Chapter Four
"It's really amazing, isn't it?" Godric asked.
"What?" Rowena replied as they stepped through the back door of a new inn, called the Leaky Cauldron. It had recently been built, and behind it laid a street of clustered houses and a growing number of shops, all owned by wizards.
"That this place is completely hidden from Muggles. Would you have ever thought of such a thing? Of such enchantments?"
"Well, actually..."
"Don't tell me," he laughed, rubbing his sandy hair. "It's all part of that plan you have for the resizable library shelves, growing rooms, and changing staircases? Your poor uncle will have to be confined to a small room so as not to be lost if you keep that up."
"But it is fascinating, creating such spells, don't you think? I would have loved to help Master Sinistra design them. The whole process of hiding a large area from Muggles just consists of a series of charms, albeit strong and powerful ones."
"Oh, of course," Godric replied, trying halfheartedly to smile. "Sinistra is so crazy about Arithmancy that he named the place Diagon Alley...diagonally...I'm just a bit worried, is all. I hate Arithmancy."
"I'm quite good at it," she replied with a playful smirk. "I can tutor you, if you like, Godric."
"Know-it-all," he teased, and then became grim as they stopped outside of a tall house, covered in the front by ivy. "This is the place."
Candlelight flickered in the dark house beyond the small, leaded glass windows.
"Ladies first," Godric invited her, when a house elf opened the door. Rowena smiled and entered first, handing her cloak to the elf. They were directed down the hall to the study, where they would begin their lessons. Rowena felt somewhat nervous as she moved through the gloomy halls of Deogol Sinistra's home. It was quite large inside, obviously charmed, though it was not very pleasant. The walls were dark, and every adornment menacing. The overall intimidation the interior caused was similar to that of Slytherin Manor. Rowena remembered visiting that place with Salazar after his mother died. Thinking of the opulent yet dark place sent a shiver down her spine and she recalled begging her father not to send Salazar back to his father's home.
"Rowena, are you alright? You look ill all of a sudden."
"I'm fine, Godric," Rowena answered, leaning closer. "This place is just gloomy."
"I know."
Candle and torchlight flickered in the hall ahead of them, flowing from the open door of the study. Rowena walked into the room first ahead of Godric, and as soon as she saw the red-haired young witch sitting at a table, she was grabbed and whisked back into the dark hall.
"What?" Rowena questioned, seeing a look of desperation on Godric's face. Then, she realized what had startled him. "Is that the girl from the faire?"
"Yes," he told her, breathless. "And all this time I worried she was a Muggle and that my father would kill me...I...Oh, she saw me loose to that stupid oaf! I can't go in there, Rowena."
"Ah," came a gruff, commanding voice. "I see Master Gryffindor and the young Lady Ravenclaw are present. Please enter and take your seats. Miss Ravenclaw, you may sit next to Miss Hufflepuff."
Rowena startled and turned to Godric with eyes wide. She mouthed... "Hufflepuff?"
Godric clenched a fist and shook it, shaking his head miserably. The Hufflepuffs of the Valley and the Gryffindors of the Moors were in an ancient feud that Godric had related to Rowena only days before. Both had claims as being the first wizard family, which was a cause for rivalry since wizards were wizards. Sometime though, and somewhere, a Gryffindor by the name of Goddard absconded with the daughter of Heinrich Hufflepuff, and set the rivalry into a feud. The Gryffindors claimed that with the mixing of bloodlines, their family assumed the title of oldest.
For Godric to court the daughter of a Hufflepuff was unthinkable.
"This will definitely be an interesting mix of students," Sinistra said, with a smile of crooked teeth. The short warlock was older, with long black hair striped with gray. His face matched his teeth—grisly and not handsome, though he had a scholarly air to him. Rowena remembered meeting Sinistra when he visited her father, and she felt about the same about him, as she did then—intimidated and nervous, yet not so much this time as she was nearly taller than him.
Godric leaned and whispered as they entered the study again. "I can't believe he accepted a Hufflepuff and a Gryffindor..."
Rowena smiled politely as she came closer to the table where the Hufflepuff witch sat. She stood up to greet Rowena.
"You must be Rowena Ravenclaw. I'm Helga Hufflepuff, and I'm so glad I won't be the only young woman in our class. Although, maybe it could have been to my benefit," she laughed.
Rowena was stunned at how pretty Helga was, and knew then why Godric had been entranced. Her features were strong, but beautiful, and her skin was smooth and pale. Her eyes, which gave a friendly shine, were a vivid brown, with a hint of playfulness. Rowena felt a bit self-conscious, but she replied nicely. "Pleased to meet you, Helga." She turned to Godric, who stood with his face down, flushed and somewhat angry looking. Helga eyed him as well. "This is Godric Gryffindor."
Helga nodded as Godric raised his head to meet her eyes. They stared at each other for a moment until they were interrupted by a voice.
"Sit, if you will."
