September 6th would bring students to a very important decision for sixth years at Durmstrang, whether to continue their studies in either Combat Magic or the Dark Arts. Though for many years this decision had been private and uncelebrated, for the first time, Durmstrang would start a tradition of celebrating the students’ success through a ceremony.


At six in the evening, the great hall of Durmstrang’s castle would be lined with banners of dragons, beautiful tapestries that depicted the landscape of the frozen lake and mountains surrounding the school, and an embroidered list of the names of students who had made their momentous decision as a sixth year. Icy candlelight would hang from the ceilings to create an ambience of the cold strength that Durmstrang admired.

Along the walls of the hall lay the weapons and swords owned by Durmstrang as well as previously donated works of enchanters who hailed from the school. The atmosphere was one of honoring the students who came before and an expectant excitement for those who were choosing the path of their lives out of Durmstrang this very day.

In celebration, a great feast was laid out in front of the students at the great dining tables, with traditional foods, desserts, and drinks from every country represented in the demographics of Durmstrang.

The portraits of former headmasters and headmistresses as well as famous graduates would line the wall behind the podium from which the current headmaster would speak.

Emery Albrecht, a stern, yet chaotic headmaster, would stand to greet the newest sixth years to congratulate them on their path in life.

Unlike other students, the sixth years would enter the halls after the others, having sailed across the icy lake in the famous ship that Durmstrang was known for. Their cheeks might be rosy from the cold and frost might be upon their uniforms. The younger students as well as those who were older would have already returned from the forest after the yearly bootcamp a few hours before.

With the Amplifying Charm applied, Headmaster Albrecht would start the ceremony with the following speech, “Welcome to this momentous day for the students who have trained five long years at this institute of Durmstrang. They have arrived at this momentous day where we are able to celebrate their choice for the next three years of schooling!”

One by one, the headmaster would call the fifth years by name, who would be sitting in the front of the hall, closest to the podium. When a student was called, their supervisory professor, who would be personally in charge of the student’s education, would step forward with a tag of the Durmstrang Crest. The professor would say the following words, “Repeat after me. I pledge to fight and expend all effort to honor the Durmstrang name whether in fame or solitude, in servitude and discipline, in body and mind.” The professor would then place the tag with the crest on the student’s neck.
Once this ceremony was finished, the headmaster would step back forward and announce the student’s choice and congratulate them personally.

Once every student was congratulated, the ceremony would conclude with the headmaster dismissing them to enjoy the feast.

RULES

• This role-play is for fifth years only. In character, this is their sixth year of education.
• Please note that the same 200 words minimum is applicable.
• Light godmodding of Emery is allowed, he will be walking around the hall after the ceremony is over.
• If you have any questions, you may owl Emery Albrecht.