Chapter 1
//Severus’ POV
Severus Snape has always prided himself with his ability to discern situations. This time though? Not much.
He had been quite distracted. The boy and his nonsensical behavior had been quite distracting. Potter had be staring at him today (not that he hadn’t noticed the other times)… just to storm out a couple of moments later.
He needed to figure out why. Did the boy found out something? It was debatable… but still the thought occupied his mind.
That is how he had missed the Dark Lord calling him, noticing only a couple of hours later. He had missed a meeting. He had to go immediately.
His master was now displeased. To be more specific, he was displeased with HIM. He could feel it long before getting there, his Dark Mark was burning, scorching on his skin. And Severus Snape knew very well what it meant.
He didn’t feel any surprise when the Cruciatus curse hit him, there was none. Multiple curses and hexes were used on him. He cleared his mind and bowed in front of the Dark Lord. He didn’t scream. Didn’t make a sound.
A couple of hours must have passed with him drifting in and out of consciousness.
When he came through he was lying face down, the leaves of an acer on his face and his blood seeping in the soil. He had to leave quickly before he lost consciousness again. Maintaining focus during an Apparition was imperial, he couldn’t risk splinching. He pictured his room… Focus!… He had to get to the dungeons, hic cold dungeons… Cold.
He apparated.
He momentarily regained consciousness because of the pain. He was not in his rooms. He was outside, somewhere near the Black Lake.
He struggled to get up, his side hurt but he needed to get inside. He couldn’t risk going to the infirmary… Poppy was an amazing mediwitch but he couldn’t go to her. Besides, he had all the necessary potions in his private stores.
His vision was getting blurry and dark around the edges but he kept on walking.
His resolve couldn’t last forever though… he managed to reach the Clock Tower before exhaustion crept up on him and he fell to the ground.
Shortly before losing consciousness, he thought he saw a huge dark bird flying towards him… but that must have been the blood loss.