Salazar Slytherin was sitting in his family's parlor sipping some red wine. He was gazing out the window, watching the rain drops fall from the dark and gloomy sky, thinking of her, of Rowena. It had been so long since he'd seen her or even talked to her. There was a clap of thunder that broke his train of thought, for their mansion shook just a bit. At that moment he made up his mind; he would write to his love.

He stood up, set his glass of wine down onto the end table next to his jade green armchair, and walked over to the desk that sat opposite him. Just as he grabbed a piece of parchment and a feather quill, there was a tap tap on the window next to him. His black eyes snapped over there, thinking it might be hail, but instead saw Winter, Rowena's snowy white owl. Pure joy filled him as he quickly opened the window and allowed the owl to fly inside. She landed on his desk and set down a letter addressed to him; it was in Rowena's handwriting.

He quickly tore open the letter and his black eyes read the letter and as he read it, he could almost hear Rowena's sweet voice as she wrote this letter. But when he finally reached the end of her letter, he felt anger welling up inside of him as well as heartbreak. There was no way he would let Rowena marry some prince of Norway. She was the most intelligent, beautiful, and caring woman he'd ever met, and any man would be lucky to have her, but he thought he'd die without her. He grabbed his sheet of parchment, dipped his quill in the black ink, and started writing his response.

Dear Rowena,

I miss you dearly. It feels like it's been forever since we've last seen each other. I can still picture your face perfectly in my mind, I can still hear your sweet voice, I can still smell that wonderful perfume that you wear and that is what gets me through these times.

I am absolutely heartbroken and angered at the fact of your parents arranging for you to marry the prince of Norway. I think we should run away together. We could go to England. I have a good friend there who will give us shelter. He is also a wizard, and a good one at that. He isn't very wealthy, but he is incredibly loyal and would never dream of revealing our location. Let me know if you agree with this plan, and leave the details to me. Respond as soon as possible while I sit here and devise our escape.

Love forever,

Salazar

He fed Winter a couple of owl treats and she gave a thank you hoot. Salazar folded his letter, addressed it to Rowena, and handed it to Winter, who grabbed the parchment with his beak. He opened the window again and as Winter's white body flew away through the rain, he whispered, "Safe flight. I love you, Rowena."

Once the owl was completely out of sight, he shut the window, and with a flick of his wand the water on the windowsill disappeared. He grabbed his glass of wine, returned to his armchair, and once again took his position of looking outside at the falling rain, trying to figure out a plan so that he and his love could be together. An hour later, he set down the glass of wine, and he walked once more over to his desk, intent on writing another letter. His eyes were fighting to stay awake, but it was necessary that he write this letter.

Dear Godric,

I am writing to you this rainy night to ask of you a favor. I have received word from Rowena that her parents are arranging for her to marry the prince of Norway. We love each other so much and the thought of her marrying another is devastating for the both of us. The only way that we can be together is if we run away.

The reason I am writing you is because I was wondering if you would allow Rowena and I to stay with you. That way we can be in a totally different country without our families hunting us down. When we are in England, Rowena and I will be able to start our life together. We would be happy to pay you for your help.

Please respond soon.

Sincerely,

Salazar Slytherin

Salazar walked over to the corner of the room where his owl, Arthur, was sleeping soundly in his bronze cage. He lightly stroked Arthur's head and Arthur woke up. Salazar unlocked the cage and brought Arthur out on his arm. The letter was already being held by Arthur's black beak. They moved over to the window, which Salazar opened once again.

"Deliver this to Godric," Salazar instructed softly and Arthur flew off of his arm into the dark rainy night.

Godric Gryffindor was his dearest friend in the world. They had met a few years back when Salazar and his family were visiting England. Salazar had met Godric when they were outside playing in the park. From the moment they had introduced themselves, they were best friends. Salazar trusted Godric with his life and had no doubt that he would allow them to stay with him temporarily. Finally giving into his eyes' protest of staying awake, he retreated to his armchair and dozed off right then and there.

"Salazar, m'boy, time to wake up!"

Salazar inwardly groaned when he heard his father jovially waking him. He cracked open his eyelids and had to shut them once again when he almost went blind from the sunlight shining in through the window.

"Salazar, your mother and I will downstairs in the dining hall. Come on and get dressed, we're having you favorite."

"I'm awake, father, don't worry," Salazar mumbled groggily. He heard the door of the parlor shut and that's when he finally clambered out of his comfortable armchair. His black eyes immediately looked over to the window to see if he'd received a response from either Rowena or Godric, but neither had replied yet. With a flick of his dark wand, the dark green shades closed, blocking out most of the sunlight that kept threatening to blind him. Deep down though, he took it as a good sign; almost as if nature was trying to tell him that everything would work out okay. He certainly hoped it would and kept this in mind as he got dressed and went downstairs, hopefully getting the situation off of his mind as the day progressed.