Author's Note: This is the last chapter I will be posting for a while, but obviously it is not actually the last chapter of the fic. I don't know when I'll start posting again; I've spent the past few months writing something for Yuletide, the small fandoms fic exchange, and that will be readable on AO3 soon and elsewhere after reveals. I know roughly what will happen next, though.

I'd like to thank my beta, thinkatory, for powering through and getting all the chapters beta'd eventually.

I do love feedback, even if it's negative, so if you have something to say about this fic, please tell me, I will love you forever.

Rowena looked at Lord Salazar, and her heart sank. His expression was very grave, although the effect was quite ruined by the large snake draped around his shoulders, which was orange, glowing, and slightly on fire. Was it meant to be intimidating? Rowena could not tell. Either way, this was not going to be a fun conversation.

"Er. I." She cringed, her mind momentarily not working.

"Do you have any idea what a mess you've made of things?" he demanded.

"No," said Rowena, in a small voice. "Every time I turn around I realize it's more of a mess than it was, and I - and I -" Then she burst into tears, and Jasper put one arm around her, before recoiling. He patted her on the shoulder awkwardly, as if he did not want to get his arm all wet, but Rowena appreciated it nonetheless. She heard Basil make a noise of annoyance behind her back, and Jasper glared at him.

"Lady Rowena," sighed Lord Salazar, "I only meant that there had better be a very good reason you decided to jettison any ability I might have to bring Stigandr Bjornsson around to my way of thinking, become an outlaw, and jeopardize not only my safety, but the safety of everyone under my protection or to whom I have the remotest connection."

Rowena wiped the tears from her face before speaking, and took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," she said. She knew she must look a mess - soaked, inky, snotty, and red-faced. "I thought that I - I didn't even - I -" The snake turned a brilliant shade of teal, and she could restrain herself no more. "Why is your snake on fire?" she asked.

"That's not the point!" said Lord Salazar. She had never seen him angry before. It was a little frightening, although she had expected more shouting and throwing things and death threats. That was what her mother did, at any rate.

"It doesn't look very dignified, Father," said Jasper, who seemed to be trying to be comforting. "And it is a bit distracting."

Rowena tried to concentrate. "Are you going to turn me over to the Aurae?" she asked.

Lord Salazar stared at her. "And exactly what's in that for me?" he asked.

"I suppose it wouldn't help," she muttered. Nothing would help this situation. She could see why Lord Salazar was so angry. "Can I get the others back? Godric and Helga, I mean. We have an arrangement to -"

"You might as well," he said, resignedly. "At least they have some sense." And with that he turned and stalked down the corridor.

Rowena stood still for a bit longer, wiping her eyes. "It's all right," said Jasper, in a soothing voice. "He's probably just grumpy because the snake got into his potion."

"I don't think that's why he's grumpy," said Basil, irritably.

Your fault, you idiot! This is all your fault, said that nasty little voice in her head that sounded like her mother.

"Will you shut up?" demanded Jasper. "Lady Rowena still has to get the Transport Key here. Do you want your wife back or not?"

Oh. Helga. It was nearly noon. If she didn't hurry, she was going to fail Helga. "I'm going to the Great Hall," said Rowena tearfully, hurrying away. There she could work out what time it was. She hoped she wasn't too late.

Godric hated Transport Keys, but for once he was glad to feel the horribly disorientating sensation of being hauled several miles in an instant by his intestines. When he dared open his eyes again, he found himself in the Great Hall at the school. He was lying on his back, looking up at Rowena, who appeared to be covered in ink. "Afternoon," he said brightly, but she was already rushing over to help Helga up.

"Thanks for that," said Helga. "What happened to you?"

"There was a squid," said Rowena, which wasn't terribly enlightening, but maybe he'd hear the whole story eventually.

Godric picked himself up off the floor and dusted himself off. He looked up just in time to see Jasper rush into the room, followed by Basil, who was also dripping and covered in ink.

"We'd heard you were travelling with others," said Jasper, looking around.

"They left. Other things to do," said Helga. "Godric, did you manage to bring the trunk?" They had consolidated all of the really important stuff, including the thought storage bowl they'd stolen from Sindri, to one trunk, and if he'd lost it after all this, he was going to be upset with himself.

Godric looked around in a panic, and saw that it was lying on its side on the floor behind him. "Got it," he said, picking it up. "Where's, er. Where's Lord Slytherin?" he asked. They were going to be in so much trouble.

