An ornate silver locket rested quietly atop the table.
An elegant S-shaped emblem supported the front of the pendant-like box. At its center sat a green gemstone patterned like snake scales.
The back of the locket contained a long inscription engraved beneath its polished metallic surface.
Thin curved wires wrapped tightly around the box itself, connecting it to a coiled serpent-shaped structure surrounding the pendant.
Tiny astrological markings and directional symbols had also been carved into the gemstone. They appeared related to planetary angles and celestial calculations far beyond ordinary magical knowledge.
"What's this?"
Godric Gryffindor picked up the locket curiously while staring at it in confusion.
Hufflepuff looked at him helplessly.
"Have you already forgotten?"
"When we divided Hogwarts into four houses, we all agreed to personally create a treasured artifact representing each house."
Only then did Gryffindor suddenly remember.
"Oh right."
He scratched his head awkwardly.
"There's been so much irritating nonsense lately that I completely forgot."
"Sorry."
After apologizing sincerely, Gryffindor examined the pendant more closely.
Then he clicked his tongue.
"This ridiculously fancy craftsmanship must be Slytherin's work."
"He really does love strange little decorations."
Hufflepuff nodded gently.
"He actually finished this a long time ago. Before leaving Hogwarts, he entrusted it to me."
Her expression softened slightly.
"I suppose… he still plans to return someday."
The moment Gryffindor heard that, his entire mood brightened instantly like a child receiving sweets.
"Of course he'll come back!"
"Where else could that stubborn snake possibly go?"
Gryffindor laughed loudly.
"He's just throwing a tantrum with us. I know Slytherin."
Then Hufflepuff carefully placed another object onto the table.
A magnificent silver diadem.
Gryffindor blinked.
"…Wait. Is that supposed to be your house treasure?"
"No," Hufflepuff explained patiently. "This belongs to Ravenclaw."
"However, most of the diadem itself was actually crafted by Slytherin for her."
She glanced toward the beautiful crown quietly.
"You know how poor Ravenclaw's health has been lately. Before she became bedridden, she already explained the general principles and ideas behind the artifact she wanted to create."
"So Slytherin and I helped finish it for her."
"Besides," she added softly, "doing so also prevented certain future complications."
Then, with great care, Hufflepuff brought out another object.
A beautiful golden cup.
"This," she said quietly, "is the true treasure of my house."
Unfortunately, Gryffindor clearly had no interest whatsoever in discussing magical heirlooms.
He had already decided long ago what kind of artifact he wanted for Gryffindor House.
A sword.
Simple.
Practical.
Perfect.
Originally, he apparently wanted boxing gloves instead, but after nearly everyone around him strongly opposed the idea, he reluctantly abandoned the plan.
Honestly, Hogwarts narrowly escaped disaster.
"Ravenclaw really is lucky," Gryffindor muttered suddenly.
"To have friends like you and Slytherin."
Seeing Gryffindor's sincere expression, Hufflepuff hesitated briefly.
Perhaps…
She should tell him about Slytherin's suspicions.
At the very least, Gryffindor deserved some preparation.
Then Gryffindor suddenly asked,
"Why isn't Ravenclaw better yet?"
"I already told her to drink hot water."
"When I get sick, I drink hot water and somehow recover immediately."
He looked genuinely confused.
"Did she not drink enough?"
Hufflepuff silently reconsidered everything.
No.
Absolutely not.
Maybe Slytherin was correct.
This man truly was an idiot.
.....
The memory world accelerated once more.
After Slytherin's departure, Hogwarts gradually returned to peace.
Time passed quietly.
During this period, Ravenclaw's condition appeared to improve significantly.
The pale sickness faded from her face.
The brilliance in her eyes returned.
Soon, the legendary witch known for unparalleled wisdom once again resumed her normal life at Hogwarts.
Naturally, Gryffindor firmly believed this miraculous recovery was entirely thanks to hot water.
No one could convince him otherwise.
Still, despite Ravenclaw behaving exactly as before, Hufflepuff never forgot Slytherin's warning.
If something truly possessed Ravenclaw…
Then perhaps perfect imitation wasn't impossible.
The thought alone terrified her.
At first, Hufflepuff constantly remained on guard.
Yet as years passed peacefully, even she slowly began doubting whether Slytherin had made a mistake.
After all, Ravenclaw showed no signs of abnormality whatsoever.
Meanwhile, no news from Slytherin ever returned to Hogwarts.
Since his departure, Gryffindor became visibly depressed.
At times, he could barely focus on work.
He resembled a lonely statue endlessly waiting for his closest friend to finally come home.
The memories continued shifting rapidly through the years.
During that time, Ravenclaw happened to discover an abandoned infant outside Hogwarts.
Seeing the child completely alone, she decided to adopt her and raise her as her own daughter.
Then—
One night many years later.
Hufflepuff received a mysterious letter.
Stamped upon the envelope was a blue serpent symbol.
The instant she saw it, her eyes widened.
"Slytherin…"
This was the first reply he had sent in years.
Excitement immediately overwhelmed her.
She hurriedly prepared to open the letter.
Then suddenly, she hesitated.
Recently, Ravenclaw had begun appearing near her quarters unusually often. Sometimes she even subtly questioned Hufflepuff about Slytherin.
That behavior deeply unsettled her.
Had Ravenclaw already discovered something?
Or perhaps…
Had she always known?
Worse still, Hufflepuff recently discovered something horrifying entirely by accident.
Ravenclaw had secretly been eating raw meat.
Fresh beef.
Lamb.
Blood still dripping from it.
The sight made Hufflepuff feel as though the woman before her was a complete stranger.
Perhaps Slytherin had been right all along.
Unwilling to risk opening the letter at Hogwarts, Hufflepuff quietly left the castle and traveled alone toward the small lakeside from years ago.
The memory shifted once more.
Now Hufflepuff stood beside the lake beneath the night sky.
Slowly, she removed the letter from her robes.
Then carefully opened it.
Inside rested only a single thin sheet of paper covered in Slytherin's handwriting.
Hufflepuff immediately began reading.
I failed.
Because time is limited, I won't describe the dangers I encountered over these years. If Helga Hufflepuff is reading this letter now…
…I am likely already dead.
Please don't grieve for me.
This was the path I chose myself.
Please tell my family—especially my father—that I, Salazar Slytherin, am sorry for what happened back then.
Please tell him that I love him deeply.
And I hope he can forgive me for my choices.
Also…
Please tell my father that our bloodline must continue to survive through future generations.
.....
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