Ravenclaw

Chapter 86- War

Song for the chapter: I Did Something Bad by Taylor Swift

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All was well. At least, all was supposed to be well.
Hogsmeade was no longer the bubbling, cheerful town it used to be-- in fact, all towns became like that, all across Old Kingdom. Tourists numbers lessened in the country, and the small village probably hadn't had visitors in the last month. The cold of the snow had died down, but spring kept bringing a few chilly drafts here and there. But it was nothing like the cold that came with the sinking feeling that seemed to be injected in the region.
Death after death, murder after murder, if the population seemed to be dropping before, it would be nothing to what was happening now. Both Muggles and wizards alike have been found, dropped dead on the floor, without seemingly any cause of damage inflicted upon them. It was as if Dementors had taken over the place-- but they hadn't. It was all the Resistance's doing.
Nonetheless, Hogwarts continued to stay open, welcome those who seek knowledge, or any form of security they could provide. Rowena had released a public message, saying all were welcome-- and yet, parents thought it best to withdraw their children until times became safer.
If times became safer.
When the holidays had come, it had only gotten worse-- it saddened the castle when someone they knew had passed one, especially if it was a student. Fear gripped at the hearts of many, and it seemed like the happier days were over for good-- it's inevitable everything that's good comes to an end, but no one expected it to end so soon.
The four founders-- with a reluctant Salazar, of course-- still remained determined despite their heavy hearts, and continued with the prepartions to ready the school again for the next school year. The feeling of excitement was gladly welcomed in the school as a break from the despair, and when the students came, no matter how little, the teachers felt glad that there was something to do, a purpose to fulfill.
"No, sit down, Avery!"
With a flick from her wand, the bench moved back and scooped up the boy named Avery and moved back to its position underneath the great, long, oak table, where around a hundred students sat beside each other, all gazing at the golden plates before them.
Avery grumbled something, but it wasn't long until Rowena had his full attention again. For a moment, everything was quiet, still, peaceful. Then Salazar laughed; Helga slapped him gently on the arm. Some students under Salazar laughed along quietly with him. Rowena clapped her hands, and all went silent again.
"Tut, tut, my dears, welcome and welcome back to another year at Hogwarts!" She cried, and applause erupted from everyone, even from those at the teachers' table. In the very centre sat Godric, Helga and Salazar. Godric and Helga were smiling, beaming at hete new first-years that had just gone through the sorting. The four seemed satisfied with the students they have chosen, and each of the individuals were honored to be chosen by the four iconic teachers, headmasters.
"For those who are here with us tonight," Rowena looked at the empty chair where Helen Lilac was supposed to sit, since she had to escort the Ravenclaws and the children back into the Room of Requirement, as well as a few empty spots where students were supposed to sit, "I thank you for choosing to return here, even after certain events that have happened, both good and bad."
Salazar coughed lightly. Godric turned to glare at him.
"It is with great honor that I commence another year with another great feast, brought to us by our elf brethren." Salazar coughed again, and people-- students and teachers alike-- started to murmur. "But before we dig in, I must say, children, and teachers of course..."
Rowena took a deep breath. Looking closely, one could see that there were tears in her eyes. "Stay safe, and may your knowledge save you in our times of need."
She sat back down into her padded seat, and food appeared in and on all of the bowls and plates around the Great Hall. The happy chatter and the sound of cutlery clinking filled the Hall, covering up the muffled conversations of the Four Founders.
"Protection must go up for the school and the village! We simply cannot risk the safety of our students, and by extension, the people of Hogsmeade! We should not allow for more harm to come to them!" Helga whispered fiercely, struggling to keep her hat on her head. She threw nasty glances at Salazar, who, despite the circumstances, smiled back nastily.
"Please, Helga, as long as our twins are supposed to enter the school, I want nothing more to keep the family business out of Hogwarts." He replied smoothly.
"Family business! Family business, can you believe this man?!"
Rowena brought a finger to her lips. "Chaos is not what we want the students and staff to think we are bringing, do we?" Helga shut her mouth, but Rowena's words did not make her stop glaring at her once beloved. The ring on his finger made her worsen her glare, and if looks could kill, it's no wonder Salazar shrunk back into his seat.
"Now, I agree with Helga, and the Committee has decided to double up its efforts into protecting and watching over the only wizarding school in the Old Kingdom. They have also gotten much more job openings, so hopefully, this is an issue we can put away for now, at the very least." She looked at her friends, waiting for a sign of understanding before continuing.
"It is with our students best interests at heart that we even continue to open the school, what with many protests saying that we should close it down due to the dangers it might pose." Rowena tried not to glance at Salazar, but her eyes couldn't help but look in his direction. He glowered, narrowing his eyes.
She sighed. "If nothing about the current situation is to change, then--"
"What do you expect me to do Rowena?" Salazar growled. Godric shifted in his seat. "I can't stop whatever's coming, I'm a pawn in their stupid game."
"Salazar--"
"Don't you get it? I've been forced into this life by my wretched mother, and  I've had to give up everything, everything, just to be here at all." He glared at Rowena, Helga and Godric with such intensity that some of the teachers and students started to notice their teachers arguing.
"And you still act as if I can control the storm that's coming, as if it's just waiting in the palm of my hand, ready for the command to rain down on Muggles and magic folk alike. So I advise you to just back off."
