Valentin "Niffler" Schnell Durmstrang

“The world needs you to burn forever, I need you to burn forever.”

Durmstrang's champion, quidditch captain, and 1st-string seeker

The Tale of the Colddrake

Stats/Ability Details: HERE ☄

Art by Varrix

Tatar: #1F0402, German: #680c08, Russian: #992314, English: #CC3333, Italian: #d64230

Face Claim: Sasha Moloko (aka Alexander/Nikolay Molochnij/Molokny)

Appearance:

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Valentin, or Valya for short, is not a typical athlete. His thin build makes him light and fast on a broom, but he lacks the physical strength of his peers. As a boy who wanted to stay light and fast on a broom despite growing in size every year, Valentin developed anorexia and became constantly concerned about his weight. After beginning to recover in his fifth year, the seeker grew to 178 cm/5'11” and had to adjust his flying style to accommodate. Despite being lightweight for his tall size, Valentin could never be mistaken for a wimp, as he welcomes being thrown around and beaten up to extremes when necessary during quidditch matches, backing up friends during a fight, and performing stunts on the side. Valentin endures this barrage of physical trauma and hospitalization with cheer and laughter, earning him speculation in the papers as being a masochist.

Through his pale complexion, Valentin’s blush and lip color are vivid, especially against the backdrop of his milky white hair. These medium-length locks have a soft, feathery texture (sometimes described as “duck fluff”) and are usually windblown from his active lifestyle. Perhaps Valentin’s most striking feature is his argentium-amethyst eyes, providing keen sight few can rival. The seeker’s other most prized assets are his long-fingered hands, which are highly sensitive and fine-tuned for precision in playing both quidditch and musical instruments. From his years as a sportsman and daredevil, Valentin has accumulated a large number of scars, most notably including Lichtenberg figures from the two times he was struck by lightning. The branching shine of both lightning scars is usually concealed except for when revealing his right palm, or in summertime when he wears short-sleeved jerseys and tank tops that expose the one running up the inside of his arm. Few know the location of his other lightning scar, which he has yet to reveal to inquisitive members of the quidditch press.

Valentin dresses simply most of the time, wearing the Durmstrang uniform at times when he doesn’t have to. On special occasions, he uses his abundant capital to finance elegant garments with subtle structural designs, especially in shades of black, white, silver, and ice or sky blue. If he’s feeling fancy he will wear red. Under pressure from his butler, Sergei, Valentin tends to dress at his finest when performing music on stage. In daily life, however, only someone with an eye for refinement would notice the high quality of his personal garments, as they eschew ostentatious designs and walk the line of what would be acceptable by elitist pureblood standards. The only bling on his person is a golden ring and a sterling earring, both representing his commitments to people he cares for. In winter, his Durmstrang cloak is lined with argent wolf fur that gains an iridescent blue sheen under the light of the moon and stars.

One wouldn’t need to see Valentin to recognize him by his characteristic tenor voice, smooth like wet silver and naturally melodic – the inheritance of his mother, a famous singer. Valya’s colorful swathes of emotions tint his speech with sometimes subtle, and sometimes powerful, character. Experienced with making speeches when in front of a crowd or his team, Valentin knows how to command his voice for the desired effect.

Personality:

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Valentin is playful and goodhumored, but he can be impatient and intolerant of things he is not interested in. He makes good friends with people he shares interests with, but he can be rather cold when he is bored. When he is passionate about something, Valentin’s energy and warmth can be stunning and downright charming. His laughter resonates pure and clear like little astral bells, and the innocence of his unrestrained smile resembles a child’s. Since Valentin craves social interaction, physical affection, and attention more than anything else, he gets sad when people are too busy to spend time together.

Growing up as an albino, Valentin had supportive friends and his unusual physical features actually made him more popular due to his overall good looks. Valentin, “the White Niffler,” adores the limelight and admiration of onlookers when he performs daring stunts or music. Quidditch has been central to Valentin’s life ever since entering Durmstrang, partly because of its social bonding and also because it provides an outlet for the speedfreak’s thrillseeking. Since his earliest days, Valentin’s exceptional visual acuity and movement tracking enabled him to channel his youthful energy into every risky activity that crossed his path. To date, “Hell-Chaser Val” has never turned down a dare with one exception — kissing people he doesn't love in spin the bottle.

Characteristics:

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★ Quidditch ★ ‎⠀⠀- effective strategist & captain ⠀⠀- renowned seeker ⠀⠀- encyclopedic knowledge ⠀⠀- high-speed maneuvers ⠀⠀- broom maintenance expert ♬ Music ♬ ⠀⠀- competition-grade piano ⠀⠀- composition ⠀⠀- versatile, compelling vocals ⠀⠀- plays the Turkish oud ☆ Adventure ☆ ⠀⠀- charming & fearless ⠀⠀- leadership & heroism ⠀⠀- getting dirty & bloody ⠀⠀- hands-on approaches ⠀⠀- tanking damage for others ⠀⠀- keen eyes, highly observant ⠀⠀- hypnotic gaze & speech ⠀⠀- clutches under pressure ⠀⠀- evasive and durable ⠀⠀- fine motor control ⠀⠀- aim & proprioception ⠀⠀- reliable high-level spells ⠀⠀- enduring fighting spirit ⠀⠀- high pain tolerance ⠀⠀- fast runner and thinker ⠀⠀- surprisingly good thief ⠀⠀- innovative & spontaneous ⠀⠀- intelligent ★ Interpersonal Relationships ★ ⠀⠀- extremely affectionate ⠀⠀- caring & compassionate ⠀⠀- fun-loving, gives comic relief ⠀⠀- loyal, honest, heartfelt ⠀⠀- magnanimous (and wealthy) ⠀⠀- has romance for blood ⠀⠀- tolerant (e.g. blood status) ⠀⠀- works hard to raise others up ⠀⠀- sees through others' eyes well ⠀⠀- skilled at predicting behavior ⠀⠀- confident & determined ⠀⠀- loves making hard decisions ⠀⠀- humble personality ⠀⠀- loves learning & growing ⠀⠀- potent intuition ⠀⠀- large, strong social network ⠀⠀- high-energy & positive ⠀⠀- passionate for loved ones ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀

