9 Jul 2022, 05:24
The Schnell Estate
Valentin Schnell rarely talked about his household, even among his closest teammates. Indeed, it was almost odd how little his friends knew about his home, almost as if he had gone out of his way for years to bury such details when they didn’t really matter anyway. As extroverted as he was, it was far more interesting to keep the focus on his friends and matters of quidditch. Besides, he didn’t really want people to know, at least, not… yet. It wasn’t as if it wasn’t public information already, but he was in no rush for his young allies to find out if they didn’t already know. Well, his day had come. He hadn’t had the heart to turn his team away when they needed a place to train. He had what they needed, and he wasn’t about to hoard now.
Durmstrang’s quidditch team arrived by private ship upon the banks of the Volga only to be escorted immediately into carriages pulled by fine white horses along a densely forested path ahead. As they rode, spruce-fir gave way to patches of birch and Scots pine meadows, and then back to spruce. Unusually cold, wet weather maintained snowcover over the mountainous landscape despite the summer season. Curious rabbits and a pair of corsac foxes poked their heads out to examine the passing carriages as riffs of birdsong shifted along the ecological mosaic. Valentin explained that the woods could be dangerous, as they housed bears, boars, and venomous adders in addition to the more harmless otters, stoats, lynxes, hedgehogs, frogs, and so on.
Only a muggle or a foreigner would suggest that the only mountain range in Russia’s Tatarstan was the Chatyr-Tau. Anyone who was anyone in western wizarding Russia knew the Schnell-Makarova lands, concealed along with a modest wizarding community within river-entwined peaks that caught the moisture rushing over the surrounding steppe. After all, stories of the family’s wealth preceded them together with the fame and infamy of their deeds.
Hugo Schnell, Valentin’s father, was a renowned concert pianist whose oligarchic pureblood lineage granted him unspeakable affluence. Yet, he truly entered the international public eye when he proposed to a popular wrock musician, Zinoviya Makarova, by building her his own rendition of the Taj Mahal in her homeland north of Kazan, Russia. Following Zinoviya’s murder and Hugo’s subsequent incarceration, royalties from their music surged in the throes of morbid publicity. Valentin wanted nothing to do with the blood money, distancing himself from the management of his sudden inheritance by entrusting the estate to managers previously appointed by his parents. It was easier to escape into excuses of youth than to confront the emotional and financial legacy of his parents. This was what he had been doing his whole life, anyway.
As the team arrived, a gruff full-bearded man emerged from thick fog at the forest’s edge, dressed in traditional Volga Tatar wizard garb. He gave only the most taciturn welcome, but Valentin introduced him as Leonid Shaykhlislamov, a dark-arts specialist and friend of his late mother’s. Valentin said to address even the most trivial of wishes to either him or one of the household staff.
As the mid-day sun shone on and wind blustered in, the curtain of white about them began to thin, revealing cliff faces encircling minaret-style spires and a domed arabesque central building the size of only the greatest of muggle cathedrals. White marble formed the estate’s fundamental architecture, glinting with accents of lapis and titanium when the sun glimmered through passing clouds. As the group approached the main entrance, climbing a flight of stairs lined with alabaster mythological statues, the intense attention to detail of the Turkic structures’ construction whispered to them at every turn.
At a distance, the tallest towers stood at four corners around the dome– all identical in white and dark blue with the exception of one rear minaret that cloaked itself into the backdrop, mostly transparent except for its glassy shine. On further inspection, the unique tower sported not marble, but spirals of clear and stained glass ascending with white travertine and trims of quartz, hematite, and gigantic fire opals. The top of the tower was identical to the others in its arabesque shape only, shimmering as it was with the prismatic mirage shed by pure crystal. Valentin waved his friends inside the main building quickly, not wanting to tarry.
The estate’s employee count had dramatically dropped since the loss of the boy’s parents, and yet, there was no shortage of introductions to be had. First to meet Valentin’s people was Sergei, the butler, who pounced upon the boy with responsibilities while sparing barely a bow to the new guests. For his part, Val was also in a hurry, wanting to get his friends fed and settled after their long journey.
