Author's Note:

So far it seems to be alright. Thank-you to those that have and/or are reading this.

This chapter is a mix-match of old Chapters 10 and 11, with some new material written in. The next chapter in this version will be the rest of the original 10 and 11 Chapters.

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.

Chapter Ten – Of Ideas and Fears.

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.

*/*/*

After a few days of relaxation (aside from Helga mock-regretting telling her twins tales of Godric's adventures; as they were both running around pretending to be him, fake swords and all.) the four friends arrived at the castle and the innovations of the school began.

The world seemed to blur through time as they worked, because even though they were using magic for most of the work, all of them wanted to be thorough. Soon news of the location and planning of the school spread across the land. Then numerous witches and wizards had turned up; some offered to help the four, a few were reporters or historians but most of the others were trying to profit from all the hype of this 'new idea'. Many set up some kind of shop in the old village that resided close by the castle. Within weeks the village was bustling with activity. As was the castle; there was always someone helping and something that needed to be done.

Salazar felt annoyed at all the unnecessary (in his opinion) publicity and ridiculousness; he preferred not to have an audience (especially an unhelpful one), he had always preferred working in the shadows. Therefore Salazar secluded himself in the depth of the castle – working on the interior designs for the dungeons and the lower levels (and a certain secret chamber he could go to be alone). Staying in the dungeons had absolutely nothing to do with the dizzying instability Salazar felt whenever he deigned to help out with the towers.

Rowena also kept mostly to herself. She had her library; it was going to be vast with a section for the more 'power-induced' (dangerous) books, she may have fallen a little in love with her husband when he went a resourced books to donate. Rowena was also working one of the more damaged towers (using her Animagus form to help), and setting up systems, schedules and teaching plans. She happened to be in her element of planning.

Helga enjoyed the thriving atmosphere but wasn't a fan of those there just to make money. She relished those people that offered their help. Her family (who had come to stay in the village) helped where they could (meaning the twins caused mischief that most actually enjoyed). Helga worked mostly on the ground levels and kitchen area, as well as making sure everything was child-safe and that Godric's plans didn't get too out of hand.

Godric loved all the attention everything was getting, and he stepped into the leadership role with ease (the others were all too happy to let him). When he wasn't busy working on defences for (and exploring) the grounds and the castle, or rebuilding the rest of said castle – mainly the great hall and the tower he had claimed, he would go and socialise with the people of the village. It was Godric that provided the village with a great source of profit by buying things there – much to the displeasure of Salazar, and the amusement of Helga.

One such thing Godric came back with; was a large hat. It was a muggle version of a wizard's hat that the young knight had bought from an 'odd-bods' stall. Rowena and Salazar had attempted to reason with Godric about it, but Helga told them that give him a few days and he would get bored with it.

He never got bored with the hat.

*/*/*

Rowena tapped her quill against the table in irritation; Salazar and Helga were at the meeting (set in a little room just off the Great Hall), but Godric was late. Admittedly only by two minutes but still! The door from the Great Hall opened to reveal a tall figure in a red cloak with his new wide brimmed pointy hat. "Man you guys wouldn't believe how many pigs there are out there!"

Rowena rolled her eyes "They are called warthogs, Godric-"

"Yeah, that new bar is calling itself the 'Hogshead', it is fantastic! You guys have got to come down there one day, there's so much life! They have this great stuff called Butterbeer, don't worry Helga it's non-alcoholic and ..."

"You're late."

Godric stopped babbling and gave Rowena a hurt look and she had to work hard to keep her face stern. Which became difficult when Godric took on a 'kicked-puppy' look and muttered sombrely "Sorry Rowena" and took his seat; perhaps a little bit more dejectedly than necessary. She however managed to ignore it (on the outside) and continued speaking.

"Thank-you, now that we are all here, we can start this meeting. Last week we decided that I will teach Charms and Transfiguration, Sal will teach Potions and Arithmancy, Helga – Herbology and Runes, Godric will take Defence and Care of Magical Creatures, and my husband Richard has offered to teach History and Astronomy, which we voted to accept.

We still have to name the school; Godric is still wearing his ridiculous hat and-"

"It is NOT ridiculous!"

"AND we need to talk about which students we take; especially at first. Obviously students will need to be enthusiastic about education ..."

Salazar interrupted her "Enthusiastic about education? No students enjoy education, no what we need is those of pure-blood and with the cunning and ambition to ..."

