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In the past, the concept of science fiction in 1993 might have only existed in the pages of novels. But now, this seemingly 'science fiction' scene had become a tangible part of reality.
Or perhaps, calling it 'magic' would be even more fitting.
The Hoderhors docked at a sleek and expansive pier. A dense crowd of around eight or nine thousand students gathered, forming a dark mass. Floating signboards in midair guided them toward their designated areas. Once everyone had disembarked, an unseen force gently supported their feet, as if a massive, invisible floating platform had materialized beneath them. Within mere seconds, what had once seemed a distant sculpture plaza was now right before them.
Experienced upperclassmen chatted casually as they made their way toward the tallest central building. From within, several professors emerged—responsible for welcoming new students. They wore matching black uniforms with red trim, each adorned with a double-headed eagle emblem. Most appeared to be in their early thirties. Under their guidance, the first-years quickly formed into more than a dozen groups of varying sizes. Meanwhile, in the exchange student section where Harry stood, two professors—a man and a woman—approached.
"I am Kars Horten, and this is Sasan Deflot. We are delighted to welcome you to Durmstrang for your exchange studies. Please follow us to the Great Hall. After a grand welcoming banquet, you will officially join Durmstrang and embark on the pursuit of magical mastery alongside our students."
"I trust this will be a journey worth remembering. Now, let's not waste time—please follow us."
Kars Horten walked at a steady pace toward the towering structure ahead, while Sasan Deflot spoke in a clear voice that carried effortlessly to everyone, thanks to a practical voice-amplifying spell—far more comfortable than the deafening Sonorus charm.
"Durmstrang Institute of Magic was founded in the year 1145 by the legendary Bulgarian witch, Nerida Vulchanova. That makes this institution 848 years old. However, in 1978, Headmaster Grindelwald invested heavily in reconstructing Durmstrang, transforming it into Europe's first modern magical education institute. Today, it stands as the most advanced and well-equipped center for magical research in the continent."
"This past January, the former Nurmengard Magical Research Center was officially relocated here, taking residence in the Central Tower—the very building we're heading toward. The first floor houses the Great Hall, while floors two through twenty-nine contain the school library and magical research exhibition rooms. Floors thirty and above serve as the experimental research facilities for the Nurmengard Institute of Magic. To our left, the Twin West Towers accommodate the Institute of Magical Engineering and the Institute of General Magical Studies, where various experiments and research projects take place. The main academic district is located in the Twin East Towers on the right. The original Durmstrang castle was relocated to Hilbert Mountain behind the Twin East Towers and has been repurposed as a student recreation and leisure area."
"For more detailed information about the school, you will have ample time to explore during your years of study here. I hope you will also witness Durmstrang's rapid progress and transformation in the years to come."
Upon reaching the entrance of the Central Tower, the two professors paused briefly.
"If any of you are interested in Magic: The Reorganization of Genes and Life, you are welcome to enroll in our introductory course. This is a newly established field of magical research, having existed for only ten years. We strongly encourage fresh talent to join and contribute to its advancement."
Durmstrang offered an astonishing array of niche magical disciplines. Due to the relatively short history of its educational and magical reforms—only fifteen years—it was difficult for these emerging subjects to gain widespread recognition. Many of these specialized fields had never been studied independently before. With limited academic resources, the more traditional and popular disciplines naturally attracted the majority of students. Until the reforms had time to mature, these smaller fields struggled to gain traction.
However, this unpredictability also meant that any one of these disciplines could experience a sudden breakthrough, skyrocketing in significance. These niche studies were like deep waters—full of hidden treasures and unexpected surprises.
The mention of an unfamiliar new course sparked murmurs among the exchange students. Every student admitted to Durmstrang for foreign study was highly capable, at the very least having completed a full foundational magical education. Compared to Durmstrang's general student body, they were already at a level where graduation would not be an issue. Many had come here to broaden their horizons, seeking exposure to innovative magical concepts. Others were focused on mastering a specialized skill.
What set Durmstrang apart from other magical schools was its sheer abundance of professors. The researchers stationed here were all top-tier magical scholars, handpicked over decades by the Magocratic Party. And every single one of them was also part of the teaching faculty.
