Repository of Knowledge

by Blosiom

Hogwarts is closed after the Chamber of Secrets is opened. What does that mean for Ginny? How does been sent to different schools affect the house rivalries and how many students return when the school is re-opened? What does this mean for Harry and his friends? And how does this affect the war against Voldermort when it comes? Warning - Talk of past abuse.

23. Imbolic

A.N. Sorry for the long wait. Things have been crazy, and I've been ill as well. Hopefully, I can get the next chapter out a little quicker. Thanks for being patient.

Chapter 23 - Imbolic

It only took Lærer Hall 24 hours to find out who had messed with their balcony doors. Harry hadn't been told who straight up, but Susan quickly clued him during lunch on Wednesday.

"It was Barnabas."

"What?"

"It was Barnabas. He asked his Grand Store to mess with your balcony doors."

"How did you find out about that?"

"I'm in the single rooms, so share a common room with him. He was complaining his Grand Store had been grounded for dealing with one of the interlopers. He said that while glaring at me, so I knew who he meant. Messing with wards is normally expulsion. But since it wasn't the main school ones, he was only grounded this time. But will be suspended next time."

"Wow", Agnar looked at the girl in shock.

"That's good information," Harry noted as Oliver, Aspen, and Cedric joined them.

"So Barnabas Moonlord is becoming the new Draco Malfoy", Cedric laughed.

"I didn't start either of them."

"No, you didn't. Be careful not to get into a fight with him, Susan."

"I will, but he's more likely to go after Harry."

"Already is to the sounds of it", Agnar noted. "Barnabas has always been an arse. Thinks he should have the best and be top of the school for nothing."

"Doesn't that remind you of someone" Susan smiled.

"Maybe we should introduce them", Cedric smirked.

"Oh, please don't; that would be the worst thing to ever happen to this world", Aspen groaned.

"Not to mention Malfoy hates anything non-human, and Barnabas is a vampire."

"A human Barnabas, I never want to meet him" Agnar shook his head.

"Really, we all just need to be careful" Oliver got them back on track. "Be careful but keep an ear out, Susan."

"No worries there."

"How's Evie and Harley?" Harry asked.

"Settling in well. But out of all of us, they are the least powerful," Aspen nodded.

"Not to mention going after first years is bellow the belt", Agnar growled.

"Never stopped some Slytherins before."

"Point. So stay alert and be careful. No one actively provoke him, please," Aspen looked at them.

"Hey, I've never done that" Harry held his hands up. Aspen, Cedric and Oliver just laughed, getting up to head to class, and after a moment, Harry stood to follow. He hadn't.

Saturday 16th January

Without Martial Arts and thanks to the Balcony doors, Harry found he was getting more sleep. That Saturday, Dr White and Madam Wood were both pleased with how he was doing. He also made time to read his latest letters from Ron and Hermione while additionally writing out responses.

Ron, Ginny and the twins were settling into Se Ridica. Apparently, Ron was finding it weird attending class's with Ginny. Although he relished the new Potions professor. He was making friends and had been given a mentor a few years older. The twins were so far behaving themselves. However, Ron stated it was only a matter of time. He was also finding the different sports exciting and was looking forward to watching.

Hermione, on the other hand, was apparently loving Merlin. She was onto her second week of boarding and looking forward to going home. After this, she would just be travelling in for the next couple of months. She, too, had a mentor but had also discovered the Draco Malfoy of Merlin. Another of the Moonlord Vampire clan, which was a little funny. Like Ron, she was making friends. Only while Rons were all human at the moment. Hermione seemed to have made friends with a group of werewolves and fairys. Humans were in the minority at Merlin at any age. However, Hermione loved the faster pace saying everyone was the same, and she was learning so much. She had, however, quickly discovered that, like at Hogwarts, showing off wasn't appreciated. But her new friends and mentor were helping with that.

Harry could only smile at reading the two letters before writing a reply that he was settling in fine. He didn't write and tell them about the full moon. There was no point worrying them when they were halfway around the world. He did mention it to his friends at the hostal, though and Erlendur. The hostal head had written him back, telling him to be careful with the OSS. Erlendur wrote to ask the OSS for a reason if he was unsure about something. If you asked, they always told you, apparently. Erlendur also encouraged him to talk about any problems with Isur. Harry wasn't sure about talking with people.

Sunday morning, Harry blinked as he was passed a note from a first-year on the way down to breakfast. Frowning, he opened it and raised an eyebrow. Avoid the orange juice this morning. He snorted at that and shook his head.

"What's it say, Harry?"

"Nothing." Harry looked at Aganr and got a raised eyebrow in response. They settled down onto a six-table as Susan came and joined them. Including the two girls with her Jessica Lowly and Ruby Bounce. Jessica was a submissive Omega. If Harry didn't know better, he would swear that Jessica was Malfoys twin. The girl had the same platinum blond hair and blue-grey eyes. That was if she was in her base from as Jessica was a shape-shifter. She lived in the Oslo hostal and had as long as she could remember. Ruby had short red hair and brown eyes. Ruby was from America and lived with her parents, and had a younger brother. She was a muggle-born but had been given an excellent introduction to the magical world when she was 7 before attending Euro-Glyth.

Harry watched as almost everyone on the table poured themselves some orange juice. Only he, Susan and Jessica took pumpkin juice as that was what they were used to. As they talked, he kept an eye on his tablemates and laughed when their hairs started to cycle through different colours.

"What?" Agnar looked at him before spotting the others and laughing as well.

"Well, I wonder who this is from?" Ruby laughed as well.

"Why aren't your hairs different?" Agnar looked at them.

"I was warned" Harry held up his note. "It was in the Orange juice."

"I didn't have Orange juice", Susan smiled. "Used to pumpkin juice from Hogwarts."

"I was warned as well. I can't have normal potions as a shape-shifter."

The sound of clapping drew his attention as Lærer Little stood; his hair, too, was changing colour. "I want to congratulate the small group of first years responsible for this on a well-executed prank. There does not seem to be any problems. All the necessary students seemed to have been warned as such no punishment will be given as long as it has worn off by the time lessons start tomorrow." with that, he sat down. Harry's eye went to the high fiving first years seeing Harley amongst them. The small boy had made friends, it seemed.

