Blood to Gold
An Artemis Fowl--Harry Potter Crossover
By Elbereth in April
Copyright 2003
Disclaimer: I own neither of these wonderful series or their characters.
Time: Artemis Fowl, after Book 2
Harry Potter, during Book 3
Chapter 2
Artemis, Juliet, and Butler had flown from Dublin to London, and were now making their way through a crowded train station, looking for Platform 9 and 3/4 to board the Hogwarts Express. The teens were pushing a trolley loaded up with two trunks, two broomsticks, and two owls in cages.
Butler had secretly been pleased to watch Holly and the gnome, Faramir Flitwick, teach Artemis and his sister witchcraft. Artemis almost looked as though he were enjoying himself, and Holly was good for him; she wouldn't put up with any arrogance. But he was not happy that he would not be going with them to Hogwarts.
"You will both be careful," Butler said again.
"Of course. Juliet taught me how to punch somebody." Artemis's eyes were laughing. After Holly had hit him (twice), he'd decided it might be a good idea to learn some basic self-defense. "Of course, I'm still a thinker, not a fighter."
But he looked healthier. He'd been outdoors more, more active. He wasn't quite so pale and frail as he used to be.
They stopped in front of a stone pillar. "So," said Artemis. "I'm supposed to walk through it." He stared at it a moment. "I'm not sure about this."
"It helps to just ignore any mental screaming and run for it," said a voice from behind them.
They turned around. A girl with brown, slightly bushy hair stood there, smiling. Behind her a number of people stood in a clump, talking, arguing, and joking amongst themselves. They didn't to have noticed Artemis and his group yet. They had a couple trolleys piled with luggage, including owls, and they wore robes. He had apparently discovered fellow wizards.
Artemis nodded at her. "Just run for it, eh?"
She smiled. "That's right."
"Mind over matter, Artemis!" Juliet put in cheerfully.
"Are you a first year then? You look older."
"We're transfers." Artemis indicated himself and Juliet. "From S`id--it's a little school in Ireland. I'm a third year."
"Oh, me too! I'm in Gryffindor."
"Oh, the four houses. I read about that in Hogwarts: A History."
Her eyes glinted suddenly, as if she were quite pleased. "You've read it? All of it?"
"Of course."
"Do you know anyone here?"
He shook his head.
"Well, tag along with us then," she invited impulsively. "I'm Hermione Granger."
Artemis was a bit disturbed by the vast wave of relief that swept over him. He hadn't realized how much he felt alone and out of his element. Juliet would be accompanying him, of course, but she really didn't count. "OK." He turned to Butler. "We'll be in touch."
Butler put his hand on Artemis's shoulder. "Be careful. And," lowering his voice, "remember what Holly said. No funny schemes."
Artemis half-smiled. "Butler. You wound me."
Butler snorted. "Right. How could I ever accuse you of scheming?"
A last look passed between them, then Artemis moved away and Juliet threw herself into Butler's arms. He used his quick reflexes to catch her.
"Juliet. Think before you do things. Don't be too impulsive."
"Right." She laughed, saluted, and turned to Hermione. "Lead on."
Hermione led Juliet and Artemis over to the rest of her group, which seemed to be composed of mostly redheads and teenage boys.
"This is Harry, and this is most of the Weasley Family," she laughed. "Percy, Ron, Ginny, Fred and George--twins, and of course, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley."
There were nods and curious looks all around. Mrs. Weasley smiled in a motherly fashion. "Hello, dears. Go to Hogwarts, do you?"
"We're starting there. I'm Artemis. Artemis Fowl."
"I'm his step-sister, Juliet Butler."
"They're transfer from Ireland," Holly volunteered. "Artemis is a third year, like us."
"Well, let's not stand around here talking," said Mr. Weasley. "Let's go through. We'd better go in pairs; there are so many of us. Come on, Harry, we'll lead off." He and the brown-haired boy with glasses leaned against the pillar and disappeared through it. Artemis blinked. Well, that was easy enough. He felt he was becoming rather blasé about magic at this point in his life.
