- - - - Salazar - - - -
Godric and Salazar had answered the questions posed to them by the aurors, then it came time to face the parents. No amount of rest prepared him for facing the parents. If Salazar thought it was difficult to speak with Harry and Hermione about his true identity, telling his parents that he wasn't exactly the little girl they had thought he was... it was daunting to face Serena Davis. The woman was a true Slytherin. Thankfully so was Salazar.
It was the Monday after the battle before the last auror left - it took Salazar threatening them with eviction before they complied. He refused to give them the proof they wanted, reasoning that proof from Helga and Rowena was sufficient. He and Godric would not, under any circumstances, willingly give blood to those little creatures. Salazar was too well versed at what could be done with a person's blood and that fate would not befall him nor Godric if he could help it. Especially since Godric was an enemy to the Goblin nation. Just the thought of what those cretins could do with Godric's blood gave Salazar nightmares.
The only amusement had that entire weekend was when Filch finally emerged from his room only to fall into a swamp outside his door. Those twin menaces were rather brilliant and Salazar had decided to help them open a store in Hogsmeade by giving them a building in his village. The world needed to laugh more often.
Every time a Slytherin saw Salazar, they would touch their tie and smile at him. That too was amusing and heartfelt. Salazar had been stunned when Rowena relayed Pucey's message.
Salazar was currently in room eleven with Harry and Hermione. He sat back in the armchair, legs crossed, and asked, "Are you certain the timing is right?"
"Yes," Harry said vehemently. "I hate this."
"Very well," Salazar agreed. He then turned his attention to the girl sitting beside his brother. "What say you, Hermione? Or would you prefer for me to remove the buffer after you're done testing? It isn't going to push any other knowledge out of your head, but by releasing this information it will bombard you with the memories until it has completed its process. You won't be allowed to think of anything else until then."
Hermione wrinkled her nose and asked, "Can you wait until after the tests are done?"
"I can." Salazar gave a nod of understanding before pushing out of his chair and walking over to his brother. "Sit still, you're as fidgety as Godric."
"Hey..." Godric said from the door as he walked in.
Salazar didn't make excuses, he simply grinned at Harry and then removed the barrier blocking any knowledge regarding the founders. His little brother groaned as memories flooded the boy's mind. Harry held his head for a while, simply sitting quietly until he was able to raise his head again. "Bloody hell, that was a lot of information."
"It is, and it isn't over. You'll receive more information sporadically, much as you had gained it. The first is always the largest. Do you need a pain reliever?" Salazar offered.
"I'm fine."
"Harry..."
"I am!"
- - - - Helga - - - -
Helga had decided to teach Earth magic as she knew it to a select few who showed promise. And out of the entirety of the school, only four students showed the magical capability of doing so at this juncture: Daniel Newhart, Neville Longbottom, Gregory Goyle, and Tiffany Lawrence.
Everyone else depended on their wand too much. Perhaps in a few years others could join them, but for now she had a few that had the magical finesse that was required for the art. As the end of May drew ever closer and end of year exams only a few weeks away, there were only a few times that the four could meet. Tiffany - a third year in Helga's own house - had the most time. However, Helga wanted everyone together for her first lesson.
She sat in front of where the whomping willow used to reside. She and her three friends found a new home within the forest where the willow would receive enough moisture, less sunshine, and be located far away from humans. The tunnel that the willow had covered had been filled in. Ismanna lay spread out in the meadow, head resting beside Helga.
Surprisingly, the four students arrived at the same time. She heard Neville first as he was talking animatedly with Tiffany. When Helga turned, she saw that they were all there heading towards her, the two Slytherins following a little farther back.
Giving Ismanna's snout a stroke, Helga stood. Her darling hissed but otherwise remained resting. Brushing off her robes - a deep purple now that she had no need for the school uniform - she waited patiently for the four to stand before her. Only then did she smile at them. "Thank you for agreeing to meet with me, especially when you have tests in the coming weeks."
Tiffany and Neville nodded back, smiles of their own in place. Daniel and Gregory, on the other hand, looked a little uneasy to be there.
She clapped her hands together softly. "As I have already explained, I would like to teach you the art of Earth Magic that I know. Not what is taught at the moment."
"Was no one else interested?" Tiffany asked.
"I invited no one else but you four." Helga explained, "At the moment, you four are the most likely able to understand what I want to teach you, the focus, and the magical capabilities to do so."
Daniel cocked his head to the side, interested. "How is this different from what is already taught here?"
Neville choked back his laughter as Helga huffed. The boy had already heard her complain about the class when they had both taken it their third year. "What they teach here was gardening, if it could even be called that. They think that you push your magic into the earth and simply demand it do whatever you want it to do. As if the earth doesn't have its own magic."
