Chapter Four
Midnight Meetings

Later that evening, students began pouring into the new Hogwarts, greeted by the Four Founders at the entrance to the Great Hall. As the students passed the four founders, they were directed to their respective table. Godric was allowed the students with the greatest deeds to their name; Rowena took on the students of greatest wit; Helga allowed herself the students of high moral fiber; and Salazar separated the purest of blood from the throng. In a few moments' time, all the students were seated, and the founders made their way to the staff table. Once the founders took their seats, the plates and goblets before them magically filled with food, and they all dug in.

"Well that was not as painful as it could have been!" Helga declared, talking about the sorting.

"Did you doubt me, dear friend?" Rowena said, smiling sanctimoniously and taking a drink from her goblet.

"I must admit Rowena, I did have my doubts," Salazar said, "But you have managed, yet again, to prove that you have the keenest mind."

"Still not keen enough to convince Salazar that his pure-blood obsession is fruitless," Godric said, swallowing a bit of food, nudging Salazar a bit.

"Fruitless? Lest we forget the four people who built this castle are all pure-blood," Salazar said, "Even Rowena cannot deny that blood purity produces good results."

"Anyone can get as good as any of us," Helga interjected, "All it takes is hard work."

"Hear! Hear!" Rowena said, "There is no conclusive evidence to suggest pure-bloods make better wizards."

The founders continued debating with Salazar for some time, still unable to convince him of anything. In time, the students finished up their meal, and the Four Founders rose from their seats, and stood before their assembled students.

"In these turbulent times," came Rowena's steady voice "It is wise for us to band together. By coming to this place, and learning from the best witches and wizards Scotland and England have to offer, we can use the gift of a good education to better ourselves and our world."

"And it is our differences that make our world great," Salazar continued, "That which makes us exemplary is what makes us strong, and better than all those not blessed to bear the name 'wizard.'"

"What you will learn here will arm you," Godric interjected, "You will need to defend yourselves from muggles who hate our kind vehemently, and defend yourselves from other Dark Wizards who seek to do harm to all."

"As this inaugural year of Hogwarts is set to begin," Helga said, "We must all realize that while we will live in separate houses with different values, we must remain, first and foremost, one school, level and just, to the benefit of all."

At this, the hall erupted in applause for their four leaders. They beamed at their students, and at each other. Rowena and Godric exchanged glances quickly and smiled, much to the chagrin of Salazar. This was it, their dream had been realized, and despite what was said and done, that night, the school seemed as though it would last for eternity.

As the celebration ended, the four founders lead their respective houses to their own common rooms, as the students walked in awe of the grandeur of the castle. Helga could even be heard in the Entrance Hall saying, "You can thank our very own Professor Ravenclaw for the castle floor plan. She designed it all!"

As the Ravenclaw students heard this, they began to cheer alone for their own Head of House, while passing a gaggle of sneering Slytherins. Hours passed after all the students were lead to their dormitories, and a silent night quickly fell upon the castle.

It was in that still night that the fast-paced footsteps of Godric Gryffindor could be heard echoing through the halls. He past tapestries and paintings, his only guiding light coming from the moon breaking in through the windows and stained glass. At last, he arrived at the Statue of Cliodna, and there waiting for him, was a figure standing in a midnight blue cloak. Godric walked up to the figure, pulled down the cloak's hood, revealing Rowena Ravenclaw, whose face was like porcelain in the moonlight. Without hesitation, he kissed her.

Rowena enjoyed the embrace for a moment, but quickly pushed Godric away, turning her back to him, looking out the window next to the statue,

"I...we...we can't do this," she said solemnly, "You know we can't."

"I know I love you," Godric spoke to Rowena's back, "And you love me, and that is all that matters."

"No that is not all, it is not that simple," she began, "There are our friendships to consider, the harmony of our union, and the long-term future of this school."

"How does our love jeopardize this school?"

"Then you do not deny it jeopardizes our friendships."