“Sir, I need your approval on upgrading the security in the museum. It would be ideal to hire a different charms master to reapply the wards… It is only a matter of time until someone finds a way up the tower, and I cannot be allowing such a risk–”
“I asked you to stop calling me ‘sir,’ please, Sergei.”
“I’m sorry, sir.”
“At least in front of my friends?”
“But the wards, sir, I need you to sign this contract…”
“What did they break this time?”
“Someone stole the fingerhole quaffle.”
“...” Valentin crossed his arms and looked down.
“Sir, the contract…”
“Please stop all tours until I can think about this with a clear head. Maybe it’s better to just let a real museum take care of the items.”
“But sir, your image management–”
“I need to feed my friends. Please.” Valentin nodded to Sergei and turned back to the team. “This is Sergei Kozlov. He is to assist you with any needs you have. If you have a problem with your rooms, or if you’re hungry, or anything… He should be just down the hall.”
“And at any hour!” bleated the butler, temporarily forgetting how nervous he was to have so many unknown people on the premises. He did love to serve. However, the worry rapidly descended back onto his features. Before the words could escape his mouth, however, Val had already turned and was waving goodbye over his shoulder as he guided the team up the main hall to the center of the domed building.
“Don’t mind him, he’s just become a total worrywort since my mother…” trailed off Valentin.
In the middle of everything, perfectly ensconced by the acoustically grandiose architecture, a spotless grand piano glinted in the natural light. Everything about the piano was immaculate except for its bench, which angled sharply away from the keys as if someone had been sitting there before having to leave in a hurry.
“My dad's piano," explained Valentin, walking by without looking at it. His eyes were locked onto the stairs in the distance, and he just kept walking. Beckoning with one hand without looking back, Valentin guided his team up a grand stairwell onto a balcony lining the far edge of the building. A dozen spacious rooms curled around behind blue-carpeted walkways on either side of the stairs.
“All of these rooms are vacant. Bathrooms are at the end of each hall. Make yourselves at home as you see fit. You may want to take the opportunity to refresh yourselves with the bath or shower. Sergei has a station here, in the middle, and he should bring you anything you might have a craving for. Please meet at the bottom of these stairs in one hour to tour the estate. This will help you find your way around during the training. Dinner downstairs at seven."
--
An hour after the estate tour, Valentin led his crew through the ground floor hallway down a broad stairwell centered beneath the bedroom balcony. Turning to push open a double doorway, Valentin led the team into a new, dark room bedecked with crystal chandeliers that reflected off the mirror-like ground.
Mirrors also covered the ceilings and far walls, creating the illusion of an infinite space. Gesturing to a long glass table illuminated subtly by charms, Valentin showed the team to a veritable banquet and asked for them to sit in the accompanying velvet-cushioned glass chairs.
Before the players, a colorful assortment of hot and cold foods accompanied fine china and sterling utensils. Val had specifically asked for this to be a self-serve arrangement, so he invited people to take whatever they wanted for themselves. An assortment of ethnic Turkish, Russian, and German foods tempted the senses: pelmeni dumplings, German sausages, raspberries, apple pie, baked fish and sautéed mushrooms, şulpa vegetable millet soup, bişbarmaq mutton noodle soup, çäkçäk honeyed pastry balls, stone bramble berry cake, and, of course, strong hot chai and carafes of water on the side. Valentin explained that the fruits, fish, mushrooms, vegetables, and honey all originated from the property itself. The estate was dozens of kilometers away from the closest village market, and Hugo had wanted to ensure a sense of food security when presenting the estate to his bride-to-be.
As Valentin settled into one of the glass chairs at the left end of the table and stared at a crystal vase of wild Schrenck’s tulips, waiting for his team to dig in.
Last edited by Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood on 22 Jul 2022, 00:42, edited 1 time in total.
