A/N: There you go, a Christmas chapter two months after Christmas. XD Look, I had originally written this on Christmas Eve, so it kinda counts. Kinda. XD
Disclaimer: I don't own HP.
Chapter 21: A Holiday
All four founders had contrasting styles of teaching in order to run their classes, yet all four succeeded in expanding the students' knowledge. Godric tended to oversee mock duels among the students; Helga ensured that she spent a few days on each particular lesson; Rowena often turned to books from the library as her guide; and Salazar observed and corrected while choosing favorites. Like their methods, each had differing opinions on them, whether complimentary or constructive.
"Fine work teaching, I daresay, Rowena. Salazar proved insightful in choosing you. However, I wouldn't squander my time in the library. Apply what you know."
"Aye, Godric, I will be sure to stray from books…eventually."
"By the by," Rowena would add during the afternoon once they had all dismissed classes. "Helga, you are most helpful and benevolent toward all the students. Tis a noteworthy, wonderful quality deserving of recognition. I see no flaws in your method."
Helga would titter away into her hand. "Oh, Ro, please! I believe that the rest of us have fared excellently. But, Salazar, your insistence on picking favorites..."
"Tis not overly noticeable," Salazar would dismiss, snorting carelessly. "If some of my students just so happen to exceed in my Potions class..."
In order to admonish him, Rowena would click her tongue. "Oh, do be quiet, Salazar. No need to give us a lecture."
And always she would say something like this to tease her current beau, who knew not to be offended by her scolding. He would merely smirk at her but would come up with something witty afterwards to retaliate. Oddly enough, their battle of words would often end in a searing kiss. Both of them claimed that this was used simply as a tactic to silence each other. Secretly, in their heart of hearts, they knew otherwise. How could they properly exchange such clever words when they mainly concentrated on their lips? Godric and Helga, very much aware of the relationship blossoming between Rowena and Salazar, could only laugh and smile at their two lovestruck friends. Overall, it was quite a happy time at Hogwarts.
Upon the nearness of the holiday (for three months simply flew by, especially with all of them thus preoccupied with their work), the founders mutually agreed on giving their students a fortnight to spend the Christmas holiday with their families. Also, they themselves felt that they had earned a well-deserved break. One particular evening, Helga merrily hummed as she placed certain objects in her traveling bag. She planned on spending Christmas Day with the Hufflepuff brood in Wales, which she incessantly talked about with Rowena.
"The Hufflepuff Christmas feast is simply not to be missed. I am most eager to reunite with my kith and kin. I would marry, if Hogwarts wasn't my one true love."
Rowena laughed, empathizing with her friend's excitement. "Hogwarts would be on a higher pedestal than a man."
At least to Helga, she slyly thought with a lingering smile. Though for the longest while, she had considered being wed to her work as well. If Salazar hadn't proven himself to be the insistent, obstinate suitor he was...And yet she felt forever grateful toward him.
As though reading her thoughts, Helga smiled teasingly. "But, ah, perhaps it is no longer so for you, dear Ro. It is clear that Salazar has won your heart."
"Indeed he has," she admitted softly, without a trace of embarrassment. "It is almost a blessing that my family told me they would be dining with the family of Lucrecia's betrothed."
"Why say you so? Are you not joining them?"
Rowena shook her head, though it had been a difficult decision to make on her part that she couldn't be there. "I would have...but then I thought of Salazar. He lost both of his parents by the time he became a man. He has no family. It is truly no matter for my part. I would have been horrendously dull at this particular Christmas feast."
"Oh no, do not speak of such things! But, I do understand why you shall remain here. Godric is to see loved ones as well. He will be with his wife and closest relations this Christmastide."
"Married?" Rowena perked up a curious brow, for she hadn't thought that such a rambunctious man like Godric would ever settle.
"Aye, this past year. Quite the happy couple. Well, I am off. Wales is further away than you may presume. Take care, Rowena. And a happy Christmas to you!"
"Happy Christmas to you as well, Helga!" Rowena called back as her dear friend bustled out of the room, making haste toward the Hufflepuff carriage that pulled up outside. What a merry, joyous occasion it was along with her absolute favorite time of year. And she would have loved to spend it with her family. But, she felt that Salazar required companionship for this holiday at the very least, considering his lack of relations. The other people he had become acquainted with over the years were dreadful aristocrats. Simply, Rowena would be at his side to convince him to enjoy Christmas for once in his dreary life. Merlin knew how much he needed it.
As she observed that golden carriage moving toward the twilit horizon, she smiled, perfectly complacent to stay with Salazar.
Rowena savored the meat she daintily put in her mouth, ensuring that she would taste its succulent flavor.
"Ah, not even the servants at Eaglewood could have roasted a Christmas goose quite like this. The house elves have certainly outdone themselves this time," she remarked to the man sitting across from her. He appeared to be nowhere near as enthused.
Salazar merely nodded in his brisk manner. "Aye, the goose is quite good."
Only a "quite good"? And if she could, she would have tried fishing a "very delicious" comment out of him. That was regretfully not to be.
