The three first years quickly became inseparable and were often joined by Hermione, who had much to say on conversations she overheard and actions she observed. Initially, Artemis and Hermione quarreled, much like Hermione and Ron. Artemis grudgingly accepted Hermione's manner after a while, realizing that there needed to be a responsible soul among them, and welcomed her as a friend. The boys on the other hand often left Hermione out of their discussions, doing their best to ignore the bushy haired girl when she would interrupt or give unwelcomed advice. The hostility was due to Ron disliking her; he found her know-it-all attitude irritating and made no effort to conceal it. Harry did not have anything against his classmate; he spoke to her when she interacted with him, although he was definitely closer to Artemis and Ron. At this point, the four students saw a lot of each other whether they wanted to or not. With Artemis including Hermione in most of their activities, Ron found it harder and harder to avoid her. During classes, Gryffindor first years were most often paired with Slytherins, causing quite a few problems. Considering that hostility ran high between the two houses, there seemed to never be a peaceful lesson. The disastrous pairing was particularly grueling during potions with professor Snape.
Snape particularly enjoyed taking points from the young Gryffindors for so much as a wrong answer. The student he most loved to hate was Harry, which bothered Artemis to no end. Naturally, she let her tongue fly free, spilling witty insults in return; something no other student dared to do. Oddly enough, Snape often ignored her comments, surprising everyone, especially the Slytherins. It was unusual for Snape to favor any student, let alone an obnoxious gryffindor. Yet as unlikely as it seemed, the intimidating, dark featured professor had yet to punish Artemis for her smart mouth.
Potions class had only just started when Snape decided to add flavor to the lesson by bullying Harry. "Shame that the famous Harry Potter has about as little sense as a dung beetle."
he said menacingly in his slow, ominous voice, causing heavy laughter from the Slytherins in the back. Harry had been asked a question above his grade level, to which of course, he had not known the answer to.
Without thinking, Artemis retorted through the laughs, fed up with the verbal abuse, "Maybe if you'd take a look at the Slytherins, you'd find your comparison laughable, professor. But I suppose Slytherins need to stick together, no?" Anger was visibly present in her eyes, and she was sitting up in her seat, her leg restlessly vibrating under the table. The class quickly went silent at her remark, yet Artemis didn't back down, her hazel eyes following the Professor. This was one of the many times where the young Gryffindor had crossed the line, yet this time, she had done so in a way that personally attacked a professor. Snape halted his threatening stroll around the sides of the classroom, freezing in his tracks.
"You forget your place in my class, Lupin." He snarled, turning his head to face her. His dark eyes had transformed to display flames of hatred and raw feelings of anger were exploding off him, altering his whole face. He was surely a frightening sight, especially for any first year. Artemis narrowed her dark eyebrows in frustration, she knew she had crossed a line, yet she was far too deep to back down now. I'll accept the consequences, she thought to herself, knowing very well that there would be plenty. She was far too proud to be intimidated and would not allow herself to look weak.
Snape responded to the challenging stare by walking to and leaning over Artemis' and Hermione's joint desk, inching closer to her face. In a lethal voice he said, "50 points will be taken from Gryffindor and you'll be expected to flawlessly execute two potions of my choosing during detention. Best believe there will be consequences if you fail. Let me know if there's anything else you'd like to say, I'm listening." He waited for her response, a cruel smile curving on his lips. Artemis found that her heart was beating fast with adrenaline; she almost didn't notice Hermione tugging on the sleeve of her robe. Recognizing this as a warning to hold her tongue, she did just that, though she did it grudgingly. While saying nothing, her own lips curled up in disgust as she held Snape's gaze. During the staring contest, a strange emotion flickered in his eyes, confusing an angry Artemis. She blinked, thinking she must have imagined it, and when her eyes opened, Snape had straightened himself, whipped his cloak about him, and was heading towards the front of the classroom. Hermione glanced towards Artemis quickly and whispered under her breath. "Calm down Missy, it'll do no good to provoke him. It'll only make the situation worse and Gryffindor cannot afford to lose anymore points." Hermione was right and a defeated Artemis slumped on the desk with her head resting on her arms. She glanced over at Harry, who met her eyes and shook his head in frustration. Artemis saw that his jaw was clenched and knew her friend wanted to respond to Snape as well. She felt a twinge of guilt for being impulsive and turned away.
