Chapter 21 – Mentor fight
Friday 8th January
Isur hadn't been pleased to find him sleeping in the lounge. But he also hadn't said anything when waking him the next morning. However, the next few days were just as tiring and draining as the first. Harry loved the clubs, and the Magical Talents seminar had been impressive. They had learned about a beast Speaker like Nymira and Luke were. Yet every night, Harry had to battle his homework and struggled to sleep. After the third night, Isur had told him not to work so hard as well. To cut back and slow down a little. Still every night Agnar had the balcony door shut and when he tried locked. He couldn't sleep.
By the time Friday came around, Harry was knackered. But it was nothing he wasn't used to from the Dursleys. So without a word he got up despite having only dosed during the night and dressed for Martial Arts first thing. Today they would be learning what belts everyone was. As far as Harry was concerned the test on Wednesday had gone well. And Harry wondered where he had placed amongst the other students. He had shown all the Kata's he knew and then had a small spar against an Omega elf called Lessien Telemmaite. She had long black hair and blue eyes. Still, she had only started learning when she had started at Magere. Young for an elf but either late or on time for a Magere student depending who you talked to.
Sensei Hyten was waiting with the headmistress when they entered class that morning. As always they took their shoes off before entering. However, today that was when things changed. As they entered, they went to kneel in front of the two adults. They had been told or reminded of this on Monday. Today was a small ceremony, and then they were free. Harry fully intended to use the time to do his homework. He would write to Ron and Hermione at the weekend. So much had happened since they had last written.
"You all did well, and even if you didn't progress, I shall be watching. Now starting with 8 Kyu. Congratulations Jessica Lowly, Embri Parvulus, Lyeona Vicia, Ashytia Yeraios, Ruby Bounce and Agnar Heimirsson." All of them walked up as Sensei Hyten called their names to receive their belts, Orange with a white stripe through it. Agnar looked shocked that he wasn't going up with them but didn't say anything.
"Now 6 mon-kyu. Lessien Telemmaite and Harry Potter" Sensei Hyten smiled at him at that. And Harry nodded back before getting his red and white belt from Headmistress Cerishsil.
"Well done."
"Thanks" without another word, he tied the belt around his waist and returned to kneeling on the mat.
"6 Kyu Cuckoo Elfleaf" this was who Risur had ditched Agnar for. He was clearly an alpha elf with long blond hair and purple eyes.
"1 mon-kyu Vesh Rowan" Vesh was one of the vampires and went up to collect his brown belt. He had red-brown hair and hazel eyes; however, he was once again a alpha. There seemed to be a lot of them around.
"Finally at 2 dan Susan Bones" jaws dropped, and Harry looked at his oldest classmate in shock, even after seeing her on Wednesday.
"You have all done well, and I am sure you will all make good progress in the next three months, off you go." With that, the sensei and headmistress bowed. Harry copied with the other students before getting up and heading out.
Harry changed as soon as he was back in his dorm. And then fighting the idea of a nap settled down to do his homework. That seemed to be all he did these days. But then he had the clubs to relax during. He was a lot busier then he had ever been at Hogwarts.
Harry should have been swimming during the fifth period before English. But Isur had taken one look at him and said he was too tired. They would start on Sunday. Instead, they ended up in the library talking. Thankfully Isur didn't mention anything else about his sleeping to the others. Harry wasn't sure how he would react to that.
The rest of the day passed quickly. Harry put off his homework that night to fall into bed early before Agnar, leaving the balcony door open.
A few hours later, Harry woke with a gasp and looked around. It was pitch black. The balcony door was shut. Getting out of bed, he tried to open it again. But found it locked. Knowing he had to get out, Harry opened the bedroom door. Though for the first time in years, it wasn't enough. At Hogwarts, all the windows were charmed to never let more than a gentle breeze in. The curtains spelled to protect the students if they slept with the window open. It was, for this reason, there had never been a problem with keeping the window open at all times. Here though there wasn't a window to open. And there seemed to be a problem with the balcony doors.
Turning, Harry tried to pace and settle in the common area but couldn't. Knowing he shouldn't go out, Harry opened the door to the bathroom and settled down to read and do his homework.
Agnar found him asleep over his homework the next morning and woke him.
"You know Isur won't like that."
"Couldn't sleep" Harry sat up and went to get changed. It was too early for most people to be awake. Luke was meeting him at 8 for tutoring in Runes, and then he had sledging this morning. With that in mind, he pulled on his thermals and a thin t-shirt and trousers with his trainers. Harry also grabbed his fleece stuff to put in the locker room. Then he could put it on later before going outside where he had sledging.
