Ch. 6-The Premiere

For the next four weeks things had taken to routine, Artemis would go to training after breakfast with Tom; afterwards he would stay in his room and study his music until lunch. After lunch he would take a walk around the grounds with Lucius and Artemis would look after him and spend time with him in the small forest within Malfoy Manor. The less time Lucius was around his father the better, then after supper Dobby would usually visit him unless he was swamped with chores. Sometimes Tom would ask for an evening training session, and then off to bed. There were only a few incidences in which Lucius angered his father, but most times Artemis could convince Abraxas to leave him in his charge so he would "behave". Other times he wasn't so fortunate, Lucius spent a night or two in the tower. Both times Artemis came to comfort him, only once Abraxas lost control Artemis used the imperious curse on him to convince him to stop. Lucius became somewhat of a caretaker, like a big brother to Lucius, and Artemis came to love Lucius as such. But as before Artemis began to grow restless and was anxious to do what he was brought here for. It was an early Sunday morning when Artemis got his wish.

Tom came to his room while he was studying music; Tom surveyed his room with satisfaction.

"Nice quarters you have here Artemis, much better than the dormitories at Hogwarts."

"I wouldn't really know, I wasn't there long." Responded Artemis.

"That's right, what house were you in for your short time?"

"Ravenclaw, I'll assume you were in Slytherin." Tom gave a stare with a short pause.

"Why would you assume that?" Artemis pointed his pencil at him.

"The tie you wore yesterday, is it not the tie of Slytherin house?" Tom looked down than gave a sigh of some relief than chuckled to himself.

"I see, very observant." There was a short pause before Artemis asked.

"Tom, what is your last name?" Tom gave Artemis a curious stare.

"Why do you ask?"

"Well everyone has a last name, just curious." Tom looked down and gave a sigh of somewhat disappointment.

"Not me", Tom said. "Now prepare yourself, tonight we give you your first assignment." Artemis lifted his head up in disbelief.

"What is it?"

"Tonight, were attacking a muggle city."

"I thought we were attacking mud-bloods."

"Are muggles not just as bad as mud-bloods, besides this is a city of mud-bloods who renounce the ways of magic and choose to live as muggles." Tom said this with a certain sense of disgust, "We will send a clear message with this attack." Artemis thought about his assignment, but found reassurance in the cause he was helping. "Tonight we will bring their city to its knees." Tom left and Artemis pondered his assignment. It wasn't what he expected, he didn't know what to expect, but it was the start of something new, and he was excited. And he knew just what song he was going to use.

Artemis prepared himself in his room all day pacing, thinking, and studying his music. When night fell he readied himself, dressing in his very best. A pinstripe black suit, with a purple tie and a black shirt, and he put on his long black cloak he looked himself in the mirror as before, he felt more than cool, he felt powerful, dangerous. He was ready. Adora caught him looking himself over.

"Very dapper I must say." Artemis turned to see Adora standing in his doorway, dressed in a beautiful, Celtic green dress with long hanging sleeves and her necklace shining brightly. She walked to him, "I just wanted to wish you good luck." She kissed him, for what seemed an eternity of bliss. He didn't know what to think, and he didn't care, he didn't think about it, he just closed his eyes and enjoyed what was happening. When she stopped, she smiled and turned around and strolled out the room. When she left Artemis smiled bigger than he ever had, he gave a jump of joy and a silent "Yes".

He left his room shortly after, and stood on the balcony overlooking the foyer, where Abraxas and Tom were quarrelling.

"You know I've always trusted your judgment Tom, but I don't know about this."

"Sir, do not worry he has been trained well."

"I'm not concerned about his training, what about his nerves." Tom says nothing. Abraxas speaks again. "Is he ready to kill hundreds of people?"

"I am", both men looked up and saw Artemis standing above them, he made his way down the stairs and met the two men. Tom looked at Artemis with a smile; Abraxas soon had a smile as well than he said.

"Very well" Adora made her way down the stairs. Than all of them went out the front door, and looked at the night sky. "Follow us." All of them erupted into black smoke and zoomed through the night sky. This had taken some time to master and Artemis still didn't have a full grip on it either. They finally landed on a hillside, a tall cliff-side overlooking a city. No skyscrapers like London, only houses and some businesses, but a large town, a lighted factory was at the far end of the city. It was late enough for the street lamps to light the city, but some houses were still lit, others were dark, and it was quiet, peaceful. Artemis gazed over the city he was meant to destroy. On the hill were people Artemis did not know, Abraxas told him they were other members of their cause and wanted to see his brilliance. Tom approached Artemis and whispered into his ear.

"You know what to do, you're ready", Artemis nodded. There was a beat of silence as the chirping of crickets was heard "Make us proud", Tom stepped back. Artemis snapped his fingers and out popped his music stand the Malfoys had bought for him, conjure able. He laid his music on it, and opened to the first page revealing the title. 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky, Tom smiled than stepped back with the others who were watching with likewise excitement. Artemis took out his wand, breathed more deeply than he ever had, and began.

