If Walls Could Talk

Prologue

My name is Franceska Gregoria Hamilton. I am a witch…or rather, was. I am not very well known because I have done little for the magical community. But I was associated with Merlin, and that has earned me the chance to be painted on canvas. The real me died thousands of years ago, yet I live on through this picture. In other words, I am a painting.

Being a painting on a wall doesn't sound very interesting…I agree. But of course, I am no ordinary painting. No, I am a magical painting that lives within the mystical walls of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. What makes me even more intriguing is that I was placed in a small, circular room known as the Astronomy Tower.

The Astronomy Tower is famous for being the ideal place for couples to see each other in secret, late at night. You'd be surprised at how many students in Hogwarts' history have broken the "lights out" rule just to meet their significant other in this room. Unbeknownst to them, I watch what passes inside of this room, so I have witnessed many romances bloom and even break. Out of the many centuries I have been here, I have selected three of my favorite couples, and have decided to share their story. I'm sure they won't mind. But if they do, well too bad for them. So, get comfy and enjoy!

***

Rowena Ravenclaw and Godric Gryffindor

Every story has a beginning. Mine starts with the Founding Four. Four brilliant witches and wizards put their heads together and created such a special school that has lasted for centuries. When I was pinned up in the Astronomy Tower, the school was still fresh and nobody had yet been asked to attend. Only these four people occupied it:

Godric Gryffindor was a handsome man with jet-black hair and sparkling hazel eyes. He used to be a knight in the king's court, but was exiled from the kingdom after being wrongfully accused of a crime. Around him, you would always feel a sense of power, but he was still very kind. As you might know, he was the bravest of the group.

Salazar Slytherin was a slightly older man with a goatee and grey eyes. He and Godric were the first to meet. Salazar was a scholar and specialized in philosophies. He would have become a philosopher himself if he had not decided to become a part of the Hogwarts Founding Four. His hair was black as well. Much like Godric, you could feel power radiate off of him, but he was not kind about it. He was more cold and cunning when it came to business, than kind and comprising. He was the most ambitious in the group to get what he wants.

Rowena Ravenclaw was the fairest of them all. She had run away from her Muggle family after learning that she would never be accepted in her community. Her chestnut brown hair fell in curls to her shoulders, and her shocking blue eyes always portrayed her feelings. A light speckle of freckles covered the bridge of her nose and cheeks, and her smile always seemed light up a room. She was the smartest of the lot, and Salazar found that overwhelming, seeing as she came from a Muggle family.

Helga Hufflepuff always looked at the world through sunshine and daisies, although her past was dark. Orphaned as a baby, Helga was raised by a mean woman, who only saw her as a servant. When her magical powers were first visible, the woman immediately threw her out into the streets, too ashamed to be associated with a "demon-child" to turn her in. There, Helga tended to herself and finally met Rowena. Together they grew up, close as sisters. Then, they met Godric and Salazar. Helga had blonde hair with really bouncy curls. Her dark, brown eyes seemed to continuously glimmer with happiness and her laugh was extremely contagious.

*

"The school is coming along fantastically!" Helga exclaimed as she rocked on the balls of her feet excitedly. "We should be having students in no time!"

"Yes, the school is amazing," Rowena said, nodding her head in agreement, "Just a few things to work out, but nothing more." She stretched out her wand and lit up a torch, immediately lighting up the dark room they had just walked into. "Now where should we place this painting of Franceska Gregoria?" Helga thought for a moment and glanced around the room. Ironically, they were standing in the Astronomy Tower.

"She'd look just fine here," Helga said. She waved her wand over a blank wall, and ta-da, I appeared. "Hello, Franceska! How are you doing?" she asked me.

"Seeing as I'm a painting, forever stuck on a canvas, I'm just peachy," I replied. Helga smiled weakly at my wry humor. "But I'm thankful you gave me a great view," I remarked, staring out into the heavens before me.

