Closing his eyes, as to not betray his emotions, a single tear escaped. He startled when he felt a warm hand, brushing it away. When was the last time someone had touched him like this? Poppy, probably, when he had gotten the wizard's flu a few years ago, but other than that? And the child had done it twice already, both times for no other reason than to reassure him. Was he ready to become a tool, or worse, a toy at Harry Potter's whim? If the young man had truly sided with Voldemort, could he even trust his intentions? After all, the prophecy had said ... then Snape took a deep breath to halt his troubling thoughts. It did not matter. Even if he could rid himself of the mark, he knew that he could never turn his back. He did not even care what happened to him, as long as Potter was safe. Looking at the child, no, the young man before him, he nodded. He took off his clothes.