AN: I continue to be gladly surprised by the interest in my little story! Thank you, everyone (especially the reviewers- you guys make my day 394% better every time I find a new review)
From here on out, I'll be using the book to help me with dialogue and events and details. I'll follow the basic plot of The Goblet of Fire, but with a few major changes. If this continues to get the feedback it's getting, I'll probably go throughout the entire year!
Oh, and a quick question:
My brothers think Butler should be secretly living in the Forbidden Forest to keep an eye on Artemis (of course, one of them also thinks Artemis should kill Voldemort, then take his place, kill all the 'little wizard children', and rule over the wizarding world with an iron fist and a bunch of Death Eaters). I thought it would be both fun and funny to do. What about you?
My other brother thinks Butler should take over DADA and make it 'Self-Defense against the Dark Arts' and teach them how to fight. Just though it was funny, not a serious suggestion!
Artemis felt McGonagall remove the Sorting Hat from his head and heard polite clapping from the crowd in the Great Hall, far removed from the thunderous applause each first-year had received. They were wary of him. He smiled grimly to himself as he slipped off the stool and walked to the Slytherin table, all of the occupants watching him with a mixture of curiosity, condescension, and confusion. Artemis sat at an empty spot and turned to the boy next to him, a pale, pointy-looking boy with slicked-back white-blonde hair.
"Artemis Fowl the Second," he said, offering a hand, which the other boy took reluctantly.
"Malfoy. Draco Malfoy." He paused, clearly waiting for the name to register. When Artemis showed no sign of recognition, he suddenly looked disgusted and scooted over on the bench a few inches.
"You're a mudblood!" Malfoy spat, and instantly there was a sort of stiffening around Artemis, as the people around him averted their eyes and a few started murmuring to each other. Artemis smiled coldly.
"If by that you mean that I am not from magical parentage, you are correct. However, that is a pointless bias and only for the cowardly and foolish. There is no proof that wizards from non-magical backgrounds perform any less well than purebloods, in fact there are many cases of them performing better. In any case, if you but any basis into such a ridiculous prejudice, you are obviously not worth my time."
Artemis turned away from a pale, stunned Malfoy, gaping soundlessly at him, and surveyed the table coolly.
"Any questions?"
Everyone slowly shook their heads and Artemis smirked again icily before turning to the front of the Great Hall, where Dumbledore had stood. The headmaster spread his arms, and told them to tuck in. Food instantly filled the empty dishes on the long tables, and a buzz of chatter filled the Hall as students helped themselves to food and struck up conversations. Artemis served himself and sat eating quietly, observing the students around him and mentally categorizing them into categories of useful and not useful.
There was Malfoy, whose ego was among the largest Artemis had ever seen. Crabbe and Goyle were two brutish boys who were obviously his lackeys and bodyguards. Blaise Zabini was a quiet, reserved boy who was equally arrogant. Pansy Parkinson was a fawning sycophant without a single original thought in her head. Overall, around Artemis there was no one he could befriend and worm knowledge out of. He would have to employ different strategies to gain information.
As the meal concluded and the remnants of dessert faded from now-clean plates, Dumbledore stood again. He asked for the student's attention for a few notices, gn gave the standard warnings and rules. But then he said that the Inter-House Quidditch Cup wouldn't be taking place. A buzz of indignation immediately rose from the students, but Dumbledore plowed on- apparently there was an event taking place in October.
"It is my pleasure to announce that this year at Hogwarts-" But before the headmaster could finish, there was a boom and the Great Hall doors swung open to reveal a dark, ominous figure. As lightning flashed and he advanced into the firelight of the Hall, Artemis could clearly make out his features. The man's face was rugged, cragged, and scarred. One of his eyes was dark and suspicious, the other a large, electric blue globe that zipped wildly around the room. He leaned on a tall staff and limped heavily all the way to Dumbledore, where he shook his hand and sat down.
"I'm pleased to introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Moody," Dumbledore said cheerily, before clapping. The huge man named Hagrid at the table clapped too, but no one else and the applause quickly died away as the entire Hall stared uneasily at Moody, who, unperturbed, rummaged through his robes and pulled out a hip flask before drinking from it. Artemis frowned slightly. He was obviously very wary and suspicious, and judging from his scars and the wooden leg, had had a lot of experience with dangerous people.
