This is my first story, and I know this chapter is pretty short. I don't know when the next part will be up!


Disclaimer: Obviously, since this is a fanfiction, I do not own Harry Potter

Just a more in-depth summary: At the beginning of this story, all four of the founders are young, and close friends, and they start to plan out Hogwarts. There will be disagreements and secrets from one another, and even a bit of a love story. It will get more interesting as it continues, promise!

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A young dark-skinned woman sat at a wooden desk alone, the small room illuminated by a single candle to her left. Some parchment lay in front of her and a quill rest in her fingers. Unsure of what to write next, she set it down and leaned back, running her long, thin fingers through wavy brown hair.

It was dark, for it was late in the night. The woman yawned, covering her mouth with her hand in politeness. At that moment, she heard a soft knocking on the door. She stood and crossed the room towards the large oak door with a black steel handle.

Unlatching it, she stood face to face with one of her best friends.

'Godric, to what do I owe the pleasure of your presence so late at night?' she said, the last part with a little more edge. "You know the hour, I presume?" She looked up fiercely into those large, almost golden, eyes. The young man grinned, showing a set of perfectly white teeth. He was wearing a red tunic which was wrinkled and it looked as though he had thrown it on quickly. A sword was strapped along his waist, just where it always was.

"Yes, as a matter of fact I do," he said as she turned and he followed her into the wooden front room. "Gosh Rowena, ever heard of magic?" he joked as he saw the candle on the desk. "Lumos," he muttered and the tip of his wand lit up.

Rowena made a face at him. "You don't have to use it; in fact it's better to refrain from it, unless it is completely necessary!" she scolded him in a friendly way.

"What can I say," he responded, putting a hand on her shoulder and looking sincere, "I'm not always the practical one!"

"No, more like the dim-witted one …" she said under her breath as she started to clear away her parchment and ink.

"Excuse me? Godric Gryffindor is not dim-witted! I prefer the term 'courageous'," he said grinning widely and holding his fists majestically to his waist, elbows pointing out.

"And blindly so," added Rowena as she sat down once more. "Now tell me, friend, why have to come to my lodgings so late at night?"

Godric dropped into another wooden chair and got comfortable, looking at his friend in the dim light. The candle beside her only lit half her face, leaving a wonderful golden glow on her features and long dark shadows on the rest. Her blue cotton dress looked almost black, and a beaded necklace reached down across her chest. She looked peaceful, even though he had quite literally barged in on her without a warning.

"Ah yes," he replied, looking at her thin form, "It's about our – idea. Salazar said he found a place, a huge one. It would be quite secluded, and we can put more protection against Muggles on it as well. He suggests we meet, and go see it together."

Rowena looked at him for a moment, taking in the grandeur of this news. "A place, you say? What kind of place?"

"I am not certain," Godric replied thoughtfully. "Most likely abundant in land, and I haven't a clue what else. He didn't relay much before going off to talk to Helga."

Rowena nodded, "and when are we –,"

"Tomorrow!" Godric exclaimed before she was finished. He rose to his feet and knelt in front of her to see her face better. "Are you not excited, Rowena? I am looking forward to seeing this place. Our dream of founding an institution to educate young witches and wizards will come true yet!"

The next morning, Rowena sat at her desk once more, but this time she was not writing or working on anything. She was waiting, waiting for the arrival of her three friends. They were going to have a small meeting and then Salazar was planning to show them the land he had come upon.

The previous night Godric had stayed and talked to her for nearly two hours before the both of them were extremely tired and in need of sleep. She had offered him the spare room in her home, as there was no one else living with her, but he had refused, bowing as he turned away from her front door.

She had waited there in the frame of the door, watching his strongly-built body move away into the night, the gleam of the sword still visible after he was not. Rowena had lived alone for quite some time now. Her mother had died giving birth, leaving Rowena alone with her father and no siblings. The man had taught her everything she knew, all her magic and the trades of everyday life. She was sure that he was the most brilliant man to ever walk the face of the earth. She admired him greatly, and had been heartbroken upon his death only a few years ago.

Even since, she had been very independent, not forgetting the things he taught her. She used those abilities to make a life for herself and she was happy enough. She was a natural teacher, as she had taken up a job of teaching people of all ages to read and write.

Of course, she also had her friends, all of whom were an important part of her life. They were all brilliant and amazing, and together they were an amazing team. Rowena seemed to be the most organized and informative, while Godric was brave and determined, Helga was fair and considerate, and Salazar was cunning and resourceful.

There was a knock on the door; this time Rowena knew it wasn't Godric. His knock was always soft, yet quick, while Salazar's was firm and hard. She opened the door to let him in.

"Good morning, Salazar, do take a seat," she told him brightly, and he nodded and obliged. "Godric told me you found some land!" she exclaimed.

"Indeed, Rowena, I do believe this is the place that will be fit for all our needs. I look forward to your opinion, of course," he told her, a hint of excitement creeping up through his always calm voice.

"Yes I am quite looking forward to it, myself," she answered, about to continue when another knock was heard from the door. The dark hair woman jumped up at once to answer it. "Helga!" she exclaimed as her female friend stood at the door. She had short, bouncy blonde hair and a pale complexion. Her elegant golden clothing stood out against the dull dreary day.

The two woman threw their arms around each other happily and then kissed each other on both cheeks. "Good morning, Rowena!" Helga returned the greeting.

They both took a seat with Salazar to wait for the last person of their group. "Always late," Salazar mentioned, referring to said person.

"He should be along any moment now," Helga said. Aside from this, the three of them had little to say. Salazar had filled Helga in with the details last night, as had Godric for Rowena. They were all silently excited, but didn't say anything to their companions.

Rowena, bored of sitting, stood and paced slowly closer to the door. As if in response, Godric's soft knock came through the woodwork. She jumped slightly and let him in. "About time," she said.

Godric leaped into the room excitedly to greet his friends. "Look at all of you, just sitting around!" he exclaimed; Helga grinned. Apparently Godric was the only one to be so outward with his emotions.

"We were waiting for you, dear Godric. The sitting may cease, now that we may begin," Salazar told him.

Godric made a little bow and pulled up a chair to complete the circle of four friends.

"So you think this is it, Salazar?" Helga said looking to the man on her right.

"I do indeed," he answered.

"Shall we go now?" Godric asked, from his spot across from Salazar.

"Perhaps some planning would suffice, before we get that far," Rowena commented from his left.

"Agreed," Salazar replied. "I believe we can start to plan the basics."

"Should we start with plans for the building, or how things will work there, once there are students?" Helga contributed.

"I still think we need to see the place before we can do any planning…" Godric said under his breath.

"You always were the impatient one," Rowena scoffed.

"But I do suppose he has a point," Helga backed him up. "How can we decide on structure plans if we haven't seen the lot?"

Rowena thought about that for a moment and nodded. "I suppose we should go then."

They all exchanged glances and grins around the circle.

"Alright," Salazar said loudly as he stood from his chair. "I'll show you the way."

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Until next time, thanks for reading - D0n Quix0te