House of Durand

The **House of Durand** is one of the largest, oldest, and wealthiest pure-blooded wizarding families in Europe, originating from Belgium with cadet branches in France and Luxembourg. They are notorious for their ability to communicate with dragons, and have traditionally taken on the responsibility of looking after the Ardennian Scalecrest dragon, and have done so for many centuries.

## Family History

### Early history

> How the bloody hell is that guy speaking with the dragon?!
>
> Ron Weasley

The House of Durand's origins lie in the Ardennes, in the south of Belgium. The founding patriarch went by the name of Dragobert and was a famed Frankwish wizard and warrior. At some point early in the 9th century, Dragobert met and wed his wife, Hildegard. Dragobert's fortitude in battle and services to the Frankish High King led to the family's ennoblement and they were given prime lands near the modern-day village of Leignon in southern Belgium. There, they would settle and eventually build up the Chateau Chapois as a farm; monopolising land off of the county rulers before finally inheriting the title of Count and Countess themselves and joining the French nobility of the time.

Over the centuries, the Durands gain increasingly wealthy and developed a prestigious reputation within the royal family of France. During the Hundred Years' War, the House of Durand chose to align themselves with the royal House of Valois and the Kingdom of France, assissting them in the defeat of the Kingdom of England and their allies. For their allegiance, the House of Durand was heavily rewarded and they were granted more lands in France and Belgium. They were subsequently also rewarded a seat in the French King's court as advisors. At the same time, the Durand Estate began incorporating vineyards on the land and further developing the land into a wine farm.

During the late 1500s, Dragons began settling on Durand lands which intrigued Armand Durand. He began studying the species' movements and behaviour; and after one specific encounter with a Ardennian Scalecrest dragon, he realised that he could understand the way dragon's spoke and could communicate with them in such a way that Parseltongue's could communicate with snakes. This ability to communicate with dragons would be passed down through generations of the House of Durand, and the House would take on the duties as keeper of dragons and peacefully co-exist with them. This ability to tame and communicate with the dragons earned the House great fame and wealth as when the older dragons died of natural causes, their materials would be sold commercially as products such as dragon hide clothing. The Durand Estate became a safespace for its dragon inhabitants who also guarded the land and the noble House.

Notable Durands in history were Josephine Durand, who became Empress of France after her marriage to Napoleon Bonaparte. Another famous Durand was Lucien Durand who created Cognac and established the Durand Alcohol Empire.

The fabled House of Durand traces its roots to the serene landscapes of Namur in southern Belgium, where the visionary patriarch Dragobert emerged as a renowned Frankish wizard and a valiant warrior. In the early 9th century, Dragobert's exceptional valor in the throes of battle caught the attention of the Frankish High King, leading to the ennoblement of his family. Endowed with prime lands near the modern-day village of Leignon, the Durands established their ancestral seat, Chateau Chapois, gradually transforming the surrounding expanse into a thriving agricultural haven. Their cunning negotiations with local rulers culminated in the acquisition of the esteemed titles of Count and Countess, securing their position within the echelons of the burgeoning French nobility.

As the centuries unfolded, the Durands cemented their position as stalwarts of the wizarding world, amassing wealth and acclaim through their relentless pursuit of excellence. In the tumultuous period of the Hundred Years' War, the House of Durand pledged unwavering allegiance to the royal House of Valois and the Kingdom of France, wielding their formidable prowess in tandem with the valiant French forces to quell the encroaching ambitions of the Kingdom of England and their allies. Their unwavering loyalty did not go unnoticed, as the Durands were rewarded with additional territories across the realms of France and Belgium, further solidifying their influence within the corridors of power. Their eminent status earned them a coveted seat in the French King's court, serving as esteemed advisors and confidants.

In a pivotal turn of events during the late 1500s, the Durand estate witnessed the awe-inspiring arrival of majestic dragons, whose presence intrigued the inquisitive mind of Armand Durand, a scion of the family. Armand's fascination with these mythical creatures spurred an immersive study of their intricate behaviors, leading to a groundbreaking revelation - the ability to comprehend the intricate language of dragons, akin to the way Parseltongues communicated with serpents. This extraordinary gift of communication with dragons cascaded through the annals of the Durand lineage, fostering an unprecedented bond between the family and the enigmatic beasts. Assuming the role of dedicated keepers, the Durands harmoniously coexisted with the dragons, nurturing a sanctuary within the Durand Estate where these majestic creatures thrived and safeguarded the noble House.

The House of Durand's reputation soared to unparalleled heights as they artfully leveraged the resources derived from the dragons, ranging from ethically sourced dragon-hide products to various other innovations, symbolizing their commitment to preserving the equilibrium between wizarding kind and the mystical inhabitants of their estate. Amidst their illustrious history, notable Durands such as Josephine Durand, who ascended to the prestigious position of Empress of France through her union with Napoleon Bonaparte, and the ingenious Lucien Durand, credited with the inception of the renowned Durand Alcohol Empire, further solidified the family's legacy of distinction and contribution to both the wizarding and Muggle worlds.

The House of Durand was of Gallic descent and then became Roman, Merovingian before being part of the Stavelot–Malmédy abbey (747-1770), the Austrian Netherlands (1770-1790), the United Belgian Countries (1790-1792), France (1792-1815) and the Netherlands (1815-1830).

## Family Tree

*Amor Vincit Omnia* is the Durand motto and means **Love Conquers Everything**.

## Traditions

### Dragon Companionship

With the birth of a new child, a dragon protector is assigned.

## Etymology

* The surname **Durand** means "enduring."

## Trivia

* They created the draconifors spell.
* They also are responsible for developing the counter-charm for the memory-modifying charm.