The Founders Four: Their Tale of Greatness

By SamGryffinclaw

AN:

Welcome! I see you've come across my little story. This is my first story, and I intend for it to become almost novel-length. I was inspired to write this story after reading Star of the North's "Tale of a Time Long Gone." This story is in no way related to her story, other than that they both center on the Founders. My characters are in no way related to hers other than the names of the Founders. Enjoy, and please review!

Disclaimer: I am in no way associated with J. K. Rowling or her books, other than fondly enjoying them. Neither is this story. Anything you recognize belongs to her, and anything you don't know belongs to me.

Chapter 1: The Families Four

Rowena Ravenclaw was bored. No, not just bored. She felt that she was about as excited as a hippogriff eating its own dung. Not that she was consuming anything's waste, but her chores were, in her opinion, just as bad.

Rowena decided that she did not want to continue, and so sneaked out of the kitchen and made for the door in her living room to reach the outside world. As soon as she got up, however, her mother seemed to just appear right in front of her.

"And where exactly do you think you're going?" Cassidy Ravenclaw asked, in the calm and collected tone she used to hide her anger.

"Um…I dunno. I just finished my chores and I was hoping to go exploring in the forest!" Rowena lied, hoping to fool her mother.

Her mother, however, was NOT fooled. "You think you're done with it all? Somehow, I doubt that. Have you mended that horrible hole in your beautiful blue dress?" Rowena's silence was enough answer. "I knew it. Go back to your room and finish, and then you can go out and explore. Maybe." Cassidy said haughtily. She turned her back on her daughter and headed toward her bedroom, muttering to herself as she went.

Rowena returned to her room, stomping as she went, and sat down on her bed. She stared at the dress beside her, wondering what her mother meant. The hole wasn't THAT big. It was something that you couldn't see from more than two feet away! Rowena continued to stare at it, just wishing for it to mend itself.

Suddenly, it began to do just that! The fabric of the dress simply extended from all sides of the hole and came together, until it was completely gone! Perplexed, Rowena ran her dainty fingers over what was once a hole in her dress. It was as if there was never a hole at all!

Deciding not to explain the situation, and rather to exploit it, she grabbed the dress and ran into her mother's room. "Dress is mended!" Rowena called as she threw said dress at her mother's bewildered face. "Bebacklaterbye!"

The young woman ran outside her house and dashed into the village center, unsure of what to do next. Though she had said she would invite Tara and Aaron on her little expedition, it might be more fun to do something so exciting alone! The idea firm in her mind, she turned around and headed south into the forest that surrounded the place she called home.

After a few hours of exploring, Rowena found herself completely lost. Having lost all sight of her home long ago, she hadn't the slightest idea where she should head next. After a few steps, however, she saw a little light up ahead. Funny, thought Rowena. I must have turned in a circle. Surely that's my clearing up ahead! There isn't anyone else in the forest… is there?

Before the girl could have time to think, her feet decided for her that she was going to run up to the light to investigate. However, such speed does not often do well for a girl running through a forest in the dark, as was proven when she ran headlong into a large oak tree. Just before her consciousness left her, she could have sworn she saw a young man holding what she thought was a stick with a light on it! Sticks didn't light up… did they? She had no time to ponder, for just as she saw him, she then saw nothing but darkness.

SSSSSSSSSS

Salazar did not know what to think. All he had been doing was gathering firewood to keep warm back home, when suddenly a muggle girl was running right at him! If it wasn't for the tree, then he didn't know what he would have done.

Now was not the time to thank the tree. The girl was unconscious in front of him, and could be seriously hurt. Berating himself internally for this unnecessary bout of kindness, he levitated her with his wand and started off.

But where was he headed? Salazar did not know of anywhere near there where muggles lived. How he knew she was a muggle, he didn't quite understand. Maybe he just felt it.

He decided to just be as silent as he could, and listen for sounds that didn't sound like those of forest animals. Once that didn't work, he looked around for a clue as to where the girl was from. Thanking Merlin, he saw a particularly stomped-upon looking trail, and determined it must be where she had come from.

After following the path for a few hours, he saw a light up ahead. Surely this was the village from whence she came! Hurriedly, he ran up behind a house to hide and figure out what to do next.

Suddenly, an odd feeling came over Salazar. He turned around swiftly and saw a pair of bright green eyes staring back at him. Not wanting to be seen, he dashed away into the forest. I guess she'll be all right… thought Salazar.

Unbeknownst to him, the owner of those eyes would remember him VERY well…

GGGGGGGGGG

Godric Gryffindor, unlike his father, considered himself to be a simple man. His father was the founder and mayor of the town they lived in, Calaway, and they were quite wealthy.

After the death of his mother, Gaspara, 5 years previous, Godric had become more quiet and reserved. His father, however, managed to recuperate and returned to his usual self quickly. After two more years, Galway Gryffindor found new love in a Dutch witch named Galinda Korteweg, and they married within a month of their meeting.