Ismanna raised her head and nuzzled Helga's side, flicking her tongue out at the students. "Thank you, darling." Ismanna nudged her again and she laughed as she bent and kissed her darling queen. "We'll play afterwards." Ismanna's head backed away and looked over at the lake, hissing insistently. "Yes, we'll even go swimming if you wish." With one last hiss of contentment from Ismanna, the basilisk laid her head back down.
"Can you speak with her?" Gregory finally spoke up.
"Only Salazar and Harry can speak parseltongue that I know of. But my darling and I have always made it work."
"Yours? I thought the... I thought she was..." Tiffany trailed off as Helga chuckled.
"Yes, I'm aware of the stories. However, Sal only met Ismanna after he was reincarnated. She was to be a gift to Salazar, but that hadn't happened." She shook her head, clearing her thoughts and turning the conversation back to the point at hand. "To explain the reason for our meeting this morning: earth magic is not what they teach anymore and I would like your help in bringing the art back to life." The students all stared at her, shock written plainly on most of their faces. "At least here in Hogwarts. There may be places in the world that never lost the knowledge or found it at different times. Or perhaps they found another way to use this magic.
"No matter. Let me show you what is possible." Helga knelt on the earth and placed her hands in the dirt. "This type of magic utilizes not just your own magic, but the magic found in the earth." Before her, a path formed of well pressed rocks appeared leading towards the forest. "You can use it to decorate, build, protect, and whatever else that your mind can conjure." She took the rocks and formed a large, smooth stone. Ismanna hissed and went to coil up on it, her head resting on her own body while her tail tucked inside the large bundle. The earth shook as Helga's magic reached for the little rocks with the runes engraved on them. And then, large roots erupted from the ground around their small group. They snapped out towards each other, winding themselves around one another and over Helga and her group of students. She didn't stop until she and the children were cocooned inside the roots, the sun unable to break through. "Like all magic, like everything in life, this can be twisted and used for harm." Four roots snapped forwards and wrapped themselves around the children from ankle to chest, squeezing once to the point of being uncomfortable before gently releasing the students. All of the roots sank into the ground, dirt and rocks filling the holes and grass layered on top so everything appeared normal. Before the last one slipped out of sight, the root passed one of the rune rocks.
Taking a look at her students, she grinned at their shocked expressions and explained, "The first example - the path - is something that should be attainable for you all relatively quickly as it is simply rearranging what the earth already provides. Anywhere from a month to a year, as everyone is different and it depends on how much you are able, and willing, to practice." At their nods she continued, "Creating something new - like I did with the rock that Ismanna is on or the structure that surrounded us - is a much more difficult feat. In Transfiguration, you focus on one item to create a new one. With this specific application of earth magic, you will bind many objects into one, using your magic along with the earth's. Eventually, you will be able to move what you create much like I did with the vines." Daniel, Gregory, and Neville seemed to understand, but Tiffany looked confused. "You have to create something that isn't already there. You have to imagine what you want and you have to use your own magic along with the magic of the earth to create it."
"Oh."
"It is no simple feat."
"There's another reason you're teaching us," Daniel said quietly.
Helga reached out her hand and held out the stone for them to see. "Yes. As you are aware, Salazar, Godric, Rowena, and I still wish to have Hogwarts be a safe haven. To allow children to learn, for families to have a safe place to go if they need it. Hogwarts is not impenetrable, as earlier this month showed. My protections need tending to. The earth is a living entity. Not only does one have to take the time to ask the earth to help, but we must show that we, too, are part of the agreement. We mix our magics together to protect this land." She pressed the stone into Daniel's palm. "The grounds have these within the earth, etched with runes of protection, agreement, and merging. As long as I, or anyone else capable, recharge these any who come onto Hogwarts ground with the intention of doing harm, the runes will activate and the earth will awaken to protect the land and its inhabitants."
"But there's only five of us. Can Ric do this? Can any of the others?" Neville asked.
"Godric, bless him, doesn't have the patience for this." Neither had Diarmid, but he had walked the grounds with her when he could. "His magic is also much too heavy for this kind of work. If he practiced, he could manage in a pinch. Ro and Sal are more suited for this work, but Rowena had her own projects and Salazar did not have the time." She shook her head once more. "Even still, this is something to be taught. You are under no obligation to continue to keep these protections up. Once others are ready and able to be taught, they will be asked to join as well. I simply wish to teach so it does not disappear once more."
"People could tell others. It could be used against the school."
"That is true," Helga admitted to Gregory's claim. "But we can't be afraid to teach and learn because of others. We have always been stronger together. Magical and non magical. Hogwarts was not meant to keep non magicals out. It was built so anyone who wished harm to others was kept out."
"Wait... muggles were allowed in?" Tiffany squeaked when everyone looked at her.
