'Oh we have to leave now darling' she said grabbing her handbag.
'Yes we're already late' said her Dad smiling.
'Now behave and have fun' said both of them placing parting kisses on her head. Hermione smiled, her parents knew she would behave, she always did. Although they didn't say it directly they meant that she should make sure the boys behaved.
'Bye Mum, Bye Dad' she said waving to them as they walked to their cars, they heard her and returned the wave. Hermione was still looking at her parent's cars when she heard a door open behind her - it was Ron.
'Hi' she said shyly. Ron didn't make a move to say anything in return and so to avoid an awkward silence Hermione tried to make conversation. 'So where's Harry?' she said.
'Oh he's just writing a letter' he said resentfully.
'To who?' Hermione asked and she knew at once that had been the wrong thing to ask. Ron's ears went red and he looked away.
'To Ginny' he said shrugging as if it was no big deal, but Hermione could tell it was.
Hermione wondered what Ron would do if she tried to ask him why Harry's correspondence with Ginny worried him. He'd probably give her a cold look and stalk off but on the other hand if she went the right way about it, she might get an answer.
'I've been owling Ginny all summer as well' Hermione said emphasising the - as well.
Ron looked up 'Yer, all my friends seem to be turning into her friends" he said glumly.
'Does it bother you?' said Hermione taking a step towards him.
Ron looked straight at Hermione and she held his gaze. 'Well its stupid' he said his tone becoming angry 'but I've always had to share everything with my brothers and Ginny, except for my friendship with you and Harry, but now I'm even having to share that. I mean am I not special enough to have anything of my own?'
Hermione stared at Ron, is that how he felt, did he really think he wasn't special. Hermione gave him a meaningful look, 'Ron you are more than special, you're loyal and sweet and you're my best friend, you mean the world to me.'
Ron stared back at Hermione and what was probably nothing more than a few moments seemed like an age. Hermione wanted to say something but her mind had gone blank. However it soon wasn't a problem because two feet came thundering down the stairs, those feet belonged to Harry.
Ron stepped away from Hermione just as Harry came into view.
'Hello' he said happily jumping the last three stairs, 'what were you guys talking about?'
'The Cannons' said Hermione saying the first thing that sprang to mind.
'Yer, we were just discussing their new� Chaser' said Ron trying to cover up the obvious awkwardness of the situation Harry had almost walked in on.
Harry looked between Ron and Hermione. 'Did I miss something?' he said then before either one of them could answer Harry stepped in 'never mind' he said 'I don't want to know.'
Ron opened his mouth as if to protest then he closed it again and decided to study the Granger's wallpaper instead.
Harry turned to Hermione 'so what are we going to do today?' he said.
Hermione tried to collect herself, what were they going to do? They could always stay home but she had been hoping to do something more exciting for Ron and Harry's first day. Then Hermione had an idea.
'We could go out" she said addressing both boys 'there's a few shops not far from here we could visit them.'
Ron nodded and Harry smiled 'Sure that sounds great' he said 'just let me grab my� well Dudley's jumper.'
Harry ran back up the stairs and Ron went to follow him but before he reached the first step Hermione tugged him on the arm.
'I meant what I said Ron' Hermione told him 'you mean the world to me.'
Ron looked at her as if unsure what to do next then he reached out and grabbed her hand awkwardly.
'You mean the same to me' he said then letting go of her hand he turned and climbed back up the stairs.
Hermione watched him disappear and when she was sure he was out of sight she sat down on the bottom stair and stared at her hand unaware that upstairs Ron was doing exactly the same thing.