Author's Note:
So far it seems to be alright. Thank-you to those that have and/or are reading this.
Old Author's note: We are almost are almost at the end of the 'before-the-school' section of this story!
Disclaimer:
I Aslansphoenix declare that I do not own the Wizarding world, Hogwarts or any of the information, characters, ideas provided by the great J. K. Rowling. Or anything else that you may recognise. Well I do own all the characters that you don't recognise, but they belong to the Harry Potter world so they don't really count.
I promise that I am not making any money for or from this story; I am only writing it for enjoyment.
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Chapter Nine – Intellectually Logical.
"So does this mean we are finally at the end of our journey?" asked Salazar – for once not sounding sarcastic or like he was complaining. Godric shook his head, his eyes shining brightly "No Sal; we're just at the beginning."
*/*/*
Their first order of business was then to explore the castle. Godric's enthusiasm seemed to be catching because soon all of them (though Salazar was trying not to show it) were feeling excitement begin to boil up inside of them. The interior of the castle actually appeared to be more of a ruin than the outside suggested – a couple of the staircases just weren't there and the whole roof was gone from what they were sure would have been the throne room. Despite these few problem, the whole place held an air of potential and soon they all felt that it was the perfect spot for their school.
Rowena took notes on everything they examined, she was exact and careful … and enjoyed using her eagle sight to spot details the others may have missed. Salazar found that the dungeons were surprisingly warm, dry and due to the lighting; in his colour; he also took note of potential secret passageways. Helga was pleased to see that, even though parts were in ruins, the castle as a whole seemed to be (and definitely could/would be made so) safe for children to reside in. Godric had an absolute ball discovering all the nooks and crannies of an old 'King Arthur and Knights of the Round Table' castle.
The initial exploration that the four of them did, was a mixture of magic and manual labour. It did not cover the whole castle, but was exceedingly thorough. Hence when the end of the day arrived, all four were exhausted and decided to sleep in castle (Godric suggested it for the adventure). They set up camp in the 'throne room' – because they couldn't agree on any other rooms to sleep in, but they were lucky as it was a beautiful and warm night anyway.
Godric smiled up at the stars; this was something that always calmed him down and helped him fall asleep. It had been the case for as long as he could remember and he hoped that he 'would be able to convince Ro to find a spell that would let them see into the sky, even with a roof'. With that thought in his mind the young knight drifted into a sleep where he dreamed of dancing up in the stars themselves with a certain golden-haired girl.
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It was a further two days of exploring the castle before they made their way to the farmhouse belonging to Brian de Ardent-Coeur. The followed the path from Migale's map, which Rowena had earlier checked to see if it was still true. The path, though more overgrown, did still exist. After re-reassuring herself, Rowena flew back to the group just in time to hear Salazar make a snide, but valid comment.
"If he helps us. After all we don't even know him."
Godric glared at his friend. "He's Sir Alex's father and-"
"And I have a great uncle that chose to live with muggles. Being related by blood does not mean that opinions and behaviours are shared."
"I hate to admit this," interrupted Rowena before an argument could break out "But Salazar has a good point. Being related does not mean being similar and Godric … you have never met Sir Alex's father. He may not be the man you are imagining him to be."
"It's not his fault we've never met. Sir Alex told me his Dad isn't a fan of crowds and that time that Sir Alex went to visit his Dad I was staying with Sal at his chalet. Then when he came to visit Sir Alex I was in that coma, and the third time I was in the war." He murmured that word (it was not a fond topic for the others, and still lead to Godric being scolded) and carried on speaking quickly. "Look, I understand what you're both saying but we've got to just try right?"
"Besides, we're here." Helga said as she pointed to an old hut. The four took a moment to examine the place in front of them. Salazar wrinkled his nose at the run-down look, Helga cooed that it seemed so sad – thinking it probably used to be busy and full of family, Rowena wondered about the history of the land and building and Godric stared at the home of the man who was by all rights – his surrogate grandfather.
Taking a breath and steeling his courage he took the lead and walked up to the crooked door and knocked.
The man who answered the door was old – even by wizard standards. He had a short snow white beard, calloused hands and wrinkles upon wrinkles. The man was leaning on a tall stick – which both Salazar and Ro took convert, interested glances at.
"May I help you?" he asked in a voice that could only be described as earthy.
"Sir ... Mr ... de Ardent-Coeur – I … that is to say Sir; this is Rowena Ravenclaw, Salazar Slytherin and Helga Hufflepuff ... and I am Sir Godric Gryffindor ..." You could hear the restrained excitement, mixed with slight nerves as Godric introduce them.
