Chivalry is Honour
By the time we reached the nearby village it was all but in darkness, yet the smell of burning thatch and the moans of the wounded lingered in the night air. I felt my stomach clench and a wave of bile burn my throat, as I caught the scent of charred flesh. I momentarily shut my eyes, I longed to drown it all out, the smell of burnt wheat and the iron tang of blood made me feel dizzy. I felt Rowena place her hand in mine and gently squeeze it. I forced my eyes open. Shadowy figures were approaching us and my other hand tightened around my wand.
"Who's there?" A man's voice called out. His voice carried strongly, but a slightly quaver in his voice told me he was terrified, hoping that we would not be his enemy. His accent was simple and rough, farming folk or a small business man.
"We are friends. I am Sir Godric Gryffindor. With me are Helga Hufflepuff and the Lady Rowena Ravenclaw. If you are allied toward us, you will know our names."
The man came closer, stepping out from the gloom, he looked so relieved I was scared he would faint. "I am one of you." he said, but then haltered. "Prove it. Prove who you are."
Godric withdrew his wand, he did not even look offended at the man's insistence, it was entirely sensible.
"Expecto Patronum." Godric murmured, and the silver lion burst from the wand, shaking its head and roaring silently. It charged towards the man, who flinched, but the lion patronus soon vanished into the air. The roadway was now silent, as though the world had taken a breath. But the man sighed softly.
"You're too late." The man said, "You came too late."
We did all we could, repairing the destroyed village, cleaning and clearing the area. Rowena was best for spells performed on the mind, what few muggles remained she wiped their memories and put them asleep until the village was cleared. A Viking raid would explain away the last few burnt timbers, though it did little to cover the dead relatives and friends. The quiet, nondescript village could never return to what it once was. The man, called Wulfric, did not seem angry towards us. But his quiet hurt pained us more than his anger ever could, even though we barely knew him. I could not bear to look him in the eye. His family were all descended from wizards and witches, yet his wife and two little girls had been murdered as they hid in their cellar. Salazar and his friends saw no distinction between magic and non-magic folks if they all lived in the same village.
"We didn't realise what was going on." Wulfric spoke quietly, he snorted a little, "At first we did think it was a Viking raid. I never thought our own would turn on us. My wife wanted to come with me, but the girls would have been frightened. I put protection spells over the cellar door…I did not think…" his mouth hung open slightly, eyes no longer seeing us, but what he must have returned to.
"I am sorry, my friend. We are sorry for you…" Godric began.
"Sorry? What has caused this, a wizard that was well known, respected and deemed one of the most brilliant of this age, has gone mad? Burns villages, tortures innocents and kills…" Wulfric swallowed and his eyes watered.
"I know we cannot offer anything that will provide much comfort in this time, but we are seeking him, we will hunt him down." Godric said, his eyes remaining fixed on the man, fist clenched on the table. Even I would've followed this warrior now sat at the village Inn's table.
"Three of you? Just three of you?"
"I can assure you, I was trained with sword and wand, I have fought many beasts and men, and have lived to tell the tale. Rowena is one of the best witches for spellwork that I have ever seen. And Helga is…"
It felt as though my stomach slipped through the chair and onto the floor. Godric tailed off. And even as I felt hurt because he would not lie for me, I knew it to be true. I was not remarkably gifted with spell work. I had not fought chimeras or dragons. Not even men. The most I had come to a fight, with the exception of the first fight at Hogwarts, was throwing a few men out of my tavern, and even then I had Alys and some of the regulars to assist me. I was not as widely read, or as widely travelled. I had stayed in Scotland a short while and then returned to my native Wales. I tended my garden, kept a clean, safe house and loved my children. I brewed mead, and made bread, and I loved a man with all my soul. I was not, and had never been, one for great adventures.
"Nonsense, Helga is also one of the best witches. What she doesn't know about herbology is not worth knowing…and she can cook...and she is clever too." Rowena was so sweet in her defence of me, yet I could not help feeling hollow and useless. I got to my feet.
"Helga! I did not mean…" Godric cried, but I raised my hand to assure him, as he leapt from his chair.
