The Family Name

Year Five

By Elbereth in April

Chapter 14

Artemis examined the six defeated Death Eaters, one still half-buried under rubble. "Shall we bind them and disarm them?"

"Good plan," Draco agreed. Greg and Blaise helped the three of them with that, while Millicent scanned the area to make sure there were no more Death Eaters in hiding, and Pansy went into the shop to see if everyone was alright in there. Four Ravenclaws and four Hufflepuffs were huddled in the back, frightened but unharmed, so Pansy came back out.

Madam Puddifoot had been revived, although her arm was broken. "I'll contact the Aurors," she said, taking responsibility as the only adult.

While the Death Eaters were tied up, Artemis glanced at Draco somewhat sheepishly. "I'd better call Butler. He's going to be apoplectic that I waited this long."

"Yeah—why did you?"

"It all just happened so fast—I didn't think of it."

Draco mulled this over while Artemis spoke into his brooch, explaining the situation. Butler said the Aurors would undoubtedly contact Dumbledore, so he was going to tell Snape and get the Potions professor to Apparate them both over.

"Does that feel any better?" Marie asked Chang.

"That helped," she agreed, lifting her hand towards her face.

"Don't touch," Marie scolded. "I couldn't heal it completely. It was a strong spell and a bad burn and I'm not advanced enough yet. But Pomfrey can mend you—or the Aurors may bring someone from St. Mungo's. You'll be fine."

"Thank you. That was um, good of you."

Marie rolled her eyes. "You're surprised, I know."

"I saw Fowl heal a Gryffindor once," Harry offered.

Chang waved it off. "Oh, Fowl's a law unto himself."

But Hermione was looking at Marie intently. "You're serious, aren't you? All of you—about fighting Voldemort and evil."

Marie actually smiled at her. "Yes. I'm glad someone realizes it. Figures it would be you."

Harry's head turned back and forth, from one girl to the next. Then he looked over to where Bole was still working on Moon. "Are you learning healing spells in—you know, your club?"

"Yes."

He nodded slowly. "Hermione's right, Cho. They're committed to the good fight."

"What a way to put it!" Marie laughed. "Eva, how's it going?"

"I don't know what spell they used, but it's lingering—I can feel the Dark aura. I can't get her to wake up. She needs a professional."

Harry walked over to Fowl and Malfoy. "You bound them up tight?"

"Yes. I have their wands here," Artemis replied.

"You recognize them all?" he asked Malfoy.

Draco nodded. "That's Jugson, Gibbon, Spears, Worple, Meliflua, and Hornby. Avery and Nott Apparated away."

With a loud pop, Snape and Butler appeared in the street. Seconds later, Dumbledore, Pomfrey, and McGonagall appeared, as well. Dumbledore took charge. Artemis relinquished the wands to him, and Potter and Draco described what had happened.

Madame Puddifoot came out of the shop, followed by two Aurors and a mediwizard. The Aurors asked a lot of questions. The boys explained the situation again as Pomfrey and the mediwizard inspected the injured parties.

"You did well," Pomfrey complimented, appraising the girls. "You're just starting out in learning?"

They nodded.

"You say the Death Eaters were specifically after you and Mr. Malfoy?" Dumbledore asked Harry.

"Yes. They were really mad when Malfoy identified the ones that spoke, too." Harry glanced at Malfoy, for once not glaring at him. "And when he got their masks off."

Draco smirked. "They like their anonymity."

Dumbledore patted Draco on the shoulder. Draco wrinkled his nose. "Good job, all of you. That was well-played, Draco."

"Not bad, for kids," one of the Aurors said. "But next time, don't run into danger, OK? Call the Aurors sooner. That's what we're here for." He smiled at them as if they were toddlers.

"Yes, Artemis." Butler gave him a pointed look.

Artemis shuffled one foot a bit. Butler was right. It was good he was becoming independent, but no need to be reckless!

"So my Slytherins rescued the Boy Wonder, eh?" Snape said silkily. "And fighting Death Eaters. Maybe this will make some people realize we are not the villains here."

Dumbledore smiled at Severus. "Good point, good point indeed."

"You'll be asking all of them if they know where Lucius Malfoy is, and Draco's brother. Right?" Artemis reminded the Aurors.

