The Castle
Chapter 9: The Castle
Helga looked down at the parchment, then at Godric and Salazar sitting around the Ravenclaw table. She turned it over; it was blank on the other side.
“There aren’t as many names on here as I thought there’d be,” Helga said, unimpressed. “Hang on, there isn’t a single girl on this list!”
“What do girls need a school for?” Godric asked between mouthfuls.
“Godric Gryffindor!” Helga retorted, outraged. “You can’t be serious. This school is as much for girls as it is for boys!”
“Sure, I just—” Godric started, “how many spells do they need around the home?”
Helga looked at him as if ready to throttle him.
“You tell those families right now that there’s been a grave mistake and that we proudly accept girls. They deserve a decent future as much as anyone,” Rowena insisted.
“Alright, but it’s these families you have to convince,” Godric shrugged. “Money’s tight. Not all of them can afford to send their daughters to school.”
“To be fair,” Salazar joined in, trying to appease Helga and Rowena, “most of the families we’ve met so far haven’t had girls.”
“Well, maybe they will today,” Helga said, folding her arms. “Or perhaps we should change our pairs to ensure fair representation.”
“I don’t think that will be necessary,” Salazar said quickly.
Godric looked down at his list. “We’ve still got a couple of families today. Maybe they’ll have some?”
“I better see some girls on that list by tonight!” Helga warned him, finger wagging. "Or there'll be trouble!"
*
At every opportunity, Rowena stole away to the Highland clifftop where the school was being built.
“It’s beautiful,” Rowena declared on one such occasion.
She was walking inside the nearly finished school with Oswald. The last few roofs and finishing touches were being added. Oswald had started referring to it as a ‘castle.’ The stonework was incredible. The sun shone brightly through the windows, but inside, it was quiet and reverently cool—perfect conditions for teaching and learning.
“Look at that window,” Rowena gasped, staring up at the Great Hall. “And the ceiling. Look at that fireplace in the wall! Who’d have thought?”
“It’s the future!” Oswald declared, brimming with pride.
“It’s so big,” she said. “The hall, I mean. Will we really be able to fill it?”
Her voice echoed slightly in the vast space.
“One day,” he replied confidently. “This place is going to stand for a thousand years.”
“Imagine that,” she said. “All the lives that will pass through these walls in this wonderful place.”
“It would take an army of wizards to knock it down,” he said confidently.
“Well, let’s hope it never comes to that!”
“You know,” he said passionately, “the key to a really great magical building? You have to remember they are not like Muggle buildings. Yes, they need structure, like bones, but they also need muscles, lungs, and a heart. They need their own spirit.”
“Character?” she suggested.
“Yes, kind of,” he replied.
“Like this?”
She held up her wand, and immediately, the ceiling became almost transparent. The sky was inside the ceiling. You could see the clouds, just like the sky outside.
“That’s incredible!” he said, amazed. “How did you do that?”
She blushed, and then, giddy with excitement, Rowena and Oswald ran throughout the castle, flinging spells left, right, and centre. There was barely a stone they left untouched. The place brimmed with magic. They enchanted staircases to move, whole corridors and classrooms to shift. They created secret passageways and doors that would only open with certain commands. Oswald let his imagination run free, doing all the craziest things he could think of. Rowena, feeling wild and happy, allowed herself so much freedom and liberty. They tried to outdo each other and make each other laugh.
Soon, furniture started arriving. Tables were laid out, benches were placed, and desks and chairs were arranged perfectly. The place looked beautiful in its own way. Rowena was certain they’d never look so prim and proper again, and that made her glad; it was just as it ought to be.
“A place brimming with this much magic, it takes on a certain persona,” Oswald tried to explain animatedly as he came to find Rowena. “Come, have a look.”
Perplexed, Rowena allowed herself to be led away by Oswald, up a set of stairs until they stood outside a cupboard door.
“What on earth is it?” Rowena asked, slightly breathlessly. “It’s a cupboard?”
“Just take a look,” Oswald said mischievously. “Inside!”
He was like a schoolboy on Christmas Day. Rowena, uncertain, turned the door handle and opened it. She received such a fright! Inside was a man—a small, little man wearing outlandish clothes like a jester. He had black hair covered by a large bell-topped hat, and his eyes were closed as though he were sound asleep.
“Who on earth is he?” Rowena gasped.
“Comes with the territory,” Oswald explained, looking chuffed with himself. “You know you’ve nailed it when the place comes with this.”
Rowena still looked baffled.
