Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in this story. They belong to JK Rowling. All I own is the plot.

A/N: These updates are coming faster than I expected, but the story almost seems to be writing itself. I hope you enjoy. Please read and review.

Chapter four:

The months of spring and summer were some of the most fulfilling and happiest that they had ever known. The sound of children laughing and playing filled the halls and grounds of the castle, and mealtimes were an absolute delight. The many red-haired children of Gryffindor and the honey blonde children of Hufflepuff played together happily, with many warm days swimming in the lake or playing impromptu games of Quiddich. There was even a blossoming romance between Helga's oldest, Amanda, and Godric's oldest, Gregory. The four founders were together with their families and they were busy with the final preparations for the coming students.

Many times many owls had to be sent to the wizarding families of Brittan, and word was spreading in the community about the special new school for the young witches and wizards of the realm. They received many confirmations of enrollment over the summer from many wizarding families, and were happy that their first year would be so well attended. As the summer wound down they geared up for the arrival of their students. Most would be arriving by floo through the main fire in the great hall. Some who lived closer to the school were being escorted there by their parents, and all had been told that they must arrive no later than dusk on the first day of September.

The night before the arrival of the students, the four friends sat nervously in the Great Hall. They tried to eat some dinner, but every ten minutes or so one of them would pop up and run out of the room saying that there was one last thing to check. The children had picked up on this and were strung as tightly as piano strings, and in addition to their own nerves, the fledgling teachers had to contend with near mayhem from the over exited children. Godric was nervously eyeing his youngest set of twins, who were attempting to slide down the banister of the main stairway. At his suggestion, Salazar went to his potions room and made up a batch of calming draught. Everyone received a dose, and they proceeded to bed.

The next morning dawned cold and raining. Everyone had settled their nerves, and as the first few students made their way up the path from Hogsmeade to the castle, the teachers prepared to deal with whatever came their way. Godric and Helga manned the front gate, and guided students and parents to the dormitory, while Rowena and Salazar remained in the Great Hall, and made sure that there were no floo accidents involving the incoming students. The house elves were in attendance as well, carting the arriving students' luggage and school things to the dormitory. Once everyone had arrived and their names were checked, everyone gathered at the Great Hall for the welcoming feast. The parents who had escorted their children stayed as well, and would spend the night at the castle before journeying home. After everyone was seated, Helga stood up to address the gathering.

'Welcome students of Hogwarts! Welcome also to the parents who have joined us today. You are a very special group. You are the first students at this school of witchcraft and wizardry, and it is something that you will be proud of in years to come. We have great plans for your education, and someday, you will tell your grandchildren that you were here to witness this monumental event. For those of you who do not know us, I will make some brief introductions. I am Helga Hufflepuff, and the others here beside me are Godric Gryffindor, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin. They have each received many awards and made many accomplishments, and you could not learn from a better group of people. We have some important notices for you as well, regarding certain rules we have set in place to ensure that your stay here will be a safe and happy one, but those can wait until we have been fed and watered. Eat!'

Helga sat down and as the food appeared on the tables there were oohs and aahs at the bountiful food before them. The students did not hesitate, and soon the Great Hall was filled with the sound of a hundred happy children, eating their fill. Many of the children knew each other and renewed old acquaintances, others were in the process of making friends and the parents were involved in discussions over the size of the new school, and how they were pleasantly surprised at how lavish everything was.

Eventually, everyone had eaten till they could not take another bite, and a hush settled over the room. This time, it was Salazar who stood to address the crowd. He was a little nervous, and was extremely stiff and stern as he spoke to the gathered students.

'Now, we have some notices for everyone. Please listen carefully as this will not be repeated. While we wish for everyone to enjoy their time here, we have put some rules in place to ensure that the safety of the school is not compromised. Students are NOT allowed to leave the school grounds without express permission of a teacher. Depending on your behaviour over the next couple of months, supervised visits to the village may be permitted at a later time. In addition, no magic can be performed in the hallways between classes. Unfocused magic can at times be dangerous, so you are expected to obey this and only perform magic during class under the guidance of a teacher.

