Beginning of a Legend Chapter 2
It had been about a month since his mothers death and Salazar spent most of his time alone in his room. Alabaster didn't seem to have a problem with it. He didn't want to see his son any more than his son wanted to see him. However, Alabaster was not aware of the plans that were going through his sons head. Salazar had been studying his mothers spell book trying to remember all of the spells that could be used against his father. He had also got a book of potions from a bookstore in the nearby town of Hogsmeade. Salazar had been spending a lot of time in Hogsmeade, going to look through the stores and getting a butterbeer in the nearby pubs. His father had not even payed attention when Salazar left the house.
Salazar left the house that day as he did often leaving his father alone at the kitchen table. It was only a ten minute walk from his house to get to the town. It was a very busy day and the first thing Salazar wanted to do was go to the Hogs Head. Before he had got the the building he ran into a young girl around his age, making her drop all of the books she was holding.
"I'm sorry," said Salazar, helping her pick up her books. "I should pay more attention to where I am going."
"It's not your fault," she replied. "I'm really clumsy."
She smiled at him brushing her long blonde hair out of her face. He couldn't help but smile back. Her hair seemed to glow in the sunlight and her smile made him calm.
"I'm Salazar Slytherin," he said, holding out his hand.
"Helga Hufflepuff," she replied, taking it. "I came into town for a few books, but I clearly should have had someone help me carry them."
"I could help you," Salazar offered.
"That's sweet of you," she replied. "You don't have anywhere you have to be?"
"No," Salazar replied. "I come into town everyday, to get out of the house."
"Thank you, Salazar," she said sweetly, handing him a few of the books. "I still have an hour until my mother comes to take me back home."
"Do you want to get a butterbeer?" Salazar asked.
"Sure," Helga replied, smiling brightly.
The two walked to the Hogs Head together and Salazar was able to put his anger and hate, towards his father, away. It was the first time since his mothers death that he didn't feel alone. They sat at a table in the back and sat the books down.
"Where do you live?" Helga asked.
"About ten minutes in the forest," said Salazar. "I live in a cabin with my father. What about you?"
"I live with my parents about an hour away," said Helga. "I like to come here every once in a while to get some new books. It is so hard to be a witch these days, especially when your parents work most of the time. I never have anyone to teach me anything, so I have to do a lot of the learning on my own."
"I have been reading a lot lately too," said Salazar. "My father isn't really good at teaching and I don't think he wants to teach me anything. He hasn't really been a great father and now that my mother is gone I don't really have anyone."
"I'm sorry," said Helga.
"It's okay," Salazar replied, sadly. "I miss her, but there is nothing that I can do about it now."
"If you ever need someone to talk to you can always send me an owl," said Helga.
"Thanks," said Salazar, smiling. "I may have to take you up on that offer."
"I hope you do," she replied.
"Helga," came a womans voice in the front of the pub. The two looked to see a blonde haired woman walk up to the table. "Who might this be?"
"Mom, this is my friend, Salazar," Helga replied to her mother.
"Well, you seem to meet a lot of friends in Hogsmeade," her mother said. "Two weeks ago you met Godric and this week it is another young man."
"Mom," Helga whined. "That is only twice."
"Well, it's about time for us to be heading home," said Helga's mother. "Your father will be home soon and I have to get supper ready. Are you alright to go home by yourself, Salazar?"
"Yes, ma'am," he replied. "I only live ten minutes away."
"It was nice meeting you, Salazar," said Mrs. Hufflepuff, as she headed out the door.
"I hope to hear from you soon," said Helga, following her mother.
Salazar waited for several minutes after they left before he headed home. He did not want to return to his father and hoped that his father went out. He was disappointed when he saw his father sitting at the kitchen table when he walked into the house. Salazar half expected that his father would ignore him, but the second he saw his son he began to yell. He could not be sure what his father was saying, but he sounded drunk. It appeared that Alabaster had been drinking too much firewhiskey.
Salazar tried to ignore his father and head to his room as he usually did, but Alabaster caught him and threw him against the wall. Alabaster had anger in his eyes and Salazar was afraid. He tried to pull free from his enraged father, but he did not have the strength. Alabaster threw his son against the stairs and Salazar found the strength to get up and run to his room. He locked the door and backed away towards the far wall as his father beat on the door. He was lucky his father was too drunk to think about using his wand.
Salazar got out a quill and parchment and began to write a letter to Helga. He did not intend to write her so soon, but he was afraid of what his father might do. He needed to talk to someone about his problems with his father and Helga seemed to be the only person available. He quickly got his owl out of the cage and gave it the letter. Alabaster seemed to give up and eventually went to his room. Salazar just sat in his bed wondering what the next day would bring.