AN: I don't own this stuff get over it.
Sir Cadogan's Advice
Founder's Era
First floor hallway, right hand side...
"Halt! Who goes there?", a voice cried out.
Godric Gryffindor looked at the portrait of his old friend, Sir Matthias Cadogan. He saw that Sir Cadogan's pony, Exodus, was grazing on the painted grass. He chuckled, remembering the times he had shared with both the knight and pony many years ago, before Cadogan had perished in battle.
"Sir Cadogan, Matthias, how are you?" responded Godric.
"I am well, Lord Gryffindor. What might you be doing wandering the halls so late on such a night?" replied the knight, indicating the storm raging outside the windows.
"Ah, my old friend, I am pondering how to keep the school from the hands of the Ministry. They want to influence our teachings, and I fear they will corrupt our charter. Who's to keep our ideals whence we are gone? Who's to sort the students and maintain balance in Light and Dark? We are all struggling to find a way to keep our school true to our original charter. We also need to find a way to keep the non-magical folk from finding us and our students, for Rowena has seen dark times coming and wants to protect our knowledge. Salazar says we should keep out those born of non-magical folk, but Helga argues that without knowledge they will be dangerous to themselves and must learn control. I fear for our future, my old friend, and we will not even be here to see it." Godric finished, with a sigh.
"I would suggest enchanting something, perhaps a hat, to sort the students – it must be able to perform a light legimency to get an idea of their true character, but you would all need to contribute so that it would succeed and last the ages. For the ministry, create a liaison within – perhaps a department of education, and a governors' board so that the ministry will feel they are contributing while the final power for change still resides with the headmaster of the school. I would speak to the ministry about secrecy – there is already a charter between magical Britain and non-magical Britain, why could it not include those who attend here? As for keeping Hogwarts hidden... I'm sure that when it was built, you built it here for a reason, yes?" asked the knight.
"Yes, Rowena told us the location after having sensed the ley lines that converge here." replied Godric, not seeing what his old friend was getting at.
"What about finding a way to incorporate that power into hiding the castle and grounds? You are already surrounded by the forest, so that prevents most from finding the place accidentally. Why not use the magic that is in the land itself? I'm sure Rowena is clever enough to figure out a way." Sir Cadogan finished.
"Quite true. You have given me a lot to think about, my old friend." stated Godric.
"I may as well put my education to use, glad to help a friend." replied Sir Cadogan.
"And what think you of our school? Do you like being here? Or would you prefer somewhere quieter?" asked Godric.
"I admire your perseverance. It seems difficult to teach so many youngsters, I remember how much trouble I gave my tutors." the portrait chuckled, "But, I like it here. I get to see and hear all that is going on in the wide world – for you know what gossips the students are, and they come from all over so I hear plenty. No, I am glad to be here and occasionally offer advice to those who look troubled." he said with a smile, indicating his old friend Godric.
"And I thank you for it, I shall add a note that none of the portraits should be removed without their own express permission. For who am I to deny the youngsters your fine advice?" chuckled Godric.
As Godric explained his friend, Matthias', advice to the others, they agreed that all the ideas he had put forth were sound and with a little effort from all of them the school could continue in the ideals they had originally founded the school with.