Broken Chapter 2: Jar of Hearts, a harry potter fanfic

"Harry I don't know what happened to us..." Hermione whispered, "We used to be so perfect together, happy, joyful even...then we had Rose and it was wonderful. Then we had Hugo and you would think it would have only gotten better, but you know Ron he always wanted a large family, I really only wanted two children. My perfect two." Hermione looked over at her two beautiful children sleeping in the cheap hotel room and sighed. "When he found out I couldn't have any more children...well he...he lost it." A solitary tear trickled down her cheek. "I can't go back to that..."

I know I can't take one more step towards you
'Cause all that's waiting is regret.
And don't you know I'm not your ghost anymore.
You lost the love I loved the most.

Harry just sat watching his friend, wondering when it had all gone wrong. Wishing he had seen it sooner, how could anyone have suspected that their once wonderful, loving marriage would turn into this? He reached out a hand to touch her, but drew it back quickly when he saw her flinch at the gesture.

"He made me stop working. It wasn't a choice. Harry, I was the best employee St Mungo's had ever seen, why on earth would someone want to give that up? But growing up with Molly always there made him think that there was only one way to raise children and it meant that the wife stayed home. It started then, Rosie was just a baby, but when I said I wanted to work he bellowed at me that no child of his would grow up without a mother at home to look after her."

"Mione why didn't you tell me? Ginny? Someone!" Harry asked his face breaking as she told him of her pain.

"Because it would get better, he would sweeten to me after our arguments. He was all sunshine and smiles, and apologies. He said that once we had another child I would see, I would understand his side of things." Hermione murmured. "And he's big enough to get what he wants from me."

I learned to live a half life.
And now you want me one more time.

"He blamed me Harry. Said it was my fault that we couldn't have more children after Hugo. Like I asked the doctors to do something. It got worse after that. He made me believe that no one would believe me if I said anything. He told me that I would be left alone. He broke me Harry. I'm broken."

And who do you think you are, running round leaving scars.
Collecting your jar of hearts, and tearing love apart.
You're gonna catch a cold, from the ice inside your soul.
So don't come back for me.
Who do you think you are?

"Mione we need to get you and the kids out. We're going to Godric's Hollow tonight, you're going to stay with me until we can figure something out." Harry said standing in front of her, holding a hand out for her to take.

"But Ginny...and Molly...and just everyone. Harry they'll never believe that he could do these things. I tried to leave so many times, but he's right Harry no one will believe me. I don't know why you're even here. He's your best friend Harry, and he's their son, their brother."

"Mione...I believe you because as soon as you told me I remembered, I thought about how you never speak anymore, or you look to him to see if he'll approve. You shy away from touch, and you never leave the kids alone with anyone. Mione I'm here because I don't know why I didn't see it sooner, I'm here because you are my sister, more than Ron," she flinched at the name, "...than he will ever be my brother."

Shouting came from outside the door, as the neighbouring doors were being pounded on, "Hermione I know you're around here somewhere! You will open the door right now!"

Hermione shrank against the bed, clutching Rose to her and pulling Hugo to her chest. "Harry he has my wand...he has my wand Harry." she whispered.

"He has your what!" Harry whispered angrily back.

"He took it a long time ago, after Rose...so I couldn't cast contraceptive spells..." she mumbled sadly, shaking as the yelling got closer.

"HERMIONE!" Ron bellowed almost too close to their room now.

"Listen mate, I don't bloody care who Hermione is but you need to shut the hell up now! I'm trying to get some sleep." another guest yelled back at him.

They heard sounds of a scuffle and then Ron banged on their door, and Hermione shuddered pulling her children right up to her chest as Harry moved quietly towards the window.

"I can't go back to that life Harry...I can't."

I hear you're asking all around, if I am anywhere to be found.
But I have grown too strong, to ever fall back in your arms.
And I've learned to live, half alive.
And now you want me one more time.

Rose stirred in Hermione's arms, "Mummy what's going on? Why is Daddy yelling? Did we do something wrong?"

Hermione looked down at her daughter, "No Rosie of course not, Daddy is just angry with Mummy. Because Mummy left the house without asking him."

"Is Daddy going to hurt you again?" Rose asked her eyes welling with tears.

"No sweetheart, Uncle Harry is here to help Mummy. He will keep Mummy and you and Hugo safe from Daddy."

