Chapter 8: Godric's Den
"Archie?" Salazar asked from his portrait in one of the vaults in the Chamber of Secrets. "What is it Salazar?" Archie asked as he went through the vault. All of Salazar's necromancy journals were accounted for, but he couldn't figure out how the Death Eaters he had executed when he became the Duke of Gryffinsmore were alive.
Salazar cleared his throat. "What's wrong?" He asked. Archie sighed and looked at Salazar. "Someone managed to bring the Death Eaters I had executed back from the dead. Sadie said there was a possibility of whoever brought them back to life having access to your necromancy journals, but I don't see how that's possible all your journals are here and accounted for. Unless someone broke into the Great Mansion and looked through the Slytherin Family Grimoire since the journals appear in it." He said looking at Salazar.
Archie rushed to the fireplace and sprinkled some floo powder into the fireplace. "Great Mansion, Veronica darling, are you there?" He asked. Veronica's face appeared in the emerald green flames. "Yes, Archie what is it? I've got the aurors here. Someone broke into the mansion last night, the case that held the Slytherin Family Grimoire was broken and the pages that were about Salazar's necromancy journals were torn out and stolen. They've since been rewritten and replaced in the grimoire but I'm still concerned." Veronica said. Archie's breath hitched and he cursed under his breath. "Damn it, tell Chief Auror Scrimgeour if he needs to take the grimoire into custody to let me know when he does." He said.
"That won't be necessary darling, Chief Auror Scrimgeour already got my memory of the break in, and he decided not to take the grimoire into custody." Veronica said. "Alright, have Chief Auror Scrimgeour and Madam Bones keep me updated with the investigation, I love you." Archie said. "I love you too Archiekins, I'll keep you posted.' Veronica said. Archie disconnected the call and sighed rubbing his temples.
"Well?" Salazar asked. "The pages revolving around your necromancy journals were stolen out of the grimoire, but the good news is that the pages already rewrote themselves and are back in the grimoire." Archie said running his fingers through his hair.
"Well, no matter what happens the aurors will conduct a thorough investigation." Salazar said. "But that's not what I wanted to speak to you about. Have you found the other founders private chambers?" He asked. Archie nodded and sat down. "Yes, I have. I found Rowena's Nest yesterday, and I found Godric's Den this morning on my morning walk around the castle." He said. "Good, now all you have to do is find Helga's Sett and my Burrow." Salazar said. Archie looked at Salazar in confusion. "Each founder had private chambers. Godric had his den, Rowena had her nest, Helga had her sett, and I had my burrow. The names of these chambers are where the animals we chose for our house's mascot live. A lion has a den, an eagle has a nest, a badger has a sett, and a snake has a burrow. Where did you find Rowena's Nest and Godric's Den?" Salazar asked.
"I found them near the entrances around the common room entrance. I read in the History of Hogwarts book that the private chambers of the founders were traditionally used as the quarters for the heads of house." Archie said. Salazar nodded. "That's correct. Minerva, Filius, Pomona, and yourself have access to those chambers to use should you wish, while it is tradition for the heads of house to use those chambers, it's not required." He said.
Later, Archie, Filius, Minerva, and Pomona met in an empty classroom. Archie smiled. "Thank you, for meeting with me everyone, I know you've got papers to grade and whatnot, but I wanted to show you something that I found. Follow me please." He said. The four heads of house walked out of the classroom. The first place they went was outside of the Gryffindor Common Room. On the right, was a portrait of Godric himself.
"Hello, Archie, I take it you're showing Minerva my den?" Godric asked "Hello, Godric yes, I'm bringing all four heads of houses to see their chambers." Archie said before turning to the three. "For those of you who haven't read the History of Hogwarts by Bathilda Bagshot, the founders each had chambers right outside of the common room so that in an emergency they can quickly get into the common room. After the founders passed away, the heads of houses moved into the chambers and that's been the tradition since the passing of the founders however, it is not a requirement. Minerva, right behind this portrait of Godric is Godric's Den. Godric, if you would." He said.
Godric's portrait opened and Archie gestured for Minerva to enter first as Head of Gryffindor House with Filius, Pomona, and himself walking in after her. "Welcome to Godric's Den." Archie said. Godric's Den was an opulent set of chambers decked out in Gryffindor colors. Minerva was in awe as she looked around the chambers. "Wow." She murmured.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Archie asked standing next to Minerva. "It's amazing, I'm standing where Godric Gryffindor once stood." Minerva said looking around. Archie showed Minerva around. He then stopped outside of the office. "This is my favorite part of Godric's Den." Archie said opening the door. "This is your office." He said walking into the office. Minerva and the others looked around. The office, like the rest of Godric's Den, was decked out in Gryffindor colors. "Would you like to move into the chambers, Minerva?" Archie asked.
Minerva nodded and smiled. "Moopy!" Archie called to the head Gryffindor House Elf. The elf popped in and looked at Archie. "Yes, Master Gryffindor?" The little elf asked. "I'd like for you to move Professor McGonagall's personal belongings from the quarters for the Transfiguration professor to Godric's Den. And you'll also be Professor McGonagall's house elf while she is the Gryffindor Head of House. Take orders from her as if they come from me." Archie said. "Yes, Master Gryffindor." Moopy said before popping away.
"Welcome to Godric's Den, Minerva." Archie said.
A/N: Rowena's Nest, Helga's Sett, and Salazar's Burrow will be next so stay tuned!