Pop Quizzes & Consequences

Nearly three and a half months had passed since Artemis had begun her first term at Hogwarts, and she had adapted quiet well. She had made friends, for the first time ever, and she was doing very will in her Studies. The only downside to being at Hogwarts was the ever present, rumor mill. The issue of Artemis and Draco's engagement was never addressed by the staff and the two students refused to discuss it openly... or at all, for that matter. For over three months Draco completely ignored Artemis and she ignored him in return, except when they had to meet once a month, at which time they would do their homework in silence. Little did they know, their solution to the problem wouldn't work for much longer.

"Silence!" shouted the headmaster one cold December morning during breakfast. "I have an announcement to make. With the Christmas holidays fast approaching, I am pleased to announce, that this year and all years to follow, we will be holding a Yule Ball!" The Great Hall erupted in loud, excited whispers. "Enjoy your breakfast!"

"Great, like we'll be able to get the imbeciles to stop chattering about the ridiculous Ball all day." muttered the Potions Master, Severus Snape. The headmaster simply winked at his agitated young friend.

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During the last class of the day, History of Magic, which housed both Slytherins and Ravenclaw's, a first year meekly entered the classroom. As he was walking to the front of the class to give the Professor a note, Draco Malfoy, resident Slytherin pain in the ass, stuck his foot out and tripped the young boy. The Slytherin's side of the room erupted in laughter, as the young boy quickly righted himself. He rushed to the professor and handed him the note before, quickly making his exit.

"Mr. Malfoy, you are wanted in the Headmaster's office. You, as well, Miss Fowlington." Both students looked at each other, barely contained loathing evident in their eyes. Artemis was the first to rise and she then hurried out of the classroom, Draco followed, not too far behind.

"Geesh, Artemis, slow down! Why the hell are you walking so fast?"

"No Malfoy, I will not slow down... besides, it's not like I'm walking with you. I just so happen to be going to the same place as you are." Artemis then began to walk even faster. Both knew that their being called to the headmasters office, at the same time, couldn't be a good thing. As they entered the office, neither was exactly surprised to see their Father's, sitting in the room. They greeted one another calmly.

"Perhaps, you both should sit down," said the headmaster kindly, as he rose and headed to the door. "I will leave you to speak to your children privately.

"So... how are things progressing?" asked Perseus jovially as he squeezed his daughter's hand lightly.

"What do you mean?" she inquired softly.

"He means, are you two getting along well?" Lucius interjected impatiently.

"Well you see... It's just that we've been very busy with school." Artemis said fumbling for words.

"What she means is, yes, we've been busy, but we have gotten to know each other, as best we could, given the constraints." Draco said trying to pacify their Fathers.

"What's her favorite color?" Lucius inquired, with a slight edge to his voice.

"Um, I... well... pink." Draco said lamely.

"No." Lucius said, his anger mounting. "What color are her eyes? Don't look at her! Look at me!"

"... blue?"

"No!" Lucius was livid. " Have you done anything to get to know each other these last few months?"

"No," they both replied softly.

"Let me make myself very clear, this nonsense stops now. Obviously, you two have done nothing but ignore each other, while you have been here. If this continues, you will both be withdrawn from Hogwarts," both children gasped loudly "you will then be privately tutored. When you are not in class you will be in one another's company. That means, no friends, no Quittach!" Lucius was at this point so angry he was shouting. "Are we clear?"

"Yes, Father"

"Yes, sir."

"Good," drawled Lucius calmly, reigning in his temper.

"The real reason we have come here today is because of the Yule Ball." Perseus stated, happily changing the subject. "I'm sure you are aware that you are required to attend the ball together." Both children clearly objected but said nothing.

"Good, all is settled!" Lucius and Perseus stood and made to exit. Before leaving Perseus turned to his daughter.

"Artemis, remember what Lucius said. You will be removed from Hogwarts if we feel that you are not trying to make this work." Perseus kissed his daughter on the forehead before leaving. When they were alone Artemis turned to the now standing Draco.

"Look, I'm very happy here and I refuse to leave. So you had better stop fighting me on this." Artemis stated furiously.

"Fighting you! You've spent the last 3 months ignoring me, just like I've been ignoring you!" Draco shouted, fuming at her accusation.

