Lenora: Artemis/Delta laughs a lot of the time because of the irony of it
all. Come on, if Draco Malfoy hit on me, I'd laugh pretty hard myself.
Especially if I was about 78 years old when that happened. (Remember,
Delta's hopping means she's a lot older than she looks.) And then there's
the fact that Delta/Artemis is pretty random, and if she wants to laugh. .
. why stop her?
Thanks be to the two of you, Lenora and Guardian Dimension, for reading!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
For the next two months, things were fairly routine at Hogwarts. Harry, Ron, and Hermione had Potions and Care of Magical Creatures with the Slytherines, as usual, Hufflepuff joined them for Herbology and Transfiguration, and Hermione was with Ravenclaw for Arithmancy. Both Harry and Ron had dropped Divination, figuring it was a pointless subject, and the two took up Ancient Runes instead, at Hermione's urging.
Defense Against the Dark Arts was truly enjoyable now, with Professor Torquil. For the first class, he'd swept in, looked at them imposingly, and - after bending over to pick up the attendance sheet - bumped his head on the chandelier.
That first class had been on the second day, and therefore Artemis had been in the class. Although she visibly tried to suppress her amusement, it was to no avail and the girl fell of her chair. Which, of course, in turn led to the rest of the class bursting out in laughter at her, and the worried air that had hung over the class was broken.
Torquil reviewed the past work, and began the year (after the laughing festival) with a small speech:
"You haven't had the best luck with teachers, I believe. A follower of the Dark Lord, a man who has lost his memory, a werewolf, a charlatan, and a woman who worked for the ministry and was an. . . accountant, I believe? In any case, you have studied magical creatures, curses, and plenty of Defense Against the Dark Arts theory, and therefore you need to work on your hexes and jinxes. . . after a short review. I am supposed to be showing you curses this year, but since you've already been exposed to them, after the hexes and jinxes we will go onto the Patronus Charm and the Lalita Hadono Charm. So, get out your wands, and show me what you all can do!"
There had been confusion over the Lalita Hadono Charm, no-one had heard of it except. . . that's right, Artemis. After raising her hand, she inquired, "Excuse me, Professor, but are you, allowed, to teach us the Lalita Hadono Charm?"
"I have been granted special permission by Dumbledore."
"But you don't need to."
"Both he and I feel you need to know it."
"Well then, be prepared for accidents." Artemis's voice had been icy. "There are only two people in this class who will show any mastery at all, and I believe you should ask Dumbledore to reconsider."
At this, Torquil's eyes gleamed. "I am the one teaching this class, not you, young lady. And as I presume that, as a teacher, I know better this charm than you. I would advise you to show me what you have learned, this being your first year. You probably have much to catch up on. You were home schooled, I believe?"
"No. . . I had no idea I had magic until July 31st. However, I have been. . . brushing up on my skills. What would you like me to show you?" Her voice was curt and offhand.
"Have you been tested for skills by any other teachers?"
"I had work to do yesterday, Dumbledore excused me from class."
"Right then, I'll ask you things myself. If you don't mind, Summoning Charm."
Neville zoomed across the room and landed on Artemis's desk. "That good for you?"
Needless to say, the rest of that first class was interesting, to say the least. Torquil began throwing charm names at Artemis, and she responded flamboyantly every time.
"Repelling Charm!" Neville stopped inches away from the wall.
"Impediment Jinx!" "On what?" "Mr. Potter, run outside, if you will." Harry did what he was asked. He didn't even get to the door before he felt himself slow and stop.
Artemis cocked her head in that way of hers. "I'd yawn, but I don't want to seem disrespectful."
Torquil's eyes continued to gleam eerily. "Jelly-Legs Jinx!" He fell to the ground. "Shield Charm!" A blue bubble appeared around Artemis.
More jinxes, curses, and counter-curses. Then, "Imperius Curse!"
Artemis paused for a second. "I didn't think so-" Torquil stopped mid- sentence. Artemis turned around, and everyone's head suddenly felt lighter. Some recognized it from when Moody had put the Imperius Curse on them before. Only one had been able to resist then, but this time Harry couldn't seem to find that little voice telling him that standing on his desk and singing O Canada was stupid. In seconds, the whole class had done exactly that: climbed up on their desks and sang O Canada. After the song was done, the students and Torquil sat back down, shaking their heads and looking bewildered.
Torquil eyes looked like water as he stared at the girl "Askaban for that, you know."