Master Sinistra entered then, his black robe dragging behind him, followed by another, taller wizard. Godric and Helga took their seats but Rowena remained frozen in place. A square-built young man stood before her, with a finely shaped face and dark hair...the mature Salazar Slytherin looked back at her through his green eyes—the eyes that had haunted her since the night of the faire. Darkness lingered in his face, and sadness, but he also held himself proudly. Rowena felt confused, uncomfortable—happy and angry at the same time. What was she supposed to do? Action eluded her, and she simply looked away.
"Salazar Slytherin," Sinistra introduced him. "You are in the company of Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, and Rowena Ravenclaw. Please, sit down." He spoke to Salazar, but then turned to Rowena who still stood. She realized his attention then took her seat quickly, feeling as though she might either cry or be sick.
"I suppose I have some explaining to do," their teacher continued. Rowena focused on the old warlock and tried to think about his words and not about Salazar. "A Ravenclaw and a Slytherin? A Hufflepuff and a Gryffindor? A mad premise most would agree, though I have kept my new class a mystery to nosy wizards. Yes, family issues are present, but I am willing to try and go past this, as I hope you will be. You see, before me I see something else...something I never have before."
He began to pace, looking meaningfully at each of his students. "I see the daughter of a brilliant scholar, who is brilliant in her own right. I see the son of a brave lord, who is daring and unafraid of a challenge. I see a daughter of a noble family that is loyal to the last, who is hardworking and true. I see the son of a great leader, who is intelligent and powerful. I don't see names or past...transgressions...I see the future. To have received a letter from the four of you, I could do nothing but accept each one, for I have a sure feeling that the future holds something meaningful for all of you, together. There is no doubt in my mind you may become some of the greatest wizards and witches of our time...may...your progress remains to be seen..." He glanced at Godric. "I have never had, and will never have again, a class of such potential."
Rowena shifted, and without controlling herself, she turned her head slightly and met Salazar's gaze again. Her heart began to pound as she brought her eyes back to Sinistra, though she was not concentrating anymore on what he was saying. Forget past transgressions? Her father was dead. As much as it felt paralyzing to know the person who cast the spell that ended his life was sitting there in the same room with her, it felt even stranger and distressing to realize that the best friend who had betrayed her was only an arm's reach away.
"So," Sinistra was saying. "We shall begin with our first lessons in Arithmancy and Transfiguration. You will return here tonight and we shall have Astronomy class..."
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A small flame flickered on each of the five candles on the table. The yellowish light illuminated two gloomy faces, as well as the concerned face of an old wizard.
"Neither of you are eating anything," Edelbert commented. He set down his mug and sighed. "Rowena...Godric...Listen, Sinistra is a wise old crow. I'm sure he has a very good reason..."
"Can there be a good reason?" Godric interrupted angrily. "I mean, for putting Rowena and her father's murderer together in the same room? The Hufflepuff girl...well, that's an outrage enough, but to allow that..."
Rowena leapt from the table, feeling the tears coming forth that she had been holding back all day.
"Rowena," Edelbert tried to speak, but she took off at a run, not stopping until she came to her bed. There, she fell down and sobbed.
A sad stillness quieted the dark around her as she lie still, crying.
"Well, she seems to be maturing, Raedwald," Lord Slytherin commented, staring down at Rowena who fidgeted under the gaze of the towering, dark man. He stroked his black beard and Rowena noticed a streak of gray, as his inky black eyes seemed to size her up. "How old is she now, ten?"
"Yes," Lord Ravenclaw answered, putting a soft grip on Rowena's shoulder, calming her. Being in the presence of Salazar's father always frightened her.
"She looks older, and is quite intelligent as you say..."
"We are not getting into this discussion again, Fyren...run along, Rowena. We have business," Lord Ravenclaw spoke sternly. She nodded and moved away into the crowded room of witches and wizards gathered for a Yule celebration. She heard her father say, "We compromised with fourteen, and I do not..."
Rowena moved about, smiling at some familiar faces. Most of the wizards and witches present were involved with the Wizard's Council, of which her father had once been the Chief, in the position Lord Slytherin now held. A few of their children were present, though most she did not associate with out of shyness. The two young dark-haired children of Lord and Lady Black hung back in the shadows, watching the larger people mill about. Rowena remembered the time she had met Salazar, and everyone seemed so tall. Now, she had grown taller and wore witch's robes instead of a girl's dress. She wondered what Lord Slytherin had meant about her maturing. Sure, she had grown taller and her body had begun to change in places, but she was still a stick of a girl and had a head of straw yellow hair. Tonight, it was decorated and prettier than usual, but she still felt like the same plain Rowena she had always been. Lord Slytherin's words had made her feel uncomfortable.
"There you are," she heard Salazar's voice. He was leaning against the wall with his arms folded. "I was getting bored. What was my father talking to you about?"
"I don't really know. He wanted to know how old I was or something, and said I looked older than ten."
Salazar shot a sharp look in his father's direction.
"What?" she questioned him.
