I return! With more amazingness and happiness and guys I haven't seen my girlfriend in two weeks and I get to see her today omg. Much happy. Such excitement.

I don't own Harry potter, that honor goes to our queen and savior, J.K. Rowling. I just enjoy the sandbox

Warning: Prick Ron, G!P Artie, femslash, future polyam relationship(s?)

XxXxX

Artemis and Draco jumped off the train right into the arms of Narcissa, grins on all three faces. Only a couple feet away Hermione was wrapped in a hug from her parents and chatting excitedly.

"Mom," Draco said with a frown. "Someone let it slip that Aunt Bella was Art's mom, not you. The whole school knows." Narcissa's eyes clouded with anger and she gave a firm nod. Artemis and Draco knew that meant mama bear was activated and someone was going down. Hermione ran over and grinned at the werecat.

"Artie, would you like to come visit sometime over the summer?" She looked so hopeful and the werecat looked at her aunt, pleading silently and causing Narcissa to smile with a shake of her head.

"Of course she can, Ms. Granger. Just owl us and we'll work out the details." Artemis and Hermione both whooped and hugged each other.

"You better owl me, Artemis Black!" Hermione playfully poked the girls chest, her stern look breaking into a grin when Artemis laughed and nodded, hugging the other girl again.

"Of course I will. Expect my owl in a couple days."

XxXxX

It was two weeks into break and Artemis was sitting back up in her favorite tree, Noctis a branch above her. Artemis wondered silently if the cub would age as she did, as he was nearly a year and still could lay on her head. It was a tight fit now, but he was still rather small. Artemis herself was wearing trousers and a white button up, the top several buttons open to show the thicker fur on her chest. Her ears, previously pointed and at the sides of her head seemed to be getting rounder, a tuft of fur at the end now. Jasmine walked up and knocked on the trunk of the tree, laughing when Artemis yelped, nearly falling out of the tree and her book tumbling to the ground as she hung by her claws from the branch.

"Auntie Jay! That was mean," she growled playfully while Noctis chuffed out a cat version of a laugh.

"I'm so sorry, Art, but you have a letter," Jasmine chuckled, laughing harder when the werecat instantly dropped down, catching her familiar easily before accepting the letter.

"Thank you!" she grinned, jumping up to kiss her aunt's cheek before running inside. The second her door closed she carefully opened the envelope and smiled at the familiar writing.

Artie,

How's your break going? It's so strange coming back to the Muggle world after a year at Hogwarts. I'm almost scared to say home doesn't feel the same as before. I itch to practice my magic once more, but I missed my parents terribly. Is Draco still thinking about trying out for the Quidditch? Are you? You would make quite the beater! I may actually start watching :)

Do you still want to come visit? My parents are planning a dinner for you, I hope you like steak.

Yours truly,

Hermione

P.S. Have you heard from Harry? I've sent him a few letters and haven't gotten anything back. I'm quite worried.

Artemis frowned as she read the last part, realizing she hadn't heard from the scarred boy either. This of course left her to muse over the strange scar on his head. When she heard from other wizards that his scar was shaped like a lightning bolt, for some reason she pictured a little zig-zag, like a child's lightning shape. Instead it started at his hairline and looked like real lightning, fanning out to the middle of his forehead. Shaking her head from the thoughts, she quickly wrote down a response and then moved to write Harry another letter. Testing a theory, she called for one of her favorite elves.

"Dobby!" she needn't wait but a moment before the little elf popped before her.

"Master called for Dobby?" The little elf before her was one of the younger ones, scrawny by even elf standards, and she knelt down in front of him, seeing his pillow case uniform with a frown.

"Dobby, I need you to do me a favor."

His ears perked up and he nodded.

"First I need you to go take this galleon and get yourself a uniform like your elders, black and silver. I'm sorry we haven't done this for you before, it's sad to say I didn't realize you still had this uniform." He squeaked and took the large coin in his small hands. "Now I need you to tell me the truth. Have you been intercepting Harry's letters?" Her voice took a firm tone and his ears drooped.

