A/N: I don't own Harry Potter

This is for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Spring Seasonal Challenges

Days of the Year

2nd May: Baby Day - Write about a birth. Alternatively, write about the loss of a baby.

Seasonal Challenge: Spring

16: (theme) New Beginnings

Flowers: 6: Freesia - (object) Sketchbook

Word count: 641

Warning: Mentions miscarriage!

Hermione stared at the picture, tears in her eyes.

"Thank you, Luna, I...I honestly don't know what to say," she whispered. The younger witch wrapped her arms around her friend hugging her tightly.

"You don't need to say anything, Hermione. I know Ron's being...well, Ron about the whole thing."

"He doesn't want to talk about her, just pretend she never existed, at least until he can throw her in my face as a way I can't give him what he wants."

"What about what you want, Hermione? Doesn't that matter? Don't you matter?"

"Not to him, why would I? All he wants is a huge family. I obviously can't give him that."

"And what do you want?" Luna asked as Hermione found a frame for the picture.

"I don't know anymore. All I wanted was the defeat You know who and...I don't remember, honestly."

"Well, then you need to make a new plan. There's tons of job openings now, since they purged the ministry of the Death Eaters and sympathizers."

"I don't think I want a ministry job. I want something different, something where I can figure out who I am without all these labels. Do you understand that, or am I just crazy." Luna put a hand on Hermione's shoulder.

"You're not crazy, Hermione. You've been part of the Golden Trio, been the Know it all of Gryffindor, been Ron's friend, Ron's wife, Harry's friend, I don't even remember all the things Rita Skeeter called you."

"You're right. When was the last time someone saw me for me, Hermione, and not just because of who I was friends with?"

"You could go somewhere where they don't know you, if you're willing to leave England," Luna suggested.

"And where would I go? I'm famous."

"Not in a small remote village in the middle of Central America, where there was a sighting of the Cardinal Belle Flimpet," Luna whispered.

"The...oh...are you asking me to...come with you? On your expedition?" Luna nodded slowly.

"Leave Ron, Hermione, he doesn't care about you, not the way I do. I've been trying to get up the courage to ask you, but between the wackspurts and nargles and the holiskos, I lost my thoughts and my nerve."

"You don't care I've just lost another baby?"

"I do, I care because you do. I care because a part of you died, never to see the light. That's why I drew her for you, Hermione, so you can see her, so you can mourn that part of you."

"Thank you, for the picture, and the offer. I'm...I don't think I feel the same way about you. I'm sorry."

"Don't be, Hermione. If you change your mind, I'm leaving on Tuesday, noon, from the Palto Building across from the ministry." Hermione nodded watching her friend leave.

HLHLHLHLHLHLHL

Luna glanced at her watch, it was nearly noon. She'd made sure she had everything packed, even picked up a new set of sketching quills, and some very impressively priced squid ink. She was traveling by portkey, since the expedition had been set up by one of the magical zoology departments in the ministry.

She pulled the portkey from her pocket, it was a cork coaster with a 'Z' drawn on it in fancy script.

"Luna! Luna, wait!" Luna turned. Hermione was running towards her, a small beaded bag dangling from her arm. She didn't have a suitcase.

"Hermione! Did you come to say good-bye?"

"No, I came to say I changed my mind, I want to come with you, if you'll still have me." Luna nodded holding the coaster out to her.

"It's going to start glowing any moment, here, take hold." Hermione placed her hand on the coaster, her pinky finger touching Luna's.

"Three, two, one," they counted down together as the coaster glowed and they were portkeyed from the spot.