CHAPTER 6

Pairing: Fred W/Hermione G

Rating: K+

DISCLAIMER: Only the plot is mine. J

A/N: I AM BACK. Hopefully this time I can get enough feedback for the story, so I don't have writer's block like I did before. I wrote the last chapter before I left, but decided to write more before I posted it. I have returned from Austria, and have started the new school year, but hopefully this year I will have ample time to post and update. Thank you so much for those of you who stuck with me through this – it means a lot! Please do read and review – I edit my stories based on your criticism and feedback. Thank you, and READ ON!

Last time on "A Place To Stay and a Heart To Love":

"It's…. Wonderful." Fred felt warmth build up in his body at the glowing look on Hermione's face. He'd had a soft spot for everyone's favorite Living Library, ever since his 7th year when she seemed to be just as intent on getting Umbridge out of Hogwarts as the twins. Who knew the reserved and studious bookworm had a pranking side!

"I'm glad you like it."

Present Time:

It took Hermione a few days to get settled into the room. It was an odd feeling to her, waking up in the morning and feeling undeniably safe, and happy. Rose was ecstatic to stay with her new-found uncles, and played with them often. She never asked about her father, and adapted to the situation at hand like a pro. Hermione couldn't be more proud.

Hugo was too young to remember anything that happened. Hermione spent much of her time entertaining him, and keeping him and Rose away from the numerous potentially harmful prank products littered around the house. Even with her hectic schedule, Hermione was reveling in her freedom.

Fred and George were an immense help to her. They entertained the kids, cooked for her and them, and were always there to talk. It was difficult for Hermione to settle down at first. Every time either Fred or George lifted their hand, whether it was to reach for something off of a shelf, or give her a hug, or a touch of comfort, Hermione couldn't help but wince out of reflex. She could see the worry in their eyes, and vowed to herself to make sure she was more careful in her physical reactions.

After a week at Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, Fred cornered Hermione during one of their mutual free moments. George had the kids, and Hermione was relaxing with a book.

"Hermione, what is going on? I understand Michael was hitting you, but you're still flinching," he said, his voice almost angry. His features softened. "I just worry about you."

Hermione looked up from her book, startled out of her little book world.

"What do you mean, Fred," she asked. She honestly had no idea what he was talking about.

"Every time either George or I touch you, or give you a hug, or do anything, really, you flinch. You lean away from our touch." Hermione gaped at him.

"I do not," she protested. Fred only stared at her harder, as if to cut a hole in her barrier, and see into her mind.

"Yes, you do. And it worries me. I hope you know, we don't want to hurt you. Neither George nor I have any intentions to hurt you in any way. Not when we just got you back." Hermione's eyes shone with tears as she listened to Fred's speech. She hadn't realized her reactions were so extreme.

"I am so sorry, Fred. Mi – Mic – he made me so scared all the time, I guess my body was just responding according to habit." By this time, Hermione was fully crying as she relived all the events of her past. In a flash, Fred was beside her, hugging to his chest and offering comfort.

"Shhhhhh, Hermione.. Everything is over now. Everything is fine – that bastard won't hurt you ever again. I'll protect you; I'll keep you safe. I am here." He continued to whisper comforting words in her ear as her sobs slowly subsided. It was another moment before she was calm enough to retreat from his chest. Immediately, both felt a sort of coldness rush over them, as if the contact was their only source of warmth. They both shrugged off the feeling, moving on to more pressing matters.

Fred reached over slowly to grasp Hermione's hand in his large one, stroking his thumb over the back of her hand. They were both silent; Hermione was in her own world, thinking of Michael, and everything that had happened in her life in the past week, and the kindness of Fred and George. Fred unabashedly stared at her, drinking in the sight of her lightly tanned skin, messy brown locks, and deep brown eyes. She was beautiful.

Both were shaken out of their reveries by a small object pouncing into their laps with a loud shriek and a giggle.

"Mummy! I'm back!" Rose giggled in her mother's lap.

"Back? Who's back? Where's my Rosie?" Hermione smiled at her enthusiastic daughter.

"Wosie wite here, mummy! You're so silly!" Rose bounced on her mother's lap in her excitement. Hermione winced at the contact – even though she didn't have a package to protect, some of her bruises were on her legs from when Michael kicked her, and Rosie was bouncing up and down on them non-stop.

"Come here, Rosie – tell me about your day with Uncle George," Fred said, gently pulling the child from her mother, and placing her on his own lap (though not before casting a certain charm to protect his goods).

"Unca Georgie taked me an' Hugo down down down to store an' he said I cans be his speshul sister!" Hermione and Fred both looked at George in confusion.

"I recon she means assistant – at least, that's what I said to her." Looks of understanding dawned on both Hermione's and Fred's faces.

"Yeah, an' firetwuk comed and was wed and big and mummy I wanna some water pweez, fank you!" Rose's ramblings interrupted the adults, and the attention gravitated back to her. George laughed at the girl's dialogue – her confusing trains of thought were always amusing.

Not to be ignored for too long, Hugo wiggled in George's arms as well, letting out an ear piercing shriek before giggling to himself at the noise. Rose looked ready to kill as she glared at her brother for his rude interruption.

"Hugo! Wude!" Hermione giggled at her daughter's sass, but sobered at the glare Rose turned on her.

"Rose! Be nice to your brother, and do not look at your mother like that – it's rude, and uncalled for," Hermione berated. Rose hung her head with an angry huff.

"Wude. You is wude. Not me… Hugo wude, and daddy mean, and mummy wude and I wanna go 'way!" With that self-rant out of the way, Rose huffed again before jumping out of Fred's lap, and running towards their room. Hermione sighed, before following after her daughter.

"I think that the week's events are catching up to her," she said, shooting an apologetic look at Fred and a grateful smile at George. "Thank you, George, for entertaining them today – I needed that break. I think I'll just be going to bed, now, though. The kids look tired." George nodded, and handed Hugo over to his mother.

Fred rose from the couch, following Hermione to her room. He watched from the doorway as the object of his affections changed Hugo's diaper expertly. She was studiously ignoring her daughter, who was sulking on the bed, facing the corner. Hugo gurgled happily, completely relaxed in his mother's arms.

Fred smiled at the scene. Even with a sulking child, the whole scene was that of a happy family. Finally. She deserved it. I am going to help her in any way I can, Fred vowed. Just then, Hermione turned around to face him, cradling a sleeping Hugo close to her chest. Their eyes met, and the world seemed to stop. Fred's breathing quickened, and he could almost hear his heart beating out of his chest.

Hermione smiled softly, and stepped closer to Fred. Fred entered the room, and strode over to where Hermione stood, crossing the floor in three big strides. In a flash, his hand was cupping her cheek gently, and Hermione's smile slid off of her face at the intensity.

Their faces were centimeters apart, growing closer and closer until their lips were barely touching. Hermione waited in anticipation. She had wanted this since the first night, and before that, since her fifth year in school.

Suddenly, Hugo stirred in Hermione's arms, and whimpered. Fred jumped back from his love, a blush reddening his cheeks and neck. Hermione giggled nervously before rocking Hugo back to sleep. The moment was broken.

'Goodnight, Hermione," Fred said, not looking in her eyes. He turned and exited the room.

"Goodnight, Fred." Hermione stood stock still where Fred left her. Rose growled in her corner, and flopped onto the bed with a scowl on her face.