Helga Hufflepuff
"So, within a month the students will arrive?"
Her blue eyes travelled to the man who had just spoken. The four of them were sitting in the hall which had been their common room for the last year. The space had a pleasant atmosphere thanks to the burning fireplace and the wooden furniture. The stone walls were covered with paintings in which the figures seemed to move.
All four of them were sitting on the big, square table placed in the middle of the room. Sitting on her left side was the blond haired knight which went by the name of Godric Gryffindor. In front of her sat a stunning lady with dark, long hair and bewitching, bright blue eyes. Her name was Rowena Ravenclaw. On her right she could a tanned lord with black curls and silver coloured eyes: Salazar Slytherin.
"Yes, Godric. The more excited you get, the less patience you seem to have."
Her gaze went from the knight who had just spoken to the lady who had quickly responded. A little sarcastic smile could be found on her enchanting face as she looked to the man to whom she had just spoken to.
From all three of them, Helga enjoyed Rowena her company the most. She was creative, with a mind sharp as a dagger and yet accepting of her surroundings. She was quick with her comments, but wouldn't judge you for your choices. At least: she wouldn't say her judgement out loud. This behaviour was probably just because the fair maiden thought it would be too much of a hassle to always speak her mind, but Helga respected it neverthless.
It was always better than how some people choose how to handle opinions they didn't agree with.
"I find it hard to believe that those with filthy blood shall be able to find the lake, though."
Helga looked to the man sitting on the right side of her. He was tall with a tanned skin and black hair. His eyes were a silver colour and had a cold spark lingering in them. His face showed an expression of aversion which accompanied his words.
"Their family tree has nothing to do with the spells surrounding the lake and the castle, Salazar," she corrected him with a calm voice.
It wasn't the first time they had this discussion. The fight they had when she had told him she had chosen a muggle-born as one her pupils was still a fresh memory. She didn't dislike the dark haired lord, but it was difficult to accept his prejudices. One of the greatest wizards she had ever met had one, or two, muggle parents.
"We still haven't decided how we are going to chose which one of us is going to be the mentor of which pupil," Rowena tactfully changed the subject before another fight could break out.
"I think it's best we first meet them and then discuss which student best suits which one of us," Helga immediately replied, happy to talk about something else.
"Then I will choose the ones which are similiar to me! Those with a brave heart and I will teach them how to defend themselves and the ones they held dear. I will not only learn them how to handle a wand, but also a sword so they can win every kind of duel," roared the blond haired man.
Helga watched him for a second before she switched her stare to the man sitting on the other side of her. His look went from just a bit displeased to hatred in just one breath. He quickly stood up and slammed his hands on the table.
"If you chose to have the ones that are 'brave', I will claim the ones which are cunning. So I can teach them that you achieve a lot more with charm, hard work and craftiness. At least," a challenging and condescending grin crulled the corners of his mouth, "more than some rash and foolish people."
"How dare you?!" the other man yelled out as he jumped up.
Helga could hear a sigh from the otherside of the table and saw how Rowena folded her arms out of boredom. She watched how the fair lady muttered something that was close to "this again" and turned her head away from the starting fight.
"What's wrong, Godric? Did you think I was talking about you? Did you regonize yourself in my words?" the dark lord fueled the fire.
"You just wait, Slytherin. Wait and see how my students will defeat each of yours – one by one."
"Godric, Salazar, you don't need to make this a competition. We are here to teach not to -." she tried to stop the two men from fighting, but was interrupted before she could finish.
"Don't interfere, mudblood," the lost word was thrown at her as if it was a poison and could envenom the speaker.
Helga turned her head to the right and saw how Salazar looked down on her, his angry gaze focussed on her eyes. Her mouth was opened a little bit as she was lost for words. That last word had hurt her and she knew that pain was visible in her eyes.
For a second she thought that Salazar his hatred gave way for a moment of regret, but he quickly turned his back towards the group. "I am done with this meeting," he growled before he rushed out of the room.
"Same goes for me," Godric spoke and followed the other man.
The two ladies still left in the room stared at each other for a short while. Both of them repeated in their minds what just happened and tried to process it all. At last it was Rowena who broke through the silence.
"Can you believe those two?" The tone in her voice hid a certain disdain.
From the other side of the table Helga could almost feel how the anger shuddered under Rowena her skin. The mouth of the fair lady had formed a stearn strike and her dark eyes glistered with a silent rage.
"Why can't they understand that this school is far more important than their obscure vision on honour and their petty little pride? They can't get away with this! Choosing the students upon their characteristics as if one would be better than the other. By Merlins beard!"
It wouldn't be the first time Helga thought of the sea while watching her dear friend. One moment Rowena was silent like a lake with no wind, the next she could be raging like a storm on open water. Thunder, lighting and suddenly back to open skies and a cool breeze. Not many had experienced Rowena her 'storms' and Merlin would have mercy on those who had.
The dark haired lady stood up and started walking through the room. Her arms were still folded in front of her. Her eyes were still furious. Softly she muttered to herself. Helga couldn't understand the words and the be honest, she was happy she couldn't.
Suddenly Rowena stood still and looked at her.
"Morgana curse! Helga, how can you stay so calm? You of all people have the right to rage right now. What Salazar called you was unacceptable," the woman reproached her.
Helga only shrugged her shoulders and forced a little smile. "What should I have done, Rowena? Scolded them like their were kids? Try to talked sense into them? When have they ever listened to us, my dear friend? I don't think we have the power to humble either of them."
"Ha!" The lady sneared and finally lowered her arms. "So you agree with their way of dividing the students?"
"Not at all, but I like said I don't think we can change their minds, so what is the point fighting?" Helga replied as she placed her interwinted hands on the table. For a moment her gaze switched to a painting of two young witches playing by a river. 'I will have to protect the children who don't want to get caught up the combat of those two', she thought to herself as she watched the figures move.
"Then who will you take to teach?"
Helga her gaze drifted away from the painting and looked back at her friend who had just spoken the question. "Everyone," her voice was soft yet determined. "I will take all of them who want to and teach them how to be loyal, appreciate hard work and be good friends."
The two women looked at each other for a few seconds, before Helga continued to speak. "What will you decision be, fair Ravenclaw from Glen?"
Helga saw how Rowena stared into the distance as she calculated her answer. "I will want to teach the ones with wit and those seeking knowledge. Those who want to learn above all else. For this a school and not a dueling field for two hot blooded men."
Helga nodded, not in the least surprised by her friend's answer.
"And it so shall be. Next month we will welcome our first students. Godric will train those with a brave heart. Salazar will take the ones with a cunning soul and you, my friend, will teach those with a smart mind." A little smile toyed with her full lips as she finished her sentence. "And I will take the lot."