Only Aberforth dared to approach his sister the moment he stepped from the drawing room fireplace. He was frantic with worry, for the message he had received at Hogwarts had told him only that there had been an accident involving his mother, and that Ariana was distraught. Ignoring Albus's attempts to calm him, he ordered a house elf to take him to her immediately.
The sight of his little sister's shocked face, eyes gazing unseeingly at the broken body of their mother, would be one of the memories which Dementors would feast upon in the years to come. A keen observer, it didn't take him long to deduce what had happened, the position of Kendra's body and the lingering presence of wild magic told its own story. Tentatively he reached out to Ariana, hoping that he could get her to respond.
"Ari? Ari I came as soon as I could. Albus is here too, he's with the house elves deciding what needs to be done. I won't say it's all right, because I know it won't be ever again. Can you tell me what happened?"
He didn't expect an answer, for familiar with his sister's dark moods he knew that she often remained silent for hours after an outburst of wild magic. So he was surprised when Ariana began to speak in a small frightened voice.
"Abe, I'm so sorry; it was all my fault. She was trying to help me, and my magic lashed out. I tried so hard to stop it, but I couldn't control it and before I knew what was happening she was falling."
Aberforth could imagine the scene, for he had often prevented Ariana's magic from exploding out of control only by the slimmest of margins. Often he had marveled that of all the family, he alone could do what his powerful brother couldn't, bring a measure of comfort and serenity to the little sister he loved.
Let Albus deal with all of the arrangements for their mother's funeral; it was his duty after all. His place was here, with Ari, just where he knew Kendra would have wanted him to be when she stepped into eternity. Never before had Aberforth been so thankful for the rigid rules which governed wizard households, for it meant that he wouldn't be expected to spend endless hours performing all of the proper rituals which a son in mourning was bound by magic to do. His task was simpler, requiring that he keep silent vigil over the corpse every night without fail until dawn, and speak the words which would keep his mother's grave concealed from Muggles.
One task he dreaded; and that was receiving the condolences of friends and family. Many would come to pay their respects out of curiosity, and few would offer sincere comfort or friendship. Still, Albus would insist that everything be done, and that Ariana must attend the rites, for like their father he was a wizard who would follow tradition.
Ariana's next words only confirmed his thoughts. "What about Al? He'll blame me for this, and he would be right. If I hadn't lost control this would never have happened. I don't know how I am going to face him Abe, he's never been comfortable around me and this will only make it worse." Once again Aberforth knew that his sister spoke the truth, for Albus had never been able to bring himself to care for Ariana's needs with the patience and gentleness which Kendra had lavished upon her daughter.
Things went just as Ariana had predicted. Friends cast her looks of pity and suspicion throughout the brief service, and she did her best to keep out of everyone's way, asking a house elf to bring her some supper once all of the guests had gone. When the house was finally quiet, she stole away to her attic room and took out her worn copy of At The Back of The North Wind, wishing once again that she could meet the mysterious being who had brought little Diamond such comfort.
It was two nights after their mother had been laid to rest, that Ariana met the friend who would help her control her wild gift. Unable to face the accusing eyes of Albus, she fled to her attic room soon after the evening meal was finished. She took a complicated route, ignoring the distressed calls of the house elves that it wasn't right for their young mistress to use the servant's stairs. She didn't even try to explain why she wanted to avoid the grand staircase, for it brought back the sight of her mother's corpse, and the sickening sound of her body striking the marble floor. Reaching her attic, Ariana flung herself down on her bed, hoping that tonight she might be able to get a few hours rest. But no matter which way she turned, or how many blankets she threw off, she couldn't settle. The sound of the wind rattling the old trees in the garden which surrounded their house didn't help either, especially as the branches of an ancient oak kept on scraping against the window.
Somehow on this night the wind sounded different, as if it possessed a power far older than the magic she had known all her life. It drew her from her bed and to the window, beyond which lay the dark winter's night. Drawing back the curtain, Ariana gazed out at the familiar sight of a snow covered garden under the cold light of a winter moon. For the first time in many months, she found that she could enjoy the night's serenity, without the constant presence of fear. For a few blessed moments Ariana became lost to the silence and beauty of the snow as it continued to fall.