The oldest boy and the redheaded girl took it a run then, followed by the twins. "Go on, Hermione, Artemis." Mrs. Weasley waved them forward.
Artemis took ahold of his trolley and looked at the pillar with determination. "Ready?" Hermione asked. He nodded. She started forward at a jog. He narrowed his eyes, took a deep breath, and ran for it.
Just as he was sure he would crash, the pillar morphed out and he was on an outside platform facing a large, red train that read "Hogwarts Express." So then. He'd made it. He adjusted his robe.
"That wasn't so hard, was it?" Hermione asked, beside him.
"No." He looked around. The rest of the redheads were already boarding the train. The brown-haired boy and the man were waiting for them. Behind them, Ron and Juliet popped into existence. The girl and the two boys huddled together as Juliet came to stand close by him. Then Mrs. Weasley appeared. That was everyone.
Artemis watched everyone around them. These students looked just like the ones back at his old boarding school--normal teenagers, only with wands and strange animals. Most were wearing colors identifying them with one of the four houses.
His new acquaintances were heading for the train. The grown-ups were waving goodbye. Artemis hurried to follow, Juliet behind him. They boarded.
Once inside the aisle, Hermione turned to Artemis, Juliet, and Ginny apologetically. "Um, I'm sorry, Harry needs to talk to Ron and I in private."
"They can come with me," said Ginny, glaring at the threesome, "since *some* people aren't very sociable."
Artemis just waved it off. He and Juliet walked on with Ginny, in the wake of the twins, looking for a compartment with room for them.
"Is there a lot of rivalry between houses?" Artemis asked the Weasley girl.
"Oh yes. Well, mainly between Gryffindor and Slytherin. Mean, arrogant gits, the lot of them. The rest of the houses mainly just fight over Quidditch."
It was a word Artemis was unfamiliar with, which galled him. "Quidditch?"
She stopped and looked at him. "You don't know what Quidditch is?"
Artemis looked annoyed. "No."
"Oh, well, I'll let Fred and George explain it to you. They'd be more than happy to. Oh, hello, Neville." This to a boy who was moving awkwardly down the aisle, clutching a large toad.
"Hi, Ginny! How was your summer?"
"Fine, thanks. You?"
"OK. I'm glad to be back. My grandmother was getting on my nerves."
"This is Butler and Fowl."
"Pleased to meet you." Neville offered his hand to Artemis.
Artemis looked at it with disdain. Toad germs! "Are your hands slimy?"
"What? Oh." Neville flushed and pulled back his hand.
Ginny's eyes were wide. "Um. . ."
"Your brothers went in there," Neville pointed, and moved on.
Artemis ducked her stare and went in the compartment Neville had indicated, determined to learn about Quidditch.
The only other occupants of the compartment were a girl and a boy who introduced themselves as Cedric Diggery and Cho Chang.
"Chocolate frog?" the boy offered them.
Ginny sat down, arranging her robes. "No, thanks."
The twins took one immediately. Artemis took one and looked at it curiously. "It's not a real frog?"
"He doesn't like frogs," Ginny tossed her hair. Artemis ignored her, not knowing what to do and hoping she'd get over it. He hadn't meant to insult that kid.
"It's just magical chocolate. Try it."
Juliet grinned and took one. "Thanks." She opened hers up. A frog made of chocolate hopped out. She grabbed it up as it tried to hop away.
Artemis opened his, picked up the frog and examined it. The twins were eating theirs. He shrugged, and put his in his mouth. Yep, chocolate.
Juliet appeared somewhat concerned as she looked up from her frog. "Don't you feel sort of. cruel? To eat something that seems so alive?"
"Think of it as an animated Easter bunny," Artemis advised her.
"Yeah. It's not really real," said Cedric.
Juliet considered this, then ate the frog. "Tasty."
