Chapter 2
Severus Snape wanted to bash his head through a wall, he has spent a full 24 hours searching for a one year old, and hasn't made any progress. Still, Severus cast spell after spell, desperately trying to find one that would lead him to something more substantial than a tree and a fox hole. He did his best to search the woods but with no trail of any kind, he had little success. He made the mistake of having conversation with Petunia Dursley nee Evans and her husband Vernon and came to the conclusion that it was probably a blessing Harry Potter would most likely never live under their roof. Tunie really was as wretched as when they were children, perhaps even more so. Now Severus has to go back to Dumbledore empty handed, because if he stays out here much longer he will pass out, no matter how many pepper-up potions he takes. He is not looking forward to Dumbledore's disappointed stare, as though it was Severus’s fault the old coot left The Boy Who Lived outside of a house with no protection, what did he think was going to happen? If someone hadn't kidnapped the boy he would have frozen to death. Severus consoled himself with the thought of drinking himself into blissful unconsciousness once he got back to Spinner's End. WIth that thought he spun in his spot, and apparated back to Hogwarts, arriving just outside the gates.
Nyoka woke as her hatchling was being lifted up and out from under her head, she almost struck out by instinct until she caught sight of the culprit, it was Ragtor.
“Fear not, the hatchling merely needs food and to be cleaned.” Ragtor hissed to her, rocking Harrison in his arms as he walked away.
“Cleaned?” Nyoka hissed incredulously, “cleaned in what way?” she hurried to follow him.
“A tub of water and cleaning potions.” Ragtor said simply, turning into a smaller cavern that held a large tub carved from stone and full of warm water, it was lit from countless speckles of glowing blue gems that were embedded into the walls and ceiling. Even the stalactites and stalagmites glowed a faint teal. There stood a large mirror on the cave wall, surrounded by beautifully sculpted roses and vines made from gold. Nyoka reared up in indignation.
“He is much too young to swim! You wish to drown him!” She accused, hissing at him in warning. Ragtor set Harrison down in the water, where the toddler immediately started splashing and laughing.
“I have no wish to harm him. He shall not drown, the tub is enchanted to stop such things.” he said. Nyoka glared the best a snake could glare, but she saw how Harrison laughed and decided she would watch from the sidelines, she will eat Ragtor the second he tries anything. Soon, it became clear that waiting on the sidelines was impossible, when Harrison giggled, looked at Nyoka and held out his hand. The large python abruptly found herself floating in the air towards him. Harrison wrapped his wet arms around her as she finally dropped into the tub with a large splash. Much to her displeasure. Ragtor stood frozen as he stared at the boy, that should have been impossible, even for a naga child. “Nyoka, where did you find this hatchling?”
“On the ground outside a human den, he was cold and dying. I decided I could care for him better.”
“Did you see the humans who inhabited the den?”
“No, though they smelled of cruelty and hate.”
Ragtor looked thoughtful, studying the scar across the child's face closely for the first time, before simply continuing his task. Harrison still would not let go of Nyoka, but he's cooing at her and babbling as he tries to wash her head just like how Ragtor was scrubbing a cleaning potion onto his; and she just cant find it in herself to be annoyed.
Eventually Ragtor lifted Harrison out wrapping him in a warm towel, one that was spelled to always be just warm enough. Nyoka slithered out of the water as soon as she could, moving gratefully onto a towel Ragtor had laid down for her. She wriggled and rolled, trying to get the water off of her scales, as Harrison laughed uproariously at Ragtor drying his hair. Ragtor smiled gently, or at least the goblin equivalent, before tossing the towel into a basket a few feet away. He picked a tunic that looked like a slightly smaller version of the one he himself wore, thankfully goblins were only around a foot taller than a human toddler, and slipped it over Harrisons head. He managed to pull the boy's arms through the sleeves despite Harrison's best efforts to thwart him. It was just as hard to get a cloth diaper onto him.
“Come Nyoka, we must speak as I feed the hatchling.” Ragtor hissed, walking out of the cave chamber and down the goblin dug hallway, Nyoka close behind him. He set Harrison in what seemed to be a goblin high chair, but to Harrison it was just a baby sized chair with a bar on the front to keep him from getting out. Ragtor then disappeared down another hall before coming back with a bowl full of fruits, vegetables, and a small bit of cooked chicken. “If you are to keep this human hatchling, you must know how to keep him healthy, strong.” Ragtor said as he walked back to Harrison and began to feed him some berries, which the boy ate with a ravenous vigor.
