I don't own Harry Potter.
Harry wasn't sure what to expect as he prepared for this last battle. He looked at his friends as they stood next to him, their eyes focused on the army they were about to do battle with, the army standing just within the treeline of the Forbidden Forest.
He could feel Voldemort's eyes on him, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Teachers and Order members surrounded him, protecting him for any future attacks.
Dumbledore stood next to him at the moment. "Things will never be the same again, will they?"
Dumbledore looked down at the young man standing next to him. He had watched Harry grow from the small sleeping baby they left on the Dursley's doorstep into a mischievous schoolboy that would have given his father a run for his money to the man standing next to him. So young and already knowing so much suffering.
"No," Dumbledore said solemnly. He looked past Harry to where the Elementals were standing together. They were still mourning the lost of Airiala and knowing that, without her, the Ultimate Truth would never be revealed. Still they wished to fight for what was right. "Not, it won't."
Raina focused on the water in the lake. She was limited because she could only take so much before she risked the lives of the creatures that lived there. Her secondary focus was on Lando, Pyro, and the army they could just barely make out at the treeline of the forest.
Pyro was flicking his lighter, waiting for the perfect moment to use his element. Lando was kneeling, his hands flat on the ground before him, waiting for the battle to start so he could manipulate his own element.
No fog, no wind, no help from Airiala. She was gone, her magic gone, and soon another Wind Elemental would take over that power and the wind would start again.
Raina blinked, her mind clearing. It had been several hours since they had felt Airiala's death. The wind should have restarted by now, a new Wind Elemental should have been born. The world wouldn't survive too long without one of the Elementals so usually the change-over was quick.
Was it possible? Could Airiala's powers simply be sealed from them rather than her be dead? Was it possible that Airiala was still alive?
Hope filled Raina for the first time since the wind had stopped. She refocused on the task at hand, her determination stronger than ever. As much as she wanted to run and find Airiala at that moment, just to confirm her suspicions, it would have to wait. Airiala would still be there after all this.
The battle was about to begin.
Airiala's gray eyes remained wide as she stared at the figure before her. She had seen a picture of her, but never expected to see her in person.
"You're..."
The figure smiled before stepping forward. "Yes, I'm Eileen Prince, I'm Severus' mother."
Airiala took a step forward. She reached out her hand and watched as it fell through Eileen's arm. She jumped back in surprise, looking at her hand as if it was the issue she hadn't felt Eileen's arm.
Eileen looked just like the picture Airiala had seen in Severus' file. She had long midnight black hair and the same dark eyes as Severus. She had a face that, had she not been smiling, would have been stern. Because she was smiling, it was softer and kinder. She was dressed in a dark gown completing the gothic look, but she had an unearthly glow about her that kept her from being too dark.
"You're dead," Airiala said firmly. Eileen nodded, still smiling. "But I can see you?" Again Eileen nodded. "Because of the Ultimate Truth?"
Eileen chuckled at Airiala's confusion. "Yes, Airiala. You and you alone can see me now."
"I really don't understand how that is possible. I told the Ultimate Lie, not the Ultimate Truth."
"Not yet, but you will."
Airiala took a deep breath. "I see. Once I do that I'll die. It makes sense that I would see dead people at this moment."
"Not people, just me."
Airiala's eyes narrowed at the woman. "Why just you?"
Eileen stepped forward so she was almost nose-to-nose with the Wind Elemental. "Because, as Severus' mother, I had to know what kind of woman you were." She smiled again. "The woman who loves my only son."
Airiala felt the blush fill her cheeks. It was one thing to admit it to herself in her head, it was another to hear someone say it out loud like that. Shock and embarrassment filled her as her blush deepened.
Eileen continued to smile, as if Airiala wasn't standing there in shock. "Don't be so surprised. Any Wind Elemental who could speak the Ultimate Truth could see a deceased loved one of the person they love, as long as they were paying attention.
"You are the first to have done so."
Airiala sighed. "I seem to be the first in a lot of things today."
Eileen laughed, a soft laugh that Airiala hadn't expected her to have. "That is true. You are also the first to say the Ultimate Lie completely. Most just deny any feeling other than friendship or compassion, but none have said outright hatred before. You are also the first to know love so deeply. When you say the Ultimate Truth your enemies will not be able to defeat you or any of your friends. It will be spectacular!"
Airiala chuckled darkly. "Spectacular huh? Right up until I die of a broken heart."
Eileen shook her head at the girl, still with a soft smile on her face. "Severus may surprise you."
Airiala looked up at the mother of the man she loved. She opened her mouth to ask a question when a burst of magical energy washed through the forest, knocking her to the ground. She sat up slowly and looked for Eileen, but the woman was gone.
Airiala wasted no time on Eileen's words. She knew how this would have to end if she was going to save everyone.
She would have to admit the Ultimate Truth to Severus and hope that there is enough time to do some damage before he breaks her heart.
Despite what Eileen had said, Airiala knew in her heart that Severus was still in love with Lily Potter.
Saying the Ultimate Truth wouldn't change that.