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Both Sides	By : ccino49 Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female Views: 10429 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 76
- 77
- 78
I do not own any of the characters or places from the Harry Potter books or films. They all belong to J.K. Rowling. All that is mine is Lou and the plot. I am not making any money from the writing of this story.

Both Sides.

Unbeta�d, all mistakes and lousy grammar are mine. Ccino

Also, I am sorry if my descriptions of Finland differ from any you know to be correct, and of my usage of the Finish language. The grammar and nouns etc are most likely very wrong. But hey, I�m doing my best and this is just a story. I�m taking what little I know and twisted it to suit my purposes. Any Finish nationals out there, please accept my apologies in advance. Ccino.

Chapter 77 A sleigh ride

At ten a.m. Thursday, Lou and Hermione, Severus, Albus, Minerva McGonagall and Rudolf Ervast stood in the Potion Masters living room.

Hermione looked excited, while Lou seemed devastated.

Of the four adults, only Severus Snape�s expression was one of detachment. Deep inside though he was distraught. His stomach roiled and his heart felt as though it was in a vice. It tightened more by the second at the thought of Lou being out of his reach.
Hermione chatted incessantly to Professor McGonagall, promising to write frequently and let the older witch know how she was doing.
A knock at the door brought each of them out of their reverie and Severus opened the door.
He was pushed aside as Harry, Ron, Stacy, Robyn, Bernie, Nichole and Anna barged in uninvited. For once, they didn�t care about repercussion, all they wanted was a chance to see their friends for the last time before they left.
�We�re sorry Professor, but we couldn�t let them go without saying goodbye.� Robyn said, looking up at her head of house.
Severus clenched his jaw, he could not bring himself to admonish the youngsters, at the same time, he wanted his last few moments with Lou to be private. However, they were here now and it would be selfish of him to turn them out after they�d risked his wrath to come here.
Ten minutes later Mr Ervast cleared his throat, garnering everyone�s attention. �I am sorry everyone, I know this must be difficult for you all but we really must be going now.
After more tears and hugs, the students finally left and Severus took Lou�s arm and pulled her into the bedroom, closing the door behind him.
�You had better behave yourself my girl.� He said, trying, but failing to sound stern. His voice cracked as he spoke so instead he held her close, placing his lips to the top of her head.
Lou cried softly, clinging to him as though her life depended on it.

�I will, I promise.� She said, her breath hitching with every word. �I love you.� She choked.
Severus released his hold a little and lowered his lips to hers, kissing her passionately, invading her mouth, tasting every corner as she leant into him, savouring each and every movement.
When they separated to draw breath, his eyes were wet. Lou crying openly as he led her back to the door.

�I love you too Mrs Snape.� He whispered, opening the door before she could respond.
The Potions Master avoided the gazes of the others as he placed Lou�s hand in Mr Ervast�s.

�I am trusting you with my wife Mr Ervast. With her life. Take care of her and do not let me down.� He said, then turned and left the dungeons, unable to bear it any more.
Lou watched him go, she understood why he�d left. �Love you.� She thought to him, then turned to the others. �I�m ready.�

Albus and Minerva gave the girls a last hug, shook hands with Mr Ervast and stood back.
Rudolf produced a length of rope, attached to it were three belts. �Apparition is more comfortable, but I do not believe you are ready for such long distance apparition yet Miss Granger. I also would prefer not to risk a side along apparition with Madam Snape here, it is an exhausting enough journey one ones own. This is our port key.� He said, holding up the belted rope. �Because of the distance we shall be travelling, I thought it wise not to rely on merely holding on. Even port keys can lose their magnetic properties on long distances. This way we will ensure we all arrive together.�

Ervast fastened the middle belt around himself while Lou and Hermione fastened one each around their own waists.

Lou was disgruntled about it, the belt bringing back too many unsavoury memories.
�Portus.�
A little over an hour later, Lou, Hermione and Mr Ervast arrived in front of a small building. Constructed entirely of wood, unimposing, with small windows and set amongst a row of similar structures. Each rooftop was covered in a thick layer of snow, once the three of them caught their breaths, the dizziness wore off, Lou, and Hermione looked round in awe.

