Cloud Nine

"Slytherin! Slytherin! Slytherin!..." the shouts echoed through the halls, as the entire Slytherin house shouted in unison. Draco Malfoy had, for the first time ever, out played Harry Potter. Even some Gryffindor's, though reluctant, had to admit that it was an impressive victory. Draco had literally taken the snitch from right under Harry's nose. Even Harry, though he loathed doing so, had congratulated Draco on his well fought victory, and then proceeded to challenge him to a rematch.

"Anytime, anyplace Potter!" shouted Draco arrogantly.

"Perhaps you'd be so kind as to give me some time to recuperate? After all, I did just recently defeat Voldemort. I'm not exactly at the top of my game," that statement nearly ruined Draco's moment. He couldn't believe that Potter had insinuated that he lost because he was still reeling from his battle against the Dark Lord. Just as Draco was going to reply to Harry's comment, he saw his Father approaching. Next to his smiling Father was his mother and Mr. And Mrs. Fowlington. When they finally met, Lucius embraced his son tightly congratulating him on his victory. His mother, Narcissa, showered him with kisses causing Draco to blush out of embarrassment.

"Well done, Draco, well done!" exclaimed Perseus, clapping Draco on the back. Just then a group of girls walked by, giggling at Draco as they passed. "Well, it looks like you'll need to watch yourself my boy. Those girls seem to have their eyes on you," joked Perseus, knowing full well that Draco couldn't take advantage of it.

"Where's Artemis?" Draco asked, as he looked around trying to find her in the crowd.

"Quidditch isn't really her thing. She's probably off reading somewhere," mused Persephone.

"She said she'd come." Draco tried not to sound disappointed, but both sets of parents picked up on it. Lucius and Perseus smiled at each other, before turning to Draco.

"Well perhaps she was detained. If she said she would be here than I'm sure she's here somewhere, or has a good reason for not being here." Lucius told his son, patting him reassuringly on the back. Just then someone grabbed onto Draco's arm, spinning him around.

".. You were wonderful!" exclaimed Artemis as she threw her arms around his neck, smiling brightly. "I don't know what the hell was going on, but it was really impressive!"

"Thanks... It was nothing, really," muttered Draco, a slight blush creeping onto his features.

"You're so modest, Draco," mocked Artemis as she turned to her parents and the Malfoy's, greeting them happily.

"Well it's good to see the two of you are getting along," said Lucius, a smug grin on his handsome face. Both children blushed but said nothing.

"Perhaps, we can find somewhere less crowded to talk?" asked Perseus seriously.

"We could use the Room of Requirement," said Draco nervously. Perseus nodded and he allowed Draco and Artemis to lead them there.

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As they walked to their destination, the two children stayed several steps ahead of their parents. Smiling down at her, Draco slipped his hand into Artemis', hoping she wasn't uncomfortable with the gesture. The smile she gave him assured him that she wasn't

"Aww..." exclaimed Narcissa, as she saw her son take his fiances hand.

"Quiet," hissed Lucius, not wanting Narcissa's comments to interrupt them. When they heard Narcissa, both looked back at their parents, slightly embarrassed, but neither attempted to break their hold.

"Maybe you could explain Quidditch to me sometime." Artemis said softly.

"I though you didn't want to know," mocked Draco as he swung their joined hands back and forth playfully.

"Well it wasn't as bad as I though it would be. Actually it was kind of exciting and next time, I'd like to know what's going on."

"So you plan on coming to all of my matches next year?" he questioned.

"Of course, what girl wouldn't support her man!" exclaimed Artemis, louder than she had intended. Her parents exchanged knowing glances with the Malfoy's. Draco was trying very hard to play the situation off, but inside the young man was reeling. Her man, he thought wildly, I'm her man. He couldn't believe it, when had that happened? Not that he wasn't thrilled, he was glad that it was somewhat official, he just hadn't seen it coming.

It seemed like it took forever to get to the Room of Requirement, but finally they arrived. When they entered, the room had transformed itself into a sitting room. There were two love seat's and two armchairs, huddled together near the fireplace. Lucius and Narcissa sat together on one of the love seats, while Artemis and Draco sat in the other, leaving the separate chairs for Artemis' parents. When Lucius saw that the children were occupying the other love seat, he cleared his throat, as a warning. Neither, Draco or Artemis payed him any attention, instead they continued chatting about the Quidditch match. Narcissa started to laugh, while her husband struggled to get their children's attention.

