Today could not have been a more perfect day; the sun was warm against one's skin, the smell of pastries was everywhere, and it was not too crowded even though it was the biggest turn out yet. Helga Hufflepuff made her way through the crowd practically on her tiptoes and looking everywhere but straight as she moved through the mounds of people. Today marks the weeklong Harvest Festival, her favorite holiday of the year; everyone gathers around and enjoys the sanctuary from the outside world as friends gather together in unison, sometimes you don't get to see friends such as these until this festival, much like Helga's three closest and fondest friends. Helga's heart skipped a beat when she noticed a midnight blue cloak but the witch turned to show Helga it was not who she was looking for. She turned and bumped into an elderly man as she apologized profusely before she turned to join her older brother and mother.
"Honestly, Helga, watch where you are going!" her mother said from the front.
Helga nodded, "Yes, mother"
Jasper, her older brother shook his head, "Can you act your own age? No wonder we can not marry you off, you do not act a day over 11 if you ask me"
"Father never wanted me to get married off" Helga mumbled as a blush rose to her cheeks.
"Well, that is because anyone who father presented did not like you" Jasper laughed, "It is not like you have a choice or anything. If you were my daughter, I would have doubled the price so you would not be my problem"
"That is enough, Jasper!" their mother scolded, "The power still is with me to marry you both off so I can have a moment's peace of this bickering"
"Yes, mother" both Jasper and Helga said in unison.
"Besides, who would want to marry off Helga when she is more dedicated to her family than you" a voice said from off to the side.
Helga turned and beamed the moment her eyes laid on Godric Gryffindor who broke through the crowd and winked to her. The second Helga's mother saw him, she smiled as well as Godric lifted up her hand and kissed his skin, never breaking eye contact. Godric turned to Jasper and clapped his back but since Godric was stronger, Jasper stumbled two steps forward because of the force. Godric turned, hugged Helga, and kissed her on the top of her head as he always had done ever since he passed her height.
"I hope the travel was not as strenuous as mine to the Hufflepuffs" Godric turned to her mother.
Her mother answered, "Oh no! Not at all! We enjoy our travels when it comes to being here. How are you, Godric?"
"Never the better now that my eyes are laid upon you" Godric crooned, "May I steal my friend for a moment, we have so much to talk about and I'm afraid that one week is not enough"
"You go right ahead" her mother turned to her, "You should invite Godric over for dinner dear, I am sure he would love it"
Helga agreed as Godric stole her away from her family, relieved that her mother had seen him and not Salazar. She always took a fond liking to Godric's behavior, even when it makes Helga sick to know her mother seems to enjoy thinking Godric is flirting with her. Her gaze went up to the tall and strong man as he offered her an apple as she took it and bit right into it.
"Looks like your brother is going to have to set up the tent by himself tonight" Godric started.
"Unfortunately, I am going to be given a payback whenever you are not looking" Helga said, "You know how Jasper is, an eye-for-an-eye"
Godric waved it off, "Nonsense, do not worry so much about him! Besides, between me and Salazar, he will not stand a chance"
"Salazar is here already?" Helga asked.
"You know him, Helga" Godric looked down to her, "That man is never on time to anything, I am sure he does this on purpose"
Helga giggled, "And when he does arrive, he always says the same thing"
Godric and Helga both quoted Salazar, "A wizard is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to"
Godric laughed, "I believe he purposely is late just to use his saying"
Helga stopped as she noticed Rowena off in the distance reading a book, she turned to Godric who smiled down to her, knowing what she was thinking. The pair ran over to the unsuspecting victim and threw their arms around her, making Rowena knock over to the ground as she let out a startled yelp.
"Honestly, you two!" Rowena cursed.
"Well, hello to you too, Rowena, do not act like you have not missed us" Godric teased.
"Yes, I do miss the two of you" Rowena struggled to get up, "But definitely not the hello's"
"So why do you not stop reading until we have seen you?" Helga asked.
Rowena looked to her as if she had just told her something horrible, "Not read? Do you know what happens to the mind when one stops reading?"
Godric and Helga glanced to each other as Rowena scoffed and jumped to her feet.
"Looks like I missed the welcoming committee of Rowena Ravenclaw" Salazar said as he walked cooly up to them.
"Yes, you did" Rowena stopped and looked at the other man, "You are not going to do anything, are you?
Salazar smiled, "I will save my surprise for another time then"
Godric went over and hugged Salazar, "Where the hell have you been, brother? The day is almost done!"
"A wizard is never late, Godric Gryffindor" Salazar lectures as Godric looked over to Helga, "Nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to"
Rowena mumbled, "That is a horrible quote, does not do any justice to your constant tardy"
"Now I wished I had tackled you when I had the chance" Salazar turned to her.
Rowena stopped fidgeting with her dress and glared at him just as Godric laughed and draped his arm around both of the girls' shoulders and pulled Helga in closer. She turned and waved out her arm to Salazar as he smiled and snaked his arm with hers, pulling himself closer to her. The four have always been friends for as long as they could possibly remember. When Helga's father had passed, his recipes died with him and the only parchments he had were all in a language no one understood in their village. Helga just so happened to be crying over them at the festival when Rowena found her and said that she could help translate.
"You look very lovely in that dress, Helga" Salazar said, "Is it new?"
"I have been making it for four months now" Helga blushed before she mumbled, "Jasper said it looked awful"
"Jasper" Salazar hissed, "Tell me, is that man here?"
"Yes"
"Good, I will pay a visit before the weeks end" Salazar had a little twinkle in his eye as he said louder, "Maybe even play a prank on the man"
This got Godric's attention as he turned and started wondering what they were going to do to Helga's older brother. Godric and Salazar became friends after constantly challenging one another to duels, they were rivals at first but became fast friends by the next year. Salazar and Helga were the next to become friends after Salazar caught Jasper bullying her while their mother was gone. Now the boys consider it fun to pull pranks on her older brother and be there whenever she needs protection.
"So Helga, any new recipes for this week?" Rowena asked.
"Yes! Better yet, I made a whole book" Helga beamed.
"A new dress and a whole book of food" Salazar shook his head, "Is there anything this woman can not do?"
Godric leaned out so he could look at Helga, "Well, what are you waiting for? Get on to cooking!"
"Godric" Rowena said, "That's rude, even for you to say"
"You were thinking it, little bird" Godric turned to her.
"You will all be able to eat tonight" Helga laughed, "This week is only for the four of us and nothing will stand in our way; no strict mothers or bully brothers to hound on us"
Salazar laughed, "I think you took your speech into a more personal matter, Helga"
Helga turned and glared at the man as Salazar shook his head at her. They stopped at what presumed to be Godric's tent, already set up and comfortable. She wasn't surprised to see four sitting areas just for his friends as he lounged on the chair and everyone took their places.
"Now, what does everyone want to eat?" Helga asked.
"Breakfast"
Rowena turned to Godric, "In the middle of the day?"
"Why not?" Godric shrugged, "Live life on the edge a bit, Rowena"
"Whatever is your favorite dish to make, Helga, I will gladly eat it" Salazar said, his eyes lingering on her for a moment longer than the rest before she decided on desserts.