Just A Victim
"Draco, I don't like the way you're smirking. What have you done?" questioned a suspicious Blaise Zabini.
"That's for me to know, and you to find out. I will tell you, that it is quiet genius though." Draco smirked widely.
"Won't you at least tell me, Draco?" cooed the heavily made-up, Pansy Parkinson, who was adoringly running her fingers through his silvery locks.
"I can't tell you. But you'll find out sooner or later, and it'll be well worth the wait." Draco continued to smile evilly.
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Breakfast went off without a hitch, that morning, much to Artemis' relief. History of Magic, however, was another story. The professor had paired the student's up, so that they could quiz each other before the exam that was to take place next class. The room was bustling with the voices of the pairs, some of whom were doing as they were instructed, most of whom were talking about that Saturdays Hogsmeade trip. Naturally, the professor, chose to pair Artemis with Pansy Parkinson.
"Who was responsible for the first wave of resistance following Grindlewald's rise to power?" asked Artemis as she looked up from her notes.
"You know, Draco can't stand you," remarked Pansy snidely, her pug face contorted into an unattractive smirk.
"I don't think that's the answer."
"You make his skin crawl." Pansy continued hoping to hurt Artemis in someway.
"Ugh... look Pansy, I don't like Draco. I don't want to be his friend, his girlfriend or least of all, his fiancé. And I know you were his girlfriend before all of this began, so I can understand why you don't like me, but do try to keep in mind that this is out of my control. I'm just as much a victim, as Draco is." Artemis said quietly, hoping to get the wretched girl off her back.
"Sure you are. You can't expect me to believe that you're upset about having to marry Draco. He is the most sought after bachelor in our society. Not to mention, the wealthiest," spat Pansy nastily.
"Alright Pansy, you've found me out. I have been secretly lusting after him, since I was conceived, so I made my Father draw up a magically binding contract, while I was and infant,just so I could have your precious little Drakie-poo all to myself." Artemis hissed sarcastically.
"I knew it! You muggle loving whore!" shouted Pansy, loud enough to get the entire classes attention.
"You did not just call me a whore. Of all the people to throw that word around! Last time I checked, you're the one who's name is all over the bathroom walls... not mine!" At this point Artemis was livid, she was standing face to face with Pansy, both of whom looked ready to pounce. When Artemis brought up the rather colorful, graffiti on the bathroom walls, Pansy lost it. She launched herself at Artemis, both of them falling unceremoniously to the ground. Whack! Artemis' hand caught Pansy on the right side of the face, sending her falling from atop her. Artemis then mounted Pansy, straddling her waist while she grabbed a hold of her hair.
"This is oddly arousing," mused Blaise as he looked on, entranced by the two girls rolling about.
"Yep." Agreed Draco, as he too watched the fight. Draco winched as he heard the echo of skin meeting skin. "That had to hurt".
"That Artemis is brawler," laughed Blaise as the slapping, scratching and hair pulling continued.
"You stupid Slut!" Draco is Mine!" shouted Pansy as she grabbed another handful of Artemis long strawberry, blonde locks, and attempted to pull it right off of her head.
"I don't want him, you disgusting whore!" Artemis retorted, slapping Pansy harder than on would have thought such a slight girl would be able to. Finally the professor made it to the girls, after having to fight his way through large crowd of students.
"Stupify!" he shouted. The girls immediately froze. "Mr. Zabini, go and fetch the headmaster." Once the headmaster had arrived, the young girls were released from the spell.
"Class dismissed... except for you Mr. Malfoy," stated the old wizard gravelly.
"What! I didn't have anything to do with it." Draco shouted, completely dumbfounded. The three students took their seats and waited for him to continue. "Miss Fowlington, Miss Parkinson, physical violence never solves anything. I really had hoped that it would not come to this, as I was informed by Lucius Malfoy that this issue had been handled."
"Headmaster, I did as my Father said. I told Pansy I was marrying Artemis and that she and I were done. I did that last summer! I even made her a bit more clear about some of the details, once the term had started. So I don't see how I did anything wrong." Draco whined.
