The Revelation
The wand ceremony had gone well. At least Rowena thought so as she walked about her office. She had just returned, briefly, when it happened again. All of a sudden, as unexpectedly as it had the first time. She had almost forgotten what it felt like—for her world to be plunged into blackness. She kept turning around. It was as strange as the last time. It was like she was in an infinite chamber. If there were walls or a ceiling, they were impossibly far away from her. The floor was hard and solid, and her footsteps tapped as she moved, echoing. She could hear herself breathing and her heart beating. She was not afraid.
There, several feet away, two animals appeared. They were curled up on the floor. It was as though a light shone directly on them, glowing slightly, but there was no source of light. Their bodies were reflected in the smooth floor. There was a great lion, with a huge bushy mane. It would be terrifying in its presence if it didn’t look so gentle and kind. Next to it lay a snake, long, green and silvery. Its scaly skin was dry and smooth. She wasn't frightened of the snake either. But she was puzzled as to why they were both so close to each other. As if they had read her mind, the two looked up. The lion rose to its feet and backed away, its head bobbing side to side. The snake looked at the lion unflinchingly and then sprang forward, its fangs bared. Its intentions were unclear as the lion batted it away easily with a paw. The two animals then appeared to brace themselves. The lion growled and struck back. The snake coiled and slithered away, moving quickly along the floor. Too quickly for the lion, which was now pouncing and jumping out of its way. The snake crawled around to the back of the lion. It darted forwards, striking the lion’s ankle, its teeth sunk in. The lion roared in pain and staggered. The snake let go. The animals turned to face each other furiously. Then they pounced at the same time. This time to draw blood. Rowena could feel that the fatal blow was coming; she couldn't take her eyes off them. Before the blow could be dealt though, the blackness dissolved and the room materialised again.
What had happened? How would it end? She wanted to know. She realised her breathing was heavy and her palms clammy. She could not believe what she’d seen. She could not think it could be true.
*
Salazar was waiting in the main entrance hall. He looked out over the calm, sweeping lawns. He thought, in the end, it was probably a good idea that Mrs. Black was arriving today. He did not think she’d have appreciated the chaos that would have greeted her yesterday. Soon she appeared, in the failing light, holding her son’s hand. Her son held on to Letty, the house-elf, with the other. She looked impossibly regal as she strolled up the grounds to meet Salazar. She gave the castle the briefest of approving looks before addressing him.
“Professor Slytherin,” she rasped.
“Mrs. Black,” Salazar replied, bowing his head.
“Please,” she said, in a stately manner, “Regina; if you will.”
They walked inside. Salazar noted Orion. He was paler and quieter than the last time he had seen him, if that was possible. They headed in the direction of Salazar’s office.
“I am very pleased to hear that Orion will be in your house, Professor Slytherin,” Regina said, dabbing her mouth with a handkerchief, “I feel very certain he will thrive, most assuredly, under your care.”
“He will,” Salazar replied, “undoubtedly.”
Regina looked all the while at the stone corridors and staircases as they walked. She looked in amazement at the passing students hurrying by, as though she might still change her mind at any moment and take Orion home. Orion just followed behind her, looking blankly. Letty was jumpy the whole time, like she was frightened by everything. She covered her eyes and then her ears in turn, sorry she hadn’t got any more limbs to cover them both up with at the same time.
As they reached his office, they entered. It was dark, but for a greenish light. The shelves that lined the walls were full of jars, bowls, and ingredients. Regina took a seat in front of Salazar’s desk, and perched on it. Orion and Letty stood behind her.
“I would, of course, like to ensure that Orion receives the best education possible,” she said, pointing roughly behind her in Orion’s general direction. “I would be willing,” she continued, “to give an additional donation, to ensure all his needs are sufficiently met.”
Salazar looked at her intently, considering her words carefully, and then at Orion.
He said, courteously, “all of the students in our care will get the finest education. They will be treated equally.”
“I was afraid of that,” she sighed, hoarsely.
“However,” Salazar continued, “any donations we receive would, of course, be used to further the opportunities of those students. Perhaps in the acquisition of new books and scrolls.”
“I see,” she said, considerately, “that does sound like a worthwhile cause.”
At that moment there was a knock on the thick wooden door.
“Enter,” Salazar called.
Aldridge Lester walked in. He was spotty and dishevelled. He looked pleased to see Orion and grinned at him. He had evidently been waiting for his arrival.
“Ah, Lester, you know Black, of course. Perhaps you could show him to his room?”
Aldridge nodded briskly and led Orion away. Orion, still expressionless, trundled after him. Letty followed too, ready to bring his luggage.
Regina Black stood up slowly. She adjusted her apparel and then turned towards Salazar.
“It still amazes me,” she smiled sweetly, “that this place is run by a Slytherin and a Gryffindor. Who’d have thought?”
