Blood to Gold
An Artemis Fowl--Harry Potter Crossover
By Elbereth in April
____________ ___________
Chapter 3
Artemis and Juliet stood with a bunch of other newcomers at the front of the Great Hall, watching a hat sing. Artemis was fully aware of the absurdity of it.
After only a short wait, Juliet's name was called. She bounced over to sit on the stool next to Prof. McGonagall. The professor put the hat on her head. "Gryffindor!" the hat proclaimed almost immediately.
The Gryffindor table clapped as Juliet happily made her way over and sat down. She scooted a chair over and squeezed in between Fred and George.
"Congratulations," Fred told her, shaking her hand.
"Yeah," said George.
"Thanks!" Juliet beamed. "This is fun! I like it here!"
"I knew you were Gryffindor material," Ginny called over to her from a few places down. Juliet turned her grin on her. Ginny grinned back.
"You're not a first year, surely?" asked the boy across from her.
"No, I'm a transfer. I'm a seventh year, actually. I'm Juliet."
"Oliver Wood."
"Angelina Johnson," the girl next to him introduced herself. "It must be pretty weird to have to leave all your old friends and go to a new school for your last year."
"Yeah. . . well. My mother re-married and then my step-father got a new job, and the next thing you know, here I am!" Juliet lied, thinking quickly.
"At least you have your step-brother here with you. I mean, that's assuming you like him, of course." Fred scratched his head.
"Of course I do! He's great!" Juliet looked back up to the front of the room where Artemis still awaited his turn.
Meanwhile, Artemis was wondering if Juliet realized that they were very likely going to be sorted into different houses. Just at that moment, his name was called.
One hard swallow, and he walked forward, deliberately projecting nonchalance. He looked at Prof. McGonagall, then sat down, facing the crowd. She reached up and put the hat on his head. He assumed his blankest expression.
A voice spoke softly in his ear--a voice that apparently only he could hear. The hat. "So. . . interesting. A mind of astonishing intelligence. A distinct lack of conscience, but an underlying code of honor. And extreme loyalty and a great deal of courage."
Artemis fought down a blush. "Yeah, well."
"You seem to place a great value on money and power. And you have a definite lack of patience for fools. A great deal of ambition. You want to be great. Have people know your name."
"Yes. And they will."
"Despite a growing awareness of ethics and nobility, you maintain a basic core of ruthlessness."
A half-smirk. "Well. . . yes."
"And although you are proud of your genius and place a great premium on intellect, in the end I shall not place you in Ravenclaw. At heart I believe you're more suited for. . ." A pause. Then the hat proclaimed in a loud voice, "Slytherin!"
The professor removed the hat and he stood. He took a quick glance to the Gryffindor table, where Juliet looked outraged, and his companions from the train looked quite shocked. Then he looked over to the Slytherin table. They were clapping his admittance to their house, but their faces were calculating and cold. He shrugged mentally and walked over to their table to join them.
He simply chose the nearest open seat and sat down. His eyes met those of the boy across from him. Grey, like molten steel. He was pale, stark blonde, with an arrogant sneer. He dripped refinement in a way that screamed money and lineage. He regarded those around him with disdain. And he seemed familiar somehow.
"A little old for a first year, aren't you?" the boy drawled. "What's the matter--did you fail a few times?"
"I'm not first year. I'm third. I'm a transfer from Ireland," Artemis replied, completely calm. "And you are?"
"Malfoy. Draco Malfoy."
Artemis tilted his chin up. He'd heard of the Malfoys. He was right--Draco came from old name, big money. 'Hn. So do I.'
"Fowl. Artemis Fowl the Second."
Recognition of his own name flashed through Draco's eyes. Artemis smiled with an arrogance of his own. Egos clashed like two invisible force-fields, crackling along the edges almost visibly.
And then Draco seemed to change his mind. His posture relaxed, the challenge dropped, and he smiled.
"Well then, Artemis Fowl the Second. As a prominent figure in the wizarding world and the house of Slytherin, I had better take you under my wing. You need someone to guide you through life at Hogwarts. I can help you with that."
He did want inside information. This would be a start. "Sounds good," said Artemis Fowl.
_________ __________
"See that boy coming in the door late? With the ugly Mudblood girl?" Draco whispered to Artemis a little later.
Artemis looked. It was Harry and Hermione, from the train station. "Yeah. I see them."
"That's Harry Potter and one of his cronies, Granger. They're despicable. I hate them. And their other stupid sidekick, Weasel boy."
Draco's voice conveyed real loathing. Then it clicked to Artemis who Harry Potter was. The baby who vanquished Voldemort, Holly had told him. The Boy Who Lived.
