It had taken her longer than she'd have liked, but with all the interruptions of the tournament, the ball, and the extra students staying behind in the castle over the holiday break, it couldn't be helped. With classes finally back in session, the holidays over, and the castle returning back to its new normal, Rowena got back to work on the ring for Ismanna and spoke with Helena regarding her need for bits of metal, preferably gold, nickel, and iron. Helena said she knew the perfect place.

Helena, Luna, and Rowena were strolling through the Room of Requirement. The current summoned room was described to her by her daughter and requested by Luna. She called it the Room of Hidden Things and, by the look of the room, Rowena could understand its moniker.

The place was a treasure trove of discarded belongings. Each item was either lost, hidden, tossed, or confiscated by a professor. But here, they were displayed in a most lackadaisical fashion. The room was cavernous with piles raised high unto the ceiling. Helena would steer them towards more interesting things, or at least that's what she had said when Rowena asked where she was taking them.

Luna would often point out an item, they'd discuss it, and she would get that little smile of hers. Rowena often wondered what it was the small girl could see, but never asked. If Luna wished to share her thoughts, she was not shy to do so.

Rowena tried to make rhyme or reason of the stacks of random items while Helena flitted about like a bird. Rowena stopped walking and turned a full circle when she reached yet another fork in the path. "Moppsy."

The house elf popped into the room and looked around her, "Mistress Ro-" Her words cut off when she saw Luna smiling at her. Moppsy's eyes grew larger and her hands were covering her mouth in horror of what she nearly said.

Rowena gently placed her hand on Moppsy's head and calmed her, "Moppsy, this is Luna Lovegood. She has a unique ability to see magic. She is well aware of who I am. So do not fret. You have not broken your oath, for you are safe to speak my true name in front of her." Turning her attention to Luna she asked, "Have you spent any length of time with house elves?"

"I've visited the kitchen. They're very nice, always so kind and polite," Luna said wistfully before coming to a conclusion. "People should be more like them… be kind to each other, like the house elves."

Moppsy beamed at Luna and said, "Little Miss is kind to say." Looking up at her mistress, she asked, "How can Moppsy serve?"

"I just have a question. How can anyone find anything in this room?" Rowena was looking down the aisles again. If they were to head to the left, Rowena saw broken furniture - chairs and desks - piled up on each side. If they were to head to the right, there was broken furniture - wardrobes and beds - and discarded trunks with clothes from different eras.

"We doesn't," Moppsy admitted. "This is Come and Go Room. Things come and the room goes."

"Oh," Rowena frowned in thought, "I never thought my room would be used for such a thing." She looked at some of the items nearby. "They had the elves toss out the furniture instead of reusing it, or fixing it, or even burning it for fuel? I find that so wasteful." She put her hands on her hips and sighed. "Well, it will simply take much too long to go piece by piece and I'd be afraid of magical backlash if we were to simply burn all the items in here…"

"There's too much history here," Luna said as she put a hand on one of the cabinets. "I'm sure each has their story."

"I suppose." Rowena looked at Moppsy. "Sorry to have disturbed you. Thank you for answering my question."

Moppsy nodded and popped away. Helena floated closer and pointed at an area they hadn't yet explored. "I found something that may help you."

"Thank you, dear."

The odd trio made their way to yet another section and Rowena began with removing the metal from other materials, such as wood or plastics. Then she purified the metal, to meld it together to form a bar. Then proceeded to create a circelet. Luna watched her work and Helena floated nearby. It was a simple task for Rowena, but Luna seemed pleased with the results and applauded. "It's fascinating work. Not nearly as lovely as the diadem..." The third year girl winced. "Sorry."

Rowena waved her off. "First off, do not concern yourself with hurting my feelings when it comes to my work. It is best to be honest to keep me humble."

"That is very true," Helena said and giggled when Rowena playfully scrunched her nose at her daughter.

"Second," Rowena continued, "I didn't make the diadem."

"You didn't... but it's credited to you."

"I realize that," Rowena agreed, and smoothed the metal edges of her current work. "But all I did was enchant it."

"Did they get other facts wrong?" Luna asked. Helena winced at the question, catching the girl's attention. "Your death... the Baron..."

"Third," Rowena continued, bringing the conversation away from such a painful subject. "Do not believe everything you read." Luna sat in silence for a while, presumably thinking over what she was just told. Helena went searching around the Room of Hidden Things for anything useful. Rowena had finished crafting the circlet, polishing it, and softening the edges to her satisfaction and began working on the runes needed. Rowena was finishing the first set and spoke to the girl, gaining her attention, "You need to begin the circle. It's nearly time." Looking up, Luna didn't speak, simply nodded and got to work. "No need to feel badly about what I said. Not all authors will twist the truth. Not all authors know the truth. History is written by the winners, the survivors and what information they do provide is not always unbiased."

"So, not everything written is wrong, just not always fully right," Luna surmised.