“What did you say?” Oswald tried to remember. “Character? This place needs spirit. Well, let me introduce you to Hogwarts' very own Poltergeist.”
“Oh!” she gasped.
The man’s eyes shot open, big and slanted. He made the most outrageous curtsy and then bowed until his nose almost touched the floor.
“Your ladyship,” he said in a dramatic voice. “Ma’am, I am your humble servant.”
“I am pleased to make your acquaintance, sir,” she said, offering him her hand. “What should I call you?”
He blew a raspberry, did not take her hand, and said, “I know not, m’lady. No, m’lady. I’m nameless, m’lady.” Then he raised the back of his hand to his forehead, melodramatically sighed, and blew his nose with his sleeve.
“Now, don’t be peevish,” she said sternly.
“Peevish, m’lady? Am I peev-ish? There’s no ‘ish’ about it, m’lady. I’m completely peeved!” He cackled, did a cartwheel, and then, with another bow, vanished. Rowena was completely taken aback.
“Well, you’ve got yourself quite a character there,” Oswald laughed, rubbing the back of his head. “Some might say more than enough of a character! Might be quite a handful.”
“Where’s he gone?” Rowena asked, looking shocked.
“Could be anywhere,” Oswald smiled at her, shrugging. “Your guess is as good as mine!”
How many more surprises could this castle hold? She had not counted on a ghost—no, a poltergeist—wandering the corridors as well.
“Here,” Oswald said. “There’s more. Come.”
He took her by the hand and led her up the staircase.
“Oswald,” she giggled, “where are you taking me?”
Oswald led her up many flights of steps until they reached the astronomy tower. He made no reference to their destination, just telling her to wait and see in response to her questions. When they reached the tower, Rowena gasped. They could see for miles around. She knew she would never tire of that view. Far below, she could make out tents and small wizards, like ants, going about their business. She leaned on the parapet. Oswald picked up an object and brought it to her. It was like a strange metallic stone basin with ancient runes carved into its surface.
“I believe this to be my favourite place in the whole world,” Rowena sighed.
Then she saw Oswald with the basin.
“What is it?” she asked, intrigued, as she swept her hand over its beautiful carvings.
“Some of my men have just deciphered the runes. They found it when we were digging the castle’s foundations. I’ve no idea who left it here, but this is a Pensieve.”
“What’s that?”
“You can use it to place thoughts and memories in, if you ever want to relive them.”
Rowena wasn’t quite sure what he meant, but it sounded wonderful.
“Here,” Oswald said, putting it down.
He raised his wand to his temple. A thin silvery strand attached itself to his wand, and he slowly pulled it away from his skull, wincing slightly. Rowena gasped. He moved his wand to the basin, and the silvery strand formed a pool. He touched it lightly with his wand, and a man formed, standing on the surface. He tripped, looking remarkably like Oswald.
“I’m okay!” the figure spoke, echoey.
“That was the first day we met,” Rowena exclaimed in amazement.
“Yes, that was the first day I realized I loved you,” he said, looking straight at Rowena.
She blushed but continued to hold his gaze.
“This whole castle is a love note to you. I don’t know, Rowena, maybe I’m crazy for thinking you could possibly—what I mean is, I have to say it, I have to ask.”
“Yes,” she said encouragingly.
“I love you. Will you be mine?” he implored ardently.
“Yes, Oswald,” she replied excitedly. “Yes, of course, I will. I love you too.”
Elation welled up inside her. The feelings she had been suppressing for so long, like a dam, finally burst forth in torrents. She had not allowed herself to fully believe it was true, to imagine it. Now she could believe it, she must. Someone truly loved her, someone she could love back forever. Her Oswald! She embraced him and they kissed.
“Let us vow to each other,” Oswald said.
“No,” Rowena said. “Not yet. Please, let’s wait. Let’s do it in front of our families tomorrow. I want my friends and mother to see. I want it to just be the two of us tonight, nobody else.”
He looked slightly crestfallen and frustrated, but he could refuse her nothing.
“Tonight?” he questioned.
“Today,” she said.
But she could not bear to disappoint him.
So, surprising herself, she said adamantly, “But that does not mean we can’t share with each other. That our bodies can’t vow to each other.”
Oswald smiled at her reassuringly. They were still close, still touching. He could feel the magic of her words sparking through his body. He gave a quick flick of his wand, and a couch appeared. He had wanted this for so long. He made no noise, but his body cried yes with every fibre. Soon they were lying on the couch, clinging to each other, heady and passionate, lost to each other and the world. They would remember this moment forever. He was strong and firm. His chest, his lips, were all she wanted. Her eyes, her back, she was tantalizing and intoxicating. Sweet, blissful love, they drank from each other deeply and freely.
