Written for:
Fantastic Beasts Challenge: Plimpy
The Duct Tape Competition: Light Blue
The 50 Different Friendships or Less Challenge: Butterfly

Hermione Granger believed in reasoning and logic, above all else. Luna Lovegood believed in myths and stories, in things she couldn't see. They were as outwardly different as it was possible for two people to be, but they were surprisingly good friends.

Initially, Hermione had been rather sceptical and disapproving of the younger girl and regarded her fanciful notions with courteous distaste, if not scorn. Over time, her opinion of Luna had changed and improved dramatically, and Hermione counted herself lucky to have Luna Lovegood in her life.

She had seen the pictures Luna had painted in her room just as Harry had, and she, too, felt enormously affectionate and protective of the quirky girl who had shown them all so much kindness without expecting much – if any – in return. A lump came to Hermione's throat as she glimpse her own face emblazoned on the wall, ringed by the word "friends."

There had been a time when Hermione believed, and resigned herself to living with the fact that she would never have any friends. At her Muggle school she had never been very well-liked, introverted and bookish as she was, and though she'd hoped for something different at Hogwarts, she doubted it would eventuate.

Then Harry and Ron saved her from the troll, and all that changed. She had grown up a lot since then, but she still felt like the friendless bookworm sometimes, and seeing Luna's painting was irrevocable proof that those days were well and truly over.

She and Luna had been spending more time together during their seventh year of Hogwarts.

In an effort to promote a sense of much-needed unity after the war, classes were no longer divided by House. Rather, students were randomly assigned to be with other students. Although this new system had been well-received, Hermione thought it slightly impractical and doubted that it would last as anything more than a temporary measure.

However, it meant that for the time being, she, Ginny and Luna were grouped together for every class that they shared.

Being at Hogwarts without Harry and Ron was a new experience for Hermione, but Luna and Ginny made it easier. Hermione hoped she could do the same for them, which was why she had followed Luna into the Forbidden Forest.

She found her sitting on a log, almost immobile in an effort not to startle the butterfly perched on her arm. "Hello, Hermione," she whispered, without turning around.

"Hello, Luna," Hermione replied, just as quietly. She had been walking towards Luna, but stopped a few feet away, in case the sound of her footsteps disturbed the butterfly and it flew away.

"You can come closer. She's about ready to leave now, anyway." Almost as soon as the words were out of her mouth, the butterfly flapped its wings and flew away.

"She?" Hermione questioned, as she put down her bag and took a seat beside Luna.

"Yes. It's my mum's anniversary today. She used to say that there were angels everywhere among us, and we could find them as long as we knew where to look. On this day every year since she died, a butterfly has flown up and sat on my arm. I believe it's her, telling me she's here, telling me she'll never leave me alone."

Two years ago, Hermione would have rolled her eyes at such a claim, and proceeded to point out every reason why it was utterly implausible. Now, she gave simply a small smile, sensing that what Luna needed most at that time was to speak, not be spoken to.

She was right. "Mum said that angels appeared right when we needed them. I guess that makes you one of my angels."

Hermione thought about it, and she couldn't see much wrong with that theory. Maybe that's what friends really were: angels in disguise.