The Family Name
By Elbereth in April
Chapter 10
Artemis spent the walk back to the dungeons that night studying Malfoy without his noticing. He didn't trust his fellow Slytherin, he didn't even like him, and he reluctantly concluded that he didn't understand him, either. Everyone else at Hogwarts, with the exception of Dumbledore, he had pegged and labeled, but every time he thought he had Malfoy figured out, he'd do something surprising.
And to be quite frank, he was worried about spending too much time in his company. It just increased the chance that they'd fight. Much easier to ignore your enemy when he wasn't around.
He was going to have to find out just how aware of his actions the Ministry of Magic currently was. For. . . a number of reasons. And he needed to get his hands on some books in the Restricted Section. What professor was stupid enough to give him an open note?
___________ ________
Draco Malfoy was waiting for him by Madam Pince's desk. He didn't speak until Artemis had checked out his books and headed over to a table.
"Thought you could skip out on me, huh?"
"You were just sleeping so peacefully, I couldn't bear to wake you up."
"Which professor was stupid enough to give you an open note to the Restricted Section?"
Artemis looked amused. "Lockhart, of course."
"Ah. Of course."
Artemis sat down at a table in the very back. Draco sat down across from him. "And all these books are about the Chamber? Cause you've got an awful lot of them and kept the titles cleverly hidden by siccing Madam Pince on me."
"Oh, just picked up a little of this and that. Here's one." He took from his bookbag "Records and Statistics of Hogwarts and its Students for the 1950's."
"Enlighten me then."
Artemis searched the index. "Here we go. Expulsions. Page 282." He turned to the indicated page. "OK, for the years 1950-1960. Bridgeport, Robert. Eaton, Dorothy. Eaton, Simon. Hagrid, Rubeus. . . oh."
Draco's mouth dropped open. "Hagrid? As in dumb, annoying Hogwarts Gamekeeper Hagrid?"
"Apparently so. . . I never have seen him do magic, come to think of it. . ."
"Does it say *why* they were expelled?"
"No. Hmm. Before we jump to conclusions, let me finish the list. Hagrid, Rubeus. Lister, Arnold. O'Malley, Sean. Sampson, Delilah. Zygon, Nicodemus."
"I can't believe the Hogwarts Board of Governors allows an expelled student to work here, even as a servant. Does my father know?"
"Dumbledore must know."
"That soft-hearted, soft-headed fool," Draco scoffed.
"Yes. But he must know. And I'm sure he wouldn't say." A thought occurred to Artemis. Granger and company. Would they know? They seemed to be great friends with him. If they didn't know, maybe they could find out. . .
"What are you plotting, Fowl?"
Artemis blinked. Draco was frowning at him. "Who, me?"
"I know that look. For a moment you reminded me frighteningly of my father. Tell me what you're planning."
"Your father. . . how much does he know about what's going on? He's a Governor, a past alumni, and all that."
"I'll ask him. If you tell me what you're going to do, I'll even tell you what he says."
"You ask him, and if you tell me what he says, I'll tell you the results of what I'm considering after I've done it."
For a moment, their gazes locked and their wills battled.
"Oh, let's both get our results and then we can debate who talks first," Draco said at last.
Artemis half-smiled. "All right."
__________ __________
Just after breakfast, Artemis went looking for Granger. He figured the first place to look was the infirmary, and he was right. Potter was just being discharged, and Hermione and Ron were there waiting on him. They didn't look too pleased to see him.
"You're still mad about the Quidditch match, aren't you? How's your arm, by the way?"
Potter grimaced. "Better, thanks. And Malfoy only won because his broom was faster."
Artemis looked over to the bed Creevy had been in last night, but it was blocked off by high curtains. "About the Chamber," he began.
Their attention focused on him immediately. "Yes?"
"It was opened once before, as I told you. The person who opened it was expelled. I found a book that listed everyone expelled at that time. . ."
Hermione clapped her hand to her forehead. "Of course! Why didn't I think of that?"
"8 names in 10 years time. One of them was Rubeus Hagrid."
They stared at him. "What?"
"Did you know Hagrid had been expelled? Do you know why?"
"I can't believe you'd blame this on Hagrid, you--Slytherin! He would never release a monster that would kill people or. . ."
