Da 4th Chapter! Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!
McGonagall wrinkled her nose at the sight of muggle London. Fowl had really been causing her lots of trouble and she's always been one step behind. If the boy had been like any other wizard it wouldn't be her running after him. But she could complain later. For now, she had to actually find Fowl.
Let's see, if I were a rich 10-year-old criminal mastermind, where would I stay? She looked over a wrinkled map of London. She figured she would start with the most luxurious and wealthy hotel. She could just imagine Fowl lounging around in a Penthouse Suite.
After apparating, she walked on the polished floor of the hotel, receiving an abundant amount of stares as she did so. Ignoring the attention of these muggles, she walked up to Front Desk.
"Can I help you, miss?" The lady there asked kindly.
"Yes, in fact you can. Is Artemis Fowl staying here?"
She saw the lady flinch upon hearing the name. When she spoke again, her tone changed to something angrier. "Fowl? No, he would not stay here."
McGonagall wondered if Fowl had not used his real name, she wouldn't put it past the boy. Sighing, she asked instead, "Well, then, what is the most expensive suite you have here?"
The lady raised an eyebrow, obviously doubting that McGonagall had enough money to stay there. "The Penthouse Suite, of course. It's a one of a kind; it even has a sky garden. However, it is already taken."
"Thank you." McGonagall smiled before walking away. Once she was out of sight of the lady who was gazing at her suspiciously, she headed towards the elevators. Drawing from her memories from Muggle Studies from what seemed so long ago, she made her way up to the top floor, where she assumed the suite to be since it had a sky garden. There were very few doors on this floor, and with a little magic, she could find the one she was looking for…
pppqpppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp
Artemis sighed, "I expect you would want answers."
Butler nodded, looking at him expectantly. "It's not everyday when I see you doing the fighting." He left out the fact that he hadn't been able to do anything at the time, much to his shame.
"Yes, I suppose so." Artemis hesitated for a second, but dismissed his doubts. He could trust Butler. "Well, in short, recently I have been causing abnormal occurrences, like creating ice, levitating objects and such. The bullet incident was unlike anything I've encountered before. But I have a theory that these occurrences change according to my emotions, so it would explain how I managed to stop the bullets."
Butler hid his surprise well; he was trained to. However, behind his mask his mind was swirling. Butler had witnessed magic before from the fairies, so he should have expected to meet magical humans sometime or another. But he hadn't expected the magical human to be Artemis. "Is that it?"
"I believe that is." His phone buzzed from on the table; his mother was calling him. His mother was probably informed on the recent intrusion on the bank by now so he had suspected that she would check up on him.
"Mother?"
There was a relieved sigh on the other end, however it sounded like a rush of static through the phone. "Artemis! Thank goodness you are all right! I heard about the bank, you wouldn't have anything to do with it?"
Artemis forced a laugh from his throat, "Of course not, mother. I just learned of this incident recently as well from watching the news."
And then there was a knock on their door. Artemis spun around towards the door.
He put his hand over the mouth piece of the phone and with his voice lowered he said to Butler, "Are you sure no one followed us?"
"Certain." He picked up his Sig Sauer, and strode to the door.
His mother continued to babble in his ear, "Well, you should know that I will have dinner ready for when you get back late tonight. Anyways, how was your last day of your internship? Artemis? Artemis?" He cut the call distractedly, still staring at the door.
Keeping his gun out of sight, Butler opened the door cautiously to reveal an old, stern-looking woman.
"I am here to see Artemis Fowl." She said, seemingly not intimidated by Butler, unlike most people.
He narrowed his eyes. "Your business?"
Calmly she replied, "I am Minerva McGonagall, I teach at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
"Let her in, Butler."
Butler stepped aside, putting away his Sig Sauer, which did not escape McGonagall's gaze.
She looked Artemis over. "Mr. Fowl, I do hope your internship is going well."
He just smirked, "It is going well, Professor McGonagall. However, if all possible, I would like to skip the introductions."
"Of course." Taking a deep breath she began. "Although you are slightly younger than our normal first year students, you have been accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
"I expected as much, why else would you be here."
She glared at him. "Hogwarts is one of the finest magical schools in our wizarding community. We will teach you to control and expand your knowledge of your magic. Today, I will accompany you to collect your school supplies-"
"Assuming that I will be enrolling." McGonagall looked surprised at this. "The Fowl Enterprises is on the verge of a major increase in our stocks. If I were to leave now, my recent preparation would go to waste."
"I already know that your father is being released from the hospital. He can handle your family business. And I think that you'll receive plenty of benefits by being introduced to a new world. After all, don't you believe that knowledge is a strong advantage?"
Artemis smiled at this, which oddly caused a shiver to creep up McGonagall's spine. His eyes seemed to burn into her, assessing her. "Very well, Professor. I will do as you wish; I do think that the wizarding world will be quite fascinating. However, I have one more question, is it common to have students spied upon before enrolling?"
