It's taken me quite a while to want to get back into this- I've been so sick since Christmas that I've barely been on my laptop! But I promised myself that I would finish this- I've got a few ideas for these drabbles so I've still got a way to go

This is more an AU from the one I've already painted- It's a "what if" and roles were reversed. If Godric was with Rowena and Salazar the one looking in- may have another one or two stories left in me for this alternate "alternate" universe - AAU if you will -

I'm sorry that this one is quite long- it was meant to be short honestly- but it had a life of it's own and grabbed me by the proverbial writing balls and forced me to write. It was quite scary. For true.

Also sorry for any mistakes this has- it's super late at night here and I just really wanted to get this out! If you see anything, I'll fix it up. Otherwise I'll just get back to it when I can.

As per normal, I do not own anything. Except this laptop (even if my daddy did buy it for me once upon a time)

"Would you two be quiet?" he hissed behind his scroll. He could feel a vein in his forehead start to throb and the tell tale signs of a severe migraine coming on. Salazar closed his eyes tightly and tried to gain composure, one, two… three. He opened his eyes again and let his vision refocus on the vellum he was trying to grade. He was pleasantly surprised with this year's intakes; many of them were quite intelligent and showed great potential and great work ethic- yes- even the Hufflepuffs.

"… the use of Unicorn hair…"

The sound of more feminine laughter.

"… one must err on the side of caution…."

Frantic footsteps of people chasing one another.

"… if one adds too much to a potion one risks serious bodily harm due to the potion combusting-"

The sound of a suit of armour falling to the ground… More laughing.

Salazar threw the work down onto the desk and growled with frustration, he was never going to finish this work with their incessant immature behaviour. For the past hour the two had been running up and down the halls playing hide and seek with blindfolds on. They were forever running into things and tipping them over, falling over each other and their annoying laughs would echo endlessly through the rooms. The latest turn Rowena had the audacity to hide under the desk he was working on, with her arms embracing her tucked legs with her chin on the tops of her knees. She looked just like she did when she was eleven with her eyes brimming with unbridled glee and a cheerful grin plastered on her face. He had peered down at her unimpressed even offering the slightest inclination of an eyebrow to which she merely pressed a finger to her lips hoping for his cooperation. He huffed and continued his work knowing quite well how inappropriate it was for anyone- let along a young woman- to be under a desk with a young man seated in front of it. If they were back at home many rumours would have spread and their reputations would have been in tatters by the next morning.

A few moments after he heard the shuffling of Godric's boots as he re-entered the room. He had his arms out in front of him making sure he wouldn't smash head first into anything and his feet made small tentative steps. He had his trademark wide smile and his head thrown back in mirth.

"Rowena… dearest… I know you're here" he practically beamed. Thud- he had walked straight into an armchair. Salazar looked down again to see Rowena covering her mouth with both hands to muffle her snickers. He looked back to his auburn haired friend, thud- the bookcase. "It's honestly no use my dear, I've been up and down this part of the castle and this is the only room left," thud- the back wall.

"Ouch..."

Salazar shook his head trying to free the cruel images of his friend's nose all flat and bloodied from that last smash into the wall. He bore no ill intent towards his friend after all, he was like blood to him at the end of the day; his stupid, foolish daft brother. He felt said brother's hands clasp blindly at his arm and grasped his way up to his shoulder. Letting his eyes roll up to Godric's idiotic grin and swallowed the biting retort that had begun to form on his tongue.

"Sorry buddy! Just trying to find my bearings!" the moron grinned. Salazar felt the slightest shuffle under the table as Rowena stifled another giggle while clutching onto the hem of Salazar's tunic. "You see Rowena I know you're here… because I can smell you."

Salazar could feel his eyes widen as his friend quickly dropped to the floor beside him as Godric expertly balanced his weight on the balls of his feet with one hand on the table rim to stop him from falling. The Slytherin heir could feel the lady's grip tighten around his clothes as a chortle unwittingly passed her lips. He watched on as his idiot friend dived under the table effectively pushing his chair to the side as Gryffindor collapsed on top of Rowena's hysterical form. His carefully placed mountain of scrolls crashed to the ground and flitted from one corner of the room to the other, his favourite bottle of ink had spilled on to his desk and had begun to drip over the sides of the table and stain the cracks of the stone floors.

