A.N: So I updated. Yay!

Ginny Weasley entered the compartment containing her brother and his friends and sat slowly, her gaze focused on Hermione. Hermione appeared to have just entered the compartment because Ginny's brother was questioning her.

"Where were you Hermione, it's been an hour since the end of the prefects' meeting?!"

Hermione sighed and Ginny braced herself for a lie, "I was talking to Malfoy."

Ginny's jaw dropped as Ron leapt from his seat, "What!?"

Hermione cocked an eyebrow and replied, "I said I was talking to Malfoy." Ginny turned her attention to Harry and saw that his teeth were clenched and his eyes were narrowed.

Quietly, giving voice to the simmering rage that was boiling just beneath the surface, "Why?" His voice was little more than a growl.

Hermione tensed, instinctively knowing that the danger lay with him.

She answered truthfully, "We're… acquaintances."

"Acquaintances?" Harry's voice was just as dark.

Hermione nodded, "He wished to discuss a matter we had discussed earlier."

Harry snapped, "So that's what you've been hiding, MALFOY!?"

Hermione shook her head, "No Harry, I won't deny that he has played his part but I assure you that the secret I have is far larger than my being friends with a Malfoy."

Ron bellowed, "You said you were acquaintances!"

Hermione pinched the bridge of her nose, "Friendly acquaintances then."

Ron snarled and advanced on her only to be shoved into his seat by Neville who had been quiet until now.

He ordered, "That's enough Ron, she didn't have to tell you."

Ginny jumped in, stunned but proud that Hermione had been brave enough to be honest, "She could have lied. She obviously respects you both enough to tell the truth."

Harry seemed to take that in and then grunted, "I don't like it…"

Hermione opened her mouth but was cut off when Harry continued, "But it is your choice and I know Ron and I have no say in who you are friends with."

Ron snapped, "The hell we don't!" He made to stand again only to be met with a powerful shove from Neville.

"Stay put Ron!" Hermione stared at the usually gentle Neville and started, her mind working rapidly. Draco had mentioned the Longbottoms, was Neville a member of the order as well?

Harry looked surprised as well but he kept his primary focus on Hermione, "Malfoy isn't the secret?"

Hermione shook her head, "I swear to you Harry, until today I couldn't have called Malfoy a friendly acquaintance and I by no means trust him."

Ron snarled, "Well what a coincidence because we don't trust you."

Harry turned his scowl on Ron and bit out, "Don't speak for me Ron."

Ron sputtered in surprise, "But she…" He trailed off and glared back.

Hermione asked tentatively, "You do trust me don't you Harry?"

Harry scowl melted into an unsure expression, though the anger still brushed across his face, "I don't know Hermione." He got up and slid out of the compartment. Hermione stared after him, stunned.

Ron stood abruptly and threw out nastily, "I don't trust you, for the record." He followed Harry.

Luna smiled kindly at Hermione and said dreamily, "I think you are very brave." She drifted to her feet and swept from the compartment like a wisp of cloud.

Ginny shrugged helplessly and spoke, "I'll try talking to them." She made to follow her brother and Harry and then paused, "Thank you for telling the truth Hermione, Luna was right, you're very brave." Hermione tried to smile at Ginny as the redhead stepped out into the corridor. Ginny slid the door shut behind her.

Hermione slumped into the cushions and let out a shaky breath. Neville watched her quietly.

She looked up and gave him a small smile, "Thank you for keeping Ron at bay Neville."

Neville nodded and replied firmly, "I would never let him or anyone else hurt you Hermione."

Hermione's face softened, "You're a good friend." She watched as Neville's chest puffed with pride and remembered another boy who had looked at her with the same surprising devotion. Her face fell as guilt washed over her yet again and then she remembered her promise to Cedric and shook off the feeling.

Quietly she asked, "Did Cedric serve willingly Neville?"

Neville looked at her in poorly disguised shock and stuttered out, "C…Cedric? What do you m…mean?"

Hermione smiled gently, "Don't be coy Neville, I know of the order you serve."

Neville stared at her, stunned "You know?"

Hermione nodded and held out her hand, showing him the ring that graced her left ring finger.

He saw the ring and gasped before throwing himself to his knees so quickly that Hermione was forced to leap to her feet to avoid being hit.

He grasped her hand and brought it to his lips; he kissed her hand reverently and then looked up at her with an alarmingly adoring look.

