A/N
Not my best work. I have been rushing the plot along a little, but I had to get all my people then get them all to Durmstrang. Also I like to flesh out my characters instead of just listing out their traits and how they look. So this should be my last wordy paragraph. Also please read the last authors note because my first part is important.
There will be 2-3 more people introduced next chapter. And could be more if people don't participate.
Ellie POV
The boat was magnificent. It had a strange skeleton look to it. With red and gold accents painted on the rails. If I had to guess it was modeled after a 16th century Spanish galleon, but of course it was completely magical. I mean a regular boat couldn't just come out of the middle of the Lake outside Hogwarts. But this double massed boat came towards school at the break of dawn, to pick us all up. 22 students were leaving Hogwarts and entering Durmstrang, 3 didn't want to go, that thought didn't even occur to me. I mean cowardice isn't in my nature, I may be awkward and weird, but I would never cower from a challenge. Before I knew it we were boarded.
Under the main deck there was a big common room and all my classmates sat around this table on couches. The table had this weird eagle symbol on it; it was the same one on the sails of the ship- so I reckon it's the crest of Durmstrang. The room had a fireplace and the cackles it made were the only sound in the room for a solid 3 minutes. Then the sound of gurgling bubbles was heard as the boat sank down and we started our 5 hour journey to Durmstrang.
The 4 couches were in a square around the table with a lot of my classmates squished together. There was an awkward silence as we all just stared at this table. I naturally didn't mind the silence.
Finally Sinead spoke up, "well we probably won't stick together at the school if we're trying to fit into different groups, and so this may be our last time together… Hanging out."
Campbell rolled her eyes, "it's not like we hung out before."
Everyone looked very surprised while Sinead looked like a combination between insulted, confused and ashamed, "well that was um… honest. In fairness you never really tried to…"
"Yeah okay… but lets not kid ourselves you know nothing about me or anyone else who isn't in you're precious friend group. So can we not pretend that we are a team here," Campbell said passive aggressively. There was another awkward silence.
Christian leaned forward and said softly. "I know you Campbell. You got this old cat with patchwork fur, that scares the shit out of my owl…" Campbell cracked a smile and looked at her fingers as Christian kept talking, "and you're just as rubbish at flying as I am. I mean I can't stay in the air without panicking but you can't stay in the air without falling so were on the same boat."
Everyone laughed and Gene threw in, "yeah but it looks cute when she does it! You look pathetic Christy!"
Christian exaggerated a fake laugh as he threw a pillow at Gene, but everyone else laughed.
Christian put his hands up in surrender, "you know how to cut me to my core."
Gene laughed and then turned to me. "Hey Ellie, sweetheart, this may be the last time we are in a ship together… there are bedrooms… you thinking what I'm thinking?" I could tell he was making fun of me.
Sinead was about to jump to my defense but I thought I could handle it, "my response is usually never say never but for you, dear Gene, I will make an exception."
There was oohing and awing, Athena gave me a high five.
Gene stuck his tongue out at Athena who batted her eyes obviously and smiled. He then smiled and said, "I've been rejected completely quite a few times actually 50% of the time. But thanks to you Ellie now I've been rejected more than 50%. You have completely shot my ego."
Athena laughed loudly, "The only thing bigger than your ego is Sinead's trust fund."
"Hey!" Sinead and Gene said at the same time then turned to each other and yelled jinx!
Campbell then reached into her bag. She pulled out a bag of chocolate. They were Magic Animal Sweets.
"So you eat these candies and they make you sound like random animals or things…" Campbell said kind of shy but she looked at Gene hoping for a reaction. "I don't know I thought they could be fun, to pass the time…"
Gene jumped up before anyone else could even process the information, grabbed one and ate it. There was a second and then he started barking like a small dog.
Christian roared with laughter.
"So help me god Christian if you eat one of those," Sinead laughed as Christian grabbed one. He suddenly scooted really close to Sinead, right up to her ear and started hissing like a snake. She pushed him off giggling but he kept trying to lean in to hiss more. Athena immediately grabbed one and brought the attention off them and onto her.
We played this the whole way until the boat surfaced again. Everyone jumped up and rushed to the main deck as the ship was sailing on water towards infinite darkness.
I looked up at the myriad stars that dotted the inky canopy. A low waning gibbous moon hovered tenuously in the twilight ferment bestowing a very dim light upon the boat that reflected on the surface of the water. The water was so still and smooth, that it reminded me of glass. The only break being our boat and the occasional drifting piece of ice.
I then felt a blanket over my shoulders. It was Gene. "You were shivering," he muttered before putting the other one in his hand over Athena's shoulders. She leaned against him as he put his arms around her. She didn't flirt with him like the other guys. I felt if she didn't care about him then nothing could be crueler.
