MC4A
Fill 4
Prompt: 3E (Sweet)
Representations: Salazar Slytherin; Helga Hufflepuff; Sick Helga
Bonus Challenges: Not a Lamp; Wabi Sabi; Terse; Thimble
Word count: 529
Beta: Aya Diefair
Note: Dementor's Chill is similar to broken heart syndrome in that it is caused by great sorrow, similar to that which a Dementor causes.
Salazar held the brittle hand of his oldest friend and love. He had returned to Hogwarts only recently; long after he originally left. He had always planned to return at some point but never this late. And never to this. Helga's breath rattled in and out of her as she lay sleeping. She wouldn't last much longer; those with Dementor's Chill never did.
He remembered the day he left. He had crept out of the castle early in the morning so as to prevent Godric from trying to stop him. The night before he had said goodbye to Helga. If she'd asked him to stay, he would've. But she hadn't. She merely asked that he return when he was ready. Perhaps if he had come back sooner or never left at all, he could have prevented the illness from taking the woman he loved.
Helga's eyes fluttered open and she smiled upon seeing him. "Salazar," she croaked. "I knew you'd return."
"I only wish I returned sooner," he replied, kissing the back of her hand. "I could have stopped this."
She gave a dry chuckle that quickly devolved into a coughing fit. Salazar rubbed her back and raised her enough that she could drink from the goblet that had rested by her bed. "Dementor's Chill is not something that can be stopped once it starts, Salazar. You know that."
"It doesn't stop me from wishing I was here. It was my leaving that started this, Helga. It is my fault you lie here now."
"You contributed, yes. But don't go thinking it was all your fault. I knew it would happen as soon as the four of us started fracturing. I have too big of a heart, Salazar. Isn't that what you always told me?"
"I didn't think it would end like this."
Her slap—even as weak as she was—was sharp on his cheek and she glared at him. "It has already ended, Salazar. And it has begun again. Life goes on even as it ends."
"Dementor's Chill should never have happened to you, my love. There is none who has a warmer heart or a sweeter demeanour. Even on my travels I heard about you from your students. They would talk about dear, sweet Helga."
She patted his cheek softly, soothing away the slight sting from her previous slap. "Now it is you who is too sweet. Look after them, won't you? Stay. This time, please stay."
"Anything for you. If you had asked, I would have stayed before."
"I know. Why do you think I didn't ask?"
They stayed in silence after that. Salazar held Helga's hand as her breathing slowed until finally stopping. With a choked back sob, he placed her hand on her chest and walked to the window. Outside there were children—Helga's children—running around on the castle grounds. He glanced over at the still body before bending down to place a kiss on her forehead. He then swept out of the room to let the students of Hogwarts know that Helga was gone.
This time, he was staying. There were children to teach and to look after. There was a promise to be fulfilled.
