***
Prologue
***
"This will be a school for every child with magical abilities."
The redheaded woman looked at her three companions with a smile as she said it, and then looked up at the grand castle in front of her.
"We will have to hide it from the outside world," a black-haired man with a sword said. "If the Muggles find this school…"
"They shall not find it," the redheaded woman said. "We will make this school Unplottable so that none but the ones with magical abilities shall be able to see it in the way we do."
"We will have to teach the children ourselves," one of the other companions said with a frown. "It is going to be difficult, Helga, have you realized that?"
"Of course I have," the redheaded woman called Helga replied. "What do you think of the plan, Salazar?"
"I think that it is a brilliant idea," the final companion said softly. "We shall be able to teach the children the things we know, and that is very important. Do not trouble yourself with the lessons yet, Rowena. Enjoy this fantastic day with us!"
"I cannot help it," the raven-haired woman shrugged. "I want to think about the kinds of things we are going to teach the gifted children but I shall rejoice with you today, my friends."
"I am glad to hear it," the black-haired man said to her. "Shall we go and have a look inside?"
"You will have to wait, Godric," Helga said to him. "I would like to see the ground first."
"I would like to see the rooms and the halls in the castle," Rowena said with a smile. "We will be spending most of our time in them, Helga. We shall only use the grounds in the spring and summer."
"Not if Helga plans on teaching the students Herbology," Salazar said. "But yes, I would like to see the castle too."
"Then you will have to go ahead," Helga replied. "I shall join you inside when I have seen the grounds and the lake."
"Do not stray too far into the woods!" Rowena called after Helga. "People say that there are dangerous creatures living there!"
"Dangerous creatures?" Godric rounded on the slender woman with a frown on his face. "Are you sure that it is wise to start a school here?"
"As long as you leave the inhabitants of the woods alone they will not harm you," Rowena replied. "Honestly, Godric, you should read more!"
"I have got you for that," Godric muttered.
Salazar smiled as he followed Rowena up the stairs, while Godric fingered his sword. Salazar personally thought that Godric did not need to be so nervous because there was no Muggle in sight, but he let his friend be.
They entered the castle and found themselves standing in a large hall. Rowena's high-heeled boots did not make the sort of clicking sound they usually did on the marble tiles because they were covered with dust and soot; and there were cobwebs all over the place. Salazar coughed loudly as the dusty smell reached his nose, which startled Godric ever so slightly.
"I daresay that we will need to clean up a bit," Rowena said cheerfully. "But when it is finished it will look brilliant!"
~*~
Read? Review!