"It's nothing," he replied, his face softening into a smile. He stood up straight, only about a foot taller than her, as his growth spurt had paused and hers had begun. "Come on, I want to give you your present."
"But presents aren't until tomorrow night," Rowena said. "Father said I can't give you yours..."
"It's alright, Rowena. No one said I couldn't give you an extra early present," he replied and took her hand. "Let's go."
They hurried through the castle and out into the December night. A light snow was falling, and the air was soft and cold. Rowena was glad he was leading her out to the old oak tree, away from all the properness of her parents' party. They climbed up and sat down, looking out at the Loch that was still and black beneath the white snowfall. Salazar pulled out his wand.
"Lumos," he spoke as his breath made a white fog, and a soft light brightened the air around them. "Are you cold, Rowena?" Salazar asked.
Rowena shivered a bit. "I'm fine."
Salazar got quiet and stared off toward the still waters before them, contemplating. Rowena remembered he had looked so lost in thought, as he did then, a great deal after his mother had died.
"I have something I want to give you, Rowena. It's very special, and I was supposed to wait longer, but I can't. I just feel like I want to give it to you now, as a Yule present."
Rowena blinked and watched as he reached into his pocket. When he took his hand out, it was closed. Slowly, he opened his hand and Rowena saw a beautiful silver ring, sparkling in the magical light from Salazar's wand. An open cut swirl of silver, tipped on both sides with tiny emerald leaves, surrounded an oval shaped glittering opal.
"It was my mother's," Salazar explained. "The opal was her birthstone, and she always wore this ring. Her mother gave it to her on her thirteenth birthday, and she wanted me to give it to you. She always liked to think of you as a daughter, Rowena..."
Salazar's eyes welled with tears then, gleaming like the tiny emerald leaves on the ring.
"I just couldn't wait until your thirteenth birthday...and anyway your mother was so cruel yesterday, that I felt..." Salazar paused. "Here, let me put it on you."
Rowena held out her right hand, and Salazar slipped the ring onto her finger. At first it was too large, then it seemed to fit.
"It is charmed," he explained. "Do you like it?"
"Salazar, it's beautiful," Rowena answered, still astonished. "Your mother really thought about me...like a daughter?"
"She loved you, and she also knew that..." he stopped and was quiet, flicking his hair from his eyes.
"Knew what, Salazar? What?"
"That...we would always be friends," he replied softly, and pulled her close so that her head rested against his neck. "That you are my dear heart."
Rowena brought her arm around him and squeezed him. "I love you," she told him. Some snow had begun to escape the trap of the branches and was falling on them, and Rowena could feel the cold frozen drops melt as they touched her face.
"Rowena..."
The room was completely dark, as a voice called to her from the door.
"You really ought to stop with the shifting rooms. A wizard can get confused...Lumos!"
A white light spilled in through the door as it creaked on its hinges. Rowena rolled over on her bed and sat up to see Godric enter, looking somewhat out of place.
"I know I shouldn't be in here," he said with an uncomfortable laugh, "but I had to come and see if you were alright."
She wiped her eyes, feeling the stickiness left on her face from crying. In the light from Godric's wand, Rowena gazed at the opal ring on her finger.
"He gave this to me," she said, her voice quavering. "It was his mother's ring, and she wanted him to give it to me on my thirteenth birthday, but he couldn't wait. I suppose it was good thinking on his part, as he wasn't here for my thirteenth birthday."
"Rowena..." Godric said, his voice cracking. He sat down next to her.
"I can't go back to class tonight. I can't face him again, Godric. How do you talk to someone you loved who betrayed you so terribly?"
"To be honest, I don't know," Godric answered her. "I'm not really sure what advice to give you, but I think you need to be braver than this. Come to class with me—don't give up this opportunity because of Slytherin. Look, maybe it's easier for me to say this because I'm not in your position, but it seems to me that the right thing to do is to at least give him a chance to explain things to you. Maybe you'll be able to restore some of your friendship."
"I don't think...I don't think I can just..."
"Rowena, I'm not saying you should go rushing right up to him as soon as we get there. I'm saying, just let time do some mending and see what happens. I'm your friend, and I'll be right there for you if things get...sticky. I promise, and to show you that I'm in this class with you, I will try to get along with Helga Hufflepuff. Does that sound agreeable?"
Rowena nodded.
"I think old Sinistra was right," Godric spoke clearly, standing and helping Rowena to her feet, while holding his glowing wand to light the room. "Given some more time, I think we can all learn a lot from each other. I don't know if I see a future for the four of us in a together sense as he does, but there's some potential. We are all above average, I should say...well, Sinistra did give me the eye."
Rowena smiled at Godric. "I think you're a lot wiser than you let on, Godric. You're a good friend."
"Come on," he said, tugging her. "We're going to be late for the astronomy lesson if we don't hurry. Now, you're going to need to show me how to make it downstairs. Is there a method to this madness you've created?"
Rowena laughed and led him, as Godric's wand lit their way.
