Main Characters: Severus Snape & Harry Potter, Original Character

Genre: Angst, Drama, Family, Fantasy

Takes Place: 4th Year

Category: Parental Snape - Guardian Snape, Teacher Snape - Trusted Mentor Snape

Snape Flavor: Snape Disciplines, Snape is Kind, Snape is Loving

Tags: Creature!fic, Deaging, Deaged! Harry, Injured!Harry, New Identity! Harry

Warnings: Physical Punishment-Non Spanking


An 1: I don't have a laptop so don't have access to Up in Smoke, Shattered, Midnight Winter, Unorthodox Guardian, or Mystic Prism They are on my flash drive I do have Haunted Howls on Google docs. This cannot update or work on those stories and with Haunted Howls, I am just lazy

An2: What is this book about:

Mythological creatures, Destiny and inheritance, Identity and self-discovery, Magic and the supernatural, Secret societies and hidden worlds, Coming-of-age Friendship, loyalty, and journey, creature inheritance, mentor-mentee relationship, slavery

Other Tags/Tropes:

Creature!Snape Harry's parents are different than the Potters


This story is inspired by my love of Greek Mythology and the only good Sphinx Harry story I have read, Cub by Jadie Stee. I see so few stories, including those I write myself of Harry being mostly a vampire, demon, werewolf, dragon, or occasionally a fairy. Rarely is he an actual monster or something from ancient myths. This story has some reference to my series JOF, but I have also taken from Greek and Egyptian mythology (like in the heads of Sphinx...they are not just/only human or a female only race). Instead of, usually during these fourth year fanfics that involve the TWT where Harry is missing from the Dursleys and gone to Durmstrang, Beauxbatons, Ilvermorny or occasionally a OC school and the TWT drags him back to Hogwarts/Dumbledore's control (because Dumbledore is always a secret Dark Lord or manipulative evil persona in said stories), or where Harry's name comes out of the goblet and then is still a Hogwarts student, I decided to go with the fourth school playing a part so went with a school I have built up that is canon.

My goal is to make this story different and though there is information from JOF concerning Sphinx, this is no crossover. There are Greater Sphinx (8 kinds) and Lesser Sphinx (4 kinds) with hybrids of varying cat breeds for the Greater Sphinx with one type falling into Lessee Sphinx category (Pumpard). I hope to make this story interesting by making guest teachers from the other schools, Quidditch matches with all four schools, dances, and events. The goal being to play on the whole international relations with the reason the TWT existed in the the first place. There will be four events with various tasks. Harry won't be getting his creature inheritance right away, but will by a hybrid Sphinx.

Chapter Notes: We are introduced to Harry's Headmistress, Neferata Razina Romanov, a vaewolf (vampire x werewolf hybrid) and magical oc descendant of the Russian royal family.


Chapter One: The Fourth School

"Well now that we're all settled in and sorted, I'd like to make an announcement. This castle will not only be your home this year but home to some very special guests as well. You see, Hogwarts has been chosen to host a legendary event: The Triwizard Tournament. The Tournament brings together three schools in Europe for a series of magical contests. The Triwizard Tournament is a long-standing tradition and will test a champion's intelligence, magical ability and creativity.

"From each school a single student is selected to compete. Now let me be clear. If chosen, you stand alone. No champion shall be able to consult with students or professor alike for help with these tasks for it is a test of one's skills. I shall also mention there shall be no House Cup nor Quidditch Cup this year, but rather there shall be inter school Quidditch matches and other formal events. If you wish to join the inter school team, you shall have to try out for a position, regardless of if you already play and they shall be mixed between all four houses so house rivalries go out the window.

"I expect nothing but the best from each student and faculty member to be on their best behavior. And trust me when I say, these contests are not for the faint-hearted. But more of that later. The delegations shall be from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang and they shall be joining us this year. I expect, as representatives of Hogwarts and the British Isles, that you shall all do our school proud. The champion will have the honor of winning the Triwizard Cup and one thousand galleons as well as achieving eternal glory. Due to the nature and danger of the tournament, only students seventeen and above may enter and precautions shall be taken to ensure that no underage students can enter by myself personally. Now, off to your dormitories."

"Can you believe it? Imagine, one thousand galleons," said Ron. "If I were seventeen I'd gladly enter."

"Not me. I'll just be happy to support whoever is chosen for Hogwarts champion," said Harry as they made their way to Gryffindor Tower after dinner. Classes were harder then ever for this was the year before their OWLS which would determine their future careers and their NEWTS classes in sixth and seventh years respectively. Yet, there was some surprising good news posted on the notice board in all common rooms the first week of October…the other schools would be arriving on October fourteenth.


