H elga's good intentions

She was the only one who would teach them, initially: "the rest" as the Sorting Hat would so tactfully put it a thousand years later. She would seek out all of the children born of Muggles who possessed magical ability, and she would bring them to her protected castle to train them. Yes, hers. It made the castle hers.

The others refused. It was not Salazar Slytherin who stood in opposition to the other three Founders. Helga Hufflepuff defied them all, and friendship and fear kept them from crossing her.

She could see, as the years passed, that they were all beginning to realize. She was the most powerful Founder, the most influential among her House, and the one with the most influence over the young minds she had found among the "Muggle rabble." It was not only Salazar who had called them that.

She could mold her students whilst Salazar's heirs apparent came to him pre-formed from their ancient families' cookie cutters.

Her students' minds were wide open and untainted by the silly superstitions and ignorant beliefs Rowena had to beat out of her pupils one by one.

Helga's merry band was more mischievous, united, and bold than Godric's band of the brave. Helga's students took after her: stubborn and defiant and brave for each other.

Muggle stock was hardy.

All three came to see that. One fought the strength of her House directly. The other two plotted to steal it for their own.

When Salazar Slytherin stood against the might of the other three Founders, he could not command them to accept his way as Helga Hufflepuff had done.

But she watched him go with a heavy heart, knowing that the heart of her House, that made her the heart of the school, would be dispersed in his absence.

Even then, however, she knew it was lost on no one that she was the only Founder to teach "all she knew," as the Sorting Hat so mildly put it a thousand years later.