Author's Note:
So far it seems to be alright. Thank-you to those that have and/or are reading this.
OLD AN – I am probably going to lose all you amazing readers with this chapter.
OLD WARNING – IF YOU ARE CHRISTIAN OR RELIGIOUS OR CHURCH GOING DO NOT I REPEAT DO NOT READ THIS CHAPTER.*
*Still valid.
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 Thirteen - The First Fight.
The house-elves (such dear little creatures; always eager to give the best possible service) had created a feast fit for a king, Rowena's magic on the hat and the hall had been appropriately adored, Godric had not stopped his infectious grin the whole night – so much that even Sal had let his expression soften slightly. And she, Helga Hufflepuff, had ten new children to look after; something she was determined to do well. Yes this school was definitely off to a good start.
*/*/*
The first year was a blur, and a learning experience for involved. They learned what worked (Rowena's scheduling), what needed improvement (the point system), what rules needed to be added ('boys not allowed into girls' dormitory' ... although Salazar suspected that girls were actually just better at not getting caught), and how to deal with running a school (such as how to manipulate Godric into NOT punching a rude parent). It hadn't been perfect, but it had been a good year.
Things moved on and the school continued to work, and despite Godric being a magnet for trouble, things were relatively peaceful. As the years went by the school grew and became more stable. At least at the school, unfortunately outside forces were starting to get darker and more desperate. For a time though the four pretended to ignore the darkness that was creeping in.
*/*/*
Rowena smiled as she sipped her tea – it was the weekend and thanks to her splendid organisation skills (if she did say so herself) she had already marked all the assignments and for once, she had a brief moment all to herself. She mentally applauded herself, and Helga and Salazar for convincing (tricking/forcing) Godric into accepting the formal title of 'Headmaster'. It meant he had to deal with all the trouble and most of the paper-work.
Flashback
"What's this?"
The three smiled at Godric's confusion, as he stared at the piece of paper declaing him the official Headmaster of Hogwarts; with his signature (He would never know how they got that). Rowena smirked and spoke slowly. "This, is the document stating that you are the Headmaster of Hogwarts."
Godric exhaled exasperatedly "I can see that, but what?"
Rowena rolled her eyes "Godric, we need to name one person as the 'Headmaster', and as this is your school we decided you get the title." He gaped "What in Merlin's name do you mean? This is our school, not just mine - why am I the one in charge. Wouldn't any of you do a better job?"
Helga raised an eye-brow "Do you really want Sal to be in charge of the school?"
Godric shrugged "I'm sure Sal could do a good job."
Salazar, who was lounging in the background shot Godric a horrified sneer. "I have no desire to deal with the brats' problems, or their parents, or the Board, or all that paperwork, or the publicity, or anything else thank-you very much."
"I'm sure you could do a good job job Sal."
Salazar started to roll his eyes at Godric then stopped and smirked "Well, in that case I suggest we bring in whips and chains as punishment, and maybe ..."
As Salazar knew he would, Godric interupted him frantically "Okay, so Sal shouldn't be Headmaster. Why can't one of you ladies do the job?"
Helga laughed "Because I am far too busy with the kitchens and caring for the plants, if you want to cook Godric then by all means ..." It was an empty challenge/offer of course - for all Godric's talents; cooking was not one of them.
Godric turned to Rowena who smiled indulgintly "Godric, I am content to help with the paper work and the organisation aspects, but being a Headmaster requires caring about more than just the students' academic skills. Apparently."
"But-"
Helga interrupted Godric with a note of finality. "Godric, We all gave this a lot of thought and voted that you have the title; It's only only in name if that makes you feel better, but you have a duty to the school - are you going to neglect your duty."
Salazar and Rowena sucessfully hid their smirks; appealing to Godric's sense of duty was always a way to to win against Godric. This time was no exception; though the Knight made sure to grumble about it; before he was called away to deal with a situation. The truth (known to all except Godric) was that Godric just fit into the Leadership role more naturally, and the others were happy to let him.
