All right. I'm really pleased with this following chapter, and I believe it is the longest so far. Sorry about the cut off, or otherwise this chapter would have been possibly double the size.

I enjoy the reviews, so please keep them coming.

caz-jket – There is no mention in the books that Durmstrang is boys only. In fact, I think that there are girls there, because I can picture the Bulgarian women. They only do not allow muggle-borns (although Hermione changed that.) The movie has portrayed several things incorrectly, but that is because it is a movie. But thanks for this review. i lurv u. 3

Chapter Sixth – The Durmstrang Arrival

A month later and it was October First. There had been one Hogsmeade stop, where Hermione insisted that they get some warmer clothes; apparently it was very, very, very cold up North.

Krum had sent them a letter back and even Ron could agree that it was helpful. There were four floors, not including the basement (which had an underground lake,) and the third floor was all dormitories, one side being for the girls and the other for the boys. And if you attempted to go into the other genders' dormitory, you got shocked.

Apparently, wine was very popular. On special occasions, when the fires were lit, wine tables appeared, along with plates holding a different assortment of cheeses and crackers. The drinking age, much to Ron's approval, was much lower, around ten or so.

There were four Quidditch teams at the school, with the professors assigning players to any team. To allow the Hogwarts students a fair chance, decision making was to be held off until they got there.

The night before the one hundred students left (some of them including Ginny, Seamus, Dean, and even Luna) there was a big feast. Hermione insisted that they leave the festivities a little early and start packing; otherwise they would be rushing around to do it in the morning.

In the morning, they had received their robes back. They were now a dark red, with an 'H' as a patch and their names printed beneath. They're hats were also different: Instead of black and pointed, they were now red beanies. The four boys in their dormitory were loud that night and didn't get any sleep. Neville threw a fit about it.

Neville wasn't going because his grandmother didn't want to. Seamus suspected that Neville got seasick and couldn't handle the seas. Neville proceeded to toss a pillow at him and go back under the covers. "I'll be glad when you're gone," He had muttered.

The breakfast had been short; only crumpets and butter. The atmosphere was rather quiet; friends and family where leaving.

Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Luna walked outside together. Up ahead, they could see the tip of the Black Lake and nothing more. The five wondered what the ship would be like (Krum informed them that that was how they traveled,) and wondered how long it would take them to get there.

As they began to walk along the main deck, they noticed the crowd being pushed back a bit by Professor Mcgonagall. Several minutes later, as they neared, the top mast of the Durmstrang ship began to rise. Quickly.

There were many 'Oohs' and 'Ahhs' from the crowd. First the top beam and mast showed, follow by another one. . Then the top of the ship, a deck, another deck, and then the belly of the ship. The entire thing was sealed shut; no windows or doors were open, of course, until it reached full height (at least 100 feet, Harry approximated) and a large draw bridge opened.

The ship hoisted two main masts, each white with a brown 'D' attractively sewn in on them. The wood was dark brown, with red and black details and architecture on it. Imperial horses, serpents, and dragons were placed strategically on the sides of the ship and the railing was noticeably carved, even from Harry's standpoint.

Almost as soon as the draw bridge was level with the deck, troops of Durmstrang students marched out. In an eye-catching pattern, the group crisscrossed and split into two red lines, dancing in a small jig and spinning long walking sticks around, throwing them around and over to other students of their school. They wore their red robes with golden brown sashes, adorning their heads were the red beanies. After a moment, they were done with their entrance (although the ship itself was grand enough,) and separated, some standing on one side of the deck and the rest taking the other side. They face each other and raised their staffs, crossing them high above their heads.

A large man with a thick red beard and hair came out; wearing thick furs and carrying a jewel encrusted cane came rumbling out. The professors approached and awaited him. The two headmasters (he assumed the man was Bjorn Thwaite) shook hands and exchanged a few words, then Professor Thwaite bowed before the deputy Headmistress, Professor Mcgonagall and kissed her hand. She and some of the girls that would board the ship all blushed.