"Where'd our fab Trio go?" asked a twin.
"Off to be private." Ginny still looked a bit huffy.
"Ah, yes. Private." The other twin waggled his eyebrows.
Artemis looked his companions over. The redheads all seemed to be Gryffindors, according to their robes. "What are your houses?" he asked the other two.
"Ravenclaw," said Cho.
"Hufflepuff," Cedric said.
"Will you be sorted with the first years?" a twin asked.
"I suppose so." Artemis reflected on this a moment. Then, "Are you Fred or George?"
Both boys spoke simultaneously. "Fred."
Artemis leaned back and crossed his arms as the others laughed.
Ginny relented, her good mood returning. "*That* one's Fred," she pointed, "and *that* one's George."
Artemis determined right then to memorize them well enough to always be able to tell them apart. He didn't like being tricked.
"All right then," he demanded after he had fixed them in his mind. "Someone tell me about Quidditch." He didn't like admitting he didn't know what everyone else seemed to. But how else would he learn? He couldn't be ignorant any longer.
They all looked shocked. He hid a sigh.
"Are your parents Muggles?" Cho asked, a question which also seemed to shock the others somewhat.
"Yes," Juliet answered, raising her chin. "So what?"
Cho looked embarrassed by the others' stares. "I'm just asking because it's a wizarding sport. Muggles aren't aware of it."
"We all play," Fred indicated everyone there, "except Ginny."
"We're Beaters." George nodded. "Chang's a Seeker. . ."
Cedric interrupted, as Artemis and Juliet were just staring blankly. "There're seven players on each team. A Seeker, two Beaters, three Chasers, and a Keeper. Each house has a team. Also, there are international adult teams."
The boys began eagerly explaining the game, interrupting each other, with the girls throwing in remarks occasionally. They went from the rules, to famous teams and players, different moves and fouls, fond game memories, until Artemis was sorry he'd asked. But he kept track of it all carefully. "Sounds like fun," Juliet commented with a smile.
The conversation had finally turned to their summers and their plans for the school year when they sensed the train slowing. The others frowned. "We're not there yet, surely?"
Then the lights went out. They froze, startled. "What's going on?" Cho whispered frantically, clutching onto Cedric's arm.
"I don't know," he whispered back.
"Artemis, don't move," Juliet commanded, sliding closer to him, in case she needed to defend him.
"Lumos." The tip of George's wand lit up. They stared at each other in this dim light.
Ginny was looking out the window. "There's shadows moving around out there. People. I think they're getting on the train."
"This isn't normal, I take it," Artemis said.
"No," Cedric and Ginny both replied.
Artemis suddenly felt very cold. George's light went out as the door opened. Something stood in the doorway, cloaked, dark, faceless. His breath caught, then continued faster and shallower than normal. He felt bleakness settle into his bones, as he imagined everything that happened recently to be a dream; his father was still missing, and his mother was mad, and he was alone. . .
Next to him, Juliet tried desperately to shake off her fear and do something. Anything. She couldn't move. But if that thing attacked Artemis, if it dared, she would stop it. She would. She swallowed hard.
The thing seemed to search their compartment, then look directly at him for a long moment. He gripped the arms of his seat, afraid, anguished. . .
Then it was gone, the door closing silently behind it. Another moment, and the train was moving again. The lights came back on.
Ginny was crying. The twins, pale and unsettled themselves, nevertheless gathered around her to comfort her. Juliet was shaking with reaction. Cho buried her face against Cedric's shoulder. Cedric looked at Artemis.
"What was it?" Artemis was disgusted to hear his voice crack.
"A dementor. They're the prison guards of Azkaban. That was. . . that was. . . did you feel cold and. . . dead? As if you'd never been happy before and never would be again?"
That was a good description, Artemis thought. He nodded, the barest of movements. "Why is it here?"
"I have no idea. . ."
____________ ___________
The train stopped at last, and everyone scrambled to get out. The mood was much more somber than it had been. Artemis followed the others off the train.
