Artemis Fowl spent the next month being very busy indeed.
He had to make sure to attend each of Flitwick's classes at least once to memorise the names and faces of every student in the school and find out their basic personality traits, at least as much as can be observed in a classroom.
He had to make sure to keep on studying the subjects he only had a basic knowledge of, since he was supposed to be a full wizard, and already know these things in detail.
Then, he not only had to keep on programming useful spells into his wand, trying to find ways to achieve the same effects with the least amount of magical power, but he had to even help Flitwick with some demonstrations and marking every now and again, lest the other teachers begin to suspect his 'apprentice' status.
Thus almost every other spare moment was spent in the library, reading books from almost every subject and era, from the out of date law-books, to the newest cleaning spells invented, in an effort to make sure he had the the good majority of it memorised by the time the year ended.
This of course meant that it would take quite a while before he could begin to set some of his plots in motion. Oh sure he was making sure to have a kind word or complement ready for the times he ran into Umbridge, and his dinnertime conversations with Snape were proving to be at least interesting, covering a wide variety of topics. (When the man wasn't complaining bitterly about almost every student.) But Artemis had yet to find a good chance to ingrate himself more fully into the various pawns good graces. Especially the major pawn among the students.
This all changed when he managed to overhear a very interesting conversation in the library between one of the regular visitors Hermione, and her two friends...
(Excerpt from pg. 295 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.)
"I was wondering", Hermione said suddenly, "whether you'd thought any more about Defence Against the Dark Arts, Harry."
"Course I have," said Harry grumpily, "cant forget it, can we, with that hag teaching us -"
"I meant the idea Ron and I had _" Ron cast her an alarmed, threatening kind of look. She frowned at him, "- Oh, all right, the idea I had, then - about you teaching us"
Harry did not answer at once. He pretended to be perusing a page of Asiatic Anti-Venom's, because he did not want to say what was on his mind.
(End Excerpt.)
"I - I just don't know what to say Hermione. I still think its silly, it was all luck, what could I possibly teach anyone? But -" Hermione shoots a triumphant look at Ron, and he perks up, now that he's sure Harry wont start shouting again.
"But I think we shouldn't stand for that hag's teaching, we should be trying to do something... I'm just not sure." Harry trails off, noticing a shadow fall onto the table as someone approaches.
"Perhaps I could be of assistance?" A cultured but accented voice speaks, "I personally have found Madame Umbridge's supposed 'teaching' a horrendous parody of vat it should be. If you are in need of a qualified teacher, I could recommend Flitvick, he has von many dueling avards, and knows quite a few spells that may be of use. He has taught me much of vat I know." The mysterious apprentice waits patiently for a reply, as the three students are a bit surprised and don't say anything for a few seconds.
Hermione is the first to recover her wits, and quickly snaps a retort, "You shouldn't be listening in on other peoples conversations you know!"
Artemis smirks and replies, "Actually, I vas merely here to grab a few books, I managed to 'overhear' you vhile in the next row over. You really should be more careful of where you speak, and of vat you speak of. Especially in a public place. Vat if I had been Umbridge? Or the unpleasant blond boy who seems to go out of his vay to cause you three trouble? Malfoy I believe vas his name. You could have gotten your little club banned by the High Inquisitor before it even started." He states with a knowing glance.
Hermione looks embarrassed as she starts to flush, "Oh, he's right, we really should be more careful guys." Looking at Artemis nervously she asks, "You aren't going to tell her are you? I've noticed she seems to like you and well -"
Artemis cuts her off before she could embarrass herself further by trying to ask for his silence. "Njet. I vont be telling anyone about this little project of yours, as long as you ensure that there vill be proper supervision by an instructor. I don't vant to have you running around cursing each other, and von of you ending up seriously injured or dead. I vont have that on my conscience. You three have to inform me of who you vill have supervise, and I vill be checking in vith them to ensure you are folloving my advice. Understood?" He finishes with a commanding air. (Inwardly smirking as he knows exactly where this will end up going.)
"But, we couldn't possibly ask a teacher, they aren't allowed to instruct in someone else's subject, except at the original instructors request! Its in Hogwarts a History." Hermione muses out loud, ignoring the bemused glances passing between her two friends.
