Terry Boot and Professor Binns's Extra Credit Assignment

Chapter 5: Justin Finch-Fletchy and Hannah Abbot

Terry was sitting in his Ancient Runes class not paying much attention as the professor went on and on about druidic runes and their uses in spell craft. Instead, the thought that kept pacing through his head was, 'two down, fourteen to go.'

Maybe he should ask Hermione and Ginny next, but he would have to actually walk over and talk to them, something that he did not find the courage to do. If he could avoid it, he wouldn't ask any Slytherins or teachers until he absolutely had to, and he was confident his project went over well with other students.

Why hadn't he thought of it earlier? He could ask Hufflepuffs to read it. He actually had friends in that house, if you counted people you say hi to in the hallways friends, and it wasn't likely to be offensive, at least not very, to them.

After class he walked up to Justin Finch-Fletchy and Hannah Abbot, both of whom took ancient runes at the same time as the Ravenclaws.

"Hey, Justin, Hannah- would you like to read my extra credit for Binns?"

"You're doing extra credit for Binns?" Hannah exclaimed. "Are you crazy?"

"Well, maybe. But I have to have three people from each house read it, and I was wondering if you would do the honors?"

"Oh, all-right. If you let us have it, we'll try to get it back to you by tomorrow," Justin said.

***

Rowena Ravenclaw was tending to the Baron's falcons. For as long as could be remembered her family had been in charge of the birds which were used by the Barons on their hunting trips. Officially, her father was the falconer, but Rowena, in addition to being the 'royal fortune seer', had taken on the job when he had fallen ill.

"Well, Jorgil, it has been a rather boring day hasn't it? Sun is shining, not a cloud in the air. And yet, I have the strangest feeling... Oh, well. Here's some more millet," Rowena cooed to her favorite bird.

"Rowena..."

"Salazar, I didn't hear you enter," Rowena said.

"Good, shows I haven't lost everything, I still have my skill," he said, baring a scheming smile.

"Come now, Salazar, you can't have lost everything. Everyone knows that the Baron trusts you more than anyone else. Why, I'll never know," Rowena replied.

"Apparently he's wised up. But the infuriating part is that it is something I didn't even do. Someone poisoned the Baron's food yesterday, and he thinks I did it," he said shaking his head.

"And you didn't," Rowena said doubtfully. She was never sure whether she could trust her brother-in-law.

"If I had tried to kill the Baron, he would be dead," Salazar growled angrily.

"So great to see your loyalty there. If you mind telling me why you came to see me, or was it just to gripe?"

"Is Bulrian here?" Salazar asked.

"No, he went out with all the other boys to the market. Some Romany arrived yesterday and have put on a show. He'd better watch himself, they can be pretty tricky," Rowena said.

"If my son can't hold up against gypsies, it's his own damn fault. Could you tell him when he comes back to come see me?" Salazar said. Ever since her sister Robin had died he had left the raising of his son to a variety of different relatives, including most recently Rowena. It was very unusual for him to take the slightest interest in the boy.

"And why would he need to talk to you? He never talks about you, you know, and I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't know who you were," Rowena said.

"I plan to leave the castle tonight, with Bulrian."

"Is Salazar afraid of the Baron? I thought you could kill him anytime you wanted. Or you could just rob him blind by appropriating his treasury money, or do you already do that?" To tell the truth, she really didn't like being in the same castle, let alone the same room as Slytherin.

"I'm not afraid. It's just that I'm afraid that this will not be the most, hmmm, hospitable atmosphere. In addition, I have been getting tired of parading as a Muggle at court. It is time to move on to bigger and better things." Rowena was scared. He had the smile that said he had something in mind, and that usually meant bad things.

"And what exactly would those be?"

"Rowena, haven't you ever noticed that magic is fading away in Britain? Fewer and fewer witches and wizards are taking apprentices, and those who do normally take in kin. Already witches and wizards aren't as skilled as we used to be. Here is an exception, with you, me and Godric, but one hundred years from now I wouldn't be surprised if there wasn't a single wizard left in the British Isles."

"You really are a pessimist, Salazar. But even if it is so, what does it have to do with your plans?" Rowena couldn't help but be interested in his ramblings, but still wasn't sure if she wanted to be involved.

"Everything. It is obvious that the old apprentice system isn't working anymore. To save wizarding, I am going to build a school, and be revered throughout the ages for having started the revival of wizarding. It would be a good change I think," Salazar said.

A school. Now that was something she hadn't thought of before, but it made perfect sense. To produce a better and more connected magical community, that was a goal she could actually work towards.

"All right Salazar, I'll go with you and help you found this school. When were you going to ask Godric?"

"Rowena, you obviously read more into my speech that was intended. I wasn't asking you along, this is something I would rather do by myself. I wouldn't presume to ask you to leave your home, just to go chasing after my crazy dream," Salazar said, looking rather shocked.

"Well, whether you intended to ask me or not, this job is too big for one person. Either I come with you, or I tell the Baron you're leaving. Same goes for asking Godric." Rowena didn't understand why she wanted this so much, but the idea had taken a hold of her mind and she wasn't about to leave it alone.

"But you know how much I can't stand Gryffindor!" he screamed at her. Well at least she could be sure he wasn't so upset over her coming anymore. She continued to stare at him. Eventually he broke.

"If we ask Gryffindor, you have to let me ask one more person," Salazar said, regaining his composure. Rowena wasn't sure whether this was a good thing or bad thing; whoever he asked could very well be as bad as Salazar or worse. But then, she had gotten him to ask Godric, which had to be as bad for him as anything he could do to her.

"It's a deal. Now where are we going?"

"Hogwart's castle."

"You've been planning this for a while, haven't you?" Rowena asked.





Disclaimer: Unless you have eaten bad mushrooms, it is obvious that I do not own most of the characters nor do I own Hogwarts. That pleasure goes to JKR.

A/n Ok, so now you have some more idea of the story of the founders. I decided not to include the responses of his readers after each part, but am rather saving them for when I'm done with the founder's story, because a good response might be too much of a spoiler.

Thank you Abby Gabriella- I enjoyed writing the marauders bits probably as much as you enjoyed reading them.

And thanks again to Moey for beta-reading