Foundation

Another attack. How could this be? And Salazar had been with her the entire time.

As soon as Helga could be found the three gathered in the blonde's office to discuss their next plan of action. Rowena still felt nauseas; the bright yellows that Helga so favored swirled in dizzying patterns. She rested her head on a jutting stone in the wall next to her, ignoring Helga and Godric's worried looks.

It didn't help that it smelled strongly of some unrecognizable flower--the scent was sickeningly sweet.

Her friend's beautiful face had crumpled into worry when she'd come with Godric to find Rowena. She'd enveloped Rowena in a warm hug and said, "Don't lie to me again, Godric."

He'd bowed his head in silent acquiescence, casting charms around the room to ensure they weren't overheard.

Rowena couldn't remember ever feeling this poorly. She did little during the following conversation but listen and occasionally nod her consent.

It was decided that she would spend as much time as possible with Salazar so that he would have no chance to release the basilisk--if it was, in fact, a basilisk that he kept.

The plan was to take effect immediately. Before Rowena left, however, Godric insisted that she be examined by the school nurse, despite Rowena's assurances that it was just the Pensieve that had done it.

Rowena won. Godric cast a quick spell over her that eased the nausea somewhat, and she left feeling perfectly fine.

She headed for Salazar's apartments, intent on finding him as soon as possible and not leaving his side till Godric and Helga managed their half of the investigation--to seal the chamber so that Salazar could not release what dwelt inside.

She met him unlocking the door to his room, muttering the appropriate spell as he waved his wand over the handle.

It was not easy to sneak up on anyone when your skirts could be heard rustling up and down the entire length of a corridor. So it was that he was watching for her as she rounded the corner, a smile on his face.

***

There had to be a way she would join him. Of all the women he had met in his life, Rowena was the most practical--one of the few who would listen to each side of an argument and assess accordingly, regardless of her own beliefs.

The only one who could put a smile on his face by simply choosing to spend time with him. At least, she had at one point.

There had to be a way.

He beckoned her inside, trying to decipher her mood. Her face was pale, drawn. There was the lightest sheen over her skin, as though she was nervous or not feeling well.

And she was reserved.

Salazar sighed to himself. He would not be able to convince her tonight. In fact, if he tried he knew she would turn against him.

Despite her sickly appearance, the blue of Rowena's dress made her skin glow beautifully. All of the feelings he had felt for her over the past few years threatened to well up, but Salazar fought hard against them. Both were silent.

Abruptly, Salazar remembered that he was supposed to pretend that he cared for her like he once had, though some lingering sense of affection did remain, and this made it very easy.

"Are you feeling well?" He made his face soften in concern.

She smiled more cheerily than her pallor indicated.

"I wasn't, but it passed."

Ah, the way she looked at him! In that woman's eyes Salazar saw a chill that had never been there before. She knew, or suspected, that he was up to something; he became aware in that instant that she no longer cared for him either.

The pretense would no doubt continue: all would see no change, except the two at the core.

The inner workings of Salazar's mind began turning. He would ask her to join him nonetheless--this could be used to his advantage. When he presented the idea she would look at it rationally, thinking he truly wished for her.

Salazar would appeal to her feminine side, the side that still looked on him with some kindness--for he was sure it was there--and rekindle her desire to be with him.

A risky plan. Once he asked for her assistance there would no longer be any doubt that he was the mastermind behind the whole thing. If she refused he would have three of the most powerful witches and wizards in the world again him. If she accepted and joined him...the most brilliant mind of their time would be on his side.

"I'm glad to hear that. You visited the nurse?"

Pretenses were key.

"Godric, as it were."

Salazar faked a fond smile. "Of course."

And so, why was she here?

Rowena looked briefly around and sat in a plush armchair, upholstered in green. The colors clashed horribly with her dress.

"How have you been?" she asked, eyes sweeping one brief time around his office.

He moved easily into a casual stance, resting his elbows on the desk and leaning towards her. "My students are as lazy as usual. I've made it my goal to find at least one willing to work hard for their success."

Rowena laughed. "Children will be children! I suspect they must do nothing but complain about us in their spare time."

"It's clearly not spent doing homework."

It surprised Salazar how easy it was for him to sit there and banter with her. She did not often say so much as a harsh word about her students, and it was because of this Salazar knew that she was prying--testing him for weakness. And it was subtly done. If he did not know her as well as he did he would never have suspected.

Trust Rowena to go to the core of the issue. She kept the conversation focused on the students for the majority of the night.

They retired to his quarters, though there was little talking, and they slept as far apart as possible. Their pretenses only went so far.

***

A quiet knock on the door woke them. Salazare rose and moved swiftly to the door, waving a hand at Rowena that she might rest longer.

She lay back but kept her eyes fixed on the door. Had they done it? Was the beast locked away for good?

When the door opened her breath caught. It was Helga, her kind, round face ashen.

"There was another attack," she said wearily. Rowena sat up, watching Salazar. His face was a perfect mask of concern.

