Ena's Story: The Early Years

[dumbleedore]

Authors Notes: Welcome one and all to my new story 'Ena's Story' based on Rowena Ravenclaw as she appears in 'Living In Your Letters Part II: Dear Diary'. Reading of LIYL is not a requirement, however because it's just such a good story, go and read it anyway .

Just a warning however- I'm far too lazy to research the time period Ena lived in. I know the basics of what was possible/what isn't possible, but if something slips in, I apologise now. Let's make it a game- find how many times I can screw up .

Feedback is always appriciated and loved!!!

[dumbleedore]

The sun had only just risen as Rowena made her way slowly up the hill behind the simple house she shared with her mother and two younger brothers- her older brother had been killed four years ago and her father had died not long after that.

Mornings were the only time Rowena got to herself- her days were spent looking after the two boys, keeping them out of mischief, and helping her mother keep the house clean and tidy. It was hard work and most days it drove Rowena out of her mind. That was why she escaped into the woods whenever she could. Many summers before she had hidden books in a hollow tree she had found and every time she escaped she would sit at the foot of this tree and devour the books. Her mother did not approve of the books she read- tall tales of great halls and magicians and grandiose romances. They gave Rowena an imagination, and in the Ravenclaw house, an imagination was a sin.

She extracted the first book from the tree and had just settled herself down when she heard a sharp yell and a boy- a man- fell out of the tree beside her.

‘Are you alright?’ She asked, running over and helping him to his feet. The man shook her away and brushed the grass off himself and smiled at her.

‘Of course,’ he said, grinning at her. ‘May a man enquire as to who the lady is?’

‘Rowena. Rowena Ravenclaw.’

‘Well, Madam Ravenclaw,’ the man said, taking a hold of her hand and shaking it. ‘It is a pleasure to have met you.’

He tipped his head to her and went to leave and Rowena just laughed.

‘May a lady enquire as to who the man is?’

‘Gryffindor! Godric Gryffindor!’ He called out, running backwards away from her and promptly tripping over a tree root, making Rowena laugh again. ‘Farwell Madam Ravenclaw!’

He picked himself up onto his feet again and started to run away again, this time watching where he was going. Rowena watched him go, thinking he was a very strange man indeed, and then she heard her mother calling for her.

‘Curse that man. Curse him,’ she muttered, placing her book back into her tree and heading back down the hill. ‘Coming Mother!’

[dumbleedore]

Authors Notes: Wow- thanks for the great response guys!!!

Here's more Godric for his groupies

~*~

After the early morning encounter with the man named Gryffindor nothing out of the ordinary happened to Rowena for several weeks- the summer was waning into autumn and soon Rowena would need to bring a lamp with her if she was to read at the hour of the morning she liked.

She was settled into her usual spot and deeply engrossed in her book, a love story between a wizard and a mortal, when she heard the thudding footsteps of someone crashing their way through the undergrowth.

Standing up to tell this person off for disturbing the peace, she was stunned to see Godric running towards her, flailing his arms about in a panic. She went to jump aside and dodge him, but he grabbed her around the waist and flung her over his shoulder and kept running.

‘Put me down!’ Rowena screamed, beating him on the back and struggling to get out of his strong grip.

‘I would, but I don’t want you to die!’

Rowena seethed with anger- how dare this man come into her life so suddenly and disrupt her, let alone just think he can save her life.

Suddenly, Godric dropped her onto the ground and started rubbing his shoulder.

‘What did you do that for?’ He hissed, pulling his shirt slightly off his shoulder and revealing a large red boil.

‘Me?’ Rowena asked, disgusted that he could blame her for such a thing. And as she glared at his shoulder, another two boils sprung up, making her shriek in surprise.

‘See! You-’ Godric started to say, before stopping and staring down at her, a look of bewildered wonder on his face. ‘You don’t know what you are, do you?’

‘What do you mean?’ Rowena asked.

‘You’re a witch.’

‘A witch?’ Rowena repeated, looking at Godric as if he was crazy. Godric said nothing, just pulled a long, thin stick out of his pocket and gave it to Rowena.

‘Wave it,’ he urged, and, feeling quite ridiculous, she raised the stick above her head and bought it swishing down through the air, creating a long stream of blue and silver light. She gasped and dropped the stick and stared up at Godric.

‘You’re one too?’ She asked and Godric nodded.

‘Yes,’ Godric said, softening slightly. He offered Rowena his hand and helped her stand up, but a loud crashing noise interrupted them and Godric swore aloud. ‘If you know what’s good for you run!’

‘Why?’ Rowena asked and Godric grinned at her.

‘Dragon!’

Rowena didn’t even bother to voice her astonishment that there was a dragon running about in her woods- she ran as fast as she could, thinking that Godric Gryffindor was, without a doubt, the strangest man she had ever met.

Witch indeed…

[dumbleedore]

Rowena’s mother was waiting at the back gate for her when she emerged from the forest and even from the top of the hill, Rowena could tell that she was not happy. Sighing heavily, she jogged slowly down the hill and straight past her mother into the house. The two boys, George and Albert, were sitting at the kitchen table and a large pot was on the fire. Without needing to be told, Rowena grabbed an apron from the side dresser and went to work serving her brothers their breakfast and then serving another two bowls- one for herself and one for her mother.

‘Thank you, Rowena,’ her mother said stiffly, sitting down at the table between Rowena and George.

‘Your welcome, mother,’ Rowena said quietly, taking a spoonful of honey and pouring it over her oats.

‘I do wish you would stop walking so far of a morning,’ she scolded gently. ‘It is not proper for a lady to be on her own so often.’

‘I like walking of a morning, mother.’

‘But what happens when you get married, darling?’

Rowena choked on her oats.

‘Pardon?’

‘When you get married you won’t be able to go walking, child. Your husband would not allow it.’

‘I’m still having a little trouble adjusting to the married part, mother.’

‘Is Row getting married?’

