The Family Name

The Family Name

By Slytherin Tattoo

Chapter 5

Draco had stopped in the common room. Artemis went on to their dorm, sat on his bed, and pulled the curtains. He leaned back against the headboard and pulled out his fairy computer, which he'd warded with as many magical spells as he could find.

"Dear Butler," he typed into an email, "I got into another argument with Malfoy today. I haven't told you this, but he and I have been fighting a lot. I know--you're in shock. Where is my level-headedness? How could I actually have raised my voice? Honestly, I don't know what's gotten into me. It's like Malfoy just brings out all the illogic in me. But I can't let it continue. From now on, I'm going to be normal calm and cold-blooded self. He won't make me react again."

He got his reply shortly after. "Dear Artemis, maybe you should try making friends with him instead. If not, don't hesitate to call me if you need me to--apply some persuasion. Or perhaps you need me closer? I could camp out in the Forbidden Forest."

"Dear Butler, nothing drastic yet. Stay there for now. But when I see you over break, maybe you could teach me how to beat somebody up. Just in case."

__________ __________

So the days went on. For the next two weeks, they were mainly civil to each other. When Malfoy was at Quidditch practice, Crabbe and Goyle would go talk to Fowl. When Pansy and Millicent needed help with homework, they'd go to Artemis. One evening Snape wandered by and congratulated them.

It was the very next day when Draco couldn't take their peaceful co-existence anymore. But no matter how he insulted him, he couldn't work Artemis up into a rage again. He did find a nasty surprise in his bed one night, but he was never positive if it had been Fowl or Zabini.

And then October rolled around.

___________ ____________

Artemis's circle sat outside by the lake. Draco's circle did, too, on the far side. They could squint a bit and see each other across the water.

They were sprawled out on the grass in various relaxed positions. Artemis sat with his knees up and his homework propped against his legs, his back against a small willow tree. Zabini lay on his back to Artemis's right, staring up at the sky as he tried to memorize plants and their properties. Eva Bole lay on her stomach, chin on her arms, perpendicular to him, star charts spread out haphazardly on the grass. Marie Chevalier leaned back against Artemis's legs, as he called out History of Magic questions to her and she looked the answers up in the textbook. Then he would write them down on the parchment in front of him.

Across the lake, Draco and Pansy sat back to back, leaning against each other, quizzing one another for the Herbology exam the next day. Millicent lay on her stomach, propped up on her elbows, working on her own History paper next to Pansy's feet. Crabbe and Goyle sat cross-legged a little in front and on either side of Draco, copying each other's DADA answers.

After a little while, Bulstrode received a note from Marie, via Zabini's hawk. It said, "Mordicant the Misguided died in the 5^th Goblin War, not the 4^th." Upon which she scrawled a hearty "Oh thanks!" to the page and sent it back.

About five minutes later, a freckled redheaded girl in Gryffindor robes approached Artemis's group. "I believe this is yours," she said, pointing to the hawk perched on her shoulder. "For some reason, he just flew over and landed on me. And now he's trying to eat my hair."

Zabini gave her an apologetic smile, despite the fact that she was a Wealsey. "Sorry--he has this thing about red hair." They all stared at him and he winced. "I'm serious. I don't know why." They continued to stare. "Look, it's usually not a problem, OK? Except that time when he was circling your twin brothers and they hexed his feathers polka-dotted."

Ginny giggled. She made shooing motions to the bird, who finally flew over to Zabini, looking rather put out about it.

Bole looked up at Ginny and smiled mischievously. She seemed a sweet little thing. A little teasing, girl-to-girl, wouldn't hurt. "So," she piped up, "Weasley, have you caught Potter yet?"

Ginny froze. Her eyes widened as her gaze snapped down to Eva. "What?"

"You have a crush on him!" Bole grinned. Holding up her finger, she shook it in the "now, you're not being naughty, are you?" gesture. "I've seen the way you look at him!" she continued.

Ginny turned a deep red that seemed to extend through her whole body, down to her very bones. Her whole demeanor changed, as if she were suddenly all shyness and self-consciousness, alone, awkward, frightened, and ashamed. Then she turned and fled.

"Oh!" Bole cried. "Wait--I didn't mean--oh!"

But the girl was running off much too fast to catch, and who ever heard of a Slytherin chasing after a Gryffindor, anyway? Still, it was upsetting; she hadn't meant it like that.

"I guess you ran off the enemy," Zabini commented. They were all a little surprised by what had just happened.

"I guess I did. I was just teasing, though. I hadn't meant to mock."

"Must be a sensitive issue." Marie shrugged. "Don't worry about it, Eva. She didn't have to take it so personally."

"Oh, well." Artemis changed the subject. "Halloween's coming up. Everybody seems to be talking about some feast."

"Yes!" The others all nodded happily. "The feasts at Hogwarts are great," Zabini commented. "Last year, they had live bats flying around, and the Great Hall was decorated with, like, giant pumpkins and stuff, and there's entertainment. . ."

"And lots of great food, of course."

"And candy and sweets!"

"Hmm, that does sound good," Artemis agreed.

An eagle-owl landed on Artemis's knee and held out its leg. Artemis took the note and read it out-loud. "Fowl, what was a Weasley doing with you guys? You'll ruin your reputation if you don't watch out. Malfoy."

Zabini sat up indignantly. "Tell him it's none of his business!"

"Just tell him the truth," Chevalier sighed. "Be polite."

Artemis turned the paper over. "Malfoy, you have keen eyesight and practice diligent observation. Weasley was returning Zabini's hawk, which had strayed. It tried to eat her hair, but otherwise the Slytherin-Gryffindor relationship that exists in this school remains unchanged. Fowl. P.S. Are you sure you're not watching me because I'm good-looking?"