The other Auror, Shacklebolt again, answered. "Of course we will. We are keeping that a priority, don't worry about that."

Hermione finally came back over to stand by Draco. "So… Happy Valentine's Day."

"Aw man, I haven't even given you your gift yet," Draco groaned.

"Come on," Hermione smiled, and led him into the still empty tea shop. "OK, go ahead!"

Draco laughed at her. "You're impatient." He took a silver box out of his pocket and gave it to her.

In turn, she unshrunk a package from her pocket and gave him a larger box in light blue. They both unwrapped their presents eagerly. Hermione was the quickest, as her box was just tied with ribbon.

"Oh, it's pretty!" She lifted a silver and gold charm bracelet. Each charm was shaped like a book, and had the letters of her name on each one.

"Watch," Draco said, taking out his wand. "I had this specially made, just for you." He tapped on one of the books. "Revealar."

Each book opened and they moved together, to roughly the size of an IPOD. Words were displayed on what looked like a miniature screen. "When you read the whole text displayed, you tap it again and it goes to the next page. The book contained within is, of course, Hogwarts: A History."

Hermione let out a whoop and threw her arms around his neck. "That is so neat!"

"If it was A Tale of Two Cities, you wouldn't be as impressed," Draco grinned, wrapping one arm around her back.

"I would, but it wouldn't be as fun."

He returned the bracelet to her keeping. She played with it as he opened his gift, which turned out to be a number of computer games.

"We've all been working so hard, I thought you could use a little fun. You boys finally convinced me there is a time and place for not studying."

"Thanks, Hermione."

"I know Artemis has fixed your computers so they'll work at Hogwarts."

"Yeah, he's good at this stuff." She had to bring him up, didn't she?

"Where did you get the idea for this?" She indicated her bracelet.

"Oh, from stuff Artemis was showing me—ebooks and I-phones…"

"So… he's making technology work with magic and you're making magic work with technology." She smiled at him. "Guess you're good at 'that stuff,' too."

Very slowly, a smirk spread across his face.

A knock sounded on the broken window frame, then Harry peeked his head through the shop door. "Hey, Professor Dumbledore wants us all to head back to the castle now. The Aurors have cancelled the rest of today's Hogsmeade visit."

"All right. Harry, look at this!" Hermione excitedly showed off her present while Draco put his games away.

"Professor Snape will walk you all back while Professor McGonagall and I round up the rest of the students," Dumbledore told the group once they exited the shop. Madame Pomfrey had gone ahead with Cho, while the mediwizard had taken Moon off to St. Mungo's.

The students trudged after Professor Snape. Potter walked next to Hermione, to Draco's annoyance. Then Artemis and Butler came over and walked next to Draco, so the blond shrugged and made the best of it. Not how he'd expected his Valentine's with Hermione to go, but oh well. Hermione showed Artemis the charm, too.

"You thought that up, Draco? I'm impressed. Really."

Draco basked in the warmth of that for the rest of the walk, even while he was tormenting Potter. Well, that gave him a glow of its own.

SSSSSSSSSSSSS

The Slytherins sat around the Common Room the rest of the afternoon, discussing the Death Eaters' attack. After about an hour, Coleridge approached Artemis and Draco. "I got a letter back from my dad about the room with the globes you asked about." He sat down at their table and leaned in, so he could speak quietly. "He said it's overseen by the Department of Mysteries, but the Aurors know about it. It's the room of prophecies. Each one of those globes contains a prophecy."

"A prophecy," Artemis repeated.

"Yeah, they keep a record of all known prophecies, listed by the people the prophecy is about."

"So, are there prophecies about Voldemort?"

Coleridge shrugged. "I don't know for sure. It would stand to reason."

"Are these prophecies known to the general public?"

"They don't advertise them. If the prophecy is about you, I guess you could go ask to listen to it."

"The Head of the Auror Department—she's a fair woman, isn't she?"

"She is. Smart and honest, too. Unlike Fudge."

Artemis drummed his fingers on the table. "Well then."

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Artemis requested the presence of Potter and his two sidekicks in Butler's office. Weasley and Potter glared at Draco when they arrived, but didn't suggest he leave. They were getting used to him being around, and he had just helped fight off a number of Death Eaters. Besides, Butler was there to run interference.