The man turned to Professor Sombra and took her hand, guiding her onto the ship. Severus apparently hung back, waiting for the rest of the students to board.

The group waited for their turn, and Harry felt very small walking under the ark of wood formed by the Durmstrang guys. Walking onto the ship, he nearly stopped in his movement. The ceiling was raised high; not Great Hall high, but high enough. There were students milling around, and some awaiting the others' arrival. A troop of some of the larger men went by; all wearing thick robes and gloves. Harry overheard Hermione whispering to Ginny, "They must be the crew."

Most of the floor consisted of stair ways going this way and that. The rest of the . . . deck consisted of ropes and levels, none of which he really understood. A girl with thick, curly blonde hair came over to them.

"Pleez come vollow me. Steek close. You," She paused, motioning two a few others, "Jhoin us."

With the five came along two fifth years from Hufflepuffs; with names he didn't know. Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson came along with them, much to Ron, Harry's, and apparently Malfoy, (due to Pansy clinging to him.) The large girl climbed one set of stairs, with the large group trailing behind.

"The treep vill be a good seeven ow-ers. If you weesh to rest, the staircase to your leeft will leed you to bedrooms. Girls on leeft, boys on raght. Same ghos vit deh school. Your luggage ees in the cargo hol' bee-low deh eentrance rahmp. That ees the bathrooms.

"You veel be served deener here in the dining hall, neer seex o chlock." She said, passing a long room. A door was cracked open a bit and there they could see several tables and chairs. "Al-coh-hal weel be zerved, but pleez drink lie-oitly. "Ear we have a stoodying chamber, eef you weesh to get caught up on work. Ours ees much like Hogwarrts."

"An' ear ees the lounguh. Eef anyone ees dueling, be wise and dun stan' in they-are way. Good day."

"An' ear ees the lounguh," Draco snickered as she walked away. He shook Pansy off. "I'm going to rest."

"Ooh, can I rest with you?" She fluttered her eyelashes. Harry wanted to gag. Apparently, so did Draco.

Draco looked at her seriously. "Girls on leeft, boys on raght." He turned away from her and headed for the dormitories. As he closed the door, Harry watched as Pansy glanced around, and then followed him. She grabbed the doorknob and was then thrown back by a magical force. Everyone who witnessed it was laughing. Pansy grumbled and got up, then marched off.

"The wine table," Harry whispered to Ron as they walked, "It'll be on the wine table."

"Won't that be a little obvious?" Ron asked. He did have a point, there wasn't going to be a note just randomly lying there.

"Yeah . . . I guess you're right. I'm sure it's that wine table though."

"What? Is it your writer? Harry! I thought you were going to do them by yourself!" Hermione frowned, turning to them. Ginny and Luna continued walking on, Ginny going to hit on some Bulgarian guy with Luna as her companion.

"I am . . . Ron's just helping a little," Harry shrugged.

"Yeah. S'not like I really understood any of them, anyway." Hermione raised her eyebrows.

"And how many of them did you read!"

"Just like one or two." Ron shrugged. "Geez, it's just a note."

"They're romantic notes! Someone has a real thing for Harry and you treat it like a joke. Boys! Honestly." She sighed and stormed off.

"Where are you going?"

"To study. Some of us need to get ready for a different curriculum."

So, Harry and Ron were left on their own. For awhile, they walked around, just to get used to the place. They talked about Quidditch. They talked about food. They talked about Harry's fan. And when they looked at the clock again, only twenty minutes had gone by.

And yet, they got through the six hours. After draining themselves out of talking to each other, they floated around for a bit. They met a cool guy from Durmstrang named Ingo Kronhk, though. He was really pretty cool and was the captain of the First Team out of the four Quidditch teams. He informed Harry that they were a chaser and seeker close, and that there were no 'light, windy' guys on the team.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione met back up awhile later. Hermione was frantic about how

much of the curriculum was different and insisted that once they got there, they at least look at their new books. Ron whispered to Harry that he would look at the book. Not that he would open it or anything.

