The Founders' Tale

Chapter Two of the manuscript as divided by the transcriber of the text

Love, Loss and Friendship (Title provided by Miss Virginia Weasley)

The next day, Helga received a visitor, one who had called upon her several times previously. He was welcomed by her parents with much enthusiasm, something that did not surprise her. They had not thought much of him before, but now that their fortunes were not so good and his were, they were thinking quite differently. It was to be expected, really. Duplicitous, but expected.

Julian bowed to the Lord and Lady of the house and then requested an audience with the other Lady. There was no refusal possible.

As they sat in the parlor, Helga took a few moments to examine the young man across from her. He was older than her, in his early twenties, and he had a boyish, pleasant face with dark hair and a snub of a nose. His looks were good, though not exactly to her taste and his personality was dull at times, though eager to please.

She sometimes wondered why he had chosen her to bother with his words of love and marriage. Her family was of excellent descent and she was pretty in a blonde, delicate way which seemed to be gaining appreciation in the standards of beauty. Of course, her temperament was not so delicate and her mind sharp--sharper, she had no doubt, than the fellow who sat across from her, looking for all the world as if he'd like nothing better than to take hold of her hand.

She folded her hands primly in her lap.

"Helga," he said, hesi

(-)

A knock on the door made Ginny start nervously. She pushed the papers aside quickly, but carefully, and rose to open the door. Before she could get within ten feet, it burst open. Her mind, guilty from reading ahead, half-expected to see Draco, though she knew that was quite impossible. In fact, it opened to reveal Ron with Harry and Hermione lurking behind. She blinked once and was about to let out an exclamation of surprise, but Ron stopped her, sweeping her up in a hug.

"Oof, Ron," she managed to say, finding it hard to breathe. "It's great to see you again! It's been years," she added after he finally put her feet back on the ground. And now I have good cause to wonder about what you've been doing...Working with Bill my--

"Yes, I'm a terrible brother, Gin," Ron said with a grin. "But look, I've brought old friends," he added, gesturing to Harry and Hermione, who were both smiling broadly. "We all found ourselves back here in London at the same time--first time in years! So we thought we'd have a little reunion of sorts," he explained. He looked at her for a few more moments and then let out a laugh, pulling her into another hug. "Geez, it really is great to see you again, Gin! I got your letters, of course, but it's never the same thing. You've grown quite a bit. Got boyfriend, have you?" he asked, ruffling her hair with one hand.

"Of course she does," Hermione said with a fond smile. "You can see how lovely she looks! Well, maybe you can't, but I'm sure Harry can," she said with a grinning glance at the man beside her.

Harry looked at Ron, trying to figure out what his reaction would be. Then he laughed and shrugged. "Oh, 'Mione's right as always. Why argue?"

Ginny knew her cheeks were red from the attention, but she also knew that most of the praise was simply good cheer between old friends. She could have said the same about all of them. Really, they were a good-looking bunch together. Maybe not the flashy, supermodel type, but even Ron, who had been so gangly and awkward years before had grown into his limbs. He'd never rival Bill for looks, but he could stand on his own.

"Hermione, you're trying to fluster me and it's working," Ginny said, trying to hide her discomfort. She took a few steps and threw her arms around her friend, pulling her close. Hermione was shorter than she was, but she had her same intelligent air about her. Her hair was shorter, cropped close to her face and it really brought out her pretty eyes and curving, gentle lips. "It's wonderful to see you."

She stepped back and regarded Harry, hesitating for only a split-second before extending her arms to him as well. She would never look at him without remembering her silly crush; she wished for a time turner to take care of that whenever she saw him. Not that it had been wrong to like him...and she still admired him, even now. But she had not that innocent confidence in herself that she'd had before. To think that someone like the famous Harry Potter could like her? No, she'd not make that mistake again.

"Gin, it's good to see you," Harry said, giving her a squeeze. "Goodness, you're nearly as tall as me," he added, taking hold of her chin gently and looking out at her after she had stepped back.

Ginny looked back into his eyes and hid all the uneasiness that she was feeling. Harry was her friend and damned if she was going to act like an idiot and be afraid to be close to him. It was all jokes and fun, no matter what the past was. Harry had forgotten it--or acted as if he had--and she ought to as well.