"I have a list of suspects. I'm trying to eliminate them. You're his friends. Ask him why he was expelled so I can clear his name."
There was silence. The Trio looked at each other. Artemis waited.
"We'll see what we can find out," Granger said at last, obviously worried and reluctant. "But he didn't do it, I know."
"Maybe he didn't know it would kill people," Artemis said in a reasonable voice. "Maybe he found the Chamber and opened it by accident. Maybe he explored it and found some interesting magical creature. I have heard that he has a fondness for strange creatures. Maybe he made a pet of it and. . ."
"That's enough," Potter interrupted, clearly disturbed. "We said we'd ask."
"Fine. Then I'll go. I have some reading to do. Owl me."
__________ ___________
Moste Potente Potions. Advanced Transfiguration. The History of Alchemy, and The Theory of Alchemy by Nicholas Flamel.
Artemis propped himself up on his pillows and put a ward on the curtains around his bed and started reading. ". . . first attempts all unsuccessful. . . experiments conducted over the course of many years. . . concluded that lead could be turned into gold but only by an expenditure of magic so extreme as to leave the caster virtually dead. . . turned to other materials. . ."
"I know you're in there, Fowl."
Artemis came to himself with a start. He unsealed and opened the curtains to find Malfoy standing outside his bed, arms crossed, scowling.
The sky he could see through the slit of a window was growing dark. He must have been reading for hours, he realized. "What?"
"I owled my father. The results were most unsatisfactory. He wouldn't tell me anything. He said it was all kept quiet and it'll look suspicious if I know too much about it. He says to keep my head down and let the Heir get on with it. He says the school needs ridding of all the Mudblood filth, but not to get mixed up in it. So there you go. Your turn."
"But you didn't find out anything. Why should I tell you my plan?"
"Because I *told* you I didn't find out anything. So give."
Artemis debated all the repercussions in his mind. "Your father wants to get rid of Mudblood filth, eh?" he stalled.
Draco looked away from his gaze.
"You really think killing is the answer?"
"Father says. . ."
"Do you ever listen to yourself?"
Draco's eyes snapped to his now, narrowed and furious. "Just tell me what you know."
"I made Granger, Potter, and Weasley doubt Hagrid enough that they won't be able to stand it until they ask him. And then I'll convince them to tell me what he said."
"You're consorting with traitors?"
Artemis shrugged. "Means to an end."
"You're pathetic."
"You're a coward."
Then Draco's wand was pointing at him and Artemis was grabbing for his own as Draco was speaking and Artemis was speaking when Draco released the spell, and Artemis immediately started itching everywhere so badly he could hardly stand it and his hand shook as he released his own spell, and then he couldn't help it but started scratching at his arms. Meanwhile, Malfoy found he couldn't speak. He tried to cast another spell, but couldn't without a voice. Artemis glared at him. "You prat."
Draco stuck his tongue out at him, then grabbed Artemis's hands. He shook his head. "Let go!" Artemis commanded, but Draco shook his head again, then tilted it down, indicating Artemis's arms. Artemis looked; he'd scratched at them so hard his nails had left deep, bleeding marks. "Oh."
Draco let go. Artemis picked up his wand and de-hexed himself. Then he looked at Malfoy, who was waiting. "What, you expect me to cure you? You're the one who started it."
Draco smirked, grasped Artemis's arm and shook it insistently. Then he crossed his arms, still waiting.
"No. . ." Artemis said slowly. "I don't think so. But I'll send up Crabbe and Goyle to go to Madam Pomfrey's with you. How's that?"
Artemis put the bed between them when Draco clenched his fist. It was just then Zabini came in. "Hey, Fowl, are you still down here--hey, what's going on?"
"Just a small misunderstanding." Artemis smiled brightly. "Let's go to the Common Room, shall we?"
"Um, OK."
Draco stared angrily after them as they went upstairs. "What were you fighting about now?" Zabini asked Artemis.
"Oh, same old stuff."
"Really? You should get some new material then."
____________ ___________
Monday after classes saw the two opposing Slytherin forces on opposite sides of the lake again. "It's awfully cold out."