'As there are many of you and few of us, we will be appointing certain students who will have additional authority over their classmates. These prefects will be responsible for helping us to maintain order and a safe learning environment. For now, the house elves will be helping us with this chore, and will be reporting any misbehaviour to us. Any tomfoolery will not be tolerated, and any students responsible for misconduct will be punished. Between now and All Hallows Eve, we will assess the maturity and capability of each student, and the ones selected will be announced at the Hallows Eve feast. Next year, the students who are given this responsibility will be informed over the summer, and will take up those duties upon arrival. Is all this clear?'

There was a round of nods from the students, who all looked slightly intimidated at this prospect.

'At this time, the teachers will escort you to your dormitories so that we can have a fresh start tomor…'

'Just a moment!' Godric interrupted, standing beside his friend with a smile.

Salazar looked rather shocked at this and glared at Godric, who winked and raised his hands above his head.

'Before we all shuffle off to our beds, there is something that I would like to propose!'

The other teachers looked surprised at this. They usually discussed these things in advance, and it was highly irregular for one of them to take it upon himself to do something without consent.

'In the spirit of creating unity between our students and teachers I have written a song for the school. I suggest that we sing it now before we all go to bed.' Surprised looks greeted this announcement and with that, Godric waved his wand in the air and flaming golden words appeared over their heads. Starting up the song, singly loudly and quite off key, Godric sang.

'Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,

Teach us something please,

Whether we be old and bald

Or young with scabby knees,

Our heads could do with filling

With some interesting stuff,

For now they're bare and full of air,

Dead flies and bits of fluff,

So teach us things worth knowing,

Bring back what we've forgot,

Just do your best, we'll do the rest,

And learn until out brains all rot.'

Laughing, the students joined him in song, and the last line was virtually shouted at the walls. Helga and Rowena were laughing into their handkerchiefs, as this was exactly the kind of thing that Godric would think of. The funny, silly, and downright ridiculous song was the perfect way to set the students at ease after Salazar's rather somber speech. Salazar meanwhile fell back into his seat with stunned disbelief. All his hopes for a dignified school opening and quiet procession to the dormitory were dashed completely. The teachers rose from the table, and gathering the students into a procession behind them, led them to the students' rooms in the east tower. Once they entered the common room, Helga and Rowena led the girls to their rooms on the right, while Godric and Salazar made sure that the boys found their way to their rooms on the left.

After the teachers escorted the parents to the guest rooms set aside for them, they retired to the staff room for a cup of tea before bed. Once they arrived however, Salazar exploded.

'WHAT ON EARTH DID YOU THINK YOU WERE DOING?' He shouted, pointing an accusing finger at a stunned Godric. 'Not only was that… that… SONG, the most infantile and stupid thing I have ever heard, but you embarrassed me in front of the whole student body! How are we supposed to show a united front to the students if they see us interrupting each other at the slightest opportunity? How am I supposed to command the respect of these children if they see us make a mockery of each other? I can't believe you would do that! I demand an apology at once!'

As Salazar spoke, Godric's face became darker and darker. He stood up and walked to Salazar to end up standing face to face with him.

'What was I doing? How can you ask that? You were so morose and serious and somber in your speech that the students seemed almost petrified! We could not send them to bed in that state. Even the parents looked a little worried. All this talk of punishments on the first day! I knew I should have insisted on doing that part of the welcoming myself. I will NOT apologize for what I did. And if you want the respect of the students, then you had better learn how to have a little fun with them. That is all I am going to say on this matter.'

Godric turned his back on Salazar and went to stand by the window. The tension in the room could be cut with a dull knife. Never before had these two best friends exchanged such heated words. Salazar looked to Helga and Rowena to back him up, but Helga looked just as stern as Godric and Rowena just looked shocked. She turned to Salazar, her mouth opening and closing, but with no sound coming out. Finally she swallowed and said apprehensively,

'Salazar, I really think that perhaps this is a bit blown out of proportion. The students enjoyed the song, and will soon forget that Godric interrupted you, if they even noticed in the first place. Perhaps we should just let it go…' She stumbled to a stop as she saw Salazar's face. He was furious. When he spoke though, his voice contained a deadly calm that sent shivers down her spine.

