New chapter, I just wanted to draw attention to the perception of events. Keep in mind each medal has two sides.
Remember from which perspective we see events and well, it will not be always fully objective :)
PS. I am looking for 1-2 Alphas to read my works (some not yet published). If anyone is interested, let me know.
Beta: As always best - Ann, astrangefan!
V
2000
Her eyes were blank, her lips pressed tightly together, and her knuckles white from clenching. She stared at the representatives of the Ministry of Magic in disbelief. Especially at Kingsley.
"Our actions in relation to the Death Eaters - former Death Eaters - were partially considered too hasty. At the moment, the public mood has definitely improved and it is fair to say that people tend to forget about painful events. Consequently, as the Ministry of Magic, we must react quickly and decisively. Among the extensive consultations that I have personally conducted with the Heads of all Departments, we are implementing a new program: the Former Death Eaters' Resocialization Initiative. Of course, only for those who pleaded guilty. We decided to pilot one selected person. Depending on the scale of the effects, we will decide what to do next. "
Suddenly the chair Hermione was sitting in became uncomfortable. She didn't quite know what she was doing here, but she could feel that she would find out soon. And she had a strange feeling it was not going to be pleasant news.
"I've been talking to this person for a long time and I know very well that he expresses a strong commitment to improve. During the trial, he pleaded guilty immediately and did not defend himself at any stage." Kingsley paused for a moment and took a sip of water. He avoided looking at Hermione as if he could feel her eyes burning on him. "During the discussion, we also decided to select the appropriate person from the Ministry who would take part in this project. And we chose you, Hermione. " His voice was dry, and Hermione raised her eyebrows in surprise.
This was not what she expected.
She shook her head and wanted to say something, but Kingsley silenced her with a gesture.
"You have no family to be a hindrance." His words were like a slap to her face. "And this project will be very demanding. And that's why I decided to trust you. I know you won't let me down." The hardness of the last two sentences was surprising. There was no sympathy in his words, moreover, on the contrary, arrogance, maybe even hostility? "You are an outstanding employee of the Ministry of Magic and all of us here consider you to be the perfect candidate." Kingsley continued, and the others eagerly nodded in agreement.
Hermione looked at each one individually, but no one could withstand her heavy gaze. They looked away or lowered their heads completely.
"So we are honored to announce that in two weeks you will be the first official employee of the Former Death Eaters' Resocialization Initiative, called the Shadow Project." Kingsley began to clap and smile tangentially, but his eyes were icy.
And then Hermione realized why Kingsley had transferred her to the Department of Mysteries the year before. It was not a reward. It was a clever trick. As a right hand she would have to be involved, but being sidelined...How could he just surprise her like that, put her up against the wall and announce that he was taking control of her life? Not him - the Ministry. Under a beautiful cover, he effectively silenced her for two years and... He could punish her. Maybe it was some kind of revenge?
Hermione realized she had stopped listening to him when he waved a hand in front of her eyes.
"Hermione." He grunted and handed her the parchment. "Sign in the designated places." He tapped his finger and handed her the pen, and she regained her speech.
"I cannot. I do not agree."
There was a silence in the room, and Kingsley tilted his head and eyed her.
"If you do not agree, it will put me - the Ministry - in a really difficult and uncomfortable position." He narrowed his eyes and leaned over her, trying to exert pressure and drive his point home to her increasing discomfort."I cannot guarantee that your attitude will not raise objections among other Departments."
His words were veiled threats. If she refused, she sensed she might say goodbye to her job at the Ministry.
"I would prefer you to sign." There was a murmur of approval among the crowd, and she felt hemmed in.
She was very anxious about her position in the Ministry. She needed this job, she needed the money. She still rented a cramped studio on the outskirts of London, where only she and Crookshanks lived. She put aside some of each paycheck in the hope that someday she would be able to afford something better.
Unlike Harry, she didn't have a pile of money in a Gringotts vault. Ever since her parents forgot she existed, she was on her own. And that meant she had to work to have anything.
The job at the Department of Mysteries was a very depressing place for Hermione. Since she wasn't yet an Unspeakable, she had no access to ninety percent of the Department. Due to her experience with the Time Turner, she spent most of her time in the Time Room. However, the tasks she was given she performed immediately - they posed no difficulty to her.
She spent a lot of time alone, surrounded only by clocks touching each other. Even the mentally strongest person would go mad after a while.
Inhale.
Exhale.
She clenched her fists tighter and felt how tense she was. She ran her tongue over the inside of her teeth and made herself say:
"What exactly is the project about?" She hadn't heard any details so far, but did it really matter to her in her current situation?
Kingsley grinned, but it was a forced smile - his eyes were blank.
"Sign first. You will learn everything in your own time."
And then Hermione realized she was Kingsley's hostage.
Shacklebolt handed her the pen and she took it. Anger grew in her with each passing second.
"Here." He pointed a finger. She signed. "Here." She signed. "And here." She signed.
The crowd clapped and she felt she had signed a pact with the devil. And the worst part was that she didn't have the faintest idea what she was signing.
Kingsley handed her the file and only said, "Good luck, Miss Granger."
You will need it.
Hermione didn't show up for work the next day.
Hermione's cramped London apartment was filled with darkness. The curtains were fully drawn, the window was closed, the door was locked.
