Chapter Two: Friendship

Three months later…

"Mom, I'm done!" Godric called loudly as he flew toward the door. Behind him his father's friend Sir Jared sighed and shook his head. Godric had had a lesson with Sir Jared about healing spells, herbs, and workings. Sir Jared was a professional healer and an old friend of Godric's father. He agreed to teach Godric what he knew so that he would be able to help people or himself if needed. Even if Godric didn't see much point because he was only six (although seven in a month), it was interesting sometimes. And he liked Sir Jared.

"Good, dear; is Salazar coming over today?" His mother asked, giving him a warm smile as she walked down the hallway to meet him. Today her long blonde hair was pulled back by a blue ribbon the same color as her robes.

"Yep, Lady Meriwether is bringing him." Godric said as he headed toward the kitchens.

Ever since their meeting three months ago the two had become friends just as Godric had predicted. Lady Meriwether Slytherin and his mother Clara would spend time together as well. An arranged marriage between Lady Meriwether and Iraybs Slytherin hadn't worked out as their parents had planed. They were nothing like each other and that was the only reason Salazar was allowed over the Gryffindor Estate.

The Kalvins and the Calvials had been close in the past before drifting part many years before their children reached their majority. Meriwether Kalvin and Clara Calvial had been childhood friends who had not seen each other since. Until they had started talking once their sons became playmates and figured out their maiden names. They had become close friends again and Lady Meriwether often came with Salazar and stayed while the boys played.

Salazar's father hated the Gryffindor family and everything to do with them. Although the boys did not know the details, it was obvious that their fathers differed on just about every subject. Godric was not allowed over Slytherin Manor because of Iraybs. Iraybs also did not like his wife very much, because she did not share his view in his world and the people inside of it. According to Salazar, they fought rarely, but Godric suspected that it had more to do with Iraybs' violent nature than anything else. He desperately wanted Salazar to leave his home, but he knew it could not be done.

"Lord Gryffindor?" One of the servants of the household came into the kitchen as Godric munched on an apple. "Lord and Lady Slytherin are at the gate, they are on their way now."

"Thank you." Godric told the woman. Her name was Shannon, an old but kind Irish witch, who was related to many of the other servants in the house as well. With grandchildren here and more on the way her hair was white and her face had many wrinkles that showed her age. She had been a servant of his mother for a long time and had been given a small room of her own in the servants' quarters. "Is my mother being called upon? She will want to meet them as well." He added as he stood up.

"Yes," Shannon answered. "My son Jaxon is finding her; she will meet you at the entrance hallway."

Godric nodded as she gave him a small bow. He always found it silly how those so much older and wiser should respect them as their better just because he was born into a rich family. Shannon was a capable witch and woman, yet she bowed daily to a six-year-old.

The head chef's son Coby, who was two years older then Godric, waved goodbye to him, Godric returned the wave gladly. Coby spent most of his time in the kitchen and in an unofficial way had become Godric's snack cook, as well as friend.

The kitchen was not far from the entrance hall so Godric beat his mother to the door. "Lady Slytherin and young Lord Slytherin" The servant (Godric couldn't remember his name) announced as he opened the door to let Lady Meriwether and Salazar inside.

Lady Meriwether's black hair that usually came down to her shoulders was in a small braid. She was wearing casual red robes of light fabric to accommodate for the warm weather. The band holding her hair back was the same red as her robes.

Salazar's black hair was as it usually was: falling just enough to touch the tip of his ears and fairly straight except for the few loose ends that stuck out on top his head. He was wearing emerald green robes that Godric noted with some satisfaction were his casual robes.

"Meriwether, it is lovely to see you." His mother said as she came into the hallway from the main staircase. The ladies exchanged greetings.

Godric said hello to Salazar who retuned it softly. He noted with annoyance and worry that Salazar's left cheek was redder then his other cheek. He also noticed how Salazar was trying to keep his left side pointed away from Godric. Trying to act casual as to not attract suspicion he said: "So what should we do today? We can always wander around the town-"

"No." His mother cut him off sharply. "You will stay on the grounds today. I will send someone to look for you if I find it necessary." She bent down so their eyes met. "Do you understand that?"