"Good because I don't want Daddy to hurt you anymore. Daddy scares me."

Ron pounded on their door once again, shaking the door frame. "Hermione! If you don't come out I will break down every door in this place."

His yelling woke baby Hugo, who began to wail in desperation, giving away their location. Hermione cradled her son to her chest hoping against hope that he would quiet quickly and calm down.

"Mione get to the bathroom, take the children with you. This door won't hold against him forever." Harry said bracing himself at the end of the bed, trying to calm his nerves.

Hermione took Rose by the hand and pulled Hugo close to her chest, and carefully, trying to be as quiet as possible, crept to the bathroom and closed the door behind her. She and Rose climbed into the tub, and she rocked Hugo softly trying to get him to quiet.

"You can't just take my children away from me in the middle of the night you useless woman! Where on earth will you go! No one wants you, you're worthless!" Ron bellowed as he slammed into the door of the hotel room.

Hermione sniffled, and silent tears began to run down her face. "Maybe he's right." she mumbled.

"No Mummy...Daddy is a meanie...you're the best Mummy in the whole wide world." Rose told her as she snuggled closer to her.

Hermione looked down at her children and tried to force a smile onto her face. She had left, she had gotten out. That was the strongest thing she had done since they got married. A determined look plastered itself onto her face then, she would get them out of that hell hole, and she would escape her marriage.

And it took so long, just to feel alright.
Remember how to put back the light in my eyes.
I wish I had missed the first time that we kissed.
Cause you broke all your promises.
And now your back, you don't get to get me back.

She listened carefully, as there was another loud bang on the door followed by Harry's calm voice, "Ron what in the bloody hell are you do banging on doors?"

"Ha...Harry. What on earth are you doing here?"

"Lily's been giving us a hard time so we've rented out a room to alternate sleeping if we need it." Harry replied calmly, thinking on the spot.

"Oh umm...you uh...haven't seen Mione about have you?" Ron asked.

"Can't say I have mate. Best you get home though. You look a mess." Harry replied.

Ron turned to leave, and embarrassed red tinge creeping its way up his neck.

"Oh and Ron. Perhaps you ought to think about the things you say about your wife and my best friend next time. She's brilliant and talented, and she deserves more. If she left you, I can't say that I blame her." Harry called after him.

"WHAT!" Ron turned back, his blood boiling, "You've seen her haven't you, I bet she's in there with you right now, little tramp." He turned and barreled back to the door way only to be met with the business end of Harry's wand.

"I wouldn't..." Harry said icily. "Don't bother going to Ginny, she knows what kind of man I am. Go home Ron. Go home and leave your wife alone."

"Harry mate, if you knew what she's done...she deserves it. It's her damn fault." Ron said faltering.

"I doubt it...Go Home Ronald...I'm not above hexing you, no matter if your my best friend or not...no one deserves to live in fear. Go." Harry said, a note of finality in his voice.

And who do you think you are, running round leaving scars.
Collecting your jar of hearts, and tearing love apart.
Your gonna catch a cold, from the ice inside your soul.
So don't come back for me, don't come back at all.

Hermione poked her head around the door, "Harry..."

"He's gone Mione. Come here Rosie." He opened his arms to the scared little girl, "its ok. Daddy's gone and he isn't going to hurt Mummy anymore."

"Harry...thank you." Hermione said just above a whisper.

"I told you Mione you're my sister, maybe not in blood...but you are every bit my sister. Let's get back to Godric's Hollow...Ginny will be worried."

Hermione nodded and Harry opened his arms to her as well, and shaking and slowly she walked into them and embraced him in the first loving hug she'd had in years.

And who do you think you are, running round leaving scars.
Collecting your jar of hearts, and tearing love apart.
Your gonna catch a cold, from the ice inside your soul.
Don't come back for me, don't come back at all.

They buckled Rose and Hugo into the car and Hermione climbed into the passenger's seat, her hands still shaking and her eyes whirling around the parking lot looking for Ron.

She startled when Harry started up the car and her eyes settled on a red haired man staring at them. "H...Harry..."

"I know Mione...I saw him, It's ok...he won't get you here. You're safe." Harry replied pulling out of the motel and onto the road.

"Safe..." Hermione whispered.

Who do you think you are?
Who do you think you are?
Who do you think you are?

"Safe." she said, determination in her voice.

A/N: Song is Jar of Hearts - Christina Perri