Diclaimer: the world of Harry Potter still belongs of JK Rowling.

Gryffindor

Hearne sneered down on me and retreated a few steps, holding his arms loosely by his side.

"Father, they are poachers." Hearne lashed out with his leather boot.

I ignored his physical attack and started to search frantically under my cloak for my wand. Father had always told me only to use a wand in an emergency as a last resort. My eyes flickered sideways to Salome who was doing the same thing. We both knew to be accused of poaching on a lord's land meant death.

I found the smooth surface of my wand as the temporary rescuer came into view. He was riding a white horse, and wore the livery of red and gold. If I knew any better, I would have instantly recognised the colours as that belonging to Gryffindor, famous and powerful wizarding clan. But because of my poor upbringing, I was ignorant of our illustrious captor's identity.

"Stuperfy!" I aimed straight at Hearne's forehead. There was time for him to pull a startled expression before he keeled over stunned. I whipped around and pointed my wand at the older knight.

Laughter followed and my eyes slid to another figure also wearing red and gold. He was my age with dark brown hair and sparkling honey gold eyes. He clapped his hands energetically. "Well done!" he cried almost bouncing out of the saddle.

The older knight eyed the end of my wand and turned his head sternly towards the boy. "Godric, you should be attending to your studies."

Godric, the boy looked up at the knight and grinned sheepishly and blinked his humourous eyes innocently.

"So sorry, milord!" another horseman came crashing through the forest.
"Darcy," the knight replied dryly.

The newcomer nodded towards the knight and turned to Godric. "You should be attending to your studies."
"I know, father has just kindly reminded me," Godric replied dolefully and winked at me.

I on the other hand had been edging around the clearing to get closer to Salome to take her hand and run while we still had a chance.

"Don't you two go anywhere," the old knight growled.

I froze; I swear I could hear my poor heart pounding against my ribs. 'Run' I mouthed to Salome. Her eyes widened and she shook her head so that her long raven locks brushed her flushed cheeks.

Instead of unsheathing his deadly looking double blade from his scabbard, the knight pulled out a long wand. For a moment my breath stuck in my throat… and my heart literally stopped.

"Enervate." The old wizard pointed his wand to the fallen figure of Hearne. And before my eyes, Hearne was revived.

My jaw dropped as the knight turned his regal head towards Salome and I, I would have done anything to be removed from his line of sight. "What brings an unknown wizard and a witch to my lands?"

My mouth went dry, and in the corner of my eye I could see Hearne standing and brushing himself off looking at me in upmost distaste. He had turned his head to the younger boy Godric, whom I guessed correctly to be his brother. What I saw between them made me shudder. But Godric stared back defiantly with amusement deep in his honey gold eyes.

"Are you not going to answer me?" the knight asked crisply and I was plucked from my reverie and into reality.

I swallowed and took the deepest breath I was capable of mustering under the conditions I was under.

"Please, milord," Salome replied timidly, she stepped forward and laced her hand in my own. "We could not stay the village of Rookwell… we fled for our lives."

"Witch hunts," I unknowingly added.

There was an uneasy silence in the clearing as the newcomers exchanged worried glances. Godric pulled his steed's head back and looked over his shoulder with a shudder.

"And where do you intend to go, young man?"

I looked to Salome hoping to be saved from this uncomfortable situation. I was to be disappointed.

"Where ever the priests aren't," I replied coolly.

The older knight laughed lightly and scratched his beard. "Where might that be?"

I stared at him unblinkingly. Was there no safety in this world?

"No," the knight said as if to answer my question and he shook his head sadly, "There is no safety - not for our kind."

"What do you want?" I demanded abruptly and I'm afraid rather harshly.

The lord threw his head back and laughed. This was not the reaction that I was expecting.

"What is it that you truly want, child?" the lord returned.

I bristled at the mere thought of being called a child. It was not in my nature to be allowed to be made a fool of.

"Who - who are you?" I demanded my hand closed around Salome's protectively.

