Magical Origins

Year 2: The Second Year

Harry appears with a soft pop and sees he was in Professor McGonagall's office. He turns to thank Norby only to see the house-elf was gone, and Artemis was standing there. Their stuff, along with Artemis's owl and Hedwig, appeared next to them.

The door opens, and Professor McGonagall walks in with a look of surprise on her face.

"Miss Wynter, Mister Potter, want to explain why you're in my office and not on the school train." She said in a stern voice.

Yep, he was back.

"The barrier closed on us. My mother had our house-elves take us to Hogwarts after we couldn't get on the train Professor." Artemis said in a polite tone.

"I see," Professor McGonagall said. Harry's cold personality came back, and he kept a straight face.

At that moment, the doors open, and Samuel Wynter, along with Professor Snape and Professor Dumbledore, walks in.

"Olivia sent word, are you two, alright," Samuel said in one breath.

"We're fine, dad, though why did the barrier close?" Artemis said in confusion.

"We don't know. The Barrier isn't supposed to be closed, and the guard wasn't at his post. He's been fired." Samuel said, strongly.

"While an investigation is important, I think it would be wise for Mister Potter, and Miss Artemis get ready for the school year. I shall see to it nothing further happens." Dumbledore said.

"Er Professor, do you have somewhere where we could change?" Harry said slowly. Artemis may have had her cloak on, but both of them were wearing muggle clothing.

"You can return to your dorms. The password is Pureblood." Professor Snape said calmly.

Harry opens Hedwig's cage and lets her out. She flaps her wings and soars into the sky. Artemis let out her own owl as her owl joins Hedwig in the night sky.

Artemis and Harry said nothing as they grab their trunks and head to the Common Room. For Artemis, she got the Prefect Dorms and had a room to herself. Harry grabs his trunk and puts it in his dorm. He quickly removed his muggle clothes and put them in his second compartment. He grabs his new Hogwarts robes and puts them on. Harry walks out to see Artemis was waiting for him.

"We have a lot of time before anyone arrives," Artemis said with a grin on her face. Harry wasn't sure if that was good or bad. "Want to see something amazing." She said.

Harry slowly nods his head.

Artemis grabs Harry by the hand and leads him out of the Common Room and through the corridors. They went up the flight of stairs to the fifth floor. It wasn't till she stops at a statue guarding a door that seems to be magically locked.

"Olive Branch," Artemis said as the door disappears. She walks in with Harry behind her as the door reappears and seals itself shut.

Harry was staring at what appeared to be a large pool. There were even stalls and a large mirror with a fountain.

"What is this place?" Harry asks in amazement.

"This is the Prefects' Baths. Only Prefects, Quidditch Captains, and the Head Boy and Girl are allowed in here. That means, out of the thousands that live in this castle, only thirty of us are allowed in here. I came here a lot last year to clear my mind. Good place for quiet too." Artemis said as she looks at the room.

"Why did you bring me here?" Harry asks.

"So, we can freshen up," Artemis said as she removes her robes and drops them. Revealing she was wearing blue underwear. Once again, Harry got a reaction and tried to control himself. Artemis walks forward and steps into the pool.

"Come on," Artemis said as she gives Harry a smile.

Harry sighs as she removes his robes but kept his trunks on as he walks in.

The moment he was in the water, he was surprised. He wasn't expecting the water to have an impact. It was so refreshing and soothing. Almost as if all his worries had been lifted. Harry closes his eyes and embraces the feeling. When he opens them, Artemis was gone.

Harry looks around until he felt something on his back, and a pair of arms wrap around him.

"Do I bother you?" Artemis asks.

Harry's cheeks burned crimson.

"No, it's just…" Harry said.

"I overheard you talking to my mother," Artemis said calmly.

"Then, it's true…" Harry said.

"My place is to serve you. If you wish to use my body, you can whenever you desire." Artemis said calmly.

"Why don't you have a boyfriend?" Harry said, hoping to change the topic and avoid anything that would get them in trouble.

Artemis lets go and moves around him, so she was facing him.

"Boys started taking notice of me when I was thirteen. I even had seventh years hitting on me. Trying to charm me so I would sleep with them. When they look at me, all they see is a beautiful witch. As I got older, I gain a lot more attention. One reason why I hate Percy Weasley is because he once asked me out."

"What?" Harry said.

"Yes, even tried to kiss me. He claimed we would be a great match. Stalk me for most of my fourth year. After he cornered me one day, and really tried to force himself on me. I cursed him. He didn't take that kindly, nor rejection well. He's held a grudge ever since. I choose not to have a boyfriend, because the boys who want me, want me either for my beauty or because of my connection with you." Artemis moves back until she hits the wall and leans back, looking at the enchanted ceiling that showed the setting sun. "I want a boyfriend who can appreciate me for me."

"Is that why?" Harry began slowly. However, he wasn't sure how to say why she had such affection for him. Or why she teased him just to get a reaction.

