Leaving for Russia
Mordred rounded up his house once more and checked if he left any essentials for his trip. Months prior to that day, he received a letter from the Wizarding University stating that he landed a spot on the University's Batch of 2090. He wasn't expecting the sudden turn of events, given the problems that was thrown his way but he was thankful that he has something to do for the next 4 years, aside from sulking and contemplating his life.
He has argued many times with his father that he wants to pursue a career as an Auror. It would have been an easy negotiation if it weren't for his mother mother's death as an auror. Aldrich was deeply scarred by the incident, and has gone protective of their only son, Mordred. Being the understanding young man that he is, he considered his second passion which was the study of dragons. It can be noted that former professor William Williamson had a big impact on him, thus giving him a second option to study and master Magical Creatures. Mordred thought that if he pursue that path, he will be in a win-win situation with his father. Aldrich will not worry about his son's safety that much, and Mordred will get the adrenalin and action from studying dragons.
The former Slytherin, and Durmstrang graduate picked up his admission letter from the Wizarding University, and his NEWT results from the Scandinavian Ministry for Education.
Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Test Result
Scandinavian Ministry for Education
for
Mordred Alexander Mordaunt née Black
Durmstrang Institute
Ancient Runes = Exceeds Expectations
Charms= Exceeds Expectations
Defense Against the Dark Arts = Outstanding
Magical Creatures = Outstanding
Potions= Outstanding
Transfiguration=Outstanding
Mordred grinned at his result, and wondered if Sophie would be disappointed with his Exceeds Expectations result in Charms. He knew he did well, but he believes that only a few good wizards and witches can snag the elusive outstanding mark. He can accept that he's not good enough with Charms, but he's rather proud of his other achievements.
WIZARDING UNIVERSITY
St. Petersburg, Russia Campus
Mr. Mordred Alexander B. Mordaunt
Durmstrang Institute
Scandinavia
Dear Master Mordaunt,
I am delighted to inform you that the Wizarding Committee on Admissions has voted to offer you a place in the Wizarding University, St. Petersburg Class of 2090. Following a very old Wizarding University tradition, a certificate of admission is enclosed.
On behalf of the Rector, Professor Viktor Grigoriy Germogen Sokoloff, VII and the rest of the staff of the university, please accept our sincerest congratulations for your outstanding achievements.
This year, we had a handful of student that applied for admission to the entering class of the University. Faced with more talented and highly qualified candidates than it had room to admit, the Admissions committee took great care to choose wizards and witches with exceptional character as well as unusual academic and extracurricular strengths. The committee is convinced that you will make important contributions during your university years and beyond.
I very much hope that you will decide to join us at WU- St. Petersburg. We have enclosed a statement regarding your choice of program, and the university's opportunities which might be helpful to you in making your final choice. Whatever your decision may be, you have my best wishes for every future success.
Sincerely,
Sevastian Gennady Yemelyan Pasha Popov, IV
Dean of Wizarding Admissions
Wizarding University
St. Petersburg, Russia
Noted:
Yevgeny Nestor Kenya Markovic
Dean
School of Crptozoology & Magizoology
Mordred sat on his bed, re-read his admission letter and sighed. There were exciting things ahead for him, and he need not worry about his future. "Okay then. Not an Auror…but I will make sure I become one hell of a Dragonologist." He thought, shook his head and eyes his packed bag. After all the things that happened to him, he was glad that his life still had direction.
Mordred stuffed his letters, and muggle passport and plane ticket in his jacket's inner pocket stood up and grabbed a clean sheet of parchment, his old ink well and quill.
Dearest Sophie,
I know it hasn't been days since we last talked, but I felt the need to write to you right away. How was your first day as a senior? I hope the young ones aren't giving you trouble, not that you're a prefect or a head girl, but I know what it's like to co-exist with a child. Ethan is doing fine, if you're going to ask that. I just got an owl from him, complaining about Durmstrang weather, but he arrived in school safe, sound and dry. Thank Merlin.
