The late summer came with a change, shorter days, colder winds. But the worst of all was that the lake didn't feel the same anymore, the smell was gone and the warm summer nights weren't the same anymore.
Hati laid Infront of the fire in the office. Astrid sat on one of the armchairs. She was reading though the newspapers. The front page certainly was interesting.
"So who is this Sirius Black?" Linus asked as he took a bite of a sandwich.
She thought for a moment, as she looked at the front page. "He was a big deal a while ago, apparently he murdered people and even told the dark lord where the Potters where hiding leading to their deaths." She paused for a bit and looked at the fireplace, "But it was weird, he didn't get a trail of anything." She said and took a sip of the tea.
Linus pondered for a moment.
"So they didn't even investigate it, or question him about it.?" she looked confused. "Just straight to Azkaban." Linus said as he looked at the crazy image on the front.
Astrid just nodded as she looked down at the paper.
Some things really amazed him, with the Veritaserum existing, you could just pop one on a suspect and be done with it. He himself had done it multiple times already, its illegal but who is going to blame him for using it on criminals.
The thought about having someone to blame it on came into his mind, a scape goat so to say. But that would mean that the whole ministry is just corrupt. The more he thought about it the more he realized they were corrupt. Nothing surprising, there will always be corruption even in the most perfect scenario. Someone wants power or wealth, and that will make them do things like that.
"are you exited to go to Hogwarts?" Astrid asked out of the blue.
Even with the dementors now stationed at the school, he could definitely say he was excited to see the legendary school. "Yeah, its going to be an eye opener, for sure" he said. He was still very unsure if transferring to the British school would be a wise choice, but maybe the visit will shed some light on the predicament.
September 1 came and Linus was now siting with his classmates in the great hall at Durmstrang, wearing the usual red uniform with his black bear pelt cape around him. He sat next to Sigrun eating while the new first years were sworn into the school.
As usual everyone around him spoke about how they were there for not to long ago, very cliché according to Linus, but he understood the feeling.
Niko dove into his bed as soon as they stepped into the bed chamber of the dorm. "Finally, my bed!" he said with his head buried in the pillow.
The other around him started unpacking their things and talking about the summer break. They had all exchange letter but still talked about what they had done. Armin was most interested about Linus's little trade embargo against Britain.
"You were in the newspaper for like 5 weeks straight, And I was already annoyed by that face so it was extra annoying." Erik said mockingly.
The boys laughed about it, but Linus still sent a little lighting bolt from his finger to shock him.
"I hate how good you've gotten with that" he said as he rubbed the spot where he had gotten hit.
Niko sat up on the bed quickly, "You have to teach us how to do that man." He said, he pretty much had the puppy eyes while begging to learn it. "Can you imagine all the girls we could get if we could just zap from out fingers?"
Of course that's why he wanted to learn it. Linus just threw a pillow at him.
The start of the term at Durmstrang was just normal, everyone was going around like zombies, but the pace of learning was the same. the teachers didn't care that half the school was barley staying awake during classes.
Linus first class this year was potion and as per usual he finished his potion and got a affirmative nod from the potion master Arkadi. He sat back in his chair watching his classmates struggle with the brewing, giving hints along the way.
He was really here to see Niko or Erik blowing up their own cauldrons.
Arkadi walked around the chamber looking over the potions, he stopped and gave some pointers and some scolding for doing totally wrong.
Sigrun was on the verge of tears as she failed her second batch. She looked over at Linus and saw he was already looking at her, she made the biggest puppy eyes and pleaded for help. He helped her and she gave him a big hug after.
The group sat in the dinner chamber and ate lunch after the potion class, the mood was mixed. Sigrun would be sadder if she didn't get help but was now as happy as ever. Niko basically laid his head in his meat stew.
The dinner hall of Durmstrang was loud in the particular way only that school could manage.