Godric had finally managed to pull out the giggling mass of woman and spun her around effortlessly so her shoulders fit against the planes of his chest, wrapped his bulging arms around her as he declined his head to meet the juncture between her neck and shoulders and allowed his lips to gently caress the skin there. He stilled for an instant as he squeezed the woman in his arms and inhaled deeply allowing for a moment where complete calm washed over them. As a knowing grin slowly crossed his slightly chapped lips he spoke into his lover's ear,

"I would know your scent anywhere. I've taken it to memory, I dream of it, bathe in it- revel in the peace it brings me. I could find you anywhere Rowena"

Salazar could feel the muscles in his jaws twitch with disgust. Really, his best friends in the world were sickening and it appalled him to no end that they didn't care that he was in the room and witness to these sick words of depravity. In all honesty he never wanted to hear their lovey dovey talk and having to watch it play out in front of him made him wish he didn't have a second helping to dinner.

"Rowena… Godric… if you bear me any love at all you will leave this instant and remember yourselves. You are unwed and acting completely inappropriately in front of company… remember your breeding you fools!" he spat as he uneasily clung to the arms of his chair. He saw Godric's smile grow brighter as he tore off his blindfold and Rowena's cheeks burn a little redder as she processed her friend's words. She was always the smart one but he knew around this oaf she always forgot herself, it had been that way since she was 16 and they 21.

00000

"Salazar! Salazar you're finally here!" the young man felt strong arms and legs around him before his world spun on its axis and he fell dead smack on his back with his limbs clumsily entangled with hers and her hair showering his face with their silky ink strands. "I'm so glad to see you again, I've missed you so much!" she squeaked as she peppered his face with light kisses and hugged him fiercely. He awkwardly patted her on the back as he lightly pushed her away from him, still sitting up straddling his waist she grinned down at him. Her flushed face and her brilliant smile, his heart- paused. Only for a moment.

She had grown up so much in the last two years they hadn't seen each other; gone was the beautiful child he left and now here was a beautiful young woman before him. Sitting on his lap. Smiling at him. She needed to get off him.

As Salazar was about to sit up himself to save both of them some embarrassment and awkward conversation; he heard a deep throaty chuckle from somewhere behind them. Both he and Rowena craned their necks towards the sound and found Godric Gryffindor standing there with his arms crossed in front of him taking in the most engaging sight of his stoic friend pinned to the ground by a small slip of a woman. Salazar returned his gaze back to his young friend and his heart stopped again, Rowena was paler than any ghost he had seen, her eyes as big as saucers and her mouth slightly ajar. Her fingers had fisted in the shoulders of his travelling cloak and the pressure of the heels of her hands had become painful. She was staring at Godric dumbfounded, like he was a giant library of mystery she needed to figure out, like she was afraid and exhilarated all at once. Salazar took her firmly by her biceps and shook her decisively,

"Little Ravenclaw, that great hulk of stupid standing there is my friend Godric Gryffindor," he tried to sound nonchalant but he was sure they'd notice the tightness in his voice as he spoke. They didn't. "And this enthusiastic spirit," he politely gestured to the lady on his lap, "is Lady Rowena Ravenclaw".

Rowena shook her head at the sound of her name waking her from her crazed stupor and quickly scampered off of the Slytherin heir insuring her skirts had fallen all the way down in a final desperate act of keeping up propriety. She fidgeted rashly with her hair and she threw it over one shoulder as she stepped over her fallen friend towards the auburn haired giant. She curtsied remembering the practises her mother instilled in her, trying desperately not to be flustered in the presence of someone she thought was remarkably attractive. Sun tanned skin and an easy smile, kind green eyes and a strong straight nose- he was the most handsome man she had ever seen. Of course Salazar was beautiful; but he was so untouchable, such a pristine splendour he looked ethereal. So Rowena never saw past that, but this man, he looked like he could be touched… should be touched.

