- - - - Helga - - - -

That morning, before she had even finished getting ready for the day, a message had been sent through their rings asking for them all to meet in classroom eleven. She slipped out of the room with promises to the other girls that she'd catch up to them in time for their first class and continued on out of the common room.

She made her way quickly to classroom eleven, but she hadn't been the first to arrive. Godric was curled up on one side of the couch facing the door with Salazar sitting beside him, the dragon toy resting on his knee as the man stroked a finger along its back. Salazar looked up at her and smiled. "Good morning, Helga."

"Good morning." Helga glanced over at Godric, but the man didn't stir. Unlike how he was when awake, Godric barely moved in his sleep. So different it was to the point that if she didn't see his chest rising and falling with his breathing she would be worried.

Sitting across from Salazar on the opposite couch, Helga crossed her ankles and placed her book bag beside her. "What has Ric so exhausted?"

"Due to the detention he had to serve, Ric barely got any sleep."

"What happened?"

"Once Ro -" the door opening interrupted Salazar and Rowena stepped inside. She caught sight of Godric and quietly slid the door closed, warded the room, and took a seat beside Helga.

"What have I missed?"

"The detention Ric served yesterday included writing lines with the use of a quill that uses the writer's own blood."

"Is that why he asked for you to go to Professor Snape's office?" Helga asked quietly.

"Yes, I had to heal him." Salazar paused when the toy butted it's head against his fingers. The man huffed, but continued to stroke down its back. "After Ric told us what happened, he contacted my father so he and our lawyer would come. Instead of going back to our common rooms, Professor Snape took Ric to the hospital wing."

Rowena raised an eyebrow. "Surely he doesn't doubt your abilities?"

"No, no, I'm sure the professor had a reason," Helga murmured.

"He didn't want the question of why he didn't take Ric to a healer to arise later." Helga and Rowena nodded in understanding, so Salazar continued, "The aurors were called, Ric was questioned, and he explained where to find the artifact. Umbridge arrived after they found the quill and she was arrested. Ric had been forced to stay in the hospital wing, so he did not sleep well."

Rowena gave a firm nod. "It is good that she was removed. Who will be taking over the class?"

Salazar shrugged. "At this time, I don't know."

"What has you worried?" Helga asked.

"Dani is coming, and Ric says that she will most likely try to remove him from Hogwarts."

Helga stared wide-eyed at Salazar. "Surely she wouldn't?"

"After what has happened the years we've been here, and if Ric were anyone else, the four of us would be upset that they were still here," Rowena admitted quietly.

Helga huffed. "What are we going to do?"

"I'm... not sure," Salazar admitted.

Helga stood. "Well, it's time for breakfast. Once we have food in us we'll see if we can come up with a plan."

Rowena and Salazar followed Helga's lead and stood, Salazar picking the dragon up and placing it on his shoulder. The moment Salazar was on his feet Godric's eyes snapped open, immediately taking in the room even though he hadn't moved. When he spotted them he smiled, sat up, yawned, and stretched his arms over his head. "Did Sal catch you up?"

"He did."

"We'll figure something out, Ric," Helga added.

Godric dropped his arms and shrugged, his mouth firming into a thin line. "If things don't turn out well, I have a few plans. Hopefully none of them come to pass, but there are options."

Helga didn't ask about the options. From the set of Godric's mouth and the glint in his eyes, he wasn't going to answer her questions on them even if she had. "Come, let's go get breakfast."

As they were making their way to breakfast, a second year Ravenclaw saw Helga and a look of utter relief passed over the girl's face. Helga grew concerned and asked, "What is it, Avery?"

"Professor McGonagall asked me to go ask Professor Snape to go to the Headmaster's office," the girl blurted out quickly.

She fought the automatic smile that wanted to bloom the moment she heard the panic in the girl's voice was due to the thought of speaking with Professor Snape. "I see. I can pass the message along if you prefer. What did Professor McGonagall say?"