Luke had arranged to meet him in the library after breakfast. Harry ate quickly before heading to find Luke. The older boy was up where they had met to go though his wand privilege booklet on the first day.
"You look tired."
"Yeh didn't sleep well last night" Luke frowned but thankfully didn't say anything else on the topic.
"When you got to see the healers today?"
"Forgot about that. No idea I think I just pop in at some point. I'll probably go after sledging before the Football match."
"Good idea."
"What quidditch teams are Nymria and Isur in?"
"Nymira is in Berlin, and Isur is in Rome they both lost their first matches. But are playing each other next month."
"Ouch."
"Yep so shall we get started?"
"Sure."
Luke was an excellent tutor. First, he helped him with his homework, explaining rather than telling. Then they started on the basics of Runes. Harry was battling, though. But it would be a while before he caught up to his new classmates.
Sledging after was excellent. An older student started with showing him how to harness the dogs. And then helped him with learning to steer.
However, after sledging his day took a turn for the worse. To say that Madam Wood and Dr White were unhappy with how tired he was was an understatement.
"Harry what is stopping you sleep we can't help if you don't tell us."
"It's just a strange place, that's all."
"Alright, we'll send a note to Isur and let him talk to you. And maybe Lærer Little will be able to get through to you as well. I don't want to put anything else on you right now. But Harry, unless you start sleeping properly, something is going to have to give."
"I'm fine, though."
"Not sleeping is not fine." Dr White looked at him sternly. "It's actually quite serious. With how busy everyone is here not getting enough to eat and sleep leads to illness. And you especially with being underweight still. At least you are eating. But you haven't put any more weight on since last week. You're using that as energy since your not sleeping. You are not fine." Harry decided not to say anything else that might dig him deeper and just nodded.
"Right I'll send a note to Isur we'll give you this week. After that, we'll reassess next week. But if something doesn't change, we'll be having serious words. Off you go." Harry fled at that. He had wanted to watch the football match. However, now he didn't feel like it. Instead, Harry headed back to the dorm, which was mercifully empty. Quietly he tried to open the balcony doors again. They opened. What was going on? Was there some sort of spell or something? He didn't know. Turning, Harry decided to start on his homework. If he could get it all done, he could rest and relax tomorrow more. Hopefully, that would help him recharge for Monday.
Isur caught him after lunch and dragged him out to see Lærer Little. A week, he had been here a week and was already in trouble.
"Come take a seat." the deputy's office was small. But that was mostly due to all the filing cabinets and shelves full of papers in the room. There was a large desk with a comfortable chair behind and four standard student chairs in front. Slowly Harry sat and noticed how the deputy didn't sit behind the desk. Only instead dragged his chair around. It made it more personal. Yet also showed he was still the deputy and in charge.
"Now, Harry, do you know why you are here?"
"No."
"So you don't remember Dr White saying he was going to send a message to Isur and I this morning after your issues sleeping."
"Maybe."
"Harry we're just worried. Some people have trouble with homesickness when coming."
"I've never got homesick."
"You might in the future as you settle more into the hostal. So it's not that?" Lærer Little looked at him.
"No."
"Then what is wrong, Harry? I've seen you sleeping on the sofa and trying to do your homework, is something wrong with Agnar?" Isur spoke this time.
"No."
"Then, please work with us. What is wrong?"
"I just can't sleep."
"The claustrophobia?"
"Little."
"I thought we fixed that with the balcony door?"
"Balcony door?" this time, the teacher asked.
"We spelled it not to let in the cold air. So that they could leave it open at night and Harry would be able to sleep. He mentioned that's why he normally wanders."
"I don't get it every night. But when I'm stressed or have a nightmare, I sometimes do."
"Due to the Dursleys?"
"Yes."
"Hum. Are the doors not working?"
Here Harry could only shrug. He didn't want to be a pest. Obviously, something was wrong. But he didn't want them to feel ungrateful for him moaning that it wasn't working correctly or something. This was a new school, and they were trying. Yet he knew not to whine or bug people. The Dursleys had taught him that.
"Alright. Isur I'll give you a night pass along with Nymira and Luke. You can take turns checking in each night."
"But!"
"Harry, you need to sleep. I also think you should either cut down a seminar or a club. Just until you get your sleep and health sorted. Nymira and I were against two, to begin with."
"But I can do it."
"But you're not sleeping," Isur stated. And Harry couldn't help the hurt and betrayed look that came over his face if he tried. "Harry."
