Chapter 22: A Traitor's Dark Mark
Upon his return to the castle Severus discreetly made his way down to his chambers, not wishing to encounter any students or 'toads' at present. Lessons were over for the day and he wondered how Albus had got on with his classes. He was sure both the Headmaster and his students had probably enjoyed the experience – Albus did mention from time to time that he missed teaching and he knew his students would not have missed him - he had been especially short tempered these past few weeks.
Once he had entered his room Severus summoned a House Elf and asked for his dinner to be served in his chambers that night. Then he washed and changed his robes before sitting down at his kitchen table to go over his plan. He felt confident in his potions' abilities to numb the area around his Dark Mark and he and Poppy had come up with a few ideas to try and stop the pain altogether but it would remain to be seen if they would work.
Severus thought about what lay in store for him, now that he was about to be branded a traitor. On the one hand this outcome was a lot better then he'd anticipated - he'd long ago accepted that he would be found out and slowly tortured by the Dark Lord before his ultimate death. But now he had a huge target on his back, and many Deatheaters would be more than happy to have a crack at him - so the torture ending was still a real possibility… And in the meantime he would be restricted with where he could go and his usefulness to the Order was greatly diminished.
With a 'pop' a tray with his dinner on it appeared on the table. Severus brooded as he slowly ate his stew and watched the clock, not quite sure when his summons would come. At 7'o clock on the dot Severus's mark burst into pain, his hand flew to it on instinct - you could tell when you were summoned what kind of mood the Dark Lord was in from how painful the call was. Severus was glad he was not going to this meeting, one because he would have been killed but also because he knew many followers would be crucioed tonight with the Dark Lord being in such a foul temper.
Steeling himself for what was about to come Severus grabbed his potions bag and headed out the door to the Hospital Wing, sending his patronus on ahead to tell Poppy he was coming.
A couple of hours later Professor Dumbledore paid a visit to the Hospital Wing to check in on his youngest teacher. Behind a drawn curtain at the back of the ward Dumbledore found Poppy tidying up a small table next to the bed in which Severus was asleep.
"How is he, Poppy?" asked Dumbledore softly, drawing closer to the bedside. His Potions Master's face was very pale and shiny from sweat, his left sleeve had been rolled up - revealing the Dark Mark which was looking swollen and infected. Around the Mark was what looked like little burn marks forming a circle around the tattooed forearm.
"He's in a great deal of pain, Albus." Answered Madam Pomphrey "The Mark was burning when he arrived and he took his nerve potion invention which was very effective. We then started trying different methods to permanently stop the pain, without much luck. About an hour ago it seems You-Know-Who realised Severus wasn't coming and the pain became… excruciating. Severus actually passed out from it."
At this Dumbledore looked very concerned. "Has there been any improvement?"
"As he was already unconscious I tried our final idea." Answered Poppy gesturing to the burn marks around the mark. "I've permanently damaged the nerves. Hopefully this will have stopped all feeling in his forearm. All there is to do now is wait for him to wake and see if it has helped. This is very nasty magic."
"Indeed, my dear. Thank you for all your efforts. If you don't mind I shall like to sit with our Potions Master till he wakes up."
"Of course, Albus." And with a wave of her wand Madam Pomphrey set up monitoring charms around Severus's bed and left for her office.
Once she had gone Dumbledore conjured up a squishy purple armchair and sat down next to the bed. After a moment he pulled out some knitting and yarn from a pocket in his robe and patiently began to count loops as he waited for Severus to wake up.
_
Severus awoke to the sound of something 'click clacking', he opened his eyes and tried to get his bearings. The Hospital Wing was dark, except for some gentle light coming from the lights on the walls above the beds.
"I'm glad to see you are awake, my boy." Said Dumbledore smiling and looked at Severus over the top of his half-moon spectacles. "How is your arm feeling?"
Severus sat up and experimentally prodded his arm with his other hand, whilst Dumbledore put his knitting away. "Strange." He remarked, flexing his fingers "I can feel a slight burning but at the same time the area is mostly numb. And there is an odd sensation in my fingers."
"Well at least it's an improvement." Said Madam Pomphrey as she bustled in and pulled out her wand to run some scans over the arm. "I recommend you apply some medela salve on the area, so that we can get the swelling down and treat the infection, and you'll need to keep moving your arm and fingers to encourage circulation. There was a chance you would still get some feeling from the Mark but hopefully this should be manageable."
"Thank you, Poppy." Said Severus genuinely "I don't think I could have managed this without you."
"You're more than welcome, Severus." Replied Poppy as she handed him a small pot of salve. "Now I know from experience that it's pointless to insist you stay the night here but I do expect you to report here after breakfast. If you don't I shall be very unhappy. Understood?"
"Yes." Answered Severus curtly, blushing slightly at being admonished like a student. He put the pot into his potions bag and shakily stood.
"I shall accompany you to your quarters, Severus." Said Dumbledore firmly as he too stood and vanished his armchair. Severus started to object but caught a stern look in those twinkling blue eyes and instead just bade Poppy a good night and started cautiously for the door.
Dumbledore and Poppy shared a conspiratorial smile at the attitude of their colleague before they too wished each other a good night and Dumbledore fell into step with Severus as they made their way towards the dungeons.
"It wasn't necessary to accompany me, Headmaster." Said Severus after a few minutes of silence.
"I merely wished to ensure you made it to your rooms in one piece, Severus." Replied Dumbledore, pointedly not drawing attention to the fact that Severus's walk was getting slower. The evening had taken its toll on the young man and though his arm was mostly numb the slight burning sensation continued.
