premise |
| For many generations, Durmstrang Institute has been one of the foremost European Schools of Magic. Steeped in tradition, one of the values they upheld above all other was in keeping magic strong. As such, they had adopted many rules and regulations just as hard and unforgiving as the climate they lived in. On the Unplottable Island of Ostrov I’da in the Barents Sea, between the borders of Russia and Norway, lays the School Grounds and the Village of Nordlys. Unlike other schools, Durmstang boast being a place outside of country politics. Instead it is governed by school law. The Headmaster rules with the advisement of the Governor’s Board, made up of the most influential people of Eastern Europe, all previous students of Durmstrang. As such, Durmstrang has managed to resist the push from the Ministries of countries in attendance at the school to modernize teaching practices, such as keeping with the teaching of Dark Arts and refusing muggleborn students. However, even the most resistant must change or else be destroyed in the coming wave of modernization. Durmstrang is no less susceptible to It than any other, merely more resistant. However, the time for change has come. With the death of Headmaster Kakaroff, the time to change was seized. For the first time in one hundred years, a Headmaster perished without naming his heir, and the Govenor’s latched upon this. Declaring his Deputy unfit, they then placed into the position of Headmaster one they knew would finally usher the future generations of Durmstrang into the modern era. Dmitri Ivanov was their perfect match to the position. Newly retired from his position as Minister of Magic in Russia, during which he put into practice many successful reforms, they beseeched him to take on the mantle of Headmaster. They wanted no drastic changes, just a casual upgrade to appease the eyes of the world in the aftermath of Lord Voldemort in the United Kingdom. It is now 2012. Fourteen years as Headmaster, Ivanov has patiently waited. Where he had been forced into implementing watered down versions of his originally intended reforms, he knew at Durmstrang he could do better. Fourteen years and the Governors have grown compliant, happy with his seeming ease in just giving the curriculum a face lift. But this year, it will be different. For fourteen years he’s made the school more vast, building upon it until the castle could rival Hogwarts in size and magical majesty. There are rumors circulating from the parting speech he gave the year previous, rumors of glorious things to return to. But what are they? No inclination was given until July 1st. Owls were seen arriving at the homes of muggleborn students throughout Eastern Europe, inviting them to take on their birthright and to leave their temporary placement in the schools of the neighboring countries and come home. Come home to Durmstrang. A plan implemented to accompany the acceptance letter that will come upon August 1st. For the first time since the creation of Durmstrang, Muggleborn students will be allowed to walk its halls. With the new school year approaching, things are changing. New students arriving, new subject, new teachers… Everything is changing, just like Ivanov had planned. However, many are not happy with these changes. Are you with the Headmaster? Or against him? |