~ 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
The Burrow
Kitchen
Two weeks into the summer, Pigwidgeon returns from his trip to Harry's house. Attached to his leg is a rather large envelope. Excitingly Ron open's his mail from Harry. Inside the envelope is another smaller letter. Ron reads off Harry's letter to the whole family.
Dear Ron, My aunt and uncle are treating me fine. So far this summer is almost as boring as the last one. But for one small change this year I get to work on my homework in my room without any trouble. I have already heard from Hermione. She wrote to me. I have enclosed her letter so that you can read it also. She's not going to be visiting Krum this summer. Her parents won't let her.At this Ron shouts with glee. "Yes, thank god her parents are smart!" Smiling happily Ron returns to reading Harry's letter.
Now for the bad news. Her parent's doesn't want her communicating with us either."What," gasps Ron. This news greatly surprises the Weasley's.
"Let me see Hermione's letter," demands Arthur. Searching, Ron quickly fines Hermione's letter, handing it over to his father.
Fred watches his father's face intently. Maybe Harry made a simple mistake. Fred doesn't listen as Ron finishes reading the letter. "Well Dad," asks Fred. "What do you think?"
"Hermione's parents don't want her in touch with anyone from her school," responds Arthur.
"Arthur, do you think they feel it will keep her safe," demands Molly.
"I don't know," answers Arthur. "But we have to respect their wishes. After all she is their daughter." Fred watches his mother start to slam pots around in the kitchen as his father passes Hermione's letter around.
Barely glancing at Harry's letter, Fred makes sure that he's the last to get Hermione's. Neatly folded it up Fred puts it in his pocket.
The Burrow
Twin's Room
Alone later that night, sitting on his bed Fred reaches into his pocket. Pulling out Hermione's letter. Bring it close to his face Fred inhales. Fresh floral, dewberry a touch of orchid and violet wood, smells just like her. Smiling softly, Fred gently unfolds the letter, silently reading it he looks it over carefully. Just in case she needs help. That man who picked her up is just plain bad news.
Walking by his room, George observes Fred reading a letter. Probably the letter that Hermione sent, Fred should just ask her out already. Shaking his head, George continues on his way. Entering the kitchen, George notices that Ron is going up against Bill in Wizard chess. Bill you don't stand a chance! Not if he can beat Professor McGonagall's chess set.
Granger Residence
Hermione's Bedroom
Sitting on the ground behind her bed, Hermione can plainly hear her mother and father yelling at each other at the top of their lungs in the family room.
"She goes to the freak school because of you," shouts her father.
"She goes to that school because she's special. You got that, Dan!" responses her mother. Loud banging noise along with high-pitched screams float up towards her.
Hermione shivers. At least my stuff is still in the trunk of the car. Hearing heavy sets footsteps pounding down towards her room, Hermione quickly get up from her hiding spot. Sitting on the bed. Pretending to read a book Hermione jumps as her room is thrown open.
"Get up," snaps her father as he walks into her room. Gripping her arm tightly, he glares at her. "You have work to do." Hermione barely has time to catch her balance as her father shoves her out of her room.
"She can clean this pig's sty!" bellows her father. Forcing Hermione down the stairs. "We have company coming over soon."
"Fine," replies Hermione as she goes to get the cleaning supplies. Sudden blinding pain hits her in the back, falling down. What? Hermione feels rather then sees her father's foot hit her stomach. Oh, my god!
"Don't you ever talk back to me," spats out her father. "You ugly buck toothed witch." Reaching behind her, Hermione gets up fast as her father pulls her hair. "Use your magic to clean this room up."
"But Dad," is as far as she got.
His fingers squeeze her jaw. "I said never talk back to me. Now get to work." Orders her father.
Taking a deep breath when he walks out of the room. Looking around Hermione finds her mother, on the floor out cold. Hermione struggles not to cry as she bends down to look over her mother. How did it get to this point?
"Mother," groans Hermione doing a brief look over. "Mama come on, you need to get up." Hearing her mother groan as she started to come too. Hermione looked behind her to make sure that her father wasn't in the room. Helping her mother up. Struggling to keep her mother from falling over, Hermione sighs. This is insane.
Until Later