"And you look much the same," she said with a smile. "You'd think that after all these years you'd have found some way to make your hair behave," she teased him.

Harry released her and pretended to look indignant, only succeeding in looking adorable since he kept smiling. "Well, Ron, as with your height, I believe she's gotten your rotten sense of humor as well," he said with a huff.

Ron winked at Ginny while Hermione laughed lightly.

"Please, sit down," Ginny said, still smiling. "I know we have so much to catch up on..." she said, glancing at her brother. No, she wasn't going to start off with 'such as how the hell you and Draco seem to be buds now and you sent him to me with this old manuscript.' That would be, ah, a bit too forward.

"That we do," Ron agreed, clearly unaware as to anything being wrong. "I know things must have been hard here, after Mum's passing," he went on, his face showing signs of strain, "and I know I've not been here enough for you."

"Ron, you're acting like I'm a little girl who can't like on her own," she exclaimed with a smile, but she was troubled all the same. When would they learn? Any of them!

"Ron doesn't really mean that," Hermione said quickly. "If I thought he did, I'd box his ears. You've done quite well for yourself, Ginny, and it's just hard for Ron to admit that his little sister doesn't need him around anymore."

"Or that she never did," Harry added with a grin. Ron took a swipe at him, which he leaned back to avoid.

"I know you've been busy, Ron," Ginny assured him with a smile. "Working for the Securities branch of the Ministry isn't something that comes with a lot of vacation time. And I know that Harry and Hermione have had their share of life without free time as well."

Ron leaned back in his chair, clearly quite relaxed. "Yes, there have been some very interesting happenings since school," he said with a slow smile. "Half of them I can't tell you about of course--can't get anyone excited over things already taken care of--but suffice to say I've done my part," he said smugly, waggling his eyebrows at his sister.

"Meaning that I, working humbly in my little museum, slaving night and day to make the world a more historically aware place, am working in vain?" Ginny asked with a laugh. "I may not have been saving lives like Hermione or doing whatever Harry's been up to--"

"Research Department of Ministry--Spells," Harry interjected helpfully. "With a little professional Quidditch on the side."

"Well, I knew that, of course," Ginny said. "But--what was I saying? Oh yes--Even if my job may not move mountains, it is mine and I think it will finally pay off," she added with a slow smile. She had not planned to share with them the discovery, but it had just slipped out. That being the case, she looked over to her brother, waiting for him to make a remark about manuscripts and ask if Draco had taken his advice and come to her. Ron did not, however, oblige. He simply raised an eyebrow, looking interested, but skeptical.

"Really, Ginny?" Hermione asked, looking quite excited, all optimism. "Why that's wonderful! Are you going to share it with us or is it a surprise?"

Ginny hesitated for a moment and then wet her lips, making a decision quickly. "It's, er, a surprise. At least for now," she added with a smile to relieve the tension she was feeling. "I have a little more work to do before the first part is presentable. I promise to let you know before I publish, of course."

"I'll admit that you've got me in suspense," Harry said amiably. "I suppose we'll wait it out, though. And, though I mean no disrespect on your cozy abode, I was thinking that we ought to go out somewhere. Dinner perhaps, then maybe catch a movie later?" he suggested.

The others were quick to agree while Ginny wet her dry lips again and tried to think of a gracious way to bow out. Dinner, yes, but she already had a date for tonight. One that she wasn't quite ready to let anyone know about.

"Dinner sounds great," she said quickly. "But I've got plans later tonight. I promised myself that I'd get a bit of work done, you see. But maybe tomorrow night or another this week," she added, thinking that she could cancel with Draco if she gave advanced warning.

Goodness, she thought as they walked to the door, whoever invented the little chant 'secrets secrets are no fun' was dead right. But as long as my secret does not come out until I want it to, perhaps it is a little fun...

(-)

-tantly, inching a little closer to her. "I want to let you know that I don't think any less of you because of, uh, your current troubles."

He looked so sincere--that was what really stopped Helga from making a nasty comment, something that would have been all too easy to do. He honestly didn't see how stupid he was acting or how truly pigheaded he sounded! No, he was innocent of that emotion, guilty only of being a fool.

"Julian, I know that social status does not matter to you," she said simply. And it was true. If anything, he was a kind, open-hearted young man. But he wasn't for her and she knew it very well. She didn't think there was anyone for her.