❅ Inept Cooking & Baking ❅ ⠀⠀- Dangerous to consume result ⠀⠀- Impatience yields high fire hazard ⠀⠀- Outcomes mistakable for war crimes ❅ Fast-Paced Temperament ❅ ⠀⠀- Personality turns cold when bored ⠀⠀- Interrupts repetitive people ⠀⠀- Intense fidgeting ⠀⠀- Rushes through uninteresting tasks ⠀⠀- Retreats into his head & stops listening ⠀⠀- Tendency to make mischief when idle ⠀⠀- Can change his mind abruptly ⠀⠀- Moves too fast for some peoples' liking ❅ Problems with Authority ❅ ⠀⠀- Major trust issues with authority figures ⠀⠀- Turns cranky when bossed around ⠀⠀- Actively wreaks havoc on "dictators" ⠀⠀- Insecure about his own leadership ⠀⠀- Fears manipulation/control over others ❅ Adventure ❅ ⠀⠀- Weak muscles ⠀⠀- Low arcane power ⠀⠀- Confrontational; may escalate a situation ⠀⠀- Courts danger when he is alone ⠀⠀- Prone to overconfidence in others ❅ Personality Complexes ❅ ⠀⠀- Haunted by his past failures ⠀⠀- Blames himself for the failings of others ⠀⠀- Sets unrealistic standards for himself ⠀⠀- Pushes social, physical, emotional limits ⠀⠀- Expects ambition from almost everybody ⠀⠀- Sets exhausting standards for his teams ⠀⠀- Obsessive, often forgets to eat ⠀⠀- Dangerous addiction to speed & thrills ⠀⠀- Loses track of time when hyperfocusing ⠀⠀- Craves frequent physical contact ⠀⠀- Extreme anxiety about food ⠀⠀- Conflicted over shaping his public image ⠀⠀- Prone to staring ⠀⠀- Overpowered with hormones ⠀⠀- Lives under public scrutiny ⠀⠀- Has some crazy fans, downsides of fame ⠀⠀- Steals shinies to get someone's attention ⠀⠀- Loves engaging in "necessary" violence ⠀⠀- Enjoys feeling powerful ⠀⠀- Can turn intimidating or frightening ⠀⠀- Easily tempted by forbidden knowledge ⠀⠀- Tempted by sensation-seeking ❅ Greatest Weakness: Unconditional Love ❅ ⠀⠀- Self-sacrificing to potentially lethal levels ⠀⠀- Prone to enduring unfair treatment ⠀⠀- Difficulty asking for what he needs ⠀⠀- Self-justifies not imposing boundaries ⠀⠀- Can do terrible acts in the name of love ⠀⠀- May have to choose between loved ones ⠀⠀- Vulnerable to abuse by hiding his pain ⠀⠀- Eager to grant loved ones great power ⠀⠀- Goes crazy if left alone for too long ⠀⠀- Greatest fear: being fundamentally alone ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀

History:

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Valentin acquired his nickname, “Niffler,” because of not only his obsession with nabbing the golden snitch, but also his playful theft of people’s shiny objects. He “borrows” metallic or otherwise gleaming objects, such as bracelets and quidditch trophies, which he plays off as practical jokes. It is not that Valentin wants to acquire things, however. Ever since he was a toddler he has enjoyed the thrill of the chase, especially when he is the one being chased. As a baby he stole shinies to get his parents running after him. Fundamentally, Valentin steals people’s shiny objects in order to get their attention. However, he no longer “borrows” when bored or lonely, preferring it as a means of getting someone to see him when something more important is on the line – especially when that person would otherwise not make the time. Unfortunately not everyone is amused when their precious shiny object goes missing. Yet, everything Valentin has ever stolen ended up with its original owner eventually. As for quidditch, the White Niffler loves chasing the snitch for its own sake, but the limelight is what makes being a seeker so addictive for him.

When his life is tranquil, Valentin maintains his status as a top student due to his high intelligence and obsessive personality. In his early years he performed badly when the material was boring or the lectures were too slow-paced, but he has since made academic performance a game of his own. It was difficult for his parents to keep Valentin sufficiently stimulated as he was growing up, especially because they were often away on musical tours around the globe. His father bought him a piano, which he has used often to vent excess energy, especially by playing difficult and fast pieces. However, the rarity of his parents’ attention made Valentin into an extreme extrovert to cope. Growing up under his famous parents, however, educated Valentin on how to deal with fame and high-pressure public situations.

Valentin’s hatred of boredom has led to hijinks throughout Valentin’s life, including his first accidental use of magic. Once, Valentin was in trouble again– this time for stealing his mother’s engagement ring. After all, when she already wore a wedding ring every day, what was she even doing with that engagement ring stuck in a jewelry cabinet? The object clearly needed some attention, so he took it in order to see if she would notice. His mother, accustomed to watching for the disappearance of shinies, noticed after two weeks. When confronted, Valentin took off running like he usually did until cornered. However, this time his parents were extremely upset because the ring was expensive compared to the usual silverware and household tools. When his capture turned overly serious, frightened Valentin tried to lie about taking it, which he usually did not do. Then, mysteriously, the ring vanished from his pocket during this extremely stressful conversation. His parents were never able to find proof of his theft, but Valentin’s good heart became haunted by his lies. He confessed that he did steal the ring and he could not find it either. This got him in a lot of trouble, of course, but Valentin’s affectionate theft has continued unabated to this day. On the day of his mother’s funeral many years later, Valentin conjured the ring back again using transfiguration, burying the ring with her.

With his undying need for affirmation and affection, Valentin became a tryhard with a fierce appetite for victory-- a natural fit for Durmstrang and the seeker life. Prone to flashy speeches, Valentin enjoys the leadership and strategic demands of quidditch. Commonly known as “the Frost Captain” due to his ability to perform coolly under pressure and the severe demands he expects of his team, Valentin is still happy enough to make personal sacrifices if they enable even fleeting enjoyment for his people. Humility has been a crucial means of surviving the adventures of his friend group, but Valentin is also prone to silently taking on greater burdens alone than is healthy. Issues like anorexia, grief over the death of his mother, and the loss of his father tended to get buried in the interest of maintaining an upbeat attitude around others. Willing to make a fool of himself if he sees it as necessary for the happiness of others, Niffler often offers comic relief and takes on dirty work while burying his pride. Yet, the accumulation of wounded self-esteem can become a buried problem for Valentin, who tries to resolve this by adding even more hours of practice and study onto his already exhausting regimen. Rarely, this leads to explosive results when the pain becomes too much to bear.

