Disclaimer: don't own them

Warning: Contains reference to rape, beating and murder.

In time we change.

Chapter 1: Life as I know it.

Albus Dumbledore was not the same man he was 9 years ago. His once strong body was now crippled and curled. The staff he once held in his hand to open the many celebrations that was held in the great hall had been replaced many years ago with a walking stick, which now never leaves that hand.

That hand.

That hand which had once been strong. That hand which had once helped many. That hand which had once pulled his potions master out of a dark pit. That hand which had not been able to save him once he had slipped into the pit again. That hand which he hated so much. That hand which he has to live with for the rest if his time. That hand.

That hand was the reason why Professor Snape had betrayed him once again for the dark side.

It was all his fault and never did Albus feel any more guilt, sorrow or self-hatred in his near to 300 years of living then he did right then.

Professor Snape stood at the top of the Slytherin tower, looking out at the setting sun from his private rooms. He could hear the echoing cry's coming from his wife, who had locked herself in the bathroom. She had locked her self in there because she had failed to please him, so he had to punish her.

She was a smart powerful witch; she was able to use her magic to mend the broken bones, bruising, cuts and internal damage.

A obnoxious grin appeared on his face; tonight's beating was a good one.

A pale-blooded face squinted in the mirror, trying to see the extent of the damage but two swollen eyes stopped her. He had pulled out all stops this time. Didn't even touch his wand. It was all done by hand. She wont be able to fix anything until her eyes had shrunk. She didn't want to cause herself any more damage by casting the wrong spell in the wrong place. She would wait and cry at the gods for help, hoping her wails will cause some sort of regret in the man she married. But she knew it wouldn't.

For 6 years it had been like this. 9 years she had been married to him, 2 years she had been happy, 1 year she had hoped for a change and for 6 years she had wanted out. 8 and half years ago he had rejoined Voldemort. For a year Voldemort had been dead. For a year Severus had been searching for a way to bring him back.

She had really displeased him tonight. So much that he had raped her this time before hitting her, well he started hitting her while raping her, the hits became harder as he reached his climax. The pain was unbearable, she could tell she had a few broken bones.

She couldn't take it any more. It was all too much. She will go see Dumbledore as soon as possible. She wanted, no she needed out. If she stayed she will either die at the hands of his or her own.

The louder she cried she knew that self satisfied smirk on his face widened.

Albus knew this day would come. The once happy, proud, student of his sat in the chair. The only thing left of her was the empty shell of her former self. He could see some slight bruising around her left eye. He could easy tell that her ribs were causing her pain breathing.

"I need to leave Albus." The voice was horse, sore from the crying she did last night but the message got across to the man sitting in front of her. Her husband was still asleep it was 4am it was the only time she was sure he wouldn't awaken as she left. She didn't want the hassle of him stopping her.

"And leave you shall, have you got all the things you need?"

"I have."

"Then use this portkey, it shall take you to a safe-house, I do not want you to leave there for six months for he is sure to come looking for you." Albus passed a small paperweight over to the scared feeble woman.

"Thank you Albus, you have been like a father to me. I shall miss you dearly, I hope he doesn't harm you in his search for me." She rose to receive the portkey, her key to safety.

"Do not worry about me child, be safe, my star." Albus hugged the girl one last time before he watched her disappear from his office. It was time. Severus shall be along soon and he had a few last things to do first.

"You stupid crack pot old buffoon. How dare you let her leave! She is not yours to do what you wish with!" Severus roared at the Albus, never before had he been so mad.

"Nor is she yours Severus." The voice was low, hard to hear and yet the potion master still heard it.

"She is, the marriage made her mine. I will find her."

"And I shall not tell you where she has gone."

"You will regret not telling me."

"Do with me as you wish but answer me one question. How long have you betrayed me for?"

"Not long enough." Snape sneered at his Headmaster. His rage was uncontrollable.

The deatheater in Severus was coming to surface. The power flowed through his body giving him the power.

Albus fell to the floor, that hand unable to brace his face because it was lifeless, as was his body. Sound still echoed in his ears, this sound was from his Potions Master's lips. This sound was the killing curse.

"Goodbye Albus." Severus left in a furry of robes. His destination the dungeons. He was going to get his wife back. He was going to bring Hermione back to her knees in front of him, so he can have the pleasure of watching her beg just before he killed her.

A/N So...what do you think? Like it or dislike it? It's very patchy and lacks detail in some parts but that can be fixed. Do we want more?