A few Durmstrang students beckoned them into the dining hall. In contrast to Hogwart's long tables, filling the room were tables and chairs of all different sizes. Some were round and small, only large enough for two people, and others were long and narrow and could fit twenty. The three friends sat down at a round table and Ginny and Luna pulled up some chairs next to them when they came in.

As soon as the last person sat down, the adults entered. First Professors Thwaite and Sombra, followed by Professor Dumbledore (only for a short visit, apparently,) and Snape. They took seats at a grand table. Following them were men in white and black robes, resembling fancy restaurant waiters. Harry thought that they were for the adults, but soon realized that the men were going to tables with students. A man came up to their table and took orders from them. There was so much to choose from.

"Uh . . . where is the wine?" Harry asked. Hermione cocked an eyebrow.

"It vill be coming up shortly. Pleez be patient." The man bowed as he left them, and then moved on.

"You don't drink, Harry!" Hermione whispered to him sharply. He shook her head as Professor Thwaite stood up.

"I velcome you, Hogwart students, to Durmstrang. You vill be zurprised as to how semilar the castle ees to the ship. One of our students' vill be villing to escort you around vor a short tour and then eet will be time for rest. On Mondays, classes beegin at eight o 'chlock sharp weeth breakfast at seeven-thirty." Harry was inwardly groaning. "I understand that classes are a beet deefferent at Hogwarts, zo homework veel not be expected of you for one week." Hermione frowned at this.

"You vill be served your food shortly. Here ees a vine table with fine vines dating back to thee earleh hundreds. Pleez drink re-spoon-sib-ily. Thank you." He snapped his fingers and delicate bottles and plates appeared on a cloth-covered table. Harry and Ron looked at each other.

"We'll be right back."

The two got up and made their way towards the table, with a small line forming around it. Harry saw Ron reach for a bottle. "You're not really going to drink that, are you?" Ron didn't respond, but grinned, and poured wine to the tip of a shot glass. Harry rolled his eyes and took some cheese and crackers onto a plate. As he made his way around it, he neared an area of the table covered solely with bottles of wine. "Oops."

Harry "accidentally" dropped his fork under the table and had to kneel in order to get it. He blindly searched for it with his eyes scanning the underbelly of the table. Almost directly to the right of his vision he saw a note and a rose taped to the top. He peeled them off and stuffed them into his breast pocket, then attempted to rise. With a sharp clunk he swore, quite loudly, and felt a kick in his ankle from Ron.

Climbing back up, he made eye contact with Ron and they took their plates (and Ron's shot glass) back to the table. Hermione glared at them, mainly Ron.

"Ron! You're not really going to do it, are you? Alcohol is bad for you. You could get addicted." Ron ignored her and drank the shot straight – bad idea. Before Harry could take the note back out, his friend was red in the face and spluttering. Ginny whapped her hand against his back to help him catch his breath. Durmstrang students around them threw their heads back and laughed, with a particular group of large boys taking shots all at once as if to prove some point.

"Well?" Ron asked once he got his breath. "What does it say?" Hermione made a loud, distractive cough.

As you rise in the sweet morn'

Before the glow of day is torn,

You will find a riddle like this,

Whilst I await our meeting bliss.

"Ooh. I think you're getting close, Harry." Ron said, slapping him on the shoulder. And then he dug into his food. Harry sat there for a moment, looking at his note and rose, and did something he hadn't thought of before: He sniffed it. A voice, a whisper filled his head.

Harry . . . soon enough we will meet. I hope that you have gotten to know me well enough through the roses and the notes to understand why I wish to meet you. The final riddle will be this next one and I am very excited, yet nervous, to meet you. My only fear is that you will turn away from me.