Since he had all his work done for a change, Harry went to look around the Repository more. He still had not been given the all-clear to restart Martial Arts. Harry lamented that he was still a little underweight. But if he kept up his eating, he wouldn't be within the next two weeks. With everything that had been going on, he hadn't been back to the Repository since the first day he looked around. Harry knew, though, that Hermione would have been all over it, not joining any clubs to instead spend time in the Repository. It was why, Harry now knew, that even if the girl had had the magical potential, she wouldn't have been excepted.

Inside the entrance was clearly what had been a cloak area. There was a large foyer with a few chairs and two sets of stairs heading up and down. The teachers had placed a desk here with the librarian behind watching who removed books for studying. They also kept ahold of the translation guides for students.

Harry headed up to the next floor and then the next without pausing as he hit the top. As he did, Harry realised the Repository was more extensive inside than it was out and smiled. The top floor had a dome ceiling, rows of books around the edge and seats in the middle. Turning, he started to run his fingers over the spines and noticed a number of them were for potions. Looking around, he went over to another shelf. He saw a number of these were Herbology while a third shelf had books on Alchemy. Shaking his head, Harry returned to the potions books and found an old book written in Ancient Latin. Knowing he wouldn't get far without a translator, Harry ran down to get one from the entry. Harry knew there were spells that most of the scholars used to temporarily make them understand the language. Still, none of the students used them unless it was an emergency. All the books were written in the ancient versions of Latin, Greek, Norwegian and French.

Harry sat reading right through till lunch, where he claimed a table again with Agnar, Susan, Ruby and Jessica. Susan had been to watch a pick-up game of Quidditch. While Ruby and Jessica had been doing their homework. And Agnar had been hanging out in the dorm with the other weres. Harry didn't feel bad about being excluded from that talk.

After lunch, they split again, and Harry went to music with Agnar and Jessica. His flute and violin were coming along for someone who had never played before. After music, he had Arithmacy catch up in the library with Luke and couldn't help smiling when he saw the older boy.

"You're in a good mood."

"I've got all my work done and spent some time in the Repository this morning. I've just come from music. Nymira said she was going to be following me."

"I'm here. Might as well do my own Arithmacy work while you two study."

"What's this, the Arithmancy gathering?" Isur laughed as he too joined, and Harry smiled. Luke just shook his head and turned to teach him some more of the math he was missing and struggling on.

After a break, he had Calligraphy and then history with Luke before dinner. After dinner, though, he ran down to the swimming pool where the rest of his mentor family met him. They did teach him how to move about in the water. Before taking it in turns to stay with him in the shallow end while they ran laps. After everything descended into a splash war with Isur winning. Harry was tired as he climbed into bed that night. Tired but happy.

---

Monday 25th January

The healers cleared him to start Martial Arts again the following week. He was now once again not under doctors orders which was nice. Barnabas had taken to glaring at him across the classroom. But wasn't pushing it much further. Malfoy Harry knew would have forced it. He would have confronted him in the halls or sabotaged his potions. Barnabas wasn't. He just glared, and it was a nice change. Harry guessed with Susan and Aspen that the numerous rules were responsible. If he started anything and it was caught or even reported, various methods would be used to find him out. That wasn't the case at Hogwarts. The rules were in their favour here, and that was keeping Barnabas in check. It was a nice change.

That Monday through, Isur sat down with him to explain Imbolic and what they would be doing during lunch. Agnar, Susan, Ruby and Jessica were also there, and while they all knew this, they listened quietly.

"Imbolic is the celebration of the first signs of spring. It's a promise of renewal, of hidden potential and of the earth awakening. This week everyone does a spring cleaning of their dorm room while the cleaners do one of the rest of the school at night. On Sunday the teachers are going to make a Brideog doll and bed. The doll will be laid out overnight on an altar in the entrance, and 4 very large white sheets will be put outside for a blessing. Everyone in the school takes a ritual bath or shower. The baths been for the sensitive students and their helpers."

"So me."

"Yes, you", Isur laughed, and the others chuckled.

"Monday, the class's are cancelled as everyone makes Brighid's cross's and crowns, candles, plants seeds and burns insects. Each mentor family takes a walk together through the snow to a well that's about 20 minutes away. It's in a cavern, and they ask for blessings and make money offerings. Once a year, the headmistress collects the money and donates it to a different hostal each year. Even those that don't support the school. All the beginner and intermediate students then make lots and lots of candles and collect wood to make a bonfire for the evening celebration. While the advanced and senior students make all the food for a feast. The support staff have the day off. Chinook isn't open that day, and many scholars go home for two days to be with family. The sheets that were put out the previous day are taken down. Three are torn up, and parts are given to all the beginner students for protection and luck. One is kept and given to the healers to help in healing."

"Wow," Harry whispered, that was a lot to take in.

"That evening, we'll all take out the Brighid's crowns and place them around the edge of the dining room with the candles burning. There'll be a large free for all feast in the room, sort of like a buffet. And we all stay in the dining room till the candles are burnt down. The youngest of each mentor family takes that Brighids crown to their rooms as a decoration and blessing. The doll stays in the entranceway for a week before been moved to the headmistress's office. Anyone who has an old Brighid cross from the previous year takes it and burns it on the bonfire."

"I'm going to get lost."

"We never did anything like that at home", Susan smiled. "We just burned a candle and said a few prayers, but Aunty is always busy."

"We'll help you" Agnar smiled at his new friends. He might have lost his old ones. But he was quickly becoming closer than ever to his new ones. "You forgot about the doll visiting everyone's rooms."

"Yes, I did. It is a hectic two days. It's a good thing classes are cancelled Monday and Tuesday."

"Why Tuesday?" Susan asked.

"Because everyone is up so late and need a lay-in and rest. All the food is leftovers from the day before with a little extra. It's just a lazy day while also making sure you have all your homework done since you won't over the weekend," Jessica stated.

"What do we wear?"

"Anything. It's a holiday, not a school thing. Taking part is optional. At the very least many come to the feast to eat, but that's it. Most wear their school robes outside for the bonfire to keep them warm. And then get changed when they come into something more relaxed for the feast. There is lots of singing and talking. But it's mostly getting to know people. About what you can do to make more space and time in your life for the important things. Time management which is important here." Harry couldn't help snorting, and there were a few laughs. Oh yes, time management was a given at Magere.

