Chapter 90: A Clean Break

{A/N: Here's Another Update...Happy Thanksgiving}

My Thanks To My Readers and Reviewers...Enjoy-S.S.

Transfiguration Classroom, Hogwarts Castle, Wizarding World...

Hermione found herself utterly shocked when the Headmaster arrived in transfiguration class and instructed that Professor McGonagall allow her to leave for an "important assignment". He knew full well that Severus Snape intended to spend time alone with his wife and given the situation looming in the distance due to the unbreakable vow, the elder wizard decided to assist in allowing the dour younger man one last measure of comfort before his world would inevitably come crashing down around him. Harry and Ron seemed more curious than suspicious given that it was Dumbledore himself that requested Hermione assist Snape, for her part...the girl was utterly speechless and quite shocked that she'd been called for in the middle of class no less. Dumbledore thought it best given how Umbridge had been moving about the school and the chance of her catching on to Snape and the young Granger girl's marriage would increase the danger of them being exposed. Ginny had been quite keen in terms of intellect of the worldly sort and knew all too well that Snape and Hermione were married.

"What's Snape need Mione for?" asked Harry not at all pleased with the idea of Snape being anywhere near his friends.

"You heard Dumbledore she's got an assignment." mumbled Ron annoyed that he couldn't escape this afternoon's transfiguration lecture as well.

"But with Snape?" asked Harry still not keen on the idea.

"Hermione's always after extra credit assignments maybe Dumbledore strong armed Snape into letting her have one." chimed Ginny as they watched Hermione swiftly gather her things and head toward the door along with The Headmaster.

"Don't see what's so fun about doing extra work." muttered Ron. "I can't stand any of the standard stuff as it is."

Professor McGonagall didn't question a thing, allowing Hermione to leave and turning her attention back to the rest of the class and her continued lecture. Ron groaned as a result wishing he'd been heading out with Hermione. He supposed whatever Snape had her doing wouldn't be as boring as another of McGonagall's lectures. Ginny suppressed a giggle at the thought of Ron's whining and turned back to her own work.

Hermione hardly had any time to pack for the trip, but was looking forward to leaving the castle, which had gotten quite stuffy with the likes of Umbridge running about in it and spending time with her dour husband. She knew all too well that the war was beginning to take a toll on him and that the most recent acts against Muggles wracked him with immense guilt. Harry and Ron could do without her for a few days, with Umbridge around there was little chance of them getting up to any mischief with her gone anyway.

Dumbledore seemed to be miles away as he lead Hermione out of the thick oak wood castle doors and toward the grounds. He knew that there was always a chance of Umbridge snooping about so he neglected to mention where Snape had been waiting for her. Hermione seemed to understand focusing on getting away from the castle and back to her husband.

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The Grounds, Forbidden Forest...Wizarding World...

As Hermione and The Headmaster got further and further away from the castle, she noted the lone figure cloaked in ebony standing on the edge of the forest. She tried her best not to smile upon sight of her husband for fear of what Dumbledore would think of her. He had not been too pleased with the level of affection between them as of late and often berated Snape for indulging it. Their falling for one another had not been in his calculations, as he anticipated Snape to be either incapable of falling for his young student and her of reciprocating given the level of animosity he witnessed from the beginning between them. While he could see that he'd been wrong in his assumption, he knew that his pervious stance on their relationship coming to an end would no doubt occur given the task before Severus in the days to come. This small gesture had been all he could afford the boy in a bid to appease him when the time came.

Hermione was looking forward to whatever her husband had planned for them thinking about it ever since he'd drunkenly made his promise to her. Umbridge coming delayed things no doubt but she was glad that he'd intended to keep his word even while sober. Dumbledore and Hermione got closer to the ebony clad figure and she could see the dark obsidian of her husband's enraged eyes as he watched them advance.

"As promised Severus." said Dumbledore standing before Snape. "Your lovely wife, safe and sound."

Snape narrowed his eyes at the elder wizard before turning his attention to Hermione.

"You can leave now, old man." he growled still not taking his eyes off his wife.

Hermione took no offense as she knew how her husband felt about the Headmaster and his interference in his life thus far.

"As you wish." replied Dumbledore looking upon them one last time before sighing and taking his leave.

With Dumbledore well out of the way, Snape swiftly grabbed Hermione's hand and before she knew it, everything became distorted as a resounding sound of thunder echoed in her ears and Hogwarts as well as the forbidden forest disappeared.

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Unknown Location, Unknown World...

Hermione awoke to find herself in a strangely elegant room dressed quite spectacularly in a red silk gown and adorned in bright glittery jewels. The last thing she recalled was leaving Hogwarts and meeting up with her husband after being escorted to him via Dumbledore. She hardly had time to adjust to her surroundings as Snape walked in appearing to be vastly different from his usual dour self. He wore a crisp white dress shirt tucked into his black trousers with heavily polished boots of Muggle leather. His normally lank raven hair had been pulled back into a ponytail and his expression seemed to be one of puzzled mystic than anything else. His frock coat seemed to have been updated and well cleaned as it lay across a nearby chair and there was a silver watch on his arm. Hermione's confusion had gave way to her curiosity as she found herself moving toward a nearby mirror in a bid to see her own appearance. She seemed to have aged some the very image of a full grown woman.

Snape seemed to smirk in the background as he watched her look over herself in the mirror.

"I didn't wish for unwanted confrontation given the occasion." he said. "Unlike last time."

Hermione understood that he had used a good deal of magic to make this evening perfect and quite possibly called in a few favors. The curious witch had not known what to say although the look on her face gave her husband the impression that she was no doubt pleased. Content with her being delighted Snape moved toward the chair and grabbed his coat, swiftly putting it on. He had plenty of Galleons and whatever Muggle currency was needed in this place and he'd spare no expense if it meant making her happy for as long as he could.

Hermione followed him, wrapping her arm beneath his as they exited the room.