Lord Slytherin entered, carrying... a snake that was on fire. Was that normal with snakes? "I see you're all here," he said, coldly.

And Godric knew this was the bit where Lord Slytherin would throw them out, or something worse. Perhaps the snake was venomous. "Sir, Lord Slytherin, I can explain!" he blurted.

Everyone turned to stare at him. Godric wondered why he had said something so stupid when he should have just let somebody else take the blame.

"No you can't," said Rowena at once.

"Yes, actually, I can," said Godric, who was mostly annoyed with her now. "So, er, what happened is... is... that everything went wrong, and it's sort of my fault, so if you want to turn me in to whoever, you know - the Aurae, I suppose, if they're here - I understand. I mean, I don't really want to go, but -"

"It wasn't your fault," said Rowena, sounding very affronted that he was taking all the credit. "It was my fault, it was my stupid idea to steal -"

"No," said Godric, "I mean, it was your stupid idea, but I should've stopped you, and anyway it was me who wanted the thought-collection -"

"Godric, why are you being an idiot?" snapped Rowena. "It was my fault, and she'll want me anyway, so I might as well be the one who -"

"I'm not an idiot," said Godric, irritably. He turned back to Lord Slytherin. "Look, my only condition if you turn me over to them is that you Obliviate me first, because I already told them things I -"

Rowena interrupted him. "See, you know too many things my mother doesn't. This is why it makes more sense if I -"

"Enough," said Lord Slytherin. "I'm very annoyed with you at the moment, but I will not be turning either of you in," he said, looking from Rowena to Godric. "Now, we've only heard rumors, and there's only so much my spies and snakes can tell me. Get yourselves cleaned up and fed, be in my office in an hour, and tell me what happened. That goes for all four of you," he said. "Jasper, now that our fugitives are safely home, can we discuss the wards?" Then he turned and left, and Jasper followed him.

"Why's he got a snake on fire?" Godric asked Rowena, once the Slytherins were safely out of earshot. "I didn't know they came like that."

"I think it got at a potion and that's why it keeps changing colors," said Rowena, frowning. "Why are you trying to take the blame?"

"Well, it was sort of my fault," said Godric. "I mean. If you squint." She glared at him. "Why are you so angry that I'm trying to do something decent?" he asked.

"Because she'll have you killed," she said. "She won't kill me, I'm too valuable. She'll just ...keep me locked up forever, or Imperius me and have me marry someone useful, or... or..." She sighed.

"Oh, yeah, that sounds loads better than death," said Godric. "Definitely. I'd sign right up, if I were you."

"Well, apparently he's decided to keep us," said Rowena. "I have no idea why." She looked over at Helga, who was laughing at Basil's imitation of some sort of monster. "Did she say anything?" she asked.

"About ...you, or ...other things?" Godric asked. He could not tell which subject Rowena was more afraid of, and did not dare mention either outright.

"Not about me," Rowena said, going pink. "Other things."

"Er, I - no," lied Godric. He was going to have to talk to Lord Slytherin about that, just in case Helga didn't keep her word.

"Wait, did she say something about me?" Rowena asked. Godric realized, guiltily, that he'd got Rowena's hopes up.

"Not... not like that," said Godric. "I mean, you know, obviously she's... you're friends," he said. "She was worried about you."

"Oh," said Rowena, disappointed. "Well. Right. I'm going to go clean up," she sighed.

Godric watched her leave. He looked over at Helga and Basil, who were now being... well, rather lovey-dovey, which was nice for them. He felt horrible for both of them, but decided to just get his talk with Lord Slytherin out of the way while nobody was there to contradict him or imply that he was an idiot.

He passed Jasper in the corridor and nodded at him, although Jasper seemed worried, and did not notice Godric at all - and when he came to Lord Slytherin's office, the door was open, so he ducked inside. Lord Slytherin was hissing at the snake he'd had with him. It was not on fire any longer, and seemed to be a more normal color - well, as far as Godric knew. He didn't know snakes. Godric cleared his throat, because he didn't think Lord Slytherin had noticed him come in.

Lord Slytherin's startled leap would have been more entertaining if the circumstances were different, but as it was, Godric muttered an apology automatically.

Regaining his composure, Lord Slytherin fixed him with a rather cold look. "Yes?" he asked.

"I, er. I wanted to tell you this before anybody else got here," said Godric. He took a shaky breath, and realized his story was going to sound like he was blaming Helga for what had happened. "I. It's. I'd really rather not tell you, but you need to know."

