The Great Hall, the tables, the candles, every little detail seemed in place, yet something felt off. Wrong. The first years were completely unbothered - sorted and sat amongst their older peers, they were the only ones looking around out of awe. All second years and above, however, looked around with incredulity. A chair next to Dumbledore stood empty, and so did a chair next to Professor McGonagall, which no one, including the seventh-years, could account for.
There had been rumors about the safety of Hogwarts after the incident last year, and that they would not be studying in the castle this year, especially with a fugitive on the loose, a fugitive that knew how to access Hogwarts.
It took a long time before anyone noticed the plates were full, and longer before anyone dared to start eating. The staff table, with Dumbledore in its middle, first began, and when students started seeing the Headmaster eating, they slowly started as well, looking around the staff table every now and then. While the staff were unusually quiet, Hermione swore she saw McGonagall point at different areas to Professor Sinistra in a hushed tone.
"They must know something more." she whispered to Ron and Harry, before starting to fill her plate.
In the middle of the quietest meal Harry had ever had at Hogwarts, a loud noise reverberated and made everyone suddenly turn their heads towards the entrance of the Great Hall. Two tall, cloaked figures appeared and walked calmly, yet with purpose, towards the staff table. One of them wore an imposing, silver fur-trimmed cloak, whilst the other could have blended with the wooden walls.
Dumbledore and McGonagall both stood up, slightly bowing their heads as to welcome the two. The silver-cloaked figure enthusiastically shook Dumbledore's hand with both of his, before he took off what seemed to be a fur hat made of the same material as his cloak. He was a tall and thin man, with long, white hair and a goatee finishing in a curl. He briefly spoke with Dumbledore, and laughed with his whole chest, extending his arms as he said something the students could not understand. The witch next to him removed her cloak as well, and after bowing towards the Hogwarts staff table, she turned to look at the four tables full of confused Hogwarts students, which the wizard ignored completely. She would have been a caricature of acute angles, from her fingers to her cheekbones, if it weren't for the thick dark, curls covering half of her face the large balloon sleeves of her robe.
"Now, may I have everyone's attention, please. I wanted to first await our guests'... well, hosts' arrival before making any announcements."
A murmur arose at the tables, and Dumbledore waited for it to quieten down, before continuing.
"As you may know, it was deemed, after last year's extremely unfortunate events, that Hogwarts' location was not quite fit for you all to study." Several students turned towards Harry from across all tables, and he felt his ears hot and red. Not that he wanted them to look at Ginny, or any of the Petrified students, but why were they focusing on him once again? "What's more, with the recent news about the escape of Sirius Black, it has been decided last summer that perhaps, for at least a year, we move Hogwarts, all for your safety.
This decision has not been taken lightly, and many factors were considered. Many conversations were had, with governors, parents and guardians alike. And to our luck, our good friends here, Professor Karkaroff and Professor Pann have kindly lent, as Headmaster and Deputy Headmistress of Durmstrang, their own school grounds for us to temporarily call a home."
At the news, a loud murmur broke out among students. The Slytherin students all arose, clapping and bobbing their heads so they could now all catch a better look at the two. Karkaroff turned towards the applause with a wide smirk on his face, whilst Pann seemed unbothered by the students' ruckus.
"We're at Durmstrang!" Neville exclaimed in disbelief, wildly shaking Harry's shoulder. He didn't answer Neville, and remained still, not knowing what to make of it. Did his aunt and uncle know? Did Fudge, when he met him whilst at the Leaky Cauldron? Did Mr. and Mrs. Weasley? Harry turned towards Ron and his brothers, but everyone seemed as shocked as he was.
"We are both at Hogwarts and Durmstrang, my dear mister Longbottom. As far as the eye can see and your brooms can fly, this is Hogwarts." Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eye - whilst in the beginning his speech was serious, talking about the wonders of magic brought back his usual whimsical disposition. "With Professor Pann's help, we have managed to bring forth all estates just as they were. Perhaps, should the time come and all this be put to rest, we will soon enough be able to teach you how such magic was achieved.