"Yes Mother." Godric mumbled. She gave him a piercing stare so he had to repeat it loud and clear. He had gotten into a lot of trouble a few days ago when practicing fire spells and his mother had become stricter than normal.

"OK, you two have a good time. We shall call on you later so you will have time to get ready for dinner."

"Come on Salazar, I want to change." Salazar nodded walked Godric to his rooms. They were silent all the way to his rooms. Walking next to each other Godric could tell something was wrong. Salazar had not met his eyes and was making sure not too. He was once again walking next to Godric so he couldn't see his left side.

Godric opened the door to his room and made sure no one was inside cleaning up. His door was in the center, adjacent to his bed. Godric's bed was a large four-poster bed with deep red sheets and a gold lining over the top and see-through gold curtains. To the left (across his cream-colored carpet) was his bookcase and a few feet down from that was a door leading to his closet where (of course) all his clothes and such was held. On the other side of his bookcase sat a large, comfy red armchair. On the other side of the room sat a simple desk that had parchment, quills, books, and ink scattered around it.

Godric was very glad that guests usually entered the room first. Salazar went in and headed toward his large bed to sit down. As he made his way across the room carelessly Godric closed the door and locked it.

Hearing the faint click, Salazar spun around, his eyes narrowed. In a flash his wand was out. "What are you doing?"

Godric walked toward him. Salazar did not move back but Godric noticed that he was very tense. "Am I not allowed to lock the door? Really Salazar you are to tense." Godric didn't think that helped very much. He walked over to his closet and opened the door wide. "Someone is due to clean up my room," Godric said loudly so Salazar could still hear him even as he moved through the lines of clothes. "If they see the door is locked then they won't bother us." He explained.

"I will pretend I believe you for now." Salazar said calmly as he leaned against the door frame. When Godric turned to glance at him he noticed that Salazar had not put away his wand and was playing with it between his fingers.

"You worry to much, my friend." Godric said as he finally located the pair of robes he was looking for. He carried them out and put them on his red chair. Salazar moved to stand next to the bookcase. "So you get into any fights lately?" He asked as he took off his deep blue robe; making sure to keep his tone light and conversational.

"What?" Salazar asked sharply. "What on earth are you talking about?"

"That mark on you face," Godric said as he put on his simple red robes. "Did you get it in a fight?"

"Yes, I did." Salazar said. Godric could hear the coldness in his voice and the certain note of defensiveness.

"Come on; let's go outside, you can explain it where we will not be over heard." Godric ignored Salazar as he told him soundly that he did not have to tell him anything. They passed a few servants along the way who said hello to them as they went by. As to not look unnatural they chatted casually as they walked.

Once outside they headed to the left. They went a ways until they were at the start of the forest. A little bit in there were two large boulders. They were deep enough in to give privacy but it was still on the grounds and they could be easily found.

"So" Godric said as he pushed up on his arms and moved up the right boulder. "You going to tell me what happened?"

"I'd rather not." Salazar answered as he climbed on the other boulder. "You asked if I got into a fight, I did. I said that, now leave it alone." He folded his arms.

"You didn't tell me who you fought with, what the reason was," Godric rambled off a few more questions.

He felt like he already knew though.

"Why you do care anyway? It's my life, not yours."

Godric rolled his eyes. It was a familiar argument that they fought about a lot. Salazar was still not used to having someone he could tell things too, and even as Godric tried, he still didn't like to open up. Whenever something happened to Salazar that he didn't want people to know about he would try to hide it. Gradually, Godric was getting better at waxing information out of Salazar, but it wasn't easy.

"Because," Godric stressed the word, "I'm your friend and I care about you." He could see Salazar frown. Godric knew that he still wasn't comfortable with the word friend. It had surprised Godric at first to learn that Salazar was a loner. He had expected Salazar to only have a few friends, but he had none at all other than Godric. "I want to know what's going on so I can help you. Even if I can't do anything I still want to know what's wrong." Godric said sincerely.

"Father." Salazar said simply. He moved his hands so his chin was resting on his palm.

"Care to embellish on that?" Godric asked dryly. He hoped he wasn't pushing Salazar too far.

"Father got angry. In sword fighting I dropped my sword by accident. After a range of insults and some curses he slapped me. It really isn't anything." Salazar said the whole thing in a detached sort of voice. His eyes fogged over some-what too, Godric got the feeling that the event was a lot worse then it sounded, but he didn't force it out of Salazar. Salazar worked hard to displace his emotions.