Brian interrupted Godric after he said his name "I know of you. I must say you are looking better than when I saw five years ago, you have your hair. My son told me that you were on some kind of quest" Godric seemed to radiate with joy at hearing that his mentor spoke of him "Sir Alex talks about me?"
"O'course he does. I suppose I should invite you in – not very polite to loiter in doorways anyway – come on then."
Helga giggled and murmured to Salazar as they walked in "I like him." he rolled his eyes but kept his mouth shut due to his 'lordly manners'. They found themselves in a cosy kitchen just as Brian muttered "What we need is a cuppa tea." He banged his walking stick and the four friends were (at different levels) shocked to feel a wave of magic pulse out from the bottom and a fire was lit beneath the kettle.
Rowena was ecstatic "You have a staff, this is incredible – I haven't actually met someone who uses a staff, they are really rare – these days, and ..."
"Yeah and much more practical for an old foggie like me." Chuckled the old man as he took a seat on one of the hairs around the table. Godric immediately sat opposite him, Helga smirked at Rowena's indignant expression as they both took a seat, Rowena right beside Godric and Helga at the end of the table. Salazar remained standing at the other end ... until 'WHACK!' Brian had hit him over the head with his staff.
"Sit down lad – it's rude to stand when you host has taken a seat."
Grumbling and rubbing his head Salazar complied, it hadn't been a hard hit; but it was humiliating. Godric muttered in awe "So that's where Sir Alex got it from." Helga and Rowena laughed good-naturedly at Salzar's pouting. Brian tilted his head at his guests "Now – why aren't you lot out on that Quest of yours?" Godric answered slightly sheepishly. "Actually sir, that's actually why we're here, we believe you can help us." The old wizard looked confused "How can I be of help?"
Rowena smiled – this was her area of expertise, she leaned forward to begin her explanation.
Helga got comfortable in her seat – she knew that when Rowena got going, she really got going. And as Rowena had been planning this for the past week or so. Thus Helga knew that they would be there for a little while, besides it was always impressive to watch her best friend regale her knowledge.
"As you have obviously heard we are on a 'mission' to find a suitable location for a school of magic – as of yet unnamed. After extensive searching we believe that we have found a spot that would work. About two days walking time from here there is a castle."
"Yeah, I know the place."
"Oh good – well due to various reasons – location (large available forest, beautiful lake, grounds not too wild or problematic), size, stability, amount of rooms, sense of history etcetera, etcetera – we believe that the castle is perfectly suitable for our purpose. If we fix it up and add a few enhancements – such as protective charms, stairs and enough other requirements to make it safe for students. The only issue is the matter of owning it legally.
In the muggle world it shouldn't be a problem. Now, as you may or may not know; the castle and the lands surrounding it all allegedly belonged to King Arthur. They are therefore property of the current muggle king. Godric happens have his favour and, as well as that, as part of his knighthood; Godric is allowed to choose for himself his own lands – as long as he doesn't force them away from anyone – or choose a whole country to own. As he has not yet made his choice it would be ideal for him to request these lands to be the lord of.
However there is a technicality and also the wizarding world to deal with. You see while at this time the king, or the ruler of the United Kingdom, still has a great deal of power and control over the world – muggle and wizarding. But there is a very strong possibility that in the future (whether in our life time or otherwise) where that won't be the case. I suspect that it will become more favourable for the muggle politicians to try and 'actually' make the decisions for all; including the wizarding world. As such; in the wizarding world there is an even more certain probability that wizarding kind will one day break-away from the muggle world and have our own ruler/s. If this is the case we do not want to give ... boat-rockers, the opportunity to stir up trouble for us by claiming that 'as we only got the land from a muggle, we do not actually own the land. This would honestly could cause chaos that we are determined to avoid."
Brian nodded, understanding well enough what she was saying, but he still looked confused "So what has all this got to do with me? I'm just a simple farmer."
"Well it has more to do with the technicality that I mentioned earlier. You see after we learned of this castle from a very reliable source of information, I did my own research ..."
"She bought a three-story library with her, don't know how and I never saw it – but she did." Rowena rolled her eyes at Godric's words, but carried on speaking as though he hadn't interrupted her.
"AND I discovered that King Arthur apparently – or at least it written in a fair few places - that the castle and the lands immediately surrounding it were supposed to belong to the closest landowners. Over time the lands and castle have been left to their own devises really, and you Mister Brian de Ardent-Coeur, are only living landowner within a seven day ride of the castle. Which makes you the legal owner of said castle and the surrounding lands."
