Disclaimer: don't own.
„Excuse me?" Hermione asked, raising a perfectly plucked eyebrow.
"You understood me perfectly well, Miss Karkarova." the headmaster said stoically, without even the hint of a smile on his face. "Please understand that you are put in that class with the other students. It's your first MDA after all."
"How many are there?" Ginny asked, trying to look nonchalant.
"Four. The fourth one is not offered in Durmstrang itself as it is too dangerous." the headmaster was of the opinion that this was enough.
"Now off you go to your beds. Mister Smyelov will see you to your dorms." the headmaster waved them off and the door opened to reveal a – in Ginny's opinion – breathtaking young man.
"You called me, headmaster?" he asked with a bow.
"Smyelov, take these new students to the girls dormitories please." the headmaster said, without taking his eyes off his paperwork.
"Yes, sir." the boy answered with the same stoic expression and motioned Hermione and Ginny to step through the door first. They glanced at each other and stepped outside into the dark, cold corridors. Hermione shivered involuntarily. Victor had shown her pictures and so Hermione knew a bit about the school, about its dark glamour and coldness vibrating from each pore.
"You will need to pick up uniforms." the boy informed them, eyeing the Hogwarts robes distastefully. Hermione shrugged his impolite staring off. "Where do we get them?"
"I will take you there. They are down in the washing room."
"Doesn't everyone have their own robes?" Ginny asked with wide eyes.
The boy let out a humourless laugh. "Well, no. You see, everyone dresses the same and is not sorted into any house like in Hogwarts. There are just chambers for each year, girls and boys divided. Though, I guess, you will have to sleep in different dorms as the sixth year only offers one bed and the fifth year as well."
Hermione nodded, but Ginny looked confused. "What about the seventh year? WE are in seventh."
Hermione looked angrily at Ginny: "Haven't you ever read Hogwarts, a history? It describes that Durmstrang only has six years – they start school a year later though. At least, you could have done a bit of background reading, before Dumbledore sent us here. Then you would know what's going on."
Ginny flushed and looked onto the floor. They boy, however, looked at Hermione – looking her clearly into her face, a strange look of admiration, gratefulness and appraisal in his eyes. He smiled slightly when they entered the washroom.
"The dry clothes are here. When your robes are dirty, just put them over there. And take the clean, dry robes from this section." Hermione noticed that the information was directed towards her, only – he was ignoring Ginny completely.
She shrugged it off – again – smiled in thanks and picked up some robes. They were similar to the men's robes, complete with the typical Durmstrang caps (or as Hermione was of the opinion that they looked more like soldier or marine caps) and woolly, warm material. The only difference was the slightly different cut – and Hermione was grateful for that. She didn't want to look like wearing a bag.
"Perfect." Hermione smiled happily at the thought of warmer robes.
"These robes will keep you warm around here. It's always very cold here." the boy said, again only to Hermione. "I'm Anton Smyelov." he held out his hand and Hermione took it gently. "Nice to meet you, I'm Natalija Karkarova."
Ginny looked a bit lost, deciding against introducing herself as the boy didn't seem to be interested in her. She was a bit angry at Hermione for reprimanding her. Couldn't that have waited when they were alone?
She sulked behind Hermione and the boy who were talking animatedly. At least Anton was. He was telling her about Durmstrang, the rules, the teachers and the grounds. They passed various classrooms – and to Hermione's delight – the pretty small library.
Hermione remembered how Victor had often told her about their wonderful grounds. She, as a non-quidditch-player was not too excited about them.
"And we fly every day, we've got the best brooms here at Durmstrang and the best quidditch players have graduated here."
"Excuse me?" this had woken Hermione up. "We fly EVERY day?"
"Well, we students. You probably won't, as you are only here for the MDA. As a matter of fact, the whole fifth year is taking this exam. Which means, you will have the special MDA preparation classes with them. On Friday, you will take the exam." he told them and Hermione nodded. Dumbledore had already informed her about this procedure.
"When do the classes start?"
"Tomorrow morning, at 8."
"Oh, that's early." Hermione commented with a slight frown.
The boy laughed at her expression though stifled it in a polite manner. "Sorry. Well, it's normal here. Breakfast starts at 7:30 and lasts until 8. Classes are from 9 to 10:45 – then we have a break for 15 minutes, then from 11:00 to 12:45. From one to quarter to two there is usually a school meeting – every third day. When there isn't, you can go to the library or to the grounds. After that we have lunch from 2 pm to 2:30. And the afternoon classes start at 3. From 3 to 4:45 and from 5:00 to 6:45. At 7 we eat dinner."
Hermione looked a bit lost. "And what is there between 8 and 9 in the morning?" It seemed like a long period of time.
"Room clean-up. We have to clean our rooms and beds and make everything in perfect order. The cleanest room is awarded room-points."
Hermione rolled her eyes jokingly: "Sounds like fun."
Anton laughed again. "Yes, loads. Though at the end of the year, the two cleanest rooms from the boys and the girls are awarded presents. My brother here, had the chance to be in one of the cleanest rooms and they received the best, newest and fastest racing brooms." the boy said dreamily.