Godric snapped awake and jumped out of bed so quickly that he fell over and rolled over to his bedroom door.

"Is everything all right in there, Master Godric?" a startled voice called from the hallway. "You've made quite a loud ruckus, if I may say so."

Godric's bedroom door opened up to reveal a small old man in formal clothing. Gilbert had been the Gryffindor's butler since before Godric had been born, and he did not intend to leave anytime soon.

"Gilbert, you know you don't need to call me Master. My father is your master; I'm only his 19 year old son! And don't worry," Godric said, responding to Gilberts worrying quiver in his voice, "I'm fine. I guess my body was just excited to be awake, that's all."

Nodding, Gilbert walked in to dress him. Godric hated the procedure, but admitted that he could not even think of putting on the clothes his father required without getting a major headache.

When Godric's long, flowing scarlet robes were on properly, Gilbert backed away and began making Godric's bed.

A loud rumble was heard, and little Gilbert jumped. Laughing heartily, Godric said, "I think that was my stomach! Merlin, I had better get some breakfast in my system. See you later Gill!" Godric then sauntered out of the bedroom to head down for breakfast. He chuckled inside a little as he walked, for he knew that if one thing in all of Calaway irked little Gilbert, it was being called Gill.

As Godric made his way into the kitchen, his step-mother jumped out of her seat and cried, "Oh Godric! I can't believe you are up so late! It's almost 9:00, you lazy boy! Come, come. Have some breakfast; Gilbert made eggs and toast this morning."

Just as he was raised to, Godric obediently sat down at one of the chairs that flanked the large table. As Galinda served him his eggs, she began talking of the latest gossip. "Oh Godric, you wouldn't believe what your uncle Galliard told me that happened last night at his tavern. You know that little friend of yours, what is his name… Jason Jenkins? Well, in front of the whole Hooting Hen, he suddenly hopped down on one knee and proposed to your cousin, Galadriel!" Godric stopped breathing for a moment, but his step-mother didn't notice. "She accepted, of course. I've heard they've been courting for over a month now, which is long in your generation, I've heard. Isn't it exciting?"

"Yes, Galinda…" replied Godric, rather dazed. "Quite exciting." Godric was surprised that Jason, his closest friend, hadn't told him of his plans to propose to his cousin! One would expect one's friend to explain that kind of plan, but Godric had no such luck.

Trying to change the subject so he could decide what to think of this news, he asked Galinda, "Have you seen Father? He promised yesterday that we could go somewhere exciting this morning to practice my swordsmanship, but I'm not sure when he meant for us to go…"

After a moment's thought, Galinda replied, "You know, I haven't the slightest idea where he is! He was already out of bed when I woke up this morning, and I haven't seen him since. You had best check his study; he does seem to spend most of his time there."

Nodding, Godric stood up to go search for his father. Hopefully his step-mother was right.

HHHHHHHHHHHHH

Helga Hufflepuff looked around her kitchen while the cookies she had just prepared were baking. Though she could just ask her mother to conjure up a batch, they always seemed to taste better without the extra hint of magic in them. In that way, muggles seemed to have it right.

Helena, Helga's mother, was sitting in a rocking chair in the den adjacent to the kitchen/breakfast room. She was threading a number of stone beads retrieved and carved by her husband to make what would soon be a gorgeous necklace.

Helga's three brothers were outside in the valley playing what she liked to call a "boys' game." Pointless, violent, stupid, and physical were all that they cared about, and all that she could care less for.

Much to her dismay, they came bursting in the kitchen door, covered in mud and still chasing each other around. Before she could berate them, however, her father came in from his bedroom.

"I have an announcement!" boomed Hoyte Hufflepuff as he addressed his family. "I will be leaving in two days' time to go for a treasure hunt in a mountain to the east. I have found a cave system that looks man made, and I intend to investigate." As excited as Hoyte was for his trip, his eldest son, Hoyte Jr., seemed to be even more so.

"Papa, can I come with you this time? Please please please please please! I promise I'll be good and be quiet and I'll be a big help and–"

Hoyte put his large gloved hand over his son's mouth. "Son, of course you can come! Run along and pack, because we've got preparing to do!" He ushered his son towards the equipment room to explain what they'd be doing, but a loud "hem" from his wife stopped him in his tracks.

"Yes, Helena?" Hoyte said, turning around slowly.

"Hoyte, honey," answered Helena, choosing her words carefully, "I… I don't think that bringing Junior is such a good idea…"

Hoyte answered with a soft glare and said, "I disagree Helena; we'll talk more later on." He then left the room without a sound.

Helga's youngest brothers, the twins Hughes and Hudson, had taken advantage of her distraction and had slowly made for her freshly baked cookies. Her sharp eye, however, caught them long before they reached the cooling rack.

"Uh-uh, OOOOHHH no. You two are NOT entering the kitchen with that amount of mud all over you." Helga yelled disapprovingly. "You two get yourselves over to the river NOW and wash up before you can even THINK about getting some of my precious dessert!"

