A/N: Thanks for all your reviews! I'm counting the days until book five!
Other story by me: Chosen Family by writer007 on fictionpress.net
Neda- Thanks, I'm glad you like my story.
Amscray- Sorry if I missed saying something about the bouncing ferret! Yes, I think it cracks me up every time I re-read that part in book four, because it's so easy to imagine. : ) One thing I know for sure is, Snape and Lily did have something going on, but I'm sure JK Rowling will tell us about it in her later novels. (Or perhaps the fifth one) I agree with you that JK Rowling will never write about Harry marrying before graduation or raising a family. I don't know about whether or not Harry will end up with Cho, but she's the first girl he has really noticed. Hermione and Ron are going to probably be a couple, but Ginny likes Harry and Harry doesn't really crush on her back.
Twoc2bcool- I love writing about Hermione and Ron, they are just so cute. And you can easily make Ron say the darnest things.
White-chocolate- Yes, I've gotten a few reviews stating that Ron and the ghost popping out comment was funny. : ) I love writing about Ron. He's easily my favorite character besides Harry.
Feather-quill- I'm glad the mystery has caught your attention. : )
Dieselbaby- Have you read the autumn story, yet? Huhuhuhuh? And I can't believe my parents didn't tell me about going over to your house to meet your folks! I wanted to come over and pester you. I'm glad you noticed my story has plot. (faints dead away) lol.
ShortySC22- There're lots more Rowena and Godric in this chapter! Keep reading.
Rachel- thanks
Fyre Pixie- Ah, Sirius's disappearance will not be revealed until near the end of the story. Keep an eye out for clues.
LatestSin- Hermione's parents are Muggles, so she probably doesn't have an ancestor that's a witch or a wizard. : (
Meow- Yeah, Godric was so noble and brave and "harry potterish" or is Harry "godricish"?
Isis Stormwing- Well I had to go back in time to talk about Godric and Rowena and I couldn't think of any other way to do it. I mean, the time turner is fine, but Hermione had to turn it back in to McGonagall after 3rd year, and even if she took it back, how many million times would she have to turn it in order to get it back to Godric's time? Remember each turn is one hour. Hermione noticed the second book stuck to the first one, so she whacked it and it fell apart. I'm glad you like Rowena. And I can't wait until the fifth book comes out! : )
Brittney- You'll find out about Cho later. Good theory on Harry and Cho's baby, but keep reading. : )
Heather- Thanks
Fantasyangel- Don't worry, you're not slow. Nothing is really obvious until the 27th or 28th chapter. I don't remember which one.
SupaSonik Hedgehog- No, they never set an exact date to get married. The wedding will be part of the story, I promise. I won't be on much after June 21st too, because I'll be too busy reading, so I'm going to probably post the rest of the finished story on fanfiction and then read. Imagine, hundreds of fanfiction writers will not log on to fanfiction on the 21st. Kind of freaky.
Devotion408- thanks
raspberryhoneyx101x- Oh goodness, I hope my POV of Godric and Ravenclaw is satisfactory to you readers! I have noticed something really strange and something that fits perfectly well in one of Rowling's books that I'm going to use. : ) You can't find out what it is until later. : ) Good luck with the rest of school!
saku-chan- Thanks
Houou Kazoku-Kaga – Yes, lots of suspicious things in this story. Perhaps more than you realize.
ShortySC22- Thanks
Db vash- Okay, here's the next chapter!
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Chapter 26- Why Rowena Left
"Thank you all for coming," Godric said beaming as Rowena stood by his side. "Here's to happiness to us all! And best wishes for my lovely bride to-be for everything she wants!"
"Hear, hear!" the guests roared and drank their goblets.
Godric bent over to kiss Rowena on her cheek.
"Darling, I simply cannot wait until our wedding," Rowena said softly into Godric's ear.
"Well, there's only a few days left, my little butterbeer." Godric smiled and took her hands. "I can't wait to start a life with you. I can't wait to have little Ravenclaws and Gryffindor children right in our own house."
