Edit: I'll leave the announcements the way they are for the most part, but I wanted all of you to know that I have done some extremely extensive changes to the existing chapters. If you are one of my previous readers, you will definitely want to go back over the chapters and re-read them. Some chapters have few changes while others have major overhauling. Please tell me what you think! I was not happy with how it had turned out the first time and I had some new inspiration. Hopefully this time there will be better flow.

New edit: Okay, so having trouble with translating some things correctly. I'll try to still use translated words occasionally, but I'll write everything in English while making note of what is actually being spoken in another language. Make sense? Oh… and so I was doing some more in depth research and found out that the Founders probably would have spoken Pictish rather than Scottish Gaelic, though they would have known Scottish Gaelic. Oh, my goodness it's all so confusing. Oh, and written language probably would have been Latin. So:

"Old Norse is in italics."

"Pictish is in italics and bolded."

'Scottish Gaelic is bold and is quoted with apostrophes.'

"Written Latin is underlined and in italics."

"Parseltongue is underlined."

'Fawkes speaking is in italics and is quoted with apostrophes.'

If any other languages pop up over the course of the story, I will make note of it as well. I will also post this key at the beginning of following chapters to make it easier to remember.

..

A plot bunny that would not be ignored… I enjoy these stories very much, but sometimes they all seem wrong to me. So, here is my version of it. Don't worry, you'll understand why soon enough! Oh, and as a side note: everything is the same up to the end of book four. Everything else is taking a much different course. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own anything but original characters. Oh, and I apologize if any of the Gaelic is wrong. I do not actually speak the language, so I have been using a translator. The translations for the speech in Gaelic will be towards the bottom.

Chapter One

"You killed me, Harry… how could you? If you hadn't insisted that we both grab the Cup, I wouldn't be dead. It's your fault that my parents had to bury their only son. It's your fault… all your fault, Harry…"

The words repeated over and over in his head until he finally woke up, his lip bloodied in his body's subconscious effort not to scream out. He knew what might happen if he let himself scream. Tears were in his eyes as well and the fourteen, nearly fifteen year old boy immediately curled up and let out several sobs. His body was shaking as he tried to forget the images that were replaying over and over in his head with the accusations that were being thrown at him. These weren't normal nightmares for a young teen boy. No youth should have to witness a murder in front of his eyes. But it wasn't just that… they didn't even give him any counseling. Any sane person would make sure that he was still alright after something so traumatizing, right? But no… he was locked up back at his relatives. Not even his friends had messaged him! The only bright side was that recently he had gotten a letter saying that he would be picked up sometime in the near future. Of course, that was all that he knew, that they deigned to tell him… and somehow, he felt that there was something very wrong. But then again this was the life of Harry Potter so why should he be any surprised at all?

Setting those thoughts aside for the moment, though, Harry climbed out of bed and made his way over to his trunk. He hadn't really unpacked for the summer, mostly living out of said trunk. Perhaps it had been some foolish hope that he wouldn't have to stay long. He was actually to soon leave supposedly, but it didn't make up for how long he had spent in the place. One day was an eternity and he had spent what felt like forever… but at least the Dursleys were giving him some space that summer. Not that it really helped, of course. This way he was left to his thoughts… and oh, how dark they were. Voldemort was back, but he knew nothing about what was going on. Screw the idea that this was supposedly the safest place for him right now. He didn't like being left in the dark!

As he was musing over these thoughts, a heavy feeling suddenly came over the place like energy crackling in the air. Feeling uneasy, Harry made his way over to his window and carefully looked out from where he was hidden by the curtain. What he saw made his stomach drop. Deatheaters… he could recognize them even at this distance. How did they find out where he lived? A spy maybe? Either way, he had to find a way to get out. He scrambled over to his desk, writing a quick note. He then attached it to Hedwig's leg. "Quickly! Don't let yourself be seen," he pleaded with his owl before releasing her carefully out the window, trying not to be noticed.

Looking down at the gathered group then, he bit his lip and grabbed his wand. His only relief was that they couldn't get in. There were the blood wards. He thought he remembered Dumbledore mentioning something like that. If anyone meant him harm, they couldn't enter, right? But then his eyes suddenly widened as a thought came to his racing mind. But… Voldemort had used his blood in that ritual hadn't he? The bastard had mentioned something about protection… wouldn't that void to Voldemort the wards around the house? He hadn't seen the man yet, but that didn't mean that he wasn't there or would appear soon. Why had Dumbledore not thought of this? Harry thought this frantically.

Then, as if on cue, Harry's scar flared and a tall man stepped forward. Removing his hood, it was revealed to be Voldemort just as Harry had known it to be. Not even stopping to think, Harry ran away from the window and made his way into the hallway. As he turned away from the window, he missed the spell that Voldemort shot towards the suddenly visible wards. Inside, ignoring the no magic rule completely, Harry locked the bedroom doors with a few spells so his relatives wouldn't be able to get out. He didn't want them getting in the way, no matter how much he hated them. He had seen enough death… Running downstairs, he tried looking out the windows hoping to see an opening somewhere. But every way was blocked…. The house was completely surrounded.

"Come out, come out, wee little Potter!" A hissing voice called out, full of malicious amusement. The very sound of it made a shiver go down Harry's back. Tightening his hand around his wand, he looked around frantically. What could he do? Going out there would be suicide… Would anyone come? He had used a spell… maybe the Ministry would come? But just as he thought that, there was high pitched laughter. "Little Potter knows we are here! He even used a spell! Just what is the Boy-who-Lived-only-to-die planning? Naughty, naughty! The Ministry isn't so happy! They want to give little Potter a trial! Too bad he'll be there in pieces!" Well, that certainly answered his question, Harry thought wildly as he tried to block out the roaring laughter from the death eaters. But the Ministry wouldn't come. Of course they wouldn't when they could instead send useless mail!

Harry knew Voldemort was taunting him, but he didn't know what to do and it had him panicking. He had to do something – anything! He had to get out of this alive somehow! Frowning then, Harry quickly summoned his Firebolt. Maybe he could fly out… if he burst out the door – exploding it for a weak attempt at distraction – then maybe he had a chance. He didn't know what sort of chance, but it was better than just waiting around for the death eaters to come get him. He certainly was one of the best flyers at Hogwarts and he had dodged dragon fire during the Tournament, so maybe he could avoid spellfire as well. He could only hope that maybe he had even a small semblance of a chance. And right now… it was certainly his only chance. It was better than the alternative before who knew what sort of things Voldemort would do to him once he got his hands on him. Harry shivered at the thought and quickly banished it. He was a Gryffindor anyhow, right? They were known for their idiotic bravery. But this wasn't bravery… this was desperation to save his own hide no matter how reckless he was. But then, he wasn't known for being intelligent, was he? Doing things as he flew by the seat of his pants…

Steeling himself for this reckless notion he was attempting, Harry grimly mounted his broom and took a deep breath. He could do this… Raising his wand, he clenched his jaw for a moment before slicing out a quick spell. "Diffindo!" The spell exploded toward, taking the door with it and raining a mixture of wood, plaster, and decorative brick outwards. Not even bothering to wait, Harry flew out through the debris and then shot straight up. On the ground, the Deatheaters were stunned before they quickly regained their bearings and started shooting spells towards Harry's vicinity. Most of them missed through sheer luck and Harry's panicked swerving.

