The sharp, telltale crack of Apparation broke the serene silence of the night.

A black-clad figure appeared just outside the Hogwarts gates, quickly making his way past them, safe within the school's protection charms.

Snape.

He sighed, wearily running a pale hand through his hair. His head ached, exhaustion dragged at his very bones, threatening to consume him. Severus wasn't sure if he'd mind, if it did.

He looked up at the castle, the first and only home he'd known, and groaned internally at the idea of having to walk the long way to his quarters in the dungeons, when he wanted nothing more than to curl up and sleep right there, that instant.

There was a crack nearby, and Severus stiffened. He looked around warily to find the glow of a lit wand in the distance. He squinted, but couldn't make out who it was.