Interesting.
"Why do you hate him?"
Draco blinked a moment. "He's always posturing. Just interested in his fame. And what's he done, really? He managed to not die once, that's all. It's not like he has any real talents. He could have done something, been something. But he's wasting himself on Muggle-lovers and Mudbloods. Fighting against *real* wizards. He's a prat."
Artemis wasn't sure what a Mudblood was, but he could tell a killing insult when he heard one. But then Malfoy stopped speaking, and his eyes narrowed as he stared at Artemis.
"I've heard of the Fowls," he said. "There have been wizards in the line before. But not all of them. You're not pureblood, either, are you? But the hat sorted you into Slytherin." He was talking low enough that no one else could hear, although the others at the table were watching, curious about this new boy, wondering how he rated actually being befriended by a Malfoy. Very few people could say that.
Artemis stared back at Draco, assessing him. He had expected the other boy to insult him as well, but Draco seemed to be more puzzled and considering than anything. He answered equally quietly. "I'm not entirely pureblooded, no. My mother is a witch," he lied, counting it best not to be pure Muggle. "But my dad is not a wizard. Our line has mixed. But we're quite powerful, for all that. And as you know, quite rich, and our name is well known and respected."
Draco appeared to give this serious thought. "My father says only purebloods are worthy, but you're Slytherin. . . so there must be something more about you, yes? Something unique to counterbalance the taint."
Artemis raised his eyebrows. "Indeed."
"So what's unique about you? Do you think?"
Artemis shrugged. "For one thing, I'm a genius."
"Are you?" That could come in handy for scheming against other houses. Not to mention it would be a pleasant change from Crabbe and Goyle. "OK. I'm not going to worry about it then. You're Slytherin, that's enough."
"Lucky me," Artemis said dryly.
"I wouldn't mention it to the rest of the house, though," Draco told him in an even softer voice. Artemis acknowledged this.
A girl leaned so close to Draco her lips almost touched his cheek. "What are you two whispering about?" she demanded.
"You, of course, Pansy," he replied absently.
"No, what are you *really* talking about?" another girl asked.
"Purebloods," Draco said. "Fowl, this is Bulstrode and Parkinson, that's Crabbe and Goyle, Zabini, and Crow."
Zabini had spiky dark brown hair and striking pale blue eyes. "Charmed." He waved a hand lazily.
Crow wore his hair in a long black braid and had deep brown eyes. He was gorgeous, and he smiled a lot, for a Slytherin. It was hard not to like him.
The girl on the other side of Crow, across from Crabbe, leaned forward and cleared her throat. "Oh, and that's Zaneta Flint." Draco smirked. "She's got a thing for Snape."
"Malfoy!" the girl protested.
"Well, you do," Zabini agreed, propping his chin on his fist.
"Which one's Snape?"
"*Professor* Severus Snape," Crow grinned, tossing his braid over his shoulder. "That one, at the head table." He pointed.
Artemis looked at Snape, then back at Zaneta. "Really."
"He's Head of Slytherin, and he teaches Potions, so you'll get to know him for yourself," said Bulstrode.
Crabbe and Goyle, who were fighting over the last piece of cake, laughed. "He likes us," Goyle volunteered.
"But he doesn't like Gryffindors!" Crabbe finished.
"Hello, Baron," Zabini called, waving at someone. Artemis turned to see. It was a ghost--a skinny, aristocratic looking male, covered in silvery blood.
The ghost nodded regally. He appeared to inspect the newcomers to the Slytherin ranks. Then he turned to their Prefects. "Any high hopes for this lot?"
"It's a bit soon to say, but I don't expect any great disappointments, at any rate," a sixth-year girl answered.
"This one seems rather promising," Bulstrode remarked, pointing. "Even Malfoy seems to like him."
The ghost floated over and peered at Artemis. "Your name?"
"Artemis Fowl." They studied each other.
"This is the Bloody Baron," Zabini told him.
"I went to school with a Fowl," the Baron mused. "Wealthy Irish lass. Only non-Slytherin I ever managed to tolerate. Ravenclaw, she was. Ah! If times had been different. . . I wouldn't have minded marrying her."
All the students gaped at him. The Baron never talked much, and no one had ever heard so much about his past before.
"What was her first name?"
"Sophia." He sighed, eyes taking on a dreamy, far away look.
"Well," Artemis said after the ghost was silent for a few minutes, "it was an honor to meet you."
The Baron's gaze returned to him. "And you. I'm sure you'll do Slytherin proud. I shall warn Peeves the poltergeist not to bother you. Good day." And he floated to the other end of the hall.
