Disclaimer: I am just a mere visitor in the sublime world constructed by J.K Rowling. Anything that rings a bell is hers.

Chapter One

Salvina Slytherin was annoyed.

She had woken up annoyed because her brother's annoying snakes, Sofia, and Salvador, had been tapping on her window at the break of dawn, wanting to be let in.

Then the heating charm on the house was on the fritz, and she failed to fix it – a reminder of what a very subpar witch she was…too weak to help against the war with the Giants like everyone else.

And lastly, the potion she spent weeks trying to perfect had failed! She glowered at the rosy liquid in the cauldron, her raven hair damp from the fumes of her workroom.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a tapping at the window. With furrowed brows she opened it, letting the unfamiliar owl through. It dropped the scroll of parchment, circled the room once and left just as quickly.

Her heart stopped as she recognized the writing. She deftly unrolled the letter, taking in the words with speed. She let the parchment fall to the floor after the quick perusal and wrenched off her work gloves, flinging on her traveling cloak, as she crossed the room to the cupboard under the stairs. She peered in and identified the candlestick. She took a moment to pat her hair down, attempting to tame the mass of curls, knowing it was useless. She took a deep breath and touched a finger to the metallic surface of the candlestick, and with a lurch of her stomach – she vanished.

The usual resounding crack of portkey arrival was camouflaged by the boisterous sounds of the night. Salvina spun around, her heart thumping beneath her cloak as she made for the well-lit, familiar building. She reached the foot of the entrance just as a group were making their exit. They swaggered through the door and down the steps, the reason for their lack of dexterity pungent on their breath.

'Well look at you!' One of the group, a blonde man with a flushed face, had stepped in front of her, 'What a sight you are milady. What a prize for a soldier who almost succumbed to death on the battlefield.'

He slipped a hand around her waist and pulled her to him, as his friends jeered and laughed. She sighed, 'Well that's a pity.' He responded with a quizzical look at her comment, and she continued, 'To evade death on the battlefield only to be greeted with it at home.'

She flung him off her and he hit one of his friends, the act cutting off the resounding laughter and triggering the men to their left and right to whip out their wands.

'Now, now!' A booming voice echoed from the entryway, and their group snapped their heads up, the men straightening in respect whilst the woman did the opposite. Salvina's whole body seemed to be loosened from the spell of tension she was under for the past year.

He was back.

She didn't hear the words that floated out of the red bearded mouth as she clambered up the stairs and jumped onto him. And then the soundless words were swallowed whole as she captured his lips – the medley of alcohol on his lips making her feel headier if possible. He wrapped his hands about her waist, and she trailed her fingers through his bright red hair. His hands at her waist slowly pushed at her, lengthening the gap between their bodies and he raised his head from hers, breathing as if he had just partaken in one of his nonsensical muggle exercises.

'Hello to you too.' He chuckled, taking a step back, just as the door behind him opened once more.

'Godric, you're – Vina!' She looked up at the tall man that exited the pub just as he practically fell atop her, pulling her into a warm embrace and she held him back just as warmly, all memories of heated words forgotten.

'My dear brother – I rushed over as soon as I received your letter. I couldn't wait.' She muttered into his black hair, which was now long and tied at the nape of his neck.

'Well of course – I too wanted to rush to you straight away but Godric seduced me with a pint. And then ten more.' Salazar eyed his best friend with mock suspicion, as he led them all back into the pub.

Salvina took in the place – it wasn't the first time she'd been to the Seven Swans. Her brother and Godric had been friends since they were children, having trained under the same wizard master. The three of them would often visit this very pub when they were much younger, with much grander ideas. However, the pub was much livelier than Salvina had ever seen it before and looked to be full of wizards today. She wondered how Godric had managed it – knowing how fond he was of muggles and how he always sought to mingle with them, though even Godric knew that there were times that they must be permitted to be free. Unchained from regulation. And winning a war is very much one of those times.