"That's not what I meant..."

"But it is what you said."

At this, Godric grabbed Rowena's shoulders, "They will understand. Helga is your best friend and she will be happy, and I know Salazar will accept it in time."

"Will he?" she turned to face Godric, her eyes welling with tears, "I don't practice divination often, but I don't need it to know that keeping this secret can tear us all apart."

To this, Godric embraced Rowena, allowing her tears to fall on his cloak, "We have sacrificed much to bring Hogwarts to life, do not tell me that know we must also sacrifice our happiness."

Rowena pulled away slightly from Godric, wiping away her remaining tears, and looked into his eyes. His gaze was genuine and tender, very unlike the strong facade he uses in front of the others.

"Then we cannot tell them, and leave no signs," she resigned, "And not even glances at dinner. Even that will be misinterpreted."

Godric smiled and hugged Rowena, lifting her in the air and spinning, putting her back on the ground. When she landed, off in the distance, Rowena could hear foot steps.

"Words cannot express how happy you've made me!" he said, moving to kiss her.

"Not now," she said, putting her finger to his lips, "Later, for I hear someone approaching."

Godric smiled again, took Rowena's hand, kissed it, and hurried off down the corridor where he came. Rowena straightened herself, cleaning her face of tears and fixing her hair. She turned to see where the steps were coming from, and out form the darkness emerged Helga in her gilded dressing gown, her lighted wand guiding the way.

"Nox." Helga said, extinguishing her wand, "Who was that?"

"No one," Rowena replied, blushing slightly.

"You lie," Helga said, putting a hand on Rowena's shoulder, "You were speaking with Godric!"

Rowena nodded, turning to face her friend, smiling half-heartedly, "No, really I wasn't. In fact it was Professor Imago walking to his study. I met him while showing my students to the West Tower, and he asked me when I was done to join him."

"What did he want?"

"Oh, he just wanted me to approve the set of cards he'll be using to cartomancy. I don't much care for divination, so I said they were fine."

Helga looked into Rowena's eyes, searching for a sign, but found none. She. thought for a moment, somewhat unconvinced, but she could think of no other reason for Rowena to not tell the truth. The only thing she could think of was it really was Godric, but Rowena swore to her that nothing would come of them.

"Well, I think we should both get back to our rooms," Helga said, igniting her wand tip once more, "It's colder than a dementor's hood tonight."

Together, they set off up the corridor heading to the Entrance Hall, passing suits of armor that turned their heads as the women passed,

"Are you ready for your first lesson tomorrow?" Helga asked conversationally.

"Quite," Rowena replied, "I'm sure the students are more excited about Charms than I am."

"Indeed. I do hope Godric and Salazar are ready. I am sure Godric is, though I have my doubts about Salazar."

"You doubt he is qualified to teach?" Rowena asked.

"I don't doubt his lessons for Potions," Helga replied, "I doubt his capacity to treat the other students fairly. I mean, if they're not pure blood, who knows how he will treat them."

"I too share that fear. His exaltation of blood purity irritates me, as though it should be our only deciding factor."

"Well, I can tell you most of my students are afraid to go near him and his students," Helga sighed, "Most of them aren't pure blood and fear that they might be ridiculed or cursed."

"Cursed? That's a bit harsh, Helga."

"Still, this is as I feared. We may be a unified group of four, but the students are dividing themselves; they are making our defining features their differences."

Unified group. The words struck a chord of guilt inside Rowena, since she herself was withholding information from her best friend. She stopped before they exited the corridor, facing the turned heads of the suits of armor.

"Ahem!" she said, and at once all of the suits turned to face forward.

"Very well, have a good night," Helga said, descending the stairs to her house.

"Helga," Rowena called, "You are my best friend, and I would never hurt you."

Helga smiled weakily, "I know," and continued down the stairs.

With that, Rowena turned around and headed for the West Tower, hoping she made the right decision.