Now, we are somewhat connected with Durmstrang, however you will not notice this connection lest you look for it. And I would truly, truly, advise you not to go around looking for it." Dumbledore's eyes fixated on the Weasley twins for a second, before continuing.
"Be advised that Durmstrang is, for all intents and purposes, not only hidden to the naked eye under layers of magic, but also strictly off-limits. Any student caught will have a hundred House points deducted, alongside detention, and depending on offense caused, even expulsion. Of course, Durmstrang students will be held to the same standards, and we anticipate no disturbances.
Now, if our wonderful hosts would like to join us…" Karkaroff immediately sat himself between Snape and Dumbledore, whereas Dochia moved more apprehensively, and sat herself between McGonagall and Professor Sprout.
"Well now! On to our regular announcements-"
Dumbledore proceeded to introduce the new Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts, at which Karkaroff appeared to scoff amused, and the appointment of Hagrid as the new Professor of Care of Magical Creatures.
"Look at that- Karkaroff and Snape seem to get along like two old buddies. Maybe he'll get him to transfer, sure fits in." Ron grumbled, extending his neck to see better at the staff table. "The other one-"
Harry looked over himself, and watched Pann lean in and shake Hagrid's hand, before awkwardly trying to slide in front of Hagrid to shake Lupin's. She appeared to say something to each of them, before going back to her conversation with McGonagall.
"I can't believe Dumbledore agreed to this!" Hermione exclaimed. "I can't believe Durmstrang-"
"You know about Durmstrang?" Harry asked, surprised.
"I don't remember you reading Durmstrang: A History." Ron laughed awkwardly, before turning towards Harry. "There's not a lot to know, mate, just that it's awful. Imagine a school with only Slytherins. It's-"
He stopped as Karkaroff stood up, clearing his throat. The staff around him, apart from Snape, seemed to already know what he wanted to say, and did not seem all too happy with it. McGonagall herself couldn't help but roll her eyes, to the amusement of the Gryffindor table.
"In the same vein as Dumbledore, I wish to welcome you all on our grounds. You are all my guests, our guests, and I assure you all Durmstrang will be the most gracious host.
However!" Karkaroff's voice turned grim, and he looked at each of the tables, finally looking at the students.
"Hogwarts and Durmstrang are delimited in the ways both myself and Dumbledore saw fit. Any student caught as much as roaming an inch within Durmstrang… well, shall we say, may incur their punishment not only from Hogwarts."
Harry, Ron and Hermione looked at each other, all in agreement. They had to talk to someone about it - and who else to talk to but their newly appointed and already favorite teacher, Hagrid.
"I've heard they used to use students as targets back in the day." Fred leaned in, and pointed at Draco leaning in with a group of other Slytherin students. "Maybe the Durmstrang students will see our boys here and re-start that."
"I've heard they have Dark Arts sigils scrawled across walls…" yelped a first-year student.
"Yeah, did you know, they gotta do in their own mums in their NEWTs. Probably finally ran outta mums and decided to use us then." said George, looking at the first-year student in a serious tone. "I'd be extra attentive in my Defense Against the Dark Arts classes this year, little target."
"Yeah, especially with the teacher this year." continued Fred. "Leave Durmstrang, seems like a gust of wind'll do him in."
They all turned around to look at Lupin. He stood out among the other professors in their best robes. Shabby, tired-looking, he appeared almost gray next to the others at the table. Harry compared him to the Durmstrang professor dressed in brown robes two seats away from him. She wore colors just as muted as him, but the difference between them seemed enormous, yet Harry couldn't put his finger on what it was exactly. From her apparently heated conversation with McGonagall, Harry wondered if she too taught Transfiguration.
"I can't believe they couldn't rebuild Hogwarts in an entire three months in a different place. You'd think-"
"You'd think you'd be smarter than that. Here, keep stuffing and stop talking stupid." Fred handed Seamus another slice of pumpkin pie, and leaned over towards Harry, Ron and Hermione. "I've heard Dad talking with Bill. After last year and with Sirius Black on the loose, there's been lots of complaints about the safety we have.