"Great! I'm glad you like the stars. Now don't be startled if you see Rowena here popping in a lot. She just adores the constellations!" Helga said, giving a pat on Rowena's back, "Now I've got to go. I still have to do some stuff in the kitchens. See you later!" Rowena and I gave a small wave.

"So, you like the stars huh?" I asked, attempting to make small talk, although Rowena didn't seem to be much of a talker.

"Erm…yes I do," she answered. The both of us just stared out into the star dappled sky in somewhat awkward silence. "Well, I promised Godric that I'd help him enchant the ceiling in the Great Hall." She rushed off. I got the feeling that she didn't want to talk to me long…I don't really blame her…I am a bloody painting! Oh well, I guess it isn't her fault that this Godric fellow wants her to help him so much. Speaking of the devil--

"Rowena?" said a masculine voice. A really good-looking man walked into the room. Really good-looking. "Rowena?" he repeated. I snapped out of my daydream and returned to reality. I am a painting…

"Are you Godric?" I asked. He spun around, obviously startled and at first oblivious to my presence.

"Oh, you frightened me. I didn't think there was anyone else here," he said. I rolled my eyes.

"Technically, there isn't. I am a painting. I don't count as a person."

"Oh…right." Great, now I made him uncomfortable. Do I have knack for doing that? "Did she happen to mention where she was going?" he questioned.

"Yes. She said something about enchanting a ceiling. Does that help?"

"Thank you! I know exactly where she is! She's in the Great Hall. Thanks for your assistance." He left quite quickly. Don't think I didn't notice the way his eyes lit up when he knew where to find her…I could already tell that there was something bubbling between them. That's my specialty. Noticing stuff between people, and making them uncomfortable.

*

It can get rather boring staring out into the sky for a long period of time. Something I've learned during the first few hours of my stay here at Hogwarts. No matter though, I'm quite an expert, considering I've been looking out into the sky for over one thousand years. But me, good at Astronomy? You've got to be kidding. Why would I want to memorize complicated constellations and their movements through different seasons? I am a painting…I do not need to know such rubbish. I wonder what help that gives though in real life…hmmm.

Creak.

Well, at least someone has decided to pay a visit. If only I knew what time it is. I should consult one of those people about putting a clock in here…

I catch a glimpse of the person who has decided to make a little late-night trip to the Astronomy Tower. The moonlight briefly shines upon chestnut brown hair. There's no mistaking her…it's Rowena. I immediately pretended to be asleep, hopeful to avoid the rather awkward silences that seem to pass between her and me. I could hear her stealthily walk across the room to sit upon the windowsill. Some more creaking indicated that she has taken out an old, brass telescope and was then observing the oh, so fascinating stars. Silence just passes, and I find it safe to finally open my eyes, for Rowena seems to care less about my presence at the moment.

Creak.

Oh bother. Another intruder…better feign sleep again.

"Rowena, are you in here?" It's that voice. That voice of the drop-dead gorgeous man…I mean nice young man. Godfrey? Goldwyn? Godwick?

"Oh, Godric, you frightened me!" That's the name! Godric…a somewhat peculiar name. It kind of sounds funny when you repeat it over and over in your head. Godric, Godric, Godric, Godric…hahaha. Oh geez, I almost let out a laugh. Anyhow, returning to my eavesdropping…

"What are you doing here so late at night? It's past midnight!" I heard Godric say. If I am correct, his back should be facing to me. I opened my eyes…oh damn…nope; he's still in full view. *Sigh* better keep my eyes closed.

"I know, but I couldn't refuse the opportunity of watching this meteor shower that Glenda predicted would happen."

"You believe in those predictions that she makes? They seem quite preposterous to me."

"Well, I find them quite engaging." Silence. I open my eyes to a squint, and can see that both of their backs are to me. So I watch on in interest, hopeful to see how either one of them was going to escape the tension that was slowly rising. There's still silence. Rowena is simply looking through her telescope out at the stars, and Godric is looking at her with glazed eyes.