"This is going to be an interesting weekend."

"Get as much of your homework done as possible on Saturday. So you only have a bit to do on Tuesday. The teachers don't relax on that," Ruby noted.

Ruby was right; as the week went on, there was no let-up in class or the prep they had to do as homework. That Monday evening, Lærer Adams had pushed them harder during magical culture since they would miss a lesson. They had done all about the ancient festivals considering they were coming up to Imbolic. Saturday, Harry did spend all day doing his homework. There were no sports matches that week, and Luke swapped all their regular tutoring to the Saturday to clear up the Sunday. By the evening when he settled to bed, he had all but English, Astronomy and Maths done.

---

Sunday 31st January

"You killed me, Harry Potter", Quirrell loomed before him.

"You killed us", Lily and James appeared.

"No, no, I didn't."

"You killed us/me", the three started chanting, closing in on him.

"No"

Harry woke with a start and looked around. It was still dark, but Agnar's light was on, and he was awake looking at him.

"Nightmare?"

"Yeh, sorry if I woke you."

"No, I was awake. You have them a lot, Harry."

"No more than normal", Harry muttered.

"Harry, you have nightmares most nights that isn't normal."

"I'm fine, Agnar. Isur knows I have nightmares."

"Alright, as long as he knows", Harry saw Agnar frown. He knew that if they got worse, Agnar would be going straight to Isur. Harry didn't say anything else on the subject. Instead, he just got dressed in Denim cotton trousers and a jacket. This was with a red t-shirt and his bands around his arm. Afterwards, Harry headed down to breakfast with the others following. They were talking excitedly about Tuesday's plans when they had the day off and tomorrows bonfire.

Everyone broke off in the dining room. And Harry headed with Agnar to what was becoming their standard table with the girls. Isur stopped him for a moment to say they were going to the infirmary straight after breakfast. Harry nodded and continued to the table, smiling at the girls.

"You know we really need to find another boy to add to our group."

"Or just expand the group to the whole year. We could bug Barnabas by leaving him and his friends out," Ruby joked.

"That's not a bad idea, really."

"I was joking" Ruby looked at Susan.

"What? Barnabas is always saying he ruled the school and moaning we changed things. He's pig-headed and too big for his boots. Malfoy was just the same. Arrogant, Entitled, Spoiled. Leave him out and show him what he is missing. Won't be easy."

"If that happens, let it, Susan. Let's just focus on finding someone else for our table first," Harry smiled.

"Now that's a plan", Jessica laughed, and Susan humphed before going back to her breakfast.

"Right, so what's the plan for today?" Ruby asked. "I know I'm meeting up with the rest of my dorm mates to clean after breakfast. Then we all rotate through with baths and showers."

"I've got my normal trip to the infirmary, and then I'm probably better cleaning before a bath" Harry shook his head.

"I'll round up the others. Your not normally that long, so we'll meet up in an hour to clean and then do the showers. There is normally a rush in the morning for the showers while the baths are only a little less busy. Check with Isur as he might have your name down for a time" Agnar started planning, and Harry nodded.

"Urg cleaning with Barnabas is going to be a nightmare", Susan muttered, and Ruby nodded.

"He didn't last year. Just stood around directing people." Agnar looked at the two girls who were, unfortunately, sharing a common area with the vampire.

"He's not getting away with that this year" Susan glared across the hall. "I'll..."

"Tell who?" Harry asked wearily at the angry Hufflepuff. "Your mentor? What's she going to do? We already know that Barnabas is more dominant than his mentor after the wards. What will the teachers do?"

"Depends on the teacher in that sense. Many believe that that sort of problem is for students and mentors to sort. Unless it descends into a fight, not much in the way of rules. The general feeling is if you are going to take part, do it fully or stay out of it and tell your dorm. Most at least do a quick clean of their dorm area and then scarper," Jessica explained. Susan scowled, and Ruby sighed. But the matter was dropped since there wasn't much that could be done.

Harry headed straight to the infirmary after breakfast that had started to become a habit. He had used to go after Runes and Sleding, but now he went after breakfast before that if he had time. Isur always seemed to know when he went. And Luke always followed him out the dining room one way or another, so that wasn't a problem. Nymira was the one he was less close to. But she always turned up as well. It was nice in a strange way.

Today though, clearly wasn't an average trip. To start with, there was a queue in the infirmary. Although it seemed to be moving quickly. Isur quickly jumped to join it, and Harry realised it was focused on a wall.

"The purification baths sign up. Showers just have a queue down there. But baths are longer, so there is a sign up in the infirmary and downstairs. Both are linked, so no double booking. It's common courtesy not to take someone else's place," Luke explained.

"This is why I am glad for a mentor", Harry laughed. He would never have known.

"Do make life easier", Nymira arrived. "I'll go find Dr White", she disappeared into the crowd. Harry took a couple of deep breaths to keep his breathing under control. Usually, his Claustrophobia didn't appear like this, but many people were in a small waiting area.

"Sit, Harry" Luke found him a seat. "Alright?"

"Lots of people."

"Not many will be going to see the healers, so we'll have you in a cubical soon."

"I got us... Harry" Isur came over.

"Just keep people away, Isur; it's his Claustrophobia. Nymira has gone to find the healers, and we'll be away soon."

"Right", the older boy stood and seemed to stand guard in front of him, so people had to weave around. Harry was grateful for Isurs presence. He seemed to act as a primary warning because people stepped back a little allowing him to breathe. Even if he wasn't comfortable.

It only took a minute or two for Nymira to re-appear, and she quickly led them through the crowd to the back. Harry breathed a lot better once he was in the cubicles with the curtain shut.

"Maybe we should start carrying around calming droughts?" Nymira suggested.

"It's just small places like that, normally I'm fine. That's only the second time it's ever happened."

"When was the first?" Luke frowned.

"At Hogwarts, when I first arrived. All the first years were put in a small anti-room while waiting to be sorted."