"That's because it's December. I'm only surprised there's no snow."
"Why are we even outside, Draco?"
"Because Fowl is outside."
"Is that a good reason?" Pansy whined.
"Good enough."
"Did Zabini just snog Chevalier?" Bulstrode shrieked suddenly.
They all looked.
_____________ __________
Draco's eagle owl landed at Eva's feet. She took the parchment and handed it to Artemis, who read it aloud. "Dear Fowl, try to control the sick, perverted actions of your followers. Yeah, we saw that, Zabini! You snogged her! Signed, Malfoy's Company." Artemis turned amused eyes on the couple, who were blushing. "Is there a reply?"
"Tell that voyeur to mind his own business!" Zabini snapped.
"Dear Peeping Draco," wrote Artemis, "Zabini says keep your eyes and your thoughts to yourself. And Marie said that she expected more understanding from your female followers."
"Does that sound too much like camp followers?" Eva asked.
No one cared. They sent it off with Zabini's hawk.
The reply came quickly. "Fowl, everything is my business. So keep out of my way. Malfoy."
Artemis shook his head. "Back to threats," he sighed.
"I rather imagine he's still mad at you about yesterday," Zabini shrugged.
"I did send him Goyle and Crabbe."
"Yeah, but he still had to go to the hospital wing."
"But he got Goyle to explain the problem for him. He didn't have to resort to charades."
"Malfoy is not the forgiving sort," said Eva.
A shadow fell across them. "Hey, Bole," they greeted him.
"Eva's brother!" Chevalier waved at him.
"I need to borrow you a moment, little sister," Galileo Bole said, holding out his hand to help her up.
She allowed herself to be pulled to her feet. "What's up, Leo?"
"It'll just take a second," he hedged, leading her away.
"What message are you sending him?" Marie asked, after sending one last curious look after the Bole siblings.
Artemis looked up from the parchment. "Malfoy, I would be more than happy to keep my distance from you. So why do you keep stalking me? Signed, Artemis Fowl."
They grinned. Zabini reached over and read through Eva's Transfiguration homework, copying down a few answers. His hawk landed on his head. He took the message and read it out. "Stalking is more in your league. You're the one with the Criminal Father."
Artemis's face tightened and he turned to look out across the lake.
"Here comes Eva," Chevalier interrupted in relief at the distraction. "What did Leo want?"
She sat down. "He's fighting with his girlfriend. He needed 'advice from a female's perspective.'"
Marie giggled. "So, did you help out?"
"I advised him against sending the hideous poem he'd composed. It went something like: I messed up. Deal with it. Let's shag tonight."
Even Zabini shuddered. "Not very conducive to forgiveness."
"No. Blaise, are you stealing my answers?" She grabbed her homework away from him.
"Come on, Bole. . ."
"What are you sending him, Artemis?" Chevalier demanded nervously.
Artemis looked at what he'd written, then crumpled it up. "Better not be that. I'm going to go check on my owl. How's come Malfoy and Zabini's are always around and mine never leaves the Owlery?" He stood up.
Bole stood. "You are not going anywhere alone. Malfoy's after you, somebody's petrifying people, Flint's been whispering you're the Heir. . ."
"What was that?"
"Didn't you know?" The three of them all looked at him.
"No. I didn't. Why?"
"Because you disappeared the night of the Quidditch match, and then that Creevy kid wound up petrified. You're new and you're Slytherin, and well, you're intimidating, so he thinks you're capable."
"Well, I'm not the Heir."
"Oh, we know. But you notice Pucey has been avoiding you lately? That's why," Zabini told him seriously.
Artemis frowned, thinking, when a small, bedraggled owl crashed into his back and fell to the ground, stunned. Artemis bent over, picked it up, and gathered the parchment from his leg. "For me."
"Who's it from?" Eva frowned at the bird, trying to remember why it seemed familiar.
"It's nothing important," Artemis insisted. "I'll be fine."
They let him go, staring after him with misgiving, which only increased when they noticed a few minutes later that Malfoy had disappeared, too.
___________ __________
A/N: Thanks again everybody, for reviewing! Holly is going to be entering the story eventually, but it's not going to be for quite awhile yet. Keep reading, your patience will be rewarded.