Her brother, still with his arms about her, directed them to the bar as Salvina watched the Godric's flame red hair disappear into the crowd. Her heart sunk slightly, but she redirected her attention to her brother, Salazar, as he recounted the story of their victory over the Giants, a war which had taken both him and Godric away for near 13 months. '- was risky, much riskier than I would have dared it to be, but you know Godric – the man runs on luck and recklessness, and luckily for him the former he seems to have in greater reserves than the latter.'

'Oh, you're just saying that because you didn't think of a Conjunctivitis Curse on the Gurg.' A dark haired, high cheek boned woman appeared to their right. Salvina took in her spotless blue robes, and subconsciously pulled her cloak tighter about her. The woman noticed Salvina's eyes on her and extended her hand, 'Rowena. And this here, is Helga.'

She gestured at a shorter woman beside her that Salvina hadn't noticed. She too had dark hair, but it was braided down her back, ending at her rather plump waist. She turned to her brother, a spark igniting within her, 'They were with you.'

Before he could say a word, Godric had returned, catching Salvina's last sentence.

'And lucky they were! Rowena has some eagle eyes!' He winked at the blue robed witch at the sentence, and she rolled her eyes in response. 'We wouldn't have been able to track their tribe without her. And Helga.' Godric's voice boomed louder, if possible, his green eyes glowed brighter than she had ever seen them do so as he looked down at the witch to his right, 'was the most prodigious healer a warrior could ask for. She mended and tended to the wounded with such tenacity, that if we didn't have her in our company, I am sure this pub would not be so full of life tonight.'

The spark from earlier flared within Salvina at the look on Godric's face as she turned to her brother, 'You said the battlefield was no place for a woman. I wanted to join. I wanted to help!'

'You said that Salazar?' Rowena snapped, 'Might I remind you who saved you from being Tuga's midday snack!'

'And I more than returned the favour when his mother tried using you as a toothpick.' He snarled at Rowena and turned to Salvina, 'And yes. I stand by my decision. If I had it my way, we would only have wizards on the battlefield, but Godric picks up every stray bitc- '

'Aye, Aye,' Godric held his hand up as Rowena's wand whipped out at Salazar's comment. 'Come now brethren! We have just reigned victorious against Giants. We have avenged our fallen brothers,' He looked pointedly at Helga at this, 'and defended our kind.' He looked at Salazar. 'Let us not turn on each other when we should be embracing. And Vina,' Godric looked at her, grey meeting green, 'Your brother would never admit it, but his opposition to you joining our fight had everything to do with the fear of losing that which he loves most, rather than disbelief in your capabilities.'

The compliment calmed the flame that flickered within her, and the energy of the group lightened considerably, however she did not believe his words. Her brother, Salazar, was the strongest wizard she had ever met – he was a natural, poetic with spells. She however…was not. Her parents, thinking her a squib, had abandoned her when she was but seven years old, fleeing Derry for Swan's Hollow, and taking only her brother, Salazar, with them. They died two years later, and Salazar, free of the domineering pair, had come back for her. He was only fourteen at the time, more child than man, but he was the craftiest person she knew. Their parents had left them nothing, except a gold locket that Salazar refused to sell, gifting it to her on her seventieth birthday.

A few years after their parents' death, they left Swan's Hollow for London, where Salazar took up the post as shop assistant at Mr Mulpepper's Apothecary, bargaining with Old Man Mulpepper for room and board as part of payment. It was here that Salvina first displayed her magical abilities, at the late age of 11. She was no Salazar though, finding difficulty in the easiest of spells.

However – she had a penchant for potion making, which didn't require foolish wand flourishing, but actual skill, which she argued would be useful against the Giants. Afterall, magic didn't work on them, but perhaps a potion would. She could be useful…but her brother refused. And she'd been trying to prove him wrong ever since he left for the war. Salvina felt her brother's arms about her shoulder once more and she leaned into it, forgetting the many arguments they overindulged in before his departure.

'What would we do without your uplifting words, Godric.' Helga said with a smile, the reflection of which could be found bigger and brighter on Godric's face.