"Really? Even though you ASKED me too?"
"No student can do that!"
"I am not your average student." Artemis hesitated for a second. "Aren't you going to teach the class now, Professor Torquil?"
And to their surprise, the teacher laughed, and told Artemis to sit down. "Now, let's hope the rest of you are as impressive as Artemis here and I may not have to teach much!"
The first two months had flown by. Artemis had impressed all the teachers except McGonagall, who seemed to know what to expect. She had simply asked Artemis what the highest level of magic she could do was, and Artemis had gone into her office and the two had appeared, minutes later, and the lesson had begun.
There had been some odd spots, such as the Weasley twins turning up (twice, actually) in the middle of classes, looking sheepish, and asking if they could talk to Artemis. The second time, Ron had been near the door and could have sworn that Fred (or George) said that they were lost. However, soon Hallowe'en upon them, and the Great Hall was, as usual, decorated to distinction. However, if the teachers thought they'd be let off easy on Hallowe'en, they were greatly mistaken. . .
As the group sat down to eat on October 31st, there was a exploding noise and the Hall shook. Another noise, another shock wave. The air exploded in orange-red fire, and then everything went black. People were screaming, and then-
Silence.
No one could make a noise. The only sound came from the barely-repressed giggles and sniggers from the resident mischief makers. As the lights came on, everyone and everything rose upwards, including the food and plates! It was a brilliant Hallowe'en dinner, eating amongst the candles, floating in the middle of the Great Hall.
In a corner, Fred, George and Artemis high-fived.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The first real shock of the year came in mid-November, when there was, unmistakably, an attack.
Ron, Hermione, and Harry had been in Transfiguration when it happened. Hogwarts shook. As in, really shook. It was something you felt in your bones, right through your teeth, and it kept going. McGonagall screamed over the clattering, banging, and crashing of falling objects "GET DOWN!" The class willingly agreed. The McGonagall Disapparated, the normal 'pop!' sound lost in the chaos.
Delta ran out the door as soon as McGonagall left. Hermione and Harry didn't know where she went, but Ron had a good idea.
~|flashback|~
It was the end of September, and Ron was talking to Fred and George who were in the Gryffindor Common Room.
"So, you know, you two never did tell me where you're staying."
"Good reason, little bro. Don't want YOU bugging us, now do we?"
"Ha ha, very funny Fred."
"Besides, we're doing what we came here to do, what does it matter?" After George said this, there was a brief pause.
"Who's minding the shop?"
"Lee and a few of his buddies." Fred considered Ron. "You got a question for us, Ronnikiens, so why don't you ask it?"
Ron was a little taken aback, but then he plunged in. "Well, you're staying with Artemis, right?" At George's nod, Ron continued. "Have you noticed anything. . . odd about her? Like, any weird things? She's amazing in class - brilliant - and she doesn't use a wand. There's some sort of mystery surrounding her, and I was wondering what you two. . . knew about her."
Fred looked at Ron, then at George, and the two looked back at their younger brother. They smiled identical evil grins.
"Oh, Ronnikiens got a CRUSH, now does he?" George teased maliciously.
"She's out of your league, mate." Came Fred's taunt.
Ron blushed a rather becoming shade of peach. "That's not what I meant! I mean. . . you KNOW what I mean. . ."
Fred put on his 'innocent' face. "No, actually I don't. Please, explain."
"GEORGE!!!"
"I'm Fred."
"Do I care? Just answer, please!"
George indulged the youngest Weasley male. "Ron, she's way weird. And odd. But bloody hell, she's proud of it!" Leaning in closer to Ron, he whispered, "She's got a mystery around her, all right. And power. Lots and lots of power. But she don't let nothing out." Glancing up, the twin saw someone peeking through the portrait hole. "Hey, Artemis!"
"You guys coming, or am I going to bed alone?" She yelled playfully.
Fred grinned. "You wish!"
"Ya, actually, I do!"
"Coming!" Turning back to Ron, Fred winked. "Night, bro."
The two left.
"What was that line about?" Asked George, as soon as the portrait hole closed and they made it open again, onto their own private promenade.
"Give Gryffindor some gossip."
"Man, SOMEone's in a good mood tonight!"
Artemis turned solemn. As they entered their bedroom, now looking like a bamboo hut with hammocks arranged in a circle, she got in one of the beds and looked around. Fred and George both went into the washroom, changed, and came back to bed. "Hey, Artemis, can you turn out the lights?"