“You doubt my ability to rear him?” Nyoka asked, very much offended.
“No. I simply know that you have not been human in a very long time, you do not remember how to care for human hatchlings.” Ragtor ducked to avoid a piece of flying fruit, apparently Harrison doesn't like pear. “They must be fed more than prey, he needs fruits and vegetables as well. He is a great serpent so his prey does not have to be cooked, but certain plants and fruit may cause him to be sick or kill him. I'll show you which ones.” This time Ragtor did not duck in time and got a piece of carrot to the face. He sighed and wiped the baby spit from his cheek, “he must have coverings when in human form, human skin is soft and fragile. He needs frequent naps and cleanings, ones with cleansing potions, as well as the fur on his head. It will continue to grow with no stop and the strands need to be separated every day or else it will be very painful for the hatchling.” Harrison reached up and took Ragtor’s hand before trying to stuff it into his mouth. Nyoka, who had been listening intently, nodded seriously. She then moved forward and raised herself up to push her head between Ragtor’s hand and the toddler's mouth.
“No Harrison, we do not try to eat those who help us,” She chastised.
“It is fine, his human instinct is to put everything in his mouth, it helps him fight disease later in life.” Ragtor hissed with a scratchy, discordant chuckle, he continued to feed Harrison as Nyoka slipped back down onto the ground. “Most importantly, he must learn how to act around humans, learn their customs and rules. If he does not learn these things it will hinder him quite a bit. For he must go back to the wizard's world when he grows older.” Ragtor sighed as Harrison pointed to Nyoka and then shifted from human boy to a black and green snake. “I guess he's not hungry anymore. At least we know he can shift on command.” he grumbled in English, you simply just can't grumble in parseltongue, though he smiled at the snakelet fondly. “I tell you this Nyoka, not only to help you, but to offer to teach him such things. Bring him here at least one week a month, though it would be better if it was two or three weeks, but I understand you do not like to stay still for that long.” Ragtor watched Nyoka slowly follow her hatchling as he spoke. Nyoka didnt answer for a long moment, too absorbed with keeping Harrison safe. Once he seemed content to stay in a singular place and just roll around, she looked at Ragtor and eyed him suspiciously. She then nodded as much as a snake could.
“That seems logical to me. What do you want in exchange?” Nyoka asked, knowing nothing was for free with goblins, she admired them for it. Ragtor shook his head, grinning widely.
“Being able to influence this hatchling is payment enough.” He pointed at Harrison to emphasize his words. “You have found yourself the Dam of a Child of Prophecy. With the right nurturing, he could save us all.”
Dumbledore’s disappointed stare was just as annoying as Severus thought it would be, really, who was this man to look at him like that? He only half listened to the old wizard's lecture on how important it was to find the Boy Who Lived, like Severus was a child who didn't understand, like he didn't know how dire the situation was. He absolutely knew, Severus had seen first hand what death eaters can do. However he had an ever building migraine, and he can't be passing out or overdosing on pepper-up if they wanted to find the boy. He tuned back in when he heard Dumbledore sigh and quiet down. The old man leaned back in his chair and studied Severus, tucking his head down to look though the top of his crescent shaped spectacles.
“Tell me what you found,” he commanded.
“Nothing significant. I caught a faint unknown magical signature with the Potter boy’s own, however that trail stopped short at an abandoned fox den under a tree. Whoever took him must have apparated somewhere with him.” Severus reported, holding back the groan at how hopeless this was. Dumbledore paled as he intertwined his fingers and held them against his mouth, thinking deeply. Severus stood there in the silence and was very impatiently waiting. After a much too long moment, Dumbledore seemed to realize Severus was still there and cleared his throat.
“Thank you, Severus, go ahead and go home. Rest, my boy.” Severus did not respond, he simply bee lined to the floo and practically jumped into the green flames.
