Disclaimer: Same as before.

Snape's eyes widened in shock and his face blanched. So he had noticed he thought in horror. The pounding in his head resuming he tried to regain his usual serene facade. He attempted to adopt a tone of contempt and disdain, pretending he did not know what the man was talking about, though he was sure he would not fool Dumbledore, after all the man was a legilemens himself.

'Injuries? What ever are you talking about Headmaster?'

He whispered softly, his darting black eyes registering the fact that most of the staff had stopped eating to stare at them. For Dumbledore had not bothered to keep his voice down.

'Severus. It was not lost on me that you were seemingly punished yesterday by Voldemort or some Death Eater and though you attempt to hide it, I would ask you to at least let Madam Pomfrey look you over.'

Snape stared at the Headmaster in disbelief and anger, but embarrasment was also present in his mixture of emotions in the form of yet another drainage of color from his face. Dumbledore frowned slightly at Severus' starch white face and the way his eyes were darting around madly, a vein pulsing rapidly in his jaw. Perhaps he should have let the talk for later.

'Headmaster. There are no injuries to be accounted for, but if there were any..I hardly deem this to be the appropiate time to discuss them.'

He snarled as silently as he could, a mad urge to curse the whole staff into oblivion almost overpowering him. His anger getting the most of him he stood up, the chair clattering loudly behind him. Angered and embarrassed by the spectacle he was creating he strided off, ignoring the weakness in his legs and the dancing spots in his eyes. When he had left the Great Hall he felt a hand settling on his shoulder and instantly turned around, reaching for his wand. He took his hand from his pocket when he saw it was no one but Dumbledore, who however seemed quite alarmed by his reaction. Still it was not surprising, he lived on constant alert...since he was five.

'Will you accompany to my office?'

The old wizard voiced quietly and staring at him kindly. Snape licked his dry lips in thought and nodded after a few seconds. The made their way silently up to the gargoyles and up the stair until they reached the circular room. The portraits all appeared to be asleep. Dumbledore motioned for him to sit down on a comfortable looking blue chair in front of his desk and he himself took a seat opposite.

'Now we are alone Severus. The proper time?'

He asked blandly, his eyes still annoyingly kind. Snape gritted his teeth in frustration, he had not wanted Albus to know about this. The embarrasment was complete. Simply add Potter and Mcgonagoll to the conversation and he might as well complete his life-long plans of dissappearing from the earth. He did not respond but stared at the silver plume on the desk.

'Tell me what Voldemort did to you Severus.'

The voice was pleasant and trustful, yet slightly commanding. Dumbledore watched the young man intently, storing in his mind the fact that he had not eaten at all today.

'I assume you can imagine Professor Dumbledore.'

He replied finally, chancing a glance at the old man. Who was looking at him, concern mirrored in those twinkling blue eyes.

'May I see them?'

'What?'

'The injuries dear boy. For it it obvious I must have accidentally made contact with at least one wound this morning. And I suppose there are more.'

'I hardly believe it is necessary...'

'Please Severus. As you do not wish to visit Poppy I will do my best to aleviate your pains myself. Will you do me the discourtesy of denying me?'

Severus swallowed his anger and embarrasment and forced himself to stand. He quietly took his robes off leaving his chest and arms at view and stared at the floor. Dumbledore swiftly lifted himself to his feet, a frown forming as he looked at the boy's chest and arms, all full of cuts. There were also a few bruises and what seemed to be two broken ribs. Ah, Severus was such a brave man. He was so proud of him. Pointing his wand at the cuts he saw the skin mending, blood clearing. The ribs went next, an involuntary sigh escaping the young man as the ribs fused back together.

Dumbledore walked back to his seat and wrote a few notes while Severus robed himself once more, still avoiding his gaze. He smiled once more, though the twinkle in his eyes was rather gone after having seen what they had done to him. He suddenly reached for Severus' hand which was laying on the desk and squeezed it slightly. Snape raised his eyes, rather wide. No one had ever shown such sign of affection for him. Rather confused he slowly squeezed back in return, managing a faint smile.

Suddenly a burning pain shot through his arm, his branded skin flaring. He yanked his arm back from the Headmaster's grasp and without further thought ran to the door and hurried down the stairs. Soon he was out down the path leading to Hogsmeade. Ignoring exhaustion he rushed to the gate and flinging it open stepped outside, apparating seconds later.

He apparated straight to Voldemort. Raising his eyes slowly and glancing behind his curtain of greasy black hair he saw the pale, snake like face of the Dark Lord. He instantly went into a deep bow.

'My Lord.'

He mumbled softly, wondering what he could want and wishing he was back at Hogwarts. Chancing another peek he saw Voldemort was no longer sitting in his throne like chair but standing a few feet away from him, red eyes glingting maliciously. Snape lowered his eyes again and stood waiting with baited breath.

'Well Severus you might be wondering why I have called you.'

The dark wizard stated, his voice a poisonous oil.

'I have no real obligation to give you any excuses but I will satisfy your curiosity for once.'

He paused slightly and Snape felt the tips of his spidery fingers brushing his robes as the man circled him. He had to fight a shiver.

'I heard from certain sources that you made rather good sport' the man laughed softly '...However, arrogance is not a trait I appreciate when it is a rebellion agaisnt my order. Perhaps I will be obligued to teach you some humility?'

Snape swallowed.

'Crucio.'

He swayed on the spot as the spell hit him, every muscle in his body seeming to be stretched to the point of breaking. He fell on the floor.

'Humility Severus.'

The man said mockingly before throwing him across the room with a simple sharp jab of his wand. Severus hit the wall and felt the blood begining to rush foward from the crushed shoulder. Air did not seem to be reaching his lungs and he gaped and tried to swallow the oxigen. But he was not given much time to recuperate, as he slid to the floor another cruciatus spell hit him. A thousand poisonous thorns pierced him while he hung on a thick chain by the neck. He fell to the floor and heard dimly Voldemort's cackle as he was thrown across the room again. This time face foward so that his lip was torn and his nose broke with an audible crack, as did at least two of his ribs.

As he fell on his back the air was knocked out of him. There was a roaring screaming in his ears though he was sure his mouth was still shut, even if the pain of his teeth grinding one agaisnt the other was not noticeable compared to all the rest of the aches of his body.

'You refuse yet again. I warn you, we will not leave until the lesson is taught.'

Severus heard the voice through the ocean of blood he seemed to be drowning in. He lay on the floor in a tangle of robes as yet another spell hit him, making him twitch uncontrollably. He had no clear idea of how many more times he hit the wall, until, feeling he could survive no longer a final cruciatus was cast upon him. His body was feeling as though a stampede of elefants were going over him, and surely his blood had been replaced by lava, even if he was lying on a sheet of ice and it was raining daggers.

He couldn't help but let a whimper escape him, followed by a muffled sob of pain. He opened his eyes blearely and saw Voldemort standing over him. His sharp teeth visible in his evil grin as his eyes glowed with the red light of malice. This time when the Dark Lord raised his wand he was thrown to the door, which burst open and he landed in a heap on the corridor.

'It seems we have made progress. You are dismissed.'

The words echoed in his head from far away but he lay still his eyes too aching to open them. It was at least an hour before he could get himself to apparate back to the Hogwarts apparating post in Hogsmeade. His breath was ragged and gurgling, and as he tried to stand, supporting himself on trembling arms a racking cough took over him. He shook and his arms gave up on trying to stand as he coughed blood. Thin but firm and strong hands suddenly descended on his shoulders, helping him to his feet. Regardless of the pain he was in he turned to face his opponent with a whirl of robes and his wand already ready to attack...Dumbledore.