Disclaimer - I do not own any of the Harry Potter character. My OC character names are choosen based on reference to name of wizards that exist in the Harry Potter world or by personal choice.
Contains suggestion of violence and neglect. I do not currently have a Beta. Enjoy.
Chapter 1 - Cernunnos' Gift
He was thankful that this weekend would be a four day weekend, with teaching assistant Aurora Sinistra was fulfilling her first weekend of probationary Deputy Head of Slytherin under the guidance of Lena Lundstrøm. As such Severus could not be at Hogwarts for those days as a tradition started. It granted a perfect opportunity to visit the ancient forest of South Surrey, to forage for Fairy Mushrooms, Unicorn Lichens and other plants. If he was lucky he might see the native herd of unicorns and other forest animals.
This woodland was little known among herbology and potion master's, it never failed to provide him with a treasure trove of magical and mundane ingredients. As the Ancient Woodland and Moon Meadows were often left undisturbed the quality of the ingredients was uniquely high quality, pristine and something regularly foraged magical land could not achieve even with the finest Dragon dung. He worked his way through the brambles and nettles, wrestled with the vines guarding the Druid gate. The gate guardian was always stubborn on him, always insured that he paid respect to the Druids despite the local clan passing centuries okay.
Placing his bag down, he removed his outer robe until he was only in a flax linen shirt and trousers. Casting heavy warming charms to keep away the bitterness of winter solstice. He pulled vials from his person containing blood, his, Bear, Unicorn, Dragon and Phoenix. Carefully he traced the sacred druid runes, on the highest part of the stone gate with his blood adding to the groves protection. The vines retreated, he proceeded to approach the ancient Oak with a face and symbols carved into its bark. As he recited the druid pray for solstice, he placed bears blood over the bear carving and offered the magical creature blood the the eye of the tree. The point at which the protective wards originated.
In the middle of a stone circle that laid in front of the Oak, he burned logs of Scots Pine and Yew. Once the flames engulfed the logs, he placed He placed a bunch of burning, dried Mistletoe, Holly, Ivy, Aconite and Mint. The grove filled with the scents of woodburning and mint, cleansing the usual scents that past over from nearby muggle towns. Once the rite had passed, he retrieved his gloves and collectors kit. First passing a healthy growth of unicorn lichen and variety of mosses, carefully taking from areas rarely grazed on. Carefully making his way down the wooded path towards to Moon Meadows. At the entrance to the clearing, he carefully collected mushroom blooms from the base of an Old Yew tree. Careful to leave enough behind to complete the Faery ring, the meadow was as beautiful as ever. He was glad that no one had discovered it.
Although it was winter, all the plants were still alive and flowering, he often theorised the ancient protection left behind from the tribes allowed this to occur. His blood and magic offering must have renewed them. He kneeled gently on the area he previously harvested and began the painstaking work of collecting ingredients with minimal disturbance to the surrounding plants. After he had painstakingly collected flowers, leaves, stems, roots and sprigs (for replanting) from the dry part of the meadow, he labeled boxes and activated his special preservation rune sequence. A mixture of common runes and a couple of runes specially designed by the Prince family. The rune was a family secret made using the Kings of Dacia diaries, where the family first heralded from. A collection of diaries stated over 2000 years previous.
He stretched up towards the night sky as he stood, it was definitely time for a short break, returning to the woodfire. He sat on a weathered tree trunk as he drank Coffee from his battered flask and ate some of the foods that his sister Rhea had given him. As he ate, he stared at the dancing flames pensively. Suddenly he heard light rustling, he turned to see a small boy in a tourn chevron jacked which was sliding off his shoulders and stopped below his knees. The boy pajama shorts and trainer were in similar condition. The boy stood eyeing the fire hopefully from his place next to a nearby tree, Severus motioned for the boy to come. Nervous the boy walked towards him, only to stumble and land heavily on his knee.
Surprising the boy did not cry or call for his parent, instead he stood up again and continued toward the fire. Severus watched as the boys limp became more pronounced, "Stay there, you don't want to make your leg worse.", the boy stopped walking and sat down clumsily. He sighed before rising, in a few strides he kneeled before the boy. He inspected the boy, clearly his injuries were not life-threatening so could wait until they left the grove. Placing a hand on the child's arm to get his attention " What's your name?"
"Don't know, Auntie said my nursery name was a lie. Damien Towers"
"Where are your parents?"
"Died."
"Family?"
"Left me."
"When did they leave you?"
" Santa saw me sneak into local library fun day. Auntie heard that I asked for a flying bike and a family. Auntie dragged me home, hit me and Uncle dumped me in woods after I fell asleep." He admitted nervously.
"It's Friday night, do you want some food" He spoke calmly while guestering at his bag.
Shyly the boy nodded, lifting his face. Covered in bruising and minor scrapes, his dark green almond eyes were hesitant. I carried him over to the fire. I laid my folded cloak over him like a blanket and pulled some snacks out of my bag. A small bottle of milk, extra chicken salad sandwich and a Banana, handing the food to the boy, he said softly " Eat slowly, so you do not get sick. How did you find the Druids grove?"
After a couple of moments the child mumbled ," I followed the moss lizard. He said the warmth was this way." Nervously he pulled his hand through his long wavy dark auburn locks, pulling out some leaf pieces.
" Well I cannot call you boy, how about Silvanus until we find your records?" he suggested softly, as he helped the boy pull leave out of his hair.
" What does it mean?"
" It means forest, he was the Roman God of forests. So where is your friend?"
The boy hissed and chirped, a few moments later a miniature dragon like creature no larger than a cat appeared, the boy allowed the creature to climb his arm. As it climbed it wound its long serpentine body around Silvanus arm, its spines were rounded and its folded wings had moss growing on top. The creature was a mixture of moss green and dark grey in colour, no doubt in sunlight it would be perfectly camouflaged for the grove.
"Interesting, I am not entirely sure of his species name. Silvanus, we need to travel to my sister place so I can treat you. Would your friend come with us to?"
"She says she is one of ten, the grove will always be protected. We can take them with us, they know you honor the grove and its origins." The boy stammered on the larger words, obviously unsure about their pronounciation. Severus held still as a similar creature landed on his left shoulder, this one was brown in colour, patterned to look like the groves in Oak trees. Its front paws held on his shoulder and the lower claws on the lower back with the tail wrapped around his hip. As the boy finished his food, Severus kneeled in front of the boy.
"Silvanus, before we go I need to explain something. Do you believe in Magic?"
The small childs eye grew with fear, "Uncle and Aunt say bad word".
"It's not a bad word, there is a whole world out there hidden from those who are unable to use or see it. These creatures would not have lead you to this Ancient Druid Grove in a forest, if they did not see that you were magical. Would you like to see some Magic?"
When the boy nodded, Severus made a rotating ball of light blue light which floated a meter from the ground. He then did a chain of spells collecting his equipment, securing his possessions and atmosphere charms for the boy. After he lifted him to his hip, he enlarged his cloak so it covered both of them, fastening it loosely so the boys head held to tightly by the string fastening. The dragon like creatures adjust their positions so Severus could walk without justling them. As they exited the grove, Severus conjured his patronus, a large panther stood to attention.
" For Rhea Prince, I have found a lost child within the grove. Most likely a black case, can you retrieve medikit and evidence box in Lab. Will apparate in five minutes to master suite." The animal contorted into a barely noticeable streak of light as it disappeared.
"My Sister lives a couple of miles away, we will use magic to get there. It will feel like being squeezed into a tube. Close your eye, deep breath and hold on. " When the small boy took a deep breath, severus let him magic guide him to their destination, using a small amount of shadow apparition to soften the landing.