Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. All rights go to respective owners.

Accidental Friendships

Magic was real, and her already terrible day just went from bad to worse.

After her rushed escape across the barren hills of the Highlands early that morning, her silk dress, as well as her emotions, were in tatters. She had not stopped running all day, her uncontrolled magic violently transporting her further and further into the wilds. The sun had just started setting when she had barely managed to restrain the power inside her. All she had wanted at that point was to find a safe place to spend the night; a safe place to spend the night alone.

Fate had provided her a sanctuary. A castle — that was honestly more ruin than welcoming home — had appeared on the horizon. She had wearily fought the beating magic that was trying to escape her, and had begun the trek to the structure.

But her luck had apparently long since run out. She currently found herself facing down the dangerous glow of a lethal wand tip. The wand pressed against her heart, forcing her to take one step back, then two; she felt herself become backed into a corner. The crumbling stone sharply pushed into her back.

She held her head high and glared at the dark-haired young man, who had dared threaten her.

Rowena Ravenclaw bowed to no one.

"What are you doing in my castle?" he snarled. When she did not answer, the wand glowed a brighter green. "I said: What are you doing in my castle?"

"Nothing," Rowena snapped back. She was tired and hungry; she had lost what little patience she had long ago. "And I will gladly leave! I would rather take my chances in the cold and with wildlife, than deal with your poor attitude."

The man narrowed his eyes and opened his mouth to speak, when he was cut off by the sound of running footsteps. Seconds later, a young man — taller than both of them and with flaming red hair — burst into the corridor. He held a gleaming sound in his hands. A woman, perhaps a year younger than Rowena's own fifteen years of age, appeared off to the side.

"Salazar!" the younger woman gasped. "What are you doing?"

"I was going to take care of this nosy Muggle," he replied waspishly. The man with the sword moved to stand behind Salazar, and Rowena felt something inside her snap.

Magic brutally lashed out. Salazar's wand flew out of his hand, his eyes widened in shock, and the two men were thrown back into the opposite wall. A second pulse of magic pushed them up the stone, until they were suspended a few feet off the ground.

There was shocked silence, and then the red-haired man started snickering.

"Godric, I fail to see how this is humorous," Salazar muttered petulantly. The other man just laughed harder.

"A new witch got the drop on you!" he chuckled. "And it looks like she might be more powerful than you, too!"

"No one is more powerful than me!" Salazar retorted, his eyes narrowed.

"Fine," Rowena interrupted. "Then get yourself down. I simply need a place to sleep. This is the second time someone has tried to kill me today, and I am tired."

And with that, she turned and left the corridor. She heard footsteps behind her, as the other woman ran up.

"My name is Helga," she said warmly. "I can show you a place to sleep. Just tell me one thing: Why leave them up there?"

"I cannot get them down," Rowena admitted to her new friend. "I do not know how. Yet."

Prompt (Scavenger Hunt — The Golden Snitch): 'A few people are obsessed with the Founders Era lately. Why not join them?'

Word Count (not including story title and author's notes): 598