"Mister Potter, the Headmaster requests you in his office," said Professor McGonagall at breakfast the next morning as he had just sat down at the Gryffindor table, voices falling silent as he sat down at the long end, his mind in turmoil after the previous evening's events upon his arrival back to the common room. Harry turned his head to see his Head of House and Transfiguration professor standing next to him. "Come along Mr. Potter."

As Harry rose from his seat at the end of the Gryffindor table, his mind flashed back to previous evening's events of the Champion selection and returning to his common room. He wondered what the Headmaster wanted now. Harry had told him that he hadn my entered his name in the cup but he didn't think the Headmaster believed him. "Professor, do you know what the Headmaster wants with me?"

"I don't Mr. Potter. Now hurry up. We don't have all morning."

Harry found his mind drifting as he followed his Professor but he kept his pain hidden behind a mask, a mask he constructed early in life to hide his emotions and pain so as not to incur the wrath of his relatives. It had been all anyone had spoken of, the Triwizard Tournament, since Headmaster Dumbledore had made the announcement at the start of term. Excitement had only grown when just a few days ago when it had been announced the delegations for Beauxbatons and Durmstrang would be arriving. Harry, along with others of his year, had eagerly awaited the choosing of champions, as Halloween approached, clapping politely for each champion named. Surely with a retired Auror at the school and Ministry officials as well, nothing could go wrong for him. Perhaps he might, for once, have a normal year. He should never have hoped for such a thing for fate, as always, had it in for Harry James Potter.


Silence fell upon him as he mutely and desperately shook his head, hardly believing this was happening. As he looked around at his fellow lions, Ron was staring at him, a mix of anger and jealousy on the other boy's face, his gaze turning to his peers who were all muttering under their breath. "Harry Potter!"

"I didn't…guys you know I didn't put my name in the cup!"

"Harry, just go! Go on Harry!" Hermione shoved Harry unti hr got to his feet, whispers abs anger all around him.

"He's a cheat!"

"He's not even seventeen yet!"

"Just like Potter to break all the rules!"

"Wants to steal our glory at representing the school for himself," a Hufflepuff shouted.

It was like he was walking to the gallows to have his execution carried out as he looked around and saw the hateful glances on the student body and confusion on the faces of the Beauxbatons students at the Ravenclaw table though he was unable to determine what the stoic Durmstrang delegation thought when they sat at the Slytherin table. Hagrid looked away in disappointment, his gaze sliding to Professor McGonagall who looked shocked and horrified all at once, Snape's sneer which wasn't unusual though Harry thought there was a look of disbelief as he passed. Even Dumbledore looked angry and disappointed. "Professor, I didn't..."

"Through the door then Harry."

Harry turned pleading eyes upon the staff of Hogwarts, but none came to his aid, barring Professor McGonagall who laid a hand briefly on his shoulder, looking at him in sympathy. Surely they didn't believe he had willingly put his name in? Up the dias, past Auror Moody who stared at him and through a door where he went down a passage to a room he had never seen before. This was the Chamber off the Great Hall. Portraits of wizards and witches liked the walls and there was also a fireplace which had a roaring fire. Passing through a wrought iron gate, he walked inside where he saw the champions facing the hearth.


"Licorice Wands," said Professor McGonagall, interrupting Harry's memories and the gargoyle sprang to the side. "Go on Potter. I'll wait here for when you return though as a champion, you aren't obligated to attend classes this year."

Harry stepped into the winding staircase which took him up to the Headmaster's Tower. Reaching the landing, he walked to the wooden door and knocked twice before being bid entry. Pushing the heavy wooden door open, he poked his head inside to see the other school heads seated or standing in the headmaster's office. "You wanted to see me Headmaster?"

"Ah Harry m'boy," said Dumbledore as he looked up at Harry's arrival. "Come in. Have a seat." Harry walked further into the room, shutting the door behind him before doing so and took a seat. "Now Harry, I'm sure Gryffindor was pleased to have a champion last night. Now, there is the matter of your being a champion and being underage."

"Sir, I didn't put my name in the cup," protested Harry. "Isn't there a way you can stop this?"

"I'm afraid not Mr. Potter," said a voice and Harry turned in his seat to see Mr. Crouch standing in a corner. "The Goblet of Fire constitutes, as I said last night, a binding magical contract. The Goblet of Fire is an ancient magical and powerful artifact. That someone could confound it to believing there are four schools competing is rather astounding. It is similar to an unbreakable vow though the cup is but an impartial arbitrator," he explained. "The magic is so old that nobody knows the penalty for not participating."

"But I didn't enter so why do I have to compete? I don't want eternal glory!"

"I'm afraid Mr. Potter that my hands are…"

The door suddenly opened, Professors Snape and McGonagall hurrying into the Headmaster's office after a young woman walked in. "Albus, she just walked into the school demanding to speak to you," said Minerva.

"Headmaster Dumbledore, would you care to explain why the name of a Mister Potter appeared on the list of enrolled students at my school last night?"

