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.
~Echo 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

King's Cross Station
Nine and three-quarters

The loud whistle of the train signals last minute hug and kisses from Molly as Arthur instructs his kids to behave and try for the love of Merlin to stay out of trouble this year. Laughing everyone boarded the train, finding their usual compartment. Joining them again were the twins.


Hogwarts Express
Last Compartment

Laying on the floor was Ginny, Ron and Harry who were playing a rather interesting game of exploding snap when Lee Jordan closely followed by Katie Bell entered the compartment.

"Fred! George! You're not going to believe this," states Lee as he gestures behind him. Both Fred and George sit a little bit straighter. "Angelina Johnson! She's on academic probation!"

"So," dismiss George as he kisses Katie's cheek as she sits down next to him.

"That means," clarifies Katie. "That she can't play on the Quidditch house team. So we need to make arrangements to look for a new Keeper along with a new Chaser."

"Not only that, the Ministry of Magic not Dumbledore put Angelina Johnson on probation. She's now in with the Slytherin's telling them of last years practice schedule," rushes Lee. "She is going to cripple our chances at the house cup this year!"

"No she won't," laughs Fred, looking down at his younger siblings. "We have been training all summer long with possible new recruits."

"No you haven't," argues Ginny. "You've been playing with…" Gasping when what Fred was saying registers, Ginny and Ron look shocked. "Oh Merlin!"

"Ah, Lee," questions Hermione. "Do the Slytherin's have new brooms by any chance?"

Pondering her question pinches his nose. "Not that I've aware of, Hermione. They still have the Nimbus 2001 series."

Smirking Katie understands what Hermione was really asking. "Well if that's the case, if Ron joins our team, we'll have four Firebolts. And if Ginny joins we'll have a new Nimbus 2003."

"Merlin," mutters an astonished Lee blinking unseen at Katie. "Wait, four Firebolts. I know Harry has one, since you just told me Ron has one. Who are the other two?"

Both Fred and George nod to each other and answer in union. "We are."

Hogwarts

As the train pulled to a stop, Fred gently helps Hermione off the train. Calm crisp clean air revitalizes the group. George with his arm around Katie's shoulders followed by Ginny makes their way to a carriage. As a loud thunderous voice booms out, "Firs' years! Firs' years over here. All right there Harry? Ron? And Hermione?"

When the three of them nodded their heads and agreed to come at the first opportunity to go see Hagrid for tea did Hagrid let them go to the carriages.

Dinning Hall
Gryffindor Table

Upon entering the dinning hall, Hermione could feel the hundreds of watchful eyes on her. Looking down and gulping, she straightens her shoulders picking her head up. Seeing that her best friends were no longer in front of her but flanking her.

A graceful grateful smile spreads across her face. Harry was on her right; Ron was on her left while Fred, Ginny and George had her back. I'm surrounded by red heads and one wantta be!

Professor McGonagal, who usually escorts in the new first years, was waiting by the table instead. A rare full smile graces her face as she approaches the group. Professor McGonagal pulls Hermione into a tight hug before letting her go. "Mr. Fred and George Weasley don't make me regret making you two prefects this year."

"Yes madam," replies both Fred and George as the whole Gryffindor table coughs, gasps, stutters and chokes from shock. When the group took their seats, both Hermione and Ginny founds themselves in between one of the twins. Fred was on Hermione's left, Harry was on her right, and Ron sat across from her. On Harry's left was Ginny followed up by George.

After the first years got sorted. Dumbledore stood up, "Greetings students old and new." His blue eyes twinkling as he looks at the Gryffindor table. "This year, we will be having two Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers. I would like you to give a warm welcome back to Remus Lupin!" Most of the student body was clapping, shouting while others (Mostly Girls) were whistling.

Tapping on his glass to get everyone attention. Dumbledore clears his throat, "And the second teacher is Sirius Black." The hall was silent after Dumbledore said his name. That was until he sat down next to Professor Snape, everyone watches in morbid fascination as the two professors glower at one another. The applause starts after Professor Snape turned an unhealthy almost translucent shade of pale.

Gryffindor Tower
Common Room: Three Weeks into the new Term

"I know that Mione did her Transfiguration homework," states Ron as he and Harry walk into the common room. "I just don't understand why she didn't have it on her!"

"Did you see her face," questions Harry. "She was positively freaked!"