He began near the crescendo of the song, and as the booming sound of the brass was heard, a glorious triumphant anthem rang out through the city. The lights of the houses began to turn on, and people could be seen looking out their windows and stepping out from their doors at the curious music. The music rang out louder than before a slow but loud fanfare, like a grand army near victory, or a giant stomping slowly. Fireworks shot out from all around the city and all the people looked up to see this grand show, oohs and ahs were heard in a loud chorus, and as the colorful explosions continued they even began applauding, not knowing the imminent danger that was ahead. The music grew and grew and as it reached the crescendo the applause suddenly stopped with the first explosion. A house in the distance exploded with bright fire when the music's tempo grew fast and the slow triumph became a fast charge. The explosions happened all around, homes being destroyed in seconds fire blowing high into the sky as the random blasts swept across the city. People ran and screamed in terror, confusion ran rapid and panic overcame all those who witnessed their homes exploding in flames. Glass shattered, rubble flew, and people were flung by the eruptions and laid dead. The upbeat song was a grand foil for the horrifying destruction that ran across this peaceful city. Some attempted to escape with their cars, but balls of fire began raining down from the sky exploding cars and destroying buildings, all the while the brilliant fireworks that started this whole scene of death still exploded with brilliant color in the night sky. The flames from the sky struck down and sent people flying, igniting them. Men, woman, children all slaughtered by this grand show of power, and as the music came to its triumphant end the fireworks exploded more rapidly than before and the explosions ceased with the final note and the sky flashed a brilliant red as one last wave of fire hit the ground, shaking it and sending everything in its path in wild trajectory. The music ended and Artemis looked down at the destruction of his own making, and he smiled and was shaking with ecstasy. He had never felt so alive, he felt invincible, he nearly had forgotten about the people behind him to who he turned to and bowed. They gave him glorious applause as the city behind Artemis burned. Few faint screams could be heard; Abraxas motioned to a few of the wizards that were there.

"Take care of any survivors." The men disappeared into smoke that zoomed toward the city. Artemis could see green flashes down at the city; he turned back to his audience, all of whom were giving him complements on his grand performance. He made his way to Abraxas.

"Well done Artemis, well done, you have certainly lived up to our expectations and more."

"Thank you sir", all those around him were giving him pats on the back and a whirl of compliments. Finally Tom appeared behind him.

"Sensational Artemis, I'm speechless", Tom put his hand on his shoulder. "Well done." Abraxas made an announcement to all the witches and wizards there.

"Let us celebrate, all of you to Malfoy Manor, quickly before any aurors arrive." All the people on the hillside erupted into the familiar black smoke and whisked away into the night sky. Artemis turned one last time back to the burning city he left by his hand. He gave on last smile, than followed the others back to Malfoy Manor.

The party in the living room was an aristocratic spectacle, hoighty toighty people with their noses in the air drinking champagne and expensive port. Artemis mingled among the guests and as before was congratulated and given compliment after compliment. To be honest he was growing tired of all the compliments, but he understood why, and he grinned and bore it. He met many other pure blood families there, and struck up a conversation with the Black family, who were very fond supporters of the Malfoy family and our "cause". That was a word he heard often, their "cause", and now he was a part of it. Poor Dobby had to cater to everyone at the party, refilling drinks serving hors d'oeuvres to everyone, Dobby caught his eye and Artemis gave him a smile as he rushed on with his duties. Lucius had been put to be before they had left, and Artemis was now the youngest in the room. Abraxas talked business with many people, even had Artemis talk business with him. Saying that they would be planning a campaign of attacks on muggle and mud-blood cities and that Artemis would be leading the charge. Artemis felt quite like a celebrity, being fawned over, and complimented; the topic of everyone's conversation in the room. He rather liked it, but was getting rather tired, he said goodnight and made his way to his room.

As he lied in bed he thought, he did that a lot recently, about what he had done, he didn't feel remorse like the first time, but he thought he would feel better, more accomplished, but all he could think about were the people he had killed. He told himself they deserved to die, disgracing the name of magic by renouncing it and living among muggles. They brought it upon themselves, he told himself this over and over but still he couldn't shake the thought out of his head. He thought about Broderick and what he would think about all this. He told himself he needed to shake away these thoughts of his past. Tom had told him it was best to leave his past behind him, that it did nothing but weaken him with the lies he had been fed. Artemis thought it wise not to think on these kinds on thoughts too much so he just lied in bed, trying to relax. His train of thought was interrupted by a figure standing in his doorway, Adora.

She had changed from her green dress into a black evening gown that wrapped around her chest and under her arms. Her gorgeous blonde was tied up behind her head. She took out her hair clip and shook her hair that scattered around and rested on her body. Artemis lay in bed, trying to convince himself she was only there to say goodnight. She spoke no words; she just stepped into the room and closed the door behind her, and locked it. Her arms went behind her back and she unzipped her dress, as she let go it fell down to her feet, revealing her naked body standing before him. Artemis' eyes widened at the sight of this beautiful goddess, he didn't know what to do, what to say, how to react. He just stayed in bed, but he felt a rush of heat through all of his body, his heart fluttered and was beating faster and faster. She walked closer, and climbed onto his bed. She lay on top of him and she kissed him, again and again. When she had kissed him this morning he had wondered if he could feel that again. How incredible that he should get his wish within the same day. She sat up on him and tore open his shirt rather aggressively; she rubbed her hands on his chest and they kissed more and more, he felt as if he let go of her lips the world would grow dark. He hung on to her and put his hands around her back and held her close. Her hands ran down his legs and she grabbed him. Artemis had never been touched like this, and it frightened him, but he fought his fear, to feel the infinite pleasure of this gorgeous woman touching him. Before he knew it she had taken off all his clothes, and he like her was bare. She took his hand and put it on her chest and felt her, he could feel her heart beating. What happened next, Artemis couldn't explain; he felt such a rush he barely had time to understand what was happening. She twisted herself around him, treating him as if she were his prize, and he felt amazing, better than he had ever felt in his life. He didn't want it to end, but when they had finished they lied there panting, passion was flowing through their veins. She lay next to Artemis; hand on his shoulder, her head resting on his chest. Artemis felt nothing but joy, pure happiness. They fell asleep, in peaceful bliss, and all night Artemis did nothing but dream sweet dreams of the future. Everything had changed, and he welcomed the change.