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.

To all those who reviewed --- tefy, J.S., Atlanta, Didi---thank you so much!

From Darkness

By Rei (Of Reminiscence)

For Erica

Previously in From Darkness Chapter Two: A Choice to Leave Ignorance

Placing her hands on her friend's shoulders, Ginny drew Hermione into a hug. "We wanted to wait, but after months and you didn't get better, we decided to exchange vows and save the actual ceremony for later. Dumbledore told Harry we should tell you as soon as you were well but it never felt like the right time to tell you. Please say that you understand."

She heard Neville's sharp intake of breath and imagine him blushing down to his toes. His light touch on her hand caused something deep down to crack. Hermione grabbed his hand and furiously shook it, "Don't you dare be sad for me Neville, things could have been a lot worse…"

Hermione shook her head and gripped Draco's arm a bit harder. The whispered of '5 stairs' caught her attention and she took a tentative step up. Finally, she stood amongst her friends and Draco as she accepted the minister's medal accompanied by the Order of Merlin First Class.

"I can teach you how to see without your eyes but leave Potter and the rest of your friends out of it. It won't be easy but then I expect you know that."

Chapter Three: The Momentary Insanity of Despair

Hermione curled up and cried. The dishtowel Rufus had dropped at her feet remained there forgotten. Her finger's cut had slowed to sluggish ooze but Hermione couldn't feel that, she could only remember the frustration and hopelessness. The coffee grinds that started the relapse were silent across the countertops and floor. Shards from the broken mug were scattered about her and it was easier just to cry. Crying helped. Crying released her. Her muscles, remembering similar clenches of pain from months ago, gripped her with a familiar terror. Hermione sobbed, using her left hand to ease the tense muscles. She leaned forward and cried into soft yet hard form in front of her. As the form's limbs held her tight, Hermione shuttered and wept away what she had been trying to suppress. The desire for coffee long forgotten, Hermione finally laid still as sleep over took her.

The sticky roughness of Rufus's tongue drew Hermione up and out of bed—an unfamiliar bed. Her initial fear of the hospital was swept aside when a crushing force took her up into a hug. Two crushing forces Hermione amended when she heard their shouts of glee. Hermione laughed too and obligingly held on to George as he carried or rather twirled her down to the kitchen.

"Mum said you had come to spend the night—"

"So we thought we should. Though it's a bloody shame we weren't allowed to bring our new prototypes."

"You would love the Knots, we use them on Ron when he comes around."

Hermione laughed and kicked out at Fred when he pulled her extended foot. The fun didn't end when George dropped her in a chair. Instead, the laughs and chuckles continued throughout breakfast. Mounds of scrambled eggs, plates of bacon, bowls of sausage, mountains of pancakes, and almost two loaves worth of toast accompanied by gallons of milk, coffee, or tea were devoured over the next two hours. Somewhere in the middle of breakfast, Arthur's arrival accompanied Bill's and Charlie's then after a reshuffling of chairs the meal began again. The food was wonderful and Hermione was thoroughly stuffed. The twins laughed Molly's scolding away as they kissed her and Hermione on the cheek. Slowly the table was cleared away and then only two mugs remained.

Molly sipped her tea and watched Hermione over the rim of the mug. "Did you like your dress?"

"Yes it was very nice I hope it didn't cost too much."

Molly laughed, "Well actually since the boys opened their shop they've been paying for a few things here and there. George and Fred insisted on footing the bill—they mentioned it was payment for destroying your uniform."

Hermione laughed, "Oh I had forgotten! One of their trick meant for Ron hit be first and turned my robes pink..they swore one day they would buy me new ones."

Molly chuckled and refilled their cups with fresh water, "They wouldn't of repaid Ron. Mint or Berry?"

"Mmm Berry."

Molly added mint to her own cup and a slice of lemon before leaning back in her chair well worn with age. "So were you shocked when you woke up?"

"What happened?"

"Well apparently your dog ran down to the Leaky Cauldron then one of men there recognized him and owled Harry. He found you and brought you here late last night, you've been asleep since yesterday morning. Ginny and Harry had you at their house for a while."

