Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, its characters, or anything associated with it. The others are mine. Resemblance of any character to an actual person is completely accidental. Please don't sue *shows pockets* look no money.
PrologueThey sat around a round table.
Like a council of the gods of Olympus, deciding the fates of mere mortals of this world.
Mortals, whose fates were in their hands.
Natasha leaned back into her high-backed wooden chair, her ice-silver hair contrasting sharply with the dark ebony of the wood. She looked around the table, her silver gaze sharp and murmured, " So should we help Potter's side?"
Natasha hardly raised her voice, it was always whisper-like, a murmur. Her voice could be likened to the icy coldness of the winter breeze, light but sharp. She was the most powerful of this council of four, and chaired each meeting.
Pyros who sat next to her, with silver-blond hair and dark obsidian eyes, looked bored. He lounged on his chair like a cat, his movements graceful and fluid. He stretched languidly, and mocked, " Why does it matter?" His eyes glittered, " we have better things to do."
Urdic who was across from him, frowned. Urdic was a dark child. His skin was dark, as dark as the ebony chair Natasha was sitting on, and his hair was raven black. It was deliberately tousled, as if mocking Pyros's slicked-back hair. His eyes were a shocking green, which changed tones according to his mood. At that moment, it was emerald green, hard and emotionless. Urdic replied, " Because if old Voldie wins, he might start trying to find us and tough luck, we would have to go up against all his dreadfully faithful followers with no one on our side."
Sofitel sitting next to him interrupted sharply, " If we take Harry Potter's side," here she wrinkled her nose in disgust, " we would have to reveal ourselves, so what's the point?"
Natasha replied, " The reason for this meeting is to decide whether we will help Potter's side. According to Air, there is a crossroad in fate-lines– a crack in Destiny. The Guardians of Destiny has allowed us to make the choice. Secrecy is no longer a safe option. I do know one thing, if we do work with Potter and his companions, there is a chance of Voldemort being destroyed – forever. This is not guaranteed, mind you, but there is a higher chance of this happening if we choose now to help Potter."
There was a moment of silence. No one liked Harry Potter or his friends. They were too naïve, too young, too unrealistic. The people here were forced from childhood to adulthood in a manner so horrific that even Dumbledore would bow under. They were survivors, hardened by their ordeals – old but in appearance.
They disliked naivety. But as much as they disliked Potter and his companions, they hated Voldemort violently. All of them detested his abuse of powers. They knew that if Voldemort found them, he would try to harvest their powers. That, for them, would be worst than murder or rape, and it would corrupt them and drive them to madness.
Pyros looked a little less bored, though he gave a loud yawn, which was calculated to show his white teeth very nicely. "So fine, we shall help Potter then." His words came out as a command, as if his decision was theirs too.
Natasha looked at him and smirked, " Thank you for telling us your thoughts on the matter, Pyros. Sofitel, what of yours?" That remark was aimed at Pyros and the shot flew in straight and true. Pyros scowled.
Sofitel sat up straight, and her eyes glazed over. She was a winter person, just like Natasha, with a wintry skin tone. Her hair was the colour of a blue so dark that it almost looked black. Her eyes were a most lovely blue, which like Urdic, changed in shades according to her moods. Her voice was surprisingly deep for one who looked delicate or frail, "There is not time but the present, for creatures of Water. We say that Voldemort has put himself into shoes too big for his feet, We know that only Potter can kill him for they share a bond, so We say that We must side Potter." Then she blinked and her eyes cleared, turning into a solemn cerulean blue. Being the youngest, Sofitel consulted her element often for its advice.
Of the four, Natasha was closest to their elements. The closer the bond they had with their elements, the more like it they became. In appearance, especially. The closer the bond, the stronger they were – being able to better manipulate and cope with more of the element's never-ending pool of power.
Natasha nodded and smiled slightly. " A decision on the matter is reached." There was a soft chiming in the air and a light breeze blew through the room. The solemnity of the room suddenly disappeared.
They stood up and bowed to one another. The round table disappeared, and several couches, a large bookshelf, a television set with a remote control, a small table with a coffee jug, and a large fridge appeared.
Natasha cocked her eyebrow, "Why a television?"
Pyros laughed, but it was without malice, " I'm sure it's all very nice to read and read and read, but I, I need some quality time with my television and coffee," He stretched again and then flopped himself down on a couch, a cup of coffee in his hand and remote control on the other.
