Et sanctuarium, salutem
"What Salazar does is no concern of mine."
"You are his father." Godric growled.
"Salazar is a man of seven and twenty, where he roams and who he keeps company with, are no concerns of mine." Serpen Slytherin cast his eyes towards me and I felt a wave of shame rush over me. I hardly knew whether Salazar had revealed our relationship to his father, whether Serpen was a Legilimens much like his son. Or, if simply he knew of my compassion towards muggle-borns and muggles themselves.
"But you must understand…"
"Godric, all I desire is for these lands to remain peaceful. I will make no promises regarding muggle safety as they so often threaten our own. But if they stay clear of my land, I will keep clear of theirs." Lord Serpen's eyes softened, "Tis better that way."
Rowena marched towards both the two men, "You forget Salazar is not following suit. He has gained a small following and they are attacking at will. Villages are left burning. Innocent witches and wizards are killed, the muggles are frightened."
Lord Serpen growled softly and raised a hand towards Rowena, "I will think on it. In the meantime, rest and refresh yourselves." He turned towards the door, Godric put a hand on Rowena's shoulder, keeping her from snapping at the older wizard. Lord Serpen turned back towards us, his hand resting on the door, "Also, my Lady Rowena, it may serve you well to return to your husband and learn a woman's duty of remaining quiet."
I would've thought Rowena would rip the man's eyeballs out. But she acquiesced and gave a shallow curtsey. I followed suit, though Serpen spared me barely a glance and continued from the room.
"Well, that went better than expected." Godric muttered quietly.
Rowena rolled her eyes, she crossed the room and sat down in the window seat. The richly dark green, embroidered pillows in stark contrast with her pale blue traveling dress. I suppose in comparison to Godric and Rowena I could've easily been mistaken for Rowena's maid. I bore no fine velvets, I did not have Rowena's elegant pendant or Godric's cloak lined with Sable, his sword hanging from his side. I came to Rowena's side and put my arm round her shoulder. She rested her head against my side. There were still too many times when I wanted to apologise, where I felt like there could've been many other ways to prevent all this from happening. A grate of a chair moving over floorboards made me look up. Godric had sat near the fire blazing in the hearth, it was as though he could not bear being near the many green hangings, the dark wood and the picture of the entwining serpents round an apple tree, which hung above the fireplace. They hissed and continually moved, new patterns merging and forming around the tree. Lord Slytherin had no fears about muggles seeing his home and the many wizarding artefacts. I gazed up at it, and as the serpents moved, I could see behind them the faded forms of a man and woman. I wondered what it meant. I could only think of one story with an apple tree, a man and woman, and a snake.
Lord Serpen had expensive tastes, the dinner was delicious, French by origin and the wines rich and red. Godric talked to him about politics, the Royal Court and war, steering clear of Salazar. Rowena remained obediently quiet, though now and then she would talk to me, she asked about my gardens, the kitchens, Hogsmeade and Isaac. None I think really interested her, but she smiled widely when I spoke of Isaac. I was glad Rowena and I would share a bed that night, no doubt if I tried to sleep alone I would jerk awake at every noise, and would come down in the morning, pale and drawn. I was more than grateful when Rowena caught my eye, when we first arrived and insisted on sharing a room with me.
"Oh I've always shared with Helga, I need her help with my dress." She simpered to Lord Serpen when we first arrived. He did not seem to care less whether Rowena and I shared a room, or not. But he nodded his head to the servants, who took our luggage upstairs.
"So, how goes Hogwarts? My son spoke of a falling out between the four of you." Lord Serpen asked.
"It was a little more than a falling out." Godric muttered coldly. Rowena subtly shook her head at Godric. It would be better to avoid insulting our host.
"Oh?" Lord Serpen almost smirked, as though the idea of an argument between Salazar and us three gave him joy.
"We should not speak of it, this wine would turn sour in my mouth." Godric smiled, though there was no delight in his eyes and he raised the goblet to his lips, while lowering his eyes. Serpen chuckled and slapped Godric forcefully on the back.
"Oh come now, I'm sure like the many childish squabbles of your youth, this will pass. Salazar and I are rather traditional when it comes to our views on muggles and mud–" He suddenly saw mine and Rowena's expression, "…muggle-borns."
"It is not acceptable for any child of Hogwarts to feel threatened and frightened." I said, and if Godric, Rowena and Lord Serpen's expressions were anything to go by, they were just as surprised as I with my boldness. I faltered, then cleared my throat, tightening my hands into fists, "Hogwarts is meant to be a safe place for everyone, it provides sanctuary and safety for anyone who asks for it."
