Author's note:
All the love to my Alpha, TriDogMom.
She is the best Alpha I could ask for.
"There is nothing else left, Miss Granger." Hermione was sitting, full of tension, in the healer's office at St. Mungos. Another potion failed to keep her nightmares away. Another sleepless night that she spent filled with children's screams and flying curses. She tiredly rubbed her face.
"I will take anything," she murmured to the older woman. "Anything. Experiment level or I can become a guinea pig myself. I will take everything. Please." Hermione Granger never begged. Top of her marks, miss know-it-all, the brightest witch of her age and highly anticipated as the next Minister of Magic in ten years or so. And yet, here she was, begging a woman to give her a drug so she can catch some precious hours of sleep. Sleep that won't be violated by a noseless bastard that shouts Avadas at her friend and family; kids won't scream as they die around her. She shivered slightly. She didn't want to relive her nightmares in her waking hours but she couldn't help it today. It was the third day that she was awake twenty-three out of the twenty-four hours day. The healer looked at her concerned.
"Miss Granger…" she reached out to touch Hermione's hand that way laying on the desk and caressed lightly her white knuckles. A mother's caress that made Hermione want to hex the woman but she didn't pull her hand. "May I suggest you try some counseling meetings? It's nothing to be ashamed of. Some scars run deeper thant we are willing to acknowledge. Your sleeping problems are because of your…"
"Yes, I know. My inability to feel safe. I took counseling, didn't help." She pulled her hand back and rubbed her puffy eyes. Her dark circles were threating to swallow her eyes. She sighed. "Just… the first potion…»"
"Your system was no full of sleeping potions, Miss Granger. Of course it worked. But it has been years since that. I assure you, you've tried everything. I have nothing left to offer you. I'm sorry.»"
Hermione got up and started pacing across the room. The healer now had her hands crossed in front of her and was waiting for her reaction. Stupid healers. Even after seven years since the second wizarding war, she and her friends are still suffering. Percy was locked up in a wing here, in St. Mungo's, with his mind complete lost. George was still screaming in his sleep for his twin. Hermione knew that because she was the one to rush to his side every time she was staying at Borrow. Neville was only reachable during weekends at Hogsmeade. Ron… Ron was ok, she thought. A little sadder, a little workaholic and little quieter. Hermione's heart ached thinking about her fiancé. She rubbed her face, smudging the mascara around her eyes.
"Fine…" she exhaled and burst out of the room. She bumped into something solid, she avoided collusion with the floor by pure luck. The other body she hit seemed ok though. "I'm sorry! I'm terribly sorry… Luna?" Hermione's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
Standing in front of her now, her friend and former member of the Order, was smiling at her. Her hair was longer, reaching her waist in golden waves, decorated with white blossoms. Her pale silver eyes were looking at Hermione now with such love that made her uncomfortable and she wanted to burst into tears. It had been so long since she last saw her. Too long, as now Luna's yellow dress wasn't able to hide her baby bump.
"Oh my, Hermione!" the girl shouted with her dreamy voice and threw her arms around her. Hermione hugged her back tightly.
"Its been so long!"
"I can see that!" Hermione said pointing at Luna's belly. The blonde blushed and a genuine smile appeared on her lips. Hermione's stomach twisted. When was the last time she smiled like that?
"Do you have time to grab a drink? I would like to catch up with you".
Luna's smile widened. "Of course, Hermione! Let me finish a quick appointment with Zoey and I will be right back."
"Zoey?" Luna pointed at the door that Hermione burst out of.
"Oh, of course. Go ahead".
Luna disappeared behind the door and Hermione sat on a white chair on the lobby waiting for her.
Too long indeed. After finishing Hogwarts Luna left to travel the world for the Quibbler. She and Neville couldn't last the distance even with all the magical means of transportation. There was always a new creature, a new opportunity, a new column. So when Neville accepted the position as the Herbology teacher, it was the official end for those two. Or at least that's what Neville had told her. Three years later and Hermione could see how happy Luna was with whatever she had done during those years. Guilt threaten to swallow Hermione. Not once in those years she had thought to contact the girl. Not the kind of friend Hermione was hoping to be.
"It's ok Hermione. We can catch up now!" Luna said calmly standing next to her. Hermione blinked. She hadn't heard the door open and close again and how long was she sitting deep in thought? "Are you sure you want to though? You seem tired. And those Wrackspurts can't stop flying around you!" Luna made a shooing gesture that brought a smile to Hermione's lips.
"It's fine." She stood up and start walking next to the her friend.
Reaching upon the St. Mungo's entrance an owl hooted above their head and landed on Hermione's shoulder. She knew that owl.
"Oh, hi Hippocrates," Luna greeted him and reached for a treat from her purse while the owl was leaving a note in Hermione's hand.
Healer's -Zoeys – handwriting was recognizable.
"I think I found something. Would you like to have another appointment?"
Hermione looked at Luna feeding the white creature. It hadn't been more than five minutes since she exited the office right?
What was Luna doing in the Healer's office?