"Oh thank you!" The girl had tears in her eyes. Helga looked over at her three friends, and the three looked positively amused. "She said..." Avery paused in thought before stating, "that Mrs. Dunbar requested his presence in the Headmaster's office and Professor Dumbledore agreed." Godric's face shuttered.

Helga patted the girl's shoulder. "Well, let's not dally, then. Come along, we were just heading to the Great Hall."

The group of five quickly entered the hall and separated. Except for Godric, who stayed by her side. "You're going up with him." She hadn't phrased it as a question, but Godric nodded anyway. The two went up to the Head Table and stood in front of Professor Snape, who raised an eyebrow at them. Helga murmured, "Professor Dumbledore and Mrs. Dunbar are requesting your presence in the headmaster's office, Professor."

Professor Snape nodded and stood. "Come along, Miss Dunbar." Helga watched the two leave the room and went back to her seat, hoping everything turned out well.

- - - - Godric - - - -

Godric kept pace with Snape as they made their way to the headmaster's office. When they made it to the gargoyle Snape said, "Candy floss," and the gargoyle stepped aside.

"Candy floss?" Muttered Godric and quickly sent a message to his friends sharing the news. The headmaster used a candy as a password? Not an entire phrase or even a sentence? Godric saw Snape's lip twitch upwards in a tiny smirk before smoothing back down into the man's usual façade.

They stepped onto the moving staircase and after a few moments Snape opened the door and walked into the Headmaster's office. Godric followed after him and he found Dani, Heath, McGonagall, and Dumbledore already seated. Dumbledore had a pinched look, McGongall looked tired and guilty, while his mother and Heath seemed ready to wage war. The professors did not sit behind any desks. Instead it was as if there were two sides with the line firmly drawn. His mom and Heath on one side of the room, closest to the balcony, with the professors on the other.

The second the door opened, everyone in the room turned to face them. Eyes fell on Godric and all of them had varying levels of surprise on their faces. "Ric," Dani said as she stood, "what are you doing here?"

He frowned, eyes narrowing. "Is this discussion about me?"

Dani pursed her lips, but she eventually nodded. "Yes."

"Then I should be present."

His mother sighed and gestured him over. "Come sit, then."

Godric shook his head and remained at Snape's side as he said, "Until I know what this discussion entails, I would prefer to stand, thank you." He and the professor maneuvered their way about the room until they stood in a position that they could view a large portion of the room without their backs to the windows or the door. He tried to keep his face impassive at the hurt on his mother's face, but he wasn't sure how well he did.

"Professor Snape," Dani greeted the man. "I asked you up here so that I could thank you properly. You said you would keep an eye on Ric at the school and I was told you were the one to take care of his injuries given to him from that vile woman. Thank you. I am extremely grateful for your assistance." Godric grit his teeth. When had his mother spoken to the professor? At Black's place?

Snape merely inclined his head in acceptance and Dani relaxed a little. "Is there any more need for my presence?" Snape asked.

"That's all, Severus," Dumbledore said, but Dani quickly shook her head.

"If you don't mind, I would like you present for the rest of this discussion."

Dumbledore's face twitched with annoyance, but he quickly acquiesced to Dani's stipulation. When Snape didn't take a seat, Dani sat in her own. She crossed her ankles, ran her palms over her dress, and took a breath before stating, "I am withdrawing Ric from Hogwarts once school is out in December. He will be transferred to Beauxbatons next semester." She did not look at Godric and she did not slouch, eyes unwavering from Dumbledore and McGonagall.

Before the professors had a chance to react, Godric beat them to it. "Why?" The word was clipped and he didn't bother to hide his anger. He didn't simply tell her 'no' as she already knew he didn't want to go. He had a long night, running through the different reasons why she would want him to go. And he had arguments for all of them. And, as he had told his friends earlier that morning, he had plans in case she would not listen.

Dani turned to him in shock. "Schools are meant to teach their students and keep them safe. Hogwarts has not kept you safe since you started here. Last year you were taken from the school grounds by an escaped convict to be sacrificed to his Dark Lord. I was assured by the Headmaster and the Deputy Headmistress that you would be safe to return this school year. Not even a week into the first semester, and you've been tortured by one of you professors!"

