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
Kitchen

The flooding of wings through the window stops Molly in mid-tirade. Bracing herself for Hermione's aunt's reply for her to stay at her home, she carefully removes the note from Hedwig.

"Hey mum," mumbles Ron. "How you seen my cloak?"

"It's in your room," shouts Percy. "Maybe you should clean it sometime. That way you wouldn't constantly be asking were things are."

"Oh shut up, Percy," snaps Ginny as she puts on her cloak. "Mum, what's wrong you look pale." Gasping Molly sits down abruptly, running up her mother Ginny looks down at the bit of parchment in her mother's hands. "Mione! It's your aunt's response on your staying here."

"Mum," questions Fred looking concerned.

Looking at her son, Molly notices Fred's pensive facial expression. "She says that Hermione can stay with us. She has deposited money into our account for Hermione's school things and such."

"Is that ok?" asks Hermione.

"Oh, its fine dear," dismiss Molly. "You and Fred need to get going if you're going to make it to the hospital for your appointment."

"I want to go with you," gushes Ginny as she sees Fred and Hermione head towards the fireplace.

"Ginny! We're just going to the hospital," groans Fred. Hermione doesn't need to feel any more self-conscience then she is. Watching his sister's face fall, damn why do I feel like I just kicked her pet? "But, if Hermione wants you to come with us, you can."

"Sure," states Hermione. "It would be nice to have a girl around to talk to."

"Hey I heard that," laughs Fred.

Charlie, Bill and Percy decided to stay behind. Ron took Floo powder from his mother and went first. Then Harry and Ginny. Fred nodded to George and together they organized for Hermione to get to Diagon Alley safely. Fred would go first, after him Hermione with George's help. George would wait three minutes then he would Floo in.

Diagon Alley
Leaky Cauldron

Feeling hands helping her step out of the Leaky Cauldron's fireplace, Hermione is extremely glad to see Fred's twinkling green eyes. Thank Merlin for Fred. Smiling Hermione gradually takes several steps into the room.

"Mrs. Weasley said she was going to be joining us," hearing some groans, Hermione continues. "She will be going to Gringotts, to get money for our stuff."

"Ok," laughs George. "We need a plan of action."

"I agree," mutters Fred smiling devilishly. "Lots to do and little time to do it." Wrapping his arms around Hermione, Fred growls loudly, "Take one photo Collin Creevey, and I'll shove that camera so down your throat it'll…"

"FRED," shouts Molly cutting off Fred in mid-threat. Shaking her head at her son's obvious displeasure at the blonde haired boy.

"I'm sure, this boy had no intention of taking a photo. Isn't that right," sneers Ron as he places a hand on Collin's shoulder squeezing it tightly. Harry advances on Collin who is standing there in shock.

"I think he gets the idea," snickers George. "Ok, since Hermione and you, Fred, are going to the hospital with Ginny. How about we get the books, while you're there?"

"Fine with me," agrees Fred looking down at Hermione. "Any special book you want them to get you?"

"Ah," ponders Hermione. "I would like the new Phantom's Lab book."

"Consider it done," says both Ron and Harry.

"Ok, since we're getting the books," mutters George. "How about we meet up at Madman's…"

"No," dismiss Fred. "We should meet at Florean Fortescue. That way I can take Hermione and Ginny to Madman Rosie's Bewitching for a treat."

"That's a good idea Fred," agrees Mrs. Weasley.

"Fine," agrees George.

Smirking, Fred casually states, "Just remember to take Ron for the you know."

"Didn't forget," mutters George as he smirks at a confused Ron.

"You know what," demands Ron as his ears start to turn pink.

"You'll find out," mutters Fred mysteriously as he maneuvers Hermione towards the door with Ginny following right behind. "Now don't forget Mione's book."

Diagon Alley
Near St. Mungo's Hospital

After watching Hermione struggle to walk to the hospital Ginny found herself flinching with every painful step that Hermione took. I can't wait until the doctor fixes her up.

Stopping dead in his tracks, Fred shakes his head at the obvious pain on Hermione's face. "That's it," mutters Fred. "I've had it." Scooping her up, Fred starts to carry her towards the hospital

"Fredrick Weasley," squeaks Hermione. "You put me down this instant."

"No," dismiss Fred as he continues on his way tightening his grip on the now wriggling girl in his arms. Watching the pair Ginny thinks, bloody hell. Who would have thought that Fred was that strong!

"Come on," insists Hermione. "I weigh a ton."

"Oh please a Quaffle weighs more then you," argues Fred. Winking at Ginny, who had trouble not to laugh at Fred and Hermione's argument over Fred carrying her into the hospital. Give it up Mione! Fred's not about to let you go.

Diagon Alley
Flourish and Blott

Opening the door to the bookshop, Ron smiles brightly, since getting his new robes from Madam Malkin's. He even got new dress robes; George reassured him that Fred would take care of getting Ginny new robes too. It's a great day! New robes, my best friend is alive. Nothing can do wrong!

"Let's get our books," suggests Ron. "Hey George, do you think you can find that book Mione requested?"

"Sure Ron," mutters George. "Hey! Isn't that Cho Chang?" Pointing to a group of girls.

Harry blushes, "Yeah." Getting a better look at the girls. "It looks like they're having a heated discussion."

"I wonder about what," ponders Ron. Fascinated by what the girls could be talking about the boys thought about approaching them, but then remembered that they needed to get their books.

Making their way throw the rows of books Harry and Ron get three sets of school books, leaving George with the task of getting his, Fred's and Ginny's books.

"Ok," mumbles an exhausted George. "I only have to get Mione's requested book and then we're done." Making their way towards the clerk who would have the new book behind the counter the boys caught tidbits of the on going conversation.

"How could you even say something like that," demands Cho. "And right to Fred's face." The boys looked at each other interested to finally find out what Angelina said to Fred that pissed him off so badly.

Looking disgusted Angelina snaps, "Oh please!" Placing her hands on her hips, "the way she clung onto my Fred, one would think she was a limb."

"She was scared for Harry," shouts Parvati. "Bloody Hell! Most of Gryffindor was scared for him after his facing the dragons!"

"That didn't stop her from forcing both George and my Fred to attend to her every whim did it," demands Angelina. "Even Katie was pissed off about that." Ron and Harry looked at George who shrugged. George mouths, not really!

"Katie might have been pissed," sneers Lavender. "But she never once said that Hermione was a mudblood slut! And Fred Weasley isn't your Fred!" Shock slams into the boys who gap unmoving at the girls.

"You even spread rumors about Krum hung around her was because he was getting some," declared Cho who was glaring coldly at Angelina. Lowly growling Ron glares at Angelina.

"Can you prove me wrong," questions Angelina smirking at them.

"Hermione would never do anything like what you're saying," defends Lavender. "I think you're just jealous of Mione."

"Yeah right," sneers Angelina. "Like I would be jealous of that mudblood! Bloody hell she's probably a traitor."

"What," snaps Parvati Patil. "How dare you say that!"

"Oh please, how many people do you know to survive an attack from Death-eaters?" questions Angelina. Smirking when no one had a good come back. "Even the Ministry of Magic is hushing up just how she survived."

Shaking with rage, Ron, George and Harry turned towards Angelina. Angelina had her back to the boys, not seeing that they were behind her.

"George," greets a shocked Katie. "How long have you been here?"

"Long enough," was growled back.

Until Later