"Full of surprises, aren't you?" Pansy looked at Artemis as if unhappy by all the attention he was receiving.
"Hmm. So is Hogwarts. My life is clearly going to be fascinating from now on." He ignored the stares of the rest of the table.
"Hn." Pansy stuck her nose in the air and turned her head away.
Draco laughed.
___________ ____________
Artemis found his things waiting for him in the third year boys' bedchamber. He looked around at the four-poster beds. Crabbe and Goyle had gone to sleep, pulling their curtains. Zabini was sitting next to Crow on his bed, examining the Sneakoscope Crow had brought from home. Draco was carefully hanging up his robes.
"So, Ireland," Crow began suddenly as Artemis was sorting through his trunk. "I've been there. What part are you from?"
"Near Dublin."
"Do you like Quidditch?" Draco interrupted. "I'm House Seeker."
'I might if I'd ever seen it,' Artemis thought. "I do. I'm happy for you."
"Did you bring any candy from home?" Crow demanded. "Any of you?"
They all shook their heads except for Draco. "Pansy gave me some. I don't want to eat anything of hers, though. Here." He took a bag and threw it on his bed. "Divvy up."
Zabini snatched the bag and started sorting though the contents. "Homemade fudge! Yes!"
"Hey!" Crow made a grab for the bag, but Blaise pulled back.
"Share," Artemis commanded, holding out his hand.
Zabini gave a fake pout, then relented and gave them both a piece. "Arithmancy first thing tomorrow," he spoke around his mouthful of chocolate. "Then Potions."
"Fun. Get off my bed now. I want to sleep." Crow pushed at Zabini's shoulder.
"Fine, I'm going."
"It's too early for bed. How about Exploding Snap?" Draco suggested.
"OK," Blaise agreed.
"Fowl?"
"I've never played it." Artemis shifted, uncomfortable already with all the things he'd never done or heard of.
Zabini and Malfoy looked at each other. "No problem. We'll teach you. We play for money, by the way."
Artemis laughed. It was nice in a way, to be surrounded by so many people as crooked as he was. "I'm up for it."
Two hours later, Artemis was ahead by 125 Galleons, and the other two boys disgustedly decided to go to bed.
_________ ___________
A/N: Thanks everybody, for reviewing! My other crossover, for those interested, is called "The Family Name."
An Artemis Fowl--Harry Potter Crossover
By Elbereth in April
____________ ___________
Chapter 3
Artemis and Juliet stood with a bunch of other newcomers at the front of the Great Hall, watching a hat sing. Artemis was fully aware of the absurdity of it.
After only a short wait, Juliet's name was called. She bounced over to sit on the stool next to Prof. McGonagall. The professor put the hat on her head. "Gryffindor!" the hat proclaimed almost immediately.
The Gryffindor table clapped as Juliet happily made her way over and sat down. She scooted a chair over and squeezed in between Fred and George.
"Congratulations," Fred told her, shaking her hand.
"Yeah," said George.
"Thanks!" Juliet beamed. "This is fun! I like it here!"
"I knew you were Gryffindor material," Ginny called over to her from a few places down. Juliet turned her grin on her. Ginny grinned back.
"You're not a first year, surely?" asked the boy across from her.
"No, I'm a transfer. I'm a seventh year, actually. I'm Juliet."
"Oliver Wood."
"Angelina Johnson," the girl next to him introduced herself. "It must be pretty weird to have to leave all your old friends and go to a new school for your last year."
"Yeah. . . well. My mother re-married and then my step-father got a new job, and the next thing you know, here I am!" Juliet lied, thinking quickly.
"At least you have your step-brother here with you. I mean, that's assuming you like him, of course." Fred scratched his head.
"Of course I do! He's great!" Juliet looked back up to the front of the room where Artemis still awaited his turn.
Meanwhile, Artemis was wondering if Juliet realized that they were very likely going to be sorted into different houses. Just at that moment, his name was called.
One hard swallow, and he walked forward, deliberately projecting nonchalance. He looked at Prof. McGonagall, then sat down, facing the crowd. She reached up and put the hat on his head. He assumed his blankest expression.
A voice spoke softly in his ear--a voice that apparently only he could hear. The hat. "So. . . interesting. A mind of astonishing intelligence. A distinct lack of conscience, but an underlying code of honor. And extreme loyalty and a great deal of courage."
Artemis fought down a blush. "Yeah, well."
"You seem to place a great value on money and power. And you have a definite lack of patience for fools. A great deal of ambition. You want to be great. Have people know your name."
"Yes. And they will."
