Chapter 10
The Magical Trinity
(Hermione's PoV)
After lunch, Hermione and Ron walked across the room. Hermione stopped when she noticed the stone tablet on the wall. At the top of the tablet, a small inscription read:
In Memory of these Thirteen Souls, who perished during the darkest days in our history.
Below the inscription, there was a list of thirteen names.
"The Thirteen Souls," Madam Derry said, behind the bar.
Hermione turned and looked at Madam Derry.
"These names," Hermione asked, nodding to the list. "Were they –?"
"The victims of the Salem Witch Trials," Madam Derry said, nodding solemnly, "The wizards and witches at least. Burned at the stake just for being themselves. There are three more names that should be on there, but nobody mentions them."
"Who?" Hermione asked.
"The witches who broke the Statute of Secrecy in the first place," Madam Derry said, shaking her head, "The reason the Trials began."
She walked around the bar and over to Hermione and Ron.
"Have to talk in whispers about this," she said, lowering her voice. "Not popular table talk. Three witches decided to get drunk one night, and have fun with a couple of Muggle gentlemen. The witches took these men out to what is now known as the Salem Witch House. Heard of it? Nice museum now."
"Sure," Ron said, "We might visit it sometime."
"I go there quite a bit," Madam Derry said, "Keeps my mind fresh of this story. I don't want to forget it. Anyway, I'll continue. Behind the house, there used to be a grove of trees. The witches put the Muggles under the Imperius Curse, and started making a Love Potion. Well, the Imperius Curse must have not been very strong, because the men snapped out of the trance. They found the three witches dancing around the cauldron. It scared the two Muggles. Fear of witchcraft was big back then. Muggles were terrified of us. They thought back then we'd burn down their houses and kidnap their children for stew or something like that. That's what I hear, anyway. But those three witches were found, oh yes. They paid for their mistakes."
Madam Derry looked up at the stone tablet.
"But... not before these Thirteen Souls," she continued, "and a mighty number of Muggles were killed. Burned at the stake on Salem Hill... now a graveyard."
Ron looked at Hermione, who's eyes widened.
"Salem Hill Graveyard is where the Witch Trials took place?" Hermione asked.
"Oh, yes," Madam Derry said. "Place is pretty popular for the Muggles to visit. But wizards and witches like us..."
Madam Derry shook her head.
"It's a terrifying place to visit for us," she said, "I stay away from it. Gives me the creeps. I keep thinking I hear voices when I go there."
She shuddered and shivered. She took one more glance at the stone tablet.
"Those poor souls," she said, sniffling.
She shook her head and walked back to the bar. Hermione looked back at the tablet.
"Where is Crescent Alley, by the way?" Ron asked Madam Derry.
Madam Derry nodded through the door straight ahead of them.
"Tap the bricks on the wall in a crescent shape," she said, "Easy enough."
"Thanks," Ron said, "Coming, dear?"
Hermione nodded and walked with Ron through the door.
"I would have never guessed," Hermione said softly. "A graveyard is the place of all that loss."
"Kind of ironic," Ron said. "Might not have even been a graveyard before they burned those people. Probably didn't want to move them and buried them all right there."
"Could you at least show a little more respect, Ronald?" Hermione asked.
"Sorry," Ron said. "Story just creeped me out a bit."
They walked through the door and arrived at the back of the building. A large brick wall stood there. Most of the bricks were brownish-red, but there was a discoloring of white-ish red in the center.
"Here goes nothing," Ron said.
He took his wand from his pocket and tapped the white bricks in a clock-wise crescent shape. A grin crossed his lips when the bricks started to move and formed an archway. When it opened, Hermione saw a cobbled pathway go up and down on either side of them. It led off to another street on both ends.
"Let me guess," Ron said, as they walked through the archway, "This place is Crescent-shaped."
"I would say that is probably a good guess," Hermione said, grinning.
They walked down the left road and looked around. They passed an Apothecary, an owl post building, and Hermione saw The Black Quill, the wizarding bookstore next to a store where wands could be purchased..
"I'm going to write a couple of letters and tell Mum, Dad, and Harry that we're in Salem," Ron said, "If you want to go into the bookstore, I'll meet you there."
Hermione nodded and walked into The Black Quill.
"May I help you?" an elderly witch at the counter asked.
