Truthfully none of them had known it would take three long years for the school to be complete, but it had. Three long years, and it would seem that everything in that time had changed. And not always for the best.

"We've had this discussion many times before, and yet it always seems to happen once more!" Helga sighed as she rested a hand on her swelling stomach; pregnancy had given her a ethereal glow and a biting attitude. "Well I am tired of it!" Godric sent his pregnant wife a sideways glance, unwilling to argue with her, or even agree, given that either way she was likely to snap at him for it. "In all honesty I don't care what kind of students come here – as long as they want to be here!"

"Helga, really, as well as intentioned as you are, are you really suggesting we accept muggleborns?" Salazar drawled, he was close to earning himself a curse from the irate pregnant woman, but he looked calm as he reclined in his chair.

"I don't see why not, Salazar," Rowena chimed in. "As long as they have the intelligence to learn from us-"

"Intelligence or not, we shouldn't be selective – a magical child is a magical child!" The three friends were silent as her rant finished, looking at each other than Helga awkwardly as he remain in her seat, arms crossed over her chest, face set into a look that threatened them against challenging her, but none were quite willing to totally agree with her. "FINE! Have your little selections, each of you, and I'll take whoever is left!"

"Are you suggesting we segregate our students?" Rowena asked tentatively, she adored Helga but she was uncertain if this was the baby growing in her stomach or an actual sane idea.

"If that's what it takes to make sure we provide for each child that needs an education? YES!"

That was how it had been decided that they would each have their own house, they would have the chance to each select from the students each year, those that they believed would be best suited for their own purposes. Salazar was certain that he wanted those only of pure blood, and little would sway him otherwise, Rowena insisted on those of the greatest intelligence, Godric however was no so certain what he looked for in his students, Helga had assured him he'd know when he saw it. And Helga herself would take anyone else.

It was not ideal, Godric realised quickly, separating the students. Truthfully his father, King Arthur, had expressed his own concerns over the decision to split the students in this way, however between the four of them not agreement could be made all together, so perhaps it was their only option.

"You have then only the option to make the best of this, Godric," Arthur stated as his clapped his son on his back. It was almost odd for Godric, to be sat in his high backed seat with his father beside him, still he held himself like the man of power he was – but once shining ebony hair was now streaked with grey. His mother was there too, still the ethereal beauty she always was, there were now wrinkles in the corner of her beautiful brown eyes. And no one could really accuse his sister Clarine of being a child any longer; she was now eleven years old and held herself like the young woman she was becoming. She was the image of their mother, large dark eyes, pale skin and flawless complexion, all topped with a man of the darkest brown hair. "We want to ask of you a favour, to educate your sister Clarine, your mother and Merlin have done a fine job to now, however as you have expressed no interest in running our world after my passing, it is a responsibility that will fall to Clarine and the husband she picks. As such, I want her to be educated to the fullest."

"Are you sure?" Godric asked, almost sceptically. It was uncommon for women to be educated, though not due to lack of willingness, but a muggle influence.

"Yes, though with this split, it shall be interesting which one of you takes her as your own… Out of curiosity how are you naming the split?"

"Houses," Rowena piped up, looking almost sheepish when she realised she had in fact spoken, redness hinted on her cheeks. "While our students are within our car,e they should feel as if they are at home… So houses."

A smile came over Guinevere's face at the idea, she took her daughters face in her hands and kissed the top of her head, before she moved towards her son, her hand on his cheek with a loving smile.

"I think you may be more prepared for fatherhood then your own father was concerned," His mother told him fondly, a warm and wide smile on her face. She moved towards Helga, entwining her arm with the young pregnant woman's. "So tell me, how have you been feeling?"

"So that's why you brought Clarine?" Godric questioned as he showed his father around the castle. "For her to be taught here? Is this a test?"

"You love your sister dearly, Godric," Arthur stated as they wandered along the long stone corridor. "I wish to see nothing but success in your future with this school, and I wish nothing but success for Clarine when she takes my place… I am tackling two birds with one stone. You will not allow this school to fail while it is responsible for Clarines education, and no man can doubt Clarine if she has an actual education. In truth, it is a small… nothing… one that I will not pretend your mother did not come up with herself, in which we are forcing the hand of success on both our children."

"Forcing the hand of success…" Godric replied sceptically, before laughing, his father also looked amused. "Mother can't help but meddle can she?"

"Your wife is bringing into the world our first grandchild, there is nothing your mother will not do to ensure your success," Arthur replied with amusement and fondness heavy in his voice, his love for his wife evident. "Ensuring Clarines alongside it is just your mothers ingenious."

Nodding, Godric understood, Arthur was a brilliant make and a great leader, but without his mother, without Guinevere, Godric doubted that his father would have made it nearly as far as he had. She could be very convincing and quite terrifying. She was not a woman to be crossed.

"I'm concerned…"

"If you weren't I'd be concerned." Godric looked to his father who smiled at him. "Arrogance comes before a fall, self-doubt shows that you care for what you are doing, which will bring you further than any assurance you will do it anyway. Self-doubt forces you to work harder, identify what does not work and fix it. Self-doubt is your saviour."

As his words dawned over him, Godric could see what his father was saying, though it was not exactly reassuring.

"You will figure it out, son," Arthur told him finally. "You don't have much other choice."