Lord Slytherin frowned at him, as if he was deciding what to do with Godric's story before he had even told it. Finally, he said, "I would offer you a chair, but -"

"Do you mind if I transfigure one?" asked Godric, and then, a moment later, decided that this was asking too much. "Er. You and Jasper have been really, really good about doorways and ceiling heights, I can just stand if you'd rather not risk it, but -"

"You'll change it back," said Lord Slytherin, confidently. "I'm not concerned. I just don't have that sort of magic."

"Oh," said Godric. He hadn't really thought about that. They were wooden chairs, and wood was relatively easy to transfigure, so he'd assumed someone as experienced and, well, as old as Lord Slytherin would know how to do it. "I could show you how, if y-"

"It is the magical power that I lack," said Lord Slytherin. "I was always decent at theory. At any rate, transfigure your chair, and tell me this horrible thing you'd rather not tell me, but that you're even more worried about letting your friends hear."

Godric fixed one of the chairs for himself, though because Lord Slytherin was watching, he got flustered and nearly set it on fire the first time. He was certain this would all look like procrastination to Lord Slytherin, but there was really nothing Godric could do aside from apologize and feel like an utter idiot. Once he was properly situated, he made certain he couldn't hear anybody coming down the corridor before he started to speak. "So, er, the basics of what happened are that - well - Rowena and I made everything horrible, and then Helga stepped in to save us from the Aurae. It was all a set-up; Lady Aeaeae knew we were going to do something wrong and planned ahead. So she was in the room interrogating me when Helga came in and nearly killed her."

"You say 'nearly killed her,'" said Lord Slytherin, watching Godric intently. "Could it reasonably have been framed as an assassination attempt?"

"I don't really see any other way it could've been intended," said Godric. "But that's not what I need to tell you." He sighed. "Before she sent Lady Aeaeae hurtling to her death, Lady Aeaeae said -" He took a deep breath, and tried to remember the scene. "She'd said they had a deal, I think?"

Lord Slytherin blinked. "...Ophelia did?" he asked. "And you don't think she was lying?"

"Well, Helga said 'Well, the deal is off now,' I think. Or something like that." Godric frowned, trying to remember, because his memory was dreadful. He only wished it was dreadful enough that he might say for certain he had misremembered the whole thing. "Or 'The deal's been off for a long time, hasn't it?' or something. She didn't say 'What deal? You're lying,' or anything like that."

Salazar frowned. "Do you think Mistress Hufflepuff was the one who'd told Ophelia that you were going to -"

"Oh, no, no, that was Hrafn," said Godric. "Bastard. But - well, they had that conversation, and then we thought Lady Aeaeae was dead, and then we - well, a lot of things happened. I talked to Rowena about it, and we had a bit of a fight, because she's Rowena and if I say it, it's idiotic." He rolled his eyes. "And then she talked to Helga, and Helga lied, which is not like her at all, and I've known her for years. She's very good at causing trouble but she usually admits to it if she's done it." Now the story was coming more easily. Godric wondered if all traitors felt this way. "So I confronted her about it, later, when it was just us, waiting for Rowena and Basil, and she said that a long time ago she'd done something wrong," he said. "And she didn't tell me what it was, but to get out of trouble she made a deal with Lady Aeaeae. And then she couldn't really tell me anymore."

"You mean, she wouldn't tell you anymore," said Lord Slytherin.

"I mean, I wasn't going to make her relive something that was obviously horrible," said Godric, glaring. "She regrets it, whatever it is, and she says she hasn't worked to repay whatever it is she owes, and she hasn't been spying or - or anything," he finished, sounding stupid.

"Do you believe her?" Lord Slytherin asked. He was not accusatory, merely curious.

"I do," said Godric. "Helga's a good person. Well. She does bad things sometimes. We all do."

"What do you think she did?" Lord Slytherin asked.

Godric sighed, and thought about it. "I don't know. Something bad," he said, shaking his head. "Something she didn't realize was going to be so bad, I think. She gets wrapped up in her work like I do, sometimes; it's a danger of academia. I think it was something to do with that."

"Well," said Lord Slytherin, with something approaching his usual warmth. "Thank you for telling me this. It's... I won't say it's surprising. I know that when she was -"

"I don't want to know," said Godric, immediately.

"Sorry?" Lord Slytherin asked.

