Seventeen Only Comes Once ((Wynd))

[Ruby Lehane]

((This post takes place 25 December 2000))

The wind whipped and howled loudly…the world cast in darkness by the storm clouds that moved across the world. It was midday, though the darkness alluded to a time closer to nightfall. There was snow falling in mass amounts and it was almost enough to cease all of Dublin’s activities, at least for the muggle world. There was something comforting in the dark and cold…something that brought light to a few eyes…the cold blue eyes of a pair of siblings. The time was one of rather celebration at the Lehane household…though it was never a real celebration, not without the Lehane’s mother, who was stilled locked within the walls of Azkaban. Though a time was coming…quickly, when that would change…as would the world.

Ruby Lehane stepped from the silence of her bedroom and out onto the balcony of her Dublin home. The snow pelted her form, it cooling her overheated flesh instantly as she gazed out on the white world. This was the moment she’d been waiting for…the day when all her dreaming would be at an end. She was 17…today…she was old enough to use magic outside of Hogwarts. It was a defining moment in her life, a moment that would forever remind her of what her life’s goal was. Some people didn’t understand Ruby Lehane…didn’t know why she was the way she was. To her, it was obvious…the lack of feminine care quite evident in her manner. She lacked a mother’s love…but then again she didn’t. It was because of her mother’s love that she stood where she was, but that love had also been her undoing.

Ruby raised her palm upward, the snow finding a brief home on her palm before melting and cooling her flesh. The world was changing…even she could sense that. The days grew colder and the nights longer…it was the perfect time for a new power to rise…and rising it was. That telltale smile formed on her lips, icy blue orbs lifting from her palm and lighting on the world. She was another year closer to her goal…another step in the right direction, but this time…this time the world couldn’t be brighter for a 17 year old girl.

“Pretty white world…soon you will be stained red…” Ruby said…her smile turning into a sadistic smirk. Her blue eyes flashed a blazing red, her blonde hair turning brown to black, and then back to blonde as her eyes returned to their normal blue. She didn’t need to turn to know she was no longer alone, the cold wind not even fazing her now as she stood in the midst of the snowstorm in nothing more than jeans and a blouse. “Dear brother…our world is crying out for a savior. Can you not hear it? We are one step closer…one year nearer our goal.” Ruby was completely consumed by the plans that were forming. There world would not be the same…and soon, very soon they would have all the necessary pieces in order for their plans to truly take flight, until that time though they would wait patiently. “Tell me…is Father getting along well for the party?”

[Wynd Lehane]

With his wand pointed at his dresser, Wynd said a silent spell and his dresser slowly lifted into the air. With another flick of his wand the dresser came back down to the earth. Today was their seventeenth birthday and it marked the beginning of a new era. The Lehane twins were one step closer to achieving their impossible goal. Wynd had been pointing his wand at every inanimate object he came across today. Making some things float and other transfigure into another object all together. It might have been a bit childish, however one turns seventeen but once. Why not enjoy it? He felt the power that came from his wand and could not wait until the day when he was able to brandish that power in broad daylight.

Hearing a noise from below, Wynd made his way to the top of the grand staircase in the Lehane manor. He could see the house elves rushing around and heard his father’s voice drifting up the stairs barking orders. Wynd rolled his eyes and turned to seek out his sister. Wynd believed in treating house elves with respect, a trait he did not get from his father. They were obviously getting ready to have some sort of party to celebrate the twins big day. A party thrown by their father would likely involve Ruby, Wynd, their father and maybe a few close family friends. But their birthday shared the day with another holiday. Wynd thought he had already spent enough time with their father. Time for planning. Time for action. Time for them to have some fun.

He had no need to knock as he entered her room. She would surely know that he was approaching much the same as he knew where to find her. He found her on her balcony overlooking the vast landscape. It was yet midday but the cloud cover made it seem much later. Snow gently fell down from the heavens and pelted the form of his sister. He glanced up to look at the majesty of nature when his sister’s hair caught his eye. A smile found its way to his lips. She was always the first one to master something but she always had the patience to teach her brother. It was vital to the plan.

At her words, Wynd closed his eyes and listened to the world crying out for salvation. “To us,” he whispered. He opened his eyes to gaze upon the world in front of them. The snow slowly made its way to his skin and melted. “Father is making preparations as we speak. Truth be told,” he looked back at his sister and found her blue eyes. “It’s not an event I want to attend. Seventeen only comes once. Let’s make the most of it.”