Lord Serpen picked up his own goblet, a beautifully forged silver cup, with a snake curling around the stem. "Ah, so is that Hogwart's motto? Sanctuary and safety. Et sanctuarium, salutem." He took a sip of wine, his mouth curling into a sneer.
"Well should we ever choose one, it would be a good one." Rowena said coolly.
Thus far the dinner was not going entirely well.
"I wouldn't be surprised if we weren't murdered in our beds tonight." Rowena said as she climbed into bed beside me.
"Thank you for that comforting thought, Ro."
She laughed softly, "Sorry. But as much as Godric thought we would be welcomed here, I can't help but feel our host dislikes our company."
I sighed and reached for her hand in the darkness, "Godric was practically raised here, I think he had hoped Serpen Salazar would have looked on him as family."
Rowena exhaled irritably, "Perhaps we should tell him it didn't work."
I squeezed her hand tighter, "Hush, no, Godric knows. It saddens him."
Rowena gently wrapped both her hands around mine, "Serpen may have disagreed with us before, but we were always welcomed as friends. Now it seems we are a nuisance to him, no longer allies."
"Things change. Serpen may understand better someday." I murmured comfortingly, but Rowena simply grunted and rolled over. I lay down on my back, staring up at the canopy and wondered how the Slytherin family didn't get sick of seeing their emblem everywhere. Two cobras with open mouths mirrored one another in the canopy above. I rolled onto my side and closed my eyes. I never wanted to see another snake again after all this.
"But I…"
"I have told you once before and I will not tell you again. If I find you on my land, seeking to waste my time, I will do more than throw you off it. Now get out." Serpen Salazar's voice echoed through the house as I made my way down the staircase towards him. I saw a small glimpse of a girl with dark hair being pushed out of the door. I frowned, I had recognised the voice, but could not place it.
"Good morning, Lord Serpen." I said, dropping into a curtsey as I reached the bottom step. Serpen turned towards me, his face still livid with anger, but he calmed his expression and gave me a cool smile.
"Good morning, Mistress Helga. My apologies that you had to witness that."
"Is everything alright?" I asked.
"Fine, fine, everything is fine. Just some little wh–" he stopped himself on seeing my blush. "Just a foolish girl, with lies and tall tales, trying to gain some charity from me."
"Oh…I see."
We stayed silent, Serpen looking up at me as though regarding a horse he might buy and whether it was worth the asking price, and I remained by the stairs, uncomfortably fiddling with my dress. I coughed nervously.
"Rowena and Godric have gone to Mass, they should return soon."
Lord Serpen nodded, "Mm, I had little choice to build that Church. If I had any say about it, it would not be on my land, but I would sooner avoid any fuss than make it. Few attend in any case. You keep to the Old Ways then?"
"Sometimes. I am not particularly devout." I said.
Lord Serpen laughed, "Neither am I, and any morning worship is unbearable to me, if I have an empty stomach. Come." He offered me his arm, and I forced myself to take it, while we walked inside the dining hall. His tall, sinewy frame reminded me too much of Salazar.
Lord Serpen seemed to like me a little better and he asked me about my home in Wales. I avoided telling him where it was located or how many people lived there, I did not want such information being passed onto Salazar. But Lord Serpen seemed to appreciate my little tales on village life and amusing events that had happened there.
"It must be rare to find so peaceful a land." He said.
"I suppose peace is something you make, rather than find." I replied, "Peace takes a concentrated effort."
Serpen chuckled, "If you say so."
I suppose Salazar had the same talent as his father, both could make you feel that something you had said was stupid and not worth commenting on. I gazed back down to my plate and nervously twisted the spoon in my hand. Serpen raised a goblet to his lips, smirking, as though he had said something wonderfully clever. But then we both jumped in our seats, as the doors pulled open in the hallway and banged loudly against the doorframe. Godric burst through the dining hall doorway, and even the guards shifting nervously, their hands going to their wands.
"Helga! We have tracked them, we received an owl from King's Lynn. They have made their way to Norfolk." Godric cried, marching into the centre of the room.
I rose from my seat, Serpen looked mildly interested, but did not get up from his.
"Rowena is packing your things, a servant is packing mine, but we must leave as soon as possible." Godric said.
"Of course." I left the table and walked towards Godric, who then bowed to our host.
"Our many thanks for your courtesy and kindness." Godric said to Lord Serpen, I performed another curtsey. Lord Serpen rose from his seat.
"The pleasure was all mine." Lord Serpen smiled, but his voice held no warmth, "Remember what I told you though, Godric."
