The Four Founders

Chapter 3

(EDITED)

Salazar Slytherin's POV

"Sir Slytherin. What a pleasant surprise. Wait, sorry, I forgot you weren't a knight anymore," a voice said from Salazar's left. He tensed. He knew that annoying and arrogant voice anywhere, and only one person could possibly be so obnoxious.

"What is it?" he said coldly.

"Nothing, though I would like to bring you back to the castle for your execution. Make it easy for me, won't you, senior? I don't wish to trouble you."

Without wasting another second, Salazar stood up from his seat, silent, grabbed his cloak and headed for the door.

In one quick action, Sir Blondy (Yes, that's his name) leapt up and grabbed Salazar's arm. "Not so fast, Slytherin."

Salazar said, using that cold, indifferent tone, "Let go."

"No. I want to see what you can do, senior." Sir Blondy scoffed. "Probably some useless magic. Wait. Magic doesn't even exist!" he snickered. "Well, Slytherin, it certainly is nice to see you in such a pathetic state."

Salazar was boiling mad, but he kept his face straight. Just barely managing to get his wand out of his pocket, he aimed it at Blondy. However, Blondy was even quicker. He snatched the wand out of Salazar's hand, threw it on the ground and crushed it under his feet. Salazar gave him a steely glare, but remained silent. "Never a man of words, eh?" Blondy scoffed. Salazar ignored him. "Well, since you're being silent, let's see how long you can last." Blondy clapped and more soldiers burst into the room. "Let's see whether you'll beg to save your life."

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Salazar was dragged all the way to the execution grounds by two burly soldiers. On the way, people parted for them to pass through. The crowd was like a sea of expressions; some were shocked, some were scared while most pointed fingers and snickered. Salazar could hear some parts of their conversations. "A wizard! This is going to be interesting." Salazar stared coldly at the man. This only made the man continue snickering. "Poor guy." Upon hearing this, Salazar turned his gaze on the little woman who said that and she gave him a sympathetic smile. To this he returned with another cold gaze of his own. Terrified, the woman immediately disappeared from view.

Before he knew it, they arrived at the execution grounds. Then, he was pushed forward to the miniature stage and made to kneel down, hands tied behind his back with a rope.  Then, Sir Blondy gave the signal and the pounding of drums started. He kept his eyes open, focusing on the sea of Muggles in front of him. His face was expressionless. "Not going to beg for your life, Slytherin?" Blondy mocked. Salazar ignored him completely. "Oh well, it seems like he wants to die after all! Very well, I will grant your last wish."

As the knife lowered, the Muggles began to chant, "Wizard die! Wizard die! Wizard die and go to Hell! One less wizard, one less danger!" Their chanting got louder, and louder, and louder. Salazar continued staring coldly at the people in front of him. Truth was, he wasn't all that afraid of dying. Instead, words, no, hisses came out from his mouth. "My dearest serpent, hold them back for me, and I will reward you well. I will allow you to escape and live your own life, instead of being manipulated by these filthy Muggles. You have the rights to a better life," Salazar said in Parseltongue to a snake in a basket nearby. The serpent understood, but to the Muggles, it sounded like hissing. "Snakeman!" People started to scream and shout. The serpent considered Salazar's offer.

"Very well," it hissed back. "I will accept your offer." Then, it slithered out of its basket and towards the people. Some brave souls prodded the snake with sticks, but it kept on moving. And moving. The people backed away. Normally, they wouldn't have been so afraid, but when a snake helps a wizard, you can never be too sure. Slytherin hissed another command. The snake, slightly displeased, turned towards Blondy. Blondy backed away, his eyes wide with fear. The snake hissed. Blondy trembled. Slytherin kept his face passive. However, it gave him joy to see his pigheaded junior so frightened. Then, an ear-splitting scream filled the air as the snake sunk its fangs into Blondy's fleshy ankle. Blondy landed on the ground with a thud and clawed at his ankle as the snake slowly drew out its fangs. Blondy's subordinates ran off, leaving him to his agony. The people began to run back to their houses.

Although Slytherin's face was void of any emotion, he was secretly pleased.

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Rowena Ravenclaw's POV

I stood behind a house, watching everything. The man who was about to be executed turned out to be a Parseltongue. Interesting, she thought, I've never seen a Parseltongue in a very long time. Seeing that the snake was scaring off the public, I asked myself, "Should I take this chance to save him?" Making up my mind quickly, I crept out from behind a huge stack of rotten crates and hurried over the man. Producing a pocket knife from my oilskin pouch, I gently cut at the ropes. The man turned to look at me with suspicion and narrowed eyes. I ignored him and tugged at the ropes until they came loose.

"What are you doing?" the man asked coldly. His tone could chill people to the bone, but not me. I shot back, rudely, "What do you think I'm doing, idiot? Freeing you, of course!"

"I don't need your help. And don't call me an idiot," he replied, facial expression indifferent as usual, but anger smouldered his eyes.

"Whatever. I should have let you died here instead," I retorted. No response from him. "Done," I announced as the last ropes fell away. The man, quick as lightning, stood up and brushed dust off his clothes. I looked at him expectantly. He ignored me and walked away. "Hey! Where's my thank you?" I said as I ran up to him and grabbed his upper arm. Despite looking thin and lanky, he had rather muscular arms. Probably due to years of training as a knight, I thought.

"Let go," he said, without even looking at me. Just then, I heard the sounding of hooves. 

"No." A sly grin crept up my face.

"They're coming. Let go, or die in their hands. Your choice."

I glared at him and let go. As I was about to walk away, he suddenly asked, "Where are the nearest horse stables?"

I stopped and turned around. "Why should I tell you?"

"What if I offer you a deal?"

"What will I gain?"

"Your choice. They're coming. I won't mind dying, but I suppose you wouldn't want to."

Frustrated, I said, "Fine. I want to follow you. They're out to kill me too, since I helped you."

He thought for a moment. "Very well, my lady."

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Will continue later.

~ Jamie