[Ruby Lehane]

Blue orbs lit with amusement and joy at her brother’s words. The cold wind whipped across her flesh evermore as her hand danced around the falling snow. Yes…this was what she had been waiting for. The moment their age would no longer hinder them, the day when they would be free to walk among wizards and witches without fear of being taken advantage of because the lack of their ability to use magic. Now that was no longer a problem and they truly were on their way to greatness. The smile on her face twisted into a dangerous smirk. The world soon would be theirs or so she kept telling herself. Digits danced around with the snowflakes for a few seconds longer, lingering on the balcony as long as she could. The soft howl of the wind calling to her as the power she felt inside seemed to manifest itself in the storm, as it continued on out of control.

“Yes, dear brother. Let us make the most of this night. Come there is much to discuss and there is something we desperately need to get to work on. I have already made the arrangements,” she said, her body turning to face her brother finally…the look on her face a mixture of mischief, cruelty, and power. Ruby moved back into the room, her feet moving to her large closet, where she disappeared briefly. It was a brief moment before she returned carrying the deep blue and black cloak. It shimmered as it was jostled in the light. She tossed it to Wynd, not needing to remind him of the invisibility cloak that she had won prior to the end of the school year, allowing him to bring the object with them as they would need it. “The gods are crying out for us to begin our mission. Tonight, under the storm…in the darkness cast by the new moon, we will pledge ourselves and our plans will truly begin.”

Ruby smiled wickedly. “Come…let us pay Blackfire a visit and set in motion the events of our future,” it was all that she needed to say as she made sure her wand was secure and her blue orbs strayed back to her brother. She closed her eyes, concentrating on the Blackfire manor, all thoughts drifted away and as she turned the familiar feeling of nothingness swam around her until suddenly her eyes opened, her feet on solid ground and her eyes staring up at the gates to the home that she had come to find as the perfect stronghold. She didn’t glance back to see if her brother had made it, she knew he would. Wynd was as talented as she was, albeit not always in the same areas, but his knowledge did match her own and that in itself showed his brilliance. Feet moved up the sidewalk, eyes focused intently on the door as her hand rose to knock.

[Wynd Lehane]

Wynd followed his twin into her room and watched her disappear into her closet. A moment later she returned and tossed the cloak into Wynd's awaiting arms. Shimmering blues and blacks reflected the soft light of the room. Obviously Ruby had some use for it and Wynd knew better than to question his sister. All would be revealed to him in time. Any reason to bring out the cloak and use it was a good reason. Today was their seventeenth birthday. They were one step closer to becoming invincible. Nothing could go wrong today. Maybe they would go curse a few mudbloods or torture some muggles the way that muggles had been torturing the entire wizard community for far too long. Too many wizards had started to condone this behavior. They would just have to be reminded was it was like to be on top of the food chain once again.

He tried to hide the sharp intake of breath at the name Blackfire. Surely his sister would know as they can not hide anything from each other. But still he did his best to recover. Blackfire was not in his mind as a way of celebrating their glorious day. But he would have to get over this trepidation one day. They were business partners now. Truly, Wynd was a protective brother and saw any male as a potential threat. Both twins received their fair share of attention from the respective opposite sex and thus Ruby spending so much time with Pyro worried him. Surely, Blackfire could not come between the bond of siblings but his twin did not need any distractions. A quick tense second and his breathing returned to normal. A small nod was given to his sister before he concentrated on the Blackfire mansion feeling the emptiness of traveling.

Matching her step up to the door she knocked. The Blackfire mansion was intimidating in its own right but it would take more than that to turn the Lehanes away from their mission. "Promise me one thing," he broke the silence as they waited for something to happen. The snow falling as gently as it was at the Lehane manor. "Before the stroke of midnight we have some fun with our new found power." A sideways glance and a raise of the brow was all the signal needed for his sister to know what he was talking about. He had no doubt the Mister Blackfire would have no objections to laying a few curses on some non-suspecting muggles. A house elf greeted them. "Inform Master Blackfire that the Lehanes have arrived," he told the poor creature. The elf gestured them inside and they found themselves in the grand foyer. Being there with Ruby, Wynd made a decision. He would seal his doubt away. There was no room for doubt in this plan. If Ruby trusted him that was enough. Doubt gone, they waited for partners three.

