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Pairing: None yet, 'tis up for debate. This /may/ become a Sev/Remus, but not for a while yet. TimeFrame: AU 1980/81 (there will be two sequels to this, that will take place 5th year, and after) Summary: The Forbidden Forest hides many things, some good, some evil. One day Severus Snape was the victim of an unusual spell while within the Forest…a spell that could bring about the downfall of the Dark Lord. Unfortunately, Severus isn't given a choice but to play his part….but will he be strong enough to survive, and will the spell's result finally crack his stone cold heart? And if the Dark Lord finds out…will he live long enough to find out? ::insert dramatic music and flashy title sequence here::: Disclaimer: Harry Potter and co. are the property of J.K. Rowling. I own them not, I'm just taking them for a while and mutating them with my radioactive quill. Only the plot and the Nuala belong to me. Partially inspired by 'Taboo' by Who me, the Fox Goddess. WARNING::: This is an odd fic. A very odd fic. And yes, it is most assuredly AU, unless dear J.K.R. is a much stranger individual than we could have ever guessed. Into the Woods By the White Lion
By the White Lion PROLOGUE: The Forbidden Forest was the perfect place to hide. Dark, dense, dangerous…only the insanely powerful or self-assuredly stupid would even consider venturing very far into its depths. Things lived within those tangled vines and briared branches that didn't even have a name, for no civilized creature had ever laid eyes on them, or lived to tell the tale. Some of those things were bloodthirsty and deadly, mindless products to the forest's dark power. But others pulsed with ancient magic, hidden within the shadows until something on the outside drew their attention. Voldemort had succeeded in doing just that. These creatures were known only as the Nuala, long forgotten by even time itself. Coursing through the air, throbbing in the very earth, the Nuala could sense his darkness, feel the evil, pain, and terror he spread like a disease throughout the world….and they hated it. They felt pain every time another muggle died, each time the Cruciatus was cast upon a screaming child, with every breath of evil they were reminded of their own banishment so many thousands of years ago….by Slytherin himself. As the screams grew louder, the fear spread farther and wider, the air thicker with darkness and death, their tribe drew together and made an oath. Though they could never cross the boundaries of the Forbidden Forest, they would see to it that the Dark Lord fell. They would taste his blood on the breeze, hear his followers screaming in the night…they would stretch out their claws and scratch his fate into his flesh. Yes…they would aid the human wizards, and prevent them from sharing their own wretched fate. The time had come to act. "Have you found the one La'rahi dreamed of?" hissed Ka'har, his fiercely green, serpentine eyes glowing out of the darkness of the forest. A tan, shaggy, lion-like mane hung across his furry shoulders, intertwined with small bits of leave and twig. His stance was proud, shoulders held back and scaled tail held high. The figure knelt before him rose at his words, glancing up with matching emerald eyes. "Yes, Ka'har. Fate has brought them to our very door." The figure replied, an amused smile crossing his feline face. He was similar to the other in appearance, with a wild mane and serpentine tail, though all in all he was smaller. All of the Nuala shared those features, theirs was a race of blended traits, sharing those of human, lion, and serpent. Neither wholly one nor the other, they were majestic in their own way, powerful and deadly, but wise in their ways. "And La'rahi? What does she say of them?" Ka'har asked, crossing his large arms over his chest, tail flicking in anticipation. The other, known as Yu'ral, smiled wider, bearing a mouth full of sharp teeth in an odd grin. "He is the exact match of the words she spoke. She dreamed that he shall come to us tomorrow, we must prepare." Yu'ral exclaimed excitedly, his whiskers twitching against his thin muzzle. "He?" Ka'har blinked, his green eyes widened with surprise. "Er…yes…." Yu'ral muttered nervously, reaching up flick a twig out of his mane. To his relief, however, Ka'har didn't appear to be angry. The leader or the Nuala instead only appeared slightly confused, and definitely amused by this new revelation. He indeed… "This shall be interesting….but, it is destiny. He has no more choice than we in the future." Ka'har sighed, shaking his mane with a short laugh. He straightened up a moment later, once again fixing his gaze on Yu'ral. "What of his temprement? Is he suitable, or will we have to make…accommodations?" he said, voice dropping down into a purr. "His...uh…temperament is quite foul, Ka'har. I fear we will have to speed the development up a bit, if we are to be assured of