"Turn to page 346" Snape demanded the class, flicking his wand and producing images on a levitating screen. The class was silent outside of pages being flipped and seeing that Artemis was not about to open her textbook, Hermione opened both of theirs with a sigh.
Artemis did not pay attention during the lesson, instead focusing on a speck of dust ahead of her. Her annoyance was far too great, overpowering her interest in the subject. She was naturally gifted in school, an extraordinary witch who did not attempt to hide it, to Hermione's annoyance. "You need to practice Missy." "You need to study Missy." "Don't wait until the last second Missy, that's how mistakes happen." Naturally, she did nothing that Hermione suggested. Being careless would not work if she were anyone but herself. Yet being Artemis came with a great deal of benefits, whether or not she appreciated them.
At the end of the lesson, Artemis stayed behind and told Hermione and the boys she'd catch up with them later, and when they hesitated, Artemis rolled her eyes and said "I'm only going to ask about the detention date. I'm not causing more trouble, promise."
"You'd better not, bloody hell we'll end up being the last ones up for the house cup if we keep this up" Ron said, looking at Artemis wearily. She nudged him in return, "I could use some help in losing Gryffindor points Ron, try to make something else blow up in charms tomorrow." Ron blushed and muttered defensively over the pocket watch he'd accidentally exploded last week. "I suggest you practice the transfiguration spells before tomorrow's class if you seek to gain Gryffindor points," Hermione said sharply to Ron before turning on the spot and leaving. "Please control yourself Missy." Harry said to Artemis, ignoring Ron's furious expression. He understood both Artemis and her actions, and he himself did not take bullshit, yet Professor Snape was a special case. "I will, I will. I'll meet you all in a few, now go." She smiled at them and when they turned to leave, she took a deep breath and walked deeper into the classroom to face Snape.
Snape was at the front of the room, his back to Artemis. Just as she began suspecting he was unaware of her presence, he spoke. "If you waste any more of my time Lupin, you will be losing a lot more than 50 points." Snape did not even bother turning to her, instead continuing to pack away his items. "No! I mean, look, professor I'm just here to inquire about the detention date. No point loss is necessary." Artemis attempted to say all of this in a light tone, infusing her regular dose of charm, which did not affect the professor in the slightest, who finally turned to look at her.
"You are arrogant like your mother Lupin, I would alter that tone if I were you. It will not win you any favors, especially not in my presence. Your detention will be held this Saturday, now get out of my sight" Snape snarled. Artemis cringed at the mention of her mother, along with his tone. She realized he had caused her to look at the floor in defeat and so she quickly corrected her stance. Looking at Snape one more time, Artemis turned to leave without another word.
Seeing that potions was located in the dungeons, Artemis noticed many Slytherins in her proximity. Each of them stared her down, threw dirty looks her way, and commented openly about her. "I'm so popular, no?" She announced in annoyance, rolling her eyes as necks turned to observe her. The hostility between Gryffindor and Slytherin was no secret.
"Well, well, well, look who we have here boys." Artemis heard a sly voice behind her. At this point, she'd cleared past most of the Slytherins, to her relief, and had entered a narrow hallway on her way to the Gryffindor common room. Taking no chances, Artemis began feeling for her wand in response to the voice, and the fast acting witch spun to face the threat, wand extended. To her immediate frustration, she spotted Draco Malfoy and two of his friends. Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle were overweight, tall, and overall unattractive. To make matters worse, their intelligence matched this looks. They were bearing massive grins as they awaited Draco's next comment, clearly unable to think of anything witty on their own.
"Enjoyed the sting of Snape's venom, did you? Did you manage to charm your way out of detention?" Artemis glowered at him, and before she could speak, he went on, "I'll take that as a no. Kissing arse is rather shameful, even for you, blood traitor." Draco approached her, letting his wand fall from his sleeve into his hand. Crabbe and Goyle were laughing loudly behind him, looking at Artemis menacingly.
Artemis did not lower her wand, nor did her gaze leave Malfoys. She looked at him, noticed that he towered over her and she wondered about their interaction. What reason does he have to hate me? She wondered about the dirty looks, the nasty words exchanged between him and her friends. She wondered why he didn't like her and secretly she wondered if she could change that. Perhaps this was due to pride or perhaps she grew excited at the challenge, Artemis did not know. Finally, she wondered if there was a person underneath the gray eyes.
