In Europe, there are very few magical gifts that are considered to be set apart from natural aptitude in certain subjects (e.g. Parselmouths). In America, things are no different, despite these abilities being much more accepted and well-known. These in-born talents, called endowments, are very rare as fully developed gifts, although less-developed forms are much more common. Despite it being difficult to predict the house you will be in when starting school, often four of the most common endowments are associated with certain houses, giving an endowed child a good chance of predicting their house.
Most wizards and witches are fully aware of the connection between the season of the year and the four houses of the Salem Academy. However, something often overlooked is the more basic connection between the classical elements (water, fire, earth, and air) and their respective houses. These are the defining factors that link the endowments with their respective houses.
Remington House is associated with the season of spring and its classical element is water. Water makes up a large part of our bodies, and throughout the centuries, it has been used as a symbol of healing, whether it be spiritual or physical. Thusly, the natural ability to heal is closely linked with Remington House. Often this endowment is highly beneficial to both the endowed witch or wizard and the people around them. It can manifest at many different levels; sometimes the endowed may heal themselves on a small level without realizing it, others may be fully aware of their gift and develop it to the point of being just as effective as a medically trained doctor. This is a very revered and accepted gift; however, there can be less helpful side effects. If the endowed does manage to become sick and is not able to heal themself, any person they attempt to heal during that period may then be affected by the illness. Often this gift is also exhausting to the user, in that it saps the person’s own bodily energy to infuse others with it.
Burkenshire House, the school’s embodiment of summer, has a strong affinity with metals. This is one of the most purely physical endowments that occurs, making it slightly more rare, and seems to be the exception to the rule of being guaranteed a house. While Burkenshire’s association with metal springs forth from its relation to the element of fire, metal can also be associated with other elements. However, most endowed that can manipulate metal find themselves in Burkenshire House, especially if their powers manifest strongly. Even on a small scale, this power is formidable and is well-documented by the school and the council due to its high-risk status. This endowment, like Remington’s, is often physically and mentally exhausting to the user.
Meriwether House is tied with autumn and its classical element, earth. The earth is not only the home to Muggles and wizards but, originally, the home of many creatures, both magical and mundane. Therefore, those with a higher than natural connection with animals are often sorted into Meriwether. This bond, in a weak form, is often interpreted as only a fondness for animals, and is often the main pull for wizards and witches to become magical naturalists. However, if the power develops beyond that point, it is possible to develop an ability to speak the native language of the animal. Another, more impressive, manifestation is a natural talent for the transfiguration required for Animagi. Young witches and wizards with this strong show of power often change naturally between human and animal with no training. This is viewed as a slightly dubious power by some people, usually depending on the level of danger caused by the type of animal the witch or wizard becomes. However, this power is one of the most natural and least harmful endowments for the endowed.
Finally, Eberhardt House and its season, winter, are often related to the element of air. This is felt on icy days when the wind pierces all barriers that stop it from entering where it wishes with ease. Like the chilly breezes of the season, Eberhardt’s power breaks one of the most powerful barriers of all: that of the human mind. This can be so subtle that neither the subject nor the user can detect it, and often the endowed witch or wizard merely seems highly perceptive or intuitive. In others, the power develops in a more forward way, causing some to reach a level at which they can hear a constant flow of thoughts and dreams in their mind. In very few people (more often witches than wizards), the power can be fine-tuned (whether naturally or purposefully) and used at will, even giving the endowed the ability to affect another’s mind. Each of these manifestations can be potentially harmful to both subjects and users, especially if the power is abused. Often, this endowment is hidden, either due to fear of being persecuted (especially in Muggleborn witches and wizards) or in order to use the power to their advantage. There is a stigma attached to this power that is very clear and obvious; people are frightened of having their minds invaded and are wary and frightful of those who pay no regards to their privacy. It is not, however, considered a hazard to public health by the council.
Although these powers are well-known to families with wizarding heritage, these powers are still considered unusual and unique, making the endowed more respected and possibly feared. Muggleborns, however, are often shocked and awed by these endowments, particularly if they develop them themselves. They are rare enough that students often envy and gravitate towards those who are endowed. There has been a lot of discussion over the origin of endowments, but as they occur just as much in Muggleborns as they do in magical children, this is hard to determine. It is also speculated that some Muggles with gifts similar to these may be part of the same phenomenon. The council funds a scientific/magical foundation which researches endowments, and also has a committee posed to consider putting legislation on the disclosure and use of the powers.
