Disclaimer: unfortunately for me, but fortunately for one JK Rowling, I do not own Harry Potter. It belongs to one JK Rowling.

When Hermione work the next morning she felt as if she hadn't slept at all. Her sleep had been littered by the same dream over and over. Each time becoming more vivid, more real. As if it were happening again.

In the early hours of the morning when she woke she found Harry in the bed beside her. He looked so peaceful, she had thought. Suddenly he started mumbling, the noise made her jump. When she listened more closely she recognised the words. They were so vivid in her mind. They were the words that he had spoken to Voldemort before he dealt his final blow. It seemed that Harry too was reliving his own terrible ordeal.

Now that she was awake Hermione looked around the room. She could tell that it was quite late, although the curtains were still drawn at the window she could still she sunlight filter through them. The space beside her that had been filled by Harry was now empty. She looked at the clock an the dresser, it read 11:30. It was a good job that it was a weekend because otherwise she would have been late for work, very late.

She got out of bed and walked into the bathroom. She started to undress, she caught sight of herself in the mirror that scaled the length of Harry's luxury en suite. She saw the blue and purple bruises that tainted her otherwise porcelain white skin.

I don't know what to think about them. On one hand they look horrific. On the other it could be worse. I suppose it looks worse because I'm so pale. Note to self get a tan.

She turned the shower on letting the water run for a few seconds before she stepped in side. The water washed over her body. Cleansing her.

She was covered in bruises. She felt dirty. Filthy. She wanted to get herself clean. She looked in the bathroom cabinet to find something, anything to scrub herself clean. She found one of her exfoliating brushes. It was herd and rough, it had never been used, she had thought that it might hurt. Be too rough. But now, now it was exactly what she needed.

She got in the shower and turned it to its highest temperature. The water burned her skin but she didn't care, the hotter the better as far as she was concerned. She scrubbed her skin until it was red and raw, but still she wasn't clean enough. She would never be clean enough.

She got out of the shower knowing that she wouldn't be able to stay in there forever, knowing that sooner or later she would have to face him.

Hermione got dressed and went into the living room. There she found Harry, Ron and Ginny all sat huddled together apparently deeply in conversation. Hermione had a guess as to what or rather who they were talking abouther. They reminded Hermione of her, Harry and Ron, they were always having discussions like that, trying to block out the rest of the world trying not to be over heard.

When Hermione walked into the room the three of them stopped talking.

Well I never saw that coming. she thought to herself.

'Hermione' said Harry, 'How are you feeling' he walked over to her and gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

'I feel loads better thanks Harry. But why didn't you wake me? Its so late.' she asked pulling away from him slightly.

'You've been waking up all night', she looked shocked at this. 'Don't even try to pretend that you haven't, because I heard you every time. I'm a lighter sleeper than I used to be. Anyway, I left you sleeping, you looked so peaceful.'

She kissed him on the lips.

Harry led Hermione to where the others were sat. Both had concerned looks on their faces. Ginny sat herself down next to Hermione and said put her arm around her shoulder.

'What happened Mione?' she asked, 'Why did you finally leave what made you do it?'

'I dunno gin, something just snapped, I couldn't take it anymore. couldn't take his jealousy, his violence.' Hermione said 'I don't think anything in particular really happened. Its not like what he did that night was any worse than anything else he's done before'. she sighed 'I just dunno.' she finished weakly

'And what about the dreams you've been having?' Ron asked looking just as concerned about it as Harry had when she had had the first dream, 'And before you even say that it was nothing, you woke up several times last night so something's bothering you.'

'Its just a dream, a nightmare', she lied not looking at any of them.

'That's what you said yesterday', Harry said 'But you woke up loads of times last night and I'm guessing it was the same dream that did it each time'.

'It was just-'

'Hermione it wasn't just a dream, they're never just dreams, there's always more to the story, always more behind the dream. I know that, you know that, we all know that. So what is it that's bothering you?' Harry finally asked looking her in the eyes.

'Harry why do you have to push it? If I say its just a dream then its just a dream. you'll have to trust me on this one, ok?' she kissed him on the cheek and got up. 'Does anyone want a drink?' she said brightly.

They all shook their head.

She walked off into the kitchen closing the door behind her.

'I told you she wouldn't tell'. Ginny said.

'I know'. Harry said, 'I didn't think she would either, I'm just really worried about her. If something's bothering her I want to know. I know what a burden dreams can be, I also know how much easier it is if you share them. I don't know how I would have survived if I hadn't shared my dreams, my nightmares with someone.'

'I know what you mean mate,' said Ron 'But you know as well as anyone that Hermione's a hard nut to crack. She not going to give this up easily, if she wants to hide some thing she'll hide it. Remember the time turner?'

'I suppose,' said Harry. Looking defeated.

Out in the kitchen Hermione could hear the rumbling of their conversation. She knew that they were talking about her.

I know that their only concerned about me. I mean, if it was one of them I'd be the same. But this is me. I don't want to tell them, I cant tell them. I can't take this pressure either.But I don't want to see the look on any of their faces if I tell them. The guys well they haven't changed since we were at school, they're still really protective of me, even though they know I can look after myself, fight my own battles. If I told them what happened, well Viktor wouldn't be able to hurt me again, or anyone else for that matter. They'd make sure of that.

I cant let that happen. I cant let them do that for me.

A/N: hope you liked, if you did review, if you didn't review anyway.