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

Lupin Residence
Kitchen

Unwrapping the note from Hedwig, Sirius hands the owl some bread to nibble at. "Looks like we got another note from Harry."

"Has Dumbledore given Harry permission to visit the Weasley's?" asks Remus as he sets the table for tea.

"Yeah," laughs Sirius reading over Harry's letter. "Harry writes that he's thrilled to be spending the next three weeks there." Sitting down, Sirius turns on the radio. "Wonder what's new in the music industry." A haunting melody by the 'Wired Sisters' came out over the radio.

"That last song was dedicated to Hermione Granger."

"Looks like Hermione has yet another boy chasing after her," laughs Sirius. "Poor Ron."

"Poor Ron," snickers Remus smirking at Sirius. "Don't you mean poor Fred?"

"What," gasps Sirius. "No way."

"Yeah way," laughs Remus. "You should have seen how protective Fred really is of her."

"This is Wireless Network Radio; with the hourly update. You-know-who is back! Signaling his return earlier today with an attack on Hermione Granger."

"What," shouts Sirius jumping up from his seat.

Dropping his teacup, "My god!" gasps Remus.

"Miss Granger was a muggle-born witch who is said to be best friends with Harry Potter. She was due to start her fifth year. Along side, Harry's other best friend Ronald Weasley; they were known as the Golden trio. "

"Harry," gasps both Remus and Sirius.

"So far, there is no word from investigators at the scene to any survivors from the recent attack. But however, have discovered someone who shouldn't have been there. Mr. Fudge is due to release a statement momentarily."

"Damn it," growls Sirius.

"What," demands Remus.

"They found that stupid Skeeter person," grumbles Sirius.

Confused Remus asks, "What?"

"Hermione found out how Rita Skeeter was getting her stories, Skeeter's an unregistered Animagus, like me," responses Sirius running a hand throw his hair.

"What does that have to do with Hermione," asks Remus.

"Hermione captured her in an unbreakable jar," seeing Remus's shocked expression. "Skeeter deserved what she got."

"Yes," agrees Remus. "But still, this is Hermione. I didn't think she had it in her."

"Me neither," whispers Sirius.

"Let's go to Arthur's he'll have actuate information, not just what Fudge thinks we should know," suggests Remus.

The Burrow
Family Room

Soft snuffles, and loud gasps for breath are heard along with the radio.

"Witches and Wizards. Today is a sad day, because today the evidence that you-know-who is truly back."

"Told you this at the end of term," shouts Harry pointing an accusing finger at the radio.. "But you didn't believe me!"

"And evidence of an innocent man being convicted for a crime he didn't commit…"

"Enough of this," snaps Molly turning the radio off. "If there's anything to report Arthur will send us a line." Taking both Harry and Ron by their hands, Molly gives both boys a hug. Tears were streaming down her face.

"Mum," taking charge of situation, Bill gently pulls at Ginny. "Come on, everyone. Let's get of mum's hair for a bit. I'll come back in and get an update."

"Yeah," supports Charlie. "Let's go outside."

The Burrow
Backyard

Everyone slowly makes their way to the backyard. Casting glances back to the house. After a few minutes, muffled choking sobs float out towards them.

"Percy," states Bill grabbing his shoulder. "Not now." Cutting off any reply his brother might have made. "This brings back too many painful memories."

Sitting around the picnic benches, Charlie smiles sadly to Bill. "Remember when we used the benches as battering rams."

"Yeah, Hermione was miffed. We were misbehaving," laughs Bill. "Like the twins invented that on their own." That lead to Percy telling a tale of where Hermione told him off for disturbing the common room when she was studying in his seventh year.

Ron laughed, and then grimaced when he remembered his behavior that year towards her. "My favorite memory was when she hit Malfoy," states Ron. Which he further had to explain to everyone, that she hit Malfoy in Hagrid's defense.

"What I'll remember most is her lack of judgment towards me," whispers Ginny.

"What makes you say that," asks Harry.

"Well," says Ginny swallowing hard. "Back in my first year, when I foolishly opened the Chamber of Secrets. Ah, …" Clearing her throat, Ginny takes a deep breath. "When Hermione was been giving the antidote, I was in the hospital wing. I told her that it was my fault, that she got hurt…."

"Ginny, it wasn't your fault," interrupts both Ron and Harry.

"That's what Mione said. Only much more forcibly," laughs George.

"Much more forcibly," states Percy. "At first to me at least, she looked so angry. But then she went right up to Ginny; gave her one hell of a hug. Then said and I quote, if you ever, ever say that again, I'll hex you myself! Hermione was quite the gal."

Time seemed to almost crawl by, and then it was time for dinner. Eating outdoors, everyone waited for Mr. Weasley to come home. Upon his arrival Arthur went out to his backyard.

The Burrow
Backyard
Later that evening

Holding his hands up, Mr. Weasley got everyone to be silent. "First, I, ah, Ok. First, we found someone at the incident site that supposedly died. This person gave evidence that you-know-who is back, plus he cleared Sirius Black's name," states Arthur.

"It was Peter," snaps Ron. "He did this!"

"Yes Ron. It was Peter," affirms Arthur. "He was captured in an unbreakable glass jar."

"Ok," whispers the group. Dinner was a solemn affair, one at a time the Weasley clan made their way back inside the house. Finally it was just Fred and his parents.

"Are there any survivors," demands Fred looking his father directly in the eyes.

"Fred," chokes Molly.

"It's ok, Molly," says Arthur coughing to clear his throat. "If Hermione was in the house," starts Arthur, stopping at the look on Fred's face. "There is no evidence of any survivors from the house."

Seeing the agony plainly written on his face. "Stay outside as long as you need to," whispers Molly as she kisses the top of his head. "If you need to talk come and find me. Fred," whispers Molly getting his attention, "No matter what time, ok?"

Glancing backwards ever few steps, Molly whispers to Arthur, "I hope he'll recover from this."

"He'll recover about as well as I would if I lost you," responses Arthur as they glance backwards one last time before entering their home. Fred stared out into space, not really seeing anything as silent tears flowed.

London
Evening

Raising a wand into the night, "Lumos," is whispered. Summoning the Knight bus.

Until Later