The Four Figures

Chapter 23

           Brilliant, it was. Rowena had a point also. Where else could they get professors. The plan worked smoothly although the secret of Lex the niffler had stayed with Salazar, who wasn't keen on telling. The better end was that Lex was missing and Helga was worried. The events that happened were brushed off but everyone still kept an eye out for something or someone who was watching. Aldis spoke of a group trying to take down wizarding schools but it had never come across anyone's mind. The feeling of fear sliced through the air like a knife whenever they had discussed issues. Every time the sky had turned a deep indigo spotted with white blotches that shimmered, the four had conglomerated in Helgas office to devise plans for the travels back home. Godric of course, was begging Helga to swap offices. He complained that his was "musty and full of rubbish". This time, they gathered in Rowena's office which was adjacent to one of the North Towers. Painted blue and purple with stars enchanted on the ceiling, Drapes ran around the round room  letting bijou rays of sunshine seep in. It was filled with chairs and desks covered with soft felt. Stacks of parchment sat in the dusty corner, waiting to be graded. They all took a seat.
"Topic one" Helga said. "Is where the bloody Nora is Lex?" She said filled with fret.
"Didn't know you had the language in you" Salazar commented.
"We have more important issues, Helga. Like who is going to watch out over our students?" Godric implied.
"Settle. I'm putting protective enchantments while we're gone" Rowena said, raising a hand.
"You're mad!" Salazar said, his eyes imbued with bewilderment. As he commented in a whip of turmoil, an ear piercing crack erupted from outside. Everyone's attentions quickly turned to the towering windows in the room. Rain stared to patter against the castle, the light gray inverting into a dark grey. The students who were fast asleep had been awoken by the rumbles and cracks. Lightning had illuminated the drafty corridors and the Great Hall. Everyone's head turned slowly back to the tension filled discussion. Quietly, Godric started to speak.
"You cannot just make enchantment to all these students! They're not being supervised or watched. Who is going to make sure that they're not casting dangerous spells at each other's eyes?" He said, his voice raising with every word. Helga's head cocked sideways and she stared intently at Rowena who could have sworn tiny beads of sweat dropped from her face.
"You're not going to-"
"Helga" Rowena abruptly cut her off.
"Going to what?" Salazar asked getting interested.
"I know what you're going to do" Godric said with a bit of an attitude.
"Do what?" Salazar said impatiently. Helga turned her head to Salazar.
"She wants to put protective enchantments, but the spell is dangerous and could possibly harm or students. The spell would restrict students from going everywhere except for their common rooms, dormitories, and Great Hall. Whoever attempts to leave the castle or go where they are not permitted-"
"They get splinched" Godric finished.
"Splinched?" Salazar asked Rowena who was staring down at her wooden desk. "You mean Splinched, where you Apparate and a part of your body gets taken off?" He asked, furiously.
"Yes" Rowena replied softly.
"Im persuaded. Let's go" Godric said and made way to the door but was stopped by another loud crack of lightning.
"You're telling me you approve of students possibly being Splinched?" Helga said.
Hours passed and they did nothing but argue until the sun raised and the damp feeling from last nights rain had made everyone irritated. The smell of dampness and musk has filled the entire castle as nobody dared to step foot outside. Rumors spread by students. Some said Hogwarts was being hunted, or that a cult of dragons were plotting against wizards and witches.
Somehow all four of them had been set on doing the protective enchantments even when the students could be hurt, or worse.
Killed.

Weeks passed as the four were fully prepared for a trip home. The students were thoroughly informed about them leaving and the enchantments. Helga attempted to reassure them that it would be a holiday break but the students were unhappy about having no classes or any new spells to learn.

Strapping on her bag, Helga waited patiently for the three to meet her outside the castle. Her yellow cloak drifting softly as a quiet wind passed through.

Rowena tied her black hair into a ponytail. She ditched the usual dress and robes for normal wear and had put on boots, slacks, a cotton black tshirt which was awfully rare to get, and layered with vests and jackets. She very well looked pugnacious. Rowena swung on her cloak and slid her bag across her. Looking the mirror, for a second, she didn't recognize the warrior standing before her. "Stay wise" she reminded herself before slamming her door shut.

Godric and Salazar had prepared cautiously. Having made tiny sheathes for everyone's wands, they stepped out onto the grand stone stair case in front of the castle where Helga patiently waited. Not only did they look ready for battle, their cloaks were a bit dirtier than the rest. The three waited impatiently except for Helga. The oak door creaked open and Rowena stepped out and down the stairs.
"Bloody hell" Salazar whispered.
"A change up" Godric also commented. Rowena, in fact, did look like quite a powerful woman prepping for battle.
"Going for the regular dress?" Rowena smiled at Helga who fixed her cloak tie.
"Impressions last" She replied. Rowena spun around and stared at the gran castle before her. It's gray stone and marble gleaming in the sun while the damp spots from the rain almost immediately dried. The students gathered at any window in the castle to see their headmasters leave. The Four raised their wands and started the incantation. A translucent wave of magic emerged from the four. A hint of blue swirled around as it hit the castle, surrounding it and locking it in place. The student who eagerly watched scattered back to their common rooms.
The stone bridge that lead to the forest was sitting in the sun, waiting to be traveled on. Although, it wouldn't be walked on this time.
They had organized in a uniform line and grabbed hands.
"Home?" Helga said, attempting to hold in her excitement.
"Home." Salazar said bitterly.
In a fast movement, a loud crack filled the air and echoed through the forest and castle and Hogwarts had become silent for the first time again.