"No. Have it your way which do you say I can't do." he crossed his arms and glared at his mentor. Isur sighed and shared a look he didn't get with the Lærer.
"If it were me I would drop the martial arts. Your further ahead then anyone could have predicted. And one day of no exercise, when you're supposed to be on light, will be a good thing. You can always pick it up again in a month or a few weeks when you're sleeping through the night."
"Fine."
"Alright, Harry off you go." Harry didn't hesitate and fled the office going back to his room. This time Agnar was there and watched as he flung himself onto the bed.
"Harry, what's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"OK." Agnar did back off. Although Harry knew that wouldn't be the last of it. Agnar would tell Hia. Who would speak to Isur. And that would send the boy he didn't want to see right now, right to him. At that thought, Harry got up and went for a walk. He definitely didn't want to see Isur right now.
"He's not here." Isur groaned.
"He must have left knowing Agnar would go find Hia and Hia you. He probably doesn't want to see you right now." Nymira looked at her Liten.
"What else was I supposed to do?"
"Give him the benefit of the doubt this week and then stop it. Not right away." Luke stated. "It's hard he's an Omega and on watch. But it's only been a week. The checking on him was enough. Back him up a little instead of just taking Lærer Littles side. Now he sees you as the enemy and not just the Lærer. Right now though Nymira and I are going to find him."
"And me?"
"You're going to go and speak to Rose. See how she would have wanted that handled. And if she has any thoughts on where a small human might hide. Ask if she will check the Omega changing rooms as well since you never know. After that have a think. He's not just on watch. He's been abused, is wrong caste and a male human with a high chance of a creature inheritance. Try remembering what it was like a little." Nymira looked at Isur. She loved her Liten like a younger brother. But he did need to learn a little when it came to Harry. All new Stor did. And he was working a year and a half behind everyone else.
Nymira and Luke spread out. They wouldn't alarm anyone else yet. But if they couldn't find Harry in a few hours, they would have to. They wouldn't have a choice.
Rose knew where Harry would have gone. As soon as Isur had told her, he was missing, and what had happened. She knew where he was. But right now she wasn't quite inclined to tell Isur that. Let Harry have the time to himself.
"Where do you think he is?"
"No idea but I'll go help look for him."
"Rose Nymira asked how you would have wanted that handled. Something about me not handling it right."
"No, you didn't."
"Then what should I have done?"
"Supported him. You went on the offensive. You were the one that said cut down on a club or seminar. Isur he's new he wants to settle in and find somewhere to belong. You said that you and Nymira were against it. That's fine he knows that and wants to prove himself. You should have taken the night pass. Then said if you don't start sleeping we'll reevaluate about dropping a club or seminar next week. That would have given him a warning and time."
"But he's on watch."
"And the Doctors had already said if you don't in a week, we'll be talking about more checks. Take the doctors lead. They were going to give him a week, so should you. He was eating enough for energy to compensate for sleep. It is the lack of sleep affecting his weight. Martial Arts would be the right one to stop more than the seminars. But give him a chance. Let him try and come to that conclusion himself."
"So I was acting the bad wolf."
"You were pushing him into a corner and making it two on one. A teacher and a mentor. That should only be done when in big trouble. Not for something like this. Now I'm going to go help find Harry."
"Tell Nymira I'll be in my room out the way."
"She said you couldn't help look?"
"Partly and I need to think." Rose only felt slightly regretful at the way that Isur left. He needed to wake up. He didn't have the experience, and they had all made mistakes. Quickly she ran to the door and called after him. "Isur."
"Yeh?"
"We all make mistakes. Even me. Even Klara. Even Thomas and the others. We all made them. And we all had at least one fight with our Liten. You just need to learn from them and learn to ask for advice when you need it. You're a year older sure and a year wiser. But it's still something new, and even now, I sometimes ask for advice or help."
"Thanks." the fae was a bit brighter, leaving then and more pensive. So Rose knew it had been the right call to finish on. Now to track down a missing Liten and talk to him as well.
Harry sighed as he sat in the cubical with his legs pulled up and head down. He knew that Isur wouldn't find him, couldn't find him here. Neither could Nymira or Luke. None of them could get into the Human changing rooms. He hadn't thought to begin with about using them to hide. But then he remembered Hermione using the girl's toilets to hide from Ron since he was a boy. The bathrooms and his dorm were out. However, the changing rooms. Only another Human could find him here.
