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Ever since that fateful night in The Forest, the young man continued to come back to the forest.

The locals called him crazy, but they didn't understand. He had to earn the complete trust of the child so he could help them.

So every full moon, he came back. The first time, he brought a blanket. The second time, a stuffed cat. The third time, he brought a book with him.

It was a Muggle children's story, but he didn't read it until just before he left.

The child's response was to drop a dead mouse next to him. Taking that as a positive reaction, he continued to bring stories and read them before he leaves.

It's been seven years since that first night. The Forest is not so frightening anymore, and the child is now comfortable enough to sit above him in a tree.

He can even hear the Forest speak to him sometimes, whenever the child smells excited. The young man assumes that a bout of accidental magic must have given the Forest some sort of sentience.

...

"You know, I think it's about time we talk about introductions and names," he said as he opened up a plastic container full of meat. "Names are important out there. Not just the names of the things around us, but what we ourselves are called.

Names are a part of how you introduce yourself. So when I approach people out there who aren't in my-" he paused, realizing that circle is a term that the child isn't familiar with. "- pack? I would say 'Hello, my name is Severus.' Can you say 'Severus'?"

The Forest is quiet before a quiet voice croaked, "H- e-ello S-Sev-verus." Then the whole forest came alive with whispers of "Severus? Severus! Hello Severus! Severus!"

Severus grinned, glad to have made more progress with the child. This is the first time he's heard their voice before.

"Good job! You did wonderful!" He threw a couple pieces of meat into the bushes behind him.

"Do you know your name?"

The Forest quieted. Wherever the child was, the were completely still; Severus could barely hear the sound of them breathing.

"That's okay. I can help you choose a name,"

The Forest resumed it's natural sounds. Severus relaxed a little. It was still unnerving how it could get completely silent out of nowhere. But now he had the dilemma of naming a child he'd never even seen before. He didn't know their gender at all, so he'd have to pick something that wasn't too feminine or masculine.

As he was thinking, the bushes in front of him rustled. Then a wolf emerged. Severus stared. He'd never seen this wolf before. Smelled? Yes. But seen? Not until now.

"Wow... you're beautiful," he said. Tentatively, he reached out to touch them. The wolf only stared at him as he slowly pet them.

As he started to lean forward, he noticed a white star shaped patch of fur on their chest.

Something star related... An astronomical name... by Morgana he sounds much like Narcissa did when she was naming Draco. Vega? Sol? Polaris? he thought.

"Solaris?"

"Solaris! Solaris! Solaris! Name!" The Forest whispered. The wolf wagged their tail and ran off.

"I take it you like that one?" Severus asked with a bemused smile.

"My n-name.. is ... Solaris," the child said from somewhere above him.

"Good job Solaris! I'm so proud of you!" He tossed a few pieces of meat into the air. Each time Solaris never failed to snatch it out of the air with a tanned hand.

Severus pulled out a thick book. It was nothing like the bed time stories he'd normally read, but something much simpler. "Now, since we did some writing last moon, I was thinking we try reading aloud. So I picked up a book from a bookstore for you to learn how to read. I will be able to teach you alot more once you know how to read."

The book itself was bright yellow and read; A Treasury of Dick and Jane and Friends. On the cover was Dick, Jane, Sally, Puffy, Spot, and their parents. He stood up and held the book above his head.

When he felt Solaris take it, he sat back down and said, "You can take your time while you read it, just let me when you reach page ten."

He listened to them open the book. After a minute or so, Solaris said, "S-see Sp-pot run."

Severus smiled, proud of them for trying. Crossing his arms, he leaned against the tree and listened to Solaris read.