"Ah Headmistress Ramonv. To what do I owe your visit?"

"Exactly what I said, Dumbledore. Why is it that I was alerted by my Deputy that a student's name suddenly appeared in our school records as a student?"

Harry was uncertain what was going on, his mind not sure what an unbreakable vow was. "Excuse me. Who are you?"

The woman's gaze turned to Harry as he spoke to her, blue eyes piercing his gaze, however unlike Dumbledore's which often felt like he was looking into the child's soul, this woman's gaze was like ice yet comforting. "I am Headmistress Ramonv and in charge of Koldovstoretz, the Russian wizarding school," said the woman. "I assume you are Mister Potter?" As Harry nodded, she turned back to Dumbledore, her gaze casting over the other adults. "Albus?"

"We are hosting the Triwizard Tournament and Potter's name appeared as the fourth champion," said Severus. "Though it displeases both Madame Maxime and Igor. I believe Alastor is looking into it."

"You hired an ex Auror known to be paranoid as a professor?"

"No different from the other choices these past few years," said Severus.

"What school was on the paper Mister Potter?"

"Koldovstoretz," admitted Dumbledore, "but as he is not enrolled…"

"On the contrary Albus. Did I just not say that the child's name appeared on my school's register last night? Therefore," she stood and looked around at those gathered, "for the year, Mr. Potter is no longer a student at Hogwarts but at Koldovstoretz. As such, I will be taking my student back to Russia with me."

"Harry cannot leave the school grounds. It's not safe and he is not…"

But Albus fell silent as they saw Harry's robes lose the red trim and Hogwarts crest, returning to black. "Albus!"

"Well, this is an odd turn of events," said Mr. Crouch. "Mr. Potter, not only are you the fourth champion but you are now a student of Koldovstoretz as indicated by your robes and name appearing in Headmistress romanov's attendance records. I'm sure if you checked your own book of admittance then Mr. Potter's name may not be there," said Mr. Crouch. Dumbledore frowned and rose, tossing slop powder within his hearth and vanishing within. A few moments later he came back, his face grave and pale.

"Barty is right. The boy's name had been stricken from the book," said Albus.

"Is this satisfactory to you Karkaroff and Maxime?"

"The tournament is supposed to be between three schools, not four," said Karkaroff. "He is a child and will lose. I care not so long as Dumbledore does not have two champions."

"This is acceptable," said Maxime.

Both didn't seem pleased in Harry's opinion but accepted the results of what they saw, for if Dumbledore said he was no longer a student then it must be true. He wasn't sure how to feel about such information but what reason did he have to stay when even his friends and fellow lions didn't believe him. "If that is everything, please have Mr. Potter's belongings brought here," said Headmistress Romanov.

"Blinky!"

"What can Blinky do for Master Old Beard?" questioned a house elf that appeared.

"Bring Mister Potter's belongings and owl Hedwig here," said Dumbledore. Blinky bowed and disappeared. Satisfied that things were to their expectations, Karkaroff and Maxine left as did Mr. Crouch. Blinky pooped back ten minutes later with Harry's trunk and a disgruntled Hedwig who had been stuffed in a cage, the owl glaring reproachfully at Blinky.

"Blinky has Master Potter's trunk and owl," said Blinky. "Blinky found Master Potter's trunk open and things scattered about the floor. Blinky retrieved Master Potter's things, horrible rags, they are sirs and mistresses."

With a flick of her wand, Headmistress Romanov opened Harry's trunk and walked over to it, a low growl emitting from the woman. "Mr. Potter, are these all the clothes you have?"

A blush appeared on Harry's cheeks as his clothing was addressed. "Y…yes. My family won't let me have anymore though."

The woman lifted her gaze towards Dumbledore. "Are you telling me this child has not had proper clothing since he entered Hogwarts and none saw fit to address the state of his clothes nor question the child?" There was silence in the room, Professor McGonagall staring at her former pupil before looking away in shame. Snape said nothing and Dumbledore attempted to wave it off.

"I'm sure Harry was just roughhousing," said Dumbledore. "Petunia wouldn't…"

"Petunia? You put the boy with Petunia?! The woman's a jealous harpy and hates magic! You told me the…" Snape suddenly looked horrified at this news as he rounded on Dumbledore.

"Mister Potter, owls are not considered pets at Koldovstoretz, rather they are seen as a necessity though you may also find ravens at our school as well. Bring what is your prized possessions. Your school books may remain here as you will be tested in all your classes before attending school. As for these rags…" she levitated the clothing out and put them on Dumbledore's desk. "Incendio." The clothing immediately caught fire while Harry took out his textbooks. "No need for your old textbooks, nor the textbooks of this year," said Romanov, levitating them onto Dumbledore's desk, on purpose where they caught fire. "After a through examination of his remaining belongings, she flicked her wand and shut Harry's trunk before casting a father light charm on it. "Please step outside Mr. Potter."

