The Serpent of Durmstrang
A/N: This is a rewrite of the Dragon of Durmstrang, where mistakes were made and are going to be corrected, while the story and writing will be improved. This is also my NaNoWriMo prep story, so all reviews are appreciated.
Chapter Five
Dear Harry,
I'm glad to hear that you're taking your studies more seriously, especially with your apprenticeship in the field of battle transfiguration! You're right that it'll be quite the challenge, but it will all be worth it in the end. I myself will be applying for a Charms apprenticeship soon, but it seems my professor would like to see what I'm capable first, before she would accept me. Charms is such a competitive field with a lot of people trying to get into that I will need to stand out this year!
You were right, by the way. I asked my papa about the Tri-Wizard Tournament, and while he was reluctant to tell me anything, I was able to at least have him give me some of the details. I can't believe I'll spend my last year at Hogwarts this year! I will definitely miss Beauxbatons, especially since it is my last year, as I'm sure you will miss Durmstrang. I'm excited that we get to see each other so soon, though! You'll have to let me meet some of your friends, they seem to be an exciting bunch from all the stories you've shared about them.
Amelie and Zoe are becoming a handful this summer, and they've not left my side since after the incident. I think they feel guilty for not being there with me, especially since they both declined my papa's two extra tickets for them. They're just happy I'm safe, and they are quite adamant about meeting you as well. They're both quite energetic, so they'll be a handful when they finally meet you, just be careful!
I can't believe it's almost the end of summer for us. I'm very excited about going back and finally finishing my education. Seven years of school and finally it's coming to an end, are you excited? With the Tri-Wizard tournament in the horizon, are you thinking of competing? It might be a good way to challenge yourself, but with the dangers that I have read about it, i'm not too eager with competing myself.
Anyways, I'm writing this to you before I leave for Beauxbatons. So it might take awhile for me to send you a reply once I get to school! I hope you have a safe journey to Durmstrang!
With Love,
Fleur Delacour
Harry tucked the letter into his suitcase, vowing to write a reply as soon as he can. He had a total of five minutes before the portkey to the train station for Durmstrang left. Looking around his bedroom for the last sixteen years of his life, he could not help but feel a little emotional. This medium sized bedroom had housed a young Harry, eager to learn magic, to a now seventeen year-old Harry going for his last year of education. Coming back next year, he will be a fully educated wizard, someone who aims to make strides in the magical community. In fact, he might not even come back to this room for a long time, since he had planned on staying in Magical Britain for a few years, solidifying his family's position once more in the Wizengamot, as well as settling his family's affairs with Gringotts. This room had housed a budding wizard, and now he was ready to spread his wings.
"Ready, pup?" Sirius asked, his head peeking through a small crack of the bedroom door. Sirius Black was not a sentimental man, but watching his best friend's son grow had been one of the best experiences he had in his lifetime. Harry might as well have been his own son, and he can definitely say without a doubt that he was proud of the young man he turned out to be.
Harry nodded, placing his suitcase on the ground and started rolling it behind him as he made his way out of them room. He made sure to double check the mental list he had for items he might've forgotten. The last being Fleur's letter, which he made sure to take with him, as well as any other letters she had sent the past two weeks. They had kept in contact regularly, and Harry could not help but savour each moment when Fleur's replies arrived. They had become fast friends, and while Harry's teenage hormones repeatedly told him to ask her out, he had stayed his hand. They were friends, good friends at this point, but he had other things he needed to worry about, one of which might be a rising Dark Lord.
"Sirius, you know I never thanked you," Harry started, as they both arrived by the dining area where a leather glove, which Harry assumed to be the portkey, laid on the dining table, "for everything."
Sirius smiled, "Harry, you don't have to thank me. I'm your godfather, and I'm supposed to do all these things for you."
"You didn't have to," Harry shook his head, "But you did. You raised me, and made me who I am today. I promise to make you proud, Sirius."
Sirius took Harry in his arms, hugging the young man tightly. Harry had grown up so fast, but in his eyes, he was still the messy-haired six year old asking for flying motorcycle rides in the middle of the night. Patting Harry on the back as he let go, he could see the determination in the young man's eyes. Ever since he was accepted by Petyr Gregorovitch as an apprentice, Harry had thrown himself into the work that the professor had tasked him with. Harry Potter was not Harry Potter without all the dedication he placed into his work. It was one of the reasons why Sirius and Remus did not hesitate to teach him on Animagus transformation at the age of fourteen. The Marauders did it during their fifth year at Hogwarts, and Harry beat his father's record by one year, which spoke testaments to his talents with transfiguration, just like James.
"You already make us proud, Harry," Sirius replied, smiling lovingly at his godson, "Remus and I have always been proud of you, and no matter what you do, always remember that."
Harry nodded. His family might be a bit broken, having a werewolf and a well-known casanova as father figures, but it was still his family, and he couldn't ask for a better one.
"Remus wanted to be here today, to see you off on your last year," Sirius started, his face frowning slightly, "but the werewolves have been stirring more and more the past few weeks, and he needed to go see Albus to exchange information."
