The next day Salazar woke up feeling extremely melancholy which gave him an extremely bad mood as he did not like such feelings. He called to his servants to bring him hot water to bathe in but when they came back it was only lukewarm. Salazar boxed the boys' ears rather viciously and sent him to muck out the stables for the rest of the day as punishment. After dressing he strode down to the hall in order to break his fast though he was still extremely irritated. When he arrived it was to find Godric sitting at the long table with Rowena and Lady Helga. They were laughing exuberantly at something Godric had just said. With annoyance Salazar noticed how Rowena's eyes gleamed when she looked at Godric, touching his arm unnecessary. He sat down and barked his order for some bacon and toast to a nearby servant who jumped and immediately scurried down to the kitchens to fetch it. The laughing three immediately stopped laughing, they could all but see the waves of resentment emitting from him.

"Good morning, Salazar," Rowena said.

"Morning, my lady," he answered rather grudgingly.

She merely raised her eyebrows in reply and went back to her porridge. Lady Helga greeted him cheerily while Godric said nothing at all. The conversation continued but it was now rather stunted due to Salazar's behaviour, as he well knew though did not regret, and he kept his contribution to its minimum. He noticed that Godric's gaze kept wandering towards him throughout the meal which displeased him though he dared not to say what he thought with his father's stern gaze upon him. As soon as he'd finished eating Salazar let his fork fall to the table and he swiftly got up to return to his chambers.

"Don't forget the hunt, Salazar," his father called to him sternly.

Salazar nodded and continued on his path. As soon as Salazar was in the stone hallway he slowed his pace a little, still absurdly irritated. Just as he was about to push the door to his chamber open a voice from behind stopped him.

"Sal!" Godric called. Salazar contented himself to wait, though rather ungraciously. "Could I have a word?"

With a curt nod the two of them entered Salazar's chamber and he waited for Godric to speak.

"I do not wish us to quarrel any longer. Let us put last night behind us and never speak of it again, my friend."

"That would make me most glad. From now on it never happened."

The two boys laughed and embraced. "I should go, I need to dress for the hunt."

"Let us walk down together. See you in about half an hour," said Salazar.

"Half an hour?" Godric scoffed. "I'm sure it'll take you that long just to settle your hair, let alone dress."

He gave a wicked grin as he ducked out of the way of the pillow Salazar threw at him. Pleased to have made it up with his friend Salazar was in a marginally better mood. The servants were slightly taken aback at this sudden change in mood as usually if Master Salazar is in a bad mind it was rare that they would not hear of it and even rarer for such a mood to change. Whatever the reason they were truly grateful for it. He treated them far better as they fetched his riding tunic and brushed out his riding cloak. Promptly Godric arrived at the time they had said to meet and was not surprised to find that Salazar was still not ready. He was choosing between two sets of gloves which both looked much the same to Godric and this amused him greatly. Finally Salazar was ready and the two made their way down to the courtyard. Upon arrival they found most of the hunt already assembled. They called for their horses and mounted up quickly so not to hold the party up.

"Well," Rowena called to him. "You certainly look at home in that saddle."

"I should seeing as I have been riding since the age of three," he replied. "You look rather well positioned as well."

Lady Helga who was standing beside Rowena blushed. "Sir, I shall not listen to such vulgar talk!" Rowena said with a smirk, a wicked twinkle in her eye. "Helga I shall see you when we return."

"Are you not to join us, my lady?" asked Salazar.

"No, my lord. Riding is not my forte," she replied with a sweet smile. "I do so hope you all enjoy the hunt."

"Thank you, my lady."

"We shall miss you," said Godric.

Again she blushed but this time out of happiness rather than embarrassment. "I shall greet you all merrily this evening," she replied. With a short curtsey she turned on her heel and went to stand with the other ladies who would not be joining them.

"She really is a rather lovely thing," Godric commented still watching Helga.

"Oh really?" asked Rowena, a sharp edge to her words.

"Yes, most divine."

"Is that what you think as well, Salazar?"

"Well I'd have to say that her looks are rather plain to me, however I do find her rather becoming which is puzzling. She is the most sweet of ladies," he replied.

"Hmm… and what about me?"

"Don't play, Rowena. You know that you are a great beauty. You revel in it."

"That is true, but what of my personality? Since you hold Helga in so high a regard."

Salazar laughed. "Does it really matter since you regard yourself so highly in all aspects, my lady?"

"Touché," Rowena replied. "And you Godric?"

"Oh I think your beauty is too much for words, my lady Rowena. You would render me speechless each time you walked into a room if such a think were possible," he proclaimed, a slight twinkle in his eyes.