[Pyro Blackfire S5]

“Remind me again why I hired you?” Pyro asked in a lazily drawl as he watched the man in front of him squirm. The young leader of the Blackfire Corporation was far from pleased by the reports that were coming in from one of his many secret research labs, a lab which was run by the man in front of him. “Well, Mr. Blackfire…Sir. “ The man gulped loudly, the sweat was running off him in buckets as he stared at Blond Millionaire. “You hired me beca……” His sentence was cut off as Pyro’s anger grew beyond control and he stood up. “I hired you because you promised me results!” Pyro snarled through his teeth. He snatched up his wand and with a quick flew conjured 4 documents that floated in the air around the man’s head. “4 Months! It’s been 4 months since I named you head researcher of my facility and I’ve received no results” Pyro’s anger subsided slightly and he calmly sat back down, giving the scientist a moment to respond. The man tugged on his tie nervously as he realized that his future was beginning to deteriorate around him. “Well sir, we have begun human trials…..” Mistake! Pyro’s eyes narrowed dangerously but he held his seat.

“4 subjects have been administered the drug. 3 died instantly and violently, the 4th went crazy within moments of application and escaped the facility and went on a rampage in a muggle village. Do you realize how much it cost me to cover that up? I hardly call those results.” Pyro hid his smirk well as he watched the blood drain from the man’s face as he stuttered for an answer. The man was weak, like most intellectuals, and crumbled easily under pressure. Still, Pyro was quite impressed that he had managed to synthesis the drug, despite its unsuccessful track record, so quickly. All the other researches had told Pyro it would take a full year to reach this point; this man had done it in 4 months. Pyro coolly picked up his glass of firewhiskey and eyed the swirling liquid. The three subjects that had died were inconsequential, but the 4th subject had inhibited increased magical power, for the short time that he remained alive.

“1 month.” Pyro stated calmly, interrupting the researchers stuttering. “I’ll give you one more month to achieve some results. If I haven’t seen anything satisfactory in that month, you will quickly become the next test subject in line.” Pyro narrowed his eyes and locked them on the scientist. “Do I make myself clear?” The sigh of relieve was almost audible as the man nearly collapsed into bows and sputtered “thank yous” faster than a Gatling gun. Pyro leaned back and rolled his eyes, waving his hand dismissively as a house elf entered the study to collect the man. He set down his glass and with another wave of his wand dismissed the 4 floating documents and replaced them with a much smaller note. A quick check of his watch told him that it was almost time for his guests to arrive. Another quick flick incinerated the note before him, he had already run into trouble once for leaving notes laying around. Pyro quickly stood and snapped his fingers, a house elf quickly apperated to his side. “Some guest shall be arriving within the hour. I’m going to change for the occasion. When they arrive show them into the foyer, also make sure that the dining room is secured to our prior specifications.”

Pyro had confidence in this house elf, Selwin was the oldest and most trusted elf in the house and he knew exactly what his master expected of him. Pyro turned to leave the study but paused, “Oh, and please make sure that That gets transported to the room as well. I’m sure our guests will want to see it.” With that Pyro quickly moved away and entered the master bedroom. He paused as he always did, he felt quite uncomfortable in this room since it used to belong to his parents. Pyro shook the feelings away, this wasn’t the time for nostalgia. He changed quickly into some formal wear and not a moment too soon. Pyro was just stepping out of his closet when a house elf apperated into the room. “Begging your pardon master, but the Lehane’s have arrived.” Pyro merely nodded at the creature and exited his room and began to make his way toward the foyer.

The Grand Foyer was set in front of the grand central staircase. Two curving stairs lead from the foyer onto a small platform which merged the stairs into one large set of steps that lead into the other levels of the house. The master bedroom was set on the second level, so Pyro descended the stairs and made the small landing by the time the Lehane’s came into view. The Lehane’s were the perfect picture of Pureblood society. Ruby, tall, strong, proud and defiant with the world around her. Her beauty could easily demand the attention of all in any room. Pyro’s blue orbs connected with hers and he nearly laughed at the sparkle within them. His attention turned toward Wynd, although they were on the Quidditch team together the two had rarely met and interacted. Still Pyro knew that Wynd was a power few would want to mess with. Pyro could feel the air around the twins electrify with their new found power gained on this day, the day of their birth. “Greetings, welcome to my humble home.” Pyro dipped into a bow. “Allow me to wish you a Happy Birthday.” Pyro began to descent the spiral stairs toward their level, never taking his eyes from the twins. Their alliance was new and fresh, both parties hadn’t quite gotten to know another yet.