There was half-finished coffee on the desk. And some forgotten glass with the remnant of wine. Next to it, a bottle of whiskey with a visible bottom. The bed was made as if no one had slept in it recently.
There was a carpet on the floor and scattered papers. Crookshanks sat down dissatisfied on the edge of the desk and, looking down, began to meow horribly.
It didn't affect Hermione, who was lying on the carpet.
The woman was pale as a sheet, the shadows under her eyes took on an unnaturally purple tinge. The eyes were swollen, slightly red. There were dried tear marks on her cheeks. Disheveled hair spilled around her face.
Her whole body was tense as if she was ready to attack. But she wasn't.
She stared blankly at the ceiling, blinking occasionally. In her left hand she was holding a piece of paper on which there were a lot of sentences. The right hand gripped the carpet fibers tightly.
Meow.
Crookshanks jumped to the floor and looked at Hermione. He forced her to react when he slapped her with his paw.
She let go of the paper and wanted to raise her hand, but it involuntarily fell down, limp. Tears ran down her cheeks. More salty drops fell on the carpet, and she sobbed softly.
In solitude.
FORMER DEATH EATERS' RESOCIALIZATION PROGRAM
SHADOW INITIATIVE
The aim of the project is to resocialize the Observee with the goal being to reintegrate the Observee into the society.
The Observee is a former Death Eater. An Observer is appointed by the Ministry.
The Observer is obliged to stay where the Observee is present.
The project lasts until its success is announced, not earlier than six months from the start.
Progress will be monitored on an ongoing basis, with reports to be sent directly to the Minister of Magic.
Deviations from the rules are only possible with the clear agreement of the Minister of Magic.
Observer: Hermione Granger, Department of Mysteries
Observee: Lucius Malfoy, former Death Eater
Observation place: Malfoy Manor
Duration: 2000-2001 (with the possibility of extension, depending on the needs)
Approved by Kingsley Shacklebolt, Minister of Magic
Twenty-year-old Hermione Granger entered Azkaban unsure of what would happen to her knowing well what awaits her. She had spent the last three years being haunted by demons of the war. She was fighting with the dreams that haunted her, the nightmares that had made her wake up screaming. Images she saw when she closed her eyes followed by a scream that froze on her lips. Silent.
Now she was being compelled to relive them.
She had no idea why she was the one chosen of all the people that worked in the Ministry of Magic.
Forced into the game by Shacklebolt, she knew she had to play her part. Otherwise, consequences awaited her.
"Miss Granger." Lucius Mafoy's cool voice greeted her as soon as she stepped over the threshold.
"Mr. Malfoy," she replied, keeping a similar timbre. She tried with all her might to hide the contempt in her voice.
"What brings you here, Miss Granger?"
She dared to look at him and all she could see were his eyes. Pale blue, slightly silver irises.
" I was assigned to a project from the Ministry. I'll be your shadow."
"Really?" The astonishment on his face was just a flash, then the mask came back. "Of course, Miss Granger. As you wish."
"Mr. Malfoy, I hope our cooperation goes well and we build a relationship for the good of the Ministry ..." Hermione continued, knowing she was lying. Lucius snorted, brutally cutting her off.
"First of all, please leave that crap in the Ministry. Second, honesty. If you are to be my shadow, I do not hold with lying. If something doesn't feel right for you, Miss Granger, please say it. "
Hermione looked at him in surprise, forgot for a moment about the mask she wanted to keep. After a while, a wave of anger swept her, and she knew her face was red as a beet.
Malfoy looked at her coolly, but it was a blank stare. Not as haughty as she remembered from the past.
"Any questions Miss Granger?"
She shook her head and handed him a parchment with the Ministry's seal on it. He took it and their fingers touched briefly. She felt as if she had been electrocuted; she pulled her hand back as if it had been burned.
He ran his eyes over parchment, but his face showed no expression. He took the quill from his cell and scratched a few words on the back.
In the end, she couldn't stand it and asked him a question that was very ambiguous even for herself. But she wanted to hear his answer and how he would interpret it.
"Why did you do this? You paid a huge price for this."
Lucius raised his eyebrows and grunted.
"We don't always make wise decisions from a rational point of view. You'll find out for yourself one day." Lucius wrapped the parchment and tied it with a ribbon. "Could you pass this to Draco?" He handed her the letter, and she hesitated.
She shouldn't be doing this.
"You can read it if you have doubts about the content." He added coldly.
"That's not what I meant." She started to speak, but stopped.
"Rule number one, Miss Granger. We are not lying to each other."
She looked him up and down and realized something very important.
"You knew about this project, right?"
He approached her, only centimeters away. She felt dizzy and she quickly propped herself up against the wall. Unwanted images flashed before her eyes. This time they were different than usual.
Malfoy Manor. Bellatrix. Crucio.
Inhale. Exhale.
Inhale.
Exhale.
A minute later she regained control and heard Malfoy reply.
"Yes, Miss Granger."
He was standing very close to her, but didn't move. He just watched her.
"Did you decide… " She didn't know how to finish, but she didn't have to.
Lucius Malfoy snorted and Hermione got her answer. So it was Kingsley's decision after all.
There was a sound outside the door, which meant their time was up. She started to leave when she heard:
"Looking forward to seeing you, Miss Granger."
She looked over her shoulder at him and swallowed hard. She said nothing and left.
And only she saw his cold, empty eyes piercing her soul.