"Well reasoned. That is an apt description," Rowena agreed. "Sometimes an author believes they know the truth, so they write what they believe are facts. Those people are not to be faulted. They do not know better, for where did they get their information? They did their research, they looked for the answers yet the ones who gave them their truths were not truthful. They remember things from their perspective or they heard the story from someone else. Even if you hear the story directly from someone who lived the tale, the story is only half true."

Luna finished the circle and walked it again, inspecting her runes. She stopped and nodded. "If stories are to be believed, he wouldn't be who he is... and who he is, is true."

Rowena looked at the girl and smiled. "And one should be as true to oneself whenever possible."

Enchanting items had always been Rowena's forte. She did the short ritual as Luna and Helena watched. In the end, Rowena destroyed the circle to remove all evidence of their work and the three began making their way out of the room.

Helena prompted, "It would be fascinating to go through the room piece by piece to see what you can find. Not all things are true treasures but think of all the items you could create with the raw materials here."

Luna's smile dimmed as a shiver ran through her. She backed away from the narrow aisle and looked imploringly at Rowena. "But not now… not yet… this room has a part to play… and as much as it pains me to say this," Luna closed her eyes and nearly swayed on her feet, "we should leave the room be… until after."

"After." Rowena looked around her once more and nodded thoughtfully. "Okay, Luna." The small blonde was trembling, and Rowena wrapped an arm around her, pulling the girl into a hug. "Perhaps we should begin now with leaving the room, allowing it to prepare itself for what is to come?" Rowena could feel the girl nod, but did not release her hold. She smiled up at her daughter and reached out her hand to her asking, "Helena my sweet, will you please show us the way out of here?"

"Of course, Mamaidh." Helena reached out to brush her ghostly fingers over her mother's smaller hand.

Luna and Rowena followed Helena to the door, but before exiting, Rowena etched runes for yet another perimeter alert.

- - - - Founders - - - -

The ring was complete, but what to do with it? It needed to be attached to Ismanna without causing the basilisk pain. It had to be explained to her so she knew what it was for, so she wouldn't immediately try to shake it off. It was adjustable and perhaps that could be helpful in some way, but how...

Wrapped up in her thoughts, Rowena hadn't noticed Godric playing with Ismanna until the golden egg fell to the ground and opened. Then the screeching began. Hissing in pain, Ismanna recoiled into her pool. Rowena winced, covering her ears and waited until Godric managed to close the egg, cutting off the sound abruptly.

"Blimey," Rowena said as she shook her head. "That was painful."

Godric stood, held the golden egg cradled in his arms and gave his friend a huge grin. "Blimey? Really? You've been around the children too much. You're picking up their slang."

Giggling, Rowena admitted, "Perhaps some. I rather like that one. Some of the others make no sense to me or are simply too vulgar." Rowena's smile widened when she noted Godric's blush and laughed. "Yes, I heard you say that a time or two. I won't tell you not to, but others might."

"Right." Godric quickly changed the subject. "What brings you down to the laboratory?"

"I'm here for Ismanna," Rowena said and noticed the snake's head pop back up from the water, watching her. It was difficult not to notice such a thing. Ismanna was already huge two years ago when the two of them first met and the girl was still growing. Digging into her satchel, Rowena pulled out the ring she had worked on in the Room of Requirement. "I've made this for you." She told the snake and then frowned. "I simply do not know where to put it."

"On her tail?"

"I thought about that, but it may be too uncomfortable. We don't want Ismanna in pain and it would have to be tight in order to not fall off when she moves."

Godric looked up at Ismanna. The basilisk stuck her tongue out at him and he mimicked the gesture back. Then Godric was pointing up at Ismanna. "Her tongue?"

"Her tongue?" Rowena asked incredulously. "You can't be serious."

"Sure." Godric looked at Ismanna when she recoiled at the idea of anything wrapped around her tongue.

"The chances of her losing it are even greater if we were to attempt such a thing. Her tongue is slender and she uses it often for sensing. No, that will not do." Rowena was sliding her fingers around the edge of the ring. "I suppose I could have it flattened, but I don't want to put it somewhere with her scales. That just seems too painful and uncomfortable."

"It's a ring," Godric stated as he looked over at his friend.

"Yes," Rowena agreed, "just like ours. I've even managed to figure out the locator spell, which can be triggered with a pulse of magic, just like the messages. I'll need to adjust everyone's rings again. I've already done mine and Ismanna's."

"But, it's a ring," Godric stated again and pointed to Ismanna's head. "What about the spikes on her head? They're rigid, but flexible, and you did say the rings adjust to size."

Ismanna looked from one person to the other as if to ponder the logic of Godric's suggestion. Apparently she found it sound because she was soon lowering her head so Rowena could inspect the spikes. Rowena was taken aback by the movement and the trust given to her by such a magnificent beast.