Pyro reached their level and dipped into another bow before holding his arm out in invitation. “Please, follow me. I’ve prepared the dining room specifically for this meeting.” Pyro turned and lead the way into the room. Usually a large ornate table decorated the center of this room, large bay windows shedding the light of the morning into the room. Today these windows were closed and curtained heavily and the table had been removed to allow a small pedestal to be set into the center of the room. A piece of cloth covered the pedestal and covered the object underneath, the impression of a book was clear. A smaller circular table was set near the pedestal with a few chairs set around it. Once again potion motioned with his arm toward it in invitation. “May I offer you a drink? Feel free to request anything your mind can think of. I’m sure my elf’s can provide it.”

[Ruby Lehane]

The silence was hardly palpable in those moments as they stood outside the door waiting for their presence to be felt and the house elves to answer. The wind had seemed to die in those few moments, the clouds clear, and Ruby caught a sign of the moon rising through the sky. It was a moment she’d never forget, a moment in which she knew the fate of the world was going to rest in her hands. This was the beginning…or maybe the end of one aspect of their life. Either way it was the dawning of an age in which they would truly flourish their plans, every plan came to fruition in some form or fashion. Ruby’s lips twitched into a cruel smile as her plans took flight in her mind, mapping out the future in a way that would best suit them all. The years ahead of them were going to be grand and their army would be the greatest the world had ever seen. The thought was comforting and so was the voice of her brother as he called her out of her dreamlike state.

Ruby laughed, not in a pathetic way, but in an amused tone. She knew her brother was just itching to get his hands on some muggles and truth-be-told so was she. There were too many of them out there, too many that believed they were the hands of God. It was muggles like that who destroyed their family and it was muggles like that they were going to destroy…well maybe not just those types of muggles…a lot of muggles were going to be wiped out if she had something to say about it, which she did. Digits wrapped around her brother’s shoulder as she smiled. “My dear, dear brother…we will do whatever you wish. You know I can never turn down a game of Torture the Muggle,” a game they both had created back in their first year, though the word Muggle had been replaced with Mud-blood at that time. She smirked as the door opened, the house elf quite quickly opening the door to allow them in and out of the snow. This was not something unexpected to her, after growing up a Lehane, you were used to such amenities.

Icy blue orbs danced with amusement as they stepped into the Blackfire manor, following the house elf to the foyer. The place was huge and grand, but just the same as her house in a few ways. Both houses were upscale and rich; they screamed pureblood at anyone within 100 metres. As her eyes traveled up the grand staircases she caught Pyro’s eyes and smirked at him. No doubt he was enjoying himself in those moments as he traveled down the steps. “Dear Pyro…your Birthday wishes are much appreciated,” Ruby smiled as she waited beside her brother, her eyes not moving off of Pyro Blackfire’s descending form. Digits pushed back some of her wet hair as she stood there. The dark cloak that had hung off her shoulders earlier had been taken from her at the door, revealing tight black pants and a blue top that set off her eyes in the perfect show of balance. They showed even more brilliant as Pyro reached them and dipped into a bow, which Ruby responded to with an incline of her head.

Pyro’s invitation was accepted as Ruby followed him into a room he had set up quite nicely. The first thing her eyes lit on though was the small pedestal in the center of the room. She could make out the book beneath the cloth and Ruby felt her pulse rate increase. Yes…the book was what she wanted. It was one of her main reasons for Pyro’s involvement in their plans. He was crucial in other ways, but this book was key to their plans. Ruby wasted little time in the rest of the room as her hand slid over one of the backs of chairs that circled a table near the book. Her eyes never left the imprint of the book until Pyro’s voice forced her back into the present. “Wine…anything red,” Ruby said as she nodded toward one of Pyro’s house elves. Like her brother Ruby wasn’t inclined to treat house elves horribly. They were far too powerful…beings in need of respect and in some cases reverence…if it meant getting what you wanted.

As Ruby stood behind one of the chairs she looked between her brother and their newest ally. As soon as the house elves had disappeared from the room her smile widened. “Now…shall we get down to business,” Ruby said with amusement. “Pyro…my brother and I would like to see the book. Tonight I believe we should try to unravel at least one more page of the book. It would do us good to begin on the challenge of unlocking the book immediately. That book holds the key to our fate.” I just know it does. The thought echoed through Ruby’s mind as she glanced over at the pedestal. “First however, I believe a full review of our plans is necessary. Some things have yet to be revealed and that is now going to change.” Ruby’s lips twitched in a smile, her body held high as she still stood there, watching both Pyro and her brother. It was obvious in that moment that Ruby was used to taking control…of leading and it was mainly her plan, her strategy, which meant she would need the other two to critique it, to make sure it was fool proof, flawless, but most of all to make sure it would work. That was why they were there tonight. They were there to make sure everything that was said would come to pass in some form or fashion.