AN: So I have officially finished the full draft of this story! I cannot tell you how long it will be because I have a nasty habit of not numbering my chapters correctly after a certain point. Still, the story will be roughly 70 chapters. Hope you enjoy the rest of the ride!

Thank you for all the support! It is very deeply appreciated!

As much as Severus loved history, he did not see the appeal of having a date at an ancient wall. Sure, the story behind Hadrian's Wall was fascinating, and it had its own type of beauty. Still, something did not sit right with him. Why did his date want to be outdoors? Was she planning a picnic? Wouldn't a cafe or a bar be more appropriate for a lunch? Could he talk her into going somewhere to eat if he became too famished while discussing Ancient Roman history? If they went to the Leaky Cauldron he could give Rosmerta a signal to help him escape his predicament. Come to think of it, that may be why Minerva told the date to take him somewhere else. It would be just like her to pull such a stunt and ensure he could not get away from his unwanted companion.

Couples walked by, conversing in excited tones. At least some people were happy to be here. Why wouldn't they be? All things considered, it was a beautiful day. The autumn air had a nip to it, the kind which reminded one it was October. Thanks to his frock coat, it was not unpleasant. The sunlight on his back warmed him as well. Perhaps an outdoor date wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

"Oi, are you Severus Snape?"

Severus glanced at the woman, who had a forest green rose on her wrist. She was dressed in cargo pants and a long, white shirt. Her boots were bulky, designed for taking on the roughest of terrain. What caught his attention was the backpack, which was half as tall as she was.

"Yes," he drawled.

"I'm Wren Finnegan" she extended a hand to him. "Nice to meet you."

"Indeed," he took her hand as his stomach developed knots.

"Minerva told me you'd be dressed in black."

"Indeed." He frowned.

"I see you're only dressed for a beginner's hike," she released his hand and examined him.

"Excuse me?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, this isn't appropriate gear for doing anything too strenuous," she hummed. "No matter. We'll figure out something. It may be best to start on a beginner's trail anyway, let you get used to hiking."

"Who in Merlin's name said we were hiking?" He demanded.

"Well, I take all my dates hiking," her grin grew. "It's romantic to get in touch with nature, to feel the cool wind on your face, to get the adrenaline pumping. Judging from your complexion, you could use more time outdoors, so a hike is perfect."

"I prefer to sit down and a restaurant or read in my room."

"You want to stay inside?"

"Yes, I prefer to read inside. It is much more comfortable on my own furniture than anywhere else."

"Sure, you can spend your life locked in your room, but there's nothing like feeling the fresh air on your body and getting in touch with nature."

"Nature is best observed through a book."

She laughed and slapped him on the back. "You're hilarious. I can tell we're going to get along just fine."

"Funny, I am beginning to suspect the exact opposite," he muttered.

"Now, I had the foresight to pack two water bottles." She set down her backpack and began to unzip it. "You'd be surprised how many people forget their water bottles during the autumn. They think if the temperature is cooler they'll be fine. Gotta stay hydrated though."

"Indeed, hydration is important," he replied as she rummaged through her bag. "I also think sustenance is imperative as well."

"Don't worry, I have you covered," she pulled out a water bottle and continued to search her bag. "I brought some nut trail mix."

"I was thinking we could have a nice Shepard's pie…"

She burst out laughing again. "No, we can't do that now. You'll get sick if you exert yourself so soon after eating."

"How much are we exerting ourselves?"

"I was aiming for a thirty kilometer hike," she examined him. "Though it appears you can only manage twenty-five kilometers."

"Twenty-five?" He spat.

"You're right, I could be underestimating you," she pulled out a bag of nuts. "You may be able to go twenty-seven kilometers."

"I'll be luck if I can go seventeen meters."

"Oh don't talk like that. You get used to the physical activity. Once we hit five kilometers, you'll start to feel alive."

Severus took the water bottle and nut mix, already wishing he was dead.

"Alright, I think we're ready. Better get going if we want to make our goal and reach the tavern by nightfall," she answered.

Oh thank Merlin, a place to eat. Too bad he would be arriving around the time of Hermione's party.

"We can camp out and resume our journey tomorrow," she continued.

"That won't be possible. I promised a friend I would meet her for dinner tonight."

"Oh," Wren tapped her chin. "I don't want to keep you for too long."

"Indeed, which is why I think we should go to a tavern now…"

"Better get hiking then," she slapped him on the back again before picking up her backpack and taking off. "Last one there is a dirty, rotten grub worm."

He watched her hike away, wondering if he could disapparate without her knowledge.

"If you don't come with me, I'll tell Minerva you volunteered for another Hogsmeade weekend."

Grumbling under his breath, he trudged after her, hoping he could keep up with his overeager companion.

Ten kilometers into the hike, Severus' coat was glued to his body by copious amounts of sweat. He'd never considered himself as muscular as a Quidditch player, but he didn't realize how out of shape he was until his hike. Despite Wren saying that she was four years older than him, she hiked faster than most first years running down the hall.

"Do you hike often?" Wren asked.

"I don't hike and all," he gasped for breath.

