May 8th, 2001 6:30pm

Hermione gazed in awe at the bright lights of Times Square that flashed around her. Absent-mindedly she began to play with the rings on her finger. The engagement ring, a circular diamond surrounded by smaller sapphires that looked like a flower. The new wedding band holding it in place, a simple braid with a few tiny diamonds to make it sparkle. In this moment she was happy, and she was safe.

Her eyes left the billboards and found her wife, causing her to smile. Luna was dancing in front of a busker on the street. Hermione loved the effortless way she could tune out the world and just be herself. She had always struggled to be that vulnerable and trusting with anyone but Luna. She made her way over to the edge of the circle and clapped along with the crowd. The man finished his song and Luna sank into a deep bow as the crowd cheered. People tried to give her money which she took gracefully, but once they had left she turned and placed it all in the man's hat. He tried to refuse, but she insisted.

Finally Luna turned and skipped over to Hermione bouncing to a stop in front of her. "I know we're going to get dinner but there's a wonderful place for cheesecake around the corner. Who says we can't get dessert first!?"

"Not me," Hermione replied, holding out a hand to Luna who took it and led the way into the crowd.

May 9th, 2001 7:00am

The next morning Hermione woke up to soft sunlight streaming in through the window. Placing a soft kiss on Luna's cheek, she got up and headed into the bathroom to shower. They had been in New York for two days now seeing the sights, but today she would be meeting with a witch who worked for MACUSA. Part of the reason they had come to New York was to get aid for the muggleborns that were in hiding due to the Pureblood marriage law.

The previous summer the Ministry of Magic had put into place a new law that prohibited Purebloods from marrying other Purebloods. They had begun a registry of purebloods. Everywizard couple was required to submit their names to determine if they were allowed to be married. Hermione and Luna were lucky, but not all of their friends could say the same.

A bigger issue began a few months later when attacks on muggleborns had begun. They started slowly until one day in March there had been a mass attack all across the country. Most of the muggleborns had gone into hiding after that or immediately gotten married. It was believed that if the option of marrying muggle borns was not there then the ministry might repeal the law.

Hermione stepped out of the shower wrapped in a cloud of steam. She felt rejuvenated and ready for the day. Quickly wrapping up her hair, she pulled on one of the plush robes. Stepping out, she found Luna perched on a chair reading. Croissants and fresh coffee sat waiting to be eaten.

Luna looked up from her book. "Morning love!"

"Good morning! Did you go out? I didn't hear you get up," she said, searching for her clothes to get dressed.

"I was quiet. I went to the coffee cart at the corner of the street. It's got a warming charm on it so you don't have to rush," Luna replied.

Hermione looked up from her suitcase and realized a pile of clothes that had quickly formed around her. She laughed and took a deep breath; clearly she was nervous for her meeting. Thinking of the outfit she was searching for, she picked up her wand from the bedside table. "Accio robes," she said. A set of sleek, blue robes untangled themselves from the mess on the bed and landed neatly in her hands. With another wave of her wand all the clothes folded themselves and jumped into the air, neatly landing back into the suitcase.

She dressed and took her seat across from Luna. She took a bite of the croissant, and the buttery pastry seemed to melt in her mouth. "This is delicious!"

"Oh good," Luna replied, taking a bite of her own. They took a moment to simply enjoy the pastries and coffee. Finally, Hermione sat back in her chair looking out the window behind Luna.

"Do you think MACUSA will help us?"

"I like to think so. It's not like they would be going against the Ministry if they did. Shakelbolt wanted to diversify the Pureblood lines to diminish the importance of blood status. He did this so it would lessen the threat on muggle borns and muggles. He never expected them to push back as much as they did. I would think that he would welcome the help."

"Exactly! Thank you, love. What are you up to today?" Hermione asked; she realized she had been so focused on the meeting she didn't know what Luna had planned.

"Oh! Well, I knew you would be busy, so I am going to meet up with Amelia Williams the herbologist. She has been studying plants all over the United States. I'm hoping she has some suggestions about which would be good to add to our stores at home." Luna said excitedly.

With the mention of home, Hermione thought of their cottage overlooking the cliffs on the coast of Ireland. The lab in the back where they made healing potions and the large storeroom filled with different ingredients they had collected all over the world. She missed working at home with Luna, but ever since the attacks on muggle borns in England had begun she felt compelled to do what she could.

"That's great, I can't wait to hear all about it tonight. I'll meet you for dinner then?"

"Perfect, good luck today!"

"Thank you," Hermione said, standing up and coming around the table. She leaned down and kissed Luna deeply, a gentle hand on her cheek. She pulled back with a smile as a blush danced across Luna's face. Turning, she headed off to finish getting ready, her thoughts returning the meeting ahead.

May 9th, 2001 7:30pm

After finishing Hogwarts, Hermione had spent a little over a year working for the Ministry. She had worked hard to get protection and representation for Elves, Centaurs, Mermaids, and Giants. As magical creatures that had the ability to communicate with humans, they deserved the right to have a say in ministry decisions that impacted them. She had gotten them each a representative on the Magical Creatures Committee but found that the politics within the ministry frustrated her.

She and Luna had often spoken about moving to Ireland and getting a cottage. Luna had spent the year as an apprentice at St. Mungos, but her real passion was in making healing potions. Hermione was skilled at potions and decided that her time would be better spent helping Luna. Together they decided to make the move and set up their own potions lab in their cottage.

Hermione walked excitedly down the street toward the restaurant. She couldn't wait to tell Luna the news. She approached, and Luna turned toward her; Hermione was so excited that she ran up to her, pulling her into a hug.

"They're going to form a committee to help! I did it!" she said. Luna hugged her tight in return and spun her around in excitement.

"Hermione, that's amazing, congratulations! Tonight we celebrate!"

Luna ordered a bottle of champagne to start the evening. Hermione had spent dinner telling Luna all about the meeting and the plans that were made to help the muggle borns in hiding. She had been invited to attend the committee meeting the next day. At the end, Luna ordered a decadent slice of cake: vanilla with chocolate frosting topped with a sparkler. Hermione felt like she was the luckiest girl in the world to have someone who supported her like Luna did.

They left the restaurant and walked back to the hotel room along the edge of the park. Hermione took Luna's hand in hers and gave it a squeeze. "Thank you for the amazing dinner celebration and all of your support with this. I really appreciate it," she said, leaning over and giving her a kiss on the cheek. "Now tell me about your day; how did it go with Amelia?"

Luna beamed. "Oh, it went really well! She's documented the plants of the United States in extreme detail and is growing many of them in her own garden. My favorites were the morning glories, they're such beautiful colors! Amelia's leaving in a few days to travel across the country collecting plants along the way. She's invited us to join her. I would love to get a collection of my own to bring home."

Hermoine thought for a moment. The sounds of the city filled the silence. "I think you should go with Amelia. Obviously I don't want to be apart, but I need to be here to work with the committee. It's just a few weeks, and then we'll be back together heading home," she said, and turned to look at Luna.

"Are you sure?"

"I am. Just because I have to be here, doesn't mean you should miss this opportunity."

"I guess I'm the one who's going on a camping trip this time," Luna said with a smirk.

Hermione laughed out loud. "At least you'll be better prepared and not terrified the entire time," she paused for a moment before adding. "Have fun love, bring us back lots of supplies."

Luna reached over with her other hand, placing it on Hermione's arm, pulling her closer as they walked. "I love you," she said.

"I love you too," Hermione said, and she meant every word. This wasn't what she thought her life would look like, but she was glad to have Luna to go through it with her.