A.N: So update… yeah, I got sick and had nothing else to do hence the update so I guess you all are left with a dilemma, be glad I'm getting better or pray that my lungs fail again… As a rabid fiction reader I know what most of you will pick so really shame on you. My lungs frown on you. Anywho, to all those of you who celebrate thanksgiving merry Christmas and happy birthday, here's an early present, um to all of you who don't merry Christmas to you too.

A.N2: All the stuff about the Weasley's is important and will be addressed in depth at a later date.


Chapter 7

Hermione had spent the last days of her summer holiday walking on thin ice around Mrs. Weasley. The dressing down she had received from the Weasley matriarch had been harsh and loud. Hermione had taken it silently, knowing she had put herself in danger by leaving the way she had and so she did not begrudge Mrs. Weasley her indignation. She was rather put out that Mrs. Weasley seemed more concerned about how her disappearance would have affected Harry and Ron rather than any actual concern for Hermione's safety though. She had said nothing and when she had left the kitchen to go to bed without supper she had caught Kreacher by the scruff of his neck to stop him from screaming at Mrs. Weasley or perhaps even booting her out of Grimmauld Place. He had been indignant that the great lady of whom his mistress had often spoken of with such reverence was being sent to bed as if she were a child and without supper no less. He had of course provided her with a meal, insisting that she needed to eat. To say that Kreacher was put out with Mrs. Weasley was a bit of an understatement. He had spent next four days muttering darkly in her direction though with Sirius his behavior was much improved and the marauder noticed.

It was on the last night of summer holiday that Sirius cornered her.

"What did you say to my elf?" He was smiling but he had a dangerous glint in his eye as he questioned her.

Hermione smiled sweetly back and took a step back before replying, "I am certain I do not know what you mean Sirius."

Sirius let his smile slip so that all remained was the dangerous glint, "Where did you go when you left here?"

Hermione replied truthfully, "I went to Diagon Alley just as I said I had."

Sirius drew in close and snapped, "Don't be coy Hermione, where in Diagon Alley did you go?"

Hermione glared up at Sirius who loomed over her dangerously and replied in an even voice, "Kindly step back Sirius, I will not have you bullying me." He ignored her and actually stepped even closer.

He growled, "We discussed you in the order meeting last night," He let that fact settle in and then continued, "Everyone, including Dumbledore seems to think that you were simply exercising your rebellious streak. McGonagall went so far as to blame Molly, she said you probably needed a book for school and Molly hadn't thought to ask you when she went to Diagon Alley for Harry and her children." He grabbed her arms suddenly and Hermione fought the urge to lash out at him as she had Snape. He continued in a low angry voice, "Me? I think you wouldn't leave headquarters from something as trivial as a book no matter what the teachers think. It leads me to question what you were doing, and when I wonder I am reminded that Diagon Alley has an uncomfortable proximity to Knockturn Alley. So the question is, what were you doing in London Hermione?"

Hermione looked up at him with a defiant glare and stated clearly "I needed a book… for class you see."

She jerked out of his hold and stepped back.

She turned to leave but stopped dead at his next words, "I made a mistake in not seeing Peter's treachery Hermione and I won't make that mistake again."

Hermione stilled completely for a moment and then she walked away. Sirius growled to himself and then stalked away. Neither noticed the boy who was standing just inside the room whose outside was the scene of their confrontation. Harry stepped out of the room and scowled after Sirius.


Dinner was a tense affair. Harry was glaring daggers at Sirius while Sirius himself appeared to be watching Hermione like a hawk. Mrs. Weasley was still angry with Hermione along with Ron, who resented Hermione's apparent vow of silence regarding the secret he knew she was keeping. It came to a head when Hermione asked Sirius to pass the potatoes and received a nasty look in return.

Harry slammed his hands down of the table, startling the Weasleys, Sirius, Hermione, and McGonagall. He stood abruptly, scraping his chair across the floor and stomped to Sirius' side. He took the potatoes from next to his godfather, made his way around the table, placed them gently in front of Hermione, and then returned to his chair.

