The Founders' Children

"Welcome to the special students club, Fergus," Malgino said gladly as he gestured the big room with tall bookshelves, wide fireplaces, closets of potion ingredients, armchairs, and a few older students occupying the chairs.

"But aren't we all special?" Fergus asked looking uncomfortable by the intimidating atmosphere.

"Of course not," Helena Ravenclaw proudly walked out from behind a bookshelf. "We are the most important students in Hogwarts. Handpicked by the founders for better magic education. To be their successor."

"But you are Madam Ravenclaw's daughter, you are already going to be your mother's successor, no?" Fergus asked innocently and Helena went red with anger and embarrassment.

The other "Important" students started laughing and Helena opened her mouth, ready to snap at Fergus when Malgino pulled him aside.

"Gus, you can't say stuff like that to Helena," Malgino said, barely containing his laugh. "She is rather proud and to be honest, a bit arrogant. So it will be good for you to stay out of her way. She is not exactly famous for her forgiving nature, okay?"

Fergus took in the information and nodded. He went to Helena and apologized but not before Chris noticed the hint of jealousy in Fergus's eyes. And it didn't need an extraordinary person to figure out what the look was about. Fergus and Helena both were children of the Founders, yet one stayed hidden while the other announced it proudly. 

. . . 

But soon Fergus wasn't the hidden kid. He was without any doubt the best wizard in the group and it didn't help that he always hung around the other powerful wizard, Malgino. Helena was furious.

Though she was almost four years older than Fergus, she was very petty and shallow. Helena was nothing like her mother because no matter how intelligent and powerful she got by reading and knowing ancient spells, she could never be wise and skillful like her mother. So why did everyone fear her? Why did they steer clear of her?

Malgino was right. It wasn't because of her mother. It was because Helena held grudges. She was so self-absorbed that she barely saw anyone outside of herself.

Therefore, it was no surprise that she wanted revenge from Fergus, for humiliating her. How could a twelve years old boy join the club and insults her the very first day?

After introducing him to the club, Malgino asked Fergus to wait in the club room for him after class, so they could discuss magic and mysteries. That's what Fergus did every day and that day wasn't any different. After finishing his classes, he grabbed something from the kitchen for dinner and went straight to the club room. Usually, at that time the club room remained empty because everyone went to dinner, so Fergus was very surprised to find Helena in the room working on a potion.

"Oh, hello, Fergus," Helena looked up as Fergus approached. "How was your day?"

Fergus was more surprised, considering Helena didn't talk to him at all after their first encounter. But Fergus was taught to be always polite. That was the one thing his mother taught him very well.

"Good afternoon, Helena. My day was normal, what about you?" Fergus tried to say calmly.

"Not that good," Helena sighed. "I am struggling with this potion. I don't know what I am doing wrong."

"Oh." Fergus glanced at the door debating if he should leave or wait for Malgino.

"I heard you are quite good at potions, Fergus," Helena said getting back Fergus's attention. "Would you help me?"

Fergus's green eyes got rounder as he stared at Helena. Did he hear her right?

"You want my help?" Fergus blurted out but quickly recovered so as not to offend Helena again. "I could but you know, I am not allowed to use magic without –"

"Without teachers? Yeah, I know. But don't worry, you don't have to use magic. Just tell me what to do," Helena smiled.

"Okay, then . . . What potion are you brewing?" Fergus sat down on the floor beside Helena.

But without replying Helena got up.

"I think, I forgot a book," Helena walked towards the bookshelf on the opposite side of the room. "I am so confused these days. Don't know what I am doing. Fergus, please keep an eye on the potion while I look for the book."

"Okay, but. . ." Fergus watched the potion boiling and getting darker and darker. He felt uneasy. "Helena, it's thick purple and getting darker."

"Oh no, the silver powder needs to go in the potion, now! And these books! Ah, I am stuck!" Helena's voice came from behind the last shelf. "My potion will be ruined now."

"Don't worry, I will add it and then come and help you," Fergus said quickly finding the silver powder and dropping it into the boiling cauldron.

As soon as the powder shimmered into the potion, the potion hissed and Fergus realized what he had done. He tried to get away but it was too late. The potion bubbled up and burst out of the cauldron. Fergus shielded his eyes with his arms, preparing to get the boiling thick potion all over him. But it didn't come. Someone pulled him away and shield him with their body. Fergus opened his eyes and saw Malgino on the floor. The robe and skin on his back were burnt by the potion.

"Malgino!" Helena screamed, running towards him.

Fergus watched Malgino horror-struck.

*

In the hospital wing, Madam Josephine, nurse of the hospital wing, treated Malgino, and soon he was awake. A small crowd gathered around his bed and many students including Helena expressed how worried they were for him. Malgino simply ignored them and looked for someone. At last, he saw Fergus sitting in a corner, hanging his head low.

"Madam Josephine," Malgino called and immediately asked her to send out the other students. Only Fergus and Helena could stay.

Madam Josephine quickly did so. Only Helena stayed and Fergus didn't lookup. Helena looked quite happy by this, she felt special as Malgino only asked her to stay. But soon, her happiness shattered.

