Disclaimer: I don't own JK Rowling's fantastic world

Summary: We meet Leonis our little thief and Godric has to spill his little secret.

Chapter Two. Secrets That Are Hard To Keep

Leonis Godric De Saville sat cross legged on the hard dirty floor. It was depressing for him to think that just in a few short days he would be eleven. A few days after his birthday marked he anniversary of his mother's death. He had been alone now for three years.

His Aunt Lariel evicted him from the only home he had known not long after the funeral. At first he had been angry and hurt over his Aunt's decision but a part of him understood. Aunt Lariel had little love for him he was the tangible proof of his mother's fall from grace. Since he had been little she had always treated him different from the other children in the lord's keep.

After he had gotten over his anger from his Aunt's cruel decision on his behalf he had been excited. His life at the keep was not much better than slavery and being a servant and a bastard child was well… made him different. Leonis never did discover how it was his fault he was a bastard.

He had never been able to leave the keep. So once he was released from his Aunt's doorstep (at the end of her pointy boots), he left the small county and travelled further into Wales.

Leonis soon discovered the problem with being an orphan. One: no one wanted to feed someone else's get or employee him. He was much too scrawny and young to be of any use to anyone. Two: he had to feed himself.

There was only one way to feed yourself when you lived on the streets. That was to earn your food by pinching it off other people.

Leonis sighed heavily and wrapped himself tightly in his thread bare coat. This didn't stop the gooseflesh rising to his skin. He had only been caught stealing once before but this time he knew it was different. He was in the worst sort of trouble a thief could be in.

'Well at least they're feeding me something in here,' Leonis thought glancing around the cell. 'But I don't like dark, small places and it is dirty...'

Leonis stifled his laughter at his last thought. His mother said he was like his father in that way. Not that she spoke of him much only that he didn't like dirty places. It was a strange bit of information to know about the other of your parents. But that was all he had and to Leonis this was too much knowledge. His father could be dead for all he cared. It mattered very little to him…

"Here." A jailer came to the door and threw some bread through the cracks. Leonis watched it fall grimacing.

"Thankyou," Leonis called dusting it off ruefully. It was better than going hungry in a place like this.

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Godric wearily trudged up the stairs to Rowena's office. It was late but he knew that she would still be working, most likely another subject area to add to the curriculum. He almost groaned at the thought. The meeting however, would not be about the curriculum.

"Rowena, my dear," Godric said with his usual charm tapping on the door. "You had wished to speak with me?"

Godric heard Rowena sigh in exasperation as she opened the door. She stepped away briskly revealing Helga Hufflepuff who was lounging in a comfortable chair.

Godric cleared his throat and stepped through the threshold. "Good evening ladies."

"Good evening, Godric," Helga replied her usual amiable self. Rowena however looked out of sorts.

"Have you told, Elizabeth?" Rowena demanded. "I would not have her say that we knew before her."

Godric held his hands up in surrender and took a chair opposite Helga. "I have not seen her as yet."

"You must tell her, Godric dear," Helga interjected kindly.

"Yes, dear heart, I know." Godric wiped his brow in worry. He had very little desire to tell his wife of the bastard he had sired eleven years ago.

Helga lay a comforting hand on Godric's knee. "Salazar will calm down, we aren't so silly as not to know he made the same mistake as you."

Godric lifted his head. None were suppose to know that Salazar sired Isah out of wedlock. It was one of the castle's great secrets.

"Yes," Rowena snarled sarcastically, "We know about that."

"It's not Salazar who I am worried about. Elizabeth will be furious."

"As well she should be," Rowena crossed her arms against her chest.

Godric decided to change his approach. "I suppose you didn't call me for a social visit. Say what you must and let's be done with it."

"Godric…"

"Very well," Rowena said cutting Helga off. "What do you plan to about it?"

"It?" Godric repeated for some reason feeling slightly offended. "I will do what I must."

"What bring him back here?" Rowena asked incredulously. "With you?"

Godric's shoulders sagged. He knew what he believed right would not be the most popular choice. He doubted any of his friends or family would support his decision. He got up quickly wrapping his cloak about him. "I've made my decision."

As Godric started to leave for the door Rowena spat back at him quickly, "Then you are a fool, Godric Gryffindor. A large thick headed fool."

Without glancing back Godric kept walking from Rowena's study listening to his quick footsteps on the stone floor.

"Godric… Godric!"

Godric didn't turn around. He kept walking, too angry at Rowena, Salazar and himself to bother listening to the voice.

"Godric!" Helga grabbed hold of the crook of his elbow and pulled him back gently. He looked down at the most overlooked member of their group and felt a certain pride for this gentle woman.

"I am proud of you," Helga said. Godric could tell she wanted to hug him by the gleam in her eyes. "Whatever happens you must promise yourself that you will do the right thing. No matter what. You'll never live with yourself otherwise."

"I don't know if I can live with myself now," Godric replied.

Helga held onto his sleeve and said vehemently. "A child's life will never be the end of the world. Especially not for Godric Gryffindor."

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Godric slipped into bed thinking Elizabeth was asleep. She moaned lightly and turned onto her belly. "I thought you weren't coming to bed tonight," she said softly. Godric's guts tightened involuntarily. He knew she wanted another baby and was disappointed as night after night he stayed in his study 'working'.

Feeling her hand run a slow line up his bare chest, Godric grabbed her hand. "I'm afraid you'll not want me tonight."

"What makes you say that?"

Godric sighed heavily and turned his head slowly. "It has come to my attention that… that…my pervious lover before we were married bore a boy… my son." Godric shook his head sadly.

"Oh," Elizabeth said withdrawing her hand slightly. "I knew I wasn't your first woman."

Godric blushed furiously.

"Your heart was never in this marriage; neither was mine."

Godric turned his head slightly. "You had a lover too?"

"Oh well erm." It was Elizabeth's turn to blush a brilliant red colour. "We – only – once…"

"Oh," Godric snorted jovially.

"You love her still?" Elizabeth asked in a small voice.

Godric started. "I loved her deeply yes. When she left I gave up on happiness. Her note had said there was another and now I begin to understand…"

"She left because of the baby," Elizabeth hazard. "Will you be leaving me with the children?"

"No," Godric said. "I would never leave you and my children."

Elizabeth sighed resting her head against Godric's chest.

"Aimee has died and so I…I…"

"Must find him?"

"Hmm…"

"Does he have a name?"

"Leonis."

"Lion…how appropriate."

Godric sighed heavily and turned on his side. Elizabeth leant over his body and kissed his cheek. "Go find him."

"I will. I will find him."