Outside, he looked around. There was a large deep lake, and beyond it, a tall, enormous castle dominated the skyline. A giant of a man lumbered by. "First years!" he called. "All first years, come with me!"
A professor appeared before him. He was young, and rather shabbily dressed. "Are you Fowl and Butler?"
"Yes."
"I'm Prof. Lupin. I'm new here, too." He gave a crooked smile. "We get to ride across with Hagrid and the first years in the boats. You need to be Sorted."
"We'll see you later then," their companions said. "Good luck." Cedric clapped Artemis on the shoulder and Ginny gave Juliet a last smile.
Nervousness stirred in Artemis's stomach but he ignored it.
He got into a boat with Lupin, Juliet, and two anxious looking youngsters, both girls. As they floated towards the castle, Artemis pushed down his feelings of awe and wonder and asked Lupin, "Why are dementors here?"
Lupin looked uncomfortable. "They're going to be guarding Hogwarts for awhile. Everyone's just nervous with--with Sirius Black having escaped and all."
Interesting. An escaped prisoner, possibly at or near Hogwarts. Could this be Voldemort's accomplice?
"An escaped prisoner?" Juliet exclaimed, making the first years jump. "Is he a madman? Is he armed and dangerous?"
"He's very dangerous," Hagrid spoke up. He had a boat to himself, and was floating right next to them. "But he won't dare to be showin' himself around here, with Dumbledore watching, and now all these dementors lurkin' about. Nothing to trouble yourself about."
"He'd better not come around here! I'd have to body-slam him!"
"Body-slam?"
"Headfirst into the mat!"
"What?"
"Miss Butler, please! Sirius Black killed 13 people with one curse! If by some chance he did show up here, you wouldn't stand a chance!"
Juliet sniffed. "If Mr. Black goes near Artemis, he will be one dead mad escapee. That's all I'm gonna say."
____________ _________
A/N: Next chapter: The Sorting, and Settling In, New Friends and Enemies. . .
An Artemis Fowl--Harry Potter Crossover
By Elbereth in April
Copyright 2003
Disclaimer: I own neither of these wonderful series or their characters.
Time: Artemis Fowl, after Book 2
Harry Potter, during Book 3
Chapter 2
Artemis, Juliet, and Butler had flown from Dublin to London, and were now making their way through a crowded train station, looking for Platform 9 and 3/4 to board the Hogwarts Express. The teens were pushing a trolley loaded up with two trunks, two broomsticks, and two owls in cages.
Butler had secretly been pleased to watch Holly and the gnome, Faramir Flitwick, teach Artemis and his sister witchcraft. Artemis almost looked as though he were enjoying himself, and Holly was good for him; she wouldn't put up with any arrogance. But he was not happy that he would not be going with them to Hogwarts.
"You will both be careful," Butler said again.
"Of course. Juliet taught me how to punch somebody." Artemis's eyes were laughing. After Holly had hit him (twice), he'd decided it might be a good idea to learn some basic self-defense. "Of course, I'm still a thinker, not a fighter."
But he looked healthier. He'd been outdoors more, more active. He wasn't quite so pale and frail as he used to be.
They stopped in front of a stone pillar. "So," said Artemis. "I'm supposed to walk through it." He stared at it a moment. "I'm not sure about this."
"It helps to just ignore any mental screaming and run for it," said a voice from behind them.
They turned around. A girl with brown, slightly bushy hair stood there, smiling. Behind her a number of people stood in a clump, talking, arguing, and joking amongst themselves. They didn't to have noticed Artemis and his group yet. They had a couple trolleys piled with luggage, including owls, and they wore robes. He had apparently discovered fellow wizards.
Artemis nodded at her. "Just run for it, eh?"
She smiled. "That's right."
"Mind over matter, Artemis!" Juliet put in cheerfully.
"Are you a first year then? You look older."
"We're transfers." Artemis indicated himself and Juliet. "From S`id--it's a little school in Ireland. I'm a third year."
