HP: It's a snake, not a badger.

Chapter 44 Abundant Vitality

As they drew closer to the inner circle, Emeric's sleep duration increased. Now, only halfway there, he needed 14 hours of sleep a day. Even the numerous potions Severus gave him to stimulate his senses hadn't helped; the prolonged slumber was slowing their progress.

"Try this, if it doesn't work, we'll go back." Severus felt a sense of helplessness. His potion couldn't cure Emeric, and the herbs they brought were about to run out. They had to go back.

Emeric drank the medicine in a daze, and after the effects took hold, he forced himself to stay awake. "It's alright, Severus. Feel it. My magic is recovering, and my body is growing. I'm sorry to have worried you again."

The 10-year-old boy spoke with a gentler tone. He struggled to hug the cold man, burying himself completely in his arms.

The warmth of the body pulled the man back to reality. Severus reached out and put his arm around Emeric's shoulder. "Have you thought about what would happen if you didn't wake up in the end? How am I supposed to explain this to your fathers?"

"Severus, if I leave, I might never be able to turn back. Albania is modifying my body. You can test my magic to find out. Don't be afraid, I won't leave you."

Emeric rubbed Severus's trembling hand. He knew what Severus was afraid of, but he had a reason to stay. If the transformation was interrupted, he would likely remain like this forever.

He released the magical protection from his body, allowing Severus's magic to circulate within him. He felt that he was currently in a state of excess vitality, like being slightly drunk from drinking too much alcohol.

Although he found it strange that Albania was willing to help him, adhering to the principle that it's a fool not to take advantage of a bargain, he was determined to stay here until the task was completed, or perhaps use the extra life force to do something.

Suddenly, a mischievous idea popped into the cub's mind. Emeric immediately channeled magic into Severus, and as a large amount of life force drained from his body, his drowsy mind slowly cleared.

"Emerick, are you insane? You still dare to use magic recklessly? If you want to die, just say so."

"Severus, don't refuse me. I have so much life force, like I'm drunk. The less I have, the more sober I become. This excess energy can be used to heal the hidden injuries in your body."

"Ugh... you little brat who doesn't think about the consequences of his actions, three feet of self-reflection."

The surging life force began to take effect. The warmth that nourished his body and the tingling sensation of his old wounds being healed made Severus groan involuntarily, and he pinched the cub in his arms in retaliation.

The scars on his hands, caused by years of poisoning, disappeared; the cracks in his body, caused by excruciating torture, healed; and even the Dark Lord's mark on his arm was slowly fading.

Wait, the mark of the Dark Lord?

Severus snapped awake. He pushed Emeric away. "Enough, now that you're awake..."

"Severus, I almost got rid of this stinky thing."

Emeric interrupted Severus directly. He couldn't smell this scent before, he could only smell the fragrance on Severus, but now, perhaps because of the body modification, he could smell it. The stench was so strong that he almost wanted to wash Severus from head to toe.

"This is the mark left by the people I serve, so don't worry about it. Don't tell anyone you can erase it; if word gets out, even Dumbledore won't be able to protect you."

A flicker of surprise crossed Severus's eyes. He immediately realized the seriousness of the situation. He warned Americh to keep his mouth shut and not to tell anyone if he didn't want to be captured and used for research.

The Dark Lord's mark on his arm is not only a reflection of his past life, but also his sins, sins he must repay with his entire life. He was one of the executioners who caused Lily's death.

Emeric didn't know why Severus's eyes were vacant. Ever since entering the forest, the man often got lost in memories, and after a while his eyes would become vacant, and his emotions would disappear.

He hugged Severus. "If you don't want to, then don't. But could you let me put a layer of magic on you? It smells a bit bad, especially noticeable on you. You usually smell nice."

The stinging pain from the brain surgery left Severus too weak to think. Hearing the aggrieved tone in Emeric's voice, he subconsciously nodded; he could never refuse Emeric.

After resolving Emeric's coma, their travel speed returned to normal, and Severus was once again in the mood to torment the forest animals.

A few days later, the two, one big and one small, left the outer circle and entered the inner circle. Emeric needed to release more life force to stay conscious. Not a single bit of the released life force was wasted; it was all used on Severus.

He was so nourished that it was as if he had been given a new skin. The hidden injuries in his body were healed, and the scars on his body were removed. Apart from the remaining marks that he couldn't touch, he had nowhere else to use his magic. So Emeric guided his magic to attack Severus's face.

All the wrinkles on his face disappeared, and his skin even had a luster, making him look as smooth and lustrous as mutton fat jade, provided that Severus didn't speak and remained mute.

The animals in the inner circle were significantly more intelligent than those in the outer circle, and the plants they could produce were much rarer. As a result, Severus directed Emeric to work more frequently.

As the young laborer worked, he brainstormed, wondering what caused Severus to use Occlumency to control his emotions. He felt it was related to the Dark Mark, but the problem was that the Dark Lord wasn't here.

The 11-year-old cub was more composed than his 10-year-old self. Although he was very curious, he was willing to wait for Severus to tell him himself. As long as he spent enough time with him, Severus would eventually be moved by him.

After realizing he liked this aloof and fragrant man, he accepted it in zero seconds; the clever little cub hid his ulterior motives very well.

His intuition told him that if the man found out, he might not even have the chance to stay by his side anymore.

"See the snake over there? I need its venom. And the round bird on the far right, pluck two feathers."

"Okay, is there anything else you want? I'll see if I can change it."

"That's all."

The obedient servant was very easy to use. Severus took a leisurely sip of iced milk tea. The slightly bitter taste suited him well. There were many snacks on the table next to him, many of which were flavors he had tried before and liked.

Severus was unaware that his life was being taken over by a furtive little cat, and even when he thought of bad things from the past, he would be interrupted by the little cat's adorable and affectionate behavior.