Durmstrang Institute for Magical Learning

Durmstrang Institute is the primary magical education facility in Norway, as well as the most prominent in the Scandinavian region. Much like Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, it is unplottable and disguised so that muggles and those wizards who do not know its location will be unable to locate it. Durmstrang offers schooling over the course of seven years, the first year being for those students who are eleven years of age. Durmstrang is a co-educational school that accommodates both male and female students. The students are separated into years instead of houses (i.e. First year students have their own dorm, second years have their own, etc.). However, the institute does not accept Muggle-born students and halfbloods are accepted by the skin of their teeth. The school is known for its emphasis on the instruction of Dark Arts rather than defense against them.

Location and History

Building and Grounds

Durmstrang is located on the island of Skummeltøya, off the coast of northern Norway. It is a relatively small island and is home only to the school and it's campus.

Durmstrang Castle
Hardly a "castle" compared to some, students at Durmstrang attend lessons inside a four-story stone castle nestled inside of a sharp cliff face that drops almost vertically down to the Norwegian Sea. The castle has very few windows and several fireplaces that are only lit for magical purposes. It's central point is the old, Viking-inspired Ale Hall, with it's long communal tables and high wooden rafters that extend several floors above. Due to the freezing temperatures and shortened daylight for most of the year, many students spend time in the Ale Hall socializing and playing games like Gobstones or Wizards Chess.

Tucked away in the solid rock of the connecting mountains, students can find their way to their hidden dormitories by dark, damp tunnels lit only by the occasional torch. Though the tunnels are rather unpleasant, the dormitories are mini fortified stone buildings off the side of the main castle, with one each for the boys and the girls. Each dormitory features several bed chambers that sleep eight students each, communal restrooms, and a small study area.

The Campus Grounds
As the castle is situated amidst a mountain range, the grounds extend to the valley areas to either side. To the west is the small harbor with it's worn boardwalk and several small class buildings such as a forge for rune work and the meager greenhouses. Rowing is a popular hobby with students, and the adjacent dock house provides for year-round boating access.

To the opposite side of the mountains lies an endless expanse of fields and small lakes, as far as the eye can see. At the bottom of the valley area is the "Quidditch Pitch," which consists only of several old wooden Quidditch posts and an assortment of large wooden boulders for spectators to watch from. As very few actual Quidditch matches are held at the school, there has never been a need to upgrade the field.


Academics

Students are divided into years by age, with the youngest students starting their first term at age eleven, and graduating at age seventeen or eighteen after completing seven full years of education. Required lessons start at first year, and others are optional after the third year.

Curriculum

The academy has most of the core subjects of other magical institutes, with slight variations/exclusions:

• Arithmancy
• Astrology*
• Care of Magical Creatures
• Charms*
• Divination
• Flying* (For first years)
• History of Magic
• Potions*
• Transfiguration*
• Practical Application of the Dark Arts

Extracurriculars

Clubs at Durmstrang are similar to those at most schools, with a few unique additions.

• Quidditch Club - Students skirmish amongst themselves, learn new skills, and play matches against other schools.


• Gobstones Club - Fans of the popular wizarding board game can hone their skills and enjoy a good time playing this game every so often.


• Dueling Club - Students meet weekly to practice their hexes and jinxes.

Student Requirements

Enrollment

Durmstrang accepts students strictly on an application basis. Students must first show notable blood status (ie: no muggle borns are accepted, nor students from predominantly muggle bloodlines.) Priority is given to pureblood students and those who can prove they are from notable families. Once considered, they must submit to an interview with the headmaster and perform a simple spell that helps prove their magical ability. Students are informed of the spell well in advance so that they can practice, and parents are expected to give their children as full of a magical education at home as possible, with minimal participation in muggle institutions.

Students may enroll from any country, but priority is given to students in Germany, Poland, Romania, Russia, Bulgaria and of course the Scandinavian countries of Norway, Sweden, Iceland, and so on. The validity of these statements has been questioned over time, but Durmstrang Officials uphold the national favoritism in honor of tradition. All students are required to learn conversational English before attending, and though all lessons are taught in English, students have the option of bringing textbooks of their own native language.

Uniform

Ladies' Uniforms consist of:

• Blood-red robes
• Brown pants
• Black or red blouses
• Brown coat (with school emblem on lapel)
• Boots

Optional:

• Fur accessories (such as hats)

Gentlemens' Uniforms consist of:

• Blood-red robes
• Brown pants
• Black, red or brown shirts
• Brown belt (with school emblem)
• Brown coat (with school emblem on lapel)
• Boots

Optional:

• Fur accessories (such as hats)
• Wooden Staffs