"My Lord, our home is always welcome to any friend of the Slytherin's. Please do not hesitate to let us know-"

"Really?" Godric asked interrupting her mid sentence stunning the poor young thing into silence.

"Uh-… um… really what?" she turned over to Salazar who only shrugged as he lifted himself off the ground, brushing off the dust that marred his clothes.

"You're really going to try to act all proper now after I was witness to that? I almost feel as if I should leave you alone to make up for lost time" he replied cocking an eyebrow up as he nodded to the spot on the floor they were just lying on. Rowena's eyes squinted dangerously at the obvious insinuation of his tone. Yes he was beautiful but he was also rude. Very rude!

"That was just two very close friends reuniting, friends who haven't seen each other for over two years, because someone's other friend," she prodded him hard in the chest, "convinced him to go to God knows where with barely a word to be heard from him, leaving his other friend completely inconsolable and inconceivably worried! That is what you saw and nothing more!" she dug her finger deeper into his chest and Salazar was sure that the force would leave a sizable mark on Godric's chest. He looked to his friend and hoped he wouldn't see anger, instead he saw him chuckle and look surprisingly smug.

"Close friends huh?" he asked as he gently pried Rowena's finger off his chest. She nodded and let out a heavy sigh of annoyance. "Well then, if that is all that it was I sincerely apologise for my hasty and inaccurate outburst" both Rowena and Salazar looked at each other shocked before looking back to Gryffindor. "You are a most gracious host to accept me into your home when I was unannounced and unknown to you. I am also very relieved to find that you are only just… close friends" he gathered the rest of her hand that was still in his grasp and rested his lips against them in a chaste kiss, never releasing her gaze from his. The stunned look was again plastered to Rowena's face as the colour began seeping in, a deep wine tinting her cheeks. A small genuine laugh slipped from Godric as he still held onto her hand, "But I fear that I am too bold, let's start again- Hello, my name is Godric Gryffindor it is my pleasure to meet you"

"Uh… Rowena. Rowena Ravenclaw" the wine that marked her cheeks had started to drip down her neck. "And… the pleasure is all mine Sir"

"Godric" he corrected as he squeezed her hand.

"Godric," she nodded and she squeezed back. She stepped back once she regained her senses and deftly stepped back into place with her old friend, linking her arms with his and she shyly glanced back to her new acquaintance. "Salazar, my Lord Godric- may I suggest that we all head to the Main Hall? My mother and father are waiting there and would love to welcome you properly." She spun on her heels forcing Salazar to turn with her as she set a brisk pace and once in a while allowing her stare to fall behind them towards a certain brash Wizard quietly humming behind them. Every time she looked back he caught her and tipped an imaginary hat to her earning him a breathy giggle and a groan of exasperation from Salazar.

It would be a long Summer.

00000

"She is but a child man!" Salazar hollered as his sabre connected with Godric's parrying him effortlessly. Coming back with ease Godric charged towards his friend still smiling as he thrusted his sword forward aiming for Salazar's stomach- only slicing air as his opponent side stepped his attack.

"I know that she is young Salazar but she's hardly a new born babe! There's something about her I can't shake, something I've never seen from any woman I've met. From the moment I saw her run to you I knew she would someone special, someone different. I was unsure why you were so protective of her for all these years but now I get it- she is precious and needs to be guarded- just don't let her hear you say that!" he grinned still trying to catch his breath amidst all the ducking and swinging. He was about to swipe at the Slytherin's knees when he noticed said man was standing stationary with his sword pointed to the ground, his eyes locked onto the dirt and rocky terrain of the Ravenclaw's training yard.

"So… you intend to formally court the daughter of Ravenclaw?" he whispered as he spun the sword in his hands. Godric pushed the tip of his sword into the soft earth beneath him deep enough to stand on its own. He didn't notice how quiet and pensive his friend had become.

"I've already begun courting her and we'll be speaking to her parents tonight about it. I know it's not practice and my parents should be involved in the talks but as far as I'm concerned that's all semantics and pish posh. I know what I want and I'll be damned if I'll let formalities get in my way- I'm not going let one second be wasted without her or run the risk of losing her for anything Laz"

"Don't call me that!" he snapped. He raised his head back to focus on Godric who wore a stricken expression from his sudden outburst. "Just… you're not allowed to call me that" he took in a deep breath to settle himself. Godric regained his sensibilities and walked to stand in front of his friend, raising his hand to perch it on Salazar's shoulder he gave it a light pat and friendly shake.

