The Family Name--Third Year
By Elbereth in April
Chapter 2
Artemis found himself being dragged into a Quidditch strategy meeting yet that evening. "Snape's already told us our first game is against Gryffindor," Flint told Fowl and the members of the Quidditch team as they sat in a circle beside the fire in the common room. "We have to be ready. I refuse to lose to those imbeciles."
Midway through the discussion, Artemis felt someone watching him. He turned his head to see a pair of awed, solemn blue eyes belonging to Pucey's little sister. "Aurelia, right?"
She nodded, then ducked back behind her brother.
"Your exploits are legendary, Fowl," Malfoy spoke up with a smirk. "Your fans worship you."
Artemis fought down a blush and a scowl.
"Why don't you send him a singing poem about his eyes being as blue as a billywig's veins?" Draco called out to her (referring to Potter's valentine last year from Ginny Weasley).
"Hey, leave her alone, Malfoy," Adrian frowned at him.
"No offense, Pucey. At least she's Slytherin, right?"
Pucey stood up. "Malfoy. . ."
Artemis stood, as well. "You," he said to Malfoy, "come with me."
"I happen to be in the middle of. . ."
"Oh, go for a moment," Flint groaned. "You may be my key Seeker, but you're being a prima donna. Fowl, keep him from getting on my nerves."
Flint, Artemis thought as Malfoy scowled, was not helping. "I just have a question, that's all, Malfoy."
Draco's gaze softened a bit at Fowl's conciliatory tone. He followed the other boy into their dorm.
Artemis stood and studied him for a moment. Draco shifted uneasily, then sat down on his trunk, stretching his legs out in front of him. "Well?"
"You still despise Potter, I understand that," Artemis began abruptly. He wasn't very good at these kinds of things. "But I don't understand why you're being so obnoxious to everyone else. You were almost nice on the train."
Draco looked indignant. "I'm not nice, I'm a Slytherin, and I can be however I want!"
"I know. You can. I was just--wondering."
Draco's eyes narrowed as he tried to figure out what Fowl wanted from him. He was still acting all mild and if it had been anybody else, he might have added worried. "What's it to you?"
"Malfoy. . . we got on adequately this summer, right? So what's wrong now?"
Draco looked down. He shuffled his feet a bit. They had gotten along that summer. He'd made a little trip to Ireland and ended up helping Fowl rescue his dad. Fowl had even seemed grateful. Maybe that was it, Fowl was feeling obligated. So he said, "You don't owe me anything."
"No, of course not," Artemis responded, and knew it was a lie. Malfoy had saved his life and his father's life. He owed him twice over. Not that he was going to act any differently around the other boy, mind you. But it was something to keep in the back of his head. "But we're still under truce, right? I have to make sure my allies are well."
"Look, I saw those dementors and it freaked me out, I admit it. And it suddenly hit me that I'm back at school. I have to get through another year of Gryffindors and hate and snide remarks and hiding things from everybody and. . . everyone stares at me and thinks they know me but they don't! I have to interact with all these people and live up to my name and be good at everything and. . ." Draco caught his breath and then blushed, thinking about all he'd just said. He looked down at his feet again.
"Your father gave you some kind of speech before you left, didn't he? One of those, don't do anything to disgrace me speeches."
"Maybe," Draco mumbled to his shoes.
Artemis wished Butler was there to tell him what to say. "You can't be you and please him both. You certainly aren't going to please everybody at Hogwarts. So just accept it. Be you and don't worry about it. Nobody will ever know who you are unless you act like your real self."
"That's deep, Fowl."
"Come on, Malfoy, you're not as much of a git as you like to make yourself out to be."
This startled out a laugh. He met Fowl's eyes. "Gee, thanks. Don't go getting all sappy on me."
Artemis smirked. "That's as sentimental as I get."
"Good."
They both regarded each other, half-smiling, and feeling a good bit more cheerful.
"Do you know why the dementors are here, by the way? If it's Ministry business, Lucius should know."
"Parkinson was right. They're watching for Sirius Black. But why they think he'll come here, I don't know. What could be at Hogwarts that he wants?"
Artemis pursed his lips. "I bet Potter knows."
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Artemis waved Granger over outside the Great Hall before breakfast. As expected, the other two tagged along.
"Why did they pull you aside last night? What do you know about why the dementors are here?"
The three Gryffindors looked at each other.
Artemis crossed his arms. "You know I'll figure it out eventually. You might as well tell me now."
"He might be able to help, Harry," Hermione said earnestly. "I think we should tell him."
Ron scrunched up his nose in distaste--Fowl was still a Slytherin, and was last seen hanging around Malfoy. But Harry was willing to tell the boy who had helped him defeat Riddle--twice.
