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

Gryffindor Tower
Hermione's room

Blinking away tears from her eyes, Hermione lifts her head. Taking for the first time a good look at her aunt. Why is she wearing robes? She never wears robes? Clearing her throat, Hermione answers her aunt's rhetorical question. "No, my bed is the only one made."

"So I see child," sneers Athena as she gracefully sits on one of the empty chairs.

She never calls me child…what is going on? Moving to a sitting up potion, Hermione summons up her courage. "All right, give what's going on?" Squirming under her aunt furious glare, Hermione wishes she could take back her words.

"Hmmm, I see your father didn't remove all of your spirit," says Athena as she looks to the two other girls in the room. "Just your manors."

Gasping Hermione weakly smiles. "This is Lavender Brown my roommate," gesturing to one of the girls in question. "And this," gesturing to Ginny. "Is Ginny Weasley, my friend and my best friend's little sister."

Yawning Athena mutters, "Image that, another Weasley. Tell me child, did you remember to thank Mrs. Weasley?"

"Yes," says Hermione feeling very small. Peering at her aunt, Hermione notices that her eyes were watching her with hawk likeness. Why is she staring at me like that? What did I do now?

"Really child," hisses Athena gesturing to the two girls. "I do believe you owe me some explanations."

Opening her mouth without thinking, Hermione snaps, "Stop calling me child! I'm not a child!"

"About time," states Athena. Surprising all the girls. "I thought I might have to resort to insulting your mother, before you stood up for yourself."

"What," gasps half shrieks Ginny. "You deliberately…. I can't believe this!"

"Believe it little girl," snarls Athena causing both Lavender and Ginny to move back. "If Hermione can't defend herself, I was going to pull her." Glaring coldly at them, Athena waves her hand, muttering an enchantment.

The door to the bedroom swings up, as both Lavender and Ginny float towards it. "Do be sure and inform the house elves to bring us a light snack." When they were outside the room, the door slams shut. "Now that we have some privacy, I do believe we have yet to go over those rumors."

Gryffindor Tower
Common Room

Hearing two loud thumps, Fred races up the stairs only to find his sister and Lavender laying on the floor. "What happened?"

"Aunt Athena," grumbles Ginny as she stands up.

"Her Royalness would like us to inform the house elves to bring her a light snack," groans Lavender as she stands up. "I can't believe that Hermione is related to someone that mean!"

"Did she say anything about pulling Hermione," questions Fred.

"She said that if Hermione couldn't defend herself she was going to," response Lavender.

"Bloody hell," whispers a very pale Fred.

Second Floor
Teacher's Lounge

"Albus," whispers Professor McGonagall as she stares at the headmaster. "Can she really pull Hermione from the school?"

Looking rather grave, Dumbledore answers, "Yes, Minerva. Lady DeBear has the authority to pull her niece."

"I don't believe this," hisses Severus slamming a hand down on the table. "The DeBear's are known for their extreme intelligence and use of wandless magic, but this…"

"Is there anything that can be done," demands Sirius. "A higher authority maybe?"

"She has complete control," whispers Dumbledore.

"Then we'll just have to make her see reason," states Remus with an odd glint in his eyes.

Gryffindor Tower
Hermione's room

"What rumors are you referring to," timidly asks Hermione.

"As you know, there are several. One is that you're losing your mind," states Athena as she looks over Hermione. "But I can plainly see that's false."

"Thanks," whispers Hermione.

"There is one of you being pregnant by a Fredrick Weasley," condones Athena. "Is this one also false?"

Heat Heat floods into Hermione's face, her eye bulge out. Barely croaking out, "What?"

Smirking, Athena rolls her eyes. "Well, I can take that one off the list as well."

"Who says I'm pregnant? I can't be pregnant! I'm only fifteen," shouts Hermione.

""There are others in the world who are pregnant at fifteen," calmly refutes Athena. "Everything depends on the underlining factors. Personally I'm glad that you're not pregnant, but if you had been, you would have been supported."

"Thanks."

"On to the last rumor," huffs Athena, her gaze intensifying. "Are you dating, Fredrick Weasley?"

Swallowing hard, Hermione opens and closes her mouth, no answer forth coming.

Hogsmeade
Three Broomsticks

Swallowing the last of her butterbeer a young woman, sitting at the bar sighs. Looking around the room, she attempts to find a clock. Madam Rosmerta strolls down towards her.

"Anything else my dear," asks Madam Rosmerta.

"Ah…no…but could I have the time," she asks.

"Certainly, it's just about eleven thirty," answers Madam Rosmerta.

"Thank you." Handing over her empty glass, the young woman slowly gets up. Oh, there's no effect at all! I'll have to remember to come back here tomorrow.

"Excuse me, miss," states Madam Rosmerta. "But you'll be taking your pet, right?"

"Oh he's not my pet," laughs the young lady. "He's my sister's and yes, I'll taking him with me." Steeping outside, she calls out, "Here, Damn Dog! Come here boy!"

"That's a dragon, not a dog," mutters Madam Rosmerta.

Gryffindor Tower
Common Room

Pacing the floor with vigor, Fred glares at everyone who gets in his way. I need to do something! Anything. Just something.

"Hey, Fred," shouts George from across the room. "Come here!"

Approaching his twin, Fred snaps, "What?"

"We still need to get Angelina," calmly whispers George. Fred's face closes in contemplation, while nodding to George.

"That we do," mutters Fred. "I was thinking, something along the lines of transfiguring her school robes into swimwear, and add a couple of choice hexes."

