The Burrow Pt.2
(Hermione's POV)
I'm in the wet, freezing woods racing for my life and I smell the rain coming. I stop running and look behind me. I mounted Malfoy's broom and lift off the ground. I haven't been on a broom since that time at the burrow when Fred asked me to. They scare the daylights out of me but desperate measures. I fly in and out of the trees and hop off before the woods end. I look behind me and just see the trees. I race forward with the broom and head to the leaky cauldron.
A taste infected my mouth, the strong metallic of my blood, running down my nose to my busted lip. I wipe the dripping red from my face and race down the street heading to the Weasley's future shop. The streetlights are on but many seem out for whatever reason. The streets are completely deserted and I'm all alone with the darkness. I don't realize I'm talking to myself.
"He snapped my wand, he was going to kill me," I say, finally in acceptance. Repeating it over and over in my head like a broken record. I find the next alley and run down until my feet are throbbing, feeling like sharp needles are consuming my feet. I find a stairway and hide, sitting beneath it. I sigh to myself and let my heartbeat catch up to me. I look at my reflection from the shop across the street. My forehead is bleeding and my eye is staring to close in on itself. I go to touch my eye and wince. Then I heard a crash behind me, my heart drops.
*meow*
I sigh in relief, "Crookshanks you scared the days out of me," I grab my throat from the pain of talking and pick him up. I run my hand through his fur, feeling my blood clumping in it.
"Crooks, I need you to find him," I finally let out a sob I've been holding in and let the tears soak up my jumper.
"Please, go find him." I watch Crookshanks jump down and then run off into the darkness. I get up from the behind the stairwell, holding my throat and walk to the entrance of the future shop. I look at the knob and pray to Merlin he has it unlocked.
It is. I sigh in relief.
I open the door and shut it, walking to a counter in the middle of the store. I slowly sit down on the ground and throw the broom next to me. I let out a big sigh before laying onto the dirty ground. The adrenaline is starting to wear off and I start to feel all of the pain I've been suppressing. I look at the dark ceiling and see dust flakes floating around in the moonlight, beams coming from the window. I feel a tear stream down my face hitting my lips, metallic ocean in my mouth. I close my eyes for a second, and then hear a door open. I look up barely and moan from the pain, but feel relief.
Fred.
XXXXXXXXXX
I wake up dazed, and try to lift myself up. I look around and realize I'm in George's bed. I look over and not see Fred's not in his bed. I get up off the bed and realize I'm just in Fred's shirt. I can't remember much of what I talked about with Fred but I do remember him saving me. I stand up and walk over to the twin's mirror. My eye looked tons better, almost back to my olive shade skin. My throat however, looked awful. He must off missed this part. I go to touch it and wince from it being sore. I hear noises coming from the hall and I walk over to the doorway.
"You need to tell mum, "George snips in a whisper.
"She asked me not to," Fred snipped back.
"Did you not see her face last night?" He snipped again, pointing at the doorway.
"The paste has worked wonders," he replied.
"That's not the point, she's 14 years old!"
"We're 16 what's your point?" He retorts.
"She should not be dealing with this alone. She has to go to the authorities, seek counseling, I don't know," he says frustrated.
"She has me, and I promised I wouldn't, i want her to file but," he starts to say softly.
"Oh you're going to protect her?" he says sarcastically.
"Brother since when do you have faith in our lovely magical government?" He snaps, waving his hands around them. "Are you mental? Fighting the Malfoy's with all of their connections would be like taking on an evil, greasy haired, Albus Dumbledore. Lucius has puppets everywhere, wrapped around his fingers. Her blood alone would cause for judgement. She would lose and you know it. Do we really want her to go through that? He said softly.
"I guess it would be hard to prove," George says defeated.
"She's a strong witch, I know she'll make it through this," Fred half smiles, tapping George on the shoulder.
*ahem I huff. Fred and George dart their glance to me and then nervous laugh in unison, with big grins.
"You're awake," Fred smiled, walking over with a glass of tea, he handed it to me.
"Mornin' Hermione," George nods his head at me. "I'll see you guys in a bit I have some errands to run." He fake smiles and runs over to me giving me the biggest, strongest hug I've ever received from someone. He smiles at me after putting me down and then heads down the stairway.