In regards to the elaborate Christmas dinner, Rowena had attempted to prevent it from taking place by persuading the house elves to take a day off. Those poor, overworked creatures were positively terrified over the mere thought. Some of them had promptly burst into tears, groveling at her feet as they begged her to behave mercifully toward them. Reluctantly, she had agreed with them. For, she knew they would refuse the articles of clothing she was willing to offer them. Besides, if the elves adored their drudgery this immensely, who was she to spoil it?
"Mmm...And the fig pudding tastes sublime, does it not?"
"...Not particularly, Rowena."
Hmph! She wondered why Salazar had been acting strangely all day.
Indeed, throughout the whole day, he insisted on creating excuses as to why he wasn't willing to partake in this holiday-themed activity or that. He was especially adamant about not placing Yule logs in the fireplaces, so Rowena had to perform that task by herself. And now, he utterly despised the dinner, judging by the blank, almost bored expression on his face. However, she thought devilishly, there was one thing that he surely could not avoid. Gifts. Why? Well, as clever as she usually was, she had managed to hang the goodie-filled stockings by the burning fire in Godric's common room while he had been out trudging in the snow. She planned on giving him the gift she had in store for him, whether he would accept it or not. After all, Rowena was just as stubborn as he, her polar opposite, could be.
"Enough of this dinner then," she announced to seemingly no one, though all the dishes soon vanished from sight. "Let us repose in Godric's tower room."
"Why ever there?" Salazar asked flatly, proving that he had no desire to do so.
"Tis a surprise! And if you do not follow, you shalt not receive it."
Sighing from weariness of this accursed day for the blithering idiots, he knew that he could not deny his beloved. Despite his hatred for today, he wished to maintain her blissfulness, for he would be loath to be the cause of possible feminine weeping. So, reluctantly, he strode alongside her toward the main stairway. He bleakly pondered over this wretched surprise.
If that lovely yet still irrevocably obstinate woman had made it snow upstairs, he would be most displeased. Holiday cheer was degrading, and he swore that Rowena stayed with him out of pity and not the pure intention of wanting him as a companion. It was preposterous that she should remain here and not with her family, whereas he, with so few known living relations, had no choice in the matter. Perhaps he envied her for having her options.
By the time they reached the tower and given the password at the fat lady's portrait (Canis lupus, as a matter of fact), Salazar smiled slightly upon witnessing no magical snow on the floor. But...Oh Merlin, the dratted laundry over the fireplace! What ruse was this?
Rowena's smile was far too beguiling. "I see you have noticed the stockings Helga and I have sewn."
The two women resolved to stitch these stockings as soon as early November, for they both knew (especially Rowena) that sewing was tedious, frustrating labor. Each stocking hung by the fireplace displayed each founder's House colors and embroidered initials. Helga jokingly suggested stitching each founder's family crest as well, but Rowena flatly said "nay" with pursed lips and pale, stricken countenance. As of now, the Christmas stockings were stuffed with small trinkets that all the members, excluding Salazar, had filled. The reason being, Godric alluded to the two young women, was that it was to be the Potions master's first Christmas. As a friend who held his best interests at heart, Godric did not wish for Salazar to respond with rage.
Nonetheless, unbeknownst to the others, Master Slytherin selected gifts for his friends as a sign of his gratitude. Of course, none would be aware until he gave Rowena her gift and Helga and Godric their gifts once they returned.
"I never heard of such a thing as stockings for Christmas before," he commented in wonderment, glimpsing upon his green stocking with silver trim. "Did you stitch this?"
In the meantime, Rowena seated herself on the blanketed couch and fiddled with the diadem perched on her head. "Is it so obvious? For, it did turn out quite horrendously."
"Quite the contrary." Salazar smiled half-heartedly before sitting next to her.
Settling themselves quite comfortably, intimately close to each other, they watched the crackling flames on the Yule log. Inexplicably, the fire seemed brighter than usual and more intense in its heat. A sense of romance warmed Rowena's heart as she looked up toward Salazar, who was intent on his contemplation.
She felt the urge to tell him a Christmas family recollection of sorts. "I remember when I was a little girl, my sister and I would both believe that St. Nicholas had come to fill our stockings the night previous. Once we discovered our gifts, we would both argue over who received the best ones. For, since we were young, we did have a tendency to quarrel over such matters."
A true smile less likely to fade appeared on his lips. "And did my Rowena gain the upper hand in these debates?"
His! He had called her his! An overwhelming joy swelled throughout her entire being that it was almost tangible. She laughed as she leaned her head against his shoulder.
"No one would triumph in the end, in all honesty. Mother and Father had had to distract us with the prospect of our relations arriving."
When Salazar chuckled gently as well, Rowena gazed into his green-flecked gray eyes and noticed genuine fondness for her in them. In that respect, she had changed him. He was vastly more open to laughing along with her. As he inwardly prepared to share his tale, however, his smile faded and the gleam in his eyes died. Privately, he dreaded revealing a fragment of his family history—his past—with her. She could spurn him at any moment.
"The existence of Christmas was unknown to me until I was five years of age, when five winters had elapsed. And that was merely to hear my father tell me that that particular holiday was not to be celebrated. I was to do as I pleased as long as I didn't disturb him. There were no Yule logs, no wreaths, no garlands...not a single trapping to be found at wretched old Greystone."
