Authors Note: First I want to thank my dear beta Tsukuyomu for taking the time to read the chapter and edit it. You are the best! Truly.
Moi: I think I am in love with you and your long reviews. Seriously, they bring a smile to my face. The tiny bits that you catch on, the dress in particular, I didn't think anyone would really put much thought in it and when you mentioned I was dancing in my chair. I am trying to do my research and though it might not be perfect I appreciate and LOVE when you add your thoughts and your knowledge of Middle Ages really astounds me! So with that all said, yes I think I am in love with both you and my beta. Tihi.
Themadamex, thank you dear. I hope you enjoy more of the other founders in this chapter. We get to see a bit more of Helga in this one. And hopefully a lot more of Godric in the next one!
Merlin's Pants, Help Me!
Chapter V
After insisting that she Apparate them a few more times, Salazar and Hermione found themselves in the middle of a crowded square. Salazar cursed under his breath as he noticed that they had immediately attracted the attention of some of the locals. Pulling his hood over his head, he wrapped his arm around Hermione and began to force their way through the throng of people. "That was dangerous," he told her softly, feeling her body tremble in his arms as they continued walking.
Hermione nodded at him knowingly as she regarded their surroundings with a look of astonishment, finding that this time around being near civilization made her feel as if she were on a field trip. With Salazar by her side, she felt safe and more at ease with her surroundings which in turn allowed her to take a good look at the square and study the locals' behaviors and surroundings. She noticed with fascination as every now and then a loud voice would shout for the people to make way and the crowd would part so as to allow a young boy, pulling a cart laden with all types of items, past them, carting his load toward the numerous merchant stalls located in the square.
And this time around, she noted with relief, no one seemed to pay attention to her, her dress seeming to do the trick and allowing her to blend in perfectly with the rest of the crowd.
"This is amazing," she muttered under her breath and despite not being able to make sense of whatever it was that she was saying, Salazar could see how every little commonplace object and interaction fascinated her.
Hermione was blown away by it all. It was everything she had hoped for and much more.
There were all kinds of merchants about. She could see boxes upon boxes filled with all types of fruits and vegetables. She spotted a few women with their retainers standing behind them, carrying baskets as the women made their requests.
"Are there no markets where you hail from?" Salazar asked her curiously as he loosened his hold on her.
She looked up at him and smiled, "Of course there are!" she replied, "Only, they are a bit different."
"Oh?" Salazar's brow arched in curiosity, "How different?" he inquired, his tone curious.
The bushy-haired witch bit her lower lip as she considered how to reply to his question. "Well, for one…they are not conducted out in the open." She spoke and watched as a look of surprise slowly etched itself the man's features as he took in her words. "Everything is found in a big house…and, uhm…everything is divided into sections so that you know where everything is without having to spend much time looking for it."
"That is hard to imagine. How could every merchant's stall fit in a house, even if it is as large as you say, there is simply no way, all of this...," he paused to point at their surroundings, "could fit."
She shrugged her shoulders, "Well that is how it is done where I come from." She grinned up at him sheepishly.
Eventually, they crossed the main square where the market was being held and Hermione found more traders with stalls closer to the town's gate which would no doubt lead them to some road. Salazar suddenly turned to her, startling her. "I will meet you at the gate in a few minutes," he told her and shoved a few coins into her hands, "feel free to look around and purchase something."
She blinked and looked at him in worry. "Where are you going?" she asked, feeling uneasy to part with him even if it was just for a few moments.
"I am going to find us a horse, a map and some food," he smiled and ruffled her hair affectionately. "Go on. Don't wander too far and meet me at the gate." He repeated and saw the flash of annoyance in her eyes.
"Yes, I got it the first time. There is need to treat me like a child," she retorted, rolling her eyes at him and then, finally, she turned her back on him.
He remained stationary as she moved away from him, watching as Hermione hesitantly approached one of the merchant stalls. He shook his head but there was a faint smile adorning his features as he whirled around. He had nothing to worry about. She was a capable witch and could probably handle being alone for some time.
Hermione looked down at the coins in her hand and wondered just how much she had. She had no idea if what Salazar had given her was even enough to buy a piece of fruit, much less whatever object might catch her eye. One of the merchants saw the golden coins in her hand and began waving animatedly at her. He began showing her various expensive items and tried to talk to her, clearly trying to encourage her to buy something.
