AN: Thank you for all the support! It is very deeply appreciated!
No restaurant could compare with Luna's fajitas. None of them were even close. The steak was rubbed with the right amount and mixture of spices, and the tabasco made from scratch was peppery without inflaming one's mouth. Only the freshest vegetables were used, a rare staple of Hermione's diet.
Hermione made sure Luna was aware of her appreciation.
"I'm just glad I could fix you something fresh," Luna took a spoonful of fajita mix onto her tortilla.
"Yes," Harry added. "I was telling Luna yesterday that I don't know what you'll do once we have James. You'll probably forget what vegetables taste like."
"That's not true," Hermione answered. "I order a salad every now and then."
"How often is 'every now and then?'"
"Whenever I'm in the mood."
"Which is about once a month."
Hermione gave him a playful pout. He chuckled before taking a bite of his fajita.
Luna gazed at Hermione. "Maybe someone will come along and teach Hermione how to cook."
She blushed. "Perhaps someone will."
"Oh yes." Harry swallowed. "Like your gentleman friend."
Hermione shook her head.
"You never did tell me his name."
"I didn't find it important. You wouldn't know him anyway."
"I know more people than you realize."
"Believe me, you wouldn't know him."
"The only way we'll find out if I know him or not is if you give me his name."
Hermione felt the color drain from her face.
"Leave her alone, Harry," Luna gazed at Hermione. "He may wish to remain anonymous for his own reasons."
"Maybe he has his reasons, but I'm Hermione's best friend. I should know who this bloke it. She doesn't wear that little black dress for just anyone."
"Wearing it for him was nothing special."
"Are you certain of that?"
"Yes."
Harry stared at her.
"I told you, it was laundry day. I didn't have anything else presentable, so I wore that."
"Sure," Harry drawled before taking another bite.
Hermione resumed eating.
"Can you at least tell me what he's like?" Harry asked.
"Are you sure you want to know the answer ?" Luna warned.
"Why wouldn't I want to about the new man in Hermione's life?"
"There are some things which should remain private."
Harry cocked his head. "Why should this remain private?"
"Because nothing is happening between him and me!"
The Potters turned their attention to her.
"Fine, I admit it, I may have been interested in him on some level."
"On what level?" Luna raised an eyebrow.
"Not a deep one."
"Sure," Mrs. Potter drawled.
"Look, the truth is so embarrassing I don't want to talk about it."
"What is the truth?" Harry asked.
"The truth is that I'm embarrassed about wearing the black dress because I read the situation wrong. My research partner is unavailable."
"Oh?" Luna asked.
"Yes, he's only living here temporarily. The second he can go home is the second he is out of my life."
"I'm sure you can stay in touch," Luna noted.
"Trust me, he wants nothing to do with anything involving Britain once he leaves. In fact, I'm certain he hates it here."
"Why does he hate Britain?" Harry asked.
"It's a complicated story, but he does not want to stay here for long."
"If he's so eager to leave, why is he helping you?"
"He feels strongly about my project, and decided to help."
"How did he find out about it? You haven't exactly been soliciting people's help."
"He came into my bookshop buying a potions book when I just so happened to be organizing shelves. We got talking about new theories, one thing led to another, and now he's helping me."
"And you unsuccessfully tried to seduce him."
"No! I was just trying to impress him." She groaned. "Looking back it was stupid. He's distant by nature, and I'm pretty sure he's in love with someone else."
Harry's eyes softened. "I'm sorry. I should've known more before pushing you to tell me about him."
She shrugged. "You were only curious and trying to be a good friend."
"Yes, but sometimes I forget about how sensitive your personal life is, and I push too hard. I'm sorry."
"Really it's no big deal," Hermione grinned. "It was quite hilarious when he told me to stop trying so hard and put on more comfortable clothing."
"He told you to change clothes?"
"Yes, but he seemed to like the t-shirt and sweatpants. He likes it when I'm comfortable."
"That's an interesting statement."
"Indeed it is," Luna hummed.
Hermione glanced at the pregnant woman. From her expression, it was clear she was only playing along. It made Hermione wonder if she felt more uncomfortable lying to Harry, or knowing Luna had no intention of revealing the truth.
"Anyway with that misunderstanding out of the way, we're working with each other very professionally."
"Has he treated you well?" Luna asked.
"Very well. He's more pleasant to work with that any other man has ever been."
"That's so great to hear," Harry replied.
Hermione relaxed.
"It's great to have other friends, even if it won't develop into anything more. I would never want you to be alone."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
Harry put his fajita down. "For years you've practically had a 'fuck off world' tattoo on your face. Other than us, Beatrice, and the Malfoys, you don't open up to anyone."