By Elbereth in April
Chapter 10
Artemis spent the walk back to the dungeons that night studying Malfoy without his noticing. He didn't trust his fellow Slytherin, he didn't even like him, and he reluctantly concluded that he didn't understand him, either. Everyone else at Hogwarts, with the exception of Dumbledore, he had pegged and labeled, but every time he thought he had Malfoy figured out, he'd do something surprising.
And to be quite frank, he was worried about spending too much time in his company. It just increased the chance that they'd fight. Much easier to ignore your enemy when he wasn't around.
He was going to have to find out just how aware of his actions the Ministry of Magic currently was. For. . . a number of reasons. And he needed to get his hands on some books in the Restricted Section. What professor was stupid enough to give him an open note?
___________ ________
Draco Malfoy was waiting for him by Madam Pince's desk. He didn't speak until Artemis had checked out his books and headed over to a table.
"Thought you could skip out on me, huh?"
"You were just sleeping so peacefully, I couldn't bear to wake you up."
"Which professor was stupid enough to give you an open note to the Restricted Section?"
Artemis looked amused. "Lockhart, of course."
"Ah. Of course."
Artemis sat down at a table in the very back. Draco sat down across from him. "And all these books are about the Chamber? Cause you've got an awful lot of them and kept the titles cleverly hidden by siccing Madam Pince on me."
"Oh, just picked up a little of this and that. Here's one." He took from his bookbag "Records and Statistics of Hogwarts and its Students for the 1950's."
"Enlighten me then."
Artemis searched the index. "Here we go. Expulsions. Page 282." He turned to the indicated page. "OK, for the years 1950-1960. Bridgeport, Robert. Eaton, Dorothy. Eaton, Simon. Hagrid, Rubeus. . . oh."
Draco's mouth dropped open. "Hagrid? As in dumb, annoying Hogwarts Gamekeeper Hagrid?"
"Apparently so. . . I never have seen him do magic, come to think of it. . ."
"Does it say *why* they were expelled?"
"No. Hmm. Before we jump to conclusions, let me finish the list. Hagrid, Rubeus. Lister, Arnold. O'Malley, Sean. Sampson, Delilah. Zygon, Nicodemus."
"I can't believe the Hogwarts Board of Governors allows an expelled student to work here, even as a servant. Does my father know?"
"Dumbledore must know."
"That soft-hearted, soft-headed fool," Draco scoffed.
"Yes. But he must know. And I'm sure he wouldn't say." A thought occurred to Artemis. Granger and company. Would they know? They seemed to be great friends with him. If they didn't know, maybe they could find out. . .
"What are you plotting, Fowl?"
Artemis blinked. Draco was frowning at him. "Who, me?"
"I know that look. For a moment you reminded me frighteningly of my father. Tell me what you're planning."
"Your father. . . how much does he know about what's going on? He's a Governor, a past alumni, and all that."
"I'll ask him. If you tell me what you're going to do, I'll even tell you what he says."
"You ask him, and if you tell me what he says, I'll tell you the results of what I'm considering after I've done it."
For a moment, their gazes locked and their wills battled.
"Oh, let's both get our results and then we can debate who talks first," Draco said at last.
Artemis half-smiled. "All right."
__________ __________
Just after breakfast, Artemis went looking for Granger. He figured the first place to look was the infirmary, and he was right. Potter was just being discharged, and Hermione and Ron were there waiting on him. They didn't look too pleased to see him.
"You're still mad about the Quidditch match, aren't you? How's your arm, by the way?"
Potter grimaced. "Better, thanks. And Malfoy only won because his broom was faster."
Artemis looked over to the bed Creevy had been in last night, but it was blocked off by high curtains. "About the Chamber," he began.
Their attention focused on him immediately. "Yes?"
"It was opened once before, as I told you. The person who opened it was expelled. I found a book that listed everyone expelled at that time. . ."
Hermione clapped her hand to her forehead. "Of course! Why didn't I think of that?"
"8 names in 10 years time. One of them was Rubeus Hagrid."
They stared at him. "What?"
"Did you know Hagrid had been expelled? Do you know why?"
"I can't believe you'd blame this on Hagrid, you--Slytherin! He would never release a monster that would kill people or. . ."