The air at Spinner's End was cold and stale, dust covered the floors and surfaces and the candles had long been burned away. Severus made his way through the house, following the only dust free path, to where his liquor cabinet resided. He looked around after pouring himself a large glass of fire whiskey and sighed, he would have never let his house become so unkempt before the war, but now he just couldn't find the energy to care. He stared at the glass before downing it and just grabbing the bottle. He staggered over to the chaise lounge and fell into it, sitting in it sideways and leaning backwards over the arm of the chair. He covered his eyes with his hand and just stayed like that. He had cried all of his tears and now he just felt heavy, like his body was made of rocks and his brain of steel. Eventually, after the bottle of whiskey had been completely drained, Severus passed out. He woke up hours later just as he hit the ground, having fallen from his precarious perch, and groaned loudly. Pulling himself to his feet, he grabbed his head as it throbbed and the room spun. Merlin, he should have atleast grabbed a hangover cure before he decided to drink himself into oblivion. The fireplace erupted in green flames and a familiar voice called out from it.
“Severus? Are you there?” Severus stumbled to the hearth and dropped to his knees, Narcissa Malfoy nee Black’s face stared back at him from the flames.
“I am here.” Severus said, running his hands over his hair to get it out of his face.
“Oh, thank Merlin!” Narcissa exclaimed, “Auror’s were just here, they arrested Lucius. I was worried they had taken you as well,” Severus paled.
“They have not come for me, but I am sure they shall be here soon.” He said, sighing once more.
“Come to the manor then. We shall hide you.”
“That is a temporary solution, and would only prove me guilty. I will figure something out, now I must go. Take care of yourself and my godson.”
“Goodbye Severus, until we speak again.”
“Goodbye Narcissa.” Severus said before the green flames went out as abruptly as they appeared. He stood quickly, grimacing as it made his stomach roll violently, before going to grab a piece of parchment. He wrote a quick note to Dumbledore, warning him that he was about to be arrested. Severus can't find a missing child from behind bars, the old man will have to either get Severus out or get someone else to find the boy. Just as he tossed the note with some floo powder into the hearth a loud bang sounded from his front door.
Getting a child to sit still was hard, trying to get one to sit still while you try to write intricate runes on them was truly impossible. Ragtor was patient however and was able to paint many protection and privacy runes around Harrison’s ankles, wrists, elbows, the base of his neck, and down his spine. The translation runes behind the ears were extra challenging, but nothing like how much the one under the tongue was proving to be. Nyoka was wrapped around Harrison to keep him from wriggling too much while Ragtor tried to gently open the boy's mouth, Harrison was having quite a fun time trying to bite Ragtor’s fingers. They eventually got it done and Ragtor set the paste made of herbs, hippogriff blood, unicorn hair freely given, and other magical plants that made a red paint-like paste, down and went to wash his hands. Nyoka uncoiled from around her hatchling and smelled the runes as Harrison started to pick everything near him up and pile it in his lap.
“How will this affect him?” She asked, not just about the runes, but also the prophecy Harrison is apparently a part of. If it doesn't negatively affect her hatchling she won't care about it. Ragtor said nothing as he dried his hands with a towel before tossing it onto a table. He then started to try and take his things back from small yet surprisingly strong hands, much to Harrisons chagrin.
“The runes will protect him from compulsions, poisons, and make him untraceable. Any previous tracking spells and charms of any kind he may have will be erased” he began. “You were right, wizards are and forever will be, searching for him. They can not be allowed to find him.”
“What would they do to him?”
“There is no way to be certain, but they would not treat him as a living being. He was prophesied to be their savior, they will treat him as such and not as a child. And it would be that, that damns us all” Ragtor hissed, picking up a now clutter free toddler and walked over to a ritual circle, an eight pointed star surrounded by four rings made of runes. “Lady Magic forbid that horrid headmaster get his hands on him” he grumbled to himself as he set Harrison in the middle of the star. Nyoka followed him over, watching warily.
“And you said he must go back to them when he grows, why?” She asked incredulously, it seemed to her that making sure he's never around a wizard would be the best for everyone.