‘Stay out of this, Albert.’

‘No Al, I’m not,’ Rowena said and Albert sighed in relief.

‘Good- cause we need her here,’ Albert said and Rowena shot him a quick grin.

‘You’re thirteen years old, Rowena. You have to start thinking about this!’

‘No I don’t mother!’ She exclaimed, standing up, furious.. ‘Maybe I don’t want to get married! Maybe I want to go away, to other city’s and towns and see the world!’

‘Rowena Ravenclaw, do not speak to me that way!’ Mrs Ravenclaw said, standing up and facing her daughter. The two boys watched, fascinated. Rowena and her mother could have been twins- both had the same long dirty blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. Rowena was already slightly taller than her mother, but Mrs Ravenclaw was still a tall woman and Rowena cowered as she drew herself up to her full height.

‘I don’t want to end up like you, that’s all,’ Rowena spat, turning on her heel and heading out the door again, ignoring her mother’s shouts. She walked straight up the hill behind in the house and into the forest, for some reason wondering where the man named Gryffindor was.

[dumbleedore]

Rowena stomped her way around the forest for several hours, no direction in mind, not really caring who she met or who saw her. It wasn’t until she came to the edge of the forest and realised she had crossed its entire length that she began to grow worried. She had never been this far from home before, but even in her worry she grew curious about this town that had seemingly sprung up from nowhere. She made her way down from the forest into the back streets and started to head towards the centre of town. There didn’t seem to be a soul about and she quickly figured that there had to be markets or something on in the town.

And when she arrived in town, she discovered she was right. People were absolutely everywhere, wandering around laden with all manner of goods. She almost broke her neck tripping over some hens that were clucking about. She clumsily got to her feet and stepped backwards to avoid being hit by a cow that was meandering around and instantly collided with someone.

‘I’m terribly- YOU!’ Rowena’s jaw collided with the dirt.

‘We’ve got to stop meeting like this, Rowena,’ Godric said pleasantly, smiling. ‘People will think something’s going on.’

‘B-but- this morning! The- the-’

‘I wouldn’t say the next word if I was you,’ Godric said, dropping his voice several octaves. ‘The people here in the Hollow might be open minded but I don’t think open mindness would spring to a you-know-what.’

‘But-’ Rowena’s mind was spinning- she had so many questions and so few answers.

‘Godric!’ Another man called out, distracting Rowena from the matter at hand.

‘Ah, Sal,’ Godric said, patting the man on the shoulder.

‘Locked and loaded,’ the man named Sal said, grinning. His gaze fell away from Godric, onto Rowena and he smiled. ‘Hiding things from me again Ric?’

‘Um, Sal, this is Rowena. Rowena Ravenclaw. She’s from Glenbrook Fields,’ Godric explained. ‘This is Salazar Slytherin, a- and I use the term loosely- friend of mine.’

‘Miss Ravenclaw, it’s a pleasure to meet you, but Godric and I really need to, er, fly,’ Salazar said, shaking her hand roughly. ‘I told them we’d be there by sunset and I’m afraid we’re running deathly behind schedule.’

‘Don’t let me hold you up,’ Rowena said. ‘I- I should be going anyway. Mother will be deathly afraid-’

‘I’ll take you back,’ Godric said, earning a groan from Salazar. ‘Don’t be such a grumpy *** Sal- it’s on our way. Rowena can ride with me and we’ll let her off in the woods.’

Salazar said nothing, just turned on his heel and headed down the side alley Rowena hadn’t noticed.

‘C’mon- leave him to have his mood. I’ll fly you home.’

‘F- fly?’ Rowena spluttered and Godric just grinned at her. ‘No way. No way.’

‘Rowena,’ Godric simply said, grinning even more. Rowena had a quick argument in her head- she knew nothing about this man- nothing. He turned up suddenly one day and disrupted her life. Yet, for some reason she trusted him immensely. She couldn’t think of ways to explain it- something about him made her trust him.

‘Come fly with me, Rowena. Come fly away with me.’

‘Sounds like it could be a song,’ Rowena joked, allowing herself to be led down the side alley.

[dumbleedore]

At first, Rowena found the thought of flying exciting- she imagined herself soaring like a bird through the sky.

She did not, however, imagine sitting astride a very uncomfortable broom feeling every single bump and having Godric yell excited things into her ear every few minutes. She was therefore incredibly grateful when they started to descend from above the trees at the sight of the village. Despite the noise of the wind in her ears, Rowena heard Salazar’s groan of annoyance as he kept flying straight ahead. Godric sighed in Rowena’s ear and soon had set them down on the ground just near the edge of the forest.

‘Here you are,’ he said as Rowena ungracefully climbed off the broom. ‘Hope it wasn’t too scary.’

‘I have so many questions,’ she blurted out suddenly, ignoring his comment.

‘I have so many answers,’ Godric said, slowly starting to rise from the ground. ‘I shall come to you, when we return from Scotland!’

‘When will that be?’

‘Whenever we feel like coming home!’ Godric bellowed back down to her, flying higher and higher until he was gone.

Rowena watched the point where he had flown away for a few minutes, wondering if the entire thing had actually happened. Sighing heavily she turned to head back home and face the consequences, only to collide instantly with her brothers who wrapped themselves around her legs.

‘Never leave again!’ both wailed at once, clinging onto her for dear life. Rowena just laughed and managed to ply the two boys off her legs.

‘C’mon, let’s go home. It’s almost time for bed.’

[dumbleedore]

Authors Notes: Roight- I'm sorry for the jumpiness of this part- I had to get the plot moving super fast.

~*~

Summer turned into Autumn and Autumn slowly turned into Winter. Rowena celebrated her 14th birthday at the end of Autumn, but much to her dismay Godric had not been seen since the day he had dropped her off in the forest.

The first snow fell in early December and the temperatures dropped so sharply that you could hardly step outside without having icicles attached to you. Rowena found herself longing desperately for Summer again- perhaps Godric only came out in the summertime.

