Godric arrived later than usual at home that evening. Which earned him an earful from his mother. She didn't like her son wandering around until dark, especially a young wizard that could easily be killed by muggles.
Godric didn't take the scolding to heart. He couldn't wait for it to be tomorrow, so he could go to the forest and play with his new friend.
"Mum, I made a friend. He's a wizard like me, so don't worry."
"A child from our village? I thought you didn't like them since none were your age."
"No, it was a kid from beyond the river."
His mum gave him a sharp look.
"Don't worry, I never crossed." He smiled awkwardly.
His mum wanted to believe him, but she doubted a child his age would be allowed to travel this far, alone. It was strange.
Godric was in such a blissful mood, he had forgotten about the incident that morning. He ate dinner and went to bed. He was properly tired from all the running around the forest.
He slept soundly throughout the night. It was usual that his father got home late and woke them up, but that didn't happen this night. His father was passed out at the pub, which was a rare occurrence.
Their house was neither big nor small. They did alright, thus never been short of basic needs. Godric wasn't really aware of how lucky he was. He lived in a remote village after all, just a frog in a well who had no idea how vast the world was.
Even then, he wanted to travel it. He wanted to spread his name far and wide, and now maybe he had a companion too.
He woke up earlier than usual the next morning, made his bed and put on his warm clothes. He started on his chores. Sweeping the yard, and removing growing weeds. Feeding the pigs and chickens.
He even went to the village well to fetch some water, so his mother wouldn't have to for the day.
"Fancy seeing you here this early lad."
"Good morning, Mr. Bagshot. I'm a filial son after all."
"Hahaha, you should marry my daughter!"
"Sir! I'm 10 going on 11, she's 14, this is a trick!"
The man was short and plump. He was bald, with a beard that would make dwarves jealous. He was very fond of Godric, he thought he'd be a great wizard. So every chance he got, he tried to marry him off to his daughter.
He bade Mr. Bagshot farewell, and carried the water-filled bucket home. His mother was pleased, as he woke up before she did.
"You usually sleep in, what's the occasion?"
"Can't I be a good son?" He smiled smugly.
He was about to sit for breakfast when he saw his father coming out of their sleeping room. For a split second, momentary dread filled the pit in his stomach but when he noticed his father was sober, he cheered up.
"Mum tells me you made a friend." He attempted to make conversation, as if yesterday morning never happened.
"Yes. His name is Salazar Slytherin. He's from beyond the river."
"I've heard of those folks," he said taking a bite off his bread. "Strange family."
"They're wizards, like us."
"They're wizards alright, but not like us."
Godric didn't quite understand. So he just nodded and let it go.
"Father, when will we go to the Ollivander family? I feel ready for my first wand."
"Pipe down laddy, I've taught you magic for years, a couple of days of waiting isn't going to kill you."
He wolfed down his breakfast, and ran out as soon as he was done. His mother stood at the door and shouted after him.
"Don't go beyond the river!"
Godric simply waved his hand without turning back.
The snow was deep that morning, clearly it snowed heavily in the night. It made it hard to run, as his feet would dig deeper and would almost get stuck.
He got to the river expecting to see Salazar, but he wasn't there. He spent hours waiting, he now was sure that Salazar was just a figment of his own imagination.
"Godric, you're here. Quite early isn't it?"
"Finally, what took you so long?"
"I live far."
"I'll visit some day."
They played the wizard and the knight. Salazar played a sly wizard that used not just magic but potions to fight. While Godric was a fearless knight, whom fought with a sword.
He'd dodge the invisible spells Salazar threw at him, running towards his friend to slash, maim and capture the dark wizard.
Of course they alternated about who was the dark wizard, but Salazar was more comfortable playing a wizard. He had no experience on sword play.
"Hey, that's not fair. You aren't fast enough to dodge Everte Statum." Salazar remarked.
"Only the brave and strong can do anything." He answered nonchalantly poking his friend on the head.
Salazar didn't really mind. He was having fun with his new friend. He had grown tired of living in the house he lived in. His only friends were snakes, as much as he loved them. Nothing could beat having a human friend.
"Hey Salazar, why don't you have a wand yet?"
"Can't afford one. But I can do so much without one."
"Like what?"
"I'll show you, one day."
They were now just lying by the river, taking a breather from their constant battles and chatting.
"Do you want to see where I live?" Salazar asked nervously.
Godric bit his lip. He was curious. He wanted to see what was beyond the river but the words his mother told him every time he left the house rang in his head.
Though his mother's warnings came from a place of love, he didn't understand what was so frightening about the other side. That's why he properly ignored his mother and succumbed to his inner childish need to explore.
He'd long noticed that, Salazar must've come from a poor family or a family that didn't care for him much.
"Let's go!"