"I'm sorry," he began, "I know that's her name for you and I've just been spending so much time with her lately that it must have stuck Salazar. She speaks so highly of you- you're so much a part of her world that I should have come to speak to you sooner and I apologise that I haven't. Apart from speaking to her parents I should have had the mind to speak to her brother, of sorts. I'll treat her well Salazar this I promise. She will never regret choosing me- and you will never have to worry for her. She will be my queen dear friend and I will ask for your blessing on this."

Godric felt the shorter man tense under his hand as his brow furrowed with thought and his jaws clenched as he mulled over his words. Salazar stood there swaying slightly in the wind before his friend as he slowly succumbed to the numbness that threatened to devour him whole. What could he say? No you're not allowed to she's meant to be for me? You would tire of her she's not like you- give her to someone who would appreciate her forever? Give her to me? You could have any woman you wanted, let me have this one?

"O-of course. You have it. Treat her well Godric- she is… she is precious to me. To a-all of us"

The glorious beaming smile Godric gave him before being folded in the man's arms for a celebratory embrace blinded Salazar.

He was happy to be blind. He didn't want to see anything, anymore.

00000

This was the worst Summer ever. They were always together- always. Not to say that they didn't spend time with Salazar, oh no in fact whenever they could they incorporated the taciturn man in their plans, which made it worse. He bore witness to them making eyes at each other, the way their hands grazed by each others as they walked and their ceaseless secret smiles. He wanted nothing more than to be ignored.

So one day Salazar declined their invitation, then the next and then the next. "I'm unwell today" or "I've just made a breakthrough for a potion I'm making" or simply "No" had become readily available on the tip of his tongue. Thus it was no surprise when one day they stopped asking him to come along- just prodding him to see them during meals and evening talks by the fire with Gwyn and Oberon. It startled him to see how relaxed they were with Godric and how liberal they were in regards to the new couple, allowing Godric to sit on the floor with Rowena bundled in front of him- leaning against him like he was born to be her personal lounge. Hell maybe they were all born to be her furniture… Salazar just felt like he was the footstool. Her parents had warned them to keep a sound mind and always have a chaperone so no one would talk but in their presence they silently rejoiced that their daughter had found a noble man she truly loved to spend her life with… so they allowed the cuddling in private.

However the cuddling soon became soft caresses with hushed words and proclamations, kisses on the hand grew to kisses on the forehead, the brow and the cheek… until eventually they found the other's lips. Salazar had not seen their first kiss but he had seen what he believed was one of their first- the girl was settled on the window seat with Godric sitting beside her, his shadow cast upon her- Salazar had pressed himself as close to the wall as possible so he wouldn't be seen. He watched on as Godric laced his fingers through her veil of hair, twisting the smooth strands between his fingertips, letting them fall through his fingers like a dark river of satin. He allowed both of his thumbs to draw small circles upon her cheekbones marvelling at the velvety texture of her skin before capturing her face and drawing her forehead up to meet his.

Even in the dim candlelight of the hallway- Salazar could see the devotion through their stares. The temptation to curse Godric's eyes out was never as strong as it was right then.

He pushed his wand further into his robes then clenched his fists by his sides.

Godric ran the side of his face against hers while she merely mimicked and followed his lead beginning a slow exploration of each other- committing each other's features to muscle memory. When Rowena opened her eyes again Godric closed the space they were apart and placed a small, sweet peck on her lips. It was Rowena that threaded her arms around his neck to press into him.

Salazar slammed his fist into the wall behind him.

Godric pulled back astonished for a second, he had already pushed his "polite company" to the very limits and if they moved even a centimetre it would be very much "impolite company"… he didn't want to gamble with her affections or her parents. He was falling hard and fast for this young woman and come hell or high water he'd have her by his side. He had just wanted to do everything the right way.