success." Yu'ral said, once again shifting nervously from paw to paw. Ka'har sighed again, raising one clawed finger to tap his muzzle in contemplation. "Pity…I'd hate to be him when he wakes afterward." He said after a moment, his eyes shining with vague guilt. What they would have to do to the man…would not be an easy thing. In fact, it might very well break his spirit, if things were not conducted properly. But then again, Fate had chosen him for a reason. "He has no family or friends that must be dealt with?" he asked, and Yu'ral shook his head. "Not that we have detected, aside from the Headmaster of the school. Dumbledore will understand, if we send him word of our reasoning. He is of the Light, after all." "That is good…it will make it easier for him to deal with if Dumbledore understands. The centaurs have told me many good things about that human…let us hope that they are true." Ka'har said thoughtfully, and then dropped down to all fours beside the messenger. He shook his mane and rolled his shoulder blades, and looked Yu'ral in the eye. "We shall prepare. Alert Hu'kai and the others at once. Time is short…." He growled, and leaned back on coiled haunches before springing off into the shadows, leaving Yu'ral to bow to his memory. "It shall be done, Ka'har." Yu'ral whispered, and turned on his heel before bounding off in the opposite direction. Title: Into the Woods, 1/? Chapter 1---Only Just begun…. "You're looking particularly glum today" Albus Dumbledore said as Severus stepped into his office. The man was wearing a fierce scowl, his eyes cold and hard. At first glance it would appear that he was in a very foul mood indeed, and that doing anything other than getting out of his way was just short of a death wish. However, over the past few years Albus had gotten to know Severus well enough to recognize when he was truly angry, and when he was using a facade of anger to shield something else. Today was the latter. "I have good reason to be `glum,' as you put it, as I'm sure you're aware," Severus retorted bitterly as he sat down in the velvet cushioned chair before the desk, crossing his arms and legs in an equally stiff manner. "They've already had the funeral, then?" Albus asked, his eyes widened with surprise. Severus snorted and kept his eyes averted, staring at some place on the side wall. "Yes, it was this morning, so you'll have to forgive me if I'm not up to my usual standards." He replied bitterly, and Dumbledore instantly felt a wave of regret. Now he knew what Severus was hiding behind his angry and sarcastic mask, he was grieving. "Oh, I must apologize, Severus. I did not think the funeral would be so soon after his death." Dumbledore said, his eyes sorrowful as he stared at the black-haired man across from him. Severus sighed and uncrossed his arms, relaxing slightly in his mentor's presence. Reluctantly, he drew his gaze away from the wall and met the expectant blue-eyed one, pain now just visible within his fathomless black eyes. "There was no reason to wait, there wasn't much to be done after all. My uncle had few living friends, and I am the last of the Snape family." Severus replied with a tired sigh, yet there was no mistaking the sorrow in his voice at the last. He was now, officially, the very last Snape. He'd had the privilege of watching all of his relatives die off over the years, one by one, though there had never been many in the first place. But this last death was the most biting of them all, not simply because it left him alone, but because the man named Harold Snape had been nothing less than a father to Severus since he was a mere 12 years old. And now even he was gone, and when Severus himself passed on to a probably early grave, not even the memory of the man would remain…. "You're young, Severus, you have plenty of time to have children and start a family." Dumbledore said sympathetically, sharing in some of the pain the younger wizard felt. He'd know Harold as well, the man had been an auror and a true saint, the black sheep of the typically notorious Snape family. "Me?!" Severus scoffed, the subtle pain in his eyes transformed into disbelief. "I've a better chance of becoming the Minister of Magic than I do finding a wife." He muttered bitterly. He had no dissolutions about himself when it came to women, he was neither pleasant to look at nor of a agreeable temper in the least. Any woman insane enough to find him desirable would probably change her mind the instant he opened his mouth. And that wasn't even mentioning the fact that he was a Death Eater, even if he was a spy…."And besides, with my…work…it would be far too dangerous for a family. I am better off alone." He muttered, casting his gaze away again. "Still, if things become safe again…." Dumbledore persisted, and Severus laughed. The man knew him too well. He did want a family, a wife and children and a house away from all his worries about Voldemort …It was like a distant