It was the third day of her summer holiday. The first day (or what was left of it) she took to rest. The second day she spent the whole day with her parents. They didn't go anywhere.
The third morning held a promise of a wonderful sunny and warm day, so she had decided that morning that she would go to her favourite place in the park with a book.
While growing up that was her popular spot to hide away from the mean kids at school, when they were relentless in their bullying and where she usually tried to clear up the tears before her parents saw her.
It never did work though. Her parents always saw the tears and sadness and the loneliness and fear.
But in time it became her favourite spot for reason other than hiding. When she sat under the big old leafy tree she always felt so calm and protected. Every time she came to read it felt like it was only her, her book and the tree. Nothing and nobody else existed.
So as she made her way towards the park, her feet automatically taking her to her tree (yes her tree. She had engraved her initials on the base of the tree. In very small letters of course), she felt a strange calmness take over her body. Like she was on cloud nine or had a very powerful relaxing potion just recently.
Inhaling the somewhat familiar scent of the tree Hermione slowly sat down with her back propped up against the tree. She pulled her legs up so that she could hold the book against them and make herself more comfortable. Letting out a contented sigh she opened her book and started on her reading.
The happy and quite day Hermione had in mind never came to be, as she was only two chapters in when the worst thing happened.
Two worse things actually.
Upon hearing that voice (she was so engrossed in her book she never heard them coming) her whole body turned ice cold and she could feel how her heart dropped to the bottom of her stomach.
Even after all this time. Even after everything she's been through, these two still scared her. They could still upset her. And she hated herself for that.
She hated the idea of feeling so weak against them.
Slowly she turned her gaze towards her oncoming (unwelcoming) guests.
"Well well. Look who we found. Hiding again are you loser?" The blonde girl with the high cheekbones and perfect nose was the first to speak.
"Did your 'special' school decide you aren't special enough for them anymore and sent you packing?" This time the other girl spoke. Also blonde with incredibly amazing eyebrows.
"What's the matter Grangy? Cat got your tongue? Or are you just too stupid to speak?"
Both girls started laughing and recited some of the things kids used to say about Hermione in school.
Hermione felt her hands start to shake and tears threatening to burst forth. She felt more angry at herself for not being able to defend herself to them.
Just as the thought of running away from them popped into her head, a different voice speaks up from behind her. Which nearly made her jump out of her skin.
"At least she doesn't need her daddy to bribe the math teacher to give her better marks to pass Julie. By the looks of the book in her arm I bet she gets the mark all on her own." The stranger addresses the blonde with high cheekbones.
"You...! Where? How? How dare you speak to me like that!" Julie huffs, her nostrils flaring with anger.
"You cannot speak to us like that. I'll have you..." the second blonde girl , Alice, responded but couldn't finish.
"Have me arrested? Again? Didn't you learn from that mistake the last time?"
Through this whole exchange Hermione could only stare in silent shock. Where did this girl come from? What is even going on?
By now Alice and Julie were fuming and looked about ready to pummel the girl to death.
The girl however, just leaned casually against the tree with her hands in the pockets of her pants, as if she could do this forever.
Alice and Julie, maybe sensing they're losing a battle here, gave Hermione and the girl one last death stare before turning and stomping away.
"This is not over loser!" Julie says harshly.
"Oh I know. " the girl smirks. "By the way Alice, you might want to slow down on those Friday night milkshakes, that jeans are looking a bit tight lately"
All that was heard as they stormed away was Alice crying like a baby and Julie swearing she's going to exterminate the girl.
The stranger was still leaning against the tree and laughing when she saw the bushy haired girl standing with her mouth wide open.
Pushing herself of off the tree she took a step closer to Hermione.
"You know, if you keep your mouth hanging open like that, you might be eating a bug for lunch" she smirks.
Hermione, having gained some mobility in her limbs, felt her face flushing dangerously hot and closed her mouth immediately.
But still she couldn't speak to the girl. Not so much as even a incoherent word.
The girl suddenly felt awkward and started shuffling her feet.
"Uhm okay. Well. I guess I'll be on my way then" the girl jabs her finger over her shoulder to indicate her departure.
Still Hermione is silent and blushing.
Slowly the girl starts to back away.
"Wait! Hermione suddenly screams.
The girl freezes on the spot and turns around.
"Who are you?"