"That's unfortunate," Wren gave him a half smile. "We'll have to get you into shape."

He gulped for air. "How did you meet Minerva?"

"Oh, we're both registered animagi. Every once in awhile, we attend the same conferences."

"What kind of animagus are you?"

"A snowy owl. Perfect for taking to the skies and observing all of nature's beauty."

"I see."

"Are you an animagus?"

"No, I could never get the technique perfected."

"That's unfortunate. Perhaps I could teach you sometime."

"How about instead of hiking, you teach me now?"

Once again, she chuckled. "When Minerva said you had a sharp tongue, I thought you'd be mean, not funny."

"Trust me," he scowled. "There is nothing funny about feeling as if your side is about to burst open."

"Isn't that the best feeling?" Her eyes glistened. "Once you power through it, you feel as if you can conquer anything."

Severus begged to differ, but kept the sentiment to himself.

"Yes, once we get over these next few hills you'll feel like a new man," she continued.

"I like the man I am just fine."

"Never a bad idea to push yourself into being better though."

"How did Minerva convince you to go on this date?" He asked.

"I read an article about you in The Daily Prophet a few years ago. You had a fascinating story. I wanted to get to know you if I ever got the chance," she replied.

"Wait," he stopped. "You're only with me because of an article you read?"

"That's what piqued my interest, but when Minerva said you could use someone to care for you, well, I took one look at you and realized you could use some time outdoors, enjoying the fresh air, hearing the birds call to each other, and living your life."

"In other news, you want a rugged outdoorsman in my clothing with my backstory." He scowled.

"You don't have to be an outdoorsman, but it would be nice to hike with someone," she called.

"I'm not a hiking partner."

Wren stopped.

"I am not someone you can trot out on your list of, 'famous people I've met,' nor am I someone you can mold into your image," he snapped.

"I don't want to mold you." She approached him. "I just want to help you live your life."

"I am living my life."

"According to Minerva, all you do in your spare time is read. If all you do is read, you'll live in the world of your imagination. The world will pass you by, and you'll never know it."

"My life is fine as it is."

"Then why are you forty-eight with no wife?"

"Why are you fifty-two with no husband?"

"Because I'm a widow."

He closed his mouth as his chest ached. Despite the woman's obnoxiousness, she didn't deserve to have her husband's death thrown in her face like that.

"We were both forest rangers who loved to hike," she continued with a distant look in her eyes. "He knew how to live life to the fullest. You on the other hand seem determined to stay stuck in your young adulthood, mourning a woman who died decades ago."

"For your information, I haven't thought about Lily in years."

"Really?"

He nodded. It was true, and not because he'd been suppressing her memory. His life had gone in such a different direction after the war, and his obsession with her had faded from his memory. He no longer owed anyone any debt, including her. Best to enjoy that fact instead of dwelling on the past.

"Good, but learning to be an expert hiker will erase any lingering affection for her," she replied.

"Talking about her while hiking is only adding to my irritation towards this situation."

"You know what your problem is?"

"You're being an overbearing dunderhead?"

"You haven't learned how to deal with your pain."

"Deal with my pain?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Yes," she argued. "You haven't learned to deal with the physical exertion hiking brings, so you're taking it out on me. You just need to work through the pain."

"Did you not listen to a thing I said about not being an outdoorsman?"

"Don't worry. The more hikes we go on, the stronger your body will be."

He groaned.

"C'mon, we've wasted enough time talking. Time to hit the trails again," that obnoxious smile returned as she took off on the trail.

Snarling, Severus followed. The things he did to get out of Hogsmeade weekends.

"Now I was thinking that on our next date we can hike the South West Coast Path. It will be difficult, but I think with some prodding you'll be up for the task," she began.

"Aren't there cliffs along that path?" He asked.

"Yes, which means we'll need to get you some better gear. I was thinking next weekend we could go shopping…."

Severus didn't hear the rest of her speech. All he could envision was being smothered by outdoor equipment, dressed in clothes he hated, doing an activity which made his body scream for some kind of reprieve. Was she that desperate not to be alone that she would want a second date with someone who hated her lifestyle?

"I think we could also stand to get you some better teaching clothes, add a little color to your wardrobe." She glanced back at him. "Pink may suit you just fine. A pastel would wash you out, but a hot pink would bring out the darkness of your hair."

Wren turned around and continued to speak, but Severus couldn't focus on a word she said.

Hogsmeade weekend be damned! He was not going to stand one more minute with Wren and her image of a man he'd grown to hate.

With a resounding CRACK, he disapparated to the one place he knew he'd be safe.

"Severus Snape?" Rosmerta asked as he stumbled inside, gasping for air.

He collapsed onto the nearest chair, eliciting the stares of a few patrons.

"What the hell happened to you?" She fanned the air, reducing the stench of his sweat. "You're pale and look like you're about to pass out."

"I apologize, but please tell Hermione I need to see her now," he panted. "I know it's early for her party, but I fear it's important."

"Okay, sure," Rosmerta drawled.

"Also," he took another deep breath. "Tell her to bring Ibuprofen." He winced as his legs cramped again "I'm going to need it."