After a (very long) period of death, I have arisen from the grave! Sort of. I have a lot of incomplete stories that I started and never got through the first few chapters, but I decided that before I set off to school I would post them all up. I do plan on continuing them (along with my other stories), but updates will be few and far between, I'm sure. I hope that you will read them in spite of this, however!
Warnings: The story borders on dark, with hits of death and child abuse. Nothing graphic, but dark nonetheless.
Also, remember that reviews are always appreciated!
Thank you, and Happy Reading!
Chapter One: First Encounters
"Godric Gryffindor!"
"Ow! Mum!" Godric protested as he struggled out of his mother's grasp. Clara Gryffindor frowned at her six-year-old son. She had grabbed him by the back of his robe and was holding on tightly, despite his struggling.
Clara (like many women) had had a child at a young age and was not old at all. She was twenty-seven with long blonde hair and a nice figure. Clara often joked that her figure was all thanks to her son, who kept her constantly on her toes with his adventuresome (not to mention troublesome) antics. She had nice sea-green eyes that were narrowed at her son right now. She wore a pair of green robes over her nice, expensive brown-lace dress.
She put her son down, but he never left her stern gaze. "Did I not tell that this party was important and you had to act mature for just a few hours?" She placed her hands on her hips as Godric gave her a sheepish smile.
"He was asking for it! He kept treating me like a baby who couldn't talk!" He complained in his defense.
Clara turned her head to look at Lord Baldwin Darrell. He was surrounded by people who had drifted over to see the commotion, a few sending Godric dark looks. From what Clara understood, Godric had gotten mad at Lord Darrell and threw an exploding ball at him that erupted in pink smoke before Godric showered him in feathers while the smoke surrounded him.
Her boy was clever, but that didn't make it right.
She sighed. "I asked you to behave, is that no much to ask of you?" Godric looked at the ground and mumbled an apology. Clara allowed herself a small smile. No matter what this boy did she could never stay mad at him for long. Just like his father. "Well Rowena and Helga are here, why don't you go play with them?"
Rowena and Helga were two daughters of protégés families the same age as Godric. She ignored his protests as she led him over to the girls. "It's your own fault." She told him. "If you would have just behaved like I asked I would have left you alone." He grumbled incoherently. "Straighten up now, there are young ladies present." She told him as they stopped by the two girls.
"Rowena, Helga, would you mind keeping an eye on Godric?" The girls curtsied and said the polite, official greetings, which Clara returned. "Have fun now," She smiled. "And Godic?" She turned a stern eye on him. "Behave."
"Yes, mother." He grinned. "I always behave." Clara smiled but said nothing as she left the children.
"Man, I thought she'd never leave!" Godric said as he slumped his shoulders.
Godric was a becoming kid of six years. His brown hair was beginning to turn more of a reddish- brown and was cut very short and even. He didn't like it that much, but his mother forced him too anyway. Whenever he tried to reason with her she would just mutter and then tell him he was in a 'rebellious stage.' He also had large blue eyes that shone brightly with a twinkle adults seemed to find 'so cute'. His smile, however, was what drew most people in. Godric's smile lit up his whole face with a joy and innocence that only a child could have.
Right now he was wearing dark-blue robes over a fancy cotton shirt and black pants. He didn't like them much but once again, his mom had forced it upon him.
"That is very rude of you Godric." Rowena told him sternly. "Lady Clara is a kind, good person who also happens to be your mother." Godric rolled his eyes, earning a glare from the girl.
Rowena Ravenclaw had elegant black hair that was currently done up high on the back of her head. Her eyes were a source of awe because they were a startling purple. No one was quite sure how, but they were. Although a year older then Godric and already seven, she had not yet lost the round cheeks that children have although everyone said she would grow into a beautiful woman. As usual, she was clad in a dark purple robe, under her robe was an elegant dress of a light purple that came to the floor and was covered with ribbons.
Rowena came from a high-class family of equal-rank with Godric. Her family was well-known for their industrious library that held some of the rarest books ever known. In their house they actually had three libraries in addition to smaller bookcases in each of the bedrooms –even the guest suites. They were also known for their through thinking and careful planning. They were usually counselors of the government or -in times of war- war leaders.
