"Cutting off the Mark doesn't work. Wilkes tried it in the first wizarding war. The Mark infused into your nerve endings, the tattoo is just the part that shows on the skin, the real magic runs deep through the body. Your life and your Mark are one." Snape scowled, and Draco wrapped his arms around his stomach. "Going into hiding wasn't an option, and contacting the Order was out - I assumed that Draco and myself would be next to Voldemort on your list of most vile?" 