"Dobby heard Master Malfoy speaking of a plot to make most terrible things happen at Hogwarts… Harry Potter mustn't be in danger."

"Dobby, there is no plot. I am simply keeping something safe for uncle. The book is of no harm. Where are his letters?" Dobby trembled as he pulled the thick stack from his robe and Artemis sighed, taking them. "I will not punish you, little elf. However, I am giving you an order." He looked down and nodded. "You will not intercept letters. I know you thought he wouldn't want to go back if he didn't get them, but Harry is thickheaded. He would go back simply to yell at us. I also need you to report back to me the state in which he lives. He's far too skinny for a boy his age. If needed, bring him some food from our kitchen." Dobby nodded, looking back up.

"Harry Potter will not be in danger?"

"Not if I can help it. And check if Hedwig is locked up. I have a bad feeling about those Muggles he lives with." Dobby nodded his head so hard his ears flopped. "But take care of your uniform first, then take Harry all his letters. Understand?"

"Yes, Master Black! Dobby understands." With that, the little elf popped out of existence and Artemis shook her head, opening her window to whistle for an owl. The large eagle owl flew up to her window with ease, his black and grey feathers giving a beautiful display as he moved. "Take this to Hermione," she whispered, receiving a hoot in response before the great bird took off, letter firmly clamped in his beak.

XxXxX

Harry Potter was sitting on his bed in his room, glasses firmly in place as he read Which Owl silently. Hedwig started snapping at the padlock on her cage, hooting indignantly and Harry sighed. "I can't let you out, Hedwig. You know I can't use magic outside Hogwarts. Besides, if uncle Vernon hears you-"

"Harry Potter!" The Golden Boy flinched and growled out softly.

"Now you've done it…" He snapped his book closed, treading down the stairs hesitantly and was greeted with the sight of his aunt placing cherries carefully around a pudding. She spotted her nephew and jerked her head to the living room. "He's in there." All three Dursley's were dressed as smartly as possible, contrasting Harry's too big shirt and baggy pants heavily.

"If you don't keep that bloody pigeon quiet I'll turn it into a purse," Vernon growled. Harry frowned.

"She's bored. If I could only let her out for… an hour or two!" he argued, but the scoff from the large man before him shut him up.

"Oh, so you can send secret messages to your freaky friends? Not bloody likely!"

"I… I haven't gotten any letters, from any of my friends…"

Dudley puffed up his chest. "Who would want to be friends with you!"

"The Masons will be here any minute," Vernon clapped. "When they arrive, Petunia you will be-"

"In the lounge, waiting to welcome them graciously to our home!" she smiled her fakest smile, spreading her arms as if to showcase the home.

"Excellent!" He turned beady eyes to Harry. "And you?"

Harry resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "I will be in my room, making no noise and pretending I don't exist."

"Good. And you, Dudley?"

"I'll be waiting to open the door!" Dudley's voice took on a posh and proper tone. All three Dursleys turned to look at Harry. "And you?"

Harry did roll his eyes this time. "I'll be in my room. Making no noise. And pretending I don't exist."

"Too right you are. This could be the biggest deal of my career and you will not. Mess. It. Up."

Harry shook his head as he turned, heading back up to his room. The sight that greeted him was… well… odd. A small creature stood in the middle of his room, feet and hands much larger than what fit his body, large green taking in his room and he wore a small uniform, black pants and vest with a silver shirt. Instantly Harry closed the door, noticing the Black family crest on his breast pocket.

"Harry Potter, such an honor it is," the small creature smiled with a deep bow.

"Who… who are you?" Harry furrowed his brow, keeping his voice low as to not get himself in trouble.

"Dobby, sir. Dobby the house elf."

"Not to be rude, but this isn't a great time to have a house elf in my room."

