Chapter 1

~Hermione~

"Oh, blast!"

"What is it Hermione dear?" Mrs. Weasley called from the kitchen..

"Mrs. Weasley, I'm terribly sorry, I've dropped all of the eggs!" Mrs. Weasley peered around the corner to find the floor covered in broken shells and other egg residue.

"Oh, my! Well, that's quite alright, you go fetch some more from the chicken coupe."

"But Mrs. Weasley what about this mess?"

"Don't you mind the mess dear, I'll take care of it."

"But-" Hermione made but stopped when Mrs. Weasley cast a quick spell and all evidence of the mess vanished.

"There, good as new!" chirped Mrs. Weasley, "now if you could just go fetch some new eggs dear.."

"Yes Mrs. Weasley." Hermione answered with a smile. She grabbed the now empty basket and walked back out into the yard. Hermione hummed a muggle tune as she strolled along the overgrown garden smiling whimsically at the gnomes as they scurried away from Crookshanks, her cat. She loved staying at the Burrow, it was always a warm and welcoming place. Hermione had just arrived a few days ago, she had been looking forward to staying here again almost as much as she'd been looking forward to returning to Hogwarts. The end of the war left everyone weary, and they were all slowly re-adjusting to life. Hermione was relieved to have been reunited with her parents after what seemed like forever, but she was happy to be around friends again. She continued through the yard at a leisurely pace, enjoying the mild July air without a care in the world.

Hermione was jovially passing the shed when she was suddenly grabbed from behind, one hand wrapped around her waist and the other over her mouth.

"Silencio" she heard the attacker mumble. She was then jerked around to see her assailant, her face melting from fear to confusion.

"Ronald?" she mouthed, but no sound left her mouth due to the silencing spell.

"Hello, Hermione," he said with an evil countenance. Why was Ron acting so strangely? She continued to stare at him with a confused expression, a smirk slowly growing on his face.

"Hermione, you're such a tease, you know that?" he leaned in to sniff her hair, "you just parade around, torturing me." His face darkened.

Hermione tried to question him, but she couldn't produce any sound.

"Don't you try acting innocent, you bitch" Ron spat at her, "you knew all along what you were doing to me, and I can't take it any more!" Ron turned her around and began grabbing at her skirt. Tears formed in her eyes as realization came over her. Ron was going to rape her. 'No.' She thought to herself. 'I won't allow it!' Hermione began to struggle violently against Ron's hold.

"Bitch!" Ron yelled at her, "If you don't cut it out I'll make it hurt much more!"

Hermione didn't listen, she threw a leg up behind her, which collided right into Ron's crotch.

"Fuck!" Ron yelped as he released Hermione and fell to the ground. Hermione picked up her egg basket, which was forgotten during the struggle, and ran away crying. She ran to the chicken coupe, which wasn't far, and hid. She watched as Ron angrily got up. 'Fuck.' Hermione thought, 'He's going to come after me.' To her surprise and relief, however, Ron trudged back toward the house. Hermione sat in her hiding place for ten minutes sobbing after she watched Ron go inside. She was in so much shock from what had occurred that she had forgotten she was sitting in filth. With a quick glance around her, she took a deep breath to regain her composure and slowly stood up and dusted herself off. She then began to gather the eggs that she had promised Mrs. Weasley what seemed like years ago.

Hermione cautiously made her way back to the house, very aware of her surroundings. 'What should I do?' She thought to herself. 'Should I tell everyone what Ron did? What if they think I'm lying?' Hermione arrived in the kitchen and delivered the eggs to Mrs. Weasley, who was completely oblivious to it all.

"Thank you, Hermione dear! Now go and get yourself cleaned up, dinner is almost ready!" Hermione gave her a small smile before she turned to leave. As she progressed through the living room, she was grabbed from behind again. She began kicking and screaming, tears welling up in her eyes. "NO!" she begged.

"Blimey Hermione, what's the matter?" Hermione stopped at the familiar voice. It was Harry. He was eyeing her with concern as he released her.

"H-hi Harry. When did you get here?" Hermione croaked, faking enthusiasm. In the back of her mind she realized that she could speak again. Harry eyed her uncertainly.

