Disclaimer: Nothing that belongs to the creative mind of JK Rowling belongs to me...

Chapter One. A Leave Taking

Ancient Hogwarts

Godric Gryffindor stood unseen at the Entrance Hall of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, of whom he was one of the founders. He watched with a growing apprehension as Helga kissed Salazar's cheeks in farewell and as Rowena grasped his hands tightly.

As if feeling Gryffindor's presence Salazar glanced up. His hand dug inside his robes, searching for his wand. Gryffindor slid around the column knowing full well Helga and Rowena had also turned. He did not wish to be spied. It was a childish feeling, certainly, but that his how he felt towards the whole situation.

A few moments past, and Gryffindor feeling it ought to be safe, slipped around the column again.

As the third born son of a nobleman, Godric had been adept from hiding from his father and his 'friends' as a youth. He was completely comfortable watching situations and knowing he would not be spotted.

"Please, stay Salazar I am sure Godric wants you to…" Godric heard Helga plead. Even from his distance Godric heard Salazar sniff as he mounted his large bay stallion.
"I doubt that my dear…"

Godric felt a pain in his heart, like the day when his cherished mother had died and left him alone in the world with a father who hated him and two brothers who despised him.

"And you two were such good friends…" Rowena sighed levelly, Godric saw her shake her head sadly.

"Well," Salazar said crisply, "I doesn't look like Gryffindor is coming to see me off… I better go…"

For a dizzying moment, Godric had the insane notion of running out to his friend to stop him. But an unknown force kept him rooted to the ground.

The other three founders were silent for a moment… probably suspecting that he, Godric Gryffindor was nearby listening.

However all too soon, Godric heard Salazar's click of his tongue and the great bay leapt forward, carrying away the only man who had wanted to befriend him. The only one who could have understood him and had given him peace… and now. Now he was gone… Like a summer forgotten by the cruel depths of winter… And he, the famed Godric Gryffindor had chased his friend away.

Growling under his breath, Godric Gryffindor turned on his heel and wrapped his cloak about him. He wasn't worried about being seen. Helga and Rowena were too busy staring despondently at the road. A part of him knew that they blamed him for the loss of Salazar Slytherin… but the rift between them was too great that such a parting was inevitable. Or was it?

Godric listened to the sounds of his footsteps quickening down the castle halls instead of glancing up to see the apprentices watching him with satisfaction.

His own, the young Gryffindors (so adeptly named after himself) were gladdened that Salazar Slytherin was leaving him. And so they looked relieved. The Hufflepuffs seemed saddened… Slytherin never had much time for the Hufflepuff apprentices but it was in their nature to forgive and mourn the loss of anyone. The Ravenclaws glanced about confident of their superiority and commented openly that it was all Godric Gryffindor's fault…

The worst however came from Salazar's own apprentices. Godric was painfully aware that they seemed to be shells of their former selves… their eyes glinted maliciously to their Gryffindor counterparts. Godric foresaw all too clearly the blame for Salazar Slytherin's departure would follow onto his own apprentices.

Godric was able to reach his own apartments without speaking to (or even looking at one of the apprentices). He opened the door swiftly and closed it tightly behind him.

"He's gone then." Godric jumped and spun on his heels and was meet with the steady gaze of stormy grey eyes.

"Ahawn, you shouldn't be in my chamber," Godric admonished quickly.
The boy before him grinned sheepishly. "Then where should I be father?"

Godric smiled briefly at the lad who Slytherin had identified as the initial cause of the rift. "Studying hard in your own chamber…"
Ahawn pouted his large eyes stared almost defiantly at Godric.

Godric felt another stab of pain… and so he sat heavily in a cushioned chair.
"Oh, father you know that I do not blame you…" Ahawn slithered off the bed and sat on the floor at Godric's feet. Godric placed his hand on Ahawn's head. "I know you don't …" Ahawn glanced up at Gryffindor an affectionate smile on his lips…unwittingly giving his father more grief.

"Oh Ahawn…what have I done?" Ahawn glanced at his father but Gryffindor was not thinking about Slytherin.

Godric had spent the last twelve years lying to Ahawn, for the lad was not his own. It was a secret he had guarded so carefully that only the other founders knew that Ahawn had been abandoned by his mother as a babe.

The stupid woman, who had been Ahawn's mother, had reviled him because he was a bastard… worse he was a wizard! She was so thick that she could not see that Ahawn was hers... and yet she hated her own flesh and blood enough to leave him quite exposed to die helpless in the wild woods...

Furthermore Godric knew that his time was running out. Somehow Ahawn would figure it out. And Godric knew it was for the best the boy finds out soon rather than later. A point Rowena Ravenclaw loved to exhibit at every turn… But it wasn't that simple.

A simple knock shattered Godric's reverie and introduced the entrance of the other founders. Helga slipped through first, Rowena stepped closely behind.

Ahawn knowing that he was expected to leave stood and bowed to the ladies. He glanced back at his father communicating that he would have preferred stay than leave him. Godric quickly ended his son's hesitation. "Go… you have work to do…"

Ahawn smiled slightly and kissed his father's cheek affectionately with a whisper of, "I will be close by…"
Before Godric could protest, Ahawn slipped away out of his grasp and disappeared out of his door.

"I hope you are happy," Rowena snapped harshly. Godric stared hollow eyed at Rowena…
"I was not going to send my son away along with several other apprentices to appease Slytherin," Godric replied stoutly.
"Yes… well you should have told Ahawn by now… at that Slytherin had an excellent standing point…"

Godric frowned deeply, he stood abruptly and went to a little side table and poured himself a goblet of mead. He drank from the goblet greedily as if to buy himself time from the ranting of Ravenclaw.

"What Rowena is saying is you should have negotiated more with Salazar…" Hufflepuff said calmly.
"… and send Ahawn away…"
"I am sure Salazar didn't mean it in that context…" Hufflepuff replied disconcerted. Godric was known to be protective of Ahawn.
"Salazar was quite clear what he meant last night, of that ma'am let you be assured."

Godric stood regally. "Ladies if you wish to blame me for Salazar's hasty decision then no one is going to stop you…" Without glancing back he stepped out of his chamber door.

For a fleeting instant Godric thought he saw movement. But in the next moment everything was perfectly still. Godric shook his head. It must have been his imagination… No apprentice would dare dally at his apartment door.

Godric was quite aware that Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw were following him. But he kept his pace and continued to walk briskly, unsure of himself where he was going. Ravenclaw was biting at him, trying to provoke him into an argument. However Godric barely heard her. Hufflepuff on the other hand was trying to soothe him. Again he ignored her…

It was only when he reached, where he knew the Room of Requirement ought to be that he noticed something odd… On the stone wall was a series of strange runes, which shone even in the midday sun…

He tentatively reached out and touched the wall gingerly…He felt a burst of force…
'Oh…someone has evoked the magic that is dormant in these walls,' Godric thought then added irritably, 'There will be hell to pay if this is a trick… Hogwarts is not in danger!'

The wall shone red and the colour about the three founders deepened. "Oh, my!" Ravenclaw gasped, clasping onto Hufflepuff…

"Father!" Godric became aware of Ahawn standing before him his grey eyes widened in fright. The power that enveloped him leapt forward to encase his son.

And then the world went black...