A Late Night Meeting (Helga/Alfie/Salazar)

[Rowena Ravenclaw]

The door of the staff room swung open and Rowena entered the room, her long cloak flowing behind her. She lowered herself into the nearest armchair, letting out a small tired sigh. She was the first to arrive to their little late night meeting. Salazar and Helga had yet to come, Alfie was supposed to arrive any moment and Godric was away - fighting for goblins, merepeople or some other endangered creatures.

Rowena glanced towards the door. She was nervous, Alfie and Salazar were supposed to sit in the same room and actually talk to each other. They hadn't been together in the same room ever since Alfie became the Headmaster. It was going to be an interesting night for all of them. Rowena could only pray that things would end up well.

After a few moments of silence, the door opened and a well-known person entered the room. Rowena looked up and greeted the newcomer with a warm smile.

[Helga Artemis Hufflepuff]

"This tackuralukaka (girl) is stubborn," she told herself while gazing deep inside the mirror.

Amunet, named after the Mythical Goddess of Mystery, was getting tired of having to deal with Helga. The young Founder was not yet ready to be fully controlled - she kept fighting to no avail. They both knew it but Helga refused to admit it. Amunet was better, stronger, smarter and confident in her abilities. She had already deceived Helga's fiance and was sure the rest of the world would be as easy because she could tap into Helga's memories and knowledge.

A dainty owl flew inside her quarters and dropped a scroll of parchment on her desk. With the air of Egyptian royalty, Amunet picked the scroll and started reading. Her eyes narrowed for a moment, but Helga soon told her everything she needed to know. She could use the tournament to her advantage and perhaps even make allies, especially from Durmstrang - from what she had learnt from Helga they were essentially darker.

Casting one glance at the atfal (children) Amunet changed into something more comfortable; a gown which resembled Ancient Egyptian clothing. Satisfied she passed a hand through her straight hair; gone were the unruly curls. She wished Helga's mane had been dark instead of blonde but she would have to make do. Amunet took a moment to remind herself not to use Egyptian or Arabic before setting off to the staff room. When she opened the door, Rowena's smile greeted her.

"Good evening. What a lovely leil (night)," she said in response.

Noticing her mistake she was quick to add, "Since Cornictacus brought me this necklace from Egypt I have taken an interest in their language and culture. It's truly fascinating."

[Rowena Ravenclaw]

Rowena couldn't believe her eyes. What on earth had happened to Helga? She looked different: new dress, different hair style (Rowena could hardly believe that Helga's curls were gone); it looked good on her, but Rowena was wondering what were the causes for such a sudden change.

"Is that a new dress?" Rowena asked, looking directly at her friend. The smile vanished from Rowena's face and she narrowed her eyes slightly when Helga spoke in a different language. As far as Rowena knew, her friend could speak English and French and most certainly not Egyptian or Arabic or whatever language it was. The dark haired witch raised an eyebrow quizzically and she was about to ask her friend about the sudden change, when Helga spoke again.

Rowena laughed; it was a perfect explanation. After all, who knew better than her how interesting and amusing learning new things was. "Then you'll have something to talk about with Alfie. He used to live in Egypt and I'm certain that he is well acquainted with their language and culture." The brunette then turned her attention to the necklace around Helga's neck. "It's beautiful." she said. "I don't think I've ever seen anything like that before."

[Helga Artemis Hufflepuff]

For a moment Amunet feared the worse; she was worried that Rowena would see past her charade and expose her especially because the Priestess knew how close the two female founders were. Her facial expression never faltered. Instead she simply smiled.

"It is. Do you like it?" she asked before playfully twirling.

It was a new action to her, but knew that Helga often did it when showcasing her new gowns. Amunet had to admit it was interesting as it made her feel somewhat giggly. She turned to face Rowena, her pale cheeks glowing pink. Smiling, she took a seat beside the older woman.

"Really? He did? How fascinating. I will most certainly ask him a few things when I get the chance."