Quietly he spoke, "I heard you today Sirius. I heard what you said to Hermione and I didn't appreciate it."

Sirius blanched and spoke, "Harry I'm just trying to protect you, I missed the signs with Peter…"

Harry went white and stood so abruptly he toppled his chair, "Don't you dare compare her to Peter Pettigrew, Hermione is nothing like him."

Sirius stood, his face growing red as he struggled to suppress his anger, "Harry she could have you fooled just like Peter fooled us, she's being secretive and she left, Merlin knows how she could have compromised the order."

Harry shouted back, "Hermione would not betray the order! Hermione wouldn't betray me!" He had tears gathering in his eyes that he angrily swiped at.

Sirius snarled back "You think I didn't think that about Peter, you think your father thought one of his best friends would betray him?! She has you fooled if you think she doesn't have secrets."

"Of course she has secrets, everyone has secrets Sirius, but I trust that she has her reasons, reasons that don't include betraying me!" Harry was breathing heavily and Hermione was the first to notice that the table was starting to shake. Hermione stood and was at Harry's side in a less than a heartbeat.

She put a hand on his arm and spoke quietly, so quietly that no one but him could hear. After a few moments of whispering he relaxed and turned to look at her. She smiled at him and received a smile in return.

She placed a gentle hand on his cheek and whispered, "Thank you Harry."

She turned to Sirius and addressed him, "You asked me what I had said to Kreacher," Sirius nodded, "He thought you were a traitor and I simply corrected him in his assumption."

Sirius snapped "What do I care if that little beast thinks I betrayed Voldemort, I never even served him in the first place!"

Hermione shook her head and replied quietly, "He thought you had betrayed your mother's true Mistress, I assured him that you had not."

Sirius looked at her stunned, "How could you…?" His eyes widened as he stood slowly and made his way to stand in front of her. He placed his hand near her cheek but didn't touch her. He breathed, "You… Merlin."

Hermione smiled and stood on her tiptoes and whispered in his ear, "His granddaughter actually." She dropped back down and smiled up at him. He stared back down at her and then grabbed her hand. He brought it to his lips and caught sight of her ring. His eyes closed and he pressed a reverent kiss to her knuckles before stepping back.

His voice was contrite, "Merlin forgive me… I just…"

Hermione smiled gently at him and finished, "You were concerned for Harry, a sentiment I am well acquainted with. I shan't fault you for looking out for Harry's interests." Hermione turned to the table and addressed Ron and Harry, "We need to talk."

Harry and Ron followed her out of the room and the remaining dinner guests looked at Sirius.

He snapped at them, "What?"


Ron sat and stared expectantly up at Hermione. Harry smiled at her and took the seat next to Ron.

Hermione took a deep breath and spoke, "Let me preface this by saying that I can't tell you what is going on with me, not yet."

Ron looked ready to explode, "But…"

Hermione held up a hand, "But I will tell you when I am ready, I swear to you that I will, as soon as I have figured out what it means I will tell you. I am asking for patience Ron, as your friend I am asking you to trust that I will tell you as soon as I can."

Ron deflated and sighed, "You will tell us though?"

Hermione nodded, "As soon as I am able."

Ron rolled his eyes and with the air of someone who had suffered greatly let out a breath, "Fine."

Hermione huffed and looked at Harry, "Harry?"

Harry shrugged, "I'm not nearly as impatience as Ron so…"

"Oi!" Ron playfully shoved Harry and received a pillow to the face in return.

Hermione smiled at her two best mates and then leapt at them, intent on involving herself in the epic pillow battle that had begun.


The trip to the train station had been uneventful and other than the slightly uncomfortable moment when Harry had realized that Hermione and Ron would have to spend an hour of the trip in the Prefects compartment Hermione anticipated a rather uneventful journey. She of course had failed to take into account the fact that Draco Malfoy was the new Slytherin Prefect, which was not to say that Draco had been particularly rude to anyone, Hermione included, but apparently his new improved attitude did not extend to Ron. He was markedly less of an arse to the majority of the Hogwart's students in the compartment save for Ron, Draco seemed perfectly content to remain as offensive as ever when it came to the easily angered Weasley boy. The meeting itself was under an hour but seemed an eternity when dealing with Draco and Ron flinging insults back and forth as if they would never get the chance again.

