Artemis
Artemis entered the room in what he thought was an early-morning-teenager way, with an expression to match. He had changed into beige corduroy trousers and a loose linen shirt – remarkably relaxed for his standards but designed to tailor to the wishes of his mother. Angeline Fowl had become increasingly aware of how Artemis didn't act like normal teenagers and it concerned her. To make sure that she did not get more suspicious than she already was, Artemis changed his wardrobe and hoped that nothing more would come up. He had a complete family now.
At the moment when Artemis had entered the room his parents had been talking, but they broke off when they noticed his presence. The look on his mother's face told Artemis exactly the subject of their talking. Artemis groaned silently.
Angeline Fowl smiled and gestured to the empty seat on her right and next to Juliet, who was visiting for a week before she started her second year of boxing, her first having left her with flying colours.
"Well, Arty," his mother said brightly, "how did you sleep last night?"
Artemis replied with what he hoped was a meaningless grunt. Juliet smirked.
"We were just talking about you, Arty" his father interceded. I know, Artemis thought silently, it was obvious. "Your mother and I are worried that you don't spend enough time with other people your age…so…" Yes, thought Artemis, I know, get on with it "…we've decided to send you to boarding school."
"WHAT?"
His father glanced swiftly at his mother. "We want to send you to a boarding school in England – the best, we reviewed all the schools and we've chosen one that we're sure that you'll like: St. Brutus' Secure Centre for Incurably Criminal Boys (hehe – sorry Arty, I just had to do that) Lord David's College for the Intellectual. We're both sure that you'll make lots of friends and have heaps of fun."
"We're doing this for the best, Arty," his mother interjected in response to Artemis' stunned look, " its for your own good, you need to have people, young people around you – you need to socialise…" she trailed off.
Artemis' brain was working at fever pitch. Likeliness of getting out of this: zero, his parents minds seemed made up, yes, this did have its advantages: you can do all sorts of criminal activities without the eyes of your parents upon you – teachers are generally less observant. Most likely Butler would be coming to England with him, so he could expect help on that quarter…and his parents might be right – he might have fun, and he might find more out about these wizards…surely Lord David's would have a good library – he could do some extensive research – but he would be without his laboratory and that would not be good… then again, he could always build one at the school…maybe…
Artemis moved the muscles in his face into a smile. It hurt. "Alright. I'll do it"
His parents looked stunned by this sudden change, but immediately began to plan his journey. Angeline would take Artemis to London in two day's time to get his new uniform and anything else needed for boarding school, Juliet would accompany them; and his father would later join all of them with Butler, after arranging travel, costs and account details with the school.
Anyone else had this argument used by their parents against them – I sympathise with you – I know how it feels.
There is a lot of stuff – pillows, quilts, towels – its like having to buy all that you've ever owned over again – I would know – I go to one – it sux
Harry
Harry stared up at the lights from the traffic that criss-crossed on the ceiling of his room, coming from the open window. Two more days. He was taking the train into London in the morning, and then walking the rest of the way to Diagon Ally, where he was to meet up with Ron and Hermione. At last. At last he was getting out and away from the Dursleys and Dudley. Being ignored completely for all the summer holidays isn't a great thing for your self esteem, and Harry was feeling it. This time, instead of the trouble coming from the Dursleys (Moody's warning had kept them pretty much in fear of any consequences that might happen should they mistreat Harry); it was coming from Harry himself. However, this summer had had some major improvements, Harry was getting updates on the work of the Order of the Phoenix from Ron and Hermione (via the mirror message glass), as well as getting regular post and there was no more slander concerning him in The Daily Prophet. It should have been a good summer.
A sharp tapping on the glass of his window alerted Harry to his new arrivals, four tawny screech owls, all vying for a position on the window ledge; and one snowy owl, heading the flock. Hedwig. Harry swung his legs over the side of the bed and onto the cold floor. The sudden shock of it on his bare feet woke him up properly as he stumbled over to the window to remove the letters. Once freed from their burdens, three of the tawny owls took off back into the night, while the remaining two hopped inside and onto Harry's desk. Harry himself pulled up the chair, grabbed blanket from his bed and started to read: there was the usual letter from Hogwarts to tell him the day that the school term would start, and the books and equipment he would need for the next year. The second letter was dated five day's earlier and apparently had been delayed. This was another letter from Hogwarts, but much more significant from the first:
"Dear Mr Potter" It read
We are pleased to inform you that due to you exams last year you received the following results:
Compulsory subjects:
Charms: Exceeds Expectations
Transfiguration: Exceeds Expectations
Potions: Outstanding
Astronomy:
Defence Against the Dark Arts: Outstanding
History of Magic: Fail
Elective:
Divination: Fail
Care of Magical Creatures: Exceeds Expectations
Harry stared. He had got an outstanding in…potions? It was almost too good to be true.
Laying down the letter he absent-mindedly he feed Hedwig and her friend an owl treat each before removing his glasses and stretching out upon his bed. He was asleep in moments. Unknown to any of the occupants of number 4 Privet Drive, a small light drifted down out of the sky and settled onto Harry's trunk, before sinking into the leather.
Harry was woken the next morning by a crashing from downstairs and loud screaming that cut off abruptly. He jumped out of bed, grabbed his wand and flung himself down the stairs. On arriving at the kitchen, all his grim thoughts of attacks, Voldemort or Death Eaters disappeared as he saw a sight that he would have last expected and wanted the most. Ron, Hermione, Fred, George, Ginny and Mrs Weasley were standing in the kitchen, having apparently used a milk carton as a portkey, surrounded by the stunned Dursley's: Aunt Petunia looking like she had been subject to a silencing charm. For once Mr Weasley wasn't complaining about this. They were all looking at Harry.
Harry opened his mouth - "How? When? Why?"
Hermione looked confused "Didn't you get the letter we sent you? – Hermes was back this morning, so we just assumed…" She trailed off.
Harry groaned. The other two letters! He'd completely forgotten about them in the excitement of his school results.
"One moment!" Harry rushed back up to his room and tore open the letter. It was printed in Hermione's small, precise writing and said:
Dear Harry,
We asked Dumbledore and he said that it would be O.K., so we're all coming to collect you tomorrow morning. You should probably tell the muggles first so they don't all have heart attacks. We'll be taking a portkey. Have your stuff packed and in the kitchen by ten.
See you soon,
Ron and Hermione
Harry mentally kicked himself and quickly grabbed his school equipment and clothes, dumping them in his trunk. He yanked at the handle. For a moment it felt wet and slimy, like a decayed animal, and then the sensation was gone. Harry forgot about it and started dragging his trunk downstairs.
As unlikely as it was, you kinda feel sorry for the poor guy, wanting to be an auror so much
Are trunks made of leather?
So cliché!
OK, I know the thing about the light is really random, but hang with me on it…it will get better, I promise! Sorry that Harry's part is going so slowly, its just that I guess I associate with Artemis' character/feelings etc, more than I do to that of Harry's
