It was about 7:15am when a knock sounded on Harry and Draco's door. No one came in so they quickly got up and prepared for the day. "I have no idea how we are going to explain how we acquired a fox over night" Draco said.
"We could just tell the truth. It may sound a bit far fetched but the proof is sitting right here." Harry walked over to their new… pet? And picked her up. "I think you need a name. Calling you Magic would draw too much attention and calling you fox implies you are not worthy of a name." Harry thought for a minute before a name popped into his head. "How about Artemis! She is the goddess of hunting, wilderness, and wild animals. Plus we could call you Artie."
"Hmm… I like the name. I was a good friend with Artemis during her time." Stated the newly named Artemis.
"You knew Artemis, as in the actual Artemis? Greek goddess? She really existed?" Harry asked in amazement.
"Of course she existed Young One. She still does. She is merely asleep; her rule has ended. She and her brethren will most likely awake in the future to rule again, as is the cycle of the Gods. I am the only known goddess like figure that has not gone into a hibernated sleep, as I always play a roll in your world." Artie stretched and went to stand next to Harry.
Draco cast a quick tempus charm that revealed it to be 7:35. "If we want to have any chance of explaining before breakfast we ought to go now." Harry nodded and picked up Artie. Half hiding behind Draco the trio made their war into the sitting area.
"Ah, Draco, before you sit down I feel the need to inform you of your mother's departure." Severus held up his hand to stop the exclamations. "She didn't tell you because she knew you would try to stop her. She is now residing somewhere in America. No one will find her there. With both of you here Hogwarts was a bigger target. Please don't try and run after her." Draco sighed knowing it was useless to go after his mother. She was crafty and it would be impossible to find her; he also couldn't leave Harry, not that he would want to.
"Okay. I wasn't going to go after her. I wouldn't be able to find her if I did but right now there is something a bit more important to talk about." Draco and Harry walked further into the room and Harry stepped out from behind Draco with Artemis.
There was a moment of silence while the adults tried to figure out how Harry had acquired a fox. Remus spoke first. "Harry where did you get a fox? It was not here yesterday."
Harry and Draco exchanged looks and turned to Artemis. She tilted her head as if to say 'really? You want the fox to explain?' The teens shared another look and went to sit on the couch. It took a whole five minutes to sum everything up and they sat in silence while the adults once again gathered their thoughts.
"So this fox… claims to be Magic… and you just bring her home." Severus did not look happy. Artemis saw the distrust in his gaze and decided it was time to speak.
"I can see you do not trust me, and with good reason, as you do not know me. I am indeed Magic. I have watched over your race from the time of their creation. You are a master at potions, correct?" At Severus nod, She continued. "I gave you that talent. I saw when you were conceived that a skill such as potions was the only way you would survive until this point in your life, where you are greatly needed. I know you are a spy. I know everyone you have, do, and will love. And besides… whether you trust me or not I will be staying to help Harry."
"Staying to help Harry with what?" Remus asked, leaning forward as though it would help him absorb more knowledge.
Artie chuckled, knowing Remus would ask this, before sobering. "To help him with the war of course.
There are some rough patches ahead that I do not think he can handle without me and if he does not succeed it will be the end of our race."
"That's enough, guys. She has told you why she is here and it is time for breakfast." Harry rose from the couch dragging Draco with him, and they started towards the door. It was Artemis who stopped them.
"The Dark One has something he wishes to say." She said hand turned in Harry's arms to face him.
"Won't she need a collar so people know she is yours? We can just say Draco got her for you." Severus had a point, so Harry asked him to transfigure one for her. He grudgingly agreed and turned a piece of rope into a feminine black collar with a bit of glitter in it to make it stand out. With a quick thank-you Harry and Draco went to meet the Slytherins and head down to breakfast.
"Those brats made me feel bad for not believing them… they really are Slytherins that's for sure." Severus said with a sigh. "I guess I should head down to breakfast too. You may still shadow Harry if you wish, seeing as he still needs his pack close."
At breakfast there was even more staring. Apparently foxes were not common house pets but were still small and adorable. It didn't help that Artemis was smaller than the average fox, a bit bigger than a house cat. All the Slytherin girls wanted to pet her, while all the others were too scared to approach. When asked they simply said she was a gift from Draco, as Severus suggested.
Artemis walked over to Harry and under the pretense of nuzzling his face whispered in his ear. "Your headmaster has left you a note next to you plate Young One." Then she climbed into Harry's lap. Harry pretended to find the note as he was petting Artie, and together with her and Draco he read he read the note. It was brief and vague. Not a good sign.
'Meet me in my office, alone, after classes. Laffy taffy.' Was all it said. There was a sinking feeling in Harry's stomach as he thought of speaking with Dumbledore. Artie leaned up to whisper in his ear again. "I will go with you, do not fret." And with those simple words Harry felt a bit better.
A/N: I would have had this up earlier but there was a(and still is, somewhere) spider in my room and I had a minor panic attack. I hope you like Artie as she is kind of like my OC in this story. I am going to apologize in advance I suck at writing Dumbles so please don't flame me. Good night.