1. Transfer Selection

10 1 0
                                    

It was September 17th, 1973.

Igor Karkaroff, headmaster of Durmstrang, paced in front of the line of 25 applicants to transfer and 4 others who were suggested by their head of house. His penetrating stare bore into the eyes of every student, every student but one, Anna Fehlter. The youngest child in the list at age 13, yet the most intelligent and sharp-tongued of them all.

She was reading one of her textbooks, holding it at about waist hight. The brown leather cover held firmly in her hands. Her raven-black hair carelessly brushed aside and hanging on her shoulder toward the pages. Her skin was nearly the same color as tr parchment in her book as she compared her class notes to the book knowledge.

"Anna Fehlter, Passt auf!" Headmaster Karkaroff spat.

The girl slowly lifted her gaze, her crystal blue eyes looked into the smokey blue eyes of her headmaster. She clicked her tongue and closed her book, tucking it under her left arm.

"I am paying attention, headmaster." She spoke calmly.

The headmaster grimaced and turned to scan the rest of the group.

"You 29 students have either signed up for the transfer program, or," He glanced back at Anna and three others standing at the left end of the line with her. "Have been selected by your head of house because they think you worthy of representing our school."

His voice was loud, firm, and cold. A couple of tr students who signed up shifted uncomfortablly.

"But!" He added as he continued, "15 of you have already shown me you are not worthy of such privilege."

His piercing gaze scanned over the group again.

"Derick Ludwig, Viktor Schwarz, Lea Berger, Jenson Hoffmann," he listed 11 other names, "You all may return to your studies."

The students murmured disappointedly among themselves as they filed out of the great hall.

Another long menacing stare from headmaster Karkaroff, none of the nervous students remained. Anna placed her book on the table behind her, leaned in said table and began to braid small strands of her hair together as she waited.

"Headmaster," a boy spoke up, gaining a glare from Karkaroff. "I was wondering, why gather us here if you clearly already know who you will be sending?"

The boy was a Liberalis house member, the Ravenclaw equivalent, house mascot an Owl, colors purple and gray.

"Excellently noticed, Mr. Dietrich, but I did not ask your opinion. You shall head back to your studies."

The boy paused with a look of shock for a moment, it settled in and he clearly decided that the decision to send him off made sense. He then nodded and headed out of the hall.

"Anyone else want to question my methods?" The headmaster asked his students. Upon no reply he grinned, "Good."

A few painfully long minutes passed, Anna now had 4 braids and was working on the 5th when headmaster Karkaroff spoke again.

"Anna Fehlter!" His voice was demanding.

She turned her gaze to him. "Yes headmaster."

"You will be the Durmstrang transfer student to Hogwarts school. Pack your belongings, you leave after dinner."

"Yes headmaster." She nodded and grabbed her book, weaving her way through the line of students to get to the straightest shot to the exit.

She ignored the questioning murmurs of the other students and mad her way to the exit. Right as the door shut behind her, she heard the headmaster dismiss the rest of the students.

Anna walked up a flight of stairs, meeting her friend, Jack, on the way. He was also an Atticus, Slytherin equivalent, mascot Thestral, colors green and black.

"Wie ist es gelaufen?" He asked quickly.

"It went fine." She responded flatly.

"Must you speak English everywhere you go?" He joked. "So? Who was chosen to go?"

"Me." She responded simply.

Anna was never much for long, complicated replies. She usually preferred to listen and get her point across as clearly and quickly as possible.

"REALLY?!" Jack exclaimed.

"Don't yell." She looked at him quickly, her hair whipping over her left shoulder.

"Es tut mir leid, I was surprised is all." He shrugged.

"Apology accepted, and why were you surprised?" Her voice had a tint of curiosity.

"Well, you're only a third year. I had expected him to pick.. well.."

"Someone more experienced?" She interrupted.

"Ja. Exactly." He nodded.

Anna rolled her eyes and looked back at her path of travel as she walked up to the entrance to the Atticus dorms.

"I have to pack, I'll see you in potions." She said dismissively as she walked under the foyer to the dorm.

"Alright, hey, lose that cold front at Hogwarts and make some friends. The transfer program isn't only about school." Jack pointed out as he turned on his heel and walked away.

Anna sighed and went up to her dorms. "Hello, Blasen."

She greeted her owl as she walked by him. He was a golden barn owl, Blasen chittered at the girl and shook his wings.

The owl was named Blasen for his bubbly personality. The word Blasen was simply the German translation of 'bubbles'.

"We will be going to Hogwarts soon." She spoke to the owl as she began packing her books in her trunk. "Transfer program." She explained to the owl.

Anna grabbed a music box that played "Bruder John" or "Frère Jacques" or "Brother John" depending on the translation. Te music box was silver lined and had purple amethyst and blue lapis stones on it.

"I'll send you with a letter to Mutter and Vater." She continued, "Ugh.. practice English phrases!"

She looked at the owl, "To mother and father." She rephrased and then went back to packing.

"You'll take the letter to them while I learn the layout of the school and set up my dorm."

Anna put the last thing in her trunk and snapped it shut and locked. "Understood? Good."

She nodded to try owl before heading out to her potions class.

Transfer From Durmstrang; A Harry Potter Fanfic Where stories live. Discover now