Sang Qui Lie

Artemis sighed melodramatically as she pulled on her Muggle dress. She looked over at her sister who was lounging on her bed, already dressed. "They...match," Artemis mumbled.

Cass nodded before adding, "And Narcissa picked them out. Aren't we lucky?"

Artemis scrunched up her nose at the pale violet sun dress. "I am not wearing this...this...abomination."

Cass rolled her eyes and tossed a pillow at her twin. "You know we can't go to Muggle London in our new Hogwarts robes."

Artemis glared at her sister as she laid the dress on her bed. "I know that." she spat. "But violet, Cass, VIOLET!?" She studied her sister's dress for a moment and chuckled. "Cass, do you realize you're decked out in Slytherin colors?"

"Oh shut up!" Cass hollered. The door behind her opened and Artemis yelped, trying to cover herself with the dress. Artemis could vaguely hear Cass mutter something about "never having a moment's peace in this house."

Artemis tried to smile brightly at her uncle. Lucius stood in the doorway, attempting to look cold and evil. "Uncle Lucius! Hello. We're almost done packing."

Lucius smiled coldly at her. "Very well, Artemis." He studied the girls and smiled his perfectly straight white teeth. I wanted to remind you of what is expected of you when you reach Hogwarts." He glowered at Cass, his eyes narrowing. "Both of you know what is expected. Although I'm not quite sure you will last the first week."

Artemis nodded at him solemnly. Her nails dug into Cass's arm warning her to keep quiet. "If I find you end up in a less honorable house...there will be consequences." At that he stormed out.

Cass snarled and pulled lose of Artemis. "The NERVE of that man!" Artemis bit her lip and watched Cass silently. "You aren't going to do anything stupid, are you?" she whispered.

Cass sighed deeply. "No, but I refuse to do what that man wants just because of the way he threatens me." Artemis opened her mouth to reply but was interrupted by a high-pitched drawl.

"Darlings! It's time to go! Are you ready?" Narcissa pursed her lips and looked at the girls. Artemis had managed to put on her dress. "Aren't you lovely! Shame it's only Muggle clothes though. If only you could look like that in real robes." Artemis scowled as she heard Draco's annoying chuckle from behind Narcissa.

Narcissa clicked her tongue. "Oh well, not everyone can be completely lucky. At least you're both Malfoy's!" Cass had to hold back Artemis this time. Narcissa laid a finger on her lips. "There was something I'm supposed to do..."

Draco looked at his cousins. "Mother, can we not leave just yet? There's something I want to talk to Father about."

Narcissa smiled down at Draco. "Of course, my little snakie..." Artemis began to shake with silent laughter. Cass had to hold her up. Artemis knew behind Cass's smirking face thoughts of blackmail were being created.

"We'll be down in a minute Aunt Narcissa," she finally managed to say.

All right, darling." Narcissa turned, but looked back for a second. "Do get Bagstar to do something with your hair, Artemis dear. Maybe Cass could help. Her hair is always nice." At that she turned and strutted out. Draco followed after her, giving them his trademark smirk. Artemis grabbed the ridiculously high-heeled shoe Narcissa had given her to wear with her dress. She snarled.

"If that woman calls me darling or insults my appearance one more time I will shove this shoe up her..."

"Dea!" Artemis stopped as a very flustered Cass yelled her old nickname.

Artemis sent Cass a pout. "What?! It's not like you weren't thinking it!"

Cass shook her head. "She doesn't insult me. Besides, you don't need to say it aloud!" Artemis flipped her hair in response and picked up a brush. She quickly pulled it through her hair as she grabbed Echo's cage.

"Time to go, girl," she cooed. Without glancing back she snapped, "Come on, Cass. We don't want to be late."

She heard Cass groan behind her. "Artemis don't you dare go into one of your bitchy moods." Artemis ignored her.

Downstairs, Lucius and Narcissa were waiting, an impatient Draco lounging nearby. "Took you long enough." Artemis glared at his thin eyebrow raised haughtily.

"Sorry Draco, we would never want to keep you waiting. Her voice dripped with sarcasm. She didn't like Draco's haughty attitude. Someone needed to bring him down a notch or two.

Cass chuckled behind her. "How do we get to the station? We can't apparate, can we?"

Lucius shook his head. "No, we will be driving there, which is why we are in a hurry."

Artemis frowned slightly. "You know how to drive a Muggle vehicle?"

"No, unfortunately we had to hire a Mudblood to be our driver." The look of disgust on his face was evident. Narcissa crumpled up her nose and shuddered before kissing Draco's head. "Now Dwakie honey, be a good little boy. I am so proud of my little prefect!"

Cass started coughing violently. Lucius muttered something under his breath and tugged his wife off his son. "Be sure to put that Mudblood Granger in her place. Oh, and tell Snape hello for me." He raised an eyebrow. "...and remember your other assignment." His eyes flicked to the twins momentarily. "Come along now."

He pushed the family out the door to a rather expensive looking car. Not that Artemis knew what was standard for Muggle vehicles; she'd never seen one before. After the children got in Lucius leaned in. He eyed each of them before smirking.

"Have a good year. I will see you at Christmas." Narcissa nodded behind him.

"Oh, darling wait! Libi wanted us to give the twins these before they went off to Hogwarts." She withdrew two necklaces from her handbag. She frowned. "...Now the silver moon and snake goes to..." She pouted at Lucius. "I don't remember."

Lucius growled and grabbed them from her. "They'll figure it out!" He handed them to Artemis. "Now good-bye!" He slammed the door shut and the car began to move. Cass and Artemis stared down at the two necklaces between them. One was a silver moon with a snake around it, the other a silver moon with a wolf howling at it.

Draco leaned over, looking at Cass. "Artemis is the wolf..."

"Shut it, Draco."