The wheelchair-bound warrior is speedrunning Hogwarts.

Harley would steal glances at her every now and then, hesitant to speak, her eyes filled with regret and unease, while Hermione sat awkwardly between the two.

Every time Harley tried to speak, Vera avoided her gaze, leaving her dejected and hanging her head in frustration.

Ron cautiously leaned closer: "What happened?"

Hermione shook her head, signaling him not to ask any more questions.

The lunch was unusually quiet. Hermione tried several times to lighten the mood, but to no avail.

Vera didn't leave until lunch was over.

"Where are you going!" Harley stood up immediately. "I mean... can I come with you?"

Vera stopped her wheelchair, without turning around, and said softly, "No need, I want to be alone for a while."

Harley's shoulders slumped, and as she watched Vera push her wheelchair away alone, tears welled up silently in her eyes.

Ron glanced at Vera in the distance, then at Harley beside him who looked dejected, and couldn't help but lower his voice to ask Hermione, "Did you two have a fight?"

“I…I misspoke,” Harley’s voice was muffled, her fork unconsciously jabbing at the mashed potatoes on her plate. “I mentioned her leg…”

Hermione sighed. "Harley was just being too worried. Vera went missing this morning, and we looked for her for ages."

“Oh…” Ron suddenly realized, then scratched his red hair in confusion, “But what’s there to be angry about? Hasn’t Vera always been very independent?”

“That’s exactly the problem,” Hermione said helplessly. “Vera doesn’t like being treated like a special person, and do you think Vera likes it when people keep emphasizing that?”

Ron suddenly realized, then frowned in confusion: "But it's true..."

Hermione rolled her eyes: "Ronald Weasley! Sometimes the truth can hurt!"

Listening to their back-and-forth conversation, Harley buried her face in her hands in frustration: "I'm such an idiot..."

“No, Harley…” Hermione was at a loss and quickly reassured her, “You’re just too worried about her. At most… you just haven’t figured out the right approach!”

Ron quickly chimed in, "Yeah! And Vera usually seems so easygoing, who knew she'd care about this..."

"You'd better shut up!" Hermione gritted her teeth and turned to glare at him.

Ron wisely shut his mouth and made a zipping motion.

Harley shook her head, her green eyes filled with self-reproach: "No, it's my fault..."

Seeing her friend fall into a state of withdrawal, Hermione couldn't help but facepalm and could only continue to comfort her, "Vera isn't the type to hold grudges. As long as you apologize properly, she won't hold a grudge against you."

Harley looked up, a glimmer of hope in her eyes: "Really?"

“Of course,” Hermione nodded firmly. “You’re best friends, aren’t you?”

Harley took a deep breath, as if making up her mind: "Yes! I'm going to find her right now!"

"No...you, you sit down!" Hermione quickly grabbed her sleeve. "Vera said she wanted to be alone for a while. Going there now will only make things worse!"

"What should I do?" Harley's shoulders slumped again, and she looked like a pitiful kitten abandoned by its owner.

Hermione scratched her head, looking conflicted: "Give her some space, and we can talk about it properly when we get back to the dorm tonight."

Ron muttered to himself, "If you ask me, why not just send her something she likes..."

Hermione was about to retort when she saw Harry's eyes light up: "Ron is right! I'll go prepare it right away!"

She had only just stood up and taken two steps when she hesitated and stopped, turning her head back with a pitiful look: "But... I still don't know what Vera likes..."

Hermione and Ron looked at each other, speechless for a moment.

Indeed, Vera usually appears too independent and reserved, rarely revealing her personal preferences.

"Food... Chocolate Frog?" Ron tentatively suggested, "Or how about you just buy a snack gift pack?"

Hermione shook her head: "Too ordinary... Vera doesn't seem like the type to be tempted by candy."

Harley bit her lip and thought for a moment, then her eyes suddenly lit up: "That's it, she likes to look at the stars... I know what to give her!"

As she spoke, she hurriedly stood up, but Hermione stopped her again: "Wait, Harley. Remember, the point is to apologize, not to give any gifts. Gifts are just an excuse to break the ice."