"We don't have a house, yet, Godric." Rowena pointed out, smiling.
"Ah! No problem at all! We'll have Wonky and his brothers help us and we'll build a lovely home in no time!"
"That sounds wonderful." Rowena replied.
"How's my good man?" Wonky appeared clasping his arm over Godric's back. "Hello, Rowena, you look lovely, as usual. Hey look! Godric's socks match! Wow! The efforts you make to impress Rowena!"
Godric gave Wonky a look.
Wonky chuckled.
"Well, well, well," a soft voice emerged from behind. "It seems Godric is finally marrying. To Rowena, neverless."
"Salazar, I don't remember inviting you to my engagement party." Godric said coldly. He put his arm around Rowena, whom suddenly avoided eye contact.
"Yeah, no one wants a stinky dung-bomb like you to stick around," Wonky said.
"Oh, believe me, I don't want to stick around and enjoy this, what you call 'party'. All I see here are a bunch of wooden tables messily thrown around and butterbeer in barrels lying here and there. I see you've hired Wonky's brother to play the fiddle as music entertainment. Clearly, I would treat my bride better." Salazar said this looking straight at Rowena.
"You are mistaken," Godric said, anger shaking his voice. "This is just a party of celebration and dance, but on the wedding day, I will have doves fly all around birch trees and white silk tablecloths over silver tables. I will have sparkles dance. I will have fairies sprinkle magic dust in the air-----"
"Oh, quiet down, Gryffindor. Like you could ever have the money to buy Rowena all that. I suppose you'll have to borrow here and there."
"At least he has something worthy to spend it on," Wonky interjected. "All that gold in your bank sits there because no woman would want to marry you."
"How could you know what it feels like to have gold sitting in the bank, Weasley? You never had any." Slytherin replied.
"I demand you leave, right now." Godric said.
"Oh, I was just Disapparating." Salazar said, walking away.
"That Slytherin!" Weasley said in disgust.
"Pay him no mind, Wonky." Godric said. "Come, let's dance. You with your bride and I with mine."
**
The setting changed from the cheerful music and dancing to late night. Most of the people were still present at the party. Fairies lit up the area and the moon shone above the sky. Music was still playing merrily and people were conversing. Many were drunk with beer and Godric himself were slapping his knee, laughing with Wonky.
Rowena herself had too many goblets of beer. She stumbled, trying to walk to the bathroom, and almost fell. She grabbed a tree to stand still.
"Oh my," she murmured to herself. "I'm such a mess." And then she laughed at this, and fell down.
"Hello, Rowena." A voice said behind the trees.
"Who's there?" Rowena asked suddenly.
"Just I, Salazar. How are you, you pretty little thing?" Salazar said smiling.
Salazar! How quite lovely to meet you….." Rowena collapsed into giggles. "Oh my, oh my. Forgive my manners. I seem to have too many beers."
"Here, calm yourself. Drink this." Salazar said, pulling out a goblet.
"Oh, no, I really can't have any more, you know. I can hardly walk." But as Rowena said this, she took the goblet and drank greedily.
"Salazar, why did you hurt me?" she asked sleepily.
"Because you fancied that dirty Gryffindor, and you left me." Salazar said coldly. "Now be quiet."
"Oh, Salazar!" Rowena said, giggling. "You're so funny!"
"You drunk hag." Salazar said smiling. "Come here."
He pushed her into the ground.
"What is this?" Rowena asked confused.
"Just lie still, Rowena, I'm trying to help you."
"Alright then," Rowena said grinning and went to sleep.
"Oh my gosh." Hermione whispered as she and Harry and Ron saw this. "He is raping her!"
"That's disgusting." Ron said. "That's really sick."
"Come on, let's go somewhere else," Harry muttered.
But the scene spun again and when it stopped. It was daylight and Rowena was lying on the ground alone, with her clothes ripped. She awoke slowly and groaned.
"Oh, goodness, my head hurts." She said yawning. "Where am I?"