Brian blinked in surprise "I own a castle? Fancy that, how odd. Wow."
Rowena let him absorb this information before carrying on speaking, "It actually worked out better for us because of this technicality. You are the legal landowner in both the muggle world and the wizarding. Godric, will still request permission from the King for legal purposes, but as you are a wizard; it should be enough for the wizarding world. Added to that you have a staff – which is still a huge sign of respect."
"You can have it – I'm a simple man, just a farmer - all I need are a few chickens to lay my eggs, a cow to milk, a roof over my head and the occasional visit from my son wouldn't be amiss." The last part was said with twinkling eyes to Godric, before the conversation could take a lighter tone, Rowena wanted to finish with the business.
"That is very kind of you Mr de Ardent-Coeur ..."
"Call me Brian lass – never been much for all this 'mister' business."
"Brian, but you can't just 'give' us the land, it has to be done officially. Something of equal value from us to you in exchange for the land. Luckily I have taken the liberty of drawing up a contract." She pulled out from her bag a sheet of parch rolled up so it was as thick as two fists held together. "I hope this will be considered fair to all parties involved, and if you would be kind to read through it. You are of course welcome to make any suggestions you feel necessary. Then if you would sign it, we will be done."
"Just one problem with that, lass – I can't read."
Rowena gaped at Brian – at a loss for words. Salazar couldn't resist remarking to her "Didn't think of that one – did you Rowena." Brian chuckled at their expressions and offered a solution. "You could always get Alex to sign it for you, he was going to inherit everything I own after I die. Which I guess includes more land than I would know what to do with and castle. So he should be able to count as the 'legal owner' shouldn't he?"
"That's a great idea!" exclaimed Godric animatedly. Salazar scowled and muttered to himself "You mean we could have just stayed at home and not gone on this crazy expedition."
Brian nodded to the fireplace "I have a little floo powder left – haven't used the stuff in a while, makes my nose itch you see ... and it's a little hard on the old joints. But it's still there and as far as I'm aware powder doesn't go off."
"I-I suppose I should go" said Godric, but Helga stood up smiling warmly at him "I'll go – Merlin knows how many questions you have for Brian here." She was responded with a beaming look from the knight. Helga smiled at the group (disgruntled Salazar, Rowena recovering from her shock and Godric beaming with excitement), she grabbed some of the powder and disappeared.
Brian glanced at the stove "Kettle's boiled." Godric started to stand saying "I'll make it" but he got whacked by Brian's staff – though on his arm not his head, "Oh no you don't lad, Alex has told me all about your over-helpfulness when you are a guest."
"I'm not over-helpful!"
Rowena patted Godric's shoulder "You are, Godric. Completely."
Salazar nodded in agreement. "That's why we spent a week in that stuck-up village, you kept fixing all their buildings for them." Godric stuck out his tongue at them did sit back down. As he made the tea, Brian glanced at Godric who looked as though he was going to burst.
"Alright lad, what do you want to know?"
"Everything! What was Sir Alex like as a child? What made him become a knight? Has he really told you about me?" Brian chuckled and held up a hand "alright lad, I get the picture."
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It was about half an hour before Helga and Sir Alex arrived, apparently he had been in a meeting with a few lords. Salazar and Rowena had been sitting back relaxing when Helga and Knight entered the farmhouse; just in time to hear Brian saying to a laughing Godric
"... and so from then on he was terrified of ducks, all because ..."
"Dad, I was seven years old, anyone would be!"
There was a loud crash as Godric leaped from his chair – with such force that it was knocked to the ground, and stood up straight to attention. Salazar rolled his eyes; they should have realised that after months of not seeing his mentor; Godric would immediately revert to his respectful mode. Sir Alex smiled at Godric "At ease son." Godric gave him a sheepish smile – but his eyes were alight with excitement.
"Hey son." Brian got up and gave his son a hug which Sir Alex returned before sitting at the table beside him. "It is good to see you Dad, but I would appreciate it if you didn't tell Godric any more stories about me. It's hard to knock sense into someone if they know all your secrets."
Salazar leaned forward "You still think it's possible to knock sense into him?" Sir Alex nodded in mock seriousness "You have a point, but I have to try."
"Because you never know until you try – and you can't conquer your fear if you don't find the courage to at least try to do so." Stated Godric; repeating one of the many lessons that Sir Alex had taught him, and not at all caring that his mentor and friend were mocking him. Sir Alex gave another smile before turning to the business aspect of the meeting.
