Chapter 163: Durmstrang pt.4
The carriage landed outside the gates of the school and soon as they did, the huge gates opened itself letting them in. Since it was still the middle of the day, most of the student were busy having classes, so no one could be seen outside. The fact that they arrive so quick made Draco feel impressed of the carriage and the horses, though he had his own pair of flying horses he had never gotten the chance to ride it around outside other than inside his suitcase where he took a couple of test drive so seeing them reach quicker than ever made Draco quite satisfied.
Draco stepped outside the carriage looking around the place, the place seemed empty compared to Hogwarts it was way too dark for its own good. The main castle had a huge inscription of the school's coat of arms which was a double-headed eagle, which also featured the school's name in both Latin and Cyrillic script.
Draco found it quite hilarious how Drumstrang was the complete opposite of Hogwarts in every little thing possible. If Hogwarts in muggle terms was very akin to a normal boarding school then Durmstrang would be comparable to a military school, with its strict regime and training.
"Since you're a transfer student you don't have to do much but I still prefer that you change into our school's uniform as standing out isn't always a good thing." Igor said as he got out of the carriage as well, "Silas here will provide you with it all the necessities and explain you with all things you need to know. I have some other matters to attend so I will be taking my leave."
Draco nodded as Igor left towards a tower, which was not too far away from the castle.
"That's the headmaster's office." Silas said looking at the tower as well, "If you need anything from professor Karkaroff please head there."
Draco nodded in understanding as he saw three men in uniforms heading towards them. Without saying anything other than a simple nod towards Silas, the men got hold of the horses and started leading them away.
"They are the guards in our school." Silas explained looking at Draco with a small smile, "Things here are a bit different, so I hope you get used to it. So shall we go inside then, Mr. Black."
"Sure."
Heading inside the castle the first thing Draco saw was moving portraits similar to that of Hogwarts but unlike that of Hogwarts, all the portraits contained gloomy figures inside huge golden frames. The portraits stared curiously at Draco as he was in still in Hogwarts uniform completely different from the rest, while some acted unbothered about it.
"These are the portraits of our headmasters and all the important figures that went through their magical journey here in Durmstrang." Silas said acting like a guide leading Draco around, "They don't say anything so trying to talk to them would be pointless."
"Shouldn't they be in a more secure place than right in front of the gates?" Draco said looking around, "I mean, isn't it a bit disrespectful to do this?"
"Well, it was like that before but ever since headmaster Karkaroff took the office he changed the things around quite a lot." Silas said sighing, "According to him, we should make people feel the glory of Durmstrang the moment they enter the castle. They should look at these painting of these great figures and know the excellence of Durmstrang from the very beginning."
"That's ambitious... but aren't people's memory wiped about how they get here?" Draco asked, "So what's the point of even going through all this 'showing off greatness' when all they remember is vagueness?"
"The potion isn't too powerful at all and besides the impression of it is what really matters." Silas said cunningly laughing, "Also are you worried about the potion, if so, you don't have to get worked up about your memories getting wiped. Professor Karkaroff was unwilling about it from the very beginning."
"I wasn't worried about that at all." Draco said with not even a hint of nervousness. Draco who was in the enemy territory wouldn't stupidly risk exposure by drinking unknown potion left and right. Even if Igor himself forced him, he wouldn't budge a bit about it.
"It's really amazing." Silas said laughing again, "I have always been interested in why Professor Karkaroff was willing to bend so many rules and regulations and going far as to accept a transfer student which haven't happened in a very long time but it makes sense to me now seeing your raw confidence, Mr. Black. The rumored prince really does lives up to his reputation."
"I have been meaning to ask this professor, what is the deal with the prince title?" Draco asked confused, "I have heard many titles given to me before but I have never really heard people call me a prince before."
"I see, it's no wonder you seem so uncomfortable with the name." Silas nodded as if understanding something, "But you better get used to it, since as far as I know every magic school knows you as the prince."
"Wait, what?" Draco was even more confused, as he had never heard of it before.
"This is a secret but when someone gets too famous, information about them starts circulating through certain networks." Silas said in a friendly tone, "While I don't know about it much myself, I do know that they give a title to every single one of these people, like how Harry Potter is known as 'the chosen one' and you are now known as the prince. And with you beating the famous Lockhart, you have become more famous than ever, so I wouldn't be surprised in everyone starts calling you that."
Draco nodded, though he knew a lot about these sort of stuff due to his father being in a high position in the ministry, there were still too many informants and independent wizarding networks that were hard to find out, like the auction and the black market they found out about later on. Also, the fact that he was in Hogwarts all this time made it impossible to know these things. He looked at Silas who was smiling at him, though Draco didn't know if Silas was faking it or not, he couldn't shake off the aura he was getting from Silas.
"This is my office." Silas said stopping Draco's thought as he opened a small door which was in the corner of the castle.
The room was pitch dark but lit up as soon as they stepped foot in it. The candles around automatically flicked on brightening the room immediately. The room in contrast to the darkness was more lively than what Draco imagined it to be.
"Being the dark arts teacher, I do have some dark-items so be careful not to touch anything." Silas said as he went towards his desk searching for something, "We wouldn't want you to get cursed on your first day now, would we?"
Draco looked around the place without much interest but one thing caught his eye. He went closer towards it and as suspected it was a scarf, but it wasn't just any scarf but the one that belonged to the Slytherin house.
"I see you have found it." Silas said as he looked at the scarf along with Draco, "You really are observant."
Not caring about the useless compliments Draco looked at Silas with a questioning gaze, "You were from Hogwarts?"
"Used to be." Silas said, "But I didn't return back after the first year, so I guess it doesn't really count, right?"
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Durmstrang isn't clearly explained in the books not even in the wiki pages so I had to take every single thing I could to keep it close to the original source. Also, a lot of things are extra things I added like the guards, are things which I imagined Durmstrang would be like. So don't get confused about it.
(Durmstrang coat of arms = https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/harrypotter/images/f/f3/DurmstrangCrest.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/1000?cb=20160112161151 )
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