Chapter 10

Four months after the arrest warrant for Salazar went out he was finally granted a hearing against his charges. At first the Ministry had refused to listen to any notion that Salazar was misrepresented in the historical writings but the combined force of the Golden Trio and Draco had forced them to listen. Salazar's crimes were listed as 'offences against muggleborns and muggles' 'use of Ministry-forbidden spells' and 'deviating from a linear timeline'.

The last charge was the most serious- since the ministry had been founded one of its chief principles was that time travel was forbidden for times of more than six hours. This was also the charge that was most difficult to disprove as the only witness for the event was Salazar himself. Therefore, Hermione had convinced the Ministry to hold the trial in the Department of Mysteries and to activate the arch. Salazar had revealed the arch's long forgotten purpose and Hermione had uncovered the activation spell in a text from Draco's library.

Now they all sat, surrounded by a full jury, in the arch room waiting. The Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt, called the court to order and began the trial. Hermione listened anxiously as the charges were read out and the evidence presented. She listened as Draco defended Salazar and presented the ancient texts as evidence.

When it was time to activate the arch, Hermione's breath shortened and she grasped Ron and Draco's hands tightly. If this worked…

The arch began to glow as the spell was cast, an eerie pale blue light that washed over the room. Then the thin veil was pushed aside as three figures entered the room. As the light faded, the figures became identifiable as the other three founders of Hogwarts.

"Sal!" Rowena cried in relief, "I'm so glad you're safe." A derisive sneer appeared on Godric's face as he surveyed the room.

"Founders of Hogwarts," Kingsley began over the shocked whispers that filled the room. "We have called you here to ask for your account of Salazar's disappearance from Hogwarts. Miss Ravenclaw, if you would like to speak first."

Rowena locked eyes with Salazar as she recounted to the room the argument that had sparked the fire. Hermione watched Godric's eyes darken with every word that was spoken. When Rowena explained how they had locked Salazar in the Chamber of Secrets, Godric emitted a soft growl.

However, when Godric was asked for his account he could only confirm everything Rowena had said, much to the surprise of the whole room except Hermione. She just smiled smugly and congratulated herself on the successful casting of an undetectable circle of truth spell that she had cast earlier that week. Top Class Ministry Security Level could be useful. The anger on Godric's face was tangible and Hermione almost thought he would resist returning to the arch. But he did with Helga hot on his heels, followed by Rowena after a small pause where she gazed intently at Salazar.

The trial concluded and the Jury unanimously declared Salazar cleared of all charges. Hermione, more relieved than she could ever remember feeling, threw herself into his arms causing shocked murmurings to break out across the room.

"I was so scared," she admitted in a whisper close to his ear.

You needn't have been, your spell worked perfectly as I knew it would he replied in her mind, allowing their minds to merge for the first time that day. But even though he reassured her, she could feel his own relief wash over her.

The left the Ministry with Draco, Harry and Ron and went for a coffee in The Leaky Cauldron to celebrate. Hermione also reluctantly wanted to ask Ron a favour. When the group had settled down congratulating Salazar, she felt him squeeze her hand in a silent signal for her to ask.

"Salazar and I have decided that we want to get married." She announced to a shocked table. Only Draco seemed unsurprised even as she saw a glimpse of wistfulness cross his face.

"But Hermione, you think marriage is outdated and obsolete." Ron stated cautiously.

Hermione's lips tightened slightly as she replied. "Yes, but it is important to Salazar and therefore to me."

"Okay." Ron stretched out the word to make it known that he did not think it was 'okay' and Hermione knew it was a sore point for him- he had asked her to marry him while they were together and she had refused.

"Ron, we'd like you to marry us." Hermione asked timidly, unsure of his response. As descendants of pure-blood families, he or Draco had been the ideal choices and Salazar had opposed the idea of Draco marrying them.

Ron looked shocked, a faint blush coloured his face before he stammered out an affirmative.

"I'll prepare the potions, you just need to look up the ritual in your family books." Hermione rambled out, knowing that this news was not going to go down well. It was Draco, however, that interrupted her.

"You don't mean to bind yourself to him through the Oldest Law?" He shouted, causing the rest of the bar to fall silent.

Hermione drew herself up proudly and begged Salazar to stay silent with her mind. "Yes I do, Draco, and I will hear no words to the contrary. Stay out of it, Draco." She heard her voice turn cold as she addressed Draco, knowing that her mind was made up and was unchangeable.

Draco bit his tongue but the anger did not leave his eyes as he surveyed her and nodded once. Ron still looked confused and Hermione knew that his family did not practice the Oldest Law. Draco might have to marry them after all, if he would agree to it. Hermione knew she could convince him to; he still cared about her.

They exchanged a few more pleasantries before leaving, although the whole group seemed more subdued than when they had entered and her friends' reactions weighed heavily on Hermione's mind.