Harley took a deep breath and nodded seriously. "I understand. Thank you, Hermione."

After saying that, she rushed out of the auditorium like a gust of wind.

Hermione sighed helplessly, "I hope everything goes well for her this time..."

Ron shrugged: "At least it's better than seeing her all down."

On the other side, Vera pushed her wheelchair to the lawn by the Black Lake.

The early autumn sun was warm but not glaring, the lake surface shimmered, and occasionally the tentacles of a giant squid skimmed across the water.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm the unease in her chest.

She wasn't really angry with Harley, but... when she heard Harley blurt out those words, an indescribable stinging sensation suddenly struck her.

Vera looked down at her numb legs, her fingertips gently tracing her knees.

She closed her eyes, feeling the gentle breeze caress her cheeks.

To this day, Vera can hardly remember what she looked like in her past life.

But her physical limitations prevented her from fully remembering a feeling that was insignificant in the past, but is now incredibly precious to her.

It feels like I can walk normally.

Occasionally, in the dead of night, she would return to that hazy daily life of the past, and then, upon waking and feeling the dull pain and numbness in her body, she would once again fall into the pain of loss.

It's because I can't forget that I'm so bothered by it.

Because she had just experienced failure, and then had her hopes dashed just as quickly, she was hurt by a seemingly caring remark.

Vera took a deep breath and looked at the sunlight dancing on the lake, slowly pulling herself out of this self-pitying mood.

She knew she was overreacting, but at that moment, she really needed some time alone to process her emotions.

I'll apologize to Harley when I get back.

Just as she was about to close her eyes, she heard footsteps behind her.

Author's Note: py: "The Evil God Ladies Are Conquering the World"

Chapter Fifty-Four: Hermione, a New Type of Mother

The instant she heard footsteps, Vera almost instinctively assumed it was Harley coming to find her.

But when she turned around and saw the familiar brown hair in the sunlight, aside from being a little dazed, she also felt that this was the natural course of events.

After all, Hermione was a mutual friend of hers and Harley's, and at that time... she was also there.

Of course, more importantly, as far as she knew, Hermione didn't have many friends in elementary school until she came to Hogwarts and met them.

It's understandable that Hermione would take the initiative to mediate the conflict so that her two hard-won friends wouldn't fall into the awkward situation of "divorced and having to live with her father or mother."

Vera gently turned her wheelchair around to face Hermione: "You've come."

Hermione sat down next to her and instinctively pulled the rug up a little for her legs.

Then, to Vera's surprise, Hermione didn't rush to speak up for Harley, but instead sat down comfortably on the grass and basked in the sun.

“The view here is really nice,” Hermione said softly. “It’s much quieter than the library.”

Vera paused for a moment, then nodded: "Yes."

The two sat quietly for a while before Hermione spoke again: "Speaking of which, Vera seems to really enjoy being alone."

“…Hmm.” Vera responded softly, her gaze fixed on the distant lake.

For some reason, she didn't know how to explain it to Hermione.

If it were Harley Quinn, at least she'd have a few lines to say, but Hermione…

Hermione, one of the three main characters, is actually a very thoughtful person, completely different from Harley, who is a bit carefree.

The same words that might work to appease Harley Quinn wouldn't be as effective on Hermione.

Hermione turned to look at her, a gentle smile in her brown eyes: "I understand, actually. Sometimes I also like to be alone, especially when I need to think."

Vera nodded slightly, her silver-gray hair fluttering gently in the breeze: "Being alone allows one to hear their own voice more clearly."

“But sometimes,” Hermione said softly, “some voices can be shared, I mean, shared with someone you trust.”

Vera turned her head and met Hermione's gaze.

His sincerity and gentleness were so intense that she could hardly look him in the eye.

"Hermione..." She opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say, so she closed it in vain.

Seeing her hesitant expression, Hermione shook her head helplessly, quickly stood up, placed her hands on Vera's wheelchair, and leaned down to look directly into the woman's somewhat bewildered eyes.

What beautiful eyes!

Hermione sighed inwardly. It was as black as ink, yet it faintly revealed a golden luster, captivating anyone who looked into it.

