The Leaky Cauldron

The Leaky Cauldron had always been a favorite of Helga Hufflepuffs. The old barman John and his son Tom run the place. The butterbeer run freely and the small inn opened onto Diagon Alley and the more shady less known Knockturn Alley.
A powerful glamor charm was placed over her face so her hair was brown and her eyes blue. She hoped for a friendly looking face to talk to.

Rowena entered the pub and flipped her dark hair over her shoulder. Walking over to the bar. "One butterbeer please." She stated with a slightly odd smile at John

Helga lifted her head of from the table and peered through her hair at the bar. It was Rowena! "Rowena!" she hissed under her breath catching the womans eye and making motions with her hands.

Rowena paid for her drink and nodded at Tom. Making her way over to the woman who called her. "Do I know you?" She asked squinting to see the woman better. It was no use she had forgotten her glasses.

Helga sighed. "Yes. It's me Helga! Did you forget your glasses again?" she tittered at Rowena and pulled out an extra pair she found in small side pocket of her cloak. "Here put these on."

"Oh Helga!" Rowena said grabbing the glasses and putting them on. "Not quite strong enough but... It's better." She said sitting down across from her friend. "Why are you here Helga?"

"Buying a pet and picking up a few books. How about you Rowena?" Helga asked stealing a sip of Rowena's butterbeer. She did have books to pick up but they were mostly recipe books. And she was also looking into house elves.

"I'm doing what I always do Helga!" Rowena said. "I'm picking up more books! You're picking up books? What kind of books?"

Helga blushed. "Recipe books. Just a few you know! Students get hungry! And besides you probably don't have any of those!" Helga's eyes followed a maid's journey across the room before returning to Rowena's. "Or do you?"

"Recipe books?" Rowena muttered to herself. "I'm positive I have one. Never hurts to have more books though!" She said smiling brightly at Helga.

Helga rolled her eyes but smiled even wider. "You and your books Rowena. How big is your library now? New wings being added on I hear. By the why have you seen Godric?"

"Could be bigger." Rowena said with a shrug. "Yes we're adding a whole wing for the library." She said dreamily. "Godric? Not recently. He said he might be in diagon later in the day."

"Oh wonderful! I'll be heading back to Hogwarts soon but I was wondering what he was thinking about house elves? There these wonderful little creatures that are just so friendly!" Helga clapped her hands and smiled again. She fished in another pocket of her cloak and brought out a parcel wrapped in brown paper. "I got a book for you also. I wasn't sure if you had it yet or not." Helga shrugged.

"I know what a house elf is Helga." Rowena said thinking back to the days of her youth. "My family's didn't like me much." She said laughing. "Ooh! What book?"

"Survive the Savage Sea I believe?" Helga laughed. "I can never tell anymore next time I get you a gift your getting a new brooch!"

"I don't have that one..." Rowena said frowning. "Don't worry Helga." She said with a laugh. "No one gives me books anymore."

"Rowena, Helga." Gogric greeted them with a slight nod of his head. He walked toward the two women, ordering a Butter Beer on his way there. He took a sip before he sat himself down. "Mind if I join in?"

"Of course you can Godric!" Rowena said flipping her long dark hair over her shoulder.

"Thank you. That's very kind of you." He said politely. "We have so much organizing to do, before we can even think about opening Hogwarts' doors." His voice was a low, gentle sound. His robe was a black with dark, rich burgundy accents. Godric pushes his bangs from his face, a warm, delecate send spreading through the room, as he did so.

"When do you think the school will be ready?" Rowena asked taking a sip of her drink.

"Wel... If we keep construction going, we will be able to start at the beginning of september. But that means, we really need to put effort into it." Gryffindor sighed. The construction of Hogwarts' castle was going pretty fast, but there was a lot of details they needed to take care of.

"Very true Godric." Rowena said. snatching his drink and taking a sip.

Salazar walked into the pub with his head held high. Looking around he spotted the other... He guessed you could call the adults... Who were starting up this new school with him. Ordering a Butterbeer he made his way over to the table and sat beside Ravenclaw without even speaking.

Rowena raised an eyebrow at the man who sat beside her. "Hello Salazar." She said trying to be polite. "How are you this fine afternoon?"

Godric moved back his chair, ever so slightly. He coughed, acknowledging Salazar's presence. However, he did not speak a word, as he took another sip from his now half-empty butterbeer.