It was because of Godric that Rowena found herself awake on one of coldest nights of the winter so far- a blizzard had come over and despite the extra blankets on the bed Rowena was shivering. But Godric was the reason she was still awake- she had begun to seriously think that she had dreamt him up, that he didn’t really exist.

And it was at the moment that the window over the other side of the small bedroom opened and a very snow covered man fell in.

Rowena did her best not to scream aloud as Godric stood up and light what had to be his wand.

‘Hello Rowena,’ he said casually as if he always climbed in windows in the dead of night.

‘You!’ Rowena hissed, trying to keep herself calm. ‘What are you doing? Climbing in my bedroom like that! Who do you think you are anyway? You’ve been nothing but a disturbance to my life! I want you to leave- right now!’

‘Whoa- whoa, ease up,’ Godric hissed back. ‘I promised you I would come back and I did!’

‘But at this hour?’

‘Do you want to talk to me or not?’

Muttering about the inconsiderate nature about people, Rowena grabbed her thickest coat from her cupboard and drew her snow boots on and climbed out the window, followed by Godric.

‘Honestly, turning up at this hour of the night!’ Rowena exclaimed trudging through the snow. ‘I mean-’

Godric suddenly grabbed Rowena’s arm and dragged her through the snow and into the nearby stables and slammed the door shut behind them.

‘Right, now we’re out of the snow,’ he said, making Rowena click her tongue at the obviousness of the statement. ‘So, what do you want to know?’

‘Everything,’ Rowena said without hesitation. ‘I want you to teach me everything!’

‘’Fraid I can’t do that,’ Godric said heavily, sitting down on the straw.

‘What?’

‘I can’t teach you. But I can show you.’

‘You’re not making any sense!’ Rowena exclaimed, but a wild grin formed on Godric’s face.

‘I know,’ he said, standing up again and offering Rowena his hand. ‘You need to come with me, Rowena.’

‘I- I can’t! I can’t leave my mother! And my brothers! I- I just can’t!’

‘Yes, you can,’ Godric urged, his eyes bright. ‘Come to the Hollow with me. Come and let me show you everything. Not for long- not for long at all. Just for tonight. I will have you back in your bed this time tomorrow.’

Thoughts and words chased each other around in Rowena’s mind- her mother would be furious and worried if Rowena ran away for a day, yet whilst she was worried about what her mother would think, she was slightly worried as to why she didn’t feel guilty for wanting to leave for good, never come back.

But the longer she thought about it, the more guilty she began to feel, and with the blizzards in for the winter, her mother would soon end up working for one of the more well off family’s until they could use the fields again.

‘I’m sorry Godric,’ she said, turning away from him slightly. ‘I can’t.’

‘That’s perfectly alright,’ he said, unperturbed by the fact that she had turned him down. ‘I shall stay around Glenbrook. And every night I shall come to you and teach you.’

‘I thought you couldn’t teach me…’

[dumbleedore]

Authors Notes: Sorry it's been so long since my last update- life, or something like it . I should be able to get one up tomorrow (Thursday) but the next one won't be until prob Sunday after that. Next week I should be able too on Tuesday, but that's the only one I know. Maybe Thursday- I have to check my schedule which is just insane at the moment.

~*~

‘I know you can do this, Rowena! Concentrate!’

Rowena muttered darkly under her breath and raised the wand Godric had given her the week before and pointed it at the quill she was meant to be levitating.

‘Wingardium Leviosa!’ She cried, and, much to her dismay, the quill didn’t move an inch. Frustrated, she threw her hands up into the air, the wand slipping from her fingers and scattering away from her.

‘Accio wand,’ Godric said, almost lazily and threw it back to Rowena. ‘Try again.’

‘I can’t do this!’ She exclaimed, her frustration getting to her. Godric smiled at her.

‘Don’t think about it. Look at the quill- imagine it floating in a cool summers breeze. Point your wand and say the words.’

‘Wingardium Leviosa!’ She cried again, and this time to her amazement, the quill slowly lifted from the ground and floated for a moment, before slowly drifting back to the ground.

Rowena shrieked in surprise and Godric let out a mighty chuckle.

‘I told you you could do it!’ He exclaimed and Rowena just laughed.

‘How did I?’

‘It’s a little theory of mine,’ Godric said, idly levitating the quill himself. ‘The more you think about how a spell works or why it’s not working, the less it seems to work. If you compare the desired result to something everyday, it sinks in better.’

‘Whatever it is, it worked,’ she said, grinning broadly. ‘You know, you really should be a teacher of magic.’

‘What makes you think I’m not?’ Godric said, smiling. Rowena smiled back, thoughtfully.

‘Nothing. I don’t know anything about you, yet you’ve become so much of my life. It’s odd.’

‘Anything you want to know, I will tell you.’

‘Fine. What do you do for a living?’ Godric laughed.

‘Except that.’

‘Why not? You said anything.’

‘Maybe it’s because what I do for a living might one day have to do with you and I can’t say anything yet. Now can we get on with the lesson? Please?’

‘Yes, Professor Gryffindor,’ Rowena muttered darkly, focusing her mind back on the quill. ‘Wingardium Leviosa!’

[dumbleedore]

Authors Notes: Yes, I know- another long gap in between updates. I am so sorry- I just can't seem to get on every night anymore!!! I'll be on as often as I can but and give you updates then- I've fallen behind in my writing as well- haven't even had time for that!!!

~*~

Not for the first time since she started her magic lessons with Godric, Rowena found herself cursing the winter sun for rising much earlier than it should. She was expected up at day break to prepare breakfast before her mother left to work in one of the large manor houses. As the first sun of the day crept across her bedroom, Rowena dragged her weary body out of bed and rugged up against the cold. Her mother should have lit the fire in the kitchen already, but it was too early for it’s warmth to have reached the bedroom.

