Chapter Text
There had been another burning that morning. Salazar could smell it heavy in the air before he even got to the center of the town. Just a child by the look of the husk. He ducked his head away and lead his horse down the muddy roads. Only knights and witch hunters could ride in towns. His last town had started getting suspicious of him and it was time to move on. Find a new one in need of a simple beasts master. Sal’s lips quipped into a smile as he rubbed his hound, Hopscotch, behind the ear. His parents had sent him to hide after the fall of the wizarding crown, and much of his spells had been learned on the road but there was nothing simple about him even among his own.
He should owl his parents. See if they were alive still.
Salazar glanced up at the sound of approaching footsteps. A large war horse walked past him, mud matting it’s main and tail. The man in the saddle was slumped over in exhaustion. Tattered gold and scarlet robes over armor. Golden lion painted on a red shield.
Sir Gryffindor the witch hunter.
Salazar quickly stepped aside. There hadn't been any words of witch hunters when he scoped out this town. He could leave, but that could arouse more suspicion. The hunter might not even be staying.
He could kill the hunter.
Salazar watched Sir Gryffindor ride away. It would be easy with the man being half asleep. He shook his head and continued on his way to the Baron's stables. Not in the middle of town. He wouldn’t find a safe place till he left the country if anyone saw him draw his wand. Sir Gryffindor drew to many eyes to him. Someone to mind the hounds and horses that’s all he was to be here. A small room in a little house that he didn’t imagine he’d see much of anyway or Mr. Hufflepuff. A bard that didn’t wander as ‘H. Hufflepuff cared far too much for their gardens and the town's children’ sounded like an agreeable housemate.
The rode up to the stables was riddled with mud and small game that Hopscotch chased after tail wagging furiously, but all together one of the more uneventful winding paths he’d ever taken. At least this one didn’t have battles with armed muggles after small witches and wizards fleeing with their families.
Just a cloudy sky that promised even more rain tonight.
The stable boy just waved him off. “Mr. Frederick is out with the Barron on a boar hunt, he won't want any newbie poking around the stables when he’s not here. I’d come back tomorrow morning. Be early.”
Salazar let out a long sigh threw his nose. “See you in the morning then.” Hopscotch ran ahead chasing after rabbits.
- §
Rowena Ravenclaw was more than a little tired of being on the run. There where the weeks of constant rain and the inaccessibility to a good set of bookshelves to set up her library. She missed her house elves and mid morning teas and balls.
Now she had mud up to her knees, her dress skirts were in tatters, and she was out of food. She could transfigure a rock into a sweet bread but the taste wasn’t the same and it never truly satisfied her hunger.
She had tried to warn the wizarding crown of the approaching danger but did they listen?
Nooooo. Why would they listen so someone who had visions? Muggles would never get that bold. They would never beat magic with sheer numbers.
Never.
Idiots.
She looked up as the sky rumbled.
Of course.
- §
Helga scurried around to make sure that every plant that was not currently locked in her room was of normal muggle stock. Herbs for cooking and medicine, and flowers. Normal muggle flowers for a normal muggle woman. A normal muggle woman who’s kindly old landlord had told her two days ago that one of the spare rooms was going to be rented out. Just an S. Slytherin. Beast master, kept to themselves. Had a dog and a cat but they were well mannered.
Helga admitted the idea of having a dog around was exciting. Maybe even liked the idea of another woman to talk to, but still. Constantly hiding magic in her own home. Doing the dishes by hand .
Then again if Ms. Salazar would be busy at work then perhaps Helga could just wait till the home was hers again during the day.
She jumped at the knock on the door. There was dirt from her pots all over the floor. “Just a moment!” She called before hissing “ Tergeo ,” under her breath and tucking her wand back up her sleeve. The dirt cleaned itself out the back door. “Hi you must be Missss....uhm can I help you?” Helga left her hand in the air for an awkwardly long time as the man at the door blinked at her.
“Uhm, is your husband home?”
“Can’t say I’m married.” Helga forced a laugh putting her hand back down. “I’m sorry I was expecting a Ms. Slytherin.”
“I’m Slytherin.” The man said blinking, shifting the saddlebags on his shoulder. “I uhm, has there been some sort of mistake?” A wet black nose poked out from behind the man with a soft ‘wuff’.
They both looked up as thunder rumbled overhead. “Probably, but we can at least work it out inside.” Helga stood aside, smiling at the scruffy hound that sniffed at her as it trotted in. “The Thorps will be joining us for dinner, we can have it all sorted then.”