"I just got here, actually. How have you been?"

'Definitely been better' She thought to herself. She looked at Harry, and with a fake smile she answered "I've been brilliant thank you. If you'll excuse me I was just on my way to wash up for supper." She quickly pushed past him toward Ginny's room, which she was sharing with the redhead during her stay. She could feel Harry watching her as she slowly disappeared from view. She knew that she couldn't tell him what happened, and she doubted he'd even believe her. As she reached the top of the staircase she ran into the broad chest of Ron. Realizing who it was, she quickly looked at the ground and wrapped her arms around herself.

"Hello, Hermione" Ron said to her. She glanced up at him. He had a cheery smile on his face, this made Hermione uneasy.

"Ronald." She choked out at him, trying not show her fear.

He studied her for a bit longer, as if daring her to say something, before he made his way down the stairs. Hermione stood in place for a moment before finally heading toward Ginny's room. She cracked the door open and peeked inside, sighing in relief once she saw that the room was empty. She didn't think she would be able to face Ginny right now. Hermione opened a drawer and pulled out a pair of jeans, not feeling comfortable in her skirt. After pulling on the clean pants she combed her hair and pulled it into a ponytail. She practiced looking 'normal' in the mirror a bit before heading back downstairs for supper.

When she arrived in the dining room, she saw that the only empty seat was in between Ron and Harry. Her stomach sank and she slowly walked over to the two boys.

"Ah, there you are dear! I was wondering where you got to!" Chirped Mrs. Weasley as she made Hermione a hearty plate. Hermione accepted the plate nimbly. She then picked up her fork and made to begin eating, but she realized that she had no appetite. Instead of pushing her food away, which would prompt questions, she moved it around her plate. Ron was watching her, she could feel his eyes but she refused to acknowledge him.

"Hermione." She jumped at her name and turned to face Harry, who's face shifted from a bright smile to a slight look of confusion at her shock.

"Yes Harry?" She asked, trying to cover up her anxiousness.

"Did you make Head Girl this year?" His face returned to that enthusiastic smile.

Hermione forgot all about her Hogwarts letter, which she received this morning but had neglected to open due to her long chore list. "Oh, um, I don't know. I haven't opened my letter yet." She replied truthfully, feeling a bit sheepish.

"What do you mean you haven't opened it?!" Harry asked, "I'd have thought you would've been dying to know whether you got the position or not! Where is it? Let's open it now!"

"Oh no, that's okay we can wait until-"

Before she could finish, however, Ginny had gotten up to retrieve the letter and handed it to her. 'Blast' Hermione thought. She gave everyone a small smile before tearing at the envelope. She reached inside and found an ornate gold pin with the letter 'H' on it. It was accompanied by a short note that expressed congratulations. She held the pin gingerly in her hands. Hermione had waited for this day ever since she started at Hogwarts. She should have been elated at this moment, but Ron ruined it. She wasn't elated, she was hurt and frightened. Realizing everyone was still watching her, she looked up and faux-excitedly exclaimed, "I guess I made Head Girl!" Everyone around her cheered and gave acclamation before entering new conversations. She saw Harry give her a funny look before he too congratulated her. If Harry did know something was off, Hermione was sure glad he didn't pry.

Hermione turned back to continue playing with her food, but was interrupted by Ron.

"Nobody will believe you" He said maliciously, "so don't bother telling."

Hermione turned to make sure nobody was listening before she looked at Ron. He had the same cheery smile on his face. She gave him a small uncomfortable smile before she excused herself. She couldn't sit there anymore.

"Hermione you barely touched your meal!" Mrs. Weasley contended.

"Oh, I'm not that hungry Mrs. Weasley, I think I'm just going to go to bed. I'm not feeling very well." She prayed that Mrs. Weasley wouldn't argue further.

After what seemed like an eternity, Mrs. Weasley nodded her head in agreement and promised to check on her later. Hermione nodded and left the room. 'Three more weeks till Hogwarts' She assured herself. This gave her a small amount of comfort as she allowed herself to fall asleep.