Neither spoke as they stared in wonder at the deep snow, log cabins and a mix of muggle and obviously magical folk mingling and walking about as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
�I Finland we do not differentiate between magical and none magical. We are a very neutral state, as such, each person is accepted at his or her own merits. There is little obsequiousness as far as the upper classes are concerned. Here, we are all equal. Those who are better off will often help those who are not so fortunate. It is done discretely and without �pomposity, I believe that is the word you use.�
The witches listened to him, both in silent approval with the Finish ways, yet both still too awestruck to speak yet.
Ervast led them into the cabin. Inside was enormous, almost every surface a warm honeyed gleaming wood. Thick rugs were scattered about the floor and they took care not to stand on them in their wet boots as they followed Mr Ervast to a long counter set to the side of the large entrance hall.
�Mr Ervast. How nice to see you again. I have you interpretation charm here for a Miss Hermione Granger. Is that correct?� She asked in Finnish.
�It is, thank you Maria. I May I introduce Lady Louhi Melaina Nilsnen-Black-Snape. Also Miss Hermione Granger. They are to attend Karkias Academy together.�

Maria held out her hand and greeted the young witches.

Lou understood her perfectly while poor Hermione took the woman�s hand but had no idea what to say.
Maria smiled and placed the translation charm over Hermiones neck. She waited a moment for the charm to take effect then spoke again. �Welcome Miss granger, I hope you enjoy your stay in Finland. This is the Finnish Ministry of Magic, should either of you have any problems that the academy cannot solve for you, please feel free to contact us at any time and we will be only too happy to help.�
�Thank you. Thank you very much.� Hermione answered, a big smile on her face.
Two men entered the reception and Maria beckoned them over.

�This is Onni and Urho. They will be your guides to the academy Onni and Urho are Sami peoples. The journey from here must be taken on foot and Sami are the only ones capable of ensuring you arrive safely.�
The two men bowed curtly, first at Maria and Mr Ervast, then at Lou and Hermione.
�Come.� Urho ordered, turning and heading for the exit.
The girls looked at Mr Ervast, unsure as to whether they should follow these strange men or not.
�You are perfectly safe with Urho and Onni. The Sami are a coarse people, but honourable. They will guard you with their lives if necessary. Go, and begin your new lives. Goodbye Madam Snape, Miss Granger.�
They hesitantly followed the first Sami out the door, looking back to Mr Ervast as they went. Onni followed up the rear.
Once outside however they were delighted to find a sleigh waiting for them. �Wow. Proper reindeers. I thought that was just fairytale stuff.� Lou said, grinning at Hermione.
�Me too.� She whispered. Still, it beats portkeys. Come on, I can�t wait for the ride.�

They scrambled in excitedly and the Sami covered them with furs, tucking them in and climbing onto the seat up front.
�Menna.� (Go) Onni shouted. A quick flick of the reigns and the reindeer set off.
�Oh this is fantastic Hermione. Wait till we write and tell the others about it. Bernie�s gonna be so jealous.� Lou giggled.
Hermione opened her mouth to reply but before she could, Onni shouted �Kiitaa.� (Fly)
Instead, she screamed, her eyes widening as suddenly the reindeer took to the air, pulling the sleigh up with them.
�Oh my Gods. We�re flying. Just like father Christmas.�
They sat in silence for the rest of the journey, peering over the sides at the scenery below. Long stretches of white were interspersed with small towns, scattered lodges and large cities. Vast areas of domestication covered the landscape for miles and miles.