'Rowena, I thought you of all people would be the first to protest this lack of decorum. I am stunned that you are taking his side on this matter. I will not forget it.' And with that, Salazar left the room for his chambers.

A great sigh came from the direction of the window. Godric turned to the ladies and shook his head.

'Salazar always did have a quick temper, as I have. He will cool off soon. Let's just let him sleep on it and things will be right in the morning.' Godric's expression turned from one of resignation to a mischievous smirk and then to a fake look of puppy-like hurt. In a small whine he asked, 'Do you really think that my song was stupid and infantile? I spent hours and hours and hours working on it you know and I had so hoped that everyone would like it…' the ladies laughed at Godric's obvious attempt to lighten the mood, and, hoping that he was right about Salazar's temper, headed off to bed. It would be a very early day for them.

Godric was wrong. For over a month, Salazar refused to speak to them any more than he absolutely had to. He went about his business, taught his students, and evaluated their performance. At mealtimes, he sat stony and silent at the table, and the children began to look at him with a certain measure of fear. Godric tried numerous times to speak with him about what had happened, but was rebuffed every time. Godric was wary of his friend's sudden temper, which was now perpetually near the surface. He did not want to provoke another confrontation and ignored the situation for far longer than he normally would have. Godric was a 'take action' kind of man, but this set of circumstances had him flummoxed.

Rowena tried to speak with him as well, but Salazar was just as silent with her as he was with Godric. It was devastating to her. Over the summer they had begun a promising relationship, and though they had rarely had time for more than a brief kiss, she had reveled in his attention. They had kept it secret from their friends, not knowing how to broach the subject with them, but also enjoying the thrill of a secret romance. The time they spent together seemed far more exciting for its briefness and she had felt that she was a part of something private and special. Helga saw that something was very, very wrong with her friend. Rowena had almost stopped eating, and was losing weight at an astonishing rate. She looked drawn and haggard and was often distracted during her lessons. Helga wondered why Salazar's attitude was affecting her so much. She resolved to do something about the situation, which was close to becoming intolerable.

One day during the second month of term, Helga cornered Salazar in the potions hallway. Seeing her, he stopped and tried to avoid her by turning in the other direction.

'Salazar, stop!' she cried out. 'I just want to talk with you for a moment.'

'We have nothing to speak about'

'Oh yes we do, and you know it. You have been acting more and more like a prat every day since you and Godric had that fight. I don't know why, but it's also tearing up Rowena. Haven't you noticed that she hasn't eaten in almost a week? She's becoming dangerously thin, and she was never robust to begin with. I am really worried about her. All I know is that the way you are treating her doesn't help in the slightest, if it isn't the cause of the problem in the first place!' Helga watched Salazar's back closely to see if her words had any affect. She was surprised to see him stiffen, and then slump slightly and sigh. When he spoke, there was a note of concern in his voice.

'Is she really that unwell? I was not aware. I had hoped that… but that is in the past. I have been cruel to her lately and I do not expect that she will forgive me. I thought that of all people she would support me. For her to take his side in this was a betrayal of immense proportions. I wish that there were something I could do, but I can NOT back down in this. Godric humiliated me in front of the students, and I can not bring myself to apologize for the words I said. There is nothing I can do.' He turned to leave.

'Oh yes there is!' Helga muttered, and as Salazar started to walk away, she hit him with a well placed confundus charm. Salazar staggered into the wall and with a confused expression on his face, slid down the stone until he was sitting on the floor. Helga had what she needed. She now knew that Salazar was just as unhappy about the situation as any of them, but didn't know how to end it. Hoping that she was not going too far, she locked him in a broom cupboard. Then she went to get Godric. She found him sitting in his rooms marking papers.

'Godric, I need your help for a moment. Could you meet me in the staff room in about ten minutes? It's really important.' Godric seemed puzzled, but agreed nonetheless.