"I know if it's with you, you will treat me well. I know the boundaries bother you, but the truth is, I'm happy to serve you. If the day comes, you can get me pregnant. I would be happy to carry your child. However, that choice is yours to make."

Harry said nothing. Artemis was doing what was best for him. She believed he would be the best choice for her.

Artemis stood up, revealing her perfect body to Harry.

"We have to go; the school will be arriving," Artemis said as she steps out.

Harry didn't even realize how much time had passed as he steps up and grabs his robes. Artemis waves her wand, and she began dry before doing the same for Harry.

They got dress and walk out of the Prefects' Bath and went down to join the rest of the school. The made sure to not enter from the Dorms location, but from the Great Hall.

Only for them to stop to see Ron and Lily standing there.

"I don't see Professor Snape," Ron said.

"Do you think he's ill?" Lily asks.

"Maybe he finally got sacked," Ron said, gleefully. "No one likes him, and it would be best if…"

"Or perhaps," A cold voice said behind Harry and Artemis. "He's waiting for you to explain why you are late."

Ron and Lily in place before they slowly turn around to see Professor Snape standing behind them.

"Follow me, you two, as well," Snape said to the four of them. With little choice, the four followed Professor Snape, Ron giving Harry a dirty look.

They enter Professor Snape's office and sit down.

"I'll get with you two momentarily," Snape said to Ron and Lily as they sat down. He turns to Harry and Artemis. "Want to explain why you are late for the Starting Feast? Despite arriving hours earlier?"

Lily and Ron looked shocked at Snape's remark.

"We were taking a bath, we lost track of time," Harry answers, calmly.

"Really,"

"It's true, Professor," Artemis said.

"The baths here are split between genders. Are you saying you took a bath… together?" Snape said.

"There's no real school rule about that." Artemis began.

"You cannot enter another gender's bath area," Snape said.

"We didn't," Artemis said.

"What are you talking about. The only bath area that allows…" Snape stops as he realized where they were.

"We weren't out of bounds, Professor. And I thought it best to freshen up before we came to the feast." Artemis said calmly.

"No, you weren't," Snape stated coldly.

Snape then turns to Lily and Ron, who were confused as to where they were.

"As for you two, the train isn't good enough for you. You decide to get to Hogwarts in a flying muggle car?" Snape said.

Ron gulped. Lily stares hard at Snape.

"No, sir, the barrier at King's Cross…" Lily began.

"Silence," Snape said in a cold voice. "Where is the car?"

Neither answered.

"You were seen!" Snape hissed as he throws down the Daily Prophet with the headline: Flying Ford Anglia Mystifies Muggles!

Snape grabs the newspaper and begins to read. Literally mocking Ron in his face.

He sets it down, waiting for Ron to explode at him.

"I have searched the school grounds, and I have notice that an extensive amount of damage has been done to the Whomping Willow…"

"That tree did more damage to us than us…" Ron blurted out.

"Silence" Snape snaps again. "Be fortunate as you are not in my house, for you would be expelled immediately if it was up to me."

"But they are not in your house, and it is not up to you," Dumbledore said from the doorway. Everyone in the room turns their head to see Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall standing there.

"Headmaster," Snape said at once. He stood at attention as Dumbledore said nothing as he walks in with Professor McGonagall in tow.

"Now, Mister Potter, Miss Wynter, why did you not go to the feast despite arriving early?" Dumbledore asks.

"We were taking a bath to freshen up, Professor," Harry said.

"A bath? Together?" Professor McGonagall said.

"Yes," Harry said weakly.

"Mister Potter, Hogwarts baths are designed for witches and wizards to be separate. You cannot enter a witches' lavatory."

"I didn't," Harry said.

Professor McGonagall turns to Artemis.

"Professor, you are forgetting, there is one bath that allows both boys and girls to use in this castle."

"You went there?" Professor McGonagall said. It was evident by the tone of her voice what she suspected they were doing.

"We didn't do anything. We just took a bath to freshen up." Harry said quickly.

"So, nothing happened?" Professor McGonagall said, sounding a bit happy.

"No," Harry said, deciding not the say anything over the fact that the line was nearly cross.

"We weren't out of bounds, Professor. I took him there so I could also keep an eye on him and to keep him out of trouble." Artemis said.

"I think we can overlook this fact," Dumbledore said softly. "Harry, I trust Miss Wynter has told you the purpose behind that room."

"She did," Harry said calmly.

"Then I'm afraid we cannot allow you back there," Dumbledore said softly.

"Professor Dumbledore, while the rules are clear that Harry himself cannot enter that room. The rules do not decree that he cannot be in there if I'm there." Artemis said strongly.

Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall look at each other.

"You have us there, Miss Wynter. Very well, however…" Dumbledore said as he looks at her. "If we find that you are abusing your Prefect duties for Mister Potter, you will lose your Prefect status. You will also take full responsibility for anything that Mister Potter does in that room." Dumbledore said softly.