Rowena wouldn't have any of it; she sat up on her knees so he had to lean his head back to keep eye contact. She steadied the tremor in her hands and rested them on his shoulders; she feathered her lips against his temple down to his jaw, offering him her wordless consent, until she finally got to his lips. She parted her plush lips ever so slightly so she could flick her tongue against his lips.

Salazar hit the wall so hard he could not believe they didn't hear the loud smack of skin against stone. He brought his fist to his mouth to lave at the now open wound on his knuckles.

Godric was a good man, but still a man- a young man with one of the most beautiful women in the world in front of him, a woman he happened to believe he was in love with… so when he felt that wet stroke against his lips all restraint and rational thought fled from his body. He pulled down on her robes forcefully to position her to straddle his waist and he clung to her desperately, both arms around her torso to have her flush against him with her arms still on his shoulders hanging listlessly until given leave to do something upon his person. He reached up to meet her lips and took the bottom one in his mouth and gently sucked on it and released it with a soft 'pop' producing a muffled moan of appreciation from the heiress. Godric felt satisfaction seep into his veins as the clouded look of lust glazed over her gem coloured eyes, her hands now pulling at his russet locks out of impatience. It was her that consumed him, kissing him with such ferocity that it forced Godric's centre of gravity to move- she descended down with him never breaking their kiss, lying true against him on the cushions of the seat. Godric inhaled deeply, the smell of mint from her breath, lavender from her skin and hair and the musty scent of old pages from the fingers that brushed against his skin. Gods he could get addicted to that smell- but now there was something else- there were facets of him on her now. His own personal brand on her, an invisible mark claiming her as his own. He was dizzy just by the thought of it.

Salazar could see their tongues dancing with each other and didn't realise he had hit the wall again, this time hard enough for the busy couple to hear the deafening crack of his bones.

They sat up alarmed and parted from each other but still sat very close together and tried to calm the rush they felt. After several minutes of silence Godric nudged the young Ravenclaw with his shoulder and offered her a grin to which she replied with her own nudge and giggle.

"That could have ended very badly Raven… if that was your parents or a servant… we can't do that again until we're properly married" he brushed his fingers against her jawline and she unconsciously leant into the touch. "I'm being serious- I won't have your parents take you away from me just because I couldn't keep up appearances" he pulled his hand away and scooted away from her on the seat. Rowena's mouth twisted downward into an adorable pout that Godric just wanted to swallow whole. This girl would be the death of him.

She stood and started walking away from Godric…

"Hey! Wait- where are you going?" he asked as he was about to get up to follow her, she held up her hand to tell him to keep his distance.

"You're right. Absolutely right we need to keep up appearances until after the wedding,"

"Yes but it doesn't mean you have to run away from me," he reasoned rising up from the comfort of the pillows. She smiled slyly as she continued down the hall farther away from him walking backwards with steps full of confidence after years of living in the castle,

"I'm not running away Gryffin- I'm going to talk to my parents to move the wedding sooner."

With that the little chit of a woman dashed off to her parent's private quarters… leaving a bemused Gryffindor on his own laughing hysterically, and a seething Slytherin alone licking at his wounds.

00000

The wedding never came to be. Rowena's parents had died the following year saving their village from dragons and she plummeted into depression. Salazar had come to aid her and her people in their time of need but still Rowena remained wholly unmoved. It was not until he arrived blazoned in red and gold that light came back into her life. Her smile came back. Her laughter reborn.

But she no longer wanted to get married. Without her parents there to join in the memory she didn't want the 'Gods damned ceremony' and was 'quite content to live in rapturous sin' for the rest of her life. Godric tried to amend her views, to make an honest woman out of her but could never win. He was only a man after all, and she was a beautiful woman who he loved- he never stood a chance.

Thus here they were, seven years later within the halls of their combined efforts… in the same place they were then. The couple protected in each other's arms completely in love with Salazar watching on. Always watching on.

"You're right Laz, this is really improper of us and I apologise for interrupting you- I can see you were busy. Besides… we really should retire for the night" she looked over her shoulder to see Godric smirk and nod.

"Sorry mate, didn't mean to make you uncomfortable or annoy you- you heard my lady- she wants me to take her to bed…" he pushed himself up and stretched out his limbs, "and what the lady wants, she gets! To our bed we go my love!"