---------------------- Author Notes
OK, since it was brought up, here is a bit on the history I'm working with for "A Poison Tree." If you don't care about all the nitpickiness of setting, skip this! If you read on, you have been warned...it may get very much like Binns's class!
First of all, YES, I LOVE the book Faeries by Brian Froud! It's a great gathering of old fairy folklore, and besides loving every single bit of art in it, and enjoying all the little "notes," I find it's a great reference for writing fantasy because it contains a condensed version of so many myths, legends, and old wives' tales about fairies that are scattered out around the Europe. If you've read the book, you'll recognize Rowena's bluebell fairy! That scene was also inspired by a picture of a hillside in Scotland, near where I imagine Rowena's home being (Glencoe/Loch Leven), totally covered in bluebells. Beautiful!
According to the Sorting Hat, and the HP Lexicon, the founders came from different places in Britain.
Rowena—Glen, probably Glencoe in Scotland or somewhere around there Godric—Moor, probably North Yorkshire or Dartmoor in Devon Helga—Valley, probably somewhere in Wales Salazar—Fen, probably East Anglia, like Norfolk
Sure, they came from the four corners, really, but they had to meet at some point before founding Hogwarts. In my imagination, they were good friends for a while before founding the school—Rowena and Salazar having been friends for quite a while as their parents were friends, as you probably could tell from the "party scene"—Lord Ravenclaw being the famous scholar, and Lord Slytherin being the Chief of the "Wizards Council" (the council was talked about in FB, QA, HPL). You know how those big "wizarding" families shmooze...well, mostly in fandom anyway.
According to the Lexicon, Hogwarts is not in England actually, but Scotland (possibly north of Edinburgh). I'll quote their source...HPfGU—"A number of facts from the books point to Scotland, a bit north of Edinburgh, and possibly closer to Aberdeen. The primary routes to Scotland from London depart from King's Cross. You cannot go more than five hours from London on a steam train in a consistent direction, and stay on dry land, without going into Scotland."
I think it is interesting that, of all the founders, Hogwarts is closest to Rowena's old home. There will be more about that to come in the fic as to my take on it.
Now, as to the setting...this is where it gets a bit sketchy at best as far as the wizarding world goes. I'm taking some liberties with Diagon Alley and it's founding/creation, as well as some other things. Yet, as far as the historical Muggle setting goes, I'm guessing (as Binns said in 1992/93) it was around 1000 years ago, so probably in the later 900's when Hogwarts was founded. So, this is the Anglo-Saxon time when the land of England was divided into Wessex, Mercia, and East Anglia—you know, with the Viking raids and Ethelred the Unready, Cnute, Harold, yada yada—getting into Feudalism and stuff. London was called everything from Lundenwic to Lundenberg. After some thought, and realization that London is shorter than Lundenwic, I'm changing it to just London. Meh. I'm really not going to get into much of the historical time period happenings because 1) It's about wizards, and in my opinion, besides maybe the Gryffindors, the other characters could really care less as they're trying to keep away from Muggles. 2) It's a romance, not a historical drama. 3) One of the subjects I teach is history that involves all that stuff, and I really don't want to think about it at home.
It is helpful to know the time setting, and know that Scotland, despite a lot of inconsistency, was mainly the country then as it is today, border- wise.
So yes, the founders did all come from different places—but they HAD to meet sometime before they built Hogwarts far away from the prying eyes of Muggles. This is the story about HOW they met and consequently founded Hogwarts. So, with the parental friendship, the relationship between Rowena and Salazar began...and soon all founders will come together for something they love best—learning. Of course, boundaries themselves are not so important in the wizarding world, as they can just Apparate wherever they want to go—which was one reason Salazar stayed with the Ravenclaws over the summers until he could Apparate. From Fen to Glen with a swish of a cloak! Though, that also had some basis in the feudal traditions of sending children to the homes of other nobles to get their education in either being knights or ladies.
OK!!!!!! Now that the lesson is over class...some thank-ees!
Sona and Pyracantha-- ::glomps:: Thanks for sticking around, reading and commenting!
Cennet—Yes, I've thought a lot about the world without Hogwarts and how it's kind of the families that matter. You ROCK! Thanks for the lovely replies, and I'm glad you posted "Tales of the Warrior-Star" your awesome Bella fic. It is an A!
Mm42—Hi! Thanks for joining in...you prompted me to do some explaining, which I've been putting off. I hope it made sense, even though I tend to distort a few things here and there in the story. Again, I say meh! 'Tis just a fanfic. Glad you find the plot to your liking...I try. As for the grammar, I hope I'm pretty good at it, because though I do teach history, I am primarily an English teacher. So, yeah...it's grammAr, not grammEr. Hehe. You get a B. :P
Risa and Crazy, thanks for joining and I hope you read more. I changed it to allow anonymous reviews, though I hope I don't get nutters—LOL OMG!!!!!1111!!!!!.
Thanks for all the reviews and sorry it took so long!
