Chapter 1: "Harry, where is he?" I ask impatiently, scanning the room. "He should've been here by now. You're sure he was leaving at six?" I continue, glancing at my best friend. "Yeah, 'Mione, I'm sure." Harry answers, glancing at his watch. I smooth my blue dress nervously, hoping Ron would be here soon. I had put so much hard work into his seventeenth birthday party. Hours of decorating and planning had turned the living room into a true Gryffindor prize. I wait for another half hour, still hoping he'd show up. I can't believe Ron would do this to me again! He didn't seem to care what I did for him. We weren't officially dating, but we were as good as. I realized with a sinking feeling that he wasn't coming. "Excuse me," I mutter to Harry and Ginny, running to the bathroom. I let my tears fall freely down my cheeks. "He said he'd be here," I murmur hopelessly, sniffing. A knock on the door interrupted my crying. "Hermione, it's me, open up," A male voice calls, knocking again. "Go away Fred! I'm not in the mood." I answer, trying to keep my voice steady. "Fine." I hear Fred leave, and soon the party disperses. An hour or two later I hear Ron yelling my name. I hastily wipe the mascara off of my face and stumble downstairs. "Get me something to eat. I'm starved." Ron snaps irritably, sitting down in a chair. I comply without a word, making him a chicken sandwich. He takes it without a word and eats quickly. "What's with all the stuff?" He gestures to all of my decorations. "Um... Well... I had planned a surprise party for you. For your birthday. But you didn't show up so..." I trailed off meekly, averting my eyes. "I'm sorry that I was out buying Christmas gifts!" He says rudely, standing up. "And drinking by the looks of it." I retort, clamping my hand over my mouth. As quick as a flash, Ron advances and slaps me across the face. I fall to the ground, hitting my head on the cold floor. I whimper in pain, and I scramble backwards, trying to get back on my feet. Ron stares at his hand, as if he can't believe what he just did. Ron lhas never actually hit me before today. He's threatened it, but he's never done it. "Hermione..." He begins, reaching out to me. "Save it. I'm done." I hiss through clenched teeth, and head to the backyard. I can't go upstairs yet, I need to assess the damage. "'Mione?" I hear as someone sets their hand on my shoulder. I flinch, and turn to find myself staring directly at Fred, who gasps when he sees my face. "What happened to you? Your face is bruising and your heads bleeding!" Fred shouts in alarm, touching my cheek gently. "Oh. It's nothing." I answer feebly, trying to slip out of his grasp. "Ron did this to you." Fred says flatly, his eyes narrowing. I don't answer. I start crying for the second time that night. Fred cleans my face up wordlessly and then carries me to his room. Thankfully, George is at the flat. curl up against Fred's side, feeling completely safe for the first time in months.