After a blowout of a row with Ron in early August over whether or not to return to Hogwarts or take up Kingsley’s offer to work in any Ministry office of her choosing, Hermione had chosen to spend the remainder of her Summer with Harry at Grimmauld Place. Ron was seething after Hermione told him she was returning to Hogwarts for her 8th year, particularly after telling him a teensy bit of the reason why she was returning.