Occasions when Valentin is unable to get social support can lead him to the breaking point, when he cannot bury the problems anymore for one reason or another.

Prophecies:

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Who is the best partner for Valentin? (Augury by Zinoviya Makarova, Oct. 30th, 2020)
A wild heart cannot be tamed with control, but only calming love and inner strength. Find one pure of heart who is infinite and loyal – this brings the power and will to overcome all. Accept taming by this person.

Who killed my mother? (Valentin to Seers, December 23rd, 2020)
You don’t have far to look.

What poses the biggest threat to me? (Valentin to Seers, December 27th, 2020)
There is no me, there is only you. This is why you are alone: you accept such limits. Your kind of unconditional love could kill an immortal.

Preferences:

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✦ Physical affection ✦ Stargazing ✦ Blunt honesty ✦ Romance ✦ Language learning

✦ No-holds-barred sparring & combat ✦ Making new peak experiences (thrills) ✦ Surprises, novelty, travel, adventure ✦ Being controlled by a trusted loved one ✦ People showing him his weaknesses

✧ Slowpokes ✧ Eating in public ✧ Being ignored ✧ Feeling alone ✧ Limits

✧ Failing others & his expectations of himself ✧ Not knowing what someone wants ✧ Abuses of power, dictators, corruption ✧ Needless repetition, sluggish conversations ✧ People who live in the past

Source Artist

Niffnames:

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Public & Widespread: ✦ The White Seeker of Durmstrang (universal) ✦ Hell-Chaser Val (USA) ✦ The White Immortal (Europe) ✦ Der Niffler (Germany) ✦ Il Niffler (Italy) ✦ Nif, Niffy, and every other permutation of Niffler ✦ White Lightning ✦ Silver Falcon ✦ Snail Schnell (fans of enemy teams) ✦ Captain Frost / Capitano Brina ("Hexwizard Task 1") / Frost Kapitän ("Crashed Falcon") Short-Form Names ✧ Valik (to himself) ✧ Valya (all friends) ✧ Valische ("Big Val") ✧ Valyusha (Zinoviya) ✧ Valenka (Sergei) ✧ Valka (Hugo) ✧ Valetin (Romeo) ✧ Valone (Italian: "ravine" or "large valley") (Piérre) ✧ Valente (Romeo; "Lanterns and Boat Rides") ✧ Len (Gellert) ✧ Valeri (Tristan) ✧ Valentine (Several people) Significant ✦ Fulminetto (Italian: little lightning bolt) (Romeo) ✦ Ангел мой (my angel) (Nikolai) ✦ Snowdrop (Сольданелла) (Nikolai) ✦ White Knight (белый рыцар) (Nikolai) ✦ Lighthouse / Light (Mikael) ✦ Comet Icarus ✦ "His Polaris" (Hans regarding Val's connection to Nikolai, "Hazing Rituals") ✦ Haneul (Korean: Sky/Heavens; Kim Sato, "Riding on my Pain and Tears ") ✦ Quicksilver boy (Aida) ✦ Cupid (Johannes Sauer; Quidditch Game 2022) ✦ My little whirling dervish (Author) ✦ Like a Bludger (Romeo, “Tapping on the Glass”) ✦ Knight of Sweet Secrets (“Justice Candy”) ✦ Tribble (“The Enchanted Maze”) ✦ "My Pecos Bill" (Alexander) ✦ The White Knight of Durmstrang (Colin, “Faerietale Endings”)

One-Offs ✧ Skylar Breezeborne ✧ Knight in Big Bird Band Aid (Mistletoe Spin Group 7; Haven) ✧ Flying bowtruckle (Mistletoe Spin Group 7; Haven) ✧ Pile of pick-up sticks ✧ Captain Anemia (Erin Ryan) ✧ Alabaster boy ✧ Lamp Post ✧ Beanpole ✧ Limit Break ✧ Whirlwind ✧ Snowdrop (again) ("Faerietale Endings") ✧ Jack Frost body double ✧ Cottontop ("Tapping on the Glass") ✧ Cheetah!Valya ✧ Dedicated team stuntman ✧ Pale bowtruckle ✧ The Kleptomaniac (Kheanu Maravilho Mondelez) ✧ William Wallace (Yefim at the Fall Ball) ✧ Living Pinball⠀⠀ ✧ Sugar Crystal ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀

Mementos:

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On Valentin’s Body
- Silver circular dragon brooch with the most exquisite amethysts of all for eyes ★
- Golden ring from Yefim ★
- Silver earring from Horntail Horde group piercing excursion
- True love's locket (in silver)

Val's Turkish Oud

Val's Favorite Piano

On Display at the Schnell Estate
- A preserved snowdrop flower (Сольданелла) from Nikolai
- A preserved garland of subaquatic flowers from a merman
- A jewelry box from Ginyami (birthday gift 2024)
- Snake pendant in silver

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- Big Bird Sesame Street Band-Aid from Haven Bohannon
- A form-fitting effeminate top and skirt in Val's measurements as given by Astrid after the events of Subliminal Slugs; Last day of camp: "I know you bought me a new outfit, thanks btw, but now I'm scared of marshmallows so please try this on, you kinda owe me that"

-A purple hyacinth and a forsythia discarded by Hans, which originally was a "gift" from Semyon
-Manuscript Copy of Romeo's Medicine Notebook given by Romeo for Christmas 2023
-Magic Moth (flavored as a Southern White Admiral (Limenitis reducta)) from Piérre, Christmas 2023

Reducio

Habitat: They’re found in sunny woodland areas, especially in southern Italy.
Appearance: Dark brown wings adorned with striking white bands.
Size: A decent wingspan ranging between 2.2-2.6 inches (5.5-6.5 cm).
Diet: They sip nectar from flowers and also love tree sap.
Reproduction: After mating, females place their eggs on the leaves of host plants.
Lifespan: They live for about a year, enjoying the warm Italian sun.
Host Plants: Honeysuckle is a top choice for their caterpillars.