dream, something meant to be seen, but never touched. "Perhaps, but I will not hazard a guess as to when that will be." Severus replied, his eyes drifting down to the open copy of the Daily Prophet on the Headmaster's desk. The headline read—"Murder in London: Death Eaters Wage War on Muggles." It was a typical headline, more murder and darkness with every passing day…. "Sooner than we think, I expect." Dumbledore replied, and Severus looked up, startled. Narrowing his eyes, he struggled to read the old wizard's carefully guarded expression. "You know something." He stated flatly, his expression darkened. "There has been a prophecy, but the truth of it remains to be seen." The Headmaster sighed, weariness clearly visible within his eyes. "I trust I'll find out on a need-to-know basis then?" Severus asked, and Dumbledore nodded with an amused smile. "Something like that." He replied, "Now, let us talk of other things. How is the business with your shop coming along?" he asked, reaching across his desk to pluck a lemon drop from a small candy dish. "I've found a buyer. Come April the shop will no longer be mine. I will have the entire summer to get the dungeons here fixed up to my liking." He said, smiling proudly. It had been no easy task to find someone willing to buy the small potions shop in Knockturn Alley, those with the skill required to run such a place were few and far between. However, it also meant that the shop was worth quite a bit of money. "I still can't believe you talked me into this…." Severus mumbled with a shake of his head. "You will be an excellent teacher, Severus. And it will be safer for you here, should things go badly with the Death Eaters." Dumbledore assured him, his face displaying a comforting smile. It was true, of course. If his cover as a spy was ever blown, what safer place to be than Hogwarts? Whether or not he'd be a good teacher, however, was yet to be seen. "I agree, but I can't imagine how I'll ever get used to being `Professor' Snape…" he said, grimacing slightly at the title. He couldn't help but remember his old professors whenever he thought about it. If things were still the same as they had been when he was in school, the students would undoubtedly hate him. "You'll adjust." Dumbledore laughed, his eyes twinkling merrily. "Will you be moving into the school over the summer?" "That depends upon how often you need me." Severus said with a shrug. He'd agreed to not only teach potions, but to also make them for the Hospital Wing or the other teachers as necessary. Dumbledore also had frequent need of some of the more complex potions for some of his other `agents' in the war against Voldemort. Evidently, the schools current Potions Master wasn't up to the task. "We'll see then." Dumbledore said, still smiling brightly. "Yes…well, I'd better be off. I've already delivered Poppy's stock for the rest of the semester, but I still need to collect a few plants from the forest before the light is gone." Severus said, rising from his chair. There were certain potions ingredients that could only be found within the Forbidden Forest, and despite the fact that he would be selling the shop shortly, he still had a stock to keep up. "Very well. You'll be back in two days with news from the meeting?" Dumbledore said, one thin, silvery eyebrow raised in inquiry. "Of course. Good day, Albus." Severus said, and headed silently toward the door. "'Til next time, Severus. Be careful." Dumbledore replied, and watched as the door clicked shut behind his former student. Sighing heavily, Dumbledore leaned back in his chair with his eyes still on the door. Severus was lonely, any fool could see that if they watched him long enough. And while there were many people that would probably be willing to forge a friendship with the man, if not more, it was also obvious that Severus would never allow them to get close to him. Above all else Severus wanted to make up for his past wrongs, those dark days he'd spent as a loyal Death Eater; he'd never allow himself the pleasure of happiness until that mission was complete. A sudden flash of light drew Dumbledore's attention away from his thoughts, and he stared at his desk with an expression of pure shock. Sitting atop the daily prophet was the most unusual looking bird he'd ever seen. Truly it looked like something prehistoric, with broad, scale-like feathers and a beak full of jagged teeth. Another oddity were the three claws visible at the end of each wing...er...arm, whichever it happened to be, and with one such clawed appendage was clutching a piece of rolled parchment. It was watching him patiently with a pair of bright amber eyes, simply watching and waiting. Slowly Dumbledore reached a hand forward to claim the letter, and was surprised again when the bird reached forward itself and deliberately placed the letter in his waiting palm. And then, without another movement, there was a second flash of light, and the odd