“He must go to a place where wizards send their young to learn magic.” he explained as he stared to finish the rune sequence in the barrier of the magic circle, “I can teach him goblin magic, wards, and runes, but unfortunately I can not teach him everything he needs to know. Only another wizard can do that.” When he put down the last line the circle began to glow a dark red and he stepped back two paces, “now move back.” Nyoka listened and backed up, watching how Harrison giggled as the runes on his skin began to glow as well, it must have tickled. Ragtor began to chant lowly in Gobbledygook, the red glow intensifying with every word, before slowly dying down. He stepped forward into the circle and picked Harrison up, being sure not to smudge any of the markings on the ground. In place of the red painted runes on Harrisons skin sat black ones that would not wipe off, a permanent tattoo that will grow as he does. The boy grabbed onto Ragtor’s ear and began to chew on it, Ragtor ignored it as he brought him back to Nyoka’s side.
“He smells different, Why?” Nyoka asked immediately, inspecting the new markings.
“Because a small sliver of my magic was transferred to him to power the runes. No wizard shall notice and magical creatures won't be able to tell unless they already knew his smell.” Ragtor explained, setting Harrison down. “Now we must ward you, let me paint the runes down your back.”
Remus* Lupin stood on his muggle seventh floor apartment’s balcony, leaning against the rickety safety railing, which he and Lily had put in themselves. Lily had insisted, saying that if Remus was going to babysit Harry, his apartment had to be safe, even if the rest of the building wasn't. Remus had just been elated Lily and James trusted him with Harry. The apartment building he was living in was crumbling and definitely not up to code, but he couldn't make enough money to find a better one. No wizard wants to hire a werewolf and keeping a muggle job when you have to call out for a week and a half every month is just not possible. Remus watched the people below him walk by, happily living their lives while his was ripped to shreds, a lit cigarette between his lips. His friends were gone, James, Lily, Peter, Sirius- Merlin, his Sirius was gone the worst way possible. Alive but imprisoned and Remus’s biggest betrayer, a traitor. He had no one, everyone he knew was either dead or a death eater or stuck in St Mungo’s. No one to grieve with, no one to distract him. -No one to stop him. Remus took one last hit off his cigarette and flicked it off the balcony. He started to lean forward, pushing the weak railing outward,- when a bright white phoenix patronus flew past him into his apartment. He stepped back from the rail and followed it in, looking at it in confusion.
“Dumbledore?” Remus mumbled to himself as the patronus landed and perched on the old and broken down recliner Remus had inherited from his father.
“Remus, it is imperative that you come to see me at Hogwarts immediately. Something grave has happened, it involves Harry.” Dumbledore’s voice came from the bright phoenix’s open beak before it let out a melodic whistle and darted out the still open balcony door, disappearing like mist. Remus had been considering ignoring the old wizard's demand before he heard Harry’s name, everything else flew from his mind and he focused on a single thought. “Harry needs me.” He quickly ran to get his warmest coat and shoes on, he didn't have a floo so he would have to apparate, and that meant walking through snow. He may be a werewolf but that doesn't mean he doesnt get cold, he hates being cold.
Severus had been in this cell for only four hours when an auror came and lifted the barrier ward before unlocking the bars. Without a word Severus stood and was roughly led out by his shoulder. He was brought to a room with a large fireplace, one made to be stood in comfortably, and was met with the sight of Dumbledore inspecting the tall black marble walls that surrounded them. He smiled as he turned towards Severus.
“Good Afternoon, Severus. I trust your stay was just as you expected.” Dumbledore said, chuckling, as the auror left. Severus sighed at the poor attempt at humor and pinched his nose, his migraine had not gotten any better.
“Indeed. I assume I am free to go.” He responded, praying the answer to be yes and that he could go straight home.
“Yes, minister crouch has been made aware of some new information and he has decided to pardon you.” Dumbledore said with a self satisfied smirk and a wink. Severus sighed again, this time in irritation, and started towards the floo. Before he could get to close, Dumbledore called out, “Severus, you must come with me. I have found someone to help in our search, one who is very motivated.” Severus just barely held back a rage induced scream as he turned back to Dumbledore.
“And what of no one but us knowing?”
“He has no one he can tell, and even if he did, he never would.”
“It's the wolf isn't it.” Severus said, not even bothering to make it sound like a question or hide the disgust in his expression. Dumbledore didn't answer, his eyes just held that infuriating twinkle. Severus ran a hand down his face, merlin he was tired. However he has done more on less energy so he just gave Dumbledore a nod and followed him into the floo.