Flare.

'Survive' said Rowena and Salazar at the same time and they burst out laughing. Helga looked offended on Godric's behalf.

'It is true.' Rowena choked out, 'Remember how he tried convincing us that the 'fair' thing to do would be to fight them without magic. Giants!'

'And, and' Salazar wheezed out, using his sister for support, 'that we should try fighting them with swords.' He then brandished an imaginary weapon and acted out an exaggerated attack on Godric.

The redhead glared at his best friend and tapped the ruby crested sword on his hip. Salvina hadn't noticed it before, as Godric usually had a sword at his hip, but never one so beautiful. 'I'll have you know this is Goblin made and has a fairer chance of cutting Giant flesh than any curse you fling their way.'

'Yes, yes, we know how proud you are of your sword Godric.' Rowena smirked, 'We know how long you spend… polishing…it.'

'And how you love…poking…people with it.' Salazar chimed.

'Laugh all you want, but one day my sword will go down in history!' Godric growled crossly.

'Said every man, ever.' Salazar burst out laughing at Rowena's comment. Salvina looked at the two, astonished that not five minutes ago they were almost at wands with each other. She wasn't sure how she felt about this woman – she had little respect for Godric, and a bit too much comradery with her brother.

Rowena took a deep breath and straightened up. 'Oh well. We should head off.' She gestured to Helga, and the shorter woman nodded.

Godric's scowl disappeared, 'Where to? You need not stay at an inn, there is plenty of room at my home.' He looked a bit too eager at the invitation for Salvina's liking.

Rowena shook her head in the negative, 'Not an inn, but home! Helga's mother will be waiting now that she would have heard of our victory. And so would her lamb pie.' She ended with a wistful look.

'Well, before you head off, we wanted to talk to you about something.' Godric glanced at Salazar, and Salvina felt her brother straighten off her, a look of surprise flickering upon his slight face.

'We did?' The taller wizard asked, with narrowed eyes.

'Yes – remember we were saying once the war is over, we should start the project we've spoken of since we were young boys.'

'Yes, we were.' Salazar emphasized the 'we', but it went unnoticed to Godric. Salvina put an arm about her brother in turn, the last thing she wanted was for the night to end with a fight between these two. Perhaps she should suggest they leave now.

'What is this project.' Helga asked quietly, and Salvina gave her an annoyed look. So much for trying to avoid the topic.

'A school. And you'd be vital to it Helga, for you're the only of us with actual teaching experience!'

'Well, I don't know if I'd call it teaching.' Helga responded flustered, 'I just guide the local kids on how to manage their magic – '

'And that's precisely what we hope to do! We've relied for far too long on the goodness of solo wizards. And witches!' Godric nodded to Rowena, attempting to curry her favour, 'to train one or two of our kind. We are the lucky ones, who found masters and mistresses, but so few are that lucky. It is not fair.'

Salvina fought an eyeroll. She heard her brother and Godric talk about this school since they were young, but she knew that Salazar cared little for fairness, and Godric cared too much for it.

'Or safe.' Helga added, 'I do worry, the incidences of injuries from underage magic is rising.' She clearly was won over by the idea.

'I guess academia does have its pull. I have been wanting to make more time for research.' Rowena thought aloud, 'And I guess teaching.' She added as an afterthought.

'Well, that's it then! Stay the night, let's talk with clearer heads tomorrow. I have a feeling that this is the first of many a celebratory night we enjoy together!' Godric raised his glass emphatically, and the group toasted him, with varying degrees of enthusiasm.

Salvina stared at the braided woman, trying to keep her face devoid of emotions. Godric had complimented her numerous times, and clearly liked her, but surely it was platonic. The woman was homely at every angle, even with her beautiful robes, and well cared for hair, it didn't make up for the fact that she was short, and dumpy and plain. Godric was surely being polite, and tactful. She clearly came from money, and they would need a lot of it for their endeavour. Godric was far from poor, but his grandfather had been reckless with their family fortune, and it dwindled considerably. Salvina suddenly became aware of the absence of her brother, and she searched the room, catching him near the exit. She followed him, swerving the drunken soldiers and stepping into the brisk night.