little creature was gone once again. Dumbledore blinked, shrugged, and proceeded to examine the scroll clutched in his weathered palm. It wasn't a normal parchment by any means, he noticed as he carefully unrolled it. Rather than the usual tan color, the paper was thick and greenish, interwoven with tiny veins almost exactly like those of a leaf. In fact, it probably had been a leaf at one point….Adjusting his glasses, Dumbledore flattened out the parchment and began to read, at first apprehensively due to the unusual scrawl of the lettering. It wasn't long until he was gaping wide-eyed at the letter, his skin paling further with each line of text. Hastily he dropped the letter back onto the desktop and rummaged beneath a few papers until he pulled out a scrap of parchment, a few short lines scribbled on its surface. It was the prophecy he'd mentioned to Severus, made by the Divinations Professor herself after having fallen into a violent trance. The letter he'd just received spoke briefly of a dream someone by the name of La'rahi, apparently some sort of seer, had had days ago, and both the dream and the prophecy fit together like pieces of a puzzle. But that wasn't the whole of what bothered Dumbledore….it was the fact that Severus was at the very heart of it all. Dumbledore nearly sent his chair to the floor in his rush toward the window at the rear of his office. Looking out across the grounds, he saw Severus dark figure just approaching the line of trees, a satchel for collecting his ingredients swinging at his side. In mere moments the author of the letter (Ka'har, was it?) was going to take the first step into fulfilling that prophecy, the letter explained in detail, and Severus was heading right to them….Dumbledore furrowed his brows as he watched the figure outside the window, torn between concern for his friend and the welfare of the wizarding world. Severus would not like what was going to happen, it would be painful and certainly life-changing, and above all, he'd have absolutely no choice in the matter. Dumbledore hated to think of Severus having to endure yet more hardship in his life, suffer through more pain and humiliation…but then there was the rest of the world to think about as well. If Severus did not enter the forest, would the prophecy still be fulfilled? Would the Dark lord still fall? Or would fate simply saddle Severus with the same role in some other way than through the magic of Ka'har's tribe? (a tribe of what, precisely, hadn't been revealed) "Forgive me, Severus," Dumbledore whispered, and turned away from the window, casting one last glance out the pane as one shadow joined with another. Things would be interesting from now on indeed….. ~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~ Quickening his pace, Severus headed further into the shadowed forest, his eyes darting left and right for signs of danger or the ingredients he'd come for. The sun seemed to be setting much too quickly beyond the distant hills, lengthening the shadows and casting the forest into even deeper darkness. He'd have to work quickly, he realized, if he wanted to be back out again before the sun set. After all, even he wasn't mad enough to wander around the Forbidden Forest at night with only his wand and his wits. It took a second or two to properly cast a spell, and some of the forest's nocturnal creatures didn't need half that long to rip out your throat. The receding light, however, was the least of his worries at the moment. What currently inspired him to tightly clutch his wand was the unshakeable feeling that he was being watched. Several times he'd whirled around, intent on sighting his stalker, but each time he saw nothing. It almost felt like he was being watched from all around, the unwitting prey amid a circle of bloodthirsty beasts. Slowing to a stop, he strained his ears and his eyes, searching for some unusual sight or sound that would provide some hint or another about his safety. He found nothing, but the feeling of no longer being alone was getting stronger, more frantic. Damn, he thought, why couldn't I have just waited until tomorrow to do this? Without further thought, he decided that it would probably be best to leave while he still had the chance. The instant he turned back towards the school, he froze. Standing not ten feet away was a creature unlike any he had ever seen, watching him with a pair of lantern-like green eyes. It's torso and arms were roughly like that of a man, though it was covered in course tan fur. It's head was a mix of lion and human, with a wild mane that fell across broad shoulders, and saber-like fangs that protruded over shining black lips. It stood on two legs as it watched him, it's stance somewhat awkward though regal all the same. And flicking slowly back and forth behind it was a long, scaled tail, glistening in the dim light. Driven by pure instinct and fear, Severus prepared to cast a spell, but stopped mid-motion. His