Written for the Quidditch League Fanfiction Competition
Team: Wigtown Wanderers
Position: Captain
Prompt: "I don't wanna keep secrets just to keep you." - Cruel Summer
Word count: 1,078
Helga stood above the main hall of the House and waited for the inevitable sound of a person displacing air with their arrival. It was now a common occurrence in this House for that sound to echo through the halls and it was her mission to keep the echoing to a minimum. The timing was irregular, and she had now spent many days posted up on the balcony she claimed as her own looking over the entrance point.
A shimmer in the air suggested an appearance was imminent. Helga straightened a little from where she was leaning on the banister and pulled her magic towards her. As the form of her dearest friend came into being, she sent her magic outwards to envelop him and hide his return. Salazar's shoulders were slumped in disappointment and Helga felt her heart go out for him even as she wished he would give up.
He looked up at her, knowing she would be there—as she always was. His footsteps were silent thanks to her magic as he made his way to his room. Helga joined him, jumping over the banister and landing softly on the floor below. Easily, instinctually, his hand found hers and squeezed it in comfort. He knew how much she hated his desires, and she knew he couldn't let them go.
"How did you fare?" she asked him as they walked.
He sighed and cracked his neck to relieve some stress. "A little farther, the pillars are still building themselves as I destroy them. There is no escape for us as yet."
"An escape is not required; the world continues to run without us there to look after it."
"And yet, my dear, I still feel the fear of our people resonating in my bones."
"This House still stands," Helga said, as she often did. "It is our people who hold it up. It is them who create the pillars you so fiercely destroy every day. If they are as afeared as you feel, would these pillars continue to hold firm against you?"
As ever, Salazar had no answer, for there was no answer that could be granted with the limited information they had. Further conversation was halted by the arrival of Rowena who appeared out of the dining room with a goblet in her hand.
"My dears," she greeted. "How fare you this fine evening?"
"As we always fare, Rowena," Helga said. "There is no change in this place as you well know."
"Change in the place, perhaps not. However there is always change in people. Do you not agree, Salazar?"
"Humans are, as ever, the greatest question in this universe. Even for those who are no longer on the same plane as them. I am certain you are as intrigued as you always were," Salazar returned.
"Indeed," Rowena said calmly. She tipped her goblet in their direction with a smile. "I'm sure my interest is far less than yours, though. Have a good night."
She walked away and Helga and Salazar both felt some tension leave their bodies—though Rowena's final words did not help with that process. It seemed likely that Salazar's constant attempts to batter his way out of their locked home were known by at least one of their companions. While not forbidden by any means—nothing was truly forbidden in this House—it would be looked upon with disapproval by the other occupants of their home.
The stability of where they stayed was due to their work and that of the ones they left behind—the same ones that Salazar was desperate to return to in order to aid them. Helga did not share his hunch they were in danger, though she had never been as connected to those outside of her sphere as he, but she was always ready to support him in his endeavours. As much as she didn't understand, as much as she wished he would stop hurling himself against indestructible walls and causing harm, she loved him for his efforts just as much. Still, it hurt to keep secrets from their friends despite knowing that it was the only way to keep peace in the House.
They arrived at the door to Salazar's room and she turned to face him. "Rest well, my love. You'll need your strength if you continue your campaign."
Salazar leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. "As ever, I will continue to fight for our people until I know they are safe. Your efforts to keep me protected on my journey are forever appreciated and I apologise for the pain that I know I cause you."
"My current pain is nothing compared to that which I know I would feel if your heart were to lose its drive. Though I wish you would stop, I also wish for you to succeed. The duality of humans, my love, it is a remarkable thing."
"If I could relieve you of your conflict, I would."
Helga smiled at him, placing her hand on the side of his face. "You are enough for me, in whatever form you come in. Now, go rest; those pillars may build themselves, but they will not tear themselves down."
She patted his face and then turned away to her own room. Every time she left him, she wondered if it would be the last time she would see him. He often left as soon as he woke and never said goodbye as he continued his crusade. Every day, Helga would stand on her balcony and wonder when or if Salazar would return to her.
He would often tell her of his progress, and he would be excited whenever he progressed farther than he had the previous attempt. There would also be times, like today, where he would refrain from explicit details, knowing that to hear tales of his exploits would be more than she could handle on that day.
Upon reaching her room, she entered and closed the door behind her, leaning against it as she let herself sag now that she no longer had to keep up appearances for those she encountered outside of these walls. What she had told Salazar was true—the pain was worth it, and she did not desire to lock Salazar down further—but pain was exhausting, and she was tired.
With a sigh, Helga pushed off her door and went to curl up in her bed. She would need her energy for the next run just as Salazar would.