"I'm looking for books on the wizarding histories and legends in Salem," Hermione said.
"We have a large bookshelf dedicated to just that, young lady," the witch said.
The witch walked around the counter, and beckoned Hermione to follow her. They walked over to a large bookshelf in the back corner of the room.
"If the subject isn't here," the witch said, "It doesn't exist. Enjoy."
The witch bowed slightly and walked away. Hermione looked through the titles of books. There were quite a few, but the ones that caught her eye were: The History of Salem Hill, The Thirteen Souls, and The Magical Trinity and More: The Myths and Facts Surrounding the Salem Witch Trials.
"The Magical Trinity?" Hermione whispered to herself.
She took the book from the shelf and looked at the cover. There was an illustration of three large linked rings. One of the rings had sparks around it. The second had sparks around one half of the circle, with a slash in the middle of it and blank on the other half. The third was just blank.
She decided to buy this and the other two books she had taken an interest in. She walked back to the counter and purchased the three books.
"Excuse me?" she asked the elderly witch, "What is this? The Magical Trinity?"
"One of the more popular legends of Salem," the witch said, "Has to do with the three witches who caused the whole Trials to begin with. But most of what the Magical Trinity has to do with... it is just a legend. Take what you read in this book with caution. You'll start believing in most of them, but take heed. Most of the myths in there are just myths, and some of the facts are even myths that have only had a little proof given to them."
Hermione nodded.
"Thank you," she said.
"Come again," the witch said.
Hermione smiled and took her books, then walked out of the shop. Ron was walking toward her.
"Finished already?" he asked her.
"For now," Hermione said.
"I wrote the letters to Mum and Harry," Ron said. "Used one owl for both letters. The bloke in the shop said the owl should take a full day to get there and back. So if they reply, we should get the letters back tomorrow afternoon. I didn't realize owls could be so quick."
"They're probably trained for that," Hermione said, "Especially ones who fly across oceans."
For the next couple of hours, they walked through Crescent Alley and visited many of the shops. Ron had a particular interest in the Quidditch shop.
Hermione found a clothing shop that had several dresses and robes, and had specials on some of them, for the Mid-Summer's Festival. She and Ron decided to each purchase one outfit for the Festival, which they knew they would probably end up at before the week was over. One of the dresses reminded Hermione of the kind in the pilgrim times she had read about in books over the years. She tried it on and it fit very well. Ron thought it looked beautiful on her, and that factor alone made her buy it. Ron bought a set of old-fashioned robes, though he was grateful that there was "no dodgy lace" on it. He commented that they looked much better than the ones his mother had given him for the Yule Ball years ago. Hermione said these robes made him look very handsome, so he bought them.
Hermione had been wanting to read one of her new books, but Ron had decided to distract her from it, and, for the next few hours, they explored the town of Salem. One of the most interesting things they saw, as they walked along some of the streets, was that some of the people were wearing outfits that reminded Hermione of wizarding robes and other clothing like that.
"They have to be mental," Ron muttered, as a young man walked by in robes, "Walking around this town in that type of clothing. Don't you think Muggles will notice them?"
"I think that was a Muggle, Ron," Hermione whispered.
"He was wearing our usual style of clothing, Hermione," Ron said.
"I have a feeling this is the traditional outfit during the Mid-Summer's Festival," Hermione said, "It is like Halloween. They're wearing disguises of what they think people like us would wear."
"But they don't know the wizarding world exists," Ron said, shrugging.
"It seems they have a very good imagination," Hermione said.
"So you think we'll see a lot more people dressed up like that?" Ron asked.
"I would count on it," Hermione said, nodding.
"No wonder witches and wizards love this festival," Ron said, "They can go out in their normal attire and nobody would know the difference."
"It has quite the attraction to it," Hermione said.
They walked for a good couple of miles around the town, looking around at the decorations and shops, before making their way back toward the Witches Brew. They had seen at least half-a-dozen more people dressed in the same clothing throughout the whole time.
-
The next morning, when Hermione woke up, Ron was still asleep beside her. She yawned and saw the three books she had purchased the day before on the bedside table near her. She hadn't had a chance to look through any of these books the day before, because of how much she and Ron had done. She figured he had probably done it on purpose. It wasn't a secret that he was trying to keep her occupied instead of her being interested on the books. She couldn't blame him, though. These two weeks of their honeymoon were about the two of them spending time together, and she knew Ron wasn't too happy with the thought of Hermione having her nose in the books.
