Chapter 23

Hermione struggled to sit up, wheezing as she did so, and pulled the tray table over her lap. It was just after seven, but breakfast always came early in hospital, especially today as she had her first appointment with the physio department. As well, she knew that Healer Rasmussen was due at some point this morning to evaluate her current status. With any luck, she would be discharged in a few days, returning to St. Mungo's for regular physio appointments after that.

Once she was comfortable against her pile of pillows, she reached for a spoon. She had told no one, not even Severus, that it was hard for her to grip them. In fact, it was hard for her to hold onto anything smaller than a rolled-up face flannel. She suspected Rasmussen and the physio healers would discover that today. Sighing, she pushed the spoon aside and managed to put both hands around her cup of tea and took a sip, the hot liquid instantly filling her with warmth and relaxation.

She was grateful for the relaxation; it helped to her breathe more easily. Her pride had kept her from telling anyone that even attempting to sit up in bed caused her wheeze like a broken pipe organ and walking to the loo exhausted her beyond anything she had known before. She was not a stupid witch; she had studied anatomy texts in the course of her research for potions and knew what all this meant, given her injuries. Her fear was that her current condition would remain with her for the rest of her life. Magic could fix many things, but could it fix this?

In her dreams, she had children and a husband; would she be able to be a mother now? Would she be able to withstand the physical demands of a pregnancy and a toddler? How would she manage day-to-day chores such as dressing herself, let alone a child? Cooking? Cleaning? Many magical folk would probably easily tell her to get a house elf, but she still flinched at the thought of having one.

Carefully setting her cup of tea down, she reigned in her thoughts. Always one to overthink, she firmly told herself. Just take it a day at a time. Perhaps with therapy, she could overcome the difficulties. Before she had time to think any further, her door opened and a healer she had not seen before entered.

"Miss Granger?" The tall young man stepped further into the room. He was tanned and thin, with blond hair and blue eyes. He reminded Hermione of a Luna Lovegood and wondered if there was any relationship.

"Yes."

"I'm Healer Antony Mattison, but please call me Antony. I'm here to take you to physio."

"Oh, I wasn't expecting anyone so early. I'm not dressed!"

"I can help you, if you'd like?"

"No, thank you. But can you give me a few moments?" She glanced at the bathroom. "I just need to slip on my track suit and trainers. Will that be all right for therapy?"

"Yes. Comfortable robes and good shoes are essential. If you don't mind, I'll review your chart while you get ready. That will help me in establishing a plan of treatment for you."

"Okay," replied Hermione.

Antony assisted Hermione out of bed and surreptitiously watched her walk to the bathroom. He noted she seemed slow and wobbly, but anyone who has undergone major surgery and then lay in bed for several days can become quickly deconditioned. Some treadmill work would be in the plan. He was, however, rather startled to hear how quickly she began to breath heavily just on such a short walk to the loo. He made a mental note to speak with her healer about some respiratory therapy and an evaluation to determine her lung functionality. Today her therapy would consist of simply taking measurements of her physical status, some light exercise, and perhaps an occupational assessment.

He was further startled to see her as she came out of the bathroom. Her face was drawn, and she was sweaty. He dashed over to help her.

"Miss Granger, do you feel well?"

Hermione panted. "No, to be honest. It's very hard to breath."

"Let's get you back to bed. I'll get the healer in to give you some oxygen." He got Hermione back into her bed and covered her. "I'll be right back."

He left the room, and in a moment, he returned with Desi in tow.

"Hermione! Ant said you're not well and having trouble breathing?"

Tears filled her eyes. "I didn't want to say anything…" she trailed off.

"Oh, poppet," Desi crooned as she cast her wand to get some diagnostic readings and then began to hook up some oxygen. "Let's get this around your ears," she said as she wrangled the tubing into place. "There, you should start to breath more easily very soon. I'm going to call for a consult for your lungs, dearie. Just want to make sure all is tickety boo."

"Thank you," Hermione said quietly.