And then we reached a dock. An old man with a lantern, who didn't speak English, waved us and without checking if we were okay or getting our luggage started walking into the darkness. All we could see was the bobbing yellow light getting dimmer and dimmer.
"Better get walking then," Sinead said and with that we all followed.
Gene POV
The school looked so much different then Hogwarts as we neared. It was spooky. Like the castle of Dracula that was described in the books that no one else around here read, a classic novel for muggles. I was assured I'd get through the door despite being muggle born, the ministry put on some jinx to allow us through unbeknownst to the headmaster or anyone at the school.
We were told this in addition to a bunch of other bits of 'life saving information' like our backstory. Hogwarts, at least the story everyone in Durmstrang is concerned, was contaminated by flesh eating bugs and until such time as the cure is invented the students were dispersed into a variety of other wizarding schools.
Even though we could see the castle now the trek up was long, tedious and very steep. All of our robes were being held tightly against our faces to protect our skin from the blistering cold and chaffing wind. I've never felt such a chill. I don't know if it was the weather or the thought of approaching murderers but I was terrified and it had seeped down to my bones.
Finally we reached the castle. Without a word we were lead up and through some doors. The torches that lit the hallway spread light onto a variety of portraits of men, not women, all dressed in fur with impressive beards. Then suddenly we were thrust into a room with students staring at us. It was there grand hall.
There were 5 tables, with food already served. From the looks of it, the meat could possibly get up and walk because it looked so raw and uncooked. And there didn't seem to be many other options then meat. My mother, a vegetarian, would starve here.
The students all looked similar with deep read pants and shirts with fur draped over their shoulders. They looked bigger than we did, stronger, angrier and had darker features. Plus almost every guy looked bearded… Maybe not the 11 year olds but 15 and over, all had well groomed dark beards on their faces. They all stared menacingly at us as we looked back at them blankly.
The headmaster had on all black robes, with a black fur hat. He had a pointy beard and even though put a welcoming foot forward he didn't want us here. It was as obvious as day. His words said welcome, but if he was behind the murders no doubt we'd be next on the hit list.
"velcome students of 'Ogwarts. It is our pleasure to host you vwile your school is being put back to restore. Ve 'ave already put your name in our fire, and ve know vwitch ouse you belong. Come up and find your name, matched with the pin. That pin must be worn at all time so ve know vwhere you belong."
With that we all inched forward, slightly pushing the person in front of us in order to move. I saw my name on a brown pin with blue writing. The top showed a crest of a boar with the name Bucklehorn. So I'm in the aggressive, bullying house? Slightly embarrassed I picked it up.
I saw Sinead and Christian pick up the orange pin of Kryslins, typical Christian getting the rich and connected house. If my life was as easy as his… well I don't know what I would do, but I wish it were. Campbell picked up the Black and red of Xanderin, Ellie picked up the green and gold of Pepperpit and sure enough Athena had Clavinheart. Athena had Clavinheart? She's not that smart!
I shot her an amused look but she just smiled back proudly and fastened it to her robes. People were staring at her, per usual. Except here I wasn't okay with it. At home I get it, but it doesn't matter because I'm her favorite guy, but here I felt like putting my arm around her and blind every male in the room.
We were shooed to our tables. In order to put on a face of bravery I pushed back my shoulders and walked to the table. I must've been the smallest guy there. No one scooted over, so I pushed a first year out of the way (mean, but I had to fit in) and sat down with other Hogwarts kids put in this house. They weren't my friends but we all came from the same place and they were my family here.
Sinead POV
Kryslins was the most pompous table in the hall. There was little laughter and they had this righteous attitude, which I couldn't understand. Honestly my family is probably more well off then half of theirs and I'd hate myself if I acted like that. I noticed we were the only table with tablecloth and multiple forks and silverware. Christian and I sat down next to some people at the middle of the table. Down the table I saw what seemed to be the leaders. I could guess who Caleb was.
Next to Caleb was a girl who looked so fierce that I felt scared to look at her. But then I realized that I'd have to befriend her to get to the top so I studied her to the best of my ability. She had black hair, like most people here, that consumed her entire being with curls. It seemed fierce and wild yet intentional. Her eyes were a dark color that I couldn't make out from a distance and her skin was tan, like everyone else here. At Hogwarts I was considered very pale, but it wasn't bad because everyone was pale. Now I'm virtually transparent. That didn't stop people from staring.
As I entered the common room there was fur everywhere. Rugs of fur, the walls had skins of various animals, and every single couch had blankets of fur draped across the back. A banner of orange and white was across the fireplace and a large tapestry of a man holding a fox was on the far wall. I assumed he had something got to do with the history of the house.
I sat in an armchair hoping someone would talk to me. But everyone skirted around me like I had he plague. Christian sat on the floor up against my legs staring at the fire. We just sat here, not talking until 2 students sat across from us. Caleb and the girl.