"Now I believe you want me to sign a contract so that you can legally own the castle?"
Rowena nodded "Yes, if you would just read, then sign. Everything can all be made official" she handed him the scroll of parchment the older knight raised an eye brow at the size of it before unfurling the very end where the line for his signature was.
"Are you not going to read it? What if something in there is not beneficial to you? And I -"
Sir Alex held up a hand to stop the tirade "Lady Ravenclaw, I have known you long enough to know that you would have thought of every probable possibility on either side of any argument and that you will have catered for them all."
Rowena looked down bashfully and Sir Alex picked up the quill and signed his name right on the dotted line. Just as he finished, and while were Godric and Helga beaming and celebrating, Salazar gazed into Sir Alex's eyes and murmured in his cold voice "Did you know?"
The older knight smirked at him.
"Know that barely two days journey from the house I grew up in, there was a suitable place for this school idea of you four? Well, I couldn't exactly deny Godric the chance to go on his first ever official quest, now could I?"
Salazar saw the rest of the answer in Sir Alex's mind 'and besides it had to be done – Godric needed the opportunity to make his own decisions, and I needed to let him be an adult and accept that he is no longer the child I took in seven years ago.' He glanced at Godric who was bouncing up and down in his seat with a huge beaming smile on his face 'no matter how he behaves'.
Salazar nodded his understanding. That was why (although he would only ever admit it in the deepest, most hidden chambers' of his heart) he had actually agreed in the first place to go on the journey. He was not yet ready to give up the illusion of Godric being a child. It had been hard letting him make the almost grown-up decisions that the knight had made on this quest.
"So what are you all going to do now?" asked Brian, Helga smiled around the room and offered her thoughts. "I think that first things first, we should go home – Ro, Sal and myself, I mean. If you are not opposed to having guests Brian, I'm sure that Godric and Alex would love to stay with you. If we spend a few days relaxing and refreshing and then meet at say the castle, we will ready to begin the stage of creating a school"
"We'll set up an Apparating point close by" offered Sir Alex, and the others nodded in thanks. Brian smiled at the two knights "I willl be glad to have you stay with me for a few days." Helga smiled "I'm glad that is settled, Ro, Sal ... Sir Alex, Brian – look after Godric and don't let him do anything so ..."
"Gryffindor-ish."
"Yes thank you Sal."
Godric looked confused though "How can I not do something 'Gryffindor-ish'? I am a Gryffindor, I don't know how not to be a Gryffindor." Helga gave him a patronizing smile "Yes dear, but I don't want to come back and find you injured from one of your 'great ideas'."
Sir Alex nodded, ignoring Godric's confused expression and reassured Helga "Don't worry I'll keep him in line." After giving Godric a hug (the only one who openly accepted and returned them) she stepped into the fireplace and disappeared to back "Henry's Bakery."
Rowena packed up all her papers gave Godric an indulgent one-armed hug (to avoid having him give her one of his bone crushing squeezes) and nodded cordially to everyone "Sir Alex, Mister Brian, Slytherin."
"Ravenclaw"
Smirking at Salazar, she turned to leave but had another thought "Godric – please do not try and fix the castle manually while we are gone."
"I wouldn't do that!"
Rowena raised an eye-brow and Godric deflated "Fine I give my word I won't do that." She nodded accepting that and disappeared to "Ravenclaw Manor."
Then it was Salazar's turn, he finished his tea and nodded to the room. He almost made it to the fireplace without any interference, but before he could grab the powder he found himself being once again hugged by Godric. Salazar still found it strange that even though Godric was taller than him, he always felt as though he was being hugged for the very first time by that ten year old child with a cheeky grin.
"Say hello to Selena, Serena and Sal, Sal."
Salazar rolled his eyes. He still didn't get what was so funny about calling him and his son by the same nick-name, but that was Godric for you. He patted that boy's back and stepped back into the flames stating calmly "Slytherin Château."
Godric beamed around the room at the other two and Sir Alex leaned back in his seat comfortably, he then stated in a very casual voice "So Helga and I were talking before we came here and she told me some very interesting stories about you journey. Tell me Godric what is Aurora like?"
The father and son laughed good-naturedly as Godric's face turned redder than his cloak at that.
End of Chapter Nine.
Author's Note:
Here this chapter ends.
So this chapter is very similar to the original, just with (hopefully) less plot holes.
If you have read this, then thank-you.
I will update whenever I update.
Thursday 19th October 2017.