At one point Lou leaned so far over the side that Urho grabbed her roughly and pushed her back into the seat.
�Huono. Huono.� (Bad) He yelled at her. �Tuki

Istualtaan.� (Stay sitting)
Lou paled when he shouted at her, but she did as he said and stayed in her seat, not daring to move again.
�I think he was frightened you�d fall out.� Hermione whispered.
�Yeah, but did he have to be so �I dunno, loud? He scared the living daylights out of me.�
�Parantaa kuin laskeva, ja kuolama.� (Better than falling, and death.) Urho said sharply.
�Yeah, sorry.� Lou said shamefacedly.
Urho actually graced her with a smile at her comment and she felt a bit better thinking he wasn�t about to beat her with the long whip he was brandishing about.
After what felt like a lifetime to both witches, Onni shouted �Alaspain.� (Down) To the reindeer and they found themselves dropping at an alarming speed towards dense forest.
Both girls froze in their seats, gripping tightly to each other while Onni and Urho laughed loudly at their reactions.
Just as it seemed they would crash into the treetops, the sleigh levelled out and glided, skimming over the tops of the trees and landing gently near a set of high, wooden gates.
As soon as they touched down, the gates opened and the reindeer ran through them, pulling the sleigh steadily closer to a, immense, white structure. It looked like a very big farmhouse, three stories high and quite new.
The sleigh came to a halt outside a plain wooden door and Onni and Urho jumped down to help Lou and Hermione climb out.
Both men bowed, gave brief smiles and climbed back into the sleigh.

With a shout of �Menna.� They were off, leaving Lou and Hermione on their own and somewhat stunned.
�Now what? Do we knock, or just walk in or what?� Lou wanted to know.
�Beats me. Maybe we should knock first. They could have at least waited until we were inside.� Hermione said, irritated.
Suddenly the door opened and a small, plump woman beamed down at them.

�Hello. You two must be Louhi and Hermione. Please, come in. I am Pinja, matron of Karakas Academy.�
They ran up the steps, eager to get out of the cold and grateful to see a friendly face.
Once the greetings were over, Pinja led them down a wide corridor, all the time explaining that Karkias was a small, but prestigious academy. The building itself was self-maintaining, always updating and modernising itself to fit in with the times and the needs of those housed in it.

�We also differ from other magical teaching institutions in as much as you are taught according to your ability, rather that your age.�

She led them into a room that was large and cosy at the same time. Though clearly an office, it had a warm homely feel about it.

�Professor Dumbledor has already provided me with your educational backgrounds, however you will still be given tests so we can evaluate you for ourselves. Contrary to popular belief, we do not discriminate against non royals.� This last was pointed in Hermione�s direction. �We do demand a high degree of respect and propriety. A certain amount of physical labour is included as part of our curriculum, we feel this helps promote humility as well as giving the body exercise. All labour is of a farming capacity, the funds raised from your labours go directly to aiding those less fortunate then ourselves. Each student is expected to put in one hour a day, including weekends to help this cause. The Sami people also help us, it is not slave labour. Merely a means to an end. Are you both willing to comply with our ways ladies?�

Both answered yes immediately.
�Good. Now, I assume you would prefer to share accommodations for the time being. A strange place and new faces can be quite daunting I know. Your Headmaster assures me you are good friends, if however, either of you decide at sometime time in the future you would prefer to have separate rooms, that is also acceptable. Karkias will provide them for you.�
Lou and Hermione jumped at the sudden knock at the door.
�Ah Tuuli. This is Louhi, and Hermione. Please show them to their rooms and help them settle in. I am sure they must also be hungry after their journey. They have transferred from Hogwarts.�
Tuuli smiled broadly at the two girls, greeted them and led them down another corridor, babbling excitedly and asking about Hogwarts. Tuuli had never been further than her father�s estate and the Academy and was eager to know about their culture. Everyone at Karkias had heard of the Famous Hogwarts, but none had ever been there.

Tuuli said she was fourteen. She started Karkias when she was seven, as did all the students. Even non-magical children started school at age seven in Finland.