"I'm sorry." Godric murmured. He couldn't understand how someone could treat their kid like that. As angry as his mother got she had never once hit him, his father too. Although he was lectured often he was never verbally abused. His parents had also never once brought out their wands to harm him.

Salazar was on the opposite end of the spectrum. His father used every opportunity possible to abuse Salazar in whatever way he saw fit. He hurt Salazar physically, mentally, and magically. Salazar was already cynical at his young age, but Godric could understand why. He was worried about Salazar.

"Sir Jared -father's friend, you might have met him before-" Salazar nodded. "Well he has been teaching me all about healing; I could fix it for you." He wanted so bad to help Salazar; he hated that he fought this on his own.

"No, it'll only be worse if father figures out that you know- not to mention that this is a 'punishment for failure." He spat into the woods rather than voicing his anger. Godric knew it was hard for Salazar and there was truth in his words. His father was abusive but Salazar would be treated worse if Iraybs found out that someone had been told. Godric had found that out early even if Salazar was reluctant to tell him.

"I know he'll have some ointment that will take the sting out at least. I doubt that he would notice as long as the mark was still there right?"

"No," Salazar said bitterly. "I expect he would find out somehow, you know how he is." Godric hated seeing Salazar like this. He didn't want his best friend to be in pain and have to live with it without help. "And by the way, I tripped over my robe and fell on my face." Godric nodded with a forced smile.

Every time Salazar was hurt in some way that was noticeable he had to make up an excuse as to why. People who saw him must think he was the clumsiest person because falling was a popular excuse. A lot of times his father would just wear him out by beating him down with magic or use some other punishment that people couldn't usually see. Those were usually more painful, but at least no one could see the scars.

"You are such a clumsy idiot aren't you?" he gave Salazar a weary grin.

"Apparently." Salazar didn't smile (he rarely ever did) but Godric could tell he had cheered him up some.

"Hey, there is a new game out. My father got me a set it's two person, you want to try it?" Without waiting for an answer Godric took out his wand and waved it while said the spell. He waited as the box that held all the pieces and board of the game was held appeared on the ground. "It's called chess and I have an instruction manual that tells you how to play. It's a strategy game so you should be pretty good at." Godric explained as he hopped off the rock and sat on the ground before opening the box.

On top sat a tightly wrapped scroll held with a dark blue ribbon. This was the basic instructions so he tossed it lightly up to Salazar. He caught it easily before he came down and sat across from Godric. Godric set up the pieces as Salazar read, but Godric finished first so he had to wait as Salazar read.

"It seems interesting enough." Salazar said as he rolled up the scroll. "I will play you."

Godric grinned. "I must warn you though, I've played quite a few people and I haven't lost yet."

"One must start somewhere." Salazar replied.

That was where they were found a while later when Ninette (another servant of the house) found them. She was fourteen and the daughter of Bradley O'Hara, the oldest son of Shannon O'Hara. She had short red hair and brown eyes with a firm face and a large nose.

She informed them that Lady Clara was requesting that they go to Godric's room and get ready for dinner. She left them as soon as her message was delivered without waiting to be dismissed or see if they had a message for Godric's mother.

"It's that late already huh?" Godric said as he began to back up the pieces. Salazar nodded as he handed the pieces to Godric to speed up the work. The games had turned out well: They had each one once and then a tie.

Godric banished the box and its contents back to his room before they headed back up to the main house. As they walked back they argued over who had actually won because they were evenly tied when their game had ended. Their arguing continued all the way to Godric room, pausing only to find robes to wear and while they got changed and bathed (his mother would have a fit if they didn't). When they headed down to the dinning room they resumed their arguing until they finally put it to rest when they were outside the door.

It would be rude to argue at the dinner table after all.

"Wait Salazar" Godric lightly touched his friend's arm. "My parents will notice you mark." Salazar nodded and chewed his lip nervously. "Don't worry, I have a solution." He ignored the disapproving look he was receiving and took out his wand again. He murmured a spell to hide the red mark on his face. "I can take it off before you leave, but this way no one will notice."

Salazar nodded his thanks as they went into the dinning hall.