Rowena felt the vibration and knew someone had joined her in the laboratory. She had the framework for Samuel's 'ring' created, but it was quite different from the others she had already created. The most obvious difference was the material used. This was a different alloy than the golden rings, plus Rowena would wrap it in a thin leather to make it blend in better to the hat's aesthetics before applying it to Samuel. Much like theirs, this ring would adjust in size and would tell the wearer when someone had come into the laboratory. Also like the founder rings, it would have a communication ability, but that part was proving to be difficult. While Samuel wasn't an inanimate object, he was a soul which had no magic of his own to be able to send a pulse of information to the band. Then there were the locater / homing applications… Rowena wasn't entirely certain that Samuel needed those runes included.
Turning to look at the stand they had created for Samuel, she walked over to it and thought about how she could, possibly, add runes for the homing portion. That would, of course, mean that she would have to go to the Headmaster's office and write runes on the bookshelf where Samuel sat… and what if he was moved? Samuel could come to the laboratory but going back would be risky because he would always return to the original spot with the runes instead of any new spot he could be moved to. Then there was the risk of the Headmaster noticing the empty spot where Samuel should be… or seeing Samuel suddenly appear. Of course, that all depended on if Rowena could work out a way to allow Samuel access to the runes without his own magic.
Finally, Rowena looked up to see who had joined her in the laboratory only to find herself alone… until she heard the crash. Grumbling followed and several harrumphs. Rowena went around to Godric's corner and found the man grousing in his favored surroundings. Various paints were strewn across the concrete floor. His newest imagery was further proof of his annoyance. The canvas was askew, the main focus of the painting - while mostly an outline - it was clearly a life-sized toad of a woman wearing pink. If Rowena had to guess, she'd say that the shadow looming in the distance would be something very large to eat said toad.
Rowena kept her distance as she remarked, "If that is to be a treat for a certain queen, I think she'd develop indigestion."
Godric's paint brush stilled, and he looked over his shoulder at his friend. A small grin pulled at him and he sighed, "Maybe, but the mental image is possibly my new patronus memory."
She giggled at the thought and walked forward to watch him work. His strokes had calmed, and the image took shape. Godric was truly an artist and Rowena found him fascinating to watch, but… "Aren't you supposed to be in her class right now?"
"Yes," Godric admitted.
"What happened?" Rowena asked, "Or is it too soon to speak of it?"
"The Toad is an imbecile." Godric sighed and his paintbrush sagged once more as he chose his words with care, "We already know she's trying to take over the school on behalf of the Ministry. If I had to wager, I'd say she's also one of Tom's."
"Why do you say that?"
"She isn't allowing us to cast any spells in class. Plus, have you read the book?"
Rowena wrinkled her nose. "It was the most horrid thing I've ever had the misfortune of opening."
"Yes, well she claims studying that book will teach us all we need to know and when it comes time for our O.W.L.s, we should be able to cast the spells correctly on our first try."
"She's an imbecile," Rowena sighed, "and a sympathizer if not an outright follower." Rowena pursed her lips. "That still doesn't explain why you're here and not in class."
He pulled out a crumbled pink note from his pocket to hand to Rowena and admitted, "I may have said a few things…"
"Godric!"
"She started it!"
Rowena chuckled. "I imagine she did." She read the note and winced. "Twenty points and detention tomorrow? I imagine your classmates…" she looked at her friend and shook her head "... never mind, I'm sure they're probably accustomed to you losing them points by now."
Godric shrugged. "Hermione balances it out by earning tons back."
"First day of classes… I wonder if this is a new record."
"Nope," Godric said with a grin, "that would be Harry and Ronald. First night before the feast… second year."
- - - - Bonus Scene - Salazar - - - -
Salazar sat in the kitchen with Harry. They were eating a snack. Well, Harry was eating, Salazar was stirring his tea. Harry had been heading to McGonagall's office when Salazar stopped him and redirected the boy. Detention. On the first day of classes. Salazar wasn't sure if he was proud, or horrified, by his actions. Not Harry's, but his own. Salazar had rarely acted out in class before and both times it was in Defense class. The first time Godric had Salazar's back, this time Salazar had Godric's.
"Come along, let's go." The two siblings gave their thanks to the house elves before they left the kitchen and were walking when Salazar contemplated, "I wonder what Mum and Dad will have to say about this…"
"What?!" Harry asked in horror.
"You do realize that I'm a Slytherin, right?"
"The Slytherin, yes."
"Then you know the reputation we have. Nothing is free. Including my silence," Salazar stated as they neared classroom eleven.
"You have detention, too!"
"Yes, but I was in trouble last year, so they expect such behavior from me." Salazar said with a shrug, "You, on the other hand, are their darling new son."
Harry groaned. "How much?"
"You don't have enough money, Harry, but don't worry. I'll think of some other way you can pay me."
