It was double Potions and class was coming to an end. He enjoyed brewing, he enjoyed brewing with his best friend. Only today, said best friend kept grumbling about Snape's timing with their assignment. "Where was this lesson last month when it would have done me some good?"

"In your potions book waiting for you to read ahead," Salazar answered as he carefully added the wartcap powder and lowered the heat while Godric kept stirring. The Fire Protection Potion slowly turned blue and Salazar nodded, pleased with their accomplishment.

Godric huffed softly, "Right," and set aside the stirring rod. "Not that I needed it, but it would have been handy to have."

"I suppose it would have," Salazar agreed as he extinguished the heat and allowed the potion to begin cooling. In the meantime, Salazar began sorting through the remnants of the ingredients; there were some that could be salvaged for other potions and then there were remnants not worth the effort.

"Time. You should have a blue potion. It should be clear. It should have a gentle sheen. If it does not, then you did it wrong." Snape made his way back to the front of the classroom and circled his desk still speaking, "Once you have bottled your potion and brought it forward, clean up your station." Snape said that for the umpteenth time... and would probably have to say it umpteen many more before he retired.

Snape waited until the majority of the class was in the process of cleaning or had completed the task at hand before he spoke again, "The Yule Ball is approaching... it is a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament and an opportunity..." The man sneered before continuing, "to socialize with our foreign guests."

Salazar watched the man and bit back his grin. That last sentence looked as if it pained him to say. Many of the girls began whispering and giggling. Salazar, Hermione, and Godric were the only 'females' in the entire class not chatting giddily about their prospects. Salazar didn't care about the Yule Ball. He had no intention of attending. He'd leave the frivolous activity to the children.

Only, Snape wasn't done talking, "Miss Dunbar." All talk stopped as all heads turned towards Godric. Godric simply looked at the man expectantly and the professor continued, "It is customary for champions and their partners-"

"Wait, what partners?"

Snape's lip curled in a sneer at being interrupted. "Your dance partner, Miss Dunbar." Godric nudged Salazar. Salazar sighed softly, but otherwise didn't react. So much for not attending. Snape continued in a snit, overly enunciating his words, "As I was saying," taking a small breath, Snape ended with, "It is customary for the champions and their partners to open the ball with a dance."

Godric looked at his best friend and said quite loudly, and quite matter-of-factly, "I'll let you lead."

Salazar sighed aloud as the room began chattering at that proclamation. Lavender Brown's squeal was so loud, no one heard him anyhow.

- - - - Founders - - - -

Salazar escaped all the glances and whispers of the Great Hall, only to enter the Slytherin common room and the occupants fell silent so everyone could stare at him. The only other time Salazar had seen this reaction from this group was if their Head of House entered. Salazar resisted rolling his eyes and moved towards the dorm rooms.

With Malfoy gone, Zabini had become the most popular Slytherin of their year. The Italian was holding court near the fireplace. Salazar was nearly to the stairs when someone called out, "I don't get it. Why a Gryffindor?" That question surprised him. Surprised him so much that he actually stopped walking. Salazar looked at the students gathered near the fireplace in bewilderment. Apparently it was Crabbe that had spoken up. Salazar frowned wondering if he had ever heard the child speak before. The boy set his hands on his hips. "We don't care that you're going with a girl. But why her?"

"Ric asked."

"Didn't," Nott countered.

Salazar smirked. "That was the intent of the comment."

"She's not very subtle," called someone else.

Salazar wasn't sure who said it, it came from behind him, and he shrugged. "Not Ric's style."

"Gryffindor," Lily said with a huge grin.

"Yes, Gryffindor," Salazar agreed. She had no idea just how correct her response was.

- - - - Founders - - - -

"Are you..." Salazar looked at the girl that had spoken to him. She stood before him with three other females. The Ravenclaw girls stood side by side in the hallway, impeding his progress to his next class. His gaze pinned her to the spot and her words were caught in her throat before she blurted out the question, "Are you really going with... her?"

