August 1936.
Durmstrang Institute.
Gisela
Durmstrang Institute was the most beautiful place on earth. It was a beautiful castle, with white outer walls towering high into the sky, with beautiful blue turrets looking out across the landscape. It sat high on a hill, surrounded by mountains on three sides with the fourth looking out across a glistening lake that stretched out for miles. The lake contained many beautiful islands, as well as the Durmstrang ship that sat unattended in the harbour. Inside, however, the school portrayed a far darker theme. The walls were a deep red, with black and red tapestries covering the walls in the centre of the castle, and much of the castle was dimly lit with very few candles - because most of it was underground. However, above the ground, particularly around the edges where the enormous stained glass windows lay, the walls were traditional white stone, and the floors were beautiful polished wood, Gisela found her solace in the light. It was a hauntingly beautiful place. If Tom were here with her, she could truly call it home.
Professor Klaus had made sure she was comfortable, settling her into the first-year girl's dormitories. Unlike the English school, Hogwarts, Durmstrang didn't have houses as the founder believed that the school should stand 'united as one, rather than have petty rivalries that divide us'. Thankfully, she did not have to share a dormitory, as there was a choice between a small room of your own or sharing. Obviously, Gisela would take the opportunity to have a room twice as big as the one at the orphanage all to herself. She had unpacked what few belongings she owned, including a small photograph of her and Tom at the beach together when they were very young. Unfortunately, it didn't move like wizarding photographs. She placed the picture on her windowsill, right next to her view of the lake. She sat down at her little desk, dipping her unused quill into the expensive ink and began writing the letter she'd been meaning to write for weeks but was only now allowed to do so.
Dearest Tommy,
I miss you so very much. I pray to whatever god there is that you are well, despite being in that miserable hellhole. Durmstrang is paradise. I'm not allowed to describe its location, as per school rules, but it is the most beautiful sight of nature you could possibly imagine. The library is unbelievable and seems to stretch on for miles. I wish you could be experiencing this with me. I have my own room, twice as big as ours, with lots of nice clothes and sets of uniforms, all made from good materials - mainly velvet. The Wizarding World is very expensive, and without Professor Klaus I wouldn't have anything. Wizarding Berlin was incredible, and I imagine London would be quite the same.
Speaking of the Professor, he is my uncle.
I can imagine your face right now. I can reassure you; my father is still the bastard we assumed he was. In fact, he's the 'Most Wanted' man is Wizarding Europe. His name is 'Gellert Grindelwald' and is a dark wizard who wants to enslave the muggle world and kills anyone who disagrees with him. At least politicians have to suck it up when events don't go their way, instead of slaughtering them. I was right to assume he is indeed a wife-beater, although even Klaus knows nothing of my mother. No need to worry, however, I am perfectly safe, and Professor Klaus is all I want for a family in the Wizarding World. And you, of course. I don't need anyone but you. I'm sure that man wants nothing to do with me anyway.
Muggle Germany, Nazi Germany that is, was surprisingly not at all as bad as the British Newspapers make it out to be. I certainly didn't see starving orphans on my journey through the country. I must even admit that their uniforms are quite handsome. I know you are rolling your eyes, but it is true. No need to worry about German boys, however, I'm sure they're just as annoying as English ones like yourself. Stop pouting - I know you are.
I have to tell you about Hogwarts! There are four houses: Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Slytherin. Based on their qualities you are most certainly a Slytherin, Tom Riddle. It is in Scotland, and you take a train to get there. The Headmaster is called Professor Dippet. It is a grand castle, but it has fewer students than Durmstrang, most likely as it caters to fewer countries. Durmstrang doesn't have houses. So if you are not to join me, I'm sure you'll find a good enough home in Hogwarts.
From now on, I'm going to write to you in German, to test your skills, and I'll enclose some newspaper clippings in this letter. The owl will wait for you to write a letter in reply then return to me.
Always in my heart,
Gisela.
She sealed her letter and tucked it into an envelope, closed her ink and exited her room. She skipped through the empty corridors, headed the owlery in the southern tower's turret, where she found a long-distance owl to deliver the letter to her friend. It was black and regal, unlike some other owls who had a habit of biting.
She was on her way back from the tower when she came face to face with a Professor she had yet to meet.
"So you're the one Klaus brought back from England," he sneered, looking down at her over his square-shaped spectacles.
"I am," she smiled falsely, ignoring his rude manner, "may I ask your name, Professor?"