What did this mean? Rowena's mind found two immediate explanations: it was either not Salazar or the basilisk could be controlled from afar.

"I'll change immediately. Where's Godric?" Salazar said briskly.

"With the child. Infirmary."

Rowena had slept in a night gown she kept in his quarters; she rose and took her dress to Salazar's lavatory, changing as quickly as she could into the heavy garments. The moment she finished Salazar swept in, ushering her out of the room.

Helga still stood in the doorway; Rowena took her arm and walked briskly with her friend towards the infirmary. It wasn't important to watch Salazar at that moment; if he was behind these attacks he clearly did not need to be with the basilisk all the time, and therefore staying near him would do no good.

"Anything?" Helga whispered.

Rowena shook her head. He had been do different, save for the lack of love in his eyes when he looked at her. But that absence had been growing for some time.

Godric greeted them with a grimace. "Petrified," he said, glancing behind them for Salazar. "She must have been looking in a mirror--she was found in that lavatory."

Neither girls spoke as they moved to the bed. It was one of the older students, perhaps a fourth or fifth year. Her hands were folded oddly in front of her, as though she'd been grasping something--like a sink.

"We have mandrakes?" Rowena asked.

Godric nodded. "The nurse is mixing them now."

Rowena shook her head. "They're safer this way." She nodded towards the boy as well, who still waited for his mandrake potion--they hadn't been mature at the time of his attack.

Her friends hesitated; it was Helga who acquiesced first.

"That is a good point," the blonde said, watching Godric. He face was grim, but he agreed.

"I'll tell the nurse." His shoes clicked as he walked away, leaving the girls in silence.

Rowena's mind whirled; all at once her dizziness returned. She put out a hand to steady herself, found a chair and sat, resting her head on the back. Helga peered down at her, concerned. "Are you alright?"

"Fine, fine." She pushed away the nurse, who had seen, took a moment to be sure she could stand without being dizzy again, and rose as quickly as she could manage.

But even that effort was too much. She threw up, waving at Helga to magic it away. The mess was cleaned in a moment, but both the nurse and Helga pushed her into the nurse's office.

"No arguing; just a quick check," Helga said sternly. It really was no use arguing with her. Rowena suspected already what ailed her, so she sat quietly while the nurse bustled around her, casting various spells. None were positive until, almost thoughtfully, she cast one last spell. A brief pink haze floated around Rowena.

"Pregnant," the nurse declared, "a girl."

Helga sat down suddenly, her normally boisterous face pale.

"Get Godric," Rowena said, and the nurse hurried away, a slightly confused look on her face.

"How are you so calm?" Helga asked as soon as the door clicked closed. She got up from her chair and threw open the heavy curtains over the window, washing the room in golden morning light.

"I had a feeling."

Godric came in, murmuring to the nurse, remind her of her oath to not speak of patients' health with anyone. Then he closed the door gently and turned, letting out a puff of air. The light from the window made the gold thread on his jacket dazzling. He stayed in the doorway.

Rowena cast a silence spell and then said, "He is not to know."

She was only mildly surprised when they agreed.

"I don't know how he's controlling it, but something isn't right, and I don't want him to know."

"And when it's impossible to deny?"

She hoped he was either innocent or long gone by that time.

"I will deal with that when it comes."

Helga and Godric exchanged a long look before Godric nodded, answering for both of them. "We really must figure this out."

"Unless we follow him at all hours I cannot imagine how that's possible."

There was a silence as the three friends contemplated possible actions. It was Godric who spoke first, voicing a thought Rowena had been reluctant to do herself.

"A confrontation may be in order at this point. Perhaps you could slip some Veritaserum into his drink?" His gaze met Rowena's, a calm look.

She agreed reluctantly. "No delays. I'll do it at lunch." But she didn't want to be a part of it. It seemed a dirty, underhanded way to deal with the matter. She almost preferred simply asking him directly and dealing with the consequences. Then he would of course have some idea of their suspicion. He probably knew they suspected already.

But Rowena always did what she could to do things properly the first time.

"That seems unnecessary," Helga said, looking guilty. "Why not just...talk to him."

"That would never work with Salazar," Godric said, smiling at Helga fondly. "We must do what we can, however, and quickly. If it is not him it someone else, and we must get them out in the open before a student is killed." His glance went swiftly to Rowena.

"And before I am showing," she added idly.

For a moment they all stood quietly. Then Rowena stood and smoothed the heavy blue fabric of her dress. "I'll see what I can do," she said, and waved her wand once, releasing the silence spell.

"We will meet you at the table," Godric said as she swept out of the room.

Salazar stood quietly, looking down at the petrified girl. Rowena had planned to retrieve the Veritaserum at once, but thought it would be suspicious to leave without speaking to him.

"I cannot imagine who would do this to innocent children," she said quietly.

The slightest quirk tugged at Salazar's lips. "They are Mudbloods, at least."

