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Granger got him a guide dog at Harry's request, and she also convinced Harry that Severus should use a white cane. Severus was now learning how to use a white cane. He hated it because it showed that he was weak and unreliable, and in the Wixen World, people with permanent disabilities that were not treatable by magic were considered to be something to hide.
“Ableist sods; that’s what they are.” Hermione said about the Wixen World when he mentioned how he and others like him were treated. "Muggles are not much better in many ways, but at least they came up with solutions to make it easier for people with disabilities to go about their lives. That is why you must take advantage of what is available to make your life a little easier.”
Severus was not sure why he had taken Granger's advice, but now he had a guide dog named Milo and was making friends with people from the white cane training. He complained about it to Harry, who would kindly laugh at him and tell him that making friends was a good thing.
Severus never imagined himself living with Harry, with Harry loving and caring for him. He never expected to find comradery with Granger. He never expected to live past the war, and when he had survived, he expected to live a life of misery stuck in his home until the day he died.
Going into bright spaces or outdoors in the daytime became unbearable for Severus. For months, he stayed in his parent’s house, brewing in low lighting, searching for a way to reverse whatever caused his partial blindness. (He was sure it was one too many cruciatus curses that had injured his eyes.)
Then Harry came knocking on his door to tell him that he had received an Order of Merlin. And he had many questions for Severus, but Severus was never one to reveal everything after one plea, so Harry returned every day, until it became Severus' new normal to have Harry over for lunch every day.
Now Severus and Harry were hosting Christmas Eve at their home. Harry did most of the socializing for the both of them, while Severus sat on the sofa with Milo seated beside his legs and Teddy next to him drawing in a coloring book. Most of the Weasley bunch had come over for dinner, and so had Granger and Andromeda with Teddy.
“Hello, Severus. How are you doing? Harry tells me that you’re progressing well in your training.” Granger approached him and spoke to him, sitting in a chair across from him.
Severus sighed and thought, At least Granger is tolerable enough to converse with .
“I am well, and it is going fine.” Severus petted Milo’s head. “How are you, Miss Granger? How is it going with the ministry?”
Her mood shifted, and she slumped in her seat. “Horrid. They’ve not listened to any of the changes I think are necessary for the Wixen World to move forward in this new era. Kingsley is doing his best as Minister for Magic, but he is also caught up in the ways of the past.” And she went on and on about all the injustices that needed fixing, until Harry interrupted.
"Sorry, 'Mione. I need Sev to help me with something.” Harry said, guiding Severus into the kitchen, which was flooded.
Severus and Harry waved their wands, making the mess disappear. “What happened?” He asked, drying his trousers and shoes.
Harry winced as he said, “Toire had a bit of a magical tantrum, and now she’s embarrassed and hid herself in the lavatory. Says she won’t come out unless it’s you.”
Severus sighed, caressing Harry’s nape and messing his hair even more. “The things I do for you.” Milo followed him to the lavatory. He knocked on the locked door.
“Go away.”
“Victorie, come out. I am not angry with you. It is normal for children to experience accidental magic. No one was harmed, and that’s all that matters.” Severus comforted the sobbing girl.
The door was unlocked, and tiny arms encircled his legs. “You promise you’re not mad?”
“Promise,” Severus said, and he picked up the little girl, taking her to her mother, who scolded her in French.
Harry hugged him from behind and whispered in his ear, “You will make a wonderful father someday.”
“So will you; after all, you have experience from partially raising Teddy.”
Severus never thought he would have a happy life after everything, but he was glad he could share this Christmas Eve and many others with his new friends and family.