"What were you thinking, Helena?" Malgino's voice was dangerously low.

"I . . ." Helena shivered.

"Do not try to deny it," Malgino warned.

"I didn't mean any harm," Helena tried to explain.

"Any harm?" Malgino laughed coldly. "So what was your plan? Burn Fergus a little? His face and hands? Sent him to the Hospital Wing for a week? That doesn't sound bad, right?"

Helena's eyes widened and she stepped back from Malgino a little. Fergus finally, looked up.

"And for what Helena? He didn't do anything. He asked a question naively and you decided to take it as an insult? Or was it because of how popular he is becoming so early? Was that the reason you planned revenge? Do you know how big of an idiot you are? Do you have any idea how many ways it could have been gone wrong? You could have killed the kid," Malgino yelled at Helena.

"I . . ." Helena looked terrified and about to cry.

"Get out my face. I don't want to be seen with you anymore." Malgino turned away from her.

Helena let out a sob and ran out of the hospital wing.

"I am sorry," Fergus mumbled.

"You should be," Malgino grumbled. "What were you thinking listening to her? I warned you about her, didn't I?"

"I thought –"

"Everyone is not like you Fergus, you need to understand that. This world is cruel. You let down your guard once and they jump on you. There are worse people than Helena. You never know, you need to be careful," Malgino sighed. "And why didn't you create a shield in time? I have seen you create walls of magic in less than half-second."

"I'm not allowed to. . ."

"What? You . . ." Malgino looked like he was about to jinx Fergus. "God, do I always befriend the stupidest people? Fergus, you could have been heavily injured or dead. What's the point of rules if you are dead?"

Fergus didn't respond.

"You are going to kill me," Malgino groaned and dropped on the bed, he planted his face on the pillow and mumbled something else but his voice got muffled. Only Fergus heard him and chuckled.

. . .

Fergus was running through the forest. As fast as he could. Chris was going with him and because of the speed, everything blurred around Chris. She had no idea why they were running but then she heard the loud howling sound behind them. Someone or something was after Fergus.

And that thing was on almost him. Fergus dodged but it was fast. It grabbed him and slashed him across his chest.

Chris gasped as the huge werewolf tackled Fergus to the ground and opened his jaw about to bite his head off. Chris could neither help nor she could look away. On the other hand, Fergus didn't look much scared, he just closed his eyes, ready to be bitten.

Suddenly, someone jumped out and blasted off the werewolf away from Fergus, and probably for the first time, Chris was glad to see Malgino.

The Werewolf whimpered as it hit the ground. Malgino reached Fergus without turning his back to the werewolf.

"Fergus! What were you thinking? Coming here all alone?" Malgino shouted and glanced at him. "Don't move. I will see your wounds after I deal with this wolf. You will be lucky if you don't get turned."

But Chris knew Fergus wasn't going to turn into a Werewolf. Not because he was scratched and not bitten. Because unlike, Bill's slashed face by Greyback, which everyone thought would never recover, Fergus's wounds were already closing up.

His torn clothes were still bloody but he was regenerating. Within seconds his wound was closed up and new skin had taken its place. Malgino looked back at his friend and saw him sitting up.

"No, don't –" Malgino's eyes almost popped out of their sockets when he saw Fergus sitting as if nothing happened to him at all. "How did –? What? How?"

Malgino was so shocked and so focused on Fergus that he didn't notice the wolf getting up from the ground. The werewolf let out a painful howl before charging at Malgino. 

Malgino stopped him at the last moment and again blasted him off with three powerful spells back to back. Chris observed his technique and spells. It was flawless and looked effortless. Knowing about someone's power and actually seeing someone using their powers were very different experiences.

After making sure the Werewolf wasn't getting up any soon, Malgino turned to Fergus, who still sat there, head hanging down. 

"Gus? What happened?" Malgino said softly as he sat down beside Fergus.

"I'm sorry, I didn't tell you. Please don't stop being my friend," Fergus mumbled, his voice barely audible.

"Gus, I am not mad at you. I'm just upset that you thought I can't keep your secrets. But that doesn't mean I would stop being friends with you. We are always going to be friends, okay?"

"I'm a half-vampire." As soon as the words left Fergus's mouth, Chris saw Malgino's eyes changing. Something flashed replacing the kind and worrying look on his face. But it was gone as soon as it came.

"That explains a lot," Malgino smiled at Fergus. "We will talk about it tomorrow. Let's go. And don't forget to thank Helena. She is the one who saw you slipping out of the castle and created a fuss about it. That's why I came looking for you."

"Where do you think the wolf came from?" Fergus asked as they got up.

"Remember, the baron was saying there was some monsters' attack in the near villages, I think it's them," Malgino glanced at the unconscious werewolf before walking away with Fergus. "Want to solve the problem together?"

"But nobody can know about my –" Fergus hesitated.

"Nobody will," Malgino reassured.

"Alright then," Fergus gave a bright smile.

⟦To be continued⟧