Signum Vitalis (a dramione story)

In which there are feces

The clearing Luna picked out for their star gazing and feces-collecting was accessible only through a hike starting at the Wizarding NYC. Therefore, that Saturday Luna and Hermione set out in the rose-tinted dusk towards an area where Luna knew there would be moon-calves that night. Their wands emitted lights that mimicked that of a firefly. Luna said they were less likely to scare any creatures away than a normal 'Lumos.'

"Couldn't they have set at least an apparition point out in the middle of the woods instead of warding the whole area?" Hermione asked.

"This way the moon calves and other creatures are less likely to be disturbed," Luna answered as she avoided a bigger rock in her path.

"But what about you and Rolf? Isn't it time consuming to walk all the way out here on foot?"

Luna sent Hermione a half smile. "We fly."

"On brooms. I forgot that not everyone is sensible enough to avoid those things."

Luna laughed lightly. "I won't think poorly of you because your fear of heights prevents you from using a common magical item."

Hermione raised an eyebrow. "Right." She had become mostly adept at ignoring things like this from Luna. "When is Rolf coming?"

"Oh, he has something to clear up about unicorn exports that required an international portkey."

"Why didn't you go with him? You seem to always be gone for something or other when I'm home." Hermione didn't quite resist the pout when she complained to her friend. "Why are you gone so often? I didn't think you would want to be gone so long for a job?"

"I decided you needed someone to come with you." Luna said, only answering the first question. "I told Rolf you had to walk out because of your fear of heights and he could catch up by the time we got to the clearing." Luna flicked her wand and several firefly-lights flitted about before skimming along the ground to highlight the uneven surfaces.

"Don't you want to be home sometimes?"

"Why, do you need me home?"

"I need a practice partner really badly. I'm going to fail if I don't figure out this set of spells."

"What about your study group?"

"They're not my-" Hermione thought better of trying to correct a nuance and continued. "They are either paired up or busy and the only one left is Malfoy."

"I heard him complaining about his schoolwork too yesterday. Wouldn't it be better if you worked together?"

"That better be a joke."

Luna merely gave her another lazy smile. Hermione scowled and conjured more fireflies.

"Not too many," Luna warned. "We don't want it to look unnatural."

They continued on in silence for awhile, the cool air whispering through the trees. Instead of being able to enjoy it, Hermione was only on edge. Frustrated, she shook her head. Out loud she asked, "So what do you both need moon-calf patties for?"

Luna answered, "Growing the dittany, remember? All of the shops are infested with blibbering humdingers."

"And the dittany?"

"To restock our essence of dittany. I've needed to use it more often because of the Pisky."

"You might not be able to restock it very quickly..."

The conversation dissolved into the technicalities of growing dittany and potion making for a period of time. Then the rushing in the winds changed pitch behind them and Hermione cut the conversation short and spun with her wand ready to confront whoever was behind them. Rolf pulled up short and smoothed his hair as he watched Hermione's wand.