She stepped lightly down the short hallway and paused outside the kitchen. The door was closed. The door was never closed. She could hear voices inside and she stood as close to the door as possible, straining to hear.

‘Very young,’ she heard a male voice say. ‘Some would say too young.’

‘But very old at heart,’ a female voice, her mother, said. Rowena felt sick to her toes. Her mother was talking about her. To a man. Not caring about the consequences, she opened the door and witnessed both her mother and the man jumping out of their chairs in shock.

‘Rowena!’ Her mother shrieked. ‘Do not do that!’

‘Sorry, mother,’ Rowena said quietly.

‘Rowena, I am incredibly pleased to meet you,’ the man said, offering his hand which Rowena shook cautiously.

‘May I enquire as to why this gentlemen is in the kitchen at such an early hour, mother?’ Rowena asked as nicely as she could, somewhat pleased that her mother looked panicked. ‘And the truth please. No stories about he’s the new gardener.’

‘Fine,’ her mother said, sighing softly. ‘Mr Crossly is the heir of Crossly Manor. And his son has proposed marriage to you.’

Rowena stared at her mother in shock. Marriage had not been mentioned in the house since that day in the summer. Marriage was the last thing on Rowena’s mind.

‘Mr Crossly, tell your son I am flattered by his offer. I would have preferred to meet him before we got engaged, but it could have been worse. However, flattered as I am, I feel I must turn him down. I am too young to get married,’ Rowena paused for effect and glared directly at her mother. ‘Despite how old at heart I may seem. Good day, Mr Crossly. Mother, may I speak to you please? In the garden.’

Rowena swept out of the kitchen as gracefully as she could and stomped out into the snow and waited for her mother, hands on her hips, seething with rage.

‘Rowena,’ her mother said cautiously, but Rowena’s rage broke over her, making her mother cower.

‘When was I going to be told about this wedding you’ve arranged, mother? The morning of the wedding? Oh, by the way Rowena, you’re getting married today! Was I even going to get a choice in the matter? You can’t force me into these things, mother! I know that Granmama forced you into marrying father but it was a different time then! And now look at you! Three children and a farm you can hardly run! I’m not going to end up like you, mother. I told you that months ago!’

‘You may not have a choice, Rowena,’ her mother growled. ‘I can’t run the farm because there is no money to run the farm. Why do you think I took the manor job? Marrying Jacob Crossly will provide a future for you and the boys. Haven’t you realised that we have no money? You’re too busy living in your own little dream world that you can’t face reality!’

‘I live in my dream world because reality is overrated,’ Rowena snapped back. ‘Reality for me is caring for two boys who think I’m their mother. Reality for me is cleaning out horse muck. Reality for me is taking the cow into town to sell. Reality is awful, mother. And if you think I’m staying in this reality forever, think again.’

‘Don’t you dare speak to me that way! As long as you live under my roof-’

‘So I can speak that way if I leave? Because I will, mother. I will go.’

‘Fine, go.’

Without hesitation, Rowena stomped back into the house and came back out a few moments later fully dressed and carrying a bag over her shoulder.

‘Goodbye, mother,’ she said softly. ‘I wish it didn’t have to be this way, but I cannot live under your roof whilst you try and push me into something I do not wish to do.’

‘Rowena- wait-’

‘Goodbye, mother. I shall write you.’

She headed off into the barn, where she mounted her horse, Windless. She strapped the bag onto Windless and rode out the rear door of the barn, straight past her mother, but unable to see her because of the tears clouding her eyes.

She was well into the forest before she allowed herself to cry.

[dumbleedore]

Authors Notes: Right, erm, sorry it's been so long since I've updated... life again. After Easter I should be able to update at least 2 or 3 times a week. I hope...

~*~

By the time Rowena made it out the other side of the forest, she began to realise what an awkward position she was in. She had fled from her home, her only means of support, to a strange town to look for a man that, knowing him, no one would know.

It wasn’t until she had tied Windless up in the street that she knew who could lead her to Godric. Salazar Slytherin. The only problem was then finding Salazar. It was a thought that made her want to laugh out loud- she’d run away from home, was in a town she knew only as the Hollow and was looking for two men that, even though she had met them in this town, no one probably even knew they existed.

Common sense told Rowena that, because it was lunchtime, most would be heading home for lunch. Or, in the case of two obviously single wizards, to the local tavern. Leaving Windless and collecting her bag, she set out on foot and within moments had come across a large tavern. Smiling to herself for being so clever, Rowena cautiously opened the door and stepped in.

And felt her jaw drop.

The tavern was not a tavern at all, but the entrance hall to a large manor house. Turning around, she looked back at the door she had come through, but the tavern door had been replaced by a large, ornate wooden door.

‘It’s a good trick,’ a voice said from behind and Rowena looked around and saw Godric coming down the flight of marble stairs at the end of the hall. ‘My grandfather, Godric Gryffindor the First set the spell up. He was sick of people looking at the manor house whilst they were building their own houses, so he hid it from prying eyes.’

‘But why did he make it appear as a tavern?’

‘He didn’t. You thought to look for me in a tavern and as you walked past where the house is hidden it showed the outside to you as a tavern,’ Godric explained. ‘Had you wanted to find me in a pig sty, that’s what you would have seen. Although it would have been hard to get you to walk into a pig sty. Do you want a tour?’

Before Rowena could say a word, Godric had grabbed her arm and dragged her out of the entrance hall and up the stairs.

‘Right, so my grandfather built this place, back when he founded Godrics Hollow. He wanted the grandest house in the town, and he got it. Unfortunately,’ Godric added as an after thought, sighing slightly. ‘The Gryffindor’s have been in charge of this town until I came along. Technically I’m still in charge, I just let it run itself. I’m never here anyway. I’m usually away with Sal.’

When they reached the top of the stairs, Godric opened what Rowena thought was a window, but it turned out to be a large door, leading out to a stone balcony covered with flowers and several stone benches.

