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

Diagon Alley
Gringotts Bank

Making her way towards the wizarding bank, Mrs. Weasley spots Arthur standing by their doors. "Arthur! What are you doing here," asks Molly. "Has something happened? Do I need to get the kids…"

"Molly," interrupts Arthur calmly patting her arm. "Everything is fine. I was just going to see if we had enough money for everything we need while taking care of Hermione."

"About that," starts Molly. "Apparently Hermione has an aunt that is a witch."

"What," questions Arthur. "Why didn't she tell us?"

"She said that her aunt can make Professor Snape look really nice," answers Molly as they enter the bank. "She was also afraid that we wouldn't let her stay with us."

"Why that's," starts Arthur only to stop. "That's reasonable," he mutters as the goblin pulls up with the cart to carry them away to their vault. Sighing heavily both Arthur and Molly knew that they didn't have much in their vault. Arthur holds out his hand and helps Molly into the cart.

"She did however reliantly write to her aunt and ask for permission," feeling the tension in her husband Molly states quickly. "Her aunt wrote back saying that she could stay, plus she was going to deposit some galleons into our account for letting her stay with us."

St. Mungo's Hospital
Outside Hermione's room

Waiting for Hermione to finish getting ready for the doctor, Fred patiently waits outside. Ginny better make sure that Hermione doesn't over due it. Hopefully Hermione will have a complete recovery.

Pacing the floor to elevate the growing tension rising in his body, if I ever get my hands on the son of a bit…

Diagon Alley
Flourish and Blott

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

"Long enough," growls George glaring at Angelina.

"Harry!" gasps Cho as Lavender chokes out, "Ron." All three boys approach the group of girls as Angelina backs slowly away. Ringing of the doorbell shows customers entering and leaving.

"Is there something you want to say," hisses a menacing looking George as he starts to close the gap between himself and Angelina. "Say it to our face!"

"George," gasps a shocked Angelina. "I didn't see you."

"That was obvious," snarls Ron as he balls his hands into tight fists.

With emerald eyes flashing Harry glares coldly at Angelina. "Hermione is my BEST FRIEND," bits out Harry. "There is no way she would be in liege with Voldemort!" At the mention of you-know-who's name everyone flinches. "HOW DARE YOU!"

"Then why is the Ministry of Magic covering up how she survived," demands Angelina as the paler in her face changes for embarrassment to anger.

"Because they're still conducting their investigation," snaps George. "Any reasonably intelligent person would know that."

St. Mungo's Hospital
Inside Hermione's room

Trying to walk Hermione bites down hard on her lips to keep from screaming. Damn this hurts so much, just a few more steps. Feeling her legs start to shake as the rest of her body starts to betray her, Hermione forces herself not to cry. Please, I just want to make it to the bed.

Sighing as she views Hermione bite her lower lip, Ginny sees unshed tears in her eyes. Come on, it's not that bad. When the shaking starts Ginny goes over to the door, "Mione its time for you to let Fred help."

The second that Hermione shook her head Ginny opened the door letting Fred into the room. Fred swiftly makes his way into the room.

"Come on," says Fred as he gentle lifts her up again, placing her softly on the examining table. "This is nothing to be getting upset about. You walk most of the way here."

Watching her brother sooth Hermione, Ginny feels proud to call him her brother. I don't believe this! Fred acts just like mom when she's trying to comfort someone. Smirking Ginny. Can't wait until I tell her.

Soon the doctor came into the room. "Ah, Miss Josephine Granger," announces the doctor as he picks up the cart by the bed.

Confusing both Fred and Ginny seeing Fred opening his mouth to correct the doctor Hermione states, "It's what my aunt calls me."

"Oh," says both Fred and Ginny. Fred looks directly at Hermione then points to the chairs outside her room, "We will be right outside if you need us." Closing the door Fred lets out the breath that he was holding in. "So, Ginny how are you holding up?"

"I'm fine, Fred," answers Ginny. "Just worried about Hermione."

"Don't be the doctor will fix her up in a jiffy," replies Fred.

Blankly looking at the door, Ginny randomly asks, "I wonder how she survived."

Feeling Fred's arms wrap themselves around her shoulders Ginny leans into Fred. "Look Ginny, I know that mum doesn't want you guys asking her any questions. But that doesn't apply to me."

Seeing sister whip her face around to meet his, Fred stares into her shocked eyes. "I pretty much know what happened. I'm not going to divulge any sensitive information. But if there is something you want to ask me, do so. Otherwise stop fretting about it."

Diagon Alley
Gringotts Bank

"Things will be even tighter this year," Arthur comments. "I did get a raise when I took over Fudge's position but it wasn't much of a raise. As much as I would like to refuse her aunt's money, we can't."

"I know Arthur," reassures Molly. "We make due every year. This year will be no different."

When the cart stopped, Arthur got out pulling out his key he handed it to the goblin closing his eyes to bracing himself for the sheer emptiness of it. He was startled when he heard Molly gasp in shock. Opening his eyes, he continuously blinked his own eyes to make sure that the sight before him was really.

"Exactly who is Hermione's aunt?" questions Arthur.

St. Mungo's Hospital
Outside in the corridor

"No, Ginny. Death-eaters didn't give Hermione those bruises," answers Fred. A dead man once I get my hands on him that is if the Death-eater did kill him first. "That was someone else."

"Was she even home at the time?" asks Ginny.

"She was in the process of leaving," mutters Fred. "When the attack happened."

"Oh," gasps Ginny. Falling silence Ginny and Fred stare at Hermione's hospital door. "So does that mean that you're dating Hermione now?" Glancing up at her older brother Ginny is surprised to see his face was flushed. I guess not. As Fred stutters to answer her question Ginny puts forth a new one. "Why not?"

Diagon Alley
Madman Rosie's Bewitching (Beauty Pallor)

Both Ginny and Hermione sat on the enchanted stools, watching Madman Rosie work her magic on Ginny's flaming red hair. Soon Ginny had a sleek new style to go with her new robes. I wonder how Fred is paying for all this? Don't want him using his earnings on this. Fidgeting nervously Hermione grips the arms of the chair as Madman Rosie starts to work on her hair.

"Now, Joey," sooths Madman Rosie. "Relax, your aunt said that you wanted to tame your hair."

"That's right," states Ginny. Wow! I have to meet this aunt. "She wants her hair to be either straighten or curly. Not so unmanageable."

"I have just the thing," laughs Madman Rosie. "It's called 'New Do' by Hair Extro. Since your hair is wet now I'll show you how to use it. Ok?"

Hermione nods her head slightly still looking nervous. "Ok, first you have to decide do you want straight hair or curly. For straight hair you take 'New Do' and apply it here," showing her on the brush. "For curly hair you take this comb and apply it here." Pointing to the bristles of the comb.

When Madman Rosie was done Hermione had naturally big spirals in her hair that were pulled back from the front. Again as Fred tried to pay he found out that Hermione's aunt already covered it.

First Madam Malkin's now here? How does her aunt know where we're going to be going? Linking his arms with both Ginny and Hermione Fred smiles stating, "I'm the luckiest guy alive to have two such beauties with me."

Until Later