The Four Shadows

Chapter 5

It was early as the sun shone happily into Hogwarts without a fret on its mind, warming everyone in the castle on a rather cold day. Helga, Rowena and Godric met before all the students begrudgingly came shuffling in the Great Hall for breakfast.
"Anyone hear anything from Salazar?" Helga asked, pouring tea into a yellow cup.
"He very thoroughly shouted at me last night. He kicked me out of his chambers then after. Did not sleep a wink" Godric said groggily, slumping in a chair at the professors table.
"Explains your dreadful under-eye bags." Rowena pointed out. Godric let out a hearty laugh as he began to eat; something he hadn't have in a while.
As the Slytherins and all of the other Houses rose out of bed for another day at Hogwarts and ate happily in the Great Hall, Monolithos Malfoy had waited all night in the common room for his friends.
"Lithos, you're up early- bloody hell!" Algar exclaimed, running after the brooms in Lithos' possession. More Slytherins who were late to breakfast gathered around the brooms and Lithos, admiring them. "How did you acquire these?" One student asked, holding the handles. Lithos hadn't been sure on what to say but Algar gave him an icy look. Lithos had lied anyways.
"Mr. Gryffindor stopped by and gave us these!" The fake story caused everyone's spirits to soar even higher. "Alright everyone, to breakfast!" An annoyed 2nd year said.
  Once again, the Great Hall was filled with chattering students eating warm and fresh foods. At the professors table, the Three remaining professors talked quite low. Godric explained the previous night to the ladies, but it only made their concern for the future of Hogwarts worse.
"James is Apparating today to fill for Salazar. I guess the village crazy does come in handy." Helga said. "I hope he at least teaches his House how to fly on brooms and Quidditch."
Everyone was out of ideas on how to get Salazar out of his odd funk.
At the Slytherin table, Lithos Malfoy and his friend Algar had slid all the way down to the end of the long House table, so nobody could be able to hear them.
"How did you really get them brooms?" Algar asked suspiciously. Lithos bit his cheek. He didn't want to lie to a friend. "Alright" Lithos started, leaning in, "There's something going on with Professor Slytherin and the rest of that lot. They're hiding something but I'm not quite sure. After the odd emergency sequence where we were locked in our Common rooms for the rest of the night, I knew something was off."
Algar almost spat his toast out. "Are you dull? Of course they are! 'Avent you heard?" Algar said. Lithos was confused and felt out of the loop. "Heard of what?" Lithos asked.
"That Professor Slytherin is mental. Rumors say he raised a beast that lives in water in the basements. And apparently when the time comes, he's gone to unleash it on Hogwarts! Killin' eryone but pure-bloods" Algar said. Lithos was now frightened, but reminded himself it was just a rumor. But he couldn't help but be afraid of his own professor. He just couldn't believe it. Lithos glanced over at the professors table and looked at the three professors and noticed not one had talked to each other. Algar, however, continued to talk.
"But 'ow'd you get them brooms, eh? You left me in the common room and ventured off. I know somethin' ain't right Malfoy". Algar tested.
"Something wasn't right. I snuck off to the Quidditch room to get at least brooms for the Slytherin House. When I was down there, the broom closet was flooded a bit and for some reason there was glass; smashed and scattered". Lithos finished with a worried tone but Algars eyes lit up with panic and curiosity.
"So the rumors are true?". He asked. Lithos wasn't sure on anything. He tried to convince himself the water and glass was a possible accident caused by one of the professors , but he wanted to reveal the truth himself.
Mr. James Kedt arrived that day at Hogwarts. For once, he cleaned himself up and hadn't looked shabby, like the first time he had met Helga and Rowena. James happily obliged to fill in for Salazars absence and the three remaining professors were also in desperate need of fresh faces. Although he passionately did his job well and befriended a few students, he wasn't informed on Salazars current state. James had fit in easily and turned out to even be a Hogwarts favorite.
  After dinner, each student who was interested in playing Quidditch for their House made way to a very ugly and shabby make-shift Quidditch field. Three very tall and rickety goal posts made out of wood were close to topping over. First years and Second years grabbed their brooms and raced each other down to the fields while the Professors took advantages and had a leisurely walk down.
"We have a proposal" Helga squealed with excitement.
"For what may I ask?" James questioned.
"We would like you to stay at Hogwarts. As a permanent teacher" Rowena said coolly. The mere idea gave James a headache and wasn't too keen on the proposal. "What about Salazar?" James asked, but Godric snorted. "We need teachers if you haven't noticed" Godric said, as another student zipped by him, holding a broom. "The only reason we all returned to our homes was to get professors like you. Salazar is on- er- temporary leave".
They all knew they truth about Salazar would come out, one way or another. "Why what's happened to Salazar?" James asked, but soon regretted asking as he saw everyone's facial expressions change. "Don't worry love- we have to explain anyhow" Helga shared a kind smile. The quick uplifted mood was abruptly switched again.
"We have a beast living in the basements" Godric blurted without haste. Rowena aimed a kick at his shin and he swore in pain. The topic was now inevitable. So the three shared everything to James. The chamber, Basilisk, Salazar and his vile, immoral ideologies. James was a bit shocked but he didn't seem upset by the giant Serpent lurking in the dark depths of Hogwarts. Then he said something quite appalling.
"I believe I had seen it forecoming".
Godric was stunned and at a loss for words as they reached the eager students ready on the field. "What do you mean?" He asked. James leaned over to the three. "I dare say Salazar is a villain to Hogwarts" He finished with a tiny smirk before clapping his hands together, and greeting the students, leaving Helga, Godric and Rowena speechless.