"Draco!" shouted Lucius, slightly annoyed. The young couple looked at him, startled by his interruption. "Is there a reason why the two of you have elected to sit on one another, rather than sharing the entire seat?" asked Lucius, stifling a laugh. Draco and Artemis looked at themselves and blushed. The love seat, though smaller than a couch, was more than large enough for the two to sit comfortably. Instead, they were both sitting right next to each other with absolutely no space between their bodies.

"Get up," laughed Lucuis, pointing at the armchairs.

"Oh..." sighed Artemis, completed embarrassed by the situation.

After they had all settled into the correct seats, Perseus began to explain why they were meeting today.

"When we announced your engagement, we knew that there would be some who would object. Unfortunately, we did not take into consideration, the lengths they would be willing to go, in order to prevent it." Perseus reached inside of his robes and withdrew a copy of the Daily Prophet., handing it to his daughter. As she read the headline, her eyes grew wide.

"What the hell is this?" she shouted, as she stared at a photograph of herself and Daegus DeMarco holding each other intimately.

"It's someone's desperate attempt at sabotage," hissed Lucius, " and I've got a pretty good idea who is responsible for it."

"Pansy," Draco spat, his voice dripping with hatred. Lucius nodded in agreement.

"I told you she was no good, when you first started messing with her. But you didn't listen," reminded Narcissa, gloating that she had been correct all along.

Upon opening the Daily Prophet, Artemis was mortified to find that there were quite a few more photos, not to mention a very long article. One of the photos was of Artemis and Daegus at the Yule Ball, as they held each other close, Daegus whispering in her ear. The photo next to that one, showed Draco's reaction to their closeness, he looked livid.

"The photos are nothing compared to the article. It portrays you as a cold-hearted, two-timing jezebel, who is stringing poor Draco along. Quite funny isn't it?" laughed Lucius.

"When was this released?" she asked worriedly.

"It will be released tomorrow morning."

"How did you get this already?"

"The paper owled us, seeking our comments for the article. I demanded they tell me what it was about, and they did. I got this draft of tomorrow's edition, yesterday morning," replied Lucius calmly. Artemis couldn't believe how calm they all were, she wasn't nearly as composed. Almost everyone in the wizarding world read the Daily Prophet, there was no way to keep this from spreading around school.

"Is there anything we can do?" asked Draco, handing the paper he had taken from Artemis' shaking hands, back to her father.

"We can't stop the article from being run, nor do we want to, but the problem will be addressed," drawled Lucius.

"What do you mean you don't want to stop the paper from being run!" exclaimed Artemis loudly.

"This is her reputation we're talking about!" Draco said, agreeing with Artemis' objection.

"Calm down, both of you. Haven't you ever heard, there is no such thing as bad publicity," mused Lucius. Draco and Artemis stared at him dumbfounded, neither could fathom how this could possibly be positive.

"In just seven short months, the two of you will be getting married. As you know, our family's are the two most prominent, not to mention wealthiest, in the wizarding world. Needless to say, your wedding will be a highly monitored affair. Which is exactly what we want. This will be biggest wedding our world has ever seen." Artemis was beginning to get annoyed with Lucius' tangent. He still hadn't explained how Rita Skeeter telling the world she was a two-timing jezebel, was a good thing, "When your engagement was announced, it was a big deal. Everyone was talking about it. It has been nearly a year and interest is waning. This little scandal will help rejuvenate interest in your impending nuptials.

"You're joking right, Father?" asked Draco unbelievingly. Lucius shook his head, dismissing his son's concerns with a wave of his hand.

"But what about the fact that they'll think I'm cheating. They don't know the stipulations of the contract!" Artemis exclaimed.

"Calm down, Darling . Lucius and I have arranged for a rebuttal to be printed the following day. We will not divulge the details of the contract, but we will assure everyone that there is nothing going on between you and that boy." Perseus tried his best to calm his worried daughter's nerves.

"There isn't anything between you and Daegus, is there Artemis?" questioned Lucius suspiciously.

"No, Mr. Malfoy, I'm not dating Daegus," she snapped, though she chose her words carefully. She wouldn't outright lie and say that there was nothing between her and Daegus.

"I only ask because you and Daegus look awfully close in these photos."

"Father, she said there's nothing going on. Besides, those are all pretty old." Draco smiled at Artemis, who looked deeply touched that he was defending her. Lucius let the subject drop.

"Now, while Lucius and I will handle the technicalities of this issue. Only the two of you will be able to make them believe it.," continued Perseus. Artemis wasn't exactly sure what her Father was saying but she was sure that she'd find out.

