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Hello everybody! I just realized how long it's been since I updated and I'm really sorry for that. This is my favorite chapter so far. Enjoy!

That night, Salazar Slytherin arrived. Rowena had not seen him in two years and he had been much changed. He was taller than she was now and had lost much of his childish roundness.

“Salazar!” Rowena shrieked as she ran to meet his carriage. The minute he stepped down, she threw her arms around him as Godric looked on bitterly.

“Rowena! It’s great to see you!” said Salazar enthusiastically. He collected his bags and hurried back up to the house with Rowena bubbling along at his side.

When they reached the house, Salazar shook hands with Godric and said hello to his parents. “Come inside, come inside,” said Gabrielle, beaming. “Godric will show you where you’re sleeping, won’t you Godric? You can put your bags down and come meet Helga and her cousins when they get here.”

“Her cousins are coming too?” asked Salazar.

“Yes dear. Helga’s cousins are staying with her for several weeks this summer and as Helga wanted to spend time with us, her cousins are coming here. They are only staying for two weeks. Now go put your things away. They’ll be here soon.”

Sure enough, another carriage pulled into the drive several minutes later and Helga got out. She was wearing a simple, lavender-colored frock, which went well with her straight, brown hair. Two girls stepped out of the carriage after Helga. They both wore beautiful gowns with lots of ruffles, lace, and bows. Their hair hung in elaborate curls.

“Hello, Rowena,” said Helga, sweetly (the boys were still upstairs). “Hello,” she added to Gustoph and Gabrielle. “These are my cousins, Lauda and Veronica.”

Rowena embraced Helga and said hello to her cousins. When Godric and Salazar came downstairs, they also greeted Helga and her cousins. Godric took the girls’ bags upstairs and they all went to dinner together.

During dinner, Rowena talked little. She was more listening to what Helga’s cousins were saying. She learned that Lauda and Veronica were from France and that this was the end of their visit to England. They were sisters. Veronica was sixteen and would turn seventeen around the same time as Rowena. Lauda had recently turned fifteen.

“How are you liking England?” asked Gabrielle.

“I like it,” began Lauda. “It is pleasant and-“

“It’s alright,” cut in Veronica. “But France is much better.”

“Oh,” said Gabrielle, slightly taken aback. “Well, I hope you enjoy your stay here.”

“I’m sure we will,” said Lauda, almost apologetically.

“Well, if you’re finished with your dinners, I’ll show you to your rooms.” Gabrielle took Lauda and Veronica upstairs and Helga moved her chair closer to Rowena.

“Sorry about them,” said Helga. “I didn’t want to bring them along, but they’re only staying for two weeks and then we’ll have the rest of the summer.”

“It’s alright,” said Rowena. “I’ve dealt with worse.”

Helga raised an eyebrow. “Oh really?”

“Later,” hissed Rowena. “I’ll tell you later.”

Helga dropped her voice to a whisper. “Is it about you and-“

“Shh!” whispered Rowena, glancing at Godric and Salazar, who were deep in conversation at the other end of the table. “We’ll talk after everyone’s gone to bed.”

Just then, Gabrielle came back. “The girls are all settled in their beds,” she said, “and I suggest that you all do the same. You’re sleeping in the room next to Rowena’s, Helga. Your bags are already up there.”

“Thank you, Gabrielle,“ said Helga. She, Rowena, and the boys stood up and went upstairs to their rooms.

Helga’s room was right next to Rowena’s, just as Gabrielle had said, and they shared a closet and dressing room.

“Now,” said Helga. “What were you going to tell me?”

“Godric,” said Rowena, unable to get the rest of the words out.

“He told you, didn’t he?”

“What? How did you know?”

“He told me last year when he and his family came to visit my family. He said he’s loved you forever. What did you say when he told you?”

“I kind of…well…I got…”

“Angry?”

“Yes.”

“What did you say?”

“I told him that a relationship wasn’t what I wanted. Then I said that he was my best friend and I didn’t want to ruin that.”

“Well, you’re right, but-“

“’But’ what?”

“You’ll hate me if I say it.”

“Say it!”

“You and Godric would look so cute together!” Rowena picked up the pillow off her bed and threw it at Helga, giggling. Helga grabbed the pillow and threw it right back, also laughing. Then she said, “well you would!”

Rowena laughed and said, “well, maybe, but I don’t know.”

“Why? Is there someone else?” Rowena turned bright red. “I’ll take that as a yes. Who?”

“Well, I don’t know for sure, but maybe. I bet you can guess who it is anyway.”

“Salazar?” Rowena turned even redder and nodded. “You guys would be cute together too, but Godric-“

“Godric will have to live with whatever choice I make. Besides, it’s not his decision who I go out with or when or why.”

“I know that, Rowena, but Godric thinks otherwise. He feels like an older brother toward you, you know that, right?”

“Yes, but he’s not, and even if he was, he would have no control over me whatsoever. I’m going to bed now.”

“Alright. I’ll see you in the morning.”

That night, Rowena had a dream. She was walking down a long, dark corridor. Godric appeared in front of her saying, “I’ve loved you forever, Rowena,” repeatedly and in a low, quiet voice. Rowena pushed past him, but soon encountered Helga, who said, in the same manner, “Godric feels like an older brother toward you, you know that, right?” Godric and Helga followed Rowena down the corridor, both of them repeating their mantras. Rowena covered her ears, but it still did not block out the sound. After what seemed like an eternity, she woke up to gleaming sunlight and a new day.