Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any other of the book characters. They belong to the genius woman by the name of J.K. Rowling. I will say though that I do own Artemis and any of the other characters I bring into the story that are not usually found there. So don't sue me.
Prologue
The heavy rain pounded down on the elegant roof of a stone country manor, as the harsh wind bent the limbs of the ancient oak trees that lined the winding pathway to a set of squarely-cut stone steps. Both elements struck hard against the thick ebony doors, begging to get through any cracks. No one outside could have possibly heard the sounds of firm strikes against a young girl's frail body. No one could have possibly heard the harsh accusations of being a blood traitor and bearer of family dishonor. No one outside of those stone walls could have heard the frail body hit the floor. No one outside of the house could have intervened, but anyone inside the house could have. Anyone inside of the house could have stopped the verbal and physical assault, but no one did. No one looked up from what they were doing. No one tried to persuade the man to leave the frail girl alone. Not the blonde woman of the house who sat before her vanity mirror brushing out her long platinum hair. She did nothing but wince every time the sounds of the hits echoed down the corridors. The teenage boy did not look up from his black leather bound book. He merely closed his eyes and waited, waited for the sounds to stop. Only when the sounds of the abuse ended did a small, filthy being, wrapped in a tattered towel dress, conjure a bowl of ice water and a tray of bandages out of thin air and begin her lengthy climb to the third floor of the manor. She paused outside of the partially cracked door of the accursed room, set the bowl down, then turned to the door directly across the hall and knock. She then quickly scurried back down the stairs to her small niche in the kitchen pantry. No one saw a tall, built, teenaged boy with chin length platinum blonde hair slide out of his room, scoop up the tray and bowl, then enter the now silent room.
This teenage boy was none other than Draco Lucius Malfoy. His messy blonde hair fell in his face, as he sat the tray of healing supplies and the bowl of ice water on a small table next to an extravagant, king sized, four poster bed. With a look of compassion that rarely graced his pale features, he lifted the young girl from the carpeted floor and placed her on the black, satin sheets. With gentle hands he removed the bloody clothes from the girls body. He pulled his long black wand from his pocket and flicked it at her nose and lips, which were bleeding quiet heavily. The blood stopped instantly and he began to gingerly clean the wounds that littered the fair skin of the young girl. After he had bandaged her deep wounds and cleaned her body, he pointed his wand at the platinum hair of the young girl and cleaned it of all blood. He then slid her tenderly into a black nightgown and pulled the black sheets up and over her body. He sat on the bed next to her and began to gently stroke her petite hands. He raised his wand again and whispered Ennerverate. With that the young girl began to stir. Her eyes fluttered open to reveal a pair of deep blue eyes, identical to Draco's. She winced as she moved to sit up but resolved to stay where she was. " Draco... " She whimpered softly, but Draco placed a finger to her lips.
" Hush Artemis. Father hasn't gone to bed yet. " He whispered almost inaudibly as he crawled over her to lie beside her. He wrapped his arms around her as she snuggled in close to his chest. " I don't know what got him into this state. He has never raised a hand against you before. " He heaved a sigh. " He was drinking pretty heavily though." He stroked her long platinum blonde hair and held her tight, yet tenderly. " I am sorry. "
" Don't be sorry Draco, it isn't your fault. " She sniffled softly as her tears pooled onto his bare skin. She felt secure in his arms. The security she used to feel was one of absolute trust and confidentiality, but now that Draco had taken up constant quidditch training his body had become formed and etched. Now she felt security of strength as well when he held her tight. When he wrapped her in his arms she felt like no one could ever harm her.
" I know I don't have to be sorry. I just am. " Draco cradled her gently. This was his twin sister, Artemis Estella Malfoy. They shared everything from looks, to secrets, to tearful confessions. They shared all except the pride of their father. Lucius hadn't wanted a daughter. He had wanted a son, an
only son. Up until tonight, he had never raised a hand to her. In the past, he had always just left her to her mother. Draco didn't share his views on Artemis with his father. Draco loved Artemis, and she would probably be the only person he ever truly cared for. With Artemis, Draco could be himself. He didn't have to be the hard-shelled bully that he was at school or the perfect son for his parents. With his twin, Draco could be free. He had hoped that they would always be together. Those hopes, however, were shattered when Lucius decided that Draco and Artemis should be separated for schooling. He claimed that Artemis needed to become a lady, and, Draco, a well-taught wizard. At this decision Artemis had been enrolled in the Beauxbaton Academy for Girls. He meant to enroll Draco in the Durmstrang School, but heeded to his wife's protests that it was too far and enrolled him in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Thus the twins only communicated by owl and holidays during the school years. " I come bringing good news though. " Draco chuckled softly, trying to lighten her mood.
" What is it? " Artemis asked wiping her eyes. She hoped it was truly good news and not Draco making something up to please her.
" Father has decided that you needed to be under my honorly influence. " He kissed the top of her forehead. " He's decided to send you to Hogwarts with me this term. " He smiled as Artemis gave a soft cry of surprise and looked up at him.
" Are you fooling me? " She asked, but she knew he wasn't. " Wow, I can't believe this..." Her face fell. " But Draco, you and I both know that I won't end up in Slytherin. " She sighed and buried her face in his neck.
" It's ok Em. " Draco whispered gently. " Just sleep for now and we will deal with that when we reach it. " With that he pointed his wand at the lights and they shut off plunging the siblings in darkness and the waiting grasp of sleep.