The heavy stench of decaying cabbage wrapped itself around his nostrils and snaked into his mouth as the ground burped around his ankles. Naked branches clawed at his face snagging the lank black hair that fell around his face. Severus Snape, potions master of Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, was wading through one of the less savory parts of the Forbidden Forest. He squinted in the dim moonlight, hoping he would find what he was looking for somewhere near here. There hadn't been any wolves fang mushrooms in the regular place, and so he had pressed deeper into the forest than usual. Glancing up at the sky he guessed he had about three and a half hours of moonlight left to collect the slender white fruits he so desperately needed. Finally, through the osseous framework of the dead trees ahead, he could see the outline of a small structure covered in the telltale luminescence of the small mushrooms.
Wand at the ready, he eagerly crept forward. The structure was covered in a thick mucous which the mushrooms merrily sprouted from. Not enough were ripe for his needs, and he found himself waiting for the moonlight to mature enough of them for him to harvest. As he was waiting, Snape cautiously peered inside the structure. It was very dark of course, and, like everything else around him, reeked of rotten cabbage. Curious, he took a step inside and felt around for spells. Immediately he discovered several very old wards of binding and locking. The object of these wards was tucked in a corner, a very sturdy nondescript chest. Hesitating slightly, he stepped closer and peered at the lid. There was something written there, but was so covered in filth he could not read it.
Burning with curiousity, Snape checked the wards again. They were strong, but nothing lethal. He wondered what could be in the chest. He thought of all the useful and powerful magic items that could be in there. Then he thought of all the terrifying and deadly things that could be within. Finally, he decided to at least read what the writing said and pulled out a handkerchief to wipe the lid. The instant his hand touched the lid, a searing shock went through his body. His arm recoiled back like a wounded snake as his knees gave way and he sank to the floor. Something in the chest had pulsed in response to his touch and was now writhing around inside.
Quickly getting to his feet, Snape took a step backwards and pointed his wand at the thumping chest. Swallowing the bile that rose in his throat he steeled himself for whatever he had released to show itself. He soon discovered that he most certainly was not expecting the sort of creature that had lain dormant here for so many years.
When the lid finally creaked open, he found himself face to face with a small child. Not a normal child though. As she yawned he noted with great discomfort the delicately pointed canines, and she had a pair of rather prominent triangular furry ears on top of her head. "I have been waiting forever," she mumbled as she rubbed her eyes and pushed unruly dark hair out of her face. "What took you so long?" Then her pale eyes narrowed at Snape. "Wait! You're not-"She plucked at a her neck and jingled a little metal tag at him. It was attached to an old collar. "What does this tag say?"
Snape automatically scowled and loomed a little closer, he let a bit of light from his wand illuminate the tag. "It says 'Pecco'" he hissed softly.
"What about this side?" she asked. Snape opened his mouth, then paused with surprise. "Well?" Pecco prompted.
"It says, 'Adiunctus Severus Snape'" Snape continued glaring at the child. "What is the meaning of all this?" he demanded in a deadly quiet voice.
"It means," she began with a cheerful smile, "that I was fortunate enough to have been found and released by the next in line. And you my dear Master Snape, are fortunate enough to have found and released an old family servant." Her face softened a bit, "I assume the Carnifexes are gone?"she asked.
Snape eyed her grimly, "My mother was the last."
For once the child seemed a bit unnerved. "and how many children did she have?" she asked anxiously.
"One." drawled Snape.
"And you, do you have any heirs?"
"No."
At that she grew very pale and shivered. "Master Snape, the forest is very dangerous. May I suggest that we complete whatever task brought you here, and then make a hasty journey home?" Snape turned wordlessly and strode out the door of the old building, pulled out a knife, and began delicately severing the mushrooms from the thick ooze they sprouted from. The strange little girl in tow anxiously peered through the branches and swiveled her furry ears to catch every sound around them until her master had finished and safely returned to the castle.