"Why didn't you say something sooner?" Desi asked, rubbing Hermione's arm.

"Because of what it may mean."

"It may simple mean that you've been off your feet for a couple of weeks and need to get stronger before you go running about," Desi said good naturedly.

"Miss Granger," began Antony, "I'll leave you for now and return later to evaluate you here at your bedside, rather than take you to the Physio Department. After you see your healer and have a few tests, we can decide on a better rehab course for you."

"Thank you, Antony. I'm sorry to have been such a bother."

"You haven't, Miss Granger. I'll see you later."

Antony left the room, and Desi continued to run a few diagnostic tests on Hermione, notating her vitals on her chart. Once she was done, she further fussed with Hermione's blankets and plumped her pillows.

"Do you think it would help if I raised the head of your bed?" Hermione nodded and Desi waved her wand, quietly raising the bed. "Better?" Hermione nodded again.

"Now," Desi said, sitting down on the bed next to Hermione. "Why haven't you said anything before about your breathing?"

"I thought it was just from the surgery and lack of moving around. I noticed it was more day before yesterday when I tried to go to the loo on my own. It was after your shift, but Severus was here, and he helped me. I managed to hide it from him."

"I don't half fancy being here when he finds out you withheld how you felt from him," Desi said with wide eyes.

Hermione chuckled, coughed a bit, and said, "Neither do I. I will confess to him. I just didn't want him to worry. He's been so worried about me and then what with his arrest, work, and the public hounding him, I didn't want to burden him."

"It must be nice to have someone to worry about," Desi said wistfully.

Hermione suddenly remembered her expected visitor and excitedly flapped her hands at the healer. "I forgot to tell you! Draconia is coming to visit me today. What time are you off?"

"Three o'clock."

"She said she'd be here just after lunch. Perhaps you could need to take my vitals around then?"

"I'd love to have to check your vitals then," Desi said with enthusiasm. "Do I look alright?" she asked, already starting to brush her healers' robes down.

Hermione chuckled. "You look fine. Draconia takes folks as they come. She appreciates a neat looking woman just as much as she appreciates one who shows she's been working dedicatedly at her profession. I'm sure you'll get on quite well."

Desi stood and squeezed Hermione's arm. "I don't know what I'll do until then. Yes, I do. I will send a memo to Healer Rasmussen that you're ready to be evaluated and to Healer Holmes, who is our lung man. I'm sure the two will consult all sorts of lovely things about you." She reached the door and sang out a 'Ta!', leaving Hermione smiling in her wake.

The thought of Desi and Draconia meeting gave her something to think about as she slipped into a post breakfast nap.

SSHG SSHG

It was just after ten when Severus was able to visit Hermione. A few last-minute problems at the shop needed to be addressed before he could arrive. He heard voices murmuring in Hermione's room as he pushed opened the door. "May I come in?" he asked as he took in the sight of Hermione, a man he knew to be Healer Rasmussen and a second man whom he did not know.

"Severus!" cried Hermione happily. "Of course!"

Healer Rasmussen stood and met Severus part way to shake his hand. "Good to see you, Mr. Snape, and please call me Vince. You've got a little fighter here," he said, waving a hand at Hermione. "We're just finishing up our evaluation. If she permits, we can discuss our findings with you both?" He looked at Hermione who nodded. "This, by the way," he pointed at the second man, "is Healer Holmes. He is our pulmonary specialist."

"Pulmonary specialist?" Severus asked, looking at Hermione who blushed. "Hermione?"

"I'm afraid you'll be quite put out with me," she said, reaching for his hand.

"Why?" he asked, squeezing her hand gently.

Vince came to Hermione's rescue. "She has been rather quiet about her problems breathing, I'm afraid. I suspect we're dealing with quite a determined witch, who wishes to not be a bother to anyone?" He looked at Hermione, who blushed at his assessment.

