Marriage of Inconvenience ***COMPLETED***

18 Escape

Over the next couple of months Hermione thought long and hard about her future.  She'd recoiled in horror when she learned that a friend of hers, Susan Bones, had been bonded to a man of nearly 40 years her senior, and a whilst he was never charged with any crimes, it was a well known fact that he was a Voldemort and Death Eater sympathiser.  He treated  the young witch deplorably and it was also said that when he was in drink he would beat her and rape her and it appeared The Ministry turned a blind eye; and her attempted suicide was treated no more than a 'pathetic attention seeking episode'.  The wives of Wizards were classed as chattels with absolutely no rights of their own. 

Hearing of Susan's plight and fearing for her own fate, she made a monumental decision that would ultimately affect her whole future.

"What do you mean you're leaving?" Minerva was sat behind her desk, looking incredulously at Hermione who had just handed her her resignation. "You can't leave. Where will you go? Have you really thought this through girl?"

Hermione sat down rather heavily on the chair opposite Minerva. "I'm sorry to leave you in the lurch Minerva." She replied "But I can't stay in the Wizarding World if I no longer know what my fate will be. You've heard what's happened to Susan?" Minerva nodded sadly "At least back in the Muggle World I shall be free to choose my own destiny."

"Well I can see you are determined to go. Have you told Severus?"

"No" she almost whispered "I don't know if I can. You see, before he married Evadne he wanted me to leave the Wizarding World with him and start again living as Muggles and I refused. I told him he couldn't run away and that he had to stay and face the music. I effectively sealed his fate. I'm not sure I could face him and tell him I'm running away."

"Piffle! Severus sealed his own fate when he made Evadne pregnant. You can hardly be to blame for that. He couldn't run away from his responsibilities and whilst it pains me to say it you are in a far better position to leave, although I jolly well wish you'd reconsider."

"I can't Minerva. But can.... can you tell Severus for me? I just don't think I can face him."

"No. I cannot." She looked kindly at Hermione. "Think how you would feel if I told you he was going away and you'd never see each other again? You'd be devastated. No. If you are brave enough to leave the Wizarding World and everyone in it, you're brave enough to face your friend. Tonight is The Yule Ball, I take it you're still be going?" Hermione nodded "then that will be a good time to break the news."

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The Yule Ball was one of the few occasions where everyone - both staff and students alike - let their hair down, mingled and had a lovely start to the Christmas Period. Set a week before Christmas Day it signalled the beginning of the school holidays and everyone looked forward to it with much excitement. The Great Hall had been decorated both magically and muggle and looked truly resplendent decked with Christmas trees and thousands of twinkling lights and bows of holly, glistening baubles and sparkling tinsel. Magical snow swirled around, not landing or making anything cold or wet but just adding to the ambience of the evening and turning the whole place into a Christmas Wonderland.

Dressed in a sapphire blue satin and chiffon off the shoulder, floor length gown, and with her hair in a perfect chignon, Hermione Granger looked both elegant and beautiful. She caused a number of heads to turn and a sharp intake of breath when she walked down the stairs and into The Great Hall.

Severus saw her sweep into the ballroom and he felt his throat constrict.  She was a vision of pure grace and beauty and the stone that was permanently in his heart ached for her all over again.