Dobby caught onto his low voice and lowered his own. "Dobby understands, sir, but I've been sent by my master."

"Your master?"

"Master Black. She wished me to give you these," he looked rather ashamed as he pulled a thick stack of letters from his vest. "Dobby did a terrible thing, a misguided thing, and wishes to apologize. These are letters from Harry Potter's friends." Harry took the stack with shaking hands and found letters from Ron, Hermione, Artemis, and even Draco, Vincent and Greg.

"Did Artemis say anything else?" he tilted his head and received a nod.

"Mr. Harry Potter cannot do magic to free his owl, but Dobby can. I was ordered to do so." With a wave of his large hand, the padlock vanished and the door opened. Hedwig flew from her cage, pecking Dobby's ear affectionately before landing on Harry's shoulder. The boy grinned, stroking her feathers. "When was Harry Potter last fed?" The Scarred Boy's hesitance was all the answer needed and Dobby popped out of existence, shocking Harry with the volume of it. He strained his ears for movement from downstairs, but his uncle was still talking, so he sighed in relief. Not even five minutes later the Elf returned with a care package of meats, cheeses, bread, and a small jug of pumpkin juice. "Dobby was given orders to bring Mr. Harry Potter food every couple days. Should he need more, Harry Potter need only call Dobby's name. Dobby has placed an enchantment on the food, to keep it fresh."

Harry felt overwhelmed. Not thirty minutes ago he believed his friends had forgotten him, now he was being brought food, his owl was freed, and all because Artemis, a Slytherin, who Ron claimed didn't care, was worried he hadn't been answering. He nodded and Dobby vanished once more, popping out of existence.

XxXxX

Artemis had arrived at the Granger household about thirty minutes ago and she was shook.

"Why don't your pictures move?" she asked with a furrowed brow. Her ring was firmly in place, her mane of curly black hair stretching down to the small of her back, her yellow green eyes gazing at the pictures on the wall. None of them moved, or reacted as she looked at them. She scratched her chest, the deep blue button up matching her black trousers well. Hermione giggled at her confusion. The muggleborn was wearing simple blue jeans and yellow shirt, and honestly found no end to the amusement Artemis brought.

"Those are Muggle photos, they don't move. It's a snapshot of the moment, not the whole moment. I thought you use to live in a Muggle orphanage?" Hermione asked softly, tilting her head. She instantly regretted the comment when Artemis stiffened.

"There weren't pictures on the walls. So I never knew any different." She blinked and shook her head, turning to the side and spotting a strange box with a black glass square in the middle. She tilted her head and crouched in front of it. Hermione covered her mouth to hide another giggle.

"What is this box for? Why does it have a piece of glass in it?" Hermione grabbed the remote and just as the werecat knocked on the glass she turned it on.

She had never seen someone jump to quickly, or so high. The werecat yelped and jumped back clear over the couch, popping her head over the back to see the figures running around in the screen.

"I would call that sorcery but I'm a freaking witch…" she grumbled as Hermione fell back on the couch laughing, clutching her stomach. "Bloody hell…"

XxXxX

Artemis stayed over at the Granger home for a week, and the girls spent almost the whole time in some kind of contact. Jean Granger often found her daughter laying with her head in the other girl's lap, on her chest, and even on one occasion they were both laying on the couch, Hermione sprawled completely over the taller girl with Noctis laying on Hermione's back. The Grangers were just glad their daughter had found a friend, the girl having otherwise been a loner her whole life. The best part was the sheer joy they shared as they did homework that had been assigned over the holidays. When either struggled, the other stepped in to help, and they seemed to work fluidly as a team. When it came to the last day of Artemis' visit, she asked Hermione to come visit at her home the week before term, as they could simply meet at Diagon Alley and go to her home from there. The Grangers agreed and they reluctantly parted for the next few weeks.

XxXxX

Hermione gaped at the sheer size of the manor Artemis ran from. One of their house elves had come to pick the bookworm up and she couldn't deny it was obvious the small creatures were well taken care of.

