At the sound of this name a million different thoughts swarmed Belles' mind. Severus. Severus Snape: potions master, death eater, headmaster of Hogwarts; the dark one now. Memories of a life past collided with hers, those of a loving family and friends she didn't have, of a world without magic filled with strange items that seemed magical; images of a war, the feeling of starvation, nights in a dinghy tent, sadness and dark magic. So much dark magic she'd witnessed, flowing from Dumbledore into the Professor. Hermione couldn't process the hit of two different existences in the same shell, she was Hermione Granger but she was also this Belle McLaggen. Her exhausted body gave up, ungraciously falling to the ground with a loud thud.

Only two weeks had passed since she'd been bonded to the young heir but they were already like this. Hermione and Cormac were brought to take shelter in the makeshift war room, passing time by listening to the strategy discussion of the Lord and his generals. A huge map laid across the long table was filled with red marks: lost territory. The giant's army had reached the edge of the manor and were fighting the wards, the most important individuals stood in the room guarded by a squad of powerful wizards and some strong wards too. Ogres had conquered the lands as if it was a children's game. Lord McLaggen had been trying to summon the dark one for a fortnight to no avail.

Hermione was on edge. She couldn't believe how foolish her other self-had been, binding herself to a wizard for a library and some gold. Yes, she was alone in this alternative world, but a witch without will to use her magic was as free as a caged bird. In this world Voldemort ruled, although he didn't look like she knew him before: he was an elegant, mature wizard and went by 'emperor Gaunt'. McLaggen was a Lord of a small region, but death eaters ruled over the most prosperous lands, free of the ogre's wrath, sporting titles like baron or count. This land was cut out from the Muggle world, as far as she knew, nobody was aware of its existence.

'I'm going to die married to Cormac McLaggen' she thought, putting distance between herself and the wizard. Snape had instructed her to remember his name so she'd recover her memories, only to die dismembered by ogre's a married witch and alone. 'Stupid Belle and stupid retrograde wizards' society'. Her thoughts were interrupted by three sharp knocks and Lord McLaggen addressed the call without answer.

"Nothing can get past the wards, open it" the Lord ordered. His men complied and proceeded to move the heavy, wooden doors, only to reveal an empty corridor.

"Well, that was a bit of a letdown" a silky baritone purred behind them

A black clad figure sat on the Lord's throne, Cormac stepped before her blocking her sight, wand aimed at it.

"You sent me a message, something about humm…'help, help, we're dying, can you save us?' " he smirked

Hermione was suddenly filled with a glee unfit the situation, Lord McLaggen eyed her warily but she couldn't care, it was him! Severus, the dark one, was here! He'd come to save them. Surely, he was going to free her and take her with him to break the curse, find Harry and finish Voldemort.

"Now the answer is yes…" he rose "...I can…" said slapping Cormac's wand "...for a price"

"We sent you a promise of gold" said the Lord

"Ah, now you see…I - can - make - gold" he answered coldly "What I want is something - a bit - more - special"

Snape's lazy diction had never been so welcomed. To her, it sounded like hope. He'd stalked past Cormac, directing his speech to the older man who was trying to shield Hermione from the dark wizard.

She couldn't believe her eyes, the figure that stood before her looked nothing like the professor she remembered and yet it was him. The contrast of memory Snape clashing with this menacing figure made her head spin. She'd thought him striking before, with his sharp features and black billowing robes, but this was something else entirely. Severus was clad in a full black outfit made of leather layers, tightly hugging his tall and thin frame; boots up beyond knee high length, his signature buttons replaced by many, many laces intertwined on infinite grommets and a leather coat topped it all, its neckline flared out, no billowing robes on sight. The hair was still black and unruly like she'd never seen it before, it wasn't exactly wavy but the locks had a static of magic crackling that reminded her of the curly mess she herself has. Yet it was his face and hands that got her attention, there was not a chance in hell to mistake this being as something other than 'the dark one'. His pale complexion had turned a cool hue giving him a grey undertone that glowed in a strange texture. It was something scaly, almost clammy and his fingers extended in a gradient of pure black. All of her happiness drained the moment they locked eyes, his were black when it used to be white bloodshot and the irises glowed with an amber shine that felt anything but warm. Hermione feared what her professor had become, the wizard was clearly more creature than man now.

"My price…is her"

Hermione's blood froze. The dark one pointed and her, his eyes unreadable. She didn't know if this was Snape saving her or the dark one doing the opposite.

"The young lady already plight her troth to me" said Cormac stepping between them

"I wasn't asking if she's got hitched" Snape jumped turning, it seemed like the wizard was unable to stay still in place "I'm not looking for love" his distaste of the word dripping venom "I'm looking for a caretaker for my rather - large - state" He said it gesturing with his hands like he was taking the measure of something and Hermione couldn't help but blush "It's her or no deal"

"Get out. Leave" Lord McLaggen spat

"As you wish" he said coldly, taking his pacing to the exit

"No, wait" she called dislodging from Cormac and walking up to face Snape "I will go with you"

An impish smirk overtook his features "It's forever, deary" Snape warned

"I forbid it" came Cormac

"No one decides my fate but me" she claimed glaring at both noblemen "I shall go…my family, my subjects, will they all live?"

"You have my word" said Snape bowing mockingly

"Then you have mine. I'll go with you, forever"

"Deal"

The men weren't happy with her decision, Lord McLaggen even tried to convince her to back down, ignoring her arguments. But any chance of changing fate was ripped off their faces when Snape stood by her side and grabbed her waist, pulling her closer.

"You know she's right" he jeered at the old wizard "The deal is struck"

"But Belle, you cannot go with this beast!" protested Cormac

Fixing his face in a condescending sneer, he made them both disappear from the room in a cloud of dark smoke. The trip felt like apparating, but without the pull and sickness of side-along. In the dark swirl of his magic Hermione thought she heard a distant low, deep laughter. They left the sound at the manor, his peculiar parting way.

When she felt stepping onto something solid, she opened her eyes and realised they were at the edge of a forest with red skies above.

"You, stay here" he ordered before stepping into the wilderness

He came back and the sky had its natural colour back. All the red seemed to have migrated to his frame, every inch of him covered in blood.

"It is done"

"What is?" She asked in shock

"You're payment for my help, aren't you?" he scoffed "I've helped. We're leaving. Now"

The dark Snape grabbed her wrist and disapparated them again in a cloud of smoke.