So let me just say this before we start: when people use the term "Dark Hermione", I don't really understand what that means exactly. With that being said; I guess this story sort of involves my interpretation of "Dark Hermione" meaning in this story Hermione isn't necessarily as righteous or even well mannered as in the books. In this story Hermione makes use of her wits in a more cunning way.
Rated M for language, lawlessness, some adult scenes (very mild, I'd call them) and you know, the usual.
As always; I don't make money of this nor do I own the characters, just for fun.
With that being said and without further ado...
Chapter 1 – The Letters
Prologue
After the end of the Second Wizarding War Draco Malfoy found himself on trail for all sort of misconduct. The trail was a nasty and tedious business, which never seemed to end. Those few weeks were probably the worst of his life and he was absolutely positive his life had come to an end when the verdict from the Council of Magical Law and the Wizengamot came;
Draco Lucius Malfoy has been found guilty of using the Impirius Curse, letting Death Eaters into Hogwarts, sympathizing with the He Who Must Not Be Named and carried out his biddings. To Draco Lucius Malfoy's defence the following have given statements;
Harry James Potter,
Ronald Billius Weasley,
Hermione Jean Granger,
Severus Snape (pensieve),
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore (pensieve),
On account of these extenuating circumstances, which have been reported in these testimonies, Draco Lucius Malfoy will not be sentenced to serve lifetime in Azkaban. Instead the Council of Magical Law and the Wizengamot find the apt sentence to ban Draco Lucius Malfoy from use of magic for six (6) years. The sentence comes into force immediately by removing Draco Lucius Malfoy's wand (reasonably springy 10", made of hawthorn wood with a unicorn hair core). As the magic prohibition is limited to six (6) years the wand of Draco Lucius Malfoy will not be broken into two, but stored at a safe location at the Department of Magical Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Magic until June 22nd 2005 when the six (6) years has passed.
The verdict cannot be appealed.
Madam Griselda Marchbanks on behalf of the
Council of Magical Law and the Wizengamot
To live six (6!) long years without magic? Well, he'd basically come to a sticky end, hadn't it? At least that's what he though as he walked out of Courtroom Ten on June 22nd in 1999 to leave his wand at the assigned desk. In hindsight, however, life without magic wasn't really that bad. The letters probably had something to do with that, but that wasn't something he'd ever admit.
November 1st, 1999
Malfoy,
I'm writing this letter to let you know I really did hope for a different outcome of the trial. What outcome I hoped for, you already know based on my statement.
I haven't seen you around since the trail and hope that doesn't mean you've isolated yourself in a bad place. If there is anything I can do to ease this undoubtedly difficult time for you, let me know.
Sincerely,
Hermione Granger
November 10th, 1999
Granger,
I know you didn't wish for the trail to go the way it did. I find some solace in knowing that.
Nevertheless, I did do the things I was accused of and it's only right I now accept the consequences of my action.
If you do plan on writing me more letters, please do so the muggle way and not by owl, as I've bought some land, in the middle-of-absolutely-fucking-nowhere, but I do have one muggle neighbour whose attention I don't wish to draw to owls coming here in season and out.
You'll find my address on the back of the envelope.
Sincerely,
Draco Malfoy
July 14th, 2000
Malfoy,
I hope these letters finds you well.
I don't know how much contact you still have with our world, but I thought perhaps you'd like to know that Professor Snape's portrait is now hanging in the headmaster's office with the other previous headmasters. Harry sought to that.
Sincerely,
Hermione Granger
August 2nd, 2000
Granger,
You're the only contact I have with our world. Even though that's due to of my own choice, know that I still enjoy the snippets you share with me. Makes me feel less alone. Don't know why I wrote that, but there it goes.
Sincerely,
Draco Malfoy
March 14th, 2001
Dear Granger,
Congratulations on your job at the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. Who could be better suited than the founder of S.P.E.W to be regulating magical creatures?
As for me; life in the middle-of-absolutely-fucking-nowhere is actually coming along. The location is perfect, meaning barely any neighbours. I've got one though; a muggle named Tom Garret. Turns out he's decent bloke after all. Muggles, who would've thought, right? His house is the only one you can see from my house.
Sincerely,
Draco Malfoy
April 8th, 2001
Malfoy,
I'm glad to hear you're making friends. And even gladder to hear you're not a horrible, prejudice prat anymore (can you hear the sarcasm though my letter?).
Life at the Ministry is interesting. The job is fascinating, but the people..! Malfoy, you'd love them. All they do is talk about doing things; I've been here for three months now and have yet to still see anyone actually do something. The plot thickens…
Love,
Hermione Granger
September 29th, 2001
Dear Granger,
I was glad to hear about Weasley and Johnson's marriage. Please send them my regards. That is, if anyone is aware of our correspondence. If not, well then, I reckon they wouldn't really care either way about my regards, now would they?
Love,
Draco Malfoy
October 1st, 2001
Dear Malfoy,
Truth be told, no one knows about our correspondence. That's not because I'm ashamed of it in any way; it's simply because it's no one else's business.
Speaking of business, you told me business with Tom is going good. I'm glad to hear that, even if you refuse to tell me what it is. As for me; I've been at Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures for close to two years now and still have yet to see someone actually do something. But I can tell you; I'm now what they call a "meetings pro". I might actually kill one of these desk jockeys one of these days.
Love,
Hermione Granger
May 12th, 2002
Dear Granger,
Happy to hear you still haven't killed anyone, Granger. If you still hate your job this much after all this time, why don't you quit? Your mind is too bright to be rotting in some meetings room with a gang of dusty old Ministry workers.
Nessy sends her love, by the way. She loved the catnip you sent her.
All my love,
Draco Malfoy
June 4th, 2003
Dear Malfoy,
Today I actually almost quit. But then I didn't. The self-hatred is strong in me now, Malfoy. Why do I keep letting my soul die here?
All my love,
Hermione Granger
June 6th, 2003
Dear Granger,
Perhaps you're more into sadomasochism than you thought? Or perhaps the only way you find happiness is by self-sabotage?
Joking aside, sometimes the right choices are the hardest to make. But you already knew that, of course. I won't tell you to go either way, the choice is yours to make, obviously. But I will say this; the trick is now to live forever, it's to live with yourself forever.
All my love,
Draco Malfoy