Sorry for the wait; I had loads of homework. Thanks to those that reviewed last chapter.

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Chapter Three

He slammed her against the wall, thrusting himself into her. She shut her eyes, not letting her tears fall. Viktor continued until he was breathless and fell back onto the bed with her. Hermione curled into a ball as she listened to her husband breathing patterns grow rapid and then slow back down.

Viktor had increased the amount he used to nearly a double. He had also a tendency to come home slightly drunk. Hermione was frightened to say anything while he was sober and thus, it continued. She had earned a new black eye but it was hardly a problem as she hardly went out anymore. Hermione couldn't think a way she could stop this.

She shut her eyes, recurring what had happened during the day.

Ron and Harry's letter came the next day, with a much longer reply. Ron's mother wanted to have Hermione over as soon as possible. Harry was preparing for a final test for being an Auror. Hermione could only grin as she continued reading. Ginny had gotten back together with Dean and Ron had added a few nasty curses for him.

When she finished reading it Hermione realized she hardly had a reply. An honest reply. She could always lie, but how could she ever explain anything again to her two best friends? Though she was filled with remorse, she picked up her quill and let the lies start from there.

Hermione woke up as any other morning. Viktor was gone. But this morning, she was incredibly sore. Her black eyes and bruises all around her body seemed to throb to an extent that seemed unbearable. She looked at the letter she had written the day before. Hermione couldn't stand for the lies she had told them. But she knew she couldn't tell them what was going on between herself and Viktor.

Quickly, she grabbed the last letter. A grin cracked on her face as she read the return address. Within an hour, her bags were packed and she had left a note to Viktor.

Hermione wasn't sure if she was doing the right thing. She thought to herself what if Viktor came looking for her as she applied thick makeup to her eye. Hermione pulled on a light sweatshirt as she picked up her bags again. She clutched to the letter from Ron and Harry as she shut her eyes tight and Apparate to their apartment building.

She opened her eyes to a busy street, full of noise and commotion. A few people rushed into her but Hermione headed for the building in front of her. Her heart was at a rapid pace by the time she was in front of their door. She couldn't move as she stood there, thinking to herself with all the disappointing thoughts. What if Viktor came after her? What if no one was home?

Before she could even raise her hand or walk away, the door opened quickly.

" – said that he would –" Ron stopped talking immediately. "Hermione!"

Her already had her in a tight embrace as she stood there, hardly able to connect to the reality taking place.

"Hello Ron," she grinned as she hugged him back.

"Where the bloody hell have you been!" he laughed as he invited her in.

Hermione blushed and shrugged it off. "How're you all doing?"

Ron waved his hand. "Don't mind us. We're fine. What about you?"

"Good," she smiled as he took her bags.

"Obviously you wanted to stay," Ron laughed as he put them by the couch. But then he noted when he saw her open her mouth, "We want you to. Don't think about leaving tomorrow or something!"

Hermione let a smile slip out of the side of her mouth. "Where's Harry?"
Ron nodded his head to the kitchen. "I'm off to practice. Harry's got off today."

His shaggy, black head appeared from around a corner. "Hermione?"

"Hello Harry," she smiled.

Before she knew it, Harry was hugging her tightly as well. "We've missed you so much!"

Hermione smiled shyly. "I've missed you all as well."

"Mum was worried sick about you," Ron mentioned. "She'll want you over for dinner as soon as possible. Probably tonight."

She nodded. "Fine with me."

"I'll have to get in touch with her. I think Fred and George have some Floo Powder."

Harry turned to Hermione. "Well, c'mon. Ron made pancakes."

"Even after all those years at the Dursleys' he still can't cook."

Harry rolled his eyes. "They didn't have me cook things, I've told you a thousand times."

Ron sighed as he went back to the door with his duffle bag. "I'll be back around three. Bye 'Mione. Bye Harry."
"See you later," Harry shouted as he left. The door slammed and then Harry turned back to Hermione. "Now, really, would you like some pancakes? Don't listen to Ron. Even if I could cook, I wouldn't be able to make these amazing pancakes."

Hermione laughed as she followed her best friend. For once, the thought of Viktor was out of her head. But it wouldn't be gone for long.