Written for the Femmeslash Challenge, the Hermione Granger Competition, the Color of the Rainbow Competition (Orange-golden), the 100 pairings challenge, and the drabble contest at the Hogwarts forum (Luna/Hermione)
"Add 4 measure of dried aconite to your potion in five minutes-"Hermione muttered, hunching over her copper cauldron. Blinking the sleep out of her eyes, Hermione reached into her potions kit, waiting impatiently to see fumes that signified it was time to toss in the aconite.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," A nearby voice said and Hermione shot up in her chair. Seated across from her in the library was a tiny, blonde, owl-eyed girl clutching at an upside down magazine.
"Do what?" Hermione demanded, not caring about the possibility of offending her student, but the girl just smiled softly.
"That's not aconite, you know," The girl said dreamily, her eyes focused on the roof of the library. "Its angel's trumpet, they look similar perhaps, but nargles tend to avoid angel's trumpet. Maybe because it's poisonous?"
Looking down, Hermione winced at how close she had been to making a stupid mistake. It was so careless but she was so, so tired and perhaps she hadn't looked as closely as she should have.
"Why are you making the Wideye potion, anyways?" The blonde girl asked curiously.
"You know what that is?" Hermione asked and the girl nodded back.
"I know it's dangerous and banned, especially in Hogwarts. Maybe Headmaster Dumbledore just enjoys his sleep?"
Looking at the scene in front of her, Hermione was torn between laughing and crying. Maybe that was why it all came rushing out.
"I don't have any time left anymore! And I can make myself more but there are limits and everyone keeps watching me and my friends are worried and I have to help them all!" Hermione blurt out, tears pouring out of her eyes. She had always hated the way she cried easily, but this time it was easier, like a dam bursting.
Hermione felt a pair of arms encompassing her as she laid back, resting her head on the other girl's shoulder.
Soon, she would stop and put herself together, but now she needed this, a stranger's shoulder to cry and a moment of weakness in her golden girl armor.