Salazar gave his version of a laugh, as he watched Godric leave "I bet you both fifty galleons each, it'll take him fifty years to realise he's been Headmaster since the school opened. It is fun to watch him do all the work though."
*/*/*
Rowena smiled at the memory; things had been ... simpler then. Things recently were starting to feel a little tense. So far though, her day had been good.
Salvadore Slytherin – who was in his third year Hogwarts (in Slytherin house of course), had just left her quarters. Rowena enjoyed drinking tea with Sal's son – he quite often came and asked questions on anything and everything. Rowena was always happy to give her students extra lessons and enjoyed helping to enhance the boy's inquisitive mind, despite him having his father's disposition for cruelty at times.
Of course thinking about Sal's kid got Rowena thinking of her own seven year old Helena. Her beautiful daughter had been born within the summer holidays between the first and second years of Hogwarts. Rowena loved her daughter … but it was always awkward between them. Rowena would admit, if only to herself, that she just didn't know much about being a mother, it was more difficult than Rowena's intellect could master.
Helga always reassured her though, and as she often said – As long as Rowena always tried her best and always made sure to tell Helena that she loved and was proud of her, then Helena would hopefully always understand that.
Speaking of Helga – the door opened to reveal the plump, happy little witch holding a handful of letters.
"Ro, there you are; I have the letters Henry sent and knew you like to read the news. But have you been hiding in here by yourself all day?"
"Of course not Helga, - I had breakfast didn't I? And why this morning I visited Godric to remind him of the paper work he, as Headmaster, needs to do."
"Let me guess, Godric gave you the whole speech of 'I'm not the sole Headmaster of this school, the title was only a piece of paper – Hogwarts was created by all four of us and we are all equal. We share responsibility and I am not better than anyone' speech - again.'"
"I am impressed your Godric impression. It is almost better than the real thing. I worry about that boy at times; I also wonder when he will realise that this is his school. We do love Hogwarts, but he's the Headmaster."
"He'll probably only accept it when his grand-children have grand-children."
Rowena laughed; enjoying the light hearted humour with her best friend and took the paper from Helga saying "Anyway after I saw Godric, Salvadore came in wanting to know all about Apparating."
Helga laughed as she shook her head "That boy – I swear he wants to know everything before he finishes school … Although it may be a good thing; as Hogwarts might not survive my Twins when they start next year."
Rowena didn't answer but stared at the paper in her hands with horror.
"Ro? Rowena?"
The Ravenclaw snapped her head up and asked urgently "Has either Sal or Godric seen this?" Helga looked confused before reading what the paper said; she only needed to read two words before she too was sporting an expression of horror.
"I don't know. Oh I hope not that would be-" Before Helga could finish they heard Godric's voice shout out in the hallway.
"NO SAL! WE ARE NOT BANNING MUGGLE-BORNS FROM ATTENDING HOGWARTS!"
Rowena and Helga groaned. This was something that had been building for weeks – ever since the Stature of Secrecy had been passed, but they both had hoped the explosion would not be where any students would see them … Unfortunately that wasn't to be.
Quickly they both left Rowena's office and pushed their way through the throngs of students that were forming to stare at two of their teachers.
Salazar was sneering a worse sneer than his usual one. His anger, while far less impressive than Godric's, was still filled with the same stubbornness.
"Why not, Godric? We need to hide from these … muggles. These muggle-borns will lead to nothing but trouble! And with all this 'Witch Burnings' that are happening -"
"YOU KNOW PERFECTLY WELL THAT REAL WITCHES ARE SAFE FROM IT – Like Helga's friend Wendelin, BUT IT IS THE MUGGLES THAT ARE BEING MURDERED BECAUSE OF THIS … AND I CAN'T DO ANYTHING TO SAVE THEM! I can't save them Sal."
Rowena winced – when the news of the witch burnings had first been heard, Godric had gone to visit the Muggle King in hopes of persuading him to put a stop to it. But the King had been different to the one that had knighted Godric. This new King was polite but was not friendly with Godric. Rowena had never seen Godric so – defeated as when he had returned from that meeting; she knew that if he had a choice he would protect every single being on the planet and not being able to do so was torture for him.
