A/N I'm sorry that I haven't uploaded in ages but my computer has been jacked up for weeks, then when we finally got it back it only worked for a day until it got messed up again! Needless to say, it's been a nightmare! But here it is, and I'm going to try to make this chapter my longest yet. Plus, you guys should check out my other story which is about Ginny and the gang. I think it's good. Anywho, here is the story, hope you like it.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything

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As Helga and Salazar drew towards the next oak door, they both held back for fear of what horror could be hidden behind. They were both so scared that they stood there waiting for the other to make the first move. Neither of them did.

"Well, Salazar, you can go first" said Helga quietly.

"No, no Ladies first" said Salazar gesturing her in front of him.

Just then Helga cried out and jumped at Salazar. He turned and began to run away form her.

"Don't run Salazar! Please don't leave me here!" cried Helga beginning to cry. "I'm terrified."

Stopping to look at her he said "Why did you try to attack me then? I'm not staying around if your going to be like that!"

Helga would have laughed if she wasn't so scared. "I wasn't trying to scare you Salazar" she said as she drew closer to him. "I just felt something brush past me, like a person of something. It scared me to pieces!"

Salazar look anxious all the same. "You mean, l-l-like a ghost?" he said softly peering into the inky blackness surrounding them.

"Yes" she whispered.

"I hate ghosts" said Salazar looking terrified. "There was an old, bitter ghost back at my manor house and he loved to sneak up on me in the middle of the night."

"Maybe we should leave" said Helga beginning to move back towards the staircase.

"That's sounds like a good idea" said Salazar beginning to run with Helga up the stairs.

Earlier that morning it had taken them five minutes to descend the old, damp stone stairs, but now they were so scared that they took the steps 2 at a time and they were on the first floor in 30 seconds.

They both didn't stop running until they had run right into the main hall, then collapsed on the floor, panting and their hearts racing. After a while, when she had calmed down Helga managed to look over at Salazar. He was very pale, looking like a ghost himself and he was breathing so fast that the gasps sounded strangled in his throat. He was thoroughly shaken looking. Helga crept closer to him and put a hand on his shoulder. He jumped away and looked at her with wide, frightened eyes.

"Are you okay Salazar?" asked Helga, looking worried.

He stood up quickly, brushing his clothes, like there was nothing wrong.

Hurriedly he said "Of course Helga, don't be silly. I'm a man. Of course I'm fine, but what about you my dear? Do you need to lie down for a moment?" He said this confidently, but Helga couldn't mistake that he was shaken and pale and his eyes were darting back and forth, as if looking for an exit.

She stood up as well, brushing the dirt from her robes. "I think that I'll be fine, thank you." She looked at him with a worried look on her face, but he didn't notice. She was about to say something, when a thought crossed her mind and she held her tongue. Finally she did say: "Perhaps we should find the others, and tell them that we have company here with us" she suggested gently.

Salazar looked startled and whipped around to look at her. For a moment he just stared at her, as if she had lost her mind, but then he seemed to come to his senses.

"Yes, that sounds like a good idea. Let's set out to find them" he said as he brushed past her, marching towards the staircase quickly. He was walking so fast that Helga had to run to keep up with his long stride. He fairly ran up the staircase and didn't wait for her at the top, but kept on moving.

Panting Helga stopped Salazar by the arm saying: "Salazar, I'm your friend. Please tell what is the matter" she said pleadingly. She didn't receive an answer, but when she looked into his eyes she saw the fear and dread. He spoke volumes to her without saying a word.

"I'm.....I'm so sorry" she stammered as she let her arm drop limply at her side.

"You should not apologize Helga" he said softly. "My past is not your fault".

Just then, there came a loud clatter from behind Helga making her spin around to see what was going on, breaking the moment. In strode Rowena and Godric, arm in arm and laughing heartily.

They stopped when they noticed Helga and Salazar but that wasn't until they practically bumped into them. They seemed to be in the middle of their own little world.

Salazar took one look at their entwined hands and then ran back downstairs. They could hear the large front door slam moments later.

Still too happy to realize what they had interrupted, Godic asked: "Where is he going?"

Helga simply glared at him. Then she too ran away, only this time she was chasing after Salazar, to make sure he wouldn't do anything drastic.

Rowena simply shrugged and put her head on Godric's broad shoulder. "Lover's quarrel" she said mischievously.

Godric laughed and kissed her lightly on the lips. "How about we go get something to eat" Rowena suggested.

"Sounds great!" said Godric.

Still hand in hand, they continued down the stairs, towards the kitchen. The previous task completely forgotten.

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An hour later Helga found Salazar, deep in the forest, on the south side of the castle. He seemed calm again, and was sitting on a stone, observing the surrounding forest.

Helga ran up to him, and quickly asked panting: "Are you all right Salazar?".

Salazar turned his gaze to her and smiled, but his eyes remained cold and distant. "Yes dear Helga, I am quite well thank you" he replied politely as if they were two old friends passing each other in the street.

Helga sat down beside him. "Is there anything you wish to talk about?" she said carefully.

His gaze returned to the falling leaves around him and he didn't speak for a long time. Finally he said "Did you know that I love her?".

Helga was shocked, and blurted out "I had no idea".

He smiled a sad smile and said: "I should have known better, and my head kept telling me she would never love me in return, but I simply couldn't help myself. I guess that will teach me to dream the impossible" he finished bitterly.

For loss of anything to say, Helga sat silently, wondering how she could have missed this love triangle between her three closest friends.

An hour later they both emerged from the forest, walking along in silence, but it was a friendly silence. Helga had promised to never tell Rowena how Salazar really felt and he was grateful to have found a friend.

When they arrived in the main hall there sat Rowena and Godric at a small table, lit by candlelight. They were so consumed by their growing love that they simply sat there gazing at each other, not even looking away to see what their forks were spearing.

Salazar gave a disgusted snort and flopped down in his bed. Helga gave him a sympathetic look, but secretly she was happy for them. Then she curled up in her bed with one of the books she had brought with her.

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Later that night, when everyone was soundly asleep, Salazar rose from his bed and withdrew a large, leather covered book and his wand. In the opposite chamber, he began a spell.

Mea mihi conscientia pluris est quam ominum sermo! Qui tacet consentit! Hear my plea, great Elements of the Earth. I, Salazar Louis Slytherin do consecrate this vow that I should never feel love again and that my heart remains closed for all eternity! My mind shall choose for me, so that I shall never feel the pain of love again! Braccea illae virides cum subucula rosea et tunica Caledonia-quam elenganter conccintur!

Then he reached above him and plucked a raven from thin air. Then, he completed the spell by swallowing the raven whole as it screamed and flapped it's wings helplessly.

As soon as he was finished a flash of piercing, green light shot out from every direction and hit him full force. He collapsed under the pressure. Minutes later when he stood up again, there was a cold gleam in his eyes, like dark, polished pewter. From that day on, Salazar was a cold and calculated person, never warm or friendly, and he was never again hurt by love.

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A/N well......................? What do y'all think? I really hope you like it and it satisfies you because I know that I should have updated a long time ago. Sorry, again. Please review and tell me what you think! Later Days!