Harry Potter: The Golden Viper

0394 The Future

Rowena Ravenclaw walked past Bryan and Sirius with an ethereal grace, her robes of midnight blue shimmering with each step as she made her way towards Godric Gryffindor at the ship's bow. The gentle sea breeze ruffled her long, raven hair, which cascaded down her back like a silken waterfall. Her voice was so crisp that Bryan felt as if he heard a mountain stream cutting through the harsh winter winds - refreshing, yet somehow otherworldly.

This is a witch whose wisdom surpasses her emotions; Bryan made such judgement.

Suddenly, Bryan realized that the aura surrounding Rowena Ravenclaw bore some resemblance to Luna Lovegood. Both witches possessed an almost tangible air of detachment, their gazes seemingly focused on some distant point beyond other's comprehension. And, most remarkably, this otherworldly demeanor did not emanate coldness or aloofness.

Beside Bryan, Sirius finally shook off his initial shock and began to grapple with the extraordinary scene unfolding before them.

"What in Merlin's name is happening here, Bryan?" Sirius whispered, moving closer to Bryan as if afraid even his hushed voice might disturb the two legends.

"Gryffindor and Ravenclaw... I feel like I'm trapped in some kind of fantastic dream. How is it possible that they're here, right in front of us?"

Bryan tore his gaze away from Ravenclaw's retreating form to meet Sirius's questioning look. A flicker of uncertainty passed through his own eyes before he replied, his voice low and thoughtful.

"I wish I could give you a definitive answer, Sirius, but the truth is, no one can say for certain. However, I do have a theory," Bryan paused, gathering his thoughts before continuing. "It's clear that the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw we're seeing aren't physically present. What we're seeing must be some kind of preserved memory or magical imprint. A thousand years ago, two of Hogwarts' founders must have, like us, once searched for Azkaban.""

Sirius's eyes lit up with understanding, his quick mind racing to connect the dots. "You mean to say," he began eagerly, leaning in closer to Bryan, "that this memory has been preserved by some magic in this area of sea, visible to anyone trying to break into Azkaban?"

Bryan shook his head slightly, a small smile appearing at the corners of his mouth. "The memory isn't tied to this location specifically. Rather, I believe it's contained within Ravenclaw's diadem - which, as it happens, is currently in my possession.

I suspect the diadem has somehow sensed our intention to enter Azkaban, triggering this magical projection and allowing us to witness this moment from the past."

Before Sirius could fully digest the shocking fact of Bryan possessing such a legendary artifact, he saw Bryan 'daringly' approaching Gryffindor and Ravenclaw.

Sirius called out urgently, his mind whirling with new questions. "But why were they here in the first place? A thousand years ago, Azkaban wasn't yet the wizard prison we know today." His eyes widened as a new possibility struck him. "Wait a moment... Bryan, could it be that Azkaban was actually constructed by Gryffindor and Ravenclaw themselves?!"

Bryan's pace slowed as he considered Sirius's words. "An intriguing thought," he murmured, his curiosity clearly piqued.

"Why did they come here? I suppose the only way to truly understand is to hear it from their own lips."

As they drew nearer to the legendary pair, Godric Gryffindor's booming voice carried across the deck. "The scenery here is quite breathtaking, wouldn't you agree, Rowena?"

Bryan couldn't help but study the man who had become a symbol of courage and chivalry to generations of witches and wizards. Gryffindor cut an imposing figure - tall and broad-shouldered, with a mane of wild red hair that seemed to capture the essence of his fiery spirit. His eyes, a warm amber flecked with gold, sparkled with a mix of mischief and determination. It was a face that, once seen, could never truly be forgotten.

Bryan had encountered Gryffindor once before, on the Isle of Avalon. Then, the founder had exuded an aura of raw power and indomitable will. His hearty laugh and unwavering gaze had seemed to challenge the impossible odds as if daring the world to present him with a difficulty he couldn't overcome.

Yet now, in the company of his fellow founder and clearly dear friend, Rowena Ravenclaw, Gryffindor's demeanor had softened noticeably. His smile, while still radiant, held a gentler quality. His eyes, when they fell upon Ravenclaw, shone with unmistakable warmth and perhaps... something more?

The thought gave Bryan pause. It was a question that had intrigued Historians and even history lovers for centuries. The personal lives of Hogwarts' founders had always been shrouded in mystery, with only fragments of information passed down through the ages.

Historical records clearly showed that both Salazar Slytherin and Helga Hufflepuff had direct descendants still living through present time. Rowena Ravenclaw was known to have had a daughter, though the identity of the girl's father remained a subject of much speculation. Godric Gryffindor, interestingly, had never married - at least according to any surviving official or historical accounts.

For centuries, scandalous rumors and romantic speculations about Gryffindor and Ravenclaw's relationship had passed down as stories in Hogwarts common rooms and debated passionately by magical historians, with countless versions over the years.

Now, watching the easy familiarity and subtle glances between the two founders, Bryan couldn't help but wonder if perhaps those old tales had some truth.

Gryffindor's voice pulled Bryan from his daydreams. "When we return, perhaps we should discuss with Salazar and Helga the possibility of relocating Hogwarts to this very spot."

He gestured grandly at the sea around them, his grin widening. "Just look at how this area is protected by such powerful magic! If our students were to study here, no one would ever be able to persecute them!"

Even a wizard as powerful as Godric Gryffindor would use childish jokes to amuse his female companion.

Ravenclaw didn't criticize Gryffindor's ridiculous suggestion, but she did continue along this topic,

"Before we set out on this journey," she began, her eyes becoming detached with sadness, "another heartbreaking massacre occurred in Caerleon. Three gifted children, innocents, accidentally revealed their magical abilities in front of people. When word reached the church.... Executioners quickly came to their doors. Those three children... they were executed before their parents' very eyes."

