Summary: The Four Founders faced some struggles before the birth of the Hogwarts school came to be.
Rated: T
Genre: General, Fantasy
Competition/Challenge Block
Written For: Monthly Challenges for All (Year 6); Quidditch League Fanfiction Competition (Season 10)
Quidditch: Wigtown Wanderers - Keeper (Fantasy)
MC4A: Hunt [Sp WD (Islam); Sp Setting (Castle; Lake/Pond; Orchard; New Moon)]; SpB [2D - Design]; TrB [1E - The Mentor]; Ship War [4B - Moment Interruptions]
Word Count: 1,680
Warning Tag: Implied/Referenced Discrimination & Destruction Toward Wixen
The Architect
It wasn't an easy decision to make in regards to starting a school between four close friends. Going about finding that perfect spot and constructing it was no easy feat, either, and had a bit of trial and error. Doing such a thing didn't only require a structure to teach in, it needed proper direction in lesson plans and teaching, which demanded skills and experience from the wixen to relay to their students efficiently, effectively, and safely.
The beginning years were rough, to say the least. Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Salazar Slytherin, and Rowena Ravenclaw decided to fashion a large, sturdy structure they called the Great Hall at the foothills of modern-day Ben Macdui mountain. It was here they gathered and taught the small handful of children gifted with magic from neighboring villages once the word was sent, making it all feel official and special.
Salazar had doubts in this wild dream of theirs, yet the little school became a slow, safe, modest success—until it wasn't. It soon became apparent that they needed a more permanent and secure location for their school after some time had passed. The word had leaked to the non-magical folk that a school had been built and children with no magic gifts trekked the wilderness alongside the magical students only to be turned away, forgetting why they had ever come. This brought suspicion and spread wariness, and it soon brought destruction and persecution.
Thankfully no one was harmed during the fallout. The four of them were able to help the magical families flee from an otherwise dreadful fate, taking them out in the wild and into the depths of the foothills of the mountain. It was there they found a perfect layout of beautiful scenery to settle down in. There was a large meadow nestled by a mighty lake where a large cliff face rose up from it on one side. A dark, heavily wooded forest stretched across the base of the rising mountain opposite, widely circling most of the lake and meadow, but the valley couldn't have provided a more secure area away from judgment and fear.
It was like the living embodiment of a fantasy story.
Tents and canopies slowly turned into wooden mud huts, and those soon grew into bigger structures and houses, and the school was re-established and quickly outgrown by new wixen seeking refuge and safety. So the four planned to construct a new school perched up on the top of the cliff to overlook the town, lake, and forest. But what led to the biggest change for the small community was when the Norman Conquest spread throughout the island of modern day United Kingdom. This brought new wixen from different countries into the land, and with that, new skills and knowledge.
Helga and Salazar were walking along the lake bank during early evening, surveying the soil for Helga's garden and orchard when they spotted a small group of people in the distance approaching from the waning sunlight. It had been some time since they had new arrivals.
"Do you think they are friendly?" Helga asked, watching the finely dressed people continue to move closer. "I do not recall newcomers were expected. Would the others know of this?"
"We can only hope they come peacefully," Salazar replied, subconsciously adjusting the turban on his head and smoothing down the emerald fabric of his jubba to be more presentable. "We shall welcome them with kindness lest they wish to come with ill intent, or do what we must to protect our home."
Helga gave a nervous nod, watching as his hand slipped into the hidden wand pocket before he folded his hands together in front of him. She checked for her own wand pocket among her simple beige and yellow kirtle before adjusting her wimple and tucking a few loose strands of ginger hair into it. After what happened to their first sanctuary, having unannounced guests put them on edge.
"Evening to you!" Salazar called out, "To what owes the pleasure of your presence here this night?"
Their leader, Helga assumed, moved ahead of their group and signaled to halt. There were several paces between them still, providing a semi-comfortable space neither party wished to breach at the moment.
"Bonsoir! Hello, friends! We come with peace and no means to harm your settlement," the finely dressed man announced.
He had a flowy accent that told the couple they were foreigners from a great land across the sea. This seemed to have piqued Salazar's interest, not being from here as well and potentially offering a connection between them.