Hermione would never get used to the fervent loyalty that gleamed in Cedric, Draco, and now Neville's eyes. So taken aback was she that she didn't notice the flash of red that whipped away from the window and down the corridor.

Ron growled as Harry slid the compartment door shut in his face.

"Ron!" Ron turned to see his sister storming towards him.

"Leave me alone Ginny." He made to stomp past her only to be caught by her hand.

She glared at him and snapped, "Do you understand what just happened?!"

Ron snarled back, "Of course I do! Hermione is whoring around with Malfoy!"

Ginny's hand shot out and cracked across Ron's face, leaving a bright red handprint in its wake.

In a clear firm voice she reprimanded Ron, "That is plainly untrue Ronald. She said they were acquaintances, not once did she allude to them being anything more; moreover she showed incredible bravery and loyalty by telling both you and Harry. She didn't have to say anything but she trusted you both enough to be honest. Of course she has been proven wrong, both of you have shown yourselves to be gits of the highest order. All the times Hermione has stood by you and Harry and the one time she asks for the same she is treated like she defected to You-Know-Who! Berks, the both of you!" Ron stared down at his little sister stunned that she had struck him. She glared back and then stormed away, furious.

Ron snarled to himself and turned on his heel, intent on giving Hermione a piece of his mind. He came up to their compartment and stopped short at what he saw. Neville was on his knees before Hermione, kissing her hand of all things. Hermione for her part looked taken aback and not for a moment Ron wondered if Neville was declaring his love for Hermione. The thought was quickly pushed aside, he didn't know many blokes that would go to their knees to tell a girl they liked her so he was left to wonder why Neville was apparently groveling in front of Hermione. He wasn't sure why but he didn't want Hermione or Neville to see him. He turned and fled back up the corridor.

The majority of Hogwarts students were wondering what had happened to the Trio over the summer. They sat separately, Harry alone and morose, Ron with Seamus and Dean, and Hermione with Neville, who appeared attached to the golden Gryffindor. Hermione and Neville were conversing in low tones, shooting worried glances at the staff table, or more accurately the new Defense against the Dark arts teacher. Harry was eating in silence, glaring at anyone who was brave enough to talk to him. And Ron, Ron was busy telling everyone he could that Hermione Granger was seeing Draco Malfoy. Though not cruel enough to say outright that Hermione was dating Malfoy, he was not so generous as to say that he believed her when she said that they were just friends. Like wildfire the rumor was spreading and Hermione was certain she could almost feel when it reached the Slytherins at the opposite end of the Great Hall. The dark looks and vile mutterings were being spread at a viral rate as more and more Hogwarts students nodded and began speaking amongst themselves, sure now that they knew why the trio had fractured, no doubt irreparably if Hermione was truly cavorting with Draco Malfoy. Malfoy was glaring at any of the Slytherins who spoke to him but his silence rather than vehement denial was not helping his case.

Hermione was furious. Ron and his mouth had not only caused her untold future trouble but now Draco was in danger from his own house. She sat up straight and tall and leveled a glare at any of the students stupid or brazen enough to look directly at her. She wanted nothing more than to flee the hall but she wouldn't give Ron or the worst of the gossipers the satisfaction.

In a quiet voice Neville soothed, "Don't worry your Majesty, the rumor isn't true, so it should die down."

Hermione muttered back, "I'm not worried about me I'm worried about Drac… Malfoy. The Slytherins can be a dangerous lot."

Neville looked surprised, "You're worried about Malfoy? Why Majesty?"

Hermione scowled at him and snapped, "Don't play stupid Neville, it doesn't become you. You know very well why I should be concerned for Malfoy."

Neville was shocked, "You know that he's…" He trailed off and shot and anxious look around the hall, trying to see if anyone was listening.

Hermione nodded as she violently speared a roasted potato, "Yes I do, but this is neither the time nor place to discuss this."

Neville inclined his head, "As you wish, Hermione." Hermione smiled her approval at his use of her name. Neither noticed the extendable ear being drawn back to it's owner or the confused look on Harry Potter's face.

He muttered to himself, "Majesty?"