"I know you did not mean any offense, Godric. And I thank you, Rowena, for singing my praises. But it is true, I am not a warrior and what spells I have mastered, Rowena would think nothing of them. Now please, I am going to the forest to see if I can find any herbs that will help the wounded. I will return later and send you my patronus if I am in need of aid."
Rowena caught my elbow, "Helga, please don't be upset."
"I am not." I said impatiently, only realising too late how my impatience would appear thusly so. I tenderly clasped her hand, "Honestly, I am not. It is certainly true, Rowena. However much you defend me, I have certain skills, but it is not with spell work or in battle. You know that, I am not upset about that."
She let go off my hand, but I could feel her eyes remaining upon my back and how much she wanted to follow me. She did not though and I was glad she didn't.
I borrowed a basket from the old nurse of the village, who asked whether she could accompany me, but I declined her company. She was busy enough and had worked constantly with some of the other witches and wizards, in brewing potions, performing healing spells and collecting herbs. None of them had approached the forest though, and I knew plenty of herbs, with properties of strength and healing would be found amongst the roots. Unless Salazar and his friends had turned back from continuing their path of destruction, and arched round the village to go through the woods, I doubted I would find them in the forest.
"Yarrow, yarrow, yarrow." I murmured softly. The forest was cool and dark, the leaves hanging heavily in the summer heat, dappling the path with sunlight. I'd pulled my hood over my head though, if I was disturbed by anyone looking for trouble, I would keep my face hidden. I continued searching the ground for the soft, pale petals and dark green leaves. I had yet to find any. I only had a few toadstools, roots and weeds in my basket for now. I had moved away from the path, looking further amongst the roots of the trees for the herb that would help with a sleeping/healing potion. My foot suddenly caught in a curved root and I nearly dropped my hard-won herbs, I managed to grab the edge of the basket and stopped myself from falling completely by catching a low hanging branch. I bent to pick up the few weeds that had fallen to the ground. I winced, turning my hand over to look at the few scratches I had gained from the rough bark. I rubbed away the dirt, and then heard behind me a twig snap. My heart instantly leapt with fear and I cautiously continued to put the plants into my basket, then placed my hand onto my belt.
"Mistress…"
"Protego!" I summoned up the shield charm, as the young woman spoke and I turned towards her. I breathed deeply, recognising her. It was the girl who had been at Serpen's door and in my class, Myrabella. She looked pale and weary, her eyes darkened with shadows, hair no longer shining and beautifully dark, but lying lank on her shoulders. Her eyes had widened a little at my spell, but they soon became blank and empty. She showed no sign of being angry, fearful or sad. A little rag doll may have stood there instead of a young woman.
"Myrabella…?" I asked, as though I needed reassurance that it was her.
"Mistress Hufflepuff, I…" She faltered, as though not knowing really what to say.
I ended the spell and approached her, "You are safe, but why have you followed us here?"
"I saw you in Lord Serpen Slytherin's house, I knew you would follow Salazar, so I waited for you to disapparate and I followed to King's Lynn."
"It is not safe, Myrabella, if you intend on finding Salazar because you think he loves you…"
"I don't! I know that. I know he doesn't love me." She blushed and looked away, "I knew that already. But the others wouldn't understand and I knew you would!"
I frown and look intently at her, "What do you mean?"
She hesitates once more, and then pulls the sides of her cloak away from her stomach. I instinctively pull my hand up to my mouth and gape at her, her cheeks flush and she looks away in shame.
"I'm sorry, Mistress…I didn't think…I'm sorry."
I shake my head and she looks terrified, but all I can think is how she is little more than a child herself. At Hogwarts her little smirks and rude comments didn't make her appear any older or wiser than she really was. She was vicious and nasty. But she didn't deserve this. Her lip trembles slightly and all I desire is to pull her into my arms and comfort her. But she trusts no one, and such a display would probably frighten her, rather than comfort her.
"Come," I extend my palm and gently take her thin hand in my own, "Hogwarts will always give help for those who ask for it."
Myrabella's eyes shine momentarily, a small glimmer of hope alighting once more in them. Her hand tightens around my own.