‘My favourite place,’ Godric said, taking a seat on one of the benches and stretching out. ‘What brings you here, Rowena?’

‘I ran away,’ she said softly, sitting down on one of the other benches. ‘My mother was arranging a marriage for me- a marriage I didn’t want a part of.’

‘Why not?’

‘I’m not like them. I don’t belong with them. I belong with you- learning magic,’ she said, bracing herself for Godric to tell her it was stupid and that she should go home. But to her surprise, he grinned broadly.

‘I shall arrange a room for you.’

[dumbleedore]

Authors Notes: Whoot- I'm here! It turns out I didn't have to work. I wish I did- I have a pile of typing which is about 3 inches high... I shudder everytime I think about it.

This update is quite, well, awful. I wrote it quickly to be able to get onto the next plot lines. I wouldn't have written so quickly, but, well, I'm very excited. I just found out that I can get into this course that I want to do next year instead of year after next, so it looks like I'll be a college girl next year . I hope. Unfortunatly that will prob mean less and less updates of whatever I end up writing then...

But enough of that- you want story!

~*~

The summer sun always woke Rowena- she knew that if she drew the shutters of a night time it wouldn’t be so bad, but she liked to lay in her bed and stare at the stars.

Climbing out of bed, she stretched and using her wand swept her hair up off her neck to reduce a bit of the heat. The bedroom door opened and a house elf that never spoke entered and left a breakfast tray on the table just inside the door.

‘Master Godric wishes to see the lady in the special place after breakfast,’ the elf squeaked, before bowing and leaving the room. Rowena briefly wondered why Godric wanted to meet her on the balcony, but the smell of her breakfast over powered her and she summoned the tray over to the window seat and ate there, watching over the fields and village.

It had been two years since she had run away from home. She was now sixteen, turning seventeen in the fall, an event she was truly looking forward to. She could hardly believe it had been two years since Godric had opened his home, and heart, to her. Godric was still teaching Rowena magic, not that she had much left to learn. Her daily lessons with Godric had ended a month ago, leaving her with plenty of free time to research. Over the past two years she had found herself most fascinated with Charms, meaning that most of her days now were spent pouring over the charms books in Godric’s extensive library- the entire attic had been converted into a library and it was Rowena’s greatest dream to read every single book in the collection.

As quickly as she could, Rowena ate her breakfast and dressed and then hurried down the hallway and out onto the balcony. Godric was standing with his back to her and before she could attract his attention he had turned and, without a sound, handed her an envelope.

Taking her cue from Godric, Rowena opened the envelope and pulled out the letter.

Miss Rowena Ravenclaw
Gryffindor Manor
Godric’s Hollow

Dear Miss Ravenclaw,

My name is Jacob Crossly. It has taken me a while to find you, but I felt it necessary to contact you and inform you that your mother, the beloved Elizabeth Ravenclaw, passed on early in the summer.

The family farm has been passed down to your two brothers- Albert, 12 and George, 9. As both Albert and George are still minors, your presence is requested at Crossly Manor on midsummer’s eve for the reading of the will and the signing over of all property.

If you are unable to attend please send word.

Kind regards,

Jacob Crossly

Rowena put the letter down with shaking hands and looked up at Godric who had his head bowed.

‘I’m terribly sorry,’ he whispered, stepping close towards her and wrapping his arms around her. ‘I shall take you across the forest. We shall leave soon, so you may see your brothers.’

Rowena said nothing, just cried onto his shoulder.

~*~

Author Again: Yeah- I know- I should've put a tissue warning...

[dumbleedore]

It had been two years since Rowena had seen Glenbrook Fields and as she and Godric came out of the forest she sighed.

‘So much time, so little changes,’ she whispered as Godric came crashing out of the woods, dragging back memories of when they met. He stood beside her, shaking leaves and branches off himself, making Rowena smile in spite of herself.

‘Right, shall we?’ He asked, offering her his arm.

‘We shall,’ she said, linking her arm with his and heading down the hill towards the back of the farm. As they drew closer a loud gasp was heard, followed by the thudding of tools.

And Rowena found herself facing her brothers. Gone were the little boys of her memories- the two in front of her had grown up considerably and were staring her up and down, the look on their face showing utter disbelif.

‘Mama… mama said you weren’t coming back,’ Albert whispered, stepping closer to Rowena, as if to check she was real. ‘I knew you would… I know you would…’

Rowena unlinked her arm from Godric’s and dropped down to her knees. Albert and George hesitated for a moment, before rushing forward and wrapping themselves around her neck. Rowena said nothing, just cherished holding her brothers.

[dumbleedore]

Authors Notes: After Easter I should be right for more frequent updates... should...

~*~

‘Where’ve you been, Row?’ Albert asked later that afternoon after they’d made it into the house. Godric and Rowena were seated at the kitchen table as Albert grabbed some food. George had been strangely silent and had gone and locked himself in the barn.

‘I’ve been living in a town just through the forest. Godric’s Hollow,’ she explained, catching Albert’s eyes flicking over to Godric. Rowena braced herself for the next question- surely he had to ask it…

‘And, sorry, but, who are you?’ Albert said to Godric. Godric looked at Rowena and gave her a small wink.

‘I, er, I’m Rowena’s husband,’ he said, making Albert drop the plate of biscuits he’d been holding.

‘Pardon?’ He asked. Rowena quickly pulled her jaw off the ground and looked at her brother.

‘That’s right, Albert,’ she said cautiously, without looking at Godric. ‘When mother and I had our argument she didn’t realised that Godric here had already proposed marriage- that’s why I didn’t want to get married. Once I fled, Godric and I were wed and have been ever since.’

‘I don’t like it,’ George said suddenly, making the three of them jump. ‘Why didn’t you tell mother, Rowena?’

‘I- I wish I could say, George,’ Rowena said, pretending to look ashamed. ‘I made a lot of mistakes.’