But as he had not seen what Voldemort had done to the wards, Harry suddenly impacted against them. He was immediately stopped and suspended in the air, pain flaring out through his entire body. It was like electricity or hell fire he decided faintly with the small portion of his mind not overwhelmed by the pain. Harry could not hold back his tortured screams from the reaction of the wards and, as he writhed, a crimson spell flew true and slammed against his back. But what happened next, no one could have predicted.

Harry's body started to glow with the crimson colour of the spell, the magic of it twisting and warping the magic of the corrupted blood wards. Blood magic was fickle, classified as dark in nature. With an even darker spell twisted with the decaying blood magic, it warped into something wholly different. The death eaters could only watch as the air around Harry started to warp and twist visually, a strange hissing sound filling the air. None below dared to move; although when the wards suddenly exploded many shields were thrown up. Many deatheaters also apparated away.

When the light cleared, Harry Potter was nowhere to be seen.

((Page Break))

Pain… all he could feel was the pain. Groaning softly, he shifted and tried to sink back into the blessed darkness. He didn't know how long he had been out, but all he knew was that he wanted to go back. It didn't hurt there. But he slowly felt himself waking up, so there was nothing to do about it. Opening his eyes slowly then, he first tried to figure out where he was. He didn't recognize the place at all… feeling a raising panic; he slowly tried to climb out of bed. But before his feet could touch the dirt floor of the little hut he was in, a voice interrupted him. "I would not do that if I were you."

It was the voice of a young boy, maybe around the same age as him. Looking over quickly, he noticed that the stranger had bright red hair and amused light green eyes. He did look about the same age as him so his initial guess of his voice had likely been correct… Although, he was perhaps a little taller and he did have the beginnings of lean muscle. But all that he only gave a passing glance at. What took over his attention was the language that the boy spoke. He didn't understand a word of it…

"You have been asleep for quite some time. You should not be getting up." The boy was smiling as he closed the door behind him and then set down some firewood into a box near a small fireplace. "What happened to you? I found you in a field, the ground all ash around you."

Swallowing, he climbed back into bed. "I… I cannot understand you." He finally stuttered out, making the other boy look at him in surprise.

"What? I do not understand you." The boy looked puzzled, obviously having the same problem that he was. "You cannot speak my tongue? Are you not from around here, then?" He then suddenly rolled his eyes and lightly smacked his forehead. "Ah, that was not a smart thing to ask. Of course you do not speak my tongue. It is not hard to miss." The boy looked irritated for a moment, crossing his arms. Finally, he looked back over. "Can you tell me your name?" He then stopped and huffed softly. "Of course not. What am I thinking?" The boy then pointed towards himself. "Godric Gryffindor. My name is Godric Gryffindor." He then looked at the other boy, obviously waiting for a response.

The boy on the bed looked a little panicked before he bit his lip slightly, thinking. The other boy had rattled off so many things… but at the end, he was obviously trying to tell him something about himself. His name perhaps? Feeling unsure, he pointed towards the other. "Godric… Gryffindor?" He repeated that part slowly. In reward, he received a bright smile and a nod.

The red haired boy pointed to himself again. "Godric." He then paused and pointed towards that other. "Who are you?"

Thinking he knew what the other talking about, he pointed towards himself and frowned. He then suddenly looked briefly panicked. What was his name? He couldn't remember his name! Biting his lower lip then, he ignored the confused and worried look that was thrown at him. He had to think of his name… what was his name? He couldn't remember anything! But as his panic started to grow, a brief memory flashed through his mind and halted his fretting. It was gone too quickly for him to really analyze, but a name popped up attached to the fleeting memory. He was there with one – two? – others and they were talking about something. He couldn't remember what… but that name popped up. Perhaps it was his? Still feeling uncertain, he pointed towards himself again. "Salazar… Salazar Slytherin." He received another bright smile in return.

((Page Break))

"You know, this not knowing the same tongue situation that we have gets rather... old." The annoyed tone to the boy's voice made Salazar roll his eyes. He thought he knew the gist of what the other was talking about, but it was rather annoying to not be able to communicate. He was going to have to learn the other language. Which, might take awhile… but he understood a few things after the few days he had been spending with the other boy. Godric always seemed to ramble on about things and Salazar could never make heads or tails of it all. Sometimes he wondered if Godric either liked to hear himself talk, or if he was hoping that Salazar would just one day suddenly figure out how to speak the language. It certainly hadn't worked so far and he was at his wit's end. Gods knew that Godric certainly was.

But speaking of the other boy… he didn't know much about Godric. All he knew was that the boy lived here in this little hut in an abandoned, rather half burnt, village near the sea. At least, that was the rather obvious fact that he had managed to figure out. All this based upon the fact that Godric had made himself a cozy little living space in a village that was devoid of all other people. Most of it looked to have been burned down and part of him wondered what had happened to the people. Slaughtered? But then, where were the bodies? Perhaps the survivors buried their dead and then moved on? And he didn't know why Godric was here on his own, or if he had been a survivor of whatever had happened here, but he certainly had no way to ask anyways. Godric didn't seem to mind, he thought, but since he didn't know anything about his past, he also didn't know how he had come to be in this place or if he had any family in the world. But for now, he could stick with the other boy. He did enjoy his company. But first there was the language barrier they had to overcome… Sighing, he picked up an apple and gave Godric a look. He was tired of the ranting from Godric that he couldn't understand. Really, why hadn't the boy thought of this earlier instead of just obviously complaining about it?

Giving Godric a stern look, Salazar pointed at the apple that he was holding in his hand. Once he had Godric's attention, he raised an eyebrow and gestured again. He was expecting to get a name for it, if the silly boy actually understood what he was trying to get at. Of course, all he got in response was a blank look from the redheaded boy. Sighing, Salazar rolled his eyes. "What?" He had probably butchered the pronunciation, but it was one of the few words that he knew, given how many times it had come up in their rather one sided conversations.

At the word from Salazar though, Godric suddenly seemed to brighten up and understand. "You want me to teach you!" He grinned, looking fully proud of himself. It made Salazar sigh, but a fond smile teased the edge of his lips. No matter how hard it was for the two of them to communicate, he found himself enjoying the other boy's presence. He was just too adorable to ignore. But that wasn't something to ponder over now while he was finally getting his language lessons. He wasn't sure what Godric had said, but the boy seemed to understand finally so they could get this under way. Proving this right, Godric grabbed the apple and pointed at it with a flourish. "Apple." In response, Salazar rolled his eyes but carefully repeated the word. Godric nodded approvingly and the lessons took off. Salazar forced Godric to give him the names of various things, pointing to one thing after another. He would go over them again and again until Godric would indicate that he had gotten them right. Godric got bored of the process quickly, but could not say no to Salazar who seemed to hunger for the knowledge to learn more.

