Mount Greylock, Massachusetts. Ilvermorny

"Severus, please?" Nia pleaded again, her voice taking on an almost desperate tone.

"No, Nia. For the last time, no," Severus replied firmly, crossing his arms.

Nia flopped dramatically onto his bed next to Chris, who looked on with a smirk. "Nia, why are you so set on going with Severus?" he asked, amused. "Don't you want to see your mom for the day?"

Nia rolled her eyes, clearly frustrated. "Ugh, Chris, you don't get it! It's not about seeing my mom. Severus is going, and I want to know if he gets his looks from his mother!"

Severus shot her an incredulous look. "Seriously? That's your reason?"

"Yes!" she said, her face dead serious. "Come on, Severus, don't be so boring! Just let me tag along."

He sighed, rubbing his temples. "Absolutely not, Nia. You've already dragged me into enough of your madness. I'm not dragging you along for this."

Nia pouted, looking to Chris for backup, but he just shrugged. "Sorry, Nia, looks like you're on your own this time."

Severus grabbed his bag and headed for the door. "And for the record, Nia, my mother isn't some mystery for you to solve. Leave it alone."

Nia groaned in defeat, flopping back dramatically again. "Fine! But you're no fun, Snape."

Severus gave a small, satisfied smile as he stepped out of the room. If there was one thing he could say he genuinely liked about Ilvermorny, it was that sixth-years were allowed to visit their families and friends on Saturdays.

Until now, he hadn't taken advantage of the privilege, too busy settling in and finding his footing in this new school. But today, he was finally ready to Floo back home, eager for one of those tight, comforting hugs his mum always gave him. Maybe he'd even see Rocky. The thought brought a faint warmth to his chest, a flicker of something he hadn't felt in a long time — a sense of home.

Severus made his way down the winding corridors toward the Floo Network room, his steps quickening with anticipation. The school was quieter than usual, with most students either off-campus or occupied in their common rooms. He relished the silence—it gave him a moment to prepare for what was to come.

Reaching the room, he waited for his turn, watching the flickering green flames of the Floo fireplaces. When it was his turn, he grabbed a pinch of Floo powder from the pot nearby. Taking a deep breath, he tossed it into the fire and stepped in, saying clearly, "Creed Estate!"

The sensation of spinning through the Floo Network was dizzying, but he kept his footing. Moments later, he stumbled out the familiar warmth of the Creed Estate filled his senses as he stepped into the living room.

"Ma?" he called out, his voice echoing through the spacious hall. He glanced around, half expecting to see Mary-Anne Creed bustling about or coming in with that worried look she always wore.

A moment later, he heard the soft sound of footsteps approaching, and there she was—his mother, her eyes wide with surprise and a hint of relief.

"Severus!" she exclaimed, her face breaking into a smile. "I- What on earth are you doing here?." She pulled him into one of her tight, comforting hugs.

Severus felt the tension in his shoulders melt away as he returned her embrace. "I... I missed you, Ma. Just wanted to come home for a bit."

He watched as she pulled back and started checking him all over. "Are you hurt anywhere? Did they hurt you? Were they nice?" Severus chuckled softly, a rare sound, as he gently pushed her hands away. "I'm fine, Ma. No one hurt me. And they're... different, but it's not so bad."

Mary-Anne's eyes searched his, still worried but slowly softening. "You know you always come back, Severus," she murmured, brushing a strand of hair from his face. "If that place isn't treating you right, you come straight home."

He gave a small nod. "I know. But it's not like Hogwarts... Ilvermorny's different, but it's okay. And... I think I needed a change."

She sighed, a mix of relief and resignation. "Well, come on then. Let's get you something to eat. I was just making your favorite, barbecue ribs. You look like you haven't eaten a proper meal in weeks."

Severus smiled a bit wider, letting her lead him toward the kitchen, feeling the familiar comfort of home settling back into his bones. "Sounds perfect, Ma." He took a seat at the bar as he watched her move around the kitchen, checking the meat in the oven to string something on the stove.