Artemis nods her head.

"Now, explain yourselves," Dumbledore said, turning to Ron and Lily.

Lily went on to explain how the barrier had closed upon them. Ron had the idea to get to Hogwarts using the family car.

"Why didn't you send us an owl? Mister Potter and Miss Artemis were also locked out, and they were smart enough to send word to us immediately." Professor McGonagall said.

"We didn't think…" Ron mutters.

"That is obvious." Professor McGonagall said.

"Headmaster, these two have broken several of our laws, endangering themselves as well as risking exposure."

"I'm well aware of this. I have written a few of those laws… myself." Dumbledore said as he silently told Snape to be quiet through his words.

"Professor McGonagall, Professor Dumbledore," Lily said as everyone turns to look at her. "While we did break a few rules, the term hadn't started, so Gryffindor shouldn't be punished."

Snape looked as if Christmas had been canceled.

"No, the term had yet to start. However, I will be writing to both of your families tonight, and you will both be serving a week of detention."

"Potter isn't in trouble?" Ron said.

"Potter only lost track of time. He did not fly a car." Snape said coldly.

"I will also warn you that should you two overstep your boundaries again and break any more rules, you both will be expelled," Dumbledore said softly.

"So, we can join the feast?" Lily asks,

"No." Professor McGonagall said.

"What?" Lily said.

"The four of you are late and are out of bounds. You will share your meal in here before you decide to return to your respectable dorms."

"Professor, my sister… the sorting." Ron began.

"The sorting is over. Your sister is in Gryffindor."

Ron, let's out a sigh of relief as he breathes in the fresh air.

"You will eat here until you are ready to return to the rest of the school." Professor McGonagall waves her wand, and some pastries appeared as well as sandwiches. Goblets with pumpkin juice also appeared.

"If you so much as touch anything in my office, you will wish you were expelled." Professor Snape warns as he turns to leave with Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore. Ron and Lily both pale.

Harry and Artemis said nothing as they ate their food.

"How do you think Slytherin is going to this?" Harry asks.

"Oh, we're in trouble," Artemis said slowly.

"What do you mean?" Harry asks.

"Do you honestly believe they'll keep their mouth shut about what we did?" Artemis said, nodding her head to Lily and Ron.

"Ron won't," Harry said.

"You'll learn something about the Hogwarts rumor mill, things tend to be exaggerated greatly."

Nothing else was said as they ate in peace. Artemis ate nothing all day, and Harry only had a light breakfast.

They were the first to finish and immediately head back to the Slytherin Common Room.

Harry and Artemis walk in, and a few heads turn their way.

"Artemis, where were you?" A Slytherin sixth year asks.

"Professor Snape wanted to see us," Artemis answers coldly.

"Why?" He asks.

"Not your concern. Don't worry, we're not in trouble. Something merely came up." Artemis stated coolly.

"I'm going to bed, I'll see you tomorrow," Harry said as he walks towards his room.

Blaise was already inside, and he was fast asleep.


Ron and Lily walked to Gryffindor tower the moment they were done.

The moment they enter, a thunderous round of applause was met.

"That was brilliant!" Lee Jordan shouted.

"Why didn't you take us!" Fred and George shouted.

Lily said nothing as she went upstairs into her dorm.

"Hey Percy," Ron said, walking up to his older brother.

"That was very irresponsible of you," Percy said with a scowl on his face.

"There is something I need to tell you," Ron said, ignoring Percy's comment.

"What?"

"Well, Potter was taking a bath with that Wynter girl," Ron said.

"That's impossible," Hermione said. "Hogwarts has gender barriers preventing boys and girls from sharing a bath together."

"Well, both Potter and Wynter didn't deny it. They admitted to sharing a bath together."

"You're kidding? That lucky bastard." A Gryffindor seventh year shouted. Many other Gryffindor's nods their head in agreement.

It was no secret, even in the House of Gryffindor, that Artemis Wynter was a witch countless boys craved. She had admirers from all four houses. She may as well have been the most desired witch in all of Hogwarts.

"There is one bath they could have used. But Potter isn't allowed in there." Percy said slowly.

"They admitted to being in that area. Even Dumbledore said Potter was out-of-bounds, but Artemis claims she was with him, and he wasn't punished." Ron said.

"Potter has matured early." Several girls said.

"He clearly likes older witches. Maybe he'll like me." A fourth-year witch said in a dreamy voice.

"Maybe he'll like me." A sixth year said.

The girls all squealed in delight.

"Go to bed!" Lily shouted. She turns to return to her dorm.

That was clearly the mood breaker. Everyone went to their dorms, with a few people still talking about Artemis and Harry.


Author Notes: I hope everyone had a good holiday! The Second Year Has begun. Please note I'm in the middle of the third year on this story, up to chapter 45. I'll post the next one on Saturday.

Enjoy!

Please R&R