((Page Break))

In the end, Salazar was very thankful that he was such a quick study. He still didn't have any memories of before he had woken up in Godric's hut, but he could remember other things. An instinctive thing, he was sure. He knew how to be a person, but everything that made him who he was… was gone. Who was to say that he was like he had been before? He really did not dwell on it because maybe now he had a chance of being a better person. At least one advantage of not having any memories, and being stuck in a place where no one spoke his original language, helped him learn how to speak Godric's tongue. Of course, he was still learning and Godric took great enjoyment in correcting him, but he could actually have a decent conversation with the other boy. Said boy who he still didn't know his past… Salazar had the feeling that Godric was hiding something from him. But for now, he said nothing. Why should he change what they had now? It worked for both of them. So instead of trying to ask about Godric's own mysterious past, he had gotten the other boy to start teaching him about the land they lived in. He wanted to know everything… his lack of memories opened up a thirst for learning and knowledge, another positive side effect in Salazar's mind. Which did remind him of something he wanted to ask the other boy…

"Godric," Salazar called out as he pulled on a tunic. He had scavenged for wearable clothing in the huts of the abandoned village and had managed to find a few wearable tunics, a pair of trousers, shoes, and a cloak. Most things had been destroyed or were too ratty for use. One such ratty tunic he had used for wrappings on his feet and over his wrists to make his clothing more manageable. A length of rope finished off the outfit as a belt. Slipping on his well worn shoes then, he went to go find his friend. He was nowhere to be found in the nearby collapsed huts. Confused, Salazar continued to work his way outward as he looked through the ramshackle buildings.

As he searched, there were suddenly two strong arms that wrapped around him. A filthy hand clamped over his mouth and foul smelling breath washed over his ear. "Be still, boy." The voice was rough and there was no trace of the rather fine way of speaking that Godric had. It suddenly made him suspicious of Godric's origins again in a small part of his mind. But there wasn't time to think of such things, so he quickly stopped moving. His body may have gone still, but there was a calculating look in his eyes. Who was the man? Where had he come from? What was it that he wanted? A bandit of some sort perhaps? Whoever he was, how was he to get out of the man's grasp? Was Godric okay?

But speak of the devil and he shall appear. "Hey! You get away from him, you filthy thief!" Godric's voice rang out and interrupted Salazar's thoughts. It made Salazar want to groan in annoyance no matter how pleased he was to know that Godric was safe… for now. Stupid, brash Gryffindor… Grunting softly then as the grip on him tightened, Salazar's eyes then went wide as cold metal pressed into his throat. He thought he knew what that was… and he rather hoped that Godric wouldn't do anything stupid. But of course, his friend being who he was, took a step forward. "Hey! I said get away from him!" The knife only pressed harder against his throat and Salazar started to panic. This was not how he wanted to die! He would come back to haunt Godric the rest of his life if the boy caused his end!

But as his panic rose, heaviness grew in the air. So when the knife at his throat suddenly drew a line of blood, the pressure exploded outwards in reaction. The man who held him captive was thrown backwards and through an already crumbling wall. The unstable house quickly collapsed on him and buried him in debris. Salazar could only look at the building in surprise, a hand going to his injured throat. What was that? Wait… magic. Yes, magic. He knew this. It was like language, an integral part of him that could not be forgotten. The use of magic reminded him of that. He didn't know how such knowledge was retained, but perhaps it was instinctual? So it did not surprise him when he realized that what he had just performed was accidental magic. It did not surprise him when he came to the sudden realization that he was a wizard. It wasn't something to be feared, but to be proud of. But Godric… was another matter entirely. What would he think of him?

Quickly closing off his face, he turned to look at his friend with a cool expression hiding his turbulent emotions. He rather expected that the boy would start off on one of his rants, calling him a freak or some such nonsense. But the boy was gaping at him in a small amount of awe. Salazar was starting to feel uncomfortable when the boy suddenly burst out, "You are a wizard, too! I thought… you were just a mundane…" He then smiled brightly and walked over to his friend. "That was simply amazing, Sal!"

"Do not call me that infernal nickname," Salazar managed to rush out, surprised and not sure what else to say. Godric was accepting him! In fact, the boy had mentioned that he was a wizard as well! But that brought him to the point of… Salazar's eyes narrowed and he put his hands on his hips. "Explain. Now." He said sharply, making Godric itch the back of his neck sheepishly.

"If you want, Sal… but we should probably move on from here." The boy looked around a little sadly and just a tad nervously. "I mean… who knows how many more are out there." He motioned towards the caved in house where the bandit had been thrown into. He was now either dead or still unconscious. Godric really did not want to hang around to find out. So he quickly led the way back to their little hut. There, both boys gathered up what food they could in some makeshift packs. They had little else to take with them so Godric quietly led his friend out of the hut and out of the small grouping of buildings. Running into the nearby forest, they were soon on their way in no particular direction. No one seemed to be following them so it was there that Salazar demanded once more for Godric to tell him his story. Finally, and grudgingly, Godric did.

He licked his lips nervously before taking a deep breath, not looking over at Salazar as he spoke, "I come from a noble family or sorts, as I am sure you have figured out by now." Salazar nodded curtly in response as he carefully found his footing through the woods. Godric's speech and mannerisms were too proper for what he assume a poor lad would otherwise be. He waited impatiently for Godric to continue but Godric nibbled on his lower lip for a few moments before continuing. He sighed out then. "My parents are both mundane. But I started showing signs of magic when I was very young. A local man in the village noticed and offered to teach me magic in secret," he said with a shrug of his shoulders, not explaining how the older wizard had found out. "A few weeks before I found you, I took a trip with my parents to visit my mother's family. However, while we were traveling we were set upon by rogues." A scowl passed over Godric's face. "I used magic to protect myself… I had no other way. But I was banished. My parents disowned me and threw me out." The boy didn't look pleased and perhaps a bit saddened. Salazar could imagine it was from the betrayal of his parents. Magic was a gift to be proud of, Salazar believed even though he had only just remembered his abilities. He was broken from his thoughts as Godric continued to speak. "If it was not for the magic I had been taught, I do not think that I would have survived this long. Nobles are not exactly known for being able to survive in the wilderness," Godric snorted.

Salazar didn't respond, not knowing what to say. What could he say anyways? But finally, the boy let out a breath. "If it is any consolation… if it had never happened, I doubt that you would have met me. We would have never met so we would not be good friends." In response, he got a small smile. They had each other. The past was past as far as Salazar was concerned. It was not like he could remember his own anyways, so they could put such things behind them.

((Page Break))

"Dhíbirt!"

Cursing, Salazar ducked under the maroon spell that streamed towards him with a faint whistling noise. With an annoyed scowl, he quickly hissed and flicked his wand sharply. A pale blue spell crackled on its course towards the spot Godric was standing. Immediately, the young teen circled his wand quickly, bringing up a shield. The strength behind Salazar's spell was too strong for Godric's shield and so Salazar's spell broke through the shimmering barrier. The hex slammed into Godric's chest causing the teen to go flying backwards where he crashed into a nearby tree trunk. He was only thankful that he was able to cast a cushioning charm before he was severely hurt. Grumbling to himself as he stood up and brushed off his tunic, Godric then raised both of his hands while he stated sourly, "I surrender." He quickly scowled at the smirk that Salazar had on his lips, Godric's wand being twirled in his fingers.

It had been a couple of years since the two had met. With no real home to return to for either of them, at least that Salazar could still not remember, they had spent the time travelling. Ever since they had left that ruined little village, they had never stopped moving for long. For it was during their travels that they often came across various wizard kind that would agree to teach them. It had been a year into their travels that the two young men had come across a man that had agreed to teach them wand crafting so they were able to create their own wands. While wandless magic was definitely useful, it was much easier to channel more powerful spells with a wand as a focus. A wand had the ability to channel more power with more accuracy. The same thing could be done through wandless magic, but one would need a great deal of concentration and double the time of a spell with a wand. Wandless magic was not practical for dueling unless one wanted to throw around mainly stunners and disarming spells. Wands were much more practical and handmade ones were more attuned to their wielder.

