AN: Thank you for all the support! It is very deeply appreciated!
"'Mione!" Angelina squealed as she opened the door. "It's so great to see you again!"
"Likewise," Hermione forced herself to grin as she gripped her wheelchair's armrests.
"You look so cute," she gushed. "You even managed to brush your hair today. Did you do that all by yourself?"
"I did," Hermione replied through gritted teeth, trying to expel their last meeting from her mind.
Several years ago, Hermione was in the hospital after another painful, useless magical medical procedure. Her hair had been matted beyond recognition from all the spasms and restless nights. When Angelina had offered to brush her hair, she allowed it, if only because she could barely lift her arms after the latest procedure. Little did she know that from then on Angelina would offer to brush her hair, and then do it without her permission.
"Here." Terry took a hold of Hermione's push handles, "Let's get you out of the doorway so we can all sit down."
"Oh yes," She began as Terry wheeled her to the sofa "Please come in. I am thrilled to see you again. Feel free to move me around as you wish."
"There you go," he whispered before giving her a soft smile.
From the corner of her eye, Hermione noticed Ernie's eyes glued to her leg, his mouth agape. She bit her tongue, hoping it would be enough to starve off the rant threatening to bubble to the surface.
"You don't look as sick as we thought you would be," Angelina spoke to Hermione as if she was five. "From the way Neville was talking, we thought you'd still be in your bed."
"As you can see, I'm awake."
"Yes, but aren't you tired?"
"I can usually recover from my bouts of severe leg pain within a few hours," Hermione began, noting that Ernie's eyes still had not gone off her leg, despite him going inside and shutting the door behind him.
"I think it's so amazing that you are functioning so well," Angelina's voice was sweeter than a dozen chocolate frogs. "It's so amazing that you can work at all."
"Indeed, it's taxing dealing with dunderheads all day. I have no idea how I manage," Hermione grumbled.
"Speaking of students, how many have you run over the last week?" Terry asked. "You must be hell on wheels. I'll bet when you teach about muggle cars, you just wheel right along, and tell them you can drive without a license."
Angelina and Terry laughed. Hermione shook her head, wondering if they were aware her parents' friends said all the same things, with the same obnoxious laugh.
"Does that thing ever stop shaking?" Ernie burst out.
All eyes turned to him.
"I mean," he pointed to her leg, "That thing does not stop spasming and shaking. It, it's amazing."
"Oh yes, being in pain is so amazing," Hermione grumbled. "A regular medical miracle."
"Ernie," Angelina hissed. "You shouldn't stare and point."
"Actually, if you have a question about my leg, I'm happy to answer it," Hermione replied.
"Why did you stop treatment?" Ernie asked. "I wouldn't want to live with something like that."
"I stopped searching for a cure because the treatments were painful and I realized they were diminishing my quality of life."
"Don't you have a terrible quality of life now?"
"My quality of life is fine," she began in an even voice. "Granted, I would appreciate more accessible structures like doorways that fit my wheelchairs and ramps which led into the front of buildings, but my leg is not the source of all my issues. Society being inaccessible is a much greater problem for me."
"I think you are so brave going on as you do," Angelina gushed. "You are the bravest person I've ever met."
"Thank you," Hermione mumbled.
"Do you ever miss walking without some kind of machine?" Ernie asked.
"First of all, they're called assistive devices."
"Machine, assistive devices, what's the difference? You still can't walk. Doesn't that bother you?"
"I'm used to not walking without them. After a few years, it became second nature," Hermione took a deep breath.
"But doesn't not walking making you feel like a freak?"
"Perhaps you should change the topic from Hermione's disability to why you are here," Severus interrupted, his muscles tense.
"No, it's fine," Hermione locked her wheelchair. "I'm fine answering questions provided they aren't intrusive and are asked from a place of genuine curiosity."
"What's he doing here?" Terry asked, his pleasant demeanor now evaporated.
"He must have come up to check on Hermione," Angelina began. "Which is super sweet. Snape finally found a friend. It's adorable!"
"Yes, but I thought he had a cold," Ernie began, standing over Hermione. "I thought he'd be in bed praying for death."
"He's in the room," Hermione snapped. "If you have a question about his health you can ask him."
"Why are you here?" Angelina asked. "Are you taking care of Hermione?"
"Actually, Hermione is caring for me. I have a cold and need tending to," he coughed a few times.
"Oh dear," Angelina turned to Hermione. "Couldn't getting a cold kill you?"