Salazar was polite enough to stop walking instead of plowing her over, in order to glare at the child. "Do I know you?"

"I..." She stopped speaking and gave her friends a bewildered look, then turned her attention back to Salazar. "No?"

"Then I do not answer to you," Salazar said simply and walked away, pushing past them.

Godric walked beside his best friend and asked, "Are you angry with me?"

"For what, exactly?"

"For asking you to the Yule Ball?"

Salazar looked at his friend and chuckled, "First off, you didn't actually ask me."

"I..." Godric thought about that and then grinned sheepishly. "Do you want me to?"

"No." Salazar shrugged. "That would be a moot point at this juncture."

"Oh." Godric grinned, then the smile slipped and he looked at Salazar as he cautiously asked, "And second?"

"Second, you're the only one that could manage to convince me to go to this farce of an event." Salazar admitted, "Had anyone else had the temerity to approach me, I'd have scathingly declined."

"But you already have dress robes," Godric countered.

"We all do." Salazar shrugged and reminded him, "The school decided to make it mandatory for all students - fourth year and up - to bring dress robes."

"True." Godric asked, "So you'd not go even though you already have dress robes available that your mother painstakingly chose as the perfect gown?"

"Yes," Salazar agreed immediately. "Attendance is not mandatory for anyone that is not a champion." Godric grew silent and Salazar looked over at him. "You suddenly got quiet."

"I was waiting to hear your next point," Godric admitted.

"Ah." Salazar nodded and they made it all the way to the hallway of their DADA class before he relented and said, "Lastly..."

"Yes?" Godric asked when Salazar didn't finish his thought.

Salazar waited until they were walking into the room to say, "I won't be leading."

- - - - Founders - - - -

"Tracey..."

Salazar glanced over his shoulder and saw that he was alone. Knowing he had heard his name hissed urgently, he slowed his pace. He could feel a magical presence, even if it was faint... and familiar. A disillusionment spell didn't dampen a person's magic... the cloak did? Perhaps. He slowed his steps further to allow his little brother to catch up to him then moved purposefully over to classroom eleven. Salazar opened the door and waited until he felt the magic sweep past him and asked, "I thought I told you to call me Sal?"

Harry was grinning sheepishly when he pulled the cloak off of him and admitted, "I'm still working on that."

The door was closed and sealed before Salazar joined him fully in the room. The classroom had changed once again. The room wasn't simply clean; the desks were neatly arranged around the perimeter of the room and a worn brown leather sofa was in the center. Salazar had been surprised until Rowena admitted to having asked for the room to be shifted into something more comfortable for them to gather in.

Salazar set his bag down and sat on the couch. "What's happened?"

Harry was taken aback. "Happened?"

"Oh." Salazar smiled. "Sorry. Usually when you seek me out, something has happened."

The boy sat back and deflated as his entire body sagged. "Oh."

"I told you that I'm always here for you, that is not a problem."

"No," Harry said while lost in thought, "but you're family. I don't have to only talk to you if something's wrong... do I?"

"I rather like the idea that you'd speak with me when things are right, as well," Salazar admitted, still grinning at the boy.

"Oh, good... that's... good." Harry fidgetted and Salazar laughed. "Yeah, shut it." Harry laughed with him. "But still, nothing is wrong... exactly."

"Good." Salazar smirked. "So what happened?"

Harry groaned and admitted, "They won't leave me alone." That wasn't what Salazar was expecting to hear, so he waited for Harry to elaborate. "They all want 'The-Boy-Who-Lived' to ask them to the stupid ball."

"You have friends, Harry," Salazar reminded him.

"Well, yeah..."

"But?"

"I kind of like someone," Harry admitted with a goofy grin.

"Then ask her," Salazar said as if it were the most logical thing, ever.

"I did." Harry sighed.

"And?"

"She's going with Cedric Diggory." Harry rubbed his face and admitted, "Cho is too pretty for me anyway."

"She is wrong for you."

"What?" Harry looked offended. "I thought as my 'sister' you're supposed to tell me I'm great or something stupid like that."