"A prophecy?" Hermione repeated. "You think there's one in that room about Voldemort—or one about Voldemort and Harry?"

"Yes. I think Voldemort's known about it all along. I think it's why he tried to kill Potter as a baby. I don't think he knows exactly what it says, but he wants to."

"Has something happened to cause him to decide now that he needs to know? Or did he always intend to find out?"

"A good question."

"Why hasn't he just sent one of his Death Eaters in to get it?" Weasley asked. "One the Ministry doesn't know about."

"The Ministry doesn't let just anybody hear them. Only those who are mentioned in a prophecy. Potter may have to go into the Ministry and ask to hear his."

"Wow, that would be—gutsy."

Artemis smiled.

"But he can't leave Hogwarts," Hermione objected.

"The other option would be to ask Dumbledore. I'm sure he knows. But I don't know if he will say."

Potter scowled. "If Dumbledore knows, he should have told me a long time ago. If there's a prophecy about me, it could contain an important clue about what to do to defeat Voldemort."

"I agree," Artemis said. "Dumbledore is far too high-handed."

"He probably wanted to protect you," Weasley said hesitantly.

"Right. Cause not telling Potter has kept him real safe up to this point," Draco scoffed. "Dumbledore just does what he wants."

"I wonder if Professor Snape knows," Hermione mused.

"I suggest you ask. But you probably should have me with you. You'd be more likely to get answers."

"I definitely can't imagine Snape speaking to me any other way," Harry agreed with the genius Slytherin. "He'll always hate me."

"All right then. We'll start with Snape."

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

The two boys sat on chairs in front of Snape's desk. Severus himself sat behind it, unable to deny his curiosity at what could bring these two here together. "Well?"

"Professor, before Potter had perfected his Occlumency, he saw a vision of a room in the Department of Mysteries. A room that contains a prophecy about him and Riddle." At the last moment, he remembered Snape didn't like anyone to say the name Voldemort. "With Riddle's determination to kill Potter, I believe it is vital we learn what that prophecy says. Do you know, sir?"

Snape regarded the two intently. "I think Potter knows quite enough already. He considers himself to be so important. He would just have to know a legend about himself."

Potter scowled. "Why do you always do that? I don't think I'm so important, but if knowing this prophecy could help keep me alive, I think it's only fair that I know it!"

Snape scowled back. "You'll have to speak to Headmaster Dumbledore. I don't know the complete prophecy. But if you want him to tell you, you'd better speak to him with more respect than you do to me."

'The complete prophecy?' Artemis mused. 'I wonder if that means he knows part of it?"

"I respect those who respect me," Potter snapped.

Artemis sighed. There was no way to reason with this sort of implacable hatred. "Come on, Potter. Let's leave the good professor alone."

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

"They're both still alive," Lucius reported to his ally, Opal Koboi. "They were in Hogsmeade. They overcame six of my men!"

Koboi's eyes narrowed and her temper flared. "Your wizards couldn't defeat two teenage school-boys?"

"Well, there were more than just those two fighting. And the men will pay for their incompetence by being thrown back in Azkaban."

"How dare they keep surviving! They have to learn who their superior is!" Koboi turned to the silent, uneasy Brill Brothers. "I have another job for you."

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

As soon as Draco saw Potter's face, he knew Dumbledore hadn't told him anything. "He feels it would be best if I remain ignorant for my own safety. He's afraid Voldemort will get it out of my head, I think."

"That's why you learned Occlumency," Artemis pointed out. "So he can't access your thoughts."

"You'd think Dumbledore would have faith in you by now," Draco drawled.

Harry turned to face Hermione. "Was that some sort of compliment, do you think?"

Draco sneered. "Obviously not. You've just managed to survive so far, that's all."

"He's got a lot of nerve," Ron grumbled. "So what do we do now?"

"I suggest you have Black talk to him," Draco said. "Maybe an adult would have a better chance of being taken seriously."

"That's actually a good idea." Hermione perked up.

"Otherwise, we'll have to take matters into our own hands."

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

As the five students trooped away from Butler's classroom, where they had met on their way to dinner, they heard the sounds of a lady in hysterics. They looked at each other, then sped up.