"Do you always randomly make my favorite foods when I'm off at school?" Mary-Anne laughed, a warm, rich sound that filled the kitchen. "Maybe I just like to be ready in case you decide to drop by," she teased, glancing over her shoulder with a smile. "Or maybe I just miss you more than I let on. Besides, it gives me something to do."

Severus shook his head, a rare but genuine smile tugging at his lips. "You? With nothing to do? That's hard to believe."

She rolled her eyes playfully, reaching for a plate. "Alright, mister, keep teasing me and I might just eat all these ribs myself."

"Bluffing doesn't suit you, Ma," he retorted, leaning back in his chair.

She set a steaming plate of ribs in front of him, the rich smell of barbecue filling the air. "Tell me everything, Sev," she said softly, leaning against the counter. "What's it really like over there?"

Severus paused, considering his words carefully. "It's... different. They see magic in a way that Hogwarts never did. Less like a tool and more like... a gift."

Mary-Anne nodded slowly, her gaze thoughtful. "Maybe it's what you need then. A new perspective."

Severus picked up a rib, taking a bite. "Maybe," he mumbled through a mouthful. "But I still miss home."

Mary-Anne reached out, brushing a stray hair off his forehead. "Home's always here, Sev. No matter what."

He nodded, taking another bite of his food before speaking up. "But, why'd you cook so much when you didn't know I was coming?" He watched as she made a third plate and set it on the table just as the doorbell rang.

"Go get that, Severus."

Severus raised an eyebrow, setting down his fork. "Expecting company, are we?"

Mary-Anne gave him a sly smile. "Just go answer the door, Sev."

He stood up, a bit wary, and made his way to the front of the house. The doorbell rang again, a little more insistently this time. Taking a deep breath, he swung the door open.

On the other side stood a tall, broad-shouldered man with a rugged face and a warm smile. His dark hair was streaked with gray at the temples, and his eyes lit up as soon as he saw Severus. "Hey there, kid."

Severus blinked in surprise. "Rocky?"

Rocky grinned and pulled him into a side hug. "Didn't think I'd be seeing you when I came over but hey, what a surprise you are."

Severus felt a smirk tugging at his lips despite himself. "It's in my nature to be a surprise."

Rocky chuckled, releasing him. "That's for sure. I know Mary-Anne wouldn't make me come over and not eat, much less let you come home and not eat. So, I brought dessert." He held up a small box, the smell of fresh pie wafting from it.

"Come on in," Severus said, shaking his head with a grin. "Ma's got ribs, and apparently, you're invited too."

Rocky followed him inside, clapping Severus on the back. "Good. Let's catch up, kid. Got a lot to talk about."

As they entered the kitchen, Mary-Anne was setting down the last of the food. "Rocky! You made it just in time," she called out with a warm smile.

Rocky winked at her. "Wouldn't miss it for the world."

Severus took his seat, feeling a strange sense of peace settle over him. For the first time in a long while, he felt like he belonged somewhere. This was home. Sitting with his Ma and Rocky, the father figure he always needed, this is what he needed.

"So, kid," Rocky started with a teasing grin, "any girls at this new school caught your eye?"
Severus choked on his water, sputtering a bit as Rocky chuckled, but before he could stammer out a reply, his mother jumped in.

"Oh, please," Mary-Anne said with a dismissive wave. "Severus doesn't need any new girls; he's still hung up on that Bella-something from Hogwarts."

Severus blinked, caught off guard. He almost asked how she even knew about Bellatrix, but then again, this was his Ma. She always had a way of knowing things he never expected her to know.

Severus shook his head, a reluctant smile forming. "You always seem to know everything, don't you, Ma?"

Mary-Anne grinned, ladling out another serving of barbecue ribs. "What can I say? I have my ways."

Rocky leaned back in his chair, looking between Severus and Mary-Anne. "Well, as long as you're happy, that's what matters. But I have to say, the whole 'still hung up on an old flame' bit sounds like it could be a story in itself."