"The only other people that would count would be someone like a Prefect, or Head girl and boy. Or..." She glances up, "You said Flitwick taught you? And he IS an accomplished dueler... You seem concerned, and its not like you have to go patrolling at night, or supervise any number of other clubs that the Professors already manage. Well then, if you care so much, how about YOU teach us then." She finishes, smug in the knowledge that he probably doesn't want to involve himself, and will likely drop the whole 'supervisor thing' once he realizes there aren't any suitable candidates. He seems like a arrogant pureblood who wont lift a finger to do more than read a book about a curse, he's always in here, doing nothing but reading. She thinks to herself, ignoring the fact that she also spends most of her time in the library reading.
But to her annoyance, Artemis just looks thoughtful for a second before replying, "Vell, I had not thought of that. It seems you are right, the only one who vould have the time would be me. It seems I must be a teacher this year. Very vell, I shall begin instructing you on how to fight. I am afraid my personal style is a bit more, practical, you could say. I've alvays focused a bit more on results, rather than technique, so I am afraid it wont entirely prepare you for your exams."
Ron pipes in, "Well, we aren't concerned with Exams, so much as we are just learning to defend ourselves. Given You-Know-Who being back, I think that's more important." Hermione looks a bit disapproving with Ron's attitude about Exams, but nods. "Yes, well I think they're both important. I suppose we must thank you." She admits grudgingly. "We could have run into some trouble there if it had been someone else behind the books. I have heard you are a genius, and I would love to get the chance to talk to you about some of my theory's about magic sometime after lessons."
She hastily adds, "If you have time of course, you must be busy, especially now that we've dragooned you into helping us."
Artemis ignores the rolling of Harry and Ron's eyes, as he politely tells Hermione, "I'm sure sometime ve can go over your theory's, and perhaps see if they have anything to them. Speaking of theory's, now that you have reminded me, I must get back to my thesis on Arcane Resonaces and Magnification Effects on Ritual Spells. I vill contact you during the veek and inform you as to the time and location. You had intended this group to be able to teach others as vell?"
At her nod he continues, "I shall then take the liberty of inviting a few other students that I feel vould benefit from extra lessons. I'm sure they all vill meet vith your approval. I vont be inviting idiots who vould inform the Inquisitor of our little study group, that vould be counter productive. I do ask that you don't invite anyone yourselves until you have discussed it vith me."
With that, he turns to leave and begins to walk away with his books floating behind him, pausing only to deliver one last parting shot. "And do try to keep out of trouble, I can't always be saving you."
After she is sure that he is gone, Hermione turns to Harry. "I cant believe him, he's so.. so..."
"Arrogant?" Harry smirks at her.
"You just don't like him because he's smarter than you." Ron contributes with a laugh.
Harry shakes his head, "Nah, I think its cus she has a crush on him." He grins, knowing that this is the perfect revenge for trying to make him teach.
A loud shriek from Hermione confirms this observation, as she turns red, and leaves in a huff.
After Ron stops laughing, (Earning a glare from Madame Prince.) He says with real concern, "You don't suppose she really likes him do you? She got awful mad."
"No way!" Comes the laughing reply.
Later that week...
Artemis is walking down the hall, on his way to impart some knowledge to some idiot teenagers while simultaneously forging a group of strong leaders who will one day hopefully be of use to him, when a most unusual occurrence stops him. He notices a tiny little blond girl standing in his way, arms crossed, bright blue scarf wrapped around her neck, and the oddest radish earrings dangling from her ears. She stares intently at him and raises just one eyebrow, looks around to make sure no-one is near and speaks.
"I know what you are not." She states defiantly.
"Oh really? And vat pray tell am I not?"
"You aren't a Wizard. You're pretending to be one, but you aren't."
This loaded statement leaves Artemis inwardly blinking in shock. On the outside, as cool as ever, he casually retorts, "That's a bit of a odd thing to say. How could I not be a wizard? I have a wand, I cast spells, I have magic at my command. What else could I be?"
"I'm not sure what you are. Just that you're not a wizard. I can see things you know. No-one else ever believes me, even when its obvious.
I am beginning to think that no-one else sees things right. I used to think they were pretending, but there are so many people who seem to not know... They can't all be pretending... Not that many people... I hope..." She looks lost for a moment, then focuses back on Artemis.
"You have had your aura changed. It used to be something else, now it screams wizard. But that's not right, its not supposed to be so obvious and vivid. It looks fake, like someone who dies their hair a silly colour. But... I don't know what you are. And I want you to tell me. I have to know.
If you don't promise to tell me... I'll do something, I don't know what, but I will test you till I figure it out."
She then cocks her head to the side, waiting for an answer.
