A/N: Sorry about the slow update. I'm busy revising for my A levels at the mment but i will keep updating as soon as i get a chance it might just take a little longer than usual. Anyway, this is a sad chapter. Review please!

Hermione lay awake all night, jumping at the slightlest sound, terrified that it would be Ron, back for more. She heard Mrs Weasley climb the stairs to wake everyone around 7am. Hermione was already dressed and packed and stood up, waiting to be let out. Mrs Weasley twisted the doorknob but it didn't open. She unlocked it with a spell and came in looking confused.

'For some reason the door was lo-' she stopped in her tracks and her eyes widened in shock, 'Hermione! What on Earth happened to your face, you're all cut and bruised.'

'Oh,' said Hermione quietly, bringing a hand up to her face, 'I fell out of bed and landed face first, it's nothing.'

'It most certainly isn't nothing. Go and sit in the kitchen, I'll fix you up.'

'Actually Mrs Weasley, I was planning on leaving. I have to get back to Hogwarts and my train leaves in an hour.'

'Well give me a minute; I'll drive you to kings cross.'

'No honestly, it's fine. I called a taxi.'

Mrs Weasley looked worried, 'I can't let you go like this.'

'Don't worry about me, you've got bigger things on your pate. It's only a couple of scratches.'

'Well I'll go and wake Ron so you can say goodbye before you go.'

'No!' Hermione shrieked and Mrs Weasley looked at her, shocked. 'Um, I mean there's no need to wake him. Let him sleep. Thank you for having me.'

Mrs Weasley walked Hermione down to the taxi and hugged her. 'You know you're always welcome here sweetheart.'

Hermione got into the taxi and looked back at the burrow for what she hoped would be the very last time. She never wanted to be there again.

Her train arrived at Hogsmeade station at four o'clock and she hurried through the secret passageway back to Hogwarts, hoping desperately that no one had noticed her absence. She ran up to Gryffindor tower and immediately located Harry, sitting alone by the fire. She grabbed him by the wrist and wordlessly dragged him up to the boys dormitory. Thankfully it was empty and she collapsed into his lap and sobbed into his chest.

'Hermione what's up? Its not George is it? He's not-?' Harry broke off looking horror struck.

'He's not dead,' Hermione cried, 'although they still don't know what's going on.'

'Well what is it then? What's happened to you?'

Hermione wept harder, unable to talk through her tears. She clutched at his neck as he expertly cradled her, soothing her. He rubbed her back and after a while her tears subsided. She hiccoughed as he wiped the tears from her cheeks.

'Hermione, what's wrong? Where did you get all those cuts and bruises?'

'It Ron,' she mumbled, 'he, he attacked me.'

'Attacked you? Ron? Are you sure?'

'Of course I'm sure! I should have known you would take his side.' She got up and crossed the room to the door.

Harry stood up, 'Hermione wait. Come back. I'm not taking his side, tell me what happened.'

She turned to face him but didn't meet his eyes, 'he raped me,' she whispered.

Harry face turned instantly from curious to furious. 'That son-of-a-bitch!' he yelled, 'wait till I get my hand on him.' He paced angrily up and down the room and then remembered Hermione was still there. He put his arms around her and let her cry softly into his shoulder, 'it's going to be ok Hermione.'

Suddenly Seamus burst into the room.

'Seamus, get the fuck out of here,' Harry shouted.

'Sorry,' said Seamus, 'but I thought you'd want to know. George Weasley just died.'