Then she looked around carefully. "Oh my goodness!" She said. "What happened? Why am I dressed like this? Godric? Godric, love? Are you there?"
No one came. The tables were filled with empty goblets of butterbeer, beer, and soda.
A mess of confetti was on the grass. Chairs lay here and there.
"Godric?" Rowena called, getting up, but her head spun. "Oh, gosh, what happened?"
The scene spun again and this time, it was Rowena and Salazar alone.
"I know what you did. It was on purpose and you did it to hurt me." Rowena said firmly.
"Of course. I did it to use you. And frankly, you were no good."
"You dirty bastard--" Rowena began.
"You are supposed to be with me!" Salazar said. "With me!"
"You never treated me well! And I despise you! Godric is so kind to me, and I know he will never rape me out there in the woods----"
"Shut up!" Salazar said, his hand flying to Rowena's face. Then he grabbed Rowena and shook her. "You are supposed to be with me, you know!"
"Never." Rowena shook her head. "I'm leaving now."
"If you are not with me," Salazar said. "Then I will tell Godric about 'his child' you whore."
"Salazar," Rowena stopped. "You promised that you would never---"
"How will he feel? That proud, muggle-loving, stupid bastard? How will he react when he finds out his fiancée's dirty little secret?"
"Salazar please---"
"That his bride is already carrying a child and that child is mine?" Salazar's lips curled up to a grin. "Of course, he could never know."
"But Salazar---"
"Rowena," Salazar said grabbing her. "Oh, goodness knows I love you. Why did you leave me?"
"Get off me, Salazar, I---"
"What does that filthy Gryffindor have that I don't have? What do you want, Rowena? I have lots of gold, lots of wealth. I can give you everything you want. Your heart's deepest desires. I can buy you a dragon! I can buy you the whole city of Hogsmeade!"
"I don't want your wealth, Salazar, just let me go." Rowena said firmly.
"If you step outside that door, I will tell Gryffindor all about what happened."
Rowena hesitated. "What will it take for you not to tell?"
"Marry me."
Rowena looked horrified. "No! I love Godric! I would never give up my life with him for you."
"Well if I tell him what happened, no one will want to marry you, you whore."
"Salazar, please. I have finally found the love of my life!"
"What will it be? All I want is you to myself for a year or so, and the legal right to own my son. This way, I can have an heir to my fortune. You can go back to your dirty Gryffindor after my heir is born. If he still wants you."
"Salazar! You are so cruel!"
"Take the offer or leave it!" Salazar snarled. "It's my child anyway! I get the right to have an heir! Why should that Gryffindor father deserve a child of such great Slytherin blood?"
* *
The wedding took place in a lavishly decorated hall that filled with empty sadness. A dozen violins were playing the wedding song.
Godric was spied to be in the very back of the room. His face was gray and disbelieving.
Rowena's last words were, "If you wait, I'll come to you. I just love Salazar right now."
"What do you mean, right now? And what do you mean, if I wait?" Godric asked.
"Just please, wait for me, Godric."
"No. If you walk down that aisle tomorrow---"
"If only you knew." Rowena said desperately.
"If you marry my worst enemy, I will never take you back!" Godric said fiercely.
"Your temper!"
"Your strange doings!"
"I love you, Godric. If you wait, I'll come." Rowena kissed him on the lips quickly.
"I will not wait."
The music played continuously and Salazar was tapping his foot impatiently at the front of the altar.
"Where is she?" he murmured to himself.
"The bride!" his best man suddenly burst through the doors.
"Yes, we all know she's coming!" Salazar said impatiently. "Let her walk!"
"No, the bride!" the best man cried. "She ran away!"
--
A/N: Now's the cue for everyone to go, 'oooooh' and mutter to themselves things like, 'I knew it!' and 'So that's what happened!' LatestSin, you've guessed it! Next chapter is called, 'Valentine's Day'. Please review! And thanks so much for reading my fictionpress story! : )