Here you go!



Chapter Twenty-Four

Twenty minutes later, Salazar hadn’t returned yet, and Godric was becoming worried. “Sal has been at the toilet for a long time,” he said nervously.

“Maybe he fell in,” suggested Rowena. “Just kidding, just kidding,” she added hastily as Godric shot her an icy glare. “Really Ric, you worry too much. Like Helga.”

“Hey!” protested Helga. “I’m not nervous!” She was biting her fingernails and her eyes were darting around the room. The others glanced at her. “Well, maybe I am, a little,” she admitted. “But Ro is right. I’m sure he’s fine.”

At that moment, the door banged open and Salazar stormed in. The other three jumped up and started bombarding him with questions.

“Where were you?”

“What took you so long?”

Salazar had to think of an answer, fast. “Um..nothing,” he said shiftily. “Darn it, it’s so hard to go to the toilet here. We have to put them in.” Whew.

Rowena nodded. “You see, Ric? You worry too much. He’s fine.”

Helga launched herself at Salazar unexpectedly. “Oh Sal, I was so nervous!” she cried, throwing her arms around him. Salazar staggered under her weight.

“Whoa there, Helga!” he said hastily. “I’m okay!” He patted her head awkwardly and gently pushed her away. The other two sniggered. Helga blushed and backed away.

“All right, let’s get back to celebrating!” said Godric merrily, but Salazar pulled him aside.

“Can we talk?”

Ric regarded him curiously. “Sure,” he said. “What’s on your mind?”

Salazar did not smile. “I am…unhappy about letting Muggle-borns into the school.”

Godric sighed. “We’ve been through this,” he said. “We will make sure that everyone under your House is pure-blood. You do not have to worry.”

Salazar growled. “But they’ll still be in the school, and I’ll have to teach the scum!”

Godric frowned. “How can you say that? Helga is Muggle born! I know that the people who killed your relatives, and Ro’s, and mine too, were Muggle-born, but holding that against all of them is just prejudiced, Salazar.”

Salazar’s eyes were blazing. “I will not have them under this roof!” he screamed. Godric backed away, but Salazar bore down upon him. “Helga is the one exception. They are all unworthy! Every single one of them!”

Godric regarded him with wary eyes. “Salazar, please calm down. We have all made our decisions. You will have to let them come here, or you shall not be allowed to teach.” He walked away, leaving the irate Salazar fuming behind him.