"'Mione!" Artemis grinned, scooping the girl into a bear hug. Hermione laughed and hugged her back, temporarily over the shock the sight of the manor had given her.

"Artie!" she laughed, letting herself get swung around in a strong hug. The second she was on her feet again a small black blur knocked her off of them again and she had Noctis rubbing his head against her chin and neck, purring deeply. He had grown, if only a little, and was now the size of a beagle. "Hello, Noctis. I see you hit a growth spurt finally." She looked up to Artemis, finally registering that the curly haired girl had also grown in the last few weeks. Originally she was due to come the following week, but her parents had been invited to a convention and the Malfoys agreed she could come early.

Finally Noctis had his fill of covering Hermione in his scent and Artemis helped her up. "I didn't know… Dentists, you called them?" Hermione nodded. "I didn't know they had conventions for them."

"Yeah, it's a bit odd, but they showcase new equipment and techniques." Artemis nodded and led her to the front door as the house elves popped up and took Hermione's things to the werecat's room. "So, these are house elves?"

"Yes. We have about twenty at the manor." Hermione frowned.

"It doesn't bother you that they're basically slaves?"

To Hermione's utter shock, Artemis actually laughed. "Hermione, they aren't slaves. In a technical sense, I suppose they are, but that is quite literally their nature. I have never met an elf that didn't wish to be in the service of their masters. In fact, if you would like to talk to one, or several of them, I would be happy to take you to them." Hermione's eyes widened and Artemis laughed softly, placing her hand on the small of Hermione's back to lead her into the house. She briefly showed her the lounge, dining room, and a few other rooms. "I will show you the library after you speak to the elves." The bookworm grinned at the prospect and nodded, letting herself be led into the kitchens. At the sound of their entrance, all twenty elves stopped and smiled at Artemis and Hermione, bowing.

"Does the Master need anything?" Anne, the head elf, piped up. Artemis smiled and knelt down.

"No, Anne, I don't currently need anything, but Hermione had some questions for you. I ask that you not be offended, she's just curious." Anne nodded, her ears moving with her head, before she turned to the other girl, who knelt down with a smile.

"Anne, I was wondering… do you feel like slaves?" Anne, on her part, looked horrified at the thought.

"No, Missus! It brings Anne joy to serve the house of Malfoy! The Masters and Mistresses take good care of Anne and the rest."

"Do you have fair wages?" Hermione asked, tilting her head.

"Elves have no need for wages. The House of Malfoy provides Anne with all she needs, and should any need more, we are given coin for it." Hermione quickly noticed that each elf was smartly dressed in black and silver uniforms, though each had a personal touch to it. Anne, for example, had small jewels on her color, making it shimmer in the light. "'Tis not so much enslavement, but employment. To be freed is a great dishonor to a house elf, a punishment."

Hermione nodded, taking this information in. She hadn't realized this. "Are all elves well cared for?" Anne's ears drooped and she shook her head.

"We are fortunate, as are most others, but there are some that are abused by their masters."

"Would elves be against fair rights? Laws that would guarantee they were all treated this fairly?"

"No, Missus. We simply do not wish to be freed. If we could all have the proper rights, we and other creatures would be safer."

Hermione nodded and thanked the little elf. As she walked with Artemis to the library, she found herself feeling better. "I do want to help them all have equal rights. But I know now that my original plan would cause them all great offense."

Artemis furrowed her brow. "What was your original plan?" Hermione blushed and relayed her plans for S.P.E.W., as well as her knitted hat idea. Artemis was equal parts horrified and impressed.

"The general idea is a good one. Creatures don't have the rights w-they should." Artemis cursed herself for her near slipup. "But freeing house elves is a quick way to make them your enemies, especially the hogwarts elves."