- Sprig of dried blackthorn flowers from Val's knighting ceremony ★
- Silver chain necklace on which hangs a silver ring with a broken amethyst stone. Chain formerly belonged to his mother
- Silver bracelet with tiny snowflakes on it from Amina ★

- Niffler's fancy from Ginyami (Yule Ball 2022)
- Enchanted roses and a Valentine's Day card from Ginyami (2023)
- A blood-red Scheherazade lily from Gellert (Patience)

- Broom compass from Ginyami (Yule Ball 2022)
- Golden locket from Alexander (true love's locket)
- Lightning-scarred Silver Arrow ★
- Very fluffy white hat from Amina ★
- Romeo's crushed water bottle ★
- Romeo's bloodied hand wraps ★
- Charles Alluring’s discarded Nimbus broom ★
- Chunk of amethyst from Yefim ★

- Leather jacket from Felix

- Pair of googly eyes from Prank Wars ★

- Stuffed parrot (hyacinth macaw) from Truth or Dare, given by Greta ★
- Sticky fake spider ★
- Hunk of meteorite from Hugo’s tower ★, ✩
- Bag of silver glitter from Slava
- Hexiwizard commemorative t-shirt bearing Yefim's oversized face ★
- Discarded charcoal stick formerly belonging to Lysander

- Crup sketch from Lysander, named "Küchlein" by Johannes

- Gold necklace from Slava

Costume Collection:
Golden snitch Fall Ball masquerade costume ★
Hermes costume from Blossom Ball "Underworld" ★
White Rabbit (Alice in Wonderland) costume from Fall Ball ★ - ✯ ✰ ✭ ✷
Jareth the Goblin King (Thrills & Chills Bash 2022) ★
Snow King concert outfit ★
White King Hexiwizard outfit ★
Şehzade Ottoman Renaissance war general prince attire ★
Heritage colddrake robes ★
Skylar Breezeborne costume chosen by Piérre ★

Annotated Threads Sorted Chronologically:

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2020

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30 Jun 2020: Chaotically Wild : Yefim, Mikael, and Valentin begin their hijinks as tent-mates

5 Jul 2020: Oh Sweet Anticipation : Valentin plays at the quidditch championship in London

5 Jul 2020: The Cost of Victory: Valentin tries to protect Yefim from a half-giant in the hospital despite being a complete wreck himself

10 Jul 2020: A Cocoon Against Entropy: Valentin encounters Aida's schizophrenia while just trying to play

12 Jul 2020: Campfire Stories : Valentin parks himself by Greta at the campfire

19 Jul 2020: Cupcakes and Birthdays: Valentin meets a fan on her birthday

9 Oct 2020: From the Deep: Valentin and Mikael stand up for Yefim in a fight against Erin Ryan

13 Oct 2020: Boiling Point: Valentin and Mikael duel over the right to Yefim's friendship

16 Oct 2020: The Fall Ball: Yefim and Valentin come in costume as a pumpkin and the golden snitch, inevitably making mischief. Mikael also shows up and revels in wearing his mask

24 Oct 2020: Day of Rain: Valentin and Yefim spectate a quidditch match together until Yefim decides to seek justice

24 Oct 2020: Justice: Valentin is prevented from backing up Yefim as the boy picks a fight over his grievances with non-humans in the Hufflepuff quidditch team

2021

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1 Jan 2021: Apart Together: Aida force-feeds Valentin and learns about the loss of his parents

29 May 2021: Underworld: Valentin attends a blossom ball dressed as Hermes alongside Yefim and Mikael. Valentin looks like death as he tries to bury his ghosts. Then, at Yef's command, Valya tries to stall Vladimir so that Yefim can get his girl

13 Aug 2021: Count Your Blessings: Yefim gets Valentin to open up about why he is still anorexic. Valentin then confronts Yefim about his terrible presence

15 Aug 2021: Battle Royale: Valentin leads Team Hydra in a quidditch match against Hogwarts and the Wixes United

2022

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1 Apr 2022: Justice Candy: Valentin rediscovers why he loves his fans while trying to rid himself of fan candy

2 Apr 2022: Midspring Celebration: Valentin attends the Spring Ball and backs up Yefim in his fights, although he accidentally sets him on fire. Valentin becomes horrified by the extent to which Mikael's disassociative episodes have progressed while he tries to protect Mik from the chaos. The seeker meets Hiro Bakugo from the Mahoutokoro quidditch team and Felix calls upon Valentin to help him in a fight against Mathias Pride

9 Apr 2022: Spectator Thread [Slytherin v. Gryffindor]: Valentin spots sweet royalty at a Hogwarts quidditch match

16 Apr 2022: Surface Pressure: Valentin challenges Romeo to a fight in order to purge their demons

29 Apr 2022: Crashed Falcon: Valentin gets struck by lightning and crashes his broom, only to be discovered by Romeo and Charles. Valentin changes forever

3 May 2022: The Sleepy Hell-Chaser and A Bomb: Valentin catches Charles in the hopes of returning his damaged coat

5 May 2022: It All Started with a Kinda Stupid Game: Valentin recruits Astrid Olsen as second-string seeker

12 May 2022: Glint in the Fog: Valentin steals Mikael's knife in order to get the boy to meet with him so that Valentin can figure out what is happening to Mik. However, Mik never shows up

1 Jun 2022: That Elusive Grandeur: Valentin and Charles talk about coming out

3 Jul 2022: Horntail Bootcamp: The Horntail Horde gather for training at Felix Kolbeck's manor

11 Jun 2022: Tapping On the Glass: Charles starts a fight, Valentin tries to protect him, and chaos ensues

19 Jul 2022: Schnell-Marchonné 2022 Quidditch Boot Camp Masterlist: All Threads

19 Jul 2022: Crystal Tower: Valentin seeks to part with his dearest possession

1 Aug 2022: Infinite Loop: Yefim, Valentin, and Mikael form a sacred pact

1 Aug 2022: Horntail Horde Tent 2022: Durmstrang's Hexiwizard Team assembles

2 Aug 2022: Once Upon a Time...: Val sits with friends around a storytelling bonfire

3 Aug 2022: Prank War II: Horntail Horde is pranked by Conspira-sea tent, only to retaliate

3 Aug 2022: Do You See What I See?: Mik shows Val a mirror in the dead of night

6 Aug 2022: Hogwarts v. Durmstrang & Koldovstoretz - Summer 2022: In a thundering game of quidditch, Valentin fights to reclaim what was lost