Harry left Dumbledore's office and waited outside, the door closing. He then heard yelling, but he didn't understand the words. His mind turned over how his name had come out of the goblet, let alone who had put it in there in the first place. Why didn't his dormmates believe him? Ron, he was used to since his best friend had issues with jealousy and lost his temper easily but before he could consider anymore of the previous night's events, the door opened again. "Come along Mister Potter and make sure you have a tight grip on your owl's cage and trunk," she said as she swept out of Dumbledore's office, Harry numbly following the woman.


Harry's stomach rumbled as they left the castle, the teenager not having had a chance to eat breakfast. "You have not eaten?"

"No," said Harry. "Ummmm…where is…Koldovstoretz? I've never heard of it before."

"Russia," said Romanov. "I am Headmistress Romanov. Since you are lacking appropriate clothing and will need a new uniform, we shall stop to get you some clothing from Moscow and retrieve clothing for you."

"But I don't have any money on me. We'll have to stop at Gringotts."

"We have our own currency in Russia Mr. Potter. Your money will not work in Russia. It also is used throughout the former Russian empire and former USSR states. This currency is called Wyxax and consists of gold, silver, copper and bronze coins. Once we arrive in Moscow, we can get some breakfast and you may ask questions concerning the school."

Heading towards The Three Broomsticks, the streets were quiet aside from a few people opening their shops. Approaching The Three Broomsticks, Headmistress Romanov entered the inn and headed towards the fireplace. "You have traveled by floo Mr. Potter?"

"In second year, only I got lost. Ended up in Knockturn Alley."

"Then you know the logistics. Keep your arms to your sides, don't panic and your elbows tucked in so you don't bump into other fireplaces. Speak your destination clearly and hang onto your owl cage. I shall bring your trunk along. Now," said Headmistress Romanov, "our destination is Moonlight Passage." Taking a pinch of floo powder from a pot on the mantle, Headmistress Romanov tossed it in the roaring flames already filling the inn with warmth.

Stepping into the emerald flames, Harry gave the destination. "Moonlight Passage!" With a whoosh, the teen found himself disappearing, confident he had spoken clearly.

"There ye are lad," said a voice as Harry stumbled out of the fireplace, finding himself in a small lobby. "Steady there." Moments later, Headmistress Romanov came out.

"Thanks," said Harry. "I hate traveling by floo. Always end up falling out."

"You should have said something," said Romanov. "Otherwise, I wouldn't have insisted you travel by floo."

Harry flushed at the sincere concern in the woman's eyes and in her tone, never having experienced that before from an adult. He turned his head away as his new Headmistress spoke briefly with the man who had helped him. "Will I have to be sorted?"

"Koldovstoretz does not sort their students. We sort students based on year," said Headmistress Romanov. "The founders believed and knew a student's personality changed throughout their education, so to prevent bigotry, they decided to sort students based on year instead. As you are a transfer student, we will test your knowledge in classes which will determine what year you will be placed in and then a Resident Assistant will take you to your new dorm. Russian is a subject you will learn but at Koldovstoretz, there are muggle and magical subjects."

"New student Headmistress?"

"For the year Dimitri," said Romanov. "And I am no longer your headmistress given you graduated three years ago."

"Hard habit Headmistress," said Dimitri.

"Where are we?"

"You're at The Dark Lichen, an inn on Moonlight Passage in Moscow," said Dimitri. "I'm a worker at the inn. Cook to be precise," he said.

"They speak English in Russia?"

"A translation spell so we can communicate with international visitors," said Dimitri. "Russian is the official and national language of the motherland, something you'll learn at school. Headmistress, do you wish to eat breakfast here?"

"Yes, the boy needs some nourishment," said Romanov.

"Feel free to sit wherever then," said Dimitri before heading back to the kitchen. The pair then made their way towards a booth and sat down, a waiter coming over with menus.

Tapping the menu with her wand, Romanov spoke a spell. "Mutare Verba," she said. The wand emitted an orange light and the words changed to English. "Now, I am sure you have questions but your schooling has been answered as far as your testing and the lack of sorting in our school."

"How old is Koldovstoretz?"

"It's older than Hogwarts," said Headmistress Romanov, "as is our wizarding community being the oldest in existence."

Harry looked over the menu as he thought about what other questions to ask. "Do you have boarding over the summer?" If he could possibly avoid going back to the Dursleys for the summer holidays…well it would make the Dursleys happy.

"We do allow students to board over the summer in special circumstances as well as for abused students and students of muggle families who may not accept their magic."

Relief flooded Harry though he found himself curious. "Special circumstances?"