"They didn't have a choice in the hiring of Umbridge," Godric said.

However, before he could say anything else, Dumbledore interrupted. "That is correct. The Board of Governors overrode any replacements I recommended. Due to the mishap last year, they voted to have a Ministry official on staff to prevent a repeat of events. Undersecretary Umbridge was chosen by the Minister of Magic himself. While Professor McGonagall and I both voiced our doubts to both the Board and the Ministry, we were overridden."

"And what of the other times? The troll Ric's first year. The petrifications his second. The dementors his third." She glanced at Godric, lips pursed. "I had to learn about these incidents from other parents." Dani, understandably, did not sound pleased. "No other school that I have researched has any of these issues. So it stands to reason that Ric will be safer away from here."

Dumbledore nodded along with Dani as she spoke. "All of these points have been addressed. The wards have been altered, the petrified students have been healed, the dementors were sent by the Ministry and are no longer allowed on the grounds, we have a stringent policy in place to ensure that a professor is who they claim to be, and the Ministry is no longer able to make staffing decisions." The man smiled kindly at Dani. "We have Professor Snape stepping into the role of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor and we will be having a retired member of the staff rejoining us as the Potions professor."

"It is not the solutions I have a problem with, Headmaster, it's that you required these solutions in the first place. And, on top of all that, while I am grateful that Ric felt comfortable going to Professor Snape for help, the fact remains that he did not feel confident in going to his own Head of House. That speaks volumes and none of it good."

"Professor Snape has potions on hand," Godric said, but Dani shook her head.

"As a Potions Master, I'm sure he did, but your Head of House could have easily taken you to the school matron just like Professor Snape had after treating your hand." Dani took a calming breath. "It says something about the school when you won't go to her, Ric. And nothing good. If you can't trust the Deputy Headmistress? No, no... I won't allow this. I can't leave you here at their mercy. I just can't. You can't ask me to."

"I want to stay, Mum."

"I can't lose you too, Ric. I would rather you hate me and be safe, than for you to do what you want and have you hurt or... or..." She swallowed. "I can't lose you to another of my mistakes."

Godric closed his eyes and took a steadying breath. Once he collected himself, he went to crouch in front of her, meeting her eyes and grabbing her hands. His back itched having his back to Dumbledore and McGonagall, but he ignored them to talk with his mom. "Mum, they didn't die because of you. Dad got sick."

"I should have made him go when he first started having signs."

He shook his head. "He worked at St Mungo's. They should have noticed faster."

"But I knew him better. His tricks when he was hiding something."

"You wouldn't have changed his mind. He was more bullheaded than I am." At his words she gave a choked chuckle. "And Lily... Lily wouldn't have waited. You know St Mungo's wouldn't have let Dad leave. There were three bad cases and they needed all the healers there. You took me to the hospital. You and Dad went over everything you could have done differently. Due to the short notice, the school wouldn't have allowed anyone but you or Dad to pick her up. She could have stayed at school until you were able to pick her up, but you know Lily would have walked home anyway. She and I have made that walk before. We had keys to get in the house." Godric squeezed her hand. "Dad died because he was sick and Lily died because someone took her from us, not because of anything you did."

Dani took a deep breath and carefully extracted one of her hands and accepted a tissue Heath handed to her. "Be that as it may, you are still my child. I've made my decision."

Godric closed his eyes. "Mum -"

"I may not have been able to help them, but I will do what I can to keep you safe."

Opening his eyes, he stood up, dropping her hand. "What do you know of magical contracts?"

The entire room, which had been silent before, went utterly still. Dani caught the difference and glanced around. Godric didn't look away from Dani. When she looked back at him, she shook her head.