"Oh, me too! I'm in Gryffindor."
"Oh, the four houses. I read about that in Hogwarts: A History."
Her eyes glinted suddenly, as if she were quite pleased. "You've read it? All of it?"
"Of course."
"Do you know anyone here?"
He shook his head.
"Well, tag along with us then," she invited impulsively. "I'm Hermione Granger."
Artemis was a bit disturbed by the vast wave of relief that swept over him. He hadn't realized how much he felt alone and out of his element. Juliet would be accompanying him, of course, but she really didn't count. "OK." He turned to Butler. "We'll be in touch."
Butler put his hand on Artemis's shoulder. "Be careful. And," lowering his voice, "remember what Holly said. No funny schemes."
Artemis half-smiled. "Butler. You wound me."
Butler snorted. "Right. How could I ever accuse you of scheming?"
A last look passed between them, then Artemis moved away and Juliet threw herself into Butler's arms. He used his quick reflexes to catch her.
"Juliet. Think before you do things. Don't be too impulsive."
"Right." She laughed, saluted, and turned to Hermione. "Lead on."
Hermione led Juliet and Artemis over to the rest of her group, which seemed to be composed of mostly redheads and teenage boys.
"This is Harry, and this is most of the Weasley Family," she laughed. "Percy, Ron, Ginny, Fred and George--twins, and of course, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley."
There were nods and curious looks all around. Mrs. Weasley smiled in a motherly fashion. "Hello, dears. Go to Hogwarts, do you?"
"We're starting there. I'm Artemis. Artemis Fowl."
"I'm his step-sister, Juliet Butler."
"They're transfer from Ireland," Holly volunteered. "Artemis is a third year, like us."
"Well, let's not stand around here talking," said Mr. Weasley. "Let's go through. We'd better go in pairs; there are so many of us. Come on, Harry, we'll lead off." He and the brown-haired boy with glasses leaned against the pillar and disappeared through it. Artemis blinked. Well, that was easy enough. He felt he was becoming rather blasé about magic at this point in his life.
The oldest boy and the redheaded girl took it a run then, followed by the twins. "Go on, Hermione, Artemis." Mrs. Weasley waved them forward.
Artemis took ahold of his trolley and looked at the pillar with determination. "Ready?" Hermione asked. He nodded. She started forward at a jog. He narrowed his eyes, took a deep breath, and ran for it.
Just as he was sure he would crash, the pillar morphed out and he was on an outside platform facing a large, red train that read "Hogwarts Express." So then. He'd made it. He adjusted his robe.
"That wasn't so hard, was it?" Hermione asked, beside him.
"No." He looked around. The rest of the redheads were already boarding the train. The brown-haired boy and the man were waiting for them. Behind them, Ron and Juliet popped into existence. The girl and the two boys huddled together as Juliet came to stand close by him. Then Mrs. Weasley appeared. That was everyone.
Artemis watched everyone around them. These students looked just like the ones back at his old boarding school--normal teenagers, only with wands and strange animals. Most were wearing colors identifying them with one of the four houses.
His new acquaintances were heading for the train. The grown-ups were waving goodbye. Artemis hurried to follow, Juliet behind him. They boarded.
Once inside the aisle, Hermione turned to Artemis, Juliet, and Ginny apologetically. "Um, I'm sorry, Harry needs to talk to Ron and I in private."
"They can come with me," said Ginny, glaring at the threesome, "since *some* people aren't very sociable."
Artemis just waved it off. He and Juliet walked on with Ginny, in the wake of the twins, looking for a compartment with room for them.
"Is there a lot of rivalry between houses?" Artemis asked the Weasley girl.
"Oh yes. Well, mainly between Gryffindor and Slytherin. Mean, arrogant gits, the lot of them. The rest of the houses mainly just fight over Quidditch."
It was a word Artemis was unfamiliar with, which galled him. "Quidditch?"