Helga then went and found Rowena. She was in her office, ostensibly drafting a test for her third year class. She was staring off into space, her quill drooping from her fingers, and a miserable expression on her face. Helga also asked her to meet them in the staff room, and then went to collect Salazar.

She got him from his broom cupboard where he was tracing pictures on the wall with his wand. She hoped that he would forgive her for this, but it really was necessary. Checking to make sure that no one had seen them, she guided him up to the staff room, desperately hoping they would not run into any students along the way. Luckily, all the students were either in the dormitory or the library studying.

When she guided Salazar into the staff room, Godric and Rowena were already there, as Helga had hoped. When they saw the confunded Salazar enter the room, they stood up quickly, with wary expressions on their faces. He looked up at them and smiled a childlike smile.

'My friends! How wonderful to see you here. I was just going to… going to… well, I don't rightly remember where I was going, but you're welcome to come!'

Godric's jaw hit the floor with an audible thunk.

'Helga! What on earth did you do to him?' He asked, trying not to laugh.

'I hit him with a confundus charm. It was the only way to get him in the same room with the two of you. I suspect that he is just as unhappy with the situation as we were, and he just needs a little help to get over that stubborn nature of his. Now, you listen to me Godric! I am going to take the confundus charm off him, and I want you to apologize. Once he hears it from you, it will be easier for him to apologize as well.' Godric's face turned stony at the prospect of apologizing to Salazar. He opened his mouth to protest, but Helga cut him off. 'You WILL do it Godric, or so help me I'll confund you too!' Godric shut his mouth.

'Okay, ready?' She asked, and Godric nodded.

Helga lifted the charm and as Salazar's eyes cleared, Godric said quickly,

'Salazar, I'm sorry if I embarrassed you at the welcoming feast. I didn't mean to. I hope you can accept my apology.' All this came out very fast, as though Godric wanted to get it out before he changed his mind.

Salazar looked at Godric suspiciously. Godric sighed and continued.

'I mean it Salazar; I did not intend to embarrass you. I can't stand the way things have been between us lately. I had hoped that it would blow over, but it hasn't, and your words hurt me more than you could know.' Godric looked straight at his friend, and his tone could not be ignored. 'Salazar, you have never known me to say an untrue word. You know I'm sincere. Please accept my apology and let's be friends again.' Godric paused, looking as though the next words were very difficult to say. 'I've missed you.'

Rowena stepped forward and did a very brave thing. 'Salazar, please come back to us. You've been so distant lately, and it has hurt us all. Let's mend this and be friends again.'

Salazar looked stunned. He had never known his friends to back down in anything, however what Godric said was true and the apology was obviously sincere. Salazar felt terribly guilty about the way he had treated his friend. His eyes softened.

'Thank you Godric. I am also sorry. I said many things that I probably shouldn't have.' He looked around the room in surprise. 'But can someone please tell me how I got to the staff room? The last thing I remember I was headed to my chambers. What happened?'

Godric and Rowena stifled smiles while Helga blushed and said sharply, 'that doesn't matter, what matters is that you two have cleared things up. I think you also have something to say to Rowena don't you?' She looked very pointedly at Salazar, and he actually managed to look ashamed, which was the very first time that had ever happened in his eventful life.

Salazar walked over to Rowena, who was holding her breath. 'Rowena, I am so sorry for the way I treated you. I want you to know that I still care for you deeply, and I don't care who knows it.' And to the stunned surprise of Helga and Godric, Salazar swept Rowena into a tight embrace and kissed her long and tenderly. He then pulled back, and taking her hands in his own, he said, 'I had hoped that we would be able to make a life together, and I was so afraid that any chance of that was over.'

Rowena shook her head, trying to speak over the lump in her throat. 'No!' she choked out, 'I hope it's not over at all…' What happened next took everyone by surprise as Salazar touched his forehead to hers and whispered two soft words.

'Marry me?'

'Yes'

Godric Gryffindor, winner of a thousand duels, holder of the order of Merlin, and general all around hero, proceeded to slump in a dead faint to the floor.