If one were to compare the ratio of professors to students, there were actually twice as many professors as there were students.
Such an overwhelming wealth of academic resources made Durmstrang one of the most prestigious magical institutions in the world. Though it had started behind some of the more established elite magical schools, Grindelwald's willingness to pour massive investments into it, coupled with the Magocratic Party's absolute control over its territories, had propelled Durmstrang to new heights.
Grindelwald ruled with a totalitarian hand—though he never claimed the title of Emperor, he was one of the few true magical sovereigns of the 20th century.
Yet, he was also surprisingly accessible. Unlike others who led from behind closed doors, Grindelwald could often be seen within the school. Unlike Dumbledore, who had long withdrawn into the role of headmaster and political figurehead, Grindelwald continued to personally teach classes at Durmstrang—at least fourteen hours per week. Such dedication was rare, making him an undisputed model of hard work.
Perhaps it was this dynamic leadership that allowed the Magocratic Party to advance so rapidly over the past decade.
When a hundred-year-old warlord still personally wielded his wand and charged into the fray—fighting seven battles and emerging victorious each time—what excuse did the younger generations have to slack off?
If there were an annual award for internal competition, Grindelwald would win first place every year.
The students stepped through the towering entrance of the Central Magical Tower. The colossal doors, over fifteen meters high, were constructed entirely from enchanted black crystal. No physical effort was required to open them—when someone approached, the doors would shimmer and turn translucent, allowing passage with a simple step forward.
Beyond the entrance lay an immensely vast and breathtakingly surreal Great Hall.
This venue had been transformed into a grand banquet hall, with exquisite small round tables seating up to seven people. At the far end of the hall, a massive symbol of the Deathly Hallows—a mark of the Magocratic Party—was emblazoned on a black velvet curtain. Beneath the curtain were the reserved seats for the influential figures from the various departments and faculties. Almost every teacher—whose number surpassed that of the students—was present for the opening banquet. The teachers sat among the students in the vast hall, easily distinguishable by their uniforms.
At the opening banquet, the students mostly wore casual clothing, as the school did not require uniforms before the start of the official term. It was still considered the holiday period.
About ten minutes later, everyone had found their seats. Sitting with Harry were not only Fleur but also his teammates from Hogwarts' dueling team. The twins were studying alchemy at Beauxbatons, while the rest of the team remained here, including the "clown" Harry had picked up at the dueling competition—Phoenix.
He was quite familiar with the other team members. During the holiday, he had briefly played as a keeper. It wasn't because Wood couldn't keep the goal, but because Wood wanted to score himself. After Harry's absence, their Quidditch team had one less player, and Phoenix's arrival filled that gap. Although he hadn't completed the team's mandatory introductory course, it didn't affect his ability to keep an empty goal.
The other members had been going all out. Even Wood had scored thirty-five goals in a match, fulfilling his desire to score, despite being a keeper. Forget about defending—just fly through on a Nimbus 2001 and smash through anything in the way. Now, even the seemingly weakest of their team, Cho, could charge at someone with enough force to break their ribs. Cedric, having been unusually well-behaved for the past six months, now truly couldn't be defeated—not unless he was deliberately holding back, thanks to his family's legacy of mysterious Eastern martial arts.
Suddenly, the once lively hum of the banquet hall fell into an eerie silence. This wasn't the usual intermittent silence found in a school classroom; rather, it was due to the arrival of a man with snowy white hair, dressed in a well-tailored black high-collared robe, who walked up to the podium.
Despite the banquet hall's enormous size—at least twenty times that of Hogwarts' Great Hall—the strange thing was that no matter where one sat, even with extreme nearsightedness and without glasses, one could still see the elderly man's face clearly when they looked up toward the podium. His voice, though not loud, was clear enough for everyone to hear.
"Welcome."
Grindelwald gave a slight nod, his words brief.
"Welcome to all returning students continuing their studies here at Durmstrang, and welcome to the new students who have joined us to learn the art of magic. We also extend a warm welcome to our guests from various magical schools around the world. Durmstrang will provide every student with the knowledge they seek."