She listened to the slow, rhythmic beating of his heart, clasping his hand firmly in hers. "Oh, Salazar, that must have been a dreadful experience for you as a child."
Salazar snorted. "No pity should be taken on me. There was no love I could find in that castle."
But, he had her love now, and that was all that mattered in the world. It could help him weather through any trials. He rested his chin on her head for comfort.
Soon, she became angry on his behalf. "If that king hadn't been such a tyrant..."
"Hush," he murmured into Rowena's ear, embracing her lovingly. "The last words my father ever spoke to me were not only true but kind. Though he fought hard all his life to cast me aside, he still loved me...somewhere in his twisted heart."
At first, Rowena slightly recoiled from his arms, expecting him to berate her for disrespecting Ignatius' memory. Instead, he faintly smiled to assure her all was well before kissing her forehead. They remained like that until...
"Enough of this. I need to lift your spirits, I can see that." She stepped toward his stocking.
With a crafty smirk playing on his lips, Salazar tried peering over her shoulder and using Legilimency to penetrate her thoughts. But, she had blocked her mind to him. She improved with her Occlumency by the day. Twas a shame...
"I would advise that you close your eyes. I need not be persuaded to blindfold you."
How degrading! He sighed, "Very well, if this is absolutely..."
Rowena laughed in response, and he soon knew why. "You may open your eyes now. It wasn't going to take long in the slightest. I was only taunting you."
"You trickster...Oh."
Failing to notice that the gift had been pressed into his hand, Salazar glanced down.
It was exquisite and precisely what he requested as well, albeit off-handedly to Rowena one day whilst discussing their classes. He had referred to a certain knife of his that he had been using to chop and cut potion ingredients. Its blade had gotten dull with age, relatively useless for his devices as of late. What he held in his hand now was something he felt that he almost didn't deserve. Not only was the blade perfection, but the handle was particularly carved. It was made of a rich ebony wood with carvings of two serpents intertwined and the letter "S" above them. Rowena must have visited a craftsman for this, a rather skilled one at that. His face broke into the widest smile she had yet seen from him.
"My first Christmas gift," he murmured, allowing his eyes to travel along the sharp edges of the knife's blade. "I never dreamed someone would bestow to me something that is...so thoughtful. Thank you, Rowena."
She smiled modestly, though her eyes delightfully glowed. "I did hear you remark in passing on how much you needed a new one. I purchased it at the nearest village and went to a craftsman who specialized in wood carving. I hope it will be useful to you."
As Salazar traced the "S" on the handle, he replied, "Any gift from you makes it all the more useful."
Not only was he Parseltongued, Rowena thought to herself, he was certainly silver-tongued as well. It never ceased to amaze her how much he cared about the simpler things regarding her. He had meant it intentionally when he said he loved her.
As he draped an arm around her shoulders, Rowena found that she was content and in a place she knew to be right. In his arms, with his heartbeat at her ear, she found peace and a sense of comfort.
She was somewhat shocked when Salazar told her, "I also have a gift for you. This."
He gave her a tiny phial filled with a potion the color of melted gold. Rowena admired how it reflected the light and flames of the fire and was quite thrilled to realize that this was Felix Felicis, the luck potion.
"I have mastered brewing it at last." He attempted to veil the eagerness in his voice but was quite unsuccessful. "Twas one of the few potions I wished to create as a child yet could not for the complicated recipe. Now that I have it, I decided to give some to you."
If it was a potion he yearned for all his life, surely, he would have kept all of the quantity to himself. How kind of him to allow her to receive some for Christmas.
"Salazar...you did not have to..."
He held her even closer to him. "It was no trouble, my dear. I would have brewed a potion that would have improved your intelligence, but you needn't be in possession of that. For, your knowledge is vast and needs no expansion."
As she touched her diadem, Salazar gazed pointedly at it. "Nor do you need that blasted thing."
"But, I...require it for teaching my classes. I...ah...need to be the best at what I do."
And so that sense of insecurity Rowena harbored finally came to light, which quite embarrassed her. All the more reason for him to hold her more dotingly.
"There is no need of it, Rowena," he whispered gently. "No need at all."
He kissed her lips, cradling her face in his hands as he did so. What a perfect Christmas this had been, she thought as she kissed back. To have this man beside her near the fireplace was all she could wish for as a true gift. Could he be more idyllic in his wooing?
In her ear, he said huskily, "I would advise to use the potion sparingly. May you be fortuitous when you do partake in it. That is what I wish for you."
"You are too kind to me," Rowena commented with a smile.
He smirked in an almost tender way. "I am aware."
Thus, they spent the night on that couch, kissing and holding each other until sleep overtook them both.
A/N: I blame this on watching Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas about a month and a half ago on TV. XD Thus, why this chapter was probably fluffier than usual. Oh well, you guys probably don't mind at all. It was just something I wanted to write, because I really, honestly was in the Christmas spirit this year.
However, I say no comment about V-Day. Just...no.
Hope you liked this chapter!