"Of course. We did not steal the children of non magicals away unless it was their family that were harming them. Most of the time, their parents loved their children and because of that, they were hunted down as well. Salazar opened the doors to any who sought sanctuary. That's why the centaurs are here. The more of us who band together, the safer we are."
The four pondered her words for a few minutes before Daniel asked, "What do we do?"
- - - - Rowena - - - -
Rowena had gone into the Room of Hidden Things to tear apart a number of the broken furniture for the raw materials. She had what she needed for her current project and made her way to the old staff room on the ground floor. Rowena was walking down the marble staircase with the items she needed following behind her. She could have had the house elves bring them, she supposed, but Rowena knew they were busy getting the castle ready for the summer and, really, she could manage the small feat on her own.
She was nearing the ground floor when Rowena spotted Luna and Hermione speaking in the Entrance Hall. She smiled at the pair - not that they had seen her. It warmed her heart to see the two getting along. It would make leaving the school much easier knowing those girls would be fine.
Luna looked up first and beamed at her, Rowena couldn't help but smile at the girl. Hermione saw her reaction and turned to see what her friend was looking at. Hermione waved and Rowena waved back. As Rowena made it to the ground floor Hermione asked, "Where are you taking all of... whatever that is?"
Rowena chuckled. "The old staff room. Come along if you'd like to help." Rowena led the way into the Great Hall, ignoring any students that were currently within the room, and made her way to the old staff room with her burden. Once inside, she allowed the materials to settle on the floor in a rather large, ungainly heap.
"Hmm," she looked around, "this will do…" Rowena said as she set her hands on her hips and began planning out her project in her head. She pointed at the center of the room and did as she had a habit of doing and began brainstorming aloud, "The project will be best placed there. We'll need these other things out of our way. We'll sort through the materials we have on hand, and find more if needed. After all, there is plenty in the Room of Hidden Things, but I don't think it will be necessary, unless we make mistakes in our measurements. That is always a risk, of course. I imagine it will have a wooden base: rectangular with the dimensions of one and a half meters high, one meter wide, and two meters long. It could stand on four pedestal feet, perhaps six would be more sturdy." Rowena began circling the area she intended to use as she continued speaking, "Up off the ground for better circulating air in the room, less need to move it when the house elves clean the area. Along the bottom and top should contain smoothed areas for runic schemes to keep the integrity of the wood so it will last for years without needing replacement and should probably include some self repairing runes, perhaps a warding over the entire thing to deter anyone from trying to remove the items on display. Overall it should stand as tall as I am, the second half will be glass, and inside would be cloth covered pedestals. How to light it though? I could use enchantments, spells... I have a few that I know have worked in the past, but they also rely on the magic of the school itself and while I could tie it into the school's magic would that be a drain on resources? Probably not, and if it is it would be miniscule at best." With a nod of satisfaction, Rowena announced, "Yes, that will do nicely."
Rowena had intended to do the work herself, but since encountering Hermione and Luna, decided to have the girls create the new project. She turned to speak to the two and saw a few more students had followed them. "Come, you can help as well. You can move the furniture from this area, simply setting it aside for the moment will suffice. Hermione, please sort the materials we will be using."
Hermione picked up a couple of very old gowns and asked, "What are we making?"
"It is to be a display case," Rowena said. She wrinkled her nose at a particularly ugly table and pulled it away from the other furniture. "That is unsightly." Rowena waved the table over to the materials near Hermione as she turned to Luna. "Do you remember how to break things down for their components?"
"I do," Luna said and looked at the items scattered into piles and the ugly table.
"Start with that gaudy table, please. It's hideous. Then the stones will need to be ground into sand for the glass." Luna nodded and got to work. Hermione, finished with her task, came to stand by Rowena. Rowena had her hands on her hips again and began brainstorming with the young girl. "I'm thinking of something different than those ordinary trophy cases. Perhaps the clothing will be used for padding..."
Her voice tapered off as her fingers twitched for quill and parchment. Hermione agreed, "You have several lovely choices for the interior. One color each for the four of you."
"Or the dark black velvet," Rowena pointed out. "I couldn't make up my mind so I brought it all with me."
"Sounds like you have it well planned out," Hermione said and looked at the pile of wood mulch. "Do you want me to bring that closer?"
"Hmm?" Rowena looked at what Hermione was talking about and nodded. "Oh yes, do." There were a couple of students at the door watching them and Rowena gestured for them to come closer. She asked the students, "How well versed are you in Transfiguration?"
One admitted, "I'm better at Charms."
The other said 'I'm best at Defense' with a shrug.
"Very well, since neither of you are horrid at Transfiguration you can help." Rowena gestured to the pile. "Those stones will be sand, then glass. Luna can show you how I need it done."
"She's a fourth year," the taller child said.