Looking up from their books the twins glance at each other before George waves them over. As they sit down George asks, "What happened?"

"Hermione's Transfiguration homework is missing," answers Ron. "We know that she did it, because she helped us with ours."

"She went slightly nuts when she couldn't find it in her bag," adds Harry. "Professor McGonagall was not amused."

"George, that's the third teacher since we got back," grumbles Fred.

Smirking George nods his head, "That's not all." Getting everyone attention, George makes sure that no one else is listening. "There are rumors flying around."

"So," demands Fred knowing that there was more to it if George was bringing it up.

"One of the rumors has Mione pregnant," whispers George seeing Fred narrow his eyes. Ron and Harry sat there shocked. "Give me a break, I know she's not preggers. That one got started when she threw-up in Potions then clasped."

"There are too many similarities for my liking," states Harry. "Someone has to be behind it."

"It's not someone," hisses Fred looking extremely annoyed. "It's Angelina! The only problem is proving it." George, Ron and Harry silently agree.

"I don't care if we are prefects, I say it's past time to teach Angelina a lesson she'll never forget," mutters George. When Fred nods his head, both Harry and Ron demand to help with the prank, claiming rights as best friends.

Two hours later, an exhausted Hermione makes her way into the common room. Fred instantly notices her red puffy eyes. Jumping up from the table Fred approaches and wraps his arms around her slender frame.

"What happened," asks Fred trying to sooth her.

"I lost my homework for Transfiguration. I can't find it anywhere plus," cries Hermione as she runs a hand over her eyes. "I'm so tired but I still have at lest five hours of homework to do."

Rubbing her back, Fred smiles down at her, "look it's Friday. No homework is due until Monday, so get some sleep tonight. Then tomorrow, I'll work with you on your homework. How does that sound?"

"It sounds fine," yawns Hermione. Fred signals to Hermione's roommates to help her to her room. Three minutes after Hermione's was escorted to her room, Lavender Brown walks down into the common room.

She approaches the twins, looking back and forth between the two. "I'm Fred, he's George."

"I don't want to seem rude or anything," gulps Lavender. "But it's about Hermione."

Looking up at the girl, Fred gestures for her to sit down. "What is it?"

"She's not sleeping at night," states Lavender not waiting to get on the bad side of the twins. Seeing their confused faces, Lavender explains. "She complains that it's so quite in our room."

Several questions later Fred says, "Thanks, Lave," as he walks up the stairs towards the girl's dormitories.

Girl's Dormitories
Hermione's Room

Reaching Hermione's room, Fred knocks on the door, when Hermione says, "Enter." Fred opens the door.

"Hey there," whispers Fred looking around for any other girl in the room.

"Fred! This is the girl's dormitories," admonishes Hermione. "What are you doing?"

Smiling widely at her, Fred pulls out his wand. "A new invention occurred to me, and I want to try it on you." Seeing Hermione's facial expression. "It's perfectly harmless and it involves the bed curtains nothing else."

Shaking her head, Hermione waves to Fred to go ahead. "I think I'm going to regret this," mutters Hermione. Three charms later, Fred gives Hermione a kiss goodnight on the cheek after tucking her into bed. "Sleep tight," mutters Fred as he closes her bedroom door.

Once he was in the common room, George questions him, "What did you do?"

Smirking, "Charmed her bed curtains to play soft music on the inside and charmed them to be silent on the outside. Thus making enough noise so Mione would sleep without having her roommates hear the music."

"Brilliant," mutters George a devilish twinkle in his eyes. "Now about that prank, which do you think we should do?"

Gryffindor Tower
Common Room: Saturday

Looking up, Fred hears before he sees Hermione coming into the common room. Looking everyone dead in the eyes Fred suggests, "Do not tell her that's its almost lunch time! I'll handle everything."

Yawning Hermione enters the room. Everyone instantly notices a major difference in her. One, she looked like she got some sleep. Two, there was a twinkle in her eyes and three she had more energy, much more energy. Surprising everyone in the room but those who were at the Burrow by demanding to go flying right after she had something to eat.

Only one person who didn't looked pleased by the change was a seventh year. She stood off to the side muttering to herself, waiting for everyone to vacate the common room before heading up to the girl's dormitories.