"Last year, being able to cross the headmaster's Age Line as well as being accepted as Hogwarts Champion, is proof that I am, according to magic, an adult." Her eyes widened and her mouth fell open in shock. "This means," he went on ruthlessly, "that I can, at any point, become emancipated in the magical world." He refrained from admitting that he didn't even have to go through all the paperwork because their world already saw him as an adult. "In doing so, I will have the ability to choose where I will go to school." Dani's eyes began watering again and Godric softened his voice. "Mum, no matter what I will still be your child, but I need to stay here." When she looked like she was still going to argue, he asked, "Last year you told me why you named me the way you did. Do you remember?" She nodded. "I need to stay here. I can't make a difference if I'm not."

"But you're only fifteen. You should be worried about being a child and let everyone else worry about what's going on."

Godric gave her a tired smile. "Would I be me if I did that?"

Her shoulders slumped as she sighed. "No. You wouldn't."

He held out his hands and when she took them he drew her to her feet, bringing her in for a hug. "Then please let me stay."

Dani gave a short sob before bringing Godric in for a tight hug. "I am so mad at you right now. You're the sole reason my hair is going grey." Godric waited and sure enough, Dani hadn't finished. "Professor Snape?" The professor must have made some sign of hearing his mother because she asked, "Will you continue to keep an eye on my bullheaded child? I'll feel marginally better if you helped keep tabs on him. When Ric sets his mind to something he won't take no for an answer."

Godric rolled his eyes, but said nothing. Moments later, he heard Snape answer, "I gave you my word. I will look after your child to the best of my ability."

Sighing, Dani whispered, "Thank you." After a pause, she stated, "As Ric is not comfortable going to his own Head of House and had to instead go to Professor Snape, I would like to request that Ric switch houses."

A beat of silence stretched between everyone before cackling echoed around the room. Samuel, it seemed, could not keep quiet. Dani jumped in Godric's arms and he sighed as Samuel's laughter did not abate.

When Godric released his mother, he stared at her for a moment. He turned to the professors and said loudly to be heard over the noise, "If the professors allow the change, I'm fine with it."

Dumbledore nodded and spoke over the noise, "That is a compromise we will make." He waved his hand and the Gryffindor insignia changed to Slytherin.

"You're letting a lion loose in the snake pit." Finally Samuel caught his breath and he said, "History repeats itself, they say." Godric ran his hands through his hair and sighed. Samuel wasn't wrong.

- - - - Salazar - - - -

Godric had been gone for a long time. Salazar did his best not to stare at the door, but kept finding himself looking in that direction. Lily sat beside him and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Salazar denied immediately.

"You keep looking at the-"

Pucey stood at the end of the table and interrupted all conversations when he stated, "All Slytherins are to report to the Common Room immediately. The professors are aware that you'll be late to your first class." The man child stepped back from the table and gestured, before commanding, "Now."

Everyone at the table eventually stood and began their trek back to the dungeon. Salazar heard some ask Pucey what the issue was, but from what he could hear, the Head Boy had no idea. Salazar looked at his friends across the Great Hall and sent a message, letting them know there was an impromptu meeting, but not in so many words, and followed his fellow classmates.

There was a lot of murmuring and speculation and Salazar listened to it all with mild amusement, but the cacophony of noise both spoken and thought bombarded him the moment he stepped through the door and into the Common Room. Salazar stepped out of the mass of bodies moving into the room to close his eyes and slam his shields closed. He took a breath and looked to see what had everyone so-

Godric.

Salazar moved without thought. He saw his best friend standing beside Snape. The professor had his hands behind him and gave no indication what was going on and when Salazar was a few feet away... he saw it. And laughed.

Godric crossed his arms and frowned. "It isn't that funny."

"It's hilarious!"

"It is not."

"Oh I can't wait to tell the girls, they're going to love this."

"You can't tell them!"

"How can you hide this?" Salazar asked as he gestured to Godric's new tie and emblem.

Godric deflated and Snape asked coolly, "Are you finished?"

"No sir," Salazar said, grinning like a Cheshire cat, "but what I have to say can wait. I do apologize for the interruption."

Snape's demeanor did not shift, even if Salazar noted a small tick in his eyebrow. "Settle down. I will not say it again." The room quieted immediately. Salazar moved to the side and did his best not to start laughing again. "We have a new student in Slytherin. It is not common for a student to be moved from one house to another. Do try to make Miss Dunbar feel welcome."