"What?!" Gryffindor's roar of outrage was so ferocious that even Sirius, fully aware that this was just a memory, found himself instinctively shrinking back.

"Where did you get this news, Rowena? And Why wasn't I informed immediately?"

Ravenclaw's composure remained unshaken in the face of Gryffindor's anger. Her voice was calm as she replied, "The news came to me through Ava. She also revealed that the Royal Wizarding Association has taken great pains to suppress all knowledge of this incident."

At the mention of the Royal Wizarding Association, Gryffindor's face twisted with disgust. "Those despicable, selfish cowards!" he spat, his massive fist clenching at his side. "They actually aided the church in harming our own kind! These so-called 'noble' Wizarding families would stoop to any level to prevent magical knowledge from spreading to children of non-magical lineage!"

Gryffindor's entire body seemed to vibrate with barely contained rage. He slammed his fist - easily the size of a large cobblestone - against the ship's railing. "We must teach them all a lesson, both the church and the Royal Wizarding Association!!"

It was clear that Gryffindor was itching for action, his warrior's spirit crying out for swift and decisive retribution against those who would harm innocent magical children But Ravenclaw remained calm.

 "You and I both know, Godric," she said softly, her words somehow cutting through his fury, "that violence cannot hope to eliminate the prejudice that has taken root in people's hearts. It may satisfy our anger in the moment, but it will not bring about lasting change. Brute force may win battles, but it cannot win the war against ignorance and fear."

Gryffindor's shoulders slumped slightly at her words, but the fire in his eyes did not diminish. "But surely, we cannot stand idly by while innocent children are murdered for the gift they were born with!" he argued, his voice rough with emotion. "We must take action, Rowena. We must find a way to change this abhorrent situation."

A small, sad smile appeared across Ravenclaw's lips as she replied. "And that is precisely why we founded Hogwarts. It is our contribution towards that noble goal." Her ice-blue eyes seemed to gaze into a future only she could see as she continued. "Someday, in the years to come, the wizarding world will be filled with talented magic users of non-magical descent. When that day arrives, the discrimination against them will naturally fade away."

For a brief moment, it seemed as though a shooting star had streaked across Ravenclaw's eyes - a flash of brilliant hope for the harmonious, just Wizarding world she envisioned.

Gryffindor, despite his reputation for brash action, was far from a simple-minded warrior. As one of the four founders of Hogwarts, he possessed a keen intellect to match his courage. His brow furrowed in thought as he considered Ravenclaw's words.

"That will take many years, Rowena,"

Gryffindor blinked, suddenly looking weary beyond his years. He was well aware of how deeply ingrained the reverence for bloodlines and magical inheritance was in wizarding society. Even Salazar, their friend, had required countless heated debates before he agreed to the idea of founding Hogwarts. And while he had eventually consented to teach magic to Muggle-born children, it was obvious to all how coldly he treated those students at school.

Yes, the road ahead would be long indeed.

As the seriousness of the founders's conversation settled over them, Bryan and Sirius found themselves drawn deeper into the unfolding scene. Even in their own time, a thousand years ahead from this moment, there were still many people clamoring for the extermination of Muggle-born wizards.

"Before that distant day of equality arrives," Gryffindor said, his voice ringing with determination, "we must find a way to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the present. We cannot allow more innocent children to fall victim to fear and ignorance!"

"I've discussed this issue with Helga before—"

Ravenclaw's expression softened as she gazed upon her emotional friend. Her slight smile seemed to brighten the very air around them.

"The accidental magical outbursts of young witches and wizards are, by their true nature, unpredictable, and we have no reliable means of predicting them in advance." She paused, her brilliant mind clearly working through the problem. "However, once such a magical event has taken place, we must find a way to discover and locate these children faster than both the Church and the Royal Wizarding Association."

Ravenclaw's eyes lit up with inspiration as she continued. "I believe we could design a spell - an enchantment of immense scope that would cover the entirety of the country. This magic would be attuned to detect any occurrence of accidental magic performed by a young witch or wizard. Upon sensing such an event, the spell would record the child's information... perhaps in a book of some kind. With this system in place, we could arrange for our own people to reach the child's side before the church or the Royal Wizarding Association even becomes aware of their existence."

"The Book of Admittance and the Quill of Acceptance!" Sirius exclaimed, his eyes wide with excitement as he recognized the description of artifacts still in use at Hogwarts in their own time. "That's... that's absolutely brilliant! Rowena Ravenclaw truly lives up to her reputation as the wisest witch of her age!"

Gryffindor, while more accustomed to Ravenclaw's strokes of genius, was no less impressed. He applauded enthusiastically, a broad grin spreading across his face.

"Ah, Rowena, it's a magnificent idea!" However, his expression soon grew thoughtful once more. "But to create a spell capable of covering an entire country, and one that must function continuously for... well, for countless years to come. That's no small feat. In fact, I'm not sure it's ever been attempted before. The magical theory alone would be incredibly complex, not to mention the sheer power required to sustain such a spell."

Ravenclaw met his concerned gaze with quiet confidence. "We will find a way, Godric. After all, don't we all believe that the day will come when discrimination vanishes from our world? This is but one step on that journey."

"Yes," Gryffindor agreed, his voice filled with renewed vigor. "That day will come, Rowena."

With a heavy exhale, Gryffindor turned his gaze once more to the small island that had become clearly visible on the horizon. Shrouded in an oppressive gloom, the rocky ridge seemed to radiate an aura of darkness and despair.

"But before that glorious day dawns, we must ensure that this world we cherish hasn't been destroyed!"

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