Chapter 28
The library was quiet.
The firelight flickered against the stone walls, casting restless shadows across the pages of the ancient tome spread open on the table before you.
The forbidden library was suffocating, the weight of centuries-old magic pressing in on you. You, Severus, and Dumbledore stood in tense silence, your eyes scanning the delicate parchment for answers.
Your heart lurched in your chest as words on the page suddenly stood out to you.
“Here,” you whispered, your finger gently tracing over the inked words, your pulse quickening. “This curse–the one linking Nova to Voldemort–it’s bound by blood and dark magic. But it isn’t just any connection. It’s channeled through something.”
Severus leaned in, his dark eyes scanning the page. A slow, dreadful expression clouded over his features.
“It’s the Dark Mark.” He murmured.
Dumbledore’s expression darkend. “Of course,” he muttered. “The Dark Lord’s magic is woven into those markings, linking himself to his followers. If the curse was sealed through his power, then the Mark would act as a conduit. Severus, that would mean–”
“That I am the reason Nova is bound to him.” Severus finished. “Despite the curse or anything else, the moment I took the Mark, I doomed anyone who should choose to be near me.”
“No.” You insist, shaking your head. “That’s not–”
“It is.” He cut you off, his voice clipped. “The moment I took the Mark, I gave him access to my magic. When I pleaded for the lives of the students in the school, I unknowingly gave him something else–a connection that extended beyond myself. When Nova was born, that bond latched onto her, making her the heir of my curse.”
The room fell into heavy silence. You slowly set a hand on Severus’ arm.
Dumbledore exhaled slowly. “But that also means there is a way to break it.”
Severus lifted his gaze, his expression unreadable. “By destroying the conduit.”
Your blood chilled. You gripped his arm tighter.
Dumbledore nodded. “Yes. If the Mark is the tether, severing it could break the curse entirely.”
“You’re saying we need to remove Severus’ Mark?” You ask, looking at Dumbledore. “It was done once, we could do it again.”
Dumbledore shook his head. “It is not so simple.” He cautioned. “This Dark Mark is no ordinary enchantment. It is fused with Severus’ soul, with his very essence. To destroy it would require–”
“A sacrifice.” Severus finished, voice flat.
“No.” You breathed, your stomach dropping.
Dumbledore’s silence was answer enough.
“Severus,” You whisper, looking up at Severus. “We’ll find another way.”
“There is no other way.” Severus replied. His voice was calm, but there was an edge of finality to it. “We looked, and this is what we have found.”
He turned away from you, looking at Dumbledore.
“What must be done?” He asked, his voice nearly pleasant.
Dumbledore hesitated before turning another page of the book. “There is a ritual–one of the few capable of removing the curse of the Dark Mark. But it comes at a cost.” His expression grew grim. “You must willingly let the curse be drawn into you, entirely. The Mark will act as a vessel, containing all the power Voldemort placed upon your family. And then–”
“It must be destroyed,” Severus finished. “Along with me.”
You felt the floor tilt beneath you. “No.” You said more forcefully, your eyes flooding with hot tears. “There has to be another way.” Your voice broke.
“There is not.” Severus answered, at last turning his eyes back to you, their darkness solemn. “You know that just as well as I do.”
His voice was final, but sadder than before.
You shook your head. “We just finished this out. We barely understand it! You can’t just–just decide this!” Tears spilled down your cheeks.
Severus ran his fingers along your cheek, wiping away the tears that fell there, his eyes softening for just a moment before he steeled himself again. “I am deciding to save our daughter. Her life over mine.”
Your breath hitched.
“Then I decide that your life should be saved over mine.” You breathe, your voice slipping into an eerie calm. “Transfer the curse to me.”
Severus’ face dripped with shock, his face slightly losing color as his eyes widened.
He opened his mouth more to reply, but Dumbledore cleared his throat gently.
“There is… one possibility.”
You and Severus whipped your heads to face him.
“Though the ritual is designed to destroy the Mark and the bearer along with it, there have been instances of resurrection,” Dumbledore admitted, choosing his words carefully. “But it is dangerous. And unpredictable.”
Severus’ expression darkened again. “Resurrection magic is unstable.”
“But possible,” You cut in, breathlessly. “You’re saying it’s possible.”
Dumbledore hesitated. “It would require a willing sacrifice–someone who would trade their life force to bring Severus back. However, this is not a simple exchange. It must be done in the exact moment the curse is broken. If mistimed, it could fail… or worse, leave both parties in a state worse than death.”
You didn’t hesistate. “That’s what we’ll do.”
Severus turned to you sharply. “Y/N–”
“Don’t you dare try to talk me out of it,” you snapped. “I will not let you die, Severus. Not for this. Not for anything.”
His jaw clenched, but there was something in his eyes–-something that looked dangerously close to hope.
Dumbledore exhaled, folding his hands. “Then we must prepare. If we fail, we may not have another chance.”
You and Severus exchanged a long look, silently steeling your nerves as you agreed unspokenly to what was about to happen.
“If we fail, we may lose you both.” Dumbledore breathed. “That is a price you must be willing to pay.”
Severus’ eyes don’t leave yours. His silence told you all you needed to know.
This decision was yours alone to make.
He would sacrifice himself to save you in a heartbeat.
You nod once, reaching out and lacing his fingers between your own, squeezing gently.
“We are willing.” You answer, not looking away from Severus’ stoic gaze.
There was no turning back now.