"Not that often then. Just something to be aware of," Isur nodded, and Harry narrowed his eyes. Only two weeks ago, the boy would have been running to the doctors or Lærer Little. "What?"

"Are you feeling alright, Isur? A couple of weeks ago, you would have been dragging me to see Lærer Little." Nymira and Luke burst out laughing at that.

"I can learn my lesson", Isur held up his hands. "Honestly, Harry, at that point, I panicked. I had a Liten for the first time. I was excited. But then I found out that you were on medical watch and had been abused. I know there can be problems with that. I live in a hostal. I see them; I just panicked. It's been a month. I'm calming down. But honestly, if something happens, I may panic again. This though, you told us the last time. That's twice in two years, both small rooms. We know now to avoid coming to the infirmary straight away on these days. I'll come and sign you up, and we can come later to avoid the crowds that come straight away."

"Thanks", Harry relaxed and nodded.

"Good morning", Dr White slipped around the curtain and breathed. "Space", he smiled, and Harry couldn't help giving a small laugh at that. "Good now first of the month, so full check, talk and vaccination today, I'm afraid. Are you already signed up for a time?" the Doctor sat down.

"I did. We have a later one due to Harry sleeping after" Harry scowled at that idea. He was hoping to one day stay awake.

"Good idea, but as long as there are no exposures, you should start staying awake more from now on. Your first one was a given and the second was after a large exposure; many slept after that one. Don't put it down as always sleeping yet. Drowsy maybe but not sleeping."

"Alright", Harry nodded, his hope rising.

"Good now, how have you been sleeping", the Doctor pulled out his notes.

"Same as always."

"Good. No more problems with the doors."

"No, that's all be sorted."

"Excellent. Now no coughs or colds."

"No. I don't get them very often."

"You may soon now. I'll check you for antibodies when we draw some blood to spell. You're in a different environment; most get at least one cold."

"I didn't in Iceland."

"Probably so much going on it pushed you through", Luke noted.

"I agree. You will, at some point. Different water, different germs, you'll get sick sometime. The purification bath probably helped as well." the Doctor gave them a soft smile. "How are you settling in now?"

"I'm alright. Richard is still a pain, but he just gives me these funny looks. The others think it has to do with his sister. Barnabas is leaving me alone as well, just glaring at me across the room. It's a nice change as Malfoy would have been sabotaging my potions and making snide remarks."

"Yes, the school rules are in your favour there. If Mr Moonlord wants to do something, there are proper channels to go through," Doctor White shook his head. "As for Mr Shard, give him time. I am aware of that situation, and he should settle in time. He has his own problems. Now one last question. How you managing with these three?"

Harry blinked and went red at the idea of talking about them in front of them. Nymira laughed, as did Luke, but Isur went red as well.

"We have been good. You know of the argument, but nothing else has happened. They're like... I don't know."

"Seems good then. I'll go see if a room is free," the Doctor stood, leaving, and Harry eyed them.

"Don't worry about it—something to get used to. Dr White is going to ask a few times. They always do when new students end up in the infirmary. It's a way of seeing how the mentor pairs are working. And if anything needs to be changed with how they assign them," Luke explained.

"They really do that. I thought it was just a way of making conversation!" Isur looked at his own Grand Stor. Both Nymira and Luke nodded, and Harry shared a look with Isur. You learned something new every day.

Soon enough, he was taken down to the exam room at the end. The doctors could exam you in the cubicles, but they mostly did that when using magic. When not, they tended to go to the exam rooms. Harry didn't hesitate to take a seat on the bed as Doctor White pulled over the usual tray of stuff. He started by checking his eyes, ears, temperature and listening to his breathing. After his blood pressure was taken and his blood sugar with the funny finger poker.

"Slightly high. But you have just eaten, so that should come down soon, and it isn't any cause for concern. You have always been in the normal range the times you came later, so I'm not worried," he stated and wrote the numbers down. "Now, while I get the blood draw and vaccination ready, how are you really managing with them?"

"What?" Harry spluttered.

"You've been here a month now. Humour me"

"We...Luke is great. He does all my tutoring and says I am catching up quickly. He also helped me with my homework and taught me some stuff about essay writing no one had before. It's nice that he came back to be here when Isur got me.

"Nymira, we aren't as close, but I know she is there. You can see how close she and Luke are. Or she and Isur are, and I hope to one day have that. We just haven't had as much time.

"Isur... I guess at the moment, we are both finding our feet. He's got me suddenly out of the blue, and I'm at a new school. But he's trying, and he's there. He didn't mind when they were woken that night; neither did Nymira. I guess at the moment, I don't know what to compare him to."

"So your closer to Luke, but then you do spend more time with him. It will come, and it shows a lot about Luke that he did come. You have longer with Nymira and Isur so getting to know Luke now is good as well. He's the more experienced, so he will be calmer. and he does have experience with those with additional needs."

"Yeah, his letter finally came back, but we haven't had a chance to read it. He wants to with all of us," Harry smiled as the Doctor came back over.

"Good. Now arm out. I'll do the blood draw first" Harry looked away as the Doctor started to wipe down his arm. Dr White always did everything the muggle way. But he wasn't complaining. Especially knowing what was coming tonight and tomorrow. This wasn't penetrative magic. However, Doctor White had explained that the order for no magic came from his doctor at the Greenland clinic. And only he could change it. The only time they would use magic would be in an emergency. Harry's eyes caught his watch band; it didn't bother him now. He didn't notice it. It was just there and always would be.

"How are you managing with your dorm mates besides Richard?"

"They're good. They include me if I'm there. But I don't mind missing out on some talks because they're just wolf-related. The odd time things are brought up that I miss Agnar fills me in. They're happy I'm not going to be on my own next week. And Agnar said they were just planning on leaving their doors open themselves this time."

"That's good. What about Agnar?"

"He's grate. He's a bit like my friend Ron but different. He's more...observant... I think and can be unsure sometimes due to been bitten. But he doesn't mind been woken when I have nightmares and was worried about what happened after the last full moon."

"That's good. That's blood done. Turn around" Harry shuffled around, so he was facing the other way on the bed and winced when the needle went in. "Done. Half an hour and then you can go, just let someone know, and the crowds should have gone down by now as well."

