Chapter One

Hogwarts Schools of Witchcraft and Wizardry

The dark, cavernous hallway was crowded with adolescents. The only light shone from flickering torches above their heads, and there was a set of ornate double doors at either end of the chamber. Both sets were closed.

The ordinary thing to do in this situation is talk to your compatriots, but it seemed that few were taking advantage of this opportunity, preferring simply to stare at the other occupants of the hall. Artemis noticed that a few of the children were drawing more attention than others, himself included.

It was hardly surprising that Artemis had drawn attention. He was tall for eleven, one of the tallest in the passage, but this was not why the others were staring. Artemis Fowl II was dressed in a charcoal grey Armani suit, handmade Italian loafers, and a floor-length black robe. This was not the uniform the other children were dressed in. Well, except for the robe.

Artemis had put some effort into finding a version of the approved uniform that was not both hideous and unnecessarily uncomfortable. He had failed, and had brought quite a portion of his customary wardrobe along with him. Only the black robes he found to be adequately tasteful and functional.

Artemis scanned the hallway, looking for the others who were drawing attention. It always paid to be informed and prepared, he had learned that from Butler, and he had already devised several means of escape from this chamber, should the need arise.

The boy who was drawing the most glances, Artemis noticed with a small jolt, looked remarkably like himself. In fact, many of the more observant youngsters were glancing from this boy to Artemis himself and back again. The other boy had Artemis's shock of black hair which contrasted sharply with his pale skin, and he was nearly as tall. Whereas Artemis was simply thin, however, this boy looked wiry and agile. The boy was also wearing glasses, rather ridiculous glasses in Artemis's opinion, which revealed a look of blank incredulity. This rather dull expression fit the boy's flat green eyes, so unlike Artemis's own piercing ice-blue. Perhaps not so much like him after all, Artemis concluded.

The boy Artemis's doppelganger was standing with was the tallest in the room, but unremarkable in every other way. The tall boy's red hair was hanging down in his face, and he stood with a crooked slouch, as if uncomfortable with his height. His expression was mirrored on many faces throughout the room, an expression of confusion and fear.

Artemis felt no fear. It was not an emotion he was accustomed to. He imagined his own expression was rather more difficult to read than others in this room. Again, Butler had trained him well. Butler was also the reason that Artemis was unfamiliar with fear. The young heir to the Fowl family had grown up with his burly manservant beside him, and knew that there was little that could confound Butler's extensive training in weaponry and unarmed combat.

Now, however, Butler was not beside him. Artemis felt slightly discomfited at the thought that he was alone for the first time in his life. Well, that wasn't strictly true. His bodyguard was housed on the grounds, and was probably waiting in the main hall with his ear pressed against the crack between the double doors. Poor Butler. All of his weaponry and surveillance equipment had been confiscated when they arrived at the school grounds. None of it would be functional, in any case. Even Artemis's own cellular phone-

"Hello. I'm Hermione Granger." A girl with wiry brown hair which fell past her shoulders was extending her hand to him. Artemis looked intently at the girl, sizing her up. The girl's confidence seemed to waver under his frigid stare, and she cleared her throat uncomfortably.

"Artemis Fowl II," he replied coldly.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Hermione responded. She seemed absurdly encouraged by his recognition of her introduction. "Isn't this place fascinating? I can't wait to see the Ravenclaw tower. That's the house I'll be sorted into, I'm absolutely certain of it. I imagine we'll be seeing rather a lot of one another."

"Will we?" Artemis asked, trying to convey his distaste for their current conversation as civilly as possible. You never knew who might be listening, and it wouldn't pay to alienate the administrators too early on. He had plans which would hinge on having uncontested access to certain things and areas.

"Of course we will! Members of a house spend most of their time together. Of course, I'm assuming you'll be in Ravenclaw. Not many people want to be in Slytherin, that's where all the dark wizards come from, and no one thinks much of Hufflepuff either. Gryffindor and Ravenclaw are the best houses, and you look smarter than you are brave." The girl smiled beneficently, as if waiting for him to acknowledge that string of nonsense as a compliment. Artemis decided it was time to enlighten this girl, whether the administrators were listening or not. He didn't want her to imagine that she could walk up to him and interrupt his thoughts on her own terms.

"Since it is not within my power to alter the circumstances, there is a perfectly reasonable chance that we will both become members of Ravenclaw house. I assure you though, Ms. Granger, that we will not be spending our free time together. Nor will I spend my current time discussing the matter further. Now, would you like to think of an alternative way to occupy yourself while you wait, or shall I have my bodyguard think of one for you?" Artemis paused to take in the effect his reproach was having on Hermione. She had gone quite pale, save for the flush spreading in her cheeks. "What? No thoughts? Ah, well. Perhaps your magnificent intellect has overcome you and left you at a loss for words. In any case, I can assure you that if you don't find someone else to pester with your tedious gibberish, you will discover whether witches can fly without brooms."

It had occurred to Hermione for a moment that this strange boy might be teasing her, but one look at his eyes had dispelled her doubts. They were boring holes straight through her. The way the flickering torchlight brought his sharp features into focus made him seem almost inhuman. It was obvious that Artemis believed every word he said, and that he could carry out any threat he made. Hermione quickly turned and concealed herself in the crowd.

Artemis let a scornful smile play at the corner of his mouth. He doubted very much that Hermione Granger would bother him again. He was pleasantly surprised that Butler could intimidate people without being physically present. Of course, the entire student body knew who he was. Butler had insisted on checking every first-year student himself before allowing Artemis to remain with the group.

The students had been waiting for quite a while now. Surely it must be close to the time for the Sorting. Artemis was certain that he would be a model Slytherin. He was ambitious, cunning, and set firm goals. The only characteristic he lacked was a "thirst to prove himself," according to Hogwarts a History, and that was solely because the only person Artemis Fowl II sought to prove himself to was himself.

Unfortunately, it seemed that Slytherin was not to be a part of the plan. As irritating as she had been, Ms. Granger had provided Artemis with some valuable information. Slytherin was famous for dark wizards. Artemis couldn't afford to be a member of a house with a bad reputation. He was sure that his activities would earn him enough of one without added suspicion. No matter. He would simply have to implement his backup plan.

While Artemis had been lost in thought, the stern-faced professor who had led the new students into this dismal chamber had come back through the doors leading to the Great Hall.

"Now, boys and girls, you will be sorted into your houses. In a few moments, you will walk through these doors and wait for your name to be called. You will be called in alphabetical order by your last names."

The professor's name was McGonagall, if Artemis remembered correctly. He usually did. She was the head of Gryffindor house, and was apparently in charge of all new students. Artemis did not need to listen to her speech on the Sorting Hat. He had purchased at least one copy of most of the books in Flourish and Blotts for his records, and had read a fair number before arriving at Hogwarts. He was far too busy to listen now. Busy putting his plan into action.