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WARM SUNLIGHT trickled through the crack in the drapes. The warm rays shone on the sleeping girl. Her curls sprawled across her pillow in a tangled heap, yet she slept on. Next to her, a large, orange cat stood. He stretched out his legs, then curled closer against her for warmth. His quiet purrs surrounded them. The minutes ticked on, and they remained lying beneath the warm covers. The girls around them slowly began rising from their own slumber. Quiet mumbles trailed around the room, girls rubbing their eyes tiredly. Yet they didn't bother her; they all knew she needed her rest.
Before long, it was just her left. Curled around her pillow, soft breaths leaving her lips. Her sleeping cat still pressed against her. A quiet moment she desperately needed. At her bedside, the little red clock ticked. A previous regular, Muggle clock now spelled to work in the magic world. The little hands tick along, soon landing on the nine. It came alive in song. The soft singing of her mother woke her. She blinked tiredly, turning on her side to face the little clock. A smile reached her lips as she let the little clock finish its tune.
She tilted her head down to the sleeping kitty. She brushed her fingers along his side and gave a light scratch behind his ear. He purred, leaning into her touch. “Good morning, Crookshanks,” she whispered, pressing a kiss to his head. The cat meowed, making no move to rise. Carefully, she removed herself from the comfortable covers, leaving Crookshanks tucked in beneath them. She pulled clothes from her trunk and then scurried into the bathroom. There was no telling how long she'd have privacy for.
She stepped back through the bathroom door, dressed in her Weasley sweater Molly made her last summer, and jeans. She tugged a blue hood over for extra warmth. She felt more like herself now. With one final pet to Crookshanks, she left the girl's dormitory and slipped quietly out of the common room.
“‘Mione!”
She came to a stop on the last step, eyes glancing up. She smiled once her gaze landed on the familiar Ravenclaw. Luna Lovegood glided down the empty hall towards the Gryffindor girl. She was dressed in blue, a soft sweater with a wavy navy skirt and tights covered in dark blue spirals. Even her shoes were splattered in little blue stars and yellow moons. Perched on her head were pink-tinted glasses framed in an interesting shape.
Hermione’s brows furrowed. “What brings you to this side of the castle?”
Luna's eyes trailed down the hall, staring into the unknown with a dreamy look. “Oh, ‘Mione the Squittles! Colorful creatures with the tiniest wings. Such shy, wonderful things they are. They're good luck, y'know?”
Hermione blinked. She's never heard of a Squittle before. And she's read several books on magical creatures of the wizarding world! Her eyes narrowed. “I've never heard of those. How do you know they're real?”
Luna's smile didn't leave. Hermione’s skepticism hadn't fazed her whatsoever. “Come with me! Though you'll have to wear these. You can't see them with regular eyes.” She dug into her satchel, retrieving another pair of glasses, but they were yellow. Hermione grimaced. “You can wear the pink ones if you like,” Luna suggested, noticing Hermione’s expression.
Hermione pursed her lips, shaking her head slightly. “Yellow is fine.” She took the offered glasses, slipping them on. A shocked gasp slipped from her lips. Hermione glanced around the halls in wonder, noticing things she never thought were possible. Tiny creatures roamed about, and colors and shapes.
Luna pointed towards a little green creature climbing up a knight statue. “That's a meta-lu. They like metal, hence the name,” she giggled.
Hermione's lips parted in shock. The little green creature had spots of red dusting over its sides. A little antenna curled above its head. Hermione found it weirdly cute. The thought shocked her. “Interesting…”
Luna smiled, looping her arm through Hermione’s. “Oh, very! Come on, we must find Squittle before noon.”
Hermione quickly fell into step with her. “Why noon?”
Luna glanced at her. “They like to hide.”
Hermione nodded, accepting it like a fact. She was already seeing things she never heard of before. She couldn't deny Luna's claims when she herself was in the unknowing. Together, the two glided down the nearly empty hall, a few students looking strangely at them. Hermione couldn't bring herself to care, still looking around in pure wonder. Luna never cared or really acknowledged the looks or words she received from fellow students. She embraced her strangeness with love and endless joy. Hermione wished she could do the same. To be so carefree seemed wonderful.
Luna led the way down several hallways before they found themselves outside. Hermione wasn't sure how they ended up here. Luna pointed towards the trees above them. “Squittle!”
Hermione’s gaze shot upwards. Little creatures of various colors and shapes with matching tiny wings lay sprawled throughout the trees. Some glanced at the two girls, fluttering their wings in greeting. Luna leaned down in a curtsy. Hermione quickly copied her, smiling awkwardly. “Hello, Squittle. Lovely to see you again.” Hermione watched in awe as a pink Squittle with yellow wings fluttered down onto Luna's shoulder. The small thing chirped a low melody. Luna giggled as it curled around her, rubbing its head against her cheek. “This is Shoe. She's sweet.”
Hermione tilted her head, a curious expression appearing, “Shoe?”
Luna nodded, finally glancing back at her. “I found her in a shoe.”
Hermione couldn't help but giggle at the answer. It was so fitting coming from Luna. Because, of course, she found a creature Hermione hadn’t heard or seen before in a shoe of all places. “Fitting,” she murmured. Fluttering filled her ears, followed by a soft touch to her shoulder. She glanced towards it, finding a Squittle now on her shoulder. This one was specks of red and blue with an almost flower-like pattern on its side. She smiled, “Hello, little one. May I call you Flower?” The Squittle chirped, nosing against her cheek. She lifted a finger, carefully rubbing along its side. “Beautiful...” she whispered, earning another cheerful chirp from the small creature.
The girls lost track of time, spending the majority of the morning and the beginning of the afternoon with the delightful creatures. Little flapping wings and chirps filled their ears, leaving them with joyful smiles and pure glee. Hermione was glad she came along. She would've missed a wonderful memory if she hadn't. Before long, the two had stood back up, readying to leave. They called their goodbyes, both girls leaning into polite curtsies. The hoard of Squittle rose back up, disappearing into the trees with echoing chirps.
Hermione glanced at Luna. “I'll never doubt you again, Lu.” The blonde just giggled.
The two fell into matching steps again as they turned back towards the castle. This time, Hermione looped their arms together. She bumped against her playfully. “Believe it or not, I look forward to learning about whatever you show me next, Lu.” An excited look appeared on her face, her eyes shining. “Oh, we could write a book, Luna! You make lovely illustrations.”
Warmth rose to the Lovegoods' cheeks. Her smile was dreamy again. “Wonderful idea, ‘Mione. To the library?”
Hermione nodded, eagerly pulling Luna along. How sweet.