It was then that she noticed movement amidst the swirling snowflakes. Intrigued she leant forward, thinking that perhaps her imagination was playing tricks. . For what emerged into the silvery light of the moon was the tall and graceful form of a woman. She seemed to be clothed in a living darkness, for it moved and shifted as if guided by the wind itself. The eyes which met her own were filled with ancient wisdom, and power. Never before had Ariana seen such eyes, so clear, blue and piercing, like the icicles which clung to her attic roof.
For one wild moment, Ariana wondered if this was the Snow Queen of Muggle legend, come to lure her to her kingdom of eternal winter, where she would be bound to serve her forever.
Laughter, rich and playful floated up to her on the night air. "Nay little one, you would not interest her, though she too is abroad this night. She seeks a mortal child who no longer cares for kin or friends."
Shocked at receiving an answer, Ariana could only stammer out a reply.
"What do you want with me?"
"If you would let me in I will answer you." This request wasn't made on the spur of the moment, for North Wind wanted to test Ariana's knowledge of ancient magic, as well as her response to danger.
Ariana hesitated, all of her mother's warnings about the dangers of making bargains with fae creatures filling her mind. She must be careful. There was one way which would give her a measure of safety, and even power over this person if she dared to wield it with her unstable magic.
"I would know your name first, my lady," The young witch answered, slipping automatically into the formal way of speaking she had been taught for as long as she could remember. "If you tell me who you are, and swear that you mean me no harm, then I will let you in." North Wind smiled, pleased that the child was weighing her words carefully, and thankful that wizards had not forgotten one of the fundamental laws of magic.
"Ah but you already know my name, in fact I expect you have wished many times to meet me." Mischief lit up the eyes of Ariana's visitor. The name came to her then, so smoothly and naturally that it was as if she had always known who was standing beneath her window.
"You are North Wind." She spoke the name with awe, and even a trace of fear, for she knew all too well the power which this being commanded with such effortless grace and confidence. The young witch could scarcely believe that the being who stood before her was real. Even though she had grown up surrounded by magic, Ariana still found herself wondering if this was some peculiar dream. And yet as she looked into the piercing eyes which held untold centuries of wisdom, she knew it was true. Gladly she threw the window open, a thousand questions filling her mind as North Wind entered her tiny attic room. Even as she curtsied respectfully and bade her visitor welcome, Ariana knew that this night would always stand out in her memory. Mingled with these thoughts was a sense of great expectation, and something which she had not known since that hot summer morning when her life was forever changed. The hope that somehow this enigmatic being could restore her passion for magic and learning, so that she could in time perhaps become a powerful witch like her mother.
For her part North Wind knew that much work lay ahead, and that Ariana's healing did not rest on her alone. Aberforth would be a great help, for he loved his sister deeply and was determined to do all in his power to see that she recovered. The ensuing months were to prove North Wind's thoughts right, for often she was forced to wait until Ariana was alone before entering the attic.
It was on just such an occasion that North Wind found an opportunity to speak with Ariana about Kendra's death. Once again it was the screams which drew North Wind to Ariana's window. She waited patiently until Aberforth had left, before entering and seating herself beside the trembling girl. Aware of the vivid nightmares which plagued Ariana, North Wind remained silent; hoping that her young friend would at last speak about what was troubling her mind. Her patience was finally rewarded, as the witch began to talk haltingly about the night when her mother had been killed, and the guilt which she still carried. It was as Ariana began describing the moment when her mother fell, that North Wind knew she should ask a leading question.
"What did you see Ariana, in your mother's eyes as she fell?"
Ariana thought for a moment before replying. "There was love and understanding."
"Exactly. And I am sure that if she could speak to you now she would say that you are not to blame for her death."
"But it was my fault." Immortal fingers gently stroked the tangled mass of dark hair, offering Ariana the comfort she had not known since her mother's death. "I didn't mean to hurt her. My magic just reacted to her spell and before I knew what was happening she was falling and I couldn't stop it." She would never forget the sickening sound of her mother's body striking the marble floor, or how she had sat beside the corpse clinging to the vain hope that Kendra's magic had somehow been able to save its mistress from death.
North Wind sighed. Inevitably she was forced to speak of her duties to every mortal she encountered.
"Ariana, no one knows better than I what it is to carry guilt over unnecessary death. It is always there, a constant reminder of the struggle I face every time I must choose between duty and what I wish could be. Be thankful that you are not burdened with the knowledge of mortal destiny, for it is a weight which even I struggle to bear."