By herself Rowena was as any young noble-born girl should be. She knew her place and always acted proper, even in the more informal of occasions. She carried herself with dignity and was always mindful of what to say. She never listened when Godric tried to tell her she was growing up to fast, that she should enjoy being young. Although she had a brother who was only a few months old she was the oldest and thus had to accept the duties of being oldest. One day her family's holdings would be her own and she seemed to be ready to take on the challenge already.
Godric had no other siblings and his parents did not plan on having any more because his mother had nearly died giving birth to him. He wasn't supposed to know this, but had heard his parents talking about it one night and learned all he could. This also meant that he should be more worried then Rowena because if something happened to him then there was no other heir of Gryffindor. His family holdings would have to be given to one of his mother's or father's siblings' children.
"I can't believe you did that Godric!" The girl next to Rowena giggled. "Even if it was wrong, it was oh so funny!" Rowena turned her stern gaze to her friend.
The girl's name was Helga Hufflepuff, another girl of a high-class family. With a sweet smile and a good attitude, Helga always seemed to make friends, not enemies. She had curly blonde hair and sweet gray eyes they seemed to sparkle with a light of their own. She was wearing black robes with gold outlines and a yellow and black dress underneath.
The Hufflepuffs made their fortunes in trade, mostly of silk and other such delicacies. Although good with their business they were a peace-loving family for the most part. Helga had two older siblings and was thus free from the binds of being the family heir. Her family still taught her everything a future noblewoman should know though.
"It was great, wasn't it?" Godric grinned. "So now that mother is gone…"
"I will not take part in your childish behavior!" Rowena interrupted crossly. "Helga, you should not encourage such actions either." Rowena folded her arms across her chest.
"You're no braver then a chicken, Rowena, and you have the imagination of one as well." Godric said dryly, taking the girl's attention.
"What did you say you square-nosed little brat!" She snapped. Godric hid a grin, if it was one thing he excelled at it was making people mad. Rowena had a very short temper and could quickly be turned back into the child when insulted. Godric was excellent at doing just that.
"I said, you are a chicken, you won't do something fun because your scared."
"No, name it and I'll do it. I'll prove to you that I am no chicken Godric Gryffindor!" Her face was red by now as she huffed. "Well come on then, what do you have in mind?"
Godric grinned. "Well, let's scout around and see…" The three children worked their way through the throngs of people until Godric spotted Rowena's prey. "That one" He pointed to a black-haired boy.
"Him!?" Rowena whispered harshly. Luckily the boy did not notice them through the group of people standing between them. "Do you know who that is?" She glanced back and forth between Godric and the boy. "That is Salazar Slytherin!"
Slytherin sounded familiar, but he couldn't place the name. "Who?" He asked, completely clueless.
"Salazar Slytherin!" Rowena repeated. "People say his family is involved very deep in the dark arts. His father has questionable honors, some say as well; no one wants to be mixed up with them."
Godric looked back to the boy. He couldn't be much older then Godric, maybe even younger-what did people have to fear about him? If it was one thing Godric didn't like it was judging people by their families. Just because his father was questionable did not mean that this boy was.
"So are you too chicken?" Godric asked as if he had not heard her.
"You fool!" She said. "Did you hear nothing of what I said!?"
"I don't really care." Godric shrugged. "He is a kid just like us, what harm could he do?"
"I think it is his father Rowena is worried about." Helga answered. "I have heard stories as well, and none of them are in his favor." She said a trace darkly.
"Would you rather I pick an adult for you to prank?"
Rowena shook her head. "Fine, I'll do it." Godric grinned. "What exactly am I doing?" She gave him a skeptical look as he told her his plan.
*-*-*-*-*
Salazar just knew someone was talking about him. If his instincts were correct the person in question was very close. His green eyes narrowed as he looked at the adults around him. With all the things his father had done, perhaps it should be expected that they would talk about his son. But in any case, Salazar hated being talked about and thus decided to find out who it was because if he drew near the talk would likely stop.
He turned his head just in time to see a spell being shot at him. With no time to dodge the spell hit him straight on. He staggered back with a sneer on his face. The next thing he heard was someone laughing.