"Trelawney," Ron said in surprise.

"She looks mad," Draco said, then clarified, "More so than usual, I mean."

"Also drunk." Harry noted the empty sherry bottle she was waving in one hand, her wand in the other. Two trunks were next to her. She was shrieking at Cronin, who stood at the bottom of the stairs, an expression on his face of bemused impatience quickly moving to intolerance.

"You c-can't sack me!" Trelawney was blubbering. "H-hogwarts has been my home for s-sixteen years!"

"I can," Cronin disagreed. "I have complete authority to do so, in fact. You and Hagrid both."

"Oh, no!" the Gryffindor trio exchanged horrified glances.

McGonagall strode through the crowd of spectators, handing Trelawney a handkerchief. "Calm down, Sybil. You don't have to leave Hogwarts."

"I think you'll find that she does." Cronin stepped forward, frowning. "I have an Order of Dismissal signed by the Minister himself. Her performance is simply not up to standard expectations."

The outside doors opened and Dumbledore calmly entered. "Professor Cronin." He walked over to join them. He patted the moaning Trelawney on the back, then faced Cronin. "As High Inquisitor, you may dismiss my teachers, it is true. However, you do not have the authority to send them away from the castle. It is my wish, as Headmaster, that Professor Trelawney continue to live at Hogwarts."

Trelawney laughed wildly. "No! I shall l-leave and seek my f-fortune elsewhere…"

"Huh," said Draco. "For the first time I feel a tiny crumb of respect for her."

But Dumbledore cut her off. "No, it is my wish that you remain, Sybill."

"There he goes again," he muttered, loud enough for Harry to overhear. "Insisting on his own way. Cause Dumbledore knows best, right?"

Dumbledore turned to McGonagall. "Might I ask you to escort Sybill back upstairs?"

"Of course." Sprout came forward to help, and Flitwick followed, floating her trunks behind them.

"You are a benevolent man, but a foolish one," Cronin said to Dumbledore, eyes dark. "And where will the new teachers stay?"

"What about Hagrid?" Hermione burst out.

"As it happens, Professor Grubbley-Plank already has rooms. Hagrid will continue as the groundskeeper and stay on in his cottage, and the new Divinations teacher prefers the ground floor."

Cronin raised his eyebrows. "I see. So you've hired someone already? Interesting. Just who might that be?"

"I shall be happy to introduce you!" Dumbledore smiled even brighter. Artemis instantly knew something was about to happen—something that Dumbledore considered a clever maneuver.

The front door was still open. From just outside came the sounds of hooves coming closer. Then into the castle came a centaur. 'A centaur!' Draco's mouth dropped open. He had white-blond hair and very blue eyes and the body of a palomino.

"This is Firenze," Dumbledore announced cheerfully.

Cronin snarled. "Another non-human. Interesting choice indeed."

"Centaurs are quite renowned for their ability to read stars and planets," Dumbledore replied, still seeming unconcerned by Cronin's opinion.

"Potter recognizes him," Artemis whispered to Draco. "Look at his face."

"Do you think he came out of the Forbidden Forest?"

"Most likely. I wonder if he knows Foaly. I do believe I'll ask."

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Before breakfast the next day, Artemis and Butler ventured into Firenze's new classroom. It had been transformed into a forest clearing. The floor was moss and the room was full of trees. "Yes, I would say the forest is his natural habitat."

After a quick examination, Artemis planted a couple of cameras, then they went next door to Firenze's office. "Hello," Firenze greeted them. "How may I help you? You are the self-defense professor, are you not?"

"Butler, yes." They shook hands. The centaur never lost his regal bearing.

"Which would make you Artemis Fowl."

Artemis raised an eyebrow. "You've heard of me?"

"A few things. From Professor Dumbledore."

Artemis and Butler exchanged glances.

Firenze did not smile, but his eyes seemed friendly enough. "Nothing incriminating, I assure you."

"Ah. Well, I simply wanted to ask if you knew a centaur acquaintance of mine. His name is Foaly."

"I do not. But if he lives outside of the Forest, it is not surprising. Our herd is rather isolated."