"If that's what you want." Salazar shrugged while Harry snorted in amusement. "You are great, Harry, and nothing about you is stupid... On the other hand, two years ago Cho Chang - along with her little friends - was a bully. She's not worthy of your time."

"Two years ago? What changed?"

Salazar's small smile grew. "Rowena taught Luna to fight back."

"Ha!" Harry let out a bark of a surprised laugh. "Luna? Little blonde, third year, wouldn't hurt a fly because that would be mean... That Luna?"

"One and the same," Salazar agreed.

"What did Rowena teach her?"

"How to ward her personal belongings," Salazar admitted and any humor left him as he told the short tale. "It started in Luna's first year. She sees life differently, and instead of accepting her as she is, those in her house tried to change her. When that didn't work, they bullied her. Took her shoes, random clothing items, her homework, her books. Then hid them. It was November when Helga found her barefoot, shivering, and frightened."

Harry was looking at his empty hands, clenching and unclenching them. His voice was soft when he said, "I hate bullies."

"Yes," Salalzar agreed, "as do I. I never understood the mind of someone that took pleasure in cowing someone weaker, smaller, different..." Sighing, Salazar shook his head. "So if not Chang, who?"

"What?" Harry shook his head, as if shaking off some memory or thought, and he looked at Salazar with confusion written all over his face. Salazar truly needed to help the boy learn occlumency. He could hear Harry's mind screaming about abuse by someone named... Dudders?

"Who are you going to ask to the Yule Ball?" Salazar asked, looking away from the boy in an attempt to shut off the noise coming from him. "I still say you should ask one of your female friends. Tell them you want to go 'as friends' so there is no confusion of your intentions. Problem solved."

"Is that what you're doing?" Harry asked.

"Does it bother you?"

"What, that you're going with Ric?"

"Yes."

"No." Harry shrugged. "Ric is Ric. There's really no way to put that girl... erm, bloke? Into an average category. Ric is just..." He looked at Salazar. "Like Heath said about Black. Ric is just... more."

"He is," Salazar agreed, then grinned at Harry. "But don't tell Ric that. His ego couldn't handle... more."

Harry chuckled, then groaned. "But what friend? Hermione is already going with..."

"With?" Salazar prompted when Harry's words tapered off.

"Well, to be honest, she won't tell me." Harry shrugged. "I already tried to play the friend card with her. It didn't work."

"I'm almost afraid to ask how you approached her."

"Yeah." Harry sighed. "She said I sounded as insensitive as Ronald Weasley."

Salazar grimaced. "No, I don't need to hear that."

"No." Harry rubbed his face. "And I deserved her slap." Salazar didn't bother trying to hide his smirk. So when Harry was done scrubbing his face in frustration, the smirk was still there. Harry rolled his eyes. "So, what should I do? Ask Luna?"

"A pity invitation because of what I told you?"

"No!"

"Good... but no, she's going with Longbottom."

"Neville?"

"Yes."

"Wow," Harry said in surprise. "Didn't see that one coming."

"He's a good boy, she's a sweet girl." Salazar shrugged. "It's just a dance."

"I don't have any more female friends."

"Helga and Rowena?"

"Helga doesn't have a date yet? She's really popular with... well, everyone."

"I don't know to be honest. I don't believe so."

"Rowena won't go."

"If you tell her you need a friend, she might."

"I'll ask."

"In the meantime, keep that cloak handy. There are a number of hidden passages in this castle. I'll show you a few to help you get around."

- - - - Founders - - - -

It was finally Christmas Eve day, the evening of the Yule Ball, and everyone attending was excited. Most everyone. Salazar was tired of the festivities before they began. The girls in the fourth year dorm were giddy and giggly. Two things that Salazar was not... ever.

The majority of the fourth year Slytherins had paired up: Gregory Goyle and Lily Moon, Theodore Nott and Daphne Greengrass, Millicent Bulstrode and Scarlet Lympsham. Blaise Zabini snagged an older witch from Beauxbatons and Pansy Parkinson somehow convinced an upperclassman Slytherin to take her. Vincent Crabbe, on the other hand... Well, that boy apparently wasn't smart enough to ask anyone to be his date.