Julian inched closer, his knees coming near hers, stretching out his hand a little, tentatively. He would never have been so ungentlemanlike as to grab her hand; the forlorn look in his eyes was almost enough to make her extend it, though. Almost. It would not do to give him false ideas of her feelings. Besides, she was one who prided herself in speaking her mind. So why was it so hard to let him down?

"Julian," she said slowly, keeping her hands firmly on her lap, "please understand me when I say that I am very glad to have you as a friend. You're more thoughtful and kind than anyone I know! But if you're asking for more than friendship, I-I'm sorry," she finished, finally sneaking a peek at his face and immediately wished she hadn't.

"It's someone else, then?" he said finally, his voice cracking with what sounded almost like anger, an emotion he rarely ever expressed.

"No, it's not," Helga said quickly, feeling like this was a situation out of one of the silly romance stories that Rowena wrote in her spare time. "Julian, I'm not ready to marry anyone and that is the truth."

Julian was silent for a moment, his face red, eyes at his knees. Then--"Your father said I had his blessing. And he told me you wanted to marry me."

Helga's throat closed and she couldn't breathe for a long moment. "He, he lied, Julian. But I see what he was trying to do now," she said, sounding stunned, unsure of what to do next. Her body was tingling with warning and to calm herself she stood up quickly from her chair and moved to the window, bunching the drapes in one hand. Julian joined her.

"Helga, I won't tell him that you said no," he said eagerly, trying to get her to look at his face. "I'll say we talked about it and we both decided that it had been a silly idea. Helga, I promise not to, to endanger you. I do care."

Helga finally turned to face him, her eyes searching his face, a slight frown visible. His perception was greater than she had given him credit for. Even if she'd never said it, he'd picked up on the hostility. He knew and he wanted to protect her. She almost kissed him then and there, but after a moment she turned a little sharply back to the window and swallowed.

"Thank you," she whispered. "Thank you."

(-)

"So it was a mutual decision?"

"Yes, it was."

"Promise?"

"Cross my heart. Why would I lie?"

The grass sighed in the light breeze.

"Hmmm...I don't know. But you would if it would suit you. I only mean that in the best of ways, of course."

"Sure, Ronnie."

"No, really! Alright, I believe you, Helga. He just seemed...smitten, that's all."

"Perhaps he was once," Helga said with a sigh, fingers trailing over the countertop. "But after we were face to face with it we simply decided that friendship was infinitely better. And it is," she added with a smile and a flash of seriousness in her eyes.

Rowena let out a sigh. "Helga I know what you mean. Friendship is infinitely better nearly all of the time."

Helga had a feeling that she had more to say, but nothing came. Rowena was silent for a moment before her eyes took on that typical laughing look that Helga loved so much.

"Oooh, Helga, what shall we ever do? I know we promised ourselves never to become the kind of girls who giggled over guys. But it's just a fact of life when you grow up that you're supposed to date and supposed to fall in love and supposed to have all these dramatic troubles," she said with a laugh. "It always sounds melodramatic and cliché coming from others. But when it happens to you, it seems so real."

Rowena looked so very serious, her eyes far away and searching, that Helga stopped to stare at her. "Ronnie," she said slowly, looking at her friend carefully. "Ronnie, is there something you're hiding from me?" she asked with a tentative smile. "I can't be the only one that's been tossed in and out of love. You know you can tell me anything."

Rowena came back to earth, her eyes focusing on Helga. Then she shook her head. "No, of course I'd never keep anything from you, Helga," she said and then smiled and gave her friend a wink. "Really, if I had troubles, I'd make sure I whined about them to everyone, you know me."

Helga was doubtful, but she did not speak her thoughts. Friendship was about trust and understanding. She was there if Rowena needed her, anytime and anyplace, but she would never force her friend to do anything unless she were in danger. And what danger could Ronnie be in? No, if it was merely a crush, then it was harmless.

"I'd better get home, Ronnie," she said with a small sigh. "My uncle is coming to dinner. We move out in three days, after all. No doubt he wants to size up the place and make sure we don't steal anything valuable," she said glumly.

Rowena was quiet for a moment and then she smiled tentatively. "You're going to do something, aren't you? Or say something?" She looked half-expectant and half-disapproving, torn between emotions. "Helga, you mustn't, you know. What has happened isn't fair in any way, but you can't make it worse."