"I don't want to know what she did," he said, and though he had hoped to leave it at that, his anger made him continue. "If you know - if this is some bloody Parselmouth spymaster politician long-game keep-your-enemies-closer bullshit - I don't want to know what you know, or what she did, and why you think that, and - and - I don't care. I mean, I do care, but she's my friend, and if she wants to tell me, she will, and if she doesn't, I won't know, and that's fine. It hurts enough to have to tell you all about it, but sometimes the responsible thing is to be a completely horrible person," said Godric. He took a deep breath, tried to collect himself, then continued in what he hoped was a calmer tone. "So, really, I've had my fill. I'll be back to tell you all about everything I did wrong in a bit. Thanks for not getting rid of me," he said, bitterly.

"You're very welcome," said Lord Slytherin. "And your lack of interest in spymaster politician bullshit is noted."

Godric could not tell if he was joking, or angry, or really much of anything, and he could not think of what to say in any case. "Right. Thanks," he finally said, and when he left, he wondered why he was so bad at basic things like conversations.

The meeting went much as Helga had expected it to. Rowena and Godric explained about Sindri's invention, the thing that held thoughts like water, and showed Lord Slytherin the bowl they'd stolen. They talked about the bear-men, about fleeing and being captured, and then Helga told him about the tree walker and the Aurae and Hrafn's betrayal of his brother. She told him about her father, and about trying to kill Ophelia Aeaeae. Then she and Rowena told him about Cliodna Sheffield and getting to Wyke, and finally Basil and Rowena told them about the journey to Hogsmeade - the nun, the elves, and the squid.

Almost nothing surprised Lord Slytherin. He seemed to know all about Helga's father, nodded at her explanation of Aurelia Sheffield's injuries, and even gave Rowena and Basil the name of the nun they had saved. The only things that he reacted at all to were the stolen bowl, and the land-elves, and even those seemed not to interest him especially, although his eyes did go very wide for a moment at the mention of Tom Learmont.

Then Lord Slytherin told them what had happened at the school - how his own Aurae Cuprorum were being used to patrol the ground while Aurae Aurelii - real proper Aurae - scanned the skies on the backs of thestrals. He told them about how every morning, Goronwy Grummond was using Jasper's own spells to search the grounds of the castle. He told them about the search of the library, and the overreaction from the Aurae every time they found a snake or a lizard.

And Helga knew how this must end, but Lord Slytherin did not come to those inevitable conclusions. Instead, he said, "And that is where we are, I believe."

"How are you going to get around the spells if they can detect who's in the castle?" Rowena demanded.

"That will all be taken care of," said Lord Slytherin placidly.

"We're going to have to return the bowl, aren't we?" Godric asked. He ran his fingers over the runes.

"I doubt it," said Lord Slytherin. "Without Sindri to identify the property that was stolen, Stigandr Bjornsson will have a much more difficult time getting you to return anything. If he asks, I suggest you give it back to him, but I don't think he will. He may be mad, but he isn't stupid. And I would very much like to see how it works. Wouldn't you?"

Godric looked down at the bowl, frowning. "That was the general idea, yes."

"My mum's going to be angry," said Rowena. "What are you going to do to placate her?"

"There is very little that she can ask for," said Lord Slytherin. "But what she does ask for, I will have to give her."

"She's going to want the bowl back, then," said Rowena. "And me. And Godric. I don't understand," she said. "You said you would -"

"She may want that, but she would never ask for it outright. How do you think that would play to the Council?" asked Lord Slytherin. "She throws a tantrum over a piece of tableware that was never hers to begin with, but belonged to her half-mad ally, and the ulterior motive seems to be to get her wayward heir back and kill some Transfigurator who hardly anybody has heard of? The very fact that you've allied yourself with me is something she doesn't want to draw attention to; if she'd managed to capture you before you got here, she could make it look like you'd come to your senses, but now, she'd have to use the theft as an excuse, and as I've explained, it wasn't even a crime against her."

"So what will she want?" Rowena asked.

"She hasn't asked me yet," said Lord Slytherin, calmly. "I'm not a Seer, you know."

There were many ways to lie, Helga reflected. Lord Slytherin was very good at most of them. She watched the rest of the conversation as if from the other end of a very long corridor. Rowena asked questions, and the answers reassured her that she would not find herself in her mother's grasp come morning. Godric seemed melancholy and furtive. And Basil, who she watched most intently, seemed almost to realize what Helga knew. But he had not quite got there. That reassured her.

The conversation slowed, and then, one by one, the others left. Godric went first, carrying his stolen property, and Rowena left soon afterward, after trying to start a conversation with Helga, who only noticed after a too-sharp "Well, I'll see you at supper, then." Finally, Basil stood, and took her hand. "Are we going?" he asked.