"What?!" Parkinson screeched. The professor's eyes narrowed, Godric's arms were still steadfastly crossed while his eyes narrowed as well, and Salazar glared at the idiot girl, but she did not back down. Parkinson made a strange gasp-y noise before exclaiming, "Miss Dunbar can't stay in our dorm room with us because Miss Dunbar has already said that she is not a she, she's a he! He can't be in our dorm! We're girls!"

Godric's arms dropped to his side and he shrugged. "The girl's screechy and loud, but she has a point."

"What did you do while in Gryffindor Tower?" Snape asked.

"I was in the same dorm with the girls. McGonagall didn't bother moving me after my announcement."

"Well, I won't have it." Parkinson crossed her arms and shifted her weight to throw a hip out.

Salazar did his best not to laugh when Godric rolled his eyes at her. Godric explained, "I get up and shower before everyone else is even out of bed. I'd rather not have to see them or make them uncomfortable seeing me."

"Just stay with us in our dorm room," Zabini offered with a wiggle of his eyebrows.

"And to think, I used to believe you were one of the smart ones," Salazar quipped. Zabini shrugged unrepentantly.

"What about the rest of you?"

Millicent, Daphne, Lily, and Scarlet looked at each other and shrugged. Millicent spoke up, "We're okay with it."

"Well, of course you're okay with it," huffed Parkinson.

The idiot girl planted her hands on her hips and Salazar spoke up, interrupting what she was going to say next, "I strongly suggest you think about what you say next before you say something you will regret."

Parkinson's head whipped around so she could look at Salazar. He stood with his hands loosely behind his back, his face was impassive and Parkinson shuddered before taking a step back. Godric deflated and admitted, "I didn't mean to make such a mess of things. I just had to get rid of the Toad before she could hurt anyone else."

The room was on alert at that proclamation and Snape gave Godric a nod of approval, not that Godric realized that he had just pulled off a very Slytherin move. Snape spoke to Godric while projecting his voice just loud enough for the others to hear him, "While gaining a detention was your own folly, what Umbridge did was not. Your actions afterwards were commendable and the results most advantageous to everyone."

Godric blinked up at Snape and asked, "Stopping her from torturing others?" He shrugged. "No student should have to go through something like that."

"The Toad is gone?" Zabini asked for clarification.

"Yup." Godric grinned. "The aurors took her away this morning."

"Thank you!" Pucey said with exuberance and then blushed when others looked at him.

Godrc just shrugged saying 'You're welcome' and the Slytherins laughed.

- - - - Harry - - - -

Harry had watched the Slytherins file out of the Great Hall. There was a lot of whispering that followed them out the door. Hermione gave him a nudge and he looked to see what she was trying not to point at. Alicia was standing in front of the Gryffindor table. She spoke to the group, "Listen up, Gryffs. Whatever is going on, we're involved somehow."

Everyone looked around the table and someone asked, "Where's that Dunbar bird?"

Hermione grabbed Harry's hand and they exchanged a worried glance. They had been wondering what happened to Godric, too. They just didn't get a chance to talk with Salazar yet. Helga and Rowena were at their table, but-

"Professor McGonagall wants us all back in the tower for a meeting." Alicia gestured over her shoulder. "Let's go, people."

Unlike the Slytherins, the Gryffindors were loud while asking questions. There were people that were determined to blame Godric for the meeting, because he wasn't around to tell them all to shut it and somewhere between the third floor and the fourth, Harry had had enough. "Shut it." His temper hadn't flared this badly in years, but he was livid. Did these people hear themselves? What kind of house were they to turn on one of their own... and their namesake at that! Not that any of the ones complaining knew that Fay Dunbar was really Godric Gryffindor, but still.

"You shut it, Potter," McLaggen said. "We've lost a lot of points by that girl and now she's done a bunk? You watch. It's going to be her fault we have this meeting."