"Any questions about the meeting?" Natasha finished with her ritual question.
"Yes," Pyros grinned, a feral glint in his eye, " fine, the time of secrecy is over yada yada and let's openly side with Potter. That's just dandy. But there's more to it, isn't there, Nat darling? Come out with it, what else must we do that you didn't bother to tell us?"
Natasha stiffened slightly as the tension in the room grew.
" Natasha, is there?" Urdic looked puzzled and vaguely disappointed, whereas Sofitel was looking at her expressionlessly
" Yes." She admitted, silently screaming at herself for her stupidity. This is a wolf pack, girl, Pyros and Sofitel are capable of ganging up to tear you apart or working peacefully with you! Only Urdic is on your side and now you've allowed doubt to enter. Stupid, stupid!
"We must each pair up with one of Potter's companions, our elements will choose them. They have elemental potential, obviously, or else this entire thing wouldn't have happened. Then, we must help them to find their inner core of power, bring them to the Land of the Gods for Their Blessings before they are ready to stand against Voldemort."
" Oh yay. In other words, we must work with Potter's friends, bring them around et cetera, et cetera and be their friends. Then, will they be able to face old Voldie." Pyros's voice dripped with sarcasm.
Natasha merely looked at him, " Ros, you know that we can't face Voldie or we'll tear out an entire fabric of this universe during the battle in the process. Only the silly Potter and his friends can because first, they're fully human, and two, because Potter's bond with Voldemort means that Voldemort will find it more difficult to kill him!" Her voice never rose throughout the entire exchange but her tone grew sharper and more biting.
"Alright, Nat, " Pyros stretched lazily on the couch, his every action communicating very loudly that he was NOT bothered about anything. " Just wanted to clear them dusty corners up."
Sofitel had been watching the exchange silently and had taken the couch adjacent to Pyros. " Don't mind him, Natasha, he's being nasty again. It's the coffee, I bet. It would have be nicer if you told us all this in the beginning, but," here she shrugged, " it doesn't matter now." She smiled guilelessly at Natasha, the blue in her eyes cool and full of gentle humour.
The tension in the room dissipated quickly.
Urdic sidled up to Natasha and hugged her from behind. "Never mind, love. 'haps it was for the better. Let us enjoy ourselves before we go, shall we? I have something very special planned for us." He murmured into her ear.
Natasha looked closely into his face, trying to determine his true feelings on the matter. He did not give anything away. Shoulders slumping slightly, she mustered a slight smile. They left the room together, two tall teenagers with hands held together, seemingly untroubled for that moment.
*~* Note: Urdic and Natasha are life-mates. In other words, they are bound together in a very rare manner. Elements are constantly reaffirming alliances to one another and bind some of their Mages to others of another Element, so Urdic and Natasha's life-mate situation is a product of their reaffirmation. It is odd though, for Natasha to be paired up with a mage whose element is Earth. It is more usual for Mages of Air to be paired with Mages of Fire. Life-mates are usually passionate about each other, and they are usually unable to live without one another after they meet. But for that piece of happiness, the price is even greater, for most life-mates die early and tragically. For Natasha and Urdic, that is the greatest danger. If one dies, then the other will follow. Therefore, they try to cherish every moment together. ~*~
Sofitel looked at their retreating backs sadly. Pyros caught her gaze and held it.
"Sad isn't it, seeing that they're right and happy and all. And we…" his tone was wry, " we wait, knowing the end to their love, do we not?"
Sofitel tensed as she saw the expression in his eyes, " We keep watch then, hoping that they will live long enough to fulfil their obligations and to keep witness to their love." She allowed her voice to betray no emotion.
Pyros eyed her for a moment, and he nodded. Then his expression changed, into one of amusement, " Then, my dear, can I interest you in television?"
She grinned, her dark sapphire eyes lightening to baby blue, " I'd rather read, Pyros."
"Suit yourself," said he and curled his fingers around his beloved remote control.
Glancing aside, he saw Sofitel, fast asleep. In an afterthought, he Called a blanket and gestured for it to cover Sofitel before turning his attention to "Southpark".
Author's Note: Well, should I continue with this, or is this complete and utter crap? Sorry, Harry and the others don't appear just yet. This is only the prologue after all.