A/N: Hello my darling readers! I am so sorry that I hadn't updated but my computer was acting odd and I hadn't noticed how ugly the chapters were and then I noticed my word program was gone and yeah. Then I just found out that it is illegal to thank you in the chapters. 

Disclaimer: I don't own anything in the Potter universe, just the plot. 

Chapter 3: Learning the Truth

WARNING: This chapter contains a rather strong scene with language and violence.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

He pulled back and looked at Ron who looked around confused. "Where's Hermione?"

He asked. All the family could do was look at each other scared…

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Ginny and Harry looked at each other. How were they supposed to tell Ron that they

hadn't seen Hermione since the last battle? Everyone was silent. The red head on the bed

decided to speak. "She's not, dead is she?" He asked, feeling his heart beating faster than

normal. Harry decided he should take over. "No. Ron…" Harry began, but stopped. He

didn't know how to tell him that the love of his life was gone. "Ron, we haven't seen

Hermione since the last battle. She came out alive, but when you disappeared. She left."

He explained. A large tear slid down Ron's freckled cheek. "But haven't you tried to

reach her by owls?" He asked as more tears came. The family looked at each other and

walked out, this was something Harry and Ron alone needed to talk about. Harry shook

his head at Ron's question. "It's not that we haven't tried, it's just. We can't find her…"

He said looking at his best friend. Ron only felt more tears fall. "Okay. Listen Harry, I

know you all want to know where I've been. But right now I can't talk about it. Give me

time, and when I'm ready I will tell you." Said Ron, looking out the window of the room.

Harry nodded and looked up as a nurse walked in. "Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley needs to take

his medicine and rest, you may comeback later or tomorrow if you wish." Said the

motherly looking nurse. Harry nodded, smiled at Ron and walked out. When Harry shut

the door behind him, the Weasleys all walked over to him. "How is he?" Asked Mr.

Weasley, Harry looked up "He'll need some time. But meanwhile we have to try to

contact Hermione again." They all nodded and began to leave. Ginny took Harry's hand

and they Dissaparated.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

A new dawn came, and with it, the birds singing. Hermione opened her brown eyes and

looked beside her, as usual, her husband had gone early to work and she was left alone

with her daughter all day, which was just fine with her. She stood up, and walked into her

bathroom, inspecting the bruises on her neck and body. Remembering the events of last

night.

John came home drunk from the bar where he usually went to with his co-workers.

Hermione had left food in the microwave, but it was cold and she had left a note telling

him to heat it up when he got it. He was quickly angered by this, she should be here

serving him, he went and worked everyday to pay for the bills and food. He walked into

their bedroom and looked at her sleeping. He grabbed a glass on his nightstand and

threw it to the floor where it shattered and woke her up. "You idiot! Why is my food

cold?" He yelled at her. She looked at him and stood up. "You're home late! I wasn't

gonna stay awake and wait for you all night!" She said pointing to the clock by their

television which read 1:37. "Go heat it up!" He yelled. She glared at him and raised her

chin defiantly. "No!" He walked over to her, pulled his hand in front of himself and

backhanded her. She fell to the floor with a cry and backed away from him. "I said go

heat it up!" He yelled again. This time, Hermione got up and walked over to the kitchen.

With small sobs, she began to heat up his leftover food. He walked in and decided he

didn't want to eat anymore. He walked over by her and shoved the plates from the

counter down and they broke making a loud noise. "You stupid whore! You need to make

yourself useful!" He yelled. John raised his hand to strike her again and this time she

tried to cover herself up and they began to struggle. Knocking over several things in their

way, and making loud noises. Upstairs, Gabriella hugged her teddy bear as she ran into

her closet. She placed herself in the back and began to cry, rocking herself back and

forth. Though she was only 4, Gabby knew what was going on and what was happening

to her mom. She heard her scream louder and buried her face in her teddy bear.

Hermione screamed as he dragged her by her hair on the floor. John straddled her so she

wouldn't escape and ripped her clothing off. Hermione could only cry as he raped her

over and over. Because every time she tried to get him off her, or tried to get, he would

hit her again. He laughed as he got up and went to his bedroom. "You're not even useful

for sex anymore" He called out over his shoulder. Hermione lay on the floor for a long

time before she got her clothes or what was left of them back on. She knew Gabby must

be awake so she walked up to her daughter's bedroom. When she didn't see the little girl

in her bed, she walked into her closet and found her clutching her teddy bear. Hermione

opened her arms as she cried and Gabby ran into them. They went over to her bed and

sat crying together until they were sure he was asleep.

Hermione wiped a few tears that had escaped while she relived the horrible memory of

the previous night. She had so many bruises. But she couldn't let anyone see her in this

state, so she grabbed some of her concealer and began to cover up her bruises. A bit later,

she was done and ready to go make breakfast for her daughter, and clean the mess she

was sure was in the kitchen. This was an ordinary day for her, and something that now

became nearly an everyday routine.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Ginny walked into her apartment that night and sank into her couch. Ron was back, but to

make a full recovery, she knew he would need Hermione. Ginny had tried to contact the

girl so many times, but her owls always came back with the letters days after she had sent

them. This told Ginny that Hermione must be far away. She would have to ask Harry and

her family to help her look for her friend. She needed to know how she was, or even if

she was still alive. It was a possibility that she wasn't. But Ginny wasn't about to give up.

With a yawn she got up and dressed for bed, deciding that tomorrow she would call in a

few favors and try to find Hermione.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

A/N: What do you guys think? I hope it wasn't that bad and once again, I'm sorry I hadn't gotten a chance to update. Though now I will update every 4 days, and if not, every Saturday. Much love,

-Ellopoppet.