wand was gone, disappeared directly out of his hand…A glance back up toward the creature showed precisely where it had disappeared to, for in one stubby fingered, taloned hand, the beast was clutching his wand. And then, as if they were mere ghosts fading into existence, a dozen more of the creatures suddenly appeared from all around, all watching him with glowing green eyes. He was trapped…. "We mean you no harm, Wizard." The first creature suddenly spoke, his voice somewhere between a hiss and a rumble. "Allow me to leave, then!" Snape shot back, his temper ignited by fear. "We cannot. There is something that we must do, and we hope that you will hold no ill will towards us for it. Trust only that it is fate." The beast said, and Severus could have sworn that he detected a bit of remorse in its growling voice. "I don't believe in fate," he snarled, fists clenched at his sides. "And yet you play a part in it." The beast replied coolly, then turned to another creature crouched nearby. "Hu'kai, do what you must." He commanded, and the smaller beast nodded. Hu'kai rose up onto his hind legs like the larger beast and raised his forepaws, the human-like fingers splayed and palms forward. Severus took a step back, but he had nowhere to run. Hu'kai suddenly began chanting something in a low, beastial growl, his feline mouth barely moving with the words, though his forepaws were glowing with a brighter and brighter green light. Then with a burst of sound, he clapped his paws together and the ominous green energy was released, flashing through the air like a lightning bolt. An instant later the spell struck Severus' midsection with roughly the force of a freight train. He was thrown backwards like a rag doll, landing on his back on the rough ground. For a brief second he saw two of the beasts approaching him, but he clenched his eyes tightly shut, dimly aware of the sound of his own screaming echoing through the forest. There was pain like never before, radiating from his abdomen like liquid fire. Vaguely he could feel himself twitching and thrashing, fingers carving furrows in the soft earth beneath him. Then everything seemed to slowly fade away…sounds dimming, the pain drifting away, and everything slowly settling down into sweet darkness. The larger beast, Ka'har, approached the unconscious wizard and knelt at his side, watching as the lingering glow of the spell faded away. Now was the time for the two remaining spells to be cast. Muttering under his breath, Ka'har held one paw over the prone body, continuing even as Hu'kai joined him in the chanting. Again the green energy appeared, this time emanating from the wizard's stomach as the chanting continued, shaping and warping the energy. It continued for a few moments longer, the chanting dying down to a whisper and the glow fading away. Ka'har and Hu'kai both cast the prone figure a sympathetic look, unable to deny the pang of guilt that arose from what they'd just done. The most important spell had now been cast, the one that would pave the way for the prophecy's fulfillment. There was no turning back now. The third and final spell was less important, but was necessary because of who the wizard before them was. Without it, there was a chance that the former spell would be tampered with while still vulnerable. This third spell would speed up the pace a bit, nearly guaranteeing that all would succeed. "Are you well, Ka'har?" Hu'kai asked, his eyes wide and concerned. Ka'har nodded slowly, casting a tired gaze toward the ground. "I am fine, Hu'kai, merely regretting our role in this. I do not wish to add turmoil to any life, and I do not like that we have no choice in this, just the same as he." He said, and the smaller Nuala nodded in understanding. Sucking in a deep breath, Ka'har leaned forward and parted the wizard's outer robe, revealing the simple black t-shirt and jeans beneath. Hu'kai rolled the shirt partway up and held it in place, his tail flicking as he watched his superior. Ka'har placed his palms firmly against the wizard's pale, flat abdomen, closing his eyes as he began a new chant, his breath coming in hisses and purrs. This time, rather than the common, green energy, only warmth passed to the warm flesh. The heat began to rapidly increase, pale skin glistening with a thin sheen of sweat beneath the slight pressure of Ka'har's palms. Then he felt what he'd been waiting for, a subtle sliding of skin beneath the rough pads of his fingers as the abdomen slowly swelled. When Ka'har drew his hands away, the wizard's formerly flat abdomen was now slightly rounded, hardly noticeable if one had not been looking for exactly that. Hu'kai hurriedly straightened the t-shirt and drew the robe closed once again, his expression faintly relieved. "It is done, then. We must return him now," Ka'har said as he rose from the ground, unable to tear his gaze away from the unconscious wizard's sleeping face; still oblivious to the