Chapter 3

"The school is ready," Godric finally said, voicing what they had concluded upon finishing their final examination through the entire castle. "Well, the castle is. All that's left to do is finding the professors willing to teach—other than us, that is—and, of course, the future students."

Six months had passed ever since Rowena first voiced the idea to build Hogwarts. The four of them could scarcely believe that dream was really about to come true.

"What about the Headmaster or Headmistress?" Rowena asked.

They all looked at each other for a moment. It was Helga who finally spoke up. "I don't think it should be one of us. Not because we're not capable, but… we built this school together and it seems unfair if only one of us should lead it."

"I suppose that makes sense," Salazar replied, which surprised Godric because usually he would jump at the chance of securing such positions even if it meant leaving the others. Then again, when it was Helga who raised the points, he seemed more inclined to follow the logic.

"So we'll have to find someone," Rowena added that to their to-do list.

"What about our student requirements?" Salazar asked, and was met by odd looks from his three friends.

"I thought the requirement was being a witch or wizard," Godric stated in confusion. Rowena and Helga nodded in agreement, but Salazar still seemed unconvinced.

"Just any witch or wizard?"

"Well, yes. We're the only wizarding school in Britain, Salazar. Why would you want to deny anyone entry?" Rowena asked, bewildered.

"Well… I had just imagined us being more specific than that. Being an exclusive school. Accepting only the best students," Salazar shrugged.

"And what kinds of students fall under the 'best' category?" Rowena cocked her head.

"Oh, I don't know. Ambitious, strong, smart… future world leaders," Salazar said.

"You do know only a handful of people ever become world leaders, right?" Helga asked in amusement. "What about the ones who don't have such high ambitions but aren't any less hardworking? Why should we deny them?"

"If we're picking student types, I want to admit those who are brave, daring, and fearless," Godric interjected, excitement flashing in his eyes.

Salazar rolled his eyes. "You mean as foolish as you."

Rowena raised her hand before an argument could break out. "Okay, okay, it seems like we all have a specific type of students in mind."

"I don't," Helga interrupted, but Rowena just gave her an 'of-course-you-don't' look, though not unkindly.

"Here's an idea. There are four of us. Maybe we should leave more reminders in this school as founders other than just the fact that we built it." She looked at each of her friend's puzzled faces. "Let us make houses within this school. Our own houses bearing our names. The houses of Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin." Now Godric, Salazar, and Helga looked intrigued, so Rowena continued. "That way, we can choose our type of students for our respective houses, and they all can still attend the school."

"That's a brilliant idea!" Godric said excitedly. "Of course, I should have never expected less from you." Rowena beamed at him. "It's settled then, the Gryffindor house would champion the traits I mentioned before. Only those who are the bravest and most loyal could secure a spot within it. And we'll need house symbols! I claim the fierce lion," he grinned, seemingly satisfied that he managed to use his original idea for the school's name after all.

"A house symbol?" Rowena's eyes flashed with intrigue. "Mine should be an eagle, I think. To symbolize the grace and wisdom that are to be my students' defining qualities."

"Shouldn't it be an owl then?" Godric chuckled, but Rowena quickly silenced him with an annoyed look. "Right, eagle is definitely more majestic."

"The house of Slytherin shall be represented by a serpent," Salazar said, "Its students will be cunning and determined, willing to do whatever it takes to reach their goal."

The others looked at him for a moment, no doubt mulling over the 'whatever it takes' part, but eventually no one voiced a concern. And finally they turned to Helga, who looked the most unsure out of them all.

"Do I really have to pick?" she bit her nails nervously. "I'm fine with any kind of students, really. As long as they're hardworking and fair." Rowena smiled, clearly familiar with her friend's endearing kindness. "Tell you what; I'd take all the other students that don't fit in your houses," Helga finished.

"Perfect," Godric said. "And your house's mascot? What shall it be?"

Helga frowned, seeming deep in thought for a very long time. Just when Rowena was about to suggest something, Helga perked up. "I know! A badger!"

"A badger?" Salazar echoed, his expression thoroughly baffled. "And why on earth would it be a badger?"

"Why not?" Helga replied with an equally confused look. "They're adorable."

"They're ador—Are you serious?" Rowena asked as Godric threw his head back and laughed loudly, clapping one hand on his knee. Rowena looked between him and Helga, wondering if she was missing the big joke.

But Helga just giggled and shrugged. "Well, they are! And I like it, okay?"

Godric roared in laughter again, and eventually Salazar shook his head and joined in. Rowena stared at her best friend and, not for the first time, wondered if Helga would ever take things as seriously as she should, but then she was reminded that it was precisely because she had the ability to take things in stride that Rowena loved her. So finally she smiled and nodded, feeling as if she could burst out laughing at any moment too. "Of course, Helga. Of course. Badger it is."

Designing the house crests turned out to be the most fun part of the process. Godric insisted he wanted gold for his secondary house color, and because they wanted all the colors to be different, no one else could use it as well. The boys debated for a while about it but eventually everyone agreed it would make more sense for the lion to get the gold color rather than the serpent. However, Salazar then of course wanted the second best color; silver. The girls decided to let Godric and Salazar claim them, but it was about the only time they let the traditional male dominance happen. Well, mostly Rowena let it. Helga was, of course, not too fussed about it. In fact, after Rowena claimed bronze, Helga decided to settle with plain old black. The primary colors had been easier; they'd just picked their own favorite colors, which thankfully were all different.

The school crest ended up being the combination of all four houses' crest. It looked quite amazing once they were done with it. It was as they were staring proudly at the finished crest that Godric said, "I think we need a school slogan."

"Can't we just put something like the 'primary wizarding school in Britain'?" Salazar asked.

"That's boring," Godric gave him a chiding look. "Honestly, Salazar, I think you need to start using your imagination more."

"I'm pretty sure that's your and Rowena's department," Salazar shrugged.

Godric turned to Rowena. "You're the Latin expert. Tell me if I've got this one right." He paused for dramatic effect, then announced carefully, complete with a grand hand gesture, "Draco, dormiens, nunquam, titillandus."

Rowena looked at him blankly. "Never tickle the sleeping dragon?" she asked doubtfully, sure that Godric had messed up his Latin and caused it to say something else entirely—something ridiculous—as people who translated poorly were prone to do.

But instead Godric clapped his hands happily. "Yes! That's it! Wise words, don't you think?"

Salazar and Rowena exchanged an incredulous look. Helga jumped up from her seat and clapped her hands, too. "I love it! It's so brilliant!"

"Right? Who's the genius now? This man is!" Godric looked extremely satisfied with himself, and then he and Helga started dancing around the room.

"Brilliantly random is what it is," Rowena muttered, still too shell-shocked to react.

Salazar threw his palm onto his face.