Hogwarts

Dumbledore sent an owl to a man named Elphias Doge, a member of the Order of the Phoenix, asking him to look after the twins until further notice. Elphias lived in Sussex, a long broom-ride away from Hogwarts. Not wanting to risk another attack on the twins, he sent more owls to more members of the Order so they could escort the twins. In the meanwhile, he warned the twins not to tell anyone anything about their parents, the prophecy, and where they were going next. While they waited for a response, Artemis and Apollo stayed at Hogwarts. It was morning time at Hogwarts, and twins descended down to the Great Hall for breakfast. Since it was Christmas holiday, they were not forced to sit at their house's table. (They belonged to Ravenclaw.) They decided to have a seat at the Gryffindor table, where most of their friends resided. They took a seat next to Ron Weasley. Ginny sat with her boyfriend five seats down. They were quite close to the Weasleys, and visited them almost every Christmas. They were going home for Christmas, but their father had some important work to do at home. They would stay at Hogwarts until Christmas eve, when their mother would bring them home via floo powder.

"Good morning, Weasley family," Artemis greeted Ron.

"Good morning, Warwick family," Ron smiled. He was a year older than the twins. "I thought you went on holiday with your parents."

At the mention of their parents, Artemis's eyes filled with tears. Apollo sucked in air, forcing himself not to cry. His face reddened. Ron frowned.

"Wha's wrong?" he asked.

His friends, book-smart Hermione Granger and the infamous Harry Potter, noticed the twins' reactions at the mention of their parents. Harry turned to them with concerned eyes.

"Are you guys okay?" he asked. Apollo smiled and Artemis looked up and nodded.

"We're fine," Apollo replied coolly.

Hermione eyed them suspiciously. "Are you sure?" she asked.

"Yes, yes, we're quite alright," Artemis said quickly.

Hermione and Ron looked at each other, shrugged, and went back to eating. Harry, however, gazed at the twins. Having lost his parents, he could spot anyone in mourning. And as he stared at the twins, he knew why they cried. Their parents were dead. And he was going to confront them about it.

"Apollo! Artemis!" Harry called after the twins as they left the Great Hall. "Wait up!"

The twins turned, looked at each other, and waited for Harry. They liked him. He was a nice kid. But they remembered Dumbledore's warning. A gut feeling was telling them Harry was going to ask about their parents.

"Hey, guys!" Harry said, catching up to the twins.

"Hello, Harry," Artemis said with and icy tone in her voice.

"Er. . .can I talk to you for a moment?" Harry asked, shifting uncomfortably. The twins looked at each other. Apollo nodded. Artemis grabbed Harry's hand, and the twins began leading him up away.

"Yes," Apollo whispered to him. "But in private."

They led him to Professor McGonagall's classroom, which was empty. McGonagall was in her office, grading papers. The three teens were finally away from prying ears. They sat down at some desks.

"What is it Harry?" Apollo asked.

Harry stared into the twins' eyes. There was an icy hostility to them. "Well, I-I just wanted to know how you were doing," he stammered.

"Liar," Artemis breathed, glaring darkly at Harry.

"What do you really want?" Apollo leaned in, golden eyes not straying from Harry. Harry took a deep breath.

"I don't want to sound rude," Harry said meekly. "But. . .well, are your parents. . .dead?"

There was a silence that followed the question. Artemis and Apollo looked at each other. They looked back at Harry, then turned around. Harry could hear them whisper, but didn't know what they were saying.

"Can we trust him?" Apollo whispered to his sister.

"I dunno," she replied. "But Dumbledore trusts him, and Harry is quite trustworthy." She sighed. "Fine. Let's tell him."

They turned back around. Apollo opened his mouth to speak, but Artemis beat him to it. "Yes, they are," she whispered sorrowfully, looking down. "They were murdered only two days ago."

"Murdered?" Harry gasped.

"Shhh!" Apollo hissed. "Someone will hear you!"

"What?" Harry asked, dumbfounded.

"Dumbledore told us not to tell anyone," Artemis explained. "But we trust you. Pleeaase don't tell anyone!"

Harry understood. He respected Dumbledore, and the twins trusted him enough with this secret. He solemnly nodded.

"I promise not to tell anyone," he vowed. "I swear of it."

The twins smiled. "Thanks," Apollo said. "This really means a lot."

"No problem," Harry replied. The twins stood to leave. The waved good-bye to Harry, but before they could walk out the door, Artemis turned to him, silver eyes blazing.

"I warn you, though," she said, an edge in her voice. "If you tell anyone, it will be the end of you."

At first, Harry was taken aback. Artemis had just threatened him! She was the most peaceful person he knew! He was quite frightened. . .until she burst out laughing.

"Really, Harry!" she laughed. "You bought that? You should know better!" She stopped laughing, then looked at him with a straight face. "Seriously, though," she said. "Please don't tell anyone."

"I promise," he assured her. "I shan't tell anyone."

She smiled gratefully. "Thank you," she said. Then, she turned heel and ran out the door.

The twins spent the rest of the day in the Ravenclaw Common Room, sitting by the fire and pondering the future. Who was Elphias Doge? Would he be nice? Would he be accepting? Would he like teens? And who would watch them afterwards?

The sun began to set, it's dying light dimly shining through the windows. Apollo stood, stretched, and yawned. He glanced at the window. The night had finally come, bringing a sense of dread to the twins. Artemis walked over to the window and gazed at the moon. It was full tonight. She shivered. She didn't want to think of a full moon, or what creatures it brought with it as it rose.

Moonlight filled the room. The few rays that hit her sent a wave of electricity through Artemis. She suddenly felt stronger. . .more powerful. Maybe it was a rush of adrenaline? Maybe it was the rays of the moon? She didn't know. She didn't want to think about it.

"Artemis?" Apollo called, interrupting his twin's thoughts. She turned around.

"Yeah?"

"I think I'm gonna head to bed," he yawned.

"I think I might join you," Artemis said, her eyelids drooping.

"Alright," Apollo called, dragging himself up the stairs to the dorms. "Night."

"Good night," she called back. She walked upstairs and fell onto the nice, soft Ravenclaw bed. Golden memories of the past lulled her to a deep sleep.