So once they had their wands, the young men - now roughly sixteen by estimation on both boy's counts - had soaked up every bit of knowledge they could find. Salazar had even amassed a good size library of scrolls and even a few precious books. He kept these all hidden in a trunk that he had shrunk to fit on a chain around his neck. He had started his own journals as well, taking notes and making observations.

And now, currently, the two young men had taken a break from their travels to practice their dueling skills and then settle down for the night. And Salazar had come out the victor. He, of course, made sure to gloat about it: "Seems I win again, Godric," Salazar drawled, a smirk on his lips. His dark green eyes glinted in amusement as he looked over at his friend. He then threw the teen his wand before brushing off himself and picking up his pack. "I know we had decided to settle down for the night, but come on… let us continue. There is a village not that much further along the road, if my calculations are correct. Instead of staying here, we should be there by nightfall. There we can stay the night instead of sleeping on the dirt road again. I would rather not listen to your complaining again about how the rocks are digging into your delicate back," he practically purred. He could never pass up the chance to tease Godric. And the man really could give as good as he got so it make things all the more entertaining. "We can decide what to do from there, if it agrees with you." However, instead of a retort back, Salazar only received a curt nod in reply. Rolling his eyes in exasperation at Godric's brooding, he shot a quick cheering charm towards the other male. "Oh, stop your moping, will you? You have bested me many times in a duel. It is only fair that I should best you."

Godric huffed and shouldered his own pack. "Yes, but I have been losing much more frequently as of late. And that cheering charm was entirely unnecessary," he tried to grumble but it came out with a giggle at the end. He quickly clamped his mouth shut as Salazar only smirked and shrugged his shoulders. As he pouted in response, Godric started off towards the road again. But as they walked along the road, Salazar spied smoke in the distance. He frowned as he studied the curling ribbons of smoke, deciding that it was much too dark and plentiful for normal stove fire. Concerned, he motioned towards the area to get Godric's attention. He didn't have to say anything before Godric nodded grimly and apparated away. Typical, Salazar thought with a roll of his eyes and followed after him. Reckless Gryffindor, going in without thinking. At least the man had enough sense to apparate on the edge of town rather than inside where Salazar joined him. Someone had to keep Godric out of trouble after all.

Not wanting to be seen and since Godric did not look like he was going to make any move to do anything, Salazar cast a swift spell to cloak them from view. It would make eyes slide right over them, dismissing them. Salazar looked around grimly then, making observations. "Northmen," he finally spoke, distaste evident in his tone. Ever since the run in with the man those several years ago, he had a disdain for dirty varmints. And, to him, the northmen certainly counted. They had met a few that had settled down and farmed the land that were fascinating enough with their customs, their gods. But then… there were still tales of the raids against coastal villages and there was always the warring and feuds. "There is not much that we can do, Godric." He told the man with a frown, looking over the burning town. If there were any survivors, they were likely long gone. But before he could say anything more to persuade his friend into moving from the village, there was a sudden sharp scream. Godric was off in that direction before Salazar could stop him. Groaning in exasperation about how predictable Godric was, Salazar took off after his friend.

When Salazar rounded the corner, he found Godric defending a cowering young woman who had her back pressed against the crumbling wall behind her. She was covered in dirt and had tear tracks down her face while her blond hair was brown because of mud. Her pale blues eyes, a pretty colour like the sky, stood out against her pale face and were glittering with tears. Godric had somehow managed to get in front of her and was facing off against two northmen. The men were large in stature like giants, axes in hand, and only looked amused that a young man barely out of boyhood was trying to get in their way. They both dived at Godric and Salazar felt a sense of hopelessness flood him. Godric couldn't defend himself against two mundane. Not like that at least. And he was too far away for him to be able to help his only friend. It was at that thought that a spell flitted through the front of his mind. Without stopping to think, and acting on a hopeless wish to do anything to save his friend, Salazar's wand was out and he had it pointed towards one of the northmen. "Avada Kedavra."

A dark, yet sickly, green spell shot out of his wand and slammed into the nearest northman. Immediately, the man stiffened and fell to the ground dead. With the distraction, Godric was able to knock out the remaining northman. Salazar did not even notice, his wand clutched loosely in his trembling hand. He hadn't thought… it just came to mind… he hadn't known what it would do… he had just killed a man! Salazar's eyes were filled with horror. He knew that the times didn't allow for a soft mind, but he had never killed before. It was… too much to take. His vision swam, but suddenly the young girl that they had protected was standing in front of him. She seemed to sense the turmoil he was in and reached up to place her hands against his cheeks. "Thank you. You have saved my life." She spoke gently, a small smile on her lips. She still looked frightened, but none of that terror was directed towards him. Salazar immediately felt his shoulders relax.

"I am Salazar." He whispered then, his voice cracking briefly. "Salazar Slytherin…"

The young girl smiled at him and pulled her hands back. "Thank you, Salazar Slytherin." She said again before looking over to Godric. "And thank you. My name is Helga Hufflepuff."

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"You know, I still do not see why you would want to come along with us," Salazar suddenly remarked dryly as he twisted in his seat to look over at the only female of their group. Helga gave the teen a placating smile and adjusted her skirt.

"I do not have any where else to go, Master Slytherin," she cooed softly making Salazar cringe and then look away with a scowl. "Besides… Would you leave a woman defenseless after an attack such as that?" She inquired with a gentle smile on her lips. But the look didn't fool Salazar, even though he wasn't looking in her direction. Helga was a strange woman… much different than the women of the time that Salazar had come to know. And her name Helga… perhaps she was the daughter of a northman? She could certainly pass for one with her blonde hair and bold nature. She also had a noble air about her, something she had apparently picked up after having been a servant in some lord's castle for a time. Or so she said. He wasn't quite sure he should believe her or not. Then there was the fact that she was a witch. Not a much trained one, but a witch nonetheless. Godric, of course, had taken it upon himself to teach the only female. Salazar had not participated in these lessons, not wanting to take away his time he devoted to his own studying. Although… Salazar did have to admit that the girl was fairly talented when it came to herbs. Perhaps… he could allow her to take a look at the journal he was writing on magical herbs and plants. She just might have some input.

With a sigh though, the young man shook his head clear of his thoughts and looked back down along the path. After saving Helga, they had taken three abandoned horses from the village and had taken off. Salazar had thought that Helga's travelling with them would only last a few days, or until they had come across a village. But those days had passed and it found Helga still traveling with them. It didn't seem like the girl would be leaving anytime soon either.

Bringing his horse to a halt then, Salazar slid off the creature's back and then made his way towards the small stream. "We should rest here for a little while." He said, glancing over to Godric. The other male merely shrugged and quickly swung off of his horse's back. Salazar had to scowl a little at his friend's grace in how he did it. It was obvious that Godric had ridden horses plenty of times before. Salazar didn't know if he had ever done, and if he had… well all that knowledge was long gone. He had to learn how to ride a horse the hard way. His bum was still sore from the experience, even with a cushioning charm… and they were still riding. It seemed like it was going to be the mode of transport from now on. For one, it was apparently not proper for a woman to have to walk for so long. And for another, horses were valuable in many ways. Salazar did grudgingly admit that the trips were faster than if they had walked since it just wasn't practical to take any other wizarding forms of transport. A portkey and apparation had to be done with an exact location in mind. They were wandering aimlessly.