"Yes, she is," Rowena agreed and turned to Hermione. "Good, here." Rowena handed her a chalk. "Mark the area the base will be, then spread the wooden mulch to each corner."
"How will I know if it is big enough?" Hermione asked.
"Oh I know," came a response from the doorway. Rowena looked and saw Daphne wince. "Sorry. Didn't mean to interrupt, but I do know."
"Nonsense, you aren't interrupting. Come along and help Hermione with the measurements: one and a half meters high, one meter wide, and two meters long."
Rowena watched the two as Daphne explained, "We start here. Then we go to each corner, the spell will take the chalk and make the lines. The wand movement is-"
Movement caught Rowena's attention and she stopped listening to the instructions. The older boy was flailing and Luna was looking at him with wide eyes. Rowena instinctively moved to her aid when Luna suddenly smiled brightly. Rowena paused and listened to the boy, "Where did you learn that? It's way too advanced-"
Shaking her head, Rowena ignored the rest of that conversation as well and looked at how much the project had progressed. Not as much as she had hoped, but the children were working together: some learning, some teaching. Rowena felt their magic approach and asked, "Can you sift through the sand for the silica? We will need it for the glass."
"We can do it," came the response from the clever Weasley twins and Rowena smiled brightly at the pair.
"Thank you," Rowena said.
"You're trusting the twins with such a delicate task?" Flitwick asked from beside Rowena.
"Yes, if the pair weren't so mischievous, they'd have been a perfect fit for my house." She smiled at the man that suddenly appeared. "When this is complete, it will be a case to display those silly items that others find so fascinating."
"Such as?"
"The diadem that was thought lost, Helga's father's cup, the locket Salazar's grandfather made, and a replica of Godric's sword. The real one would be too dangerous to leave out on display."
"Ah." Flitwick nodded in agreement. "Basilisk venom. Yes, dangerous indeed." He smiled at Rowena. "It is kind that you are all sharing these items with everyone."
"I suppose so. Personally I find it odd that others are more invested in the diadem than I am."
- - - - Godric - - - -
Godric shook his head and quietly packed the paintings away to be moved to his room. Ever since the fight, a few lines had been going through his mind. '...never available to me... to love who you want... to marry or not...' They ran on repeat, constantly. '...never available to me... to love who you want... to marry or not...'
He left the Room of Requirement, leaving his paintings behind as he was too distracted to actually finish packing, and began walking aimlessly. The children were all taking their end of year exams so the halls were blessedly quiet and he didn't have to talk to anyone. They all acted differently and it made his skin crawl as he was no different than he had been before, but now everyone wanted to befriend him and his friends.
Rubbing his forehead, Godric sighed and used his ring to find the location of Salazar. After a second of focusing, he found his best friend at the edge of the forest and Godric went in that direction instead.
If Godric were anyone else, he would have walked slowly to gain his thoughts, but he wasn't anyone but himself and he only ever moved quickly. So, within five minutes, he was outside. He chuckled when he saw Ismanna napping in the sun and Hagrid nearby, running his large hands over her scales. Fang, however, was nowhere in sight.
Making his way to Salazar, he found his best friend crouched in front of the forest, deft hands pulling the plants out - roots and all - and placing them in the basket by his side. Godric couldn't help himself, he teased, "You're picking flowers?"
"Ingredients, Godric. They're called ingredients." But Godric could hear the amusement in his voice.
"Sure." Godric stood by Salazar's side, staring into the forest as Salazar continued harvesting his plants. He should know which plant Salazar was harvesting, but Godric couldn't focus enough to make out anything more detailed than they were plants and they had roots.
A few minutes of silence passed between them. The only sound was the leaves rustling, creatures moving somewhere in the forest, and their breathing. When Godric blinked and turned his head, he saw that Salazar had stood.
"I have never been very subtle," Godric began, and grinned at Salazar's snort of amusement and focused once more on the trees in front of him. "I don't know if I understood what you were saying correctly, but if I don't say something, I will probably drive the both of us barmy: I would be running through your words and convincing myself I'm wrong and you, well, I don't think my mind would be all that quiet." He shrugged, fingers tapping restlessly against his thighs.
"When the duke came for me, I thought I was to die. Instead, he told me I was to be raised alongside you. As your companion... brothers." The words sounded sour and he was jumping around in the story so he probably wasn't making much sense. Godric grasped for words. "I was supposed to stay by your side, but nothing more than what you needed or wanted from me. I was fine with that because I was able to stay with you." Godric cocked his head, listening to the forest, before he finally turned to face Salazar. "I don't know when I fell in love with you. It's always just been you. Before I could say nothing..." his eyebrow furrowed, looking for the right words, but couldn't come up with it so he continued on, "and I knew you knew, for we both know I'm loud." He grimaced. "I thought you said nothing because we were raised together and thought nothing more of me than your brother. But... what you said to Tom. I keep thinking that... maybe... I was wrong." Godric's fingers dug into his trousers so he would not reach out. "If I was correct before, I'll never bring this up again."