‘And you think you can make it all right by coming back suddenly?’

‘I never once said I was trying to make things right- I’ve missed you both terribly over the past two years.’

‘Then why did you wait until now to come back? Why did you wait until the eve of the signing over of the farm? If you’re coming to claim the farm, you can have it. Albert and I have worked like slaves to get this place running again. You can have it if you want it- I want to get out of here.’

A stunned silence greeted the end of George’s speech. Rowena stood up and looked at her youngest brother.

‘You’re right, George. I deliberately waited until my mother had died before I came back to try and steal the land and house from underneath my brothers. I’m that selfish. And now I’m going to kick you both out and keep it to myself,’ Rowena paused to take a breath and George stared at her. ‘I’m joking, you daft git. I want nothing to do with this farm- I never did. You boys can have it. I’m only here because they need me to be present at the reading of the will. And I wanted to see you.’

George said nothing, just turned and left the room and stormed outside, back to the barn.

‘Honestly, Row, that’s been the most George has said since mother died.’

‘How lovely for me,’ Rowena said, wearily, sitting back down.

‘Albert, do you know much about the reading of wills?’ Godric asked. Albert shook his head. ‘Can you tell me where I can get in touch with Mr Crossly then? I think it would be best if Rowena signed the paperwork she needed to and left immediately- I feel that today has been incredibly draining on her.’

Albert quickly gave Godric directions to Crossly Manor and, after kissing Rowena for appearances, he headed out the door.

[dumbleedore]

Authors Notes: I have finished my course! WHOOT! More time for writing! And updating!

Oh- might need a small tissue warning

~*~

After Godric left, Albert headed out to the barn to talk to George, leaving Rowena alone in the house. She felt like a stranger as she wandered around, never having realised how small the house actually was. She sat down on her mothers bed and looked around the room, her eyes catching on some paper hidden behind a bowl on the desk in the corner. Apologising silently to her mother as she did so, she pulled the paper out, to discover they were in fact three envelopes, addressed to Rowena, Albert and George.

Without wasting an instant, Rowena tore into the envelope addressed to her.

My dearest Rowena,

I do hope this letter finds you. I have had people searching for you- I hope they find you and give you this letter.

Rowena- I miss you. You’re my only daughter and you’ve left me, far sooner than I wanted you to. I wish I knew where you had gone. But wishing can’t buy me much. I’ve been wishing for a lot of things lately and nothing is going my way.

I’m ill, Row. I have been for years. I have been since before you left. That’s why I wanted you to get married to a good man, like Jacob Crossly. He could have provided for you and the boys long after I’m gone. I’m not going to be here for much longer, Row.

I have one request of you. One that I know you will fulfil. I want you to be in best in whatever you decide to do. You’ve always been a smart girl, Rowena. Smart and headstrong. Like I was when I was your age.

I know I probably never said this when I had you in my life, but I have to say it now. I am so terribly proud of you and I love you. One day we will meet again. You will see. We never know what will happen to us once we die.

Love you always,

Mother

‘Row?’ Albert called softly, knocking on the door. Rowena dried her eyes and stood up as Albert came in. ‘Godric’s back. There’s nothing you need to do. You can go home if you want.’

‘Here,’ Rowena said, handing her brother the other two letters. ‘They’re from mum.’

She hugged her brother quickly and headed back outside to were Godric was waiting in the yard. Godric said nothing, just draped his arm over her shoulder as they walked up into the forest. Once they were hidden by the trees they both turned and looked out over the town.

‘We can come back,’ he said softly and Rowena shook her head.

‘No. I’ve made my peace,’ she replied. Godric beamed down at her.

‘Excellent- because I have a proposal to make.’

‘My brothers think you already have made a proposal,’ Rowena said slyly as they turned and started to walk slowly away.

‘What else was I meant to say!’ Godric said indignantly and Rowena laughed.

‘Nothing, my love. You did it perfectly. So what’s this proposal?’

‘Not here. Tomorrow night, Sal is coming over. And he’s bringing a friend. And we want to talk to you.’

‘Me?’

‘Yes, you.’

‘About?’

‘My proposal,’ Godric said, making Rowena laugh. ‘All answers will be revealed in good time, Miss Ravenclaw.’

‘Shouldn’t that be Mrs Gryffindor?’

[dumbleedore]

Rowena, as per Godric’s instructions, arrived in the dining room at 7pm the following evening. Sal and his visitor were to be arriving at around 7pm and Rowena was slightly apprehensive as to what this proposal actually was.

The doorbell rang shortly after Rowena arrived in the dining room and Godric went flying past her, making her giggle. He came back a few moments later with Salazar and a woman Rowena did not recognise.

‘Sal,’ Rowena said fondly, kissing him on the cheek. ‘You’re well I hope?’

‘Always am,’ Salazar replied. ‘Rowena, this is Helga Hufflepuff. Helga, this is Rowena Ravenclaw.’

‘Rowena, I’ve heard so much about you,’ Helga said warmly, embracing Rowena. As they stepped apart, Rowena smiled at this woman. She wasn’t a very tall woman, she was a lot shorter than Rowena, but she had a kind, warm face and seemed to be just bursting with energy.

‘Shall we eat?’ Godric asked, indicating to the table which had been laid out with an exquisite banquet. They all murmured in agreement and the next hour was spent devouring the wonderful meal the house elf’s had made, until they were all stuffed full.

‘Right, so am I going to find out what this is about or not?’ Helga asked, leaning forward and looking at Salazar. ‘You said something about a proposal.’

‘Yes,’ Godric said, standing up and clapping his hands together. ‘Sal and I have had a wonderful idea.’

‘This should be good,’ Helga muttered to Rowena and Rowena bit her lip to stop herself from laughing out loud.

‘It was Row who got my mind thinking,’ Godric said, beaming at Rowena. ‘A Muggle born needs to learn magic. Row was lucky enough to meet me, but a lot of Muggle borns don’t get the chance to learn magic!’

