Aiya! My chapters are getting so short…:(

Kings Cross Station was filled with waves upon waves of busy people. Among the rush of people, Butler cleared a way through the crowd for Artemis. Artemis felt weary on the amount of attention he was receiving; if Butler wasn't enough to grab the awareness of those nearby, the sight of his owl did. They approached the 9th platform, however, he couldn't see any Platform 9 ¾. Of course, he didn't expect the platform to be out in the open for the muggles to admire, however he couldn't find any clue or hint for muggleborn wizards (or witches) to get to the platform.

From behind him, he heard a light voice, "I imagine that we are supposed to walk through the wall."

Artemis turned towards the voice. It belonged to a girl around his age with a dreamy expression on her face. "And you are?"

The strange girl ignored him, instead walking distractedly around him and disappearing with her large trunk into the barrier between the 9th and 10th Platform. Butler stared at the blank barrier. Artemis began to walk towards the barrier calmly. Hoping that he wouldn't make a fool of himself, he strode straight into the wall. With some amazement, he felt none of the usual hard impact of the wall, instead he felt a cool surge pass over him and leave just as quickly as he stepped through the barrier. Before him, there was a red train with a sign above it reading, 'Platform 9 ¾'. Behind him, Butler hesitantly followed along with his trunk. Without a word, which would have betrayed his astonishment, Butler helped Artemis haul his trunk on to the train.

Artemis stepped on the train, and started to drag his trunk away but he turned back towards Butler as if remembering something. "Goodbye, Butler."

In spite of his solid face, Butler was rather baffled inside. Hadn't Madame Ko specifically said that he was never to leave his charge? He was betraying one of his very first lessons. However, he doubted Artemis would need his protection soon. He wasn't powerless anymore. Butler nodded towards him, unable to do anything more. And with that, Artemis vanished into the train.

Artemis, with some difficulty, lugged his trunk into an empty compartment. He settled into his seat with The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection. He hadn't really thought about how he would be separated from Butler. Now that he was not with him, it felt odd. Artemis had just figured that Butler would always be there. Artemis's trail of thought wandered to his father. September 1st… wasn't that his father's birthday? It didn't matter anyways; their family doesn't celebrate something as futile as birthdays. Or at least didn't.

Artemis was taken out of his musing by a girl who popped her head into the compartment, "I suppose you wouldn't mind if I sat here." Artemis glared at her, but she paid him no mind, instead sat down neatly opposite to him.

Artemis opened his mouth however yet another person coming through the door stopped him. He recognized this boy; it was that arrogant one from the bookstore a week ago.

"Sitting with a first-year, Pansy? Oh, wait, you're sitting with a mudblood? How shameful." He drawled. He turned towards Artemis. "Get out."

Artemis plastered a smile, "Unfortunately, it is not in my wishes to leave. However, you can feel free to leave. Your presence is disgusting me."

He saw the boy clench his fists. With a scowl, he started, "You little-"

"You are not worth my attention. Good day." Artemis continued to read calmly.

"How dare you-" The boy's insults only fell onto deaf ears.

"Oh, give it up Draco. He's just too much of a wimp to make a move." 'Pansy' said. Artemis ignored them. 'Draco' was nothing more than a spoiled brat. If his parents went out of business, even for a short while, maybe that would change his attitude. Without bothering to find Butler among the crowd on the platform, the train left for Hogwarts.

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After a long and tiring ride of consistent chatter with an exception of when they were changing, the train halted to a stop. He had listened in occasionally, and he had learned the full names and house of the two as well as their general personalities.

Climbing out of the train, he heard, "Firs' years! Firs' years over here!"

The hairy man was large, even bigger than Butler, in both width and height. They were put into rickety boats, much to Artemis's displeasure. He shared his boat with only the Luna girl; no one else dared to approach the odd pair. The boats moved by magic thankfully, and they soon came into view of Hogwarts. The castle was beautiful at least, if not somewhat intimidating when staring up at the countless towers and halls. Climbing out of the boats on to rubble, the first years were encountered by a recognizable face; Professor McGonagall.

After receiving a sharp glare from her, she led them up numerous stares until they drew nearer to two large doors. Behind the doors, Artemis could hear the rumble of people talking. McGonagall lead them in, causing the eyes to turn towards the first years. Curiously, Artemis noticed a battered, old hat sitting on a stool. He sighed, would he have to put that on his head?

"Now, when I call your name, you will come up and put the sorting hat on your head-" Artemis tuned her out and instead scanned the room. He noticed the trio from the bookstore.

"Fowl, Artemis." He walked up stiffly, and sat on the stool. He was very aware of how all the teachers narrowed their eyes at him, obviously informed of his situation, and how there were a few gasps from the crowd (most likely made by muggleborns). The hat drooped over his eyes and then began to speak inside his head.

A Fowl this time… Well, you definitely do not belong in Hufflepuff… Ravenclaw would suit your intelligence however how you use that knowledge… Whereas your courage… you have not discovered it yet but it is there…

I may be the last person you will ever sort if you don't hurry up, Artemis thought to the hat.

Nope, nope! There's no doubt about it now…

"Slytherin!" Artemis had expected this; he wouldn't have fit anywhere else. However, he did find the hat's musings about his 'courage' disturbing.

After a few silent seconds, the students began to applaud. How long had he been listening to the hat talk for?

He glanced over at his new table which were all occupied with whispering to eachother, with Malfoy being one of them, saying, "A mudblood in Slytherin?"

Shaking his head, he walked towards the table however was stopped briefly by McGonagall who put a hand on his shoulder. It was not a comforting gesture- she gave a warning look then let him go. With McGonagall looking daggers into his back, he let himself indulge in a smile.

I finally made myself write out the general plot of this story. I'm thinking that there will be a minor character death (two of them actually) however it really will depend on my mood when I'm writing the chapter…