Erwin set down his book and walked to the window, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"Ron, don't disappoint me," he murmured, his voice low. "You're my first test subject. I've invested considerable effort into this just to verify my hypothesis. You have to prove it works—don't expire prematurely. You're only valuable if you survive long enough."
Erwin was in good spirits. The catalyst, which he'd previously thought might be ineffective, had actually functioned. It was confirmation that his theory was sound.
As he contemplated this, a sudden warmth bloomed between his brows.
His heart skipped a beat.
A moment later, the spirit of Rowena Ravenclaw materialized from the space between his eyebrows. She stretched languidly.
"Ah, what a restorative rest," she sighed.
Ravenclaw looked around the room. "Oh, Erwin, you've returned."
Erwin nodded. "Yes, Lady Ravenclaw. You rested for quite some time. I've been back for a while."
"Are you on holiday now?" she asked.
"Yes. Would you like to return to Hogwarts? I can escort you back if needed."
Ravenclaw smiled, a serene expression on her spectral face. "No need. This time, it was fortunate. Though I fell into deep slumber, my magical reserves increased. I no longer need the diadem to maintain my form, so I can return independently. You surely have matters to attend to during your holiday."
"Very well, Lady Ravenclaw. Safe travels."
Ravenclaw nodded, her form rising into the air. She drifted through the closed window and vanished into the afternoon sky.
Erwin watched her leave, his eyes narrowing. Did she truly not notice? Logically, Ravenclaw embodied wisdom; surely she couldn't be that oblivious. Or perhaps she was choosing not to acknowledge it?
Erwin raised his hand, opening his palm. A slow, yellowish-brown energy condensed within his fingers—Hufflepuff's divine power. It was the final gift she had bequeathed him. Thanks to this reservoir of magic, Ravenclaw had been able to awaken so quickly.
Meanwhile, Ravenclaw raced through the air, propelled by her magic at full speed toward Hogwarts. She bypassed the castle proper and headed straight for the Forbidden Forest, landing at the spot where her statue had once stood.
She looked at the shattered stones scattered across the ground, and her eyes gradually reddened.
"Is it really you, Helga?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "Did I sense correctly? If you are truly here, why haven't you revealed yourself for so long? And you, Erwin... what do you know? What are you all concealing?"
In Ravenclaw's hand, her starlight magic condensed into a long, crackling whip. She lashed out, carving deep furrows into the earth. She was venting a fury that stripped away her usual composure. She was no longer the measured founder; she was raw emotion, destroying everything around her.
Finally, her movements slowed. Ravenclaw dissipated the starlight, her shoulders heaving as she drifted upward, heading toward the castle.
Hogwarts was quiet during the holidays. The Slytherin common room was empty, maintained spotlessly by the house-elves. Ravenclaw drifted through the stone walls, heading straight for the deepest section of the dormitory.
She stopped before an inconspicuous wall and placed a shimmering hand against it. A hidden door appeared, and she pushed it open.
This was the chamber where Erwin had received the Slytherin legacy. Now, it was empty and silent.
Ravenclaw stood before the statue of Slytherin.
"Salazar, reveal yourself!"
No response.
"Show yourself!" Ravenclaw roared, her voice echoing off the stone walls. "Damn it, I know you're here! You aren't like Godric—you always have contingencies. Even in your weakened state, you wouldn't let yourself dissipate! Appear! I need to know the truth!"
Silence.
It was as if Salazar Slytherin had never existed.
Ravenclaw stared at the statue, her anger intensifying. "Fine. If you won't reveal yourself, I will discover the truth on my own. You damned conspirators! When we founded Hogwarts, we promised we would face everything together! We promised to secure a bright future for all wizards, but what did you do?"
She paced the chamber, her voice rising. "Godric kept secrets from me, Helga concealed things, and you kept me in the dark! Why couldn't you trust me? Why couldn't I face this with you?!"
She stopped, her spectral form vibrating with emotion. "Damn it all! One day I will know everything. If any of you still have souls remaining, I will make you answer for this!"
With that, Ravenclaw turned and swept out of the chamber.
Behind her, the door shut with a heavy thud. The chamber was silent once more.
A flash of green light slithered across the Slytherin statue. Slowly, the form of Salazar Slytherin manifested, watching the empty doorway.
"I'm sorry, Rowena," he whispered, his voice raspy and ancient. "I wanted to tell you, but I cannot. You are too compassionate. Though you appear cold, you are the most tender-hearted of the four of us. We cannot allow you to become involved—for your sake, and for the greater purpose."
He looked up at the ceiling, where a green light danced like a serpent. "Time is running short. I cannot maintain this form much longer. Too many variables have occurred, exceeding our original designs. Now, we can only entrust this to fate. Erwin Cavendish, I hope you make the right choice."
As his voice faded, Slytherin's soul transformed into emerald specks of light, merging back into the stone statue. The green glow faded, and the chamber fell silent once more.
In the afternoon, Ebony returned. Upon seeing Erwin, the creature rushed toward him excitedly. Erwin caught him gently.
Ebony made a few short sounds.
Erwin chuckled. "Go clean up, then."
Ebony nodded, then made two more sounds.
Erwin's smile faltered for just a moment. "Alright, I understand. You don't need to concern yourself with that. Thank your friends in the Forbidden Forest for me. Go get cleaned up."
After Ebony scampered off, Erwin laughed softly. "Interesting. So that's the connection between the Founders? Even in a dormant state, they can still sense each other's presence. I really underestimated this kind of bond; it's remarkably resilient."