Hogwarts had grown to be nearly unbearable in the past days since their confrontation in his office. Helga avoided any eye contact with him, even when he attempted to please her by coming out for dinner in the great hall and yelling less at his students. Even Godric steered away from him now, knowing another argument wouldn't be best with Salazar when there was already so much troubling him. Everyone knew the shame that came with upsetting Helga, it pulled everyone from their own world long enough to make things right. No one liked to upset her, for it took a lot to do so and always meant you were in the wrong.
Helga was out in the garden that afternoon, she loved to tend to her flowers and there were a few of her students nearly always in there with her. Salazar found herbology to be a waste of time, but she swore by it and it would only upset her if he mentioned it again.
He approached from the castle and marveled at the way her body soaked in the light of the sun, like it was storing it away for later. Was that how she always seemed to glow to him? Her head turned as she heard his footsteps grow closer and she patted some of the soil down and brushed the dirt off her hands before turning away from him and walking away.
"Helga, wait!" Salazar said, quickening his pace after her, grabbing her arm and turning her to look at him. "Won't you at least look at me while I make my apology?" he asked, with a meager smile.
"I do not want your apology, I want nothing more than to be left alone by you. Haven't you grown bored with your games with me yet? I do not wish to amuse you any longer, do not try to apologize to me again if you do not intend to honour those words," she said, and he was almost certain she had never meant anything so much. That was the thing about Helga, at times she could appear so fragile and implore every urger within him to protect her. And then there were moments like now, where he knew that it was all very much untrue, that she was not frail or weak but a strong woman who wouldn't put up with him for much longer
Salazar looked and saw the brightness of her hair, he raised his hand and brushed her hair back, he couldn't resist the moment and she did not pull away from his touch. "I am sorry Helga, for what I said to you last night. You did not deserve that."
Helga placed her hand gently over his, his palm cupped against her cheek and she closed her eyes for a moment, when she opened them again she was looking at him. He leaned forward, wanting so badly to place his lips against hers, to feel her respond with the passion he held for her. Helga was a salve on his aching heart and the only light he saw, how he would have loved to feel her respond the same. But she moved away, letting go of his hand and stepping back.
Her cheeks blushed and she turned, picking the hem of her skirt off the ground and marching back towards the castle.
"Am I forgiven?" Salazar called out.
"Once I think of your punishment you will be!" she called back, and for the first time in weeks he smiled brightly.