She stopped and looked at him. "You don't know what Quidditch is?"
Artemis looked annoyed. "No."
"Oh, well, I'll let Fred and George explain it to you. They'd be more than happy to. Oh, hello, Neville." This to a boy who was moving awkwardly down the aisle, clutching a large toad.
"Hi, Ginny! How was your summer?"
"Fine, thanks. You?"
"OK. I'm glad to be back. My grandmother was getting on my nerves."
"This is Butler and Fowl."
"Pleased to meet you." Neville offered his hand to Artemis.
Artemis looked at it with disdain. Toad germs! "Are your hands slimy?"
"What? Oh." Neville flushed and pulled back his hand.
Ginny's eyes were wide. "Um. . ."
"Your brothers went in there," Neville pointed, and moved on.
Artemis ducked her stare and went in the compartment Neville had indicated, determined to learn about Quidditch.
The only other occupants of the compartment were a girl and a boy who introduced themselves as Cedric Diggery and Cho Chang.
"Chocolate frog?" the boy offered them.
Ginny sat down, arranging her robes. "No, thanks."
The twins took one immediately. Artemis took one and looked at it curiously. "It's not a real frog?"
"He doesn't like frogs," Ginny tossed her hair. Artemis ignored her, not knowing what to do and hoping she'd get over it. He hadn't meant to insult that kid.
"It's just magical chocolate. Try it."
Juliet grinned and took one. "Thanks." She opened hers up. A frog made of chocolate hopped out. She grabbed it up as it tried to hop away.
Artemis opened his, picked up the frog and examined it. The twins were eating theirs. He shrugged, and put his in his mouth. Yep, chocolate.
Juliet appeared somewhat concerned as she looked up from her frog. "Don't you feel sort of. cruel? To eat something that seems so alive?"
"Think of it as an animated Easter bunny," Artemis advised her.
"Yeah. It's not really real," said Cedric.
Juliet considered this, then ate the frog. "Tasty."
"Where'd our fab Trio go?" asked a twin.
"Off to be private." Ginny still looked a bit huffy.
"Ah, yes. Private." The other twin waggled his eyebrows.
Artemis looked his companions over. The redheads all seemed to be Gryffindors, according to their robes. "What are your houses?" he asked the other two.
"Ravenclaw," said Cho.
"Hufflepuff," Cedric said.
"Will you be sorted with the first years?" a twin asked.
"I suppose so." Artemis reflected on this a moment. Then, "Are you Fred or George?"
Both boys spoke simultaneously. "Fred."
Artemis leaned back and crossed his arms as the others laughed.
Ginny relented, her good mood returning. "*That* one's Fred," she pointed, "and *that* one's George."
Artemis determined right then to memorize them well enough to always be able to tell them apart. He didn't like being tricked.
"All right then," he demanded after he had fixed them in his mind. "Someone tell me about Quidditch." He didn't like admitting he didn't know what everyone else seemed to. But how else would he learn? He couldn't be ignorant any longer.
They all looked shocked. He hid a sigh.
"Are your parents Muggles?" Cho asked, a question which also seemed to shock the others somewhat.
"Yes," Juliet answered, raising her chin. "So what?"
Cho looked embarrassed by the others' stares. "I'm just asking because it's a wizarding sport. Muggles aren't aware of it."
"We all play," Fred indicated everyone there, "except Ginny."
"We're Beaters." George nodded. "Chang's a Seeker. . ."
Cedric interrupted, as Artemis and Juliet were just staring blankly. "There're seven players on each team. A Seeker, two Beaters, three Chasers, and a Keeper. Each house has a team. Also, there are international adult teams."
The boys began eagerly explaining the game, interrupting each other, with the girls throwing in remarks occasionally. They went from the rules, to famous teams and players, different moves and fouls, fond game memories, until Artemis was sorry he'd asked. But he kept track of it all carefully. "Sounds like fun," Juliet commented with a smile.
