Haunting memories of forbidden curses lingered in the background of Severus’ mind. Double agent, a spy, whatever you wished to call it, that’s what he was. His loyalties lied solely with Dumbledore and the Order, yet Severus hadn’t earned the trust of anyone in it.

Not that he cared of course; Severus never cared for the opinions of others. Not after Lily.

Severus’ hand gripped at his forearm, the black mark scratched into his skin and lingered in his memory like the inhumane branding it was. He had been a bad person- though he supposed bad didn’t even begin to cover it.

Defence against the dark arts was a subject always out of his grasp, that he always longed to teach. After all, he didn’t want the students to have to die at the hands of people like him.

Yet, once again it had been snagged from him. By you.

It had been during one of his extensive criticisms when you’d started to suspect him. Obviously, he knew a lot about Death Eaters in a way you wouldn’t expect from the average person. Naturally, out of curiosity, you’d asked.

Severus paused, dark eyes narrowing at you as he assessed your face. Genuine curiosity was the only thing he found- no hint of deception, no inkling of doubt and not a smidgen of disgust. It was refreshing in a way.

That’s probably why, without really realising what he was doing, he’d lifted up his sleeve to show off the brand on his flesh.