He didn't know what to think. Harry knew he should tell them about the balcony doors. But he just couldn't. He couldn't bring himself to whine about something or make them feel down about it. It wasn't their fault. Harry had felt slightly out of sorts being in a new place. But he was mostly settled now into a routine. The work was hard. But he was managing. Richards looks were becoming annoying. However, Harry knew he could ignore them. And Barnabas had left him alone so far since the welcome back disco. No besides sleep, he was fine, coping. And Luke was great as a tutor. He just couldn't sleep. Although it was Isur taking Lærer Littles side and not giving him a chance that was annoying him right now.
"Harry?" he heard a shout, and Harry tensed. No one should be here looking for him. Unless they had set off a school-wide search. But he didn't think that was the case. "Harry I know your in here. Its Klara. Rose asked me to get you so you can talk. She knew you would be in here after Isur told her what happened. We're both mentors too. I'm not just the mentor to Susan Harry. I'm Vesh's mentor as well and know how this works. Please talk to me."
"Go away," Harry shouted. Unfortunately, Klara was close enough to pinpoint where he was. And Harry pulled himself into a tighter ball on the seat as she appeared outside of his door.
"Harry remember at the hostal, we said Magere was hard work. Yes, we don't cover the material as fast as Merlin Academy. But we work hard, and they don't have the clubs or seminars like we do. But we also stick together and help each other out.
"Now, I have known Rose for a long time. She might be one of the only ones in this school who have some idea what you are going through. Because I know you were hurt by your relatives. I got lucky in that. My parents told me to get out and not come back when they learned of magic. But Rose knows and understands. Just come and listen please."
"Fine" Harry stood and opened the door. "Where is she?" Harry knew Klara well enough to know she wasn't going to move until he did what she wanted.
Rose was waiting just outside the changing rooms. Harry got the feeling she would have stayed there as long as needed if he hadn't come out for Klara. Quietly Harry followed the older girl along to the purification baths. There they claimed a quiet corner to talk. Klara slipped away, and Harry just hoped she didn't tell anyone about what had happened.
"How did you know where I was?"
"I hid in the Omega changing rooms once from my mentor. They are good hiding spots when your mentor can't get inside the same one as you."
"So Isur knows where I am?"
"No. Isur told me what happened. But I didn't tell him where you were. Everyone needs their hiding spot. Though I am surprised, more don't work it out. I'll let you in on a secret. Valerio once hid in the beta changing rooms from me. I had to send my friend in after him. Make great hiding spots." Harry couldn't help snorting at that. "Most have at least one argument; it's natural. Harry Isur wanted us to talk and meet so I could be a help to you. But we never got a chance. Just listen, please.
"When I was little, I was kidnapped from my parents when we were out and abused. It took my parents and the authorities a month to find me. But the damage was done. I didn't trust adults or my parents. They knew I was an Omega, and I was put on weekly checks. And watch for a short while. Not to mention, transferred from the family department to the creature department. Then they took me off watch, and I just went for therapy. They thought that my parents were handling it. Only they weren't. I wasn't telling them I was sick. I wanted to do everything myself.
"It was during that kidnapping that I was bitten. Very few people know that I'm a bitten werewolf. My parents love me; they tried everything to help me and support me. But mum and dad had never dealt with the creature department before. They were human and never had any sort of health problem in the past. Not to mention I am a submissive as well. We didn't know that at the time, though.
"Harry, I struggled a lot. When we started going through the applications. Lærer Porter picked up straight away about my troubles and asked my parents. She recommended going back to the OSS and asking for help. They put me back on therapy as that had been stopped a long while before. And they put me back on watch, more permanently and stronger this time. I had been young, but clearly, the problems were still affecting me. They put me on weekly checks. And then when I got ill once, and didn't tell anyone, they put me on twice a week. In protest, I started been funny about eating, so they started watching me.
"I wasn't in the best place when I started here. But due to my school results and my attitude about everything else I was allowed. Here they got my mentor involved. One of the teachers and my mentor had to sit and watch me eat. I had therapy and twice a week checks. My mentor would come and check on me at night with her mentor family. I had made sure I had my own room due to my nightmares. But then they found out. An alert was put on my band over it, and people started coming regularly.
"It took three months for them to stop watching me eat. And to get back on weekly checks after I had started. It was hard work, and I fought my mentor on everything. The doctors kept saying that I needed to eat to get them to stop watching. I needed to tell them to get them to stop the checks. It was such an inconvenience at school. I wanted it to stop. So I got it to stop. I started working harder at therapy. And they stopped checking me at night as my nightmares decreased. But the alert stayed on my band. It was another six months before I got to fortnightly checks. And I was 11 I should have been on every two months.
