~ooO Neutral : Susan Bones Ooo~
Aunt Amelia always told Susan to never make snap judgments without all the facts. It is the best way to screw up and ruin a court case. Always collect the evidence with an impartial mind and never discard what doesn't fit your worldview, she had always said.
When Susan heard Hermione Granger had passed Merlin's Enchantment, had drawn the Sword from the Stone, she was okay. Hermione Granger was smart and hard working. She'd be a good Queen and clean up the Ministry.
When Susan heard Granger's Fates-chosen Consort was Salazar Slytherin she did a double take. Salazar Slytherin? It didn't fit in Susan's world view. The Hogwarts Founder was a blood purist and opposed Muggleborns being taught magic. It couldn't be him! But Susan remembered Aunt Amelia and did some investigating, to confirm if this Salazar Slytherin was the Founder himself or another family member. He turned out to be the Founder.
But why was he willing to marry Hermione Granger, a Muggleborn? Susan knew Fates-matches were true, compatible pairings. There were no matches between witches and wizards who truly hated certain traits present in the other. That indicated that the Founder did not hate Muggleborns as much as he was reputed to. Maybe his reputation was smeared. There were no real records, diaries belonging to the Founders or unbiased accounts from someone who had directly interacted with the Founders.
Susan held onto that thought as she talked with others at the reception. She didn't know enough to make a decision about the match so her comments were neutral and non-committal. Quite a few Claws and Gryffs were dripping poison and fangs. Susan had expected that more from the Snakes, given that their precious Founder was marrying a Muggleborn.
The Hufflepuff joined the line up to greet the Royal couple with an open mind and friendly smile. And when it was her turn to speak she found herself being dissected by penetrating cobalt blue eyes.
"Stop it," Hermione ordered her husband as she wrapped her hand around Susan's own limp one.
Salazar Slytherin looked bemused. "This is the first one who is comfortable applying logic."
Hermione looked confused. "Really?"
"She made a very good effort at back-tracking and fact-based extrapolation to create a fairly accurate scenario." Slytherin sounded impressed.
Susan was horrified. "Excuse me?"
Hermione smiled at her. "Forgive him. Salazar has this habit of using Legilimens on everyone. And his biggest complaint has been the sadly lacking traits of logical thinking in modern witches and wizards. In his first life, Arithmancy and Runes were compulsory courses, like Transfiguration and Charms for us. Because you had to know enough to create your own household wards. Unless you were wealthy enough to hire a Crafter," she added as an after thought.
"And logic?" Susan asked carefully.
"A very necessary trait to avoid creating enemies. Or falling into big holes and breaking your wand and neck," Slytherin said wolfishly with a flash of white teeth.
Susan was glad she had been cautious, because this man was no bigot and most definitely willing, and able, to defend what he claimed as his. And he had chosen to claim Hermione Granger as his own. Susan had not expected such loyalty in the Founder of Slytherin House.
~ooOoo~ooOoo~ooOoo~