Silk Roads

Chapter 2

"Speaking"

"Parseltongue"

'Mental telepathy'

Chapter 2: Childhood Years

31st July 1944
Location: Wool's Orphanage

A snake with unnaturally intelligent emerald eyes was observing a woman, whom was crouching down in favor of scrutinizing a basket that was surrounded by a flock of butterflies on the doorstep. She gave a sharp inhale of breathe as she spotted a newborn inside. Whilst she turned to shout out for the head Matron, the snake was quick to enter the partly opened door and into the building.

Quick steps were heard heading towards the woman and the snake hid behind a potted plant, completely out of view from the humans. They talked for a few minutes before they accepted that they had to keep the baby.

It didn't want Its Master to be raised in such a place, but It had no choice. Harry had wanted a solid background, even if they were with muggles. Its Master had grumbled for half an hour on wizard stupidity, lack of common sense and magical orphanages.

"The letter says that his name is Marcaunon S. Gaunt." Woman number one stated as she scanned the letter that the baby held.

"What do you suppose the S. stands for? And who in their right mind would name their child Marcaunon? What does it even mean?" Woman two questioned, looking rather annoyed.

They soon decided to leave it as it is and let the boy decide on his own once he was older. The snake shook Its head at the show of irresponsibility but decided that it was better than picking a random name that would displease Its Master. It knew that Its Master would look at It in disappointment when he finds out that It had forgotten to write down Its Master's middle name.

The second woman, Mrs. Cole, instructed her employee to place the newborn in one of the nurseries whilst she wobbled back to the hole she came from. The snake followed and slipped into the room just as the door closed, to witness the woman transferring It's Master roughly from the basket and into the cot. It hissed in displeasure but remained out of view.

Once the woman left, the snake was soon enveloped in a mist, and a figure draped in a black cloak stepped out from within. It glided towards the new resident of Wool's Orphanage and cradled the baby to Its chest; checking for any injuries that he may have received from the rough woman.

When It was sure that Its Master was unharmed, It removed the sleeping spell that It had placed. The baby soon opened his eyes, revealing dulled blue-scarlet. It whispered some words in a language unknown to men, soothing the baby as well as improving his eyesight and hearing.

"Master, the trip was successful and your body is all in working condition. Nothing is amiss." The figure, also known as Death, reported dutifully to Its Master while It placed feather-like touches on the baby's cheek.

Said baby gave a somewhat jerky nod, and whined when his muscles refused to cooperate. Death chuckled and continued to sooth the baby, promising that It would take care of Its Master whilst they were alone.

After much reassurance, the baby boy soon fell asleep, still in the arms of his faithful servant. Death's emerald eyes soften as It returned Its Master to his cot, and disappeared without a sound.

Only a summer azure butterfly was left to watch the newborn sleep.

December 1945
Location: Wool's Orphanage

The orphanage was lively with the children's shouts and laughter, all excited with the decorations surrounding the playroom. They were crowded together, both young and old, around a big Christmas tree. The caretakers had smiles on their faces as they pile up presents underneath the tree, much to the children's glee.