Ah-ha! I know that look anywhere…that's the same look I saw Merlin give to that dratted Vivien who ended up imprisoning him in an oak tree. The fool, he was too infatuated with her--someone just cleared his or her throat! A sign that conversation will ensue.

"Rowena, you cannot ignore me forever," said Godric. He was talking to her back, for Rowena continued looking through her telescope. This statement didn't make her turn around though. "Rowena, look at me please." Slowly, almost painfully slowly, Rowena turned and looked him in the eye with her deep blue eyes. No one said a word for a few seconds. Seconds that seemed to drift away as slow as decades.

"Godric, I--" she began, but Godric immediately covered her mouth with his hand.

"That kiss by the lake…I did not mean for that to happen. When it started out, I thought it was just going to be an innocent, quickly forgotten kiss. But, even you can't ignore the feeling that you got? The feeling that if the kiss ended, you would die?" Rowena stared idly at her hands. Godric cupped her delicate face in his hands and brought her gaze to him, "The feeling that this was the person you wanted to spend the rest of your life with?"

"I'm sorry, Godric…I do not feel that way," Rowena answered in a choked voice. I could sense the lie in there… I had half a mind to yell 'Don't go lying to this dead sexy man, you ignorant lovesick fool!' But I couldn't. I had to stay immobile, so I could witness what was going to happen next without interfering. After that statement, Rowena departed from the room in a fast pace, much like she had done after talking to me earlier. Minutes passed when finally, Godric stalked out the door as well.

Both of them were too preoccupied to notice that I had been awake the whole time, listening to them. I looked out into the sky (once again) and saw a sprinkle of lights, gently falling down. Poor Rowena missed that meteor shower she had been anticipating.

*

The next day was just another day of completing tasks within the castle, so as to ready it for the first batch of students. When the four of them came into the Astronomy Tower to inspect its tidiness, I could feel the remarkably large tension between Rowena and Godric. Helga must have noticed it too, for she wasn't her usual cheerful self. Salazar was being bitter…but that was no miracle…he was always bitter. Actually, today he seemed happy that there was trouble brewing between the two. Nasty, old man.

In a few weeks time, the school opened, and Hogwarts was graced with its first group of students. Unfortunately, the presence of pupils drove Godric and Rowena even further away from communicating with each other. Both were too engulfed in their teaching responsibilities. But finally, on the night of Halloween, while the students were having a feast, I heard footsteps drawing near to the door. I dropped my head on instinct, which is something I do whenever someone comes into the Astronomy Tower, because I feel that I don't affiliate with humans very well. I even hear the children refer to me as that 'old, sleeping picture'. Humph, I am not that old, thank you very much.

I open my eyes to a squint to see who was missing out on the Halloween feast. The person was none other than Godric. Once he turned his back to me, I opened my eyes so I can bathe in his masculine beauty. Rowena is a stupid imbecile for having past the opportunity of spending her life with him. Empty-headed woman. Suddenly, the door swung open and I squeezed my eyes shut.

"Godric, what are you doing in here?" a startled voice asks. It's the empty-head…Rowena in other words.

"Waiting for you," Godric answers. I cautiously open my eyes and saw the backs of the two of them again, much like the other night.

"Waiting for me? Whatever for?" she asks, a little indignantly.

"We need to talk, Rowena, and you know it." Rowena shuffled her feet uncomfortably.

"I find that I have nothing to say to you on the matter," she responded coolly. Ouch, if I were Godric…ouch!

"Well, I find that we have lots of things to discuss."

"Like what?" she queries, crossing her arms above her chest and giving him a patronizing glare.

"Like why you feel you should deny the feelings that you have for me." I can practically hear her give a large gulp.

"What feelings?" she questions, her voice quite hoarse from what I suspect is dryness of the throat. Geez, this woman is giving off major nervous symptoms. "I'm not denying anything!" Hah!