I bet someone's you-know-son-of-a-what-dad had a word to put in." Fred pointed towards Malfoy, who seemed to be relaying something of interest to an entire mass of Slytherin students.
"He was in the compartment next door." continued George. "We figured something was happening from what he was gloating about, but didn't know it was that bad."
"My father, Durmstrang, best friends forever, should've been there, yadda-yadda-yadda." Fred quoted in a high-pitched voice, moving his hands derisively. "To be honest, I thought he was transferring."
"Wouldn't be surprised if he transfers at some point." gumbled Ron.
"Maybe the whole of Slytherin will transfer. That would be a dream." Harry chipped in.
He only caught the end of the conversation, having realised that he himself had been noticed and seemed to be the subject of conversation between Snape and Karkaroff, with the latter looking straight at him every now and then. He put his hand on his forehead, trying to pull tufts of his hair and cover his scar.
They had to go see Hagrid. As soon as possible.
It was also their chance to test the theory of whether the grounds were all identical to Hogwarts. Harry and Ron pretended to go to bed at the same time as the others, however immediately jumped out, got dressed, and tiptoed to the Griffyndor common room to meet Hermione.
They all got under the Invisibility Cloak, and started their walk towards Hagrid's. The entrance to Hogwarts was indeed the same - as was the margin of the Forbidden Forest, as was the lake, as were the stars, as were the lawns, as was Hagrid's hut.
They advanced confidently, and Harry was ready to drop the Cloak and open the door, when Hermione put his hand over his and stopped him. She pointed towards the door, where they saw McGonagall's head, and then a cup the size of half her head being handed to her. Harry moved forward, and they all advanced towards the window.
"Aye, they'll be taken care of. All yer creatures're'n good hands 'ere at Hogwarts."
"Please, I beg of you to not get me wrong, Professor-" an unknown voice spoke in a hushed tone. The voice has an odd accent, rolling r's hard and harshly, yet had a certain musicality. The three turned more, and managed to see it was Pann sitting across from both Hagrid and McGonagall.
"Hagrid, just - just Hagrid." he interrupted, seemingly uncomfortable being addressed as a professor.
"Hagrid. Yes." she continued. "You see, the creatures we host at Durmstrang are of the utmost peculiarity, and we boast of being the sole holders of some fine specimens. I believe you have been forwarded my letters sent at the beginning of this move?" Pann turned towards Professor McGonagall looking for confirmation.
"I assure you Rada, the contents have been discussed at length along all other terms of your hosting. And while our wonderful Rubeus Hagrid here is in his first year as a professor, he has been gamekeeper for many, many, years without any sort of incident, and harbours an immense love for all magical creatures.
Both myself and Dumbledore trust him wholeheartedly, and we hope that soon you will see why."
Pann seemed to ponder Professor McGonagall's words, and for the first time since she had stepped foot in the Great Hall a few hours ago, her face cracked into a smile. Harry couldn't help but notice the difference between her and Karkaroff was night and day, as her expression of content seemed genuine.
"Wonderful, wonderful. I am happy to hear. If your passion for all creatures is indeed as large as your person, I have no doubt in your capabilities then." Pann seemed satisfied, and she clapped her hands excitedly.
"Well, then my dear, shall we depart? I am afraid there are still some things we would like to discuss before our classes start tomorrow morning. I hope that Albus' request for you to join us hasn't detracted much from your own banquet."
"Ah- not at all! We eat separately from students, and there are no such announcements presented. Igor himself feasts apart from the others professors. It was very refreshing to join you, your staff and your students."
"I will make sure to relay this to Albus. Hagrid, thank you for hosting us at this hour, and do make sure you rest for tomorrow's classes." Minerva sat up, putting the cup of tea back onto Hagrid's table. The two women picked up their cloaks, and exited Hagrid's hut.