It was early on a Monday morning, one week into the summer holidays. A 17 year old, red haired boy came into the messy kitchen of the Burrow. His little sister, Ginny was eating toast and his mother was making fried eggs.

"Morning," he yawned, while sitting down. Almost immediately, a ginger cat jumped onto his lap, making him jump.

"Is Hermione here?" he asked, stroking Crookshank's head, while Crookshanks purred

"Yes, she arrived last night" Mrs Weasley replied, putting the eggs in front of Ron. Ron noticed that his mother looked very tried and had bloodshot eyes.

"Why didn't she send a letter?" Ginny asked.

"Because she didn't know that she was staying till last night" Mrs Weasley said, almost sadly.

"Why didn't she know till last night?" Ron asked

"Because she didn't and I don't want you to ask Hermione any questions," Mrs Weasley told them both, or rather demanded

"Why…" Ginny started

"She will tell you when she is ready and not before" Mrs Weasley said; now looking angry.

"But…" Ron said but was cut off, not by Mrs Weasley but Harry coming through the kitchen door

"Hiya" he said, sating down.

Everyday Harry had woke up early and got the Knight Bus to the Burrow so he could hang out with the Weasley. He still was living with the Dursleys, he had to until he was seventeen.

"Hermione is here," Ron told him. Harry looked surprised at this.

"She arrived last night and you are not to ask why" Mrs Weasley said, angrily.

"Ok" Harry said, a bit taken aback.

There was a silenced, where Ron, Ginny and Harry wondered what Hermione was doing here and why they weren't allowed to ask her anything.

It was broken by Ron dropping Crookshanks on the floor and saying,

"I'm going upstairs to get dressed"

"You are not allowed to disturb Hermione, she is probably asleep" Mrs Weasley told him.

However as Ron was leaving the room, Hermione come in, looking like she hadn't slept all night and her face was slightly bruised. She was wearing a jacket that covered all of her arms, which was weird because it was quite hot.

Mrs Weasley's expression changed almost at once to a soft and concerned face.

"Darling, you should be in bed, getting some sleep"

Hermione shrugged and said,

"I'm ok" very quietly. Ron looked at Hermione and then looked at Harry, who looked worried. So did Ginny and Ron didn't blame them, something was really wrong with Hermione.

He looked at Hermione again and she smiled, weakly.

"Hi, sorry to just drop in with out sending an owl, "she said, while sitting down.

"Erm…that's ok," Ron said and then left the kitchen.

Mrs Weasley put a plate in front of Hermione and put some eggs and bacon on it.

"I'm not that hungry, Mrs Weasley" Hermione said, looking at the full plate.

"That's ok, just eat as much as you can" was the reply. Hermione didn't pick up her knife and fork but looked at Harry.

"Are you still staying at the Dursleys?" she asked. Harry nodded

"Until my birthday" He moaned.

Hermione nodded

"Any way, how are you?" Harry asked, grabbing some toast from the toast rack. At once Hermione rubbed her left arm, hesitated and said,

"I'm fine"

Harry wasn't convinced, but did not say anything.

All that day, Hermione was really quiet, and didn't join in much with anyone. She didn't even tut when Fred and George come over to show everyone they're new joke stuff.

"Come on, Hermione, if you don't complain about our stuff, then we will think something is wrong with it" Fred said, looking downhearted.

"We might even consider not selling them," George told her.

Hermione just forced a smile, which looked like it caused her great pain. She was sitting in an armchair, reading a book.

"They are very dangerous and they will never work," she said, flatly. She then closed her book and leaved the room.

Everyone looked at the door that Hermione had just left from, all looking worried.

"Something is really wrong" Ron said, wishing he could do something that would help. Harry nodded and then looked at his watch.

"I better go, I should get back before it gets dark," he told them. He then left to catch the Knight Bus.

Outside the Burrow, Harry stop and just as he was holding out his wand, an old witch came up the path. She was short with grey hair, but not that many wrinkles.

"Wotcher, Harry" she smiled, coming to a stop beside him.

"Evening Tonks" Harry replied.

The Knight Bus came speeding to a stop beside them. As Stan was now use to Harry's journeys with the Knight Bus all he said was.

"10 Knuts" Harry paid and him and Tonks got a seat on the top deck.

"You look troubled, Harry" Tonks told him.

"Its Hermione, there is something really wrong with her, she turned up at the Burrow last night and is hardly talking" Harry explained at once. "And I think she is in pain because she was clutching her arm a lot today, and her face is bruised" Harry sighed in relief to get this off his chest but was still deeply troubled.

Tonks shook her head sadly and said,

"She didn't deserve won't come to her, poor girl" she then looked up at Harry and signed.

"I can't tell you what happened, Hermione will tell you when she feels the time is right"

The next day, Harry came into the Burrow kitchen to Hermione and Ron rowing. At first Harry didn't think anything of it as they always rowed.

"Why can't you tell me why you're here, I am your friend" Ron asked, angrily. At this Harry, interpreted.

"Hermione will tell us what is wrong when she is ready, there is no point pushing her, Ron" Ron looked at him angrily.

"Thank you, Harry" Hermione said. He released she was crying.

"I just don't understand why you didn't even send an owl," Ron said. Harry gave him a just-stop-now look, but Ron annoyed it.

"And I can't understand why you can't just leave me alone" Hermione yelled and then run from the house.

Harry signed and shock his head. Ron glared at him.

"Leave me alone, Harry" he said and then walked upstairs.