Stories Not So Untold

by hmweasley

Collection of ficlets that don't fit into my other collections. 34: After becoming a ghost, the Fat Friar visits his brother. 35: Gideon doesn't like following the rules. 36: Draco had hoped his parents would give him the freedom to marry whoever he chose, but that had been a pointless hope. 37: A few months into their first year, Lily learns just how deep Mary's compassion runs.

8. Being Right (Rowena Ravenclaw)

A/N: Written for two events on the Hogwarts Challenges and Assignments forum. The first is the Leaf Pile fortnight challenge for one of the red prompts: (word) notice. It was also written for the Back to School event using Rowena Ravenclaw. Word count: 352

Being Right

Rowena is the first to notice, though she can't understand how Helga and Godric have failed to.

For years, the four of them have taken dinner together, keen to share how their days have gone. At first, it was a way to recoup and make sure their plans for a wizarding school were unfolding as intended. Eventually, they had become more about sharing the most amusing stories their students had provided them with in that day's classes.

One day, Salazar doesn't come to dinner. There's no explanation; he just never appears.

Helga and Godric shrug it off, speculating that he has other things to do. Rowena can't accept their excuses, sure there is something far more sinister afoot. It's becoming a theme with Salazar, and it makes her nervous.

"How do you not notice?" she asks Helga one day as they're having tea in her office.

Helga shrugs as she raises her cup to her lips.

"He's only sulking," she says with a grin. "It's what Salazar does, isn't it? I'm not denying that he's angry at us for letting Muggleborns into the school, but he'll move passed it. If we give him some space, he'll come around."

Rowena tries to believe Helga's assurances, but something about Salazar's demeanor doesn't sit right with her. Over the years, she's learned to trust her instincts, and though Helga is right that Salazar has always pouted about not getting his way, this is different. They hardly see him over the next year. He disappears into parts of the castle where no one can find.

Helga and Godric say he's probably in his rooms. Rowena is sure he's been keeping secrets since the castle was being built, but she can't confront him about it. Not when she thinks Godric and Helga might stand up for him and say she's overreacting.

The day comes when he attacks Helga without a second thought. Rowena intercepts the spell—having expected it—moments before Godric springs into action. None of Salazar's friends can deny the truth any longer.

Rowena doesn't relish being right. Not this time. Not until the day she dies.