Chapter 5 Durmstrang Einführen

The following morning, over a breakfast of mish mash omelets, a Bulgarian favorite, and various pastries, Hermione and Ginny gave each other a sly glance when they noticed Professor Snape's normally greasy looking hair neatly combed and his typically morose expression replaced by a slightly sour one. Cordially, he offered his hand to Directrice Zoe Morel when Spitze Malfoy dutifully began the tour.

Outside, Draco showed them a flourishing several-acre rose garden featuring colors ranging from maroon to pink, from gamboges to lemon, indigo to lilac, persimmon to coral and cream to ivory. All around the garden were stone benches, gazebos and various places to sit and study. The slightly brisk air seemed warmer in the garden and surrounding area. "An enchantment creates an artificial greenhouse. In the upcoming months, you'll appreciate it. There's a small maze that runs through the garden." The luscious fragrance of the roses surrounded them. Many of the witches stepped closer so they could inhale their scent more deeply. "The scent of roses has a psychological effect on most people causing happiness. The fragrance evokes feelings of nostalgia and cheerful memories."

Next they hiked for twenty minutes along a beaten path amidst a green field until they saw the crystal waters of the lake. "This is See von geheimnisvollen Schönheit or the Lake of Mysterious Beauty." Along the lake, he pointed out an inlet the size of three Olympic pools surrounded by a white sandy beach. "This inlet is safe for swimming and kept warm throughout the year. Most of the swimming area is only four to five feet deep but the very center is about fifteen feet deep. Over there is a small pier. Fishing is only allowed from that pier. If you fish anywhere else, you will most likely be killed." Several students giggled. "I wasn't joking."

A twenty minute vigorous hike brought them to a lush green forest. "This is Wald von Verwirrung or the Forest of Bewilderment and it is a protected forest. On Saturday and Sunday afternoons you may hike through it at your own risk. However, harming any of the creatures within is forbidden. If you do, the forest guardians will kill you."

"Who guards the forest?" Harry yelled from the back.

"Forest gnomes," Draco replied. He gestured to some of the fields, a light hike away. "You'll also find ruins of various medieval buildings throughout the grounds. In the mountains, you can ski but stay on the approved paths. Otherwise, you might anger the Yeti." Everyone glanced at each other nervously. "Don't worry; they stick to their own territory."

Another walk brought them nearer to the castle and directly to the Quidditch field. The stands of yellow, blue, green and red rose high into the air, providing seating for a population greater than the student body. "Not only do the school teams practice here, but several local teams as well. Most of the time this area is restricted."

After another rapid walk, they returned to the castle. "The castle is built in a neo-Byzantine style much resembling an Orthodox church. The wizards who constructed it in the sixth century were highly religious. Hence they built it in the style of a cathedral. Every part of the roof is curved and every doorway is arched. The central dome is the only complete one with a total of eighteen partial domes throughout the castle. The base is 144,000 square meters total."

Once they viewed the exterior, they proceeded inside. "Much of the décor is Italian marble and onyx. You can see that a lot of the tiles have designs, while much remains plain. Each year, the house with the most points has a tile painted in their house color. The house colors represent the four elements. The top student of that house chooses a symbol for their tile. Many choose their family crest."

Then Draco guided them to an extensive library brightly lit from the sunlight filtering through arched stained glass windows. Books lined the humungous ovular room with tables filling the middle, separated by short racks. In the middle and at the ends, couches and lounge chairs made for more informal study areas.

Next he showed them classrooms and a gymnasium; all were smaller than Hogwarts, but well maintained. However, the next room he showed them had several areas with long carpets for dueling, a multitude of wands and various dark wizard items. "This is where we have dueling practice and combat dark art lessons."

In the main dome, rounded columned archways formed a series of windows providing a panoramic view of the landscape. A grand piano amongst several other musical instruments lined one end of the room, carefully placed as not to obscure the rest of the room. The ornate ceiling featured an impressionistic pastiche of the varied Bulgarian landscape with gnomes, unicorns, yeti and other magical creatures. Frescos of roses in every color imaginable lined the dome. Black and white marbled tiles composed the floor.

"Every rose looks different to the naked eye and they truly are. Like snowflakes, no two are alike. If you look at the ceiling closely, you'll be in for a treat." In the corner, he commanded the grand piano. "Musikalisch begrüßen!" As the piano played a lively waltz, all the creatures on the ceiling danced. "During festivities they liven up more."

That concluded their tour, leaving them free for the afternoon. Once classes finished soon after lunch, they saw that all the students were allowed to don their casual clothes. Disturbingly, they also discovered that Durmstrang's Quidditch teams would initially escort their various guests when not in public areas during their stay. The teachers worried about possible mistreatment of Hogwarts' and Beauxbatons' Muggle born students because of the pure-blood only student body Durmstrang Institute.