'Salvina.' She turned to find Godric exiting with her, and her heart sped up. She had not been hopeful for a quiet moment, but her heart sang that he had ensured they gained one. The thumping above her golden locket increased further as he closed the door behind him. She let her cloak fall away from her, displaying her dress robes which hugged the curve of her body like a second, albeit cheap, skin. Her robe was a well-worn, faded scarlet which she knew he adored. Godric didn't care whether she wore velvet, or robes spun from gold, she smiled as his eyes greedily took in her form beneath the cloak. He blinked multiple times, as if clearing his head. 'We must talk.'

'Well, I was hoping we'd use our mouth for much more pleasurable things.' She whispered the words that crept into his ears, reddening them. He groaned but stepped back as she stepped forward.

'The night we left…I…' He hesitated, 'I…that was wrong. I should never have taken advantage – '

'I was a very willing participant. Very willing, if you recall – '

'I know. I know you…you seemed to enjoy…' His words failed him as they both stared at each other, blind to their surroundings as they relived the night of pleasurable gasps and slippery skin.

Before he had left, Salvina and Salazar had another battle about her joining them on their journey north to fight the Giants, which had followed with a battle between Salazar and Godric about involving muggles in the fight. They were just as much victim to the Giant raids as wizards were, but Salazar only saw them as a liability. Salazar had gotten his way on both accounts, and Salvina and Godric were left licking their wounds in this very pub.

She couldn't remember who had kissed who, but she knows that she was ever the eager participant. She had loved Godric for years, had pined for him from across a table, but never dared approach him. A combination of not knowing how Salazar would react and not being dumb enough to open herself up to a man who could destroy her with a well-aimed word. Love was a weakness, and she was weak at too many things to add this to the list. However, when his mouth had tasted her hungrily, and her hands had roved down his body eagerly, all thoughts of love and weakness and Salazar was forgotten.

She had him. She devoured him. She won.

He ran a hand through his flame mane, finally speaking 'It was wrong. And we must not do that again. You are my best friend's sister, and you should not have to lay with a man who has no intention of marrying you.'

The words pulled Salvina to the present. She was silent, unmoving. 'You should not have to lay with a man who has no intention of marrying you.'

What he meant by his words is that he did not want her. That he used her, for a night of passion before he went off to war. He didn't love her. That night wasn't an answer to years of hidden meanings, of questionable looks and flirty phrases.

No intention of marrying you.

He didn't think she was good enough to marry. Good enough to bed for sure, she felt his want at her thigh, as she froze close to him, her eyes unmoving from his. He was fine laying with her, but not loving, not claiming.

'Salvina.'

'Of course.' She laughed, taking a step back, straightening her back in the process 'And I never had any doe eyed notion. It was just a way of saying fare thee well.'

'Well, I hoped it wasn't a farewell, more a…see you on the morrow' Godric chuckled, becoming more comfortable in his skin. 'Your brother – '

'Does not need to know about this.' She didn't need her brother and Godric fighting over this, on top of everything else they sparred on. Reckless Salazar may not be, but he was passionate about that which he believed in, and she knew he was a traditional man. That he would expect Godric to do the honourable thing, as Godric claimed to be all that was fair, brave, and just. She chuckled darkly to herself at the irony.

'Good night.' She nodded and made her leave. The wind grew with force, emulating her rage, until she realised that that was her. Her magic, wild with anger, with the injustice.

Her heart pattered with speed in her chest as she spun on the spot, and for the first time in her life successfully disapparated, but this speed beneath her locket had nothing to do with passion, and everything to do with fury.

No intention of marrying you.

She appeared in her workroom, glad to find it empty of Salazar, as she crossed the room picking up her notebook and quill. Godric had celebrated too soon. His war days were far from over.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed that! Please review to let me know what you think!