Fiddling with her necklace she replied, "It is rather pretty. It belong to one of Pharaoh Seti's Priestesses. I wonder what was like at his court."

And she really did wonder. Amuten had not been a Priestess long enough to experience it.

[Rowena Ravenclaw]

Rowena's thin eyebrows rose slightly, but it was the only change in her expression. She was still smiling warmly at her friend. The dress was beautiful, but it was something that she thought Helga would never wear. However, people changed, especially when they had good reasons for it. And the thirst for knowledge was the best possible reason. "I like it very much." Rowena said. "It is a bit... different than the clothes you usually wear. But I really like it." Rowena quickly added, hoping that she wouldn't hurt her friend's feelings.

Rowena had to laugh again. Helga was the kindest person she had ever met, always ready to help, sweet and playful as a child. These were probably the main reasons why Rowena cared so much about her. The older witch leaned back in her chair, her dark eyes following Helga as she sat next to her.

"Yes, he did." she replied. "I thought I've already told you that..." Rowena frowned slightly, eying Helga suspiciously. Then she just shrugged. "I apologise, I am really tired. I thought that I've already told you, but I obviously haven't. My, I have grown old..." she let out a small chuckle. "Well, he should be joining us tonight. You may ask him after the meeting." Rowena's dark eyes widened at the thought of the ancient Egypt, the Pharaoh and his palace. "It must have been an interesting life." she said. "Probably filled with lies, plots and intrigue." she made a guess, looking at Helga. "I doubt that either of us would have liked it."

[Helga Artemis Hufflepuff]

"Change is needed once in a while," she replied calmly.

Amunet folded one leg over the other and started fiddling with her golden coil necklace. She was not liking the look on Rowena's face but remained silent as the woman decided if she had told her about Alphard or not. Amunet knew that Helga was trying to deceive her, trying to make those around her suspicious.

Do not play tricks on me tackuralukaka. If you don't behave I will make your body mine and you will never see your husband or children again, Helga heard Amunet's voice echo midst her thoughts.

Her stance stiffened at Rowena's comments and she mumbled, "I wouldn't have minded living it. But it's too late now."

The words were laced with bitterness.

[Rowena Ravenclaw]

"I have to admit that you've surprised me." Rowena answered honestly. "But you are right, change is indeed needed once in a while." Rowena focused her gaze on Helga's necklace. Yes, it was a beautiful piece of jewelry, but the younger witch seemed to be particularly fascinated with it. Perhaps because it was a gift from Cornictacus and everyone knew how much Helga loved him. Alfie usually gave Rowena books, rather than jewels or clothes, but it was only because Rowena preferred books to shiny things.

The next comment, mumbled so quietly that Rowena might have missed it, had she not been sitting next to Helga. She frowned, utterly confused. Helga, sweet innocent Helga would like to have lived in ancient Egypt? "Yes, two or three thousand years too late." she replied, more aggressively than the way she usually talked to Helga. Perhaps certain changes weren't needed, after all...

[Helga Artemis Hufflepuff]

Noticing that Rowena's eyes lingered on her necklace, Amunet let her hand fall in her lap. It had been centuries since she had felt close to her nation - and touching the necklace was one way of expressing it - however she had no intention of letting that compromise her position.

The brunette's response did not surprise her, still she forced her face to morph into a startled expression. Helga was too soft and innocent; and impersonating her was painful for the Priestess. She placed a hand on top of Rowena's and looked up, her eyes betraying fake concern.

"Have I upset you?" she questioned confused.

[Rowena Ravenclaw]

Rowena noticed that her constant staring at her friend's necklace had made Helga lower her hand. Perhaps she was being impolite, after all it was only a piece of jewelry - nothing more than than.

When Helga turned her eyes to Rowena and placed her hand on top of Rowena's, the older witch suddenly felt ashamed. She felt sorry for what she had done, she had been too harsh on Helga. Her best friend didn't deserve such behaviour and Rowena most certainly didn't want to hurt her feelings.

