Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters, locations or prior storylines associated with it. That is all the intellectual property of the wonderful JK Rowling. No copyright infringement is intended, nor am I making any money from this story. I am just playing in her world.
Author's Note: Okay. So this story came to me and it won't go away, so I am writing it down. This is just the prelude that is going to set up some of the story line. One thing that I do want to mention (so I don't get any flames on this); I know that Ginny's birthday is August 11. I had to use some creative license (which will be explained later on) to change her birthday to July 11. Please, please, review and let me know what you think!
The Four Horsemen © The Sexy Muggle Librarian
Chapter 1: Prologue
5th Century A.D.
The old man watched in his scrying pool as the four beasts cut a swath across the land. The white horse spread disease; the red, war; the black, hunger; and the pale green, death. He shook his head, knowing that his power was waning, like the moon. He had neither strength nor power to defeat them. At best, he could only hope to contain them until a match to their strength was born.
Quickly he gathered his herbs, separating them into two caldrons, carefully measuring them. Then he began chanting in the language that was second nature to him, adding the various herbs to the bubbling concoction, turning it from a sickly yellow to a vibrant royal blue in a matter of moments. As he threw in the last herb, belladonna, the potion let off a puff of violet smoke and the four beasts in pool disappeared.
Sagging, the man propped himself up with his staff. He indulged in a small smile before beginning the second spell, this time chanting in the common language of the traders. "Blood of my Blood, Power of my Power; through space and time, Evil cowers. Earth and Air, Fire and Water, soul bound by love and light; Evil once Vanquished, resumes its fight. As the Four Beasts rise, the Elements will See; As I will it, so mote it be."
With one last burst of power, the second caldron burst into flames as the old man began to crumble towards the floor. But he never touched it; he disappeared before reaching the marble.
31 October 1999
The young man was going through yet another box of dusty books. All of the possessions left by his mother's ailing husband. She had chosen him not for money, for they had plenty, nor for looks, for he looked like a wizened gnome, but for love. Even though he was not his natural father, the two men had formed a close bond. The man's health had never been that strong, and with the stress that the Second War had borne, the man had lost his battle with a bad heart. Ironic, the man thought, as his lips turned into a scowl. A stepfather that I actually like and he's dead after two years.
Shrugging his shoulders in acceptance, he began to look at the musty books. At the bottom of the box, his collector's instinct was aroused by the feel of the last book. He withdrew if from the box, instinct telling him that it was very old and of immense value. He handled it carefully before realizing that it was protected by spells to keep it from fading or reacting to heat or temperature.
The covering was leather laid over what felt like wooden boards and the inside was beautifully inscribed vellum. He stared that the pages, trying to make out what language it was in, until he finally recognized a word. Heofonum. West Saxon for heaven. Having that as a basis, the man smiled as he realized that he could translate the text from the Old English to modern English with ease. With a wave of his wand, he made room on the bookcases for the new books and settled into his leather sofa, already engrossed in his new project.
Nine hours later, the man laid the book to the side as an evil smirk crossed his handsome face. He now knew the secret of a power so great it would make man and wizards tremble beneath him. He could complete the plan of his master. He could rule the world. An evil chuckle rang through the empty room, striking fear in the hearts of the House Elves that heard it.
AN: Okay, I know that it's short, but I do have a total of 4 chapters written already (in one week nonetheless, so if I get good reviews for this, I can put up the second one quickly). To all of those looking for the next story in my "Passport to Romance" series featuring Charlie and Hermione, I am working on the next story, but with this one beating on my mind trying to get out, it has gotten pushed to the back burner temporarily. That being said, the more reviews I get, the faster the next chapter of this goes up!!!