"Oh, and Rufus?"

"Arthur picked him up when he went out for errands." Molly looked up at her old clock and smiled weakly at the spoon which no longer moved, "We lost so much during the war my dear girl and if something happened to you… Ginny told me she finds you sitting in the dark and the other night you looked so sad sitting at the table. Now I know the Malfoy boy isn't the best company…"

Hermione gripped the mug between her hands, "That's the thing, Draco was the one who had been the best company! Ginny wouldn't let me take my cane, Harry won't tell me anything, and even though Ron waked me to the table he didn't do anything else. Some days I'll feel alone and then I feel smothered!"

"What happened yesterday?"

"I wanted to make coffee but then I split the container and then I was trying to clean it up and then I dropped my cup and I was trying to pick up the pieces and then my finger got cut then I slipped…" Hermione sobbed into her hands and turned away.

"Now dearie its okay." Molly pulled Hermione to a hug, "The boys are unsure how to understand the new you. You've always been strong—seeing your dependence on your cane or a moment when you can't do something hurts them. Harry was so upset when he brought you over and when you didn't wake up later in the evening he almost went for a Healer. Its hard but we're here for you. The boys and Ginny will get used to things and they'll get better." Molly pulled Hermione's chin up and wiped away the tears, "You'll get better. Now lets get cleaned up and we'll nip over to Diagon Alley. We'll even bring Rufus if he'll cheer you up, and then cook a feast—this will be the first time we've all been here in a while."

Diagon Alley seemed all the more mysterious when Hermione couldn't see what she heard. Rufus had only fully walked the length of the wizarding street once even though Hermione frequently walked him to the cauldron. He panted in excitement yet still walked at a controlled pace with Hermione holding onto his harness's handle. Rufus sneezed at the monkeys, and Mr. Ollivander gave him a treat when they stopped at his shop.

Before long, Molly had most of the things she needed for dinner and was currently taking a quick break with Hermione. They drank their bubbly sodas and planned a few final shops to visit.

"Molly!"

Hermione tilted her head trying to place the voice.

"Oh dear its Mrs. Pennybrew. I'd introduce you but Ron would never forgive me. She can be a terror. If you don't mind I'll just pop on over."

She smiled, "I'll wait here and catch my second wind." Secretly, Hermione was glad for this moment to sit down as Molly could maneuver the shops for days and still have enough energy to tame Fred and George. The sun peeked out from behind the clouds and warmed her back with a soothing tenderness.

"Is this seat taken?"

"Malfoy? No, but I'm with a friend."

"Yeah I saw Weasley's mother, and what have I said before? Its Draco, now try it yourself…"

Hermione bit back a smile, "hmmm… Draco."

"Good now next time when I see you'll say 'Hello Draco'"

The screech of the chair along the stone patio made her cringe. She wondered what to say and instead worrying laughed when Rufus took over the conversation. Apparently he had moved from behind her chair to attack Draco. "Calm down, its just Rufus."

"Rufus? You named your dog after the Minister? I'm sure he'll be touched and more than he's touched already." Draco moved his chair away from the panting animal

"He's a seeing eye dog, he came with the name."

"Yes well if my tie is still in one piece after you get home, I would like it back."

"Miss Hermione?"

Hermione turned her head hoping for some direction from Draco but unfortunately received none. She blankly head out her hand, "Yes that's me, you are?"

"Letia—from Hogwarts first year…My father, he's a muggle, and he works at a publishing office. For your kindness…"

Hermione quickly grasped the hard object before it fell out of her hand. The object was square and felt like plastic. The girl's footsteps ran away and Hermione frowned, "Well just don't sit there Draco tell me what it is."

Picking it up Draco chuckled, "Well the girl certainly knows your from Hogwarts. It's Hogwarts—A History on CD. Do you generally make this impression?"

Hermione shook her head, "No, usually its Harry who gets all the attention." The silence permeated the atmosphere and she was reluctant to break it. "Your offer…" Hermione inwardly frowned when Draco made no effort to support the conversation. "Where would we…I mean somewhere…"

"In most places we would have endless onlookers, my place will do fine."

"Malfoy Manor?"

"Where else? I will provide for your arrival although it will require your cooperation—a lock of hair will do fine. I take it you'll be at the Weasleys for the day…" At Hermione's nod, Draco leaned back and pulled a small knife from an arm sheath. "That's fine then… Expect me tomorrow about 2 and be dressed to work."

Hermione felt a pull on her hair and grabbed the strands once the pressure was gone. "Why tomorrow?" She received no answer and when Molly returned minutes later Hermione had almost convinced herself she had just imagined the chance meeting. However, Molly questions about what he wanted destroyed that fantasy.

The day in Diagon Alley ended and by the time everyone started to gather around the dinnertable Hermione's arms were tired from the endless stirring, pounding and mixing. Once Molly had made the bread dough, Hermione kneaded it while she moved on to something else. Other various dishes, after being put together, were also stirred by Hermione, but the Sweet potato pie was her favorite.

The meal didn't have the same conversation during lunch since everyone concentrated on their food, but after the dishes had been pushed back Arthur spoke about some minor raid. New ways of securing Gringotts, a loose blue diamond dragon, and new plans for rebuilding dulled Hermione's ears. Fred picked her up even though she refused the need for sleep.

The deep chuckle amused her, "You've work hard Hermione—you deserve a rest."

Molly looked at the couch and sighed, "Poor girl. I think I wore her out."

"Is she doing better then?"

Molly cracked Ron's hand with a nearby serving spoon, "No thanks to you. I know its not your fault, you don't understand, but Hermione needs aid."

"We tried Mrs. Weasley but she's so stubborn…" Harry squirmed in his chair and threw a glance at his friend, "She says one thing but then gets mad when…"

"I said aid, not help. If you take her out tell her where and what for. If you're going to get food read the menu not to her but generally out loud. You boys have to be her eyes and still allow her to maintain a strength."

Ginny squeezed Harry's hand, "She sits in the dark with nothing to do. She can't read and certainly can't work."

"Then every morning take her out to lunch before you go to work or at least ask the girl questions so that she can use her brain." Molly paused in her tirade and looked about the table. "She feels vulnerable right now and just needs to know we're standing beside her."

George threw down his fork and scowled, "She needs to know that it can still be like old times."

The table's occupants nodded and took a collective rest from the topic. Ron quirked his half smile and drew out a piece of folded parchment. "Now that's cleared, here's the information for the next meeting—six o'clock at headquarters."

- - -

Hermione gasped as she held her hand to her eyes and reached out with the other. She grabbed wisps of air until suddenly something grabbed her hand. The damp scaly skin made her skin crawl and her stomach lurch against her innards. The formidable man grabbed the other hand and drew it away from her eyes. Red-rimmed eyes looked into her own and stared. "Such a slip of a girl…" A tingling sensation and Hermione brought up her defenses. The continuous poundings against the wall made her cringe and almost sob when a single crack appeared in that wall. With a roar of triumph and man leaped into the mind, "Yes all of them…all of your secrets!"

With a cry Hermione forced herself out of the dream. She was on a couch probably in the Weasley house by the feel of the knitted blanket. Her body shook with the effort to control herself—Voldemort was dead and no one else would care to attack her—she was Harry's poor blind friend. "Its nothing…just your imagination." She shivered and couldn't push that terrible feeling out of the pit of her stomach. The last day of the war would echo for an eternity.

For a second the despair gripped her like a night terror. Would she ever dispel this dreamer's fear? Even awake she didn't quite feel the total reality of the situation. She fumbled her way to Mr. Weasley's workshop carrying that small package with her. Rufus whined but she closed the door on him. Gently, she felt her way around until she came to a small round device with headphones. Pulling out the CD she inserted it and started pushing the small rounds buttons. Hermione heard the disk spin and sighed.

"Founded by Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin, Hogwarts is a school of witchcraft and wizardry. As the only major school of the magical arts in Britain, the enrollment at the school is rather large and is open to and Britain child with magical potential at age 11. With the extensive grounds…"

The tenor voice filled her ears and she leaned against the door post unknowing that from the top floor of the house a young man watched her. She smiled for once peaceful in the darkness.