11-Year Artemis Fowl had nothing to do. Almost literally. He was simply lounging on the couch, reading the news online on his portable laptop. He felt trapped, like he was wasting time, like he needed to be doing something. He missed that heart-pounding feeling he got whenever he exited a bank with his bags full of things he hadn't had when he had entered.

Artemis Fowl wasn't like most kids. For one thing, he was a billionaire, a genius, and a criminal mastermind. He had robbed many banks, forged famous artworks, and written many best-selling books. He wore a neatly ironed Armani business suit instead of the T-shirt and jeans that most kids wore. His black polished shoes tapped against the floor in rhythm to a Mozart concerto, and a single strand of raven-black hair fell in front of his pale forehead, defying his otherwise perfect attire. He had a pale complexion; his skin seemed bleached white – hours in front of a computer screen could do that to a person. Combine that with the eerily vampiric smile, the impassive expressionless face, and the cold blue eyes that hid a dangerous warning, and you got, well, a year-round Halloween costume.

"Artemis!" His butler, Butler, came into the room holding a strange envelope. Artemis blew the strand of hair out of his way and looked up, sunlight glinting off his icy blue eyes. "It's for you," the manservant said, handing the letter to the boy. It was addressed to Mr. Artemis Fowl II, Fowl Manor of Ireland in bright, flowing green letters.

Probably a bank or something. Or at least, that's what Artemis thought until he tore it open gently and pulled out the letter inside. He proceeded to read it to himself, growing more and more skeptical as it went along.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL

of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Headmaster: ALBUS DUMBLEDORE

(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Here he paused. What was a "Mugwump" anyway?

Dear Mr. Fowl,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find an enclosed list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Minerva McGonagall,

Deputy Headmistress

The young boy scoffed out loud. A wizarding school? "Butler, have a look at this. Some nonsense about a Wizards. Another prank, I'll bet."

Butler took the letter and read it over twice, then nodded. "Yes, a prank indeed." He had other thoughts on his mind, though. He picked up the envelope and checked it for bombs or anything dangerous, just in case. In this family, you had lots of enemies.

Instead of bombs, though, Butler found another paper. He looked up. "Sir, there's another one here. Should I check it…?"

Artemis shook his head. "No, just give it here." He received the paper from Butler and unfolded it with a shake, spreading it out on the table. He smoothed out the creases and began to read, out loud this time:

UNIFORM

First-year students will require:

Three sets of plain work robes (black)

One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear

One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)

One winter cloak (black with silver fastenings)

Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags

COURSE BOOKS

All students should have a copy of each of the following:

The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) By Miranda Goshawk

A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot

Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffler

A Beginners' Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch

One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore

Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander

The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble

OTHER EQUIPMENT

1 wand

1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)

1 set glass or crystal phials

1 telescope

1 set brass scales

Students may also bring an owl OR a rat OR a toad

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS

Butler snorted. "Whoever thinks you're going to fall for this is extremely dumb." Artemis was silent. "Artemis?"

The thing was that in spite of himself, the young genius was intrigued. A place to learn magic. Real magic, not that hocus-pocus the magicians pretended to do. Of course, there were still those foolish wands, but he would have to take care of that somehow. "Hmm…" If he'd had a beard, he would have stroked it. Even if it wasn't real, he would just have Butler deal with the prankster and then have him fly them back here. And if it was… Well, then he would be in luck. "Butler…"

Butler seemed to sense what was coming. "Artemis, I don't know…"

Before the boy had a chance to answer, the doorbell rang. Butler's head snapped up, and Artemis's did too, before they realized they weren't in the study and therefore had no way of accessing the cameras. Artemis inwardly cursed himself for his foolishness. Someone could have sneaked in!

Butler was already at the door, opening it to find an old but stern-looking woman wearing a rich green robe that hid her feet. Butler looked her over once and decided she was safe (for now). "Would you be looking for Artemis Fowl?"

The woman nodded. "Yes, I would. Minerva McGonagall, by the way." She held out her hand. "I hope you got the letter…?"

Butler was dumbfounded. Minerva McGonagall – here? "Right this way, ma'am. Master Artemis will be waiting."

McGonagall couldn't help thinking if she had the right Fowl. Master?

oOo

They were all seated around one of the many tables on some of the many sofas in one of the many living rooms; the manor was amazingly huge and lavishly decorated. McGonagall couldn't help feeling just a little impressed. The young Fowl had taken everything very smoothly, ordering tea and crackers to be brought and then settling right to business. He interlaced his fingers and rested them on the table, leaning forward in interest. McGonagall was unnerved by the cold and businesslike glint in his eyes, the lack of emotion in his expression, and pretty much everything about him – he acted like he owned the place(maybe he did!). Obviously this boy was not just an ordinary boy. He was someone not to be messed with.

"So, Professor, I take it you are a teacher at this Hogwarts?"

McGonagall nodded. "Yes, I see you got this letter, then. Do you believe this, any of this?"

Artemis smiled. "Why, of course not, Professor. No one in their right minds would believe this baloney… without proof." A challenge glimmered in his eyes. "Well?"

The professor hesitated. She was reluctant about showing this boy her magic. Was Dumbledore right in introducing this dangerous boy to the world of wizards? She decided to trust the headmaster's judgment and pulled out her wand, earning a small cough from Artemis. A stick of wood, he thought.

His mind was quickly changed when McGonagall brandished the wand and muttered, "Wingardium Leviosa!" and her teacup floated into the air with no apparent support.

A flicker of surprise flitted across Artemis's face, only to disappear behind the usual impassive mask. He wondered just what else she could do with that magic of hers; he could use it to his advantage. "Very good. The air molecules grouped together to push the teacup up, I presume?"

"That, young boy, is not science, but magic. By speaking those two words I have done

something that seems impossible to the simple minds of Muggles."

"Muggles… Humans?" he guessed.

"Correct. Now, will you come with me to learn how to do this at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry?"

Artemis smirked. "Of course. Where else would I learn somethings that seem impossible to the simple minds of Muggles? Of course, Butler will be coming along."

"I'm not certain… But we will try to accommodate him to our best," McGonagall said unenthusiastically. She had been hoping he would decline the offer. She didn't like the looks of this boy, not one bit.

And as if to finish off that thought, he gave her his trademark vampire smile, gums showing. She shuddered and imagined fangs sprouting from his mouth. "Good. We wouldn't want him to get angry, now would we?"

She wasn't sure if it would be worse: getting Butler angry, or the boy. It seemed like Fowl could be equally as dangerous, if not more, if he wanted to be.

OKKAY guys this is my first story so I hope you like it, this is just the beginning so it's not that interesting… Please keep up with this so you can read the next chapter. Then you can ditch it if it's boring. PLEASE review! More coming soon!