"Before the banquet begins, I'd like to briefly address a few important matters for the 1993 academic year."
"First, we welcome seventeen new professors to Durmstrang this year. Each of them is an expert in their respective fields."
Grindelwald did not list the professors by name—not because he was arrogant, but because, though these individuals were undoubtedly talented, they were still considered just talented. Their ranks were not high enough to be celebrated like more prominent figures. At Durmstrang, the competition among professors was fierce, as it directly affected the funding for their research teams. Whether or not they would secure an additional zero in their budgets for the next year depended on the number of points they had accumulated last year.
"But of even greater significance," Grindelwald continued, "is that this year, we have two highly distinguished professors joining us."
As Grindelwald gestured, an elderly man, perhaps in his eighties or nineties, stood up. He smiled and nodded to Grindelwald before turning to face the students.
"This is Professor Calvin Pashudkins. He is a leading expert in the field of magical herbology, specializing in carnivorous plants. In 1931, he was recognized as a worldwide authority in magical herbology."
Excited whispers rippled through the exchange students around Harry. These whispers came from the students from Castrosburgh, who were staring at the frail professor with wide eyes. Many of them had come from far and wide specifically to study under him. After all, there were very few herbology masters in Castrosburgh, and the one still teaching there hardly ever held classes anymore, focusing primarily on research.
"With Professor Pashudkins' arrival, Durmstrang's previously weak herbology department will undoubtedly experience significant growth. To that end, the school has allocated an 11 million Galleon research grant to Professor Pashudkins and will establish a fully equipped carnivorous plant garden. Students who score over 130 points on the Herbology A-level exam will be eligible to enroll in Professor Pashudkins' specialized course on carnivorous plants."
A collective gasp of both frustration and awe echoed throughout the hall. Although Harry didn't know exactly what the A-level exam score meant or its maximum score, judging by the despair on the faces of the other Durmstrang students, it seemed that only a few would manage to meet the requirements.
"Next January, we will open a basic class under Professor Pashudkins. Don't be too discouraged if your grades don't meet the mark. As long as you have talent and are willing to work hard, the next four months will be your time to catch up."
The previously dejected students perked up at this news. The basic subordinate class was essentially a foundational course taught by assistants personally chosen by the professor. Unlike regular classes, however, students in these subordinate classes had the rare chance to be personally taught by the professor himself—albeit only occasionally, but it would happen.
For a professor of this caliber, even the competition for teaching assistant positions was fierce. It wasn't just the students fighting for a spot—other herbology professors at the school were just as eager. After all, anyone who had received the title of Master was an undisputed titan in their field, a 24K golden thigh worth clinging to.
Only a millennium-old institution like Hogwarts could manage to assemble a faculty as legendary as Minerva McGonagall, Filius Flitwick, and Severus Snape despite its otherwise mediocre academic foundation. Weak? Perhaps. But Hogwarts had an unparalleled student body—so rich in talent that even left to grow wild, they could still become towering, sky-shrouding trees.
Oh, right—Snape was no longer there. But in his place stood an even stronger Potions Master: Horace Slughorn. In terms of legacy, calling Hogwarts the most prestigious of Europe's Big Three magic schools was hardly an exaggeration.
Once the students had settled down, Grindelwald gestured toward the other side of the hall.
"Our next new professor is even more of a legend. He is the only Potions Master in history to have earned three Master-level certifications before the age of thirty."
"Please give a warm welcome to—Professor Severus Snape."
"…What the—?!"
It wasn't just Harry who was stunned. He'd at least had some mental preparation, but Cedric, Cho, Wood, and Marcus? They were thunderstruck. They had all assumed Snape was still at Hogwarts—how the hell did he end up here?!
"H-How is Snape—?" Marcus stammered, staring at the man seated in the distance. His expression was as cold as ever, his face carved from ice, exuding the aura of someone convinced the entire world owed him billions of Galleons.
Unlike the kindly Professor Pashudkins, a mere glance from Snape was enough to send a shiver down every student's spine.