‘And it’s the same with Pure bloods,’ Sal put in, his lip curling slightly. ‘Teaching methods between Pure blood family’s differ.’

‘So, basically, we’re suggesting we open a school of magic,’ Godric said. Rowena and Helga just stared at Godric and Salazar. ‘Well…’

‘How does this involve us?’ Helga asked.

‘We need two other capable people to help us run the school. And we didn’t know anyone more capable than the two of you. Row- you’ve learnt magic in two years, a feat none of us managed. And Helga- well, you’re an expert on magical plants. You’re the smartest witches around and we need you.’

Helga and Rowena glowed at the compliments.

‘We have a site picked out. Come, look at it with us and then you can sleep on it.’

[dumbleedore]

Authors Notes: My god- two updates in two days!!! So rare now

This one is a little short, but the story picks up heaps from here on in... shan't say no more...

~*~

‘We’ll go first,’ Godric said to Rowena, pulling a small key out of his pocket. ‘We’ve got Portkey’s for you girls too, if you decide to do this with us.’

Rowena placed her pink finger on the key and felt the hook like grab around her naval and felt herself being pulled forward. She landed on the ground a few moments later and crashed into Godric, who covered her eyes with his hand.

‘Are you ready for this?’ He whispered into her ear.

‘Ready as I’ll ever be,’ Rowena replied as Godric removed his hand. Rowena gasped.

High above them, on a cliff, was a huge castle, fully lit against the black night sky. A lake surrounded the cliff and castle.

‘Oh, wow!’ She murmured. ‘It’s beautiful- how did you find this place?’

‘Sal found it- completely by accident. He bought me up here, just after I met you. We lived here whilst we fixed it up for several months. It’s Hogwarts Castle- we have no idea where it came from, who built it or why it’s called Hogwarts, but it’s-’

‘Perfect,’ Rowena finished, smiling at Godric, who placed his arm around her shoulders just as Helga and Salazar arrived on Sal’s Portkey.

‘Oh, wow!’ Helga exclaimed. ‘Sal- this is perfect!’

Rowena and Godric just smiled to each other.

‘Shall we go up there?’ Godric said and both Rowena and Helga shook their heads.

‘There’s no need,’ Rowena said.

‘I’ve made up my mind,’ Helga added.

‘Let’s do it,’ they both said at once.

‘Fantastic,’ Godric said. ‘Well, let’s go back and we’ll sort out a few more details.’

[dumbleedore]

The talking went well into the early hours of the morning- Rowena hadn’t thought that opening a school could have so much detail, and by 3am, she was almost ready to say that she wanted out. The arguments had been circular and they were still stuck on how to get the students to Hogwarts.

‘We could send letters to the students,’ Godric suggested. ‘And have the letter be a Portkey that leaves at a certain time.’

‘Then we’ve got the problem of hundreds of people turning up at once on different Portkeys. Very confusing.’

‘We spread them out- one every five minutes.’

‘But then it’ll take forever.’

‘Have you got a better idea, Sal?’ Godric asked, rubbing his forehead. ‘Cause if you do, I would love to hear it.’

‘I think we should leave this and talk about the admission rules,’ Salazar said.

‘What do you mean, ‘admission rules’?’

‘Who we let in,’ he said slowly and carefully.

‘Everyone with magical ability’s,’ Rowena said strongly- she had a feeling she wouldn’t like what Salazar was about to say.

‘And how do we explain to muggle parents where we’re taking their child for seven years?’ He asked Rowena. ‘Muggles are terrified of Magic, Rowena. Witch burnings have doubled- no, tripled- in the past few years. They could hunt us down and destroy us.’

‘The Witch burnings are because the Muggles don’t understand us!’ Rowena exclaimed. ‘Muggles are like wizards- if they don’t understand something they have to destroy it! We could help the Muggle born student’s family’s understand our world. Understanding is the key to acceptance.’

‘The wizarding world is separate from that of the Muggles for a reason, Rowena. They don’t like us. Plain and simple.’

‘Aren’t you even willing to try and bridge the gap between the two worlds?’ Rowena asked softly. Salazar sat back in his chair and folded his arms and just stared at her, saying nothing. ‘Obviously not.’

‘Sal- I agree with Row,’ Godric said. ‘We have to give everyone the chance to learn magic. Equal opportunity’s for all.’

‘Fine- but I’ll remember this when they destroy us,’ Salazar spat at Godric.

‘I think we should leave it here for tonight,’ Helga put in suddenly. ‘It’s been a long night. Let’s go home, get some sleep and meet up tomorrow.’

‘Fine,’ Salazar snapped, getting up and striding out. Helga rolled her eyes at him and, after a quick smile at Rowena, followed him. Godric and Rowena remained seated for a few moments, before getting up at the same time and slowly heading upstairs.

‘Don’t worry about Sal,’ Godric said reassuringly. ‘He’s not terribly fond of Muggles.’

‘He must think I’m the scum of the earth,’ Rowena said miserably.

‘If he does, he’s hiding it well,’ Godric said, giving Rowena a quick hug outside her bedroom door. ‘I don’t want to hear any noise until lunchtime- agreed?’

‘Agreed,’ Rowena said tiredly, heading into her bedroom and collapsing onto her bed and straight into a deep sleep.

[dumbleedore]

Authors Notes:

~*~

The castle lights were shimmering in the moonlight, giving the grass an eerie glow. Rowena stepped out of the boat that she had been rowing around the lake and climbed up a hundred steps and let herself into the castle. She entered the entrance hall and shuddered- there were snakes coming from all over. And in the middle stood a man, covered from head to toe in snakes.

‘Row, should you row row row your boat gently across the lake,’ the man said, laughing slyly. He looked a lot like Salazar. ‘The students have been waiting for you.’

The room melted away, to be replaced by a classroom, with a snake sitting at each desk staring at her. She tried to step backward away from them, but run directly into Salazar, who had a snake curled around his head.