"I meant what I told Tom. It was never my intent to marry Maeve, it was thrust upon me. You and I both know it was a loveless marriage. I never spoke my mind or of my wishes because it was simply something that was not discussed, it simply... was." Salazar picked up his basket. "Your thoughts betrayed you, yes, but they were never clear on your intentions. Your thoughts were always conflicting when it involved me, or more accurately us, therefore I waited for you to finally come to a decision. I'm pleased to hear you made the correct one."
Godric blinked. He had wasted all those years? "I'm a bloody idiot," he muttered. And Salazar... Salazar was turning to walk away. Rolling his eyes, lips quirked up in a smile, Godric took the basket from Salazar and placed it back on the ground. He finally reached out and pulled Salazar closer to kiss the blasted man.
- - - - Salazar - - - -
Salazar sat on the couch sipping his tea. Severus Snape had given him something to ponder and Salazar found it refreshing to talk with someone as skilled, if not more so, than he was in the art of potion making. Salazar shook his head and asked, rather out of context, "Are you certain I cannot convince you to stay? We were hoping you'd take on the role of the headmaster."
Severus paused, his cup millimeters from his lips, and set it back on the saucer. "You timed that intentionally, didn't you?"
"I was off by a mere fraction of a second actually, but yes... I did." Salazar smirked and raised his own cup, pausing just in case Severus retaliated, but he did not. The man was too busy staring into this cup. Good. At least he was thinking about the offer and not simply dismissing it. "You aren't surprised by the offer of the headmaster position."
"I am not."
"Godric?"
"Yes."
"I see..." Salazar sipped his tea. "If not the headmaster, perhaps as the head of the potions department. You wouldn't have to teach, unless you choose to and then we are limiting each professor to one year, perhaps you'd prefer to instruct only the seventh year students. Of course, you'd be expected to be in charge of any other professors in your department, six at minimum with aids if they request them.
"The working conditions that the Board of Governors put upon the staff is ridiculous. One person should not be expected to teach all students of the school, let alone be the head of a house at the same time." Salazar sipped his tea and shook his head. "I'm glad Helga is talking to McGonagall. The woman has been annoyed with me ever since I asked you to take the lead with the aurors and the school while I napped. How did she believe I could rest knowing she was in charge?"
"Minerva is a good person," Severus defended his colleague, then huffed as he said, "but perhaps she has been working under Albus for too long."
"Was she just as neglectful when you were a student here?"
Severus shook his head. "Not a subject I'm willing to discuss."
"Fair." Salazar changed the subject, "I don't need an answer immediately. Just keep in mind that as a member of the staff you'll still have access to this laboratory."
The potions master looked around them and admitted, "That is an incentive. And I would not have to deal with the children in any other capacity than the older students?"
"Correct," Salazar said. At that moment, Salazar was tempted to agree to most any demand, but knew better than to do so. Had he complied too eagerly, Severus would become suspicious.
"I will consider it," Severus finally stated and just before taking a sip of his tea again, the man stated, "There's a rumor going around that Godric has finally kissed you."
Salazar choked on his tea, tears sprang forth as he resisted spewing the hot liquid. That bloody man's timing was better than his own.
- - - - Helga - - - -
"Thank you for agreeing to speak with us, Professor Flitwick." Helga walked into the office first, followed by her three friends. The professor stepped back and gestured to the seats surrounding a small, circular table filled with tea and snacks.
"It is my pleasure. Please, take any seat you like."
Helga took the seat with the back to the door. Rowena sat to her right with Salazar taking the one facing the door. That left the seat between herself and Salazar or the seat between Rowena and Salazar open. Godric had remained standing, his hands in his pocket as he stood behind Salazar.
She raised her eyebrow at him and Godric grinned in response, but offered no words to explain himself.
After a moment's pause, Flitwick took the seat between Salazar and Rowena, Godric out of his sight. From the quick quirk of Salazar's eyebrow he noticed, and appreciated, the gesture of faith. When the professor had started to make his way to his seat, Rowena had altered the height of the chair to be more accommodating for the man. Helga smiled softly as Flitwick summoned his ink, quill, and parchment and set it off to the side, but still within easy reach if it was needed.
"May I ask what this meeting is about?"
"We have a few questions for you, Professor Flitwick. We wish to see the professors' outlook on Hogwarts and get their thoughts on changes that would be beneficial to the school and those who reside within these walls."
Flitwick hummed, long fingers tapping on the table for a quick second before stilling. "May I be frank?"
"Yes," Godric answered quickly. "Don't dance around the issues. It just wastes time."
