I do not own Harry Potter...how many times do I have to say it?...
"Hermione can stay with me, Mum. Now that George has moved out, there's plenty of room. She'll be able to get the peace and quiet she needs."
"Well, I'm not really sure if it's appropriate. I think it would be best if she stayed here, where I can keep an eye on her."
"Please Mrs Weasley, can I stay with Fred?" Both Fred and Mrs Weasley turned from where they were standing in the kitchen to look at Hermione, who stood in the doorway, wrapped in the blanket, staring at them with big eyes.
"Are you sure, Hermione? Wouldn't you rather stay at The Burrow? We're all here for you, you know."
"If she stays at The Burrow then she'll have to put up with constant questions from everyone. I've already promised her that I won't ask her anything, I'll wait until she's ready to talk." Fred said, correctly interpreting the fear in Hermione's eyes.
"Fine then. But I will be popping round to check that Fred's looking after you properly." Mrs Weasley addressed Hermione now.
Hermione nodded. "Fred, do you think we can go now? I don't mean to be rude, Mrs Weasley, but I'm really tired."
"Of course, dear. Floo me if Fred gets on your nerves too much – you're welcome here anytime."
Fred moved to take hold of Hermione's hand. "You alright to side-long-Apparate again?" When she nodded her confirmation, he concentrated on his flat and Apparated her there.
As soon as they arrived Fred headed into the spare room – summoning some bed sheets – and ensured that the room would be comfortable enough for Hermione. Glancing around one more time, Fred headed back into the main room, only to see no sign of Hermione. Swallowing down his panic, he whirled round at a sound behind him.
He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Hermione standing there, blushing slightly as she played with the hem of the shirt she was now wearing.
"I hope you don't mind, Fred. I mean, I know it's yours, but I have nothing else to wear."
"It's fine. I honestly don't mind, as long as you're comfortable. Is there anything you need, or do you just want to rest?" Fred moved closer to her and placed a finger under her chin, tilting her head and looking into her face, scanning it intently to see if she was ok.
"I think I'll just go to bed now, if that's alright." Again, Fred was struck by how much Hermione had changed. The old Hermione wouldn't look as if she was scared about his reaction upon finding out she had borrowed one his shirts and now wanted to go to bed. The new Hermione, however, did look scared. In fact, she look more than scared, she looked terrified. It hurt Fred that she seemed frightened of him, and had to remind himself that the last time she'd been alone with men, she'd almost been raped. She had every right to be nervous and jumpy.
Hermione slowly edged around him and headed into the room that was, for the time being at least, hers. Fred watched her go with a sigh before heading into his own room. Stripping down to his boxers, he flopped down onto his own bed, Hermione occupying his thoughts. What had happened to Hermione that was bad enough to force her onto the streets? Why Hermione, of all people? Fred struggled to think of anyone who would wish such an existence on somebody, let alone wish such an existence on Hermione Jean Granger. Fred knew nothing about what she had been through in the last seven months, but knew a little about what had happened prior to those seven months. Five months before she disappeared, she'd started dating Draco Malfoy. When the Weasleys first heard this, they were shocked, to say the least. But Hermione had insisted that he had changed, had put his past behind him, and was trying to turn over a new leaf. When she had brought him to the Weasley dinner, he had certainly seemed to have changed. Fred hadn't been able to shake off a feeling that something was wrong though, and this feeling didn't disappear as time went on, if anything, it got stronger.
Hermione used to visit The Burrow every weekend, and often stopped off at the shop to say hello to Fred and George. When she started dating Malfoy, though, she stopped. It wasn't too noticeable at first, but soon they were lucky if she spent an hour at The Burrow every month. No one knew why, Hermione was rather close-lipped on the subject. Everyone had theories though. Fred blamed Malfoy. At least she was out of that relationship now. She was back where she belonged – with the Weasleys. Fred would rather die than let her go back to Malfoy; he didn't believe that ferrets could ever change their character.
He had to remind himself that Hermione was staying at his flat, well away from Malfoy, before her could manage to drift off to sleep.
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