She smiled politely at the man and turned around, deciding that it would be best to keep the money instead. She had no intentions of separating herself from Salazar but she never knew what fate might have in store for her, so she thought it would be wise to keep it for a future emergency that might spring up sometime down the road. With a loud sigh, the witch walked towards the gate and waited patiently for her companion.
It didn't take too long for Salazar to find exactly where they were and as he looked down at the map in his hands, he noted that it would take them a week at most to return to Hogwarts. Just thinking about it filled his entire being with dread, for he could feel that something was amiss back at home. Never before had Godric summoned him with such a sense of urgency. He took a deep breath and thanked the man for the horse he had purchased for their journey, and turned with the horse in the gate's direction, leaving behind a bewildered man with too much gold in his hands, it would last his family a year's worth of comfort when it came to purchasing provisions and any other necessities they would need.
He found her by the gate, chewing on her lower lip, a habit that he had noticed she did quite often when she was lost in thought or uneasy when he tried getting her to reveal the truth of her origin's to him. When she turned her head and her gaze met his, he didn't miss the look of relief that washed over her and the happy smile that lit up her features.
"We should make haste," he spoke as he helped her mount the beautiful mare he had purchased, "we have a long ways to go," he told her. And guessing what she was about to ask him, he added, "It should take us a week at most."
She nodded and slightly tensed when he mounted behind her, moving his arms past her to reach for the reigns. "Something is still troubling you," she spoke quietly as the horse carried them through the gate and further down the dirt road.
"It is nothing." He replied shortly, the tone of his voice was final. He wished not to speak of it and since she had things of her own that she too did not wish to discuss with him, she accepted his answer and for a moment both relished in the comfortable silence that encompassed them both.
Salazar's thoughts went back to the urgent call from home and he wondered if everyone was safe. A sense of guilt clawed at his heart. Perhaps he had been reckless leaving in such a hurry. But had he not left when he did, then he would have not gotten there in time–he would have not been able to save Hermione. A frown took over him as he suddenly realized that he was growing attached to the girl.
That will not do, he thought, and he could not help but be intrigued by this turn of events. What was so special about this young woman that compelled him to take her along? He felt that leaving her behind would be condemning her to an inevitable disaster.
I am growing soft. Godric's ways are dangerously contagious.
When Godric announced that classes were to be resumed as though nothing had happened she was livid. How could they simply ignore that their friend was currently lying in bed, completely rejecting all healing spells or potions used on her. Rowena's condition was not improving the slightest bit; in fact it was only worsening as time went by. The clock was ticking and instead of spending as much of her time with her best-friend as she was able, she was stuck in a classroom filled with children eager to learn.
Every single one of them was completely oblivious to the fact that one of their professors was deadly ill–so unaware that there was a threat so close to them. It was right there, lurking in the forbidden forest. Helga could only hope that whatever or whoever was hiding in those dark woods would not dare venture closer to the castle grounds and put the children at risk.
She wondered if hiding the truth from them was the right thing to do. What if they exposed themselves to danger because they were not previously warned of what was happening? What then? She didn't even want to think about it.
A hand shot up in the air and Helga was forced to break away from her thoughts. Her gaze fell on a disheveled dark-haired boy–Arvain was his name–Slytherin's little protégé.
She still remembered the day the boy had first arrived to the castle, he had gotten himself into a fight with a much older student and Salazar had been the only one able to calm him down.
They soon discovered that the boy's parents had been experimenting and using dark magic on him, resulting in him having violent outbursts. When Salazar learned of what the boy had been through, he himself rode all the way to the boy's village and made sure that Arvain's parents had a little taste of what they had exposed their son to all those years.
"Yes?" Helga asked, smiling at the boy. She was not discouraged at all when he did not smile back. In fact, she could not remember a single time where she had seen him smiling before.
"If you do not mind my asking professor," Arvain started, trying to ignore the fact that everyone was staring at him, "There have been certain rumors around…" He paused and took notice of how all noise ceased and silence seemed to reign in, waiting for him to carry on and speak what was on everyone's mind, "It is just that…we could not help but notice that Professor Slytherin has been away for weeks…and now Professor Rowena is suddenly gone as well…"
Helga's face was a blank mask. She knew that being the youngest of the founders, people still saw her as the woman that hid behind Rowena, Godric and Salazar's shadow. Student's found it easier to approach her because she looked fragile and completely out of place–almost as if she didn't fit in with the other three and their greatness.
