A/N: don't own Harry Potter.

Airiala took a deep breath as she walked along the grounds of Hogwarts by the Forbidden Forest.

It was her second day here. A warm, sunny late summer day before school began again. After that Airiala would be restricted to the castle until the Christmas holidays. This was for her own protection and she understood that, but she wasn't prepared to be locked up for so long.

She hummed a tune she remembered during her time in America. It was upbeat and happy, but she couldn't remember the words.

The breeze was just strong enough to keep her cool, but not so strong that it would mess up her hair. All in all, it was a perfect day so far.

Meeting Dumbledore's spy Deatheater hadn't been so bad. He was rude and mean, but who wouldn't be after attending a meeting. He was different than what she thought. In many ways she saw an older gentleman with graying hair and wrinkles. Severus Snape was a big surprise.

He wasn't handsome by any stretch of the imagination. His shoulder length hair was lanky, greasy, and did nothing to help his look. His eyes were dark and quite fearsome. They were the darkest color she had ever seen she was almost sure they were black, and soul-less. His face was pale and shallow, and that large nose did nothing to help.

To go with his dark hair and dark eyes would be his dark clothes. The teaching robes hide his body leaving only his head and hands visible. He was taller than Airiala by a good foot, forcing her to look up at him, which she hated doing to anyone.

Now his hands held promise. The long fingers with their slender design lead any woman to wonder what else they were good at besides brewing potions.

Airiala sighed, causing the wind to blow slightly harsher before settling down, and headed back up to the castle.

Because she had arrived before school had started, the strong wards on the library to keep out all during the summer vacation had yet to be taken down, leaving Airiala to peruse Dumbledore's private collection until then.

So far she hadn't found much, except information she already knew. The Ultimate Truth would be the only piece of knowledge not passed on through the Elementals, although the reason why was unknown.

It was a mystery Airiala planned to solve. The Air Elemental had always been a big fan of mystery, Water was always a romantic, Fire was always ready for action, and Earth was a big dramatic. That was the way it always had been, and always would be.

Now with the threat of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, the Elementals must work together to help Harry Potter defeat him. Otherwise, there would be no hope for the future.

Airiala stepped into the foyer and up the first set of stairs toward the Great Hall. Her footsteps echoed off the stonewalls as she moved through the corridors toward the Headmaster's office.

Airiala thought about the Ultimate Truth and what exactly it could be. Why was it so mysterious, and why wasn't that knowledge passed on through the ages?

She was so lost in her thoughts that she passed right by the entrance to the Headmaster's office, turned the corner, and ran directly into Snape.

"Sorry," she said without looking up.

"Watch where you're going," Snape replied with his icy voice, "Damn Elemental." Airiala's head snapped up at him, fire in her eyes.

"I said I was sorry," she snapped at him. "There is no need for you to be so damn moody and rude."

Snape narrowed his eyes. "I believe that you were the one who rudely walked into me."

"And, if I recall, I apologized."

Airiala was getting angry and wind started to blow through the hallway, causing Snape's robes to flap about like wings.

Snape didn't notice. "Yes, you apologized. Good time to learn manners."

"Manners! What about you?"

"What the devil are you talking about?"

"I have a name, Professor, and it's not 'Elemental'."

"I know that."

"Then call me by my proper name."

By now the two were yelling over the strong rushing winds, though neither realized it. However, Dumbledore and McGonagall certainly noticed when they rounded the corner and was blasted with strong winds.

"You are in danger, surely you understand that," Snape yelled at the girl.

"Of course I know that. Why the hell do you I'm here? To sit through your mediocre potions class?"

"How dare you."

"I dare. Are you so insecure that you can't take a little criticism?"

"I am not insecure and that was not criticism. It was a flat out rude comment."

"You arrogant ass!"

"Elemental, you try my patience."

"My name is Airiala, not 'Elemental'. Get it through your thick skull."

"I will call you what I please."

"Damn you Snape. Damn you to Hell. You are the rudest, most insufferable prick I have ever met."

"ENOUGH!" Dumbledore bellowed effectively ending the argument.

The wind died down instantly as Snape and Airiala looked up at the Headmaster. It was when she saw the state that Dumbledore's hair was in that Airiala realized what she had done.

"Oh dear! I'm so sorry Albus. I didn't realize that my anger had gotten away from me so badly."

"It is quite alright Airiala," Dumbledore said calmly. "Now who would like to explain what was going on here?"

Both Airiala and Snape started talking at the same time, explaining their side of the events before they started arguing again, causing the wind to blow slightly.

"Quiet," Dumbledore said causing them both to go silent.

Dumbledore was in shock. Whenever these two were around each other, they acted like children, constantly bickering.

"Headmaster, I…"

"Quiet Severus," Dumbledore said forcefully. Snape shut his mouth, but glared at the girl next to him.

"Albus…please understand…"

"Quiet Airiala," Dumbledore said in the same forceful tone. Airiala's eyes widened as she shut her mouth.

Several minutes passed in silence while Dumbledore was watching them and thinking.

"Now," Dumbledore said calmly, "Airiala, I believe you and I have an appointment. This incident will not be repeated again and the two of you will learn to get along. Understand?"

McGonagall watched as Airiala nodded and Snape crossed his arms. "Understood," Snape said looking away from all of them.

"Good," Dumbledore said before motioning to Airiala, "Now, let's go Airiala."

Airiala followed Dumbledore to his office around the corner, trying her hardest not to look back at the Potions Master.