"The dementors are here to guard Hogwarts against Sirius Black. They think he'll come here because. . . Black is supposed to be after me. Mr.--I mean, a Ministry of Magic official told me Fudge visited Azkaban right after the escape and the guards told him Black had been muttering in his sleep, 'he's at Hogwarts,' over and over."
Artemis frowned. "Why you?"
"He's a follower of Voldemort. He blames me for Voldemort's defeat and his loss of power. They think he's gone mad and wants revenge."
"He killed 13 people with one spell," Granger put in. "In daylight, in front of Muggles. He doesn't care. That makes him dangerous."
"When the Aurors were tracking down Death Eaters, they cornered him on the street, and he just took out his wand and blasted them away. Swish, and they were dead, that fast. And then he just started laughing, my dad said," Weasley added.
"Nobody's broken out of Azkaban. Nobody knows how he did it!" Granger's face showed her concern.
"Hmm. So what did they want last night?"
Potter blushed, Artemis noted with interest.
"Professor McGonagall wanted to discuss my schedule. And, well, they wanted to check on Harry. . . after. . ."
"What spell did Prof. Lupin use?" Artemis knew they didn't want to talk about Potter fainting.
"I'm not sure, he said it too softly. But something silvery shot out of his wand and moved towards the dementor, and then it just turned and glided away," Granger explained.
"All very interesting. . . So basically, a madman is loose and on his way to the castle, and he doesn't care who else he kills as long as he gets you. Meanwhile, the castle is being 'guarded' by inhuman creatures who can suck out your soul."
They all nodded.
Artemis sighed. "Butler isn't going to like this."
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When Artemis and the Trio entered the Great Hall, they noticed Malfoy already there, sharing some amusing story with his crowd and a few admiring younger students. Artemis broke off and joined them at his table as the three Gryffindors continued on. As they passed, Malfoy pretended to faint into Bulstrode's arms. The Slytherins laughed.
"Ignore him," Granger muttered, putting her hand on Potter's shoulder. "Just ignore him, it's not worth it. . ."
"Potter!" Parkinson yelled over to him. "The dementors are coming, Potter! Woooooo!"
The Trio walked on, but Potter was clearly flustered.
"Must you behave in such a juvenile manner?" Fowl gave them a contemptuous glance as he reached for the pumpkin juice. Having turned 13 the first day of summer hols, Artemis felt he must bear himself in a dignified, responsible manner. As if he hadn't already!
"It's impossible to resist tormenting Potter," Parkinson retorted. "He's so easy."
"He's a Gryffindor," Millicent smirked. "They're all easy."
Artemis gave up and started eating his toast.
"So what were you talking to Them about?" Draco demanded.
Artemis considered. If Black really was going to invade Hogwarts, he would like to know about it. The more eyes watching, the more things would be noticed and reported back to him. "Don't go spreading this around." He looked at them sternly until they all nodded. A warning like that meant they would gossip--but only to the right people. "Sirius Black is after our resident Boy-Who-Lived. They expect him to come and try to kill him. That's why the dementors are here."
Eyes went wide and mouths formed "O's."
"Well, well," said Draco. "Father didn't tell me that. I'm sure he knows."
"So. . . we should keep an eye out for ourselves," Bole said slowly, eyebrows drawing down.
"Yes."
"He probably won't come here. He'll probably try to get him at Hogsmeade," Chevalier predicted. "Easier access."
"I can't wait to go to Hogsmeade," Zabini threw in. "Honeyduke's."
Draco half-smiled. "Right. On to important subjects."
"Speaking of, we have new classes today," Eva told them, picking up her schedule and reading over it.
"So, who else took Ancient Runes?" Chevalier asked, peering around at them.
"Me," Eva said.
"Me, too." Millicent half-raised her hand.
"So do I," said Artemis.
"Who has Divination?"
Pansy and Zabini raised their hands.
"Zabini? You took Divination?"
Blaise managed to look sheepish and disgruntled at the same time. "My mother made me. She says her two sisters and her grandfather have all been really good at it and she wants me to try it out."
"Who's got Arithmancy, then?" Malfoy asked, snatching the last sausage out from underneath Crabbe's hand.
"Me."
"Fowl, you're taking more than one?"
"I got permission. I would have taken Divination, too, but I've heard about the teacher."
Bulstrode looked at Crabbe and Goyle. "So what did you two take?"
They looked at each other after a quick glance at Draco. "Um, well, Muggle Studies."
Draco stopped chewing in pure shock. Zabini dropped his fork. "I'm sorry, could you repeat that?"
"Our fathers said we need to learn about the enemy," Goyle said, now staring firmly at his plate.
"And that Mr. Malfoy would never let Draco take Muggle Studies so he'd be at a disadvantage, and as his future bodyguards, we had to take it upon ourselves to learn it," Crabbe added.
Draco stared at them, a bit dazed. "They seriously said that?"
Goyle nodded.
"And you agree?"
The two looked at each other again. Crabbe shifted in his chair. "Don't know for sure about 'the enemy' part, but just in case--yeah."