Hermione nodded and reached up to scratch Noctis behind his ear, the cub purring deeply at the affection. He was rather disappointed, however, when Hermione's hand froze at the sight of the Malfoy library. The room seemed to occupy at least a fourth of the house, each of the shelves reaching from the floor to the ceiling. "Oh, Merlin…" the muggleborn muttered, slowly advancing into the room. Artemis chuckled at the awestruck look.

"You can read anything in here, my aunt and uncle don't mind."

Hermione nodded, awestruck, and finally started looking through the books. Artemis smiled and plucked the book she had been reading early from one of the armchairs. The title, Lost Dark Arts, was in grey lettering on a black cover, and she quickly got lost in the words. Like her mother, she had a rather unusual interest in dark arts, though unlike Bellatrix she had no intention to use it. Hermione sat in the armchair opposite her with a thick volume. They sat in silence for a couple hours, pouring over the books with Noctis napping contently in Artemis' lap, until Hermione hesitantly broke the silence.

"Artie?" Though her voice remained quiet, the previous silence felt like it had been pierced with a blade.

"Hmm?" The werecat looked up to meet curious brown eyes.

"You called the Malfoy's your aunt and uncle. So it's true, that Bellatrix is your mother?"

Artemis looked down at her book, frowning. "And if it was?" Her voice was hard to cover the quiver. She didn't want to lose Hermione's friendship, a part of her whispered that couldn't lose Hermione, that it would be too painful.

"It wouldn't change anything… I just… do you know why she gave you up?"

Artemis sighed, fighting back tears that pricked her eyes. She didn't know, and that still bugged her. "No… I don't. And I can't ask. Not yet. She wouldn't believe that I was her child, not without proof."

Hermione felt a shock go through her system. How could anyone not see it once it was stated. She had seen pictures of Bellatrix Lastrange, and Artemis looked like a young version of her. It was impossible to deny it. It took her only a moment to realize how distraught her friend looked and she was quick to move over to her, wrapping her arms around the other girl's shoulders from behind the chair. Silent sobs shook Artemis' body and she turned her head into Hermione's shoulder, accepting the comfort she brought.

XxXxX

Several more hours passed before Draco walked into the library, having been outside practicing flying since before Hermione arrived. The sight that greeted him wasn't an unusual one when it came to the two girls. Hermione was leaning back against the arm of the couch, book held above her face while Artemis was laying between her legs, head rested comfortably against the other girl's stomach while she poured over the section on Horcroxes. Her glimmered ear visibly twitched upon his arrival and she turned, grinning at him.

"Drake! How was flying?"

"Difficult without my usual partner, though I see you've been preoccupied." He laughed at her blush and she shrugged, Hermione finally looking away from her book to grin at him. "Mom wanted me to let you guys know dinner was ready." He had never seen the werecat move so quickly unless it came to food. In the blink of an eye she was running toward the dining room, followed by his mother yelling at her to stop running in the house. He laughed heartily and flicked his head to Hermione, signaling to her to follow him. She chuckled and shook her head, following the boy back down the stairs. Once they were all sat down, the fireplace erupting in bright green to signal Lucius' arrival, food was brought in and idol chatter began.

"So, Hermione, I was planning to teach Artemis and Draco a little about dueling. Would you like to join?" Lucius smiled at the girl. He liked the laid back side she had unlocked within his two charges and Hermione frowned.

"I thought we couldn't do magic outside of Hogwarts?"

Narcissa smiled a little. "Well, a combination of a couple factors give us leeway. You see, within magical houses it's hard to determine who exactly is using magic. But even when they do realize, we have enough money that it doesn't quite matter for us. Unfair it may be, it's the way of life for us. So you will be perfectly safe practicing with us."

Hermione nodded and accepted the offer. It was late when they began to eat, and nearly ten at night when they went into the gardens to begin practicing. As Artemis and Draco knew some already, Hermione would be sitting on the side for the first round and watching. Lucius stood with his hands behind his back, watching them. Artemis and Draco both whipped out their wands at the same time, bowing as instructed before taking their stances. Hermione mused that they both looked like fencers.