Salazar sighed at Godric while Rowena giggled. Helga nodded. She brought out her own writing supplies and said, "We prefer if you were candid, Professor. Nothing will be solved if anyone stays silent. We have plans ready, but we want the full view before we begin."
"We need more professors," Professor Flitwick said bluntly. "I have been saying for years that having one professor for all seven years does not allow the professor much time to grade, answer all the students' questions, keep up with anything new for their subject, and any other responsibilities that the professor may have. We do not have enough time to help the students. The second most important subject is equipment. Any subject - like Potions, Transfiguration, or Astronomy - that has school owned equipment that we allow the students to use are old and outdated." And the professor, when he noticed that they were listening and taking his notes seriously, spoke for ten minutes. There were a few items that the friends had noted that Professor Flitwick had not - such as reaching out to the families of children when their first outburst of accidental magic occurred. However, there were also a few points that he brought up that the friends hadn't thought of - like the lack of funds - that Helga circled so they could come back to.
She was curious why there was a lack of funds as they had all left a large bulk of their money to the school and the rest for their descendents. Godric and Rowena having left all of theirs, though Godric did not have much in gold. And as Hogsmeade was on Salazar's land, all of their taxes should have been going to Hogwarts. Still, it should be answered easily enough.
Once Professor Flitwick completed his assessment, he made himself a cup of tea.
Helga finished her croissant and patted her mouth with her napkin. She then looked to her friends. "I believe we are all in agreement?" They had all come in with a purpose and she was pleased to see that Professor Flitwick had met their requirements, even though he hadn't been aware they had been testing him. The dear man looked confused at her question, but she smiled when her friends all nodded. "Excellent. Professor Flitwick, we would like to offer you the position of Headmaster." She continued, looking down into her bag so he wouldn't think she was amused by his dumbfounded expression. She was, of course, but best not to show that right away. From her bag Helga pulled out another parchment. "We agree with a lot of your assessment and you mentioned a few points that we hadn't considered. If you are interested, we would like you to take the position immediately."
"Minnervra is the Deputy. Wouldn't the Head position go to her?"
"No," Salazar denied. "The position goes to the one who cares for the wellbeing of the residents in the castle along with being the most qualified. You have shown both with your suggestions and actions."
"We had high hopes that you would do well here." Rowena took a sip from her tea. "I am glad we weren't wrong to think highly of you, Professor."
"I see," the professor mused. "Before I give you my answer, what, exactly, would being Headmaster entail as you four have the highest authority?"
"The decisions of the school will be approved by you. While each department head will conduct the interviewing of their new staff, you have the final say on their salary and acceptance. You will be spearheading the changes in Hogwarts," Salazar said. "The only times that we will be involved is if you ask for our assistance or if the school is slipping and we need to put it back on track."
"And you have no issue with a part goblin running the school."
"Of course not," Godric interjected. "As we've already said, you care for the inhabitants and have ideas on how to move Hogwarts forward. Why do we care if you're part goblin or have magic?"
Flitwick paused, taking a moment to digest what Godric said before nodding. "I imagine you have plans for some of what I mentioned. Are you able to go over them with me before I give you my answer?"
"Certainly." Helga waited until the professor had his parchment in front of him and was ready to take notes before starting, "You will have a Deputy, who will help you run the school. There will be four Heads of Houses who will not have any other job except that position. For each course, there will be a department head and there will be a professor for each year, with an assistant if they are in need of one. Office hours will be expected in order to help students who are not doing well in their classes. We will need to fill the History of Magic department in its entirety as I was able to speak with Professor Binns." She smiled softly. "I'm not sure what changed since we last saw him last, but he hadn't even realized he had died. He didn't even recognize some of his old research. His mind was muffled, repeating and confusing facts he should have known." Helga wiped a tear away. "After a few hours, he finally realized he had died and was able to move on."
Professor Flitwick nodded along, taking his own notes. He interrupted at times, giving his own thoughts which brought on further discussions. The conversation ran for the rest of the day. By the end of it, Flitwick leaned back, looking at his notes. After a few seconds of silence passed, he sighed. "I don't imagine this will come as a shock, but I accept."
- - - - Godric - - - -
He just came from the lake with Ismanna - who still refused to allow anyone to enter or leave through her entrance to the laboratory - and there were a gaggle of students out there. Ismanna left his side to head towards the forest, stopping to preen when a few of the braver students went up to her.
"Ric!"
He hadn't even made it out of the water. Sighing, Godric sloshed his way towards his clothes and waited for Hermione to reach him instead of heading to the laboratory. A few others had caught sight of him at her call and were making their way towards them as well.
Godric snatched his belongings up and when Hermione was near enough, he grabbed her elbow gently and portkeyed them to the laboratory. She squealed as they landed and Godric blushed and steadied them before they went toppling to the ground. "Sorry," he muttered.
