It reminded me strongly of going to Hogwarts in my first year. But as soon as we stepped into the Leaky Cauldron, Tom, the bartender exclaimed loudly.

“Miss Granger! Mr Potter, oh my, and Mr Weasley! May I do the honors of serving you Butterbeer?” Ron grinned shiftily and nudged Harry behind him. Harry looked sideways. I rolled my eyes at them both. 

“Sorry, Tom, can’t hang about now. We’re off shopping in Diagon Alley - Seventh Year, you know.” I said boldly, waving casually to Tom and smiling after beginning to tap the brick walls.

“You are seriously the most wonderful person I have ever had the fortune to meet. And if I’m ever rude to you again - “ Ron said, in admiration, or, until I interrupted him.

“Then I’ll know you’re back to normal.” I added and walked forward. 

Harry’s eyes did a double take as he saw Diagon Alley - as he always did. Flourish and Blotts was famous as ever, clustered with new witches and wizards alike. Me and Ginny were muttering to each over, swapping their lists. Harry looked over curiously.

“Gin? Where are we going first?” He said, though looking concerned. Ron pretended not to see me and was staring straight at Ginny (obviously wanted not to draw attention to himself).

“Er, Harry, Ron, me and Mione might..” Ginny stumbled over her words, tripping up at the word “might”. It was so unusual of her, so I was quite unsurprised that Ron asked.

“Spit it out.” 

“We will have to go alone. We have private stuff on our lists.”

“Ohoo! Is that for Harry’s birthday?” I decided this was getting out of hand.

“Sorry, Ronald, but I refuse to answer that. Harry, we’ll see you ‘bout lunchtime?” I asked, determined for Harry not to worry or be grateful for his “party”. He nodded but Ron slumped off wearily. Our day began.

In actual fact, these “private” stuff were not for Harry’s party. They were put on every girl’s list who came to the Seventh Year and they were quite curious. Me and Ginny made our way to a shop called “Femine Garments”. I raised my eyebrows and Ginny giggled. We came in. There was a shopping list of extra drawers and stuff that I felt could only mean one thing. Lovemaking.

“Gin, let’s go.” I muttered, not wanting to stay in this shop. A female shopkeeper was there, giggling away as she chatted to a serious young woman.

“Yes, yes, Miss Lovegood, of course. What color?” The shopkeeper asked.

“Oh, I’m still thinking. Powder blue? Go for Ravenclaw.” Miss Lovegood said.

“Brill. I was Hufflepuff myself. But powder blue it is, Miss Lovegood.” The shopkeeper replied. The female looked over to see who entered and Ginny gave a strangled sort of gasp. My own eyes popped out. Luna Lovegood.

“Luna!” We both said in unison.

“Hermione, Ginny! What a pleasant surprise! Are you guys shopping for the stuff on the list?” Luna asked, displaying her usual honesty and curiosity of a Ravenclaw.

I nodded. But “Miss Lovegood” seems different now. Her silver eyes and blond hair were pure as ever, true, glimmering faintly. She still wore a number of bangles and her earrings were still Crumpled - horn thingies. But, she seems different, anyway. Perhaps it was her authority, or her intimidating stare or both but she suddenly seemed a well-mannered young lady. 

As anyone could guess, that pleased me immensely. 

“Lyn. It’s been so long.” Ginny croaked. For all that time that I was with Ginny, I never really realized how long Ginny and Luna were apart. How alike they were. Both fiery, passionate and determined and best of friends. Luna’s eyes watered. Without warning, Ginny and Luna ran to embrace each other. I smiled. These sudden moments of friendship were beautiful.

“Hermione, as well. I never kept in touch. But I guess it’s hard to talk to the cleverest witch on earth.” Luna laughed, as Ginny held her hand as though they would never let go. 

“You’re as honest as ever. Honestly, I believe you never told a lie!” I exclaimed, without stopping to think of how embarrassing it sounded. I blushed after I thought about it.

“But why tell lies? You’ll just be crawling into a cobweb, spinning around and never letting people talk to you, you have a secret layer. People want to be friends with the fake person, not you.” Luna commented, her eyes not off mine. I nodded, without realizing it. 

Me, Luna and Ginny spent 10 minutes chatting and catching up, all of us smiling and joking while the shopkeeper got us our stuff. She wrapped them up in a bag where you could fit lots of stuff in it.

“Let’s head off then, shall we. Thank you, Gladys!” Luna waved to the shopkeeper, who’s name turned out to be Gladys. 

“Where?” I asked.

“Flourish & Blotts?” Ginny suggested. I agreed and so did Ginny.

About half way, I suddenly asked.

“Wait, Luna, I thought that you are a year younger than me?”. Luna looked at me, puzzled.

“Yes, I am,”

“But, I thought that this was only for people in Harry’s year?” I persisted, confused. Ginny looked at me as though I was insane. 

“Most of us from my year are also invited - those who didn’t get a good education. By that, I mean  that Luna is also invited!!!” Ginny exclaimed. The day was beautiful.