new twist his life had taken…. "It shall be done, Ka'har," Hu'kai replied, bowing his head respectfully. Ka'har only nodded, finally turning away from the sight. His tribe had done what had been asked of them by fate, that and nothing more. But the knowledge of that did nothing to assuage the sorrow they felt as they drifted back into the trees. ~^~^~^~^~ Chapter 2—Only Dreaming…. The feel of something hard and sharp pressing against his spine was the first sensation Severus experienced upon waking. With an angry growl he managed to roll off of the annoying rock and rise to his knees, gasping for air to ward off a violent wave of nausea. For quite a few minutes he knelt there, eyes glazed with pain and sickness and one arm wrapped tightly around his midsection. Not only was his stomach roiling with the need to expel his last meal, but the muscles kept spasming with sharp jabs of pain. After drawing in a large breath, he clenched his teeth and rose shakily to his feet, leaning heavily against a nearby tree. Once he even had to clamp his hand to his mouth and tighten his throat to keep from losing his supper. After a few minutes of standing there, struggling to calm himself, his swimming vision cleared and the nausea subsided, leaving him well enough to wonder what in the hell had exactly happened. His initial theory about the whole incident was that he'd been picked out as a nice meal by those wretched cat-beasts, and then they'd changed their minds about him for some reason or another. Perhaps they'd deemed him a bit too bony for their tastes? Perhaps… and yet, he doubted that they would have returned his wand had that been the case, and it was even now tucked safely at his belt. Maybe they'd just wanted to have a bit of fun, then? Well they'd undoubtedly gotten their wish then, he thought with a snarl. But what had that spell been? He'd never felt or even heard of anything remotely like it before. Undoubtedly it had been some sort of specialized pain curse, though of no kind Severus had ever had the `pleasure' of experiencing before. With a grumble and a groan, Severus pushed away from the tree and took a glance at his surroundings. Somehow or another he'd ended up at the very edge of the forbidden forest, the road leading to Hogsmeade was relatively nearby. Casting a glance between the castle and the road, both illuminated by faint moonlight, Severus decided that he'd much rather simply go home than run complaining to Poppy about whatever curse he'd been struck by. Most likely the pain and nausea would be gone by tomorrow anyway, and if not, he wasn't exactly an idiot when it came to dispelling curses himself. Hissing at another spasm of pain, he straightened and started walking toward the road. Strangely, the waistline of his pants felt uncomfortably tight as he walked for some reason or another, but at the moment it was the least of his worries. All he cared about was getting off the grounds so he could apparate to the comfort of his home, leaving worries about man-eating, talking felines for the morning. ~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~ Voldemort woke from the dream with a violent start, nearly knocking over the large, ornately carved chair he'd fallen asleep within. Drawing in a few calming breaths, he settled back into the chair once again and refocused his startled crimson eyes on the dying embers of the fireplace before him. Never before had he had such a dream, so full of shifting images, and yet so real in every sense. There was no doubt in his mind that it had been more than a simple dream…it had been a warning, or a premonition of sorts. Shutting his eyes tightly, he struggled to remember what he'd seen in the flashing images. There had been so many bits and pieces….instances of war, Aurors and Death-Eaters falling victim to the Unforgivables, fleeting jumbles of conversation…at first it made no sense. But there was one thing that stuck out in his mind above all….and that was the undeniable feeling that he was now in danger. Something had happened, something monumentous that threatened, or would threaten, his reign of terror on the wizarding world. Who, or what threatened him, he did not know, though even now he could sense that new power in the world like a pressure against his skin, prickling and taunting him with its obscurity. "I must find out what this is…." He hissed quietly to himself, his eyes narrowing to slits, "I cannot fight what I do not know," he added, clenching unnaturally white teeth in annoyance. For the moment he could do nothing, after all, it would be virtually pointless to order his Death Eaters to seek out and destroy a `power.' They already had orders to report the appearance of any new, powerful wizards to him. Glaring at the fire with something akin to apprehension, Voldemort reluctantly came to the conclusion that he had no choice but to sit back and wait. He had no doubt that this `power' would make itself known