She glanced up at the small black kitten that had it’s head poking out of the bag. “A mouser?”
“Hopefully eventually.” Slytherin gently set his packs down. “I’ll refrain from settling till we get everything sorted. Are we expecting anyone else to join us?”
“No, shouldn’t be.” Helga shook her head. “Why don’t you relax, you’ve been on the road. I’ll fix you a cuppa tea.” She headed back to the kitchen. She glanced over her shoulder to make sure he wasn’t following her. Just slip a bit of potion into the kettle and Mr. Slytherin would be agreeable to just about anything. Within reason of course, but it would clear up this whole having a strange man live in her spare room.
She made sure it was nice and warm when she handed it to him, smiling at the kitten curled in his lap and the dog at his feet. “What are their names?” she asked as he took a long grateful drink.
“The hound is Hopscotch, and this is Inkblot. Found him on the road on the way here, getting ran out of town.” Salazar shook his head as the kitten purred. “He likes the bag with all my field journals and quills best.”
“Cute,” Helga nodded as the man’s shoulders relaxed and leaned back against the couch.
“You know I thought you were a man.” He said idly. Long roads always gave her potions a stronger effect.
“We’ll get it sorted.” Helga smiled and brushed it off. “Where are you from?”
“Ireland,” Salazar said threw a small yawn. “Sorry, must be more tired than I thought.”
“It’s alright. You can sleep if you want, I’ll wake you in time for dinner.” Helga nodded back to the first floor room. Let him sleep so he wouldn’t see or hear her spells. She was getting her house back.
The both looked out the window at the crack of thunder.
Maybe he could stay the night. The storm was awful.
“There’s a bedroom down the hall, first door to the right.”
The man finished his cup of tea and carefully sat up stepping over the new snoring mutt on the floor, holding his kitten in one hand. “I’ll see you at dinner then.”
Helga crept after him a bit later, peeking in to ensure the man was asleep before whispering spells to keep him that way. He didn’t even twitch, little black cat curled up on his chest. Time to really hide all the magic in the house.
Helga shook Salazar’s shoulder once she could hear the carriage of her land lords pulling up the path. “Get washed up.” She took a breath preparing to calmly and politely demand to know why they sent a man to live with her as her front door opened after a short knock.
Her mouth snapped shut.
“It’d be no problem at all Sir Gryffindor. How long do you think you’ll be staying? There’s plenty of rooms here.” Lord Thorps patted the young knight on the back with a withered hand. “Helga here has the best tea, it’ll take the road ache right out of you.”
Some random man was one thing but a witch hunter. “My lord, do you really intend to send two men to live with me?”
The Thorps smiled at kindly and Helga couldn’t help but feel as though she was missing something.
“Why don’t we get dinner set out dear,” Lady Thorps beckoned her into the kitchen. “Now dear, I know it’s a bit of a shock but people are starting to talk. The children flock to you and you cure just about every illness that comes through, now this wouldn’t be a problem if you...well dear. Without a husband you look like a...like a witch .” She hissed that last part. “Now we know you’re not. But a handsome young man staying here will at least look like you’re taken and with a witch hunter as well, darling no one will doubt your purity.” She glanced up as Salazar crossed back into view, dark hair rebraided and face and hands clean. “And he’s not bad looking.”
Helga wasn’t to apparate to anywhere else but that kitchen. Her landlords we’re trying to set her up.
She welcomed the knock at the door.
The woman looked like a drowned rat, soaked to the bone and dripping just inside the entryway. Sir Gryffindor quickly pulled his own cloak off and wrapped it around her shoulders. “My Lady, why were you out in this storm? Are you alright?” His eyes were far too wide in concern for someone who burned children for a living.
“My carriage was attacked by bandits several miles from here. I ran as fast as I could to get away–,”
Helga took the woman under her arm. “I have some dry dresses you might fit. Please, start without us.”
“We can wait,” Sir Gryffindor promised. “Take all the time you need. Let me know if there’s anything I can do.” He took a step forward but stopped when Hopscotch growled.
“Sorry, he doesn't really like strangers all that much.” Salazar rubbed the dog’s ears and the growl softened.
Helga nodded, not about to point out that the dog had been perfectly fine with her. “Tea’s on the kettle.” She called over her shoulder as she lead the woman up the stairs and to the wash room. “So, welcome to dinner. My name is Helga Hufflepuff. And yours?”
“Rowena Ravenclaw. Thank you.”