A/N: I know I said that I would have more updates when I returned, and I'm truly sorry. I thought I knew what I wanted to do with this story, but I'm having second thoughts. If anyone has any suggestions, let me know.

I know it's annoying, but I really appreciate reviews. It really helps me out!

MissDitzy- What a coincidence! Although, I was at a camp in Pennsylvania, and I highly doubt you were there too. Anyways, thanks for the review!

MissExtraordinary- Thanks for reviewing! I'm really sorry our stories are so similar, I didn't read Deceptive Dragon until I had finished my third chapter of The Truth, so I'm sorry if it sounds familiar. I think the stories are going in separate ways though, and I hope you like this chapter!

Also thanks to colorguard06, and dawn1!

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

Chapter Three: Hey...

The rain started to fall outside the Burrow. It soaked the ground, and ran over the rooftop. Inside, four teenagers were sitting uncomfortably together in the kitchen.

"I don't understand," Harry started. "Before this year I had never even heard of this Vow, and now it's everywhere I look."

"I'm sorry Harry, I really am..." Hermione looked down at her hands and sniffed.

Ron was looking between them with a shocked expression on his face. Ginny looked oddly pleased.

"So, what do we do now?" Ron asked.

"Let's eat, I'm starving," Harry said suddenly. He avoided Ginny's gaze and rose from the table.

Ginny got up too. "I guess I'll go inform Mum about all this, if it's okay with you, Hermione. It's just, I think she should know he's not dangerous."

"No, no, that's fine, go ahead..." She didn't seem to be paying attention. Ginny left Ron and Hermione alone in the room.

"So this was who you were hiding from me. I feel like I should be more upset, but for some reason... I'm not. At least Harry is okay with everything- somewhat," Ron said quietly.

Hermione looked up at Ron. "Thank you so much. You don't know how much I appreciate your approval-"

"Hey, hey. Wait a minute. I didn't say I approved. I still think he's a big, slimy git... but if he makes you happy, then I guess I can avoid hexing him."

"Why Ron, you've grown up." Ron blushed, and Hermione smiled at him fondly. She got up and hugged him. "If you don't mind I think I'm gonna go rest... It's been a bit tiring..."

"Alright 'Mione. See you later."

A door creaked open. Hermione Granger slipped otherwise quietly out of the room she shared with Ginny. The moonlight shone through a small window at the end of the hallway.

She headed towards Percy's room. It was the only room unoccupied at the moment. She tiptoed over to the door and pressed her ear against the wood. When she didn't hear anything, she reached out and touched the door handle. She breathed in deeply and pushed the door open. It creaked ever so slightly as it swung.

Hermione quickly scanned the room and noticed a person sleeping in a bed in the corner. She walked swiftly over to his side. His head was wrapped in a white bandage, and his silvery hair hung loosely over it and fell in his eyes. A thin cut under his left eye marred his perfect complexion. His eyebrows were knit together, and his expression was a worried one. His arms were pressed tight against his sides, and the covers were pulled up to his chin.

She leaned over the bed, blocking out the moonlight that had been shining on his pale face. She took a seat in the empty chair and brushed his white-blond hair out of his eyes. He stirred in his sleep. For awhile Hermione guessed he was still sleeping, until she saw his eyes flutter open. Silver met brown, and for a second he simply stared at her, as if he thought she were a part of a dream. Then he parted his lips and said quietly, "Hey..."

"Hey," she replied, just as softly. Her vision became blurry, and she closed her eyes as a tear leaked out of the corner. He reached up and wiped it away. She opened her eyes, and grasped his hand, as though she never wanted to let go.

He opened his mouth to speak again, but couldn't find his voice. He cleared his throat and tried again. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you..."

She looked at him with a pained expression and pressed her lips to his hand. Then she looked back up at him. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't upset with you, but I'm glad you're safe."

"I didn't know where else to go, I knew you would be mad at me... But there was nowhere else for me to go. I realized my mistake. I never should have done what I did, or put you in that position. Now I have to live with my decision forever, but at least I don't have to be reminded every time I look at my arm. You saved me from that fate."

Hermione nodded, and then looked out the window. "But now you're marked. Your father will surely come after you, at least."

Draco followed her gaze out the window, and she returned to looking at his face. "There's something you should know... The Dark Lord, he- well, in his eyes, I had failed. He killed my father and m-mother." A lone tear made its way down his face. He turned to see Hermione staring at him with a horrified look on her face.

"Oh my God! Draco, I'm so sorry!"

"Don't be, my father, he wasn't the best parent... And well, my mother, I'm going to miss her, but she was never around when I really needed her."

They sat in silence for awhile, holding hands, never wanting to let go. Hermione broke the quiet.

"What are you going to do now? I mean, where will you go?"

"Well, that woman... Weasley's mother, I heard her muttering earlier. She won't let me leave until I'm better. I assume they know why I'm not a danger?"

Hermione looked uneasy. "I had to tell them, they didn't trust you. I mean, after what you did..." He nodded.

"I guess after I leave, I can go back to the Manor. There are protective charms on it. No one except a Malfoy can get in, without consent of one of us."

"But, Draco, you'll be all alone in that huge house, won't you be lonely?"

He searched her face for what he wanted. "Not unless you come with me. You'll be safe there, I promise."

"I don't know, my parents... They'd be worried..."

"It's not as though I'm going to keep you hostage. You can leave whenever you want."

She seemed to give this some thought. "I'll think about it. But neither of us are going anywhere until you are better. And I have to stay for Bill and Fleur's wedding."

He seemed to accept this for the time being, and relaxed back into the pillows. After a few more minutes, he turned his head back towards Hermione. "What did they say?"

"You mean Harry and Ron? Ginny?" Of course she knew what he meant. "They, well... Ron still doesn't like you, but he knows I trust you. Harry, I think he's still a little mad. Maybe a little jealous too, that he can't be with Ginny, and everyone around him except for Ron has someone it seems. And Ginny, I almost feel as if she knew."

"I think she did know. Towards the end of the year, she was always looking at me. Not with hate... I think it was curiosity."

"Well, I think everyone just doesn't want to accept that you're trustworthy. They're certainly acting differently towards me."

The floorboards out in the hall creaked. They looked towards the door, but the person passed by.

"You should go, before you get caught in here. I've already asked too much of you, I don't want to cause you more trouble," he whispered.

"I want to stay," she replied. He knew she wasn't asking if she could, she was telling him that she was staying whether he liked it or not.

He squeezed her hand, and she smiled faintly in response. He moved over, and she lay her head next to his on the pillow. They lay a long time, just looking at each other, glad to be together in this rough time.

Hermione was exhausted, and she felt her eyes droop. Just before she fell asleep, she felt a pair of lips on her forehead. It woke her up enough just to hear one more sentence before she dozed off.

"Thank you, Hermione Granger, for saving me."