Godric forgot about his pouting at the insults to his hat and his sorrow for making Rowena mad, and joined in the argument "Don't be silly Sal – we're inviting everyone; but they are going to have to be brave – to survive at school, full of courage and honour."

Helga shook her head "Would you listen to yourselves? Arguing over what kind of students we will teach, for shame on all of you ... I will take the lot and treat them just the same.* Regardless of whether they be they brave, smart or cunning."

She nodded to each of the others as she said the last bit with a stern voice. Godric jumped up from his seat at her words "Helga that's it – you're a genius!" The others gave him wary looks; whenever Godric had an idea – he had an idea, always an over-the-top grand idea.

"We'll separate the kids into four groups – houses! The Slytherin house for the cunning and ambitious! The Ravenclaw house for the highly intelligence! The Gryffindor house for the brave and courageous!"

Salazar groaned at the thought of many people with Gryffindor personalities. Helga however eyed Godric with interest and hidden amusement. "And what of the Hufflepuff house? Do we just get the leftovers?" Godric shook his head; still beaming "Nope, Helga you get the best of the best – loyal, hardworking, fair and the best cooks in the entire world."

Helga gave in and laughed "oh Sweetie, I don't think all those in my house will be great cooks." Godric frowned but his blue eyes twinkled merrily at his idea. Salazar looked rapidly between the two of them, then turned to Rowena who looked as though she were contemplating the idea. Salazar groaned "You cannot be serious about actually going to make these 'houses'?"

A glance went around the four then Godric let out an excited "Yep!" Helga smiled affirmative and Rowena nodded thoughtfully, Salazar sighed then smirked "Fine but I'm not organising it."

Rowena was pulled out of her musing. "Oh please as if I'd let you deal with something like that. I will organise the class schedules and ..." she trailed off as a thought occurred to her "how are we going to sort them? Because we cannot just look at them and choose who we have, and what happens after we die? And we have to find a fair way otherwise everything will be ... will … will not work!" she ended with wide-eye desperation.

Everyone looked at Godric. Despite Rowena being labelled the 'intelligent one'; it was Godric who came up with the best and most creative ideas, they could be wild and over-the-top, but they could also on occasion be helpful. Sometimes they were good ideas, sometimes his craziness managed to get the others thinking of better option, he didn't disappoint.

"Well we could always hold an elaborate test that will point out what characteristics they have – We could have this huge awesome course and..."

Helga placed a hand firmly on Godric's shoulder "Sweetie they are going to be eleven year old children, we are not putting them through an obstacle course – especially on their first day." Godric shrugged undeterred "fair enough" they all fell into a thoughtful silence for a few moments before Godric started to grin again.

"I have it!" he pulled off his hat and sat on the table in between the four of them. The other three stared at him and the hat in confusion, this caused the young knight to grin even more broadly. "In the muggle world they use this trick where they put names into a hat and pull them out to organise them."

Salazar raised an eye-brow "You expect us to use a muggle trick?"

"Well not exactly … I say we enchant this hat to be alive and know that mind-reading thing you can do Sal-"

"You mean legillmency?"

"Yeah that, and then the hat can decide where they go." He beamed but everyone else was still staring at him in shock.

"What?" Rowena was staring at Godric as though he was insane "What! What! Do you know what you're asking! You want us to make an inanimate object sentient! To teach it legillmency! How to talk! Do you even comprehend the magnanimous task this would be? It is completely and utterly improbable!"

Rowena collapsed back onto her seat; exhausted from her 'freak-out' and Helga started to smirk to herself' her best friends had just presented Godric with a challenge, which meant it would be completed.

Godric continued to grin at Rowena as he responded "But not impossible right?"

Rowena gaped at him "Godric Gryffindor, are you completely serious in this?" he nodded "Come on Ro – you're the smartest person ever! If anyone can do it – you can, and Sal can teach it how to look into the minds of everyone, and Helga can teach it how to be fair, it could work – we just won't know until we try. Please."

Rowena glared for a moment then sighed. Neither she nor Salazar had ever worked out how to say no to Godric when he said please like that (big innocent eyes with a hopeful smile), Helga could but only because she had very cute but very mischievous twins. Much to the others' slight irritation; Helga did not usually disagree with Godric or his ideas. And now that she was over her initial 'freak-out' and was once again thinking calmly, Rowena had to admit that she was looking forward to the challenge.

"Alright then, let us see what we can do."

*/*/*

Rowena took the hat to work on it in secret and the creating of the school continued. During their travels, Rowena had kept a log of children they suspected of being magic. In a hidden room of one of the towers, she set up a book and quill to write down the names of all wizarding children; planning for the future to have a clean list of accepted students. Everything started to move at a fast pace and soon the castle was looking more like a castle than a ruin.