Hermione shook her head. "I'm fine, really. I just wasn't expecting it." She wavered on her feet for a few moments before she found her equilibrium. Godric kept a hand on her shoulder until she found her feet. "Right! You said once everything has been finished I could talk to you." She looked around, but Godric held up a hand. He dried himself, pulled his clothes on top of his swimsuit, and gently led her out of the chamber and up to the staff lounge. Checking to make sure the room was empty, he sighed in relief and opened the entry and gestured.
Hermione sat on the couch as Godric sealed the room. Once everything was set, he asked, "What can I help you with, Hermione?"
She was very nearly vibrating in her excitement. "You said that you might share what really happened? I thought... maybe... I could take notes and... maybe share it with others so they all know the truth?"
Godric sighed and flopped onto the couch. "I'm not sure how accurate I can be, Hermione."
"You were there, how can you not be accurate?"
"Time blurs on the battlefield and keeping time back then wasn't nearly as important as it is now. I knew how old I was, but the year?" He shook his head. "We didn't name the battles or the wars. Towns didn't have names, not the small ones. Land belonged to people who have long been forgotten, and I have never been particularly good at remembering names. The best I could possibly do is show you on a map where I fought and against whom."
"What about your time at Hogwarts? Your childhood?"
Godric stared at the far wall, fingers tapping against his knee. "My father was one of Duke Slytherin's dog handlers, my mother a chambermaid. Both were non magical. Once my magic manifested the duke found out and I was raised with Salazar. My parents had a non magical daughter when I was... fifteen, perhaps." He shrugged and he stood. "The rest is personal."
"But don't you want to correct all the lies?"
"Very rarely do people want the truth, Hermione. They want the story. They want gossip. People don't want to know how girls were expected to have their own children by age thirteen. How children were left or used by their parents because the child was worthless or handy to pay off a debt. I was taught how to wield a sword at... six? Seven? I hadn't been with the Slytherins for very long. I learned how to weave my magic as I fought when it was safe to remove my wand, so around eleven." He shook his head and smiled at her pale, set face. "Our lives are our own so we'll share what we're willing - if we're willing. I'll see you this summer, where we'll have more time, and I'll procure a map. I'll show you where the battles were, roughly, and give an idea as best I can on how long I was gone from the castle."
- - - - Helga - - - -
She sat sipping her tea, waiting for Professor McGonagall to run out of steam. The woman was explaining why she should be the next Headmistress. How she knew how the school was run. What to expect of the students. How to organize the professors. How to let the parents know once the children were old enough to attend Hogwarts.
The woman talked for a solid five minutes before Helga had enough.
"The position of Headmaster has gone to someone else who is more suited. There will be an announcement at the end of the week. This is not up for debate. You are an excellent professor, that is not in question. You were, however, tasked with too many responsibilities. Now," she held her hand up when Professor McGonagall went to interrupt her, "you're welcome to stay on as the Transfiguration professor. Not only as one of the professors, but hopefully as the head of the department."
"The what?"
Helga set her cup down on the table and stood. "The way Hogwarts is run at the moment is not conducive for those trying to teach or for those trying to learn. We will be changing things so no one will be stretched too far."
"But what about my lions?"
"You will remain the Head of Gryffindor House until the end of the year. Afterwards, we already have someone ready and willing to fill that position when term starts next year." Dani had been present at Hogwarts ever since she had first arrived after the battle and she had gotten on splendidly with the students she had the chance to interact with. After discussing it with the other three, they had decided to see if the woman would be interested in helping them turn Hogwarts back into a safe haven. The discussion with Dani had gone much more smoothly than Helga had anticipated. All Helga had done was explain what they were hoping and what a Head of House's responsibilities were and Dani had accepted immediately, saying, 'This school is important to Ric, so it's important to me. If I can help make it safer for other students, of course I will.'
Helga stood and brushed off her robes. "I do hope you will stay on. Good evening."
- - - - Rowena - - - -
Rowena was curled up in the corner of the couch with a book. She found the subject fascinating and was so engrossed that she was surprised at Hermione's arrival. The girl came bursting through the door of classroom eleven. Her hair was frizzier than normal and her eyes were wide and panicked. Rowena was immediately concerned and asked, "Hermione?"
Hermione saw Rowena and cried out, "I can't do this!"
"What is it you're trying to do?"
"These O.W.L.s. They're insane! Why do we have to take these?"
"That is a very good question." Rowena gestured to the sofa and Hermione plopped down with a groan. "Come now, they aren't that bad."
"Aren't that bad?" Hermione's voice was pitched higher than normal.