"...You're getting a little too close, Hermione." Feeling the girl's warm breath almost touching her cheek, Vera turned her head away uncomfortably and muttered a reminder softly.

“Are we that close? I don’t feel it at all.” Hermione didn’t back away; instead, she moved even closer, her brown eyes reflecting Vera’s image. “Vera, you know what? Sometimes I think you’re even more awkward than Harley.”

Vera's face flushed slightly as she tried to push her wheelchair backward, but Hermione firmly held onto the armrest: "Hermione, stop fooling around..."

“I’m not making a fuss.” Hermione gripped the armrest tightly, her gaze fixed on her. “Even though you didn’t say it, I saw it all, Vera…you always refused whenever Harry and I tried to help you push your wheelchair, right?”

As if her most secret thoughts had been exposed, Vera froze, then lowered her head in a fluster, her long silver-gray hair falling down and obscuring her expression.

"I...I didn't." Her dry denial sounded unconvincing, even to herself.

Hermione sighed, released the armrest of the wheelchair, and squatted down to be at Vera's eye level: "Vera, do you know? You're always like this... You could rely on us, but you insist on carrying everything alone."

Vera's fingers unconsciously gripped the blanket on her knees, her voice so low it was almost inaudible: "I just... don't want to be a burden to you."

"A burden?" Hermione's eyes widened as if she had heard something absurd. "How could you think that?"

Vera looked up, a hint of vulnerability flashing in her dark eyes: "It's just the way it is. My leg... makes me need help from others in many things."

Even though she didn't want this so-called well-intentioned aid at all.

Even though she knew that her awkward feelings stemmed from her complete lack of preparation to truly accept the current state of her body.

Suddenly transported to another world and trapped in this flawed body, she could only find a goal for herself, constantly telling herself that everything could be improved.

Otherwise... the original Vera, who died in despair and pain, should serve as a cautionary tale for her.

“So what?” Hermione retorted without hesitation. “Harley needs me to help her organize her notes, Ron always rushes to finish his homework at the last minute, Neville often loses his toad, and Seamus always causes explosions.”

Even I'm called Miss Know-It-All… Everyone has their weaknesses, but that doesn't mean they're a burden.

Vera was momentarily stunned, staring blankly into Hermione's bright eyes.

Hermione smiled slightly, her voice softening as she said, "Vera, do you know? You are the smartest and strongest person I've ever met."

You always handle all situations calmly, learn spells faster than anyone else, and can easily deal with troublesome guys like Malfoy…

To be honest, sometimes I'm even jealous of your talent... but that doesn't mean you have to face everything alone.

Vera was silent for a moment before saying softly, "I'm just... used to it."

“Then learn to change this habit.” Hermione took her hand. “We’re friends, aren’t we? It’s normal for friends to help each other.”

Looking at Hermione's serious expression, Vera felt the knot in her chest gradually dissipate.

After a long pause, she slowly spoke: "Hermione, you are really good at persuading people."

Hermione paused, her face flushing slightly, and turned away somewhat embarrassedly: "I was just... stating the facts."

Seeing the future Minister of Magic blush, Vera slightly raised her lips and said, "Actually, I know I overreacted at noon."

“No, of course you have the right to be angry!” Hermione frowned. “But Harley really didn’t mean it. She cares about you too much, which is why she said those hurtful things.”

Vera sighed softly, "I understand."

"So... you're not angry anymore?" Hermione asked tentatively.

Vera looked up, a slight smile playing on her lips. "Mm."

Hermione breathed a sigh of relief and flashed a bright smile: "Great! I knew Vera was the most understanding!"

Author's Note: py: "Warhammer 40, Did I Pick Up Doro Outside?"

When the emperor first walked among mortals, amidst the snow-covered landscape and the mocking crowd, he saw a small, thin white figure, so covered in wounds, so pitiful.

"Please take me with you. I'll be happy wherever you are."

The Emperor smiled, reached out and gently stroked Doro before him, saying, "Is that so? Alright, but the place I'm going to is very, very far away. Are you still going to follow me?"