"Thanks", Harry jumped off the bed and went back to his cubicle, seeing the others still there.

"Alright?" Isur asked.

"Yep. He did ask me about you lot again."

"Thought he might. The doctors pulled Nymira away to ask about me when she refused once. They just want to make sure it's not cause something bad is happening" Luke smiled.

"Yes, I remember Isur had no problems turning around and saying I was terrible, and he hardly saw me. This was after he ended up here with a cold in the first month."

"You were bad", Isur turned on Nymira. "I hardly saw you that month you spent so much time in detention."

"I'll admit I was" Nymira held up her hands and looked at him. "We told you I spent a lot of time fighting when I first arrived. Well, that was true. When I came, I was more interested in climbing the social ladder and being at the top of the vampires' hierarchy than learning. I got into many fights and a lot of trouble. The only thing is that after a couple of months, while it died away a bit, it never went away. When you get your Liten, there is another hierarchy shift, and I was more concerned about that than helping Isur. It took Lærer Little threatening to give Isur to another Stor for me to come around after 2 months. In those two months, lots of people tried to talk to me. But I wasn't listening, more concerned with fighting and why I wasn't top within my year with my Liten.

"It's a lot better now, and I learned my lesson. But it took a long time for Isur to start trusting me after that, and we had a lot of fights over it. I don't blame him. I was horrible, probably the worst mentor ever once we arrived at school, and I was surrounded by everyone. Corse, now it helps that I'm older and that I am at the top," she laughed, and Harry gave Nymira a small smile.

"She's not kidding, but it worked out, Harry. It took time, but it did. Everyone has fights. Now Nymira and the others are like my older siblings, and that's the way it should be. To start with, Nymira was like an older sibling I hated and didn't want. Not something I liked when seeing what the others had. At least I had Luke and the others. But yes, they did ask and were horrified by what I said"

"Why wasn't something done before?"

"Because they let the mentor families work them out. After that first month, they did step in, and things were done. Nymira just didn't listen till she was threatened," Luke noted.

"O yes, I think I spent most of that month in talks and counselling, that was after spending the month before in detention."

"How did you end up on the RES then?"

"Because it had nothing to do with mentors, and you don't join till your fifth year. There was a period in my fifth year where I did come close to getting kicked off. I was suspended for a short time, and it delayed my training and being able to go down with the others. Everything has consequences, Harry. At least in school, they are minor and contained. But sometimes things can affect the rest of your life. That's what Magere tries to imitate more than some schools. Yes, there are second chances like I got. But sometimes, if you break a rule, there isn't because it is so severe."

"Like being banded from the Squad permanently."

"Yes," Nymira nodded. Harry just nodded as well and looked to the side. At Hogwarts, there was always second chances; it was a school. But Harry knew very few people had ever been suspended or expelled from Hogwarts. Hermione had rattled off the facts once.

"What are you doing today, Luke?" he changed the subject and asked the older vampire.

"I'm staying here. Most of the scholars are going home, but I'll be joining in. I've decided to help with the candle effort tomorrow and will be cleaning my room today as well." Harry smiled as Madam Baxter popped her head around the curtain. She was a short fairy with shoulder green hair and green eyes while her green wings seemed to flutter behind her. Most of the fairy students didn't have the same coloured wings as their hair, so Harry guessed Madam Baxter had died them. Some colours were the same, like yellow and blond or red hair and red wings.

"You're free to go."

"Thanks", Harry smiled, jumping off the bed.

"Meet us down at the baths after dinner tonight, Harry", Isur stated, and Harry nodded as they left. The crowd had indeed gone, and he quickly moved through the halls heading to his dorm.

It was a quiet room that Harry walked into, and he wondered where everyone was. Turning, Harry walked into his and Agnars room to see the boy in question lazing on his bed.

"Hey back."

"Yep, saw arm but all good"

"Great, I'll get the others, and we'll start"

"They all in their rooms then?"

"Yep, we were having a quiet relax while waiting for you" Agnar jumped up. "Harrys back", the other boys quickly came out of their rooms.

"Ready for a cleaning party?" Arghama smiled.

"Guess so" Harry pulled a face at the idea of cleaning. Their rooms weren't that messy anyway. It mainly was Valerio's and Emberis stuff, but the rest were pretty decent at putting things away. It was definitely different to Hogwarts, where they had Ron, Seamus, and Dean all messy.

"Let's go then" Emberi waved his wand, and music started to come from the floating instruments. Harry's eyes went wide, and he smiled.

"Come on" Agnar pulled him into their room. "The brownies left us some cleaning supplies."

"Does everyone know how to use this stuff?" Harry eyed the bottles. He knew how dangerous chemicals could be.

"They're supposed to be all non-harmful", Agnar shrugged.

"Doesn't mean they are" Harry moved and got his dragonhide gloves, pulling them on before starting to clean, reading the bottles carefully. The others were singing happily, and slowly Harry joined in. But it only made the cleaning bearable. After the Dursleys, he would never enjoy it. It was actually strange the boys did.

They did their rooms in twos and then did the main area together. Richard seemed to eye his gloves, but Harry wasn't taking them off. Not after his experience of Dudley swapping labels. It took about an hour and a half to get the room tidy. Emberi and Valerio were messing around, and it was a little irritating, but Harry didn't say anything. Once they were done, it was their standard break time, and they headed down to the dining hall where snacks were put on the weekends. Susan and Ruby weren't there, but Jessica was, and they quickly joined her group, which was the rest of the were's in their year.

Rishima was Arghama's twin and looked identical to him only with longer hair and softer features. Lyeona Vicia was a blond-haired Omega with brown eyes. Lessien Telemmaite was an elf with long black hair and blue eyes. She, too, was an Omega and looking, Harry noticed only Rishima wasn't, and she was a Beta. Miwa Ito was also an elf, and she was wearing a sensitive band as well. She had long black hair and hazel eyes instead. Ophielie Bennit was another sensitive, only she was a Nactle. She had shoulder blond hair and grey cat eyes. On top of that, Ophielie was covered in white fur that had light brown patches, white cat ears, tail and whiskers as well.

"I thought you were in the weres dorm" Harry looked at Jessica.

"There are only 2 female weres in our year, so technically yes, or rather this is the creature dorm in our year", the girl laughed.