Severus sighed, focusing on his plate. "It's complicated. Bellatrix and I... well, it's more than just complicated."

Mary-Anne patted his hand gently. "Whatever it is, we'll figure it out. Right now, let's just enjoy a good meal together. You've got enough food on your plate that you still haven't eaten."

They ate in comfortable silence, the clinking of cutlery and the occasional hum of Mary-Anne's favorite old songs filling the kitchen. Severus savored each bite, feeling more at ease with every mouthful. It was moments like this that made him remember why he cherished coming home, despite everything he had to deal with at school.

After they finished eating, Mary-Anne excused herself to wash up, leaving Severus and Rocky alone in the kitchen.

"Alright, what's your problem?" Rocky's voice cut through the quiet, catching Severus mid-sip of his drink. He froze, staring at Rocky over the rim of his glass.

"What are you on about?" Severus set his glass down, wiping his mouth as he met Rocky's steady gaze.

Rocky sighed, leaning back in his chair as he took a measured sip of his own drink. "You might be able to fool your mother with that calm exterior, but I can tell something's weighing on you, something big."

Severus let out a shakey sigh, his hand griping around the glass. "I..I got a new wand, but ever since I got it...stuffs been...crazy." Rocky raised an eyebrow, leaning forward slightly. "Crazy how?"

Severus hesitated, searching for the right words. "It doesn't feel right in my hand. Every time I try to cast a spell, it's like... like it's fighting me. And then there's this—" he gestured vaguely to his chest, where the faint outline of the skull had appeared.

Rocky's eyes narrowed, a flicker of concern crossing his face. "Let me see," he said softly.

Severus unbuttoned his shirt, revealing the red mark with the skull. "I don't know what's going on, but I feel like something's wrong with me... with my magic itself."

Rocky studied the mark for a moment before looking back up at Severus. "This isn't something you face alone, kid. We'll figure it out. But first, you have to tell me everything."

Severus sighed, rubbing his temples. "I've been trying to read up on it, but there's nothing that makes sense. The closest I got was something about 'Soul Markings' — but it was vague, and I don't know if it even applies to me."

Rocky leaned forward, his face grim. "Soul Markings? That sounds like something dark. Did this book say anything else on how you could..fix this?"

Severus nodded, thinking back as if the words were right in front of him. "There are ways to realign one's core, Reconciliation with the source of the marking, a powerful magical cleansing, or... accepting the marking as part of oneself. The latter is often the hardest and requires confronting the deepest truths of one's heart and mind."

Rocky tapped his fingers on the table, mulling over Severus's words. "Well, kid, you know I'm not the magical expert here, but it sounds like this might not just be about magic... it's about what's going on inside you. You've got to face whatever this is head-on."

Severus frowned. "Face it? How? I don't even know what it is."

Rocky paused, then gave a small nod as if he'd made up his mind. "You ever tried meditating?"

Severus blinked, caught off guard. "Meditating? You think I need to sit cross-legged and hum or something?"

Rocky chuckled. "Not exactly. It's more about clearing your mind, listening to what's inside you, instead of fighting it all the time. Look, Severus, sometimes answers don't come from books or spells. Sometimes they come from within. Meditation can help you connect with yourself, see what's really going on, deep down. It might help you understand this mark... or at least what it's trying to tell you."

Severus sighed, rubbing his temples. "I don't know... sounds like a waste of time."

Rocky shook his head. "Look, kid, you've tried everything else, haven't you? Spells, books, theories... maybe this is just one more thing to try. It won't hurt, and who knows? It might help you find a direction, even if it's not the one you expect."

Severus hesitated, then gave a slow nod. "Alright... I'll give it a shot. But if I feel ridiculous, I'm blaming you."

Rocky grinned. "Deal. And if it works, I'm taking all the credit. Just find a quiet spot, close your eyes, breathe, and focus. Let your mind settle, and see what comes to the surface."

