A/N: See? I told you it would be up soon!
Disclaimer – The world of Harry Potter is owned by JK Rowling and various publishers. I make no claim to ownership. I'm just here, living in her world.
The Founders Return
by blackrhino
Chapter 6
Everyone was a bit confused, but definitely interested when their head of house announced that everyone should be present at breakfast. Of course, everyone went.
Lots of questions were being asked. Why did they all have to be in the hall? Is this about those people yesterday? Who were those weird strangers? You see, no-one knew the answers. Not even the staff.
So at exactly 7 o'clock, Dumbledore stood at his podium in front of the whole school. He didn't even have to wait for quiet. The whole student body was completely silent, all eyes on the aged headmaster.
"Yesterday," he started, "a rather unfortunate accident brought several people to our school. It seems Hogwarts will be playing host to them until they find a way home, if they find a way home. I hope you treat them with the respect they rightfully deserve." Dumbledore stopped, gathering his words.
"And now, I have the pleasure of introducing to you," he started to raise his voice. He pointed his wand at the doors at the end of the hall.
"The Four Founders of HOGWARTS!"
The students and professors all turned to look at the doors. Everyone gasped as the first founder entered the Great Hall. He strode towards the front, the light glinting on the sword at his side.
He was well built and quite tall with short-ish red hair. The typical image of the Gryffindor founder. He was wearing deep crimson-red battle robes with a shining gold breast-plate. The clasp on his robes was in the shape of a snarling golden griffin. At his side was the legendary Gryffindor sword. The rubies inlaid in the hilt seemed to give off a blood-red light.
He reached the front and nodded to the headmaster. Dumbledore gave a small bow and stepped to the side. The founder nodded again, this time in the direction of the teachers, before turning to face the four tables.
"Thank-you all! My name, if you haven't already guessed it, is Lord Godric Gryffindor." Said the founder, proudly.
A cheer rose from one of the centre tables. Gryffindor smiled fondly at the table swathed in red and gold.
"I'm so glad that our school is so popular and well known! There are so many students! You can't imagine how proud it makes us feel! None of us could have guessed, or even imagined that our school would turn out like this. Not even Helga! Right, now I would like to introduce you to my fellow Founders. First, I would like to introduce you to my beautiful, clever wife, Lady Rowena Ravenclaw!"
A tall slim woman with thick, wavy brown hair started the long walk down to the front.
The Ravenclaws all stood up to get a better look at their Founder. Most were quite surprised. They expected their founder to be the peace-keeper. The one who wouldn't fight. Yet, here was Rowena Ravenclaw, quiver on her back and her bow, casually slung over her shoulder. The Ravenclaw dagger attached to her belt.
She wore indigo-blue battle robes that shimmered in the morning sun. She had a bronze breast-plate with a raven engraved on it. The raven seemed to blink occasionally.
Eventually, she joined her beloved at the front. She looked at the staff, a clear look of curiosity playing across her face. Professor Flitwick squeaked in excitement. He was bouncing in his chair, clearly wanting to bombard the founder of his house with questions. Ravenclaw turned back to the front.
"We are truly sorry to drop in like this. It will be insightful and interesting to live in the future, if only for a short while. Think of all the knowledge that must have been lost over the years. And all the magic that's evolved! This accident could prove useful after all." The Ravenclaws burst into applause after their Founder's short speech.
Gryffindor cleared his throat. "Next, I would like to introduce you to my younger sister, the loyal and hard-working Lady Helga Hufflepuff!"
The 'Puffs burst into applause as the next figure entered the hall. They soon swapped the applause for gasps of surprise. The young, beautiful woman in front of them was nothing like the idea everyone held of the Hufflepuff founder.
She stalked up through the hall, a smirk on her face.
She had long, straight ginger hair that had a couple of braids in. It was half-up and half-down. Her hair reflected all the light of the rising sun. She was truly beautiful and I think many people looked at Hufflepuffs differently from that day on.
She wore coal-black battle robes with a bright yellow breast-plate. The thing was, it didn't look out of place on her at all. At her side was a blade of the darkest metal. The metal seemed to swirl and change as she walked the length of the hall.