"How are you a prefect?" Hermione asked. "Prefects are supposed to be leaders, they're supposed to be good examples for the younger years, but here you are besmirching someone's reputation without even knowing any facts."

McLaggen snarled at Hermione and stated, "I'm the best candidate, that's why."

"That's enough, McLaggen," Alicia said with a sigh of exasperation. "Half the time I wonder how you were picked to be a prefect, too." She said the password and then motioned everyone inside.

Harry was still seething, but his worry for Godric was cooling his anger and he sighed with disappointment when his friend wasn't in the Common Room either. Harry took a spot on the outskirts of the room as the first years and lower classmen were made to sit closer to the professor. McGonagall watched as everyone settled down and spoke only when there was quiet. "There has been a change recently. Both in the faculty and the student body." The murmurs began and McGonagall cleared her throat to gain their attention back. "Undersecretary Umbridge has been arrested."

The room erupted with cheers. The twins did a weird dance, grabbing their girlfriends' hands and forcing them to do a jig with them. McGonagall allowed the room to be loud for a bit, but soon she called for quiet with red sparks and a boom of noise. "Yes, that is a reason for celebration, but at what cost? One of our own has been hurt." Here the woman looked pained. The murmurs started again. Hermione grabbed Harry's hand in hers and stepped closer to him. Was Godric in the hospital? Harry really wished the others would shut it so the professor could just say everything that needed to be said in one go. His mind kept coming up with horrible scenarios during each pause of information.

"Rumors will spread, so I will tell you now, that it was our own Fay Dunbar who was injured. Miss Dunbar had detention last night and during that time was subjected to a dark artifact. This artifact and Undersecretary Umbridge were taken away by the aurors this morning. Miss Dunbar's mother came and..." McGonagall sighed as the whispers and murmurs began again. "Miss Dunbar is no longer in Gryffindor House. She has been transferred to Slytherin House, per her mother's wishes."

Harry and Hermione gaped at each other, then looked at their Head of House, and then at the twins. When the woman did not admit that she was pulling the mickey... they broke into laughter along with the twins.

- - - - Helga - - - -

Watching the Slytherins walk in late to Herbology that morning had been odd. Seeing Salazar walk in with Godric had been confusing. Catching sight of the new tie and emblem on Godric had been hilarious .

She hadn't been the first to spot Salazar and Godric, but, before anyone could break the silence, Helga did. She laughed so hard she brought tears to her eyes and a pain to her stomach. Helga laughed to the point she began snorting and everyone looked over to her , but she hardly cared. Godric's huff of 'It really isn't that funny' sent her into another peal of laughter. Godric had stomped over to Helga with a snickering Salazar on his heels. The look on his face had Susan grabbing her own belongings to hurry away to clear up space for them, which only caused Helga to laugh harder.

Godric plopped into the chair and Professor Sprout hadn't seemed surprised. Instead, once everyone was settled, she tried to bring decorum back into the class. Helga continued to giggle and asked, quietly, "What happened?"

"Mum wasn't impressed with McGonagall. She had me switch houses."

"Miss Jones, please contain your amusement so we can finish our discussion."

Helga blushed, but smiled at her Head of House before answering, "My apologies, Professor." Yet every time she looked over at Godric, she couldn't stop the giggles.

- - - - Rowena - - - -

Rowena spent her time after breakfast in the laboratory. Having a free period was quite fortuitous and she was one to take full advantage of the opportunity. Moppsy appeared with her school bag when it was time to leave and she smiled at her house elf. "Thank you." As she did most every Wednesday, Rowena looked in the corner to pull Godric's attention away from his drawings or his exercising, whichever activity he was busy with and was surprised to realize she was alone in the laboratory. Even Ismanna was out, probably hunting or playing.

With a shake of her head, Rowena grabbed her school bag and put her project sheets within. Her next class was with Cuthbert and Rowena preferred to work on her projects than to attempt to listen to the man's lecture. What she found really surprising was that Cuthbert had still not realized they were back. The man never looked up from his lectern, never took a roll call, never spoke directly with the students. It was both ridiculous and helpful to the founders since he had not yet called them by their original names as the other ghosts had a bad habit of doing.