Severus smirked. "Miss Granger has been determined to prove herself since her first day of school." Then, in a more loving manner he said, "And she has done so admirably. She is a remarkable witch who's only failing is conceding she needs help on occasion. What have you not been telling us, love?" he asked directly to Hermione.

Quietly, Hermione responded, "I have been having trouble breathing. Specifically, breathing after exertion such as walking or even taking a shower."

Vince stated, "We knew, given the level of injuries to your back, that you may have lung trouble. It would not be unusual for you to quickly tire after surgery and lying in bed for a week. It's called deconditioning and is very common after surgery. Normally, physio puts one to rights in a few weeks, but because of your injuries, we called in Healer Holmes to evaluate your lungs and see what's what. Could you explain your findings, Neil?"

"Aye. We know she had nerve damage along her thoracic spine, specifically at T1, T2, and T3. Nerve damage can take a year or more to heal completely, but even then, it may not heal to normal function. Because Hermione had shrapnel penetrate her pleural sac, her lungs are still rather irritated. I did some diagnostics, and her lung capacity remains the same, so her ability to breath normally again will come back. I suggest she add some pulmonary therapy to her regimen of rehab to help learn how to breath with her current capacity, and how to breath during exertion, especially doing her day to day self-care, and to manage moments when she is overwhelmed."

"Will she need oxygen?" asked Severus.

"On occasion, yes," answered Neil.

Vince took over. "Before you arrived, Mr. Snape, Hermione was telling us that she is having trouble grasping objects."

"Hermione, how long have you known this?" asked Severus slightly upset.

"Mr. Snape," Vince said, "I don't think Hermione hid anything from us. Again, as with her lungs, she is deconditioned. Some occupational therapy will determine if it's just a need for strengthening or the need for adaptive equipment."

"What do you mean, 'adaptive equipment'?" Severus asked.

Neil answered, "Her wand, for example. It may need a thicker handle. Her stirring rods as well may need thicker handles. There is an entire line of everyday objects that have been created to help individuals with diminished skills to manage day to day."

Hermione spoke up. "Since my parents are both in the medical field, I am aware of what Muggles can do to adapt to day to day activities. How do you know so much about them, Healer Holmes?"

"My mother is a Muggle," Neil answered with a smile. "She works as a physio therapist, so I grew up knowing all about these things. My specialty is pulmonary therapy, but I second in occupational as well."

"And Neil has been instrumental in bringing St. Mungo's' therapy department into the twentieth century, so to speak," added Vince.

"I've always thought there was a way to blend the two societies," Hermione said. "I'm glad to know I'm not the only magical person to think so!"

With a chuckle, Vince finished the conversation. "Why don't we wrap this up, eh? Our recommendation is that you undergo therapy in all three models: physical, occupational, and pulmonary. I want to get you into pulmonary this afternoon to manage your breathing as soon as possible, as that will make all your other therapy progress more quickly. I want you to remain in hospital one more week so that we can intensively work with you, and then we will discharge you and have you return three times weekly for further therapy. We will re-evaluate you at intervals and modify the program as we go along."

"I was hoping to go home sooner," Hermione opined.

"I'm sorry, Hermione," said Vince. "I want to make sure you're stronger. I know Mr. Snape would take good care of you, but your need for oxygen at the moment is still troublesome, and I am sure both of you would want specialists at a moments' call."

Hermione and Severus murmured in agreement.

"Right then, Holmes, let's leave them pair on their own for a bit. After lunch, someone will come get you and take you to the therapy floor."

"Thank you, Healer Rasmussen, Holmes," said Hermione. "You've been kind, and I am confident in your plans for my therapy."

"I thank you as well," said Severus.

The Healers left the room with final goodbyes and a moment of silence filled the room.

"I should be quite angry with you, love," murmured Severus.

"I know," said Hermine, looking at her hands.

"But I can understand your reticence to tell me. Sometimes I forgot that beneath the brave, beautiful woman who fought as a teenager to save the world, whose incredible brain helped her to break barrier upon barrier both educationally and socially is, in fact, a woman with feelings and at times, can be rather scared and lost. I am sorry if I ever made you feel pressured to never show how scared you are."