The girls all smiled at them. "Oh, how sweet!" Pansy cried, clasping her hands.
Draco slowly smiled. "Thanks. You'll tell me what you learned then, right? Pay particular attention if they talk about computers." The last sentence was accompanied by a suspicious glance at Fowl.
"Ask me if you have any questions," Artemis volunteered. "I do know about Muggles, after all."
"Does Mr. Malfoy know about this, by the way?" Millicent rested her chin on her palm and focused on the boys curiously.
"Um. . . he will soon enough," Crabbe answered wryly.
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After Arithmancy, they had a break between classes. Artemis snuck back down to the dungeons to send Butler an e-mail. Finally deciding there was no good way to phrase it, he typed, "Dear Butler, Hogwarts is currently under watch because a deranged murderer is likely to come here to kill the Boy Who Lived. Those doing the watching are dementors, guards of Azkaban who can apparently suck all happiness from your body, and your soul, too, if you aren't careful. I'll be doing my own research on them, but find out all you can for me about Black."
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"We have Care of Magical Creatures next. With that giant, and the Gryffindors," Draco complained between bites of sandwich.
"Just stand in the back and don't make trouble," Eva frowned at him. "We don't need you losing 100 House points our first day by insulting everyone."
"We've already covered the fact that it's impossible not to insult them."
"He's a teacher now!"
"So? He's still an inept moron."
"Malfoy!"
"Are you going to eat that?" Crabbe interrupted.
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Pansy and Millie left first. Artemis gathered up Zabini, Eva, and Marie and departed shortly after. Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle finally sighed and resigned themselves to going to class.
"We'll be lucky if we don't lose a limb just from this book," Draco grumbled, "let alone whatever wild monster he throws at us."
They arrived at Hagrid's hut and Draco sidled up to Fowl, determined that if he was going to be miserable, he wouldn't be miserable alone. Hagrid stood at the door of his hut with his slobbering boarhound, yelling, "C'mon now, got a real treat for yeh today!"
He led them around the edge of the Forest to a paddock where they gathered around a fence. "Make sure yeh can see--now, firs' thing, open yer books--"
"How?" Draco asked loudly.
"Eh?"
"How do we open our books?" Draco gazed at him coldly, then drew his book out. It was bound shut with a length of rope. Other students also took out their books. Some were belted shut, or clamped with binder clips, or crammed inside tight bags.
"Hasn'--hasn' anyone bin able ter open their books?" Hagrid looked crestfallen.
Everyone shook their heads but Fowl. "You stroke the spine," he stated, looking superior. They all turned to stare at him. "What? Butler asked the store clerk. You don't think he'd let me take home a threatening book?"
Blaise laughed. Hermione looked chagrined. Draco scowled and moved forward so he was nearly in Fowl's face. "You knew how to control these all along and never told any of us?"
Artemis smirked. "I assumed you'd be smart enough to ask, yourself. It's not my fault that you're not."
"Fowl. . ." Draco sputtered momentarily, lost for words, then he ripped open the rope around his book and threw it at the other boy.
Artemis dodged, and to everyone's surprise started laughing. "You should see your face, Malfoy."
"Yeah?" Malfoy suddenly smirked himself. "Look." He pointed downwards, just before the book clamped itself to Artemis's shoe.
"I thought they were funny," Hagrid mumbled uncertainly to Granger.
"Maybe they're not quite as bad as I'd thought," Draco drawled as he watched Zabini and Goyle pry the book off Fowl's foot.
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A/N's: Thanks to all my reviewers! Keep it up, please! I'm less secure about this story than the 1st.
Blazfur: I'm flattered that you have chosen my fic as one of the few you review!
Sir Deranged Reindeer: Artemis Knows All. . . He Is Watching You! -- -- Um, well, he is a genius.
Greenpigsdofly: Yes, I have read Genius in Love and it is funny. Do you know any other good ones? And why do green pigs fly, I'm curious.
Ashes2ashes: I think our good friends will date a number of people throut their school years, just like most people do.
LadyQueenscove: I like Azumanga Daioh and my best friend likes Inu-Yasha. I've only seen one episode but I liked it, too. But I'm obsessed with Naruto right now. Ah, Naruto. . . (and Shikamaru. . . and Gaara. . .)
Pencil3 and EvilExpressions: I'd like to save Sirius, but I haven't figured out how to make it work yet. . .
Identity99: Yeah, they went and saw McG in the book. She checked on Harry after his fainting spell and talked to Hermione about her schedule and the whole time-turner thing.
Spica P.I.: Are you following the manga or the anime? He isn't a jerk yet in the anime, but he will be! Or at least, he'll be mean to Naruto. He could still be redeemed, I guess, but I'm mad at him right now. No Sasuke plushie for me! Now, Gaara, mmm, I'll take a plushie of him. . .