The conversation had finally turned to their summers and their plans for the school year when they sensed the train slowing. The others frowned. "We're not there yet, surely?"
Then the lights went out. They froze, startled. "What's going on?" Cho whispered frantically, clutching onto Cedric's arm.
"I don't know," he whispered back.
"Artemis, don't move," Juliet commanded, sliding closer to him, in case she needed to defend him.
"Lumos." The tip of George's wand lit up. They stared at each other in this dim light.
Ginny was looking out the window. "There's shadows moving around out there. People. I think they're getting on the train."
"This isn't normal, I take it," Artemis said.
"No," Cedric and Ginny both replied.
Artemis suddenly felt very cold. George's light went out as the door opened. Something stood in the doorway, cloaked, dark, faceless. His breath caught, then continued faster and shallower than normal. He felt bleakness settle into his bones, as he imagined everything that happened recently to be a dream; his father was still missing, and his mother was mad, and he was alone. . .
Next to him, Juliet tried desperately to shake off her fear and do something. Anything. She couldn't move. But if that thing attacked Artemis, if it dared, she would stop it. She would. She swallowed hard.
The thing seemed to search their compartment, then look directly at him for a long moment. He gripped the arms of his seat, afraid, anguished. . .
Then it was gone, the door closing silently behind it. Another moment, and the train was moving again. The lights came back on.
Ginny was crying. The twins, pale and unsettled themselves, nevertheless gathered around her to comfort her. Juliet was shaking with reaction. Cho buried her face against Cedric's shoulder. Cedric looked at Artemis.
"What was it?" Artemis was disgusted to hear his voice crack.
"A dementor. They're the prison guards of Azkaban. That was. . . that was. . . did you feel cold and. . . dead? As if you'd never been happy before and never would be again?"
That was a good description, Artemis thought. He nodded, the barest of movements. "Why is it here?"
"I have no idea. . ."
____________ ___________
The train stopped at last, and everyone scrambled to get out. The mood was much more somber than it had been. Artemis followed the others off the train.
Outside, he looked around. There was a large deep lake, and beyond it, a tall, enormous castle dominated the skyline. A giant of a man lumbered by. "First years!" he called. "All first years, come with me!"
A professor appeared before him. He was young, and rather shabbily dressed. "Are you Fowl and Butler?"
"Yes."
"I'm Prof. Lupin. I'm new here, too." He gave a crooked smile. "We get to ride across with Hagrid and the first years in the boats. You need to be Sorted."
"We'll see you later then," their companions said. "Good luck." Cedric clapped Artemis on the shoulder and Ginny gave Juliet a last smile.
Nervousness stirred in Artemis's stomach but he ignored it.
He got into a boat with Lupin, Juliet, and two anxious looking youngsters, both girls. As they floated towards the castle, Artemis pushed down his feelings of awe and wonder and asked Lupin, "Why are dementors here?"
Lupin looked uncomfortable. "They're going to be guarding Hogwarts for awhile. Everyone's just nervous with--with Sirius Black having escaped and all."
Interesting. An escaped prisoner, possibly at or near Hogwarts. Could this be Voldemort's accomplice?
"An escaped prisoner?" Juliet exclaimed, making the first years jump. "Is he a madman? Is he armed and dangerous?"
"He's very dangerous," Hagrid spoke up. He had a boat to himself, and was floating right next to them. "But he won't dare to be showin' himself around here, with Dumbledore watching, and now all these dementors lurkin' about. Nothing to trouble yourself about."
"He'd better not come around here! I'd have to body-slam him!"
"Body-slam?"
"Headfirst into the mat!"
"What?"
"Miss Butler, please! Sirius Black killed 13 people with one curse! If by some chance he did show up here, you wouldn't stand a chance!"
Juliet sniffed. "If Mr. Black goes near Artemis, he will be one dead mad escapee. That's all I'm gonna say."
____________ _________
A/N: Next chapter: The Sorting, and Settling In, New Friends and Enemies. . .