Dinning Hall
Monday Morning

Walking in hand and hand, Hermione blushes as Fred places small light kisses on her cheeks. George and Lee were already at the table; the pair were making kissy faces at the couple. Harry and Ron snicker as Angelina stalks by them, while unknown to Angelina Fred and George glare at her back.

"So Fred," laughs George getting a conversation going. "What do you think of our new product?"

Pretending to think on it, Fred tilts his head sideways. "I think it needs to be tested."

"I think Fred's right," adds Lee giving Ron and Harry a wink. Letting them know that he's in on what's about to go down. "But you need to find yourselves a tester."

"Not me," states Hermione looking at George and Lee. "I'm going to be very busy making up in most of my classes!"

"Don't worry about it," laughs Ron. "I already talked to Professor Lupin and Black. They said if you do that extra essay that will more then make up for it." Ron and Harry had seen fit to inform the three teachers that Hermione had a spot of trouble with, that she did indeed do the homework, had gotten the textbooks. But somehow on the day of class, those things would just disappear.

Hermione beams at Ron, feeling more relieved. "I already did it!"

"Where did you put it," asks Harry as he glances down the table.

"I gave it to Fred, while Fred gave me his trick thing," laughs Hermione. "I'll just need to get it from Fred before class."

Both Ron and Harry smirk at each other, knowing just exactly what Fred's little trick thing was. Ron mouths to Harry, "This should be good." Harry nodded his head.

"Well that just leaves Professor McGonagal," sighs Hermione looking up at the Head Table. "Do you think I should talk to her now?"

"Sure," says Fred smoothly. "But you might want to wait until breakfast is almost over. Wouldn't wait her in a sour mood."

"Right," laughs Hermione putting some food on her plate. The conversations around the table dimmed as students ate their breakfast.

"OH MY GOD!" shouts Sir Nick as he floats down the table towards Angelina. "What happened to you?" Snickers and laughter along with students started to rise in the hall. Many wanted a look to see what happened.

"What are you talking about," snaps Angelina as she glares at Sir Nick.

Clearing his throat, Sir Nick states, "I'm talking about your face. You know the one with perfuse green pimply dots, long blonde chin hairs and a rather large wart."

"What," gasps Angelina jumping up at once.

"Miss Johnson," Dumbledore's voice rang out from the Head Table. "I would like a word with you, if you please."

Watching her approach the headmaster, Hermione whispers, "Fred, tell me you had nothing to do with that?"

Huffing, "I had nothing to do with that." Turning and looking at him in the face, Fred smirks as he adds, "Harry and Ron did that." At her astonished face, Fred states, "Just wait until ours kicks in."

"What," gasps Hermione. "Why?"

"Miss Granger," barks Professor McGonagal making her way swiftly towards them. "It has come to my attention that Miss Johnson has been responsible for your sudden loss of textbooks and homework. That being the case, you can make up the missing work. See me after class on Tuesday." Hermione thanks her teacher, before she stalks back to the Head Table standing close to Angelina.

"Never mind, Professor McGonagal just answered for you," huffs Hermione. "The nerve of that girl! Why I have half a mind..." Fred wraps an arm around Hermione's shoulder drawing her closer, kissing her on the cheek. Preventing Hermione from going off on a tangent.

Flapping of wings, signals that mail was arriving. A beautiful falcon lands in front of Hermione with a letter written in bright green ink. Shaking a little Hermione relieves the bird of its post. Slowly opening the letter Hermione gives a startled gasp.

"What's that," asks Fred as he tries to look over Hermione's shoulder.

"A letter from my aunt," croaks out Hermione. "Stating that she is due to arrive next this weekend for Dumbledore's Family Day."

"Well that's not so bad," pacifies Ron.

"It is when she writes and I quote, You young lady better have some explanations for me when I get there or I'll be pulling you from that school," cries Hermione, tears were already starting to form.

"What else doe it say," asks Harry. Waving the letter until Harry takes it from her, he scams it. "Your aunt states that several highly inappropriate rumors have reached her ears. Should any prove to be true then you better have some explanations."

"See it's nothing," states Katie. "You just have to tell her that it's all untrue and everything will be fine."

"Yes, you're right," mutters Hermione giving a bracing smile. "She probably just wants to make sure that everything is on the up."

If Mione's aunt pulls her, I'm going to go at Angelina with everything I can think of, thinks Fred his green eyes twinkling in a challenging kind of way. Only George seemed to understand his silent message, raised his glass.

Until Later