Written for the Ultimate Patronus Challenge (A11) and the Marathon Competition (Starting point, Prompt: Effort).

"It is such a beautiful day today." Helga says, adjusting the hat she has put on to protect herself from the blazing sun.

Rowena looked over, startled at the sudden noise. "I am well aware of the weather, Helga. I am not interested in your attempts to go anywhere today, as I have long since explained to you how important my effort towards this work is. This book will be the first one chronicling the history behind Hogwarts."

Helga sighed. "Well, if you are too busy, will you at least tell me where Godric and Salazar have gone to?"

Rowena huffed impatiently. "You are a witch, Helga, and I am very certain that you, at the very least, are capable of using a simple point-me spell. However, I will tell you this once: Godric is in the village, getting far drunker then a man of his status should be, and Salazar has gone to work on the maps of Hogwarts, he is working on creating his dungeons."

Helga flopped back onto the soft grass, letting out a disappointed sigh. Hogwarts was her home and her legacy, but she missed the days where she had been united with her friends.

Rowena glared at her. "I do not understand why you seem to be taking the day off, as you are the only one of us who has not yet thought of their symbol, no matter how often I remind you."

Helga sat up, facing her friend's exasperated face. "I cannot think of a symbol that represents me the way your bird represents you."

Rowena peered at Helga. "Have you not read the book on symbology I gave you?"

Helga stared up at the taller girl, blushing. "I did not understand the point of putting such flat language on animals that make up such a big part of our lives."

Rowena rolled her eyes. "Seriously, Helga?"

Helga laughed at the expression her friend made. "I'm sorry Rowena, I was unaware that finding an animal that suited a person was so easy… unless you're offering to find me one?"

"An badger." Rowena said promptly, waving an impatient hand.

Helga blinked. "A badger?"

"They represent persistence, eagerness, hard work, protection and have a character trait of being aggressive when the things they love are threatened. Is that not accurate?"

Helga smiled softly. "Yes, it is. Thank you Rowena, but could you not have told me weeks before?"

Rowena turned back to her book, but Helga could see her fighting to keep back her smile. "It kept you from annoying me. I think it was a worthy cause."

Helga laughed. "You don't fool me with your serious persona, Rowena. You are a prankster at heart."

Rowena widened her eyes in innocence. "Me? You must kid, Helga."

Staring at each other, the two women burst into simultaneous giggles, and Godric and Salazar returned only to find their two fellow founders shaking in silent tears of laughter.