"It's really amazing, isn't it?" Godric asked.
"What?" Rowena replied as they stepped through the back door of a new inn, called the Leaky Cauldron. It had recently been built, and behind it laid a street of clustered houses and a growing number of shops, all owned by wizards.
"That this place is completely hidden from Muggles. Would you have ever thought of such a thing? Of such enchantments?"
"Well, actually..."
"Don't tell me," he laughed, rubbing his sandy hair. "It's all part of that plan you have for the resizable library shelves, growing rooms, and changing staircases? Your poor uncle will have to be confined to a small room so as not to be lost if you keep that up."
"But it is fascinating, creating such spells, don't you think? I would have loved to help Master Sinistra design them. The whole process of hiding a large area from Muggles just consists of a series of charms, albeit strong and powerful ones."
"Oh, of course," Godric replied, trying halfheartedly to smile. "Sinistra is so crazy about Arithmancy that he named the place Diagon Alley...diagonally...I'm just a bit worried, is all. I hate Arithmancy."
"I'm quite good at it," she replied with a playful smirk. "I can tutor you, if you like, Godric."
"Know-it-all," he teased, and then became grim as they stopped outside of a tall house, covered in the front by ivy. "This is the place."
Candlelight flickered in the dark house beyond the small, leaded glass windows.
"Ladies first," Godric invited her, when a house elf opened the door. Rowena smiled and entered first, handing her cloak to the elf. They were directed down the hall to the study, where they would begin their lessons. Rowena felt somewhat nervous as she moved through the gloomy halls of Deogol Sinistra's home. It was quite large inside, obviously charmed, though it was not very pleasant. The walls were dark, and every adornment menacing. The overall intimidation the interior caused was similar to that of Slytherin Manor. Rowena remembered visiting that place with Salazar after his mother died. Thinking of the opulent yet dark place sent a shiver down her spine and she recalled begging her father not to send Salazar back to his father's home.
"Rowena, are you alright? You look ill all of a sudden."
"I'm fine, Godric," Rowena answered, leaning closer. "This place is just gloomy."
"I know."
Candle and torchlight flickered in the hall ahead of them, flowing from the open door of the study. Rowena walked into the room first ahead of Godric, and as soon as she saw the red-haired young witch sitting at a table, she was grabbed and whisked back into the dark hall.
"What?" Rowena questioned, seeing a look of desperation on Godric's face. Then, she realized what had startled him. "Is that the girl from the faire?"
"Yes," he told her, breathless. "And all this time I worried she was a Muggle and that my father would kill me...I...Oh, she saw me loose to that stupid oaf! I can't go in there, Rowena."
"Ah," came a gruff, commanding voice. "I see Master Gryffindor and the young Lady Ravenclaw are present. Please enter and take your seats. Miss Ravenclaw, you may sit next to Miss Hufflepuff."
Rowena startled and turned to Godric with eyes wide. She mouthed... "Hufflepuff?"
Godric clenched a fist and shook it, shaking his head miserably. The Hufflepuffs of the Valley and the Gryffindors of the Moors were in an ancient feud that Godric had related to Rowena only days before. Both had claims as being the first wizard family, which was a cause for rivalry since wizards were wizards. Sometime though, and somewhere, a Gryffindor by the name of Goddard absconded with the daughter of Heinrich Hufflepuff, and set the rivalry into a feud. The Gryffindors claimed that with the mixing of bloodlines, their family assumed the title of oldest.
For Godric to court the daughter of a Hufflepuff was unthinkable.
"This will definitely be an interesting mix of students," Sinistra said, with a smile of crooked teeth. The short warlock was older, with long black hair striped with gray. His face matched his teeth—grisly and not handsome, though he had a scholarly air to him. Rowena remembered meeting Sinistra when he visited her father, and she felt about the same about him, as she did then—intimidated and nervous, yet not so much this time as she was nearly taller than him.
Godric leaned and whispered as they entered the study again. "I can't believe he accepted a Hufflepuff and a Gryffindor..."
Rowena smiled politely as she came closer to the table where the Hufflepuff witch sat. She stood up to greet Rowena.
"You must be Rowena Ravenclaw. I'm Helga Hufflepuff, and I'm so glad I won't be the only young woman in our class. Although, maybe it could have been to my benefit," she laughed.
Rowena was stunned at how pretty Helga was, and knew then why Godric had been entranced. Her features were strong, but beautiful, and her skin was smooth and pale. Her eyes, which gave a friendly shine, were a vivid brown, with a hint of playfulness. Rowena felt a bit self-conscious, but she replied nicely. "Pleased to meet you, Helga." She turned to Godric, who stood with his face down, flushed and somewhat angry looking. Helga eyed him as well. "This is Godric Gryffindor."
Helga nodded as Godric raised his head to meet her eyes. They stared at each other for a moment until they were interrupted by a voice.
"Sit, if you will."