The girls were nice. But Harry noticed that Richard was quiet, and when the boy slipped off, Harry followed.

"Richard!"

"Go away, Harry."

"No. Richard, what's wrong? You can tell me. Arghama said it was something about your sister who's being homeschooled."

"Its non of your buisness"

"Maybe not, but it's affecting how you are with me", the werewolf stood there looking hard at him. "You don't have to tell me, Richard, I was just worried about you. All I want is you to treat me like everyone else like you were before you found out I was on watch."Richard just seemed to look at him more before turning and storming off. Harry sighed and went back into the dining room. One day maybe Richard would tell him.

After a break, Harry spent the day wandering around the library and the Repository. It seemed to be a popular place. But you also saw many students walking around in pyjamas and dressing gowns, coming back from purification baths. A few were also being supported, and one first year was being carried by her mentor while she was asleep. Many students had wet hair from showers. Isur came to join him after lunch with Nymira telling him his time was straight after dinner that night.

During the afternoon, he explored more of the Repository than he had before in the top room. The entrance room was on the first floor and only had a few basic books. Many were journals from the time just before the cataclysmic event, and the school had put the translation books there as well. The first floor underneath was covered in maps and geography books. They had a section of geography books and maps in the main library, and Harry knew he would have to compare them sometime. But it was clear that the Repository had some strange expansion charm embedded. There were books and paintings in 3 separate mini rooms on different cultures and the culture of that time. The next floor down had more art and even music if you touched various cubes.

The next level, though, was again books. Books on mind magic, transfiguration, animagus, Ancient Runes and others. All 3 of the rooms on that level were. It wasn't just that level but the next 2 before you hit a level with four small rooms, each dedicated to a different element. Harry was amazed as he turned around and around in circles. The stairs going between the levels weren't one spiral down. But several separate sections. Obviously, many ages, the Repository had been built, adding room by room as he went down to another level. This one was full of books on warding, enchanting, spell creation, blood magic and Necromancy, Soul Magic.

"You're not going to want any books here for a few years", Nymira laughed at his look.

"No, your right there", he went red, remembering that Ron's school Se Ridica taught Sex magic. He would have to write to them soon. "Magere doesn't even teach some of these"

"No, we don't, but the Repository is old, before our time when they were more known before they were even called that. The Squad adds the modern subject names to the shelves as we go. Some can be quite the puzzle," Nymira nodded. "Some schools do summer class's in those subjects if you want to learn them."

"Why?"

"More for when you are older. My age," Isur laughed and led him down to the next floor. This area was covered again in books.

"These aren't school books" they were fiction books, storybooks.

"This whole floor is like that. That room over there has the mature books, so again older students, that one there has kids and young teens, this area has the main books that anyone can read."

"If you can read the language", Harry laughed.

"Just a bit", Isur joined in. "They're only 2 more levels at the moment."

"Did you guys have to read all these?"

"Some of them", Nymira nodded. "Enough to work out which room had what and that they were all the same and safe. It's the same with all the book levels. Luke told me the elements level was interesting to explore. We think the size of the levels get larger as you go as well."

"So maybe at the bottom is some ancient library similar to what we have. Maybe they just built on top of it, joining them after each natural disaster." Harry thought as he looked around the next level, which was again interesting as it was all clothes and ancient fashion.

"We think it might be something like that, actually. No one has ever visited the others. But we think they were either all the same and linked or documented the history of that area of the earth or something. Certainly a mystery."

The last level seemed to be water-themed with various water element information and water magical creatures and spells.

"We're working on an air level of this at the moment. This level was opened at the beginning of the year. There are some ancient fish in that room over there. We hatched them, and now the Squad takes care of them. We managed to breed some, and the headmistress arranged for them to go to a magical zoo. We don't know if the Russians ever had them. But they never came forward with additional fish species to breed. There is a water version of a basilisk in there, actually."

"Really?" Harry looked at Nymira and headed to the room that had the different fish. All the walls were covered in tanks with the ancient fish swimming around. Each partition had a separate tank, so there were five in all, with two being smaller. One tank seemed to have a shimmery shine over it, and Harry could hear the hissing.

"The tanks came like this, already spelled. But the spells to renew them were in one of the books on this level. It shows the ancients weren't stupid and prepared for what was in here. They knew the event was coming and were prepared for their library going into stasis."

"Stupid humans, always glaring."

"Hello", Harry hissed back.

"Speaker, you haven't been before." a distinct voice chimed in, and Harry could see there was four in the large tank with other fish. They must be able to control their gaze.

"No, I just came here."

"Interesting", another swam over.

"You are young to be one of the pains" Harry laughed at that, and Isur chuckled with Nymira, being beast speakers and parslemouths they could understand.

"No, I am a student. I came here to learn."

"Humans are weird."

"Very weird", Harry couldn't help smiling at that. "I got to go, but I'll come back."

"So he says"

Pulling back, Harry raised an eyebrow at the other two.

"We come and speak to them every so often, but many can't be bothered."

"Sonam especially."

"You know he's been mentioned once or twice, but I've never seen him."

"What about Thomas Jorden?" Isur asked.

"Who?"

"I'll speak to him. He's the head snake charmer he was supposed to come and introduce himself to you."

"What?" Harry looked at the two as Isur muddled through his words.

"Certain gifts have a 'head', so to speak—a special job to do due to that gift. One of the senior empaths helps the teachers tell who is telling the truth or who might be really struggling emotionally. Thomas Jorden is the one for parseltongue. He's responsible for helping with the snakes and teaching any student with a snake how to look after them. And checking the snake's welfare while making sure they are milked regularly."

"Wow"

"Sonam Kumar is next, followed by Isur, then Akhila Kumar and then you."

"I might be the head of parslemouths one day?"

"The Snake Charmer, yes" Isur nodded, getting his words right. "When depends on the other student's behaviour, them wanting the job and the headmistress. Those students have to be in good standing and well behaved."

"There is one for beast Speakers as well called the beast head. We have a head and then two assistants due to the number of creatures. It Azazel Sunjig at the moment, but Luke was last year when he was here."

"Wow", Harry muttered, causing the two to laugh.