soon enough. And then, he would eliminate it. But there was still something that concerned him, a particular portion of the dream….it had felt as if his very soul was being slowly ripped apart into nothing….even now he could nearly feel it all over again. With a grimace and a shake of his head, Voldemort turned his thoughts to other things. He had no need to be worried after all. There was no one that he could not destroy, and there was no one capable of destroying him. No one. ~^~^~^~^~^~ Severus was thoroughly surprised when he arrived on his doorstep to find his satchel waiting for him, filled with all of the plants and roots he hadn't had the chance to collect. In fact, he'd been fairly sure that he'd never see the satchel again, let alone acquire the stock for the potions shop. It, along with the return of his wand, left him wondering if he was indeed the victim of some bizarre joke. Beasts, even if they were talking beasts, weren't civilized enough to do such things as return his wand, cart him out of the forest, and finish his ingredient harvesting. And that wasn't even mentioning the fact that VERY few people had any idea where he lived, so the beasts wouldn't have been able to drop the ingredients off on his doorstep by magical means or no. Something was obviously going on, and Severus wasn't about to stand by and let whoever it was have their laughs. He'd root out the perpetrator, one way or another. After pausing to drop the satchel off on an old mahogany table in the main hallway, Severus bit back on a groan of pain. To his great relief, the nausea had subsided, though the odd spasms from earlier had developed into a painful cramping sensation. Grimacing, he left the plants to be sorted and stored later and headed off to his bedroom at the back of the small house. It, like most of the house, was moderately sized and decorated mostly in dark wood. A few rugs of dark shades were thrown here and there, and the large, four- poster bed was done in a pleasant mix of dark greens and blues. Casting a fleeting glance at the bed and its pile of pillows and covers, Severus snatched his long gray nightshirt off of one of the bedposts and headed toward the adjoining bathroom. Not even magic could get rid of aches, pains, and cramps as well as a nice, warm bath. The bathroom was one of the few rooms that Severus had paid special attention to after purchasing the house. He'd spent a great deal of time transfiguring the old, plain room into one he found suitable to his tastes. It was large and spacious, with grayish tile flooring that shone brilliantly in the light of the torch that light upon entering the room. The counter and sink were done in black marble, with the silver faucet in the shape of a dragon's head with its wings spread out to either side. The bathtub was modeled after the sink in many senses, and was large and oval shaped, sunk down into the floor at the far end of the bathroom. With one flick of his wand, the tub was instantly filled near to the top with steaming water, the vapors rising invitingly off of the surface. Wasting no time, Severus quickly stripped down and left his clothing in a haphazard pile on the floor. He sighed deeply as he sank down into the water, unable to keep from smiling at the almost instant relief the heat of the water granted. Slipping down briefly, he dipped his head back into the water before popping back up and leaning back against the side of the tub, pushing the long, wet strands of hair out of his eyes. Allowing his eyes to slip shut, he crossed his arms and settled back for a long relaxing soak, and noticed something a bit unusual. Blinking his eyes in mild confusion, he sat up again and looked down at his stomach, placing a hand over his abdomen. What had always been a perfectly flat plane of flesh, sometimes unhealthily so, was now rounded out as if he'd just eaten an unnaturally large meal. `At least now I know why my pants were tight,' he thought with an annoyed grimace before settling back once again. He wasn't all that surprised really, he had been hit fairly hard by that mystery pain-curse. In all likelihood his stomach would be perfectly flat again by morning, and if not, a simple potion was all that was needed to set things back to normal. However, he'd prefer not to take any potions or cast any healing charms unless it became absolutely necessary. Too many of either could be potentially dangerous, and he already had to make frequent use of Dreamless Sleep and various other pain-killing potions and charms. With a contented sigh, he sunk further into the water, the warm liquid lapping up against his neck. Everything could be dealt with tomorrow. It was quite late after all, and there was nothing quite so important to one's health than to get a nice, long night full of undisturbed sleep. And at the moment, nothing in the world sounded better than just that. ~^~^~~^~^~^~
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