"Hi," Fred says, motioning me into his bedroom.
"Hi," I smile, sipping the tea. He sits down on his bed and I sit next to him.
"So, if you could give your mum a ring that would be brilliant, she's worried and I don't want her to think I've kidnapped you," he smiles.
"Would that be so awful? I whisper, looking down at my tea. Fred walks over and shuts his door. He walks back over to me and sits on the bed facing me, so I face him.
"Blimey," he snaps, grabbing the bruise paste. "Your neck," he sighs.
"It's okay, I wasn't thinking about it last night, I was so exhausted". I say softly.
"I bet," he agrees, rubbing the paste on my neck. The soft tips of his fingers started to rub the paste on my neck and it sent a shiver to my toes. I look into his eyes and I noticed yellow flecks swirling in his deep brown eyes. When the light beams from the sun and hits them just right, you can see it shimmer. He sees me staring and smiles. His face is so close to mine I can smell the mint bubblegum he had been chewing. He looks back into my eyes and time just freezes. I never realized how cute his smile was, it made my toes curl a bit. The intense eye contact made the pixies in my stomach go into a hysterical frenzy. I hope I didn't give off any indications of the party in my stomach. He makes a swallowing sound and then pulls his paste covered fingers from my neck.
"All done," he smiles, waving his paste fingers.
"Mint bubblegum," I say without realizing. It's my favorite.
"Huh," he laughs, wiping off the leftover paste.
"Huh?" I say back, snapping out of the trance I was in.
"Are you losing it Granger," he laughs, inching closer, filling the gap between our faces.
"I," I start to say.
"Your neck looks better already, this stuff works wonders," he smiles touching it lightly.
"Thank you," I say, mind going blank to where I couldn't get my words in order, to speak.
"Are you ok?" He asks seriously, grabbing the side of my face, pushing a stand of my hair back. I grab his hand and press it on my cheek.
I look at him and I fill the small gap left between us and place my lips onto his. The heat from my cheeks warms my whole body, I felt a sweat drop start to form on my eyebrow. He returns the kiss and holds my head softly pulling me into him. His hands move down my head to my waist and it made me gasp. We pull away for a second before pushing our wet lips together again. He picks me up by the waist and wraps my legs around each side of him. We start to kiss again until I feel his soft long fingers touch my exposed thigh.
I snort making him pull back, gasping for air.
"What? Did I," he starts to say.
"Nothing," I laugh, " I just realized I have no pants on. He looks down and then back up sheepishly and then starts laughing too.
"Sorry, I didn't realize, they're right here I think," he says sitting me on his bed so effortlessly. He hands them to me.
"Thanks Fred," I smile. He goes to kiss me again but is interrupted.
"Freddie dear, you and Hermione come down and eat," Molly yelled up the stairs.
"Want to go get some breakfast?" He rolls his eyes, reaching for my hand.
"Yes," I smile, grabbing his hand and walking downstairs. We reach the kitchen and the chat went completely silent.
"Um, good morning everyone," I say, walking to the table. Molly and Arthur eye Fred and then me.
"Morning dear, give your mum a ring dear she's been calling all morning," she says, motioning towards the phone.
"OH, of course, thank you," I say totally forgetting to call her back. I walk to the receiver and pick it up. I start to hear hushed whispers behind me and I turn around to look. Molly was pointing at me and then violently at him. Fred is pointing forcefully at nothing and then at me. Arthur is just sitting there shaking his head while the two point everywhere.
"Hello?" My mum had repeated, me being distracted by the Weasleys.
"Oh, mum it's me just checking in, fell asleep at the Weasleys," I say softly.
"You need to come home, we need to talk," she says seriously.
"Oh, I was thinking of staying another," I start to say.
"Hermione Granger, home, see you soon," she snips before hanging up the phone. I hang up the phone curiously. I walk back to the table and it's silent again. All 3 of them were staring at me.
"Um, did I miss something?" I laugh nervously.
"No dear, take this," she shovers a plate full of food (enough to fill 5 people). "Fred will be taking you home in the car." She hugs me super tight and pats me on the back. "If you ever need anything dear you're always welcomed at the burrow. Arthur give the boy the keys," she demands before stepping away back into the kitchen. Arthur hesitates but hands them over to Fred.