"You know, Salazar… if you were more accepting and less grumpy, I might be more inclined to share my scrolls with you." Helga's voice wafted over to Salazar as the young man was bending down to drink from the stream. He choked softly as he was startled out of his thoughts before turning to look at the young girl with slightly reddened cheeks. He quickly cleared his throat and turned his head away.

"Scrolls? What do you mean, Helga?" He asked carefully, trying not to appear too eager. He could never pass up the chance to learn more. He glanced back at Helga secretly, gauging her expression.

The young girl gained a triumphant look on her face much to his chagrin. The witch just couldn't hide her emotions at all… "My family were just simple commoners." She passed off, but there was a smug tilt to her voice that had Salazar narrowing his eyes in suspicion. Helga quickly giggled and then continued to speak. "But I also come from a wizarding pureblood family. So, I have a few scrolls that have been passed down," she told him eagerly.

Oh, Salazar was definitely interested now. Scrolls on family magic? That was what Helga had hinted at, and oh how he wanted to get his hands on them. Helga was still speaking, however. "Most commoners do not know how to read or write these days… but my father taught me." She seemed proud of this. "Most purebloods know how to read, whether they are wealthy or not." She was babbling on, but Salazar wasn't really paying attention anymore. He supposed he could be nicer to her… but doing it just to get his hands on the scrolls was too obvious. He would have to ease into it and not just start being nice to her all at once. But first…

"I suspect you are the daughter of a northman," he said suddenly, his words cutting her off. "So how do you have scrolls? It is, to my knowledge, that they do not own such things."

Helga puffed herself up with a huff. "Yes, alright. My father was a northman. But several generations ago, my family was one of the first to settle in this land. My mother is more native to this country and it is through her family that the scrolls were passed down."

Godric, at the side, was watching all of this in amusement. He knew Salazar better than anyone, so he knew that the young man was planning something. Snorting in amusement, he shook his head before going to wash his face in the stream as well. As he washed his face, he called out to Salazar and made a vague motion before wandering off to relieve himself. Helga looked curious but Salazar merely rolled his eyes and diverted her attention by bringing out some food that they had brought with them. But as he was portioning the bread for them, a startled yelp had him stiffening and pulling out his wand in preparation for an attack. But he wasn't prepared for Godric to come running back with a panicked look on his face. The young man was trying to stuff his genitals back into his untied pants as he ran while an irate snake slithered behind him, snapping at his heels.

Helga shrieked beside him, a mixture of fear at the snake and indignation at the eyeful she had gained because of Godric. Putting his wand away, Salazar rolled his eyes and stepped forward. "What has my friend done this time?"He called out in Parseltongue, getting the snake to stop in its tracks. Godric hid himself behind Salazar, a movement that amused the black haired wizard greatly. But instead of commenting on the sudden lack of bravado, he turned his attention back to the snake that had coiled itself in front of him. The large black creature was hissing something about Godric trampling his nest. Salazar sighed and looked over to his friend who was holding onto him and whispering for him to get rid of the snake. "Stop that." He said in irritation before looking back over to the magnificent serpent. "My friend is a bumbling oaf, but he did not mean to damage your nest," Salazar tried to calm the still irate snake.

Finally, the creature seemed to realize that Salazar was talking to him and actually understood him. Slithering closer, the snake raised its head up higher. "A speaker… I have never heard of such a thing before." It said, observing Salazar with a calculating eye. Finally, he moved closer to Salazar and started to wrap around the wizard's leg. Climbing up until he was resting over Salazar's shoulders, the snake proceeded to make itself comfortable. "I will come with you, Speaker," it decided. "In payment for your… oaf having destroyed my nest."Salazar supposed that there was going to be no changing the snake's mind. In truth, he didn't really mind. The snake was obviously magical otherwise it would not have been there in the country at all. He was curious about the creature.

"It is going to eat you, Sal! Let me… let me take care of it!" Godric had pulled out his wand and had filled himself up with bravado once more in the face of the snake. In response, Salazar threw him a sharp glare and then petted the creature's head. Godric couldn't help but gape as he got the implied message. "You cannot be seriously thinking about keeping it!" He cried out, looking indignant. "It tried to kill me!"

Salazar glared again and then headed over to his horse. He climbed up onto the creature's back and looked down at his friend with a superior look. "You trampled his nest." He spoke shortly. "He was not trying to kill you. He was merely irritated that you had destroyed it with your bumbling around. He is the one who decided that he will come with me. Besides, he can talk to me and I think that this intrigues him. He will be staying." He was not going to argue this with Godric and his friend knew that.

So Godric merely started to grumble and walked over to his own horse. Helga was left feeling extremely out of place. She felt like she was missing something. Not to mention the fact that Salazar could apparently speak with snakes… Godric seemed to have already been aware as he had done his freaking out over the actual snake rather than his friend speaking with said creature. It was rather intriguing, but this was new to her. She had never heard of such an ability before. Climbing onto her own horse's back, she watched the black haired wizard with a small frown. She didn't hate him for it and she didn't fear him… it was just strange. She knew he wasn't a bad person anyways. Rubbing her chest lightly over her heart, she quickly nudged her horse to catch up with the other two.

Godric was sulking and Salazar was quietly conversing with his new pet.

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"Godric, what did you do?" Salazar's exasperated voice broke the relative silence. They were currently surrounded by guards, weapons pointed towards them. Helga was standing between Godric and Salazar, who were facing away from each other.

"I did not do anything!" The man's indignant voice called out. Said man had a hand on his sword, something he had stolen awhile back from a blacksmith that they had come across in some unimportant village. Salazar had two knives hidden in sheaths on his forearms, but he didn't make any moves to grab them just yet. Over the year they had been traveling with Helga, the two men had taken up adding in physical combat to their duels. Godric had been learning how to handle a sword, tips he picked up along the way that built up on the foundation that he had learned in his childhood. Salazar wasn't fitted for a sword. He preferred a pair of knives that he had stolen only a few months ago. The knives weren't flashy like Godric's sword was.

Salazar was about to draw his knives when a new voice called out over the group. "What is going on here?" It was the voice of a young woman. When she appeared, Salazar had to guess that she was close to their age of seventeen. Well, Helga was roughly sixteen years, but she figured she would be turning seventeen soon. Dismissing that thought quickly, Salazar took in the image of the young woman who had appeared. She was dressed in a fine blue dress and riding on a black horse. Her cloak was lined with fur, so it was apparent that she was rather well off. Dark grey eyes took each of them in, her black hair blowing in the light breeze. "Well?" She spoke impatiently.

Salazar looked over her with narrowed eyes and received a stern look in reply. Straightening, the black haired man tilted his head up. "We were minding our own business when were accosted in the road, my lady." His voice, having deepened over the years, was smooth. A light brushing of hair adorned his chin and his black hair had grown out, held back now by a braid. It was much easier to take care of than the rat's nest it used to be. He stood tall now, though still shorter than Godric's rather impressive height. The red haired man's hair was longer as well, though he kept it loose. Still, all of them retained the look of youth and one could tell that they were still young.

