Fic: Beginning of the End
Title: Beginning of the End
Author: interpretthis
Fandom: Harry Potter
Rating: G
Genre: Gen
Characters: Founders, OC
Summary: Simon's shift at the Leaky Caldron is interrupted by the arrival of four strange wizards.
Notes: For
30minutefics's challenge #165, The Leaky Challege.
November 20, 1150
The evening at the Leaky Caldron had been so far uneventful. Old wizards had been in to down their firewhiskeys, muttering and flipping through newspapers as Simon Trimble scrubbed glass after dirty glass at the bar. It wasn’t until well after midnight that four cloaked figures made their way in from the snow and asked for a private room. Simon hesitated, unwilling to support black dealings but unsure how to go about refusing them. He led them to a back room, peripherally watching the group settle into large winged armchairs as he started and stoked a healthy fire in the grate.
“Godric,” the tallest of the bunch hissed. “I know how vehemently you feel about my selectiveness. I am not willing and never will be willing to teach filth.” The man turned to the figure on his right. “Rowena takes the lot. That should be enough for you.” The man’s voice was cruel, sneering.
The man named Godric spoke then, and Simon could tell even from his whisper that had he had his way, his voice would be booming into every nook and cranny of the room.
“Prejudice is never to be encouraged Salazar. You take students of all blood or none at all.” The man’s hand tightened over the arm of his chair, large gold ring pushing into the polished wood. “I never wanted it to go this far, but if you continue to advocate sole pureblood admittance, I will end you before our school turns from educational and nurturing to a breeding ground for fiends and,” the man’s voice turned acidic “serpents.”
The man named Salazar let out a low hiss, glancing over to Simon, obviously aching to grab Godric at the throat but unwilling to do so with such company.
A figure in blue robes spoke. Simon could tell from the voice that she was female.
“While Godric may have taken an extreme view of things,” the woman glanced fleetingly at Godric, “I can’t say I don’t agree with him Salazar. You either allow every child in or none at all.”
The woman named Rowena nodded softly next to her. “They’re right Salazar. We can’t let Hogwarts fall due to such inter-house contention.”
Salazar had been growing ever more furious throughout the conversation, breaths coming in rough pants and thin, spidery fingers curling and flexing together. His hood fell as he stood, revealing stark white skin, ebony hair, and piercing black eyes that shone with hatred.
“Hogwarts will regret this moment. Whether you three live to see it or not, the consequences of your mistake here tonight will fall upon the school, and I won’t be there any longer to stop them. Nor,” his lip curled menacingly, “will I have any particular wish to. Mudblood filth will not last at Hogwarts. Someday you will see. All we need is to stay pure. Eradicate the grime and all will be right with the wizarding world again, you mark my words.”
Salazar spat at their feet and fled, pushing out the door in a rush of black and emerald robes. The trio left behind did not speak. Salazar’s words hung in the air, slowly fading into the crackling of the fire. After a moment, Simon stood from his kneeling position on the hearth, knees cracking, joints protesting. He walked silently from the room, wondering about the curious man and his icy promise. What a strange night.