Heading to the finish, maybe this won't be so hard to complete, it just took me forever to do so! But thanks for the reviews, and I know the last chapter wasn't the greatest, but I had to start somewhere, and it's hard to pick up after not writing for a long long while.Kandimoon
"Standing on the bridge that crosses
The river that flows out to the sea
The wind is full of a thousand voices
They pass by the bridge and me."
Loreena McKennitt
Chapter Eighteen
She had to put a spell on him to sleep, he was already drained from his confrontation and she could not risk him interfering with what she knew she had to accomplish on her own. She could save them all, she would save them all, and even though she would not survive the ordeal so many others would survive to live on: Ginny would become good again, and Draco would be reunited with his love and they could have each other for the years ahead; Gavin would finally know the father he never knew still existed. He would forgive him, he would mourn her, but he would move on, they all would move on. Harry….Harry was destined to be the one to defeat Voldemort, but she could save him too, he had suffered enough through these years, she would relieve him of his final duty to the World, and he could continue on with Ron and the others. She had the power, she would sacrifice the Goddess Earth, herself, for all eternity so that the others may live and prosper.
She sat on the small circular rug upon her floor and prepared one last ritual circle, the last one her power would ever cast in meditation, for calling on her power. After four colored candles were lit she placed her night robes aside of her and concentrated on her inner power.
"You do not have to do this, there are other ways." The raspy voice of the brown owl claimed not too long after. Hermione looked over to her guardian, to the animal protector of the Goddess Earth then drew her eyes downcast.
"I am out of time, I know my fate, I will save those that I love, I will save the World." She replied to the creature.
"But you will not try to save yourself?" It exclaimed back.
"I do what I must, I willingly give up my power, my chance of reincarnation, to save them."
"What if another evil is reborn and needs the power of Four again?"
"There will be other ways, the Three are strong together if they work together for it. And without the Four, the Three will have the strongest link either way, this is my fate, please do not interfere."
"She is saddened by your decision, she understands, but she does not want to see herself destroyed again."
"Then tell her I'm sorry, but this is my decision, we will meet again somewhere else."
Knowing his time was nearly done the brown owl bowed his head and whispered a prayer of strength for the Guardian Earth, then took off to the window and out into the heavens.
"May the Goddesses protect you." Hermione heard the soft whisper seconds after her familiar left. She glanced back to the floor and began her concentration again.
"I call upon my element, I call upon my power as the Goddess of the Earth, I call upon the power of Earth's animals and forests, lend me your strength, lend me your power! I am the Goddess Earth, hear me!" She shouted as she raised her hands to the heavens, calling upon all that was her power, the power of the Ancient Ones, the power from her inner self to once again become that which she has died and reborn into over the last thousands of years.
The wind blew, the flames upon the candles flickered, the lake water crashed outside as a storm rolled in from the mountains afar, and the earth trembled in fear. Somewhere in the distance a shiver went up the spine of a redheaded queen. Outside Draco, wading lightly in the lake waters turned towards the Gryffindor tower with his head bowed.
'I give you my strength, I give you my powers as the Guardian of Water, save her, save us all.' He whispered.
The Guardian Air stirred lightly in his sleep, a pained expression passing briefly over his pale face before falling back into a deep slumber.
Earth arose into the air, light splashing around her frame as everything upon her began to change. Her brown hair extending into waist length curls, her eyes glowing flecks of green and gold, her gown becoming green silk stretching down to her ankles as her brilliant velvet cloak clasped delicately upon her shoulders. She came back down to the floor and turned her eyes to the pentagram resting upon her dresser drawers. Extending a hand in the direction the pendant rose high as a long spear came forth through the window from the dark forest below. She held her arms high as the pentagram was wedge upon the spear, a deadly weapon, to destroy the Dark Lord with.
The sensation was nothing of which she has ever felt before, as if she was no longer in control of her body, yet at the same time feeling as if for the first time this was her true self, as if she was in a disguise for the last seventeen years of her life and now her shell has been broken free. She looked back to the bed where her love rested peacefully and leaned down to gently kiss his forehead.
'I will forever love you, Guardian Air.' She whispered lightly then turned to the open window. The storm in the distance was moving in, it would not be long now, and she had a long journey south ahead of her.