21 Jul 2022, 23:44
The Schnell Estate
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Earlier that day, Charles said his farewells to Aly. Promising to write. He actually enjoyed that summer, spending the days with the girl. It was unexpected but welcoming. His mind ticking, hoping to cross paths with her again. To speak again and grow the memories between them, she wasn't like the others he knew but also that's what made her exciting.
It's been a few hours since she left, the time nearing noon. Charles has been shoving clothes into the depths of his trunk for a few minutes till his door creaked, signaling it was opened and his elder brother stood in the frame. Charles avoided his elder brother's gaze as he packed, Andrew watched his younger brother as he spoke"you'll only create more problems the more you run," Charles ignored the words, shoving school supplies and items into his trunk. Wanting to hurry with packing so he can leave sooner. The teen didn't tell his parents of the bootcamp that the quidditch team was holding, afraid of what they would say so he figured he could leave. Facing their words at another time.
"You could ask instead of these childish tactics," Andrew spoke as Charles shut his trunk. Latching the lock. The teen looked up from his trunk, toward his elder brother as he spoke"why? Their going to say no and I'm going to leave anyway so why can't I skip a step?" Charles half-way smiled at his brother before going to pack his backpack as Andrew spoke"You don't know they'll say no." Charles laughed a tad at the words, already knowing the reaction of his parents if he asked. Andrew saw this, the elder crossed his arms as he spoke"I'll talk to them while you stay here which means no running, Les."
The teen stopped his packing, looking up at his elder brother as he fell onto his bed. Sitting on the sheets, he couldn't believe what he was hearing as he spoke"fine but if they say no then I'm running." Charles smiled a little at his elder brother who smiled, shaking his head. The teen watched Andrew pull the door shut, leaveing him alone.
A hour past. The teen finished packing. Trunk, backpack, and broom sitting in a nest pile at his door. Charles laid on his bed, head aginest his pillow waiting for his brother. He thought of running... of leaving but decided aginest it. Remembering his brother's words. The teen stared at the ceiling, wondering of the time... with each passing second he questioned if he would be late. If he would miss the boat.
The creak of his door, Charles sat up on his bed. Eyes met his brother who lean in the door frame. Andrew crossed his arms over his chest as he spoke" I talked to them, they said you can go." Charles felt himself smile, falling back onto his bed. Hands covering his eyes as he smiled, not fully believing that he was given permission to stay in another country with a friend as he spoke" Thank you, Andrew. I didn't expect them to agree, what did you tell them?" Removing his hands, the teen moved to the side of his bed. Sitting up, hanging his feet over the side. Eyes found his brother's.
Andrew stared at his younger brother, allowing him the moment of joy before speaking"Father said you can only go if we travel together to tatarstan," Charles stared. Eyes widen, he felt his nails dig into the sheets as he spoke"I can travel alone, I'm nearly 15 for merlin sakes," Andrew stared at his younger brother, eyes catching the nimbus as he spoke"your 14 and what's wrong with traveling together? It will be fun especially since I'm not returning to durmstrang with you this year," the teen knew his brother graduated from durmstrang in the past year but a part wished he didn't. A part him wanting to be there, close by when he needed.
The blonde, nodded a little as Andrew spoke"when you come to your senses, I'll be waiting in the muggle car with your nimbus," Charles forced himself off the bad to his feet as Andrew grabbed hold of his nimbus. The broom was old but reliable. There for him. The teen watched the broom rest in his brother's hand as he spoke"be careful with it, please." Eyes following the nod of his brother and footsteps from his room. Carrying his broom. The teen stood in his place, mind wondering... questioning if anyone else would be arriving with a family member or sibling that attended durmstrang as well.
The teen moved to grab his trunk and backpack, a look around his room. A place he won't be till the Christmas holidays. The teen stepped over the threshold, shutting his door as he walked through the hall heading to the stairs. Eyes peeled for his parents. Looking to avoid them. The teen walked down the stairs, through the short hall for the door.
Slipping from the door, stepping over the threshold for the outside. His eyes found the muggle car sitting in front of the steps, Andrew at the muggle car's trunk.
