Disclaimer: This is based on the J.K. Rowling's World of Harry Potter. Everything you recognize belongs to her.
"Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure." Rowena Ravenclaw read the inscription aloud and smiled. It was a fitting mantra, she thought as she adjusted the diadem on her mahogany tresses. Afterall, where would the world be if people didn't learn and create, push themselves to their limit. They were on the cusp of an exciting new era and Rowena was helping to lead the way.
She picked up three packages from the chair. A long, heavy one wrapped in red paper. A smaller one wrapped in yellow and the smallest sheathed in green. Three presents for three good friends. All of them joining today to celebrate the opening of their greatest joint achievement: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
She strode across the entrance way of the newly built castle, passed by the grand staircase and paused at the imposing wooden doors that led to the Great Hall. Rowena pushed the doors open and entered. She surveyed the grand room in satisfaction. Four long tables ran the length of the Great Hall and a fifth stood at the other end on a raised dais. The room was noble, stately and imposing. It send a message to anyone who entered its four walls: Hogwarts was an exceptional school. Her eyes scanned the area once more. It was perfect, except. . . her eyes moved upward. "Hhhhhmmmmm."
"No, no Rowena. None of that," a voice boomed. "You have spent years on the design of this place: the everchanging floor plan, the moving staircases. It's perfect. It's time to sit back and enjoy this work of art. The man swept her arms wide to acknowledge the entire castle.
"An artist never really finishes his work. He merely abandons it, Godric," Rowena replied. "I was looking at the ceiling. Doesn't it seem plain to you?"
The tall, muscular man guffawed, his mane of red hair rippling as his shoulders shook. "My dear, I know it does not matter what I think. You never have, nor would I want you to come to me for decorating advice, Change the color, paint a mural. Do whatever you want to it."
"I think I shall, but it won't be a painting. I shall do something original. Sometime that tells the world how amazing this building is," she mused as she readjusted her diadem that had slipped over one ear when she threw back to head to examine the ceiling.
"Don't you mean, how intelligent and creative, you are," Godric quipped, but he didn't seem upset. Rather he chuckled to himself and walked across the room to a tall gentleman with a long, thin beard who had entered from the other side. He strode up and gave the gentleman a slight bow, "Good to see you, Salazar." Behind him entered a round woman with bright red hair who had just come from the kitchens supervising the meal preparations. Godric greeted her as well. "Helga, I smell some wonderful odors drifting up from the kitchen. I can certainly tell you have been at work." Helga Hufflepuff glowed with pleasure and pleased embarrassment. Godric leaned down and gave her gave her a swift kiss on the cheek
A few minutes later, four friends were seated at the high table. The four founders. The four Houses. The Four who, through their most prized accomplishment-Hogwarts, would be, for thousand years and beyond, probably the most influential wizards of Europe's magical community.
Helga Hufflepuff, an expert in kitchen charms had orchestrated a delicious feast in honor of the occasion and the good friends debated and questioned, bantered and wrangled: Hogwarts, magic, old memories and future endeavors. After the last of the cherry tort was magicked away, Rowena reached into her bag and stacked three presents on the table. Three neatly wrapped packages that drew the others away from their conversations and turned their attention to the austere looking woman.
"My dear friends," Rowena began. "Before we discuss the important matters of the day, I would like to present each of you with a gift, a token of our friendship and my appreciation for all you have done for me as well as Hogwarts."
"To my dearest friend, Helga," she handed the blue package over. "To our expert in food-charms, I present you with this. May your cup always overflowth with love, loyalty and hard work."
"Salazar," she turned to the man handed him a package as green as his robes. "Your cleverness and resourcefulness have been instrumental in developing the walls around us. Although I know we don't see eye to eye on every topic, we never would have been able to open this school without you.
"And last, but certainly, not least, Godric, our brave lion." She smiled as she handed him the largest of the boxes. "Through many trials and tribulations, you have faced with bravery and chivalry. I present you with this, a symbol of your willingness to protect others and fight for what is right."
Quietly, the three tore the wrapping off to reveal more than a gift. In each of their hands was their legacy: a small, golden cup with large handles on either side. It was adorned with a badger, Helga's favorite animal; a gold locket decorated with a serpentine-looking S in small emeralds. Salazar fingered the clasp and opened the heavy jewelry. He would have to charm it so no one else could open it, he thought and a goblin-made silver sword decorated, adorned with large rubies on its hilt. Godric ran his fingers along the shank to his name which was etched in it.
Each person was surprised yet touched by her thoughtfulness. Rowena had given them more than a token of her love. She had given them their legacy, an artifact turned heirloom that would be passed down through generations. She lightly touched her own diadem that crowned her dark hair thinking of the future, her own heirloom that she would someday pass on to her daughter.
The four relics at the table would be famous. Collectors would bid outrageous sums for one of them them at auction. Families would be torn apart by two of them. Treasure hunters would spend years searching for one but never find it. . . . .And one man, a thousand years later, would murder for some of them. He would turn their fame to infamy and defile three of them with some of the darkest magic known-Horcruxes.