Better than Binns

Section V, the Deaths of the Founders

Note to readers: We could not find diary entries pertaining to the deaths of the Founders. Since this is the case, I have just compiled all the information I have received and told you the story of each of their deaths.

Salazar Slytherin died alone and insane. He died of old age. He had enough strength to write his last words:

I have created the Chamber of Secrets which only my heir can open. A monster lays inside it and can only be unleashed by my heir. It will purge the school of all those unworthy to be there.

These words have been carried on since and have been feared for many centuries. Salazar Slytherin died without much respect.

Rumor has it that Salazar returned to Hogwarts one last time. Many suspect it was to seal the Chamber. If Salazar had indeed visited the school, none of the Founders were aware of it. He must have sneaked in and sealed the Chamber. The Chamber is said to be home to a monster. This monster, supposedly raised by Slytherin himself, was to "purge the school of Muggle-borns." Only the heir of Slytherin could open the Chamber and release the monster hidden within. However, this is but a legend.

Ron laughed uneasily. "Legend? When was this book published?" Checking the copyright date, he saw it was before nineteen fifty- two, so they wouldn't have known that the Chamber really existed. Ron, however, knew better, for he had seen it himself. Salazar was loony; Ron had been right the whole time. No wonder Slytherins these days were arrogant gits. Shaking his head to rid himself of these thoughts, Ron read on.

Godric Gryffindor died surrounded by friends, colleagues and family. His brother George had died the year before. After Slytherin had left the school, Godric was disheartened and set out to rid the wizarding world of all prejudices. He brought that principle into the school and made it so that using language as a form to express feelings of prejudice was punishable. His last words were: (as quoted by several witnesses in diaries we have found) "As a favor to me, try to rid the wizarding world of prejudice, not just that against Muggle-borns but all kinds of prejudice. If you agree, I shall be at peace." The witnesses recorded that those present had consented and that with a smile on his face, Godric Gryffindor fell into an eternal sleep.

Rowena Ravenclaw died within a week of Godric. She too was
surrounded by her friends and colleagues. Her last words were less sentimental than Godric's had been, and these too, were recorded by witnesses, students in fact. "Keep this school alive. Let this opportunity for learning continue on. Nothing should let this school fall." And with that, Rowena appointed a new Headmistress. Then Rowena Ravenclaw, first Headmistress of Hogwarts, passed away.

Helga Hufflepuff died last, within a week of Rowena. No one expected her to last much longer without her friends, who had become her family. The loss of all of them was too much for her to take. She died in her sleep one day, leaving only a note.

"Goodbye one and all. You have been good to me. Keep Hogwarts going. Enjoy life and prosper. Good luck to all of you. ~~ Helga Hufflepuff"

The new Headmistress saw that Godric, Rowena and Helga were given a proper form of last rites, according to their last wishes. Salazar, however, was the only one of the Founders who did not receive a formal ceremony. However, like each Founder, he too received special recognition for what he had done for the school.

And so end the lives of the Founders. They created Hogwarts together, but lost one of their own at the end. Their stories as well as secrets are forever immortalized in this book.

Ron closed the book. He couldn't believe he'd finished it already. Percy's wedding was in three days. It was almost two o'clock and he had to go eat lunch. And besides that, he couldn't wait to see the look on Hermione's face when he told her he'd finished it.... and liked it.