Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I do not own the wonderful world of Harry Potter or LOTR.

NOTE: This will take place before the LOTR trilogy and on.

-Prologue-

The year is 1999, May 2nd. It has been exactly one year since that fateful day. The day the Dark Lord – Voldemort – was defeated. The day Magical Britain was freed from the terror. The day of total liberation.

The Ministry of Magic decided to hold a celebration to commemorate the final battle and honor those who were lost to the war. And to honor those who survived, more specifically, to honor Harry Potter. And that is where we find our beloved Golden Trio on this day.

Music wafted through the air as people danced across the floor. Laughter was the accompaniment to strings and woodwinds. It was a joyous day indeed as people celebrated their good fortune and liberty and the promise of hopeful days in the future. No longer will the people be afraid of a name.

Ronald Weasley could be seen flitting form circle to circle, chatting and greeting all those who decided to attend the celebration. He had finally achieved the attention and glory he had always yearned for. He reveled in the recognition as he retold what happened and his part in the war.

Harry Potter was seen dancing with Ginny Weasley on the dance floor. They waltzed to the music, smiles on their faces as they finally felt at peace from years of tribulation. They can finally enjoy life and each other.

But where is our dear Hermione Granger? Outside, on the balcony where the celebration was being held, we find our Gryffindor Princess staring up into the stars. Dressed in a light cream strapless dress that hugged her in all the right places, as her honeyed-brown colored tresses fell down her back in soft curls. Her arms were folded on top of the banister as she leaned her head back to look solemnly at the twinkling stars.

'A year…' that single thought echoed through her mind.

She sighed as she looked back into the room where everyone was celebrating. She saw how happy Harry finally was and how he had finally been able to move on from that chaos last year. He and Ginny could finally be together. Maybe start a family in the near future. Then her gaze turned to Ron. The kiss they had shared in the Chamber of Secrets flashed through her mind, but with it came emptiness. She had thought she had loved him, but in the end, it was just impulsiveness and the dire situation they were in that compelled her to do so. She still cares for him deeply as a friend, but no more than that.

Everyone she knew was moving on and coping in their own way. But as for her? No, the demons of the past still haunt her as she slowly reached for the cursed markings on her arm. She as well tried to find ways to cope. She threw herself into her work as the new department head of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. And she has made great treads in improving the rights of magical creatures, especially for house-elves. But she was tired. Tired of living a life with no fire or passion.

"Hermione." A voice called out behind her.

She turned only to be faced with Harry staring at her in concern.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

She smiled at him and gave out a soft sigh. "Just looking at the stars, Harry. Go back inside and dance with Ginny. I think I am going to turn in for the night. It's been busy at work."

Harry looked at her skeptically. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, Harry. I'm fine. Go! Enjoy the night." Hermione walked up to him and gave him a kiss on the cheek to reassure him before she walked passed him and apparated away to her loft in London.

She grabbed a change of clothes and went straight to the bathroom to shower and get ready for bed. As she laid her head down, only one thought passed through her mind.

'I wish that I too can one day be happy…'

Either she was really that tired and not thinking straight or she was finally going to the loony bin because she thought she had heard a reply.

'Vee' lle faare amin hin…' a melodious voice echoed as she slipped into sweet slumber. (As you wish…)

A/N: Hello everyone! This is my first fanfiction so I hope you enjoyed the first sneak-peek! Please leave a review if you like it, hated it, have some suggestions, and so forth. I plan to update a new chapter every week. But as you now I have my own life as well so I hope you guys won't be too mad to see that I haven't updated for a week and to please understand! See you again in the first official chapter!

~lalune30