"Despite a growing awareness of ethics and nobility, you maintain a basic core of ruthlessness."
A half-smirk. "Well. . . yes."
"And although you are proud of your genius and place a great premium on intellect, in the end I shall not place you in Ravenclaw. At heart I believe you're more suited for. . ." A pause. Then the hat proclaimed in a loud voice, "Slytherin!"
The professor removed the hat and he stood. He took a quick glance to the Gryffindor table, where Juliet looked outraged, and his companions from the train looked quite shocked. Then he looked over to the Slytherin table. They were clapping his admittance to their house, but their faces were calculating and cold. He shrugged mentally and walked over to their table to join them.
He simply chose the nearest open seat and sat down. His eyes met those of the boy across from him. Grey, like molten steel. He was pale, stark blonde, with an arrogant sneer. He dripped refinement in a way that screamed money and lineage. He regarded those around him with disdain. And he seemed familiar somehow.
"A little old for a first year, aren't you?" the boy drawled. "What's the matter--did you fail a few times?"
"I'm not first year. I'm third. I'm a transfer from Ireland," Artemis replied, completely calm. "And you are?"
"Malfoy. Draco Malfoy."
Artemis tilted his chin up. He'd heard of the Malfoys. He was right--Draco came from old name, big money. 'Hn. So do I.'
"Fowl. Artemis Fowl the Second."
Recognition of his own name flashed through Draco's eyes. Artemis smiled with an arrogance of his own. Egos clashed like two invisible force-fields, crackling along the edges almost visibly.
And then Draco seemed to change his mind. His posture relaxed, the challenge dropped, and he smiled.
"Well then, Artemis Fowl the Second. As a prominent figure in the wizarding world and the house of Slytherin, I had better take you under my wing. You need someone to guide you through life at Hogwarts. I can help you with that."
He did want inside information. This would be a start. "Sounds good," said Artemis Fowl.
_________ __________
"See that boy coming in the door late? With the ugly Mudblood girl?" Draco whispered to Artemis a little later.
Artemis looked. It was Harry and Hermione, from the train station. "Yeah. I see them."
"That's Harry Potter and one of his cronies, Granger. They're despicable. I hate them. And their other stupid sidekick, Weasel boy."
Draco's voice conveyed real loathing. Then it clicked to Artemis who Harry Potter was. The baby who vanquished Voldemort, Holly had told him. The Boy Who Lived.
Interesting.
"Why do you hate him?"
Draco blinked a moment. "He's always posturing. Just interested in his fame. And what's he done, really? He managed to not die once, that's all. It's not like he has any real talents. He could have done something, been something. But he's wasting himself on Muggle-lovers and Mudbloods. Fighting against *real* wizards. He's a prat."
Artemis wasn't sure what a Mudblood was, but he could tell a killing insult when he heard one. But then Malfoy stopped speaking, and his eyes narrowed as he stared at Artemis.
"I've heard of the Fowls," he said. "There have been wizards in the line before. But not all of them. You're not pureblood, either, are you? But the hat sorted you into Slytherin." He was talking low enough that no one else could hear, although the others at the table were watching, curious about this new boy, wondering how he rated actually being befriended by a Malfoy. Very few people could say that.
Artemis stared back at Draco, assessing him. He had expected the other boy to insult him as well, but Draco seemed to be more puzzled and considering than anything. He answered equally quietly. "I'm not entirely pureblooded, no. My mother is a witch," he lied, counting it best not to be pure Muggle. "But my dad is not a wizard. Our line has mixed. But we're quite powerful, for all that. And as you know, quite rich, and our name is well known and respected."
Draco appeared to give this serious thought. "My father says only purebloods are worthy, but you're Slytherin. . . so there must be something more about you, yes? Something unique to counterbalance the taint."
Artemis raised his eyebrows. "Indeed."
"So what's unique about you? Do you think?"
Artemis shrugged. "For one thing, I'm a genius."
"Are you?" That could come in handy for scheming against other houses. Not to mention it would be a pleasant change from Crabbe and Goyle. "OK. I'm not going to worry about it then. You're Slytherin, that's enough."
"Lucky me," Artemis said dryly.
"I wouldn't mention it to the rest of the house, though," Draco told him in an even softer voice. Artemis acknowledged this.
A girl leaned so close to Draco her lips almost touched his cheek. "What are you two whispering about?" she demanded.
"You, of course, Pansy," he replied absently.
"No, what are you *really* talking about?" another girl asked.
"Purebloods," Draco said. "Fowl, this is Bulstrode and Parkinson, that's Crabbe and Goyle, Zabini, and Crow."