"I actually need to talk to Lord Slytherin about the ingredients for next year's Potions," said Helga.

"Yes," said Lord Slytherin, who was looking at her serenely now. "Very important. I'd very much like to have some mandrakes this winter, but that will take some doing."

Basil did not quite believe this, she could tell, but he smiled and left all the same. And then Helga and Lord Slytherin were alone in the silence.

Helga considered carefully before she spoke. "She's going to ask for me," she said. "Isn't she?"

Lord Slytherin looked at her, although he could not tell if he was impressed. "Jasper managed to trick the wards, but that can only last for so long. The spells the Aurae have set will tell them you're here tomorrow at midday. You have until then. You did try to kill her, you know," he added.

"I did," sighed Helga. She frowned, considering the past. There was a horrible hole in her memories. She could recall no events, no facts, no faces - only a cold rage, the desire to kill everyone, and then a nauseating, terrible fear. The next thing she knew, she was running towards a church with Leo and there were angry, shouting people behind them. They had got to the church and claimed sanctuary, and Helga had found God, and about a month later, Lady Aeaeae had found Helga. Confession, she decided, was good for the soul. "Lord Slytherin," she said, "when I was young and stupid, I made a deal with Lady Aeaeae."

"Tell me about it," said Lord Slytherin.

He didn't seem upset or surprised at this, either. Helga wondered if he'd always known. Helga wondered if he knew what she had done, if he could confirm her suspicions, but she dared not ask, because he might just do so. "I think I hurt a lot of people," she said. This was the understatement of the century. "And without her interference, I would probably be dead. She said I would owe her. There wasn't an Unbreakable Vow, and I haven't done anything for her since that I'd be ashamed of," added Helga. "Except lying about it to everyone. But - but it's something I did, and I'm worried about what she'll make me do. She won't kill me."

"No, I suspect she won't," said Lord Slytherin. "What exactly did you do?" he asked. "When you hurt these people, I mean?"

She sighed. "I don't remember. I told Lady Aeaeae I did, though - well, I left out the part where I'd been Obliviated."

"You were Obliviated? Who did that?" Lord Slytherin asked, suddenly more alert.

"My brother Leo - he says I asked him to," said Helga.

"So he would know what happened," said Lord Slytherin.

"But not how I did it," said Helga.

Lord Slytherin frowned. "Tell me, these people that you hurt... do you know how many there were?"

Helga swallowed the lump in her throat. "I... I really don't know -"

"A reasonable chunk of a city, perhaps?" Lord Slytherin asked.

She froze. She could not make herself speak. He knew.

"I see," said Lord Slytherin. "Well. I had suspected -"

"Everyone was supposed to forget!" Helga said.

"Well, technically everyone was supposed to blame the elves," said Lord Slytherin. "But some of us are much cleverer than Ophelia Aeaeae gives us credit for. It's a pity you went and tried to assassinate her; you would be wonderful blackmail material, and if you could reproduce the circumstances of -"

"Never," growled Helga. She would die first. Well, she would die second - anyone who made her do that again would die first, and slowly, and painfully.

"Forget I said anything, then," said Lord Slytherin. "You understand, though, that I'll have to give you to her, though, don't you?"

She nodded. "I'm not worth a siege."

"Oh, you are," said Lord Slytherin. "You're worth a hundred, in sheer military usefulness. But you're much too dangerous. You see," he said, "as soon as she works out that I've worked your little secret out, she can present it to the world that I'm harboring the threat, and you become wonderful blackmail material against me."

"So you'll let her, then?" Helga asked. "You'll let her take me and make me take reasonable chunks out of cities?"

"The question is not whether I will," said Lord Slytherin. He looked very sad now. "Will you let her? You may die if you don't. Or you may lose yourself entirely. I don't know. I know that's no comfort now, though. You must love your friends very much to have chosen this, although whether it will redeem you or damn you, I don't yet know." He sighed. "I've made many terrible mistakes, Mistress Hufflepuff. So many. But sometimes the right choice is also terrible, and I cannot tell you what that choice will be when you make it."

Helga did not want to think about this. "Thank you, Lord Slytherin," she said, standing and giving him a curtsey. "I - I'd like to spend today with the people I love. You understand. You must, or you and Jasper wouldn't have -"

"I understand," he said. "Go ahead. And don't worry about the mandrakes," he said. "I won't be needing them until next April."