The ceiling beams were dark with age and smoke stains, enchanted lanterns casting a low amber glow that never quite reached the corners of the room. Cold stone walls absorbed sound instead of reflecting it, turning laughter and conversation into a constant rough hum. Outside the tall windows, the sky was already dimming despite the early hour, clouds pressing low over the mountains like a lid.
Linus sat back on the bench, letting the noise wash over him.
Sigrun was still smiling, her earlier frustration completely forgotten as she ate, shoulders lighter now, eyes bright. She talked animatedly about how the potion had finally changed color at the right moment, how she had almost panicked when the fumes thickened. Her hands moved as much as her words.
"I swear, if you hadn't stopped me I would have added the lacewing," she said. "Again."
"You always add the lacewing," Linus replied calmly.
"That is not the point," she said, poking him lightly with her spoon.
Across the table, Niko had given up entirely. His forehead rested in his bowl, curls nearly dipping into the stew. Every now and then he stirred weakly, as if hoping the food might eat itself.
"I am never brewing anything again," he muttered. "I will survive exclusively on bread and spite."
Erik snorted. "You said that last year."
"And the year before," Armin added without looking up from his notes. He was already planning ahead, quill scratching softly against parchment even as he ate.
In the afternoon the group sat with the class ready for the next subject.
The room seemed to cool the moment the man closed the door behind him.
The dark arts classroom sat deep within the stone belly of Durmstrang, far from windows and warmth. The torches along the walls burned with a pale blue flame instead of the usual orange, throwing long thin shadows that clung to the corners. The air smelled faintly of iron and old parchment, like something had been taught here for centuries and never truly left.
Linus felt it immediately.
The man at the front straightened, long fingers resting lightly on the desk. His robes were plain, dark, and worn in places that suggested frequent movement rather than neglect. His eyes were sharp and tired at the same time.
"My name is Professor Kaldur," he said. His voice was calm, almost bored. "And this is defensive dark arts."
A few students shifted in their seats.
"You will not be casting unforgivables," Kaldur continued. "You will not be experimenting. You will not be testing boundaries." His gaze hardened. "If you wish to do those things, do them outside my classroom and accept the consequences."
Niko leaned slightly toward Linus. "I already like him."
Kaldur flicked his wand and the torches dimmed further. With another motion, an image formed in the air between them. A floating projection of a man screaming, his body contorting unnaturally.
Several students flinched.
"This," Kaldur said, "is the Cruciatus Curse."
The image froze, the scream cut off abruptly.
"It is not loud when cast correctly," he continued. "It does not need movement. It does not leave marks." His eyes swept the room. "Knowing its incantation will not save you. Knowing its theory will not save you."
Linus leaned back slightly, arms crossing.
"What saves you," Kaldur said, voice colder now, "is discipline. Pain tolerance. Mental resistance. And knowing when you are already dead."
The image dissolved into smoke.
Sigrun's fingers tightened around her quill. Armin had stopped writing entirely. Even Erik looked serious now, jaw set.
Kaldur began pacing slowly between the rows. His steps were quiet, deliberate.
"Britain teaches this subject with books and diagrams," he said. "Britain believes awareness is enough."
His eyes flicked toward Linus for just a moment. Lingering. Measuring.
"Durmstrang knows better."
He stopped beside a desk near the front and tapped it once. The sound echoed louder than it should have.
"You will learn what dark magic feels like when it fails," he said. "What it costs the caster. What it does to the air, the ground, the mind."
Linus felt it, this is what he wanted. The tension and thrill of battle and the unknown. 'adrenaline' he thought in his mind, the feeling of not knowing if you are going to die or not. The race to be the winner and the only one left standing.
The lesson continued with diagrams etched into the air, descriptions of curses that twisted intent as much as flesh. Kaldur spoke of hexes that fed on emotion, jinxes that lingered long after casting, magic that could not be fully undone.
"This year," he concluded, "the world outside these walls is restless."
Linus thought of Dementors. Of Azkaban. Of a man thrown into a cell without trial.