"Come on, let's go get something to eat, then we can come and read, or you can talk to the water basilisks" Isur smiled.

Harry spent the break talking to his friends about the water basilisks, which descended into a talk on what else could be in the Repository. Though they did laugh at the basilisks calling the Scholars pains. After a break, they all went through to read in the Repository, and Luke joined them. Then they all went to dinner with the girls in Jessica's dorm. The rest of the boys in his and Agnars dorm claimed tables around the one that Harry usually sat at with his friends. A couple of others from separate dorms joining. Barnabas had been left out. Harry wondered how long that would continue.

After dinner, Harry followed Isur and Luke down to the purification baths, getting ready in the shared cubicles. He had made sure to bring his dressing gown and pyjamas back after last time, and he would have to make sure to return them tomorrow just on the off chance of something happening. He walked into the baths with a towel wrapped around him before taking it off and getting in. Isur quickly poured the first lot of potions in as Luke activated the charms. Nymira wasn't joining them this time as she didn't have the time.

"You're going to need to find others you're comfortable with. If you don't mind, we can also teach Nymira."

"Yeh, that's ok."

"We'll introduce you to a few people. You were talking to Lyeona. Her mentor is an Alpha Dominant called Pollux. He's a werewolf. Lothair Sunjig is a Merrow he's Miwa and Ophielies mentor. He's a sensitive himself, though. That's just my year."

"You could always ask a couple of those that came with you from Hogwarts. Eventually, you are going to need people in your year, but that is something you can think about after Nymira leaves when you have your own Liten."

"Alright. Can I meet them?"

"Sure. They don't have to be Alphas or even creatures, I guess" Isur shrugged.

"You need two people, and since you are at high risk of a creature inheritance. I would recommend getting to know the Alphas now." Luke stated, and Harry nodded before dunking down under the water for a few moments as the two poured more water and changed the spells. He coughed as he came up but settled down against the side. He was tired but not exhausted.

"Come on, Harry, you need to wash now", Luke prompted, and Harry sighed, grabbing the shampoo to wash his hair, having done his body as they were talking earlier.

By the end of the bath, he was sleepy but awake. He was now thankful that Isur had said after dinner. Luke helped him out of the bath, and they walked back to the cubicle with him wrapped in a towel. Harry managed to get dried and dressed on his own before curling in the corner.

"No, come on, Harry, bed", Isur pulled him up.

"Tired", he muttered, standing.

"Come on", Isur and Luke started to lead him out. Harry just groaned but moved. They had carried him through the school before, but he didn't want that to happen again. The walk between the baths and his dorm seemed longer than it actually was. Harry missed the looks coming from Agnar and the others as he fell into bed and curled up, asleep instantly as Isur covered him.

---

Monday 1st February

The following day Harry woke bright and refreshed. It was hard to believe he had been at Magere a month now. Harry had to admit he was enjoying his new school better than Hogwarts. There was non of the issues he had had before; most students were welcoming. He had a large group of friends rather than just a few. The lack of danger remained to be seen. Still, the only known threat came from a few of the more vicious creatures or was contained to the Repository's security levels. The other creatures, though, were happy to leave you alone if you left them. It was refreshing.

"You awake, Harry?" Agnar bounced into the room.

"Yeh, what time is it"

"Just before breakfast. You were out when they brought you back last night."

"At least I was half awake, unlike the other times. I hadn't had a bath in a couple of weeks, so that was probably it."

"Maybe if you did one say every 2 or 3 weeks, it might solve the problem."

"Maybe. No doubt Isur or Luke will bring it up soon anyway."

"Sure. Now come on, let's get dressed. It's Imbolic, and we have no classes," Harry laughed, pleased to see Agnar relaxing more. He was so severe half the time. Harry quickly dressed in his jeans, a green t-shirt and his blue hooded lopappeysa.

"Come on" Agnar grabbed his arm, and Harry laughed, letting himself be pulled out and downstairs for breakfast with the other boys following as well.

Everyone was down at breakfast, all in their own clothes and all laughing and joking. Harry hadn't long got his breakfast and sat down when the headmistress walked through the door, and they all stood going quiet for a moment.

"Sit down and eat", she smiled and continued on. The volume quickly rose again as people relaxed. It seemed there were no announcements this morning. Some days there was, but most of the time, they were minor things. Such as extra help was needed to shovel snow outside since it was starting to block all the doors. Since he was under healers orders at the moment for his health, Harry had been told he wasn't allowed to help, but next year he should be able to.

After breakfast, Agnar pointed to the craft boxes that the teachers were levitating into the room with the senior students help.

"We grab one each of the blue boxes; inside is everything you need to make a Brighid cross and candles. We make them in the dorms this morning while the headmistress and senior staff, along with the chosen first year, come around visiting everyone's rooms. They start with the senior students so they can start cooking. This afternoon more boxes are put out, and we can make the candles. The seniors and intermediates will have sorted a rota amongst themselves to meet their mentor family's to make the crown and take a walk."

"How do the first years manage?"

"The third years split with them. Half of each dorm group goes to the third year dorms, and half goes to the first year's dorms, so there is a mix in each. They have had two years of this, so know everything without a problem. There are instructions in all the boxes for the second years."

"Cool," Harry grabbed a box and followed his dorm mates back to the dorm. They settled around the table, taking everything out and starting on the cross's first. None of them complained about talking him through it and helping him. They just laughed it off, saying they had done the same last year. Next, they turned to the candles. They had been told to bring their cauldrons up after their last class last week, so they all had them. Students who didn't have their own at school like he didn't borrow one from the school. They also all knew the controlled fire spell and so it was easy to melt the wax. Going together, they all chose a different colour and so were able to make multi-coloured candles. Even Richard relaxed and was able to laugh, though they were careful.

---

They had just finished cleaning up when there was a knock on the door. It was Richard that opened it.

"Headmistress, Lærer, Brighid" he opened the door wider. As they came in, Harry stood with the others before pulling up his chair. The headmistress, and both deputies and two more staff members that were betas sat with the small first year. Harry noticed that the girl was a human with shoulder black hair and hazel eyes.

"May the wheel always turn!" the headmistress said in a way of greeting.

"May the wheel turn", Harry responded with the others.