Artemis thinks for a second, and then cautiously inquires, "Why do you vant to know? Vat vill you do if you find out I am just a very odd wizard?"
"I know you arent. You're special, and important. The Lanorrans around you in the shadows all whisper the same things. They all say you are powerful, and important, and will change things, change things in a big way. The only other one who makes them so excited, is Harry.
Lanorrans only gather around people who have a really big destiny, and will have two paths to take. Harry will have to make a choice one day, between two big things, and so will you. I plan on getting to know Harry more to try and figure out what his choice will be, and now that you're here, I plan on getting to know you too.
That's why I have to know, I think it has something to do with your choice..." She stops and waits for his answer.
Artemis goes deep into thought for a few seconds, thinking of all the possibilities and permutations. The good thing was that even if he revealed anything, no-one would likely believe her, the wizarding world didn't seem to know it had something special in Luna Lovegood. He had seen her in class, doing well, but ignored by all her classmates. Always alone and teased.
Allying with Luna could backfire, but she could also be invaluable. She seemed to be able to see things no-one else could. Almost a seeress. But she didn't seem to have visions like they usually did, and if she had ever made a prophesy, she would probably be more popular than she was.
She might be able to help him furthur his plans... but of course he didn't have to tip his hand yet.
Dropping the accent briefly to show her that he is serious, "Very well, I will tell you the truth about what I really am, and why it looks like my aura is fake. But you did not specify when I would have to reveal this information. So I will not be telling you now. How about later, when I'm in the mood? I will tell you sometime in... 5 years. Does that seem satisfactory? I would also have to ask you to never reveal this information, or your suspicions to anyone." He gives her one of his more menacing glares.
"Hmm... no, 5 years is too long. I could probably figure it out in 5 years. How about in 2 years, and I will swear an unbreakable oath not to reveal anything to anyone?" She counters.
"3 years, an unbreakable oath, and I will include you in my little study group. Harry is in it so you will get a better chance to get to know him, and you might even learn a bit of Defence against the Dark Arts while you're in it. You certainly will not from Umbridge."
"Deal!" Luna breaks out a gigantic smile, and extends a hand towards Artemis. They shake briefly, then resuming his accent Artemis says, "Also, the Defense Group is meeting now, so if you don't have anything planned it vould be best if you vere to come along."
"Ok." She grabs her wand twirls it around her arm leaving behind a few colourful swirls of blue magic and intones, "I solemnly swear, on my life and magic, that I will not reveal to anyone, anything that you tell me that is a secret." Another grin, as she grabs Artemis's hand again and says, "Do you accept the terms?"
"I do." The magical swirls sink into her arm, and all is normal once more.
Artemis makes his way to Flitwick's office, with a happy little Luna following along. And when he reaches it, he finds the hall filled with a few curious students, who all turn to look at him.
Harry, Ron and Hermione are there waiting. As are Fred, George, Lee Jordan, Terry Boot and Susan Bones.
Artemis strides up to them, and speaks. "This vay please." Opening the door, he leads the way into Flitwick's office. Seeing Filius at his desk marking papers, Artemis nods in greeting. "Filius, these are the students I informed you of, there may be more joining us in later sessions. Please insure no-one interrupts us."
"Of course Artemis. And I'll probably drop in from time to time to watch, even though I'm not allowed to teach." Turning to the assorted students with a smile, "You all will do well I think, I'm the one who recommended half of you, so I know you are good enough. Just remember to be careful." Flitwick nods and goes back to his marking, circling a particularly horribly spelled word.
Artemis mutters a password to a plain wooden door off to the side "Mandelbrot Set", and it opens inwards to reveal a seldom used study hall/detention room. Flitwick hardly ever had trouble with students, so he rarely ever needed it, making it perfect for Artemis's purposes.
Everyone stands in the middle of the room, looking at each other a little awkwardly. Fred even cracks a joke to George about how everyone looks like they're being asked to dance.
Artemis closes the door, and walks to the front if the room. "Alright. First I vant you all to introduce yourselves. Then we vill start with some basics such as Aiming, and Dodging. It dosen't matter if you know a thousand spells, if you cannot hit anyone vith a single von. And if you cannot even dodge a spell, then you vill quickly lose any fight, especially if you lose your vand for any reason."
As they all exchange names, Artemis moves the tables and chairs out of the way with a quickly spoken spell, and transforms some into targets, roughly shaped like people.