I did not get the chance to tell you this, since the train seemed to be in a hurry to get you all in Hogwarts, but I'm leaving for Wizarding University. I got accepted in WU's St. Petersburg campus and will be majoring in Cryptozoology. Hopefully this will land me a job in the Ministry as a Dragonologist, like Professor Williamson. I figured that I should spend more time mastering the ways of a dragonologist than hit the job head on without a background.
I know you will be needing all the time now to study for your NEWTs, so I will be saying good bye for now. Owl me back as soon as time permits you.
I lov I miss you.
~Mordred
He paused and re-read his letter again and summoned Xchylar. "I'll be in Russia by the time you get back here." He told Xchylar as he neatly folded the parchment. "I'm afraid you have to hunt your own food when you get back…and follow me to St. Petersburg." It wasn't a request, but rather a command. "Make sure Sophie gets it, okay?" Mordred got up with Xchylar perched on his forearm and headed towards his bedroom window. "Fly safe, Xchylar. And thanks." The young man gently rubbed the owl's wing with his finger. Xchylar gave a satisfied "Hooo!" and flew. Mordred watched until his owl was just a small speck in the night sky, he turned around and eyed his toy dragon model hanging from his bedroom ceiling.
"Dragon Lord doesn't seem so bad. In fact, it sounds better than 'Auror'." He smirked and looked around his old room one more time. "Who would have thought that I'll miss this place?" Mordred stuffed his hands inside his pockets. "Calen!" his personal house elf appeared with a tiny pop and bowed down to him. "Master?" The young man grinned at the sight of his first...and life-long house elf. "I will be going now. Clean up the house once in a while, and look after dad if he comes home. Make sure that the whiskeys are kept hidden and secret." He doesn't want his father getting drunk all the time, especially if he's not around. "Yes master. Is there…anything else?" Calen looked up at Mordred with sad eyes as he drew his tiny hands behind him, waiting for his master's orders. "That will be all, Calen. Oh and don't be ridiculously sad, I'll be home before you know it." Mordred grinned and shook his head at his loyal house elf, picked up his bag and headed out for the door.
"Muggles are pretty strict with time, Mordred. It's best that you get going." Aldrich, Mordred's father stood in the middle of their mansion's foyer, hands stuffed inside his pockets, looking up at him grinning. Mordred returned the grin and made his way down towards his father, with Calen in tow. "If there was something important Ethan taught me, it would be promptness with muggle schedule." Given that he cannot apparate with his current situation. He'd need perfect visualization of the country to apparate successfully, but since it was going to be his first time to see Russia, Aldrich suggested that Mordred take the muggle plane first. "Will you be all right?" Aldrich asked his only son, placing his hand on his shoulder. He still can't believe that Mordred was once a 12-year old heading off to Hogwarts for the first time, and now he was going to Wizarding University in Russia to continue his studies as a young adult. He knew that his son wasn't showing it, but he was nervous as hell.
"I will be fine, dad. I will owl you once in a while." Mordred grinned and assured his father. "An owl once in a while would be good. And if you need anything…" "Dad, I will be okay. I promise." Mordred smiled at his tired father. "Will you be okay?" he asked. "Seeing that Calen is just behind you, I assume that you have already given orders to him. He is one loyal house-elf so you need not worry about me." Aldrich placed both of his hands on Mordred's shoulder and pulled him into one of his rare hugs. "I am so proud of you, Mordred. I'm sure your mom is too." Mordred hugged back and closed his eyes trying his best not to get too emotional at the mention of his late mother. "I will miss you, son." Aldrich pulled back, and ruffled Mordred's hair—another rare gesture, and most probably the last time he will do it, since his son is nearing his twenties already. Mordred smiled and let his father ruffle his hair. "I will miss you too, dad. I promise to write every time." Mordred flattened his hair, as his father smacked his son's back. "Come on. You can't miss the plane." Both father and son, slowly walked towards their house's door and headed for the airport.