"I see. You seem to be focused on things magical. Whereas Foaly is very interested in technology."

"He is a Haven centaur, isn't he?"

Artemis's shoulders went back, chin raised just slightly. "Yes."

"It is foretold in the heavens of a human child who becomes entangled with the fairies. I suspected you were he. And you led a second in with you. As well as your bodyguard, of course."

Artemis resisted a smug expression. So he was written in the heavens? "Yes. My friend learned about them, though that was later."

"Is he in the sky, as well?" Butler asked curiously.

"Possibly. Nothing is certain. It takes dozens of years to be sure of what we see. Indications are that Wizard-kind is living through a brief calm between two wars. You and Potter will both play a part in the battle. This I do know."

"Yes. I'm sure we will."

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

After Arithmancy, Draco and Artemis had a free period. They sat down in their empty dorm room to watch Potter's Divination class. "Cool. I like what he did with the room."

They watched the monitor as Firenze began speaking. "Please, sir," Parvati Patil questioned him, "why have the other centaurs banished you from the Forest?"

"Because I have agreed to work for Professor Dumbledore. They see this as a betrayal of our kind."

"Huh. They really don't like humans," Draco said.

"Let us begin." Firenze raised his hand and stars appeared on the ceiling. "Lie back."

"Professor Trelawney did astrology with us!" Patil exclaimed eagerly. She rambled on about Mars causing accidents and burns until Firenze interrupted her.

"That is human nonsense." At Patil's indignant protest, he continued, "Professor Trelawney is human and therefore blinkered and fettered by the limitations of your kind."

Artemis snorted. "No, they don't seem to think much of humans at all. Foaly is the same way."

Firenze paced back and forth. "Sibyll Trelawney may have Seen, I do not know, but she wastes her time on the self-flattering nonsense humans call fortune-telling. I, however, am here to explain the wisdom of centaurs, which is—"

Artemis reached forward and rewound the tape slightly.

"Hey! What—?" Draco began, but stopped when Artemis pressed play again.

"Sibyll Trelawney may have Seen, I do not know, but—"

Stop again.

"What is it?"

Artemis was wearing his thinking face. "I believe he is talking about a specific instance, not Seen in general. His tone of voice…" Draco waited. "Why did Dumbledore hire her despite her general uselessness? Sixteen years ago… unless it was her."

"What was her?"

"The prophecy. What if she made the prophecy about Potter and Voldemort? In fact, what if she made it to Dumbledore?"

Draco sat up straighter. "Would she even remember it if she had?"

"She didn't with her last prophecy about Pettigrew. But she would be able to go into the Ministry and listen to it. Potter can't leave the castle, but she can."

Draco slowly smiled. "They still need us to testify against Nott and Stormbrew. Maybe she could take us."

"Oh, I have an even better idea."

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

They waited long enough for Black to try his luck with Dumbledore, but when all he achieved was a furious argument (furious on Black's part), the two boys acted. Their lawyer made an appointment for them to give their testimony the next Friday. Dumbledore had no objections.

They met with the Trio again.

"You want me to Polyjuice into Professor Trelawney?" Harry exclaimed. "Why can't I just go as myself?"

"Because it would attract too much attention and alert the Death Eaters," Artemis said. "But if Trelawney came with Butler as our second chaperone, no one would think twice. Then while she's in the building, she runs her own errand—perfectly natural."

"I don't think he should go without us," Hermione protested.

"He needs us with him!" Ron nodded firmly.

"We could Polyjuice into other professors…"

"No—two reasons," Draco interrupted. "I don't have that much pre-made Polyjuice. And it would be too difficult to pinch anybody else's wand."

"What? Wand?"

"What's the first thing they do when you enter the Ministry? They weigh your wand and identify it. If you've been there before, they'll have a record of your wand. And she has. You need to be carrying it."

"How are you going to get it?" Ron asked skeptically.

"She's half-crazy with guilt and cheap sherry and near-sighted to boot," Draco snorted. "It won't be difficult."

"Butler will do it," Artemis said. "Between the four of us, we should be safe enough."

"I still don't like it," Ron frowned, but then perked up. "It would be funny to see you as Trelawney, though, Harry."

"Thanks," Harry responded dryly.

"Then it's settled."

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS