Notes: Like the HP series, I have no claim to the plot which was created by Erica. From Darkness begins after the final war in a time of rebuilding and regret. Hermione, blind and lost, struggles to find her place while many seem already secure in the new world. A story of hopelessness and hope, depression and happiness, solitude and companionship…DHr. For Erica, in hopes that this lives up to what you imagined.

From Darkness

By Rei (Of Reminiscence)

Chapter One: Light that is not Needed

Hermione moved through the kitchen ignoring the gaze she felt coming from her friend. "Ginny, I've been living for months now on my own and I hate to tell you, but I still don't need your help." Hermione dropped the two packets of tea into the cups and walked to the table. "Besides, Rufus gives more help than you could imagine."

Ginny eyed the shaggy dog on the couch, "I'm sure a seeing eye dog is well enough for the muggles but Hermione the Healers feel that…"

"No Ginny. Every time the Healers finally feel that they came up with a cure I end up in the med ward, in an unfamiliar bed, feeling like I was just raised from the dead. I'm grateful to the Healers for what they've done but there is no cure." Hermione, in her frustration, misjudged the distance and chipped part of the cup's bottom. She could hear Ginny nervously moving in her seat and folded her hands in her lap, "What else is it?"

"We're having a small…"

Hermione shook her head.

Ginny's jaw dropped as she stared at her close friend, "Why not?"

"Every time I go Ron always says that I could move in with him and Harry…Harry feels guilty every time he sees me." Hermione turned her face so that she could feel the heat of sun and imagined for a moment that she was nearly closing her eyes. The moment was soon over though when she blinked her eyes open and she still surrounded in darkness. "I didn't think I would survive the Cruciatus Ginny. I stepped in front of Harry because I knew that then he could kill Voldemort while the hybrid (Hermione spat out the slur) concentrated on killing me." Hermione smiled though when she heard Rufus jump off the couch and pad over for attention, but Ginny's hand on her own distracted her from the dog's love.

"You never talk about that day."

Hermione shrugged, "I woke up months later blind, and nearly incapable of walking. In my coma Voldemort still lived. Everyone had moved on by the time I woke Ginny and I was still trapped in the nightmare."

Ginny gave her hand a small squeeze, "Will you at least think about coming? Some people you haven't met are going to be there and I know the boys would feel better if you came. They miss you."

Hermione turned away from the warmth of the sunshine to smile (hopefully) in the same vicinity as her friend's face. "I'll think about it."

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Hermione wished Rufus could have come with her but she doubted that traveling Floo with any animal would be smart even if she had her eyesight. Checking again that her wand was safely tucked away in her jacket's sleeve (habit really since she couldn't see to aim a spell or curse), Hermione held her cane close and shouted "Potter residence" as she threw the powder down. Ginny's shout to help her up was Hermione's first clue she shot out of the fireplace in Harry's receiving room, but soon she dusted herself off and sat on the living room's sofa.

"You came." Harry's voice shook a little before he enveloped her in his arms. "Ginny said you might."

"Yes, I thought checking up on you might encourage some desire to attend the school for higher learning, but I doubt very little would deter you from this extravagance."

The residence really was extravagant—Hermione could feel it in the massive space each room had and in the plush furniture. Harry chuckled, "No more school for me, I've had enough detentions to last for centuries". He placed a wine glass in her head but frowned when she used the pads of her fingers to 'see' the fine design in the crystal. "I'm glad you came—things haven't been the same without you."

More rings from the Floo came and soon Hermione found a very solid form sitting beside her on the couch. She smiled at the voices around her but soon found herself over whelmed at the voices and powerful mix of colognes. Excusing herself for a trip to the bathroom, Hermione was all too aware of the silence her departures received but after making her way to the hall the voices were back to the normal volume. She sighed, maybe it had been too early to come here.

"Was it Weasley's jokes or Potter's gazes that threw you off?"

Hermione startled at the voice and turned around, "Who?"

"Potter didn't introduce us because he thought you would remember me, though I doubt you do. We met back in Hogwarts—first year."

"I didn't know they let Death Eaters roam free."

Hermione frowned as Malfoy chuckled, "I was never a death eater, you're thinking of my father Lucius. Here, check my arm if you still have doubts." He sighed, took her hand and placed it on his forearm, "I'm Draco Malfoy."

Hermione took her hand away feeling no presence of dark magic, "I know which Malfoy I'm talking too—you're the prat who amused himself by hurting others."

"I grew up after our first year."

Hermione sneered before slapping her cane against his leg, "Yes we all know how your daddy used his endless fortune to expand your education. Excuse me." Hermione tapping against the floor slowly led her back to the deserted seat, and soon she heard Malfoy's voice re-entering the conversation. She gripped her cane and smiled when Ron suggested a game, but deep down Hermione wanted to scream—how could a blind girl play cards or Wizard's Chess?

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Rufus crunched on his own sugar cone as he laid underneath the table while Hermione and Ginny savored the taste of their sundaes. Nervously, Hermione picked another napkin from her lap and dapped her mouth only to scowl a second later at Ginny's laugh. "It's not funny."

Ginny continued smiling despite the scowl, "Yes it is. I promised I would tell you if you split anything so stop dabbing!"

"Yes well I found your offer of information lacking."

"So is that why you've been in an extra foul mood lately?"

Hermione dropped the spoon and sat back in her chair, "Malfoy was at your party and you gave no explanation! I've come to terms being blind, but I can't handle being in the dark like this. Either tell me everything or leave me alone."

Ginny pursed her lips, "It's not that simple Hermione. I don't even know what all happened, and Harry insists on giving you more time to adjust. I want to tell you, but Harry…"

Hermione stood and Rufus scrambled up to come to her side. Hermione gripped the handle and snapped home to the scruffy animal before leaving Ginny alone in Diagon Alley.

The long walk home gave Hermione time to think, but drew no new conclusions. Instead, her imagination grew in leaps and bounds—by the time she made it home Hermione had imagined herself lying on the ground unconscious while friends, comrades and mass destruction raged above and around her. The smell of coffee when she opened the apartment door shocked her but as she fumbled for wand a kind voice reached out. Hermione held her breath as Minerva McGonagall led her to a cup of coffee and the seat across from Dumbledore.

Hermione sat while her two favorite professors from Hogwarts told their own side of the story. Hermione absorbed the information like she had in school but intertwined with it were memories of transfiguration and advanced DADA told by each respective professor in the seventh year. She tried to imagine the years Dumbledore had spent planting the spies into Voldemort's society and turned her face away when he revealed it was Draco who saved her parents, and the extraordinary spy who was never suspected.

Dumbledore told her in detail what had happened to each friend, acquaintance, ally, or foe. Lucius Malfoy—killed by Voldemort for his failure to kill Dumbledore. Susan Bones—missing assumed dead. Alicia D'Claire—permanent resident at St. Mungo. Percy Weasley—dead. Professor Flitwick—dead. Oliver Wood—also missing. The list went on and yet Hermione sat. Millicent Bulstrode—sentenced to life at the new prison der Aufsatz (located somewhere in Germany). Madame Rosmerta—bedridden and under the care of Healer Aerin. Dumbledore paused and Minerva continued for him. She told Hermione of the effort to repair the damage the war did and of the time Hermione spent in the coma. Hermione caught glimpses of her nightmares as McGonagall spoke of the effort to repair her body and mind. "But what happened…"

Dumbledore coughed, "Only Harry could tell you that my dear, but we do know that Voldemort's spell over you helped Harry a great deal. It's why Mister Weasley and him were on such bad terms. You came out only in better condition than Voldemort."

"And Snape?"

Dumbledore sighed but made no effort to add Professor to the ex-death eater's name. "Severus worked with the Healers to repair your body before he retired to the countryside and has been acquitted of all charges…" Dumbledore eyes twinkled, "including the charge of my murder."

Hermione heard the smile in her old headmaster's voice and smiled as well before folding her hands in her lap. "And now sir? What do we do now? What do I do now?"

"We rebuild as much as we can and we make the rest better. Hogwarts will be reopening for the next school year and the Ministry is throwing its own celebration Friday night. We call for the brighter future, but my dear it starts with the desire within ourselves."

…

Later, Harry was of course furious, but a few whispered a word from Dumbledore the brewing argument was dissolved. Like old times, Hermione sat with Ron (who arrived shortly afterwards) and Harry, listening to her two friends laugh as they told her about the Longbottom-Lovegood marriage or about the final visit to the Dursleys. It was after midnight by the time they decided to leave but Ron's passing remark caught he off guard.

"What party?"

Ron laughed, "You were sent an invitation". At Hermione's silence Ron stuttered, "The celebration at the Ministry".

"Oh. Dumbledore mentioned it."

"Well, we'll see you there right?"

Hermione bit her lip and nervously cracked her fingers. A celebration? The most public appearance she had made was the small party at Harry's house. Rufus whined and sensing her apprehension, Harry crossed the room from the fireplace and took one of her hands.

"Please Hermione? We'll pick you up and Ginny will help you get dressed…"

Hermione felt lost as Ron picked up her other hand, "And mum says that she just bought you a new dress."

She weakly smiled, "I guess I can't let a new dress go to waste." Ron and Harry pressed kisses to her forehead like a mother kisses her child. She heard them grab the Floo powder and call out their respective homes leaving her with Rufus on more. Hermione tapped the floor with her cane, "Rufus—the light." After jumping onto a chair, Rufus flipped the switch and at last padded over to Hermione's feet where he laid down in a heap of yawns and the nightly ritual of scratching behind his ear. The apartment was now dark with the only light coming from outside through the window. "I don't need light I can't see."

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Please tell me what you think!

This was written on request from Erica but any suggestions, comments, or criticisms are welcome.