1. The Astronomy Tower

The construction was almost complete. It had taken years, but the marvel that was to be their Wizarding school was finally coming together. Helga was standing at the top of the astronomy tower, simply trying to take it all in. The sun was setting along the horizon, and it cast a hazy orange glow across the castle. She couldn't help but smile. They'd finally done it.

Helga leaned a little farther out the window, resting her arms on the stone windowsill. Her light red hair, nearly blond in this light, swept across her face as a cold breeze cut past the tower. Her bright eyes sparkled as she imagined, not that far in the future, magical children from all over flocking to Hogwarts.

She was vaguely aware of footsteps approaching, winding up the stairs of the tower. They had gotten progressively louder and more apparent over the past few minutes, but she was far too entranced with the view laid out before her to go investigate. She found herself wondering what the children would be like, and how they would respond to their magical education. They wouldn't have to live in fear anymore. Here, they would be safe from prying Muggle eyes and from those who would try to harm them for their gifts.

Suddenly, Helga realized the footsteps had stopped and the stairway seemed silent again. She turned her neck just a little and glanced over her shoulder, another smile playing at the edge of her lips.

Salazar was leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed over his chest. His angular features were twisted into an expression of slight intrigue, but nothing more. Dark hair hid most of his face from Helga's view. She turned back to look out the window before she spoke, "Hello, Salazar."

"We've been looking for you. Have you been up here the whole time?" His voice was low and silky, and Helga gathered that in fact, Rowena was probably the only one who had been looking for her with any effort.

"Yes," She answered him softly. "I didn't mean to worry you."

Salazar pushed off the wall, black robes flowing behind him. "We weren't worried. Though, I am…curious."

"Curious?" Helga asked, still gazing out the window. The sun was almost completely down, but a final dark red glow was cast across the castle and reflected off the water.

"About what it is you find so appealing in this cold, desolate tower. Godric and Rowena, well, they've built their own. I would never think to imply that you're jealous that you don't have a tower of your own, but—"

"Salazar," She cut him off with a sharp look, and then her face softened into a smile. She slid over a little to make room at the window for him to stand next to her. "Look at it."

Warily, he obliged, tracing one hand across the stone of the windowsill. His face remained stoic, but he did see a small portion of the appeal this particular window held.

"It's the potential," Helga said, glancing over at Salazar's expression.

"What?"

"The appeal of this tower. It's the place from which I can see, laid out before me, the potential of our school. Of all the good we can do. Of all the magic we can teach."

He had not expected such an elegant answer, and merely inclined his head as a response. Helga suppressed a smirk, amused to have left him speechless.

They stood there, leaning against the window and gazing out at Hogwarts until the sun had finally set. Not another word passed between them until it became too dark in the astronomy tower to see. Salazar flicked a hand up lazily toward one of the torches on the wall and it burst into flame.

"Godric and Rowena will be wondering where we've both gotten to, now," Helga said, finally tearing herself away from the window.

"I'd imagine," Salazar agreed, still leaning against the window. He took a deep breath and Helga turned back to him, sensing there was something else he wanted to say.

"What is it, Salazar?" Helga asked meekly, venturing to place a delicate hand on his arm.

He glanced down at her hand for a second, then brought his steely eyes up to meet her warm blue ones. "I know we don't like to think about it, when faced with so much potential. But, there are limitations, Helga. We can only do so much."

Helga narrowed her eyes at him, unsure of what he meant. Salazar took the opportunity to shrug her hand off of his arm and fold it under his robes where she couldn't get at it. "Think of how many magical children are born each year," he explained, averting his eyes, "Then, don't act surprised when I tell you, not all of them can come here."

Helga had had the thought before, though she'd done her best to skirt around it. "But we'll have space for hundreds of—"

"Hundreds, yes. But not all," Salazar confirmed.

"Alright, but we're doing what we can. And it will be wonderful," Helga said, not sure if she was trying to reassure herself or Salazar.

Salazar glared at her for a moment, somewhat annoyed with her constant and unwavering optimism. Eventually, he'd have to make his thoughts known, but it appeared this wasn't the time. Godric and Rowena were less likely to hear him out, and while Helga would listen, he doubted she would agree.

Helga was eyeing him as he was lost in thought and he was somewhat unnerved by the worried expression that had crossed her features. He set his jaw, ignoring her watchful stares. He walked pointedly to the doorway and didn't bother turning around when he asked, "Are you coming?"

Helga blinked a few times, still trying to interpret what Salazar had said. She shook her head, sending waves of her hair cascading over her shoulders and she walked briskly into step behind Salazar as he descended the stairs

When they had nearly reached the main floor of the castle, Helga had a thought. "Why were you looking for me in the first place? I told Godric when I passed him earlier that I'd be in the tower."

Salazar shrugged and turned on his heel toward the Great Hall, Helga scurrying to meet his rapid pace. "We're running a school. And soon. If I'm not mistaken, Rowena said something about a meeting to plan how our young protégées will be learning their craft."