She turned and walked towards the door. Salazar knew he should just forget it. He knew exactly what she wanted. It would be better to leave it well alone, but he couldn’t help it. He breathed in deeply.
“And why is that?” Salazar asked calmly.
He had taken the bait. Her eyes glinted, and her mouth worked as if chewing on a particularly juicy morsel. She had an unnatural, girlish glee.
She spoke calculatingly, “You know your father had a friend when he was your age, just like you; a very close friend. They were both very handsome, if I remember correctly. They always did everything together—always in each other’s company. Well, one day, two men saw them together down by the river. I'm sure they were the most unscrupulous fellows; there were always a lot of them about in those days, as I’m sure you can imagine. But they said they saw your father’s friend make the most heinous romantic advance towards him, and worse!” She gasped. “Well, such an incredulous and scandalous accusation; I wouldn’t have believed it, but these things have to be taken seriously.”
She paused to draw breath. Salazar's eyebrows furrowed. He hardly knew what he was hearing. He stared at her, trying to look unfazed, although on the inside he was anything but.
“Of course, your father was highly respectable,” she continued, trying to press home the point, “just as he is now. He was never under the slightest bit of suspicion. But that friend of his, that scoundrel, was put up for charges of indecency, and quite rightly too. The judge was absolutely incredulous; such unnatural perversion must be dealt with severely—removed. The man was clearly debased and degenerate. Society had to be protected from such corrupt individuals; as I’m sure you would agree."
The atmosphere could not have been more tense. Salazar knew the law but had never heard of it actually being carried out.
She continued, "There was only one thing to do. The boy was sentenced to execution. Still, I don’t think I will ever forget, for the rest of my days, the sound of that boy’s screams as he was led away to his death.”
Salazar felt cold and sick to his stomach. He couldn't believe it. How could any of this happen?
“It was said,” she croaked, her eyes piercing him, “that if your father had put in a word for the boy, he may have been saved from his fate. But, quite rightly, he abandoned him. The way that boy took advantage of your father was scandalous! Shortly after the unpleasant business, he left town. As I’m sure you can imagine, he wanted to start afresh somewhere new."
Salazar’s heart raced within his chest. He couldn’t think. His feelings overwhelmed him, but he couldn’t allow them to betray him.
He tried to shrug it off, “I still don’t understand—what has any of this got to do with Godric Gryffindor and me?”
She looked at him as if all her Christmases had come at once.
“Well, you have not asked me what the boy’s name was—that unfortunate friend. His name was Fordlow Flint. His sister was a Miss Gwendoline Flint. Gwendoline Flint married a man named Gerinald Gryffindor. You see? Your father, Razledorf Slytherin, took into his house and raised as his own son the nephew of the man he as good as killed—Godric’s uncle. Now, if that’s not true retribution, I don’t know what is.”
Salazar froze in disbelief. His mind raced. How could this be true? Could his father really know all this? Could his father know Godric’s parents? Or was she lying about this? But how could anyone make up such an outrageous lie?
He instantly despised her. Why wouldn’t she go away? Why wouldn’t she just leave him alone? He didn’t know how he managed to keep his countenance when he faced her, but he had no intention of showing his internal turmoil.
"This is news to me, you're right," he said uncomfortably. "But, as I'm sure you will appreciate, it's my father's business." Then he continued, "time is marching on. Perhaps you would like to see Orion before you leave?"
"No, I mustn't keep you," she replied, smiling.
With inexplicable composure, he thanked her for coming and then showed her to the door. He moved and spoke in a kind of daydream.
Once she was gone, Salazar collapsed into his chair. He was so thankful—to be rid of that dreadful woman at last. His chest heaved up and down. He couldn’t breathe fast enough. He bent over, thinking he might faint. His thoughts raged within him.
Why had his father taken Godric in? Was Godric some vain attempt at penance from his father? Or was this all just a complete coincidence?
Then he thought of Fordlow, Godric’s uncle. He wanted to weep. What had his father done? Fordlow had been killed—how? How could anyone have allowed such a thing to happen if they could have done something about it? He had to find out the truth.
He cursed his father. He hated him. Why had Regina told him? He hated her too. Did she know something? Did she suspect him and Godric? Godric! he cried to himself. He had to find Godric. He needed to talk to him. He needed him.
Salazar wiped his eyes and quickly checked himself over. Then he left. He practically ran along the corridors. He looked in their room; Godric was not there. He looked in the Great Hall; he was not there either. He checked with Rowena and Helga; neither of them had seen him nor knew where he was. He even checked the Gryffindor tower, but in vain.
Lost and defeated, Salazar returned to his own room. He sank onto his bed and curled up, his face in his hands. He had been denied his one comfort. He had no one to talk to. No one who could help him. He felt so alone.