"I have a list of suspects. I'm trying to eliminate them. You're his friends. Ask him why he was expelled so I can clear his name."
There was silence. The Trio looked at each other. Artemis waited.
"We'll see what we can find out," Granger said at last, obviously worried and reluctant. "But he didn't do it, I know."
"Maybe he didn't know it would kill people," Artemis said in a reasonable voice. "Maybe he found the Chamber and opened it by accident. Maybe he explored it and found some interesting magical creature. I have heard that he has a fondness for strange creatures. Maybe he made a pet of it and. . ."
"That's enough," Potter interrupted, clearly disturbed. "We said we'd ask."
"Fine. Then I'll go. I have some reading to do. Owl me."
__________ ___________
Moste Potente Potions. Advanced Transfiguration. The History of Alchemy, and The Theory of Alchemy by Nicholas Flamel.
Artemis propped himself up on his pillows and put a ward on the curtains around his bed and started reading. ". . . first attempts all unsuccessful. . . experiments conducted over the course of many years. . . concluded that lead could be turned into gold but only by an expenditure of magic so extreme as to leave the caster virtually dead. . . turned to other materials. . ."
"I know you're in there, Fowl."
Artemis came to himself with a start. He unsealed and opened the curtains to find Malfoy standing outside his bed, arms crossed, scowling.
The sky he could see through the slit of a window was growing dark. He must have been reading for hours, he realized. "What?"
"I owled my father. The results were most unsatisfactory. He wouldn't tell me anything. He said it was all kept quiet and it'll look suspicious if I know too much about it. He says to keep my head down and let the Heir get on with it. He says the school needs ridding of all the Mudblood filth, but not to get mixed up in it. So there you go. Your turn."
"But you didn't find out anything. Why should I tell you my plan?"
"Because I *told* you I didn't find out anything. So give."
Artemis debated all the repercussions in his mind. "Your father wants to get rid of Mudblood filth, eh?" he stalled.
Draco looked away from his gaze.
"You really think killing is the answer?"
"Father says. . ."
"Do you ever listen to yourself?"
Draco's eyes snapped to his now, narrowed and furious. "Just tell me what you know."
"I made Granger, Potter, and Weasley doubt Hagrid enough that they won't be able to stand it until they ask him. And then I'll convince them to tell me what he said."
"You're consorting with traitors?"
Artemis shrugged. "Means to an end."
"You're pathetic."
"You're a coward."
Then Draco's wand was pointing at him and Artemis was grabbing for his own as Draco was speaking and Artemis was speaking when Draco released the spell, and Artemis immediately started itching everywhere so badly he could hardly stand it and his hand shook as he released his own spell, and then he couldn't help it but started scratching at his arms. Meanwhile, Malfoy found he couldn't speak. He tried to cast another spell, but couldn't without a voice. Artemis glared at him. "You prat."
Draco stuck his tongue out at him, then grabbed Artemis's hands. He shook his head. "Let go!" Artemis commanded, but Draco shook his head again, then tilted it down, indicating Artemis's arms. Artemis looked; he'd scratched at them so hard his nails had left deep, bleeding marks. "Oh."
Draco let go. Artemis picked up his wand and de-hexed himself. Then he looked at Malfoy, who was waiting. "What, you expect me to cure you? You're the one who started it."
Draco smirked, grasped Artemis's arm and shook it insistently. Then he crossed his arms, still waiting.
"No. . ." Artemis said slowly. "I don't think so. But I'll send up Crabbe and Goyle to go to Madam Pomfrey's with you. How's that?"
Artemis put the bed between them when Draco clenched his fist. It was just then Zabini came in. "Hey, Fowl, are you still down here--hey, what's going on?"
"Just a small misunderstanding." Artemis smiled brightly. "Let's go to the Common Room, shall we?"
"Um, OK."
Draco stared angrily after them as they went upstairs. "What were you fighting about now?" Zabini asked Artemis.
"Oh, same old stuff."
"Really? You should get some new material then."
____________ ___________
Monday after classes saw the two opposing Slytherin forces on opposite sides of the lake again. "It's awfully cold out."
"That's because it's December. I'm only surprised there's no snow."
