This chapter is for three specific people. 93 Diagon Alley, who had read and commented on every one of my Harry Potter stories, loveahufflepuff, who left me such a beautiful and encouraging message that had me in grateful tears, and LobsterMobster95, who leaves long-ass reviews that always make me smile like an idiot.
It was not an easy night for them. Everyone had tried to fall asleep after Hermione did. Ginny was sharing the master bed with her dad, because no one wanted her alone in the girls' tent.
Fred never ended up falling asleep. He was still holding Hermione, who was curled into his side and shaking violently. She had woken up about an hour ago, screaming. It had taken Fred nearly fifteen minutes to calm her down, waking everyone else up in the process. They had fallen back asleep almost immediately, but so long as Hermione was awake, so was he.
She hadn't spoken since they had found her. Just wild screams and whimpers in her sleep. She clung to Fred, her finder clutching his shirt. Both of his arms were curved around her back. If she were any closer to him, she'd be sitting on his lap.
The sun was starting to come up, and that meant everyone would be waking up soon.
"Hermione." He said her name softly, adjusting himself so he was looking at her. She flinched roughly at her name, jerking away from him.
Fred pushed away the hurt feelings. She wasn't afraid of him. She was just afraid. "Everyone's going to get up soon," he whispered. "It's going to be loud."
She didn't make any sort of gesture that she heard him, and Fred could practically feel his heart breaking. "Hermione?"
Her blood shot eyes met his, and he smiled softly. Hermione returned to pulling at a loose string on his blanket.
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Fred was tossing his scattered clothes into his trunk, which lay open on his bed next to Hermione, who was leaning back against the wall, legs tucked underneath of her, braiding a strand of her hair. Fred would look over at her every once in a while, a fond smile on his face.
"Slow down Captain Obvious, she's just been through hell."
Fred spun around to see his oldest brother standing there with his arms crossed, the corners of his mouth lifting up in a smirk.
"I have no idea what you mean Bill," Fred said, turning back to his packing.
Bill just looked between Fred and Hermione again, before walking away. Fred sighed, waiting for his face to return back to pale before he risked another glance at Hermione. If she had heard, she was an incredibly good actress. She was still playing with her hair, giving no indication that she had understood what Bill was talking about.
His crush on Hermione was something Fred hadn't even talked to his twin about. He wasn't embarrassed about his feelings by any means; on the contrary, he was surprised she didn't have more guys fighting for her affections. He just wanted to make sure he knew exactly what he was feeling before he voiced anything out loud.
Apparently, he hadn't been as sneaky as he thought.
"Fred?"
His head snapped up from the shirt he was holding to look at Hermione. She had stopped plaiting her hair and was looking right at him. "Y-yeah Hermione?"
"Are we leaving soon?" Her voice was quieter than a whisper and hoarse from her nightmares, but she had spoken, and it sounded beautiful to Fred.
"When we're done packing, I think," Fred answered just as quietly. "I think we're almost done. Will you be okay if I go ask?"
She nodded, leaning back against the wall again.
Fred dropped his still unfolded shirt and hurried off to find his dad. He spotted him in the make-shift kitchen, playing with the pots and pans.
"Dad, hey, do you know how much longer it will be before we leave?"
Mr. Weasley turned away from the sauce pan he was holding to look at his son. "Any minute now. Once everyone's stuff is outside we can fold up the tents. Why?"
"Oh, Hermione wanted to know…"
Mr. Weasley seemed to forget all about the pan. "She's awake? Brilliant, I can heal her cuts now." He hurried off towards the bunk. Fred followed, a little nervous about this idea.
Cautiously, Mr. Weasley approached Hermione, who was refolding most of Fred's clothes and putting them back into his trunk. Fred had to hold back a chuckle at the sight.
"Now Hermione, " Mr. Weasley started, pulling his wand out of his pocket.
"Dad, wait!"
Fred's warning came too late, and Hermione caught sight of the wand.
It was like the night before all over again. Her eyes widened and she moved as far away as she could, pushing herself against the wall of the tent. Instead of screaming like she had before, she whimpered helplessly.
Fred glared at his father, angry that he had been so careless around Hermione. He rushed over to the bed, pulling Hermione towards him. She curled into him, pulling her knees up to her chest as he wrapped his arms around her legs.
Everyone was crowding around them. Hermione buried her face in Fred's chest, the stares making her nervous.
"You'll be okay," Fred whispered. "You'll be okay."
xXxXxXxXx
Hermione and Fred sat outside under a tree a good distance away from the tent. Fred had yelled at everybody for upsetting Hermione, but his rant didn't go more than a minute before Hermione was tugging on his sleeve, desperate to get away from everyone. Fred had obliged, which lead them to now, where Fred was watching Hermione make a chain with the wild flowers.
She hadn't spoken since she asked him when they were leaving. Fred tried not to worry. She always had something to say. She'd talk when she was ready.
Fred saw everyone getting out of the tent. He stood up, offering his hand to help Hermione to her feet. They started the walk to the portkey on their own, keeping a safe distance from Harry and the rest of the Weasleys. She was holding his hand, and despite the hippogriffs in his stomach Fred knew there was nothing romantic about the gesture. Hermione needed the support, and he was willing to give it.
When the group was gathered around the portkey, Mr. Weasley activated it, and everyone was whisked off to the outskirts of the Burrow. The walk was short, with Harry and Ron getting there first and Hermione and the twins coming in last.
Once Mrs. Weasley caught sight of Hermione, her face still bruised, the cuts that littered her body red and raw, she made to rush over to the girl. George quickly intervened, explaining the situation to his mum as quickly as he could. Mrs. Weasley nodded, and waved for Fred and Hermione to come inside.
Fred sat Hermione in one of the kitchen chairs, standing behind her and rubbing her back. As his mum used a simple healing potion, dabbing it onto Hermione's injuries with a warm cloth, he kneeled down next to her. "You'll be okay," he promised.
xXxXxXxXx
Please leave a review with your thoughts. I hope you liked this chapter, I stressed over it for a while. This is the last update of the night. I'll post the new chapter for He Saved Her in the morning once I've finished it. Thanks to everyone for the support. I love every one of my readers.