"Professor Ackermann, I teach duelling. You won't be taking that until the third year," he replied, his scowl not leaving his face. "Although, I assume someone not only a girl but also English, would perform poorly at the subject."
"I assume Uncle Klaus would beg to differ," she smiled again, with a sharper tone.
"What do you mean, Uncle?"
"Enough, Ackermann. Stay away from my niece and leave your sexist comments in Austria. We both know how many times my sister beat your arse," interrupted Klaus, rounding the corner and stepping between Gisela and the nasty teacher. The Professor looked between Klaus and the new little girl, biting back a retort to his co-worker and instead chose to pick on the girl.
"Best be aware, girl, any favourite of Grindelwald's is a least-favourite of mine," he sneered.
"Oh please, just because you want my job -"
"No arguing in my corridors, boys!" bellowed an older man, his voice echoing down the corridor. He was dressed very regally, with greying hair and a long hooked nose.
"Headmaster Schwarzburg," they both acknowledged, immediately straightening up to acknowledge their superior. He ignored both of them, eyes going to the little girl he had heard so much about.
"You know, Miss," he grinned kindly, "I have been separating brawls between these boys since they were eleven. Their rivalry is famous across Germany, mainly due to their inappropriate outward displays in front of the innocent children of the school, who are encouraged to pick sides. Can you imagine how annoying it is for me?" he exclaimed, speaking as though the men he spoke of weren't right in front of him.
"It reminds me, sir, of myself and a girl I used to go to school with. I finished the fight a few decades earlier than these two, however," she smirked, enjoying the sight of two grown men being scolded like babies.
"Any advice for the children bickering here?" he smiled, amused at the little girl's fiery attitude.
"Oh, I wouldn't know, I had the upper hand in that case, with the help of my brother who set snakes on her," she chuckled, thinking back to the look on Mary's face. She was an obnoxious little bitch who left the orphanage soon after, to everyone's relief.
"Perhaps I should take a leaf out of your niece's book, Grindelwald, and grow some guts," snarled Professor Ackermann, only for the Headmaster to raise his hand as a warning.
"This conversation is over. Please, try and contain yourself boys. I'm sure Miss Gisela here is perfectly capable of not following your example, but I've noticed other students have not. The last thing we need is Durmstrang standing divided in such tense times," he replied, throwing a knowing look at Klaus.
The older men both huffed like children but parted ways, and Gisela was left standing alone in the hallway with the headmaster. He was studying her, trying to glimpse into her mind, but found it locked tight. Remarkable, for such a young child.
"So, Miss Gisela, I heard we are not to call you Miss Grindelwald," he murmured, fascinated with the possible parentage of the child before him.
"I tend to keep to myself, sir, and I fear the name would draw unwanted attention," she confessed.
"Oh, no need to worry. I reassure you; I am fond of all the Grindelwald family. There is nothing to be ashamed of; I support the greater good," he replied and observed as she scrunched her nose up with distaste.
"I have no opinion on subjects I don't understand, sir, but I'd prefer not to talk about my past or associated with any member of that family except Professor Klaus. My only true family is my friend Tom, who is like my little brother, and it will stay that way," she replied, her eyes boring into him with a dark look. He was shocked that such a small child, who looked much younger than eleven, had such sharp eyes. He silently thanked Merlin for the girl's attitude towards her father.
"That is perfectly fine, Miss Gisela. Will we meet this Tom sometime in the future?"
"I highly doubt that - he is English. He will probably go to Hogwarts," she replied sadly.
"Oh, well I'm sure he will be well looked after by Professor Dumbledore," he responded.
"Isn't the Headmaster Professor Dippet?" she asked, frowning in confusion.
"Yes, of course, but I'm sure I heard somewhere that Professor Dumbledore looked after the new students. Now, I must be on my way. Feel free to continue your exploring; I'm sure it will be the only time you have the school all to yourself," he smiled fondly.
"I certainly will, Professor."
She left him to continue skipping down the corridor, her little red dress bouncing with every step. She headed for the library, that she had already begun to raid - if checking out ten books counted as raiding - and settled on her favourite circular windowsill in one of the very back corners, burying her head in a tome of wizarding fairy tales. After an hour, she was jolted out of her book by the sight of an unnaturally large bird with horse's legs swooping past the window. She had seen the creatures down by the lake but never up close, as she was forbidden to leave the castle until the school year started. Very soon, these halls would be filled with rich children with loving parents and spoilt childhoods. She prayed she wouldn't suffocate on their entitlement. She returned to her book, The Tales of Beedle the Bard, hoping she would make at least one friend who wouldn't resemble what she feared.