Moving slowly closer, Rowena hesitantly reached out. It took her a few tries before she could manage to touch the snake for the first time. They've shared a space there in the laboratory many times, but Rowena hadn't been this close to her before. Rowena marveled at the texture of Ismanna's skin, the smooth and the bumpy, the scarred and the perfection. "You're beautiful."

The words were out before she had realized she had spoken aloud. Ismanna hissed softly. The sound almost a purr. Rowena giggled nervously and reached up while Ismanna tilted her head, bringing the top closer to the woman.

Rowena slipped the ring over one of the spikes directly at the top of Ismanna's head and the band automatically adjusted. "Does this hurt?"

Ismanna didn't respond immediately, she moved her head slowly, carefully and suddenly she bumped her snout against Rowena's chest. Rowena squeaked in surprise. Godric chuckled and told his friend, "I think she likes it."

- - - - Founders - - - -

Salazar let out a string of expletives that were more colorful the longer he ranted. It was approximately three minutes later that the man finally ran out of breath and ended the tirade. When the tantrum subsided, the man growled and vanished the potion he had been working on. Cauldron included.

"Problem?"

"Not at all," Salazar deadpanned. Godric snorted at the man. Rowena raised her eyebrow in disbelief. Helga rolled her eyes in amusement and leaned against Ismanna when she hissed at the man. Salazar huffed with a small grin, "Hush you," to which the snake, naturally, responded.

Rowena walked over to his workbench, noting perhaps for the first time the small Hungarian Horntail toy that Godric had gifted to Salazar. It was curled up in a nest made especially for the adorable little thing. Rowena shook her head to clear the distraction from her mind and asked Salazar, "Is there anything I can help you with?"

Salazar paused for only a moment before handing over the parchment. "It's Godric's salve. I need to adjust the recipe. The ingredients we used in our past are no longer available or have been altered over the years. The arithmancy must be wrong."

Scanning the numbers quickly, Rowena stated, "Your math is flawless."

"It isn't the ingredients. I double checked if they would work together and they're fresh, so it isn't that either." Salazar looked at his notes once more and was ready to toss the entire project out.

Rowena handed back the parchment and glanced at the notes. "Oh," she suggested, "here," Salazar looked at where the woman was pointing, "this should be a quarter stir clockwise."

"That..." Salazar peered at his notes as he ran his finger down through the steps once again. "Might work..."

"Must you sound so surprised?" Rowena asked.

"Thank you!" Godric said with satisfaction. "At least I'm not the only one he does that to."

- - - - Founders - - - -

"Have you figured that thing out yet?" Helga asked. "You've been working on it for nearly three weeks."

"Not yet," Godric admitted. He was sitting at the edge of the water, legs crossed, and the egg rested in his lap. He toyed with the clasp at the top, but didn't open it.

"Will you ask for help this time?"

"Not likely," Godric admitted.

"There's only a month left," Helga reminded him.

Rowena shook her head. "You know him, Helga. He can't ask for help until he's exhausted any and all possible solutions first."

"Just as stubborn in this life as the last," Helga said in fond exasperation.

Godric shrugged and nearly jumped when Ismanna came up out of the water in front of him. He had been playing with the clasp and it opened once more. The screeching began until something unexpected happened. Godric stared, opened mouth at the screeching golden egg, and then laughed.

"We've lost him," Rowena said sadly.

"Some time ago," Helga agreed.

But Godric stood with the egg in hand, snapped it closed, and explained, "I understood. Only for a moment, sure, but I heard words!" He looked up at the snake and shouted, "Thank you, oh queen!"

- - - - Bonus Scene - Salazar - - - -

"There you are," Twin One said.

"You two keep disappearing," Twin Two mentioned.

The twins bookended the two friends and frog-marched them to the nearest empty classroom. Twin Two stayed at the door making it impossible for either of the friends to seal the room for protection. Godric peered at the twins and folded his arms.

Twin One sat on a dusty desk. "I know it's been a busy year. Pranks have been slowed to a standstill since the other schools have arrived because of the tournament."

"We have some new products we need tested and Hermione threw a fit when we tested them on the firsties." Salazar raised an eyebrow at Twin Two who raised his hands in surrender. "We tested them on ourselves first."

"Hermione isn't a prefect..."

"But she can be quite boisterous..."

"Loud..."

"...and she lectures like a mum..."

"You're not supposed to help them, Ric." Salazar reminded Godric, "Hermione is our friend."

"Yes, but she really is all of those things..." Godric was quick to add, "and nice."

"Down right sweet, she is..." Twin Two said, "but not the point."

"Then perhaps you should get to the point," Salazar prompted.

Twin One admitted, "Mostly we want feedback. How well our products are received."

"What do you want with us?"

"We already have an unspoken truce," Twin Two commented as he pushed away from the door and moved closer to the others. "How about a collaboration?"

"Who is your target?"

"Anyone."

"Everyone."

"Staff included?"

The twins exchanged a look and grinned. The pair said in unison, "Definitely."

"We're in.

Google Translate Time:

Mamaidh = Mummy