Sunlight streamed through the open windows of Rowena's room. She squeezed her eyes tightly, thinking that it simply couldn't be morning already and that she was an imbecile for not drawing the drapes over her window before she went to sleep. Rowena had had another nightmare that night. This time, she heard the reason for Salazar's departure. He and Godric had argued about allowing muggleborn students to attend Hogwarts. Salazar had said that this was a school for magic and that only children with magic in their heritage should be allowed to attend. Godric had said that any child who is able to do magic should be allowed to attend Hogwarts, regardless of their parentage and this made Salazar livid. Under normal circumstances, Rowena would have been deeply troubled about this, but after her talk with Salazar in the library, she decided not to worry about it presently.

She opened her eyes slowly, allowing the last feelings of rest to fade away for a moment. She lifted herself out of her bed and yawned hugely. Rowena had scheduled for her students' lesson to be later in the morning again. She had simply been too tired to schedule it for an earlier time.

She washed her face and changed into her robes. Then she remembered that it was Friday, and after today she would have two days to rest herself a bit. That thought cheered her up considerably and she headed down to the Great Hall for breakfast, feeling better than she had in a long time.

Salazar looked down on the students from his place in the Great Hall. His sharp eyes scanned the students of his House, taking small sips from his solid gold goblet from time to time. They all came from long lines of wizarding families just like his. They all had great ambition and cunning, the very qualities that Salazar himself prized above all his others. The very thought of the similarities between himself and his students caused him to feel a sudden surge of respect for them. In his eyes, they had earned their being Sorted into Slytherin House.

Some would say that he and the students in his house were serpentine. It was the very reason Salazar's symbol was a snake.

Then he looked across the hall to some of the other students and sneered. Their mothers and fathers were not wizards; they were not purebloods, as Salazar liked to call himself and the students in his house. A part of him wanted to confront Godric and demand that all students whose parents were not witches and wizards leave the school forever, but he knew that Godric would never allow it. Instead, Salazar returned his attention to his breakfast, thinking dully about the day's lessons and wishing already that they were over.

"Today, students, we shall be practicing Potion Making," said Rowena later that morning. "Now can anyone tell me what this potion is?" she indicated the vial in her hand.

Many students raised their hands. Rowena smiled to herself.

"Alright, Titania," Rowena said, picking one of them, "What is this potion?"

A small, mousy haired girl rose to her feet.

"It is Veritaserum, Professor Ravenclaw," she said, "I recognize it because it is the only potion, that I can recall, that is completely colorless."

"Very good, Titania," Rowena said. The little girl beamed. " Yes this is Veritaserum. It is, as she said, colorless, odorless, and possibly the most powerful truth potions known to wizardkind." She looked down on all of her students' eager faces. "Today, you shall attempt to concoct an antidote. The instructions," – she tapped the board behind her with her wand - "are behind me. Everything you need," – she flicked her wand towards them – "sits before you. Off you go."

Rowena sat at her wooden desk and watched in fascination as her students attempted the difficult potion. She had faith in all of them. They were chosen for her House because of their intelligence, after all. Though was a nagging feeling deep in her clever mind that she, Godric, Helga, and Salazar had made a mistake in forming Houses. She just couldn't rid herself of the feeling that if the school didn't unite, something terrible was going to happen. Rowena immediately thought back to her dreams. Was it possible that this nagging feeling and her dreams were somehow related?

Before she could think the matter through, there was a knock at the door. Rowena rose from her seat and crossed the room.

"Continue working on your potions, students," she called from over her shoulder.

She opened the door and found one of Godric's student's standing before her holding a scrolled sheet of parchment.

"Professor Gryffindor has asked me to deliver this to you, Professor Ravenclaw," he said. "He says it is of the utmost importance that you read this very carefully." Rowena nodded her head in thanks and closed the door. She made her way back over to her desk and resumed watching her students.

When they had left, Rowena untied the scarlet ribbon that was tied around the scroll. She unrolled it and read what Godric had written her.

Rowena,

It is urgent that I speak with you as soon as possible. There are things that we need to discuss together. If you can, come to my quarters around eleven-o-clock this evening. This meeting is to be kept private. Neither Helga nor Salazar may know about this. You shall understand when we speak.

Godric

Rowena read and reread the parchment at least three times before it finally sunk in. Godric needed to speak with her and neither Helga nor Salazar was allowed to know. This unnerved her quite a bit. Since when did Godric request her presence in his quarters alone? Why was she not allowed to talk to Salazar about this? Something didn't seem right. Sighing, Rowena decided that perhaps she should be patient and wait until eleven-o-clock.

Godric looked up from his book as he heard a knock at his door. He looked at the clock on his wall. It read eleven-o-clock. He knew that it was Rowena.

"The door is unlocked, Rowena," he called Rowena stepped inside looking confused.

"What is this all about, Godric? Why did you instruct me not to tell Salazar and Helga?" Godric took a deep breath and braced himself. What he had to say was going to upset her.

"Because I believe that only you can answer this disturbing question," he said cautiously. Rowena arched an eyebrow.

"And what has influenced you to believe this?"

Godric took another breath. "Because, regardless of what you think, I believe that you are, indeed, a Seer."