A/N: Hey all! Sorry, sorry, sorry! I know it has taken me a LONG time to get this to you. Things have been really hectic with work and my social life. I know, no excuse…sorry!

Anyways, enough blabbing, back to the story.

Chapter 3

"Did you hear that? Something just squeaked."

Ginny and Hermione starred at the dark corner. Ginny grabbed Hermione's arm and tried to pull her towards it, "What are you doing?"

"Come on," said Ginny, not taking her eyes away, "Its Draco, let's tell him it's safe to come out."

Hermione rolled her eyes, "Ginny, for the last time, Draco is not here. He is probably halfway to Syria by now," Ginny looked at her with a puzzled face, and Hermione laughed, "It's just an expression Ginny. Look, it's probably just a mouse or something."

"Yeah, or something, like a ferret," said Ginny pulling Hermione with her towards the noise.

Ginny crept over to the corner, Hermione not far behind her, "Draco," whispered Ginny, "If that's you, squeak back," Hermione rolled her eyes, "just squeak twice, alright?"

Hermione and Ginny stood silently, and listened intently. Hermione was trying to tell herself it was impossible, but, Draco had surprised her in the past with his dramatic stunts.

"Squeak…Squeak…"

The girls jumped, "Draco?" said Hermione quietly.

Before anyone, or anything had a chance to answer her, there was a loud knock at the door, "Hermione? It's Ron and Harry, can we come in?"

Hermione and Ginny looked at each other nervously, "Perfect timing, huh?" said Ginny.

Hermione looked from the area of the squeak and back at the door, "Er, um, just a moment," she shouted. She crouched down and whispered, "Draco, if that's you, please don't do anything stupid when they are in here, just stay put!"

She stood slowly and looked over at Ginny who had a sweet smile to her face. Hermione smiled back at her and moved to the door, "You can come in."

At that the lock on the door clicked open. Harry strolled in, followed closely by a very angry looking Ron.

Draco watched as Harry and Ron entered. He laughed to himself to see the look of distain on Ron's face. He watched cautiously from behind Hermione's dresser, hidden well in its shadow.

He admitted to himself that he was nervous, 'do they know I am in the castle?' He asked to himself. 'Nah, they are too thick, well, Weasley is anyway.'

He listened intently to the conversation taking place.

"So, did you find him?" he heard Ginny ask without a hint of suspicion. 'She always was a good actress.'

"Does it LOOK like we found him?" said Ron, visibly irritated.

He listened with pride at Weasley's frustration. He loved pissing the red headed twit off.

"Ron," said Hermione quietly, "Maybe you should just get some sleep. The wedding can wait for now. It will give the Aurors some time to figure out what went wrong and go from there."

Hermione did not sound as convincing as Ginny. She sounded nervous and scared, the latter making Draco feel a bit guilty.

Ron took a deep breath and put his arms around her, "I know, it's just so aggravating, knowing that weasel is free."

'Ha! Weasel? Who's he calling a weasel? And get your hands off of her!'

Draco could barely stand to watch Hermione embracing Weasley. He watched as Ron planted a soft kiss onto Hermione's lips and then tighten his arms around her.

He was seeing red. The anger and hate rose in him and couldn't stand it any more.

"Hermione, I am tired, what do you say we just go to sleep?" said Ron

Ginny laughed, "Ron, are you that mental to think mum and dad would really let you sleep in here with Hermione?"

"Well, why would they have to know? Just tell them I went back to my flat. I'm not scared of them, besides, I don't think I would be able to sleep with out Hermione in my arms tonight," he kissed Hermione again and turned to Harry and Ginny, "So, we will see you aAAALLLL, Ahhhh! What the?"

"Ron? What is it!" screamed Hermione.

"Som-something, just…just bit me!" screeched Ron.

Ginny and Hermione looked at each other with fear, "Are, are you sure?" asked Hermione nervously.

"Ron, you're bleeding," said Harry pointing at Ron's ankle.

The four of them all looked down to see the blood soaking through Ron's socks.

"What the hell could've done that?" asked Harry in amazement, "Does Hogwart's have rats?"

"Yeah, it must have been a rat," said Ginny a bit too quickly.

"That must have been a really big rat," said Ron in pain.

"Ron, let me take you down to the hospital wing and have Poppy take a look at it."

Ron nodded and Harry helped him to his feet. Ron turned to Hermione, "I'll be right back."