Godric swallowed nervously, and it was the first time I had ever seen him fearful, "Aye, I remember."
I frowned in puzzlement, the two must've spoken in private, but as I looked at Godric he gave nothing away. Lord Serpen marched down from the main table and clasped Godric's shoulder.
"Perhaps we shall see each other again." Lord Serpen said.
"I certainly hope so, my Lord."
We left the dining hall and I turned to Godric while we waited in the entrance hall for Rowena.
"What was all that about?" I asked.
"Nothing." Godric said hastily. Too hastily.
"You're as bad a liar, as I am."
Even Godric could not help smiling, "I will tell you and Rowena, but all in good time. Not now. Not here."
"Just promise you will, it makes me nervous when you are fearful."
Godric frowned, "I am not fearful."
I shrugged, "Maybe not now, but you were."
He sighed and dropped his head, "We will talk about this, Helga. I promise. But when us three have left this place and are alone. Not now."
I nodded, and Rowena came running down the stairs, followed by a servant. She had of course performed a shrinking spell on our belongings, till they could fit neatly into a pocket or purse. Godric took his possessions from the servant and then grabbed Rowena's hand and mine, and pulled us from the Manor house. We walked a few paces away, our hands still in Godrics' and then disapparated, twisting into nothing, till the ground of a forest appeared.
"So where do we go now?" Rowena asked. But we were both shocked when Godric walked to a tree stump and sat down upon it, putting his head in his hands.
"Godric!" Rowena stared at him, half frightened to see the man who had declared his house was one of bravery, courageousness and chivalry, now looking as though all his bravery had fled.
"I am sorry. I am sorry, Helga." Godric looked up at me and I could feel myself tremble.
"What is it?"
"I swore a solemn oath to Lord Serpen…I swore we would not kill Salazar." Godric shook his head, as though he could not quite believe it himself. I heard the swish of Rowena's cloak along the ground, she furiously paced back and forth. For a few moments she could not speak, and I nearly went to her, to comfort her. But she turned back to Godric before I could.
"Did you make an unbreakable vow?" she asked, her entire body shaking with fury.
"Rowena, I–"
"Did you make an unbreakable vow? Answer me, Godric."
I had no idea why Rowena was so angry.
"No, I didn't." Godric said, "But I can't kill someone who was like a brother to me."
"And what of Helga?" Rowena insisted.
Godric looked at me, "I want to avenge you, I want him to beg for your forgiveness, even if you didn't grant it. The scum deserves it."
I sat next to him and placed my hand in his, "I wouldn't want that, Godric. I am not one for vengeance. I have not forgiven him, I never will. But I have forgiven myself. If he must be kept alive, then so be it, but I understand why Lord Serpen made you promise such a thing."
Godric nodded slowly, he seemed much older now, shoulders hunched, face drawn in misery. I gently lay my hand on his shoulder.
"Let us not think of avenging me, but protecting those who need it."
Godric listened to my words thoughtfully and then rose from the tree stump, he seemed at that moment a King, restored and with hope. He breathed in deeply and set his shoulders, smiling strongly at me, then pulling me in for a tight hug.
"You and your house should be given more credit, I think you will inspire Gryffindors for a good many years to come."
He then turned to Rowena and gently cupped her cheek, her face flushed at his touch.
"I hope you can forgive me." He said.
She sighed, "I always do. Now, we must go, there is no time to lose."
Godric nodded and we made our way down the forest path. I prayed with all my heart I would not have to face Salazar. But as we turned a corner, I heard a twig snap behind us. I pulled out my wand and instantly turned around.
"Who is there?" I called. Rowena and Godric stopped beside me.
A/N: Quick apology for the delay, but these last few months have proved to be very busy indeed. I got a job, at the Jane Austen Centre in the Tea room. I get to wear a regency costume and it's just such a fantastic job to have, I was very lucky to get it. But with that, it means I'm working a lot over this summer, so I've only got a little bit of time to actually do any writing. And right now I'm concentrating on my original work, as I need to have a play finished by September (going to do a production of it at my Uni) and another play edited by the end of June (for a competition).
Anyway, thank you to 'Guest' who reviewed. I appreciate some of the transitions are quite abrupt and if I ever go back to this story again, when it's all finished, I may flesh those out more and make the transitions more slow. I just kind of wanted to get the story out. Some of the parts are flashbacks though, so when Helga is remembering Helena's birth it happened a good few years ago and is a memory.
I think too many stories see creepy, stalker-like behaviour or even emotional abuse as romantic. Sends an entirely wrong message to both men and women. Anyway, glad you're enjoying and please do keep reading.