Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
~ Echoes of Silence ~
Summary: Hermione is abused at home... Fred's in love with her, but hasn't acted on it because he thinks his brother Ron is also in love with her. An Hr/ FW story

Hogwarts
Winter Recess

Going home for Christmas was the worst decision I could have possibly made. Struggling to control her rapid breathing, Hermione looks out the window of the Hogwarts expresses. Pain radiates from her leg.

Remembering vividly how her father would wake her up every night by dragging her from her bed and forcing her to listen to his drunken dribble. The contestant puts downs gave the impression that Professor Snape had replaced her father, the only difference was that Hermione I couldn't escape him with a ringing of the classroom bell.

At the barrier to catch the express back to Hogwarts, Hermione's father accidentally hurt her. He sneering at her, "You're a witch. You can just fix that with you're little wand." Before leaving her to limp to the train. How can he be so cruel?

Hogwarts
Entrance

Just a few more steps and you'll finally be back at Hogwarts. Taking several deep breaths, Hermione limps closer to the door. Pain shoots up her leg. I hope Madam Pomfrey can fix this. Bursting through the door, was a flaming red head, getting a better look at him, Hermione knows that it's Fred.

"Oi! Mione," greets Fred as his gaze rakes in her appearance. "What's the matter?"

"I've hurt my leg," huffs Hermione struggling not to cry from relief.

"Need a hand," asks Fred. Nodding her head, Hermione gasps as Fred swings her up into his arms. "I'll get you to Madam Pomfrey my fair damsel in distress!" cries Fred dramatically. Merlin! I didn't know Fred is this strong.

Second Floor
Hospital Wing

Fred wasn't even out of breath when we got to the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey scolds both Fred and Hermione while she flicks her wand fixing the damage to Hermione's leg.

Hermione absorbs everything that Madam Pomfrey is doing filing it away for future reference. It will certainly come in handy. Madam Pomfrey smiles at Hermione informing her that she's all better but to take it easy on the leg.

Ginning devilishly, Fred whispers, "Come on, we're having a snowball fight!"

Smiling for what feels like the first time since winter recess had started, Hermione and Fred dash out of the hospital. The rest of the day was spent among friends, playing around.

Hogwarts
Spring Time

Day, weeks and months quickly pass by. One fine day in the library, Harry spots Hagrid with an interesting book. This book turns out to be a book on Dragons. This leads to the incident of getting caught out of bed by Professor McGonagall, when Malfoy turns us in. Neville was out of bed in an attempt to warn us. Poor Neville, he thinks we lied to him.

Harry, Hermione and Neville lost fifty points each totaling the cost to Gryffindor of one hundred and fifty points. This put the Slytherins ahead in points, and thus put Harry and Hermione on everyone's shunning list.

As the days pass leading up to the detention, Hermione tenses wondering what nasty prank the Weasley twins have in store for her. On the day of the detention, Hermione relaxes as it passes by without incident.

After Detention
Gryfindor Tower
Common Room

Upon returning to the Gryffindor tower, Harry and Hermione find Ron asleep in one of the comfy chairs. Muttering about Quidditch fowls. Harry became obsessive about you-know-who and the stone. We all were dead positive that the only thing keeping you-know-who from getting the stone was Professor Quirrell. That thought wasn't a good one.

Hogwarts
Exam Time

As the weeks go by, Professor Quirrell got more and more pale. Too soon, exams loomed. Thank god I color-coded my notes! Preparing for the exams, Harry, Hermione and Ron had split focus.

After each exam, Hermione wanted to go over them. Ron started to make groaning noises of how he didn't want to go over the exams. Should have taken better notes.

"Our last exam, History of Magic was easier then I thought it would have been," comments Hermione. Earning glares from Ron and Harry. What I thought it was. Wondering down by the lake, Hermione could easily spy the twins and Lee were playing with the squid. Well, at least they're not pulling any pranks today.

"Relax, Harry. The stone is guarded by Fluffy," states Ron causing Harry to have the opposite reaction. Rushing towards Hagrid's, they learn how he told a stranger how to get passed Fluffy thus putting the stone one step closer to you-know-who.

Gryfindor Tower
Common Room

Later that night, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were sneaking out of the tower after Hermione put Neville in a full body bind. Quickly making their way up to the third floor corridor. Playing the flute to get pass Fluffy, they jump down a trap door. Landing on something soft. Hermione realizes almost right away that it's Devil's Snare.

Getting away, Hermione yells at both Rona and Harry to stop fighting the plant. Muttering to herself, trying desperately to think of a way to kill it.

Ron bellows, "ARE YOU A WITCH OR NOT?"

Soon after, they were playing a real-life giant chess game. Which, thankfully Ron was in charge of because Harry and Hermione suck at the game. As the game came to a close, Ron was hurt but alive, Harry and Hermione continue to Professor Snape's part of the protection for the stone. Hermione solves the riddle with logic. Bloody brilliant, I just won't tell him that. Informing Harry that there was just enough potion for him to go on.

