A/N: Next Chapter! Have a good weekend :) Btw Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 is nominated for 2 Oscars! :D :D :D Yay Harry!

Disclaimer: I don't own a thing.

Chapter 7 - On the Run with a Ferret

"You!" she exclaimed.

"Yes, I'm quite aware of who I am," he replied icily as he attempted to keep her in a firm grip and pull out his tent at the same time. She noticed his struggle and managed to pull free of his grasp. She squirmed away and tried to make a run for it. "Damn it!" He cursed, before dropping the tent. He tackled her to the ground before she managed to disapparate.

"Oomph," she grunted at the pain shooting up her leg. He held her in place as he waved his wand. His tent rose from a lump on the ground into a large Victorian style mansion. Her jaw dropped in astonishment and she stopped squirming.

"Not used to this eh?" Draco smirked, "I can't imagine what kind of filth the Weasel provided."

That brought her back to reality and a look of disgust came over her face. He felt the change as her body became rigid once more. He looked around hastily, and cast invisibility and protection spells around the tent before dragging her into it. He pushed her into a chair, but did not bind her.

"Right," he began awkwardly, "I'm guessing you have no idea why you're here."

"Let me guess," she replied sarcastically, "You were sent to capture me, so you could use me as bait to get to Harry. You know these evil plots are really getting dull. I think Voldem-"

He cut her off by slapping his hand over her mouth, none to gently. "Don't say it; they're using his name to track Potter and the Order members," he hissed. She looked at him questionably and nodded to show she understood. Confusion was etched into her face as he removed his hand.

"Why don't you want them to find us?" she asked, looking at him oddly. He raised his eyebrow at her. "Not that I'm complaining," she added quickly.

Draco watched her intensely, "you've got me all wrong Granger. I didn't kidnap you on Death Eater orders," he said seriously. "I need your help. You-know-who was going to kill me eventually because I failed my mission in June."

"Why should I help you?" She spat in disgust, "you're nothing but a filthy Death Eater!"

"I didn't think you'd believe me, so I brought this," he pulled out a vial of clear liquid, "It is Vertaserum." He let her examine the potion and determine that it was in fact a truth potion. He then took a swig and waited a moment before speaking. "Last year I was given the mission to kill Albus Dumbledore, I failed. Since then the dark lord has been torturing my family and I. Snape helped me plan a way to escape. He injured you, hoping that Potter and Weasley would leave and I could get you alone."

"But why would you need me alone?" She interjected.

"They would have never helped me, with you Snape believed I had a chance," he continued, "He wanted me to tell you the truth about Dumbledore. He was sick before Snape killed him, and he planned his own murder. Remember how his hand turned black; it was some cursed ring. It was going to kill him eventually, so he asked Snape to do it instead. I didn't want to join the death eaters, but I didn't have a choice. Snape knew if I went into hiding with you I wouldn't be caught and I could help you with your mission."

"But how did Snape know where we were?" she asked curiously and worried that they were easy to track.

"Potter has some locket, and Snape put a tracking spell on it," he replied.

Hermione looked frowned, looking pensive. He watched her, waiting for a reaction. It would be much easier to go into hiding if she would co-operate. She was battling her conscience. He could bring trouble, but she knew he could be useful and she thought he must be desperate if he was coming to them for help. And she did not believe he was capable of lying while under the influence of such a strong truth potion. "Alright Malfoy, I believe you. But I have to talk to Harry and Ron before I decide what to do."

"Fine," He rolled his eyes, but secretly was relieved that she was giving him a chance. She pulled a galleon from her handbag and waved her wand over it manipulating it to display her message.

Harry had been sitting the night watch when he felt heat radiating from his pocket. He pulled out the galleon, quickly and read Hermione's message.

Death Eaters found me, but I got away.

Malfoy was with them and he saved me.

He wants to go into hiding with us.

He told me that Dumbledore was sick, because of the ring

And he planned his murder.

He also said he never wanted to be a Death Eater. He was using vertaserum.

I think he should stay with me, I know he can't help with our mission.

But he could be useful, he knows a lot about the dark arts.

What do you think?

Harry read the message three times before he understood her message. She obviously believed Malfoy was not a threat. Harry trusted her judgment and replied back saying that he could stay and help her while her leg healed. He also warned her to be extra careful around him. His mind was mostly focused on what she said about Dumbledore. He remembered that day so clearly, but could not understand how Dumbledore could have planned it. He continued the guard the tent debating on how to break the news to Ron.

Hermione waited for his response impatiently, and jumped when she felt the galleon heat up in her clammy hand. It had been awkward waiting for Harry to approve her decision, not that they really had a choice. Malfoy knew where they were, and she had nowhere else to stay, it wasn't safe to go back to her tent yet. She read the message and sighed in relief. "Alright you can stay with me for now, until my leg heals, then we will go back with Harry and Ron."

"Fine," he sneered, but was rather thankful that he did not have to use other methods to persuade her. She rolled her eyes at his immediate change of attitude. "Follow me." She got up and followed him, slightly curious, be mostly cautious. She believed him about not wanting to be a Death Eater, but she was not going to trust him anytime soon.

He glided through the tent quickly and easily. He didn't even bother to check if she was keeping up. He came to a sudden stop and she walked into him and fell, landing with a thump on her backside. He raised an eyebrow, "this is your room," he said curtly then walked away leaving her on the floor. She let out a frustrated noise and pulled herself off the ground in a very ungraceful manner, before sinking into her bed and falling asleep.

