Still not mine sigh

Chapter 4

Now even Snape was beginning to worry, not about the boy but what Albus would say if he returned without the brat. The longer Potter was in the Forbidden Forest the greater the likelihood that he would not come out again, at least in one piece.

Snape hissed in irritation, he was cold and wet even with the warming charms he had cast. At least the snow was unable to penetrate the think canopy of the trees above, but it didn't prevent the biting wind from blasting among the trees and through the Professor's robes. He had also ventured into the Forest multiple times before to search for obscure potions ingredients at varying times of day and night. Though he did not know the forest as well as Hagrid, he was certain he could track down the irritating child and drag him back to the warmth of Dumbledore's office before he was noticed to be missing.

With an angry sneer set on his snarky face Snape headed into the forest, following the footprints.

Now Snape would be the first to admit that he was an excellent tracker, he had to be in order to remain alive. Yet at this moment it time he was baffled, though he did not let it show. He had fooled the signs of Potter for at least a kilometre into the forest when they had suddenly disappeared as if they never existed. The being that possibly was Potter could not have apparated since he was underage and was still within the wards of Hogwarts, yet he was clueless as to where to go now. Severus stood from his crouched position over the last track and turned around. He found himself looking at unfamiliar trees with no recognisable path in sight. Snape cursed himself for the fact that he had become so distracted by finding traces of the boy that he had no idea where he was.

Suddenly he heard a sharp crack to his right. Wondering if the noise had been Potter standing on a branch he headed over to see. There was nothing he could immediately discern to have made the noise as he came upon a strange clearing in the trees. He walked to the centre of the area where no wind blew but the snowflakes came down from the velvet black sky to rest on his dark robes. He heard a rustling in front of him and drew his wand. It had just occurred to him that, like a foolish Gryffindor, he had rushed into the forest without letting anyone know where he was and without a thought for the hungry predators stalking the forest in this deep dark winters night.

Further rustling came, but this time from his left, keeping his eyed moving from place to place he carefully started backed up to where he had entered. As he moved he heard dual growls coming from the bushes. Two dark shapes entered the snow covered clearing, Snape briefly flashed back to his days in Care of Magical Creatures and identified the creatures as shadow wolves. The same size as a normal wolf, shadow wolves though appeared to be merely dark shadows unless illuminated by something bright, such as the white snow these two creatures now crossed. They started to circle Snape one on each side to prevent his escape. Severus was at a loss for what to do, he remembered these creatures were proofed against a lot magics, he was unwilling to cast an Unforgivable due to still being within the wards as they would be easily traced back to him. Usually running away or physical strength was the only way to overcome them and Snape was no Hagrid!

The one behind him growled, distracting him long enough for the one in font to pounce at his throat. Severus rolled to the side barely in time, the wolf still managed to shred the sleeve of his robe and create some shallow gashes along his arm. This unexpected manoeuvre by their prey had left Snape close to a tree at the edge of the clearing. With shivering hands, for the cold was beginning to numb his fingers through the charms, he shouted a hex at the feet of the nearest wolf, casing the sitting snow to spray up temporarily blinding the wolf. Turning he sprinted towards the tree he risked a glance behind him to see the more distant wolf bearing down on him. Severus reached the tree, but could find no way to climb it! He turned his back to the trunk and closed his eyes waiting for the pain, the embarrassment was there somewhere in the back of his mind, dying by these creatures looking for Potter of all people!

Yet the pain never came as he felt large hands reach around him and pull him out the way just in time. The wolf's jaws only came down upon his robes which were torn as easily as tissue paper. Severus opened his eyes in time to see he was being hoisted easily onto the branched of the tree. He did not have time to see the face of his saviour as he had spun round to face the angered wolves.

Then proceeded one of the shortest fights Severus had witnessed. The man, for he appeared to be one, grappled one of the wolves easily as it leapt at him clamping its jaws around his arm. He threw it into the trunk of a tree knocking it out, possibly killing it. The other one clearly cowed by the size of the 'man' turned and slunk back off into the forest.