This piece is how I think Hermione should have reacted to Luna in their first meeting and how a first conversation between them could have gone. We all know that Harry and Ron were Hermione's Besties at Hogwarts and that Neville was her next best friend after that. Well, I've always believed that Luna was Hermione's best chance to make a close female friend. In canon Hermione was scornful towards Luna on their first meeting. While they got along better as the books progressed, I believe there was potential for a truly strong Hermione-Luna friendship if the cards had fallen a certain way.

"Anything good in there?" Ron asked Harry.

"Luna obviously thinks there is as she is clearly enjoying the magazine," replied Hermione kindly.

"Thank you, Hermione!' beamed Luna as she stared up at the ceiling.

"So?" Hermione asked Luna conversationally, "How did you become interested in the Quibbler?"

"My father is the editor," said Luna proudly, puffing out her chest.

"That's awesome," said Hermione warmly, "Do you get free copies then?"

"Yes, daddy gives me a free copy every month," said Luna glowingly, staring out of the window now, "Daughter's privilege. "

"What's your favorite article to have ever appeared in the Quibbler?" inquired Hermione.

"Oh, there's so many to choose from, " said Luna dreamily, "But my absolute favorites are always the ones that feature the sightings of Crumple Horned Snorkacks. I love Magical Creatures of all kinds."

"Is Care of Magical Creatures your favorite academic subject then?" Hermione asked Luna cheerfully.

"Well, " said Luna thoughtfully, staring down at her hands, "My favorite academic subject is a tie between Care of Magical Creatures and Charms. My favorite thing of all though is riddles. Could you please challenge me with a riddle?"

Hermione obliged with:

"It cannot be seen, cannot be felt,

Cannot be heard, cannot be smelt.
It lies behind stars and under hills,
And empty holes it fills.
It comes out first and follows after,
Ends life, kills laughter."

Luna's eyes showed a distinct focus as she thought it over for a minute and a nanosecond before her eyes went round.

"Dark," answered Luna quietly, "The answer to that riddle is Dark."

"Well solved, Luna," replied Hermione.

"It's a good thing I'm good at riddles, " said Luna matter of factly, "Ginny says the Gryffindors have a password to get into Gryffindor Tower but for Ravenclaws, we have to solve riddles to access Ravenclaw Tower. "

"The Sorting Hat did consider me for Ravenclaw," acknowledged Hermione, "But it decided on Gryffindor in the end. But, since you like Magical Creatures, what are your favorite Magical Creatures?"

"Unicorns, Hippogriffs, and Thestrals, " answered Luna in a voice that was half respectful and half admiring, "Unicorns because they represent pureness, Hippogriffs because they demand respect but are also as loyal as Phoenixes to people who give them respect, and Thestrals because of their beauty."

At this last comment, a sad look suddenly appeared on Hermione's face.

"Luna?" asked Hermione cautiously, "May I have your permission to ask you a very personal question?"

"You don't have to ask, " said Luna reassuringly, "I'll tell you. It was my mom who I saw die. She was quite an extraordinary witch, but she did like to experiment and one day one of her spells went badly wrong. I was nine."

"Oh, Luna," said Hermione sadly, "I can't imagine how that must have felt. As Harry and Neville both know all too well, there is no worse tragedy than a child losing a parent."

"Yes, it was rather horrible. I do still feel very sad about it sometimes. But I've got dad, " said Luna softly.

"Are you and you dad really close then?" asked Hermione quietly.

"Yes," confirmed Luna, "I have to give daddy a lot of credit because he really was there for me and helped me to get through the time of mom's death even while coping with his own grief. But, on a happier note, daddy and I always take trips together during Spring Break and Summer Vacation. Love of animals and love of travel are two things daddy and I have long bonded over and continue to bond over to this day."

"That's wonderful, " said Hermione brightly, "I'm glad to hear that you have such a wonderful daddy-daughter relationship with your father. "

Luna glowed and smiled broadly at Hermione at this.

"Nice to you meet you Hermione,' said Luna happily, "I hope we can become good friends in time."

"I hope so too, " agreed Hermione with a smile.

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