"Please don't pull a Ron, I beg ya," Arthur says before returning to his paper.
Fred grabs the keys and my hand and we walk to the car. He opens the door and helps me inside and then walks to the other side.
"What's going on?" I question.
"Well, seems mum overheard George and I talking about um, " he starts to say.
"No," I say sadly, heart sinking to my feet.
"I'm sorry Hermione," he says honestly before driving to my home.
XXXXXXX
We get to my house and I step out the car door. I look back at Fred.
"Can you wait for me in my room?" I plead.
"What?" He asks, "Are you sure?"
"Please," I say again.
"Yes, I will," he says stepping out of the car.
"Just go up the trellis please," I say before heading inside.
I walk in and feel the energy of the house be completely dark I walk into the kitchen and see my mum and dad looking up at me. She was crying and my dad looked worried. He gave me a slight smile.
"Hey sweetie," he says, motioning towards the chair in front of them.
"Hi," I say, coming off a bit harsher than I meant.
"Do you have something you want to tell us," my mum said.
"Not really no," I reply.
"Hermione," my mum said getting angry.
"Monica dear, let's all just calmly talk," my dad says.
"Who hurt you?" She snapped.
"I'm fine, it's not as bad as you think," I say, rubbing my face, looking at the tile on the floor.
"Not as bad? Molly phones me that you were attacked last night and you're saying it's not that bad?" She exclaims, putting up her hands and getting up from her seat.
"Monica," my father says softly in a warning way.
"Wendell, you do not want to do that right now," she threatens.
"Don't talk to him like that," I snap, looking at her now.
"I shall talk to you or your father how I see fit, we are going to the police," she snaps.
"No.. we're not," I say. She glares at me.
"What did you just say?" She replies.
"It will be pointless, the ministry is just as corrupt as the government here. We will not win the case and it's trickier to win with the wizard council. Not to mention you two are muggles. I have no proof besides my word which means nothing with someone as high up as the Malfoy's'. I don't want to go through the system or put you guys in danger," I admit.
"How can you sound so non-chalante about this? You were attacked!" She sobs, putting her hands to her face. I sit down and just look at my fingers. "Answer me Hermione," she says sternly through sobs.
"I do care, but I'm not dwelling on something that will end up in more problems for me and even you," I say.
"Honey, are you okay," my dad says, grabbing my hand I was picking a nail with. I look up at him.
"I am, look, " I say pointing at my face, "it wasn't that bad, just a shove you know?" I lie.
"You're going to therapy," my mum snaps.
"I am not," I said sternly.
"You are going to a therapy program this summer, end of story," she snaps.
"Father!" I plead to him.
"Your mother and I think this is what's for the best honey," he says softly.
"Mum I'm fine okay? I am a big girl I can handle myself," I say starting to get mad and it was making me tear up.
"You're 14!" she snapped. She lightened her tone after snapping, "You'll be doing defense training for muggles and you will be staying at this place near a nice river," she starts to go on as if it's some magical day camp.
"Dad please," I beg.
"Honey, this will be good for you, to learn how to protect yourself," he says.
"I know how to protect myself, " I sob.
"With a wand honey," he says softly.
"Not just a wand! I know how to handle myself it just was an off-guard situation," I pleaded.
"I'm sorry honey, you're going to the program," he said, looking away from my eye. I wipe the rogue tear from my eye and stand up for my chair. I turn around and run into my room. I see Fred by my door with it cracked. I walk in.
"Are you okay?" Fred asked.
"Do I look it?" I snapped.
"Hermione, maybe the camp will be good for you, self-defense for muggles sounds interesting," he smiled, walking over to me.
"You were ease dropping? I said wait up here not listen to my private conversation," I snapped again.
"Hermione you're letting your rage blind what's right," he says.
"Since when do you talk like that? Who are you?" I say harshly. "How do you know what's right?"
"I guess I don't but," he softly.
"You're right, you don't," I say meanly. I look over at my desk and see a letter. I walk over and pick it up. The parchment was a royal green and had a wax stamp of a snake. My heart sinks. I rip the wax and the envelope moves in front of me floating and I hear Draco's voice.