Rowena chuckled softly. "You sound like my Helena. Now breathe slowly, and do so five times... slowly, dear..." Rowena frowned. "Slowly or you'll hyperventilate." Hermione nodded and closed her eyes. The girl struggled with her breathing, but eventually managed to calm down. Rowena breathed easier as well and told Hermione, "You are an excellent student. You have a wondrous memory and can recite text that you've read. You practice your spells diligently and know your lessons well. There is no question on any of these tests that you cannot answer."
"There's not?"
"Of course not. You are Hermione Jean Granger. You are the best student in your year."
"I'm not," Hermione said aghast, "You're the best, I may be second in some classes."
"You're being needlessly modest, plus I'm no longer considered a student here. And what's more, Professor Babbling wanted to give me an Acceptable in Ancient Runes because her version of ancient is my original timeline, the 900s, while my version of Ancient is the 300s. Which places you top of that class."
"She wouldn't!" Hermione said in outrage on her friend's behalf. This outrage was soon beaten down by wide eyed wonder when Rowena's words registered. Hermione asked, "Runes go that far back?"
"They do, not that Babbling will admit it, but yes... they truly do." Rowena smiled at the girl. "Feel better now?"
Hermione thought for a moment then smiled. "Yes. Thank you." Hermione sighed. "I still don't see the point of these tests."
"I'm surprised." Rowena raised her eyebrows in question. "What is the purpose of tests if not to remind the students of all they have learned and nudge them gently to work harder where they do poorly? Some believe the importance of testing to reflect on a professor's ability to teach, but everything we do is for the benefit of the students."
"I never really thought about it that way." Hermione was suddenly distracted by the book in Rowena's hand and asked, "What are you reading?"
Rowena blushed. "It isn't... well, it's..." She sighed and admitted, "I've never been able to simply read for pleasure before. In my original time, I was the one to transcribe all our scrolls. It was tedious reading all of those runes, fascinating certainly but so dry, and really there was no reading for purely entertainment purposes. Any stories that were considered entertaining were recited by storytellers. Godric, for example, is an excellent storyteller. But this," she turned the book so Hermione could read the cover, "it's called Neverwhere, by Neil Gaiman."
"Oh, I like him." Hermione smiled, it dimmed when she asked, "Is it true you aren't coming back next year?"
"Naturally." Rowena blinked in surprise that their departure from the school would ever be in question. "There is no reason we must stay. The Tom issue has been sorted. Helena has finally crossed. We've died for this school and the inhabitants once already. I think it is high time we lived." Rowena shook her head and said with all earnestness, "Besides, Hogwarts is in… good hands"
Hermione giggled. "You hesitated when you said that."
"Our first choice refused the position," Rowena sighed, "but Headmaster Flitwick cares about the students. He's clever, resilient, and will certainly do better than the last one. I imagine the promise of Godric returning if he doesn't, will help."
"Who was your first choice?"
"The only one who always has put the children first, of course."
"But you said Professor Flitwick wasn't your first choice."
"Professor Snape, dear."
"What?!" Hermione squeaked. Then the girl grew quiet and Rowena watched as Hermione thought about what was said. After a few moments of debating, Hermione nodded. "I can see your point," before asking, "and he turned down the opportunity?"
"Worse," Rowena said with a sigh, "he resigned. Salazar and Godric aren't surprised, saying the man is brilliant with potions, but loathes teaching. Now that Professor Snape no longer needs to be Dumbledore's spy, he's free to do what he pleases."
- - - - Godric - - - -
They were ready to leave the school, but Godric had one last obligation to take care of. He sat in the laboratory with the other three and switched out the decoy hat with Samuel. While not necessary to use the decoy anymore, Godric found the idea amusing.
"Good morning, Samuel," Rowena said when the hat appeared before them.
"Good morning. I thought you were all leaving soon?"
"We are, however there is one last discussion we must have with you," Salazar spoke from where he stood by Godric's side.
"When we were reintroduced, you mentioned being tired of this life," Helga continued, "is it your wish to move on?"
Samuel hardly hesitated with his response. "No. The professors here are aware of the enchantments placed on me and will not corrupt them again. I will stay and learn what I can." The hat's mouth twitched into a wry smirk. "Who else will be able to get you all on the right path if you are to be reincarnated again?"
Helga laughed delightedly. "Thank you, Samuel. And now that you have the ring, you can communicate with us."
Godric stepped forward and crouched so he was face to hat. "And I have a favor."
"And why am I not surprised? You rarely came to visit as you had promised to do and now demand a favor." The words were filled with laughter though so Godric gently jabbed a finger at the pointed tip. "What favor may I help you with?"
Godric reached to his side and unbuckled his sword from his hip. "Keep this safe for me, until we return next or if the school is in need."
"Of course I will."
Carefully the sword was once more held safely by Samuel, and Godric smiled warmly. "Thank you, my friend."