The Four Founders
It was a Sunday afternoon, Tom Riddle left the dark and gloomy library after weekend long excavation of precious documents and books. His head felt numb and his eyes were tired. The sun was unkindly glowing over his head and the court yard was awfully loud with other students. He didn't mine lesser minds' voice usually, but he was in a mad mood. Every noise bothered him. Every smell made him nauseous. Every lights caused pain. Every touch was deathly bothersome. However, he smiled back to ordinary looking girls who wove hands to him. He knew it was important for him to be 'likable' among girls. Girls were tricky. He would never try to understand them, nor he cared about them, but he knew he couldn't afford to offend girls. It would just cause him too much problem and headache in the future.
He knew if he was going to walk the hallway, he would consistently bump into people who want to say 'hi' to him. So, he turned his direction and walked to the grassy courtyard. He decided to just sit down under a tree and pretend to read. People usually didn't bother him when he was reading, not even professors bothered him. He sat down in a shade and leaned against the tree. He grabbed one of the book he borrowed from the library without thinking. currently, he was researching on the legend and stories of the four founders. He learned the resemblance of his power to the founder of Slytherin house. He wanted to know more and more about it, but the textbook only provided him little information. It was odd how the professor would spent weeks on the reformation of the Ministry, but spent only a class time for the founders of Hogwarts. He had to do his individual research on this matter.
One of the many books he borrowed was supposedly written by Rowena Ravenclaw. The Ravenclaw- the founder of House Ravenclaw. It intrigued Tom very much but the book was stored at the end of the novel section in the library. If this was a genuine story written by Ravenclaw, then it wouldn't be stored in the novel section, Tom thought. From the beginning, he knew the book didn't care much of credibility, but he was desperate. This book was one of few books that dedicated solely on the founders of Hogwarts. There were few other books, but those were not credible either. (One was written by one of ancestor of Lovegood family. He knew a student name Lovegood and he seemed like one hell of wrack job to Tom Riddle)
He opened the book. Its cover as pretty old and the papers were faded, but it was readable.
The Four Founders
Written by
R. Ravenclaw
For Memories of my dear friends
Godric, Salazar, and Helga
Tom snorted. He didn't know who wrote this, but he didn't believe this could be actually written by Ravenclaw. 'whoever wrote this really wanted to fool somebody,' though Tom as he turned the page.
November 12, 1098
I am dying. All my friends left the school we all built together. I am the last one remaining here. I have lived longer than I have expected. For the time on this world, I am more than grateful to met my friends. Now, they are all gone. It is my job to write about the truth of our story. Too many people are trying to glorify us. Hogwarts is used in the game of politic now. I wished I had more time to protect the legacy of my friends, but I am running out of my time. I must write the story with my own hands. So I am writing this…I just wish I can finish the journey I had with my friends before I die.
Chapter 1: Godric
I met Godric when I was twenty-three. I was living on the northern side of the wall that Roman Muggles built. There was nothing much in the north. My family died when I was very young and I learned magic by myself. There was nobody around me. I was a witch in the middle of mountain, surrounded by noisy Muggles. When I was young, I thought I was going die soon because of the curse: the legacy of my parents, until I heard the story of 'holy grail'. I was no believer of Muggle religion, but the rumors of this particular religion and the artifact were most singular and intriguing. The cup of miracle - the resurrected man - water turning into wine - endless food coming from a little bag, all of those sounded like higher form of magic to me. The most interesting thing was the cup of miracle, so called 'the holy grail'. I tried to find more about the rumor by bewitching some Muggles, but it was fruitless.
So, I sat out on a journey. My life was meant to be a short one and I had nothing to lose. So left the cottage my parents owned, and went to the south of the wall. It was the first village I arrived over the wall. I met Godric at a pub.
I was not an idiot. I knew the cultural difference between Muggles and magical beings. I carried small amount of Muggle's money. It was easier and energy conserving to buy the food than make one. Also, a pub and a town center were good places for information gathering. So, I was eating and drinking ale at a pub one night. I had a short hair and a hood over my head, so nobody suspected me as a woman.
Then, he came in. His blazing red hair was the first thing to draw all the attention to him. Then, his clothing was a tempting target for street thugs. He was dressed in silks and jeweled broaches. He sat down on a table next to me and put the bag of gold coins on the table. I could sense some people targeting on this ignorant rich brat.
"Ma'am? Can I have whatever you people eat and drink? I am not used to this area," said the rich brat.
"Sir, do you have the money 'our people' are using?" asked the pub owner's wife cynically.
"Yes," said the rich brat with a frown on his face, "you take these, right?" Then he took out a gold galleon from the pouch.
"Is that a gold?" asked the pub owner as he pushed his wife aside.
"Yes," said the rich brat. At this point, I knew he was in trouble.
With the sight of a golden coin in their eyes, Muggles stood up and slowly walked toward him.
"Excuse me, people?" said the rich brat, realizing something was not quiet right.
"Hey, lordling, do you mind sharing some of your golds?" asked one of the thug. He was holding a chair in his hand.
"Do you have something to offer me?" asked the rich brat.
"Well, how about this?" said the thug as he throw the chair on the ground and broke it into pieces, "You can be the next one."
"Huh," said the rich brat, "that was very rude."
Then He stuck his hand into his cloak and tried to pull out something. I didn't see everything, but I could guess what it was. I stood up and punched him in the face before he could pull the wand out from his cloak. The rich brat fell down on the ground and people looked at me with open mouth.
I knew this was the moment I had to use the spell. I pulled out my wand and pointed to air and said, "Oblivate."