"Hogwarts' Potions Professor is now Horace Slughorn—Snape's own mentor. He resigned at the end of the year," Harry explained briefly, snapping his jaw shut.
"I should've seen this coming," he muttered. Honestly, Snape following him to Durmstrang wasn't even that surprising, right?
"In 1990, Professor Snape earned Master-level certifications in Cursed Elixirs, Poisons, and Warfare Potioneering. Additionally, he is well-versed in both Cursed Magic and Defense Against the Dark Arts. At his request, during his tenure at Durmstrang, he will also be teaching spell-based subjects beyond Potions."
To Grindelwald, a genius as broad and deep as Snape was nothing short of a dream come true. When he had previously watched young, talented wizards waste their potential at Hogwarts, it had been painful for him. But now? At least one-third of his long-held wish had come true. (McGonagall and Flitwick were still young—only in their sixties or seventies. In this world, wizards typically lived for two centuries, though many exceeded even that. Armando Dippet, for example, had lived over 300 years—born in 1637, he was still Hogwarts' Headmaster in 1942 when the Chamber of Secrets murders occurred. This information was confirmed in official Chocolate Frog Card lore.)
"To welcome Professor Snape, Durmstrang will be allocating fifteen million Galleons as his research fund. Furthermore, he will have unrestricted access to our highest-grade Potions laboratories.
"Additionally, Durmstrang will be introducing three new specialized scholarships in Cursed Elixirs, Poisons, and Warfare Potioneering, totaling 900,000 Galleons—a prize for the most outstanding students in these fields."
Grindelwald disliked interruptions or idle chatter during his speeches. Yet, the moment he announced these figures, even Durmstrang's senior students couldn't help but break into hushed, excited discussions.
After all, this was a single-subject scholarship of 300,000 Galleons! Sure, Durmstrang had always offered academic incentives, but never had they been this generous.
Of course, as the ruling power over nearly two-thirds of the European continent, the Magocratic Party wasn't exactly strapped for cash. A significant reason for this was—well, Grindelwald had robbed Gringotts.
To be precise, Grindelwald had crushed the goblins, wresting control over the magical world's currency production. Goblin-run banks were still allowed to exist in his territory—but they were strictly forbidden from independently minting Galleons, Sickles, or Knuts. They were also subject to heavy taxation by the Magocratic Party.
The goblins in his lands weren't any better off than those under Nicolas Flamel's rule. Both men were infamous goblin-slayers, their hands stained with goblin blood. They were terrifying beyond belief.
What did it mean to be the absolute ruler of a magical empire?
It meant that any opposition either knelt like dogs—or ended up buried six feet under.
Goblins? Those insignificant creatures who had lost three wizard-goblin wars? And they dared to dream of controlling Grindelwald's economy?
If they didn't grovel fast enough, even their ashes wouldn't remain.
Their only saving grace was that, thanks to centuries of effort, Galleons had become a widely circulated global currency. That—and that alone—was why they were still alive.
Was it really that all European wizards were just templates for the foolish English donkeys? Grindelwald's reforms had permeated every corner of the magical world, leaving no aspect untouched. Thousands of top-tier intellects, none of whom would miss any obvious oversights.
The clamor lasted only for a few seconds. Grindelwald calmly waited. As the students realized their mistake, they immediately quieted down. His influence and authority at Durmstrang were far stronger than Dumbledore's at Hogwarts.
"Students wishing to enroll in Professor Snape's Potions classes must score at least 130 points in the Potions A-level exam. For those interested in the Curse Magic or Dark Arts Analysis courses, they must score 120 points in the Charms A-level exam."
The students' eyes brightened further when they heard this. A minimum of 120 points in Charms was no trivial matter. It indicated that Snape had likely reached the threshold for Master-level research in these fields. After all, Durmstrang was renowned for its expertise in Dark Arts, especially since its headmaster, Professor Grindelwald, was a legendary master of the Dark Arts himself.
For this category, the scoring threshold was stricter than for other subjects. A score of 120 was among the highest possible under a non-Master-level professor.