"During The War, or as you might know it World War Two, Koldovstroetz allowed wizarding students of Jewish, Polish, etc. into the school as well as their families and non-magical children of said heritages to escape persecution by the Nazis and the Fuhrer. In the cases of abused muggle descent children, our ministry takes them from their parents and gives them to a wizarding family to raise. Unlike Britain, we have a children welfare department in the ministry that monitors magic of muggle-raised or muggleborn children, really descendants of squibs, and children afflicted with creature status. In the case of creature students, we try to give them to a creature relative or a pack, clan, etc. that will take them as their own. If there are no relatives, we try to give them to a member of their race.."

"So…so you have creature students at Koldovstroetz?"

"Yes. Half-Giants, Werewolves, Half-Kitsune, Half-Goblins, Werecats, Vaewolves, Cambion, Werebears, Half-Veela, Dhamphir, Half-Trolls, Half-Elves, Half-Fairies, Vampires, and Half-Mer."

"Half-Mer?"

"Those who are part merfolk and part human," said Romanov. "Mahoutokoro allows kitsune and half-kitsune to attend their school along with half-dragons, werecats, vampire, dhamphir, half-mer, and werewolves. Not all wizarding schools are as prejudiced against creatures as the United Kingdom and Hogwarts."

Harry thought about and realized there were no, as far as he knew, creature students in his year nor since Remus had been accepted at Hogwarts. "Where do creature students go to school then?"

"That depends on the school but Maumonia, Olympia, Aztlan, Oraxonia, Loanyua, and Gaidastara accept all creature students. Some end up being homeschooled while others never get an education due to prejudiced societies."

It was only a few minutes later that a waiter came over and took their orders, Harry deciding on a soup called Solyanka. "But fairies are tiny! How can there be half-fairies?"

"Have you ever heard of seelie and unseelie before Mister Potter?" When Harry shook his head, the headmistress sighed. "Seelie is the Scottish term for fairies or fae if you will. Fae being fairies, pixies, leprechauns, doxies, imps, elves, red caps, goblins, nymphs, banshees, boggarts, gnomes, Cu-Sith, dwarves, satyr, hags, trolls, brownies, gremlins, kelpie, and changelings. Though changelings are fae children left in place of a human child that is kidnapped. I don't know why this is. But the seelie and unseelie are fairies that are rumored to like different seasons; the Seelie preferring spring and summer while the unseelie prefer autumn and winter. To answer your question, faeries, at least those of Seelie and Unseelie… another term might be Sidhe which is an Irish word, can turn into the size of a human or elf. They can cast what is known as Glamor, that is a type of fae illusion, concealing their wings and any animal attributes they may have. What you might refer to as house elves are really brownies, a minor fae that are helpful creatures to wizard folk. When fairies are resembling humans, they can breed with elves, dwarves, goblins, and humans, producing half-fairy offspring. Though fairy elf hybrids are known as faelves and children of a vampire and fairy are known as faepires."

"So fairies of the seelie and unseelie courts can take human form? But what about the ones used in Potions? Or studied in Care of Magical Creatures?"

"I am unsure. Beasts is required for the first three years of school and then becomes an elective in your fourth year so perhaps you could ask the Beasts professor, Katyusha. Professor Utkin that is. But aside from Russian, two other required classes are Flying which is also taken in years one to three and Introduction to Wizarding Studies which is required for all muggleborn and muggle-raised students. Likewise, wizard raised and pureblood students are required to take Introduction to Non-Magical Culture-Russia and lastly is Muggle Studies is required of all purebloods and halfbloods. These three classes are required from first to fifth years."

Harry didn't mind Care of Magical Creatures though he wished Hagrid were a better teacher. Hagrid had a passion for creatures but he didn't have any formal education beyond third year and didn't seem to take into consideration that his students weren't as strong as he was. Though Buckbeak's attack on Malfoy had been the arrogant pureblood's fault. Still though, Harry wasn't sure he planned on taking Care of Magical Creatures after this year, not that he had had to go to class. "Headmistress? Will I have to take classes despite being a champion?"

"Yes, especially as you have mandatory classes. At our school, homework and communication in class done in Russian though you may speak your native language outside of class or during meal times. The exception is with taking a foreign language or magical language," said Romanov. "Hogwarts may be fine with their champion not studying for classes, but you Mr. Potter are younger and don't know as many spells but the tournament will only test what you know in your year.

"I won't lie to you Harry. The tournament is dangerous and was banned many years ago after a rampaging cockatrice killed some spectators. But it was an international event between the three great European wizarding schools of Hogwarts, Durmstrang and Beauxbatons with each school taking a turn at hosting the tournament. As the Goblet of Fire is an ancient magical artifact. The staff will try to teach you what we can but you must put in the effort in your schoolwork. If you have trouble in your classes then seek out a professor or a student in your class. We also have a Mazioology club, a naturalist club for herbology and potions as these classes correlate to each other, a fencing club, the Knights of Koldovstoretz, a literature club, astronomy club, chess club, gobstones club, soccer club, a flying club for those who just enjoy flying, Wisteria which is a club for creature students where they can be safe, Veles which is a club where students from creatures to purebloods can make friends and interact without fear of judgment, Hermes which is for aspiring healers and doctors, Dionysus which is a theater, art, dance and music club, and Maelstrom which is a swimming and creatures club."

