Chapter 1
Peace
It wasn't much. A simple hovel set in to the thick woods with a small amount of cleared earth in the front. Enough to access the door and the small path to the stream. If you weren't looking for it you would surely walk by it, what with its color blending it into the forest and the vines and moss that concealed much of its stone front.
As it is with things that are good, it was even simpler to miss it's one and only resident that rested on a large chair out front.
A short creature in statue with large blue eyes the color of crystal blue waters and hair a soft bronzed gold hue. Ordinary. At least the little thing thought herself to be. Well, except for her pointed ears. Like that of an elf however far too long and slendering to a point. A smile that revealed k-nines with small points and finger nails just a pit too long and pointed for such small hands.
The buzzing of magic was thick. Though only those sensitive to it would ever feel it. It washed the area in a warm purity. Dancing in the light.
Everything was perfect peace. A daze of days that run into each other. For the world outside may move forward but within this simple light place things remain the same and in balance.
Rabbits balanced out by the fox. Deer by wolves. The dark of acromantula balanced by the light that permeated the unicorns that wandered the area and cleansed the stream by the little hovel.
All in balance. Except the little light creature that sat outside a simple hovel practicing light magic far too strong. It had no balance. No weight sat on the other side of its scale to balance such light within the forest.
But everything must remain in balance. Mother magic saids it must be so.
And so it was that things changed. When one day the barrier that protected the large oasis of forest was assaulted.
…..
Severus was none too happy to be out in the dark in a strange area with a blonde aristocrat who was far too concerned with his appearance and cleanliness then finding the blue delphiniumsie that their lord had requested.
A rarer then rare flower. Blue delphiniumsi only grew in places of highly concentrated magic. While it could cure someone on the brink of death, it could also kill when concentrated. Or at least, the the ancient tome that Voldemort had discovered in Slytherin manor had said. It had not specified how, just that it would get the job done in the most magical of way. By using what was in a person's heart to kill them. It was flavorless, odorless and quite simply seemed the most interesting and efficient way to kill someone.
It was with great annoyance that Severus once again pulled out a searching rune stone. About the size of a large hand and round, a searching rune stone was similar to muggle dowsing rods. Reacting with a vibration or buzz as it approached places dense in magic. It buzzed fiercely and pulled to the south. With a harsh scowl Severus turned and walked swiftly south toward a tree line only to walk face first into a barrier.
Severus swore under his breath as the searching stone shattered in his hand and he raised his other to better assess the damage to his nose.
"There seems to be some sort of solid wards around the area." Lucius said tapping the bottom of the barrier with his cane.
"Yes I think that is very clear Lucius." Severus said, greatly agitated.
"Shall we try to gain entry?"
"I see no other choice but to try."
With that they raised their wands and began probing the wards. Trying to find a thread to unravel but finding no thread, no ends, nothing. It was like nothing ever seen before. A wall of magic without spell work.
"How peculiar. I believe our Lord would find this most interesting."
"Yes. Hopefully interesting enough to not crucio us for not obtaining the ingredient he has requested." Severus said
Lucius cleared his throat. "Yes quite." With that they apparated to the outskirts of Slytherin Manor.