Harry nodded again.
"Suffice it to say that, in addition to the detention allocated by your head of house, you are also grounded until further notice. You will move between your classes, the great hall and your dormitory. Alternatively, you may visit me here for meals or to complete your homework. For the time being, there will be no further adventures with your little friends. Am I clear?" Snape asked.
"Yessir."
"Very well. Then you may–" Snape began, but was promptly cut short when Harry leaned across, pressing his face into his shoulder.
"'M'sorry," Harry whispered, again.
"You are forgiven," he replied evenly, bringing a hand up to cup the back of the boy's head momentarily. "Now, I shall escort you back to the tower."
"Oh, you don't have to. I can go by myself," Harry told him, standing up straight.
In response, Severus Snape simply raised an eyebrow.
Harry exhaled, conceding. "Alright then."
Several minutes later, the two of them walked together through the now-deserted corridors of the castle – in silence for the most part, until they neared the Gryffindor common room.
"How come the blood wards aren't strong enough?" Harry asked all of a sudden, his voice barely above a whisper.
The potions master came to an abrupt halt and looked down at him, silently inviting him to explain himself.
"I overheard you talking to Professor Dumbledore the other week, when he floo'd you. And I wasn't eavesdropping, I swear," Harry told him, quickly. "You said they weren't as strong as they should be."