Stronger for You

Chp. 16 Seeing Things

Hello my lovelies! Again, I apologize for my leave of absence. University letters are arriving daily and that's more chaos than the Weasley Twins at an April Fool's party. To be honest, it may be a very long while until I am fully back on wattpad; but I am still writing and I do my best to reply to your comments when I can. I hope you all are enjoying Stronger for You so far and hopefully telling your friends? ^-^ Stay magical, my darlings!

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“A negative judgment gives you more satisfaction than praise, provided it smacks of jealousy.” – Jean Baudrillard

Chapter Sixteen

“Holy Salazar” I back farther away from the diagonal walls, now holding floor to ceiling mirrors.

“Actually, he’s my best friend. You’re close though.” His voice was a deep timbre, followed by a chuckle that was equally deep and warm. I stare, openmouthed, at the view before me.

He was in his mid-thirties with an impressive body-build with broad shoulders and tall, too. His hair was more red than orange and he had a beard circling his mouth that was finely trimmed and thin. A glimmering sword was sheathed at his waist and his plain, gold robes fell to his feet. His rich green eyes shine with humor and a glint of danger. His skin was tanned and a bit worn, but handsomely so. “You wouldn’t happen to be part fish, would you?” He asks as I still do not say anything. His eyes flash with impatience and he points a finger at me. “Front and center. I want to get a good look at you, cub.” I move forward quickly, turning in a slow circle as his finger instructs. He huffs as I face him again, his expression pleased. “Yes, you’ll do just fine. Now, is it really such a surprise to see me?”

I nod slowly and attempt to speak. All I manage to get out is “fish”. He throws his head back and rich peals of laughter pour out. “Little cub, you are precious. I admit, I haven’t appeared for a student in many a year. I think the last time was to give a certain Potter advice on how to get a girl who hated him to like him.” He winks at me, helping to wake me from my shock. I smile hesitantly at the mention of Harry’s dad.

“I’m honoured, sir. I never expected when I asked for guidance that you would appear.” I murmur, blushing slightly.

“And guidance has come. You, Jaclyn Grace, are a true Gryffindor. I am proud to have you in my house. And no need to explain anything to me. I, along with the other founders, have watched over this school for centuries. We never truly left.” He adds as I open my mouth to speak.

“Why have you never intervened before?” I ask quietly. His gaze hardens and I recoil away.

“We do not determine what our students do. It is their choice to make, not ours. As it was my choice to appear to you; as it was your choice to come to this room for help. This room is the original point where we founders four stood and build Hogwarts around. It is, in all honesty, the center of Hogwarts.” I look around the room in new wonder and awe. “Tell me your plans, little cub, and let’s see what we can devise together. I want to shake those pathetic gits to their cowardly cores.” He opens his arms as if welcome and I grin as a cushion appears on the ground before the mirror, where I seat myself somewhat uncomfortably.

“My first idea was to capture a death eater, Godric.” I begin. He listens intently as I speak, summoning the pensieve at one point to put more of them away as they appear in my mind. He adds his own thoughts and at one point I grab parchment and ink with a quill and begin writing down everything we discuss. I felt like Hermione. All these strategies, so many possibilities. I should have been overwhelmed, but I was buzzing with energy.

I enchanted another quill to start writing as I scanned over the notes I had hastily taken, checking for anything we left out. Godric was viewing the room from his mirror, humming in approval.