Spur of the Moment

Chapter 42

"I don't know what you were doing and I don't want to know," Pomfrey said the next day. "The Mark is still there, if you didn't already guess. There is scarring now, but you have a potion for that if you want them gone."

Severus nodded as she spoke, wanting nothing more than to be able to escape to his rooms.

"Do not let me ever see you do this again, Severus Snape, do you understand me?" Pomfrey said, glaring at him.

"Yes, I understand, Poppy." Severus sighed.

"You can leave," Pomfrey said and Severus immediately left the infirmary.

He sighed as he walked down to his rooms, determined to be alone for some time. He whispered the password to Slytherin and walked into his quarters. He looked around and found that the room had been cleaned of the blood. He shook his head and sat on the sofa. He placed his elbow on the arm rest and laid his head in his hand wearily. He looked down at his still bandaged left arm. He didn't have to have the bandages anymore, but he wasn't sure if he wanted to see his arm or not. Either way, the Dark Mark was still there.

Severus looked up when someone knocked on the door.

"Come in," he said quietly.

The door opened and he watched as Dumbledore walked into his rooms.

"Good evening, Severus," Dumbledore said and Severus sighed.

"Don't lecture me, Albus," Severus said as he leaned his head back.

"I wish to know why you did it," Dumbledore said.

"That seems to be all anyone wants to know," Severus said. "I wasn't trying to kill myself. I was trying to get rid of the Mark."

"Why?"

"Because it's the reason I can't get into Privet Drive to help Harry," Severus admitted, staring Dumbledore straight in the eye.

"Severus." Dumbledore breathed deeply. "You know he must not leave."

"I don't want to hear it, Albus. I'm not in the mood," Severus said stiffly as he glared at the man. "Regardless of if you want him to leave there or not, I'm going to get him out. I'll find another way around the wards as I know you will not tell me."

"Severus—"

Severus got to his feet and glared deeply at the old man. "No, Albus, I don't want to hear it. Harry is my friend and I care for him more than I've cared for anyone else. I will not sit by while he is in Privet Drive being hurt."

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A few days had passed since Severus had been released from the Hospital Wing and he had yet to leave his rooms. Books, parchment, quills, and ink was scattered around the entirety of the rooms, making the place look uncharacteristically messy. Ivory and Hedwig could be found perched somewhere and watching the Potions Master as he rushed around his rooms and tore through all the books and parchments he had out. It was clear that the man was absolutely determined to find a way through the wards that surrounded Number Four, Privet Drive.

Severus was surprised as Dumbledore had yet to return to question him some more after he had all but physically kicked the man from his rooms earlier in the week. He was sure the old man would show up soon, however.

Severus was sitting on his sofa nearly a week after he had been in the infirmary with a large ancient text in his lap when someone knocked on the door before walking in.

"Good evening, Albus," Severus said without looking up from his book.

"Severus," Dumbledore said simply before falling silent.