Caleb, unlike everyone else he had blonde hair and was not particularly tall or strong. Other than that he fit the bill. Tannish skin, dark eyes and fierce looking facial features. He had an air of arrogance and self-righteous to him, as if he knew he was better than everyone else here.
"So what families are you from? Kryslin is the smallest house for a reason. Only certain families can get it and I didn't know we accepted the British," Caleb asked almost spitting the word 'British' as if we were scum. For some reason Caleb only stared at me while saying this. Looking at me with those calculating eyes. I looked right back at him trying to show no fear despite my increasing heart rate.
"My father is an O'Corbain…"
Caleb kept staring at me with a smile of amusement as he noted, "dragons. I believe that's how your family came upon their money initially. Scottish descent if I had to guess. How about your mother?"
What? How did he know that? Did Caleb just study other family histories as a pastime? I felt my voice shake, but Christian put a comporting hand on my foot as he continued leaning against my legs. "Maclour…"
"Your father side is what got you in here. Maclours' are powerful but not even in the same league. Interesting… And what about you?" Caleb asked menacingly finally putting the attention of Christian.
I felt bad that Christian was sitting on the floor staring up at Caleb but it didn't seem to bother him. "Coopers."
Caleb nodded appreciably and looked at the girl, "Quidditch. Puddlemere United. Your father played on the English team, as did you grandfather and every other Cooper. Your ancestors were part of the rule making team that started the sport, so I must thank you for that. I love Quidditch you see, and without Coopers I'd never get to enjoy that pastime." Before anyone could say anything he looked at the girl, "your cousin plays in England. He lost to Puddlemere United last weekend. It was a shame, but he was put up against a superior team."
She nodded appreciatively, "Interesting," she looked at us. "So now we know your last name, but what is your first?"
Christian walked on his knees over and put out his hand to the girl, "I'm Christian."
The girl looked uneasily at Caleb as Caleb shook Christian's hand first. "We have a policy here. You shake my hand before my lady's."
Christian looked confused and to be honest I was insulted, before I could stop myself, "that's not how people do it in England or really anywhere else…"
"We have certain rules here," Caleb answered slightly amused and patronizing.
Christian just chuckled, "well I like it. Old school. Manners. We should bring this back to Hogwarts!"
Christian was covering my mistake but Caleb laughed, as did the girl next to him. I felt a sting in my shin as Christian elbowed me- watch it- he meant. "So what are your names?"
Caleb introduced himself again and shook Christian's hand then mine.
"This is my girlfriend. Taylor Annika Dimir the third," he said holding her hand and putting it softly in Christian's. Christian kissed it softly and smiled up at her. Her cheeks blushed to the color of her bright red lipstick. It took all my will power not to laugh as Christian, doing nothing, made a girl weak in the knees. I guess his looks work outside of England too.
I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable at Caleb looking at me. "Want to take a walk?" I heard him say. He was looking at me… not Taylor. Taylor didn't seem fazed by this but Christian's eyes opened widely in caution.
"Maybe another night," I replied as nonchalant as possible. "I think it's time for bed."
There was no way I would go on a walk with a murderer alone. Luckily after traveling all day I had a good excuse.
"Come with me, I will show you where to sleep," Taylor said getting up. When we were alone, she turned to me rather viciously. "I want you to understand something. I don't care how you lived in Pigpimples-"
"-Hogwarts" I corrected.
"Whatever. You are not to bring your ways here. We have a balance here, and if that is thrown off by some foreign ways of living so help me, ending you will be the last thing I do." Her eyes were trained angrily on me and her hair seemed to make her taller and bigger. She was intimidating, but I wasn't easily scared.
"You'd kill me? For changing a school," I asked trying to make light of her threat.
"Durmstrang is a foundation for the future. It doesn't matter how well you do here, what your grades are or anything. Once you are put in a house that is where you stay the rest of your life. It is an unsaid truth, so don't you dare change it."
"Ok- I understand," I replied mocking a fearful tone. "I will act how you want me to act."
"Perfect," she said as her lips curled into a devious grin. "And do what you want with Caleb. I don't care, because on his wedding day I will be walking up the aisle. We are promised to one another since I was born. You can screw around with him, but don't get attached. For your own good…"
And with that she turned, giving me a face full of her hair and marched to the right towards the girl dormitory. After a few seconds I followed her, found my bed and slept. Actually that's a lie. I laid there terrified for hours, before sneaking into Christian's room.
His bed was directly next to Caleb. I tried being as quiet as possible as I snuck into his bed with him.
"Sinead?" he grunted in his sleepy voice.