He took out his own wand and focused on the threat. Not far from him stood three children about his age. One girl had her wand out and was looking at him with a wide-eyed expression Salazar knew was a mix of surprise and fear. The other girl had her hand over her mouth and appeared to be fighting down giggles. The boy in between them was the problem he was looking for.
He had reddish-brown hair that shaded his face as he was bent over and clutching his knee so he didn't fall over because he was laughing so hard. Ignoring the adults around them Salazar strode over to him, his wand out in front. He had not yet learned what they had done to him but he intended to find out.
"What do you think you are laughing at?" Salazar hissed at him, his eyes watching the boy and his companions.
"It's nothing-just some feathers-" He gave a snort and broke into laugher again.
"I demand you tell me at once!" He said, his words mirroring his tone.
"Godric Gryffindor, what did I tell you!?" Salazar's interrogation was cut short by a young woman with blonde hair who came striding over with a look of range on her face. He recognized her as Clara Gryffindor, and that would make the boy in front of him her son, Godric.
"Mom!" Godric (Salazar's thoughts confirmed) yelled in horror. "It's wasn't me, I was just an innocent bystander!"
"I will believe that when I see you behave for once!" She fumed. "Now you fix this young man right now!" Godric grumbled and took out his wand. Wait…why didn't he have it out before? Salazar's gaze shifted to the silent raven-haired girl next to him. She had had her wand out, had it really been her?
Godric waved his wand and muttered the counter-curse just before his father came over.
"What is going on here?" Salazar spun around to see the look of annoyance and disappointment on his father's face. He quickly schooled his expression to hide the fear he was sure had been covering his face. All around them, the crowd of other party guests all quieted.
"It's nothing father-" Salazar started before a sharp look quieted him. Even if this Godric had done something to him no one deserved his father's displeasure.
"Lady Gryffindor, this is your son I presume?" His cold gaze shifted from mother to son.
Lady Gryffindor seemed to have forgotten her anger at her son for now. She moved closer to Godric. "Yes, it is." She said firmly.
"He seems quite out of control, rather like an animal." Lady Gryffindor's fingers curled into a fist so hard her knuckles turned white, but she said nothing. "Perhaps he should be put on a leash like one until you learn how to control him."
"Stop this now, Lord Slytherin!" A man's voice said as he strode over in front of Lady Gryffindor. Salazar recognized the brown-haired man as Gawin Gryffindor, coming to his wife and child's rescue. "Godric is not but a young boy, you must excuse his actions. He meant nothing by it except to have some fun-surely you can forgive him?"
Salazar saw his father's eyes narrow. "Being that he is a child his actions are reflected on to you, so I suppose I should blame you for his pitiful up-bringing?" Salazar wasn't sure what happened right after that. There was a loud bustling in the crowd behind him and not only was he pushed back but knocked him to the floor. He hear shouting and maybe even a spell or two but by the time he could stand up (not bothering to dust his robes off) the crowd was leaving and his father was no where to be seen.
Soon all that was left was the three who had started this mess. Salazar took this time to dust off his robes as the three made their way over to him.
"I am truly sorry about all of this." The girl with the black hair said. Salazar remembered she was a Ravenclaw heir. "It was my entire fault, I shouldn't have done it."
"No-" Godric moved in front of Rowena. "I made her to it- I'm the one to blame, don't do anything to her." From the look on his face Godric was prepared to fight for Rowena is so needed.
Salazar couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "I know."
Godric gave him a look at surprise. "What?"
"I know" Salazar repeated patiently. 'That Miss Ravenclaw-" Rowena cut in at the request to call her Rowena. "-Rowena cast the spell. As I see it there was no harm done although there could have been when my father appeared." Salazar was surprised at his own bluntness.
Godric suddenly grinned. "I knew you weren't like him!" Salazar frowned, not knowing what to make of this. "Your father I mean, everyone seems to think you are just like him-I didn't think that." Indeed he was nothing like his father (he really despised the man) but no one had ever seemed to realized that.
Only Godric.
"I like you, lets be friends!" Salazar let out a startled 'hey!' as Godric suddenly flung his arm around his shoulder. "Godric Gryffindor at your service!" Salazar had never seen such a large, genuine smile before.
"I think this will be the start of a great, long-lasting friendship!"
Salazar really hoped it was true.
And his smile told Godric just that.