Luna was having a fantastic summer.

She went to work with her dad, who gave her a small column to write. It was supposed to help draw in a younger audience to gain more readers. Luna didn't know if that was working, but she had heard some older witches and wizards commenting on it. So she supposed that it was working in some way.

When she wasn't there she was at home, usually wandering her backyard. Luna had befriended a snudhud. A green creature that came up to her knee, and was square shaped. Shudhuds are very good at disguising themselves as bushes. His name was Toghert, and he liked when Luna brought him breakfast of toast with mustard and chocolate sauce on top.

She also spent a lot of it at the Weasley's. Ginny was a close friend of hers, and Ron had become one as well. Harry came later in the summer. But Luna didn't mind. They got along well too.

She knew that Hermione was going to come to the Burrow soon. But that was supposed to be in a few days, so when she saw Hermione on the grass it confused her. That's why she went over singing. Everyone knows that singing is that best way to draw out a fidlergering. However, since the Hermione on the grass didn't morph into a giant cricket-looking teal creature with random spots of bright pink hair that meowed loudly, Luna knew it was just Hermione having arrived early.

And since her soul was safe from being devoured, she might as well make conversation.

XxXxXxXxXx

Hermione was sitting outside enjoying the sun. It was a nice day and she couldn't resist the temptation of slipping her shoes off and letting her toes nestle into the cool grass. She sighed as she leaned backward to look at the sky.

A few lazy white clouds were within her vision. The ends of the clouds blended well with the light blue sky. Hermione closed her eyes as a slight wind tussled her hair.

Loud laughter interrupted her relaxation as she peeked her eyes open to see the boys.

Ron and Harry were playing on broomsticks. From the looks of it they were running strategies for the new Quidditch season. School only started in a few days, after all. They "had to be prepared if they wanted to be champions" (Ron's words, not hers).

Hermione rolled her eyes. The boys took it too seriously. It was just a sport - they should be focusing on studying. If they were going into a career of Quidditch, then she might understand. But no, they'd rather waste their time doing something utterly useless.

Of course, Ron once compared it to her reading. The nerve! She was enhancing her mind. Reading could take her places. Where would whacking a ball with a stick twenty feet off the ground take Ron? A hospital, that's where.

The older Weasley sons were all off to their respective jobs, and Ginny was inside with her mother. Fred and George had left for their shop early in the day. Otherwise Hermione was sure they'd be outside causing some sort of trouble for Harry and Ron. Their shop had been doing well. And she thought she heard them say the night before that it was really busy the last few days. Children were stocking up on tricks before they went to Hogwarts. The first trip to Hogsmeade seemed too far away to all of the little pranksters.

Hermione watched Harry and Ron zoom across the sky. She was sure that they were making some sort of pattern. But her brain didn't care to figure out what. Normally she would scold them whenever they went too high. They could get hurt, after all. But today she was too tired to do so, and besides, they stayed low to the ground anyway.

She smiled as she saw the boys smiling. Harry said something and the two burst into laughter.

Hermione remembered her anxiety that morning. When she walked into the kitchen everything got quiet and she was reminded of the day before. The only thing that kept her from hyperventilating was Ron suddenly choking on his sausage. Apparently he thought it wise to stuff five in his mouth at once. Everyone burst into laughter and automatically Hermione chastised him about his poor eating habits. Harry looked up at her and grinned, moving over so she could sit between the two.

After that Hermione went about, loosely, explaining what happened. Mrs. Weasley informed her that they would get the rest of her things after dropping them off at Platform nine and three quarters in a few days. They finished breakfast and Hermione's mood soared with all the laughter.

They were then shoved outside as Mrs. Weasley explained she needed to clean and would take them to Diagon Alley to get their things in a bit. And when Mr. Weasley came home tonight he would be bringing Hermione's cat with him. Of course, 'a bit' was well over three hours ago.

Her mind slipped away from her thoughts as she heard singing coming toward her spot on the grass.

"And I've got it all worked out in my head. It'll be you and me, up in the trees, and the forest will give us the answers. It'll be you and I, up in the sky. It's a combination for disaster…. Oh. Hello Hermione. I wasn't sure if that was you."

"Hello, Luna. That's a…lovely, song."

"Thank you. It's American. My cousin over there was telling me about the songs that she likes."

"Were you in America?"

Luna laughed then - a big, bright laugh that made Hermione pause. Luna's eyes were closed and her head thrown back. Her hair swished and shimmered in the sunlight. Her mouth was open and cheerful. She didn't think that she ever saw anyone enjoy a laugh as much as Luna did.

"Oh course not! America can be dangerous for a British witch."

"It can?"

Hermione stood up, brushed off her pants, and faced Luna.

"Of course! They have venomous tangeleras. Which you must know love to munch on British's girl's toothbrushes. Their saliva is venomous, they leave it on the bristles. It can't kill you, but it can give awful cavities and plaque. Even gingivitis."

Hermione blinked. "No, Luna. I don't think that I've heard that before."

Luna shrugged. "I thought you would. Your parents being dentists and all."

Hermione's smile faded at the mention of her parents.

"Hey!"

Both girls turned at Harry's voice. Standing with their brooms in hand a few feet away were the boys.

"Ron," stated Luna, large eyes now fixed entirely on him. "I came looking for you. I thought we could go shopping together like you promised."

"Of course, Luna." Ron's ears and face turned a bright pink.

Harry grinned as Ron led Luna away, while Hermione merely looked confused. And, if she were honest with herself, she felt sad at seeing them leave together.

"So, Hermione. Any chance I can get you on a broom this fine day?"

"Not on your ink dipped bird nest hair, Potter."

"Why, Granger, I do believe that was a challenge."

They grinned at each other before Hermione took off running, Harry at her heels.