Harry gaped at the information, surprised to hear there were more clubs then at Hogwarts. He had never really been interested in clubs though did like reading, even if he didn't do much of it at Hogwarts. Perhaps this was a good thing, being made a student of another school. "When do I get to start classes?"

"Once you are tested and your year sorted. Though normally, your age would put you into Year 7 but with you being a transfer student and not starting as early as my students, adjustments must be made. Children begin school at eight years old, receiving their letter at 7 years old. It's possible you may test into classes lower than what you take at Hogwarts, depending on your scores on the tests. That will also determine the year you are enrolled in. However, once you hit fifth or sixth year, should you wish, you may begin studying as an apprentice. School lasts for ten years which is why some students do not start apprenticeships until their fifth year."

"Do we have exams?"

"Yes. We have Snail in third, Owls in fifth, Newts in seventh and Egret in tenth. If you fail your exam or more than three classes by the end of the year, you are held back and have to repeat the year. Egret is important as you not only graduate and show your magical aptitude but also ensure a student's ability to get a job or go to university. We, along with a few other schools, like to ensure our students have a grasp of the mundane world and can go to university or find a job in both worlds."

They talked for a bit more until their meals arrived and Harry found he was famished. He immediately dug in Thinking on it, it seemed that it made sense for students to be prepared for the muggle world, at least muggle raised and muggleborn students. He learned that there were a lot of muggle science classes required for graduation in his later years. The school, so far, sounded like something he could like, especially if there were classes that Hogwarts didn't have. He hoped there were more choices of electives avd he could avoid Divination. Sometimes, though he didn't say it, Harry wished he could be challenged more in school in his classes or at least that he had a better Potions professor than Snape. He had never said so because Ron wouldn't understand, but he had looked forwards to Potions ever since hearing of the subject and yet, those hopes of learning an interesting subject had been dashed within his first class.

Once breakfast was done, Harry finding himself full from the soup, they left the inn and headed into the street. Moscow, as Harry would learn, was the biggest city and the capital of the motherland. It was also the heart of the country as St. Petersburg was the window to Europe. Harry shivered as he walked after the woman who led him down Moonlit Passage which seemed a street rather then an alley, coming into a neighborhood Little shops and houses dotted the street and they walked through it, Headmistress Romanov explaining it was a magical neighborhood which extended for several blocks and streets, trees and lampposts dotting the sidewalks with some homes having iron gates in front of them.. "This is Triruggilt Grove, a neighborhood of wizard, muggle and creatures," said Headmistress Romanov. "It continued until the Kremlin."

"What's the Kremlin? What about the statue of secrecy?"

"Not every country is as biased and fearful of muggles as the United Kingdom young Potter," said Romanov. "I myself am a creature. As for the Kremlin, it is a walled complex of palaces, cathedrals, and government offices. There is Snoarrurwelf District, a neighborhood for creatures in St. Petersburg, Smessungak which is a district for creatures in Moscow near Donskoy Monastery, and a neighborhood solely for wizards starting at Moscow Metro, moving to the red square, and ending at Bolshoi Theatre. We worked closely with the Tsar in the past, as we do now with the president for wizard, muggle, and creature are all citizens of Russia. Though there are some who believe we are superior to muggles, such as those who live in Volshebnik where there are steep lines drawn between pureblood, half-blood and muggleborn."

"Headmistress, what's a vaewolf?"

"I am a hybrid of a werewolf and vampire. My mother was a witch before she was turned into a vampire while my father was bitten by a werewolf. He is a Russian werewolf?"

"Russian?"

"Have you studied different werewolves, Mister Potter?"

"I didn't know there were any," said Harry. "We learned about them briefly last year. My professor in Defense Against the Dark Arts was a werewolf and a friend of my father and godfather."

"I see. I am, what many would consider, a dark creature as are my parents. Like my father I can turn into a wolf and like my mother I need blood to survive but also food as well. Now, let's see…ah. We'll head to Visual Eyes first to check your eyesight. Have you ever had your eyes checked? Or been to the doctor?" When Harry shook his head, Romanov sighed, slipping into what Harry assumed was Russian. "A trip then to Snowbelle Hospital then before anything. Please stay close," said Romanov and Harry obediently followed, taking his first steps into the unknown motherland, confused yet hopeful for reasons he couldn't understand.

"Headmistresss, what can we do for you," said a middle aged woman at the front desk on the main floor as they walked into the lobby.

"Miss Raud, I have an unexpected situation come up resulting in a new student who needs a complete physical done and a treatment plan if possible before we shall head to Visual Eyes to check his eyes."

