The Founders' Unexpected Trip

Helga and Rowena met up with the two young men in an unused classroom. The two girls had dressed in their plainest gowns, with borrowed breeches and stockings under their skirts. Their feet were shod in sturdy boots good for traveling. Godric and Salazar were also dressed simply, brooms in hand.

"So, we all have to stand in a circle and hold hands," instructed Slytherin. The four friends followed his leadership and looked expectantly at the dark haired Salazar. "Um, now we must all say this incantation together." Three voices joined his mild baritone, "Take us through space and time; clothe us in the future. We four friends go forward in time to find a future fit and fine." As the final words echoed through the air, a purple and green mist swirled around the circle. The mist obscured all vision and the foursome felt their feet depart the solidity of the floor.

>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<

"Where are we?" Rowena asked in what seemed to be a complaint. She dusted off her clothing and was surprised to see that she wasn't wearing the normal attire for a young lady of her class. She was now clothed in a pair of dark blue canvas trousers that hugged her figure, and a form fitting sweater of her favorite color blue, her belt was made of interlocking bronze rings. The dark haired sixteen year old girl looked at her companions as well.

They all looked remotely unharmed, except that like her, their clothing was different. Godric was dressed in tan knee length shorts and a red polo shirt with gold accents. Helga remained sitting on the black pavement; she was wearing a black and yellow pleated skirt and a layered sleeveless top in yellow and orange. Salazar, on the other hand, looked his usual aloof self in a tight green sweater, leather pants, and a long, sleeveless leather over coat.

"We all here? Good, we now need to decide a place to go," Godric announced, taking charge efficiently. The tall brunette boy looked towards his counter part, Salazar Slytherin, silently looking for suggestions.

The other boy raised a single brow, laughing at some joke only he knew. "Well, since in all likely hood Hogwarts still stands to, what were the words, oh yes, 'mold young minds', we might as well go there." Helga nodded her meek agreement and Rowena and Godric shared a look about the black haired boy's apparent attitude.

"All right, let's go then," Rowena commented, "but since Helga and I didn't have the foresight to bring our brooms, you boys will have to share." Godric smiled at the chance to fly with Rowena, and Slytherin's eyes echoed his emotion, except it was directed toward Helga; the light haired girl didn't notice. The four mounted the two brooms and took off for Hogwarts.

As the foursome flew over open countryside and rolling green pastures, the sun set in an explosion of beautiful oranges, pinks, purples, blues, and as the last rim slipped below the horizon, a brilliant vermilion. Rowena leaned back against her boyfriend's firm chest, well muscled from Quidditch. The flight seemed to end too fast for three of the teens, but they soon floated delicately over the sprawling grounds of Hogwarts Castle. Godric let out a sigh of affection; it was good to see his home again, no matter the time.

>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<

The time-travelers landed near the Quidditch pitch. The two boys made appreciative remarks at the sight of the professionally equipped stadium. Helga looked towards the imposing stone castle ahead of them.

"Come on, guys. I think we better check with the Head, to see what we should do next." Helga looked to her three friends and started walking up the rolling green hill in the lead.

The foursome traveled through the hallways, led by Godric once they got inside. He led them past many doors and up several moving staircases. Finally, Godric stopped in front of a large gold gargoyle. He looked behind himself at his friends, unsure. Swallowing hard, the young man turned back to the forbidding statue before him. He rested his right palm on the gold-feathered chest of the rearing beast in front of him. Closing his eyes and intoning in a voice that was oddly intimidating, "I am one of the Gryffindor Family! I am your Master! Obey the hand that shows you the way!" Creakily, slowly, the shimmering golden gargoyle moved to the side and a revolving stone staircase was revealed. Cautiously, the four time-travelers moved onto the first step.

>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<