Godric had picked her up as if she weighed nothing and threw her over his shoulder gracelessly like a sack of potatoes, Rowena shrieking wicked things at her lover and pounding her fists on his back to release her.

"Night mate!"

"Goodnight Laz!" she twittered and winked, blowing him a kiss before they turned the corner to leave the room completely.

Salazar waved the kiss away and cursed the Gods. He was only ever watching on. He was always left behind, always left alone.

"Goodnight."

00000

"Salazar… come out"

Salazar froze to his spot, Godric knew he was there? Why didn't he stop his crass behaviour? Why did he let him watch?

"Did you enjoy the show mate?"

Damn him to hell.

"For goodness sake man if you make me come over there…" Godric huffed. Salazar moved from his vantage point and made his way to stand before his crimson clad friend, a man he called brother, a man he wanted to throttle to death with his bare hands.

"Why didn't you stop your outlandish behaviour with Rowena? You could have brought unimaginable shame to her and her family with your poorly thought out actions" he would save face here. He had to.

"Why didn't you stop us? When did you become a voyeur? We weren't doing anything wrong, not really. She is to be my wife, I her husband. We kissed. That's all- hardly worth any morning gossip at all" Salazar knew that Godric was trying to make light of the situation, to make him more comfortable. Damn him.

"You're a fool man"

"No, you're the fool" Godric retorted, finally dropping his mask of humour.

"I beg your pardon-" he began

"Yes you should- and honestly you should beg it from Rowena. Watching her like that- looking at her like that…"

"Like what?! I haven't treated her with anything but care and respect unlike you- her intended! She's not some cheap tavern whore you can have your passions with and leave, she will be your wife and you need to-"

"Yes, she will be my wife," he rose up and faced Salazar, standing to his full height- more than a head taller than him. "She will be my wife, not yours- I never said she was a cheap whore. She will be my wife and I wanted to show her what I felt, what Ifeel for her. She will be mine and I will not stand here and listen to an idiot who could have been hers if only he saw what I saw earlier" he uttered calmly.

Salazar felt as if someone had slapped him in the face with a bag full of steel gauntlets. He tried to tell Godric he was wrong, that she was just his friend, his little sister, his confidante… but all that came out were incoherent words and guttural sounds.

"I get it Salazar, you didn't even know that you felt something for her. Keeping her sequestered from the world whenever she visited you- that she only knew your company. Kept her from knowing me, knowing anyone who would have the courage to take her for themselves. She's precious to me too Salazar and I won't let anything keep me from her, not appearances, not social standing, not even her parents… and yes… not even you Salazar. You had your chance- many… so many chances and you squandered them. I wont make that error Salazar- I will learn from your mistakes" Godric clapped him on the shoulder again, this time with more force to be considered friendly and moved past him.

Salazar gazed out of the window; violent storm clouds had formed in the horizon.

A tingle spread through his right hand, he peered down he saw the skin mending itself leaving the pink of new skin in its wake.

"I still think of you as a brother but I understand if you don't reciprocate that feeling anymore… all I ask, call it a wedding present if you must… is that you continue with your friendship with Rowena. She loves you so much Salazar, it would kill her to lose you" Godric still had his back to him, metres down the empty hallway with his wand in hand.

"You didn't need to heal me. I would have done it myself," he snarled absolutely ignoring the previous request. Salazar saw his friend put his wand back into the pockets of his robes and saw him let go of a weary sigh.

"You're always doing things by yourself, ever wondered why you're always so lonely? Look just- don't hurt her. Please. I don't even care that you're in love with her, but I'm begging you to use that love as unselfishly as you can," he finally turned to face him- the brevity of the situation finally reaching Salazar- "Help me keep her happy Salazar"

Salazar couldn't trust him voice not to waver his answer. He simply nodded his head once. Godric's shoulders relinquished the tension he unconsciously held and breathed in.

"That's all that I will ever ask of you" he smiled.

Salazar watched on as his friend, his brother… his greatest rival walked away from him.

Salazar was always watching on. Always watching on.