It had been nearly two weeks of chilly silence between the Golden Trio. Harry was completely surprised and confused by what he had overheard, Ron had dug in his heels and was refusing to budge until Hermione begged for forgiveness, and Hermione for her part was very firmly ignoring both Ron and Harry. She had approached them both numerous times in the first week but had been met with silence from Harry and angry recriminations from Ron. She was absolutely not going to be the one to apologize and seeing as her sixteenth birthday was rapidly approaching it didn't look like Harry or Ron were going to be let in on the secret. Add that to a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher who wasn't actually teaching them anything, Slytherins who were growing increasingly vocal and dangerous as time passed and the rumor remained, and the fact that Draco had been unable to arrange for a meeting between the Hogwarts covenant members and it made for a very unhappy Queen.

It came to a head two weeks exactly from their arrival at Hogwarts for their fifth term. Hermione was walking alone for once, as Neville had needed to speak to Professor Sprout. It was nearing dinner time so the entrance hall was full of students heading for dinner. It was this crowed area that gave a very angry and misguided Slytherin seized the opportunity to fire a nasty curse directly at Hermione's back. The Gryffindor girl went down like a sack of rocks and the gathered students of Hogwarts watched in morbid fascination as blood spread from the heavily bleeding gash that now decorated her back.

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Roger Davis had just entered the Great Hall when he heard one of his housemates scream his name. He whirled and saw the Sara Fletcher's white and horrified face standing among the stalled crowd. He pushed through the students and saw what had caused the look on his fellow order member's face. Their Queen lay motionless at Sara's feet with blood seeping from a wound on her back. Sara herself was shaking as she pointed her wand at the crowd of onlookers, hoping to protect Hermione from further harm. Roger drew his wand and touched it to the white scar on his hand as he fell to his knees at Hermione's side. The scar heated and then grew cold again.

He looked up and told Sara, "Go to the door, the others should be coming!" He stripped out of his outer robe and pressed it to Hermione's wound.

Less than thirty seconds after activating the Excalibur mark Neville Longbottom came bolting through the Great Doors that led to the Hogwarts grounds. He pushed through the crowd and Roger watched as his face fell when he saw Hermione's prone figure.

Roger ordered, "Start forming a perimeter and for the love of Merlin keep them back!" He waved an angry hand at the still gawking students. To Roger's disgust more than a few were Gryffindors and rather than help they watched as their housemate bled. A moment later a flood of order members poured from the Great Hall. Sara directed them to Roger and the Ravenclaw watched as their faces registered varying levels of shock and dismay at Hermione's condition.

Roger sighed in relief as he caught sight of two of the Hufflepuff Quidditch players, strong lads the both of them, and shouted, "William! Valen! Help me lift her."

The two boys moved quickly and lifted Hermione as gently as they were able with Roger's help.

Roger barked another order, "Susan, run ahead to the hospital wing and tell madam Pomfrey we're coming." Susan Bones nodded and tore off at breakneck speed. He had just started to move forward when Draco Malfoy came flying down the stairs.

"I saw Susan…" His voice choked as he took in Hermione's limp form. His head whipped to Roger and he demanded, "What happened?!"

Roger growled, "Not now Draco, we need to get her to Pomfrey."

Draco nodded and spat at Neville, "Go tell Potter and Weasley what's happened."

The Gryffindor boy looked ready to argue but was met with Draco's harsh stare and so he simply turned and began pushing his way through the still gathered crowd.

"Come on." Roger and the two Hufflepuffs, now with Draco's help as the Slytherin moved to support Hermione as well, began to hurry as fast as they dared up the stairs towards the infirmary.

Harry could tell something was happening just outside the doors because there seemed to be a gathering right in front of them. Less than a minute after the flow of students had stopped abruptly at least fifteen Hogwarts students had leapt from their tables and hurried out of the hall. All of this was rather odd and yet Harry found he didn't care. He had spent the two weeks ignoring Hermione and he was feeling the effects. Ron's anger had not abated and Harry was angry and confused himself. He had thought on it since the Welcoming Feast and knew that Hermione was dealing with something bigger than being friends with Malfoy if what he had overheard was any indication. No matter how he had tried to rationalize it Neville had referred to Hermione as 'Majesty' which was beyond odd. He had no idea what to make of it and he was sure that whatever Hermione had wanted to tell him and Ron concerned what he had overheard. Now he was left with the fact that Hermione seemed to have moved past the apologetic stage and into the 'my friends are gits and I should be angry because I did nothing wrong stage' which would make a reconciliation hard. Ron's apparent ability to forever hold a grudge was going to be another problem, as long as Ron felt the need to declare Hermione a traitor Hermione was not going to consider allowing either of them back into her good graces because Harry had realized that Hermione had shown loyalty and faith by telling him and Ron that she and Malfoy were friends and instead of being thankful that their friend did not lie to them they got angry that she had chosen to befriend someone they didn't like.