6 Aug 2022: Dubious Altruism : Valentin goes with Romeo to attempt healing those wounded during their quidditch match

7 Aug 2022: Breathing is Eggcelent: Valentin crashes Romeo's detention

13 Aug 2022: Summer Duelling Funtime Extravaganza: Valentin cheers for Piérre in a summer duelling match

14 Aug 2022: Truth or Dare: Val becomes a pirate captain and engages in derring-do with Charles

14 Aug 2022: No Less Than Both Earth and Sea: Val asks Romeo about a sacred sword

20 Aug 2022: Summer Games 2022 Broom Racing Spectators: Valentin supports Durmstrang, Mik, Yefim, and Cielle by cheering for them during broom racing

28 Aug 2022: Instant Retaliation: Greta's allies intimidate a boy who issued their beloved Greta death threats

2 Sep 2022: The Best of All Possible Worlds: Valentin recruits Amina Petrovic to the quidditch team

17 Sep 2022: No Retreat for the Fearless? : Valentin confronts Mikael about Yefim

5 Oct 2022: The Seven Schools: Valentin goes to the Great Hall meeting in Hogwarts to support Yefim during his speech

5 Oct 2022: The Law of the Instrument: Valentin invites Ginyami to join him in the Hogwarts music practice room

7 Oct 2022: Hexiwizard Pregame: Valentin shows up at the demonstration wizard chess match, distracted by music

8 Oct 2022: Death Before Immortality: Valentin and Aida try to sneak into the Hogwarts library's restricted section

8 Oct 2022: Faerietale Endings: Valentin attends the Fall Ball as the White Rabbit, hoping to perform an important ritual

15 Oct 2022: Bypassing Trouble: Valentin joins Amina in sliding down stairs atop a knight's shield

21 Oct 2022: Let There Be No Light: Valentin rushes to defend Yefim after the latter smashes a chess board

22 Oct 2022: Thrills & Chills Bash: Valentin attends Kim Sato's Halloween Party dressed as Jareth, the Goblin King

22 Oct 2022: Ginyami + Valentin vs Galton + Bailey: Valentin and Ginyami throw spiders at their opponents

23 Oct 2022: Hexwizard Task 1: Beauxbatons v Durmstrang: Valentin participates in a Hexiwizard match of wizard's chess

23 Oct 2022: Hexiwizard Task Aftermath: After his team mates were confirmed to be in stable condition, Valentin goes to ensure Ginyami hasn't fallen victim to the same fate as Mikael

1 Dec 2022: Dear Ginyami (1/12/2022): Valentin sends Ginyami a Christmas gift and talks about family heritage

10 Dec 2022: As the World Burns: Valentin reads the sports section and funny pages in the Durmstrang dining hall

22 Dec 2022: Christmas Procastination: Amina and Val exchange simple Christmas gifts

23 Dec 2022: Window Onto a Broken Skyline: A new chapter of Valentin's life opens as he returns home for winter break

24 Dec 2022: Sato Yule Ball 2022: Valentin talks about the calamities recently befalling him

25 Dec 2022: Occlusion: Valentin comes to the ruins of his childhood home in search of his escaped ex-con father

2023

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10 Jan 2023: Where words fail, music speaks: Valentin is drawn into the music practice room by Maila's melody

30 Jan 2023: L.U.C.A.: Valentin helps Romeo learn more about the boy's shrouded heritage

14 Feb 2023: Dear Romeo (14/2/2023): Valentin asks Romeo to make an important decision

14 Feb 2023: To Valentin | From "Romeo" : Valentin receives a letter from "Romeo"

20 Mar 2023: 20/3/2023 | To Piérre: Valentin sends Piérre a gift for Turkic New Year's

20 Mar 2023: 20/3/2023 | To Romeo : Valentin sends Romeo a gift for Turkic New Year's

20 Mar 2023: Dear Ginyami (20/3/2023): Valentin sends Ginyami a gift for Turkic New Year's

16 Apr 2023: From Dark Waters: Valentin interacts with friends and plays a new instrument when arriving at Hogwarts by ship

16 Apr 2023: Panic in the Lake: Valentin spots a strange aberration in the Great Lake and suspects trouble

18 Apr 2023: What Dreams May Come: Valentin finds Piérre "playing dead"

21 Apr 2023: The Enchanted Maze: Valya attends the spring ball dressed as an Ottoman wartime prince

21 Apr 2023: Haven't We Been Here Before?: Valentin finds Mikael drowning

22 Apr 2023: An Unspoken Price of Victory: Valentin dreams of a sacred white dragon

22 Apr 2023: Dalliance Under the Influence: Val and Romeo get dosed by a devious jester

28 Apr 2023: Metamorphosis: Val discovers that Romeo has obliterated his brother in retaliation for drugging them

28 Apr 2023: Chains That Bind: Valentin comes to terms with having been drugged and manipulated, confronting Ginyami and asking for his help

30 Apr 2023: At the Edge of All Possibilities: Valentin is lured in by a familiar song and opens a new path in his life that he never assumed possible

9 Jul 2023: DURMSTRANG vs INTERSCHOOL SUMMER 2023 : Valentin cheers on Mik and other Durmstrangs during a broom racing match

9 Jul 2023: Cognitive Dissonance 101: Valentin gets hit really hard in the head with a bludger and begins to suffer temporary amnesia

11 Jul 2023: Spin the Bottle Beans!: Valentin faces one of his greatest fears in life: spin the bottle

17 Jul 2023: Where Earth Meets Sky: Valentin recruits Maila to the Horntail Horde via a mid-air combat challenge

28 Jul 2023: Pre-game Jitters: Valentin tries to soothe Alaric's anxiety and recruits Nichlas to the team less than 24 hours before the big game

29 Jul 2023: Hogwarts vs Durmstrang - Summer 2023: Durmstrang tries to maintain their quidditch title after reclaiming the championship in 2022