"No, I haven't!"

"Yes, you have!"

"Oh, Forget it Malfoy! You're impossible!" Artemis shouted as she stormed out of the headmaster's office.

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Day's passed with no change in Artemis' and Draco's behavior. Finally, Draco decided that he either had to swallow his pride, or give up Quittach, among other things. So two weeks before the Yule Ball, he approached his future wife, who was sitting at the Ravenclaw table, enjoying her dinner.

"Excuse me." Draco said calmly as he stood behind Artemis.

"What?" she huffed, slightly miffed at the interruption.

"Hi, Draco" shrieked several of the girls at the dinner table, as they checked their hair and make up, using their spoons as mirrors.

"Ladies." Draco winked at them and shot them his trademark smirk, which made them giggle.

"What. Do. You. Want?" Artemis asked shortly. Suddenly, the Great Hall grew silent as everyone watched them. "I was hoping we could talk... in private." Draco said as casually as he could muster.

"Oh, um... alright." The two walked out of the Great Hall, to a bunch of cat calls and hooting.

"Don't you two do anything I wouldn't do!" shouted a highly amused Blaise Zabini. Draco just flipped him the bird and followed Artemis out of the Hall.

"I thought we could go to the Quittach pitch, talk and stuff, you know." Draco said nervously.

"Yes, alright." Artemis said warily. The two went to the pitch and sat on the bleachers, making sure there was a large amount of space between them.

"What did you want to talk about?" Artemis asked nervously.

"Just thought we could get to know each other. Just in case our parents make us take another pop quiz or something." Draco said as he propped his elbows on his knees. "What's your favorite color?"

"Yellow... not like mustard or anything. Pale yellow." she replied, babbling a bit, out of nervousness. "How about you?"

"Black. Favorite subject?"

"Potions."

"Me too!"

The two spent nearly an hour outside questioning each other and they had managed to settle into a sort of comfortableness, and had even begun to joke with each other.

"We should probably get back to the castle." Artemis said happily.

"Yeah, you're right." Draco said softly, smirking at the young woman in front of him. The two then headed back to the castle, once inside, Draco bid his future bride farewell, "Night" and turned to leave.

"You are such an ass!" she shouted, drawing the attention of all of the surrounding portraits.

"Excuse me?"

"You don't even have the manners to offer to walk me to my common room!" Artemis shouted. She couldn't believe that this boy had such poor etiquette.

"That's what you're yelling about?"

"Yes!"

"Look, I don't have time for this." Draco turned sharply on his heels and left for the dungeons. Artemis then stormed up to her room.

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The next morning Artemis awoke and was still fuming from her encounter with Draco. As she was walking to the Great Hall for breakfast, she bumped into something solid, sending her crashing to the floor harshly.

"Ouch!"

"Watch where you're going, you pathetic little twit!" shouted a young girl shrilly. When Artemis looked up she came face to face with none other than, Pansy Parkinson, who was standing next to her former boyfriend and Artemis' current fiancé, Draco, who's arm was thrown over her shoulder. He wore an amused smirk on his face.

"Well, if it isn't Pansy Parkinson. I see you've elected not to wear your scarlet letter today." Artemis replied as she rose and dusted herself off.

"I'm hurt, really, your words cut me to the core. Tell me, how does it feel to know that the only way to get someone to marry you, is to have your Daddy force them into it?" asked Pansy, hate evident in her eyes.

"Only if you tell me how it feels to know that no respectable wizard will ever marry you. Lucius Malfoy said it himself." Artemis smiled cruelly at the girl. Pansy's hand twitched around her wand.

"You'll get what's coming to you. I'll see to it myself."

"Ladies, no need to fight over me." Drawled Draco arrogantly.

"Shove off Draco!" shouted Artemis as she entered the Great Hall.

"You know you really should be nicer to her... she's a great girl." said a deep, unknown voice.

"And you are?" Draco asked more than slightly annoyed.

"Deagus DeMarco, seventh year Ravenclaw."

"Well, Deagus, I'll treat my fiance however I please." Draco turned to leave. "Hold on a second!" Draco left his friends and approached the young man. "Perhaps you and I should talk." Draco ushered the older boy into an empty classroom, shutting the door behind them.