Written for: Literature Class Competition and the Summer 2013 Wizarding Modly Forum-Wide Comp of Awesomeness
Round: History of MagicHouse: Gryffindor
Status: Witch
Wand: NA
Option: C
Prompts used: End of an era, pain, dry, save
I would like individual scores for the categories :)
991 A.D, 21st April
The library of Hogwarts was a quiet place in the evening. The only human presence belonged to the Heads of Ravenclaw and Slytherin.
"I still hold to my point before. It is easier to act yourself into a new way of thinking, than it is to think yourself into a new way of acting," Salazar insisted.
"And I believe that you may be correct, but you're thinking far too single-mindedly about this," Rowena responded, "Do you not have to think of the way you wish to act before you can endeavour to act so? This issue is akin to asking whether the chicken or the egg comes first!"
"I would say the chicken," The man replied.
"But a circle has no beginning," Rowena countered.
"It had to have, at the beginning," Salazar said.
The two heads shared a smile. It was something of a routine that they'd settled themselves into. Whenever they met, they would begin with intellectual stimulation, before going on to lighter matters.
"Ah, but what a lovely discussion partner you are. I have never met a lady with such a pretty wit as yours, and I have reason to believe that no such mortal can outshine you in this aspect," Salazar said smoothly.
"You are quite charming when you wish to be, Salazar," The witch smiled, "I suppose I was right about you the first time I saw you."
"As was I," Salazar stated nonchalantly, holding her gaze with his own.
"Do you mean to say that you saw me?" Rowena raised her eyebrows.
Salazar smirked, "You were not exactly the most subtle about your staring." He watched with amusement as Rowena's cheeks took on a pinkish tinge, "However, I am welcome to the attention of beautiful, intelligent women of standings such as yours."
"Yet, what were you doing in that area?" Rowena changed the subject.
"I was merely acquiring some… reading material," Salazar replied cryptically, feeling a sense of satisfaction when the lady in front of him brightened up considerably. "They are titles I believe you will take interest in: a series of personal journals by some of the greatest wizards from the late antiquity, just before the dark ages began."
"But those are incredibly rare! However did you manage to get…" Rowena's voice trailed off as Salazar's smile widened. It had taken more forms of persuasion than that of the means of gold and silver, and he was always secretive about his methods.
"I cannot say that I approve," She conceded, "But I shall not ask what entailed."
"A good choice," He winked casually, savouring the ways he was able to exploit her curiosity for knowledge against some of her morals… It was a dangerous game to play, but a tempting one, nonetheless. "The journals are at your disposal. Feel free to peruse them at my quarters any time you wish to."
993 A.D, 18th November
He would never tire of watching her, especially not when she stood so in his private quarters. Every detail on her face, he'd memorised. Her most defining features were the high cheekbones and sharp nose befitting of her bloodline. There was also her lightly curled dark hair, almost always tucked behind her ears in a strict style. Yet, what interested Salazar the most was her rare smile; the smile that held volumes behind it, giving him just a glimpse of what went on in that magnificent mind that was just about as complex as his. Also, it was that smile he knew he would receive when they were done, later…
996 A.D, 7th December
"You've always known it would come to this," Salazar murmured, his eyes boring straight into her own.
"Salazar, please stay with us. Hogwarts needs you, we need you," Rowena paused, as the desperation crept into her voice.
"What you say is untrue. Gryffindor has made that extremely clear. Hogwarts is no longer what it was when we first founded it," He said dryly, "I do not belong here anymore."
"Salazar, try to think past your prejudice. What does blood really count for?" She attempted to reason.
"Blood counts for everything. It is what makes us who we are, just as the blood of the angel made the nephilim. They contain the blood of those who burned us at the stakes without fair hearing or trial!" Salazar spat out.
His gaze softened as he lowered his voice, "I apologise, I didn't mean to shout at you like that. What I came here for was not to quarrel with you. I want you to join me, to save what has become of this school."
Rowena shook her head, "By leaving? I don't think I can."
"Think about it, I understand you. You feel an obligation to stay. But if you're paralysed by a voice in your head, telling you what's right, it's the standing still that should be scaring you instead. You yourself know what you truly want to do, in your heart," Salazar said, crossing the space between him and her. Rowena flinched as he put a hand on her shoulder.
"If you need to think, think of what we could accomplish as partners, my dear Rowena. With your wit and my power, we are formidable." He purred, his breath lightly tickling her ear, "We could achieve anything we wanted."
And for a moment, against everything she'd believed, she thought of that. She remembered how they laughed in the library together, discussing the words of ancient geniuses. She remembered the way their lips had met, the first time, and even beyond that. She thought of what they could do together when their relationship was finally out in the open to all. She thought of what they would get up to, how they would grow old together and...
"I can't," Rowena turned away slowly. She didn't believe in what he stood for. The words he'd once said came into mind again. It is easier to act yourself into a new way of thinking, than it is to think yourself into a new way of acting. She was disgusted at herself for even trying to.
"I… was afraid you would say that," Salazar sighed, "If ever comes a time when you see the reasoning behind my words, seek for me. I'll be waiting. Otherwise, don't come for me." And for one of the first times in Rowena's life, she heard the hurt in his voice.
He made as if he would embrace her, but decided against it. A heavy silence weighed down on her heart, as he turned away from her and began to walk away. All she wanted to do was run after him and tell him to stay, but she couldn't. It wasn't just the end of an era that he was taking with his footsteps, but also her love. As much as it pained her, she knew that she would never see that face again.