3A/N: Written for Hogwarts assignment 1 - Magical Law and Government task 3: Write about someone being judgmental.
Word count: 587
Harry hadn't meant to bring it up when he and Hermione had their weekly lunch together, but Hermione was too perceptive for her own good and had a knack for asking a lot of questions.
"Luna may live on a different plane than the rest of us a lot of the time," Hermione said matter-of-factly as she stabbed at her pasta with her fork, "but she wouldn't quit her job without having another lined up. So, what is it?"
She glanced up at Harry with narrowed eyes. Harry gulped. She definitely knew that he knew something. Even Luna had realised that Hermione would clue in quickly. There were too many Ministry employees for her to keep track of everyone as Minister for Magic, but she definitely knew enough to know that one of her closest friends had quit her job in the Department for the Control of Magical Creatures.
"Harry," Hermione pushed when he didn't immediately give in. "Come on. Who is she working for?"
Harry sighed. Luna hadn't forbidden him and Ginny from sharing the news with Hermione. She'd only said that she wanted to put it off for as long as possible. In fact, she'd probably be grateful that Harry was the one delivering the news instead of doing it herself.
"She's joined a research team that's mission is to find previously undocumented magical creatures," he muttered before taking a large bite of his sandwich like chewing might save him from the conversation.
Hermione laughed loudly. "You're kidding. She's actually going to go looking for Crumple-Horned Snorkacks?"
Harry shrugged. "I don't know what they'll look for specifically."
Hermione shook her head. There was a dark expression on her face, far more serious than the news warranted. "I can't believe she'd do something as ridiculous as that when she could continue doing work that's actually helpful at the Ministry."
Harry stayed quiet. Personally, he'd have found a job in the magical creatures department more fulfilling than what Luna was doing now, but he didn't care about Luna's decision in the same way Hermione did. It seemed right up Luna's alley, as far as he could tell. She'd been thrilled about it when he'd talked to her, so he was happy for her too.
"Why didn't she tell me?" Hermione said with a sigh. "Everyone else knows, don't they?"
Harry raised an eyebrow. "She didn't tell you because she didn't want you making fun of her for it," he said simply.
Hermione gaped at him. "I wouldn't—"
At the look on Harry's face, she cut herself off abruptly, her cheeks turning pink.
"I mean, sure," she continued, "I was honest with you that I think it's ridiculous, but I'm not going to laugh in Luna's face or anything cruel like that."
"Maybe not," Harry said, "but she can still tell what you're thinking, you know? She's known you for ten years."
Hermione's mouth snapped shut. She suddenly wouldn't look at Harry as she shovelled more pasta in her mouth. Harry knew he'd hit a nerve, and he already regretted it. This was why he hadn't wanted to have the conversation at all.
It was quiet for a few minutes before Hermione said something that surprised him.
"I guess it makes sense for her," she conceded, squirming a little in her seat. "And she'll probably be doing a lot of travel. That would be fun."
Harry grinned. "Try sticking to those points next time you see her, and avoid the word 'ridiculous.'"
Hermione shot him a sheepish smile.