Rowena threw back her head and laughed, narrowing her eyes rather wickedly. At that moment the trumpets rang out and the gaggle of men and horse began to move forward. Salazar kicked his stirrups lightly and Ragnar began to move immediately. The hunt was somewhat enjoyable as they caught an enormous boar and Eamon was determined that it had been he who had managed the final shot, proclaiming loudly that they would hold a feast tomorrow and roast the thing on a spit. Unfortunately as there had been muggles present they were unable to use their enchanted hunting equipment but Salazar had managed to enjoy himself all the same, showing off for Lady Rowena as often as he could. Godric watched his friend with amusement but did not make a jest knowing how Salazar would react.

The feast that night was absolutely glorious. Everybody was in such high spirits after such a successful hunt. Mead and wine were passed around generously and Salazar found himself rather drunk to the annoyance of his father. His evening was made when Rowena touched his arm and laughed heartily at a joke he had made, praising his wit. When he went to bed that night he felt that it was a shame for her and her company to be leaving the day after next. At least there was the final feast to look forward to. He also noted the increased attentions Godric had given to Lady Helga, perhaps his friend had found a lady he might want to stick with for once.

He woke early the next morning, the sun only just rising in the dark sky. It was unfortunate that on such a lovely morning the liquor he had consumed the night before was having a rather bad effect, his head was most painful and he wanted nothing more than to retreat back into his bed. Yet it was the last day of lady Rowena's visit and Salazar badly wanted to spend it with her. To think that he had held such a bad opinion of her and now his feelings had changed dramatically. He picked up the jug of water on his day table and poured himself a large measure, downing it in almost one gulp. It seemed to help a little so he continued to drink until the jug was empty. As he drank Salazar started to recall a few memories from the previous night. How he had kissed Rowena's hand as he bid her goodnight – something he had never done to any lady before. How Hilda, Godric's mother, had embraced him and he had enjoyed the feel of her bosom pressed against his body a little too much. And later, how he had confessed to Godric that his feelings were becoming more pronounced for the beautiful lady Rowena.

Truthfully Salazar was not too embarrassed about his revelation for he knew that Godric as his brother would never tell another soul. However, he would never tell a soul that he had enjoyed Hilda's hug so immensely. After making water Salazar washed his face before calling his servant in to ready his clothes. Soon he was dressed and knocking on Godric's chamber door. The two boys walked down to the hall discussing what to do with the day. Upon entering they found that both Rowena and Helga were already there and sat down on the bench opposite them.

"It is a wonder to see you two up and about this morning, I must say," said Rowena with a smirk.

"Good morning to you too, lady Rowena," said Godric with a mock bow.

"Did you sleep well?" Helga asked him eagerly.

"Quite well thank you, my lady. Yourself?"

"Yes, quite," she replied, blushing deeply. "What about you, my lord?"

"I slept wonderfully. Thank you for asking, lady Helga," replied Salazar.

"Wonderfully? Really? I am surprised considering how drunk you were last night," said Rowena.

"Fortunately for you I am well enough to spend the day with you and the lovely lady Helga. Does that not please you?"

Helga blushed deeply at the compliment. "Of course. We look forward to it with excitement," Rowena replied, a dangerous gleam in her eye. She had clearly not enjoyed not being complimented herself.

"What have you got planned?" asked Helga eagerly.

"Oh wait and see, my lady," replied Godric with a wink.

So after they had broken their fast and changed into their riding gear the two of them went to fetch the ladies. At first Helga was reluctant to join them, not being a confident rider, but both Godric and Salazar assured her that she would be well looked after. They rode for a long while until they reached their glorious meadow. At lunch time they enjoyed a fantastic picnic which had been expertly prepared and packed by the servants, enjoying some more of that beautiful French wine. Godric kept them all entertained with many jokes. Usually Salazar would be annoyed not to be the centre of attention but today he was enjoying himself too much to care. He noticed how lady Helga kept throwing him flirtatious looks which pleased him, though a part of him would have preferred them to come from Rowena.

"Sal, isn't that your cloak?" said Godric pointing towards a large piece of fabric being carried away by the wind.

"You're right! Damn, help me get it back would you?"

The two of them rushed after it and, to their dismay, so did both of the ladies. With Rowena there they could have used magic as she was a witch but Helga was a muggle and they daren't show their powers in front of her. It was a great surprise then when the lady in question whipped out her own wand and summoned the cloak to her. Godric and Salazar looked at her completely shocked. This must have shown on their faces as Rowena burst into laughter at the sight of their expressions.

"Didn't I mention that Helga was a witch? Lady Helga Hufflepuff in fact," she said with a smirk.