Kaldur extinguished the last projection and the torches flared back to their normal glow.
"Pay attention," he said quietly. "You may survive because of it."
As the bell rang and chairs scraped against stone, Linus remained seated for a moment longer.
And somewhere far away, Hogwarts was facing the same year with smiles, speeches, and creatures that fed on despair guarding children.
Linus stood slowly, lightning flickering faintly along his fingertips before he grounded it again.
If this was the year the world grew darker, then he was exactly where he needed to be.
As the days passed with continued lessons about magic and rune or potions. The same rhythm that had been felt before set in, almost like trained soldiers at this point.
The duels were getting intense and so did the subjects. If you didn't want to be left behind you have to keep up this school doesn't wait for you.
Three weeks after the school had started the dueling area was filled with shouts of encouragement and not so encouraging. Duels were being fought and lost.
Linus was just now in a ring with a fifth year who wanted to show everyone that the unstoppable Gray could be stopped. But as everyone predicted it took him 6 seconds before he was face down in the dirt.
As Linus walked out of the ring, a seventh year walked towards him. Once Infront of him the female seventh year who's name was Amanda said. "Gray, the headmaster called for you." She said while looking into the eyes of Gray. "he also told you to put on a new clean uniform with the black bear cape."
The seventh year left after a nod. But Linus looked at his friends to his right to see if they knew anything but the all shrugged their shoulders in unison.
The walk to his dorm was slow. He took this time to think about school and life overall. The uniform he put on was close to his normal school uniform but a bit fancier, not very often worn but on occasions.
He walked up the stairs leading to the headmaster's office, walking past the deathyhallows logo etched into the wall and now stood Infront of the big dark oak door.
Linus raised his hand to knock on the door, but just as his hand was about to make impact the door flew open. And inside behind his desk sat Igor, the Headmaster. "in" he said in a course voice.
He didn't wait a second and stepped into the office. The door closed with a bang behind him.
It was his first time in here, it was bigger than it seemed on the outside. A big fireplace with a high ceiling. And dark oak furniture.
Igor leaned back in his pelt chair. "Do you know why you are here?" he asked.
Linus thought for a moment before answering. "I think its about Hogwarts"
Igor stood up and walked over to the fireplace. He nodded on the way, not very notable but Linus saw it.
He now stood by the fireplace. "The old wizard has requested you to visit." He said calmly.
Linus really didn't think this conversation would go this calmly. He was expecting and outburst or mockery, but no.
Igor turned to Linus, "I'm not going to lie Gray, you are important to this school."
'what?' Linus almost didn't think he heard correctly but with his heightened senses, there was no doubt that he heard right. 'what does this fox have in is arm now'
"You are one of the if not most important students here, your grades are top, and even practical is in the top." He paused. "And I knew that because I was the one who sent that bear after you."
Linus clenched his fist hard but after just a moment he let it go, the bear was a lesson. To teach him, it had taught him that you need to be the best if you want to succeed.
Igor continued with "If you are going to switch school, at least don't switch to Hogwarts is my recommendation." He walked back to his chair. "Someone with your talent would be way too good there."
He stood in silence for a moment, the words had hit him hard, not only because he didn't expect the words from Igor himself, but also because this was the first time someone thought about the skills I had in contrast to what I could learn. Would Hogwarts actually teach me anything I didn't already know? Probably not since they are more theoretical and doesn't do much practical.
"Thank you headmaster, I will consider your recommendation" Linus said finally.
Igor nodded and actually gave a smile. "Use my Flo flame, it will take you directly to Dumbledore office in Hogwarts, and bring this package to him from me."
The package was wrapped and stood on his desk, picking it up was deceiving, it was heavy. Oddly heavy for such a small package.
Linus walked over to the fireplace and picked up a handful of powder before saying Hogwarts and throwing the powder.
And in a instant he was enveloped in green flame and then, he was gone.