"What's your problem?" She asked in a calm tone, her voice rather low. It was unusual for her to respond in such a way, especially since her impulsive actions usually spoke for her. Now, her face had softened, overwhelmed by sudden curiosity. She was truly pondering the potential of an individual who never gave her reason to believe he was anything more than what he was.
Draco stopped, surprised at the question. Uncertainty flashed in his eyes and he lowered his wand a few inches in confusion. He redeemed himself after a heartbeat. "You. Your friends. All these blood traitors and muggle borns. You are disgraceful. I imagine my father wouldn't mind me hexing you." He spat out, raising his wand threateningly once more.
Artemis laughed suddenly, a lovely laugh that sounded like wind chimes. She then lowered her wand. "Go on, give it a go." She put her wand in her cloak pocket and opened her arms welcomingly. "Powerful pureblood like you, hit me with your best shot." Artemis winked at him then waited innocently. Draco hesitated, looking worried for a fraction of a second. Then he lowered his wand, his face returning to host its cold expression. "Wouldn't want you crying, blood traitor. Get out of here, this isn't your area." Draco said, continuing to step forward slowly.
"You know, Mr. Malfoy, I have a feeling you've been planning what to say to me for a while. In fact, I have a feeling you just grew the balls, excuse my language, to say it. I do hope it's going according your plan, I'd hate to inconvenience you." Artemis smirked, putting her hands in her pockets. She imitated Malfoys increase and took a few steps towards him herself.
"Shut up you!" Crabbe shouted from behind Malfoy. He took out his crooked wand and threw a spell at Artemis. The red flare flew towards her, and she had just enough time to take her wand out and deflect it. Luckily for her, she had practiced both defensive and offensive spells on her own and was rather gifted with both.
Instinctively, Artemis raised her wand and started to mouth a spell, feeling furious and disrespected, stopping only to observe the chaotic scene in front of her. Draco had launched himself at Crabbes outstretched arm, failing to misdirect the spell launched at Artemis.
"Crab you idiot, she's not worth the trouble!" Draco hissed. Artemis resisted the urge to curse all three of them, knowing she could if she wanted to. Yet three jinxed students might arise attention, and she could not afford to get into anymore trouble. "If you ever send a curse my way again, it'll be the last time you perform magic" she growled at Crabbe, shaking with fury. Turning to Malfoy, she altered her voice so that it was ice cold, "Make sure you don't let anyone see your precious heart. Trying to prevent a filthy blood traitor from getting hit with a jinx is surely something your father wouldn't approve of."
"I didn't do it for-" Draco began angrily, only to be cut off by Artemis, "Keep your dogs on a leash." She snapped at him, looking at all three of them with daggers in her eyes, finally resting her eyes on Malfoy's before turning around and disappearing down the hall.
Draco watched her in frustration, feeling embarrassed and humiliated. He had seen her all too many times in school, running her hands through her long hair, popping a smile, making everyone in her proximity fall in love with her charm. He'd even heard Slytherin boys talk about her beauty and it all made him sick. Perhaps he was upset about the truth in her words. Perhaps he was upset that she saw through him rather easily. He turned away from the direction Artemis had gone, to face Crabbe and Goyle, who were chuckling among themselves.
"And what are you two laughing about?" Draco questioned in his icy voice, arrogance in his eyes once more. Crabbe and Goyle looked at each other, started laughing again before telling Draco the reason behind it. "It'd have been pretty funny if Crabbe actually hit her with that spell, I'd pay to see her stiffen up and fall over." Goyle said through the laughs. Draco started walking towards the Slytherin common room, which was enough indication for his friends to follow.
"You need to be careful with those filthy Gryffindors," Draco started, "and it wasn't as if Crabbes spell would actually work." He sneered. "It sucks about Lupin, you know? Could you imagine if she was in Slytherin? You can hate her all you want Draco-" Goyle began rambling, "-but she's a sight."
Draco stopped walking and looked at him questioningly. "I thought you actually had standards Goyle, but I suppose not." He replied dryly before continuing on his way. Internally, Draco hated every inch of himself for agreeing with Goyle. Lupin was special.