Hermione smiled at him. "Do all of you like flying and quidditch so much?"
"Yes. You must – or otherwise you cannot survive here." he smiled wickedly at her. "And I take it, you are not too interested?"
"No, not really." Hermione shook her head. "I've never been really good at flying – well, okay-ish, but not too god. And I don't like quidditch too much."
"I will teach you flying. I have another, very good broom. We will try out tomorrow."
Oh. Hermione blushed. "I'm not sure…"
"Don't be scared, Natalija. I will help you. And of course, I will make sure that nothing happens to you." Anton's voice was soothing, Hermione had to admit.
"I'll see. I cannot promise anything." she smiled reluctantly.
"Very well. I'll pick you up tomorrow after classes…. By the way, your MDA-courses will be held here." he pointed to a dark room on Hermione's left. "Oh ok. I hope, I remember the way." she stared at the number above the door.
"You will. If not, just ask. Oh, and the girls dormitories are to your right. Just look for the numbers six and five."
"Thank you for the tour, Anton." Hermione was grateful, although he was cold-shouldering Ginny.
Ginny couldn't stop herself. "Where do we eat breakfast?"
Anton barely looked at her when he answered: "In the same hall, where we usually eat dinner and lunch. Why don't you two go and change yourselves? I will show you to the dining hall. Dinner starts in 10 minutes anyway."
"Yes, we will." Hermione smiled and pulled Ginny after her though a door saying "GIRLS."
"Beautiful." Ginny muttered when she saw the room that was obviously designed for girls. It was brighter than the rest of the school and considerably warmer. A fire was crackling in the fireplace, rugs and plush sofas made the room comfortable and peaceful. "Not a lot of girls here when each year sleeps in the same room." Ginny couldn't help add.
"No, there aren't. Victor told me about that." Hermione answered, a smile on her face. The window that faced towards the grounds showed that it was beginning to snow outside and the wind was howling, making Hermione feel safe in the warm room.
"Okay. Well, I'll sleep in the sixth and you in the fifth year then." Hermione said and Ginny shrugged.
"See you back here in five minutes, okay?" Ginny asked, looking a bit anxiously around the empty room.
"Yes, sure. Get changed…. It's a pity that we are not in the same room." Hermione muttered.
"I agree." Ginny replied whole-heartedly. "Well, see you then."
Hermione opened the door with the number SIX and went inside. A small room, comprising three beds with curtains, three bedstands, three bedlamps and one wardrobe. ONE? They had to share it?
Hermione sighed and sat down on the empty unused bed. Durmstrang was different to Hogwarts in many ways. They had to wear the same clothes – they weren't allowed to get their OWN robes and they even had to share the same wardrobe. Was there anything that belonged to YOU, just to YOU?
The bathroom that was shared by the sixth, fourth and second years was luckily empty and Hermione changed into her Durmstrang uniforms in the stall. When she saw herself in the mirror – yes, there was a MIRROR in the room to Hermione's surprise she was pleased. The uniform fitted her well enough, although she looked more like a soldier and it was a murky greenish-brown colour.
She knew which robes she preferred. Though, she was happy with the robes here as she already felt considerably warmer.
Hermione put her suitcase under the bed and went outside into the room. She had not met any girls so far. Ginny was already waiting for her impatiently in the common room. "Hermione, you look like a female soldier." she grinned. "Whoa Ginny, have YOU already looked into the mirror?"
Ginny smirked and motioned Hermione to follow her outside to the boy who was still waiting for them. When he saw them, he nodded in approval. "You look like two Durmstrangs now."
"Well, that was the point." Hermione grinned.
Anton smiled and led them to the dining hall. It was about a quarter of the size of the Great Hall in Hogwarts, darker, and just like a normal rooms with small tables that sat about 6 to 8 students per table. A large buffet was at the other end of the room and some people were already sitting at the tables, talking animatedly. Hermione realised with dread, that at the end of the buffet, some bottles of vodka were positioned.
"If you are already sixteen you can have one glass of vodka after the meal. Or before, if you prefer." Anton said, looking at Hermione's wide-eyed expression. "Well, only one though. There is some ancient magic that allows only students over sixteen and only one glass." Anton smiled ruefully.
Hermione suddenly felt relief. Well, that didn't sound too bad.
"You can sit with us at our table – I'll introduce you." Anton smiled encouragingly at Hermione. Ginny felt left out again. She was beginning to like this boy less and less, though Hermione was glad for the escort.
He steered her towards a table where already 4 four boys were sitting. Three of them were blonde and had cold, piercing light blue eyes. The other one had brown hair and cold brown eyes. She would have considered them good-looking if they hadn't looked so cold and conceited.
Hermione put on her mask of indifference and Ginny followed her example. Anton motioned for them to come nearer.
"Guys, these are two students who are here for the MDA-education. Let me introduce Natalija Karkarova and Katya Krum." Anton introduced them.
Hermione tried a different tactic. She smiled slightly and stretched out her hand. The first boy nearest to her, smiled as well when she saw that she was smiling and introduced himself as well. "Nice to meet you, Natalija. I'm Vladimir." He shook her hand and Hermione and Ginny proceeded to the next boys in the same fashion.