"I can handle a cold," Hermione answered. "Especially when one only comes on during a Quidditch game, and leaves the second it's over."
"Yes, but why risk getting sicker?" Ernie asked. "That could really harm you."
"To begin with, I'm not sick. I'm disabled."
"Is there a difference?"
"Yes, there is."
"What is it?" Terry asked.
"A disability means I must do certain tasks differently than others people do, and may not be able to do certain things at all. It also means I need accommodations to engage in the activities others can do."
"Isn't it annoying always asking for accommodations?"
"Yes," Hermione relaxed. "But once I receive them, I can function quite well."
"It must be inconvenient for others to always accommodate you," Ernie answered. "I mean, Severus must have been annoyed when brushing your hair and changing your clothes today."
"He didn't brush my hair, nor has he ever changed my clothes," Hermione argued. "Just because I struggle to walk doesn't mean I can not longer care for myself."
"You're right," Angelina glared at Severus. "Given his appearance, he wouldn't know how to brush your hair anyway."
"Indeed I have not brushed my hair since the seventies," Severus replied.
"Really?" Ernie asked.
"Oh yes, it's my best kept secret that my hair is so atrocious because I fail to care for it."
"Huh. That makes sense."
Hermione smacked her head.
"Does Severus ever give you a hard time because you're a Gryffindor?" Angelina asked. "Is he a meanie?"
"No," Hermione glanced at him and gave him a small smile. "He has not been cruel to me since the day I was hired. In fact, he's been wonderful to me, and is one of the best friends I've ever had."
"Really?" Terry frowned. "Because he was anything but a kind headmaster."
"Yeah," Ernie added. "He did keep the Carrows employed after all."
"Against his will," Hermione argued.
"He wasn't exactly protesting the horrendous treatment of Gryffindors," Ernie scowled. "You knew how he was when you were a student. A leopard doesn't change its spots."
"He was only cruel because we were fighting in a war. We aren't fighting in the war now, so he has time to cultivate friendships. I'm lucky he decided to befriend me," She winced as her leg spasmed.
"Oh dear," Angelina began. "Hermione's wearing herself out."
"No, I'm fine," Hermione began.
"Do you need me to wheel you into the bedroom?" Terry stood and grabbed the handlebars of her wheelchair.
"I'm fine!" Hermione shouted.
They all stared at her.
"I promise you I'm fine," her voice was softer as she rubbed her leg.
"Okay, but if you get tired don't be afraid to tell us. It's okay to want some nap time," Angelina answered in a voice one would expect from a four year old.
"I'll keep that in mind." Hermione removed her hand from her leg.
"We all have an announcement for you," Terry released her wheelchair.
"Yes?"
"Ernie and I are applying for the Defense Against the Dark Arts position!"
"So you are," Hermione diverted her eyes to their non-shaking legs.
"We owe it all to you," Ernie patted her on the back, causing her to cough. "You're the one who taught us how to fight for justice and how to defend ourselves."
"I'm glad my lessons are being put to good use." She craned her neck until she could meet their eyes. Until now she hadn't realized how tall they were. Had that wheelchair made her that small?
"Yes," Ernie gave Severus a pointed look. "We got quite a bit of experience fighting in the resistance against a certain evil headmaster."
"Severus' isn't evil!" Hermione snapped.
"How did you keep your job?" Ernie paid no attention to Hermione. "I thought everyone would have had enough of you after the war."
"Minerva had a lapse in judgment which I benefit from every day," Severus deadpanned.
"It must be hard being his colleague," Terry looked at Severus. "Merlin knows how unpleasant you are."
"Indeed, I am quite unpleasant to those who cannot move on from the war and refuse to give up their preconceived notions of me," Severus growled.
"Really, I don't know how you can stand working in the same building as him," Terry replied, keeping his attention on Severus. "I mean, he made you cry when he said he didn't see any difference between what you looked like before and after Draco hexed your teeth."
"I haven't thought about that in years because I'm over it. We're friends now," Hermione argued, ignoring the ache in her neck.
"I suppose he can't say there's no difference between how you appeared as a student and how you appear now," Angelina glanced at Hermione's leg.
"You must be desperate for friends if you consider Severus a friend," Ernie replied with a twinge of sympathy.
"I told you, he's the best friend I've ever had!"
"Even better than Harry and Ron?"
He chest constricted at the mention of Ron's name.
