Previously:

When the doors opened minutes later, her heart sank.

Now:

Ron and Harry came into view, and the first thing Hermione noticed was Ron's arms curled protectively about Harry's waist.

As her eyes swept up, she took in the livid kiss mark on Harry's neck, the scratches on Ron's bicep and the kiss bruised lips both sported.

She knew without being told what had taken place in that room.

Her chest tightened painfully and tears welled in her eyes but she spun away before the boys could notice her.

Harry stepped out first, quiet as a mouse; he halted when Ron's arms wrapped around him.

The taller boy buried his face in Harry's hair, murmuring something Hermione couldn't hear but the way Harry's face lit up, she knew it was a declaration of love.

It hurts…

As they left the safety of the doorway, the others turned to witness the scene and she noted the hurt look on Severus' face that she was sure mirrored her own.

Their eyes met across the room and Hermione quickly bowed her head to hide the tear falling down her cheek.

She heard the boys approach before she saw them. She quickly wiped the tears away and sucked in a deep breath. She plastered on her best smile and followed them towards the sofas.

Everyone seemed to have drifted back to their own seats but Hermione squeezed in beside Neville, hoping the taller boy would hide her from Harry and Ron.

The boys immediately noted Hermione's absence beside them but said nothing.

Ron's arm stayed curled about Harry's waist but he saw Severus sit beside Narcissa rather than Harry's left side where he wanted him to be.

Harry immediately noted the glare Severus sent towards Ron's arm and the hurt look he tried desperately to hide. Swinging his eyes to Hermione, he noted the same hurt look.

God… what have I done…

Harry sucked in a deep breath before addressing the silent room.

He knew he had to explain or he'd lose both Hermione and Severus and they were losses he couldn't bear.

Sirius spoke before Harry could even open his mouth.

"Well… that's unexpected… but boys will be boys… right Harry?" His godfather chuckled, sending a wink his way.

"There's more to it than that!" Harry spat.

Sirius froze at Harry's angry words.

"What more is there… you and Ron fell into bed together without any consideration for the feelings of others."

Harry was expecting a vicious outburst from Severus but not Hermione.

"Honestly… it's not like that… let me explain…"

"Explain! How could you think any explanation you can come up with can right this!" Hermione cried.

"It wasn't like that!" Ron yelled.

"Then what was it like?! You'd just string along old Hermione to fall into bed with Chosen One."

Harry gasped at her cruel words, the anger rising in him.

Before he could even register it he was on his feet. He had Hermione shirt gripped in his fist pulling her close to him.

"It wasn't like that…" he hissed.

"Let me go!"

"NO! Not until you listen…"

"Fine. Explain."

He set Hermione back on her feet.

Harry turned his back on the room, on Severus' cold eyes and Hermione's face, red with anger.

"Yes, me and Ron slept together and I'm truly sorry if you or Severus felt hurt by that but it wasn't like that…"

Harry breathed deeply, calming his anger before turning back to them.

Ron was also on his feet and seeing Harry struggle with the words, he walked over to his friend, ignoring the looks and the oppressing silence.

He drew Harry into his arms.

"It's okay Harry… nothing and no one can hurt you here, I won't let them."

Harry nodded but the words wouldn't come.

"If you can't say it I can say it for you… I'll be right here by your side."

Harry clutched Ron's t-shirt.

"I'm not going anywhere… I promise… you're safe Harry."

Everyone took in the scene with interest. Hermione and Severus both wondered what could have happened.

Harry shook his head.

"I can do it…" he whispered.

"If you're sure…" Ron replied.

"Just… don't let go…" Harry asked as he took Ron's hand in his own.

"Never."

Ron led Harry back to their seats and with his head bowed Harry began to speak.

"You know some of the abuse I suffered at my aunt's house from the book…"

There was a round of nods and some mumbles of agreement.

"…but that was only the tip of the iceberg… it's far worse than that…"

Ron squeezed Harry's hand, lending him the strength he needed to speak.

"My uncle is a cruel man who treated me badly from the second I arrived in his home. At first it was just cruel words, he ignored me most of the time… but when I was 5 or 6 I began having outbursts of accidental magic. I think up until that point he could convince himself that I was normal but…"

Remus noted Sirius' anger building but placed a hand on his arm to restrain him, interrupting Harry now wouldn't be good.

Sirius relented at the stern look in Remus' eye and the firm grip on his arm.

"The first time he just screamed at me… it was terrifying but it was only words… and words can't hurt you unless you let them. By that point I was already used to being called useless and a burden. The next time…"

Harry let out a shuddering breath and squeezed Ron's hand even harder. The taller boy said nothing even as his fingers went numb.

Harry needed him now.

"…he…hit me…right across the face… it split my lip open and I remember tasting blood in my mouth…it hurt…"

Tears came now and Harry made no effort to stop them running down his face.

Severus and Hermione were stunned at the revelation.

"That year it only got worse…he started beating me… punching and kicking me till I passed out then throwing me in the cupboard for days with no food… they never took me to the doctors either. One time he broke 3 of ribs and I lay there for nearly a week in agony… every breath was painful."

"Oh Harry!" Hermione rushed over dropping to her knees, throwing her arms around him as she sobbed into his stomach.

Harry's free hand stroked her hair as he pressed on.

"After a while, I learned to live with pain and it became less of a problem for me but then on my sixth birthday…"

"It's okay…" Ron whispered "…he can't hurt you here."

Harry nodded.

Severus had a terrible sinking feeling.

"I… I c-c-can't…" Harry sobbed, breaking down he buried his face in Hermione's hair and Ron crushed him into a hug.

"Do you want me to say it or… do you want to show them?" Ron asked.

Without lifting his head from Hermione's strawberry scented hair, Harry gestured to the vial sitting on the table and Ron reached over to grab one.

Harry took it allowing the memory to come forth.

A glowing tear slid into the vial.

"Can you do it please…"

Ron nodded, withdrawing his wand, and pointing it at the vial.

As Ron uttered the spell, the silver mist began to rise again.

As it began to solidify, Ron pulled Hermione away from Harry. He lifted Harry into his lap, where he tucked his knees up and pulled Hermione to his side. The three sat together as the memory began to darken.