"I just want to be with someone familiar. So shut up and don't touch me," I said to him. We both rolled over so we were back to back. I felt like I did when I used to sleep in my dad's bed as a kid, Christian was more of a brother than father but it all felt the same. Just hearing his steady breathing and feeling the warmth radiating off his back reminded me of another time, another place…
Christian POV
First day, first class. My schedule read Charms and I had a quick moment of panic when I realized I had no idea where that was. I half remember Sinead lying with me last night, but it was definitely a dream or she'd be here now. Caleb had already left for class, so I trekked off on my own and asked random passerby's for direction. Judging from the amount of times I passed the same portrait- they were continuously giving me wrong directions.
Occasionally I spotted the pale skin of one of my Hogwarts colleagues, but I kept to myself until I saw Ellie. Her long hair fell against her ribs as she weaved through the crowd whilst holding all her books. Most of us 'outsiders' were stared at but no one seemed to notice Ellie. I finally caught up to her.
"Hey Ell. Where ya heading?" I asked catching my breath.
"Charms…"
"Brilliant, me too. I'm completely lost though. Are you?"
"I've already walked the school and found all my classes," she replied nonchalantly
"When?!"
"Last night."
"After curfew? Ms. Boyce I never realized you were a trouble maker," I laughed. She looked slightly ashamed so I put my arm around her, "I always knew you were a rebel! Lead the way!"
When we arrived a couple dark haired students were walking in, but we decided to wait at the front to introduce ourselves to the teacher and get seated.
As more and more students walked in I saw a girl who looked nothing like the others. She was probably paler than I was, and a hell of a lot shorter.
"I didn't know 3rd years could go in 6th year classes," I muttered to Ellie in order to make my friend laugh.
"Excuse me?" came from behind me. It was the girl. Her wavy blond hair looked so foreign in the crowd, being a golden blonde in a sea of dark hair.
"Sorry," I laughed. "I was just…"
She had her hand on her hip angrily, just like my mother did. "I thought you Hogwarts kids were trying to make friends here?"
"Listen, I…" started trying to ease the tension. No point in having enemies. Then the extremely tall professor marched into the class and she scurried off.
We introduced ourselves, and were assigned seats. I was given seat G5.
I walked up past all the other students in the lecture hall until I saw row G. I looked down and sure enough there she was.
As I sat down, she not only rolled her eyes, but snorted… she snorted at me!
Class began and she started scribbling down virtually everything he said rapidly. I listened, but the temptation to ruin her productivity was too good.
"You know, I heard being shorter actually has its advantages…" I began still looking forward at the teacher but talking out of the side of my mouth so she could hear. She stopped writing and trained her eyes on me, but I kept my eyes in front, "easier to get through a hallway, you don't have to bend as much to pick something up, probably more balanced so harder to push over…"
She started looking forward too, but mumbled back, "Well since you are so much taller then pushing you over should be easy. Want to know a perk of having a nose as crooked than the ministry?"
I probably should inquire about the corruption of their government, it could help me with my mission but I decided to ask about that later and continue playing along. "Let me guess… It helps me deter some of the many women who fancy me, makes me recognizable… I'm really stuck, but do tell me," I retorted looking at her.
Green eyes. I don't know how I didn't notice them earlier, but they were so pure. No other colors making an appearance, just this dark green color.
"Close, but I was thinking more along the lines that if you were punched in the face no one would notice," she smirked and met my eyes. There was a pause in our conversation as she looked at me. Green met brown and it was a contest. First to look away lost.
Unfortunately my will power subsided after a solid 3 seconds, "very true. Judging from your scarf I believe we are in the house. Can I get your name?" I asked trying to make the conversation less intense and show some formality, but when I glanced over she was just eyeing my face curiously.
When she realized what she was doing her creamy skin turned red, "Anissa. And you are…"
"Christian… Christian Cooper," I replied strongly putting out my hand to shake. She slid her small hand into mine. I didn't shake it just held it for about a second, until once again the moment was broken as the guy in seat G4 asked me to move so he could leave. She blushed again apologizing to the guy and letting him through, I chuckled and left. I was going to say something witty to her as I left, but she seemed so flustered that she missed the end of the lesson and was writing madly again to copy the board before it was erased I left without a word. Tonight I'd see her again and the next night and the next one.
A/N
Also once again I need a Beta! (Obviously) so if you know a good one, or you are a good one hit me up!
Due to a lot of people wanting to get in on this story I am going to start giving a character a role based on reviews. So if you don't review or just have a review like "good. Update soon." Your character will suffer. The reason behind this is I do this for enjoyment comes from yours. I have no idea where I'm going with the story and I didn't from the start. It comes to me as I write and my inspiration is from you.
So a good review should tell me how your character feels about the others or how you think they will feel in the future. Where you personally think the plot is going and additional stuff. I can tell when you put effort in and it is always very appreciated.
I have had over 30 submissions and more than half are for people wanting to be part of the Durmstrang crew. So if your character is mentioned then you are quite lucky. If yours isn't review please and let me know because I might be planning on using them or a space may open up.