It was with great relief that Hermione stood to leave. Ron had bolted from the compartment the moment he was able, intent on returning to Harry's side and bemoaning the fact that Draco Malfoy was a complete and utter git. Draco was leisurely as he stood slowly and stretched, he was so slow in fact that soon Hermione and Draco were alone.

As soon as the compartment was cleared Draco dipped into a bow and murmured, "Majesty."

Hermione smiled and replied, "Hello Draco how was your summer?"

Draco straightened and smiled a bright happy grin, "Well your Majesty, thank you for asking. If I may, how was your holiday?"

Hermione nodded and replied, "It was fine, a bit tense in some places but altogether quite fine."

"I am so glad to hear it Majesty." He gestured to the seat and Hermione sat gingerly. They sat for a few moments in silence and then Draco spoke again, "Did you wish to speak to me about something your Majesty?"

Hermione started and the smiled, inclining her head, "Yes Draco, I was hoping that you could gather the covenant members at Hogwarts so that I may meet them and speak with them."

Draco looked alarmed, "Majesty, I will do as you ask but please understand that I have acted without the approval of the Order, I fear that I will be punished severely for my actions."

Hermione shook her head, "I will make it clear that you have acted in my best interests and with both my knowledge and approval. I shall see you protected Draco, I do not intend to abandon my most loving servant."

Draco blushed at the reference to his letter, "How did your trip to Gringots go Majesty?"

Hermione smirked and drawled, "It was most… illuminating, and I got a new ring." She extended her hand for Draco to see and smiled when he brought her hand to his lips.

She blushed as he purred, "Your Majesty wears the ring well."

He caught her blush and looked positively charmed by pink tinge to her cheeks.

For a few more minutes they sat in comfortable silence and then Hermione asked quietly, "Why were the Weasleys stripped of their wealth?" Hermione watched as a look of intense loathing stole over Draco's face before he was able to mask his reaction. She pounced on the look, "That! There, you hate the mere mention of the Weasleys, why?!"

Draco remained silent for a moment before growling, "Has your Majesty ever wondered why they are called blood traitors."

Hermione cocked her head and replied, "I know that about a hundred years ago the term was attached to Septimus Weasley, Arthur Weasley's father. He must have been very young when it happened."

Draco nodded, "He was, barely eighteen at the time, just out of Hogwarts and a member of the Order for less than a year."

Hermione looked stunned, "He was so young, what could he have possibly done?"

Draco growled, "I don't know all the details just that he betrayed the order to a dark lord known as Higgenthrope. At least fifty order members died, at a time when most wizarding families could not afford such losses, not to mention the fact that every single one of Higgenthrope's followers had to be killed to protect the secret. It was the most massive loss of wizarding life that had been seen since the Mordridian revolt in 1312, all the work of the Lady Pembroke to insure that the wizarding world was strong and flourishing was nearly undone with a few words from that greedy bastard your Majesty."

Hermione was stunned, "Fifty wizards died? And all of Higgenthrope's followers, that's awful." She was quiet for a second then asked, "The secret they had to protect, it was me wasn't it? My existence?"

Draco replied, "Your location and the assurance of your existence. Most witches and wizards are told the story of the Heir to Camelot but most dismiss it as a myth, a story children are told during dark times to give them hope despite the fact that it is that story that allowed for the formation of Ministry and the overthrow of Mordred's heir, but to us, the Order, your existence was not simply a beacon of hope but a promise from Merlin himself and Septimus Weasley betrayed that for wealth. That kind of betrayal taints his whole line. Some, like Longbottom and the Diggory's, have forgiven, others, the Malfoy's included, have not."

"I understand then why Septimus was cast out and branded a traitor, even stripped of all his wealth but why are the Weasley's still called blood traitors today?"