Dearest Hermione,
I want you to know, I meant you no harm. I apologize deeply for pushing you too hard. You must know it was an accident. I would never try to hurt you. I let my rage get the best of me again, a lot has been going on. I didn't even mean to shove you, you just were in my way. I'm begging you to forgive me and I promise I'm going to work on myself. Im going to get the help I need. Let me show you that I'm not that person you met yesterday because that's not me. I'm the person you talked to in the hospital wing. The one you helped take care of. Remember we talked about all my problems with my family and your fears for the future. We really connected because that's the true us. Please forgive me. I care about you so much and we can be amazing together if you would just get pass this. I looked passed your relationships with Fred and all of them. I deserve the same respect. I deserve forgiveness
P.s. you can keep the broom as a gift.
Sincerely yours,
Draco Malfoy.
The letter then rips itself to shreds and disappears into a black smoke. An ocean filled tear rolls down my face and I start busting into a fit of laughter. I drop to the ground laughing so hard I had to hold my chest.
"Are you having some sort of fit? Fred asks, looking down at me.
"Did you hear him?" I say laughing, looking up at Fred.
"I did yes, I don't," he starts to say.
"I was in his way?" I laugh. Tears coming out of my eyes.
"Hermione he's just love-bombing and trying to manipulate you. He's an A class narcissist twit." Fred says seriously.
"I can keep the broom?" I look at Fred and go back into a laughing fit.
"He picks me up and sets me on the bed and starts laughing in a nervous way.
"Hermione this really is serious, it's not something to be laughing about."
"Are you my dad?" I snap, no longer laughing.
"Hermione your sass levels have reached an OUTSTANDING high, I'm trying here," he snaps.
"Why doesn't anyone believe me when I say that I'm fine?" I protest.
"It's something that isn't fine though," he responds.
"Can't laugh at my own trauma? I got my face beat in by Draco Malfoy? How pathetic!" I smile, returning to my laughing fit, "I looked like I ate one of your purple Taffy Bombs!"
"Hermione," Fred says softly. He reached his hand to touch me. I swat it away.
"Don't pity me," I said coldly. I stand up from my bed and look out the window.
"I don't pity you, I'm just worried about you. I think talking to someone about all of this will be good for you," he says, walking over and grabbing me, pulling me into his chest. "I care about you so much Hermione, do you not see that?"
I start to cry.
"I'm sorry I've been such a witch," I sob.
"You're the greatest witch of our days never apologize for that," he smirks, holding me tight.
"They're sending me away for the summer," I whisper.
"I know," he says in a bummed tone.
"Do you think this happens to a lot of girls my age?"
"Honest truth? Most likely but we just never hear about them," he says, putting his hands through my hair.
"So that kiss?" I mumble into his chest.
"What kiss?" He asks, smiling slyly.
"Stop," I say hitting him.
"Yes the kiss?" He responds, laying his head on my head.
"That wasn't a dream was it?"
"If it is, I'm never waking up," he says.
We stand there holding each other for a moment.
"You probably should go apologize to your parents, they're just scared for you," he says pulling back from me.
"How nasty was I on a scale of 1-10?" I ask.
"Solid 8," he smiles.
"That's not funny, you're right though," I smile. He starts to walk to the window.
"Will you write me this summer?" I ask before exiting the door.
" Of course," he says."Can I tell you something?"
"Yes," I said walking back into the room.
"I think you should file charges against Draco," he says sternly.
"But the chances of me winning are," I start to say.
"At least get his name in the system or talked about. Rumors are deadly and can stay with you forever."
"I guess I could be possibly helping other victims in the future, as like a warning," I say, thinking about what he just said.
"Exactly, let's make him sweat a little and i'll be here for you the whole step of the way," Fred smiles.
"I really needed to hear that. I can at least try to fight for me and other women that have to go through this. Who might be too scared. Maybe safe a future victim from getting hurt too." My eyes start to water again, not from Draco but from the support i feel from Fred.
He hugs me. "You can do this."
"Thanks for everything Fred," I say sincerely. I place a kiss on his cheek.
"Anything for you Granger."
"See you soon?" I ask.
"Duh," He winks before leaving out the window. I run to the window.
"You promise?"
"Yes, silly girl! I promise. I'll make a deal with you, this time next summer let's meet at my new shop!" he laughs, getting into his dad's car and driving away.
Next summer will be our summer.