McGonagall shrugged, "Your reputation among muggles caused a need for extra precautions. That is all."
His grin grew. "Of course, professor. Where will we get my school supplies?"
"Diagon Alley. We will apparate there. Did... your bodyguard want to come as well?"
"Obviously. Shall we 'apparate' now?"
She nodded, "Hold on to my hand. You will definitely not like apparation."
Reluctantly, Butler and Artemis held her hands. With a sound like a gunshot, he felt a swirling in his stomach, his vision went blurry, and his feet felt as if they left the floor. Then as quick as it started, it disappeared. Willing away Artemis's oncoming headache, he opened his eyes that he didn't know that he had closed. To his surprise, he found that he was no longer in his hotel room, but in a busy street filled with people in all kinds of robes. Interesting… wizards have managed teleportation before the fairies did.
McGonagall looked from Artemis to Butler, and the smiled. "Excellent! Most people faint the first time they experience apparation. Since you two didn't faint, we can move right along. Here is your official acceptance letter as well as your first year school supplies list. But first we should go to Gringotts."
Artemis stared at the parchments she had given her. Was there such a thing as Dragon hide gloves? Artemis frowned. The uniform consisted of black robes... Would that mean he couldn't wear his suits?
Walking after McGonagall, Butler looked at Artemis, "Do you know what Gringotts is?"
McGonagall glanced back at them then said, "It's a bank. I would advise you to not try to steal from it. No one has been successful yet."
Artemis smirked; he could definitely have some fun with this bank, after he learned more of the enchantments and protections that would be set there.
As they entered the bank, there were strange creatures Artemis had never seen before. He heard McGonagall mutter 'goblins' quietly. If these tiny creatures were in fact goblins, then they were nothing like the goblins he had encountered with the fairies; the goblins before him seemed much more clever.
At the counter, McGonagall greeted the sharp-looking goblin, "Artemis Fowl would like to open an account here."
The goblin peered over the desk at Artemis, "How much do you want to deposit?"
After several seconds of inner debate, Artemis said, "180, 000 Euros for now."
McGonagall gave a questioning look at him. "Will your parents be fine with this?"
Artemis just smiled, "They won't even notice."
The goblin narrowed his eyes, obviously not trusting Artemis. Who would? Butler stepped forward with a credit card, which the goblin accepted.
Satisfied with the legitimacy of the money, the goblin said, "We can exchange some Euros for galleons at this moment. The rest can be taken to your new vault."
"We will take 100 galleons now." McGonagall filled in.
Artemis turned to McGonagall. "I suppose galleons is a part of the currency for witches and wizards."
She nodded, "Yes, 29 knuts to a sickle and 17 sickles to a galleon. And a galleon is approximately 7.3 Euros."
Once the goblin handed Artemis a pouch, which was surprisingly light, they left to gather his school supplies. After collecting his robes and buying a midnight black owl, named Lilith, they stopped by a bookstore. Artemis observed the large crowd of people with distaste gathered around a man who looked like he had just stepped out of a crappy magazine. An unfortunate boy, who was trying to squirm away, was next to the man, flashing lights of photos blinding them. He watched as the same boy met up with a quadruple of redheads, siblings most likely, and a snobbish-looking girl. A seemingly arrogant boy, with hair sleeked back, invaded the odd group but he couldn't hear what they were saying over the noise of the crowd. Frowning, he saw the blonde boy's father step in, most likely trading insults. How immature. Artemis sharpened his vision to see the man discreetly add a black book to a little girl's cauldron. The man swept away from the group, with his son trailing behind him. They pushed past him angrily.
"Mr. Fowl. It would be best if you didn't wander off, we'll lose you in the crowd." He turned towards McGonagall and Butler. He hadn't noticed they had left.
From behind him, he heard a squeal, "Professor McGonagall!"
"Hello, Ms. Granger." Artemis stared at the bushy haired girl. McGonagall was about to introduce them, but the girl's parents, who Artemis suspected to be 'muggles' judging by their clothing, interrupted her.
"Hermione!" Her mother started, clutching a cell phone. "You wouldn't believe it! The Bank of England was stolen from!"
The girl, supposedly named 'Hermione', gasped, "How much was stolen?"
"180, 000 Euros."
McGonagall swirled around to Artemis, "You wouldn't have anything to do with this would you?" She asked accusingly.
Artemis returned coldly, "Unmistakably not, Professor. I am surprised you would think that I would do such a thing."
Hermione's parents looked at him, startled. "You… you're Artemis Fowl the Second, are you not?"
Artemis couldn't hold back his famous smile, "Why, indeed I am."
The two boys from before came over as well, curious to the alarmed look on their friend's face.
McGonagall said swiftly, "Mr. Fowl, this is Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger. They are second-year students at Hogwarts." Artemis inclined his head very slightly towards them, then turning his attention back to Hermione's parents who had been talking continuously.
He heard Hermione's father say, "I heard on the news your father went missing, or rather they said he was dead."