To Hermione's surprise they didn't seem stuck-up and cold anymore but welcomed them with open arms. As soon as they saw that Hermione and Ginny were friendly and open, knew their language and smiled, they were integrated as if they had been long lost friends.
Hermione took a seat next to the boy called Ivan and Ginny sat down next to the brown-haired guy named Sasha. Anton took a seat as well and smiled.
"So, we are waiting for…?" Hermione asked the Ivan. "Oh, we are waiting until everyone is here – until the tables are filled and then for the headmaster to make his speech and then we can go to the buffet. The headmaster always decides which table goes first. It changes every meal.
Ginny looked longingly at the buffet and Hermione scowled at her. "I hope, we are chosen first." she said. Vladimir, Ivan and Sasha laughed, whereas Hermione and Anton looked forbidding. "It doesn't suit a lady to say something like that." Hermione nudged her into her left side.
Ginny rolled her eyes. "Yes, mother." Ginny snapped jokingly, smirking at Hermione. "By the way, who else is sitting here?" Ginny pointed at the vacant chair across from her.
"A second year girl. Mascha. She could be here any second… ahhhh…" Vladimir smiled at a beautiful younger-looking girl. "She is my sister, Mascha."
Mascha smiled shyly at them and blushed. Hermione stuck out her hand again. "Hello Mascha, I'm Natalija Karkarova and this is Katya Krum. We are here for the MDA."
"Oh really? Vlad, you are in that class as well." Mascha squealed.
"Yes, we'll be having classes together." Vladimir smiled.
"Yeah. All the fifth years are taking this exam." Mascha informed her.
"Oh. So who else from this table?" Hermione looked around.
"No one." Ivan answered for Mascha. "We are all in sixth year."
"So are we, actually. But we just came here for the exam." Ginny said.
"Which means, you are in class with the fifth-years. Have fun." Anton grinned at her. Finally.
A loud echoing BANG sounded through the hall and the now completely full hall fell quiet at once. "Ladies and Gentleman, Tomorrow starts another week. Another exciting week – with a quidditch match AND the MDAs. Let's hope for another exciting and successful week. This time, the table over here starts."
Hermione was thankful that he hadn't introduced Ginny or her. She hated embarrassing moments. Their table was second to go up to the buffet.
Hermione decided to try most of the foreign dishes as she had visited many countries with her parents. Ginny was different. When Hermione saw that she had only piled bread onto her plate, she shot a death glare at her friend. "When in Rome do as the Romans do." Hermione told her and Ginny scowled as well.
Sighing, she also ladled some of the red soup, the beetroot dishes, the sourcream and other foreign looking things that neither Ginny nor Hermione could name.
Hermione had taken a bit of everything but was lost at the sight of the drinks. She shrugged and poured herself some of the brown liquid. Why there were gherkins as well was beyond to her. She noticed how Ivan took a glass of vodka and a gherkin and Hermione decided to copy him.
To her delight, the whole table waited for everyone to sit down so that they could start the meal together.
"Well, now, I guess. Sa nashe sdarovye." Vladimir called out and the others followed suit. They all held up their glass of vodka (except Mascha) and Ginny and Hermione copied them. "To our new students." Ivan added.
They all downed the alcohol at once and Hermione almost had to gag as it was so strong. When the boys ate their gherkin right after the drink, Hermione tried it out as well. Hmm, not so bad.
Hermione and Ginny both had to admit that Russian food was not at all bad if you got used to it. Hermione knew that she would really miss the Durmstrang food in Hogwarts. "So, you've put your things into your dorms?" Mascha asked, smiling at Hermione and Ginny.
"Yes, it's all in perfect order. Ivan showed us there." Ginny replied, smiling at the girl as well.
"Very well. I'm going to bed now. I'm awfully tired." Vladimir called out.
"Me too. Katya are you coming?" Hermione asked Ginny when half of their table had already left.
"Oh yes, sure. But actually I'm not tired. Mind if we stayed up a bit and talked?"
"Not at all. But not here. I would prefer it in the common room."
Ginny heartily agreed as the halls were becoming really cold now and Ginny and Hermione longed for the cosy, warm common room.
"So, what do you think?" Ginny asked when they finally settled themselves in front of the fire, after some tiring introductions to the other girls.
Hermione smirked at the other girl mischievously: "I think that since we've arrived in the 40s we've neither been bored, nor relaxed. In the 40s we've been on more adventures than even Harry, Ron and I have ever been. Nothing is what it seems. The world's future is in our hands, Ginny, remember that. And no, I will not get a relaxing sleep tonight."
Ginny nodded in agreement. "Well, see you at breakfast?"
"See you. Meet me here in the common room."
THTHTH
But Hermione awoke refreshed and relaxed the next morning to her astonishment. When she looked at the clock, she noticed that it was nearly time for breakfast. Wow, she must have slept for 10 hours straight…
She put on her Durmstrang uniform and went downstairs to meet Ginny…