The girls took hours to get ready. They started at some point in the early afternoon, showered, shaved, bathed, whatever it was that they needed to do in the bathroom, then moved to the mirrors. They primped and teased, magiced and straightened and curled and smoothed and styled their hair in front of the mirrors.

Exiting the bathroom, the girls swarmed the vanities and were once more crowding mirrors, only this time they were smearing, highlighting, concealing, rouging, blending, and dabbing makeup. From there they moved on to dressing. Salazar didn't believe that part should have been so difficult, but again was proven wrong. His dress robe was already chosen and laid across the foot of his bed waiting for him to slip it on. The others were still choosing bras, hosiery, knickers, and discarding choices until they were satisfied. Salazar felt that they were being ridiculous. These were fourteen/fifteen year old children. These weren't his days when every one of these girls would have already been married with at least one child of their own.

From their underclothes, the girls moved to their gowns and shoes and jewelry and perfume choices. Nothing was left to chance. Salazar looked around them. The entire dorm room was a disaster area with toiletries, discarded hosiery or other dainties, and other odds and ends that Salazar wasn't entirely convinced weren't considered torture devices back in the 900s.

Salazar silently slipped into his dress robe ignoring the insanity around him. He was rather pleased with his choice. He wasn't the average little fifteen year old girl. He wasn't really a girl, or a boy. He was, on the other hand, conscientious in how he dressed. Salazar insisted on dressing age appropriate for a female of that generation so as to not stand out.

He wore a ballgown of soft champagne. It was sleeveless, and fitted his upper body, cinched at the waist then flared to the floor in acromantula silk. The patterns across his torso were both embroidered and sequined, the skirt a simple pleat. What Salazar enjoyed the most about the dress was that it was feminine enough to satisfy his mother's tastes and modest enough to appease Salazar's. Plus the dress was long enough to cover his questionable choice of footwear.

The other girls were finally coming to an end of their self torture when Lily spotted him. She asked him the strangest question, "What are you going to do with your hair?"

His hair? Salazar frowned at the girl in confusion. He stated, quite matter-of-factly, "I brushed it."

"That's how you wear it all the time. Aren't you going to... I don't know, put it up maybe?"

"Why would I do such a thing?"

Lily huffed. "What about your face?"

Salazar touched his cheek in concern. "Is there something amiss with my face?"

"I'd say so," Pansy snorted inelegantly.

"Shut it, Pansy," Millicent said and took Salazar by the hand. "We'll take care of you. You'll be fine for that Gryffindor of yours."

Salazar had only felt true fear once before his death. That evening he felt it once more as he was led to a seat at the vanity and was pounced upon by four fourteen year old girls wanting to 'help' him.

- - - - Founders - - - -

Salazar waited until the others left. He dreaded the evening ahead. While he'd most likely enjoy his time with Godric - the silly man had a way of making him relax and smile even in a crowded room full of strangers and, on rare occasions, laugh aloud in public - the prospect of being around others was daunting. Once he was alone, Salazar slipped the top off the vial and took a small sip of the calming draught. He felt the effect immediately. He'd love nothing more than to down the entire vial, but knew better than to let his guard down in a crowd. Godric at his side or not, he would not be a victim again.

After slipping the vial away in his nightstand drawer, Salazar mentally braced himself and moved with purpose.

In the common room there were first through third years watching as the upperclassmen went to the Yule Ball. Salazar didn't speak, but he gave the ones who greeted a nod of acknowledgement and even gave a few a small smile.