"Yet you persist in spending time with her. Sitting with her at meal times... walking down the hall with your arm around her. You are sending her mixed messages Mr. Malfoy, and that is part of the problem. I suggest you think long and hard about how you are handling this situation. You are excused." Draco stood to leave, clearly relieved that he wouldn't be serving detention. The headmaster then turned to the young girls and sighed.
"I do not wish to punish you, but brawling in the middle of class cannot be tolerated, no matter the circumstance that led up to it. Therefore, you will have one weeks, worth of detention with Mr. Filch at the star of next term. I would restrict your Hogsmeade privileges, but the Yule Ball is next weekend and you have gown fittings." The headmaster stood to leave, but added one final warning before doing so. "Do not let this happen again. If it does, I will have to alert your parents." Once he had left, both girls stormed out of the room.
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The next morning the castle was bustling with energy as everyone prepared for the Hogsmeade trip.
"I can't wait to see my gown!" Artemis chirped happily, as she walked to the carriages with her friends. "I haven't seen it yet. I do hope Madam Deveroux, followed my sketches."
"I can't wait either, Madam Deveroux is the best dress maker out there." Cosette smiled happily, as she walked arm in arm with her best friend. "Are you still bummed about having to go to the Ball with Draco?" she asked.
"Of course... he's just as much of a prat now as he was before. But not even Draco is going to ruin my night!" Artemis replied jovially, as she entered the nearest carriage. Once they arrived in Hogsmeade, the girls went straight to the dress-shop. Artemis and Cosette were ushered into the back of the store, where all of the exclusive customers were waited on.
"And here is your gown Miss Fowlington, why don't you slip it on and we will begin the alterations." Madame Deveroux said in a thick French accent, as she placed the dress in the nearest changing room. Once she had the dress on, Artemis came out to stand on a stool, so the alterations could begin.
"Oh my word!" gasped Cosette, as she starred at Artemis' gown in disbelief. "It's gorgeous."
"Yes it is. Madame Deveroux you are a genius!" exclaimed Artemis as she twirled around, admiring her gown. The dress was made of a sheer ivory material that had sparkles, that could only be seen when the light hit them just right, incorporated into it. The sleeves were long and the neckline was deep and crossed over to meet at the center of the empire waist. The floor length gown was dazzling and very dramatic with its short train.
"It look's like you're wearing nothing but sparkles," giggled Cosette as she stood to get a closer look.
"That is exactly what I was going for!" Exclaimed the excited dress maker.
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After the alterations had been completed, the girls met up with some of their fellow Ravenclaw's at the tea shop. They all chatted happily about the upcoming Ball and their studies.
"Artemis, can I talk to you... privately for a moment," asked fellow Ravenclaw, Daegus DeMarco.
"Um... sure. Cosette, I'll be back in a minute." Artemis gestured excitedly to her friend. Daegus was the most popular guy in Ravenclaw and he was a seventh year, Artemis couldn't help but feel giddy that he wanted to talk to her... alone.
"I was wondering... I know it's kind of late but... if you're still unattached, I thought maybe you and I could attend the Yule Ball, together." Daegus said nervously, avoiding looking Artemis in the eye.
"Oh, I would love to... I mean I would really love to, but I'm already going with someone." Artemis said sadly.
"Do you mind my asking if it's Draco?
"Yes, it is." Artemis whispered sullenly. The young man, winced at the conformation.
"You don't seem too happy about it."
"I'm not. I really would go with you. If I could."
"Well, would you at least promise to save me a dance." Artemis nodded happily. "A slow one."
"Of course" she shouted a little too enthusiastically, which caused her to blush slightly.
"Great. Well, I'll see you there then." Daegus then bent down and kissed her softly on her cheek.
"Bye" Artemis whispered, as she stared at his retreating form. Once he was gone, she rushed back to the tea shop to tell Cosette everything that had happened.
The week before the Yule Ball, passed quickly. Pansy had left Artemis alone and Draco continued to keep his distance, which was just fine by Artemis. Though she was happy that she didn't have to put up with Draco, she was also confused by his distance. Before the whole incident with Pansy, Draco and Artemis, had spent an evening together and had gotten along very well. They had even discovered that they had a lot in common. Artemis thought that things were looking up. But, alas, they were not.