Helga walked the through the dark corridors. She tried to stride as quiet as possible but her heels echoed against the hard, stone walls, no matter how she tried or how small steps she took. The hallways were silent except her steady pace and wind howling outside the castle walls. Hours had passed since they finished the late meeting after dinner. Helga felt weird and a bit uneasy dining in The Great Hall. Together they only occupied four seats at the head table, when hundreds stood there empty. Four long benches and tables stood already in order, only waiting for students to arrive. The greatness of it scared her, though she would never admit it to her fellow founders.

She had cooked a simple meal containing loads of fresh harvest vegetables from her sprouting garden, well cooked meat and warm bread. To round off the dinner she had served a lemon and honey tart. Godric and Rowena had complemented her meal as usual. Salazar didn't comment it at all, which was a habit she now grown used to, after two years of knowing him. But he had finished his plate and to her, it was as greater as any complement Ravenclaw or Gryffindor could ever give her. She smiled at her thoughts. It had already passed two years since the day they first met.

How could she ever forget, she remembers it as clearly as last night; she had been travelling through China when Godric's letter had reached her. She had no idea of how he managed it to find her since she had travelled between different locations every day for the last month and had not told a single soul of her whereabouts. Her mission in the county was searching for new plants and flowers, especially one she wanted to try to use in a new sleeping potion which she was hoping to give a more natural sleep for the user. Something had crashed loudly through the tree canopy just above her. She had been surprised to find a simple barn owl on the ground in front of her. It was tired and had probably flown for days. Helga had offered it water and a piece of dried meat which it refused to accept it until she had taken the letter from it claws. At once she had recognised Godric's handwriting.

He had written in haste, which was unusual for him who often put great thought behind his words, but he was excited. Just through his words she could picture him, his face and posture, barley able to contain his state of mind while writing. He spoke of this great idea he had about starting a school. He wrote so passionately she would not refuse his invitation of joining him as a fellow founder in this idea. By only his words she had felt the exitment herself and ideas starting to form in her mind. Also he mentioned a good friend of his, Sir. Slytherin, a man with grander ambition than he ever seen, who already had accepted the same invitation and he also asked if lady Ravenclaw, who Helga had spoken so warmly about her wit and wisdom at their last meeting, would perhaps be interested as well. He demanded a hurried answer and she could not deny him. In just moments after reading she had written him a short answer:

"Dear Godric,

I shall speak with Rowena and if we both approve we shall meet you and your friend at the cottage in a fortnight.

It sounds extraordinary,

Yours sincerely Helga"

After quickly packing up her camp and abandoning her further search she gave the wild forest around her a quick look, admiring its beauty for a few seconds before she disappeared into thin air, apparating to Lady Ravenclaw's castle in France.

Walking down the stairs and reaching the kitchen Helga smiled like a fool the whole way, caught in her memorise. Rowena had been far too easy to persuade, intrigued by the idea and impatient to meet the two gentlemen. It was odd how the idea of creating the world finest wizard school affected them with excite; first Godric's passionate letter, her own agreeing without doubt and Rowena's thrill over the idea, she who never rushed anything without considering the outcome. It was with a child's eagerness the both women had prepared themselves to travel to the cottage when the fortnight had passed. They were to use the Floo network, which was the easiest way to go there and though Rowena never liked to use the fireplace, it was for "dodgers and scallywaggers not for fair witches" she always claimed, but this night she did not complain at all. Helga was first to step into the flames and as the familiar cottage room appeared in front of her, she could not help to smile. It was her and Godric's secret hiding place. She had known him since childhood. He was the only friend she had left from her childhood and she had always counted him as a dear brother. With exception of a year as teenagers when they had a lot more intimate relationship, but it ended as smoothly as it began and they remained good friends. These days the time between their meetings grew longer and that day she had not seen him for over a year. It was with delight she had recognised his strong features and wild hair.

"Godric, it's good to see you" She had smiled and welcomed his embrace.

"Dear Helga, you look well" He had released her but did not let go of her shoulders. He had parted his lips to speak again but fell silence as Rowena had walked out of the flames behind Helga. His mouth had been left wide open and he had looked silly for a moment before he collected himself. Most men reacted like this when they first met Lady Ravenclaw. Her beauty was extraordinary, a kind of its own. Lady Hufflepuff herself was also considered a beauty, however, her beauty laid in her kindness and warm smiles with otherwise round face. Beside her friend's perfect cut features and regal grace she became a plain woman. She was often amused by the attention Rowena received but she could not help to feel left behind.

"Godric" She had broken the spell of silence. "May I introduce Lady Rowena Ravenclaw. Rowena, I present to you Godric Gryffindor."

"My lady Ravenclaw." Godric had bowed and pressed his lips onto her out stretched hand.

" Sir Gryffindor, I have heard about your fine ideas and bravery from Helga" Rowena had spoken softly.

"And I about your wit" Godric had smiled and turned to both of them. "I am honoured to have you Ladies joining me and at this short notice."

"The honour is ours Godric. How could Rowena and I refuse an offer like this?" Helga had smiled at her friend. "Are we to meet your friend tonight, Godric?"