Master Sinistra entered then, his black robe dragging behind him, followed by another, taller wizard. Godric and Helga took their seats but Rowena remained frozen in place. A square-built young man stood before her, with a finely shaped face and dark hair...the mature Salazar Slytherin looked back at her through his green eyes—the eyes that had haunted her since the night of the faire. Darkness lingered in his face, and sadness, but he also held himself proudly. Rowena felt confused, uncomfortable—happy and angry at the same time. What was she supposed to do? Action eluded her, and she simply looked away.
"Salazar Slytherin," Sinistra introduced him. "You are in the company of Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, and Rowena Ravenclaw. Please, sit down." He spoke to Salazar, but then turned to Rowena who still stood. She realized his attention then took her seat quickly, feeling as though she might either cry or be sick.
"I suppose I have some explaining to do," their teacher continued. Rowena focused on the old warlock and tried to think about his words and not about Salazar. "A Ravenclaw and a Slytherin? A Hufflepuff and a Gryffindor? A mad premise most would agree, though I have kept my new class a mystery to nosy wizards. Yes, family issues are present, but I am willing to try and go past this, as I hope you will be. You see, before me I see something else...something I never have before."
He began to pace, looking meaningfully at each of his students. "I see the daughter of a brilliant scholar, who is brilliant in her own right. I see the son of a brave lord, who is daring and unafraid of a challenge. I see a daughter of a noble family that is loyal to the last, who is hardworking and true. I see the son of a great leader, who is intelligent and powerful. I don't see names or past...transgressions...I see the future. To have received a letter from the four of you, I could do nothing but accept each one, for I have a sure feeling that the future holds something meaningful for all of you, together. There is no doubt in my mind you may become some of the greatest wizards and witches of our time...may...your progress remains to be seen..." He glanced at Godric. "I have never had, and will never have again, a class of such potential."
Rowena shifted, and without controlling herself, she turned her head slightly and met Salazar's gaze again. Her heart began to pound as she brought her eyes back to Sinistra, though she was not concentrating anymore on what he was saying. Forget past transgressions? Her father was dead. As much as it felt paralyzing to know the person who cast the spell that ended his life was sitting there in the same room with her, it felt even stranger and distressing to realize that the best friend who had betrayed her was only an arm's reach away.
"So," Sinistra was saying. "We shall begin with our first lessons in Arithmancy and Transfiguration. You will return here tonight and we shall have Astronomy class..."
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A small flame flickered on each of the five candles on the table. The yellowish light illuminated two gloomy faces, as well as the concerned face of an old wizard.
"Neither of you are eating anything," Edelbert commented. He set down his mug and sighed. "Rowena...Godric...Listen, Sinistra is a wise old crow. I'm sure he has a very good reason..."
"Can there be a good reason?" Godric interrupted angrily. "I mean, for putting Rowena and her father's murderer together in the same room? The Hufflepuff girl...well, that's an outrage enough, but to allow that..."
Rowena leapt from the table, feeling the tears coming forth that she had been holding back all day.
"Rowena," Edelbert tried to speak, but she took off at a run, not stopping until she came to her bed. There, she fell down and sobbed.
A sad stillness quieted the dark around her as she lie still, crying.
"Well, she seems to be maturing, Raedwald," Lord Slytherin commented, staring down at Rowena who fidgeted under the gaze of the towering, dark man. He stroked his black beard and Rowena noticed a streak of gray, as his inky black eyes seemed to size her up. "How old is she now, ten?"
"Yes," Lord Ravenclaw answered, putting a soft grip on Rowena's shoulder, calming her. Being in the presence of Salazar's father always frightened her.
"She looks older, and is quite intelligent as you say..."
"We are not getting into this discussion again, Fyren...run along, Rowena. We have business," Lord Ravenclaw spoke sternly. She nodded and moved away into the crowded room of witches and wizards gathered for a Yule celebration. She heard her father say, "We compromised with fourteen, and I do not..."
Rowena moved about, smiling at some familiar faces. Most of the wizards and witches present were involved with the Wizard's Council, of which her father had once been the Chief, in the position Lord Slytherin now held. A few of their children were present, though most she did not associate with out of shyness. The two young dark-haired children of Lord and Lady Black hung back in the shadows, watching the larger people mill about. Rowena remembered the time she had met Salazar, and everyone seemed so tall. Now, she had grown taller and wore witch's robes instead of a girl's dress. She wondered what Lord Slytherin had meant about her maturing. Sure, she had grown taller and her body had begun to change in places, but she was still a stick of a girl and had a head of straw yellow hair. Tonight, it was decorated and prettier than usual, but she still felt like the same plain Rowena she had always been. Lord Slytherin's words had made her feel uncomfortable.
"There you are," she heard Salazar's voice. He was leaning against the wall with his arms folded. "I was getting bored. What was my father talking to you about?"
"I don't really know. He wanted to know how old I was or something, and said I looked older than ten."
Salazar shot a sharp look in his father's direction.
"What?" she questioned him.