Godric could not sleep, so he was in his office, staring at the bowl they'd stolen from Sindri. He didn't understand the runes around the edges on his own, but he was looking them up in a book he'd bought in Bergen the day before they'd gone to Bjornarbitholm. He was amazed at how new the book still looked, and how much he'd gone through since he'd bought it. He felt like it'd been two years since his office, and here he was, back home, everything normal again, everyone safe. There would be papers to mark soon.

It should have reassured him, everything going back to normal, but it didn't. Their escape had been so narrow. What if something had gone wrong?

There was a knock at the door. "Come in," he said, looking up.

Helga shut the door behind her, carefully. "Godric, I -"

"Are you angry at me?" Godric asked. "Because I told him?"

Helga frowned. "No. I didn't know you told him," she said. "Although it explains why he wasn't especially surprised when I did."

"Did you tell him what you'd done?" Godric asked.

She sighed. "He worked it out on his own."

What was it? he wanted to ask, but Helga was tired and sad. Instead, he said, "What did he say?"

She did not answer immediately. Instead, she walked up to his desk, and looked up at her father's thought-collection bowl. "Can I see that?" she asked, pointing at it.

He handed it to her. She turned it over in her hands. "My father never gave me anything, you know," said Helga. "I don't even know his surname. Or - well, his patronymic, I suppose. But I was never Helga Sindrisdottir."

"Isn't that a good thing?" Godric asked.

"I suppose," she said. "You know, I tried to talk to Basil about this, but he didn't understand. He never knew his father," she explained. "But he never had to wonder why his father left, either. So he didn't really get it. And Rowena - well, she has her own problems."

"The two of us promised each other we'd kick his arse for you once we were out of trouble," said Godric. "Sorry it didn't happen."

"It's all right," said Helga. "He's out of my life now, where he belongs." She sighed, leaned her back against his desk, and looked up at him, craning her neck. "Did your dad leave? You never really talked about him. I mean, when we were kids. You talked about your brother a lot."

"My dad was there," said Godric, shrugging. "He just wasn't really... interested in anything, not after Mum died. He worked and slept, and sometimes he ate, and on Sundays Geoff and I got him to church. We didn't starve, and that's the important thing, I suppose."

"When did your mum die?" Helga asked.

"When I was six," said Godric. "She got pregnant, but she was too old to be having another child, and it's dangerous at the best of times."

"So it was just you and your brother?" Helga asked.

"And Dad," said Godric, because he did count, even if he wasn't really all there.

"Well," said Helga, as if she might argue the point. She sighed. "Look, I'm not here to talk about families. Well. Sort of. Lord Slytherin said he'd give Lady Aeaeae whatever she asked for. I'm what she's going to ask for. I need your help, Godric."

Godric sat up, surprised. "Have you got an escape plan? Tell me what it is! Wouldn't Rowena be more useful?"

She smiled sadly. "No, Godric, it's not an escape plan. I need you to take care of Rowena and Basil. And you mustn't tell them about this, at least, not until I'm gone. I've got 'til midday tomorrow - that's when the Aurae will know we're back - and I'm going without a fight."

"What?" Godric asked. "You can't!"

"When I'm gone," she said, ignoring his outburst, "well. I don't want things to fall apart. Basil will be... upset. I don't know how much you can do for him - how much anyone can do for him, really - but when he was bitten, he decided he was going to go off and live as a hermit and never talk to any human being again. I talked him out of it, but it's entirely possible he'll backslide. I mean, he did show up in Wyke ridiculously early, and I think it's Jasper's fault. I love Basil," she said, "and he'd never be happy alone, and I don't want to think of him hiding away like that. I know you're not close or anything, but he thinks you're all right, and - and frankly, I don't want him staying here just to spite Jasper. That's a terrible career goal."

Godric nodded. "I'll do what I can."

"Now, with Rowena, you might have better luck," said Helga. "She'll be very upset - I mean, she'll be more willing to show it than Basil, so it might be easier to deal with, because at least she'll admit it to herself. And she likes you a lot," she said.

"...Sorry, are we talking about the same person?" Godric asked.

"She does like you," said Helga. "Trust me on this. Don't tell her I said so, though, that wouldn't go well at all." She rolled her eyes. "Anyway, she might be a bit - well, she might just work and sleep and eat sometimes, like you said your dad did. I think she thinks she needs me. Anyway, really the only thing about me that she needs is a good dose of common sense, so if you could keep her out of trouble until she learns that for herself -"

"Oh, you'll be back long before that happens," said Godric.