"I'm sorry, Helga." she said, squeezing the young woman's hand with her free hand. "I didn't mean to hurt you or make you feel uncomfortable." Rowena offered a weak apologetic smile. "No, you haven't upset me, don't worry. I hope I haven't upset you?"

[Helga Artemis Hufflepuff]

Rowena was ashamed and regretted her actions, that much was obvious from the look on her face. Amunet had been skeptical; she wasn't sure she could pull off an innocent facade, however, she has clearly underestimated her abilities.  She fought back the satisfactory smile that was trying to make its way to her lips. Instead, Amunet softened her expression and returned Rowena's hand-squeeze. Shushing Helga's friend, she surprised both (herself and Helga) by embracing the brunette.

"You haven't upset me," she assured the woman even if deep down Amunet felt offended.

[Rowena Ravenclaw]

A small smile returned to Rowena's face and the dark-haired witch felt much better now that Helga had squeezed her hand and embraced her. Helga's words made Rowena smile even broader and return the hug. Perhaps she hadn't made such a terrible mistake after all. There were times when she behaved like a real snob; she could be so arrogant and cold that she always felt bad about it later. Helga wasn't upset, offended or angry with Rowena and that was the most important thing.

After a few moments, the older witch broke the hug and leaned back in her chair. She cast a quick glance at the clock on the wall and a small frown appeared on her pretty face. "I wonder what happened to Alfie. He should have arrived already."

[Helga Artemis Hufflepuff]

With every passing minute, Amunet reinforced her belief of Helga's naivety. The blonde was too soft and innocent for her own good; Amunet was only planning on using her body until she got her own back, but many would not be that lenient... They could easily manipulate the young founder, trick her, hurt her. Amunet felt sorry for her and almost protective of the temple to her soul that Helga had become.

You are wrong about me, Helga's voice boomed in Amunet's mind.

The priestess did not have the time nor the patience to deal with the blonde's burst of strength. Amunet needed to remain focused on the situation at hand. Taking a deep breath, she looked back at Rowena and then at the door. Both men intrigued her; Alfie for his knowledge about Egypt and Salazar for his ideology (and because she was curious to see the man who Helga had had a crush on for years).

I did not! Helga piped in again.

This time, Amunet had to resist the urge to chuckle.

[Melkor 'Alfie' Valenceus]

Exhausted, Alfie went up to his quarters after the dinner feast. Many of the staff had resigned and others vanished without a trace. In the meantime, Alfie was taking care of the caretaker, grounds keeper and the missing teacher positions that the others could not make it to. Some, those who resigned were amiss about Alfie's presence. Perhaps he had been a bit too forward with some of his decrees. Though they were necessary with as many dark wizards lingering right outside the castle's grounds. He was lucky to have Rowena's profound experience and knowledge of all subjects; she worked the most classes during this brief shortage of staff.

The class that Alfie had closed on before the feast was Defence Against the Dark Arts; the professor had not resigned but he was away on business. Alfie was absolutely livid to see him go. Not to mention how distrustful of the man he was prior to this incident. He had threatened to sack the famous Founder. Though he himself knew it was an empty threat.

A student of Gryffindor's approached him now. He prodded Alfie's shoulder softly. Alfie turned to the boy and growled dangerously, "What is it?"

The boy took a step back, likely fearful of Alfie's reputation as a dark wizard. "I wanted to thank you for the informative lesson, Professor."

Alfie sighed in annoyance and scolded, "Do not treat me as a fool, boy. I know you approach me for another matter entirely. Out with it!"

The boy bowed his head and nodded it before looking up at Alfie again, "I'm sorry to have intruded, sir. But I saw a summon for you on your desk after class, I just wondered if you had forgotten since you aren't going toward the staff room."

Alfie's eyes widened in surprise. He had forgotten all about the meeting, though it was by no accident. He had done his best to put it out of his mind. Another confrontation with Salazar was not what he wanted to look forward to. "Thank you, 100 points for Hufflepuff. Now off to bed, lad."

