Better than Binns

December 19, 2003 Section IV, Chapter II, The Fire

Second day of the Eighth Month of the Year

If life could get any more complicated, I'm sure it would. And I hope it doesn't, because, quite frankly, I'm not sure if I can take it anymore. Let me explain this properly.

Salazar and Godric have been arguing all summer. The two of them! They've been arguing about letting Muggle-borns into Hogwarts. I have no idea why because neither can do much without my consent. However, it's also something we all need yo be concerned about. Not only are tensions rising between Godric and Salazar, but Helga and I are being drawn into the argument. As headmistress, deciding who should be permitted to enter our school is something I need to think about as does Helga. There is no way any of us could avoid joining the argument.

My opinion on the topic is that no one should be excluded from learning. Education should be for everyone. I'd hate to exclude someone because of their heritage. It's discrimination which I'm against. I hear them yelling now, I must go and see what's going on.

~ Rowena Ravenclaw

Second day of the Eighth Month of the Year

The argument that's been going on for months now has escalated beyond a point of repair. I was walking back to my room today and I heard the argument I have written below. I first heard Salazar's voice, pleading to Godric.

"Godric, why won't you listen to me?"

"I did, Salazar. I know your point only too well! And it has no justification what so ever!"

"Yes, it does! Muggle-borns cannot handle all this work! It's impossible."

"I am Muggle-born, Salazar Slytherin! Have you forgotten that fact about your friend?" Godric shouted with a force I've never heard him use before.

I paused in the hallway to listen to the argument. Then there was a silence. It was true, we all knew it. Godric was a Muggle-born and look at what he'd accomplished. Salazar made no sense. Then, talk of the devil, Salazar spoke.

"You're an exception, Godric." It was a nice thing to say, but I knew he didn't mean it. Somehow, I know when someone means what they say... a skill I picked up as a girl. But back to the argument.

When Godric heard that, he grimaced. I could tell he too knew that Salazar didn't mean that. And since they used to be such good friends, that must have hurt Godric immensely.

"You know that isn't true, Salazar. It must be hard to stand in front of me and lie." Godric glared at him.

Salazar looked at the ground, without a word. Out of nowhere, I heard Rowena's voice.

"Why do you two insist on arguing about this all the time?" They both looked up at her, but said nothing. "You don't seem to realize that it is I who makes the final decisions here and yet you don't even bother to speak to me about it. Bastards!"

Realize that none of us had ever heard Rowena use language like that before, so we were all shocked. She didn't care, but continued on with her well- deserved rant.

"I hate that you are discriminating against Muggle-borns, Salazar and that you forgot that your good friend was one too. And Godric, why didn't you come to me? I cannot believe the two of you! And as to the situation, Muggle-borns shall continue to attend this school because everyone deserves to be educated if they have the magical ability within them." Still fuming, Rowena glared at them. They were shocked, as I was. Rowena wasn't one for dramatics, that was Salazar. So we all knew that she was serious. Then I heard Salazar's voice.

"Then, I may have to leave." The tone of his voice was dark. I'd never heard him speak like that.

Rowena turned to him. "Really? Well, I will no longer try to stop these fights. My priority is the students."

And that is where I left. I couldn't take it. Salazar leaving? Rowena not caring? Godric silent? Never had I seen anything like this. And I hope I don't ever again. I'm not sure whether to take Salazar seriously for as I've said, he as a flare for the dramatics. But I know that Rowena is serious. This school means a lot to her and it is her priority in life. I can't write anymore now.

~Helga Hufflepuff

Ron's jaw dropped. He had slept very well, had eaten breakfast quickly and had run back to his room to read. Now it was around eleven in the morning and Ron was on his stomach on his bed, with the book open in front of him. "Damn it! Salazar was such a bastard..that explains a lot about Slytherins today." He turned the page to read what Godric thought of it all.

Third day of the Eighth Month of the Year

Yesterday was a day I'll never forget. Salazar threatened to leave and I'm not entirely sure if he will or not. He likes to be dramatic, but still... it's a scary thought. He also seems to have forgotten that I'm a Muggle-born. He was always my good friend, so it's surprising to me. I can't write anymore because my thoughts are all mixed up and I can't sort them out.

~ Godric Gryffindor

Fourth day of the Eighth Month of the Year

I threatened to leave! I really did and I meant it. I'm sure they didn't know if I was serious or not, but I was, rather I am. If they don't agree to see my point, I will be gone. And what's strange is that I've had thoughts of Godric, Rowena and Helga dead. Not just dead, but at my hands. I may not like Muggle-borns, but I'm not a murderer and so my own thoughts frighten me.

~ Salazar Slytherin

"No wonder He- Who- Must- Not- Be- Named is such a murderer. What else could he be with an ancestor like that?!" Ron murmured. Turning the page, Ron began the last chapter of the section, the most exciting, or so he hoped, part of the whole story.