Founders Through Time

Summary: What if there was a different reason for Salazar leaving? Hermione and Severus are swept up in a story of love, betrayal and mistakes. Can the two of them correct a mistake that Helga and Godric made or are they doomed to suffer the same fate as Rowena and Salazar? R/R

Chapter 8

All through the Christmas holidays, Hermione and Severus stayed in the Chambers that Salazar built for him and Rowena. On Christmas day, Hermione received gifts from her friends. Severus had given her a beautiful sapphire, diamond and emerald necklace. The three jewels were set in a pendant of sterling silver. The pendent showed a rose. The diamonds made up the petals, the emeralds the stem, and four sapphires arched over the rose. Hermione had given Severus a sterling silver pocket watch with the Slytherin crest inlaid on the front.

“Listen to this Hermione. ‘Today my beloved Rowena was laid to rest. I came to the funeral and was surprised at Helga and Godric’s reaction. Instead of telling me to leave, they sat me right in front.

“Godric had her interned beneath her favorite oak tree. She looked as beautiful as ever. I saw that Helga had placed the engagement ring I had given Rowena where it belonged. On Rowena’s left ring finger. Tonight I shall join my beloved. I know one day we will be reunited in the future. I have spent the last forty years away from her. I even married. My wife knows nothing of Rowena, nor Rowena about my wife. That secret will die with me tonight,” Severus read.

“How sad. How could he marry another when his heart belonged to Rowena?” Hermione asked sadly.

“I don’t know. Salazar never said why he married someone else. As a matter of fact, he never mentioned his wife in any of his journals,” he replied.

Hermione just shook her head as she stood up and walked over to tend the fire. She sighed as she felt Severus slide his arms around her waist. She leaned back against his chest.

“Tomorrow we have to go back to normal,” she said quietly.

“I know. I’ve been trying not to think about it,” he sighed.

“I don’t think I can do this,”

“Do what Hermione?”

“This. Hiding our relationship. Salazar and Rowena did and look what happened to them. They were forced apart by the very people who should have been happy for them and supported them,”

Severus turned her around and wrapped her in his strong embrace. Hermione buried her face in his chest, tears sliding down her cheeks. Severus didn’t know how to comfort her. She had voiced the fear that had been clutching at his heart. Fear of him and Hermione being separated.

“It will work out my love. It just has to,” he whispered as he laid his cheek against her hair.

************************************************************************

The next day was the hardest for Hermione and Severus. For the past two weeks they had lived together without fear of discovery. Now, they had to go back pretending they were only teacher and student.

“Severus, what’s wrong?” Albus asked at dinner.

“You know what’s wrong,” Severus hissed.

“I see. After dinner, come to my office,” Albus ordered.

Severus nodded. He looked down at the Gryffindor table where Hermione sat talking with her friends. He only hoped that if Harry and Susan Bones were in fact the reincarnations of Godric and Helga, they were more open minded than their house founders.

************************************************************************

“We missed you at the Burrow,” Ron said.

“I missed you guys too, but I wanted to take advantage of having the library to myself,” Hermione replied.

“Well, thanks for the gifts. I loved that sweater,” Ginny smiled.

“You’re welcome and thanks for my gifts. I loved them,” Hermione nodded.

“Hey! Where did you get that?” Ron asked.

Hermione looked at where he was pointing. It was the necklace Severus had given her. She froze, but luckily Susan came walking up and took over the situation.

“From Harry and I. I saw it in that jewelry store in Hogsmeade,” Susan answered, giving Hermione a soft smile.

“Yeah, we both thought it was perfect for Hermione. After all, her birthstone is a sapphire, her mum’s was a diamond, and her dad’s was an emerald. We felt it would be like always having a piece of her parents with her,” Harry added.

‘Thank you,’ Hermione mouthed. Hermione’s parents had been killed by Death Eaters the previous year, so Harry and Susan’s story worked perfectly.

************************************************************************

That evening after dinner, Severus sat with Albus and Minerva. Over the holidays, Minerva had finally come around. She saw that Severus and Hermione truly did belong together.

“My boy, I know this is difficult…” Albus started.

“You don’t know anything Albus. I don’t know how Hermione and I are going to get through this. Hell, I don’t know how Salazar and Rowena managed to do it for so long,” Severus said.

“Don’t you and Hermione have their memories? How did they do it?” Minerva asked.

“We do Minerva, but it was easier for them. They were both professors. Hermione is still my student, even if she is of age,” Severus sighed.

“I still don’t understand. What was wrong about Rowena and Salazar being together?” Minerva questioned.

“I can only tell you what I remember and from what I’ve read in their journals. Godric and Helga felt they would be unable to perform their responsibilities as Professors. You know being unbiased with the students due to their involvement with one another. During one argument however, Godric and Helga voiced their concerns of a child from Salazar and Rowena. Rowena and Salazar were two of the most powerful wizards of the time. Can you imagine how powerful any child of theirs would have been?” Severus explained.