Harry says to go back for help, get Dumbledore. Dashing back, towards Ron. Hermione makes sure that he was all right before rushing up the step running into Dumbledore along the way. Breathing slightly easier, Hermione says, "He's in there."

A strange expression flashes across Dumbledore's face as he races onwards. Before Hermione could even turn around Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape were running towards her. Professor Snape! If he's here, who's in there?

Dread fills Hermione, as she hears Dumbledore calling out Harry's name. Professor McGonagall and Snape help Ron and her back up to the main corridor as Dumbledore helps Harry.

Ron and Harry are immediately taken to the hospital wing. Hermione gives a long explanation of what she knows to Dumbledore. He smiles softly at her as he informs her to go back to the Gryffindor tower.

Gryfindor Tower
Common Room

Walking into the common room, Hermione see Fred undoing the full-body bind on Neville. Wringing her hands and swallowing hard, she cautiously approaches them. Hermione whispers, "Fred." Time stands still for a few moments as Neville and Fred look at Hermione strangely.

"Where's Ron," asks Fred looking beyond her.

"And Harry," questions Neville.

"Both in the hospital wing," answers Hermione. "We… ah we…"

"What Miss Granger is trying to say," states Professor McGonagall coming into the room. "Is that your brother and Mr. Potter are fine. It's very late and you should be in bed."

"Did we lose any points," timidly asks Neville.

"No. Mr. Longbottom, you did not," answers Professor McGonagall. "I trust you'll be heading to bed now?"

"Yes Professor."

Professor McGonagall turns and leaves the common room. Fred waves to Neville as he heads off to his bed.

"Come here, Hermione," whispers Fred as he pats the seat next to him on the couch. "Tell me all about it."

Sitting down next to Fred, the story pours out of Hermione. Choking on several occasions, Fred listens patiently. Not asking any questions, when Hermione was finished, Fred look stunned. Hugging Hermione fiercely, Fred receives a smile from Hermione.

"Go to sleep," instructs Fred. "Leave everyone else to me."

The next day, Ron was back to sitting next to Hermione in the dinning hall. It was three days after that Harry was awakened.

Dinning Hall
Year of Year Feast

In the hospital the day of the end of year feast, Hermione, Ron and Harry discuss their dead professor and whether or not Dumbledore had somehow encouraged them to figure things out.

Later that night, Harry was able to join his house for the feast. The hall was decked out in Slytherin colors. Before dinner is served, Dumbledore stood up to make his end of term speech. Giving out the placing of each house. Fourth and last place is Gryffindor, third is Hufflepuff second is Ravenclaw and first is Slytherin. Everyone at Gryffindor table feels slightly sick to see the Slytherins clapping and cheering

That's when Dumbledore says, "that do recent events need to be taken into account, last minute points." The whole hall falls silent.

"First to Mr. Ronald Weasley… for the best-played game of chess Hogwarts has seen in many years, I award Gryffindor house fifty points." Percy was the loudest Weasley at the table.

"Second to Miss Hermione Granger… for the use of cool logic in the face of fire." Dumbledore isn't kidding when he said that. "I award Gryffindor house fifty points." Hermione buries her head as Fred leans over, whispering, "Smashing Hermione! Fifty points!"

"Third to Mr. Harry Potter… for pure nerve and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor house sixty points."

Gryffindor was tied with the Slytherins, when Dumbledore kept talking. "There are all kinds of courage. It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to standup to our friends. I therefore award ten points to Mr. Neville Longbottom."

Gryffindor table explodes. Clapping as hard as Hermione could along with everyone else at Gryffindor table. Neville was praised for trying to stop the Trio that night.

Both Fred and George hugged Hermione, as the feast was underway. The next day when exam grades were posted, to everyone's surprise Harry and Ron had gotten good grades. While Hermione had gets the highest grades in her class.

Kings Cross
Platform 9 3/4 quarters

When the express pulled into the station, Fred helps Hermione with her trunk. Smiling Hermione pass through the barrier, seeing for the first time Mrs. Weasley and Ron's little sister Ginny.

As she gets closer to them, Hermione notices a really fat boy along and a long necked woman stand next to a purple faced, furious man. Must be Harry's relatives.

It was shocking at just how rude and mean they were to Harry and to everyone else. By the look on Fred and George's face, Hermione knew they were just going to do something. I hope they don't do it here. Waiting around for a few minutes talking to Ron; Hermione became aware that no one from her family was there yet.

Taking a deep breath, Hermione was just about to ask Mrs. Weasley to help her get home when her mother comes running towards her. Smiling happily, Hermione waves at her, releasing the breath she didn't know that she was holding.

"Well how did you do on your exams," asks Hermione's mum.

"Top of her class," gushes Mrs. Weasley. Hermione's smile increases. My mother looks so proud. Waving good-bye to the Weasley's after Fred and George helped put Hermione's trunk in her mother's car. Promising Ron that she would write him about staying with his family over the summer

Until Later