Her brothers didn't move.

"All right, that is IT! INCENDIO!" Helga cried, whipping out her wand and making a jabbing motion with it in the directions of her little brothers' back sides. Instantly, small flames shot out of her wand and caught the boys' pants on fire. Pleased with herself, Helga followed her brothers as they ran out the door screaming. She called out to them, "Now you might want to take a dip in the river, right?"

Returning inside, she expected her mother to scold her for her unkindness. Instead, she saw her mother laughing with tears in her eyes. She said, between breathes, "I.. can't.. believe… you… just… did… that…HAHAHAHAHAHAH!" Helga couldn't help but let out a little giggle, but felt her cookies were more important than laughter. She flicked her wand and the cookies flew off of the sheet and into the jar next to them. The cookies were done, so Helga, who was not quite done with her brothers, headed out to see them complaining at the river.

GGGGGGGGGGGGG

Godric peeked through the crack between the door to his father's study and its frame, and saw exactly the sight he needed to see: his father was at his desk, hard at work at whatever pressing matter was upon him that day. Wanting to keep his father in a good mood, Godric decided to be extra courteous and knock quietly instead of just barging in as per usual.

After a quick moment and the sound of rustling papers, the door opened to reveal Galway Gryffindor behind it. Galway had flaming red hair with a few streaks of white that were beginning to show his old age. Though he had once been a fine knight, his figure resembled that of a tomato more and more each day. "What can I do for you, fine lad?" Galway joked as he ushered his youngest into the study.

Godric patted his aging father on the back and said "Well, I seem to remember a certain father of mine making a certain promise to me that we would certainly go out to practice my swordsmanship today." Godric ended his little joke with a wink and waited for his father's response.

"Wait… what? Swordsmanship… today... Oh! That's right. We were to go and practice today, weren't we? I don't know, though… I do have a lot of work to go over, Godric…" said Galway in a fluster, indicating the large pile of papers on his desk. Unbeknownst to Godric, however, Galway had plenty of time to complete his work, and just wanted to toy with his son.

"Father!" whined Godric. "That's not fair! You promised!" Usually the young man didn't act so childish, but he was in a mood to do so.

"I'm just joking, son. I've got plenty of time on my hands. Why don't we go right now?" Galway asked, patting his son's back.

"Oh, good! I was hoping I wouldn't have to show my new face to you, Father… it is quite a sad thing, and you wouldn't have been able to resist!" Godric punched his father's arm jokingly, and the two walked out of the house laughing away.

As the two left the Gryffindor Estate, two large booms were heard from the attic. Startled, Galway and Godric looked up to see the source of the commotion. Two small heads covered in long auburn hair poked out of the window as they let the smoke pour out of the attic in which they worked. "Sorry Father! Won't happen again; we promise!" said the girls in unison. They were Godric's older sisters, and twins. Grizelda and Gretchyn were their names, and they were always making some new experiment up in the attic.

Galway Gryffindor, rather than scolding his daughters, congratulated them and said, "Good show girls! I think that may be your biggest boom yet! Keep up the good work." Galway and his son laughed heartily and saddled their horses to head out to the mountains to the east.

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

In the forest to the west, Salazar Slytherin was not laughing. In fact, he was expecting no less than death within the next hour. Having just woken up from a sleep he had not remembered entering, Salazar realized it was almost 10:30 in the morning! His father had sent him out for firewood the night before and he still hadn't returned!

Having remembered the previous night's events, Salazar decided that he would be best off just retrieving firewood as quickly as he could and then sneaking back into his house. Hopefully, Sabir Slytherin would already be out fishing by this time of morning.

By the time Salazar was done with his gathering, it had to be at least 11:00. Holding all of the wood he could carry, the thin young man scurried back to his father's hut on the lake, hoping to sneak in unnoticed.

Just as he slinked through the door, a calm voice stopped him in his tracks.

"Where exactly have YOU been?"

A/N:

Well, that's it! Any reviews, be they comments, questions, criticism, etc. are welcome. If you ask a question, I will be sure to answer it through a message to you as soon as I receive it.

I have before I leave a request and a question.

First, for the request: would someone like to beta-read this story before I publish each chapter? No test or whatever is necessary, but I do request just a promise of punctuality with the beta-ing of my stories. Anyone who would like more details on the subject can either message me here or email me at .

And now for the question. I have reached a point in the planning of chapter 2 (which is going well, I might add) that might allow for some changes in my original plan. When I set out to write this story, I intended for the couples to be Godric/Rowena and Salazar/Helga. However, as has become evident as this story has played out in both my mind and my Word Document that the pairings might work as Godric/Helga and Salazar/Rowena. Which would you prefer, and why? A little interaction here, if you will.

Thanks for reading, and I'll either update by Saturday or by around the tenth of July; I have a long-term commitment in between.

See you!

Sam Gryffinclaw