"It's fine, I'll see him during the break, I'm sure."
Sirius nodded at that, "Now go, before the portkey leaves without you! Remember the last time that happened…"
Harry had been late once in his life, and the consequences were quite unpleasant. Highmaster Igor Karkaroff was very unhappy, and made him clean the kitchens of Durmstrang for a week with the house elves. All the grime and dishes became the subject of nightmares for years to come. It also taught Harry the importance of being punctual, a lesson he took to heart.
"Take care, Sirius!"
And with a whoosh! Harry disappeared from the Black's Bern residence, and landed quite ungracefully onto the platform.
With Harry's leaving, Sirius immediately picked up some floo powder. He had calls to make, and plans to arrange. Albus Dumbledore dropped a heavy bomb onto him a few nights ago about a prophecy, and he needed to make sure that his godson was as prepared as he'll ever be. They all need to be prepared.
Dusting his school robes, Harry quickly picked himself up and started towards the gloomy-looking train that took students from all over Europe to Durmstrang. Unlike from what he had heard about the Hogwarts train, the Durmstrang train held true to the magical education standards of the Magical European union. The train station was lined on one side with fireplaces for floo travel, which spat out families at every second interval. There were also apparition and portkey points for those who live farther away from northern Europe. The station itself resembled a regular train station, made of bricks and reinforced with steel. Unlike the Hogwarts Express, this train station did not share it's location with the muggle's, but rather was a standalone building in the heart of magical Copenhagen. Durmstrang was located somewhere north, which made the city a great convergence point for all of its students.
Harry looked up at the gigantic clock by the wall, and realized he didn't have much time. Deciding quickly, he made his way through the throngs of people, and rushed into the train. At this point, his friends should have already arrived and claimed a seat. Since he was always the last one to arrive due to his assigned portkey, they always made sure to leave him a spot.
Passing a few compartment, he could see more than a handful of first years already chattering amongst themselves within the first few compartments. The front of the train was reserved for first years in order for them to be able to get to know one another properly. It was important for the first years to know one another well, especially since they will be sharing the same classroom, as well as dorm space, throughout their seven years of magical education.
Just as he was nearing the end of the train, he saw Alanna's head poking out of a compartment door and waving at him quite eagerly. He smiled at the perpetually happy girl, and quickly made his way towards her. She smiled widely at him and opened the door further.
"Harry! Good to see you!" Aleksander cried out, waving at Harry, while the rest of his friends were nodded at his arrival.
It seems he was the only one missing at this point, and he quickly placed his luggage on top of the seats, before taking the empty spot between Kassandra and the window.
"How was the rest of your summer?" Viktor asked, glancing at the compartment door warily.
"Good, just studying for my apprenticeship," Harry replied, before asking, "Why are you looking at the door like that?"
Alanna laughed, while Kassandra sniggered before replying quite heartily, "The fans are overwhelming him. They've tried to come into this compartment too many times to count already since he arrived."
Aleksander patted the young seeker on his shoulders, "Oh, the woes of the rich and famous!"
"Shut up, Petrov!" Viktor grunted, folding his arms and scowling even further.
"Hey, hey, if you keep scowling like that, people will think you're some emo-type Quidditch star. And to be fair, people are into that these days…Ow!"
Viktor had slapped Aleksander on the back of his head, before grunting, "One more word, and it'll be my wand up your nose."
"Fine, fine," Aleksander gave up, rubbing the back of his head, "that fucking hurt, blockhead."
"Should've stopped running your mouth then."
"Settle down, boys," Kassandra smiled at the two, before pointing at the door, "food trolley's here."
That got everyone bustling for their money, as the door opened to reveal an elderly woman with a trolley full of pastry and candy. Aleksander got up swiftly, and immediately started ordering handfuls of everything, while waving away everyone's protests. The woman slowly passed out the things Aleksander had ordered to the other occupants of the compartment, while the rest could only shake their heads.
When Aleksander was done paying for their orders, he shuffled back into his seat and started opening his Chocolate Frogs.
"You know, Aleks, we can pay for ourselves, right?" Harry shrugged at his friend, "but thanks for these, anyways."
Aleksander grinned, "I know, but it's our last year together in this godforsaken train, and I wanted to make it memorable!"
Everyone else smiled to themselves at that point. The thought of this being their last year was both exciting, and frightening at the same time. Aside from Viktor, everyone else in the room will have to choose their career paths, and make something of themselves. Aleksander will most likely take control of his father' businesses, which was not surprising since he was the only son and heir of his father. Alanna knew she wanted to work in journalism, which will is not an easy career path, but she'll manage. Kassandra, despite what everyone thinks, is still in limbo on what she wanted to do. And finally, Harry, who was once dreaming of becoming an auror, is now on his way to a battle transfiguration mastery instead.
Their long-drawn silence was disturbed by a forceful opening of their compartment door. Everyone inside looked up and scowled at the sight.