"I need wings." She said into the distant air. From the distant woods a figure emerged in a shinning splash of light. Flying towards her was the most magnificent creature she had ever rested her eyes upon. A winged Pegasus, with hair as dark as the night sky, flew swiftly to her open window.
"I am Ariel, Lord of all Horses, I am pleased to be of your service Goddess Earth." He lowered his head in respect.
"It is I who am pleased for your service, Ariel Lord of the Horses." She placed her hand upon his inky forehead and closed her eyes for a moment. Protective armor surrounded his large frame with the engravings of the four symbols etched into its surface. Steel, copper, brass and silver all intertwined together in magnificence. Ever so gently she lowered herself out of the window and onto the flying creature, glancing one last time to the figure sleeping peacefully. Then in a flash of green and shadow, the two figures disappeared.
Her dark gown billowed out in the soft breeze of night, she approached her sovereign as he met with the members of his inner guard.
"The Goddess Earth once again walks these hallowed grounds." The Dark Queen exclaimed with vile etched in her voice.
"So she seeks to risk her life and power to protect them." The Dark Lord replied. Somewhere in the back of the small group behind him a dark haired figure narrowed his eyes with a slight panic washing over his pale face.
"She will not succeed."
"Then you know what you must do." The snake like creature replied with a hiss.
The Dark Queen nodded then closed her eyes. Quicker than the transformation of her counterpart, the young woman arose moments later, changing slightly her outward appearance. Hair, long, red, and curled reached past her waist and her eyes smoldered the color of ash, a brilliant gray-silver. A gown of blood red silk adorned her petite figure, but instead of a matching cloak, a black one replaced it, to show her new nature as the Dark Queen. Her ritual staff set in one hand, the ruby at the top gleamed and pointed as if to double as a weapon should she have the need for it to be.
The men in the background, faces white with masks, bowed before the eternal enchantress. Even the snake bowed his head in a small show of respect to his Dark Mistresss.
"Welcome Fire Goddess."
Inside his chambers, an old man glanced out of his enchanted windows and watched the green Goddess disappear into the night. The woman behind him made no sound for a moment.
"Two have arisen." The man said neutrally.
"We need the others." The woman replied dejectedly.
"We'll call the Order, we must warn the others, I'll find the other Two, you warn Harry."
Minerva turned to left, but took one last glance at the man who has been with her for many years. He looked tired, and ready to give up.
'All we need is one last fight, and then we can both end this long life with peace. Goddesses protect him and the others.' She whispered to herself on her way out of the Headmasters Office.
The light was breaking in the far distance as the Guardian of Air was awoken to find his love gone. Instead a blonde haired figure stood sadly in the doorway, not saying a word.
"She left didn't she." Gavin asked the boy.
"She went to sacrifice herself and her powers." Draco replied.
"We have to help her!" He shouted back.
"We will, but first we need to prepare." Draco responded, though he could barely get the words out, he just wanted the whole mess over with, but there wasn't any more time, they had to help protect Earth, they couldn't let her sacrifice herself and possibly all of the lives of the Four, the world needed them.
Gavin went first, not used to using his power this way, but closing his amber eyes and reaching deep inside his mind to unleash his own power. After minutes of frustration went by, a young man emerged dressed in golden clothing: tunic, pants, armor, and cloak. A brilliant sword holstered at his hip, his talisman, his weapon as the Guardian of Air.
Draco, taking less time, also closed his blue eyes to the power inside of him. Dressed similarly as the man beside him, his clothing and armor was blue and silver in coloring, a silver chalice resting in his hand, a wand tucked into the belt on the other side of him as well.
The took off on foot at first, not realizing the tailing duo behind them, The Boy who Lived and his friend knew where they were going, they intended to help either way they could. Behind them the figures of Dumbledore and McGonagall also followed then apparated into thin air.
The two Guardians called for help, they needed a swifter flight to the battle scene. Moments later a large eagle came to their rescue. The Boy Who Lived and company tailed with brooms, knowing of the impending doom, Harry glanced to the sky and prayed for a miracle.
The final battle has finally arrived. Good and evil would fight for the same land, for power, for control.
'Goddesses protect us.' Water whispered to himself.