‘Don’t leave them, Rowena. You fought so strongly to have them come to the school.’

The room melted away again and Rowena was suddenly in a large stone chamber, the walls covered with drawings of snakes.

‘Welcome, to my lair, Rowena. Now you shall die.’

[dumbleedore]

Rowena awoke with a start, and in doing so, hit her head on the headboard of her bed. Cursing and holding the spot she hit, she climbed out of bed and was blinded by sunlight. Grabbing her wand, she used it to draw the blinds and she sat back down on the bed and sighed, wondering what on earth her dream had meant. Where had all the snakes come from?

Slowly she got up again and quickly changed her clothes and headed downstairs.

‘I don’t care what you think!’ She heard someone yell from the drawing room and she quickly headed in there. Godric and Salazar were standing about a foot apart, both looking furious. Helga sat over the other side of the room, fidgeting, as if she wanted to jump in and hit them both.

‘What is going on!’ Rowena exclaimed. Godric jumped- he hadn’t realised she was there. ‘If this is a continuation of last nights argument you are both pathetic.’

‘Agreed,’ Helga said. ‘Can’t you just agree to disagree?’

‘Fine,’ Salazar and Godric said together, sitting down at opposite ends of the room.

‘Now, what have I missed?’

‘A lot of arguing,’ Helga replied, shooting both of the men a look. ‘But we did decide on one thing, that we need your vote on. We want to begin the first students on September 1st. Any child who turns 11 before September 30th will be admitted as a first year student.’

‘But what about older children?’ Rowena asked. ‘Didn’t we agree on equal opportunity?’

‘It would be too hard to get everything in order,’ Helga said. ‘As it is, September 1st is only two months away. We cannot possibly find every magical child in Britain in that time. We’ll just concentrate on the 11 year olds for now- then next year we’ll bring the second lot in. In seven years we’ll have our first graduating class.’

‘How will we find these children then?’

‘My brother in law is the Chancellor of Magic- he can give me access to the magical list of all magical children,’ Salazar said. ‘Including those of Muggle heritage.’

‘I’ll ignore that tone,’ Rowena said, glaring at Salazar.

‘We also decided,’ Helga said loudly. ‘That you and Godric shall travel to the castle and begin preparations. Sal and I will begin contacting our students.’

‘How will you explain that you’re not just trying to kidnap the children? And how will the students get there?’

‘Portkeys, like Ric suggested,’ Helga supplied. ‘In the form of a letter with the details. We figured the best way to let first years know everything is a letter and visit from one of us. Sal is going to get the list and then we’re going to go and visit everyone whilst you two fix up the castle. We reckon it’ll take us a week- so let’s say in one weeks time we meet at the castle and look at what else needs to be done.’

‘You’ve had a busy morning,’ Rowena said with a smile. ‘Was anybody going to come and wake me?’

‘I tried,’ Godric said, smiling. ‘You were out like the dead.’

‘He thought you had died, he means,’ Sal said disinterestedly. ‘Got quite panicked.’

Rowena and Helga both shrieked as a jet of orange light streaked across the room from Godric’s wand and his Salazar- turning him into a walrus.

‘Have fun, Sal,’ Godric said, grabbing Rowena’s arm and dragging her out of the drawing room and upstairs. ‘I shouldn’t have done that- the spell will wear off soon- but he just pushed too many buttons.’

‘Don’t explain yourself to me- I was on the verge of turning him into a Yak myself.’

[dumbleedore]

Rowena and Godric spent the afternoon packing- Helga had tied a rope around Walrus Salazar and dragged him away, promising to be at Hogwarts Castle in a week. The sun was starting to sink behind the horizon as Rowena dragged her large trunk down the stairs and left it just inside the front door. She began to mentally kick herself for all the hard work a few moments later, when Godric levitated his trunk down the stairs.

‘Not a word,’ she said to Godric as he smirked at her. ‘How are we getting the trunks to the castle?’

‘One of the house elves will floo them over- we have to get there and check out the condition of the fire places first,’ Godric explained, pulling out two small golden keys from his pocket and giving one to Rowena. ‘I’ll meet you there- this is your persona-’

The Portkey came into effect halfway through his sentence and Godric was gone. Rowena had enough time to roll her eyes, before she felt the hook like sensation around her naval and she was pulled forwards, landing on the same grassy patch as last time.

‘Come on,’ Godric said, grabbing her hand and dragging her along. ‘We’ve got to get across the lake.’

They walked for several minutes, before they came to a small dock, which had two small row boats tied to it. They climbed into one and Godric pulling out his wand and charmed the boat to row itself.

‘Lazy,’ Rowena said, rolling her eyes.

‘Muggle,’ Godric replied, earning himself a quick slap.

‘Not funny.’

‘Sorry Row- you have to admit, it was well timed after the trunk.’

‘Just shut up and row- I mean, shut up and do nothing,’ Rowena said, rolling her eyes. She was going to pay for not levitating her trunk for weeks.

‘You know- this would be a nice way to start the year,’ Godric said, leaning back and hanging his legs over the side of the boat. ‘Giving the students a portkey to the field and then bringing them across the lake on the boats.’

‘Especially if we bring them later in the day,’ she said, marvelling at the beautiful sunset. ‘Can you just imagine sailing across here, watching a full moon rise over the lake?’

‘I can. But I’d rather be crossing the lake at sunset with a beautiful woman. Kinda like tonight,’ he said and Rowena smiled- he really could be sweet. ‘Except she’d have red hair.’

‘So charming,’ she said, rolling her eyes again. ‘I do think you’ve got a good idea- bringing them across the lake. It is beautiful.’

The boat bumped slightly and Rowena looked around behind herself. They had stopped in a shallow harbour, overhung with rocks and with a stone stairwell. Godric climbed out of the boat first and offered Rowena his hand.

‘Shall we?’

‘We shall.’