Godric rose to his feet. The entire hall fell silent. Rowena and Helga watched in fear as Salazar stood up to his full height too, towering over Godric. But this didn't faze him. "Might I have a word with you, Slytherin?"
Godric's voice was ice cold; it didn't hold the warmth he used to talk to his best friend years ago. His features were set in a monotone expression, neither showing anger nor frustration. It only showed neutrality, it held no emotion as to what he was feeling, what Salazar could anticipate.
And yet, when Salazar gestured for him to lead the way, and he walked down the long tables of Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, some could have sworn they saw his lips twitch downwards into a frown, saw his hands clench into fists, saw his veins pulsing in his neck.
The doors of the Great Hall closed with a bang.
The minute they did, Godric lunged at Salazar, pining him to the cobblestone walls by the collar of his robes. "Think you're so innocent, Salazar?" He aimed a punch at his nose, but the sly man managed to slip away and whip out his wand.
"Don't make my try anything, Gryffindor." He jerked his head towards the doors. "Don't want the students to think that their role models are fighting, do we?" He grinned evilly, raising his wand all the same.
"You're a coward," Godric spat, as they circled around each other. "Pretending to play the victim, when you're the king in this situation-- you authorised the attacks, we know it. The stupid family trick is getting old, Salazar. Helga's given it up, why can't you?"
"I'm flattered you think I'm a king," Salazar replied, his voice dripping with poison. "But I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about."
"Lies!" Godric growled, lunging at him. Salazar was quick on his feet; he dodged him, and tripped the larger man. Godric stumbled-- he steadied himself on the banister of the marble staircase.
"Getting old?" He taunted as they continued to circle.
"We're the same age doofus."
"And a 24 year old would still continue to say 'doofus'." Salazar rolled his eyes. Godric narrowed his. In one swift motion, he grabbed his wand from the pocket of his robes and pointed it at his once best friend.
"Stupefy!" He yelled, and Salazar widened his eyes in surprise.
Suddenly, the doors of the Great Hall burst open again, and Salazar came flying through them. He landed on the floor with a thud, and the students fell silent once again, but this time, they stayed frozen in their seats, staring at Salazar who started to pick himself up from the floor.
Through the doors, Godric stood there, wand outstretched, glaring with his fists clenched at his once best friend, breathing heavily as he watched his best friend stand up, brush off any pieces of dust and dirt, before moving out of the Great Hall, bumping shoulders with Godric.
"You will regret this, Gryffindor," were his last words before he left the building with a flourish.
Rowena stood up from her seat and looked at Godric, worried and concerned. But he was the least of her worries when a loud bang erupted and the screaming started.
She ran up to her husband, her eyes showing a multitude of emotions-- shock, fear, anger... the list goes on. She rested a gentle hand on his face.
"What did you do...?" She whispered quietly, and Godric merely shook his head-- not here, not now. Another scream.
"Hogsmeade," Rowena muttered, before running up to the top of the Hall to address the students.
"All students are to report to their dormitories. Prefects are to keep the students safe-- do not let anyone who does not know the password inside. Those of who are 17 years of age, you may fight alongside us if you wish. You are to listen to your head of houses, and only your head of houses. Except..." Rowena looked at Helga sadly. "Except for Professor Slytherin. The gamekeeper will lead you out into the grounds to hide in the forest in due time to escape."
"Slytherins, you first. Hufflepuffs next, Ravenclaws afterwards, Gryffindors last." Godric said, clutching his wand rather tightly. "Teachers, assemble at the tapestry hallway on the seventh floor."
A flurry of movement-- a deafening sound. Screams arose as thunder boomed and lughtning flahsed across the ceiling, as if they need a literal version of something to strike fear into their hearts. Godric, Rowena and Helga ran up the marble staircase and to the front of where the door to the room of requirement would be, then summoned their friends and family out of the room. Only Frenn and Frederick remained, to take care of the children.
Only a handful of those left had arrived-- about ten teachers remained, excluding Professor Forfax and Professor Lilac.
"Flaura Mae and Ophichus Lestrange are innocent." Rowena started, as several peope pulled out their wands and their eyes widened tremendously. "They are here to help."
Another boom, more screams-- it wasn't thunder.
"The Resistance are here-- Professor Sypher, Professor Forfax and Professor Indigo; shield charm around the school. Professor Lilac, activate the defences--"
"Oh, I've always wanted to that!" She said, quivering with excitement as she rushed off to alert the gargoyles and statues.
"Godric, you take three and position yourselves at the main entrance. Helga, take another three and head off to the greenhouses to fetch some plants you'd fancy using--"
"Don't have to tell me twice," she grinned, rushing off and bringing three other teachers with her.
"Two of you, accompany Mr Orion Black and Cepheus Lupin to the Hogsmeade entrance to prepare for any attacks there," Rowena continued, and after exchanging goodbyes with Uni, the two Americans and the two Britishmen left.
"What are we going to do?" Uni said brightly, eager to fight. Rowena smiled.
"Uni and Ophichus, pleas ehead down to Hogsmeade and get the people to fight alongside you. We need all the help we can get," she replied. "That way, we would have more help in the village and in the castle if we need it."
The two nodded-- soon, they were gone.
"And us, Ro?" Flaura Mae asked, raising a brow.
"We gather the students," she replied. "We gather those old enough and fight. I've always thought that the age limit was far too high," she mused, before the two set off along the corridor, to the battle below.
Unlike last time, they were better prepared. Unlike last time, Flaura Mae and her sister fought alongside each other, not against. They had more friends, better allies-- the people knew who the real enemy was.
This time, they were prepared for what the Resistance had brought them. This time, they were prepared for war.

~

A/N

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