It was peaceful here. It was a muggle settlement. Which is, shall we say, full of irony considering my views, but it was where I found peace when I needed it. No one knew me, and that suited me just fine. I didn't want anyone to know me. As I sat on the ledge that had become "my area" according to the settlers, I cast my mind to the past. It has been five years since I had left. Five years since I stormed away from a shared dream and from my truest friends, and the only people I would truly consider my family. I had wanted to go back, to see them and to apologize, but my fear at their reactions, and my shame at my own actions always stopped me in my tracks. I sighed, stood up, and started the walk back to the settlement, thoughts of returning and what would happen if I did so, swirling as they always did. Even if I did go back, they wouldn't want me. They couldn't.
Just as I was about to enter the settlement, I heard a sound I hadn't heard in many years. The screech of an owl. I looked up in time to see a pure white owl land with a letter attached to its leg. Once I relieved to the owl of its burden, I froze. There, bearing a crest with a lion, raven, badger, and snake, was a letter from Hogwarts. It had been almost three years since I had received any word from any of them. Why now? I went inside my house, said a quick spell to start a fire, and tore open the letter. It read:
Dear Salazar,
I hope this letter finds you well and in good health. I know that we haven't spoken in quite some time, but I write to you in desperate times. Godric has taken ill, and nothing in the combined knowledge of Rowena and myself (which, as you know, is quite a lot) have managed to provide a cure for what ails him. We have gotten the best healers from all around to try and cure him, but they had no better luck. He didn't even fight when the healers came.
We fear he is dying.
He calls for you in his fever. He searches for you. He's even mistook Rowena for you.
Please, if you have placed any value on the friendship that we once shared, please come, even if it is to stand vigil at his bedside. Godric needs you, as do we.
Your friends now and forever,
Helga Hufflepuff, Headmistress and Founder of Hogwarts
Rowena Ravenclaw, Founder of Hogwarts
I barely noticed as the parchment fell from my numb fingers. Godric was dying. My best friend was dying. My brother was dying. And there wasn't a cure. I shook my head. There had to be a cure! There was always a cure! Without another moment's hesitation, I summoned and packed my trunk, and made all haste towards Hogwarts.
Towards my home.