On the horse, the lady looked over to the guards who were surrounding the small ground. "And what say you of this? What have they done to warrant such a response?" She asked coolly, making the guards fidget slightly. Finally, one guard seemed to draw up his courage and accused of seeing one of the travelers perform magic.

Exasperated, Salazar rolled his eyes as his mind picked out Godric. He knew who that had been… Discreetly, he pulled out his wand. He figured that an oblivate would do the trick for this. Being accused of magic was a serious thing and they could be burned if they didn't manage to escape. Besides the lady and a few guards, there was no one else around. But to be safe, they would leave as soon as they got away from the guards. Salazar quickly fired off a few obliviates but then suddenly had to duck as a spell whizzed over his head. Frowning, he turned to find that the lady had pulled out her own wand. Incredulous, Salazar quickly knocked out the guards before facing the woman on horseback. "You are…" He stopped quickly, not wanting to speak the word out loud. Shaking his head then, he frowned. "We have not done anything to harm anyone. If you let us go, we will be on our way." He spoke in a placating manner, spreading his hands slightly to show that they didn't mean any harm. Sometimes, it was best to try to speak your way out of things if you were uncertain of how other skills could help you along, Salazar had found.

"Who are you all?" The lady demanded with a frown on her lips. Salazar didn't reply at first, his lips thinning slightly. But finally he relented and he introduced them. Surprisingly, Godric had remained relatively quiet. Helga wasn't a surprise as she was a healer and not much of a fighter.

The lady looked over the three of them before sliding out of her saddle in an elegant motion. "I am Lady Rowena Ravenclaw."

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Somehow, Salazar had to say that he saw this coming. However, Godric was very vocal about his reaction to Rowena's suggestion. "You want to do what?"

Sighing in a manner that said that she was exercising great patience, Rowena straightened out her skirt. "I want to build a school, Godric." She said lightly closing the book in front of her. She then held up her hand before Godric could interrupt her again. Salazar had to hide a smirk at Godric's indignant look. "Listen to me for once, will you? Take a look at how all of you grew up. I know, Salazar, that you do not remember, but think of the other two. Godric, you were disowned because you are a wizard and had to travel from place to place with Salazar to manage to build the knowledge of magic that you possess. Helga, you come from a pureblood family, but did not have many recourses readily available to you. It was all luck that we were all able to come together and were able to amass the knowledge that we have. Others of our kind have not been so lucky… think of the burnings." Salazar's jaw tightened at that. "We need to build a school where we can bring in students of all backgrounds to teach them."

In the end, it didn't take much to convince the others that it would be a good idea. Salazar was into the idea more because they would be able to stop running. He had enjoyed traveling, but he wanted to settle down for awhile and work on his magic. He wanted to work on his potions… Helga looked at him in amusement when he mentioned this. "And you used to say that you would be no good at it." She teased him from her spot near the window. The group of them had been staying with Rowena for the past few months, though they had been planning to leave soon. It seemed that plans would be changing.

"I did use to be terrible with them." Salazar spoke tightly. "I have a feeling… and some vague memories that suggest that I was very bad at them when I was younger." It was Helga and her knowledge of herbs and magical plants that helped make it click. She was a patient teacher and now that he understood the properties better, Salazar had soaked up any knowledge of potion making that he could find.

Rowena smiled briefly before standing up. She then walked over to a little chest and pulled out a scroll. "There is a castle a few days' ride from here. My father started the construction, but he never completed it. I have been working on getting the deed to the castle and grounds. It should not take me long, but if I can get the deed then that is where we can build our school. Much of the construction is done, but we can add towers or more floors if we need to. Wards and enchantments will need to be woven in as well. Doing it this way, we will have an easier time than trying to start from scratch with no building at all."

There was silence as the three others thought over the idea. Helga was the first to smile and nod her head. "I think it is a wonderful idea. I would like to add in an infirmary! There are bound to be injuries… especially with the two of you as teachers!" She teased the two males, making Salazar scowl lightly. Still, the man did see the merit of the idea and nodded his head in acceptance.

Godric was silent for awhile longer before he suddenly smirked. "Fine. I shall agree as well. But only if we call the school Hogwarts." He looked smug, ignoring the incredulous look that Salazar shot him. "What? I think it would be funny!" He stated and crossed his arms. "We are not going to call the school Hogwarts." Salazar hoped to whatever deity out there that the name would not stick. Who would want to go to a school named 'Hogwarts'? It sounded disgusting, not for a name of a school for small children. No, definitely not. The school would never be called Hogwarts.

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"I cannot believe that you are actually going to let him call the school Hogwarts." Salazar grumbled as they sat in the great hall of the castle. Just a few days ago they had finished with construction. They were going to start weaving the spells for the wards soon, but were taking a break to replenish their magic cores. It had taken nearly a year of magic enhanced construction to finish the school. For the moment, they were going over various plans for the school.

Shaking his head, Salazar gently stroked the head of Eolas, the snake that he had encountered all of those years ago. Eolas was now his familiar and could be seen with Salazar a good portion of the time. "We have already decided who will teach what classes… where are we going to have the students sleep? There will be times in between classes. I will imagine that we will have them stay in the castle for a majority of the year as well." He had a small frown on his lips. "We will need to create dormitories."

Godric suddenly interrupted Salazar. "Why not build houses?" He said with a grin. "Or, what I mean is… why not sort the students according to different attributes in their personalities? They will be with other students that are similar to them, so it will make it easier to adjust. I can take all the brave students." He grinned proudly. "I can watch over them. Salazar can take all of the cunning students…. And so on."

Salazar let out a sigh. "Your idea has merit, I agree." He frowned slightly before giving his friend a teasing look. "Time must be ending for Godric to actually have a good idea for once." He said before waving his hand slightly. "We would have to carefully create an object to sort the students, but we can each have our own group, or House, like Godric said. We would have responsibility over one group, which will save us the trouble of all four of us having to look over the entire body of students. It also solves the dormitory problem. We can each pick a part of the castle for our House to be in. There will be a common room and then the dormitory rooms themselves." He ran his fingers over Eolas' head again. "I will take the dungeons." He said thoughtfully after a moment. "The potions classroom and my office already down there. My chambers are nearby, so I can have the student dormitories in another section of the dungeons."

A little down the table, Helga looked positively enchanted. "I will take the first floor, but I am not quite sure yet. I will find a place." She giggled softly. "It will be near my chambers as well. Just a few corridors down." The young woman then brightened then. "We should pick symbols for our Houses to tell them apart!" She tapped her lip thoughtfully before smiling happily once more. "Yellow is my favorite colour, so I will choose that! Black will be a good compliment, I think. So black and yellow are my colours!" She then looked thoughtful again. "An animal to represent each House would be good as well, to add a bit of fun and have a sort of… guardian for our Houses." She hummed softly. "A badger! My House's animal will be the badger!"

Smiling pleasantly at Helga's enthusiasm, Rowena nodded her head. "I shall have blue and bronze then, for my House. The Eagle will be my animal, of course." She then tilted her head thoughtfully as she smoothed out her skirt. "I think I will have the West Tower for my House." She spoke at last before looking over to Godric. "And you?" She looked amused.

Smirking, Godric crossed his arms. "East wing, tallest tower... it has one of the best views in the entire castle!" He spoke exuberantly, making Salazar sigh but smile fondly. Godric ignored him and continued speaking. "Colours… red and gold, of course! Bright and bold! And a lion will be my House's animal, because they are brave and bold!"

