The dark mark had gotten progressively darker over the last month. Severus had tried to hide it from Dumbledore, hoping that it would be enough for the man that he was running himself ragged, in his search for Potter. He did not want the added stress of spying on a potentially returned Dark Lord. But somehow, the older wizard had noticed, sending him out to meet old acquaintances, keeping an ear on the ground for any sign of Voldemort or Harry. Until now, all of his efforts had been in vain.