Draco woke up the next morning stiff from a night full of tossing and turning. He had woken up several times, and twice he had snuck down to Hermione's room to check she had not abandoned him. It was not that he wanted her with him, but he knew she would make hiding much easier.

By the end of their first two days together Hermione had learned the tent, though large, only had two bedrooms, a kitchen, a lounge, and a small bathroom. It was much larger than Ron's tent, of course, but it wasn't large enough for her to avoid Malfoy. Living with him had become very predictable. They would eat breakfast together, have a stupid argument, and then he would storm out and come back around midday. They spent the rest of the day avoiding each other. She spent most afternoons reading in the lounge or her bedroom.

It was early afternoon, just over a week after he had found her, and Hermione was curled up in the lounge reading a random book when he sauntered in. She instantly prepared herself for and argument. She closed her book haughtily before addressing him, "What do you want Malfoy?"

"Tsk, Tsk," he said smirking, "No need to be so irritable."

"You would be irritable too, if you were stuck in a room with yourself for more than twenty-four hours.'

"I disagree," he replied smoothly, "I enjoy being in the company of my sexy self."

"Get to the point."

"I was thinking, we should go back to your tent and collect your things."

"Fine," she answered too quickly. She had been longing to get out of the tent. She missed the freedom that she used to have. They argued continually about her leaving the tent, but as she was still injured, it did seem more precautious for her to stay in the tent. Though she would never admit that to him. "When are we going?"

"How about now?" he asked coolly. She nodded quickly and hurried to her room to grab her purse and put on a travelling cloak. She met him at the front of the tent where he waited for her impatiently. "We don't have all day," he snapped, "I want to relocate before nightfall."

"We're relocating?" she asked cautiously.

"You do remember we're on the run?' he snarled, sick of her questions.

"Well I'd like to have some say in what is happening!" She snapped, "You'd think it was you doing me a favour the way you treating me. I'd like to remind you that I am helping you."

"Helping me," he snarled, "I didn't need your permission." She was about to argue back, but he cut her off. "Granger, trust me on this, you have no idea what I am capable of." His face was clouded with anger and his voice became dangerously low. She didn't respond. For the first time she was actually in fear because his presence.

He stormed out of the tent and she followed meekly, but wary. Her mind was racing, curious about his true capabilities. He pulled out his wand and shrunk the tent, before storing it conveniently in his pocket. She stayed a few feet behind him, but did not waver under his harsh stares. "Come on," he said in a low husky voice. "We're going to side along apparate again."

"Why?" She demanded slowly regaining her confidence.

"Because that is the only way I can keep track of you," he snapped back. His face was hard and she did not complain again, but stalked to his side with her head held high. He clutched her arm tightly, his cool skin causing her arm to tingle. She was a bundle of nerves and was relieved when they appeared in the forest overlooking the small town. They gathered her things quickly, and he clutched her arm once more. She was curious to know where they were going next.

They arrived in another forest. There was a layer of snow coating the ground, and Hermione could see her breath shimmer in the chilly, winter air. The sudden coldness made her realize that it must be December already.

That thought was shocking, the year was passing so quickly and they had yet to find any Horcruxes. And she had no word on what was happening with the Order or the Death Eaters… A cold gust of wind brought her back from her depressing train of thought. She shivered and her sudden movement caused him to let go of her arm.

He pulled out his tent and set it up – quickly placing the protection charms around them. He walked in and she followed a moment later. "We're sharing my tent he called out to her, reading her thoughts precisely. She followed him into the warmth before preparing to argue.

"Why?" She snapped, "I am perfectly capable of living on my own, and I'll stay nearby."

"Well that's not an option," he replied, struggling to control his temper. He was always on edge these days, and it was hard to remain calm when she insisted on arguing over everything. She seemed to bring out the worst in him. For many it was hard to believe, but he did have a nice side.

"Do I have any say in what is happening?"

"Yes, you do," he replied calmly, regaining his composure. Arguing was getting them nowhere, so he decided to attempt to reason with her. "I know you want to stay in your own tent, but I think it is better if we stay together. It will be more difficult if we are always relocating with two tents, and we will be much easier to track. And I know you disagree, but I don't always mind your company."

He did not know where the last part came from. It was partially to persuade her, but it was partially true. He never had many friends at Hogwarts, followers mainly. When he joined the Death Eaters he was the youngest and was often excluded from discussions. Hermione's jaw dropped for a fraction of a second, but she quickly regained her composure and replied, "You're right carrying two tents around would be silly."

"We could stay in you tent, if you prefer?" He asked uncertainly trying to convince her that his niceness was genuine.

"No this is fine, it's much larger," she responded. After that the tent was filled with an awkward silence. Both were unsure of how to react to the situation. "Well I have to go…read a book." She hurried to her room and threw herself into studying Horcruxes for the rest of the night. She didn't even come out for dinner, to avoid another awkward encounter.

Draco sat in the lounge attempting to read Quidditch through the Ages but his mind was constantly wandering. The cause of his lack of concentration was a certain brunette in the next room. It was awkward being nice to her because he was not accustomed to doing so. She could drive him crazy, but he was starting to miss real conversations with people his own age. Not that he minded arguing with her, she always had something to say, and he had fun watching her react. His thoughts began to frustrate him, so he gave up on his book and headed to his room for the night.

Hmmm, you want a preview of Chapter 8? :)

"I really don't plan on reading your diary. This may surprise you, but I don't care about your love life with the weasel," he drawled sarcastically. She noticed his tone immediately. He was insulting her friends and his words were dripping with sarcasm. She did the math – he was not in a good mood.