This time Hermione spoke up, "I am, uh, glad that you have found him again after years of searching."
Artemis laughed, which made the room feel a few degrees colder, "Hermione Granger, is it? Well, Ms. Granger, you should know that it is not your best action to lie upon your first encounter with someone."
Hermione sputtered, "I wasn't-"
Artemis interrupted her, "It is common for people to play with their hair, stutter and such when lying, Ms. Granger. It's unappealing, really." At this, she hurriedly put down her hand that was twirling a brown lock. "I have also gathered that you are a muggle-born because of your parents' fashion and knowledge, as well as that you are a supposedly exceptional student by the way you greeted Professor McGonagall. However, I must say, you are not the most sensible person as shown through your act with the haughty blonde boy you were conversing with-"
"Mr. Fowl that is quite enough."
Artemis's smile grew larger, "Yes, certainly. It wouldbe a better use of my time to continue with collecting my school supplies. I suppose I will see you three soon." And with that, Artemis walked away, leaving a flabbergasted Hermione behind, followed by Butler and McGonagall who wore an apologetic smile.
Ron snapped out of his awe, "What the bloody hell was that about, Hermione?"
She sighed, "Artemis Fowl is a known name in the muggle world."
Harry nodded, "The name does ring a bell. I never really watched TV so I didn't really know the details."
Hermione said, "His family owns the Fowl Enterprises. When his father was kidnapped, Artemis Fowl the Second took over the business. He is a criminal. Although he is only 10 years old, I think, there are many people who fear him. We should look out for him."
Ron gulped, "A criminal wizard! I bet you a galleon that he will be in Slytherin."
pppppppppppppppppppppqpppppppppppp
Artemis sighed. The school year hadn't even begun and he already was making enemies.
"Mr. Fowl. Do not think that I will forget your run in with Ms. Granger and I still have suspicions on your innocence regarding the bank robbery."
"Certainly, Professor. Anyhow, let us put that matter aside for the moment. Now, I have only my wand to buy." Artemis said.
"We would best go to Ollivander's for your wand."
The store was dusty and had shelves upon shelves of long and narrow boxes holding wands. Mr. Ollivander happened to be an old and peculiar man.
"Minerva McGonagall! It is a pleasure to see you here yet again. Let's see fir, nine and a half inches, dragon heartstring core, quite powerful, yes?"
"Indeed it was, Ollivander. But I am here today accompanying Artemis Fowl who is looking to get his own wand."
The man glanced quickly at Butler, but then turned to Artemis, "Hold out your wand arm."
"I am ambidextrous." He kept still as a measuring tape floated over to him. As the measuring tape worked on him, while Ollivander searched through piles of boxes. As the man came out slowly with a wand in his hand, the measuring tape suddenly dropped, clattering on the floor.
"Have a go at this one. Oak, nine inches, phoenix tail feather." He said, handing the wand over to Artemis who waved it clumsily, and to his surprise, the candle burning brightly to his right suddenly grew, engulfing the small table it was on. Ollivander hurriedly snuffed it out with water.
"No, that won't do." He snatched the wand out of Artemis's hand.
"How about this one? Maple, eleven inches, dragon hearts string."
When Artemis waved this one, the railing from the floor above unhinged. Butler yanked Artemis out of the way just in time before it crashed on the floor, making the dust float up.
"No, that's not right either." Mr. Ollivander went back searching through heaps and heaps of boxes. After several long minutes of impatient waiting, he came out again holding yet another wand tenderly.
"Black ash, twelve and a half inches, unicorn hair. There is a great deal of strength hidden in this one."
The moment Artemis touched the wand it simply felt right. He felt warmth race up his hand and it grew, covering his entire body. He then felt the heat start to compact, like a rock being pressed down into it self constantly to create nothing more than a grain of sand. And then, it all escaped him in one second in an explosion, making the boxes fall off it's shelves, the ceiling to crumble and the wall falling inwards. Butler quickly dragged Artemis outside, with McGonagall and ollivander following closely. They watched in shock as the store collapsed in front of them.
Mr. Ollivander looked at Artemis, "Yew. You have great potential, Mr. Fowl. Professor McGonagall, if you could aid me."
Between the two of them and some magic, they managed to set the stones of the building back into place and once again the shop became the dusty, old shop it used to be.
"That wand will be ten galleons." Distractedly, Artemis gave him the money. By now, there were several people watching them, but Artemis ignored them.
Once the three apparated back to their hotel room, McGonagall said, "Mr. Fowl, here is your ticket for September 1st. I will see you at Hogwarts. Goodbye until then."
Artemis nodded his acknowledgement and then she was gone with a bang.
"I will call your mother, we have already missed our flight." Butler said, however Artemis wasn't listening. He continued to stare at his new wand. Holding the wand made him feel… powerful. Slowly, he felt a smile creep on to his lips.
This is my current dream…
Me: Avada Kedavra!
School: *dies*
Everyone: YAY!
Anyways, if you are feeling nice today, go click that little review button down below :).