DISCLAIMER: All recognizable characters are based on those from JK Rowling's Harry Potter series and are used here without permission for no financial gain.
Author's Note: Thanks goes to Yen, whose Hearts and Hourglasses inspired me to write my own Founders fic. Thanks also to my sister, Kitlee (of course), without whom I would not have been able to write this.
Truth, Lies, and Fairy Tales
Prologue
I have heard the stories they tell. Every so often, a student or teacher will drop a little hint that lets me know that the old lies are still repeated, and then I can breathe a sigh of relief. The truth has been buried by so many layers of myth by now that it is silly for me to worry that it will all come crashing down. The history of Hogwarts stands tall, like Hogwarts itself, but I can never stop myself from worrying that someone will discover that its foundation is nothing but lies. Only I know the truth, and that's because I was the one who started those lies.
Do not judge me so harshly. Perhaps my actions led to the deception of millions, but you must ask yourself this question: Which is better -- a beautiful lie or an ugly truth? I am the only one who knows the truth behind the founding of Hogwarts, and that truth tortures me day and night. I loved them all -- brave Godric, sweet Helga, clever Rowena, and cunning Salazar. I only sought to protect them and to preserve their image forever. I admit that the lies have taken on a life of their own; I never told anyone that Salazar disagreed with the others, was a dark wizard, or created the Chamber of Secrets. Those were lies created and perpetuated by successive generations of Hogwarts students, and it is too late for me to erase them. In contrast, the lies that I told brought out the best in each of them and only sought to ensure that they would be remembered well.
I have kept my secret well for these thousand years, but eventually a man wants validation for his actions. I can no longer hide behind my lies, for the time has come for my judgment. Do not be too harsh, but instead listen well to what I have to say.
This is the true history of Hogwarts.
Author's Note: Thanks goes to Yen, whose Hearts and Hourglasses inspired me to write my own Founders fic. Thanks also to my sister, Kitlee (of course), without whom I would not have been able to write this.
Truth, Lies, and Fairy Tales
Prologue
I have heard the stories they tell. Every so often, a student or teacher will drop a little hint that lets me know that the old lies are still repeated, and then I can breathe a sigh of relief. The truth has been buried by so many layers of myth by now that it is silly for me to worry that it will all come crashing down. The history of Hogwarts stands tall, like Hogwarts itself, but I can never stop myself from worrying that someone will discover that its foundation is nothing but lies. Only I know the truth, and that's because I was the one who started those lies.
Do not judge me so harshly. Perhaps my actions led to the deception of millions, but you must ask yourself this question: Which is better -- a beautiful lie or an ugly truth? I am the only one who knows the truth behind the founding of Hogwarts, and that truth tortures me day and night. I loved them all -- brave Godric, sweet Helga, clever Rowena, and cunning Salazar. I only sought to protect them and to preserve their image forever. I admit that the lies have taken on a life of their own; I never told anyone that Salazar disagreed with the others, was a dark wizard, or created the Chamber of Secrets. Those were lies created and perpetuated by successive generations of Hogwarts students, and it is too late for me to erase them. In contrast, the lies that I told brought out the best in each of them and only sought to ensure that they would be remembered well.
I have kept my secret well for these thousand years, but eventually a man wants validation for his actions. I can no longer hide behind my lies, for the time has come for my judgment. Do not be too harsh, but instead listen well to what I have to say.
This is the true history of Hogwarts.