<div class="floatleft">(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMTU2NzQwODQ2NF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwNTQxODk1MDI@._V1_.jpg)</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> Nadia Găină (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=299655.msg14659780#msg14659780)<br/><strong>YEAR:</strong> Fifth<br/><strong>BLOOD STATUS:</strong> Half-blood<br/><strong>WAND:</strong> 11¾ inches, Pine, Dragon heartstring, Springy<br/><strong>WEARING:</strong> Durmstrang student uniform<br/><strong>DATE | TIME:</strong> Monday, 2 September 2019 | Dinner Time<br/><strong>LOCATION:</strong> Durmstrang Dining Hall<br/><strong>CONTENT:</strong> "The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had"<br/><strong>MOOD MUSIC:</strong> Gary Jules - Mad World (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N3N1MlvVc4)<br/><strong>TAGGING:</strong> Open<br/><strong>MENTIONING:</strong> Nikolai Maximovich</td></tr></tbody></table><br/><hr/><br/>Nadia was seated among her fellow students, all wearing identical uniforms except for the slight variation for women. There was a heavy, imposing silence in the hall as everyone waited for the arrival of Headmaster Maximovich. Nadia did her best to appear her usual self, but her cheek muscles were getting sore from all the forceful smiles, and her ears were done hearing the same platitudes. She was glad for the silence, a moment of respite from the incessant blabber around her. Headmaster Maximovich arrived and everyone stood up mechanically, with Nadia lifting her chin and chest out.<br/><br/>She followed Maximovich with her eyes, observing the man they rarely saw around the institute. There was nothing impressive about him at first glance, but every Durmstrang student knew better than to even dare talk badly about him. He began his speech, welcoming back the Durmstrang hordes, and the new sheep. He then switched on, mentioning respect and how the way of the institute was to do better and strive for improvement. A few people jumped as Maximovich slammed a fist on the podium, but Nadia saw it coming. The smile that formed on his lips afterwards was just short of disgusting, as far as warming as it could get.<br/><br/><em>"This year, we have an opportunity to do so in a way that has not been seen in many years. As some of you may know, the English Minister has called for a tournament. For the Tournament. The Triwizard Tournament."</em><br/><br/>This was news to Nadia, who digested the information quickly, realizing this might be an opportunity for her.<br/><br/>"<acronym title="Are you going to participate?">Собираетесь ли вы участвовать?</acronym>" the girl to her left whispered in Russian to her attention.<br/><br/>Nadia ignored her, as it was not the time. They could talk once their Headmaster was done speaking. Maximovich went on to explain he had accepted the invitation and that the tournament would be held south in a month. She preferred it that way. A change of scenery from Durmstrang would be highly welcome. There was no escaping her memories, and she knew that, but the distraction of a tournament was attractive.<br/><br/>As Maximovich finished his monologue, announcing that Durmstrang would win the tournament, Nadia closed her eyes momentarily and took a deep breath. Food had appeared on every table and students had started talking excitedly about the tournament, everyone wondering who was going to participate and who would be the champion for the institute. Those who wondered had already lost.<br/><br/>"<acronym title="How was your summer, Nadia?">Как прошло лето, Надя?</acronym>"<br/><br/>She glanced at the fourth person who had asked her that in the space of an hour, glad however that it wasn't another question or comment about the tournament.<br/><br/><em>Nothing much. I was in a limbo between trying to kill myself and avoiding my family and friends,</em>she thought, her forced smile not coming this time.<br/><br/>"<acronym title="Good, it was good... What about yours?">Хорошо, это было хорошо... А у тебя?</acronym>"<br/><br/>Deflecting questions would become handy. Short answers and a question back, encouraging the other party to talk instead of her. Those were her social weapons for now. She started eating, listening to the person's tales of their summer, not actually interested. Her appetite was meager, but she forced the food in her mouth nonetheless.