The Four Founders

The Hag Pays Another Visit

"Wait...what?! Me? Me? A wizard of all people?"
"Yes, I agree it's quite unbelievable, considering the idiot you are", said Rowena.
"Hey!"
"Anyway, the bitter cold is really getting to me. I must get inside and I suggest you do the same. See ya' in the morning", she called out as she hurried back inside the building.
Godric slowly began to make his way back, pondering over Rowena's words. The gibbous moon now shone brightly overhead, casting a silvery glow on the vegetable patch.

Godric woke up next morning to the soft chirps of a sparrow outside the window of his dormitory. He was extremely glad that he didn't have to share a room with anyone as there were many vacant rooms for the new occupants of Little Star's Home for the Homeless. As he always thought, solitude was indeed bliss. Eager to satisfy his complaining stomach, Godric got dressed in a jiffy and went down for some breakfast.

The Dining Hall, as always was a mess. Godric served himself some hot porridge and toast with marmalade, and took his seat at a secluded table. As he took his first bite into the crunchy, fruity toast, he saw Rowena hastily running towards him. Her black hair whipping from side to side, her eyes gleaming with nervousness.
"You will not believe it. It has happened again."
"Huh?", Godric said, snapping out of his reverie.
"The old hag, remember? Yeah she visited me again in my dreams. And now she has advised me to embark on a journey to find a girl by the name of Helga Hufflepuff."
"That's cool, but are you going alone. You will need the skill and wit of a doughty warrior such as myself and hence, I promise to help you with this mission", said Godric with his hands on his hips and head help up high.
"Uh-huh. Well trust me, if I had the chance I would definitely not take you, but a part of the advice was to take Godric The Groggy along."
"Hey-", Godric started in protest but left his sentence incomplete, seeing the fierce look on Rowena's face. "Get your bags packed fast. We're leaving in five."

The sun gleamed in the bright sky as Godric and Rowena went to the Head Matron's office to get permission to leave Littles Star's. This wasn't much of a task as the matrons always believed in the principle: 'the more the monstrous'. After a quick chat with with the ignorant Head Matron, the two fifteen year olds left the Home for good.
"So which way do we go?", enquired Godric.
"Umm...about that, I'm not really sure", Rowena said with in an apprehensive tone.
"Huh? What exactly did the old lady say to you?"
"Well she just told me to find a Helga Hufflepuff. Nothing more than that."
"I'm starting to think, you're playing a prank on me", said Godric.
"No...you've got to trust me, Godric. We have to head east. I'm sure of that. It's just a gut feeling."
"Okay boss. Lead the way."

Rowena looked up in desperation, as if expecting a sign from the gods. But all she saw was the vermillion sky against the verdant valleys they were walking towards.
"Okay, Rowena, listen to me would you? We have been traveling for about five hours now, and civilisation is nowhere to be seen. How about we stop for the night on that valley? A stream is also flowing through it and it would make a good campsite."
"Yeah I'm quite exhausted too. Let's call it a day and obey our drooping eyelids for a while."

For two more days Godric and Rowena continued on their cumbersome journey, without a lot of luck. All they passed were valleys, ridges and forests. They were aware of the fact that Little Star's Home for the Homeless was located at a considerable distance away from population, but they had no idea they used to be this isolated from the rest of the world. Then one day, they finally happened to stumble upon the city lights and the drone of people. But it was far too late for them to go looking for the young girl, so they decided to first have a good night's sleep at a local lodging cum pub.

Rowena arose the next morning as the sunlight shone into her eyes. She forced Godric out of his profound sleep as they had work to do.
"Wake up Godric! We have to leave in fifteen minutes or the bartender will be off with our heads."
"Uhh...what? Okay yeah I'm getting up", said Godric, half asleep.
Just then a young girl approached them, who probably worked at the bar. "Master is getting impatient. He expects y'all out of here soon. I suggest you comply. Here are a fresh set of clothes. The shower upstairs is free."
"Thank you for your generosity. We will be on our way in a jiffy", said Rowena with a pleasant smile.
"Ooh...who is this beautiful young maiden, Rowena?", asked Godric, still puffy-eyed.
"Godric! Wake up you idiot. We have to get going. Thank you once again kind lady", said Rowena as she pulled Godric upstairs hastily.

"Get dressed quick", Rowena instructed Godric, hurling a set of clothes towards him.
They got ready rapidly (thanks to Rowena) and lumbered down the stairs. Near the door stood the same munificent girl, holding a variety of different cups, mugs and goblets. I brought some Butterbeer for you guys, thinking you guys might be thirsty", she said as she nudged two glass cups into Rowena's hands.
"Oh that's so thoughtful of you", said Rowena. Just then the young girl accidentally dropped a golden goblet which fell to the floor with a loud Clang.
"Oh no...I really hope it's not dented", said the girl in a panicked voice as Rowena bent down to pick it up, making out a few words engraved on the goblet:
Property of H. Hufflepuff.