"It's nothing," he replied, his face softening into a smile. He stood up straight, only about a foot taller than her, as his growth spurt had paused and hers had begun. "Come on, I want to give you your present."
"But presents aren't until tomorrow night," Rowena said. "Father said I can't give you yours..."
"It's alright, Rowena. No one said I couldn't give you an extra early present," he replied and took her hand. "Let's go."
They hurried through the castle and out into the December night. A light snow was falling, and the air was soft and cold. Rowena was glad he was leading her out to the old oak tree, away from all the properness of her parents' party. They climbed up and sat down, looking out at the Loch that was still and black beneath the white snowfall. Salazar pulled out his wand.
"Lumos," he spoke as his breath made a white fog, and a soft light brightened the air around them. "Are you cold, Rowena?" Salazar asked.
Rowena shivered a bit. "I'm fine."
Salazar got quiet and stared off toward the still waters before them, contemplating. Rowena remembered he had looked so lost in thought, as he did then, a great deal after his mother had died.
"I have something I want to give you, Rowena. It's very special, and I was supposed to wait longer, but I can't. I just feel like I want to give it to you now, as a Yule present."
Rowena blinked and watched as he reached into his pocket. When he took his hand out, it was closed. Slowly, he opened his hand and Rowena saw a beautiful silver ring, sparkling in the magical light from Salazar's wand. An open cut swirl of silver, tipped on both sides with tiny emerald leaves, surrounded an oval shaped glittering opal.
"It was my mother's," Salazar explained. "The opal was her birthstone, and she always wore this ring. Her mother gave it to her on her thirteenth birthday, and she wanted me to give it to you. She always liked to think of you as a daughter, Rowena..."
Salazar's eyes welled with tears then, gleaming like the tiny emerald leaves on the ring.
"I just couldn't wait until your thirteenth birthday...and anyway your mother was so cruel yesterday, that I felt..." Salazar paused. "Here, let me put it on you."
Rowena held out her right hand, and Salazar slipped the ring onto her finger. At first it was too large, then it seemed to fit.
"It is charmed," he explained. "Do you like it?"
"Salazar, it's beautiful," Rowena answered, still astonished. "Your mother really thought about me...like a daughter?"
"She loved you, and she also knew that..." he stopped and was quiet, flicking his hair from his eyes.
"Knew what, Salazar? What?"
"That...we would always be friends," he replied softly, and pulled her close so that her head rested against his neck. "That you are my dear heart."
Rowena brought her arm around him and squeezed him. "I love you," she told him. Some snow had begun to escape the trap of the branches and was falling on them, and Rowena could feel the cold frozen drops melt as they touched her face.
"Rowena..."
The room was completely dark, as a voice called to her from the door.
"You really ought to stop with the shifting rooms. A wizard can get confused...Lumos!"
A white light spilled in through the door as it creaked on its hinges. Rowena rolled over on her bed and sat up to see Godric enter, looking somewhat out of place.
"I know I shouldn't be in here," he said with an uncomfortable laugh, "but I had to come and see if you were alright."
She wiped her eyes, feeling the stickiness left on her face from crying. In the light from Godric's wand, Rowena gazed at the opal ring on her finger.
"He gave this to me," she said, her voice quavering. "It was his mother's ring, and she wanted him to give it to me on my thirteenth birthday, but he couldn't wait. I suppose it was good thinking on his part, as he wasn't here for my thirteenth birthday."
"Rowena..." Godric said, his voice cracking. He sat down next to her.
"I can't go back to class tonight. I can't face him again, Godric. How do you talk to someone you loved who betrayed you so terribly?"
"To be honest, I don't know," Godric answered her. "I'm not really sure what advice to give you, but I think you need to be braver than this. Come to class with me—don't give up this opportunity because of Slytherin. Look, maybe it's easier for me to say this because I'm not in your position, but it seems to me that the right thing to do is to at least give him a chance to explain things to you. Maybe you'll be able to restore some of your friendship."
"I don't think...I don't think I can just..."
"Rowena, I'm not saying you should go rushing right up to him as soon as we get there. I'm saying, just let time do some mending and see what happens. I'm your friend, and I'll be right there for you if things get...sticky. I promise, and to show you that I'm in this class with you, I will try to get along with Helga Hufflepuff. Does that sound agreeable?"
Rowena nodded.
"I think old Sinistra was right," Godric spoke clearly, standing and helping Rowena to her feet, while holding his glowing wand to light the room. "Given some more time, I think we can all learn a lot from each other. I don't know if I see a future for the four of us in a together sense as he does, but there's some potential. We are all above average, I should say...well, Sinistra did give me the eye."
Rowena smiled at Godric. "I think you're a lot wiser than you let on, Godric. You're a good friend."
"Come on," he said, tugging her. "We're going to be late for the astronomy lesson if we don't hurry. Now, you're going to need to show me how to make it downstairs. Is there a method to this madness you've created?"
Rowena laughed and led him, as Godric's wand lit their way.