"How did my classes go today?" Inquired Severus abruptly changing the conversation.
"Very well, it was nice to spend some time with my students. Ah I do miss the classroom, particularly when I don't have to do the marking." Said Dumbledore his eyes twinkling "You know Severus it's surprising how disconnected I sometimes feel from the school. There was a time when it occupied all my thoughts and I knew everything that went on… " he trailed off a little sadly "But no matter. Now my boy, I hope you have a good rest over the weekend and assuming Poppy gives Sophie the all clear she should be able to return here by Monday."
"The Ministry believe she has been returned then?"
"Yes, Fudge it seems believes that Lucius returned her yesterday."
"Umbridge won't be pleased with that." Smirked Severus, imagining the expression on her face when she found out her leverage had been taken away, not that it had worked, the students had been more vile then ever since Sophie's departure.
"I don't believe she was pleased." smiled Dumbledore then his expression turned grave "I do feel however that she and Fudge will be trying to get rid of me soon. If that happens it is imperative that you keep doing the occlumency lessons with Harry, Severus."
"I understand, Headmaster."
Dumbledore and Severus stopped outside the portrait of Salazar Slytherin which led to his quarters.
"Once Sophie has had time to fully recover, I hope she will recommence her messenger duties. Fawkes will be most happy to stop making the trips, he has become most irritable and difficult to live with. Well it is very late and I am a very old man. Good night, Severus." And with that Dumbledore turned and departed.
"I'm glad to hear that the young miss shall be returning shortly." Said the portrait of Salazar as he swung open.
"Yes, me too." Replied Severus as he stepped inside and closed the portrait behind him.
As promised Severus reported in to Poppy after breakfast the next morning. His forearm was still a bit infected looking but had improved overnight and though still not quite back to usual snarky self – Severus felt well enough to spend his Saturday brewing some more supplies for the Hospital Wing and the Order.
At around 11:30 Salazar announced that Mr Malfoy was outside and asking if he could come in. This was unusual as Draco normally abused his privileged access to Severus's chambers and came and went as he pleased.
Severus could not yet leave the potion he was brewing so instead gave his permission for Draco to enter and soon Draco was by his side in his personal lab.
"Are you alright, Uncle Sev?" asked Draco concerned as he saw Severus's face which was still a bit paler than usual.
"I'm fine thank you, Draco. If you can give me a few minutes I'll then able to leave this potion to simmer for a few hours."
Draco looked like he wanted to start asking questions then and there but seemed to get a hold of himself and instead went into the kitchen to brew some tea and wait for Severus to come and join him.
"We have some things to discuss." Said Severus as he sat on the opposite sofa to Draco and picked up a cup of tea.
"What happened on Thursday?" Asked Draco immediately "And where were you yesterday? You didn't come to any meals and Dumbledore covered your classes. I was so worried, Potter told me Sophie had turned up and I haven't heard anything since."
Severus took a long drink of tea before replying. Draco was old enough to know the truth of what had happened and had proven with his actions in Potter's Rebellion Club to have had a real change of mind in regards to the Dark side.
"On Thursday Fudge and your Father went to the Department of Magical Creatures and oversaw Sophie's examination, she was given the all clear and your Father was instructed to return her to the castle in his role as a Governor. However he instead took her to Malfoy Manor where she met the Dark Lord." Severus paused and took another sip before continuing "The Dark Lord wanted to question Sophie about my loyalties and did not believe her when she said I was loyal to him. He then tortured Sophie and had her locked in the Manor Dungeons. Your Mother helped Sophie escape and gave her a note to pass onto you, which I shall give you in a moment. Sophie managed to make it to a safe location and got a message through to me that I had been discovered and to not report in at the next meeting. She however was in need of medical attention and so I left to attend her. She is recovering well and should return to the castle either tomorrow or Monday. "
Draco sat there for a moment taking it all in before asking "When was your next meeting with the Dark lord?"
"It was yesterday night. I therefore had to undergo some preparation with Madam Pomphrey for the Dark Mark will…punish traitors. We have managed to greatly quieten this but I am not yet fully recovered."
"Is my Mother alright?"
"I believe so, she has fled the manor and has taken up residence in a safe location. She has left instructions in her note for you, however I was unable to read them."
Severus then rose and went to retrieve the note, whilst Draco sat there and absorbed what he had been told. His whole world was turning upside down. Severus soon returned and handed the letter over to Draco who hastily took it.
"She has gone to the Black Safe House in Yorkshire and I'm to join her at the end of the school year. She's safe at least, except perhaps from Aunt Bellatrix…"
"I can see if there's something the Order can do to help protect Narcissa further. A few of the Order members also have access to that safe house and should be able to help keep Bellatrix out."
"Which members?" asked Draco curiously
"Nymphadora Tonks for one… and Sirius Black."
"Sirius Black is in the Order?"
"Unfortunately."
"I would appreciate any efforts to help keep my Mother safe."
Severus then smiled at Draco, though the blonde had a complicated relationship with Lucius he was very devoted to his mother.
"I'm not sure how long till it is or if already your Mother's departure has been discovered. So perhaps we should go pay the Headmaster a visit?" Suggested Severus
Draco swallowed and hesitated for a moment. Not wishing to join the Dark Lord and teaming up with Potter to get rid of Umbridge was one thing. But he knew if he went to the Headmaster now he would be officially changing sides in the War. But his mother had always told him family came first, Dumbledore's group could help keep her safe and if Severus and Sophie were already fighting for the Light side…
"Yes, I think I should go and talk to the Headmaster." Replied Draco and he and Severus left the dungeons for the Headmaster's study.