A flash of annoyance showed briefly but she quickly masked it by replacing it with a smile; a smile that people often mistook to be one filled with serenity and kindness.
In truth, she hated being considered the lesser of the four. She had never confided her insecurities with the others, and how could she? Rowena would only dismiss it as a temporary existential crisis. Godric had better things to worry about than ne concerned with the way she felt. He was constantly busy between family affairs and Hogwarts duties.
And then there was Salazar. He would look at her, his eyes filled with pity. He would try hiding it but she could see it clear as a day; he found her weak.
"Professor?"
"My apologies," Helga apologized and smiled again. "I am sure Godric did explain that both Rowena and Salazar were very busy with private manners."
"They are gone, aren't they?" Guinevere, from the house of Gryffindor asked. She had always been too smart for her own good.
"Of course not!" Helga replied and stood up. She circled her desk and looked at the student's concerned expressions. "Why would you think so? Have not both Professor Slytherin and Professor Godric left on several occasions? Have they not always returned to us?"
Most of the students nodded slowly and looked somewhat reassured by Helga's words. It was true, they had always returned.
However, Arvain was not entirely convinced that both Professors were away to take care of private matters. He had been out of bed the same night they brought Professor Rowena back into the castle. She had looked still like a statue, all colour drained from her features and her eyes had been so wide as though she had seen some kind of demon.
He fought back a shiver and resisted the urge to tell everyone what he had witnessed. He would wait a few days more and if the truth did not come forward then it would be his duty to let everyone know.
Helga dismissed the class earlier than planned. She didn't even remember what the lesson had consisted of. She was pretty sure that she spent most of the lesson lost in her own thoughts.
Once the classroom was cleared, she took a hold of her black cloak and left to check up on Rowena. As she walked down the hallway, she completely missed the small shadow following close behind.
When she arrived at Rowena's chambers, she was definitely surprised to find Godric sitting down next to the sleeping woman. At least she looked peaceful as she slept, but she could still not erase Rowena's terrible scream from her mind.
"How is she faring?" Helga asked and with the wave of her wand, a wooden chair materialized in front of her and she took it, folding the skirt of her dress as she sat down.
"Not well," came Godric's wearied reply. She knew he did not sleep, even before Rowena's whole ordeal with the dark curse; he had not been sleeping well. There were bags under his eyes and he looked ten years older than he really was. "I feel…powerless. I tried everything…"
Helga nodded slowly not doubting him. "Perhaps it is best we go back to the forest!" she noticed that he was about to interrupt her but she beat him to it, "No! Godric we need to figure out what is happening to her; sitting here and hoping for some miracle to save her is not going to work! The forest holds the answers and we both know it!"
She didn't sound upset. She sounded desperate.
"Did you know?" she whispered quietly, catching both herself and the man next to her in full surprise.
"Did I know that something so dark was hiding in the forest?" he asked, feeling completely appalled that she of all people was asking that one question, "No."
"Godric I–"
He stood up abruptly. "No," he hissed out as he turned his head to pin her with a glare, "there is no doubt Helga." Quietly he added, "The fault is mine and I shall live with it on my conscience."
Before she could say anything else, he was already gone.
Arvain bit his lower lip and clenched his hand tightly around his wand. What would Salazar do? Nodding to himself, he made up his mind. He was going to find out exactly what had hurt Professor Rowena. He was going to find out who or what was hiding in the forest.
They sat side by side. Salazar leaning back on his hands, his long legs stretched out in front of him and crossed at the ankles, Hermione sitting with her arms wrapped around her knees. The whole sky stretched out ahead of them. There was still just the barest hint of a very pale glow where it kissed the land–the last vestige of the sunset–but above was a great dark expanse filled with stars.
They had not conversed much with each other as they had travelled by horse. It was not as if things had been awkward between them but more like both were more preoccupied with their own thoughts. Whatever Salazar might have been pondering about Hermione had no idea, however, on her part she had been unable to ignore the effect that the man beside her had had on her; how aware she was of him as a physical presence. Ever since they had been on the road–two days now in counting–she could not help but break out into a smile whenever she caught his eye.