The blonde jogged down the few steps, heading toward where his brother stood. Preparing to place his bags into the muggle car trunk when his eyes fell on the contents. There wasn't an nimbus but instead a sleek and shiny new sliver arrow. The handle tied with a brown rope lined with a raven in gold fabric. The teen stared, unable to speak when he felt his brother squeeze his shoulder as he spoke"your broom seemed a bit outdated so I thought you would enjoy a update." Charles stared, mouth hung agape.
His brother smiling, squeezing Charle's shoulders as he spoke"I'm glad you like it, now we should leave if we to arrive there on time." Andrew offered a nod towsrd Charles who returned with a shaky nod. Still in disbelief of the broom. Not fully believing that his brother would buy him a broom. Andrew helped Charles set his bags in the trunk since the blonde continued to stare at the sliver arrow.
After a few minutes, the teen left the arrow and found a seat in the backseat besides hus elder brother. The teen took to looking out at the window, watching the scenes rush past. Images he won't see till the next holiday. Staring out the glass, head rested aginest the seat besides his brother.
Reducio
Andrew occasionally looked over at his brother, often questioning certain aspects as the blonde stared at the passing scenes of Durham England.The journey lasted a few hours, spanning from noon to the evening. A mixture of muggle cars, portkey, boat, and now carriages to arrive at the destination.
The brother's found their own carriage, Charles staring out st the passing scenes. Often feeling the rush of thoughts and emotions stirr his mind. Andrew staring at him, thoughts within his mind as Charles avoided the eye contact.
The manor- estate was larger than the others Charles has seen. He was use to large homes growing within a pureblood society but this one. This estate he figured as the largest he seen. Sending his brother a look who nodded with a smile.
Departing the carriages, Charles held his trunk in one hand and new sliver arrow in the other. Andrew by his side, holding to Charle's backpack.
The two brothers would stay near the tail of the group, following the others. Charles nodded to Valentin's words, the mention of a tour and where to meet in a hour. The teen then would depart with his brother to find his room.
Placing his bags and broom at his bed, the teen eyed the room he would be staying for the next couple of days. Sitting on his bed, his brother stood in front of him. Charles felt his eyes drift from the surrounding area to his brother as he spoke"It seems you will be busy, perhaps you'll even forget to write," Charles eyed his brother. Smiling a tad as his brother smiled, Andrew took a seat besides Charles on the bed as he spoke"try to smile. Your time at durmstrang is changing for the better, trust me," Charles dropped his head. Eyes glancing at his brother as he spoke"I don't think so, it would be simpler if you're with me." Charles felt his brother's grip on his shoulder, the squeeze as Charles spoke"do you have to graduate?"
Andrew laughed a little, holding to Charle's shoulder as he spoke"Yes but you'll be fine, I know you will." Charles smiled for a moment before it faded, dropping his eyes. Andrew squeezed his brother's shoulder, rising to his feet. The elder would straightened out his jacket as he spoke"I should be leaving, I'll see you at Christmas."
At the words. The blonde stood on his feet, eyes meeting his brother as he spoke"do you have to?" Andrew nodded to his younger brother, speaking"Yes, I do." The elder brother pulled Charles into a hug lasting a moment before it broke, the two placed their foreheads together. Touching them for a moment. Charles closed his eyes, his muscles relaxed before he felt his brother pull away. Opening his eyes.
"You'll be fine, do what the other fifth years do and I'll see you at Christmas," Andrew spoke to his brother who nodded. The two walked in step, near the back of the group. Charles kept to his brother's side, the blonde glanced at his brother. Andrew. Had perfect grades at durmstrang and a group of friends, the opposite of Charles.
Entering the hall, Charles looked around. Surprised to see chairs of glass, wondering if any broke before. Charles kept with his brother, standing behind him but close when Andrew stopped besides Valentin Schnell's chair. The elder offering a hand to the white hair as he spoke"Andrew Alluring, Charle's elder brother. A pleasure it has been but about the carriage back?"
"There's no such thing as strange creatures, only blinked people" - Newt Scamander