Godric continued speaking; no longer shouting, but his words were still heard by everyone surrounding them.
"Because of this new law of secrecy – pureblood and half-bloods should be safe; even if they do get caught they will know how to cast a 'basic Flame-Freezing-Charm'* and will be safe. But muggles cannot do that, and muggle-borns won't know how to - if we don't teach them. That is why we cannot ban them. I will teach them to defend themselves so that at least some innocents are saved."
Salazar sighed, still trying to win the argument.
"Godric – it is those Christians that are doing this, and if we let muggle-borns in then there is a great possibility that they will cause Hogwarts to fall."
"It's not the churches fault Sal. It is all because that one Christian got hexed by a witch and he asserted his authority and is now abusing his power; making the church corrupt, but it's not their fault-"
Salazar rolled his eyes; Godric was just determined to see good in everyone. He muttered "From all accounts that man started it."
"I don't care who started it! The consequences of it are devastating and tearing all worlds apart. But I am going to continue to teach people to defend themselves – be they pureblood, half-blood, mutant, half-breed or muggle-born! Whether you approve or not."
Rowena saw Helga leave the crowd to stand beside Godric.
"As will I, I am with you Godric."
Rowena sighed but stepped forward to stand on the other side of the Knight, she tuned to face Salazar and said softly, but firmly. "Godric is quite right Salazar, we can not close the school to one portion of our students – no matter what is happening in the world."
No need for her to mention to Salazar that she suspected that in the future the population of the school will be made up of mostly muggle-borns and half-bloods.
Salazar huffed outnumbered. "Fine. Keep the school open to them – but if they bring any of that religious nonsense into this school and cause any trouble don't say I didn't warn you." Godric nodded "I will personally take responsibility for any trouble caused by muggle-borns."
"I'll hold you to that." Salazar turned and stalked away (heading to his chamber of secrets – though no-one knew that). There was a slight feeling of unease, in the past the response would have been a joking 'you are the trouble'. There was a tangible rip within the friendship that had started to appear.
Helga sent the students back out into the sun, distracting them with reminders of having to study. Rowena sighed; she wished that the fight had not ocurred in front of students. She was sure a rift would start to form between muggle-borns and purebloods … Godric was right 'the consequences of two human's actions could be far too devastating.
*/*/*
Cold eyes watched as the Four Founders left. They had taken note of everything that had been said … or not said, and that information was stored away for a time in the future when it could be hopefully used to bring about the destruction of the enemy. A smirk graced the face of the one with nothing but darkness in their soul and silently the figure left unobserved.
End of Chapter Thirteen.
OLD AN –
*In the book Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter One; Owl Post J. K. Rowling writes.
"Non-magic people (more commonly known as Muggles) were particularly afraid of magic in medieval times, but not very good at recognizing it. On the rare occasion that they did catch a real witch or wizard, burning had no effect whatsoever. The witch or wizard would perform a basic Flame-Freezing Charm and then pretend to shriek with pain while enjoying a gentle, tickling sensation. Indeed, Wendelin the Weird enjoyed being burned so much that she allowed herself to be caught no less than forty-seven times in various disguises."
I put this in as I get sick of people making Salazar have a sympathetic reason for why he hated muggle-borns – WITCHES AND WIZARDS WERE SAFE, MUGGLES WERE NOT! I am allowed to be mad about this because had I lived in that time – I would have been burnt at the stake for having red-hair.
I'm not saying Salazar is bad (I mean in this story he is practically good*) but still you can't make him sympathetic for the most common reason.
Anyway sorry if I offended anyone, but this chapter needed to be written; partly for the above reason, and partly for the very last paragraph of this chapter – I wonder if anyone will guess the villain of this story before they are revealed? Probably.
If you still want to read this story and still like it then you are absolutely amazing so thank-you.
New Author's Note:
Here this chapter ends.
*Just don't tell Sal that, he'll set his snakes on you.
If you have read this, then thank-you.
I will update whenever I update.
Thursday 16th November 2017.