"This is the last thing we need!" Godric paces back and forth furiously, Myrabella cowers under his glare.
"Godric, there is nothing to be done about it." Rowena soothes, but Godric simply huffs and continues his pacing.
"We must help her, her family have thrown her out and Serpen will not provide charity. Salazar will not…" I was going to say Salazar would not recognise the child as his or provide any help at all, but Godric turns back to us and slams his fist on the table.
"Damn him! Damn him to hell!" He goes to Myrabella, "And damn you, what did you think? Did you honestly think he loved you and would remain loyal to you?"
She shakes her head fiercely, unshed tears within her eyes.
"No? Then why did you do it?" Godric bellows in the small tavern and Myrabella flinches, her hand instinctively going towards her belly.
"Godric, that's enough." I say, gently clasping Myrabella's shoulder and pulling her behind me. "It was not Myrabella's fault, she does not need you shouting and screaming at her. Gods know her father and Serpen probably have done that enough."
Godric moves away and goes towards Rowena. For a moment, when he looks at her with such yearning, I think he will embrace her. But he simply stands behind her chair and bows his head slightly.
"You will pursue Salazar, while I take Myrabella back to Hogwarts and place her in private rooms. By my estimation I would say she is nearing her time, perhaps a week or two at the most. I birthed Helena Ravenclaw and many other children in my own village. I will stay with her. I may provide some use, after all."
"Helga, please…I told you I did not mean…" Godric began, but I quietened him.
"Godric, this is my use and purpose. We cannot isolate the Slytherins or we may have a hundred years of war, we must give them friendship and hope."
He turns once more, muttering furiously under his breath, "Fine, take the girl. Keep this quiet, we do not need talk of a Slytherin bastard."
"He cannot possibly pose any danger. He will be a babe in arms." I say and Godric furiously turns on heel.
"I hardly know whether Salazar will marry and bear children, but I doubt whether a man who kills innocents can make a good father. If I can help it, his house will never continue."
I gaped at him, "But you promised, you swore on your honour…"
"Some promises are not worth keeping."
I stared at him, hardly believing his words. I shook my head and breathed deeply, "No…No, you've always said you bring those into your House, who are daring, brave and chivalrous. Those aren't just words. Chivalry is honour, and honour means you keep your word."
Godric moved closer towards me, till he towered over me and whispered against my ear, "Helga, this is the man who raped and threatened you with violence, the man who betrayed us."
"And don't you think I don't know that?" I tried to keep my tears at bay and bit my lip hard, "He haunts my dreams, Godric. I cannot bear to see his emblem or hear his name, yet I must. However badly you dislike it, his name will appear by our own in the history books, his house will live on in Hogwarts. You won't accomplish anything by killing him. Those of his house will call him a Martyr and will see even more reason to follow in his footsteps."
Godric frowned fiercely all throughout my words. After I had finished, he sighed deeply and gently clasped my hands in his own. I watched him walk from the Inn, out into the evening air. Rowena smiled sadly at me.
"You have given him much to think about." she said, "Go, take care of the girl. But I think Godric is right in one respect, let no one know who the true father is."
"If Salazar knew, it may soften his heart."
"Or it may make him proud and vengeful. Or it may have no affect at all. Do not risk it, Helga. Just keep her and the child safe, it will not change anything if he does not know."
I nod and Rowena kisses my cheek.
"We will see you soon." She says.
"May the gods keep you and guide you." I say and I am glad to see her smile. Though her eyes barely glance at Myrabella.
"The same to you."
I guide Myrabella from the tavern out into the yard, the sinking sun colours the pale walls and dusty ground a pale gold. She pulls her cloak tighter around her and I grab hold of her shoulder, the other tightly wrapped around my own belongings. I look at her, and she nods quickly. We disapparate.
A/N: Hey everyone, just got a huge urge to write, while on the train back from my Granny's. So I'm really glad I've finished this chapter. Btw I seem to have changed my spelling of Myrabella/Mirabella. Sorry, sorry, sorry *slaps wrist* it will henceforth be Myrabella. I hope I can be forgiven for such a silly mistake! Lots of love to all my reviewers!