Assignment 1, Astronomy task 2: Write about one or more of the Hogwarts Founders

Tattoo Booth: Founders era, picking flowers, bliss

Insane House Challenge: HelgaRowena

Word Count: 546


It's moments like these that Rowena knows she is in love with Helga. They stroll along the grounds together, and Helga hurries ahead, her blue eyes bright with excitement as she stops to pick flower after flower. Rowena cannot remember the last time she's allowed herself to give in to such simple pleasures and be carefree; her days are so often spent in her chambers, poring over her books.

"Here we are," Helga says, her skilled fingers weaving the stems of the flowers together until they form a sort of wreath. She holds it up, placing it atop Rowena's dark, cascading curls. "A crown for my queen."

The blush that heats Rowena's cheeks is unbearable. She looks away, hoping Helga doesn't notice the pink staining her olive skin. "I am hardly a queen, my love," she says with a soft chuckle.

Helga pulls her closer, tucking her finger under Rowena's chin and guiding her gaze until their eyes meet. "Must you be so serious, dear Rowena?" she sighs, caressing Rowena's cheek with her fingertips. "Life is such a beautiful thing; I would hate for you to miss out on it because you're…" She trails off, clearing her throat. Her cheeks glow with rosy embarrassment. "Right. Well, perhaps you could just enjoy it."

Rowena's blush is almost maddening now. It feels as though fire has scorched her face. "I do enjoy life," she says.

Helga offers her a kind smile before continuing her stroll, continuing to collect a fresh bouquet of wildflowers as she walks. Rowena stands there, watching her lover put more and more distance between them. She doesn't understand what Helga means or why she doesn't believe that Rowena enjoys life. Just because Rowena finds more pleasure in intellectual pursuits doesn't mean she isn't living; it simply means she has found her own way to achieve bliss.

She can't help. Something about Helga's words gets under her skin, and she cannot shake them.

Perhaps you should just enjoy it.

It almost feels like a challenge. Rowena bunches up her skirt so that it doesn't drag as she quickens her pace to catch up with her lover. "I can enjoy life too!" she says, releasing her skirt and freeing her hands. She begins plucking flowers, breaking their stems in her hurry. "See?"

"Are you actually enjoying yourself?" Helga asks dryly, her brows raised.

Rowena pauses, looking at the bouquet of flowers. "No," she admits.

"You don't have to prove yourself all the time, my love." Helga closes the distance between them and takes the bouquet from Rowena. "I said enjoy life, not conquer it."

Rowena purses her lips. For several moments, she can't find anything to say. Her eyes rest upon her lover, and she relaxes slightly. It should be easy to enjoy life when she has Helga by her side. Truly, Helga has made her days noticeably brighter.

She reaches out and plucks a yellow flower from the bouquet before tucking it behind Helga's ear, admiring the way it stands out against her blonde curls. "I think I have found my bliss in you."

And as they walk along, she can feel the clear change. Her worries begin to melt and fade, and the world seems like a happier place with Helga by her side.