Now that Ron was asleep, she could have a chance to look through the books without him distracting her. She picked up the Magical Trinity book, and opened it to the table of contents. She found the chapter on the Magical Trinity and turned to it. She started to read through it:
The Magical Trinity and The Power Of Three
While the number seven is considered to be the most magical number in the wizarding world, the number three has also been referred to as another magical number. Many myths and legends throughout the wizarding world consist of having to do with the power of three. While the most famous myth is the Tale of the Three Brothers, also known as the Tale of the Deathly Hallows, there is also the story of the Magical Trinity.
The Magical Trinity is commonly referred to as three wizards and/or witches who are considered true companions, even though they have one measurably large difference between them. This difference has to do with the three Magical blood-types: pure-blood, half-blood and those whom are Muggle-born. Because of the known racism between bloodlines over the centuries, it is thought that the Magical Trinity was nigh impossible. Pure-bloods are usually known for their common hatred of anyone who is deemed to be Muggle-born. So the unity that is needed for the Magical Trinity to take effect is considered rare, and therefore, quite a legend in the history of the wizarding world.
One known Magical Trinity in the history of the wizarding world happened at the start of our darkest days in the wizarding world. It is highly known that it was three witches who were responsible for the revelation of witchcraft in Salem, Massachussets, and the start of the Salem Witch Trials. What is uncommon knowledge is that the three witches had something very different between the three of them. Each of them were of the different blood-types. There are many critics to this theory, because Muggle-born witches and wizards were quite rare during the late 1600s, and it was believed that the tools needed for the Magical Trinity to take place was virtually impossible.
When the Magical Trinity is successfully formed, it is believed that different events will take place amongst the three true friends. It is thought that the unity could bring good or bad fortune. It is also thought that the unity of the Trinity could also hold a great power that could bring danger or salvation to the three who perform the ritual, and anyone who is in the vicinity of the three. It is considered that the ritual for this is virtually unknown. It is thought this is because of the fear surrounding the possibilities of the Trinity, and that it is better that this would remain a legend instead a fact.. The story of the original coming of the Magical Trinity didn't help to put aside that fear either.
The three witches in the late 1600s who foolishly brought the events along that started the Salem Witch Trials were, unknown to them. brought along bad fortune and danger to Salem, Massachussets. Many theorists whom are knowledgeable about the events surrounding the Trials believed that the enchantment of the Magical Trinity is the reason the Salem Witch Trials started in the first place.
Because of this, the Magical Trinity is considered bad luck. Anyone who is thought to be united enough to bring the enchantment into effect is considered to be feared amongst those who are true believers that the Magical Trinity actually exists.
Hermione's hands shivered and the book fell down onto the blanket on top of her. The legend of the Magical Trinity couldn't be true, could it? She shook her head. There was no way.
Still, she couldn't ignore the fact that she knew about a possible Magical Trinity, and she was a part of it. She was Muggle-born, Ron was pure-blood and Harry was a half-blood, and the three of them were the truest of friends.
She picked up the book again,and her eyes fell on one of the paragraphs again:
It is also thought that the unity of the Trinity could also hold a great power that could bring danger or salvation to the three who perform the ritual, and anyone who is in the vicinity of the three.
Her eyes widened and she shook her head. She slammed the book shut, and heard Ron murmuring beside her.
"Something wrong?" he muttered, sleepily.
"No," Hermione said, hastily putting the book on the bedside table. "Not at all."
Ron smiled and yawned.
"What time is it?" he asked.
"Almost nine," Hermione said.
"You still want to go to the Institute?" Ron asked.
Hermione nodded. Ron sighed and stretched.
"Guess I should get up and get ready then if I want breakfast first," he said.
Hermione nodded again.
"You're sure you're all right?" Ron asked, "You're very quiet."
"Yeah," Hermione said, "I was just reading something and it creeped me out."
Ron's eyes traveled from her to the books on the bedside table.
"Your fault for wanting to know Salem's history," he said, raising his eyebrows. "Some of it is mental."
"Yeah," Hermione said, her eyes traveling to the book, "Bloody mental."