With that, Alfie bounded back down the staircases. When he reached the staff room door, he was already fifteen minutes late. Sighing another time, he threw open the door. Expecting to meet Salazar's accusive grimace. Instead, it seemed Salazar had put the meeting out of his mind as well. Alfie's spirits lightened. "Good evening, ladies." He took a seat away from Rowena, wanting to be as formal as possible on this particular occassion. "Quite a feast, Helga. Absolutely wonderful! In fact, it reminded me of Egypt. I look forward to more. You see, I'm banished from that land. It is hard to get a good Egyptian meal when you aren't allowed to traverse that area." He laughed heartily. "I am sure Nefertiti- ah, sorry; Lostris. I am sure Lostris enjoyed it as well." Alfie grinned, excessively glad that Salazar was not here to mock his tardiness.

[Salazar Slytherin]

Salazar wasn't too interested in the meeting, he didn't even feel the need to get there early as he was grading more papers, failing numerous students, he shook his head and sighed, sending an owl to a secret location that he never mentioned to the other founders, he enjoyed having his secrets and didn't feel the need to reveal much. He put on his usual clothes for this staff meeting and sighed, that place was full of people he disliked, he had no idea why he had to go nor why it would be so important.

Salazar sighed a bit, leaving his office and the dungeons, part of him wanted to see how his basilisk was doing but it would better to just show up so people couldn't be suspicious. He made his way to the staff room and sighed calmly, his hand on the door, he eventually opened it and saw Alfie and the others, he looked at Alfie for a while. "My my, the headmaster isn't so late this time, quite intriguing." He said with his usual smile as he looked over at the girls.

He looked at Rowena but when he glanced at Helga that's when he looked intensely at her for a while, noticing something strange about her, and he was sure it wasn't just about the dress she was wearing or the food she cooked, he shook his head calmly and went to his usual seat, away from the three others. "So, what is this pointless meeting for Rowena? I got things to do, I believe we all do."

He glanced back at Helga again, Salazar was caressing his chin, trying to understand the sudden change he could feel in her, it was easy to see that she was different if someone stared at her eyes long enough, the usual look of Helga was gone, in there it seemed there was someone a bit bolder and stronger, he shrugged eventually looking back at Alfie and Rowena. He looked at the empty chair of Godric for a while, it was hard to notice but deep down he was a bit worried for his old friend. "That fool is still in a pointless war." he shook his head and eventually looked back at Rowena. "So what's the meeting for?"

[Rowena Ravenclaw]

Rowena's eyes were still focused on Helga when the door opened and a man walked into the room. A large smile appeared on Rowena's face when she saw him. Her Alfie. They had to stay professional and formal, so she wasn't surprised that he sat away from her. "Good evening, headmaster." she greeted him. Rowena narrowed her eyes and looked from Alfie to Helga. The food was delicious, just like everything else Helga made, but she had no idea that it was Egyptian. Her friend had developed some strange fascination with Egypt and she didn't like it.

Rowena almost chuckled at Alfie's satisfied grin. Of course he would be grinning, since Salazar wasn't there. Then she had to wonder where exactly he was, since it was quite unusual for Salazar to be late. Then the door opened and Salazar entered the room. Rowena was ready for his annoying questions and sarcastic remarks this time. "If you find the meeting pointless and have more important things to do, Salazar, just leave." Rowena made a gesture towards the door. "Besides, I have sent you a letter explaining what the meeting is for, but you obviously haven't read it." Rowena was calm and polite. Salazar's eyes stopped on Godric's empty seat and Rowena wondered what he was thinking. Was he actually worried about his former friend?

Rowena resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Instead, her eyes flew from Salazar to Helga and back to Alfie before she started to speak. "As you all should know, because I have already told you" Rowena's eyes focused on Salazar for moment as she spoke "our school will be hosting the first Wizarding Academies' Tournament. The arrangements have been made with the headmasters: Madame Mitrevska and Professor Olaf. The representatives of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will be coming to visit Hogwarts and stay with us until the Tournament ends."