Three seventh year students stood smirking at the group. Chief among them was a sandy hair, rotund-shaped young man, with a wide nose, and a weak chin. The one to his left was a blonde-haired girl with sharp features, but overly thin in build, while the one to the right was a squared-faced brute with an under bite.
"Lookie here! The boy-who-cried and his group of misfits!"
Harry glared at the group and spat, "Shouldn't you be terrorizing some poor first years, Cadmus?"
Cadmus Carrow, an illegitimate son born under the suspicion of incest between Alecto and Amycus, had been quite the nuisance ever since they first started school. He had made it his mission to annoy Harry and his friends as much as possible every year, which resulted in a few fist fights and more than a handful of detentions on both sides.
"Careful what you say, Potter! Remember what happened during the summer?" Cadmus barked back, spit flying everywhere, "that's just the beginning, and when the Dark Lord returns, he'll come after you first, and then make you watch as he snuffs out every single person you ever loved."
Viktor's body shook violently. The talk of Dark Lords was not one that he enjoyed, especially since the scars that Grindelwald left behind within his own family was too deep to forget easily. As he got up, fist balled and ready to strike, Harry quickly reached over and pushed the Bulgarian back down onto his seat.
"No," Harry commanded, and Viktor, eyes still burning with hatred, let out a long breath, calming himself in the process.
Cadmus had back away from the sudden movement, but seeing Harry calming the Bulgarian brute down, immediately quipped, "That's right, keep your men in a tight leash, Potter."
Before anybody could do anything, Alanna had gotten up and punched the ponce in the face, while Kassandra flicked her wand, and banished the group of three out of their compartment. Harry watched in shock as both women nodded to themselves, admiring their handiwork in front of them.
"Fuck you, Romanova, and your French slut!" Cadmus roared, his hand already going for his wand, but before he could even draw it, the professor stationed within the train, which thankfully was Petyr Gregorovitch, stepped in and disarmed the young man.
Cadmus saw his chance and pleaded, "Professor! They attacked me and my friends when all we were trying to do was ask how their summer went!"
Professor Gregorovitch stared hard at the chubby young man in front of him, still lying on the floor, and shook his head, "I saw and hear most of everything, Mister Carrow. Meet me in the first compartment to discuss your detention. Now."
Cadmus and his group immediately got up, and dusted himself off. With a glare at Harry and his friends, he marched off towards the front of the train, his friends in tow. The professor glanced back at the compartment, before nodding and setting off just behind the group.
"Good for Durmstrang to have a professor on board," Aleksander sighed, his wand already at the ready just like everyone else in the compartment, with Harry's own wand already lighting up with a spell just on the tip of his tongue.
Alanna nursed her left knuckle, "Yeah, and good thing it was Professor Gregorovitch too."
Everyone nodded, before Viktor smirked at Alanna, "Nice left hook, Alanna! I think you might've broken his nose too."
Everyone laughed as Alanna blushed deep crimson, "I couldn't help myself."
"Do you think it's true? What he said?" Kassandra whispered softly, catching the attention of everyone in the compartment, and immediately sobering up the mood.
Harry sighed, "From what Sirius and Remus told me, it has some merit."
"A Dark Lord? Really?"
Harry looked at Alanna, before nodding stiffly, "Nothing concrete at this point, but the signs are there."
"You know, when my father disappeared, I thought he was just trying to get away from me and my mother," Aleksander started, piercing the compartment floor with his stare, "but after the Quidditch cup incident, I suddenly realized that if my father disappeared intentionally, he would've made sure to take his assets with him. But nothing's been touched since he went missing. The money in our family vault is in immaculate condition, and no signs of any withdrawals anywhere in the world."
"Then you think that he-"
Aleksandr nodded, stopping Harry's question, "Yeah. He was in some shady business during You-Know-Who's reign, and with everything that's going on, I think his past caught up with him."
Silence reigned the room, everybody feeling the sudden gloom that fell upon them. There was a sliver of fear laced within the air, and Harry could not help but compare it to the Death Eater attack during the Quidditch World Cup.
"Then we need to be ready," Harry nodded, trying to lift up their spirits, "I'm going to start my apprenticeship with Professor Gregorovitch this year, and I will make sure I am well prepared."
Viktor nodded, accompanied by the rest of the group. The Quidditch star, although mostly kept to his own, was frankly quite glad with his friends. They had brought him out of his shell, and made him who he was today. These people were very important to him, and he was going to try his very best to fight by their side, whatever the cost.
"We'll all do our best," Alanna suddenly spoke, with determination in her eyes, "my papa told me to keep my head down this year, and avoid any unwanted attention. And honestly, I've always relied on Kass for most of my life here in Durmstrang. No more!" She slammed her fist at the wall beside her, "I'll do my best, so that I can stand beside you all."
"Well said," Kassandra smiled at her friend, as she pulled Alanna into a one-arm hug.
Aleksander and Viktor glanced at each other, and nodded as well. Dark time might be coming, but the five of them will stick it through no matter what. They were bound, not by blood, but by the experiences they all shared throughout their career at Durmstrang. From the good, to the very bad, they were there for each other, and one thing was certain, they will not be broken apart.