When she finally reached the front, she turned to Godric,
"Why did everyone go silent? Have I got something on my face?" she questioned.
At that moment, the 'Puffs got over their initial shock and cheered. Helga turned around and smiled her most dazzling smile. The other two founders simply smiled.
Everyone calmed down when they realised who was next. The Slytherin table seemed to be on edge. The only Founder left was theirs.
"And last, but definitely not least, my best friend…" started Godric
"And my boyfriend, so HANDS OFF!" added Helga.
"My cunning, slippery friend, Lord Salazar Slytherin!" finished Gryffindor. Everyone was shocked by this. Gryffindor and Slytherin best friends? Hufflepuff and Slytherin going out?
The hall was silent as the tap tap of steel-toed boots was heard. Salazar Slytherin entered the Great Hall.
As he walked past the first few people, they cowered away from him, even the Gryffindors. His magical aura was so strong, you could almost see it. It was addictive and rolled off him in waves. He looked the ideal image of a pure-blood wizard. His aura of confidence, power and strength oozed off of him and made everyone in his presence seem inferior.
Slytherin had long black hair that was swept away from his face and loosely tied up. He wore black duellists clothes with an emerald green cloak. A huge ebon snake was wound around his waist, and its head rested on his shoulder. The sword at his side was curved and white. Acid green runes danced along the blade.
It was not his aura, nor his snake that made people stand and stare. No, his most shocking feature was his unforgettable emerald green eyes. They were almond shaped and when you looked in them, you simply lost yourself.
He wasn't as tall as Godric, but taller then Rowena and Helga. He was lithe and feline like. Muscles quivered underneath his clothes as he moved. The perfect dueller. He scanned the hall with a calculated look. His hand stayed on the hilt of his sword.
When he reached the front, he spun round and smirked at the students. He gave a low chuckle and nodded towards the Slytherin table.
"How nice it is to be home again" he said quietly. His voice was low and musical. Even though he spoke quietly, barely more than a whisper, everyone heard.
"Now!" bellowed Godric, smashing the silence with all the subtly of a sledgehammer.
"Now everyone has been introduced, I'd like to say a few things. The first is that now the four of us are here, we will recharge the wards on the castle and, Hogwarts herself. With Hogwarts fully recharged, the staircases will be far more helpful, the classrooms will most probably move, the old staffroom will unlock itself and Hogwarts will have complete control of the students. That means, that is you are out of bed after curfew, Lady Hogwarts will see it fit to… guide you back to your common room. This is for your own safety.
The next thing is, we will re-instate the four protectors of Hogwarts. You don't need to know that much about them for now and we will introduce them in due time.
Another thing you should know is that a few of our friends will be arriving in a couple days time. They were connected in the accident and should be here any day now.
The last thing, is that I'm disappointed. Very disappointed. Sal never had that amount of Slytherins! There must be… Loads!" he chuckled at the last bit.
The Slytherins looked outraged, they couldn't believe what Gryffindor had said. Snape was about to say something when the other 3 founders started laughing. Including Slytherin himself.
"It does seem that Slytherin has grown in numbers." Said Salazar
The staff gave careful smiles. It had been a joke!
Now Rowena spoke up.
"We are truly sorry if we have disturbed any lessons. We shouldn't be here too long. There must be a spell to send us back to our own time window."
"We hope" added Salazar, making Helga snort with laughter.
"Snorting really doesn't suit you Helga," whispered Sal loud enough for everyone to hear. Helga turned bright red.
Rowena playfully punched Sal's arm to stop him from embarrassing Helga even more. As he stood there, rubbing his arm and glaring at the Ravenclaw founder, it became too much for Godric and Helga. They burst into hysterics.
Dumbledore shooed the four to the side of the hall and waved his hands. Breakfast appeared, but instead of eating, everyone was talking about the same thing.
A/N: Not much to say here... Just PLEASE REVIEW! I LOVE REVIEWS! THEY MAKE ME WRITE!
Now, I'm going to use this space to amswer any questions people have.
NCJVG - You will find out about the other world... Eventually! -evil grin-
blackrhino