“Back then I could see how that would be a frightening thing. At least all you and Hermione have to worry about is the Ministry,” Albus said.

“Oh is that all? Gee, no big deal,” Severus replied with a roll of his eyes.

“Everything will work out Severus. After all, you and Hermione are pretty brilliant and powerful in your own right,” Minerva reassured him.

Severus simply nodded his head in thanks. He bid Albus and Minerva good night and left. The couple watched him leave, both hoping that history wouldn’t end up repeating itself with Hermione and Severus.

************************************************************************

Salazar stood at the foot of Rowena’s grave. Beside him stood Helga and Godric. Both looking on somberly.

“Please Salazar, she wouldn’t want this,” Helga pleaded.

“I can’t be parted from her any longer. I have already betrayed her by marrying Gwendolyn. I only hope Rowena can forgive me. I can’t live without my beloved Rowena,” Salazar said as he pulled out a vial from his pocket.

“I’ll bury you beside her. What do I tell your wife?” Godric asked quietly.

“Tell her…tell her I died on the journey back. That in my grief I fell off my broom and that I’m buried beside my best friend,” Salazar answered.

Godric nodded. Helga let out a sob and turned away. She couldn’t watch another friend die. Godric patted Salazar’s shoulder then walked away to give Salazar some privacy. Salazar looked down at the fresh grave.

“My darling Rowena. I’m so sorry for betraying your love and trust by marrying another. I love you even now. Please forgive me. I’ll be seeing you soon,” Salazar whispered.

He uncorked the vial. As he placed the vial to his lips, a solitary tear slid down his cheek. The poison began working immediately. Within minutes, he fell on top of Rowena’s grave. Dead.

************************************************************************

Harry and Susan woke up with a start, neither knowing the other had just had the same dream. Both laid in their dorms, shaken at what their dreams had shown them. The couple prayed Salazar and Rowena’s fate would not be the fate of Hermione and Severus.

************************************************************************

“She’s lucky Salazar. If she were any further along, you may very well have lost Rowena as well,” the healer said.

“Merlin. I didn’t even know she was pregnant,” Salazar sighed.

“I don’t think she did either. She needs rest for a week or so. She’ll be good as new physically by then,” the healer instructed.

“Will she still be able to have children?” Salazar questioned.

“Yes. I wouldn’t recommend trying right away though. Her body needs time,” the healer answered.

“Of course. Thank you my friend,” Salazar said as he shook the healer’s hand.

After the healer left, Salazar entered Rowena’s bedroom. He was glad it was summer. The students were gone, along with Helga and Godric. He found Rowena laying in bed, resting.

“Rowena,” he said softly.

“Oh Salazar,” she smiled weakly.

He walked to her bed and sat next to her. He took her hand in his and kissed it tenderly. Rowena placed her hand on his cheek.

“I’m sorry love,” she sighed.

“Sshh. Don’t worry about it now. The healer said you need rest for the next week or so. He also said you can still have children in the future,” he replied.

“Well that’s good news. Considering you’re the only man I want to be the father of my children,” she smiled.

“Then we will begin practicing once you’re feeling up to it,” he chuckled.

“Lay with me. I need to feel you holding me. Please,” she requested.

Salazar kicked off his shoes and removed his shirt and climbed into the bed with her. He carefully pulled her into his arms. Rowena rested her head against his chest, directly over his heart.

“I love you Salazar,”

“And I love you Rowena,”

************************************************************************

Severus sat up gasping and covered in a cold sweat. He couldn’t believe what he had just seen. Rowena had lost her and Salazar’s baby. Then it hit him like a raging herd of hippogriffs.

“Oh god. I didn’t cast a contraceptive spell,” he gasped.

************************************************************************

“Severus? What are you doing here?” Hermione asked as Severus brushed past her into her sitting room.

“I just had a dream of Rowena and Salazar. She had lost their child. Over the holidays, I didn’t use a contraceptive spell,” he explained.

“Severus, calm down. I’m taking one of Madame Pomfrey’s contraceptive potions. I’ve been taking it for the past three years. It alleviates my cramps,” she said, a smile tugging at her lips.

“Thank Merlin. Don’t get me wrong, I would love for you to be the mother of my children one day, just not now,” he sighed.

“I agree. Now, as much as I would love for you to stay, you had better leave,” she smiled.

Hermione walked him to her door. As he stepped out into the hall, he turned, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her passionately. Both were so engrossed in each other, that they failed to see Pansy and Draco hidden in the shadows.

“Time to get rid of the mudblood and the traitor once and for all,” Pansy smiled twistedly, while Draco looked concerned.

T.B.C