And then there was the way she felt instantly calmed and pleased by his presence. He was a handsome man. She had noticed it the first time she had met him.
A soft sigh escaped her lips as she snuck a glance at him. As they sat together, saying nothing to each other, yet still all too aware of each other's presence, Hermione finally admitted to herself what she had been striving to avoid even considering for the last few days.
She was growing utterly attached to the man.
That will not do, Hermione thought.
Salazar poured some water into the small wooden bowl he had pulled out and took a sip from it, handing it out to Hermione afterwards. She muttered a small "Thank you," still lost in thought and drank her turn, handing the bowl back to him once quenched. She felt his gaze fixed upon her person and lifted her head to look back at him.
"What–?"
The blonde-haired man shook his head, "It is nothing," he muttered quietly; she looked at him and caught his eye. "Truly," he gave her a reassuring smile but even she could see that he seemed a little uncomfortable. Then, noticing that she truly did not have the slightest clue of what had happened he felt obligated to enlighten her, "You should have turned the bowl that is all."
"Oh."
Hermione could not stop the rush of blood to her cheeks. How was she supposed to know that people here were so sensitive about such things?! How utterly preposterous! Now that she really thought about it, people here cared about these little things.
"Well, now I know, thank you for elaborating." She forced herself to say feeling a bit put out that he would feel offended, embarrassed or worse, disgusted that she drank from the same spot he had.
He shrugged his shoulders and when he smiled she finally found herself relaxing, "We are getting closer. I think two more days and we will arrive at Hogwarts at last."
She nodded, glad for the change of topic and for the good news. She could not wait to get to Hogwarts. Hermione was feeling both anxious and thrilled to return to the only place that was familiar to her.
But, what if she was not welcomed there? That thought truly terrified her. She was positive that the decision did not rest only on Salazar's hands. What was she going to do if they did not allow her to stay in the castle? What then? She would be completely alone in an unfamiliar world to her. She didn't know the common tongue and from what she had experienced a few days ago, back at the market, Latin was a forgotten language that not many had bothered to learn.
"Salazar?" she asked quietly, almost shyly.
Salazar slowly turned his head and glanced questioningly at her.
Hermione drew a shaky breath, battling for composure. However, as hard as she tried to keep herself in check, tears still gathered in her eyes. She shook her head and tried to hide her face away from him. Oh, Gods. She couldn't lose it. Not now. She had lasted this long and wasn't about to lose it in front of him of all people.
Salazar frowned and he made a move to grab her when she tried to stand up, "Hermione–"
She shook her head, "No! I–I just need a moment." She blurted out and tried to break free from him.
The man all but ignored her and quickly gathered her in his arms; he rubbed a large hand up and down her back as she collapsed against him, all the fight suddenly gone out of her.
"You can trust me." He whispered against her ear as he pressed her tightly against his chest.
Could she? Could she really trust him? She was so tired, that was why she was crying. She was exhausted. She couldn't find the answers to her problems and she feared what tomorrow could bring.
"I want to go home," came her shaky reply as she cried, loud sobs now wracking her body.
Salazar stiffened. Here was his chance. He found himself nodding slowly, not wishing to startle her.
"Where is home?" he asked quietly, his hand still rubbing her back.
"I am sure you know," she whispered as her sobs turned into the occasional sniffle. "You are a smart man," she added, not seeing the small smile on his face.
There was a pregnant pause.
"This is your home now." He told her gently, "I don't know how you came to be here, but you are here for a reason."
Slowly disentangling herself from his embrace she looked up at him, her chocolate brown eyes meeting with his blue ones, their faces mere inches apart from each other. "You think so?" she asked as the thought of being thrown back in time for a particular reason had never crossed her mind.
His smile widened slightly and as he nodded a loud squawking sound from above startled the two of them, ending their little moment.
Looking up, Hermione's gaze rested on the dark bird in flight. As her gaze traced its flight, she couldn't help but think that perhaps Salazar was right.
A/N: Gimmie opinions, lovelies! You know the more reviews I get, the faster I update… err… *bribes with cookies?* Hope to have the next one out by next week, love to all!