"3… 2… 1!" Lucius counted down in a commanding voice and Artemis waited silently for Draco to begin his attack. She knew he was a more defensive dueler, while she was more offensive, her feline grace working for her advantage. She smirked when he waited too long to begin and let out three jinxes in quick succession. Draco's eyes widened and he quickly threw up a shield, jumping out of the way when the second broke through his shield and threw a spell at Artemis on the way down. The werecat simply sidestepped and Lucius felt a shock run through him as he realized Artemis looked just like Bella as she dueled, her fighting style similar, but with an impossible increase in grace. She was less dueling and more dancing. She toyed with his son for nearly ten minutes before a quick flick of her wrist sent him flying back several feet to land on his back, a soft groan falling from his lips.

"I hate when you do that," he grumbled as he picked himself up, grabbing his wand that had landed a few feet from him. Artemis laughed heartily.

"Then start blocking my spells better."

Hermione giggled at that, that is of course until Lucius grinned at her. "Your turn, Ms. Granger." She pulled her wand out of the holster hesitantly and bit her lip, getting into position. Hermione took into account how offensive Artemis was and as soon as Lucius finished his countdown she fired of three spells before ducking out of the way. Artemis grinned at the challenge presented, laughing as she dueled her friend. It wasn't the way she dueled anymore that sent a chill down the assembled wizard's spines.

Her laugh, in that moment, sounded like Bellatrix's battle cry, but Hermione didn't stop. They traded spells in quick succession, and the Malfoys mused how it truly looked less like a battle and more like a dance. They weren't even being completely serious, if the grins on their faces were anything to go by. Draco was stunned when Hermione twirled out of the way from not one, but two spells, and sent a powerful stunner at Artemis, the werecat yelping as she was thrown back, her body actually flipping before she landed face first in the dirt. Draco had never seen her bested by a peer and was shocked then Artemis only jumped up, laughing and grinning. She had no care momentarily for her wand as she scooped Hermione into a hug and spun her around.

"You beat me! Bloody hell that was amazing!" Hermione laughed with her and Draco scooped Artemis' wand up and tossed it to her, chuckling when she snatched it easily from the air and holstered it.

XxXxX

"You want me to what?" Hermione frowned, looking from the fireplace to the assembled Malfoys and Blacks. Jasmine chuckled, remembering for years she had the same reaction.

"It's a floo network. If you want, I can go first and show you how it's done," Artemis smiled, fiddling with her ring. She hadn't worn her ring this long for years, even at Hogwarts she took it off at night. Her skin was beginning to feel itchy.

Hermione nodded, looking at Draco and his parents nervously. While she wore muggle clothing-jeans and a white shirt-the Purebloods around her were dressed immaculately. Lucius wore his usual suit, all black save his silver tie, Narcissa wore a silver and green dress that hung to her ankles, Jasmine wore a green and black dress of the same length, though it clung to her just a little more, and Draco wore a suit similar to his father's, though his tie was one of his Slytherin ones. Artemis wore a suit of black pants, a white shirt, and Slytherin green vest and bowtie.

"All you do is take a handful of floo powder, state where you're going very clearly, and throw it down. Keep your arms tucked into your sides and hold as still as possible." Hermione nodded and watched the werecat do just that, stating "Diagon Alley" in a clear, firm voice before she vanished into green flames. The Ravenclaw gulped and followed at Jasmine's urging, stumbling out of the fireplace and into Artemis' waiting arms.

"You did great! Most end up at the wrong gate the first time."

"Well she is the brightest witch of her age," Draco grinned as he stepped out, brushing soot from his clothes. The rest of the family soon joined them and they began their shopping. They had already gotten their robes and most supplies and were headed to the bookshop, Hermione still stunned at the vast change the purebloods took on in public, when they ran into Harry and Hagrid. Hermione grinned at him.

