‘You cannot take, from a woman who has lost everything else, her only remaining children.’

‘But they are our kind.’ Godric swung to his feet.

‘Yes, if they were in danger. Yes, if their magic was so powerful that it couldn’t be hidden.’ Salazar tugged at his beard. ‘Would you steal from such poor people the very little they have?’

‘Yes,’ replied Godric, ‘if it empowers us. The children will have better lives. If you, yourself, were ready to give up Hogwarts, I would concede.’

‘You’ve lost,’ laughed Rowena.

In the morning Salazar was gone and rumours began to fly.