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Sanctuary

Another great witch joined us at Hogwarts Castle and she would bring another and seal out destinies.

I, for quite obvious reasons, was not well acquainted with the art of midwifery. Under the gentle urging of Briona and the not so gentle insisting of Godric, another famed healer was brought to the castle. A woman: Helga Hufflepuff.

It was she who delivered my one and only child. A raven haired son, Earven, whom I unashamedly doted on. It was Helga who has the credit of planting the
seed of idea into Godric's, or more importantly, Sir Elric's mind.

Her idea of a sanctuary was appealing to magical folk. And soon it took a fanciful root in Godric's scheming plans. And Sir Elric presumed himself to be the benefactor of a new revolutionary ˜school".

Some would never believe me if I told them how cunning dear sweet Helga Hufflepuff was. Yet Helga soon revealed her cunning plan to rope me into her
plans.

I was soon to learn through my sources as the castle's head healer; that Helga Hufflepuff was allegedly very good friends with Lady Rowena Ravenclaw. This was enough to make any man take notice. Rowena was known throughout Europe (by magical folk) as a steady studious woman who was famed for her almost unnatural intelligence. Of course, all Rowena happened to need for her school was land and mentors for her brilliant idea for a school.

Ever enthusiastic Godric agreed to giving his inheritance - that is Hogwarts for this new grand concept. Sir Elric of course was behind his youngest
son (or shall I say only son) all the way.

I admit at the start I was indifferent to the plans. I was a young man with a new family and was mainly concerned with my new son and writing gloating
notes to a furious Tarrance d'Malfred. I hear Odelle was beside herself with rage.

So preoccupied I was with other tings I was extremely late to the banquet in the honour of Lady Ravenclaw who had arrived earlier that day.

I ran in through the side door hoping against the fates of the heavens that I would not be noticed and slowly sate down beside my seething wife. If I thought a quiet entry would allow me to be ignored I was gravely mistaken.

"Ah!" Godric cried immediately standing and raising a goblet over his head in greeting. I smiled wanly at my friend in return. "Here he is our new healer mentor."

My jaw opened instantaneously at the thought of Godric presuming I wanted to teach youngsters. But Godric ignored this fact and continued speaking.

"Salazar I was just telling Rowena that you delivered my little Gwerys without the aide of Helga."

I forced a thin smile onto my lips. After delivering Godric's daughter, I promised myself "Never again!" I helped Alieen because the baby was coming and
Helga Hufflepuff was in the nearby village.

I glanced down in disbelief at Briona who was beaming and I knew at once that truth. I had been nominated not by Godric, but by my own wife, whom I
could deny nothing.

Before I could utter a murmur of protest an elegant woman dressed in a gown of a blue hewn stood and raised her proud dark eyes to meet mine. I think it
would be fair to say I felt naked in front of her. Her expression was one of calm, but this did little to reassure me. Surly this woman knew too much.

"I am pleased to meet the distinguished Salazar Slytherin."

I swallowed and stared into her dark pools, which seemed to be begging me to drown. "Lady," I answered my voice was uncharacteristically husky, "would not your trusted friend Helga be a much better teacher than I?"

"Undoubtedly," she answered bluntly. Her voice was still and confident. I bristled at the insult, but forced my face to remain stoically impassive. "But Helga will be teaching about the healing herbs. I still need someone to teach the healing arts. It is imperative for our young ones, wouldn't you agree?"

"It is," I returned. To this day, I have not met with a professor who will not defend his own subject.

"It is" Two simple words that sealed my destiny to become a teacher of young magical minds and the road to fame and misfortune.
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The plans for the school were finalised a few months later. Mostly due to Ravenclaw's zeal for work; she had done much in that time and I honestly doubt that she ever got enough sleep.

Godric, fine Godric would be teaching the art of defence as he believed that young minds were too sensitive to protective magics. We couldn' have
apprentices accidentally killing ourselves with magic now could we? A select few were taught privately by Godric the dangerous strand and it did in the
early stages cause a rift between students. Godric however, being impressive and very much likable soon stamped out the problem.

Ravencalw herself was teaching charms and the theory behind magic. Helga taught about herbs (both magical and not magical) and their uses in healing
and potions. Of course I was teaching the healing arts between my duties as a healer.

The demand for the magical school was so high and the number of interested parents and students increased by the day that it soon became obvious the
students needed to be divided in cohorts.

"We'll look after a cohort each," Helga decided without really asking any of us what we thought.

"Good idea, lass," Sir Elric replied nodding his head. Since he was a benefactor, Rowena allowed him to attend all our meetings and to join in with our discussions.

"And..." Helga started to clap her hands together, "Each cohort should have a name."

Godric nodded and wearily looked out the window contemplating. He looked thoroughly miserable. I had told him earlier (and rather bluntly) that Alieen should have no more children. Reaching over I pat his knee
sympathetically; I knew how much his heart bled for a sibling for Gwerys. It was in that moment a brilliant idea formed in my mind.

"Our surnames would serve our purpose."

Godric looked up with a sigh when he saw my beaming face.

"Cheer up Goddy, my lad," Elric said clapping Godric roughly on his shoulder. "Be thankful for your beautiful daughter."

Godric ran his hand through his hair nodding lightly but gave no other indication that he heard his father's words. "Surnames is a good idea," he conceded as if he was bored.

Ravenclaw too clever for her own good, perceived Godric's problem or more to the point his jealously.

"You envy your brother," she said lightly. Both Helga and I were glaring her down. Tact was something she learnt a little later on.

Godric's reply to his was only to growl in reply.

"All of England is talking about the Great Champion's new son. They say he is a beautiful little boy; strong and healthy."

I swear if Rowena wasn't a woman I would have thumped her right then and there. She was clueless to the pain she was causing the two Gryffindors. I
watched afraid as Godric's cheeks reddened. Gwerys, despite her mother's gentle features, had a tendency to fall ill and I knew the fear her frailness caused her courageous father.

"I can't remember the name they gave him. Nice name; good strong and bold."

"Rhodderyk," Godric supplied glumly, "Rhodderyk Jonathan Gryffindor. Hearne is planning on having another son."

I rolled my eyes. How could a man possibly plan on having a son?

I chanced a look at Sir Elric whose face also depicted a wild thunderstorm. I could clearly see what he was thinking in his mind. Rhodderyk would be a grandsire he would never have a chance to see...

Godric stood to leave and I went to follow him. Outside the chamber door I stopped him. "Gwerys is all the more beautiful because she is yours, Godric."

Godric smiled and I was surprised to see the smile reach his honey gold eyes. "How is it you always know what to say?"