Helga frowned. She didn't say anything.

"You are coming back, right?" Godric said. "Lord Slytherin's got a plan. Or you have. Or somebody has. Right?"

"There's no plan," said Helga. "She probably won't kill me, if that's what you're worried about."

"Well, that's Item One on the list, but..." Godric trailed off. "You're going forever?"

"Probably," said Helga. "And look, here's the thing - both of them, Basil and Rowena, they'll have terrible, stupid schemes to get me out. Don't let them do that," she said. "They're throwing their lives away."

"But we can't just leave you in prison!" said Godric.

She smiled again. "This is the part I knew you'd have trouble with, Godric. You think you're a coward, but whenever something's gone wrong and somebody might get hurt, there you are, trying to help. Help Basil and Rowena. Help them move on. I can take care of myself. Promise?"

Godric frowned. "Look, if there's a way to get you out without anybody else getting captured-"

"I doubt if there is," said Helga. "If you really want this to be over, work towards getting on the Council. If Lord Slytherin's the Chief, he can release me. Or my sentence can be commuted to -" she smirked "- life teaching Herbology in the Scottish Highlands."

"Sounds dreadful," said Godric. "Have you seen that place? They've got werewolves and giant squids and vicious attack trees everywhere. And the students!"

Helga laughed. "Promise you'll take care of them?" She extended her hand.

"Oh, all right," said Godric. Instead of shaking her hand, he picked her up and hugged her. "You be careful, though, even if you're not coming back," he admonished.

"Oof, Godric, I need those ribs to breathe," she said, but when he put her down, she was smiling sadly up at him. "I can't make any promises, but I'll do my best."

The next morning was quiet and bright and cheerful for Rowena. She finally felt well-rested, and at some point Helga had come into the library and asked to see one of Rowena's very own poems. She had inexplicably liked it. Rowena wondered if perhaps she was lying, but she was not about to turn down flattery. They'd talked for a long time after that - it'd been a long, drifting, oddly warm conversation, and Rowena had hoped, painfully, that all the things Helga said to her meant I love you. And they did, she supposed, just... not in the way Rowena wanted to be loved.

But then the Aurae came. They arrived at midday, just after they had finished eating. There were three of them - Goronwy Grummond, Jan Perkinson, and Alfhild. They just walked up to the High Table as if it was not rude to barge in, as if Lord Salazar had simply left the door open, as if walking slowly into a hall with wands drawn cautiously was normal. Rowena wondered what Lord Salazar was going to tell them, to send them away empty-handed, and she smiled at Alfhild, who looked bleakly back at her.

"Salazar Slytherin," said Grummond, "are you the lord of this castle and all its inhabitants?"

"I am," said Lord Salazar, as if this was not a stupid question.

"You appear to be harboring a fugitive," said Grummond. "A traitor to the peace of the Council, the would-be assassin of Lady Ophelia Aeaeae. Are you aware of this?"

Rowena lost her appetite. She was a self-centered, horrible person, and she had been so relieved to have escaped, and to have got everyone safely back to the castle, that she hadn't considered the worst that could happen. She looked at Helga, to see if she had a plan - Helga always had a plan - but her eyes were downcast. Maybe she had some spectacular planty solution to this mess hidden under the table?

"Aurelius," said Lord Salazar, "I am aware of the guilty party's presence at my table, and I thank you for coming to my aid. I didn't dare report her to you; I was afraid she might act out."

It was like they were reading off of cards. Rowena couldn't stand it anymore. "You're turning her over?" she demanded.

"Yes, Lady Ravenclaw, I am," said Lord Salazar, and his tone told her to sit down and shut up.

"Helga Hufflepuff, if you could please come with us," said Alfhild, softly.

"Of course," said Helga, getting out of her seat.

Basil grabbed her arm. "Helga, you can't - you - they - I'll fight them -"

"Good," said Grummond. "You might win. Always want a werewolf watching my back, don't you, Jan?"

Perkinson shot Grummond a disapproving look. "A fight would not end well for you, even if you won. It's not advisable," he told Basil.

She had to do something, so she stood up. "Look, you can't do this," she said to the Aurae. "You can't."

"Yes, actually, we can," said Grummond. "Your friend here tried to kill your mother, or does that not bother you?"