Ariana glanced curiously at her friend. "I know what you are from the stories, but I can't imagine you ever knowing what it's like to feel sorrow over a mortal's death. I mean, from all I've read of you it's obvious that you loved Diamond, and regretted the sinking of that ship. But you seemed to accept your orders and just go on with your work as if nothing had happened."
If North Wind's hand had not been clasping hers, Ariana would have missed the shudder which passed through her immortal friend. But there was no mistaking the deep sorrow in those ageless azure eyes as they met her inquisitive gaze.
Have you forgotten what I am? Ariana countless people have walked into eternity because I have been given orders to become the storm incarnate. Why do you think the ancients spoke my name in fear? Or that children were taught from the cradle that my coming meant that tragedy would soon strike? The ancients understood this, that is why they often called me Boreas, the old word for destruction. Many deaths can be laid at my door. And although I know that they were according to the creator's will, that doesn't help assuage the sorrow or memories. I know what it is to have power begging to be set free, how no matter what you try it will not be denied until finally it pours out unchecked.
Ariana drew her quilt about her thin shoulders, wondering if she dared voice the thoughts which many in the wizard world would scorn. North Wind's look of silent encouragement was answer enough.
"Sometimes- sometimes I wish I had been born a muggle, because then I wouldn't have to constantly struggle with my magic. It's so wild and twisted and no matter what I do I can't control it. Couldn't you take it from me?"
"I wish I could, but unfortunately it is yours to bear until the moment you step into eternity. But I promise you Ariana, I will do all in my power to help you harness your wild magic, and if that doesn't succeed then I will find a way to help you release your power whenever it is too much for you to bear." Relief filled Ariana at those words, knowing that at last here was someone other than Aberforth who shared in and understood her pain. North Wind continued. "You probably won't believe me when I say this, but your magic has given you a soul far stronger than many in your world, and you are a friend to all creatures. They know and respect you for taking that step, for unlike many in your world you care not for the prejudices which rule many of your fellow witches and wizards. You have the courage to make friends of all creatures, and I know that if given the chance you would count squibs and perhaps Muggles amongst their number. And that is a lesson which many in the wizard world would do well to learn.
North Wind and Ariana had many similar conversations, and as the months passed the young witch came to regard this mysterious being as a close friend. But there were days when her mind descended into darkness, and she would move about the house with the deadly grace of a jungle cat. Then her thoughts were fragmented, filled with dark wild knowledge that something was dreadfully wrong. In the early years of her madness such times had been scarce, and thankfully she had found stability and comfort in the support of Aberforth and his beloved goats. But now that she was older they came with a strength and frequency which left Ariana in despair.
She dared to hope that her mind would remain calm, now that North Wind had been sent to her, but any hopes of peace were quickly stifled the first time her wild magic broke free of the bindings she had worked so hard to craft. She had clung to North Wind then, trembling and begging her to do something, anything to keep her magic under control.
Looking into the scared face of this mortal girl, North Wind saw trust and hope which she couldn't bear to disappoint. Once mortals had thought that she possessed the wisdom of a goddess, but there were many things which she would never be able to understand despite her centuries of experience. She held the small girl close, her mind racing as she tried to think of something which would help to calm Ariana's wild magic. Such power should not be set free, for now that Ariana was older the potential for destruction was even greater than before. Kendra Dumbledore had been right to keep her child's troubles secret, for if anyone ever discovered the destruction which Ariana could unleash she could so easily become a pawn in the hands of wizards who practiced the dark arts. Worse still in North Wind's opinion would be the child's fate if she was taken to the wizards' house of healing, for there they would seek to suppress her power with spells and potions.
She must find a place where wild magic still resided, so that the young witch could release it without fear. Moreover, it needed to be a place where power both light and dark would be accepted. And there was only one place near that North Wind knew was more than willing to receive the dark and twisted magic which was Ariana's birthright. Her decision made North Wind took flight, determined to do all she could to keep her young friend calm.
Thanks to Snapegirlkmf for her thoughtful review. I appreciate you taking the time to leave comments, and if you like tell anyone else who might be interested to take a peak at this story.
Also keep a lookout for a new story for Harry Potter which I hope to post either tonight or some time tomorrow. It's a fic which explores the story behind Lilly's sacrifice.
So does anyone care to guess where North Wind is taking Ariana? It's definitely somewhere most wizards would avoid.