Writing Challenge #13: Elements
Write a 100-word or a 500-word fic about a HP character (or characters) and one or more of the classical elements: Earth, Water, Air, and Fire. You can relate the character to one of the elements (for example, Dumbledore = Air), or write about something dealing with the elements (for example, the fire in the potions chamber in Sorcerer's Stone/Philosopher's Stone).
Fire
Theodore Nott was a happy, healthy, normal little boy.
His favourite room was Father's study. Even after seven years, and seven was practically grown up, Theodore loved to scamper round the room playing under the watchful eye of Mother. Lots of things in Father's study were very dangerous. "Dark" Mother called them.
She loved Father's study too. She could sit there for hours watching Theodore play. Making sure he was careful. And Theodore knew that while Mother was with him, he would never be harmed.
Mother showed him how to use the exiting toys of Father's. Mother taught him the significance of purple smoke emitting from this, and why it was important for that to emit a buzzing sound and what would happen if someone drank the black potion on the top shelf.
Little Theodore giggled as the house elf writhed in pain. Mother pressed a kiss to his forehead and giggled too.
But this day, Mother had a headache.
"Play outside sweetie," she had said. "Mother needs some rest."
So little Theodore had tiptoed outside.
He ran about the lawn pretending to be a dragon attacking its prey. But quietly of course. He didn't want to upset Mother. Mother who was so good. Mother who was so gentle. Mother who was shouting at some men.
Who were they? From a distance Theodore watched them through the window. They had burst through the fireplace, and were pointing their wands at Father's collection.
Sillies! Didn't they realise how dangerous that was?
As expected, one burst into flame. The one with flame-like swirls etched into the silver.
Freezing charm, Theodore thought smugly. And when that toy was hit with a freezing charm, it would produce fiendfyre, which Mother said would consume everything around it, unless a special charm was used on the room it was in to contain it.
If someone didn't cast it soon, the house would burn down.
Sure enough Mother made some complicated swishes with her wand.
They almost burned down my house Theo thought angrily. And Father's study will be ruined. Nothing can escape once that charm is cast.
Nothing.
Mother was still in the room.
Mother couldn't get out.
Horrified Theodore ran towards the window.
Flames were licking the book cases and the Aurors (for that's who they were) were panicking, trying to escape.
But Mother wasn't. Mother turned gracefully and saw Theodore running towards her. She knealt by the window as he reached it. Face red with exertion. Short legs aching. Tiny hands smacking the glass.
"I love you sweetie," she whispered, sweat running down her perfect face. "Leave Theo, don't watch. Please baby."
For the first time, Theodore disobeyed Mother.
He stayed.
He watched.
He cried as Mother burned before his eyes.
Her golden hair smouldered.
Her angelic face melted.
Her hands turned black.
Theodore wailed. He beat his fists against the window, so cold on his side, so hot on hers. But it did no good.
Evangeline Nott was consumed by flames.