The Entrance Hall wasn't far from the dungeon steps and it took no time at all to reach it. There, pacing near the Grand Staircase, was his best friend. Godric, never one to conform to what others believed 'normal', was a striking figure in his version of dress robes. Black slacks deftly tucked neatly into shined knee high boots, a white button down shirt with a wing tip collar, and a black puff tie, but what truly set Godric apart from the others, besides the obvious petite female body, was the jacket he chose. While Viktor Krum wore his school uniform, Fleur's date, a Ravenclaw if Salazar recalled correctly, wore a tuxedo-style dress robe. Godric wore a deep maroon, long sleeved waistcoat with a high V-neck collar, tapered to a waterfall. Godric managed to look feminine and yet manly at the same time.

Salazar had been standing at the dungeon steps watching his friend for some time and chuckled softly when said friend stopped in his tracks and stared at him. Godric's smile grew and the relief on the man's face was obvious. Salazar shook his head and smirked at Godric as he walked forward. "You were worried that I'd change my mind, weren't you?"

"Nope, the thought never crossed my mind," Godric denied and Salazar chuckled softly.

Professor McGonagall was doing her best to usher attendees of the Yule Ball into the Great Hall while keeping the champions and their dance partners gathered in one spot. She had put them in a line, sorted by the order they had been chosen by the Goblet. Then pointedly looked at Godric when she said it was so they wouldn't go wandering off again. Salazar did his level best to ignore the woman and her passive aggressive ways.

Viktor stood at the front of the short line. He looked stiff and nervous and more importantly... alone. Either his date was running late, or his date decided not to come. Salazar was leaning towards late, but from the way the young man was clenching his fists, Viktor might feel she was standing him up. Interesting.

Fleur and her date stood second in line. She was dressed nicely. The boy next to her was wearing the common style of male dress robes in black with a contrasting white button down shirt. Salazar was near certain his initial guess about him was correct. Still he seemed rather out of sorts with glazed eyes and a goofy grin on his face. The way he stared at Fleur was... disturbing and the girl looked as if she regretted agreeing to attend with him.

Godric was third in line with his dance partner dutifully standing beside him. But the dance wasn't starting and naturally, Godric became fidgety. Salazar, on the other hand, wasn't ready to be part of tonight's entertainment, forced to be there by his best friend's need for Salazar to keep him grounded. The two friends had known each other since they were children. Godric had always been so excitable and full of energy while Salazar was the calm eye of the storm. Salazar was purposefully ignoring the idea of walking into the Great Hall and having every eye in the room upon the three couples. Besides, he wasn't done people-watching, so Salazar was quite content where he was. He enjoyed watching the late comers dressed in their finest. Some looked haughty, others looked uncomfortable, but the majority looked simply ecstatic to be joining the festivities.

Harry came down the Grand Staircase with two girls looking quite lovely. Hermione on his left had her curls tamed into an updo and wore a charming periwinkle dress. She perfectly fit into the 'ecstatic to be here' category. Her smile was genuine and she was nearly bouncing like Godric, but she had more decorum and held tightly to Harry's arm. On his other arm was Rowena - who was most definitely in the 'uncomfortable' category even though her smile was also genuine and seemed more amused than anything - had her sandy blonde hair in a loose bun and wore a deep blue ball gown that seemed to flow even when she wasn't moving.

When they reached the bottom of the stairs, Hermione grinned at her friend, squeezed his arm, and then joined Viktor at the front of the line of champions. Interesting indeed.

No sooner was Harry's arm free, than a tall willowy girl with smooth olive skin took Hermione's place as naturally as if she always belonged there. Salazar smiled when he recognized his dear friend Helga. She wore a deep purple gown that flattered her form, her hair was up in the front, yet when she looked at Harry to laugh at something he said, Salazar could see the curls cascading freely.

Harry gave Salazar a crooked grin and escorted the females into the ball. Salazar chuckled when Godric said, "He went from no date, to two? Why do I feel that you had something to do with that?"

"I may have suggested he talk to them and confess he needed help from a friend, nothing more."

"Well it worked."

"Honesty tends to work in one's favor when they're in need."

Whatever more Godric may have wanted to say was interrupted by the start of the Yule Ball. As Salazar feared, they were paraded through the Great Hall, seated up at the head table and made to dance the opening dance. At least the food was good and the company even better.