Hermione pulled Severus to sit on the edge of the bed. "You've never made me feel that way. I suppose I've worn the mantle of Hermione Granger, Brightest Witch of Her Age, so closely for so long, I'd forgotten that I am allowed to fail on occasion. It's hard to ask for help sometimes."

"Indeed," replied Severus. "Do you need anything right now?"

"No. I'd like it if we could just rest a bit together. Lunch should be here soon."

"I can stay for a while, but I'm afraid I must leave after lunch. It's time for me to prepare the books for pay roll and the annual Ministry inspection."

"You've nothing to worry about."

"I suspect they do these 'inspections' just to be nosey. Gits."

Hermione chuckled and then yawned.

"Are you tired, pet?"

"Not really, just a little winded."

"I must tell you something, but I need to know if you're up to hearing it. I've a feeling it could be rather upsetting."

"What do you mean?!" Hermione exclaimed excitedly. "Is it about Kane's death? Kingsley cleared you himself!"

"No, pet, not that. Don't get overworked, now. Have you seen The Prophet this morning?"

"No. Why?"

"Alexis Hanneford was found dead in Skeeter's flat last night. Skeeter found the body."

"Why on earth was Alexis in Rita's flat?"

"Rumours are flying that they may have been lovers."

Hermione snorted. "But she's dated all those men, including you."

"It would not be uncommon though, Hermione. Our world is more accepting of bisexuality that the Muggle world."

"True," Hermione agreed. "I imagine that since Alexis was a socialite, she'd not want any peccadillos bandied about."

"Even if there were rumours, no one would give credence to them now for fear she might haunt them."

Hermione burst out laughing. "Oh, Severus, pull the other one!"

"I'm quite serious. Purebloods hold great store in the solemnity of the dead. Why do you think all those pagan rituals are still followed today in regard to veneration of the dead?"

"Is there any speculation as to how she died?" asked Hermione.

"Rather anti-climatically given the circumstances; it was accidental."

"What?" Hermione's eye goggled.

"She apparently drowned in the bathtub."

"Oh, that is rather boring, isn't it, all things considered. Will you be questioned again?"

"No, but I suspect my annual inspection tomorrow will be a bit more nosy than usual."

"I imagine you'll manage to make them afraid of you and leave pretty sharpish."

"Hmmm," Severus hummed in response. "Why don't you rest a bit. I've brought the newest potions journal with me and there's an article I thought you might be interested in. I can read it to you."

"Sounds lovely," murmured Hermione, snuggling closer to Severus' side as he pulled the journal form his robes.

SSHG SSHG

Severus had stayed through lunch, helping Hermione manage her meal as well as eating his own. With a hearty and lingering kiss that made Hermione flush for reasons other than her breathing, Severus left, promising to return after he closed the shop.

She was flipping through the journal Severus had left for her to peruse through when a knock interrupted her.

"Hello!" a friendly voice called followed by a higher pitched, squeaky "Hai!"

"Come in!" Hermione called. "Oh, it's lovely to see you both!" She smiled as Draconia entered the room, holding Bucket in her hand.

"He was anxious to see you," Connie said, and in fact, Bucket wiggled quickly from her grasp and swung toward Hermione on a length of silk. Once he had landed, he quickly scurried up the blanket to nestle under Hermione's ear.

"Missed you, missed you much!" he squeaked.

With a giggle, Hermione cupped her hand and pulled Bucket to her chest for a hug. "I've missed you as well. Both of you," she gushed, looking up at Connie. "Please sit." She indicated a chair to Connie, who pulled it closer to the bed. As Connie pulled up the chair, Hermione looked Bucket over, commenting on his new leg and how well his eyes looked. Bucket made excitedly squeaks of joy when Hermione tickled his belly.

"How are you doing?" Connie asked, making herself comfortable.