He let out a sigh and then narrowed his eyes as Neville came through the door. It was odd to see Neville without Hermione seeing as he had seemed permanently attached to her side in the last two weeks.

Neville came to the table and cleared his throat, "Harry, Ron I need to tell you something…" His voice was quiet and trembling.

Ron glared at him, his anger at Hermione transferring to Neville, "What do you want Neville?!"

Neville shifted and stuttered out, "It's about H-Hermione."

Ron tossed him a scathing look, "I don't care what you have to say about her, if that traitor is too much of a coward to face us herself what do I care if she…" His angry tirade was cut off abruptly as Neville lurched forward and slammed his fist into Ron's face. The Great Hall was stunned and silent save for Neville.

Neville Longbottom was so angry he was shaking, "She was hurt you stupid pillock, her blood is all over the entrance hall!"

Harry was on his feet in an instance followed closely by Ginny Weasley, and the twins. They stopped to look at Ron who's face was sheet white.

Harry snarled, "If you don't get over yourself right now and come with us I will never forgive you!" Ron nodded and got to his feet. Harry turned on Neville, "Where is she?!"

Neville replied, "They're taking her to the infirmary." Harry nodded and was off like a shot, with three Weasleys and a Longbottom hot on his heels.

The members of The Covenant sat or paced outside of the hospital wing, having been thrown out by Madam Pomfrey, save for Malfoy who had flat refused to leave Hermione's side. They hadn't been waiting for more than a minute when they heard the sounds of thundering footsteps and moment later watched as Harry Potter, Neville Longbottom, and all of the Hogwart's Weasleys careened around the corner. They stopped short as they saw how many students were waiting outside.

Ron snapped, "What the hell are all of you doing here?"

One of the Hufflepuff lumbered to his feet and made to lunge at Ron only to be stopped by Roger's hand on his arm.

Susan wiped at her eyes and replied, "We're here to make sure Hermione is ok."

Ron glared, "What do any of you care?"

Susan snarled back, "We care more than you or Potter, at least before she was hurt."

One of the older girls, a Ravenclaw, cautioned, "You shouldn't speak to them like that Susan…"

Susan shot her an incredulous look, "Why Lara?! They have treated her badly since the beginning of term."

The Ravenclaw, Lara replied so softly that Harry almost didn't hear her, "They are her friends and they deserve our respect."

Susan scoffed and muttered, "Some friends," But turned away and slumped against the wall.

Neville cleared his throat and spoke, "Roger I am so sor…"

Roger shook his head, "This wasn't your fault Neville."

Neville shook his head and looked to be near tears, "I left her alone and I knew the danger, I shouldn't have left her alone."

Roger was gentle, "We had no way of knowing that a student would take it this far, you've been diligent Neville." Neville didn't look convinced but he grew quiet and leaned against the wall.

Harry asked quietly, "What happened?"

Roger shook his head, "She was attacked."

Harry glared, "By who?"

Roger scowled back, "We don't know."

The door opened and Draco Malfoy slipped out of the infirmary doors.

Roger was on his feet in a second, "Draco, how is she?!"

Draco looked paler than usual as he replied, "The curse almost hit her spine…" The members of the order winced, knowing that spinal wounds were some of the hardest to fix.

Ron snarled, "What are you doing here Malfoy?! This is your fault!"

Draco snapped back, "No Weasley, this is your fault. You and that stupid rumor you started did this!"

"I didn't start anything!" As he said Ron winced internally, knowing he had just lied.

Draco advanced on him dangerously, "You started that bloody rumor and now Hermione is lying in a hospital bed because you couldn't keep your sodding mouth shut!"

Ron opened his mouth to retort only to be cut off by Harry, "He's right Ron, you shouldn't have started the rumor and I should have said I didn't believe it when you did." Ron looked stunned and fell silent.

Draco huffed, "Of course I'm right." He turned to the order and addressed the three Slytherin students that were hovering on the peripheral of the group, "Find out who did this." The three students nodded and ghosted away from the group.

The door to the Hospital Wing opened and Madam Pomfrey exited. The group took a collective breath and waited for her to speak.

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