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Durmstrang Institution was very much unlike Hogwarts

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Durmstrang Institution was very much unlike Hogwarts. The only thing thing that they had in common was that both structures were castles, yet the former was much smaller. Everything, from education to ethics, was vastly different.

It was the first day of term. The dining hall, which was a sea of red capes and fur caps, sat students of all ages waiting for the announcements to start. There was quiet chatter, but many decided not to speak in fear of Igor Karkaroff, their headmaster. 

The man was not a force to be reckoned with.

He listened in on nearly every conversation, made every student look exactly alike, and swore up and down that if there was something that he didn't like that a student did, they would receive the worst punishment. The school was ultimately his, nobody could interfere with his fear tactics.

And every student complied, except for one. 

Emberly Jocasta sat next to her best friends, Milan and Stephon with Viktor right across from her. Her amber eyes scanned the room, looking for the headmaster. She knew that while he was out of sight, he was not out of earshot.

She actually had learned that Karkaroff took a hearing enhancement potion. She was convinced the man was a militia-loving dictator.

Unlike Hogwarts, the students were not sorted. That promoted individuality...and Durmstrang could never embrace that quality. 

The chatter stopped abruptly when the doors to the dining hall slammed open. Karkaroff's assistant led the new young students to the front of the hall. There were about fifteen of them, all boys except for one. They varied in height, weight, and hairstyle. 

They lined up in front of Karkaroff's table...yes, that's right. The table at the front of the hall only seated Karkaroff. 

He had no staff besides a few teachers, but they were not "worthy" of sitting with them.

The man got up from his seat and stood in front of the young students. Emberly noticed one of them shaking. She tapped into their mind and made them feel calm.

While the goddess disliked using her powers on people without them knowing, she allowed herself to when it was either necessary or helpful.

Her charmspeak could work wonders. And, with her extent, she didn't even need to speak. It was more mind-control.

"Welcome, my students," said Karkaroff coldly. "Here you stand, before the best mentor that you will have in your life."

Emberly gagged, causing Milan to hold back a giggle and Viktor to kick her from under the table.

"Over the next seven years, you will have to prove yourself. Education is not a right, it's a privilege, especially here. This is the most strong, prestigious school. If you want free and easy education, Hogwarts or Ilvermorny will take you in.

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