She gave him as hateful as look as she could without subconsciously informing him that she was almost certain it was his doing. "Your manner of thinking disturbs me." With another disgusted look she brusquely stepped out of the room, headed for the potions room. He wouldn't follow--she was sure of it. Godric and Helga were there to distract him.

The room that contained all the potions ingredients was near Salazar's rooms, though not so close that the doorway was visible from there. In fact it was adjacent to his office, and it was with relief of his absence that Rowena pushed open the door. Hopefully he would not return here and find the missing Veritaserum before they'd gotten their answers.

There was only one vial, perched innocently on a top shelf where eager eyes would not easily see it. Rowena took it down and tucked it in her bodice, gave the room a quick once over in case there was anything she thought she might need, and then left, shutting the door and locking it again.

It was still a good hour or so until the four usually ate, which provided plenty of time for the next part of her plan.

As Rowena walked, every shadow leapt at her, accusing. Her guilt over this plan was much more than she let on, but did it not need to be done? Innocent students were being attacked simply because they lacked the blood that someone thought was supreme over all others.

She simply could not allow that.

By the time Rowena reached the kitchen entrance she was so jumpy she had to force herself to pause before tickling the pear. The house elves would find her request strange enough without her jumping at every sudden noise or movement.

After a few calming breaths she proceeded, reaching up to tickle the green fruit in the painting. The doorknob had just appeared when it opened from the inside. Rowena jumped back, heart leaping into her throat, but it was only one of the elves.

"Greetings, Madam!" it squeaked, bowing low. "Please, please come in."

Many more elves swarmed around her as she stepped through the doorway, letting the painting swing shut behind her.

The house elves all bowed, their long noses brushing the floor. "How can we serve you, miss?" squeaked one, and they all straightened, staring at her with jeweled eyes.

Rowena gestured to the one who had opened the door for her and waved the others back to their duties. There was little point in worrying that they would tell, but even so she felt more comfortable talking only to one about this.

The house elves were quick. Just a second later they were back to their places, most out of sight. The one she had beckoned stepped forward and waited expectantly.

She held out the vial. "I need a few drops of this in Salazar's drink for lunch."

The house elf took the vial and bowed. "Batty will leave the bottle in Madam's office."

"Thank you." She turned and pushed aside the painting, suddenly eager to escape the warm kitchens. She stood in the hall for a moment, one hand resting on her stomach.

"A girl," she whispered. Briskly she set herself in motion, and followed her feet till they led her to her office. But that wasn't right. Too many memories. She went to Helga's rooms instead and sat in one of the brightly cushioned chairs there.

And for the last time, Rowena let herself love him.

***

It was surprisingly easy to keep Salazar occupied until lunch. In fact, he was so cooperative Godric began to feel slightly suspicious. He wasn't at all at ease when he and Helga suggested they head to the Great Hall for lunch. Salazar agreed too quickly, Godric thought. Or maybe I'm just too prejudice now.

Rowena was not there when they arrived.

"Would you find Rowena so she can eat with us?" Salazar said, addressing Helga.

She gave him a dazzling smile and nodded, curls bouncing. "Certainly."

***

Helga found her friend sitting stoically in her own rooms. There was no sign of tears or visible distress, but Rowena had never cried--that Helga knew of--in the many years they'd known each other. And Helga knew how to tell when the pretty brunette was upset.

Not that Rowena would talk about it. She rose from her seat, smoothed her skirts, and smiled.

"I'll kill him," Helga muttered darkly, temper flaring.

Rowena laughed. "Nonsense. Come, let's eat." She held out her arm for Helga to take.

***

Salazar did not suspect that there was anything in his drink, for he drank liberally from it--or if he did suspect he wasn't terribly worried about it. Godric was loath to ask any important questions until Helga and Rowena returned, but he couldn't help a few smaller, innocent ones. Salazar answered them all, though he couldn't tell if his answers were anything different from what his slithery friend would usually say. For a moment he started to panic, thinking Rowena hadn't done it, but he relaxed soon after, telling himself that even if she hadn't, it could always be done the next day, or even that very night.

Nevertheless, his nerves settled completely when Rowena and Helga entered, arm in arm, and took their usual seats between Godric and Salazar.

But now that the moment had come, what would they ask? "Hey, Salazar, unleashed anything deadly on the school lately?"

Helga was the one who braved anything even near the subject first.

"What are your thoughts on the petrified students?" she asked Salazar, for all the world a scholar interested in another's theory.

Salazar took a drink from his goblet before answering slowly. "They are Mudbloods, so I can't say it upsets me terribly."

The three exchanged trepid looks.

"Do you think whoever is behind this intended for that to be?"

"Undoubtedly."

Another look. Godric asked, "Any idea who's behind it?"

His entire demeanor changed. One second his expression was light, almost jovial. The next it hardened to a stoic mask, dark eyes glittering dangerously.

"Did you think I would spill all my secrets simply because of a few drops of Veritaserum?"