The atmosphere is electric in the ministry of magic as the light of a beautiful summers day shines down from the ceiling of the atrium. The sparkling golden daylight showers a sea of humanity, the glow of the sun mirroring their beaming smiles as they file into the magnificent chamber. Today the ministry is buzzing with excitement andanticipation. It seems that every witch and wizard in Britain is in attendance as they engaged in lively conversations, the same words cascading from their lips in different variations "What do you think they're going to reveal? It has to be something big for the ministry to hold this grand event." As the flashbulbs burst from the cameras of the magical press documenting the occasion a tall, thin middle-aged wizard with a stern, intelligent yet joyous face appears from the elevator behind the security gates on the far side of the atrium. He is dressed in magnificent robes. Blue as the summer sky above them and just as beautiful. The flowing garment appearing to reflect the light in such a way that it seems to shimmer like a freshly polished diamond. The man is immediately surrounded by security as the magical press rush to his location. "Mister, Bōchord! The unspeakables of the Department of Magical Mysteries are usually very secretive about your work, yet today promised to release news that will shock the magical world. Does this mean a change in your department to more transparency under the new government?!" "Mister Bōchord! Are the rumours true?! Did your department find a cure for werewolf bites?!" "Mister Bōchord! Mister Bōchord!" They swarm around him, the flashes from the cameras exploding like fireworks in front of his face. The man unfazed never breaks his stride as he heads straight for a women with bushy brown hair tied into a bun in what is clearly a failed attempt at managing the unruly strands. He extends both of his hands to capture hers tightly while smiling broadly. His eyes seem to resemble half moon and his mouth contorts upward in a seemly painful position. "Madame Minister!" He says in a gruff baritone voice. She places her free hand on top of her trapped limb in his grip in a magnanimous manner "Mister Bōchord, Congratulations on your discovery. This will day echo through history because of your hard work. He dips his head to the left and gives her a slight bow "No, thank you Madame minister for allowing me to present this news to the wizarding world. The work my department deals with is usually very hush hush as you know. The public tends to forget about us and don't see our work as necessary but days like these." He saids gripping her hand even tighter than before, His face absolutely glowing with pride. "Days like these remind everyone my department is worth every knut we receive. Taking advantage of a slight lack of pressure the woman slips her hand free from his death grip "Well, mister Bōchord. Our administration is set on shinning a light on the people who preform extraordinary work. Even if that work is done in the shadows." She says with a put upon smile while massaging her hand in a attempt to restore blood flow. "Thank you Madame minister." He says while tilting his head to the left and slightly bowing again. "You have no idea what this will mean to me and my depart..." "Excuse me mister Bōchord. It's time for your speech." He is abruptly cut off by a small bespectacled witch with a clipboard tightly pressed to her chest in a high pitched mousey voice as she stares at the floor. Oh!...Your quite right...quite right Ophelia. I believe we've keep the wizarding world waiting long enough. If you'll excuse me minster." He says in a professional manner with yet another slight bow. "Yes, of course mister Bōchord" she says still massaging her hand as he turns and starts to make his way through the sea of people.
There's no question where he's heading. Members of the magical press start jockeying for position to get the best spot closest to the fountain of magical brethren, in front of which there appears to be a golden podium floating on the calm waters of the pool without any support. Ministry security clears a path as Mister Bōchord acknowledges the many people around him with subtle wave of the hand and head nods. Completely failing to suppress the smile that on his face as he makes his way through the crowd.
As he reaches the reaches his destination the water begins to flow over the sides of the pool completely undisturbed by its sudden mobility creating a perfect waterfall and with a flick of a wand from a ministry guard the overflowing water forms a staircase leading to the still waters of the basin above. Mr.Bōchord turns to acknowledge the crowd and gives a final wave as he reaches the aquatic staircase. Ministry security seals his path as he makes his way up the stairs. His every step creating ripples in the calm water beneath his feet as he makes his way to the golden podium, His tall frame seemingly gliding on top of the water. The excited crowd quiets down as he reaches the podium and turns to face eager throng. Raising his wand and flicking it in a V back and forth in the air he recites an incantation. "Nam omnia videre". Slowly water from the pool begins to rise behind Mr. Bōchord until it completely fills the space where the fountains statues once stood. On this newly created wall of water was Mr.Bōchord, magically projected on it's calm, smooth surface. Mr.Bōchord turns around to see the effects of his spell. Pleased with the results he then points his wand to his throat. " Sonorus" the sound of Mr.Bōchord's baritone voice echos through the atrium as he begins to speak. "Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guest and honored members of the press. I as most of you already know am Sortis Bōchord, head of the Department of Magical mysteries and I have been given the great honor of delivering this astonishing news that will change the wizarding world forever." You could hear a pin drop as Mr.Bōchord begins to lean forward onto the golden podium while smiling so broadly his features seem to shrink as his mouth expands. "A book!" It seems everyone listening to Mr.Bōchord's words where hit with confundus charms as they look around the atrium, seemingly scanning to search for answers as if it where a old friend who they've lost in the crowd. After several moments of bewildered silence one person in the crowd speaks "You can't be serious? A book? That's what this grand event is about?" a woman screams as her quick quotes quill hovers above her left shoulder, still in midair as if stunned by the announcement as well. Her words seem to snap the other members of the crowd out of their befuddled haze. Suddenly it seems everyone is speaking all at once as a deafening roar of voices fills the atrium. Their confusion turning to anger. With everyone speaking at once it's impossible to hear anything but fragments of many sentences. "I don't belie..., I wasted..., What's the minst..., A book... Mr.Bōchord's smile slowly fades as he sees the reaction his revelation has received. His booming, magically enhanced voice barely audible as he tries to elaborate. "Friends, please! If you would just listen! It's no ordinary book! Maybe I could have worded it differently but I got too excited." Frustrated he draws in as much air as his lungs can hold and screams as loudly as he can "The diary of Salazar Slytherin!" His voice cuts through the roar of voices as people turn their attention back to Mr.Bōchord. You could hear a pin drop once again as the visibly flustered Bōchord resumes his speech while adjusting his magnificent blue robes."Yes...this is no ordinary book but the last record of the legendary wizard Salazar Slytherin written in is own hand towards the end of his life. And we at the Department of mysteries have deciphered it."
