having to apply through the schools. All he had to do was say which school and she would talk to the headteacher.

With that, she turned and looked at their final list. Evie Wakelin and Harley Brogden were both first years. Both were bright and just starting their magical education. The second-year places went to Harry Potter and Susan Bones. These two both had a lot going for them and a good grounding to start with. The last students consisted of Cedric Diggory fourth year, Aspen Burke fifth year and Oliver Wood sixth year. All older and not the students they had expected when starting this process. Oliver was definitely the wild card. But all these students were keen and determined. A strange group and not what they were assuming they would take initially. They had thought they would just take first to third years, but they were the right students. Quietly she sent the names off to where they needed to go along with a general acceptance letter to the students. Tomorrow they would deal with mentors, she was too tired now.

Tuesday 29th December

All Speech Icelandic

Harry woke Tuesday morning to a flashing post box. That was nothing new. He wondered what the wizard sorting all this thought sometimes. Sighing he got up and moved over to the box opening it and sorting through what was there. There was new letters from Ron and Hermione and more fan mail he would deal with to prevent falling behind. There was one letter that made him pause, though.

Mr H Potter
Room 23
Snow Castle Hostal

He remembered the last letter he had got from Magere was addressed in much the same way. Taking a deep breath, he opened the letter.

Magere Akademi
Headmistress Rosaland Cerishsil
Order of Merlin first class, Head of International School Board Standards

He was right!

Dear Mr Potter
I am pleased to inform you that you have been accepted...

Harry didn't get any further before jumping up and running down the stairs in his pyjamas, pausing only to lock his door.

"Morning Harry what have you got there" Erlendur looked up from where he was talking to Mary at the desk.

"Letter from Magere I got in"

"Let's have a look" the hostal head smiled.

"Dear Mr Potter. I am pleased to inform you that you have been accepted into Magere Akademi due to your test results and interviews. You will now be assigned a mentor called a Stor who will contact you to arrange a time to collect your school supplies. Should you not wish to attend, please let us know so your place can be assigned to another student who would like to attend. Headmistress Rosaland Cerishsil. Well done that is a pretty standard letter. So where are you going to go to school, Harry?" Erlendur turned to Harry. The boy had been here a month and a half, and he had grown to like the small 12-year-old.

"I don't know I don't want to leave here."

"You won't have to I have decided that should you attend Se Ridica I shall arrange it so you can stay. You're a good kid Harry and fitted in really well to this strange family."

"You mean it" Harry looked up at the hostal head.

"Yes, don't let where to stay affect your decision. Have a think but remember you will have to make that decision today. We don't have much time if you are going to Magere."

"Right" Harry nodded, taking his letter and going back upstairs. Unlocking his door, he looked around his room and smiled. He had a home! The Dursleys house had never been home. Harry couldn't believe Erlendur was letting him stay. Not to mention, this was his room! He had never had his own before. Only Dursleys second bedroom and his dorm. But never his own private space. Sitting down on the bed, Harry spotted his subject comparison list. Without thinking, he grabbed another piece of paper to make another.

Magere had the Repository, set guidelines for discipline and rules, they would sort out tutors, and he would have a mentor. They had a healer on site and had been out to see him. He already knew Agnar and some of the students there. He liked the sound of the school and the opportunities he would have.

On the other hand, Se Ridica had lots of creatures. However, so did Magere. He didn't know if they had a healer on site and they hadn't been out to see him. He knew they had separate dorms and rooms for Creatures and such. Yet he didn't know where he would fall as he had yet to come into his inheritance. Would he be housed as a creature or a human? He didn't know any of the students. Still, it would be cool to have his own crest up in the lounge and say I'm the only one that goes there. All he knew was the subjects and that the last 3 years were voluntary while at Magere they were compulsory. He would be given a Mentor, but how involved would they be. Se Ridica had their own language no one else knew, and Magere didn't have that. Se Ridica was an older, more established school. Magere was newer, not even half a century.

Sighing, he looked at his list. There was a lot of pros for Magere. Just as Se Ridica had a lot of advantages. Although most of them Magere also had minus the crest and language. A lot was still unknown about Se Ridica. Harry had been so caught up in everything he had never asked for more information. He had just left it since he had already been excepted. Harry liked Agnar and the other Magere students who helped sort his mail and had helped him study. Even Tabitha had once commented he blended right in and seemed one of them. The only real positive that was for Se Ridica was Ron would be there. Except there was a good chance, they wouldn't be rooming together anyway.

Knowing the decision seemed clear cut. Harry took two pieces of parchment and wrote the letters out before sending them off. He knew he had made the decision ages ago and just not realised it. Getting dressed Harry took the rest of his mail minus Ron and Hermione's letters before heading downstairs. More and more kids were now in the dining room, eating breakfast. Harry left the mail on the side and sat down with his friends.

"Have you got a letter from Magere yet, they should have made their decision by now?" Agnar asked, and Harry saw Erlendur look in his direction.

"Yeh, I did" Harry smiled and looked at his friend. "Mind if you help me pick up school supplies with my mentor."

"Yes," Agnar jumped up, making others look in his direction.

"Congratulations Harry"

"Agnar what has you hyped up?" Mark Rogers asked from the other side of the room.

"Harry..."

"Agnar" Erlendur cut in. "It is Harry's choice, who knows."

"You made a choice in schools then. Magere should have made a decision by now, and others need to know" Philipa stated. That was one thing about the Hostal. No one was a slouch in the knowledge department. Only those that went to Dumstrang could be said to possibly 'slack off'. But Erlendur didn't let any of them. Harry hadn't really paid much attention to those students. However, he knew them on sight. And Harry knew that if it really came to it, they would back him up if needed. Just as he would them.

"Yeh" he glanced at Erlendur.

"It is your choice, Harry." Harry just nodded at that. Yet he knew it needed to be said after all the hype of Hogwarts. Everyone had known he was applying and had the choice.

"Yeh. Well, I received a letter this morning, and I made my decision. But I bet you can guess from Agnars reaction. Mind if I tag along when you go back to school."

"No, I don't think any of us do" Philipa laughed, and the others from Magere laughed as well nodding.

"Made the right choice" he heard more than a few around the room muttering.

"I would also like to say that Harry is staying here permanently. Unless he decides to live with a different guardian. If you want to change your room, let me know. We'll do it, either for when you get back for Easter or together when you are here" the last was said to him. As Erlendur spoke Tabitha and the others jumped up as well hugging him. Harry smiled and laughed as well. He would be busy. But he had a home and friends who he knew he would come to see as siblings. It was the best feeling ever.