Tapping his chin, George adds, "That's a good start but I don't think that's good enough."

"Me too."

Gryffindor Tower
Hermione's room

"Yes, I'm dating Fred," laughs Hermione feeling a little relieved.

"This whole thing could have been avoided had you written your mother informing her of this," states Athena. "But no! You had to for the first time in your life act like a normal teenager. So what else has this Angelina pulled?"

"Oh, nothing after she was found out. Ron and Harry pulled a prank on her," states Hermione with a wide smile on her face. "Fred and his twin George have yet to pull theirs. But when they do, it's going to be a site to see."

"Yes, I can image," snickers Athena. "By and by, what time is it?"

"Oh, just about lunch time," answers Hermione. "While we're here, why are you wearing wizarding robes? You never wear them."

"Oh, felt inclined too," dismiss Athena.

Hogwarts
Entranceway near Dinning Hall

Nervously standing close to the doorway, wringing her hands and muttering to herself. Looking back and forth, she takes a deep breath, before taking several strides into the castle.

"Excuse me," states a cold voice coming almost from the shadows. "Who are you and what do you think you're doing here?"

"I'm here to see my child, I was invited," hurriedly states the woman. Narrowing her eyes, she glares, "You're not Dumbledore, so I don't have to answer to you!"

"Really and just who is your child," demands Severus Snape as he emerges.

"My child is Hermione…" starts the woman as she squares her shoulders. Glaring coldly at him.

"Mrs. Granger!" harshly whispers Professor Snape. "Come with me."

Second Floor
Teacher's Lounge

"Albus," sneers Professor Snape as he glides into the room. "I would like to introduce you to Mrs. Granger. Hermione's mother." Effectively stunning everyone in the room.

"Mrs. Granger," warmly greets Dumbledore as she walks into the room. "How are you?"

"I'm fine," states Mrs. Granger. "I'm here for the Parent thing." Gazing around the room, Mrs. Granger asks, "Where is my daughter?"

"In Gryffindor Tower with her aunt," informs Professor McGonagall recovering from her shock.

"So she's with my sister," whispers Mrs. Granger turning to glare at Professor Snape. "If she is in Gryffindor then why did he practically drag me here?"

"I think that has to due with your sister's intention of pulling Hermione from Hogwarts," stress Dumbledore looking rather serious.

"Really," purrs Mrs. Granger. "Since when?"

"What," asks Remus confused.

"Your sister shows up earlier today demanding answers from Hermione. Stating that if her answers weren't good enough she was going to pull her. After dealing with Lucius Malfoy," relates Sirius.

Gryffindor Tower
Hermione's room

"So how is mum," asks Hermione.

Stretching her arms over her head, Athena answers, "Fine. You should be hearing from her soon." A secretive smile flashes across Athena's face before it was replaced with a frown. "How is you're school?"

"I think I'm in the top ten," groans Hermione.

Rolling her eyes, Athena sighs. "Joey, I don't care if you're in the top fifty percent of your class. As long at you're not in the bottom two percent."

"But mum," interrupts Hermione. "She was proud that I was the top student!"

"That's why I'm in charge of your magical education," stress Athena. "Not your mum. She had no understanding of what a Basilisk is and how deadly, but I do. I also understand just who Voldemort is and how dangerous he is."

Second Floor
Teacher's Lounge

"Yes, she was wearing elegant long back dress robes," finishes Professor Sprout.

"My sister was wearing dress robes," huffs Mrs. Granger. "The only time my sister wears dress robes is on Halloween." And if she has been watching cartoons.

"Keeping with tradition," readily approves Professor Trelawny.

"No," Mrs. Granger disagrees. "Try to scare the children in her neighborhood."

Hogwarts
Dinning Hall

Gliding into the dinning hall, Hermione stops as her aunt continues. Where is Fred? He better be behaving himself! Feeling an arm slip around her shoulders, Hermione looks up to see Fred's face looming above her. "Everything is fine!"

"Really," questions Fred.

"Yeah," laughs Hermione smiling up at Fred. "She was concerned about things."

"ATHENA!" shrieks around the dinning hall. "WHERE THE BLOODY HELL ARE YOU!"

"Over here," sings Athena waving her arms around frantically. "Yahoo!! Over here!"

"Mum," whispers an extremely shocked Hermione. Next to the teachers entrance, standing next to a scowling Professor Snape, stood Hermione's mother. Who looks like she wants to fry her sister alive. Whoa, mum's mad. Meanwhile, Athena was sitting on the tabletop of the Gryffindor using the bench to put her feet.

Angrily striding across the room, Hermione's mum stops right in front of her sister. Their voice's carry about the room, but no one seemed to be able to understand what they were saying.

But everyone could tell by the mad gabbing motions that Hermione's mum was spatiality livid. Although reluctant to go anywhere near the arguing women, Hermione and Fred slowly make their way towards them.

Most of the teachers start to pile into the room cluster into a small group next to the Head Table. Waiting for Dumbldore to come. Loud flapping of wings soars above the student's heads. Many scream in fear.

"HERE DAMN DOG," barks Athena snapping her fingers. A hybrid dragon flies over to Athena, putting its head in her lap.

"Your aunt is nutters," whispers Ron. "That's a dragon."

Two vividly blue eyes narrow at Ron. "I'm well aware of what my pet familiar is," hiss Athena. Stroking the dragon's head, Athena smiles wickedly at her sister. "Persephone, I would like you to introduce you to your daughter's boyfriend," gesturing to Fred. "This is Fredrick Weasley."

"What!"

Until Later