CHAPTER 16

Pairing: Fred W/Hermione G

Rating: K+

DISCLAIMER: Only the plot is mine. J

A/N: before we begin I AM SO SORRY FOR NOT UPDATING FOR THIS LONG IT'S JUST BEEN REALLY STRESSFUL and as much as I would love to be able to write 24/7 whenever I want, I do have college apps and school work and life hates me so I just never get the time to write :P.. SORRY I LOVE YOU ALL THOUGH FOR STICKING WITH ME!

Last time on "A Place to Say and a Heart to Love":

Fred could only nod, appalled at the mental scarring Michael had caused, and all of the insecurities he had fueled. A new-found anger rose up in Fred, and he itched to go out and find the bastard that had hurt Hermione so badly.

Revenge would have to wait, however, for not a moment too soon, a baby's wail echoed from the room down the hall. Hermione's eyes grew wide, and she pulled free of Fred and ran to sooth her baby.

Present:

It felt as if she was walking on Cloud Nine in the days after her date with Fred. Hermione was being honest with him when she said that it had been a while since someone had paid any positive attention to her, and she felt young and alive again when she was in Fred's arms.

Rose and Hugo were settling nicely as well. While the small flat was a bit cramped for five people, Hermione was ever-grateful that the Twins had allowed her to stay with them as long as they did.

Fred and Hermione's relationship was progressing as well. The two were becoming more and more comfortable around each other, and one could find them many an afternoon cuddled up on the couch talking with a sleeping Hugo between them.

Fred and George remained alert for any more news on Michael, but the bastard hadn't stopped by after that night. Both were itching to slug him one in the nose, and that was just for even daring to look at Hermione in the first place, let alone lay a hand on her.

It was about a week after their first date that Fred approached Hermione with a hesitant request.

"Hermione, love?" he asked, watching as she deftly changed Hugo's nappy.

"Hmm?" Hermione picked her son up, and turned to face her boyfriend with a smile. Fred's face softened a bit at the sight, but he couldn't quite bring himself to smile just yet.

"You've been with us for a few months, now –" Hermione's smile slipped off her face, and she held up a hand to stop him.

"I understand, Fred. You need the space, and it would be best if I moved out again with the kids. It's fine – I've been intruding on yours and George's space for too long now." She made to push past him, not meeting his eyes, when he grasped her wrist and pulled her back to his chest. Wrapping his arms around her and Hugo, he waited until Hermione stilled to continue.

"Let me finish, love. I was just suggesting that you should maybe join us for the Monthly Weasley/Order Dinner this Saturday. No one knows you're with us, but I know mum and Ginny would be thrilled to have you back, and Dad and Harry and Ron as well." Fred knew asking such a thing of her would be a long shot, but his mother did miss Hermione, and asked Harry and Ron about her often.

The twins hadn't been to a dinner themselves for the past few months, not wanting to leave Hermione at home alone with Michael on the prowl. The girl in question had stiffened in his arms at the mention of the Weasley Family, Harry and Ron. She hadn't seen either since the falling out with her boys, but missed them all dearly nonetheless.

The idea was most certainly daunting to her, but she knew that if she was going to leave Michael, and more importantly stay with Fred, she would have to meet the Family once more, and she supposed sooner rather than later would be best.

Taking a deep breath, Hermione looked up into Fred's eyes, and hesitating only a moment, nodded. Fred's face broke out into a brilliant smile, and he hugged her tighter.

"Brilliant! I'll tell mum I'm bringing a guest – I want it to be surprise of sorts. Would the kids be alright in coming with us?" Hermione nodded, still a bit overwhelmed at the turn of events.

Saturday dawned bright and sunny for the mismatched family. Fred and George allowed themselves a lie-in, knowing that the extra rest would come in handy when it came to handling their rambunctious family. Rose had fallen asleep early the night before, completely exhausted from her busy day, and both the children were sleeping peacefully. The only soul awake in the small flat was Hermione, who lay in her bed plagued by nerves. She had said some awful things to Harry and Ron in their last argument; the reception on their part was sure to be frosty, and with good reason. It was imperative she got a chance to properly apologize and explain to them why she said what she said before they kicked her out.

Heaving a sigh, she sat up in bed, unable to keep her worries at bay and feeling restless. Scooting out and fixing the blanket over Rose and Hugo, she closed the door quietly behind her and walked to the kitchen for a cuppa.

Thoughts swirled through her head; worries of how Ron, Harry, and the rest of the Weasley family would receive her rooted themselves deeply in her mind, and she soon forgot about her tea as she grew steadily panicked.

So engrossed was she in her thoughts that she missed entirely the entrance of her boyfriend into the kitchen area. A hand waving in front of her face shook her out of her haze. A panicked look must have shown on her face, because within a second, Fred was sweeping her up out of the chair and into his lap in a warm hug.

"What's wrong, love?" His thumb rubbed circles in her back, soothing her.

"Nothing.. Just a bit worried about the Burrow today. What if they don't accept me back? What if –" and here she stopped, unsure of how to proceed.

"What if, what," Fred questioned gently. Hermione sighed.

"What if they hate me?" Fred looked taken aback for a moment, before he burst into quiet chuckles. Hermione smacked his arm lightly, annoyed at not having been taken seriously.

"They won't hate you, love! It's been too long, and you've been through too much not to be accepted. They miss you, you know. Everyone feels horrible about the falling out." Hermione sighed, still a bit worried. Then, a horrible thought came to mind.

"What if they think I'm a whore or something for being with Michael? How will I be able to tell them what happened, when I can hardly think about it myself? I – I can't talk about that again with them like I did with you. It's just not the same." She bowed her head in shame, positive that Fred wouldn't be able to say anything that would comfort her. She was surprised when, rather than saying anything immediately to quell her fears, he simply cupped her cheek, and gently forced her to look him in the eye.

"You are not a whore. What Michael did to you was wrong; a heinous crime. You cannot, in any way, allow yourself to take the blame. You did your best, in your condition, to help your children live another day, and to help yourself live another day for your children. If Harry and Ron, and for that matter, the rest of my family, cannot accept that, then fuck them. No one deserves you if they can't accept a vital part of your past and your identity." He took a deep breath after his speech, looking her straight in the eyes to make sure that she believed him.

Tears had gathered in Hermione's eyes, rolling down her cheeks silently as she listened to what the amazing man in front of her declared. After a moment of silence, she broke down, sobbing and clutching Fred in a tight hug. Pulling back, still sniffling, she clasped his face in her hands, and placed a wet kiss on his lips.

"I love you. With you by my side, I can do anything," she declared, rather cheesily. Fred smiled, pressing her hand to his cheek.

"I love you too."

A/N: WHEW. WRITER'S BLOCK. I know that's no excuse at all, but I'm really sorry! Sorry sorry sorry SORRYYYYYYY! I've just been super duper stressed out lately, what with college apps and a shit ton of other stuff. Either way, I hope you like it! I hope it wasn't too cheesy…