Chapter Text
In its full magnificence and might, the ship emerged out of the Great Lake. It bobbed and sloshed on the waters as it began to glide toward the bank. Its masts gleamed under the luminous moonlight.
“Sound the horns,” Seungcheol’s voice was carried by the winds. His Quartermaster scurried off to fire off the command.
Durmstrang Institute was one of the three largest wizarding schools in Europe. Believed to be situated somewhere in Scandinavia but had remained Unplottable. In the years that followed the Battle of Hogwarts, it had aggressively rehabilitated its image. After the appointment of Headmaster Choi Seungcheol, they kept the military practices but had veered away from the practice of Dark Arts. The Headmaster was steadfast to do his part in maintaining the peace that had been attained after the demise of the Dark Lord. He had seen enough violence and hatred to still continue down that path. The change in the institution’s tradition was met by a lot of protest and dissatisfaction by the pure-blood fanatics, to which his only reply was to show them way out of Durmstrang.
"Good riddance," he would mutter under his breath.
It was a move fully encouraged and supported by Yoon Jeonghan, the youngest Headmaster ever to set foot at Hogwarts. Together, they had envisioned a way to repair relationships that had been wrecked by the fear and discrimination sowed by the Dark Lord.
Durmstrang’s change of tune was not the only tradition that was being challenged as of late.
This year’s Triwizard Tournament had broken hundred years of history by including Ilvermorny in the roster of participating schools. The wizarding school from overseas was invited to join, and they responded with much enthusiasm. They had known Hong Jisoo from when they were young wizards learning the ways of magic. Beauxbatons Academy jumped into the idea with very minimal convincing.
This had been much publicized in The Prophet. The public opinion was divided. Old-fashioned ways of thinking would not be overturned overnight. But the majority of the wizarding population had expressed favor toward the bold decision to extend solidarity.
Jeonghan took it upon himself to write to Jisoo. Inside the sealed envelope were two letters — the first was the official and formal invitation for Ilvermorny to take part in the Tournament, signed by him and the other two Headmasters; the other was to ask how his friend was.
The second letter had been more difficult to write. Parchment after parchment, he composed his words painstainkinly. Nothing had changed. Jeonghan still couldn’t find the right words to say, not when it comes to Jisoo.
Both were answered in less than a fortnight. He was glad to hear Jisoo. It had been years since they last saw each other. It was even better to know their visions were aligned.
Never would they have imagined being the formidable leaders of this new chapter of wizarding world.