CHAPTER 3

Pairing: Fred W/Hermione G

Rating: K+

DISCLAIMER: Only the plot is mine.

A/N: I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who has reviewed this story, or put it on their Favorite-Stories list, or put me as their favorite author. It means a lot to me to know that my writing is enjoyed by so many! So, thank you all so much, and now, I bid you enjoy the chapter!

Hermione pulled at her sleeves self-consciously, trying to hide the bruises that littered her arms. Thank Merlin Michael never went for her face. She tried to give Fred another half-smile, but failed again.

For what seemed like an eternity, the two just stood there, staring at each other as if they were the only two in the world. A tug on her shirt brought Hermione back to the real world.

"Mummy? Who's dat?" Rose's small voice broke the trance, and Hermione smiled at her daughter faintly before crouching down next to her. Hugo wriggled in her arms a bit.

"That, Rosie, is your Uncle Fred. He owns this shop." Rose's eyes grew wide at the revelation, and she rotated her body slowly towards Fred. A beat passed, and Rose's face broke out into a dazzling smile. The three-year-old broke into a sudden run, and sprinted over to Fred, knocking into his legs and wrapping pudgy arms around them. Fred looked down in surprise, then chucked. He reached down and ruffled Rose's hair, and then looked at Hermione again.

"She is a sweetheart, Hermione." Hermione smiled at the complement, and stood up. She bounced a wriggling Hugo on her hip to calm him down, and began to slowly walk around the store. She could hear Rose's voice piping up from somewhere in the store, and felt a spark of hope, that maybe, just maybe, life would be good for her babies now.

"So, Hermione, where have you been lately?" Hermione jumped in surprise and turned around to see Fred leaning against one of the shelves. Hermione smiled sheepishly at him.

"I've been… Around…" Fred didn't look convinced, and stared at her expectantly.

"Around?" Hermione nodded.

"Yes. I've been around." Fred nodded slowly, and dropped the subject, though he still looked suspicious.

"Wonderful kids you've got there. They look like you – both of them." Hermione nodded, a hint of a smile gracing her face. She lifted her hand to tuck a curl behind her ear, making sure that the sleeve still covered her arm. The two stood there for some time, simply looking at eachother.

Fred noticed the bags under Hermione's eyes, and the dullness of her eyes. The spark that used to be there in Hogwarts, and after the war, was gone. It was replaced by a hollow sort of emptiness that only made her eyes seem more sunken. He noticed her body shaking slightly, as if she would fall at any moment.

"How's Michael," Fred asked. Hermione visibly stiffened at the sound of that name. A few beats passed in silence as Hermione looked at anything and everything that wasn't Fred's face.

"Michael's fine." A quiver entered her voice and she took a deep breath to calm herself.

"No he's not! Daddy huwt mummy! Bad!" Rose poked her head around the aisle, a frown marring her pixie-face. Fred immediately straightened at the sound of Rose's voice, turning his eyes on Hermione. The shaking of the young woman in front of him seemed to increase.

Suddenly and without warning, Hermione teetered, and toppled over, shaking horribly. Hugo let out a cry at being startled by the fall, and Fred rushed forward to take the baby from Hermione's arms.

"George! GEORGE! Aisle 6! Hurry!" Fred called for his brother, still holding a crying Hugo in his arms, and trying to help Hermione. George appeared next to Fred, and silently took the baby into his own embrace. Fred threw himself onto the ground next to Hermione, trying to quell the spasms that wracked her body. Nothing seemed to help.

"Mummy! MUMMY! What happened? Unca Fwed! Mummy!" Rose's shrill voice was added to the din. Fred scooped Hermione into his arms, realizing how light she really was, and positively ran up the stairs to his and George's flat.

George picked Rose up into his hold as well, and, while shouting at Verity to keep watch for a moment on the store, bounded up the stairs after his twin.

Fred kicked the door open to their flat, and ran inside, putting Hermione on the couch. The spasms had stopped, but Hermione was breathing heavily.

It seemed that her brain finally opened the floodgates to the MICHAEL'S ABUSE section, because she was most certainly drowning. Hermione took a few deep breaths, and opened her eyes slowly. She shifted her body a bit on the lumpy couch. Where am I? And then she remembered… Oh yeah. Wheezes.

All of a sudden, a tiny brown fuzzy blur threw itself at Hermione, loud wails filling her ears.

"Mummy! Awe you okay? What happen? Mummy!" Rose's garbled words came out choked as the little girl let out her fear. Hermione rubbed Rose's back in circles and looked around. Hmm.. Nice place they have here. She felt a soft hand on her shoulder, and looked up to see Fred's concerned face. He held out a glass of water silently, and she took it gratefully from him.

"Thanks," she mumbled. Fred just nodded. Rose had finally calmed down, and was chattering away happily, perched on her mother's stomach.

"An' there's TWOO Fwed's here! TWOO mummy! I wike them bowf though. They's nice. Dat one," she pointed at George, "gave me chocwit! I wuv chocwit!" Rose smiled goofily at her mother. Hermione rubbed Rose's back, happy that her daughter was happy, and then turned to Fred.

"Could you…" She gestured vaguely to Rose. Fred chuckled, and plucked the child off of Hermione's chest. Hermione smiled gratefully up at him, and sat up slowly. She winced as the stiff muscles in her back were used.

"So… Hermione…" Hermione looked to see the twins both staring at her. Scrutinizing. She shuddered a bit.

"Yes?"

"What happened?" She winced again. This was going to be a long, long, long, story.

"Well… Y'see…"

A/N: AND THAT IS THE END. Of that chapter. CLIFFY :D haha. I'm surprised I actually finished it in time what with exams and all… But I do apologize for the slight lateness of it. I promise to work harder as soon as exams are finished, as I will have SPRING BREAK for 2 weeks (WHOOOO) :D. so yeah. Let me know what you think! Only one exam left to go! Wish me luck, guys! I HATE MATH :P. with a passion. And I hope that it goes and dies in a hell hole. Just gets trampled on. Before my exam, so I don't have to take it. kthxbai.

And that is the end of my little rant. Thanks much, you loyal readers, and I will see you next time! bibi!