Harry drove away from the hotel, watching Ron carefully in his rear view mirror to ensure that he didn't follow them. How could he have been so blind? He chanced a glance over at Hermione in the passenger seat, thinking that she seemed smaller somehow, diminished. Her eyes had lost the light they once had, she rarely smiled anymore, even her hair seemed less energetic, less willing to put up a fight.

You with the sad eyes
don't be discouraged
Oh I realize
It's hard to take courage

How could he have let it go on this long? Harry asked himself. His best friend looked exactly as broken as she claimed to be, as scared and small as she felt. As he pulled onto the thruway his mind began flashing back to every time he'd seen Mione and Ron since Rose was born, and he realized that each time he'd seen her, Mione had looked a little more forlorn, a little more unsure, a little more diminished.

In a world full of people
You can lose sight of it all
And the darkness inside you
Can make you feel so small

He had been shocked when Ron had announced Hermione's decision to stay home with the children, as he knew his friend had always intended on working to change the wizarding world, something he was so proud of. He should have realized that it wasn't her choice, like Ron had made it seem. Mione was so incredibly strong, passionate and domineering, at least she once was. Chancing another glance across the car Harry promised to himself that this Mione would not be the way she was for the rest of her life.

But I see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
And that's why I love you

"Mione? Are you hungry? We could stop and pick up something quick." Harry murmured.
Hermione's head whipped around at the sound of his voice, almost shocked by the soft tone, but didn't say a word, simply shook her head.
"You're sure?" He tried again, the moment they had pulled away from the shabby motel she had clammed right up.
"No thank you Harry." Hermione whispered, not trusting her voice.
"All right...and Mione we will get through this." Harry replied determinedly.
She nodded again and turned away.

So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors are beautiful
Like a rainbow

As she stared out the window, watching the world go by as Harry saved her from her life, Mione had a thought "bloody saviour complex" she said under her breath and couldn't stop a smile and a little laugh escaped her before she could stop it.

Show me a smile then,
Don't be unhappy, can't remember
When I last saw you laughing
If this world makes you crazy
And you've taken all you can bear
You call me up
Because you know I'll be there

"Did you just?...Mione you just laughed! I don't remember the last time you smiled let alone laughed at anything other than the kids..." Harry exclaimed.
"Mummy pretty when she laughs," Rose added sleepily from the car seat in the rear, "I miss it."
Hermione turned back to her beautiful daughter and reached a hand to ruffle her hair, "I missed it too baby girl...I missed it too."

And I'll see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors are beautiful,
Like a rainbow

Harry smiled as Hermione turned back around, and they pulled off the thruway, pulling into Godric's Hollow. "There's the Mione I know...I thought we'd lost her."
"No Harry, she's still in here...just beaten down to the bottom...at least I hope I can find her again." Hermione replied sadly, tugging at the sleeve of the sweater she wore to further cover the hand printed mark on her arm.
"I believe in her." Harry said simply as he pulled into the lane way to the home he shared with Ginny and their children.

I see your colors though they appear to be different
You should never be afraid because your difference is the difference
We live in a time where to be yourself is hard
And the way you really feel can leave you emotional scarred

Ginny had apparently been waiting for Harry to return and she came running out from the house in her bathrobe, carrying the phone. "Harry, Ron's called 3 times...he's said the most terrible things about Mione."
"What's he said?" Harry asked as Hermione paused in unbuckling her seat belt and listened to Ginny's response.
"That she's taken the kids away and run off with some guy...he sounds really distraught Harry." Ginny replied flustered.
"He lied." Harry replied simply and walked around the car to help Hermione out, opening the door for her as she stepped out of the car and Ginny saw the bruise blooming on her cheek.
Hermione stepped out slowly, desperately trying and failing not to bow to Ginny's gaze, her eyes fell and she turned to open up the back to get Rose and Hugo.

But stay strong, stay firm and never backdown
Being yourself is the only way to act that
(Like a rainbow)
Trust me, I'm a fighter and a lover
But the only time I fight is to reveal my true colors
You know
(Oh oh oh oh, Oh oh oh oh, Oh oh oh oh)

"Oh..." Ginny murmured, the phone dropping from her hands. "Mi...I...I'm so sorry."
Hermione merely nodded and picked up a drowsy Rose into her arms as Harry grabbed Hugo's car seat and walked up to the house.
Ginny followed along slowly behind them, her face falling.
Harry set up the children in one of the guest rooms, while Hermione stood staring out one of the windows, pulling aimlessly at the sleeve of her sweater.
"You'll be ok now Mione. You will." Harry said, gently and slowly approaching her and touching her shoulder.

I see your true colors shining through
I see your true colors, that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show your true colors
True colors are beautiful like a rainbow
Like a rainbow
Your true colors, yeah
Your true colors, yeah
I see them, your true colors

Hermione sat down on the bed, looking at the carpet, as Ginny appeared in the door, "he called Mum..." Ginny said sadly and Hermione's head shot up, her eyes revealing the true sadness as she knew Molly would side with him.

You with your sad eyes

A/N: Song is True Colours - Artists Against