Rowena stopped at the top of the spiral stair and pressed her hand on the runic scheme she had recently input and watched as the wall became a one way window. Noting the old staff room was empty, Rowena released her magic from the runes and the door slid open for her.

She made her way to Cuthbert's class and watched as the students all made their way to wherever it was they were going next. Rowena wondered idly what happened to Godric that he wasn't in the laboratory and hoped he was off somewhere taking a nap. The poor dear hadn't slept well last night... or more accurately that morning.

As always, the door to the History class was open and Rowena wasted no time in entering and taking her seat. She pulled out her parchment on Samuel's ring and was surprised when Hermione plopped into the seat beside her. The girl usually had much better decorum and Hermione was out of breath as she asked, "Did you hear?"

"What exactly was it that I should have heard?" Rowena asked. Then glanced at her ring which had not warmed or warned her since Salazar left to his Common Room with the rest of his House.

Hermione looked around them - Rowena did too, noting everyone in their seats and Harry sat alone, pouting? - then Hermione leaned closer to Rowena, whispering, "Ric was moved out of Gryffindor."

"Whatever for?"

"He got Umbridge arrested."

"Yes, I'm aware. Why would that constitute his need to move?"

"We were told that a request was made by Dani to move Ric to Slytherin!"

Rowena stared at the girl, then blinked. Rowena opened her mouth to say... something and she giggled. "Truly?"

"Yes!" Hermione said in a low hissed exclamation in order not to gain Cuthbert's attention.

"Well, then," Rowena said as she stared at the front of the class. "At least the poor man will finally get a good night's sleep."

"In the snake pit?" Hermione asked incredulously.

"With Sal, of course," Rowena corrected the girl's assumption. "Those two grew up together, Ric always sleeps better when Sal is nearby."

"Oh." Hermione frowned. "I guess that makes sense."

"Oh," Rowena said and smiled.

"What?" Hermione asked.

"It was something Luna said." Rowena shook her head. "She has a touch of sight, nothing too obvious, but occasionally she will say something that makes no sense until later. This time it took two years."

Hermione's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Really? What did she say?"

"That he can't get away." Rowena paused to reflect on Luna's words. "He thinks he wants to, but I don't think he's right." The woman nodded. "Yes, that's it."

"But which one wants to get away?"

"Both really. Have you not noticed their behavior?"

"Well..." Hermione fidgeted.

"Salazar is waiting for Godric to figure out that he is fully aware of his feelings. Godric is waiting for Salazar to figure out that he has feelings for him." The woman shook her head. "Honestly, I'm the one that is utterly socially inept, yet those two are in such denial it is painful to watch sometimes, other times it is quite amusing."

- - - - Salazar - - - -

After Charms was lunch. They walked with Rowena back to the Great Hall. Godric whined, "Why can't I just take a quick nap?"

"Could you get any sleep without Sal?" Rowena asked and Salazar frowned at his friend. Of course he could. Godric didn't need him, even if he slept more soundly when Salazar was nearby.

Godric huffed, but didn't respond verbally. Rowena looked remarkably smug and Salzar's frown did not diminish. When they reached the Great Hall, Godric instinctively moved towards the Gryffindor table. Salazar reached over and grabbed the shorter man by his scruff and redirected him to his table. Godric growled. Salazar smirked. Rowena giggled... giggled? Godric and Salazar looked at the woman questioningly, but before either could speak to ask her a question there was a commotion from the Gryffindor table.

"There he is!" Twin One shouted.

"The man of the hour!" Twin Two shouted.

"All hail the Hogwarts Champion!" Harry shouted.

Godric sighed, but only Salazar heard him because following Harry's pronouncement there was a loud cacophony of sound as fireworks bloomed in the Great Hall. It was a loud show of support for Godric and Salazar chuckled at the display. Salazar told his best friend, "You're a hero, Ric."

The fireworks wrote out a banner in bold letters: ALL HAIL THE TOAD CONQUEROR!