"Who shall the doctor being tending Headmistress?"

"Harry Potter."

"Welcome Mr. Potter," said the receptionist with a kind smile towards Harry. "Have you ever been to a doctor before?"

"Only before I started primary school," said Harry.

"It needs to be today. Some fool thought it would be good to host a dance tomorrow," said Romanov. "Therefore I need to get Harry's testing done and collect students to bring back to Hogwarts. I hope you know how to dance, Harry."

"Sorry," said Harry.

"Well it can't be helped. It's hardly your fault that Hogwarts doesn't teach important cultural things. I'm afraid you shall have to participate in the dances at your former school. I understand the Yule Ball is a required tradition during the Tournament."

Harry was soon taken to a room where he had a complete work up done, the teen learning he was malnourished and given shots he had missed when he attended Hogwarts as well as some shots against Dragon Pox and a few other wizarding illnesses. The nurse fussed over his list of old injuries, the doctor rebreaking old injuries to set them properly. What was most concerning was the scar on the child's forehead…the visions and headaches the boy admitted to when questioned. When the doctor pointed his wand at the scar and detected dark magic, they called in the Red Guard, a group of wizards and witches that specialized in obscure magics. It was here Harry and Headmistress Romanov learned that Harry had dark magic centered around his scar and the reason for the headaches had to do with an obscure magic. "Obscure magic?"

"Mister Potter, I believe you are a horcrux, or rather a pseudo horcrux. That this was not detected nor resolved prior to this is a matter of concern," said a graying wizard. "This should have been corrected through an exam…" A young wizard with light blond hair, looking like he had graduated recently, was sent to firecall St. Mungo's. Headmistress Romanov was informed of the problem, her ire towards Dumbledore growing when Abrasha came back with news that Mister Potter had never been within St. Mungo's. There was a strange occurrence though. There was no record of Harry's existence nor any record of Lily Potter having ever been with a child at the hospital.

Hours later, Harry's scar was faint and his eyes ached from the exam but he had a new prescription for his glasses and had gotten to choose a new pair. Unfortunately, nothing could be done for his eyes until he was an adult and it would have to be the muggle way as magic couldn't fix genetics but there was the possibility of it being due to dark magic and injuries cast by dark magic couldn't be cured by magic at all. He liked his new glasses but was troubled by what he had learned, both about there being no record of his mother being pregnant or his birth and the reason he had had visions was because of having a piece of Voldemort's soul inside him for thirteen years. The soul piece had been drawn out after a strenuous battle and been sealed in a container though it had tried to possess a couple of the guard and a nurse. They were sworn to secrecy and it was advised that Harry keep quiet about the horcrux issue but that it would be taken care of.

"What are you going to do with…with that?" Harry gestured towards the jar containing the sticky smoke.

"Using it to find these other potential horcruxes since the British Auror Department appears to have no desire to do so. As usual, cleaning up Britain's mess."

"No child should have a war for adults laid on their shoulders, nor fight in it. Leave this to us kid."

His uniform consisted of a brown pointed hat, bearskin hooded cape with silver fastenings, dragonhide boots lined with fur, one pair of dragonhide gloves, gray robes, white knee length tunics with navy blue pants underneath. Though students could wear just the navy blue pants and tunic, outside they had to wear their robe and hat. The navy blue pants reflect the deeper waters of the Arctic Ocean which lay north of the school and its grounds. The hat was lined with bear fur and there was another hat for summer as well as a simple bearskin hat, rabbit gloves and balaclava which could be purchased as well which could be worn in the subarctic region the school was located in. After getting a new trunk and clothes, Harry found himself apparated to a small village, where a pair of hippogriffs were waiting. "Welcome to Cliffcairn," said Romanov. "Have you learned about hippogriffs, Mister Potter?"

"Yes ma'am. Last year in Care of Magical Creatures."

"Then you know to be respectful. Please give me your trunk. Well tie it to your hippogriff with your other belongings." Taking a moment, she bowed low to the pair and they bowed back. She then took the mahogany and cedar trunk with brass fittings from Harry and secured it with rope to the hippogruff's rump along with several bags on top of the trunk. Once things were secured, Madam Romanov coaxed the white hippogriff down to its stomach and helped Harry climb onto its back before mounting a brown hippogriff herself. "Grab the reins Mister Potter and follow me," said Headmistress Romanov, the pair of hippogriffs taking running starts before heaving their bodies into the air.

Climbing into the air, Harry grabbed the reins of the hippogriff he was on, the ground vanishing beneath them. He had only been on a hippogriff twice last year, once during Care of Magical Creatures and once during the rescue of Sirius. Let alone gone on such a long flight before. Yet he found himself frightened for he had never been this high up before on anything barring his broom, though had to admit this was safer then being on a piece of wood, even if he liked flying.

