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.

Natasha had woven a small Grasco – an extension of reality, allowing them to watch what was going on with being seen. They did not have long to wait. A few moments passed when five students entered their headmaster's office.

Sofitel heard Water slosh softly in her mind vision and the familiar voice, which sounded like the sea, spoke to her. The girl…the one with the brown hair…she is yours. Then the voice vanished, taking with it the calming song of the waves and rivers. She did not like her at first glance. Definitely bossy, she noted unhappily. Oh dear, looks like a nag too.

Natasha needed no words from Air to know whom she was to work with. A pale, lithe boy with even paler blond hair, sullen grew eyes and a sharp chin. Yes, he had Air's mark on him; there was no doubt about it.

Pyros felt his lips twitch when he realised who he was paired up with – a small, almost elfin girl with flaming red hair, green eyes and lot of freckles. Yes, it would be interesting to see how she reacted to him. Then another boy, red hair, green eyes and freckles galore, bounded into the room. Pyros frowned. He must be the girl's brother. But both of them had the Mark of Fire on them and he was sure that the pairings were all one to one.

Then he remembered.

One would be the sacrifice.

Urdic knew who he was paired with. Earth was rumbling in his earth, murmuring gently. Harry Potter. He sighed. Potter was going to be a handful.

Before Dumbledore could say a word, Natasha unmade the Grasco and they entered Reality again.

To the five gathered, it seemed that four of them Apparated. But then they noticed something unusual. Perhaps it was that the four persons in question were gently glowing or that their eyes had an alien spark in them, something old and ancient as the world and as powerful.

Natasha spoke to Dumbledore, her voice ringing clearly through the silence.

" You have not failed your duty. Your oath is unchallenged."

Ignoring curious stares by the students, he bowed – one hand on his lips and the other near his heart, a bow from a servant to his master.

Then he seemed to regain his equability. " Introductions would be appropriate now, I think."

Natasha laughed suddenly, " A good suggestion indeed."

The attention of the four swung suddenly to the five. 

"We are Mages. Technically, Elemental Keepers," an quick indrawn breath at that revelation greeted her, " Granger should know what that means, ask her later. Yes, the reason why we are here can be summed up into one word. Voldemort. " Here Natasha paused and did a cursory glance on the five faces before her.

Potter had paled, frighteningly so. So had the Weasleys and Granger. Malfoy was trying very hard to disappear.

Wimps.

She continued, " We all know that Potter has the best chance of destroying Voldemort. So to put it blnntly, we are here to get you ready for the confrontation."

Hermione blinked then asked, " Why us?" She darted a glance at Draco, no doubt questioning his presence in this.

" Because a pupil is chosen by each Element to pair up with us. Training will be one to one, hence very intensive. We cannot battle Voldemort. Any confrontational battle between Voldemort and us will rip a massive hole in this plane. We are Elemental Keepers. " Natasha stressed out the words, " we are sworn to the protection of this plane. If he attacks us, we will have to let ourselves be destroyed. All of you, though, only have the potential, not the capability of being Elemental Keepers. So any battles on your part will be perfectly fine. "

'ros, she mentally poked him, your turn to explain to the Weasleys.

Can't we wait until Granger raises the question?

She will. In five…four…three…two…one

" But there are five of us…but only four of you, I thought you only said that a pupil is chosen by each Element?"

Pyros answered " There are really five Elemental Keepers, darling, the fifth of our party is just a little too busy at the moment to come. She told me her element had chosen the pupil already but since she couldn't come, the pupil was to be marked under my element."

Granger quivered, something was wrong here but she went on anyway, " I thought there were only four elements…"

Pyros grinned. Stupid Gryffindors. Bait given, taken, trap slams close! " There is a fifth, darling, but it's not really considered one. It's Death."

He went forward and stopped before the Weasleys who shrank away. " So one of you is going to be a sacrifice. Quite an honour really, but it depends on your point of view."