A/N: So, any thoughts? I'm wondering what you all think of it, Please, give me a sign! :-)
Chapter 3
The next morning, Godric was awoken by the sun that was streaming through the window and falling across the side of his face, and he groaned in protest as he rolled over and buried his head in the pillows to block out the light. Then it hit him. Sun. On his face. Merlin's beard! He shot upright, almost got himself tangled up in the sheets but managed to safe himself from an undignified sprawl by grabbing onto the side of the bed. Grumbling, he cast a quick refreshing spell on himself as he pushed open the door that led back into the hall.
All was silent. Ofcourse…
He knocked on Salazar's door curtly, not expecting a response and not receiving one. Salazar had never been one to sleep in. Well, technically, neither was he… He must have been more tired than he'd thought. It seemed to happen more and more lately.
He summoned one of the House Elves as he started down the hall, and it appeared in front of him almost instantly with an audible pop, looking up at him in wide-eyed expectation. "Does Lord Gryffindor need anything sir?" Godric nodded kindly in reply, and asked the first thing on his mind. "Yes, where can I find your master?"
The House Elf looked thoughtful for a moment. "Master is currently outside in the gardens. Please, if Sir would please follow Sandy? Sandy will take Sir to Master," the Elf offered brightly, and Godric couldn't help but smile as he nodded and started to follow the little creature, even though he could find the gardens by himself. He knew this place like the back of his hand, had been here often during his acquaintance with Salazar. But it did no harm to indulge the House Elf, and so Godric found himself led into the lush gardens by the helpful and enthusiastic Sandy.
Salazar looked up from the book he was reading as they stepped out of the house, greeting Godric with a smile as he put the book down on the table in front of him and motioned for Godric to take a seat. The older wizard ordered Sandy to take care of breakfast for Godric, and the House Elf disappeared again with another audible pop, leaving them alone on the terrace overlooking the sprawling gardens of the Slytherin Manor.
"Feeling better?" Godric nodded as he sat back languidly, allowing the sun to warm him as he relaxed. "I must have been more tired than I initially thought.. I'm sorry if I kept you waiting," he explained, but Salazar snorted indignantly at that, waving the excuse away with a gesture. "No need to apologize, I'm glad you seem to be more rested. Well, more rested than yesterday at least. I have to wonder what could be serious enough to cause that sort of exhaustion though, I seem to recall something about infuriating and boundless energy…" the pale wizard teased with a grin, and Godric met Salazar's searching, sharp gaze somewhat reluctantly. Salazar had always been to the point, never wasting too much time dancing around matters. It was something Godric had always appreciated.
But now… He sighed. There was no use in beating around the bush anyway, this was what he had come here for… "You must have heard of the attacks on the school," he started, voice tight and angry despite his best attempt to sound neutral. Salazar seemed not to take note of the unbidden emotion sounding in his voice though and he nodded curtly, urging him on wordlessly, so Godric continued without elaborating. "Their forces are gaining power and allies, but that's not the main problem.. They've been attacking more frequently as of late, sending more and more Dark wizards to beat at our defenses, and our wards. They're trying to wear us out, and it's starting to work." Godric admitted grudgingly, wringing his hands as he looked down at them.
Salazar remained silent, and after long moments, the redhaired wizard carried on. "We're hard pressed to keep them away, and the threat to the students is becoming very real. Parents have already taken students back home, and I'm afraid more will follow those parents' example. Hogwarts will be ruined at this rate," he met Salazar's eyes, frustration clear in his own, normally warm and kind gaze. "We need help, but Rowena and Helga are too stubborn to admit what kind of help. We need a Dark wizard to help us." He stopped there, allowing Salazar to let this sink in and think about what he'd said. And about the implications.
Salazar looked away then, a thoughtful frown on his elegant features as he obviously contemplated Godric's predicament. "I know the wizards of whom you speak, and it is as you say. We've been keeping an eye on them for a while now, Gramayre will not allow large congregations of wizards to allege themselves against a common enemy without our consent, exactly to avoid situations like this… But we haven't yet decided to act as it stands now. It's a complicated matter, one I have to think on, and I have to speak with the others before I can really do much of consequence, I cannot decide on this alone, even though I may share your opinion in that they have to be dealt with…" he said, frowning, lost in thought for the moment. Godric merely waited, sitting expectantly but remaining silent as Salazar seemed to come to a conclusion as he continued.
"I want to help you Godric, I do, but I don't know in what capacity I can at the moment… As a Dark wizard to confront them, in my own name? To strengthen your wards against Dark magic? Do you want Gramayre's involvement and eventual support of the school as a whole? You must understand, I have to consider the consequences before I give you a definitive answer. Also… what would be in it for us? Technically, I would be going against my own kind in this endeavor of yours, even if I were to only support you in the name of a personal favor... The balance between Light and Dark is precarious as it is." Salazar's gaze was sharp, calculating as he looked back at Godric, and the younger wizard blinked at the options that had been offered already in Salazar's short answer.
It was already more than he had dared hope for. He'd been afraid to be refused outright, despite that he had known Salazar for over twenty years and had come to consider the man as one of his closest friends, no matter that he was one of the most powerful Dark wizards of their age.
But he had been prepared in case he wouldn't be refused outright, and he met Salazar's light grey gaze seriously. "The wards could definitely be improved. And I wouldn't ask you to fight your own people, but perhaps you could dissuade them. And Gramayre… I have no hopes of influencing Gramayre, so I'm not going to try. But their support could mean a lot." And that was an understatement if there ever was one. If Gramayre could be persuaded to back them in this…
Salazar nodded, pausing as breakfast arrived before proceeding, allowing Godric to satiate at least part of his hunger. "To be honest, I was expecting things to escalate rather sooner than later... The Dark wizard community is none too pleased about the existence of such a school as yours, catering only to Light wizards. Some feel threatened by the thought of not having the same opportunity for their children to learn a wide variety of magic in one place, without having to resort to apprenticeships. And I must say I agree with that sentiment. So, I will give you something to think about… Allow the children of Dark wizards into Hogwarts, and allow them to study the Dark Arts as well as Light magic, and we'll talk about Gramayre's support, and not before."
The pale wizard smirked lopsidedly as Godric took that in as he continued. "But I do want to help you with your immediate problems, or all will be over before it can even start… I will come with you to Hogwarts, if you want me to, and I will look at the wards. If an attack happens while I am present, I will see if I can reason with them, but under no circumstances will I fight them unless they personally attack me first. This is a personal favor Godric, and I will inform Gramayre accordingly that I am not acting on its behalf. This will be a separate offer, or it will not happen."
Godric's shoulders sagged slightly in relief, and he closed his eyes briefly. He'd considered letting the children of Dark wizards into Hogwarts before Salazar had suggested it, but Helga and Rowena were so adverse to the idea… but they had to see that if they held onto that stubborn belief, then all would be lost indeed. Together, they would make the two witches see reason. And that Salazar would help was a great relief in itself.
"I can't thank you enough Sal.. " he started to say, but Salazar simply smirked. "Don't worry my friend. We'll think of a way you can repay me." Oh, and that smirk widened into a grin that Godric recognized only too well, and if Godric had been anyone else, and if Salazar had been anyone else to him, those words would have scared the Hell out of him.. But as it was, the redhaired wizard found himself returning the grin wholeheartedly.