"Why are we even outside, Draco?"
"Because Fowl is outside."
"Is that a good reason?" Pansy whined.
"Good enough."
"Did Zabini just snog Chevalier?" Bulstrode shrieked suddenly.
They all looked.
_____________ __________
Draco's eagle owl landed at Eva's feet. She took the parchment and handed it to Artemis, who read it aloud. "Dear Fowl, try to control the sick, perverted actions of your followers. Yeah, we saw that, Zabini! You snogged her! Signed, Malfoy's Company." Artemis turned amused eyes on the couple, who were blushing. "Is there a reply?"
"Tell that voyeur to mind his own business!" Zabini snapped.
"Dear Peeping Draco," wrote Artemis, "Zabini says keep your eyes and your thoughts to yourself. And Marie said that she expected more understanding from your female followers."
"Does that sound too much like camp followers?" Eva asked.
No one cared. They sent it off with Zabini's hawk.
The reply came quickly. "Fowl, everything is my business. So keep out of my way. Malfoy."
Artemis shook his head. "Back to threats," he sighed.
"I rather imagine he's still mad at you about yesterday," Zabini shrugged.
"I did send him Goyle and Crabbe."
"Yeah, but he still had to go to the hospital wing."
"But he got Goyle to explain the problem for him. He didn't have to resort to charades."
"Malfoy is not the forgiving sort," said Eva.
A shadow fell across them. "Hey, Bole," they greeted him.
"Eva's brother!" Chevalier waved at him.
"I need to borrow you a moment, little sister," Galileo Bole said, holding out his hand to help her up.
She allowed herself to be pulled to her feet. "What's up, Leo?"
"It'll just take a second," he hedged, leading her away.
"What message are you sending him?" Marie asked, after sending one last curious look after the Bole siblings.
Artemis looked up from the parchment. "Malfoy, I would be more than happy to keep my distance from you. So why do you keep stalking me? Signed, Artemis Fowl."
They grinned. Zabini reached over and read through Eva's Transfiguration homework, copying down a few answers. His hawk landed on his head. He took the message and read it out. "Stalking is more in your league. You're the one with the Criminal Father."
Artemis's face tightened and he turned to look out across the lake.
"Here comes Eva," Chevalier interrupted in relief at the distraction. "What did Leo want?"
She sat down. "He's fighting with his girlfriend. He needed 'advice from a female's perspective.'"
Marie giggled. "So, did you help out?"
"I advised him against sending the hideous poem he'd composed. It went something like: I messed up. Deal with it. Let's shag tonight."
Even Zabini shuddered. "Not very conducive to forgiveness."
"No. Blaise, are you stealing my answers?" She grabbed her homework away from him.
"Come on, Bole. . ."
"What are you sending him, Artemis?" Chevalier demanded nervously.
Artemis looked at what he'd written, then crumpled it up. "Better not be that. I'm going to go check on my owl. How's come Malfoy and Zabini's are always around and mine never leaves the Owlery?" He stood up.
Bole stood. "You are not going anywhere alone. Malfoy's after you, somebody's petrifying people, Flint's been whispering you're the Heir. . ."
"What was that?"
"Didn't you know?" The three of them all looked at him.
"No. I didn't. Why?"
"Because you disappeared the night of the Quidditch match, and then that Creevy kid wound up petrified. You're new and you're Slytherin, and well, you're intimidating, so he thinks you're capable."
"Well, I'm not the Heir."
"Oh, we know. But you notice Pucey has been avoiding you lately? That's why," Zabini told him seriously.
Artemis frowned, thinking, when a small, bedraggled owl crashed into his back and fell to the ground, stunned. Artemis bent over, picked it up, and gathered the parchment from his leg. "For me."
"Who's it from?" Eva frowned at the bird, trying to remember why it seemed familiar.
"It's nothing important," Artemis insisted. "I'll be fine."
They let him go, staring after him with misgiving, which only increased when they noticed a few minutes later that Malfoy had disappeared, too.
___________ __________
A/N: Thanks again everybody, for reviewing! Holly is going to be entering the story eventually, but it's not going to be for quite awhile yet. Keep reading, your patience will be rewarded.