Actually the reason had a name - Stacey. When Hermione had gone to primary school she had been teased no end by almost everyone. No one ever actually got to her though. Hermione would just ignore them and eventually they would get bored and leave her alone but Stacey was a different matter altogether. She and her equally horrible friends Anna and Claire would torment and bully Hermione until she ran off and cried in the girl's toilets. Which ironically was how she had made her first - and only - best friends.
'Hermione? Are you even listening Hermione?' Ron's annoyed tone of voice brought her back to reality.
She looked at him blankly.
Ron seemed to be caught between worry and annoyance at her lack of concentration. 'Well now that you have returned from where ever it was you went to, maybe you can answer my question. Can Harry and I go to the sweet shop?'
'Well do you have any muggle money?' asked Hermione getting some notes out her bag.
Ron rolled his eyes 'Hermione, that's paper' he said 'what would that buy us?'
It was now Hermione's turn to roll her eyes 'Ron it is money, it's a note' she said unable to keep the exasperation out of her voice. 'You really should do muggle studies you know.'
'What and end up having to listen to you rant on for hours about the marvels of elecktricity every time I ask for an answer to a simple question.'
'I do not rant' Hermione said furiously.
'Please Hermione ranting makes up fifty percent of your weekends. The other fifty is devoted to homework' said Ron.
Hermione was about to say something very cutting back to him when Harry snorted with laughter. Both Hermione and Ron turned to him and glared.
'Sorry' he said not looking the slightest bit apologetic.
Hermione handed the notes she was holding over to Ron and her hand brushed his. Hermione determinedly fought to keep her feelings from showing and she could tell by the way Ron shoulders stiffened that he was doing the same.
Hermione didn't look directly at Ron and when he muttered thanks his eyes were fixed on the ground.
Hermione, in an effort to avoid Ron's eyes, looked over at the sweet shop and then realised with a sinking feeling that visiting it with Ron and Harry was out of the question.
The boys had already begun to walk away when Ron noticed that Hermione hadn't moved 'aren't you coming?' he said sounding puzzled.
Hermione looked at the sweet shop and then in her mind traced a path back to Ron and Harry, there was no way around it, going with them would mean passing right by Stacey's table. Hermione looked up she had to think up a lie and quickly. Her thoughts strayed back to her Mum and Dad.
'No my parents would kill me if I went into a sweet shop' she said hurriedly. 'I mean with them being dentists and all. I'd be lectured on dental hygiene and then forced to hear tales about how as a result of sugar you can get cavities the size of�' think quick Hermione she willed herself 'really big holes' oh that was a great finish.
Hermione bit her lip she'd been rambling and from the looks on Ron and Harry's faces she might as well have told them she was thinking of getting a house elf.
For some reason however both the boys accepted her story. 'Alright then' said Harry still sounding a bit unsure 'I suppose you could wait here if you wanted to.' Hermione just nodded and tried to smile.
Then Ron and Harry walked off, Hermione could see Ron saying something and it must have been funny because Harry started laughing. Even Hermione couldn't suppress a smile at her two best friends laughing together especially considering what had happened in recent months. Hermione instantly reprimanded herself. She was determined to put that out of her mind for the summer. There would be plenty of time to worry about all that back at Hogwarts. Right now she had to decide how to fill in time. Hermione noticed there was a bench nearby and she decided to make use of it. It was far from comfortable but it would do. Hermione pulled a very tattered book out of her bag. It had been a gift from Ron and it was enchanted to be weightless. It had been awhile since she'd looked at it and knowing Harry and Ron she'd have a lot of time to fill in.
Hermione picked it up and tried to immerse herself in the words but she hadn't gotten further than the first few pages when a very familiar voice cut through the silence.
'Its been a long time since we saw you Granger, we have a lot to catch up on.' Hermione didn't need to put down her book to know who was speaking, she had spent so many years dreading that particular voice that she recognised it instantly. The words became blurring and she found herself wishing Ron and Harry were at her side.
'What's wrong Granger, cat got your tongue? I would have thought you'd have the decency to say hello to your old pal Stace.'