Godric did keep his promises, to the Centaurs and to Aurora. Godric had returned to the Centaurs and they had found their way to the forest. No one could really tell for sure, but they seemed satisfied with the arrangement. As for Aurora; well the other three had tagged along, and Salazar felt it had been a rather amusing thing to watch.

They had arrived at the clearing that the bandits had once occupied. They were walking to the Thatcher's house, Godric had slowly ceased talking, when they got in sight of the door he suddenly froze. "You know what maybe this isn't a good day to do this, maybe we should come back to tomorrow."

Salazar smirked "Godric Gryffindor – do you mean to tell me that you – who has never shied away from anything; ever, is scared of talking to a lady?"

"Scared? No Of course not. I'm Godric Gryffindor, I'm not scared of anything!" He boldly took a step forward then once again stopped. "I am however terrified." He swung around and started to walk in the wrong direction but Rowena and Helga grabbed his arms to stop him from running away. Salazar sniggered to himself.

Helga stared at Godric incredulously "Godric you guys have been sending letters to each other since we left them! How can you be afraid? You love her right?"

Hesitantly Godric nodded – looking even more terrified at admitting this. Helga continued "Well I know for a fact that she loves you too, so what is there for you to fear?"

"What if her dad doesn't let me court her? What if the letters were actually lost and it wasn't her writing? What if she says no! You know what; I think there is something over there that needs my immediate attention."

Godric struggled to leave Helga and Rowena remained in his way; and Rowena tried her turn at talking to him.

"Godric, Helga is quite right, and besides aren't you always saying that 'it is not about finding the courage to face your fears, but finding the courage to at least try because ..."

"... Nothing can be achieved unless you try" finished Godric, "That is very wise advise and everyone should follow it but that thing over there really needs my at...tent...ion"

He trailed off on the last word and stood staring at something the others couldn't see. His gaze had caught a tiny dew drop that was falling off a leaf, a beam of sunlight gleamed through it as it fell making it sparkle for a moment. Somehow this caused Godric to remember the night they had stayed with the Thatchers.

*/*/*

Godric and Aurora had quietly slipped away from the house while the others were busy talking, and they were now lying in a small clearing looking up at the stars.

"What do you suppose they are?" Aurora had asked, Godric shrugged "Ro thinks that they are gasses and bodies of stars and galaxies that burning or shining millions of miles away. Helga thinks that stars are the spirits of those departed watching over us, and Sal thinks that a wizard cast a spell so that a giant blanket would cover the sky at night – with holes in it. Or at least that's what he once told me."

"And what do you think?"

"... Hope ... Each star is a pinprick of light against darkness, a darkness that swallows up the sun – the biggest symbol of hope there is. Yet each and every day, the sun returns and in the night we still see light. For me any light no matter how small it may appear – it always reminds me that there is hope in the world and as long as there is hope then evil will never win. It sounds silly I know, but the physicality 'what they actually are' doesn't mean as much to me, as what they are to me."

Aurora smiled at him and took his hand "I don't think it sounds silly at all. Promise me something Godric; don't lose your hope. No matter what scenario you find yourself in, keep your hope alive." He squeezed her hand and smiled into her own starlit eyes

"I can't promise that I will always have hope, but I promise to always remember this and to try – no matter what happens."

*/*/*

Godric nodded at his memory and abruptly turned around and marched to the door. Rowena and Helga steadied themselves and Salazar just sniggered at them as they glanced at each other in confusion. Godric knocked on the door, Migale opened the door and before his courage could desert him Godric open his mouth and let out a rush of words.

"Mister Thatcher, I would like your permission to court your daughter, I -" he stopped as Aurora stepped out of the doorway "Finally – we thought you were going to stay out here forever."

After that Salazar felt things had gotten too fluffy and sickeningly sweet, Godric and Aurora being lost in each other's eyes. Eventually though, they returned to the castle with the girl in tow. She was to be apprenticed to a friend of Helga's as a nurse for the school, as healing was the skill Aurora had successfully mastered of her magic. Over time Aurora stepped out of her shell, she was always there to patch Godric up when he became injured, and then to scold him for being in a position to get injured, much to the enjoyment (relief) of his friends.

End of Chapter Ten.

Author's Note:

Here this chapter ends.

*Notice a familiar quote? ;-)

If you have read this, then thank-you.

I will update whenever I update.

Friday 27th October 2017.