As much as he had more questions about the school, Harry decided to keep his mouth shut and ask questions when they got on the ground, nerves beginning to twist around as he thought on what he might be asked to perform at his new school. He couldn't wait though to see more of the wizarding world and tell Hermione about it.

But his face fell as they soared above the ground far below, the wind whipping at their faces. Did Hermione even believe him? He knew Ron tended to have some anger and jealousy issues towards both him and Hermione but Ron had always stuck by him. As they flew, the air grew colder the more north they went and Harry found himself shivering underneath his cloak. His teeth began chattering in his mouth as the temperature dropped yet suddenly he heard a breathy whisper, "Calidum," and felt a warmth surrounding him and the hippogriff whose wings beat steadily on either side and he looked to see his headmistress putting her wand away. "Is something on your mind Mister Potter," Romanov called over the wind.

"I was thinking about my friends at Hogwarts and if they would believe I didn't put my name in the goblet. I'm worried about my best mate Ron. He sometimes gets mad for no reason or when he thinks he's being cheated out of something. Ron's not well off money wise but he seems to have jealousy problems and is quick to anger. But he was my first friend…yet he can be insufferable at terms as can Hermione, our friend. She's always nagging us to do our homework and dan't stand losing at anything. I don't know why she is so desperate to prove herself or has to be the best at everything. Professor Snape, my Potions professor called her an insufferable know-it-all last that. And Ron…he has a large family abs a lot of siblings…five older brothers and a younger sister. I like Mrs. Weasley, she's always kind to me, but she can be overbearing and loud…smothering at times. It makes me uncomfortable when she hugs me and I can't help…I can't help feeling envious that Ron and Hermione have loving families and my relatives hate me."

"If they do not believe you didn't do as you said, then they are not worthy to be called your friends Mister Potter. As for your former professor…he should not be allowed to be around children with his attitude. As for your friend that is prone to anger and jealousy, perhaps he feels overshadowed. Children in large families…there will always be a favorite and least favorite. It is not easy being one of numerous children and having to live up to their reputation or the pressure. To do well and know even if you do something amazing, one of your family has already done so. You feel inadequate…unloved…worthless. Having a famous friend…people always gravitate to that person and wanting to be around them, leaving the friend or friends in shadow, feeling like they don't matter. It is possible he feels jealous of your fame and so acts rashly. As for your other friend, sometimes insecurity leads to one wanting to be the best or perfect, so they seek solace in learning which leads to pushing others away and being socially awkward."

They landed several hours later outside a hamlet of a few homes, leading their hippogriffs by the reins to a stone barn in the distance, there being a cluster of wood and stone barns. "We can stay here for the night," said Romanov. "Even magical beasts need rest. Make yourself comfortable Mr. Potter. I shall see about procuring a meal. Is there anything in particular you would like?"

"No Headmistress."

"Very well," said Romanov. "Unsaddle the hippogriffs and remove the bags please." She left Harry after telling him there were extra blankets and beds were always made up in the barn for visiting travelers. Harry listened to her boots crunch over the snow which faded into the distance. Harry then turned to look over the barn, finding there were twin-sized beds already made barring extra blankets.

He then turned to the two winged horse-eagle hybrids and bowed low, hoping they would acknowledge him because he had no clue what to do if they didn't bow other than to back away. Hagrid had never said at all. After a few minutes the pair of hippogriffs bowed and he moved to undsaddle them but having never worked with a saddle before, Harry had some difficulty figuring out where the girth strap was to undo, let alone the reins. He had never ridden horses before, the Dursleys not allowing it since Dudley wasn't interested in anything but beating up his cousin and younger kids. Figuring it out by going slowly, he set the saddles and bridles aside before heading to one of the beds and sitting down. The bed was more comfortable then he expected, the teen wondering what was happening at Hogwarts and then wandered to what Koldovstoretz would be like. Looking at Hedwig's cage, he saw the owl was disgruntled by the traveling and hooted at him, Harry wondering if it were okay to let her out.

Dinner was a quiet affair, Hedwig flying out to hunt as Harry was questioned about his electives at Hogwarts. He learned that other wizarding schools only allowed Divination as a class to those proven to have the sight as it could not be taught and prophecies in general were fickle things that may not come true and shouldn't be taken as fact. "We have several electives but your interests will be tested at school," said Romanov. They spent the night in the barn and then headed out at dawn, Romanov racking up the hippogriffs and securing her student's belongings. They then flew for several hours arriving at mid-morning. As they descended to the ground, Harry could see a large castle resembling something out of a fairytale rising from the frozen earth, the air freezing. He could see a lake shimmering beneath them with lawns falling down towards the lake, mountains and hills in the distance. Some students mingled outside, looking up at the pair of hippogriffs, students that came rushing towards the landing hippogriffs and their riders. "Welcome to Koldovstoretz."