Draco shrugged, "It stems from an old wizarding saying 'Betrayal is in the blood' I suppose they serve as a reminder."

Hermione shook her head, "I can see were that might seem sensible but I am not comfortable with innocent people being treated like villains for the crimes committed by their forbearers."

Draco nodded and replied, "I shall endeavor to be more polite to the Weasleys from now on, if it pleases your Majesty."

Hermione smiled, "It should please me very much Draco." Draco gave what could be called a sitting bow and smiled at Hermione. Hermione stood to leave but paused at the disappointed look the washed over Draco's face, "Draco? Is everything alright?

Draco looked startled, "Oh yes, I suppose I was hoping that we could talk for a bit longer Majesty, perhaps about more pleasant things, but I don't want to keep you."

Hermione's face softened, quietly she asked, "It hasn't been easy for you has it? Having to guard your family's secret. I'd imagine you have to keep most people at arm's length to remain safe?"

"Yes, that is true I suppose, most of my friends in Slytherin are attracted to the Malfoy name, not me and for obvious reasons I can't be friendly with people that could be considered unbecoming to the Dark Lord. I have tried for years to argue that my friends should be of little concern to the Dark Lord and yet…" Draco trailed off and shrugged, "I do my part and I don't want to sound less than content."

Hermione gently refuted, "But you are unhappy for the most part aren't you?"

Draco looked ashamed, "I am happy to serve."

Hermione sat, "Tell me of this Lady Pembroke you spoke of, I've never heard of her."

Draco stared at her surprised and then grinned, "Oh you've heard of her, though I'd wager you know her by a different name, tell me Majesty, does the name Anne Boleyn mean anything to you?"


Harry and Ron both peered out into the corridor for what seemed like the twentieth time to Ginny and the rest of the Hogwarts students occupying their compartment.

Ron burst out a second latter, "Where is she!? The meeting ended an hour ago and she still isn't here!"

Ginny rolled her eyes, "Maybe she's talking to her other friends."

Ron snapped back, "Hermione doesn't have any other friends."

Harry sighed, "Rude Ron, really. She doesn't have to spend every minute with us. It isn't like we don't leave her on her own all the time."

Ron growled "For Quidditch, what's her excuse?!"

Ginny stood, "Whatever, I'm getting something from the trolley, anyone want anything?"

Everyone shook their heads and she turned to leave only to be stopped by Luna Lovegood who had wandered into their compartment over an hour ago, "I'll come with you." The two girls left the compartment and made their way across the train.

Ginny was paying for her snacks as she wondered out loud, "You know it really isn't like Hermione to be gone this long."

Luna replied as she pulled at a string that was unraveling on her sleeve, "Maybe Draco Malfoy is very interesting."

Ginny was putting her change in her pocket, "Maybe…" and moment passed before her head snapped up and she gaped at Luna, "Wait what?!"

Luna focused on her agitated friend, "We passed them in a compartment just down there." she pointed to the prefects and head compartments that remained largely unoccupied due to the fact that most prefects and heads wanted to spend time with their friends. The compartments were always at the end of the train to give the heads and prefects privacy. Ginny grabbed her snacks and made a beeline for the compartments Luna had indicated. She pressed herself against the side and peeked very quickly and then snapped back up.

She breathed quietly, "Holy wow, she is with him."

Luna nodded and then stared into the compartment adjacent, "Hmmm… nargles."

Ginny grabbed Luna and pulled her into the adjacent compartment and the pulled the shade that offered privacy for the compartments occupants. A second later Hermione and Draco stepped out of their compartment. Ginny and Luna watched as Draco swept into a courtly bow and pressed Hermione's hand to his lips. Hermione smiled at him and spoke in a low voice, to low for Ginny or Luna to hear.

Ginny let out a low growl and Luna looked at her, concerned, "You're growling…"

Ginny shushed her, "I can't hear them."

Luna nodded, "Me either. They seem friendly."

Ginny snorted, "What is she doing being friendly with Malfoy?"

Hermione and Draco swept from the corridor and Ginny exhaled, "Dear Merlin Hermione, what are you doing?"


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