"It isn't your head I've particular concern for in this instance," he says, "But rather what might happen when the older Lucius Malfoy and younger pair inevitably begin to compare notes on the excuses they've been given."

Severus speaks as he rises and moves to walk out the door - not far, he just pulls open a cabinet in the dark hallway, and pulls a few things out. He's pulling a long coat on when he returns, and hands Sebastian a vial of some pale blue liquid with his off hand as he does so. "It's not aspirin." That would be for his head.

"I was doing something foolish with a client that caused the reaction, and we never saw each other. Obviously you're going to have to tell the Malfoys, but as for the rest of them - they can blame me."

(It's hard to tell just how furious with him self he is - it's so far gone it's almost manic, swimming somewhere behind his eyes.)

"I'll not be going to your guild hall. Contact me again when it's safe for you to speak." He'll write his own CiD number down, now.