"It took two years to get off watch fully. Two years of therapy and slowly working down to the full two-month checks. Now though, I'm 15 so back to once a month keeping an eye for when my heats might start. It's not so scary now that I'm older. And not fighting it. After I came off watch, I was monitored for six months. The smallest slip would have put me back on.
"Harry I know its different for you. You're never coming off, but it doesn't have to be like it was for me. Some are just on watch, and that's it. They have checks once a week or once every two weeks, and that's it. Your fighting it, you're backing them into a corner. They want to help, and you're pushing them away. So they're fighting to help more. And the more they push to help, the more you fight. So the more restrictions they place to try and get you to realise and help. It does help. But only when you except it and stop fighting."
"I don't need it though I can look after myself." Harry shot back at Rose. It had been fascinating listening to what had happened to Rose in the past. But it wasn't the same. He hadn't been kidnapped, and he wasn't an Omega.
Rose could only sigh as she herd Harry's response. She knew where this was going to go now. And she could only help him and Isur as they butted heads until Harry realised that yes he did need some help. It was just a matter of how restrictive things were going to get and how quickly.
"Alright" there was a pause before Rose started to stand and Harry followed. As they stood, Rose looked at the second year closely for the first time. Harry was so small, smaller than any second year at the moment due to the abuse. Hers had only lasted a month. And now she was starting to get to the point where she didn't remember parts or even most of it. Harry, though she knew had gone on long enough he would never forget it. She just hoped it had been caught early enough he didn't have problems the rest of his life.
"Harry just try, please. I know Isur has been unreasonable. He was in the wrong this time, not you. Just give him a chance. And try to work with the OSS unless you want the OSS version of been grounded. I bet it is the same for the gift department as the creature department. Being under the same Care group. They can't be that different. But know that no matter what you can come and talk to me. I might not always be on your side. I want to stay neutral as much as possible. But I will give you my opinion on things if you ask. Someone not fully involved with you okay."
"You going to tell Isur where I've been?" Harry asked again feeling a little unsure about what side he really stood on with Rose.
"No, he can find that out for himself. I am surprised that Luke and Nymira didn't know. But they might since they did ask Isur to see if I had any ideas where a small human might hide. There words, not mine. Now Isur is in his room, so let's see who we can find to end this search."
"Who's looking?"
"Just Luke and Nymira. Isur was thinking about what we said to him on how he acted earlier. Please have a think about everything I said as well."
"I will."
"That's all I ask. Now let's go."
They found Nymira and Luke looking around Chinook. Neither seemed particularly worried. So Rose guessed they had at least a small idea where Harry had been hiding. As she left Harry with them and walked away, Rose knew she had done everything she could to stop the inevitable. Now all she could do was wait.
Harry watched as Rose walked away before turning to look at Nymira and Luke.
"Alright? We were worried!"
"I'm fine."
"Harry, we know what happened. And we spoke to Isur. I get the feeling Rose had a talk with you too. Isur was in the wrong this time. It is up to you whether you stop Martial Arts or not. If you do continue, though, that will be the first thing stopped if things don't change with sleeping this week. We're all going to take it in turns checking on you at night. But remember you can talk to us and ask us for help" Luke looked at his Rist Grand Lite.
"I'm fine." Harry could only shrug. "But I'll stop Martial Arts if it will make people happy." he wasn't going to argue or fight, he had had enough for the day.
"Alright." Harry blinked as neither Luke nor Nymira said anything else. "Let's go. You have art now, and then I'll meet you as normal for potions tutoring. We'll do the theory this week."
Nothing more was said. Harry walked to the Art room in the Hawk wing on the third floor without a word. No one else he knew was there. But then no one knew what had happened the last few hours. After he met Luke in the library before they had dinner together. It was there he first saw Isur who looked at him.
"I'm sorry I should have asked you more than telling you. Harry, this is new to me as well. I'm learning and trying the same as you. Try again?"
"Okay." he would give Isur that.
"You don't have to stop Martial Arts if you don't want to."
"I know, but I will anyway since it will cause fewer arguments." he saw Isur blink and raise an eyebrow. Still, thankfully the boy didn't say anything else. He finished the day off with Latin with Luke after dinner before heading to the dorm. He did admit he was tired. And now without martial arts, he could have a bit of a lie-in before quidditch tomorrow morning.
Harry made sure the balcony doors were wedged open before bed that night. He was the first to go since the rest were all still doing homework. He had all but one essay done for next week, and that would be easy tomorrow. It was Arithmancy, and Luke had promised to help with it during tutoring. Slowly he turned over and took some deep breaths to drop off to sleep. It came easily.