29 Jul 2023: Quarterless: Val visits Romeo in the hospital after the 2023 summer quiddtich match

13 Aug 2023: Devil's Tongue, Evil's Eye: Val helps Romeo uncover the identity of his father

15 Aug 2023: Retaking the Lake: Valentin revisits Starfall Lake after receiving his father's inheritance

8 Sep 2023: Survival Instincts: Valentin meets Semyon and discovers in him a shining potential prodigy

6 Oct 2023: Lanterns and Boat Rides: Val's would-be date never appears, implanting doubts that everything was as it seemed and leading Valentin into the blackest depths of the Great Lake

15 Dec 2023: Frosted Footfall: Valentin finds a mysterious blonde in the frigid backcountry of Durmstrang

31 Dec 2023: Hijacked Love Circuits: Valentin comes to terms with the disappearance of “water sprite” Alexander Harland

2024

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5 Jan 2024: Mental Stormclouds: Valentin and Kim find each other in a book store, but both of them appear to be haunted by...?

7 Jan 2024: Icarus Rising: Valentin meets Hans Jenssen for the first time

26 Jan 2024: Patience: Val finds Gellert Schroeder in a state that reminds him of his own fateful crash in April of '22

3 Apr 2024: Skeletons Can't Walk: Valentin tries to pull Mikael away from a black hole

6 Apr 2024: Spring Awakening: Valentin meets Nikolai again as spring opens with new possibilities

13 Apr 2024: Magical Masquerade: The Entrance: Val appears at the Hogwarts spring ball with an unusual look on his face...

15 Apr 2024: A Breath of Madness : Val runs into Piérre in the Forbidden Forest while both of them are going a bit crazy

9 Jul 2024: By Demons Be Driven : Val helps Romeo and his brother steal some blood from a live victim

15 Jul 2024: 'Arcticum' Vulpecula : Valentin shares an emotional moment with Nikolai Vol'ka

15 Jul 2024: Ephemeral Relationships: Valentin tries to make amends for his unsettling behaviour from when he first met Tristan Theramin

17 Jul 2024: Subliminal Slugs: Durmstrang battles mind-controlling slugs

18 Jul 2024: A Lucky Star and the Competition at Skylar Tent: Val sets up a competition in order to help with matchmaking in Greta's love life

20 Jul 2024: Hazing Rituals: Valentin introduces Nikolai to his friends and together they teach him to fly

28 Jul 2024: Ilvermorny-Koldovstoretz vs. Tenūsa-Durmstrang Broom Racing: Spectator: Val cheers for friends and allies from Durmstrang during their 2024 broom racing championship

2 Aug 2024: The Mistletoe Spin Group #7: Valentin encounters several possible love interests when he unexpectedly walks into a mistletoe-lined trap

3 Aug 2024: Durmstrang vs. Ilvermorny-Beauxbatons - Summer 2024 : Durmstrang challenges new rivals for the quidditch championship

3 Aug 2024: Durmstrang vs Ilvermorny-Beauxbatons - Summer 2024 (Spectator): Valentin interacts with a special spectator of Durmstrang's quidditch championship

3 Aug 2024: Mahoutokoro vs. Castelobruxo - Summer 2024 (Spectator): Valentin spectates Mahoutokoro's quidditch game

7 Aug 2024: Riding on My Pain and Tears: Valentin helps Kim reclaim his life

8 Aug 2024: Confusing Times: Val visits Hiro in the hospital following the latter's devastating quidditch injuries

10 Aug 2024: Summer Duels: Day 1; Spectator: Val cheers for Nikolai during his summer duel

12 Aug 2024: A New Hope: Val helps Kim buy a snake

13 Sep 2024: For Your Next Trip Around the Sun: Val gives Nikolai a birthday gift

3 Oct 2024: More Than Words Can Say: Val has the sweetest birthday ever

14 Oct 2024: Pyre: A terrorist attack kills off Durmstrang's headmistress and several others, incapacitating Val under burning debris

19 Oct 2024: Gala of Mysteries: Val and Nikolai go to the ball together dressed in fustanella to mourn the loss of Durmstrang's Albanian headmistress

20 Oct 2024: The Pyre on Hogsmeade: Valentin forms a team to investigate the scene of the Hogsmeade disaster

28 Oct 2024: Slithering Into My Heart: Val enters the Chamber of Secrets with Kim, panicking about Nikolai's disappearance

31 Oct 2024: Requiem: Nikolai comes home

1 Nov 2024: Candlelight Remembrance: Val pays respects to the departed and stands ready to comfort those who survived

1 Dec 2024: Christmas Owl Parcel for Valentin!: Val and Kim exchange holiday gifts

15 Dec 2024: Cold Moon: Val finds Romeo getting chomped by a werewolf

23 Dec 2024: The Fix: Val goes to Knockturn Alley where temptation and exploitation lurk, featuring Piérre

24 Dec 2024: It's A Wonderful Life: Valentin interacts with Sergei and Nikolai before departing

24 Dec 2024: A Very Kolbeck Christmas: Val attends Felix's Christmas party

29 Dec 2024: Strings connecting us all: Val learns about Eugenia and a mysterious friend of his mother's

31 Dec 2024: Ashes From Which To Rise: Valentin goes back to Germany wanting revenge

2025

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1 Jan 2025: Her House of Memories: Eugenia flees to the Schnell Estate after an attack

4 Jan 2025: The Niffler Niffled: Valentin meets Colin and Kim at the Hogsmeade pub

4 Jan 2025: A Private Cabin : An amortentia-soaked Val drags a boy off on a short trip south

1 Feb 2025: I Bleed Therefore I Am: Valentin and Viktoriya cross blades in an enchanted vale

15 Feb 2025: The Drop that Wrestles in the Sea: Val takes Nikolai to Crete

Threads Sorted by Relationship:

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Nikolai Volkov - Blood of His Blood - Frosted Footfall, Spring Awakening, Magical Masquerade: The Entrance, 'Arcticum' Vulpecula , Hazing Rituals, Durmstrang vs Ilvermorny-Beauxbatons - Summer 2024: Match, Durmstrang vs Ilvermorny-Beauxbatons - Summer 2024: Spectators, Summer Duels: Day 1; Spectator, For Your Next Trip Around the Sun, More Than Words Can Say, Pyre, Gala of Mysteries, The Pyre on Hogsmeade, Requiem, Candlelight Remembrance, It's A Wonderful Life, Ashes From Which To Rise, Her House of Memories, The Drop that Wrestles in the Sea

Romeo Marchonné - Co-captain and Dear Friend - Oh Sweet Anticipation , The Cost of Victory, Surface Pressure, Crashed Falcon, Judgment, Tapping On the Glass, Crystal Tower, Horntail Horde Tent 2022, Prank War II, Hogwarts v. Durmstrang & Koldovstoretz - Summer 2022, Dubious Altruism, Breathing is Eggcelent, No Less Than Both Earth and Sea, Instant Retaliation, The Best of All Possible Worlds, Hexiwizard Pregame, Faerietale Endings, Hexwizard Task 1: Beauxbatons v Durmstrang, Sato Yule Ball 2022, Occlusion, L.U.C.A., Dear Romeo (14/2/2023), To Valentin | From "Romeo" , 20/3/2023 | To Romeo , From Dark Waters, The Enchanted Maze, Dalliance Under the Influence, Metamorphosis, Cognitive Dissonance 101, Spin the Bottle Beans!, Hogwarts vs Durmstrang - Summer 2023, Quarterless, Devil's Tongue, Evil's Eye, Lanterns and Boat Rides, Mental Stormclouds, Patience, Magical Masquerade: The Entrance, By Demons Be Driven , Subliminal Slugs, Durmstrang vs. Ilvermorny-Beauxbatons - Summer 2024 , Cold Moon

Mikael Halldorson - Friend and Team Mate - Chaotically Wild , Oh Sweet Anticipation , From the Deep, The Fall Ball, Boiling Point, Justice, Underworld, Midspring Celebration, Glint in the Fog, Infinite Loop, Horntail Horde Tent 2022, Do You See What I See?, Faerietale Endings, Summer Games 2022 Broom Racing Spectators, No Retreat for the Fearless?, Hexwizard Task 1: Beauxbatons v Durmstrang, Haven't We Been Here Before?, DURMSTRANG vs INTERSCHOOL SUMMER 2023 , Spin the Bottle Beans!, Skeletons Can't Walk, Magical Masquerade: The Entrance, Subliminal Slugs, Ilvermorny-Koldovstoretz vs. Tenūsa-Durmstrang Broom Racing: Spectator, Gala of Mysteries

Yefim Rumyantsev - Friend - Chaotically Wild , Oh Sweet Anticipation , The Cost of Victory, From the Deep, The Fall Ball, Day of Rain, Count Your Blessings, Justice, Underworld, Midspring Celebration, Infinite Loop, Prank War II, Summer Games 2022 Broom Racing Spectators, Instant Retaliation, Let There Be No Light, Hexwizard Task 1: Beauxbatons v Durmstrang

Piérre Marchonné - Friend - Midspring Celebration, Once Upon a Time..., Summer Duelling Funtime Extravaganza, Faerietale Endings, Bypassing Trouble, 20/3/2023 | To Piérre, What Dreams May Come, Dalliance Under the Influence, Metamorphosis, Lanterns and Boat Rides, Magical Masquerade: The Entrance, A Breath of Madness , By Demons Be Driven , The Fix

Greta Fransson - Friend and Team Mate - Campfire Stories , Oh Sweet Anticipation , Midspring Celebration, Horntail Horde Tent 2022, Prank War II, Instant Retaliation, Hexwizard Task 1: Beauxbatons v Durmstrang, Hogwarts vs Durmstrang - Summer 2023, Magical Masquerade: The Entrance, Subliminal Slugs, A Lucky Star and the Competition at Skylar Tent, Durmstrang vs. Ilvermorny-Beauxbatons - Summer 2024

Amina Petrovic - Friend and Team Mate - The Best of All Possible Worlds, Hexwizard Task 1: Beauxbatons v Durmstrang, Bypassing Trouble, From Dark Waters, The Enchanted Maze, Hogwarts vs Durmstrang - Summer 2023, Durmstrang vs. Ilvermorny-Beauxbatons - Summer 2024

Johannes Cyprian Sauer - Friend and Team Mate - Tapping On the Glass, Horntail Horde Tent 2022, Prank War II, Hogwarts v. Durmstrang & Koldovstoretz - Summer 2022, Faerietale Endings, Hexwizard Task 1: Beauxbatons v Durmstrangj, Hogwarts vs Durmstrang - Summer 2023, Magical Masquerade: The Entrance, Subliminal Slugs, Durmstrang vs. Ilvermorny-Beauxbatons - Summer 2024

Charles Nako Alluring - Friend- Oh Sweet Anticipation, Battle Royale, Crashed Falcon, The Sleepy Hell-Chaser and A Bomb, That Elusive Grandeur, Tapping On the Glass, Horntail Horde Tent 2022, Summer Games 2022 Broom Racing Spectators, Hogwarts v. Durmstrang & Koldovstoretz - Summer 2022, Truth or Dare, Prank War II, Instant Retaliation

Kim Sato - Prince of Sweets - Justice Candy, Spectator Thread [Slytherin v. Gryffindor], Thrills & Chills Bash, Mental Stormclouds, The Mistletoe Spin Group #7, Riding on My Pain and Tears, A New Hope, Slithering Into My Heart , The Niffler Niffled, A Private Cabin , Christmas Owl Parcel for Valentin!

