immortality [wizarding world] | ⚐

十一

Months and months had passed, and Mathilda Salvar was living her dream – she was teaching Astronomy at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and Merlin had settled down in Hogsmeade with her, only occasionally leaving for his travels. Ophelia kept pushing Mathilda to bring up the subject of marriage, but the latter refused, her cheeks always tinting a bright rose.

One night, Mathilda was urgently called to the castle, where she found Rowena Ravenclaw sitting on her bed, looking sickly.

"Rowena." She breathed, falling to her side. Helga Hufflepuff was already by Rowena's side, whilst Godric Gryffindor was watching the rain beat against the windows, his expression bitter. The rest of the teachers had settled around Rowena's bed, looking solemn.

"At last, we are all here." Rowena said softly, her voice barely rising to a whisper. "As you know... My daughter... Helena... She has run away. I have no idea of her whereabouts, but should she ever come back, please tell her... I only wanted the best for her..." Rowena took a shaky breath.

"Godric..." The lion-like man had turned to face his friend, and Mathilda noticed that there were silent tears running down his face. "... Find Salazar... You must not resent him for the rest of your life... Pardon him, Godric..." Godric bowed his head stiffly, his courage wavering.

"Don't cry, Helga..." Rowena turned to face the crying woman, who even at her age looked beautiful with tears running down her dark cheeks. "You have done so much for this school," Rowena grabbed Helga's hands. "Do not give up on yourself, love..." She then turned to everyone in the room.

"Hogwarts must continue and move past these times... With Salazar and I gone, I have full faith that Godric and Helga will prevail, and that you all will teach to the best of your ability... If you need any instruction, or help, I have left papers in my office..." Rowena's voice trailed off, and she sounded weary. She turned to Mathilda, and smiled softly at the young witch.

"Sic transit Gloria mundi..." She breathed, looking up at the ceiling, where she had painted the Hogwarts emblem. "And so passes the glory of the world."

And with these last words, Rowena Ravenclaw stopped living.

There was a grave silence in the room. No one dared to move. Finally, with the courage that only he would have, Godric Gryffindor raised his wand up high. One by one, the wizards and witches in the room raised their wands, the magic humming. Helga was looking at Rowena, teary-eyed. The rest of the teachers were either sobbing or biting their lips, refusing to waver.

After a moment, Godric spoke.

"We'll..." He seemed to be pained with grief, and Mathilda couldn't even begin to fathom what he was going through. "We'll take two weeks off. The students can go home after..." He winced. "Her funeral." Helga feverishly wiped the tears off her face, and tried to display a façade of bravery.

"Mathilda," She started. "I want you to be the Head of the Ravenclaw house. And Isachar," She turned to face Isachar Beowulf, the Defence Against the Dark Arts and Potions teacher. "Head of Slytherin house. We must not wake the students yet. We will tell them in the morning." After a beat, the room finally seemed to breathe again. The clad of teachers left the room, murmuring words as they left Rowena's side.

Only Mathilda, Godric, and Helga were left behind. Helga had resumed her original position, clutching her friend's hand. She was no longer crying, but looked weary and tired, and her real age seemed to display across her face.

"Mathilda," Godric said suddenly. "You must tell Merlin... You have to tell him that it's happening."

"What – What is happening?" She asked the older wizard.