AN: Here it goes for rewrite chapter 2. This is going to be a bit different from the original chapter 2 so, be prepared. I just feel like I can go farther with it like this then I could before.

Also, I totally own nothing. At all. Don't sue. There's no money to be had here.

Severus refused to leave Remus's side. He wasn't sure whether it was Harry's announcement and the sudden realization of his own feelings or some debt he felt he owed but, he couldn't leave. He was the one to roll Remus so he wouldn't have bed sores. He was the one who cleaned Remus's face and arms. He let Madam Pomfery bathe Remus because he wasn't sure if Remus would appreciate it. He talked to Remus and read to him. He slept in the bed next to Remus's. When he took food, he wouldn't leave. He saw more of Harry, Ron, and Hermione than ever before.

They would bring him books to read and food at times. He rarely spoke to them but, they talked to him of the school. It was summer but the three of them chose to stay. Albus let them much to his original displeasure but, hearing them now, he realized he didn't give them a fair chance. All he saw was Potter who had made his younger years so miserable. They told him of their studies and Hermione would engage him with potion questions until he gave her a key to his storage room and told her where his books were. He began to think they were worried about him when they started bringing more food and staying longer.

-Hermione-

"Ron and Harry ended up running into each other and falling from their brooms. They were unhurt and it was hilarious." Hermione paused in her story and looked at Severus. They could no longer call him Professor Snape when talking about him because he seemed so different. He almost seemed transparent at times. Harry and Ron had even become concerned about him prompting them to bring more food and visit more often. No one was sure if Remus would even wake up but, looking at Severus, all Hermione could do was pray. If he didn't wake up, Severus looked like he would follow.

"I wouldn't expect anything less from them." The snark in his voice was faded but when he looked at her, he was wearing a half smile. He was listening! She smiled back, beaming more like it, just excited that he was responding.

"Remus seems to be moving more today." Harry's voice came from the other side of the bed and Severus turned back to the bed immediately.

"He has been. It doesn't seem like nightmare thrashing so, I am unsure as to what it means. I like to think he is waking up." His last words were so soft, Hermione thought she was the only one to hear them. She placed her hand on his shoulder instinctively. She was shocked with how flimsy he seemed. Her hand curled easily against his shoulder and it seemed like it might crumble in her hand.

"Severus?" The heat vibrating from his shoulder surprised her. He shouldn't be that hot. With a snap she realized which shoulder she touched. His mark was on that arm. She reached down quickly and yanked his sleeve up despite his protest. His mark was twisting disgustingly under his skin and was putting off heat.

"What's going on here?" Harry's voice was low and Ron looked shocked at the sight.

"Mind your own business." His voice was soft but the strength he put into yanking his arm and smoothing the sleeve down surprised her.

"Severus, we want to help you. What is going on?" Her voice was soft and concerned. It had to be causing him pain.

"Voldemort knows I'm not dead. He wants me dead. That's what happening now. He's trying to summon me to him so he can kill me. Well, right now he's tormenting me until I go back to him willingly if you want to get technical." His voice was filled with the irony of his situation and he stared back at Remus's moving form.

"We have to tell Dumbledore. Something might be done. Something." Harry's voice was almost hopeful. Severus shrugged and fell down on himself. He reached out and took Remus's hand. Hermione ushered the boys out and straight to Dumbledore. Something had to be done.

-Severus-

When they told him what they wanted to do, he barely listened. All he could focus on was getting back to Remus. He shouldn't have let them drag him out here. He needed to be with Remus. It seemed like the only thing that could keep his mind of the twisting, agonizing pain was caring for the man. He couldn't travel to Voldemort for his end because Remus needed him.

"Severus… Severus!" He jerked and looked at Hermione. This was getting ridiculous. He stood and gathered his thoughts.

"You can do whatever you want as long as I'm in the same room as Remus." He walked out before he could see Albus's twinkle and the children's smiles.

-Hermione—

Severus was obviously having difficulties. She could see the strain his body was under and realized that his mind was probably being chipped away slowly. She understood he was using Remus as a lifeline and only hoped the intense feelings he had remained after they removed the dark mark. It was a desperate gamble and Hermione wished he was more alert to the plan. Then again, he never would have allowed it if he realized what was at cost.

They were going to transfer his magic out of him, effectively turning him into a squib. Harry was going to battle Voldemort for his control over Severus and with his magic removed, Severus wouldn't be able to fight it. Harry, with Dumbledore's help, would have to remove the Dark Mark that was curled around Severus's magical core. After that, they would have to transfer the magic back to him, carefully making sure his core held and the magic had no traces of the mark.

It was a gamble at best and a death sentence at worst. Hermione shuttered. She would never be able to get the warning images of what had happened to others who had attempted the same. Splicing isn't the worst fate like she previously thought.