"That's why I wanted you to hold off on that stuff, love," Ron said, "That kind of stuff could ruin the atmosphere of our honeymoon."
"Okay," Hermione said. "I promise I won't read any more for a while."
Ron smiled and leaned toward Hermione and kissed her.
At noon, Hermione and Ron were waiting in the main room of the Witches Brew. Cale and Isabella walked down the stairs and over to them.
"Ready to go?" Cale asked.
"Yeah," Hermione said.
She and Ron followed them out the door and to a nearby parking lot, then over to a four-door black town car. Hermione and Ron got into the back of it, and soon they were driving toward Salem Woods, located two miles south of Salem.
"So have you had the chance to tour around Salem yet?" Cale asked.
"A bit," Hermione said, "We noticed the Muggles are celebrating the festival in style."
"You must be talking about the clothing they're wearing, am I right?" Cale asked.
"I couldn't tell wizard from Muggle," Ron said.
"We thought that was rather curious," Hermione said. "How do they know what our traditional style of clothing is? Robes and such like that."
"Would you like to take that question, Isabella?" Cale asked.
Isabella nodded.
"Our kind has lived in Salem for quite a while," she said, "While the fear of witchcraft is still very much alive in Salem, our kind has been able to find ways to blend in with the Muggles. So, it may not be a surprise that there are a few witches and wizards on the town council. It is thanks to them that you see that attire. Basically they introduced it to the townspeople, and brought there own little story to it, to make it believable to the Muggles. The Muggles seem to love it, and that is the traditional attire for the festival."
"So wizards and witches have lived amongst the Muggles in Salem?" Hermione asked, "Even amongst the fear of the possibility of more Witch Trials?"
"Oh yes," Isabella said, "Many witches and wizards, whose families were once a big part of Salem before the original Witch Trials, moved back here after the Quarantine lifted almost a century ago."
"A quarantine?" Ron asked.
"The Ministries around the world," Hermione said, "made it illegal for wizards and witches to live in this area for two centuries after the Trials."
"You know your history," Isabella said.
"Hermione's quite brilliant with stuff like that," Ron said, grinning.
"Not too brilliant," Hermione said, "There are still things that surprise even me."
"Stuff concerning Salem?" Isabella asked.
"Yeah," Hermione said. "I never knew about some of the more interesting facts, such as the Thirteen Souls or the mystical power of three."
Isabella looked up at Cale, and Hermione noticed that he was looking back at her through the rear-view mirror.
"The Magical Trinity, you mean?" Cale asked.
"Yeah," Hermione said, "I recently found out about that and it... it scared me."
Hermione sighed and looked out the window.
"You okay?" Ron whispered to her, squeezing her hand gently.
"Yeah," Hermione said.
"The Magical Trinity is just a legend, Hermione," Isabella said, "Nothing to worry about."
Hermione nodded.
"Can we talk about something different?" Ron asked. "I don't like the sound of these legends. Some sound so mental."
"History is powered by legends, Ron," Cale said, "One must keep telling them, or they'll die out and nobody will learn from them. But if you wish, we can change the subject."
"So you're wanting to become a Professor at the Salem Witch's Institute?" Hermione asked Isabella.
"Oh, yes," Isabella said, "The sheer history of the place is extremely inviting to me. The stories surrounding the place mean a lot to me. It used to be a great refuge for our kind during the Salem Witch Trials. Muggles can't see the castle, so those in fear of persecution could come to the institution for safety. Then it closed during the quarantine, and people forgot about for a while. When it re-opened, it was a great celebration. This institution is the only wizarding school for in this area of the country. During the quarantine, education for our kind was scarce, because very few wanted to go so far just for schooling."
"Sounds pretty wonderful," Hermione said.
"Oh, just you wait," Isabella said, "You're in for quite a treat."
Hermione grinned as she looked out the window. She needed something fun like this to get her away from the thoughts of what she had read earlier that morning. Was Isabella telling the truth? Was the Magical Trinity just a legend to go along with the tale of the three witches who caused the Salem Witch Trials? Was it just a ghost story?
She really hoped this was true. Because if it was more than a legend, the thought of it and how it could have involved her, Ron and Harry, frightened her more than anything.
-
Love this chapter. I really love coming up with stuff like the story I had in this chapter. The visit to the Salem Witch's Institute comes next!