"As I was saying," Dumbledore said, bringing the Hall's attention back to him. "Hogwarts has the honor this year of hosting a very exciting event over the coming school year, an event that hasn't been held in over a century. I am very pleased to announce that the Triwizard Tournament is taking place at Hogwarts this year."
"You're JOKING!" said a tall, lanky, redhead at the Gryffindor table, causing the Hall to relax and laughter to fill the air. Dumbledore smiled and went on to explain about the tournament, which Artemis partially tuned out, having read all about it. He was certainly not going to put his name in for the tournament. It was dangerous- had, in fact, been discontinued because of the high death rate- and the three tasks were often very physical. It wouldn't help his mission at all. And, tuning back into Dumbledore, was technically too young for the contest anyway, sinc ethey were putting an age limit on it (an announcement that caused uproar in the hall as many of those younger than seventeen protested). He raised his voice and continued through the noise.
"The delegations form Durmstrang and Beauxbatons will arrive in October and remain with us for most of this school year. I know that you will extend every possilbe courtesy to our foreign visitors while they stay with us, and will give all your support to the Hogwarts champion when he or she is chosen. But now, it's late, and I know it's very important for you to be alert and rested for your lessons tomorrow. Bedtime! Chop chop!"
Noise filled the hall as chairs scraped back and students fell into conversation, masses of students all heading for their House dormitories. Artemis followed the tightly-packed Slytherin groupto the dungeons, where they entered a cool, stone room with faint green light playing over the walls. They must be somewhere under the lake, Artemis realized. A prefect showed him to his dorm room, which was also mostly stone. A few dark rugs and tapestries hung on the walls, and five beds with green curtains stood against the walls, large trunks at the bottom of each. Artemis opened them until he found the one that his belongings had been moved to from his guest room, and quickly got ready for bed and was in his bed, curtains drawn, when the rest of his dormmates filtered in from the common room. From their voices, Artemis recognized Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, and Blaise Zabini. He frowned and sighed quietly. He wouldn't be spending much time in here, that was certain.
The next morning the storm was gone, but they sky and the ceiling of the Great Hall remained a surly gray as Artemis quietly ate and studied his schedule. Along with the normal core classes, he had opted to take Ancient Runes and Arithmancy, the two extra subjects that appealed to his tastes most. He had almost laughed at the prospect of taking Muggle Studies, Care of Magical Creatures, or, God forbid- Divination. Today he had double Artihmancy in the afternoon, and Herbology with the Ravenclaws just before.
Artemis headed to his first class quickly, moving through the relatively empty halls, clad in an immaculate suit, bag in hand.
After Arithmancy, which he had no homework for, Artemis joined the line for dinner in the entrance hall just behind a trio of Gryffindors, with red, black, and bushy brown hair respectively. To his displeasure, Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle joined the line just behind him. Luckily, their attention was focused on the trio in front of him.
"Weasley! Hey, Weasley!" Malfoy shouted, causing them to turn and direct looks of anger and irritation at him. Artemis stepped back subtly. There was obviously a long-running conflicts here, which he didn't want to become part of.
"Your dad's in the paper- listen to this!" Malfoy said gleefully, proceeding to loudly read out an article from the paper he was holding, pausing to periodically insult Weasley's parents. The black-haired boy next tothe redhead began trading equally childish insults with Malfoy, until he turned away and Malfoy shot a curse at him. Artemis backed away even furter into the crowd, melting into the gaggle of students, hearing some shrieks from both students and what sounded like a few adults. None of his business, though.
After eating dinner rapidly, Artemis exited the Hall to go to the library for more research.
He was walking in the door when another student rushing in nearly knocked him down.
"Oh, I am so sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going!" said the girl who had been standing with Weasley earlier as she helped him up.
"No harm done," Artemis said formally, straightening his suit. "I am Artemis Fowl the Second."
Taking his proffered hand, the girl smiled. "Hermione Granger."
Sorry to end it there, but I can't type any more tonight and wanted to update.
Sorry also for the filler chapter!
Anyways, please keep reviewing, and have a fantastic day!