Zabini had spiky dark brown hair and striking pale blue eyes. "Charmed." He waved a hand lazily.
Crow wore his hair in a long black braid and had deep brown eyes. He was gorgeous, and he smiled a lot, for a Slytherin. It was hard not to like him.
The girl on the other side of Crow, across from Crabbe, leaned forward and cleared her throat. "Oh, and that's Zaneta Flint." Draco smirked. "She's got a thing for Snape."
"Malfoy!" the girl protested.
"Well, you do," Zabini agreed, propping his chin on his fist.
"Which one's Snape?"
"*Professor* Severus Snape," Crow grinned, tossing his braid over his shoulder. "That one, at the head table." He pointed.
Artemis looked at Snape, then back at Zaneta. "Really."
"He's Head of Slytherin, and he teaches Potions, so you'll get to know him for yourself," said Bulstrode.
Crabbe and Goyle, who were fighting over the last piece of cake, laughed. "He likes us," Goyle volunteered.
"But he doesn't like Gryffindors!" Crabbe finished.
"Hello, Baron," Zabini called, waving at someone. Artemis turned to see. It was a ghost--a skinny, aristocratic looking male, covered in silvery blood.
The ghost nodded regally. He appeared to inspect the newcomers to the Slytherin ranks. Then he turned to their Prefects. "Any high hopes for this lot?"
"It's a bit soon to say, but I don't expect any great disappointments, at any rate," a sixth-year girl answered.
"This one seems rather promising," Bulstrode remarked, pointing. "Even Malfoy seems to like him."
The ghost floated over and peered at Artemis. "Your name?"
"Artemis Fowl." They studied each other.
"This is the Bloody Baron," Zabini told him.
"I went to school with a Fowl," the Baron mused. "Wealthy Irish lass. Only non-Slytherin I ever managed to tolerate. Ravenclaw, she was. Ah! If times had been different. . . I wouldn't have minded marrying her."
All the students gaped at him. The Baron never talked much, and no one had ever heard so much about his past before.
"What was her first name?"
"Sophia." He sighed, eyes taking on a dreamy, far away look.
"Well," Artemis said after the ghost was silent for a few minutes, "it was an honor to meet you."
The Baron's gaze returned to him. "And you. I'm sure you'll do Slytherin proud. I shall warn Peeves the poltergeist not to bother you. Good day." And he floated to the other end of the hall.
"Full of surprises, aren't you?" Pansy looked at Artemis as if unhappy by all the attention he was receiving.
"Hmm. So is Hogwarts. My life is clearly going to be fascinating from now on." He ignored the stares of the rest of the table.
"Hn." Pansy stuck her nose in the air and turned her head away.
Draco laughed.
___________ ____________
Artemis found his things waiting for him in the third year boys' bedchamber. He looked around at the four-poster beds. Crabbe and Goyle had gone to sleep, pulling their curtains. Zabini was sitting next to Crow on his bed, examining the Sneakoscope Crow had brought from home. Draco was carefully hanging up his robes.
"So, Ireland," Crow began suddenly as Artemis was sorting through his trunk. "I've been there. What part are you from?"
"Near Dublin."
"Do you like Quidditch?" Draco interrupted. "I'm House Seeker."
'I might if I'd ever seen it,' Artemis thought. "I do. I'm happy for you."
"Did you bring any candy from home?" Crow demanded. "Any of you?"
They all shook their heads except for Draco. "Pansy gave me some. I don't want to eat anything of hers, though. Here." He took a bag and threw it on his bed. "Divvy up."
Zabini snatched the bag and started sorting though the contents. "Homemade fudge! Yes!"
"Hey!" Crow made a grab for the bag, but Blaise pulled back.
"Share," Artemis commanded, holding out his hand.
Zabini gave a fake pout, then relented and gave them both a piece. "Arithmancy first thing tomorrow," he spoke around his mouthful of chocolate. "Then Potions."
"Fun. Get off my bed now. I want to sleep." Crow pushed at Zabini's shoulder.
"Fine, I'm going."
"It's too early for bed. How about Exploding Snap?" Draco suggested.
"OK," Blaise agreed.
"Fowl?"
"I've never played it." Artemis shifted, uncomfortable already with all the things he'd never done or heard of.
Zabini and Malfoy looked at each other. "No problem. We'll teach you. We play for money, by the way."
Artemis laughed. It was nice in a way, to be surrounded by so many people as crooked as he was. "I'm up for it."
Two hours later, Artemis was ahead by 125 Galleons, and the other two boys disgustedly decided to go to bed.
_________ ___________
A/N: Thanks everybody, for reviewing! My other crossover, for those interested, is called "The Family Name."