Then all the Muggles in the room collapsed. I actually expected the rich brat to fell as well, but he didn't.
"Whoa, that was cool. You casted it on the whole room!" said the rich brat as he stood up, "But what was the point of punching my face?"
"For your stupidity," I said as I drew my wand in, "you don't use Galleon in Muggle's pub."
"Oh, really? I didn't know that," said he.
"That is why I punched you," I said as I grabbed the last piece of the bread and walked out of the pub.
"Oi, hey, hey, hey!" said the rich brat as he followed me out the pub.
I didn't look back. I just wanted to get away from him as soon as possible. I didn't want to involved with this guy. At one look, I knew he was a high lordling who ran out of his house in attempt for an adventure he may or may not get. I was on a journey to save my own life and didn't want to associated with a light-minded like him. However, he kept followed me in to the woods.
"I am Godric, Godric Gryffindor. I am actually from Ireland, the island that is west of the England," said the rich brat, "how about you? You sound like you are from north. Are you? Are you? What is your name? Hey, Missy?"
I ignored him and ignored him, but he kept went on and on about his story. I didn't pay attention to him. Now I think about it, I guess he was talking about 'school', 'children', 'Muggles', and some other stuff I didn't really care about.
"Really, Missy, talk to me. I am a nice person," said Godric, "It is my first time meeting other witches. What is your name? You seemed to know a lot about the Muggles."
I walked silently for hours, yet he kept talking for hours behind me. When the sun set, I found a cave by the cliff.I gathered some twigs and went into the cave. He still followed me.
"Let me help you, my lady," said him as he snatched the twigs in my hand and put it down on the ground. He pulled out his wand and pointed to the twigs.
"Incendio!" he casted spell on the twig and the twig was on the fire immediately. It was very basic magic, yet he looked to me and smiled proudly.
I sat down against the wall and observed him. Godric Gryffindor. He looked very stupid to me. He had this innocent face with sparkling green eyes. His hats, cloths, and shoes were all new. His wand had a red ruby stuck at the hilt. He was sending the vibe of wealth all around him.
"who are you?" I asked.
"Godric Gryffindor," said he, "I told you before. were you not listening?"
"No," I answered
"I thought so, Hiking this mountain is pretty hard thing. I understand you didn't pay any attention to me. I am from Ireland," said Godric.
"I know. I heard that," I said.
"So you heard me!" exclaimed Godric with excitement, "so, who are you? What is your name? I asked you a lot of times but you never speak."
"I don't give out my names," said I. One's name can be easily used as mean of cursing. I had my share of curse, and I didn't want another one.
"I gave you my name," said he.
"You are fool, then." I said.
Godric's mouth was sealed for the moment. I thought I could insult this guy away from my cave but it only made him more interested.
"Okay, then let me guess," said he.
"Oh god," I covered my face with my hands and groan in agony.
"You are….Alex?"
"No,"
"um…Babara?"
"No."
"Cathryn? Catherine? Cathy?"
"No, no, no."
"Diana?"
"No."
"Elizabeth?"
"No."
"Fredrika?"
"No."
"Georgiana?"
"No,"
"Helen? Helena?" Henrietta?"
"No."
"hold on, a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h, i…i…what woman's name starts with I?"
"It is Rowena!" I shouted.
"Oh! That is pretty name. Now, for the last name, is your last name 'Adams'"
"Ugh…" I put my head down and groaned.
"Okay, that is no. Then, B…B…Beowulf?"
"It is Ravenclaw!" I shouted again.
"Ah! Rowena Ravenclaw! That is a pretty name! I thought your name was something weird and you were embarrassed about it," said Godric, "I am guessing you are from north of the wall, based on your accent. So, why are you traveling?"
"None of your business," I said.
"Are you on a quest to slay a dragon or something like that?"
"Is that your quest?" I asked back.
"Oh, No, No, No. I am not on such a childish journey," refuted Godric.
"Then, I look like I am on a childish journey to you?"
"No, but it was good guess to start with." said Godric, looking at me all innocently. "I am on a quest to build a school. I am looking for a like minded wizards and witches to found a school for young children with magical powers."
"That is more childish than slaying a dragon!" I yelled at him.
"No, thinking of the future of the children is not childish. Only adults can think of such thing. I guess you are not so adult yet," said Godric, pricking my pride with every sentence.
I didn't know what to say and i had no desired to speak to him. I shook my head and looked away from him. Outside of the cave, it started to rain. It became foggy very quickly and chill creeped on me
.
"Are you cold?" he asked.
"No," I lied. I could feel my body growing cold very quickly. I crawled up and brought my knees closed to my chest. My chest started to hurt. I knew it was only temporary pain. Usually when rain stopped, the pain also stopped.
"Is it the rain?" he asked.
"No," I said with a shaky voice. Godric frowned and looked outside.
"Wait here a moment," said Godric and he put his red cloak around my body.
I heard his footsteps getting away from me and out of cave. I lifted my head up a little and squinted my eyes to see what he was doing. It was foggy, so I couldn't see it clearly but I saw him holding his wand up in the sky.
"Anapneo!" Godric shouted loudly.
I knew the spell. I often used it to remove obstacles on the pathway, but I never used it on the sky. I knew even if I used it on the sky, it wouldn't have done the same thing as Godric did on that day. When his spell was casted, there was a loud noise in the sky and the clouds started to clear up. Once there was light outside of the cave, he came back in.
"I blew the rainy clouds away from this area. Are you alright now?" He asked.
"How…how did you?" that was all I could say. The rain was gone and the pressure on my chest relieved instantly. A rush of air into my lung and blood started to pump again. Then, I lost conscious.