"He just went to get some wine he should be back any-"Godric said and he had thrown an eye over his shoulder just as a tall dark figure had appeared in the shadowed doorway. "Ah, Salazar there you are. We need another pair of glasses." Slytherin had stepped into the room and revealed himself to the light carrying a bottle of dusty wine in one hand and with two wineglasses hovering in the air beside him. He was a slender man, very unlike Godric's broad shoulders, though not to confuse with skinny. He was light of skin and with night black hair which almost reached his shoulders in waves. His eyes were pricing but with a calm face. Helga drew in her breath as she took in all of him. She had not known what she had expected of Salazar, whom Godric often spoken well of, but it was not this. At first sight he had sent shivers down her spine.

"So I see the ladies have joined us at last." His voice had been, as is still, dark but smooth as silk and with an undertone of something depending on which humour he was on. Helga always had a hard time making out what that undertone was of. He had first turned to Rowena. "My lady Ravenclaw the fame of your wit and beauty precedes you. An honour to meet you." He had bowed towards Rowena with the hand not holding the wine bottle covering his chest before turning to Helga. His eyes had held her a moment before speaking.

"And Godric speaks much fondly of you, Miss Hufflepuff." Helga had been chocked by his frankness. Her anger had flared up but Rowena had been quick to cover her.

"Oh, Sir Slytherin don't let Helga's good smiles mislead you. She as much as a Lady as I am" It had given Helga the opportunity to hide her anger under blushes. Blushes she later had curse herself for showing.

"I see" had been his only reply but when Helga had eyed him again she was sure he had seen past her burning cheeks and had flinched.

Helga mused to herself by these memorise almost laughing out loud by her stubbornness back then as she headed to the sink to do the last dishes from dinner. She could hardly ever let any chore stay unfinished until next day. Of course it had been a grave wrong to call her miss instead of Lady. She had as surly been born into a poor family as surly as Rowena and Godric had been born into rich nobility. But she had earned the title of a Lady a long time ago by her hard work and her power as a witch. She was certainly not unknown in the higher circles of wizards.

The simple "wrong" of word had made of her furious and her not so good impression at first sight had become awful. The whole night her anger had aroused as soon as Salazar spoke or looked at her. More than once had Rowena had to put a hand upon her arm to remind her to calm herself.

"Did I miss something funny?" The smooth voice from behind her startled her for a moment but as she turned from the running sink she was smiling.

"You nearly made me jump, Salazar" Her eyes met his grey-green pair finding him leaning against the wall.

"I can't find myself to apologise, Helga, not many would pass right by without notice."

"I must have been that much lost in thought" She laughed at him and turned to the unfinished dishes again. It was true but she also had she'd never thought he would seek her here, he hardly visited the kitchens or "the domain of servants" as the often remarked it as.

"I am eager to hear what entertained you so." He spoke with a calm tease in his voice.

"Memorise" She answered giving him a glance over her shoulder. He unhitched himself from the wall and took a few steps closer. Reaching for a towel on the shelf she dried her hands. So he was in mood for speaking despite the heated argument over dinner between the four of them. She took out her wand and waved a spell over the dishes which with a flick began cleaning themselves. Usually she washed them with her own hands enjoying the work. Knowing it was a chore Salazar disapproved of she skipped it instead of anger him for no reason.

"Of you actually" She smiled at the look on his raised eyebrows and sat down by the kitchen table after pouring a glass of water. Salazar seated himself on the end of the table facing her.

"As I understand that is what always occupying your mind, dear Helga." She didn't have to look up to know the look of the smirk on his face.

"The first night." She continued as she had not heard. "A certain "miss" did not like you at all back then, if I should speak with fine words, loathed in truth." She met his gaze, watching how the blush creeping up his neck but, as always never reaching his face.

"Ah." He was silent for a moment she could see how he chose his next words delicately. Salazar never admitted his wrongs. He opened his mouth twice and closed it again without words. She started laughing which made his face turn grim.

"I do not hold it against you Salazar, the amusement in the story lies more in my foolish anger."

"I believe the both of us changed opinions since that night." Their eyes connected and held. She often got caught in his eyes. The last month his behaviour had changed remarkably towards her. Truly she never held anything against people for long and she had soon after the first night let it go. However, it took her a year to her to figure she was falling in love with him. After time he also let go of his hostile ways towards her only to be replaced by indifference. Lately that indifference had changed in to momentary pleasant conversations like this one but often followed with the opposite. Only a month before he would never have called her dear and she could not in her wildest imagination think he would have sought her out in the kitchen for a mere talk. Perhaps this wasn't supposed to be a mere talk? She drew in a sharp breath, searching for the answer in his eyes. Just as always she found nothing so she lowered her gaze. She rose so suddenly she startled herself more than him.

"Salazar, I can't do this anymore." Her voice was thin, pleading. "Please-" She looked at him hoping he would say something, anything. His eyes were studying her face but never meeting her eyes.

"Salazar," she began again "I don't know what to do. I don't know what to make of this, of you-" She didn't realise he had moved before the weight of his body pressed her backward toward the wall. His lips pressed down on hers, violently. A shiver of pleasure went through her body, though her mind was surprised this was what her body had longed for. On hand caressed her neck and up through her tightly bound hair and the other soon slid over her bodice over to her back, pulling her towards him. Her mind finally let go of the stiffness of her body. Gently she parted her lips and responded to his fierce kiss. Still, her arms and hands hung immovable to her sides.

As sudden as he had reacted he let her go and had not time to react before his green cloak was the last thing through the doorway. With legs like jellyfish Helga slid down the wall into a sitting position. She was panting hard. She had acquired her answer but was left with even more questions.