"I have my reasons for that."
"I know, and they're good ones. Still, you shut others out who may not have the terrible intentions you accuse them of having."
"If this is about Cormac…"
"No, I'm talking about other men who find you fascinating."
"What other men?"
"People who tell me how much they'd like to get to know you, and the men who try to flirt with you in the store."
"You mean the ones who distract me from my job?" She rolled her eyes.
"They're trying to be friendly," Harry argued.
"They're trying to distract me."
"True, but not the way you think."
She suppressed a groan.
"They find you fascinating, but you slam the door in their face before they can get to know you."
"First of all, they find me fascinating because I'm a member of the Golden Trio. As far as Hermione the person, they couldn't care less."
"I don't think that's true of all of them."
"It's true for most of them though."
"Even if that is true, it doesn't change my concerns."
"What would those be?"
Luna shifted in her seat and folded her hands. Harry pursed his lips.
"What concerns do you have about me?" Hermione asked.
"I worry about you being alone," Harry's voice was soft.
"Why would you worry about that?"
Harry put a hand on his wife's abdomen. "Luna and I are having a baby soon."
"I'm well aware of that."
"James isn't just going to change our lives, but yours as well."
"Of course he is. I get to play the role of fun godmother to him."
"Yes," Luna cut in as Harry removed his hand from her. "But we will no longer be able to be your social life, at least not like we have been."
Hermione frowned.
"You don't need to be married or have children," Luna continued. "Still, you need to consider that some people are an unexpected gift from above. You shouldn't take them for granted."
"I'll keep that in mind," Hermione replied.
"You should," Harry replied.
"I know my life will change after James is born, but it's still surreal to think about you two having a baby."
"Trust me, it is for us too."
"Yes," Luna put a napkin over her sauce filled plate.
Hermione sighed. "I know things are going to change, but I don't know what to do once it happens."
"I've found that when I need to make a change, a list helps," Luna offered.
"Okay," Hermione drawled.
"If you could have the ideal person in your life, what would it look like?"
"Are you talking friend or lover?"
"You brought up lover, not me."
"But you were thinking it."
"Harry may have been, but I still never said that."
Harry smirked and held his wife's hand.
"Fine," Hermione took a sip of her beer. "I would like a friend who accepts me for who I am without caring about my past. Well, that isn't entirely accurate. I want him to appreciate me as a survivor without becoming enamored with the potential fame I could bring him. He needs to be a support system, but not someone who is overly dependent on me. At times, he needs to open himself up to me, so I have a chance to reciprocate his affections. I want him to have his own life and interests, yet still take interest in mine. I want him to be a partner in every sense of the word."
"That sounds like what Luna and I have," Harry replied.
"I envy you two, I really do," Hermione exhaled.
"Do you have any other ideas for the ideal man?" Luna asked.
"He also needs to have a mind, and must enjoy reading. I want someone I could read with beside a fireplace in silence for hours, just taking comfort in his presence."
"If he was a lover your could read and let the tension build until it bursts," Harry teased.
Hermione's eyes gleamed. "Now there's an idea."
Luna hummed.
Hermione took a deep breath. "It's too bad that man doesn't exist."
"I don't know," Luna gave her a small smile. "I think there's someone out there who is perfect for you. All you have to do is find a way to be with him."
Hermione swallowed
The peck of an owl sounded from the sitting room.
Harry rose. "Excuse me, ladies."
"You're excused," Luna replied.
He gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Be back soon."
"Okay," Hermione muttered.
The owl pecked again.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming," Harry muttered as he rushed to the window.
Hermione leaned across the table and whispered, "Why haven't you told him about Severus Snape?"
"It isn't my truth to tell," Luna whispered back.
"Well, thank you. He doesn't need to know."
"I would disagree with that, but I know you'll tell him in your own time."
"No, it's for the best that he doesn't know."
"It's for the best he doesn't know now, but that will not always be the case."
Hermione blinked.
"Sorry about that." Harry reentered the room. "Somebody had a question about handling some evidence."
"If I need to leave…"
"No, it can wait. He told me as much, but wanted to write the letter while it was on his mind."
"I don't want to keep you from your work." She stood.
"I think you're just chickening out because you know I'll beat you at poker again."
She turned around. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me."
"I've beaten you four out of the last five times we've played."
"And you're afraid your luck is going to run out."
Hermione grinned. "Get out the cards."
Harry laughed as he stood. Luna massaged her stomach.
Perhaps James would change their lives, but for now, she would cherish all the time she could spend with the Potters.