"I have heard word of the work that has been done with intent to protect our people," the eloquent speaking man continued. "May I introduce myself as Armand Malfoy, magician and personal adviser to King William the Conqueror."
As if on queue, Armand made a show of elaborate magic of sparks and streaks in varying colors as he waved his hat around in the air. Knowing he was one of them had Helga and Salazar visibly relax.
"We are not under any ruling from ordinary folk, so your status with a king holds no merit here," Helga stated, wishing to squash any power he may think he has. "This is a sanctuary for the magical people and creatures who have been hunted by those who do not understand our ways."
"Je suis désolé, I mean no ill will with my presence I assure. I had heard of the strife suffered here and wish to provide my skills to your cause," Armand explained carefully. "You wish to see success in teaching the young, but requires protection from the normal folk. Please, if you may, I have much to offer you."
"A craftsman," Helga muttered to Salazar, "we have so few of them. Perhaps we should hear what he could offer."
Salazar agreed. "You and your company shall join us in the feast hall, if you may. I am Salazar, and my companion is Helga. I wish to introduce you to my other colleagues and discuss your skills further. You are able to make camp in the village, as the moon sleeps this night, terrors of the unknown reap in the shadows of the forest."
They led the way back to the village, weaving around the lake and up the hillside where the wooden frame of the new school was laid. Salazar took note of how interested Armand seemed at this, but made no comment and soon arrived.
Introductions were made once more, and soon Godric and Rowena joined the rest for supper and discussion with the new arrivals. They learned that Armand was gifted in constructing sturdy buildings and called himself an artisan. His people were also magical and aided in the building of the designs Armand created and were known as masons. He showed the group several paintings of his work from France, made from wood, stone, and a mix of the two, and Rowena especially found their beauty enticing.
"These castles you speak of are reliable?" Godric asked, pointing out one of the larger stone structures in front of him. "They look mighty."
"Oui, they are. I have constructed them for several kings in France to fortify and protect their assets," Armand explained. "I assure you that one would be quite suitable to withstand anything the ordinary folk could think of doing to it and more. It will serve well as a school and a stronghold."
The four seemed to be quite happy with this promise, and turned in for the moonless night with fresh spirits and a bright morning ahead to finally give the children the protection, safety, and learning facility they deserved.
Armand was up at dawn surveying the land for the perfect area for the castle, easily drawn to the wooden frame already outlined on the hillside overlooking the lake. The four met with him there and discussed the layout of the base floor eagerly.
"The grand entrance shall face north, ornate oak doors welcoming those who enter," Armand said, using a flourish of his wand to manipulate the wood beams laid down in the dirt. "The foyer will be vast, and two grand staircases shall take you up to the secondary level where four grand rooms for the students to gather and stay will be fashioned."
"We will need a kitchen for meals and a main hall for gatherings," Helga said.
"And rooms for teaching," Rowena added, "a few at least, there are only four of us."
Armand nodded. "Teaching rooms will be along a wide, open corridor; a courtyard on its opposite with archways accenting the view like a living painting. Kitchens will be on the lower side of the hill, not quite underground yet will have direct access to the gardens."
Armand continued to manipulate the wooden frames as he spoke, creating a visual of what it would look like as he spoke. They all watched as the rough outline of the castle came to life before them, it was simple yet grand.
"The main hall will be by the entrance, easy to be found. And the turrets will offer sight of the horizon beyond for danger before it strikes."
Armand stepped back to take in the drafting of his work. Wooden beams were loosely linked together by magic but it showed off the basic frame of his vision.
"Voilà! What do you think? I shall be at work as soon as next sunrise, if you approve."
They all walked through the drafted structure, tweaking a detail here and there, adding some private chambers and work rooms for the four at the backside of the castle where they all had a view of the great lake and mountain face.
Godric gave a hearty laugh at the end of the tour, patting both Salazar and Helga on the shoulders gleefully.
"You two have caught a talented fellow," he said. "Mister Armand, we eagerly look forward to seeing this castle finished and will gladly aid in its creation!"
And thus, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was born.