Artemis's reply was in a calm voice. "You do it."
Fred looked shocked. "What are you talking about? I can't turn off the light, there's never a switch! How do you do that, anyways?"
Artemis looked up at him, her eyes serious. "Don't act like you don't know. You have to be able to tell."
Fred and George gave her odd looks. "Uh. . . know what?"
Artemis shook her head. Sitting up, she stared out the window. Suddenly, she spoke in a wistful, sad voice: "Darkness, black - you know it's only bad, only evil, because we say it is?" Looking back at the twins with eyes that glistened with unshed tears, she continued. "If we thought white was evil, it would be. The only reason black is evil is because WE SAY IT IS. If we said bright blue was evil, that's the colour that Voldemort would use as his weapon to strike fear. But it's not. It's black. So that's why-" she swallowed a sob - "I'm sorry I have to tell you this. You control. . . well, remember what I said about controlling elements? About how they destroyed the person who could? Well, they didn't destroy the individual elements. . . and you two control darkness."
Silence followed this proclamation. Fred looked at Artemis, on the verge of crying. Artemis never cried. "Why is this so bad, 'Mis?"
"Yeah, I mean, I suppose we've always kind-of known. Loving the dark, not being afraid of it, being afraid of the word Voldemort but not Dark Lord. . ."
Artemis looked overjoyed. "You mean, you're not angry?"
Fred smiled at her. "Of course not. But. . . you'll teach us, right?"
"Of course!" And with that, the three embraced, and the first elemental controllers were found.
~|flash-forward|~
Since that night, much had changed. All the other elements were only controlled by one. Dark was different because people perceived it as evil, but it wasn't really. But since people thought it was, it was often USED for evil, and therefore needed two to keep it in line. Many lessons had followed, and the twins and Artemis had grown close. She'd warned them something might happen. And so something did.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Guardian Dimension: Of course I believe. I have to believe. It is amazing to believe. Only human arrogance would assume we are the only intelligent beings in the universe, and only the same arrogance would assume that this is the only universe.
Aww, I'm sure Voyager Reader has every right to an opinion. . . then again, I have every right to my OWN opinion, SO!
How will I survive without your glowing reviews? Well, I suppose when you come back you'll have a LOT of reading to do. . .
By the way, at fictionpress.com there is a story by me. Same name. Read, if you should be so inclined!
Review Please.
Thanks be to the two of you, Lenora and Guardian Dimension, for reading!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
For the next two months, things were fairly routine at Hogwarts. Harry, Ron, and Hermione had Potions and Care of Magical Creatures with the Slytherines, as usual, Hufflepuff joined them for Herbology and Transfiguration, and Hermione was with Ravenclaw for Arithmancy. Both Harry and Ron had dropped Divination, figuring it was a pointless subject, and the two took up Ancient Runes instead, at Hermione's urging.
Defense Against the Dark Arts was truly enjoyable now, with Professor Torquil. For the first class, he'd swept in, looked at them imposingly, and - after bending over to pick up the attendance sheet - bumped his head on the chandelier.
That first class had been on the second day, and therefore Artemis had been in the class. Although she visibly tried to suppress her amusement, it was to no avail and the girl fell of her chair. Which, of course, in turn led to the rest of the class bursting out in laughter at her, and the worried air that had hung over the class was broken.
Torquil reviewed the past work, and began the year (after the laughing festival) with a small speech:
"You haven't had the best luck with teachers, I believe. A follower of the Dark Lord, a man who has lost his memory, a werewolf, a charlatan, and a woman who worked for the ministry and was an. . . accountant, I believe? In any case, you have studied magical creatures, curses, and plenty of Defense Against the Dark Arts theory, and therefore you need to work on your hexes and jinxes. . . after a short review. I am supposed to be showing you curses this year, but since you've already been exposed to them, after the hexes and jinxes we will go onto the Patronus Charm and the Lalita Hadono Charm. So, get out your wands, and show me what you all can do!"
There had been confusion over the Lalita Hadono Charm, no-one had heard of it except. . . that's right, Artemis. After raising her hand, she inquired, "Excuse me, Professor, but are you, allowed, to teach us the Lalita Hadono Charm?"
"I have been granted special permission by Dumbledore."
"But you don't need to."
"Both he and I feel you need to know it."