"I've had my ups and downs, but I'm coming along. I can leave next week, they tell me, after they see how I do in therapy."

Bucket apparently made himself comfortable, spinning a small web to sit in while the two women chatted.

Once the pair had brought the other up to date on their respective recoveries—Hermione on hers and Connie on Bucket's—Hermione asked what the Aurors had been doing in regard to Bucket's testimony.

Bucket perked up upon hearing his name and bounced around on Hermione's blanket. "Poked me they did," he said. "Not hurt though."

Connie translated, "They were actually able to pull his memories. It took a bit of fiddling, I'll admit, and he was rather knackered afterward. But he is correct in that they did not hurt him."

"Ate juicy flies after! Yum!"

"Have they reviewed the memories?" asked Hermione.

"They did, but I was not allowed to know what they were."

"Bucket," Hermione directed her voice to the little spider, "do you remember what happened?"

Bucket's legs drooped. "No. I only remember a man came in when it was dark and then BOOM!"

"It's okay, little friend, I don't remember much either."

"The aurors said they would go over the memories with you once you're able to go to the Ministry to help prepare for the trial. You would have to identify the person in them, but it's probably not hard to guess who it was based on what you've told me in the past."

"No, most likely not."

"What do you know about the death of Alexis Hanneford? You have heard about that, yeah?" Connie asked.

"Severus told me about it this morning. Very surprising to say the least, especially on the heels of Kane's death. Severus thinks the Aurors are going to try to link the two and try to link Skeeter to it. Do you know anything?"

"No."

A knock on the door curtailed any speculation, and Desi popped her head around the frame. "Time for your vitals, Hermione!"

Desi came into the room. "Oh, you have visitors; shall I come back?"

"Oh, no. It's only vitals, and I'm sure Connie won't mind. Connie," she began, looking at the woman, "may I introduce Desdemona Schneck?"

"Pleasure to meet you," said Connie, shaking Desi's hand.

"Please call me Desi. Like the great Auror Tonks who had a mouthful of a name, I too, prefer my nickname."

"And Draconia can be a mouthful too, which I why I prefer Connie," she laughed as she spoke to Desi.

"If you'll excuse me a moment, I'll be just a tick as I check Hermione," Desi said, leaning over Hermione. "Oh, my! Who's this little fellow? It is a fellow, aye?"

"Hai, pretty lady!" Bucket greeted Desi.

"It is a fellow. This is Bucket, my patient and part of my menagerie at the zoo," said Connie, reaching for Bucket.

Desi stayed her hand. "He can remain. I don't mind spiders. They're very helpful."

"All right," said Connie, stepping back so that Desi could perform her duties.

Hermione watched her friend watching the healer as that woman concentrated on her diagnostics. Connie's face and body language signalled intrigue and interest in the pretty young woman, taking care of her patient.

"Your O2 levels are a bit low, Hermione. I want to put you on some oxygen again for a while to see if we can't bring that bit up. You've therapy in about an hour, and I don't want you to be too tired for it."

"Must I?"

"Yes, you must," Desi said firmly. "There we are," she said quietly as she adjusted the tubing. "Now, I'll be back in an hour to see how you're getting on, and for now, let you get back to your visit." She turned to Connie and said, "It was nice to meet you, Connie, and your little friend!" She reached to pat Bucket careful on his head.

"It was a pleasure to meet you as well."

"Goodbai, pretty lady!" squeaked Bucket.

Desi shot a look at Hermione and then left.

Once she was gone, Connie sat again and said to Hermione, "She seems a nice young woman."

"She was rather anxious to meet you."

"Oh?"

"She had seen you leaving one afternoon and wondered who you were."

"Do you think she'd like to go out some time?"

"I think she'd like that very much. You could ask her when she comes back."

Connie blushed in response and Hermione quickly turned her attention to Bucket to allow her a moment to compose herself, only to watch her blush again when she offered to spider-sit when she and Desi went on their date.