"Why are you lying to me?" Godric moved right in front of her and put his hands upon her shoulders. They held eye contact for a brief moment, but Rowena quickly diverted her attention to the stone floor.

"I just can't--"

"Can't what?"

"I--I'm just too scared…" she trails off, and the silence pounds into all three pairs of our ears (well…mine are painted ears, but they work all the same). Rowena lets a few tears fall astray. Using his thumbs, Godric wiped them away in a gentle motion.

"What are you scared of?" he asks so quietly, that I had to strain my painted ears to hear. Their foreheads were practically touching, and they were only talking in whispers. If only I still had a wand. A simple little Sonorus charm, and their voices would be bouncing off the walls, then I'd be able to hear.

Rowena tears her face away from his soothing hands and wipes her eyes. "Love." She runs away. What is with this woman and running away? Every untimely moment and she goes bolting like a lunatic! Sheesh.

*

After that midnight rendezvous, Godric never waited for Rowena in the Astronomy Tower. He never even set foot into the Astronomy Tower (much to my dismay…I enjoy looking at his admirable features). Night after night, Rowena came here by herself to study the stars. Occasionally, I'd hear her sigh out of the blue, and I am most certain that there is a hint of wistfulness. Of course, she lost the chance to be with such a noble and charming man, because she's afraid…out of all things…she's afraid of love. I don't understand how anyone could be afraid of love.

Nearly a year later, I was itching to know what happened between them, for both never stepped into the Astronomy Tower during the five months left in the school year. I was going crazy because there is no sort of entertainment up there, unless you count the rare occasions when a bird and another bird collide into one another in midair. Those two were like my own private soap opera!

During the summer, Godric, Rowena, Helga and Salazar lived in the castle. To my joy one night, Rowena walked into the Astronomy Tower. I had to contain myself from jumping right out of the canvas to shower her with questions concerning her little predicament with Godric. Instead, I stayed motionless and fixed my eyes upon her. She took no sort of notice, so I didn’t even bother pretending to sleep anymore. She remained mute as she dished out piles of astrological charts and began studying them with a look of pure concentration etched onto her face. Then a creak of the door shocks both of us out of a reverie.

Well, well! It's Mr. Gryffindor himself…waltzing in to enjoy the company of Miss Ravenclaw.

"Rowena…" he starts. Rowena looks up from the complicated symbols on the pieces of parchment to look quizzically at Godric, even though she knows damn well that he wants to discuss their relationship. "Rowena, I just want to apologize. For acting childish and immature by avoiding you. I should've faced up to my fears of being turned down. Even for me, that is cowardly. But, I must know." He took a hold of her hand and looked straight into her eyes. I wonder if Rowena ever drowned into those hazel, almost golden, eyes. "Do you love me?"

Uh-oh! Red alert! Open the door, because I see an opportunity for Rowena to run out again. Oh wait…surprisingly, she's staying put.

"Godric, don't ever call yourself a coward. It's me that's the coward," Rowena's voice broke, and she made a fast swipe of her arm to wipe away the oncoming tears. "I was just so scared, that our relationship wouldn't work out…especially since I cared so much about you. I feared that my feelings would be mistreated, and I would have to deal with the pain of watching you go on and seeing myself still deeply in love with you. So, don't you ever, ever call yourself a coward, because you are a kind, compassionate man that I love with all my heart."

I was getting choked up. But unfortunately, I am a painting and I cannot cry. But still! I have feelings, and listening to this heartfelt speech activated those very feelings that humans experience.

Godric just gazed deeply into her tear filled eyes. His shining eyes gleamed with emotion, and he slowly closed the space between them with a short and sweet kiss. As they pulled apart, he said, barely above a whisper, "Rowena, I will love you with all my heart, and all my soul. Even though no relationship has gone without hardships, just be aware that I will stand by your side, no matter what. You are the only woman that can complete me, I love you."

They kissed passionately, while I dry away tears from the corner of my eyes. Well, I guess I can cry…even though the tears are painted…

*