"Harry!" she exclaimed excitedly, turning to Hagrid. "Hagrid, how are you?"

"'Ello, 'Ermione!" Hagrid boomed, turning to the Malfoy and Black family. "'Ello, Artemis, Draco," he smiled, though more subdued, and nodded to the assembled adults as well.

"Harry, what did you do to your glasses?" Artemis chuckled and with a flick of her wand, Narcissa repaired them. Harry blushed a little and took the glasses off to look at them. "I definitely need to remember that one." He placed them back on his nose and scratched the back of his neck. "Artemis… Thank you, by the way, for sending Dobby. If it hadn't been for him, I wouldn't have gotten but a few scraps the last few weeks. You've been a life saver."

Eyebrows rose from everyone assembled, and Hagrid looked at Artemis in new light.

"Harry, you're my friend. I figured something was going on, I couldn't leave you hanging. I'm just glad you're okay," the werecat grinned, punching the boy playfully while silently observing that his scar had seemed to get larger, the lightning spreading halfway down his forehead now. "Are you heading to get your books, too?" He nodded and Hagrid left him with the family as they headed into the store. With a small wave, Harry headed to the front with the Weasley family and Draco headed up the the second floor to look through books while Hermione and Artemis collected the terrible books for DADA. Gilderoy Lockhart. What a phony. Artemis shook her head and turned to ask Hermione a question when the blonde buffoon stepped out for his book signing and her friend sighed dreamily.

"'Mione… please don't tell me you have a crush on his guy?" Artemis frowned, making a disgusted face. The muggleborn didn't seem to hear her and she felt the urge to slam her face into the desk when Harry was pulled to the front and given a first edition set of all the books. Harry handed them to the youngest Weasley, a girl, telling her he could afford his own, and Draco walked down the stairs halfway, shoving a piece of paper into his pocket as he began to tease the boy.

"Famous Harry Potter can't even go into a bookshop without making the front page," Draco laughed and Harry glared playfully.

"Shove it, Malfoy," he growled. Draco grinned, running a hand through his hair.

"Ooooh, not very friendly." They dissolved into laughter until Mr. Weasley walked up.

"Come on, Harry, lets not deal with these people." Lucius bristled at the subtle insult on his family.

"Ah, if it isn't the head Weasel himself." Mr. Weasley's lips tightened and she meet the man's eyes with a hard glare.

"Malfoy."

"All those extra raids lately, I do hope they're paying you overtime." He flicked his eyes over the man's outdated and ratty robes and tutted. "Though judging by your state of dress, I would guess not. What's the use of being a disgrace to the wizarding world if they don't even pay you well for it." The redhead's ears reddened and before any of them could register what was happening, Arthur jumped the few feet separating them and punched the blonde man square in the face. Lucius growled and started throwing his own punches.

"Dad!" the Weasley children and Draco yelled while Artemis yelled "Uncle!" Jasmine's eyes darkened and she was quick to use her unusual strength to yank the redhead off her brother-in-law, throwing him back a few paces while Narcissa helped Lucius up. The blonde sported a slowly blooming black eye, but Arthur, now surrounded by his family, had a busted lip, bruised jaw and cheek, and a black eye. With a flick of her hand Jasmine healed Lucius' face while he straightened his shirt and suit, joining Hermione and Artemis in glaring at the large family.

"Come, we needn't deal with such savagery," Narcissa spoke firmly, and the three students barely caught Harry mouthing "I'm sorry," to them before they left.

XxXxX

Okay! So much writing!

I'm going to do my best to update at least one story a week, depending on how busy I am. As promised, Lucius kicked some ass!

Alkeniw Andilite: Nice penname, my dude! And thank you, though I plan to try and make chapters longer and more in depth now that I'm not just trying to push out what I can. Luna will come in soon! And yes, I've got a nice little downtown apartment lol. And two cats, because they were so tiny I had to!