The lord's craggy face broke into a genial smile. He placed his mail clad fist over his heart and beat it against his chest. "I am Sir Elric Gryffindor. My firstborn." He gestured loftily to the first new comer Salome and I meet. Salome frowned visible at him until I nudged her. Her face became expressionless. "Hearne Gryffindor and this of course my not so studious youngest." Here the younger boy my age visibly gave his father a disgruntled look. "Godric Gryffindor."

"It was jolly good to see Hearne beaten at his own game," Godric cried struggling to keep the giggles inside his chest. I smirked despite myself. Hearne however scowled. "Amateur," he snorted and he turned on his heel to find his horse. It was in those moments I believe that his deep seeded hatred of me took root in his heart.

Elric Gryffindor watched his elder son gallop away and glared at his younger. "Godric that was not gentlemanly of you."

"Sorry, father," Godric replied innocently with the barest touch of cheekiness. "But he probably deserved it!"

Elric Gryffindor snorted and shrugged his shoulders. "Do you delight in reminding your poor old father how much your brother injuries me."

At this strange statement, young Godric blushed in repentance. "I didn't mean to hurt you father."

Elric sighed heavily and glanced again in the direction where Hearne had disappeared. He smiled sadly and once again looked to Salome and I, his eyes settling onto me in particular.

"You'll be needing a place to stay," Elric commented as matter of fact. Beside him Godric nodded vigorously. "It is not safe for you to wander the roads alone."

"Then perhaps, you lordship has a suggestion," I replied coldly.

Elric tilted his head and glared at me with an intense dark eyed stare. He rubbed his chin with his gloved hand and then winked conspiratorially at me.
"How much magic do you know boy?"

"Magic," I repeated dumbly.

"Magic, aye, the gift?" the lord prompted with a trace of a grin on his face. "How much do you know?"

"A bit… I suppose," I returned shifting uneasily I couldn't see where this conversation was going.

"Ah… a bit, Darcy?" Elric Gryffindor looked to his aide who was silent throughout most of the exchange. Darcy roused himself and looked to me then laid eyes on my sister.

"A daresay more than a bit to have knocked Hearne off his feet," Darcy sighed. Apparently he too was happy that Hearne had been taught a lesson.

"He's good at the healing arts," Salome snapped at my side.

"Salome," I hissed, "why did you have to go and tell them that?"

My sister returned my glared coolly.

"A healer, eh?" Elric nodded his head dolefully and looked to Godric. "We could do with an extra healer, couldn't we son?"
Godric was grinning from ear to ear. "Certainly, we always need someone to patch you up after you go hunting!"
Elric pretended to cuff Godric over his ear; Godric never lost his self confident smirk.

My heart during this interlude started beating faster and faster. I suddenly became aware of the possibilities that might come my way. I looked to Salome and part of my excitement plummeted. I would not abandon my sister to fend for herself. She was after all family and the only family I had left at that. Family, those of your blood are important. It is the strongest bond on earth, after love that is.

"Come and live with us for exchange of your healing services." My mouth dropped open even with this conformation of my suspicions. It was a dream come true. I was passionate about healing - I still am.

I shook my head. "I cannot."

"Salazar," Salome hissed loudly into my ear this time so that everybody could hear her, "what are you doing? You won't get another opportunity like this one!"

I knew what she said was true. I smiled and turned taking her hands in my own. "I won't abandon you. I cannot and I will not. Never."

"Well," Elric leaned over his horse's neck, "what is the young lady talented at?"

Salome twisted her fingers around her long raven hair. I sighed Salome was a good at charms; she was always sitting around inventing new uses and incantations in her spare time. So I pointed this out to Sir Elric. He looked genuinely impressed.

"Very well. My shelter my protection for your respective services… Darcy will escort you to my castle." The lord wheeled his white horse around and then called over his shoulder. "Godric James Gryffindor, it is time you got back to your studies."

Godric sighed loudly and wave over his shoulder as his small horse trotted to catch up to his father.

I knew in those moments we were going to be fast friends.