Beginning of a Legend Chapter 3

When Salazar woke in the morning his owl was sitting next to his head with a letter grasped in it's talons. He quickly grabbed the letter an d read it out loud.

Dear Salazar,

I am so sorry about what is happening with you and your father. I wish I could be there to help. I am intending to go back to Hogsmeade in two days to meet with my friend Godric. We can meet you at the Hogs Head around nine. I hope that you can find a way to stay away from your father until then. See you soon.

Helga Hufflepuff

Salazar closed the letter and put it under his bed. The day couldn't come fast enough. Until then he intended to get out of the house and stay there until his father went to bed. He did not want a repeat of what happened the night before. He was beginning to think now, more than ever, that his father had to be dealt with. Salazar was hoping that Helga and her friend Godric would have some advice for him.

The day came quicker than Salazar imagined and soon he was getting ready meet Helga at the Hogs Head. When he was leaving the house he noticed Alabaster was asleep in the middle of the floor. Salazar had wondered if his father ever slept in his own bed.

With his house behind him, Salazar was beginning to feel more calm than he ever remembered. He arrived at the Hogs Head ten minutes early and decided to order a butterbeer. He was not sure what Helga and Godric could do for him, but at this time he was willing to accept any help. Salazar was only sitting there for a few minutes when he saw Helga walk in followed by an unfamiliar boy, he assumed to be Godric.

"How are you?" Helga asked when she approached him.

"Okay," Salazar answered. "Since I was able to get out of the house without talking to my father."

"Did he always act out like you explained?" Godric asked.

"Only since my mother died," Salazar answered.

"Oh, I'm sorry," said Helga. "This is my friend Godric Gryffindor. Godric this is Salazar Slytherin."

"Nice to meet you," said Godric, holding out his hand. Salazar took it saying nothing.

"Salazar, you can't go on living with your father," said Helga. "You can't live your life trying to avoid him."

"I know, but what else am I supposed to do?" Salazar asked. "I don't have any other relatives and I can't live on my own."

"Do you have any friends you can live with for a week or so?" Godric asked. "I mean, just to get away from your father for a while."

"No," said Salazar. "Helga is the only friend I have. I never got out of the house much when my mom was alive and Helga is the only one I have met since then."

"You could come live at my house for a week," Godric offered.
"Your house?" Salazar asked. "I don't even know you."

"Well I don't know you either, but Helga trusts you. I figure if she trusts you, I can trust you too," said Godric. "Plus my older brother just moved out so we have an extra bedroom. I'm sure my parents would agree when I told them what is going on."

"Are you sure that would be okay?" Salazar asked.

"Sure," Godric replied. "You could use some time away from your father, and it's not like we don't have the space."

"What do you think, Salazar?" Helga asked.

Salazar thought about it for a moment. He didn't really know Godric, but it would be good to get away from his father. Even for a little while. He wasn't even sure his father would pay attention if he wasn't home. Salazar still wasn't sure what the best thing to do would be, but he at least needed to give it a try.

"Alright," said Salazar. "I guess it couldn't hurt."

"Great," said Helga. "Come on, our parents are looking around nearby. We can go talk to them."

The three of them left the pub and looked around Hogsmeade for their parents. They found them looking in a nearby store window and new brooms. Before they made it to them, Salazar noticed his father stumbling their way. Salazar stopped dead and the other two looked back at him.

"What is it?" Godric asked.

"My father," he said, watching as his father got closer. "I have never seen him leave the house since mom died. I think he might be looking for me."

"Come on," said Godric, grabbing the other two and leading them through the crowd. They followed as he zig zagged through the crowded street. He began moving faster and Salazar and Helga were beginning to have trouble keeping up. They followed as Godric moved behind one of the nearby shops and stopped.

"What are you doing?" Helga asked, out of breath.

"Losing Salazar's father," said Godric. "Do you really think he will be able to see where we went?"

"I'm not even sure where we are," Salazar replied.

"We're behind Zonko's," said Godric. "If we keep moving down this ally, we can make our way down to the new candy shop that opened up last week."

"Do you always sneak around the back of buildings?" Salazar asked.

"Sometimes," said Godric. "You can find some interesting things in places that most people don't visit."

"Like what?" Helga asked, curious.

"You know that old shack nearby, that has a big gate and a long trail?" Godric asked.

"Yes," said Helga.

"The place where that old woman died three years ago?" Salazar asked.

"Exactly," said Godric. "There is a secret passageway in the house. I have never actually followed it all the way, but now may be a good time to check it out."

"And why is now a good time to check out an old passageway?" Helga asked.

"Well, we need to take some time to make sure Salazar's father leaves Hogsmeade," said Godric. "So why not go on a little adventure while we wait."

"Are you sure that is a good idea?" Helga asked.

"Yeah, how do we know it doesn't lead to something dangerous?" Salazar added.

"What is an adventure without any danger?" said Godric. "So are you guys in or what?"

Salazar and Helga looked at each other. They didn't think it would be a good idea, but they didn't want to make Godric go alone. They both had a feeling that something bad might happen, but they ignored their feelings.

"Fine," said Salazar. "Lead the way."