"In other words, my dears, you'll have to act as if you care for each other, so that they believe what we've told them, instead of what other's have gossiped," clarified Persephone, smiling at her daughter reassuringly.

"Oh... " Draco and Artemis said in unison, understanding exactly what was expected of them.

"When the article comes out tomorrow, I want you both to seem unfazed by it. If you act like it means nothing, than it really will mean nothing." Lucius stood, helping his wife up as well, and ready themselves for the journey home. Artemis' parents followed suit.

"Oh and Artemis, this summer we are going to have to work feverishly to get this wedding planned. So start thinking about what you want now, all right dear?" asked Narcissa, as she kissed her soon to be daughter on the cheek.

"Will do, Mrs. Malfoy. Mom, Dad, I'll walk you out." Artemis ushered her parents out of the room and then said goodbye to Draco and his parents. Lucius and Narcissa bid their son farewell before heading out the door.

"Father!" shouted Draco, running to the door trying to catch him before they left.

"Yes?"

"Can I talk to you... alone, for a minute?" Draco looked at his mother apologetically, hoping she wasn't offended.

"Well, I'll leave you boys to chat. I'll be in the carriage, Darling." Once Narcissa had left, Draco and Lucius walked back into the Room of Requirement, which transformed itself into a study. Two leather armchairs were positioned in front of the fireplace, a table with a chess set sat between them. Once settled in their seats, Draco addressed his Father.

"I was wondering, well... I read over the contract and I know that Artemis has to be chaste and we both have to remain faithful, but it didn't clarify what exactly was off limits." Draco rambled nervously. The subject slightly unsettling him.

"What do you mean, Draco?"

"Well, when I was messing around with Pansy, I didn't feel any pain when I kissed her. So I know that I wouldn't be breaking the terms of the contract if I were to kiss someone. But if Artemis has to stay completely chaste, then she can't kiss... anyone, right?"

"For the most part, yes."

"Damn," Draco whispered.

"Why would you want her to be allowed to kiss someone. I thought that things were going well between the two of you." Lucius was beginning to get angry." Lucius was beginning to get angry. He had thought that all of this resistance was behind them.

"I don't want her to kiss anyone else and I don't want to kiss anyone else either."

"Ohh... Draco why don't you just ask your actual question, instead of speaking in riddles?" laughed Lucius.

"What will happen if I kiss Artemis?" Draco asked quickly, thoroughly embarrassed.

"I don't know what would happen if you kissed her. I'm sure she'd let you know if she wanted you to stop, but I can't predict what will happen," Lucius said smiling broadly at his beet red son.

" No, that not what I meant! I meant, with the curse. If I kiss her, will it cause the curse to take hold? Will she have to leave the wizarding world? Lucius' laughing, irritated Draco immensely and he had to fight to hide his annoyance.

"I know what you meant Draco." Lucius said, before taking a few seconds to quell his laughter. "The answer to your question is, no. Artemis will not experience any pain and she will not have to leave our world. Feel free to kiss you fiancé.

"Wicked," whispered Draco.

"But..." Draco winched slightly, there's always a but, he thought. "Go no further than that. Though kissing will be pain free, anything more, will not. I highly recommend that you watch where you put your hands. When you've gone too far, you'll know."

"What do you mean?" Draco didn't like the way that sounded.

"When you've begun to go too far, you'll feel a slight pain. It serves as a warning. If you go further, you will regret it. Perseus, is very talented when it comes to Charms and he placed, a hell of one, on Artemis. I can assure you Draco, you do not want to threaten that girl's virtue," Lucius laughed heartily at the look of apprehension on Draco's face.

"Any other questions?' asked Lucius as he stood. Draco shook his head. "Good. I will see you at the train station in a month. Now I must get to your mother. You know how impatient she can be." Draco laughed, knowing just what his Father was talking about. Patience was not one of Narcissa Malfoy's strong points.

"Congratulation's again Draco. I'm sure that you'll be hearing from the Quidditch scout shortly, you've never played better than you did today." Lucius left, his son sat dumbfounded by the unusual praise he had just received from his Father. In Draco's opinion things couldn't be better. Not only did he completely decimate Harry Potter at Quidditch, but he impressed the scout and his Father. However, the best part of the entire day, was his finding out that he could kiss Artemis without consequence. Draco was on cloud nine, as he headed back to his common room, which was sure to be filled with his celebrating house mates.