Helga didn't answer.

(-)

The Hufflepuff household was all aflutter at four-thirty in the afternoon. Helga's mother was running about making sure that the servants had dusted, the meal was coming along nicely and the prized silver was in the case where it belonged. Her father was in his study, a steady stream of smoke billowing out from beneath his door. He hadn't moved since awakening that morning and retiring to that room. Sarah was doing something intricate to Helga's hair while the latter sighed and tried to put her thoughts somewhere not so troubling. However, it was nearly impossible to do. She knew too much. They all did.

When one knows that one's own uncle incited the villagers and peasants of the town to rise up against arguably the kindest mistress and master in the country, to refuse to work and to bring unwanted attention to the Manor from the Ministry itself--paid them off? Scared them? Who knew--it is hard for one to let that go.

But just knowing wasn't enough. Proving treachery was the rub. And since that was not going to be done, the laws of politeness and the proper interactions between families came into play. Helga wasn't sure she could bear it.

Her door flew open, admitting her mother, looking regal but wide-eyed.

"Aren't you ready yet? He'll be here in just a moment. We have to...make a good impression. Helga, he's more powerful than we had known before, that's the truth. We're out of his way now, but we have to be careful. I want you to speak only when spoken to and to not fix him with any of your questionable glares. Your cousins Anthony and Rebecca are coming with him. Now, please, promise me that all will be well."

Realizing that her mother was close to tears, Helga swore inwardly that she would do her best. Outwardly she said, "Yes, mother, please don't fret so." And she rose, putting her arm around her mother and pulling her close.

They were still for a moment, their breathing and the pattering of the maid tidying the dresser top items were the only sounds. And then Helga's mother stepped back, smiled with only a touch of wobbliness and held out her arm to her daughter.

"You look lovely, dear. Shall we go down?"

And they did.

Helga was not sure at all what the evening would bring, but she walked towards it holding her head high and her heart steadfast. Pride was a virtue that none of them could afford to lose, even if they lost everything else.

(-)

Ginny's hand was slowing and she had already yawned three times. She didn't really feel tired, or at last that's what she told herself. Dinner with her brother, Hermione and Harry had been infinitely relaxing. Perhaps she had laughed a little too much. She wasn't used to a great deal of excitement in her life, so she was justified in feeling a little overwhelmed.

She was about to continue writing when the pen was suddenly out of her grasp. Her reaction time slow, she whipped her head around to see that Draco had placed the pen back on the desk and was now reaching for his coat. She felt a bit guilty as she'd been late anyway and now it was barely nine-thirty and she was dropping off.

"We don't have to stop," she started and then stopped at the look he gave her.

Draco Malfoy had certainly never smiled at her like that before and, good God, never laughed either. He had been quiet when he'd come in, as eager as she had been to hear more of the story, and now he seemed to be in quite a jolly mood indeed. She blinked once, not sure what to say to that.

Draco finished his laugh, it was short anyway, and stood up from his chair. "With you about ready to nod off on the priceless manuscript? I think it's better that we continue tomorrow night."

Ginny smiled a little herself; she couldn't help it. "I'm sorry," she said with a little laugh of her own. "It's just that Harry, Ron and Hermione dropped by..."

She trailed off, staring straight at him. If she had expected some kind of response, some indication that he was going to elaborate on the parting blow he'd delivered last time, she was sadly mistaken.

"Did they? How nice for you," he said in a pleasant enough tone while heading for the door. She followed him.

"Look, are you going to tell me how you know Ron?" she asked as he was reaching for the doorknob. She was determined to hold her ground this time if he attempted to give her a mental kick and make a dash for it again.

He looked at her for a moment and then shrugged. "There's not much to tell. It's a small world. We ran into each other and he told me you were an expert on these things and, under the circumstances, I thought I ought to carry through with it."

Ginny shook her head slowly. She might have known she'd get nothing more. She was more than a little irritated at that time and she make a sound of irritation and reached to open the door for him. Her fingers brushed his as she moved his hand aside, gripped the door knob, turned and pushed.

"I'll see you tomorrow, then," she said stiffly, trying not to look at him.

"Goodnight," he said politely, not sounding the least bit disturbed, and then turned and made his way with deliberate slowness to the waiting car.