"Now, there is one final announcement. This year, Durmstrang will collaborate with Kodostroitz to research the expansion and advancement of firearms. This new course will be mandatory for students in the A-tier, while students below A-tier may choose it as an elective."
After covering everything, Grindelwald finally allowed a faint smile to appear on his face.
"Now, let the feast begin. The magical interface is available for self-ordering, but please do not waste food."
Within half a minute of his words, the vast hall was filled with a rich and delightful blend of scents. The senior students, accustomed to the process, began placing orders, while the new students mimicked them, tapping the floating magical interface in front of them. Once they selected their desired food, it would appear in front of them in an instant.
The menu was vast and varied, with dishes from all over the world, ensuring that every student could find a taste of home.
"I love this place!"
Marcus, his eyes sparkling, was the first to pick up his knife and fork and dive into the feast. No one found his excitement amusing; even Harry was quickly ordering. Over eighty percent of the dishes on the menu were unfamiliar to him.
"Wait, they have Red Star Erguotou? I have to try two bottles to check the flavor, and they even have 1982 Moutai? What kind of godly school is this?!"
Harry happily gulped down the drink, and the strong scent of alcohol reached even the tables a few rows away, drawing curious glances.
"Why can't we just order soda?"
A bewildered student from the next table stared at Harry for five minutes, but after seeing him down half a bottle of unfamiliar liquor in rapid succession, he quickly turned away. The thought of asking for a sip of alcohol was gone in an instant—after all, nobody could challenge a guy who downed that much alcohol so easily.
The lively feast continued for about an hour. Once everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, Grindelwald stood up, announced the conclusion of the feast, and left. After his departure, another middle-aged professor—likely the Vice-Principal—took over, guiding the students. The new and international students were left behind, while the professors who had brought them to the hall returned to lead them to the registration desk.
The professor explaining things was still the one with the pleasant voice: Professor Sashan D'Frogt.
"Once you've received your starter kit, you will officially become a member of Durmstrang. I believe each of you is an outstanding student from your respective schools. For your first semester here, all of you will receive the A-tier badge. This badge grants you certain privileges, such as access to the library, the ability to register for various subjects, and other student benefits."
"Besides the required basics in Charms and the newly added mandatory Firearms Form Expansion and Advancement, all other subjects are electives, including specialized courses in Charms. As A-tier students, you will need to complete the core courses plus three additional electives in order to earn enough credits for the semester. If you fail to do so and also fail the makeup exams, your tier will drop to B starting next semester."
"However, there is an exception: if you achieve a score of 140 or higher in any elective subject, you can remain in A-tier regardless of your other scores."
"B-tier students are required to complete the minimum core and one elective course, and the minimum for graduation is C-tier. C-tier students only need to complete basic magical studies in order to graduate from Durmstrang, and while they are essential to the magical community, they are not exactly rare."
"A-level exams refer to specialization exams with a difficulty coefficient of 5, ranging from A (5) to E (1). The passing score for A-tier exams is 90, and scores over 140 earn an additional credit. A score of 140 signifies that a student can likely pass the next level of exams."
"There is also an S-tier privilege. S-tier students have the same privileges as third-tier professors. They can apply for independent research rooms and research funds. Currently, Durmstrang has 11 students in S-tier, with three of them having completed their studies and stayed behind to continue their research under the guidance of Master-level professors. Durmstrang currently has 17 Master-level professors across various fields."
"As international students, you may audit any subject of interest during the first month of the semester before officially selecting your courses. A-tier students may take up to seven electives, but I advise against filling your schedule entirely. A person's energy is limited, and only someone with extraordinary talent could manage to spread themselves so thin."
"The tier badges are the most important part of the starter kit, while the other two items are the Durmstrang uniform and your essential glide-board. Durmstrang's campus is large, so much so that running between classes in twenty minutes is virtually impossible. Some classes are taught outdoors, requiring long walks."
"As you've already seen, we've been walking for several minutes, but we've barely left the main hall, haven't we?"
Sashan paused by the side door of the hall, leading them into a bustling registration area. The new students ahead of them were excitedly trying on their uniforms, proudly strutting around.
(End of Chapter)