Thus the lesson begins, with everyone showing how poorly their aim is with stunners, and working to get the hang of hitting whatever body part they want. The only ones who have any skill at it at the beginning are Harry and Lee.
Then they all move onto Dodging. They are all paired up and taught a colour changing spell, with each one being assigned a different colour. (A spell which Fred and George have long since mastered of course.) Then they have to try and hit each other, as many times as they can, while dodging the other persons attacks. Anyone who marks another combatant who isn't their target will loose points. And you gain points for every mark you get on your opponent.
At first most of them just stand there, casting the spell as fast as they can and only moving a little to try and dodge attacks.
But upon seeing this horrible display of lack of movement, one which would shame anyone who has ever been taught by a Butler, Artemis calls for a break. "No no no, look at you, you are all barely even moving. You all vould be dead many times over in a real fight. You have to imagine that every spell coming at you is the killing curse. If even one hits you, you are dead. Watch this example and see if you can't figure out what to do."
With that, he calls upon Guenhwyvar.
Smoke swirls out of the statue hidden in his inner pocket, and slowly solidifies into the black panther. "Gwen, I need to show these students how to properly dodge a spell. Thus I vill be casting a colour changing spell at you. If you cannot dodge it, you vill be turned pink vhere it hits you." Gwen gives out a growl, not liking the sound of being turned pink, and tenses her muscles preparing to jump away.
Artemis starts almost immediately, casting as many spells as he can in rapid succession. He tries his best to anticipate where Gwen will move to next, and even though she is wildly running, jumping, and dodging around the room, he even manages to hit her a few times. She takes advantage of the tables and chairs, using them as cover, and even uses Ron as a shield for a few seconds. Finally she grows tired of the game, and carefully pounces on top of Artemis, ending the fight.
"Thanks Gwen," He dryly wheezes as she finally moves off him. "You can stay if you want to watch them try and fail." Turning to everyone else he remarks with a sarcastic tone, "Vell? Vhat are you vaiting for? You have been shown how to properly dodge an attack, so now try again. Anticipate vere your opponent vill aim his spells, find cover, and move out of the vay of spells. It is very simple."
With that, everyone reluctantly goes back to practicing dodging. Ron remarking, "I dunno what he's expecting of us, we can't move around as fast at a giant bloody cat."
"Ron, Language! He's right you know, we should be moving around more." Hermione tells him as she sidesteps a spell from Luna.
Practice continues until they are too tired to move around. Then they are sent back to their dorms with instructions to come back next week at the same time, and to try and practice their aim until then.
In the hall, Harry speaks up to his friends, "That was actually kinda fun, even if I can barely move now. It makes sense that he's teaching the basics like that first, before he actually teaches us spells."
"Nah, my favorite part was when he got jumped by that huge cat. Smug bugger making us run around like that, he deserved it." Ron chimes in.
"We had been a bit curious -"
"As to whether these little study sessions -"
"Would be any good. But we think -"
"He really knows his stuff -"
"And we are definitely coming back -"
"For more. This has always -"
"Been our poorest subject -"
"So we did need the help."
Fred and George contribute their two cents worth, before they and Lee Jordan go down the hall in a different direction, chatting about how to make the puking pestles a bit less vomit inducing since it was hard to take the antidote currently.
Susan shakes her head at them, "How can you survive having those two for brothers Ron? I would go nuts. I did have fun though, I guess I'll see you guys in class. Bye!"
She gives a little half wave and takes the next left towards the Hufflepuff's tower.
Luna simply keeps on walking next to the trio for a while, and when they turn down a corridor to go to their dorm, she gives everyone a wave, and says, "Watch out for Nargles!"
A shy Terry just follows her silently back to their common room.
"Boy, that Luna sure is odd, I can see why they call her Looney." Ron remarks once she is out of earshot.
Hermione defends Luna. "Yeah, but she can dodge almost anything I throw at her. She's a nice girl so don't be mean."
"Lets just get our homework done and go to sleep, k guys?" Harry speaks up, stopping the budding argument.
AN: Tada! New, but short chapter. Artemis is getting himself into a postion of trust for a few key people, and lessons in proper fighting has begun. And of course, I had to include Luna, cus she was always my favorite. :D
Next chapter might be a while, and it will probably skip over much of the year. Afterall, aside from Defense lessons with Artemis, he doesn't interact much with many people in Hogwarts. So the year should end fairly fast once the various relationships are set up, and only the interesting bits will be displayed for your reading. :P