"Well then, be prepared for accidents." Artemis's voice had been icy. "There are only two people in this class who will show any mastery at all, and I believe you should ask Dumbledore to reconsider."
At this, Torquil's eyes gleamed. "I am the one teaching this class, not you, young lady. And as I presume that, as a teacher, I know better this charm than you. I would advise you to show me what you have learned, this being your first year. You probably have much to catch up on. You were home schooled, I believe?"
"No. . . I had no idea I had magic until July 31st. However, I have been. . . brushing up on my skills. What would you like me to show you?" Her voice was curt and offhand.
"Have you been tested for skills by any other teachers?"
"I had work to do yesterday, Dumbledore excused me from class."
"Right then, I'll ask you things myself. If you don't mind, Summoning Charm."
Neville zoomed across the room and landed on Artemis's desk. "That good for you?"
Needless to say, the rest of that first class was interesting, to say the least. Torquil began throwing charm names at Artemis, and she responded flamboyantly every time.
"Repelling Charm!" Neville stopped inches away from the wall.
"Impediment Jinx!" "On what?" "Mr. Potter, run outside, if you will." Harry did what he was asked. He didn't even get to the door before he felt himself slow and stop.
Artemis cocked her head in that way of hers. "I'd yawn, but I don't want to seem disrespectful."
Torquil's eyes continued to gleam eerily. "Jelly-Legs Jinx!" He fell to the ground. "Shield Charm!" A blue bubble appeared around Artemis.
More jinxes, curses, and counter-curses. Then, "Imperius Curse!"
Artemis paused for a second. "I didn't think so-" Torquil stopped mid- sentence. Artemis turned around, and everyone's head suddenly felt lighter. Some recognized it from when Moody had put the Imperius Curse on them before. Only one had been able to resist then, but this time Harry couldn't seem to find that little voice telling him that standing on his desk and singing O Canada was stupid. In seconds, the whole class had done exactly that: climbed up on their desks and sang O Canada. After the song was done, the students and Torquil sat back down, shaking their heads and looking bewildered.
Torquil eyes looked like water as he stared at the girl "Askaban for that, you know."
"Really? Even though you ASKED me too?"
"No student can do that!"
"I am not your average student." Artemis hesitated for a second. "Aren't you going to teach the class now, Professor Torquil?"
And to their surprise, the teacher laughed, and told Artemis to sit down. "Now, let's hope the rest of you are as impressive as Artemis here and I may not have to teach much!"
The first two months had flown by. Artemis had impressed all the teachers except McGonagall, who seemed to know what to expect. She had simply asked Artemis what the highest level of magic she could do was, and Artemis had gone into her office and the two had appeared, minutes later, and the lesson had begun.
There had been some odd spots, such as the Weasley twins turning up (twice, actually) in the middle of classes, looking sheepish, and asking if they could talk to Artemis. The second time, Ron had been near the door and could have sworn that Fred (or George) said that they were lost. However, soon Hallowe'en upon them, and the Great Hall was, as usual, decorated to distinction. However, if the teachers thought they'd be let off easy on Hallowe'en, they were greatly mistaken. . .
As the group sat down to eat on October 31st, there was a exploding noise and the Hall shook. Another noise, another shock wave. The air exploded in orange-red fire, and then everything went black. People were screaming, and then-
Silence.
No one could make a noise. The only sound came from the barely-repressed giggles and sniggers from the resident mischief makers. As the lights came on, everyone and everything rose upwards, including the food and plates! It was a brilliant Hallowe'en dinner, eating amongst the candles, floating in the middle of the Great Hall.
In a corner, Fred, George and Artemis high-fived.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The first real shock of the year came in mid-November, when there was, unmistakably, an attack.
Ron, Hermione, and Harry had been in Transfiguration when it happened. Hogwarts shook. As in, really shook. It was something you felt in your bones, right through your teeth, and it kept going. McGonagall screamed over the clattering, banging, and crashing of falling objects "GET DOWN!" The class willingly agreed. The McGonagall Disapparated, the normal 'pop!' sound lost in the chaos.
Delta ran out the door as soon as McGonagall left. Hermione and Harry didn't know where she went, but Ron had a good idea.
~|flashback|~
It was the end of September, and Ron was talking to Fred and George who were in the Gryffindor Common Room.
"So, you know, you two never did tell me where you're staying."
"Good reason, little bro. Don't want YOU bugging us, now do we?"
"Ha ha, very funny Fred."