Remus was let into Dumbledore's office by the stone gryphon and came to a warm but empty office. Remus looked around in concerned confusion, walking further into the room.
“Hello! Dumbledore?” He called out before jumping almost three feet into the air when the fireplace erupted in green flames. Dumbledore stepped out and was quickly followed by Severus. “Uh, Headmaster. Snape.” Remus greeted awkwardly as the three wizards looked at each other.
“Lupin.” Severus greeted back as Dumbledore gleefully went for his candy bowl. After popping a lemon drop into his mouth he turned back to Remus and smiled.
“Remus! Thank you for coming dear boy. Please, come sit.” Dumbledore said as he sat himself. Remus tentatively sat down in front of the desk, his leg immediately beginning to bounce.
“Why did you ask me to come here? What's happened to Harry?” He asked anxiously, more adrenaline flowing into his veins with every second he's in the dark. Severus scoffed from where he was standing next to the floo, his arms folded together.
“You haven't even told him? You said he was motivated to help.” Severus asked Dumbledore, his entire being exuding irritation.
“He shall be once he knows.” Dumbledore responded, looking at Remus over his glasses. “Harry seems to have been kidnapped from his relatives' home-” Remus jumped up to his feet, his eyes wide and panicked.
“What!? How?!” He shouted, “Petunia's house was supposed to be safe! You said it was the only safe place! You said that's why he couldn't come with me! Why I couldn't be a part of his life!” A growl entered Remus’s voice. “How in Merlin's bloody name did this happen!?” Dumbledore went to answer, but Severus butted in before he could.
“Because the boy was left on Tunie’s doorstep and no one was watching to make sure he was taken in.” Severus hid his smirk as Dumbledore turned to give him a disappointed stare and Remus’s canines began to sharpen, a wild look creeping into his eyes. A guttural growl sounded from his chest as he glared at Dumbledore.
“And what do you think happened?” Remus asked Severus lowly, though he never looked away from Dumbledore. Who was getting the odd feeling that he was being stalked by a predator.
“I was able to track his magical signature and found another but it was faint and I have never come across it before, which rules out most death eaters. However it means nothing as it ended abruptly, which points to apparition.” Severus said, only because he knew if Remus were to help, he was going to need to know all of the information.
“Well the only way to be certain is to go back immediately, maybe I can track his scent.” Remus said, and Severus felt like an idiot. Why hasn't he thought of that?
“That is precisely why I asked you Remus, you have senses not everyone is privy to, that will help significantly.” Dumbledore said, eyes still twinkling.
“We shall be on our way then.” Severus said, heading for the door. “Come on Lupin.” he called when Remus kept glaring at Dumbledore. Remus glared for a moment more before turning and following Severus out.
The only thing harder than painting intricate runes on a wiggly toddler, was painting intricate runes on a snake while said toddler won't stop trying to eat the paint and paint his own drawings everywhere. Ragtor got it done eventually and soon Nyoka had her own set of permanent black markings down her spine. Nyoka flicked her tongue to scent the air every few seconds.
“I can smell your magic on me. It is… strange.” She hissed after a long moment.
“That may take time to become used to, but you will.” Ragtor assured, charming a washcloth to clean up the red scribbles and large stains Harrison had so graciously painted all over the floors and walls. Harrison was currently sitting beside Nyoka and inspecting her runes. After a moment he seemed to grow bored and started looking around, making quiet babbles. He slowly became more and more upset, a sad whine leaving his throat.
“M ma ma mama mama,” he then began to yell over and over, his calls quickly becoming sobs. Nyoka looked at him, alarmed and began to frantically scent him.
“He does not smell injured, he is not hungry, he has been cleaned! Why does he wail!?” She hissed so quickly Ragtor could hardly understand her.
“He is calling for his human Dam. He must be missing her.” Ragtor said as he made his way over to pick up the crying boy, doing his best to comfort him. “Perhaps it is time to set him down to sleep for a short while. A nap might do us all well.”