Hermione smiled and gave him a quick kiss. She followed them to the door and then watched as they made there way down the hall and turn the corner. She walked back into the room, shut the door and locked it.

"Draco Malfoy, what the HELL was that all about!" she shouted.

"Shhh! Hermione, quiet!" pleaded Ginny.

"I don't care! After that little show of immaturity, he deserves to get caught! Draco! Get the hell out here right now!"

There was silence at first, then a small pop. Draco stood, a satisfied smirk on his face, "That was hilarious."

Ginny let out a small giggle and Hermione gave her a stern look, "Sorry, but it was pretty funny."

"No, it wasn't," she turned back to look at Draco, "What were you thinking? You know Harry knows you are an animagus. He is going to put two a two together, and what do you think he is going to come up with?"

"Um, four?" said Draco sarcastically. Ginny laughed again. "Look, Herm, I'm sorry, I just don't enjoy seeing you two being so affectionate. I had to stop it."

This caused Hermione's anger subside slightly, but not long enough, "Draco, what are you thinking showing up here? Every Auror is here, it's not safe."

Ginny cleared her throat, "I am gonna go check on Ron. I will do my best to keep anyone from this room."

After she left the room, she could be heard speaking to someone in the hallway, "Miss Granger is lying down, please don't disturb her."

Her footsteps became fainter and then silence was heard.

Hermione turned back to Draco and spoke quietly, "You shouldn't be here."

He looked at her, concern soon washed over him, "Yes I should, you don't belong with Weasley, you belong with me."

"Draco, I just think we should just let it be. You need to just go, go somewhere no one will find you. And," she hesitated, "never come back."

Hermione's voice choked at the last three words. Tears were beginning to form and she tried with little success to hold them back.

Draco moved over to her slowly and wrapped his arms around her. Hermione quickly embraced him and the feeling of being in his arms again was wonderful. She never thought she would be able to do this again. Her tears flowed freely now, and silent sobs escaped her lips.

"Shh…" consoled Draco and he brushed her hair with his hand, "Hermione, please, come with me."

Hermione slowly shook her head in his shoulder, "I can't," she breathed, "I just can't."

"Yes, you can Hermione. You know my innocence. All we need to do is leave. Just leave and maybe figure out how to prove that what I did to Davies was the right thing."

"But, Draco, it's useless, no one will listen. There are only two other people who believe your innocence besides Ginny and me. But the minister just won't listen to the, as he calls it, ramblings of an old man," Hermione shook her head slowly, "I wish I knew what happened to Mr. Weasley's trust and admiration for Dumbledore. And he believes Harry is just saying those things because of Ginny."

"Wait, Potter believes I am innocent," asked Draco.

Hermione nodded, "Yes, he does."

A small smile began to form on his face, "Well, that shocks me. It wasn't too long ago when everyone believed every word that ever came out of Potter's mouth."

"Well, most of the time, well, all of the time it was the truth. I just, don't get angry when I say this, Draco."

"I won't, I promise," he assured her.

"Well, it's just that, you are a Malfoy, and well, you know," Hermione fidgeted a bit, avoiding Draco's eyes.

Draco took in a deep breath, "Yes well, I guess the work I did for the Order didn't mean much to them then."

"It's not that, look Draco, it angers me to no end. The Minister won't listen to me, Harry, Dumbledore, or his own damn daughter."

"Hermione? Who are you talking to?"

Draco and Hermione jumped, there eyes moving to the door, "It's Ron! Hurry up, change!"

"I am not leaving without you!"

"Hermione, who the hell is in there with you?"

"Draco, change now!"

The door burst open and Ron hurried in, a crutch under his arm, "What the hell is going on, who are you talking to," Ron stopped quickly, "Malfoy!"

Draco smirked at Ron, "Weasley," Draco quickly grabbed Hermione and kissed her passionately, "I'll be back for you," he whispered as Ron watched on in shock.

The sound of heavy footsteps could be heard pounding down the hall, "Draco please, change and go!"

With one last look at Weasley, Draco changed in front of Hermione and Ron, "He's an Animagus?" The white ferret scurried between Ron's legs, "Get him, someone grab that rodent!"

The sound of struggling and shrieks, some from grown me, could be heard from the hallway.

Ron turned towards Hermione, "Don't even think about moving from the spot," he threatened. And he was soon out of sight.

A/N: I feel horrible that it took so long to get this to you guys! And I also feel that it is not turning out to great. Please, be honest and let me know. I am thinking of ditching the story all together. Please give me some feedback. R&R.