Harry blinked and looked around. No one else seemed to notice any difference, as they were all eating. He sniffed the rose again, a sweet, gentle smell, and the voice played again, still in that soft whisper. Did all the roses have little spiels? Once everything was unpacked, he would take them out (Hermione insisted that he take the roses and wrap them in something nice.)

But now, the food was there. His plate was quite large, with chicken and beef filling up one entire side, and a mound of potatoes in the corner.

"So, Harry, did you meet anyone interesting?" Hermione asked as she cut up her turkey. "When I was at the library, a nice guy from Durmstrang helped me get a book from the top shelf. I didn't catch his name though."

"We met some guy named . . . Ingo? He's the captain of one of their Quidditch teams."

"Ooh. His last name is Kronhk, right?" Ginny piped in. "Luna and I ran into him, too. Sandy blonde hair? Yeah. Pretty cute, too."

"He's like, seventeen, Ginny." Ron eyed her, carefully. "If he lays one hand on you, I'll-"

"Relax, Ron. I don't even know him."

"Right, you don't. He's too old for-"

"RON!" The red head snapped. He shut up.

The group joked around and ate, and then was informed that they had to get ready to leave by Professor Thwaite. Professor Dumbledore gave a few basic words, be good, send an owl if you needed him, and so on, and then with a small 'pop,' he was gone.

The entirety of the ship was gestured to rise. Several Durmstrang students led the way out of the dining hall, easily noticeable. Each of the three had to be at least seven feet tall, it seemed. It was as if they were giants! Harry was surprised he hadn't noticed them before.

The students followed the three leaders down the sets of stairs and floors, until they were back in the belly of the ship. It looked different now; there was more space and fewer staircases. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Luna were some of the first students, so they were pushed up front near the exit. As the students piled in, they were forced together and a bit squished. Professor Thwaite stood on the staircase, up a few steps, and called out to all of them.

"Please stand toihtly together! Rising from thee wat-er has proven to bee a little rhocky, here, so be prepared for a rough ride." Some of the larger students placed their hands on people and changed the positions of their legs. It appeared serious, so the group of five huddled close together.

"Pansy, lay off. You'll be fine." They heard a voice snap; Draco Malfoy's. He was attempting to peel Pansy off his arm.

"But Drakey . . . You don't want me to get hurt, do you?" Pansy pouted. Draco turned his head and rolled his eyes, spotting Harry watching him. His face was truly expressionless, and for a moment, the two looked at each other. Draco sneered and Harry glared. He was about to say something when there was a jolt, followed by several shrieks of surprise.

"I'm not feeling so go-AH!" Ron bellowed as there was another jolt. Hermione grabbed onto Harry and Ron's arms as she tripped, to steady herself. The ship was rocking loudly now and there was desperate whispering amongst the students.

"Get ready!" Thwaite bellowed. "The worst ees abou-" But even he didn't have time to finish as a rough bump sent students flying to the floor, even some of the Durmstrang students. Harry hit the floor with Pansy parked on top of him. She growled angrily and shoved him hard as she climbed off, causing him to bump into Ginny who was also on the floor. Ginny looked quite distressed and scared.

He rose and pulled her up with him, and gave her a hug. Her eyes were wide and her hair was a bit messy. Ron rubbed her shoulder sympathetically.

"He said it's over now, shh. It's okay."

"I'd rather be kicked by hippogriff," She muttered.

The rocking stopped and the students' murmurs died down. After several minutes, when all was still, there was a slight knock on the side of the wood – they had hit the dock.

Ingo, as well as several other Durmstrang students, went to large wheels on either side of the draw bridge and began turning, slowly. It took about three of the men on each side to turn down the bridge, and as it opened from the top, they noticed a waterfall coming down from the sides of the ship. It did soon stop, however, and the Hogwarts students were encouraged to get off.

Happy to be back on land, half way through walking off the drawbridge ramp, Ron broke into a run. But what he saw up ahead made him tumble over and fall onto the grass.

And it wasn't because of the castle.