Author's Note: This chapter has been redone

Author's Note: This chapter has been redone. I think it makes much more sense, and puts to use some of the constructive critism I received. However, I still think this is the most passable Artemis I've ever managed to write.

Disclaimer: I own the plot, but none of the characters.

The atmosphere in the kitchen was calm that evening. Artemis was doing his homework at the table and Juliet was sitting across from him, doodling on a spare piece of paper from Artemis' notebook. Artemis Fowl the First was reading the newspaper in the chair to her right.

"Arty, dear, you have a letter," said Angelina Fowl, entering the kitchen and holding the envelope out to her son. Artemis looked up from his homework with a slight frown. He never got mail, except from relatives who seemed bent on smothering him in baby-talk and ridiculous cards.

"You'd better hope it's not from your Aunt Madeline." said Juliet with a snicker.

Artemis groaned. Aunt Maddy, as she liked to be called, was the worst when it came to the aforementioned baby-talk. He took the letter from his mother and put it aside, resolving to read it later. Angelina adjusted her skirt and went to kiss her husband on the forehead before gracefully exiting to finish whatever business had occupied her before.

Artemis turned back to his homework. The term 'homework' would not have been his preferred term. Joke, more like. He had only just started, but in five minutes he would be done and get an A+ anyway.

"Artemis," said his father, folding up the newspaper neatly. "We need to talk."

"About what, Father?" Artemis couldn't imagine what his father would want to talk about.

"Come with me and I'll tell you."

Artemis Sr. led his son into the study and sat him down in a comfortable chair. "We need to discuss your report card."

Artemis Jr. stared at his father. "What about it? I have perfect grades."

"I know you do, Arty. And I know that you're taking nearly all of your classes as Advanced Placement courses."

Artemis decided not to mention that all of his classes were Advanced Placement.

"Artemis…I know you're capable of more than this. You need much more of a challenge than this school provides. Your mother and I…we were discussing transferring you to another school, or, preferably, have you skip grades until your intellect is actually being put to good use."

The teenage boy paused for a moment and looked seriously at his father. "Are you saying my intellect isn't being put to good use now?"

His father laughed, a real laugh. "I wonder sometimes." Artemis Sr.'s face sobered again. "Your mother just wanted me to consult you before we did anything like that. Will you think about it?"

Artemis nodded. "Of course."

His father nodded back and left him to his thoughts.

Not much later, Artemis rejoined his family in the kitchen and finished his homework. He sorted it all into the correct folders and piled them up in his arms.

"Don't forget your letter," said Juliet, who tossed it onto the pile.

Artemis, precariously balancing the stack, nodded his thanks and made his way upstairs to his room.

Later that night, Artemis climbed into bed and thought about the conversation between himself and his father. Maybe skipping grades would be nice, he thought, staring at the whitewashed ceiling. It would be much more difficult to do anything…'extra-curricular'… in that environment, though.

Artemis sighed and turned over, resolving to wait until morning to make any decisions. He fell asleep and forgot all about the letter sitting patiently on top of his homework.