---------------------- Author Notes
OK, since it was brought up, here is a bit on the history I'm working with for "A Poison Tree." If you don't care about all the nitpickiness of setting, skip this! If you read on, you have been warned...it may get very much like Binns's class!
First of all, YES, I LOVE the book Faeries by Brian Froud! It's a great gathering of old fairy folklore, and besides loving every single bit of art in it, and enjoying all the little "notes," I find it's a great reference for writing fantasy because it contains a condensed version of so many myths, legends, and old wives' tales about fairies that are scattered out around the Europe. If you've read the book, you'll recognize Rowena's bluebell fairy! That scene was also inspired by a picture of a hillside in Scotland, near where I imagine Rowena's home being (Glencoe/Loch Leven), totally covered in bluebells. Beautiful!
According to the Sorting Hat, and the HP Lexicon, the founders came from different places in Britain.
Rowena—Glen, probably Glencoe in Scotland or somewhere around there Godric—Moor, probably North Yorkshire or Dartmoor in Devon Helga—Valley, probably somewhere in Wales Salazar—Fen, probably East Anglia, like Norfolk
Sure, they came from the four corners, really, but they had to meet at some point before founding Hogwarts. In my imagination, they were good friends for a while before founding the school—Rowena and Salazar having been friends for quite a while as their parents were friends, as you probably could tell from the "party scene"—Lord Ravenclaw being the famous scholar, and Lord Slytherin being the Chief of the "Wizards Council" (the council was talked about in FB, QA, HPL). You know how those big "wizarding" families shmooze...well, mostly in fandom anyway.
According to the Lexicon, Hogwarts is not in England actually, but Scotland (possibly north of Edinburgh). I'll quote their source...HPfGU—"A number of facts from the books point to Scotland, a bit north of Edinburgh, and possibly closer to Aberdeen. The primary routes to Scotland from London depart from King's Cross. You cannot go more than five hours from London on a steam train in a consistent direction, and stay on dry land, without going into Scotland."
I think it is interesting that, of all the founders, Hogwarts is closest to Rowena's old home. There will be more about that to come in the fic as to my take on it.
Now, as to the setting...this is where it gets a bit sketchy at best as far as the wizarding world goes. I'm taking some liberties with Diagon Alley and it's founding/creation, as well as some other things. Yet, as far as the historical Muggle setting goes, I'm guessing (as Binns said in 1992/93) it was around 1000 years ago, so probably in the later 900's when Hogwarts was founded. So, this is the Anglo-Saxon time when the land of England was divided into Wessex, Mercia, and East Anglia—you know, with the Viking raids and Ethelred the Unready, Cnute, Harold, yada yada—getting into Feudalism and stuff. London was called everything from Lundenwic to Lundenberg. After some thought, and realization that London is shorter than Lundenwic, I'm changing it to just London. Meh. I'm really not going to get into much of the historical time period happenings because 1) It's about wizards, and in my opinion, besides maybe the Gryffindors, the other characters could really care less as they're trying to keep away from Muggles. 2) It's a romance, not a historical drama. 3) One of the subjects I teach is history that involves all that stuff, and I really don't want to think about it at home.
It is helpful to know the time setting, and know that Scotland, despite a lot of inconsistency, was mainly the country then as it is today, border- wise.
So yes, the founders did all come from different places—but they HAD to meet sometime before they built Hogwarts far away from the prying eyes of Muggles. This is the story about HOW they met and consequently founded Hogwarts. So, with the parental friendship, the relationship between Rowena and Salazar began...and soon all founders will come together for something they love best—learning. Of course, boundaries themselves are not so important in the wizarding world, as they can just Apparate wherever they want to go—which was one reason Salazar stayed with the Ravenclaws over the summers until he could Apparate. From Fen to Glen with a swish of a cloak! Though, that also had some basis in the feudal traditions of sending children to the homes of other nobles to get their education in either being knights or ladies.
OK!!!!!! Now that the lesson is over class...some thank-ees!
Sona and Pyracantha-- ::glomps:: Thanks for sticking around, reading and commenting!
Cennet—Yes, I've thought a lot about the world without Hogwarts and how it's kind of the families that matter. You ROCK! Thanks for the lovely replies, and I'm glad you posted "Tales of the Warrior-Star" your awesome Bella fic. It is an A!
Mm42—Hi! Thanks for joining in...you prompted me to do some explaining, which I've been putting off. I hope it made sense, even though I tend to distort a few things here and there in the story. Again, I say meh! 'Tis just a fanfic. Glad you find the plot to your liking...I try. As for the grammar, I hope I'm pretty good at it, because though I do teach history, I am primarily an English teacher. So, yeah...it's grammAr, not grammEr. Hehe. You get a B. :P
Risa and Crazy, thanks for joining and I hope you read more. I changed it to allow anonymous reviews, though I hope I don't get nutters—LOL OMG!!!!!1111!!!!!.
Thanks for all the reviews and sorry it took so long!