Severus chuckled, feeling a slight warmth at the idea of trying something different. "Okay... I guess I could use a little peace."

Rocky clapped him on the back. "That's the spirit. Now, go help your Ma before she starts wondering what we're plotting."

Severus nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips.

Los Angeles, California. Creed Estate. Severus's Bedroom

This felt ridiculous as hell.

Severus sat cross-legged on his bedroom floor, feeling more foolish with every passing second. He had no idea how to meditate, so he had grabbed one of his Ma's old books from when she was going through her fitness phase. The book promised inner peace, clarity, and spiritual connection through the "ancient art" of meditation, but all he felt right now was impatience.

He glanced at the page again, rolling his eyes at the overly cheerful instructions: "Find a quiet place, sit comfortably, close your eyes, and focus on your breathing." He exhaled sharply, frustrated by how easy it made everything sound.

"Alright, here goes nothing," he muttered, closing his eyes and trying to relax. He took a deep breath, then another, listening to the sounds of the house around him—the faint creaks, the distant hum of the air conditioning.

Seconds ticked by, and Severus felt his shoulders tense, his mind racing with thoughts about the marking, Ilvermorny, and all the things he didn't understand. He found it impossible to clear his head. How was this supposed to help him connect with some mysterious mark?

His fingers twitched in frustration, and he nearly opened his eyes to give up. But then he remembered Rocky's words: "Let your mind settle and see what comes to the surface."

With a resigned sigh, Severus focused on his breathing again, trying to ignore the swirl of thoughts. Slowly, his mind began to quiet, like a pond settling after a stone had been thrown in.

The stillness began to stretch out, thick and heavy, filling the room like fog. Severus's breaths became slower, deeper, each inhale and exhale sounding louder in the quiet. The world outside seemed to fade away, replaced by a deep, unsettling silence.

And then he felt it—a faint tremor, a pulse that seemed to thrum from the very center of his chest. His eyes shot open, but the room was exactly as it had been. He swallowed, trying to shake off the strange sensation, but the pulse grew stronger, beating in rhythm with his own heartbeat.

The skull.

He felt the mark on his chest start to tingle, an uncomfortable warmth spreading out from where it was etched into his skin. It was as if the skull itself was waking up, moving beneath the surface. The tingling turned to a slow, rhythmic throbbing, and then suddenly it began to shake, vibrating against his ribs with a force that made him gasp.

"What the hell—?"

He clutched at his chest, feeling the tremors intensify, his heart pounding faster, and his breaths coming in ragged gasps. The shaking grew more violent, like something inside him was clawing to get out. Panic surged through him, his eyes wide as he felt his body tense, instinctively pulling away from whatever this was.

Then, without warning, a sharp, electric pain shot through his chest, radiating from the skull. Severus bit back a cry, the agony almost too much to bear. The air around him seemed to grow colder, the shadows in his room lengthening and twisting as if reaching for him.

"No... no, no, no!" he muttered, trying to break free from the sensation. His hands clenched into fists as he forced himself to stand, stumbling backward. The mark burned with an intensity that left him breathless, his mind racing, fear bubbling up inside him like a geyser ready to burst.

And then, just as suddenly as it started, it stopped. The room returned to its normal state, the air warm again, the shadows still.

He stared down at his chest, half-expecting to see something burst through his skin, but there was nothing—only the skull, still and mocking.

"Enough of this," Severus growled under his breath, his voice shaking with anger. He slammed the book shut and tossed it across the room, its pages fluttering wildly as it hit the wall with a loud thud. Meditation was a joke. Whatever this was, he wouldn't find the answer sitting on the floor like some mindless monk.

With a frustrated huff, he threw himself onto his bed, his heart still pounding in his ears. He buried his face in his pillow, trying to push away the fear gnawing at his insides. He didn't know what was happening, but he knew one thing—he needed to figure it out before it got worse.

Sleep didn't come easily, and when it did, it was filled with dark, twisting shadows and the ever-present image of the skull, grinning at him from the darkness.