"Fuck my mother," snarled Rowena. She walked in front of Helga to protect her. "Helga's my best friend. I'd die for her." She pointed her wand at Grummond. "I could take you in a fight, Grummond. And wouldn't that be brilliantly embarrassing to her? The Chief's own heir winning against an Aura and choosing death instead of service! Oh, she'd be so angry she could kill me. And the beauty of it is that she could!"

"Rowena, don't," said Helga, in a soft voice. She put her hand on Rowena's arm. "I knew this would happen."

"Rowena," said Alfhild. "I'm sorry. If it makes you feel any better -"

"Why the fuck do I care if it makes me feel any better if you're arresting Helga?" demanded Rowena.

"Rowena," said Helga. "This is my choice. You're not going to die for me," she added, laughing a little. Rowena saw that there were tears on her cheeks. "That would just be... stupid."

"But I love you!" Rowena blurted out.

"I know," said Helga, and for about half a second, even in this horrible situation, Rowena had stupidly high hopes. Then Helga continued. "Like you said, we're best friends and you'd die for me. But I'd die for you too, and I know they're not going to kill me," she said. As if this was any comfort. Then Helga hugged her.

"But - but I -" Rowena managed. Over Helga's shoulder, she saw Alfhild raise one eyebrow, and felt herself go scarlet.

"Try not to get into too much trouble," said Helga.

"But -" Rowena started again.

"Grummond, I'd like you to know something," said Godric, getting up and looming over everyone else. Grummond did look terrified, which was somewhat satisfying, if comical. "If you lot hurt Helga, I will have a very serious problem with you, and so will the rest of us. Is that entirely clear?"

"You don't scare me, Gryffindor," said Grummond, although evidence suggested otherwise, as he was hiding behind Alfhild.

"She'll be... she's very valuable," Alfhild said. "She'll live."

"Good," said Godric. He held out his hand, and Helga shook it. "Try not to throw any kids off of buildings, all right? It's just not nice."

Helga laughed weakly. "Last time I did that, somebody turned me into a badger."

"And rightly so," said Godric. "Come on, Rowena," he said, in a lower voice. "I think we should let her say goodbye to Basil." He took Rowena by the arm to lead her back to the table, and she couldn't quite make herself shake him off.

"You planned this, didn't you?" Basil asked, stepping forward. He had tears in his eyes, Rowena saw. She'd never seen Basil cry before, and she realized, with a slight shock, that Basil loved Helga as much as she did.

"I'm sorry," said Helga. "Forgive me?"

"I don't know if I can," he said. "We could have - we could've done something."

"No, I don't think we could have," sighed Helga. "This was waiting for me for a long time."

Basil sighed. "Be careful," he said. He kissed her, and Rowena hated everyone in the world, even Helga.

"Come on," said Alfhild. "Can I have your wand?"

Helga handed Alfhild her wand. They bound her wrists behind her back and walked her out of the Great Hall, and then she was gone.

Rowena wanted to grab her wand and fight them all, but Helga had told her not to, and - and Helga had known this was all going to happen. And so had Lord Salazar. Rowena turned on him. "You knew!" she shouted. "You said you were going to have to -"

"Yes," said Lord Salazar. "I'm sorry. I talked to Mistress Hufflepuff about it yesterday."

"You talked her into it?" demanded Rowena. "You bastard."

"It was the only way," said Lord Salazar. "She expected it too."

"She did," said Basil, sounding horrified. "She knew the whole time. She knew even in Wyke, I think. I was - I couldn't think about..." He trailed off. "Maybe if the two of you had thought your plans out a little bit," he said, seething, "this wouldn't have happened."

"I'm sorry," said Godric. He sounded like he meant it.

"Yeah, well," said Basil, who was not placated.

"It was my fault," snapped Rowena. "You leave Godric alone."

"That isn't the point," said Godric. "Is there any way we can get her back? Haven't you got a plan?"

"Not at the moment," said Lord Salazar. "I wish I had a better answer."

Rowena looked from face to face. There was Basil, glaring daggers at her and at Godric. And there was Godric, wrapped up in his own guilt for some reason - perhaps because he'd doubted that Helga was good in the end? That must be it. He looked at her briefly, but she glowered at him, and he looked away. Lord Salazar looked tired and mournful. And Helga's empty seat - Rowena broke down in embarrassingly loud, awful sobs.

Only Jasper seemed to notice her. He reached out and patted her hand. "I'm sorry, Lady Rowena."

But she pushed him away and left, crying. She couldn't bear anyone comforting her just now, because in the end, the only person she could blame was herself.