"This is Rachel Craeker. How are you all getting on?"

"We just finished our candles for the crowns later", Arghama smiled.

"Doing well then. Your one of the last to get to, and I must say besides your craft things on the table, this dorm is very tidy."

"Not always this way is it, Valerio, Emberi", Agnar laughed.

"So your the messy ones" Lærer Porter looked at the two boys who went red but nodded.

"Well, there you are, your fabric from last night. Harry, many sew this into a clothing piece they always make sure to wear on test days. Or into a pillow or something to take to bed with you." one of the betas handed over the white fabric to each of them.

"Thanks, we have this for you" Harry looked at Agnar, who smiled. It had been decided by Richard and the others that he would hand over the food offering. It consisted of milk and cheese and had been collected from the Kitchens yesterday. Harry had been unsure about giving the food over. But apparently, since it was his first year. That honour was his. The staff were already carrying baskets from the other dorm rooms.

"Thanks." Rachel smiled at them.

"Shall we share a chant of light." the headmistress looked around. She didn't look bored or put out, considering she had been doing this for hours.

I open

Gently open

To the Divine inside me

I open

Gently open

To the sacred light

They repeated it several times, and Harry breathed as they did, picking it up on the second pass. It was a nice thought that in everything that had happened, he hadn't been alone. That there was always someone there with him, walking with him. And going through it all, almost like a guardian angel. But one who watched out for everyone.

"Now, let us bring in the spring that is coming so that we may have more new life on the earth so that we may live ourselves."

Joy in the golden bus of spring

Passion in the greening leaf.

Joy in the rising day.

Passion neath the glowing moon.

Come swelling tides of spring.

Fill me with the promise of green.

Again they passed through a couple of times, but this one was a little more difficult to pick up.

"We must be going in a moment, but first, let us remember that the circle never ends."

We are a circle

within a circle

with no beginning

and never-ending

This one Harry knew from over Christmas and was able to join in straight away. It was actually a fitting song if you thought about it since the year did go on. The same events happened every year, and while some things might be different, you had that circle of life that never ended.

"Well, I shall see you all later at the bonfire and at lunch. There is more work to be done. Remember, you are all going for your walks later. Enjoy the rest of your mornings," the teachers stood, and Rachel led them out with the Brighid doll.

"What do you think?" Arghama asked.

"Just as good as yule."

They made sure to get changed before going down to lunch. Adding their thermals on under their clothes and Harry swapped into cotton trousers instead of his jeans since they would be more comfortable. Lunch Harry sat with his usual group of Agnar, Susan, Ruby and Jessica. The little first-year Rachel was getting a lot of attention. But her mentor had sat next to her, acting something of a buffer.

After Nymira came and grabbed him, telling him to go and get his thermals outdoor kit on. Harry turned and went into the changing room, seeing Isur there as well. Harry started off by pulling his black dragonhide boots on and then his dark blue balaclava and scarf. Then he pulled on his white, heavy, long-sleeve underrobe and then black dragonhide gloves before the heavy furred, dark blue outer robe. After were his goggles and the dark blue hat on top. Harry was boiling but quickly moved to go outside. While he had been burning inside, he was just mildly cool outside and would warm up more when moving. Isur was waiting there dressed the same only his outer robe was red while Nymira had the senior black on. Luke joined them quickly wrapped in the same dark blue hat, scarf and balaclava with black boots and gloves. But he had dark blue thick trousers on with a black-furred coat on as well.

"Let's go", Luke set off. Harry walked between Nymira and Isur, struggling a little with the deep snow since he was so short. Right then, Harry really hated his height as Luke powered on. He did quickly warm up through to a pleasant temperature. They didn't talk on the walk. It was snowing as well, making him thankful for his goggles. Luke seemed to know the way well, should, though after 10 years of making the trip.

As they had said, it was about a 20-minute walk, but a long 20 minutes. Eventually, though, they arrived at the cave and went into the first chamber. There Luke took off his coat, showing that the pants had straps that went over his shoulders to keep them up and the heat in. Isur and Nymira took off their outer robes, gloves and hat. Harry followed, pulling his balaclava down so he could talk.

"How you doing?"

"I'm warm now", He panted, a little out of breath.

"Come on, I have the offering" Luke led them further into the cave and to a natural well. The whole thing seemed magical and peaceful as it was naturally formed as well. It was almost like there was a presence there. Created from the years of prayers, and thanks to that, people have been giving. An altar had been set up to the side with a Brighid cross and crown on it. A small potted plant and candles finished the whole thing off.

Luke passed them all a 5 standard coin before throwing his into the well or pond, whatever you wanted to call it.

"Goddess, I want to thank you for answering our prayers last year for a Liten for Isur. And I ask that you please bless Harry and look after him. To let him know that he doesn't walk this path alone. That you and all of us will always be with him. To let out mentor family stay strong," Harry choked as Luke spoke. They had been praying that he would come. It was almost surreal. Nymira threw hers in next before pronouncing.

"Goddess, I too would like to thank you for blessing Isur with Harry. He has been a joy to get to know and fits in. I am enjoying our swimming and the few talks we have had. I ask that you walk with me as I enter my senior year to let me know I am on the right path and to please help Luke find a job. As much as I enjoy him being here, I know he would like one," Harry smiled at that and saw Luke smile as well. Isur was next to throw his coin in and speak.

"Goddess, I would also like to thank you. I now know why you didn't last year, and Harry has been worth the wait. I have learned through this to trust you more, all in your own time and that things will work out. Maybe not in the way you expected, though. Please help us bond and make sure that the circle does turn, that when the times comes, Harry gets his own Liten. So he may have those same experiences." Harry gave a soft smile before throwing his own coin in. But he struggled to keep his voice steady as he spoke.

"G-Goddess, thanks for helping me to find Magere, l-letting me know this is where I n-needed to be. T-Thanks for being there o-over all they-years with me. E-even if I didn't k-know it. P-please watch over all the other Hogwarts students and l-let them know where they need to be. T-to help them find their true school, home and f-family" he finished and looked at his mentor family. These were his older siblings, and he wouldn't be returning to Hogwarts. He didn't care what people said or did. Magare was everything Hogwarts was and more.