Harry's eyes snapped open on the morning of his eleventh birthday. He sighed and rolled over, hoping sleep would claim him again. He rubbed his eyes before his hand traced the weird lightning bolt-shaped scar on his forehead. He had been having such a lovely dream of owls delivering news that he could escape Privet Drive and learn at a school far away from their stuffy corner of Britain. He sat up and grabbed his illy repaired glasses and slipped them onto his face. He was still not used to the room that had once been Dudley's gaming space. He had finally reached the point earlier this summer where he just could not fit in the cupboard under the stairs anymore. Dudley had thrown a fit and Vernon had ground his teeth, but they couldn't do anything about it.
He went down to start breakfast as he always did, not hopeful that he would get even a Happy Birthday from his aunt or uncle, let alone an extra slice of bacon. As he moved the bacon in the grease, he told himself just seven more years of this and then he would likely be cast out on his ear to try and survive on his own. At least there was no school today, he would be able to hide from Dudley and his gang. If they even took notice of Harry at all. Dudley at least never started anything with Harry on his birthday, which he accepted as the best birthday present, he could get. His aunt bustled into the room.
"Don't burn that bacon now." She scolded though there was no reason to. Since Harry could reach over the stove, breakfast had been one of the many chores he did for the household. He had learned very quickly how to not burn the food. "Your uncle is in a foul mood this morning, so don't go making it worse."
As she said that Uncle Vernon walked into the room. "For once, it's not the boy's fault. Smeltings won't be opening for this year so Dudders will need to go to the same public school as you a while longer."
Harry, eager to turn his uncle's wraith on anyone but himself, provided his uncle the excuse he was looking for. "Why are they closed for the year, Uncle Vernon?" He sat the laden plate before his uncle who dug in with gusto.
"Someone left a window open and blew a bunch of papers into a weak power socket. The whole place went up in flames. Hope they were fired for incompetence."
Harry went to get the plates for his aunt and cousin ready as his uncle continued his rant. His aunt rarely ever smiled at him, but she gave him an appreciative one now. If Uncle Vernon did not get his anger out with a rant, he was likely to take his belt to the first member of the house that annoyed him. Which was usually Harry if he was being honest.
"After breakfast, I have just one chore for you today. Check the garden for weeds and then you can do as you please until lunch. Just stay out from under my feet."
It was as close as she would ever get to telling Harry he could enjoy his birthday. They both knew he had weeded the garden yesterday but if Uncle Vernon didn't hear him being given a chore to do, he would come up with six or seven that needed doing under his supervision.
Dudley came in at that moment and dropped down in his seat. He did not look Harry in the eye but did give a brief nod before tucking into his food. There was a time when he and Dudley had gotten along. Back in grade school, Dudley had not been a public bully as he was today. One day, Harry's uncle had caught them laughing together. He had thrashed Harry and then dragged Dudley off by the ear. His cousin had changed that day. His father was always watching or wanting to hear news of his son 'being a man' and 'taking charge' of things. Harry couldn't blame Dudley. If he had a way to appease his uncle and not be on the receiving end of his constant ire, he would have taken it too.
After eating, Harry headed out into the garden. He made a show of checking the flower beds for weeds before going to sit at the ceramic picnic table. The sky was clear and as blue as a sapphire. The weather was always nice on his birthday. It was like the sky knew his life was already miserable enough and cleared up just to make his day a little more bearable. He sighed as he stretched a hand towards the infinite blue. How he longed for the freedom that the sky represented. Freedom to go where he pleased, away from the whims of his uncle and his other family members too scared to defy him.
*HPGW-Elemental-Masters*
A small elven girl clad only in a gossamer gown sat on the roof with her legs crossed as she watched Harry reaching for the sky. Her eyes were cat-like but a deep blue like today's sky and her long hair was the same raven black as the boys. She had small transparent wings sprouting from her back as well.
"Soon, my young master." She cooed as she watched him. "Soon, you will know the freedom Air magic can bring. You're finally starting to wake up. Our pact will be in effect soon."
Breezy floated down to look at Harry's 'family'. Petunia, is too weak-willed to cast out her abusive husband. Dudley, who had once tried to be close to Harry and was punished severely for it, is now as shackled by his father's expectations as her poor Master. And Vernon, the hated man. She had taken great pleasure in causing the wind that had destroyed Smeltings. She sighed and prepared herself to reveal the truth to her young Master. It was time.
*HPGW-Elemental-Masters*
Ginny was playing with her brother Ron when it happened. Her parents came out of the house, with looks of determination on their faces. She and Ron stopped as their parents approached them.
"Ronald dear, could you go and check on Fred and George and see how their studies go?" Her mother's voice was the one she used when there was trouble.
Ron knew better than to argue and gave his sister a last look before dashing off. Once he was gone, Mum let out a soft inaudible call. A fire appeared in the air and then turned into a slowly spinning lizard with blue flames for eyes.
"Hello, Fire Master." The Salamander greeted her Mum. "Do you want me to repeat my news to young Ginerva?"
Ginny hated being called by her full name, but Mum's elementals always referred to her as such. She was not startled by the sudden appearance of the magical creature though. Her entire clan practiced Fire magic, though only Mum and Charlie were Masters.
"Yes please," Mum said as she took off her apron. Mum was always very nice to her Elementals.
"There is a young Air Magic user awakening down in the town." The elemental confided. "He is of master potential and many dark powers will want to convert him to their cause. It would be prudent to locate him and start to school him in the ways of the Right Hand Path before that can happen."
Ginny knew the Elementals only provided warnings when they were truly needed. If the creature was sure this was important, it likely was.
"Ginny, dear." Dad began. "We would like your help in this matter. Your brothers all have their powers, so sending them down to look for a new mage could lead to a fight. Fire and Air going against each other might burn the town to the ground. But you could locate and offer the hand of friendship. What do you say to a term at a Muggle school?"
Ginny's eyes brightened. She had always been homeschooled alongside her brothers. She had often wanted the chance to know what school was like for everyone else.
"I would love to help with that, Mum and Dad. When do I start?"
*HPGW-Elemental-Masters*
A/N: Hey, I hope you liked the first chapter of Harry Potter and the Air Mage. This will be a retelling of Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley's story with them as Elemental Masters instead of Witch and Wizard. This like my other WIPs will get a monthly update. See you in March!