Ginyami Midorimori - Friend - The Seven Schools, The Law of the Instrument, Thrills & Chills Bash, Ginyami + Valentin vs Galton + Bailey, Hexiwizard Task Aftermath, Dear Ginyami (1/12/2022), Sato Yule Ball 2022, Occlusion, Dear Ginyami (20/3/2023), Panic in the Lake, Chains That Bind, Spin the Bottle Beans!, The Mistletoe Spin Group #7, Mahoutokoro vs. Castelobruxo - Summer 2024

Semyon Reznikov - Protégé - Survival Instincts, A Lucky Star and the Competition at Skylar Tent, Durmstrang vs. Ilvermorny-Beauxbatons - Summer 2024

Viktoriya Petrovskaya - Darling Sparring Partner and Potential Disciple - I Bleed Therefore I Am

Slava Preobrazhensky - Friend and Team Mate - Bypassing Trouble, From Dark Waters, The Enchanted Maze, Hogwarts vs Durmstrang - Summer 2023, Durmstrang vs. Ilvermorny-Beauxbatons - Summer 2024

Felix Kolbeck - Friend and Team Mate - Midspring Celebration, Horntail Bootcamp, Horntail Horde Tent 2022, Hexwizard Task 1: Beauxbatons v Durmstrang , A Lucky Star and the Competition at Skylar Tent, Subliminal Slugs, Durmstrang vs. Ilvermorny-Beauxbatons - Summer 2024 , A Very Kolbeck Christmas

Hans Jenssen - Friend - Icarus Rising, Subliminal Slugs, A Lucky Star and the Competition at Skylar Tent, Hazing Rituals, Ilvermorny-Koldovstoretz vs. Tenūsa-Durmstrang Broom Racing: Spectator

Eugenia Karageorgiadi- Mysterious New Friend - Gala of Mysteries, Strings connecting us all

Astrid Olsen - Friend and Team Mate - Prank War II, Hogwarts v. Durmstrang & Koldovstoretz - Summer 2022, It All Started with a Kinda Stupid Game, Hexwizard Task 1: Beauxbatons v Durmstrang , Hogwarts vs Durmstrang - Summer 2023, Subliminal Slugs, Hazing Rituals

Gellert Schroeder - Intriguing Potential Snow Nymph - Patience, The Mistletoe Spin Group #7, Ilvermorny-Koldovstoretz vs. Tenūsa-Durmstrang Broom Racing: Spectator

Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood - Friend - A Cocoon Against Entropy, Apart Together, Underworld, Death Before Immortality

Ileen Knight - Queen of All Candyland - Justice Candy, Faerietale Endings

Nichlas Forsberg- Friend and Team Mate - Pre-game Jitters, Hogwarts vs Durmstrang - Summer 2023

Haven Bohannon - Friend and Coin-bearer - The Mistletoe Spin Group #7

Hiro Bakugo - Friend - Midspring Celebration, The Seven Schools, Hexiwizard Task Aftermath, Thrills & Chills Bash, Panic in the Lake, Spin the Bottle Beans!, The Mistletoe Spin Group #7, Confusing Times

Alaric Havertz- Friend and Team Mate - Pre-game Jitters, Hogwarts vs Durmstrang - Summer 2023, Durmstrang vs. Ilvermorny-Beauxbatons - Summer 2024

Cielle Johansen - Friend - Tapping On the Glass, Faerietale Endings, Hexwizard Task 1: Beauxbatons v Durmstrang

Tristan Theramin - Friend - Spin the Bottle Beans!, Ephemeral Relationships

Maila Aurora Laine - Friend - Where words fail, music speaks, The Enchanted Maze, Where Earth Meets Sky, Lanterns and Boat Rides

Sara Kohana - Acquaintance - Truth or Dare — Group FIVE, The Mistletoe Spin Group #7

Erin Ryan - Person to Protect - From the Deep, Day of Rain, Justice, Midspring Celebration, Hexwizard Task 1: Beauxbatons v Durmstrang

Colin McCoire - Citizen of Candyland - Justice Candy, Faerietale Endings, The Niffler Niffled

Sophia Nelson - Fan and Queen of Confections - Justice Candy, Spectator Thread [Slytherin v. Gryffindor]

Kheanu Maravilho Mondelez - One-Time Tent Mate - Chaotically Wild , DURMSTRANG vs INTERSCHOOL SUMMER 2023

Dan Palmer - Rival Seeker Acquaintance - Spin the Bottle Beans!

External Quidditch Folk - Oh Sweet Anticipation, The Cost of Victory, Justice, Battle Royale, Hogwarts v. Durmstrang & Koldovstoretz - Summer 2022, Hogwarts vs Durmstrang - Summer 2023, Durmstrang vs. Ilvermorny-Beauxbatons - Summer 2024

Aurelia Roberts - Fan and Acquaintance - Cupcakes and Birthdays

Yevgeny Isaevich Ogarev - Intriguing Broom Racer - DURMSTRANG vs INTERSCHOOL SUMMER 2023

Cassie Heather McGregor-Martin - Suspicious Frenchie - Let There Be No Light

Percival Gray - Suspicious Hogwart - Let There Be No Light

Edward Smith - Ex-Team Mate - Hogwarts v. Durmstrang & Koldovstoretz - Summer 2022, Instant Retaliation

Hanako Tone - Tense Acquaintance - Spin the Bottle Beans!, The Mistletoe Spin Group #7

Alexander Harland - Phantom - At the Edge of All Possibles, Hogwarts vs Durmstrang - Summer 2023 Spectator Thread, Hogwarts vs Durmstrang - Summer 2023

Solo Threads - Self - The Goblet of Fire, As the World Burns, Window Onto a Broken Skyline, An Unspoken Price of Victory, Retaking the Lake, Hijacked Love Circuits, Ashes From Which To Rise

Family:

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Valentin's mother, Zinoviya Makarova, was a famous wrock star from Russia who married a German concert pianist, Hugo Schnell. Valentin inherited Zinoviya's beautiful vocal timbre in addition to an intense pressure to perform at the highest echelon of musical competitions. After Zinoviya was killed by an obsessive fan and his father was sentenced to prison for the pursuit of revenge against his wife's killer, a friend of the family whom Valentin had never met became his caretaker: Leonid Shaykhlislamov. Unable to open up to Leonid about his feelings, Valentin's motivations and attitudes quietly shift with little adult input other than from his butler, Sergei Kozlov. However, in recent times friends have done much to ameliorate Valentin's anorexia and other issues.

Hugo and Valentin Schnell, Germany

Hugo Schnell

Hugo Schnell
Faceclaim: Jeremy Dufour

Zinoviya Makarova
Faceclaim: Şebnem Ferah

Amortentia:

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Stormy air & fine agarwood

Mirror of Erised:

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Boggart (STROBE WARNING):

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Flower:

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White Stargazer Lily ("Siberia" Variety)