"Besides, we're doing what we came here to do, what does it matter?" After George said this, there was a brief pause.
"Who's minding the shop?"
"Lee and a few of his buddies." Fred considered Ron. "You got a question for us, Ronnikiens, so why don't you ask it?"
Ron was a little taken aback, but then he plunged in. "Well, you're staying with Artemis, right?" At George's nod, Ron continued. "Have you noticed anything. . . odd about her? Like, any weird things? She's amazing in class - brilliant - and she doesn't use a wand. There's some sort of mystery surrounding her, and I was wondering what you two. . . knew about her."
Fred looked at Ron, then at George, and the two looked back at their younger brother. They smiled identical evil grins.
"Oh, Ronnikiens got a CRUSH, now does he?" George teased maliciously.
"She's out of your league, mate." Came Fred's taunt.
Ron blushed a rather becoming shade of peach. "That's not what I meant! I mean. . . you KNOW what I mean. . ."
Fred put on his 'innocent' face. "No, actually I don't. Please, explain."
"GEORGE!!!"
"I'm Fred."
"Do I care? Just answer, please!"
George indulged the youngest Weasley male. "Ron, she's way weird. And odd. But bloody hell, she's proud of it!" Leaning in closer to Ron, he whispered, "She's got a mystery around her, all right. And power. Lots and lots of power. But she don't let nothing out." Glancing up, the twin saw someone peeking through the portrait hole. "Hey, Artemis!"
"You guys coming, or am I going to bed alone?" She yelled playfully.
Fred grinned. "You wish!"
"Ya, actually, I do!"
"Coming!" Turning back to Ron, Fred winked. "Night, bro."
The two left.
"What was that line about?" Asked George, as soon as the portrait hole closed and they made it open again, onto their own private promenade.
"Give Gryffindor some gossip."
"Man, SOMEone's in a good mood tonight!"
Artemis turned solemn. As they entered their bedroom, now looking like a bamboo hut with hammocks arranged in a circle, she got in one of the beds and looked around. Fred and George both went into the washroom, changed, and came back to bed. "Hey, Artemis, can you turn out the lights?"
Artemis's reply was in a calm voice. "You do it."
Fred looked shocked. "What are you talking about? I can't turn off the light, there's never a switch! How do you do that, anyways?"
Artemis looked up at him, her eyes serious. "Don't act like you don't know. You have to be able to tell."
Fred and George gave her odd looks. "Uh. . . know what?"
Artemis shook her head. Sitting up, she stared out the window. Suddenly, she spoke in a wistful, sad voice: "Darkness, black - you know it's only bad, only evil, because we say it is?" Looking back at the twins with eyes that glistened with unshed tears, she continued. "If we thought white was evil, it would be. The only reason black is evil is because WE SAY IT IS. If we said bright blue was evil, that's the colour that Voldemort would use as his weapon to strike fear. But it's not. It's black. So that's why-" she swallowed a sob - "I'm sorry I have to tell you this. You control. . . well, remember what I said about controlling elements? About how they destroyed the person who could? Well, they didn't destroy the individual elements. . . and you two control darkness."
Silence followed this proclamation. Fred looked at Artemis, on the verge of crying. Artemis never cried. "Why is this so bad, 'Mis?"
"Yeah, I mean, I suppose we've always kind-of known. Loving the dark, not being afraid of it, being afraid of the word Voldemort but not Dark Lord. . ."
Artemis looked overjoyed. "You mean, you're not angry?"
Fred smiled at her. "Of course not. But. . . you'll teach us, right?"
"Of course!" And with that, the three embraced, and the first elemental controllers were found.
~|flash-forward|~
Since that night, much had changed. All the other elements were only controlled by one. Dark was different because people perceived it as evil, but it wasn't really. But since people thought it was, it was often USED for evil, and therefore needed two to keep it in line. Many lessons had followed, and the twins and Artemis had grown close. She'd warned them something might happen. And so something did.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Guardian Dimension: Of course I believe. I have to believe. It is amazing to believe. Only human arrogance would assume we are the only intelligent beings in the universe, and only the same arrogance would assume that this is the only universe.
Aww, I'm sure Voyager Reader has every right to an opinion. . . then again, I have every right to my OWN opinion, SO!
How will I survive without your glowing reviews? Well, I suppose when you come back you'll have a LOT of reading to do. . .
By the way, at fictionpress.com there is a story by me. Same name. Read, if you should be so inclined!
Review Please.