"We first received this item as an gift from the Chinese ministry of magic. It was taken from the private collection of the muggle leader of China in 1976 after his death and according to the Russian ministry it was given to him from the muggle Russian leader in 1952. It seems it was taken as a trophy from the muggle leader of Germany after the second great muggle war as well. No one how it ended up being in the hands of muggles but no question it was enchanted with powerful dark magic that made any muggle who read it murderous and influential. Although it appeared to be a run of the mill book of philosophy it was clearly a product of the dark arts. This book was more than a little over the pay grade of the misuse of muggle artifacts so the task of unlocking it's secrets fell to my department." "40 years." Mr.Bōchord says with a sly smirk and a prideful, self congratulatory tug of his robes. "40 years we have worked to counter act the dark spells placed on this book but we have done it!" Imagine our shock when we removed the last spell and this book was revealed not to be an enchanted book of philosophy but the personal diary of one of the greatest wizards of all-time." Before he could finish his sentence a group of 5 ministry of magic security guards stroll onto the pool surrounding a book suspended in a gel bubble. The crowd gasps as they make their way to the podium. Mr.Bōchord turns to acknowledge the guards as a smile returns to his face then turns back to his captivated audience. "And I have been given the great honor of reading an excerpt. As the guards reach Mr.Bōchord he places the gel bubble on the podium and waves his wand. The gel bubble slowly evaporates revealing a worn leather bound book with a snake emblazoned on its cover. Extremely carefully he taps it with his wand. The snake on the cover coils in an attack position and strikes at the agitating wand again and again until Mr.Bōchord's voice hisses in parcel tongue "Open." The snake uncoils itself and slithers to the books spine. The book opens. Mr.Bōchord clears his throat and begins to read.
"Godric Gryffindor is dead. I find myself in disbelief even now as I recall his funeral which I attended today, Using the polyjuice potion that I learned from dear Rowena all those years ago. I sat there perplexed. How could this be? Impossible! Yet, I witnessed him with my own eyes. Laying cold, motionless, dead on display for the entire world to see. Witches and wizards surrounding his body in stunned silence on a cold, grey, morning. The atmosphere thick, somber as they laid him to rest. I guess everyone was in as much shock as was I. Godric always seem to shine as blindingly as the sun and no one could every imagine this world without his brilliant light. I knew the warmth and brilliance of Godric's light more than anyone. Most of the people surrounding his grave today were paying respect to his legend while I knew him as a man. I was by his side and proudly called him my brother once. Back when we were young and full of vigor. We shared the same dream back then. To create a world where every witch and wizard could live and grow free of our persecution. Not to be feared and attacked or used as weapons of war by others but to be truly free. To determine his or her own destiny without hiding our gifts. This was the dream we would debate about for hours. Almost as if we could speak about it into existence if we only discussed it for a bit longer. We traveled the countryside sharing our dream with any witch or wizard who would listen. This how we met Rowena and Helga. They joined our crusade. Godric always out in front being our guiding light. Our legend grew as we traveled around spreading our gospel of freedom until our own ambitions forced our separation but we had forged a bond that no amount of distance would have been able to break. Those days traveling with my friends were the happiest of my life.
"Years later, Me and my friends had become the most respected wizards of our time but of course Godric still outshone us all. To other wizards he was not a human anymore but a myth like the ancient heros of antiquity. To me he was still my brother. I kept in touch with all my friends by a clever system of sending letters delivered by owls that Rowena had bewitched with a spell of her own invention. It was also her idea to start a school for our people. She was already teaching witches simple spells and charms in a small trading post near her home in Scotland. Godric thought it would be a great benefit to our people and a fulfillment of our dream to start a school. One more grand than any other in the world and like moths to a flame witches and wizards from all over came flooding into that place. Purely by chance, our dream sprang up around our school. Hogsmeade, a place that was once a sleep little trading post became the place where our people could be free. It was brilliant to witness."
"We had done it. Our dream was a reality. Then "they" started showing up. Magical children from non magical families.I was against this violation from the start but I relented to my friends wishes as they decided to teach these trespassers. How dare they! These children have no loyalty to our people. They have loyalty to their kingdoms and families? What happens when their parents they come for us? The way they always have, the way they always will! I know the exact answer to that question. Genocide! We will fall as we are so few. Not only to their swords and spears but to our own spells. I fear our dream perishing more than I fear death. So began planning for the inevitable. In secret I began to construct our school's, our people's salvation. A way to pruge vermin from our midst when they make their move against us. Godric could sense I was up to something and confronted me in the great hall. He demanded that I tell him my plan. I didn't tell him. I only told my most trusted students. The short sighted fool stuck me and instinctively I grabbed my wand. That act broke something between us. Our months of mistrust and fighting had lead to this. I witnessed Godric's eyes change of those looking at a brother to one looking at an enemy. He drew his wand. I quickly conjured a giant 20 meter serpent and set up defensive charms. The serpent hissed and struck at him as Godric threw stunning spells at it. I laughed watching the great Godric Gryffindor running about. "What's wrong? Afraid of a little snake Godric?" I said with a glee. Seeing this man who doomed our people to death running like so many of our people have from them. Then Godric said something that still turns my blood cold to this day. he said my name but with a fury I've never heard. Gone were the stunning spells and in there sted was explosive blasts from his wand. With two explosive blasts my serpent was turned to ash. Then he turned to me. I've witnessed many of Godric's duels in the past but nothing prepared me for the onslaught of his wrath. The entire school shook to it's very foundation as he casted one powerful spell after another that engulfed the chamber with fire. The stone of the great hall began to melt and flames danced with a violent whip from his incantations as I struggled to defend against his agression. I pride myself on my defensive charms but my best spells were no match for his assault. My bones rattled and my flesh seared as I endured his bombardment. As he broke through my defense I quickly set up the next before the next barrage. My mind was blank, my heart gripped with fear and my body scream out in pain as Godric sent one volley after another, but as quickly as it began it stopped."
"Helga stood before me. Her wand pointed at my heart. Her eyes drenched with tears. Her dress soaked with them. I will never forget the words she spoke to me choking back tears through gritted teeth."Enough Salazar, I will not allow you to kill Godric!" "I can not lose another friend". What? I couldn't? I would never! But there I was standing over Godric, coiled and poised to deliver the final strike. How? My thoughts slowly began to return. Oh, that's right. The giant serpent was a decoy. I've witnessed so many of Godric's duels. He always attacks head on. The giant serpent concealed a smaller, much more dangerous one. I had to survive the attack and it would strike, filling him with venom from behind after he thought the threat was gone. No? I couldn't hurt Godric. He is my dearest brother. Yet the attack was calculated? Did I plan this? No, Did I? Helga's voice echoed around the now severely damaged room breaking my confusion "Lower your wand!" I quickly knew what needed to be done but before I could take a step Helga's voice pierced the silence of the great hall once again "Don't move Salazar, not one step!" her voice full of fury and choked with emotions. "I have to." I took one step before Helga's voice stopped me in my tracks. "Don't Salazar!" "I have to get my potions!" I replied "If I don't Godrick will die." Helga just stood there frozen, her wand fixed to my heart. "Helga, My love. Please, I need to get my potions or Godric is going to die. I can't lose any more friends either." Helga lowered her wand.
I have preformed many deplorable acts to protect our people. Some would call my methods monstrous but the my most shameful deed is saving that traitor's life. I should have watched the life drain from Godric's eyes that day. Instead with the help of my students I packed up my belongings and left the only place I considered home. Hogwarts had no place for me anymore. I apologized to Godric from his bed in the infirmary and kissed my beloved Helga for the last time. Something had broken between us as well that day. I knew one day Godric and Helga would come to see the error of their ways by teaching the children of those who hate us. That I would fight by my brother's side again to make a better future for our people and My dearest would be in my arms again, but that day never came. Instead I sat staring at Godric Gryffindor's corpse, with a rage filling my mind and body reviewing the damage he's caused. I drew my wand slowly and held it in my hand so tightly the wood creaked and strained as if it was crying out in pain. My rage consumed me as I thought of nothing but burning Godric's body to dust. If I destroyed his body maybe I could destroy his memory along with it. Yes, My redemption for being weak all those years ago but as I stood the cold, grey, gloomy weather suddenly became the most beautiful I had ever seen. Godric always shone like the sun but it seemed like the sun finally decided to shine for him." And that's all we have for today." a guff baritone voice breaks the collective trance. Everyone is silent as Mr. Bochard close the book and returns it to its protective bubble. "Thank you all for attending." As he starts to exit the stage no one makes a sound. No one is sure what this information means for the wizarding world.