<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/QNuBtVf.png)</div><div class="floatright">(https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/harrypotter/images/f/f3/DurmstrangCrest.png/revision/latest?cb=20160112161151)</div><table class="bbc_table"><tbody><tr><td><strong>NAME:</strong>     </td><td>Mathilda Wolff (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=299655.msg14655387#msg14655387)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>OCCUPATION:</strong>    </td><td>Deputy Headmistress of Durmstrang | Dark Arts Instructor</td></tr><tr><td><strong>BLOOD STATUS:</strong>    </td><td>No-Maj Born (specifically stateside)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>WAND:</strong>    </td><td>11 ¾" | Acacia | Dragon Heartstring | Unyielding (https://i.imgur.com/6U00Zja.jpg)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>WEARING:</strong>    </td><td>Summer Uniform (https://i.imgur.com/bDzECgX.png) | Gold Aiguillettes (https://i.imgur.com/uZvRGkC.png) | Glowing Blue Nails (https://imgur.com/DyyUT0k) | Edelweiss Ring (https://i.imgur.com/Z6RufO6.png)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>DATE | TIME:</strong>    </td><td>Monday, September 2nd | Supper Time</td></tr><tr><td><strong>LOCATION:</strong>    </td><td>Durmstrang Dining Hall</td></tr><tr><td><strong>CONTENT:</strong>    </td><td>Occupying Proximity</td></tr><tr><td><strong>MOOD MUSIC:</strong>    </td><td>Shostakovich Symphony No. 1, Movement II (https://youtu.be/PaHoTomdl8I?t=527)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>TAGGING:</strong>    </td><td>Professor Vulchanova | Headmaster Maximovich | Open</td></tr></tbody></table><br/><hr/><br/>It had not taken long for Mathilda Wolff to adapt to the harsh reality of life at Durmstrang.<br/><br/>In fact, seeing her stride the halls in a starched crimson uniform with her hair cinched into an artful knot at the base of her neck, the 30-year-old American looked as much a part of the institution as the stonework. It was difficult to think that merely four years ago, she had arrived at the ancient castle to accept the position of Assistant to the Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor. Of course, when she had arrived she never would have considered herself soft. After all, she was raised with the commonplace<acronym title="storm and stress"><em>sturm und drang</em></acronym>that plagued her Austrian ancestors and had succeeded in life by meticulously scheduling it to such an extent that her personal life suffered to near extinction.<br/><br/>Still, Durmstrang asked for more.<br/><br/>Her physical education had required the greatest deal of discipline. Her mind was a tool that had been sharpened daily since her youth, but her body, while slim, was weak. Delicate. Her muscles were undeveloped and her stamina inexcusably limited. Had she more time to prepare for the job the she would have trained like a soldier preparing for boot camp but alas, she had barely enough time to say goodbye to her loved ones and move across the ocean. The castle too was cold and dark as well, preserving the tradition of sparing fire and light only for magical purposes. Thus, the morning drills at 0600 were a gloomy and frigid affair.<br/><br/>After a month, she barely noticed the cold. After three, her body’s internal clock woke her before the alarm. After six, she was already teaching in intermediate Russian.<br/><br/>Yes, Mathilda had changed. Instead of designer labels, she was never seen outside of her uniform, and now, she wore a different sort of boot, one that send a decidedly stronger noise down the hall than did the stilettos she preferred at home.<br/><br/>At Durmstrang, Professor Wolff had no friends, family, or lover, only a single-minded zeal to succeed that had kickstarted her meteoric rise.<br/><br/>Seated at the right hand of an empty chair that was clearly meant for the Headmaster, Mathilda was resplendent in her uniform, complete with golden aiguillettes (https://i.imgur.com/uZvRGkC.png) of her newfound station as Deputy Headmistress. Though no one would be able to tell from the placid expression on her dollike face, the promotion had come as a genuine surprise.<br/><br/>When Headmaster Maximovich entered the dining hall, Mathilda rose to her feet with poise and remained at-attention without any expression whatsoever, even as she listened to the announcement of the Triwizard Tournament, which sent a palpable ripple of excitement.<br/><br/>Mathilda’s brown eyes took a cursory glance over the crowd to see which students appeared most interested and which of them she hoped<em>would</em>.<br/><br/>The sudden flash of light as the columns erupted with fire was enough to force Mathilda to squint momentarily before the warmth and light fell over the entire dining hall like a wool blanket, accompanied by the arrival of the feast.<br/><br/>She sat down at her empty plate and ignored the platters before her to pour a glass of cold water into a goblet. Taking a long, slow pull from it, she replaced it and then used a fork and carving knife to slice the roast beef.<br/><br/><em>“That was a very good speech, Nikolai.”</em><br/><br/>Hearing the sonorous alto of the Herbology Professor, Ms. Vulchanova, Mathilda glanced in her direction and then offered a simple greeting of<acronym title="Good evening"><strong>“Добрый вечер”</strong></acronym>to both she and the Headmaster before politely forking a bite of bloody meat into her pink lips.