Salazar looked amused. "I suppose I shall take green and silver then. A snake will be my House animal." He paused to stroke Eolas' scales. "I do not suppose I have to explain why, do I?" He raised an eyebrow, smirking slightly. Godric rolled his eyes in response, but Salazar ignored him. "We have the four Houses then… Slytherin, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Gryffindor." He paused then before looking thoughtful. "We should have a competition. Doing well in class can earn points while getting in trouble can take points away. Whichever House has the most points at the end of the year wins. It may give the students reason to want to do well and not get in trouble."

"Prepare to be beaten, Slytherin!" Godric seemed to be set on the whole idea of a competition.

"I will not even have to try to overtake you, Gryffindor." Looking over at Godric, Salazar raised an eyebrow as he retorted in kind.

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"Five years… it has been five years since I first met you, Godric." Salazar was standing with the man in Godric's office. "Five years, but it seems like a lifetime." He smiled slightly before smoothing out his tunic. "The first of the children will be arriving tonight, as you know. I believe Rowena said it should be around dinner, so we will be having a feast to celebrate."

"And the feast I suppose was Helga's idea?" Godric interrupted, but Salazar only gave a small chuckle before nodding his head. "Cannot say that I am very much surprised, of course." Godric passed off before leaning back in his chair slightly. He had a thoughtful look on his face. "We are all roughly nineteen years… It is amazing to think that we are going to be teachers in a school of magic. We are by no means masters." He shook his head.

Chuckling, Salazar walked over to his friend and leaned against the desk. "Perhaps not." He said shortly before waving a hand briefly. "But the children that we are going to teach are young. They will only need to know the basics, something that we all know very well. As they learn, so will we. We will each have a mastery before too long, I suspect. Rowena's library is slowly expanding more and more. I, myself, have been studying and experimenting in my free time."

Godric nodded his head before standing up. "Yes, I do suppose that you are right. We should get down to the great hall for lunch." He smiled before leading his friend out of his office. The two then made their way down to the hall. There, Godric took a pause to stare up at the ceiling. "I cannot believe we managed something like that. It awes me every time! The perfect bit of magic to bring awe to those who gaze upon it! Adds a bit of wonder!"

Salazar laughed and placed a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Thank Rowena and her books! It helped that there were the four of us weaving in the spells together. I do not think that we would have been able to succeed otherwise. Some of those spells had to have cast simultaneously or there would have been a very different product. The theory behind it is absolutely fascinating."

Snorting, Godric started his way back up to the front where Helga was already waiting. "Your thirst for knowledge is only surpassed by Rowena." He said dryly before sitting down. Lounging back in his seat, he then looked out over the great hall. There were four long tables, each decorated in their different colours. Godric suspected that only the ends would be used for some time, but hopefully their school would expand in time. Greeting Rowena then, he waited for her to be seated before starting on his meal. For not knowing any of them more than a few years, he felt like he had a family with them.

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Classes were exhausting… but well worth it. They had managed to gain a few more professors, but he still took on teaching two subjects himself. It was hard to juggle sometimes, but he would never give it up. Currently, he had just concluded his potions lesson. He had sent the children out and had leaned back at his desk. He needed to clean up before he had to head out for his next class. After a month in school, things were going very well. Most of the time they did not send out homework or take written tests because many of the children did not know how to read, or knew very little. Rowena taught reading and writing, but Salazar had meaning to ask her about adding in a class that would help mundane born students better adjust to magic.

Standing up, Salazar vanished any spilled potion before sending unused ingredients back to the cupboard. Making his way out of the classroom then, he locked the door behind him. Stopping by his office, he grabbed a few things before heading up further into the school. His next class was Dark Arts and defense of them. Dark Arts was his next passion besides Potions. Technically, he could be considered a dark wizard now. But then, there was a difference between dark and evil. He was glad that his friends understood that. Because of this, he taught the Dark Arts along with defense against them. Godric was the one who took the lighter spells and defense. The only reason that Salazar taught the Dark Arts was so that he could teach the students in a heavily controlled environment. He could introduce them, show them dangers, and stop them from attempting more than they could handle. He had had the others' blessing, though Helga hadn't been too sure of it in the beginning.

"Professor Slytherin!"

A voice breaking through his thoughts, Salazar looked up to see one of his students running towards him. Frowning, he stopped and let the boy catch up. "Master Everett?" He asked while taking in the boy's worried look. "What is it?" The young boy looked out of breath as he bent over slightly, panting.

"Professor, you have to come quick! Jameson… Jameson is on the Astronomy Tower…" He trailed off, but Salazar got the gist of it.

"Follow me." He spoke curtly before going over to the wall of the castle. There, he started hissing softly. In a few seconds a door slid open where there was once a seamless wall. Salazar quickly strode through; making sure that the Everett boy was following after him. The secret passage, available only to him because of the parsel magic involved, led them to a corridor away from the Astronomy Tower. Striding quickly, he opened the door to find one of his students standing on the tower and apparently preparing to jump.

Stepping forward slowly, Salazar held out a hand. "Jameson? Come here, son." He spoke softly, keeping his face blank. But the frightened boy only yelled at him to stay back. Frowning briefly, he stopped but continued to hold out his hand. He could summon the boy, but he wanted Jameson to step back on his own. He would use his magic only for last resort. "Come here, son. Tell me what had happened." He tried again, keeping his voice soothing. "Tell me what is wrong."

Jameson looked over his shoulder before looking back over the side of the tower. The boy then wiped at his eyes. "I am a freak." He finally said. "My parents said so… All the magic…" He wiped at his eyes again, sniffing. "They let me come here reluctantly when they found out I have magic. But… but they will not want me back… I just know it! I am a freak…"

Salazar frowned at the boy's jumbled rambling. He could only guess that the stress of learning must have gotten to the poor child. If he remembered correctly, and based on the way the boy was talking, Jameson was mundane born. "Come on, son. You are not a freak. Magic is special." He soothed, carefully edging forward. "If your parents do not like it, then we can become your family. Professor Godric was disowned… but look at him, a professor and a founder. You are safe here. You can protect yourself." He carefully reached out for the boy. "Come on down, Jameson. Let us go see the house elves and have them warm up some milk for you." He smiled encouragingly then as the boy turned around slightly, looking unsure. "That is right. Come on… I can help you."

Jameson looking like he was going to go to Salazar, but then suddenly he slipped. Letting out a piercing scream, he started to fall. Cursing in parseltongue, something he had picked up so he wasn't blatantly cursing in front of children, Salazar threw himself to the edge and cast a summoning charm. Immediately, the boy hovered briefly in the air before Salazar carefully dragged him back up with the spell. Gathering the sobbing boy into his arms then, Salazar grit his teeth and made a promise to himself. None of his students, the children in his House, would have to go through what Jameson had. He would be the support they needed if they could not get it anywhere else. His House would become a family, relying on themselves if they couldn't rely on anyone else.

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"I am sorry, Salazar. There is nothing that we can do." Rowena shook her head sadly, watching the man in front of them. Three years had passed since they had opened their school and many students had entered. There was even a thriving wizarding village which had set up not too far from the school grounds, named Hogsmeade. Currently, Salazar was trying to get the other founders to help him with one of his students. The young boy had been abandoned and now had no place to go. It had happened before to several other students, but they had been lucky enough to have other family willing to take them in, or have other families that were willing to adopt them. Thankfully, it did not happen often. However, this young boy had no one.