Tuuli opened the door to another large room. The walls and floor were clad in whitewashed pine, two wardrobes, dressing tables and desks in a soft golden pine and deep claret blinds on the windows. Instead of the four-poster beds they were used to, instead they had twin beds with thick quilts, the covers the same deep claret as the blinds.
�Validus.� Lou cried when she spotted her owl waiting patiently on his stand near one of the beds.
A long yowl alerted Hermione to the fact that Crookshanks was also in attendance. He stood and stretched on the other bed before leaping into his mistresses arms. The cat purred while the owl hooted softly, preening Lou�s hair constantly.
�I shall leave you to freshen up and change into your uniform. We eat at twelve thirty so I will come for you at twenty five past.�

Tuuli left and the girls flopped heavily onto the beds.
�What do you think the uniforms are like?� Lou asked.
�I don�t know, that dress poor Tuuli had on was horrible.�

�I know. That dark grey dress, and the style of it was like something from the poorhouse. Just straight up and down to mid calf. Maybe her family hasn�t got much money. You�d think the academy would give her some decent robes after what the matron said.�
Hermione got up and went to the nearest wardrobe. �Oh Lou, look at this.� She pulled out a dress identical to the one Tuuli wore.
Lou shot up and opened her wardrobe. �Yuck. I�ve got seven of them.�

�Yeah, me too, and look at the boots. My granny had some like these.�

The boots were brown suede ankle boots with short zippers up the front centre.
�I know we have to learn humility, but this is ridiculous.�
They cheered up however when they inspected the bathroom.

�Wow, what�s this all about?�

�That Lou, is a sauna. I�ve been to one with my mum. They�re good for your skin, cleans all the pores.�
Hearing two pops they moved back into the main room.
�Kreach, Peg, you�re here. Where�s Laina?� Lou cried, her face lighting up.
�Laina is being kidnapped by Karkias elves. They is loving and spoiling her to death.� Peg told her with a grin.
�We�s been waiting days for you and the other miss to comes. Peg says we is to serve both of yous. I is say I not serving the mu ��

�Kreach don�t you dare say it. Hermione is my best friend. If you don�t treat her well you can go back to Hogwarts.� Lou told him sternly.
�I is pleased to be serving the Hermione miss.� Peg told Lou. �Is better, no slip ups like if my Kreacher is serves her.�
�Thanks erm �Pegnose is it. But really, I don�t need an elf.�

�All needs an elf miss. Specially here. All students has their own elf. Is best you have one too so yous same as them. I�s not bound to you but I�s serving you same as I serves Lou. But Peg is not wanting Galleons or clothes. Ever.� She added firmly. Peg knew all about Hermiones early attempts at freeing the Hogwarts house elves.
�Is it okay with you Lou?� Hermione asked.
�Of course. Anyway, I�ve found it doesn�t do to argue with them. They always win in the end.�
After showering and changing into the drab dresses and suede boots, they surveyed each other.
�Lou, you look like my gran.�
�Thanks. You looked in the mirror lately.�

Standing side by side, they approached the mirror, twin looks of horror on their faces before bursting into fits of laughter.
�I see you admire our uniforms then?� Tuuli said from the doorway, grinning from ear to ear. �Ready to eat?�
Tuuli led them back up the corridor, through another door and across a small courtyard to another door. �This is the dining room. Come summer though we mostly eat outdoors, everything is cooked outside too. I think you call them bar-b-ques, is that right?�
�Yeah, I didn�t know you had them here though.� Lou answered.
�Hello. I am Veli.� Said a tall young wizard. He had a cheeky face and a mischievous glint in his eyes as he greeted the two witches.
I am Mikko.� Another wizard. This one shorter, a pleasant face and quite handsome.
Satu.� A witch of around eight or nine introduced herself shyly.
Reet.� Another witch said.
One by one around a dozen witches and wizards introduced themselves. One particular wizard by the name of Vithori was insistent on following them everywhere, constantly at their side and brushing up against Lou or Hermione. When he first introduced himself, he kissed their hands, his lips lingering for just a second longer than was appropriate while his eyes roved appreciatively over them.
Lou had to wonder what there was to admire in these awful dresses. Still, they did not deter the young wizard. He made certain to sit between them both at lunch. Vithori was nineteen years old and planned to travel as soon as he completed his education. Although he was titled, a prince in fact, he held no airs or graces.
To Hermione he was just an over randy wizard who was doing his best to impress them both.

Lou thought he was handsome and felt quite flattered by his attention.

TBC
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ccino
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