“If that is best.” Nyoka said, staying extremely close to Ragtor as he carried Harrison back to the nursery Harrison had slept throughout the night in, all while he continued to cry. Ragtor sat in the rocking chair as a small fire lit in the fireplace and immediately he began to rock; Nyoka tried her best to put her head on the toddler's back and sway along with them. She may not remember everything, but she still knew that to humans, comfort was the most important thing they needed. Harrison kept crying for a good moment, but slowly the rocking did its job and calmed him down enough to let the exhaustion take hold. After Ragtor was certain that he was in a deep sleep he stood carefully, which was hard when the child you are carrying is only a foot smaller than you, and set him in the cradle. Nyoka positioned herself like she had the night before, feeling his heartbeat and his quick breaths.
As much as Severus hates the werewolf in front of him, he has to admit that watching him track scent was quite intriguing. Remus had not even waited for the two seconds it took for Severus to appear beside him after aperating, having already caught Harry’s scent and began to follow it. That left Severus to simply follow after in silence. Severus noticed as he watched the werewolf, that as Remus went along he would tilt his head slightly before they would turn. He would also stop for just a second at random trees before deciding to walk the opposite way. Watching him made Severus want to study Remus, see where the man ended and the wolf began. He wanted to find out how being a werewolf changes your human form. Remus’s nose led them to the tree where the magical signatures came to an abrupt halt.
“This is as far as I got, all leads stop at this fox den.” Severus said gruffly, gesturing to the hole at the base of the tree.
“The scent continues, past the tree and deeper into the forest.” Remus said as he kept going, trying to keep himself from hoping too much. He knew that there was a very slim chance they would find him. They followed the scent through the forest, Remus getting more and more twitchy the further he went. The plants slowly began to change from non-magical plants to magical ones as the sky got darker. Remus stopped short and looked around, “Snape, the scent trail ends here.”
“And we've come to the border of a magical forest. I had heard there was one in London but I never thought it would be in Little Whinging.” Severus said, looking around curiously. “Though that gives no explanation for why the scent trail ended.”
“Scents become untraceable once they pass through a magical forest border.” Remus said, beginning to look around and becoming more and more panicked. “I cant track him past this point Severus, what are we-” Remus was cut off by that bright white phoenix patronus as he flew through the trees and landed on a branch next to Severus.
“I fear that this search has become fruitless now, come back to my office as soon as possible.” Dumbledore’s voice sounded from the bird before it flew off just as quickly as it came. Severus and Remus looked at each in alarm before turning in place and disappearing with synchronized pop's.
Dumbledore was sat at his desk, fiddling with a rubix cube that used to be mixing up and solving itself continuously as it sat on a bookshelf. Now it stood still, colors mixed. Remus and Severus rushed through the door, stopping in front of the desk.
“What has happened?” Severus asked, just barely managing to keep a calm facade. As much as he hated James Potter, he loved Lily, this was the child she died for. He had to find him, Lily's death couldn't be for nothing. Dumbledore did not look up as he stared at the cube, a rare expression on his face, like he had smelled something rancid.
“This muggle toy was charmed to monitor Harry. As long as he was alive it would continue to move.” He placed the cube in front of them, “as you can see it has become still.” Both of the men that stood before Dumbledore froze, eyes locked on the puzzle toy, watching closely for any kind of movement. When none came Remus stumbled back and fell down into a chair. Severus just continued to stare. Tears filled Remus's eyes and he leaned forward to put his hands in his hair. This couldn't be happening, Harry was all he had left, he couldn't be gone.
“No. No, he's not dead. My cub isn't dead, Dumbledore. He's not dead.” Remus said suddenly, quickly sitting straight up in the chair. “He's not dead and I will find him. Even if it takes the rest of my life.” He stated, standing up and speed walking towards the door.
“Remus!” Dumbledore called out, but he was already out the door. Severus watched Remus slam the door and slightly agreed with him. There were ways to remove tracking charms and spells, mostly rituals, they were just rare and almost impossible for a wizard to perform. However Severus stayed silent, he had no way of knowing for sure, and he doesn't make a habit of saying things he's not certain about. Dumbledore sighed and ran a hand down his beard, “you should go home and rest Severus. We shall talk about our next steps tomorrow.” Severus wanted to throw a fit, he didn't want anything to do with this anymore, but he kept his face blank and nodded. He headed for the floo, he was going home, but Severus wasn't going to rest. He was going to find any and all information he could about anti-tracking spells or rituals.