*
Rowena lay next to Oswald, her fingers softly caressing his chest. Her head was close to his. She was as close as she could be. This was everything she wanted. It was too perfect to be true.
“Stay,” Oswald pleaded.
“I can’t,” Rowena replied. “They’ll miss me. I need to get back.”
“Tomorrow, we shan't have to do this. Tomorrow is the beginning of the rest of our lives.”
He sounded so sure, so reassuring. Rowena sighed.
“I want to be with you, forever,” she said firmly. “What are we going to do? I can’t leave the school.”
“You won’t have to,” he said, comforting her. “I’ll stay here. I’ll teach. Then, if any jobs come up, I can go and do them whenever I need a break!” He laughed.
“That sounds perfect.”
“I will go back to Winchester tonight. I’ll get my things. I’ll bring my mother tomorrow. Then we will never be parted, I promise.”
A juvenile cackle echoed around the tower. A man lay on the balustrade on his front, arms propping his head up, his feet swinging merrily behind him. A bell jangled on his head.
“What-cha doin'?” Peeves asked playfully.
Oswald and Rowena said nothing.
“Ooh,” he teased, “so it’s that sort of school, is it?”
“Go away!” Oswald commanded.
“Shan't,” Peeves cried. He blew another raspberry, then proceeded, “Not very ladylike, is it? I must say. Not sure ladies should be doing that sort of thing on the astronomy tower! What if all the little beastly, sweety, students were to find out?”
“We’ll be officially married tomorrow,” Rowena countered. “And if the poor, scarred students don’t know what that involves by now, then they’ll have to learn at some point.”
This shut Peeves up, as he had no reply.
“Now, if you don’t mind,” Rowena sat up, “we have things to do.”
Peeves, realizing his fun had been prematurely thwarted, sulked and then vanished.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” Rowena kissed Oswald again.
“Me too,” he said, returning the kiss.
*
Back in the tent, Salazar was thinking about the change that was coming. The school was almost finished now. Godric and he would no longer need to share a tent for much longer. The way things were going, Salazar thought, Oregon would not be needing his tent for much longer either. Godric was beside him. Oregon could be heard snoring away in his compartment. It was a warm night, the warmest night for a while. He would miss this, he thought.
Godric was clearly uncomfortable. He tossed about, and then suddenly flung his blanket off. He was lying on his front.
“It’s boiling,” he cried, frustratedly. “These great furry carcasses don’t help either, do they?”
“No,” Salazar replied, trying to sound sympathetic.
The heat had not subsided. Godric looked at Salazar. Then a smile teetered on his lips.
“Are you checking out my ass?” he asked proudly.
Salazar was. It was looking particularly fine that evening. He had been tracing the curve of Godric’s back with his eyes, from his broad shoulders to his narrow waist and large glutes.
“Do you mind?” Salazar replied, still looking.
“No, it gets painfully underappreciated at the moment,” Godric smirked.
“I’m sure.”
“You’re the worst!” Godric chuckled and pushed him away with his hand. Then he looked at him again and asked, “Do you want me to turn over?”
Salazar looked up at his face.
He replied earnestly, “All I want is for it to be like this, always. Just you and me, the two of us. Is that too much to hope for?”
“Well, the way things are going, it’s probably going to end up being just the two of us anyway. I can’t see there being many opportunities to meet women while I’m locked away in Scotland all year,” Godric sighed, disappointedly.
Salazar smiled. “Good.”
There was silence but for the snoring. The air was thick, like a storm was brewing. Salazar’s mind suddenly turned to his father.
“Father wants me to find a wife,” Salazar admitted.
This was probably enough of the truth that needed to be shared.
“He does?” Godric asked, sounding interested. “I suppose that’s not surprising, is it? Do you want to?”
“No!” Salazar said a little too forcefully. “Of course not.”
“You never know,” Godric said, sighing. “You might like it once you’ve tried it.”
“Shut up!” Salazar laughed and pushed him back.
“Who would you pick?” Godric asked, looking curiously at him. “If you had to!”
“No one,” Salazar replied quickly. “I don’t know, do I. I’ll just take one my father gets me.”
“Well,” Godric thought, “let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, then, for her sake!”
They laughed. It took them a while, but they dropped off to sleep one after the other, with smiles on their faces.