Finally, Salazar straightened up and sneered slightly. "Fine. If you are not willing to help me, then I will figure something out on my own." He turned abruptly, his emerald cloak flaring out behind him.

"Salazar! That was not…!" Godric's voice was cut off as the door slammed behind him. Sighing, Godric slumped back in his seat. "I do want to help." He murmured under his breath, raising a hand to rub the stubble on his cheek. "But there really is nothing… no one will take him in!"

Helga reached over and placed a hand on Godric's arm. "We know. But the boy's situation is so close to his own… he cannot help but feel for the boy. You know that." She then sighed and pulled her hand back. "Although… Salazar has changed as of late." She frowned slightly. "It is all of the burnings, I am afraid. We are all affected by it… but to suggest that we take away mundane born children? We cannot do that… It is a difficult situation."

The others nodded in response, though none of them said anything. They did do what they could, but there was little else they could do. Godric suspected that it was because many of the mundane born students went to Slytherin that Salazar was so affected. The man saw more than anyone else what it did to the children to be told that they were evil. Salazar and his House took in those children and taught them how to survive. He was glad that the man had taken it upon himself, but he feared for his friend. What if Salazar saw one thing too far? One day… maybe he would begin to hate the mundane.

…

Far below them, Salazar stormed into his chambers. There was only one thing left he could do… adopt the boy himself. So quickly stalking into his library, he shut the door behind him and started to research the ritual he would need. When he found it, hours later, Salazar immediately gathered the needed ingredients before summoning the boy to his work room. The twenty-two year old founder would not be swayed in his decision; he did not contact his friends first.

The boy, Cayden, was maybe fifteen years old at the most. He had been one of the few special cases that the founders had accepted in the recent year. Before Hogwarts, Cayden hid all signs of his magic. However, his parents had eventually found out and Cayden almost died before Salazar had come upon him during one of his travels to find magical children.

"Cayden." Salazar greeted the boy warmly when he appeared. Bringing the boy closer, he hugged him briefly before staring him firmly in the eyes. "I want to help you. But you are going to have to trust me." He told Cayden before explaining to him that he was going to adopt him into the Slytherin family. They were too close in age to get away with a father and son bond, but Salazar could adopt him as his brother. As a result, he wouldn't have to go back to his family and he would gain Salazar's Parsel abilities, along with the man's name.

In the end, Cayden agreed to the ritual and he became Cayden Slytherin, brother to Salazar Slytherin.

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"Salazar Slytherin, you are hereby banished from Hogwarts." They were words that he never wanted to hear, let alone from the mouth of his best friend. Had ten years meant nothing to him? Their school was flourishing, but it was far from perfect. Why would he be banished? No, that was wrong… he thought he understood why.

"Godric, please…" He tried, but the man only closed off his expression and clenched his jaw.

"No." The man stood from his spot at the staff table. "We should have never let you teach the Dark Arts to the children. So, you are banished from Hogwarts for fostering the dark arts in these halls. You must leave within twenty four hours." The man then sat back down, ignoring the hurt look that was on Salazar's face. Rowena looked pained, but she hid it behind a stern mask. Helga looked the most affected, tears in her eyes. She was looking down at her lap and refused to meet Salazar's eyes as the man searched them beseechingly.

Finally, Salazar gathered himself up. "Fine. So be it." He whispered before turning on his heel, hurt radiating from his body as he stalked away with his cloak billowing behind him. His entire House stood up and hurried after their Head. Once in the dungeons they crowded around him, searching for what to do. Keeping his agony from his face, Salazar drew them in close. "You cannot trust anyone." He told them. "Look where it got me… You can only trust yourselves. You are a family." He looked around at all of the young faces. "I am proud of you all… do not let anyone tell you anything different." He reached out to touch the cheek of one of the boy's. "If you need anything, any of you… do not be afraid to seek out the help of your fellow students. Slytherins stick together. Remember that."

Pulling away, Salazar said goodbye to his students before going to his rooms. He had no time to visit his secret chamber and he didn't really want to. He felt bad that he was leaving a little basilisk there, but with him gone, she would likely slip into hibernation. He knew of no other parselmouths except his brother, so he did not think that she would ever reawaken. Maybe one day if he did manage to come back he would go to her… if not, she would spend the rest of her days asleep.

Going to his desk, he wrote out a quick letter before setting several spells on it. Setting it on his desk, he then bent the wards and apparated away.

When he reappeared, he was standing in the middle of a large field. "Cayden!" He called out, knowing that his brother could hear him. His little brother, the one that he had taken in those two years ago, had betrayed him. He had taught him just like he had taught all of his other students. But Cayden had been closest to him, the one he had taught parselmagic because he had gained his parsel abilities. And in return… as soon as he had graduated a few months ago, he had gone out and started to kill mundane people, using the skills that Salazar had taught him. The Slytherin founder had felt so betrayed… he hadn't taught Cayden and taken him in just so he could become a murderer.

"Big brother." The words cut through Salazar's thoughts and the twenty five year old man turned to face the younger Slytherin. "Have you finally come to join me? You know as well as I do just how filthy mundanes are… they do not understand. They are afraid of us… but we, we are so much better than them. They do not deserve to live!"

Salazar suspected that it was the teen's treatment as a young child that had fostered this belief. He should have recognized it before now… yes, he didn't like mundanes. But they were human, too. They didn't deserve to die just because they didn't understand magic. "Give this up, Cayden." He said in a placating tone of voice, drawing his wand carefully. The other founders blamed him for Cayden, he knew they did. Truthfully, he blamed himself as well. He should have noticed, should have done more. He should have stopped Cayden before he could start this war. He was hurt that they would banish him for it, because he knew they blamed him for other reasons. He blamed himself for not doing enough… he knew the others blamed him for teaching Cayden the Dark Arts. He half wondered if maybe they thought he had sent the boy out to kill on his orders.

Shaking the thoughts off, Salazar raised his hand. "I did not come to join you, Cayden. I came here to stop you. And if that means killing you, then so be it." He could not go back to Hogwarts. The very least he could do was get rid of the threat to the peace. Maybe he would even die in the process. At that moment, he found he didn't really care. Whispering a spell, he initiated the duel.

Salazar had been the teacher. Salazar had been the one with more knowledge at his disposal and had more years of learning. He had been hailed as one of the geniuses of the age. Cayden was powerful, but he was no match for Salazar. Cayden had never had a real duel before except for the mock ones during school, which were tightly controlled. He went down quickly and Salazar was left staring down in anguish at the body of his brother. But he was unprepared the spell that suddenly slammed into him mere moments after Cayden fell. The spell, mangled by the teen's dying lips, twisted and combined with the residual magic that lingered in the field. His back arching in pain, Salazar started to fall to the ground. There was a bright flash of light and when it disappeared, Salazar Slytherin was nowhere to be found.

((End Chapter One))

Holy crap… long chapter! Isn't it awesome? Anyways, I couldn't get this idea out of my head, so I hope you all enjoy it! Anyways, I know it was very fragmented. I wanted to highlight more important parts. You will get more flashbacks in later chapters, I promise.