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

The Burrow
Next Day

"What about Crookshanks," asks Hermione startling everyone in the kitchen. There stood Hermione with Fred's arms wrapped around her as if he was the only thing holding her up. Fred had this glowing ear-to-ear smile; even his green eyes had this spark that was usually reserved for when he was into mischief.

Wearing Fred's cloths that made her look gaunt, her face extremely pale with dark circles under her eyes. Pulled into a ponytail, Mione's normally bushy brown hair was instead lack-luster, greasy even.

Jumping up everyone at the table advances on the couple. Leading the group was George. Glancing into his twin's eyes, wow does he look mad, George squints his eyes. Looking down at Hermione, she looks terrified. Stopping just short of her, he prevents everyone else from trampling her, by throwing his arms wide open, "Can I have a hug?"

Watching her face brake out into an edgy smile. Nervous laughter comes from Hermione as she moves slowly from Fred's arms into George's. That looked painful. Damn she's thin, too thin. Hugging her enthusiastically but not tightly, George mouths to Fred "We need to talk." After Fred nods his head, George lets go of Hermione.

"Never scare us like that again," teases George as Ron tries to shoves him out of the way. George shoves Ron aside, making sure to have a firm grip on him, before Ron could explode George hisses into his ear, "Be careful on how you hug her." George nods towards Hermione.

Scurrying past them, Ginny runs up to Hermione and gives her a tight hug. Watching her face, Ron realizes that Ginny unintentionally hurt her just by hugging her. Merlin, the pain she must have went throw! Nodding over to George, Ron slowly makes his way over to his best friend and does the same thing George did.

"Mione, I want you to know that you're never to do that again," whispers Ron as he ends his hug.

"Did we somehow switch roles here Ron," asks Hermione as she smiles up to him. Ron smirks down at her, but can't help noticing that she looks unstable on her feet.

"Yep from now on, we're going to be the ones who nag you," laughs Harry.

Using Fred's arms to balance herself, Hermione limps towards the table. "Clear the way," laughs Fred. "Trouble coming throw!"

Loud groaning from almost everyone as they start to re-take their seats at the table. Harry and Ron offer their seats to Fred and Hermione. Watching Fred help Hermione sit down, Bill notices that Fred flinches as he helps Hermione. Damn that must have hurt; he's definitively in love.

Once Hermione lets go of his hands, he opens and closes them a few times. Fred heads to the kitchen, "We have to go to Diagon Alley for our school supplies, plus Hermione has that doctor appointment at St. Mungo's." Walking back Fred is carrying two empty plates and cups.

"If you boys are finished eating, go de-gnome the back yard," orders Molly as she puts two fresh plates on the table for Hermione and Fred. Pilling up Fred's plate but on Hermione's she put a reasonable amount. "Eat what you can dear." Hermione pulls up the long sleeves of Fred's shirt, unknowingly showing deep purple and blue bruises.

"Go on now, Bill, Ron, Charlie. That garden is not going to wait for you. Percy you too."

Felling eyes on her, Hermione looks up to see Harry and Ginny stare unblinking at her. Feeling self-conscience the need to be small kicks in. Pulling her arms close to her body, Hermione lowers the sleeves covering back up the bruises.

Feel a hard sharp pain in his shin. Damn it that hurt. Harry looks at Fred's furious face; Better get out of here before he explodes. Gulping Harry grabs Ginny hand pulling her up when he stands.

"Ah, Harry," starts Hermione. "I hope you don't mind but I used Hedgwig to send a letter to my aunt."

"Of course I don't mind," dismisses Harry. "Come on Ginny lets go outside and leave these two to eat in piece."

"But," Ginny tries to argue as Harry drags her outside.

The Burrow
Backyard

"Harry, I wanted to talk to Hermione," hisses Ginny.

"We all do," laughs Ron as he throws a gnome over the wall.

"Yes, but did you see those bruises," adds Ginny as she starts to help de-gnome the backyard. Merlin what she must have gone throw.

"What I want to know is who she got them from," states Harry as he reaches down for a gnome.

"HARRY JAMES POTTER," shouts Molly causing everyone to jump. "You will not be interrogating your best friend UNDER MY ROOF!"

"Mum," gasps Bill. "Calm down, Harry just wants to make sure she is ok. Hermione looks very fragile."

Sighing Molly looks over the stunned group in the backyard. "She is not fragile, just tired. I want you boys to respect her privacy. If she wants to talk to you about it then fine. I DO NOT want you questioning her or bring it up in hopes that she will talk about it. Understand."

Watching Molly make her way back into the house in silence the group breathed a sigh of relief when she was gone from view. Settling down on the picnic bench in the backyard.

"That was strange," whispers Harry.

Muttering to Harry, "Happens to the best of us," as Ron slaps Harry on the back,

"Yeah it was bound to happen sometime," laughs George. "It couldn't have lasted forever."

"What the hell are you talking about," demands Sirius.

"Well," starts Ron. "How to best put this. Harry is a... help."

"Harry walks on water as far as my mother is concerned," puts in Percy.

"Yep, Harry can do no wrong," adds Charlie. "Or so we thought."

"Yeah she has never yelled at him in all the years we have known Harry," comments George. "And believe me there has been plenty to get yelled at about."

"Geeze the last time she acted like this was when Ginny …" stopping abruptly Ron paled.

"When Ginny what," questions Remus. Harry quickly explained what happened in their second year. By the time he finished, everyone was pale.

"You don't think you-know-who did anything to her," croaks out Ginny who was starting to shake.

"Hey guys," shouts Fred from the house. "Come on, we're going to Diagon Alley!"

Until Later