"Speaking of friends," Angelina grinned. "Ron says, 'hi.'"
Hermione furrowed her eyebrows. "I am delighted he remembered I existed."
"You should consider contacting him sometime. He's ready to forgive you if you'll see him."
"Forgive him?" Severus and Hermione snapped in unison.
"Yes, Hermione hurt Ron by taking him for granted, but he's willing to move on from all that."
Hermione's temperature skyrocketed as Ron's look of disgust flashed in her mind. He glanced at her leg as if it was the eighth horcrux, something he would amputate and discard if given the chance. No, he'd never do that, because being one legged would destroy whatever desirability Hermione had left. Best to degrade her for not trying hard enough to obey the healers' impossible commands and play the victim.
"Of course, things may be awkward with Lavender around, but they aren't married yet. There's still time to win him back," Angelina winked.
Hermione erupted into a coughing fit. Everyone stared at her and she wheezed between coughs.
"Look what you've done," Angelina snapped at Severus. "You made her sick!"
"Do you need me to wheel you to your bedroom?" Terry grabbed the wheelchair handlebars.
"No," Hermione squeaked. "I need some time to myself."
"Are you certain?" Severus asked.
"I am." Hermione coughed again.
"Okay," Angelina ran her hand through Hermione's hair "If you need us, we're only an owl away."
"I'll keep it in mind," she let out a weak cough.
"It was great to see you again." Ernie began. "Perhaps next time, we can talk without Severus making you sick."
"Really, it was bad enough you were awful to us as students," Terry snapped. "Now you're making Hermione sick."
"I assure you my intention was not to cause her any harm," Severus argued.
"It's never your fault, is it? First it's James Potter's fault for making you into a snarly old bastard, then it's Voldemort's for making you a Death Eater, and now you're making people sick, which is probably Hermione's fault."
"I do not blame Hermione for her illness. Unlike everyone else in this room, I think she is capable of determining who she does and does not want around. If she wants me around, I'll be here. If she wants me gone, I'll leave."
"Of course Hermione can determine who she wants around," Terry argued. "You're the one who won't give her any autonomy. You're so desperate for companionship you'll force yourself on her until she gives in just to make you shut up."
"I assure you, I know how to tell Severus to leave," she choked before coughing again. Then, she reached for Severus' hand. "I want him here."
"You must really be struggling if you want him around," Ernie snorted as Severus took her hand and squeezed it.
"Oh dear, you're exhausting yourself. You should let us take you into the bedroom and tuck you in," Angelina offered.
"I promise you, I'll be fine as soon as everyone but Severus leaves," Hermione replied.
"Why do you want Severus to stay here?" Ernie snapped.
"Because I need to tell him something in private."
"There's no need to be afraid. We'll defend you if anything happens."
"This is confidential information about a student which cannot be heard by anyone outside of Hogwarts."
"Indeed," Severus answered.
"Fine, but take care of yourself," Angelina ran her hands through Hermione's hair again.
"I will," Hermione replied.
"And if Severus gets out of line, just let us know," Terry answered.
"When we're your colleagues, we'll protect you from him," Ernie replied.
"I do not need protection from Severus," she argued.
"Are you sure?" Terry asked. "Because from where we're standing, he messes everything up in his life. If you are not careful, he will destroy you too."
There was a flash of pain in Severus' eyes.
"Get out!" Hermione yelled.
They startled and stared at her.
"Severus is my friend, and is the only one in this room who is treating me with any respect at all! Get out of my quarters before I use this wheelchair to grind each and every one of you into the ground!"
"Geesh," Angelina grumbled. "You don't have to be so cranky."
"Get out!"
The trio of unwelcome guests glared at her before exiting.
When they shut the door, Severus released her hand, "I apologize for not doing more to stand up for you. I thought you could handle yourself. If I was wrong in my assessment, then I deeply apologize."
"No, you weren't wrong, I needed my agency," she answered. "Merlin knew they weren't going to give me any."
"Indeed."
"All that being said," Hermione sat up straighter. "I want to go to my classroom."
He raised an eyebrow.
"I want to fly, and I want to fly now." She emphasized the last word.
"Are you certain?" He asked.
"I've never been more certain of anything in my life," her eyes hardened. "I'll be damned if they become our colleagues. Somehow, someway, I am going to learn to fly, and prove once and for all that I should be the Defense Against Dark Arts professor."
Severus grinned. "Then lead the way."
Hermione unlocked her wheelchair and did just that.