- - - - End Bonus Scene - Salazar - - - -
Rowena walked into the classroom with Luna at her side. She wasn't sure who would already be there, but wasn't entirely surprised to see the twins. What did surprise her was that Salazar was there with Harry. Well, their being there wasn't such a shock, but seeing Harry sitting on the couch with his head in his hands, groaning… that was a sight that brought many questions to mind.
The next thing Rowena noticed was that the room had shifted yet again. Their first two years the room was filled with unused furniture covered in dust and grime, but by their third year it was at least clean. Their fourth year saw the room still clean, the furniture moved aside, and a couch added in the center. By the end of that same year the room had gained an area rug and a coffee table. This year there was a second sofa and an armchair. The room was becoming quite cozy.
Luna stopped in front of the black-haired boy and rested her hand on his head. "It's okay, Harry Potter. They only worry because they care." With that said, she sat down on a desk and folded her legs under her.
Harry looked up at Luna and gave her a small smile. "Thanks, Luna."
Hermione came storming in and sagged in relief. "Oh good. You're here." She looked around and noted, "I like what the elves are doing with the room."
Godric was the last to enter. He closed the door and slipped his fingers across the stone stating, "Helga won't be joining us. She's distracting The Toad."
"The toad?" Gasping in shock, Hermione covered her mouth as she giggled. "Oh my God, Ric!"
"Really, Hermione?" Harry asked.
"What?" Hermione asked.
"God, Ric… Godric…" Harry snorted and rolled his eyes. Godric just smirked.
The twins looked from one person to the next and stopped at the hugely grinning Luna. Fred gaped, George asked, "Really?"
Godric shrugged. "Yes."
"But, you're a…"
"… well no, that makes sense…"
"Does it really?" Godric chuckled. "Care to share that finished thought with the rest of us?"
"You said it yourself. You're not really a girl."
"You're a bloke in a girl's body. That comment made sense before, but now…"
"It also makes sense how you were able to cross the age line without help," George concluded.
"My soul is that of an adult male. My magic is growing at an accelerated rate. I imagine I've the strength of a twenty year old."
The twins turned to gape at Salazar, and he shrugged. "Do I really need to say it?"
Rowena sighed at her friend's antics and told the boys, "Yes, that's Salazar and I'm Rowena."
"So, Helga is really Helga Hufflepuff…"
"… and why are you two not freaking out over all of this?" Fred asked Harry and Hermione.
Harry sat back with a shrug. "We already know."
"Why aren't you asking Luna why she's not surprised?" Hermione deflected.
Fred and George looked from Hermione to Luna and George gestured. "Have you met her?"
All heads turned to the smiling blonde and Hermione sighed as she agreed, "Fair point."
"Before we get started," Salazar stated, "Harry, Hermione, if you remain in the room we will need to rework your dampeners to encompass any new information you gain today. If this is not acceptable, then I suggest you leave now."
Hermione set her hands on her hips and rolled her eyes. "A chance to learn new information and you think I'm going to leave?"
"In the words of George: Have you met her?" Harry asked.
Salazar chuckled and gave Hermione's earlier response. "Fair point. And you?"
"You're family, Sal." Harry shook his head as he said, "That doesn't change. I'm staying."
"Very well," Salazar said with a smile. He then turned his attention back to the twins. "So, back on subject, what questions do you have?"
Fred brought out a piece of parchment and handed it over to Salazar. He read it aloud, "Things we really want to know the answers to:
Locket: how can Ric destroy it & not a house elf
How is the locket similar to something that Ro had
How does Ric have a personal house elf if his mother is a muggle
"I believe we answered most of these already with our identities." Salazar asked, "Did you listen to the Sorting Hat at the Welcome Feast? It was the first time the story was told honestly and not twisted like what the books claim happened." Hermione's hand went to her mouth and tears were once more in her eyes. Salazar gave her a small smile and he sighed softly. "The Hat knows of our past lives because he was there."
"Samuel is more than just a hat." Godric stated, "He's a friend."
Fred asked, "So the locket was…?"
"A family heirloom," Salazar admitted. "Seanair Eanraig, my grandfather, made it for his wife. It was then passed down to my father to give to his wife and then to me…" Salazar shuddered. "Unfortunately, it had some odd magic on it. It was vile and evil."
"Was? So, you took care of it already, but how? When?" Fred asked as he sat forward. "House elf magics are really strong. It just doesn't make sense that you could destroy the locket-"
"Oh, I didn't destroy it," Salazar corrected. "We cleansed it. Just like Rowena's diadem."
"The Lost Diadem?" Hermione gasped. "I read about that in Hogwarts, A History."
"I hate that book." Salazar sighed, but continued, "It wasn't really lost, it was hidden in Albania for a while. Then about fifty years ago it was brought back here and hidden again. Helena showed me where to find it and we cleansed it. It's upstairs in the vault with the locket."
"There's a vault?" Fred asked.
But before anyone could answer him, Luna gasped - though it sounded painful, not filled with surprise - and all heads turned to her. She looked at Rowena and said, "You need to find Helga's cup."