The girls started sputtering with laughter at the last part Artemis sent Malfoy's bird back to him.

_________ __________

Draco read the note and almost smiled. He had some nerve, that kid. Then he sobered. 'Of course, it's me he's insulting.' But he found for some reason that he was unable to get properly angry even after the others had read the note, too.

"Eva's got a crush on him, I think," Pansy remarked, staring across the water.

"Hey, Malfoy, don't forget Quidditch practice in an hour," called Miles Bletchley, the Slytherin Keeper, as he walked past.

"Yeah, I'll be there." Draco's thoughts moved to Quidditch. He had always enjoyed it, and he loved being on the team. Seeker had long secretly been his coveted position, and now it was his. Mainly because his father had wanted him to show up Potter, but it was still his. And Fowl didn't play Quidditch.

'"I'm a strategy man," Artemis had said. Huh,' thought Draco, 'I wonder.'

__________ __________

Two days before Halloween, Adrian Pucey sat across from Artemis at lunch and said, "So, Fowl, Malfoy reminded me that you had formulated some good strategies for playing Quidditch."

Artemis raised his eyebrows. "Malfoy did?"

"Yeah. I guess he wants to win more than he wants to ignore you."

Was that the reason? Artemis frowned.

"Forget about that part of it," Pucey ordered. "Can you help us out or not? Naturally, Flint has all kinds of ideas, but he thought it couldn't hurt to ask you. Maybe you've come up with something new."

Artemis smirked. "All right. I'll tell you what I've got."

__________ ____________

Artemis sat down next to Draco in Potions. He looked at him in great surprise. "What do you want, Fowl?"

"Why did you remind Pucey that I said I knew Quidditch strategy?"

Draco leaned his elbow on the table and his head on his fist and stared at Artemis. "Did you give him any?"

"Yes. But why?"

"Well, you know I'll be defeating Potter in Quidditch. It seemed only fair to involve my other rival in it." He paused. "It made sense at the time."

"Did it?"

"Yeah. Not sure it does anymore, but it hardly matters." He shrugged.

"You're stranger than I'd first thought," said Artemis mildly, trying not to smile.

Draco did smile. "I like to keep people off balance. And it's only fitting with you; you're very unpredictable, you know."

"So are you. And smarter than I thought at first, too."

Draco blinked. Was that a compliment? "Now we're back on intelligence again. You really should have been in Ravenclaw."

"Wouldn't be as fun." Now Artemis did smile.

Draco half-smiled back. "Are we having an actual civilized conversation? What's up with that?"

"Maybe it's the season. You know, the Halloween spirit."

"Right. We could go caroling together."

Artemis half-turned his head. "Potter's staring at us."

A full smile. "Probably because I'm so good looking."

Artemis laughed and the whole room looked at them.

Draco stuck his tongue out at Harry, because he was feeling very cheerful and buoyant all of a sudden. He didn't know why, but life seemed good right then.

__________ ___________

The Halloween Feast was a bit chaotic. Everyone was loud and excited, chattering away and grabbing for goodies. A troupe of skeleton dancers had performed. Jack-o-lanterns big as men were set up, and bats flew overheard. Hundreds of lit candles floated right above them.

"Zabini, you didn't need to wear a mask," Draco greeted him.

"I'm not, as you know," Zabini replied, helping himself to a slice of pie.

"You're eating desert first," Bole scolded, and then sighed as Crabbe and Goyle both piled their plates with cake, gumdrops, and s'mores.

"Who just kicked me?" Bulstrode complained.

"Is it true your brother is dating Caitlynn Kroell?" Chevalier asked Eva.

"Yes. Honestly, I don't know what she sees in him."

"Draco--you kicked me!" Millicent frowned.

"Oh. . . did I?"

Pansy nudged him. "You have been so antsy today."

"Just wanting to spread some Halloween cheer." Draco graced them both with a charming smile.

"Fowl--you going to eat that?"

"It's on my plate, isn't it? Quit eyeing it, Crabbe! Oh--all right. Here. Take half. No, don't even think about it, Goyle, make Crabbe share his half with you."

"I'll arm wrestle you for it," Goyle proposed to Crabbe.

"Oh dear," said Eva, who was sitting next to them.

"Where are Potter and his gang this time?" Artemis asked, casting a glance over at the Gryffindor table.

"Maybe someone stuck him in a pumpkin," Crabbe guffawed, setting his elbow on the table and gripping Goyle's hand.

"Why are you two always so immature?" Pansy put her fork down in disgust.

"Yeah. . . hey, it's your fault, Fowl, you gave them the croissant."

Artemis looked at Draco. "I take no responsibility for their actions."

"On the count of three," Goyle began.

"Fine then." Draco reached over quick as lightning and grabbed the cinnamon croissant off Crabbe's plate. "I wanted it anyway, but I didn't figure you'd give any to me." He took a bite.

"Well. . . probably not. I doubt you could manage the soulful puppy eyed look that Crabbe did." Artemis picked up his own half of the cinnamon roll and started eating it.

"I can do soulful," Draco protested.

"Not without a soul," Artemis retorted.

The others laughed and Draco's eyes narrowed. His hand clenched on the croissant, crumbling it, and his face went just a little pale. "You don't think I have a soul?"

The atmosphere was suddenly dangerous; it had been evident in his voice. The air seemed to thicken as tension built. Artemis frowned. "We were just joking, right?"

"No--you think I'm evil. You think I'm just like my father."

Everyone went quiet then. This was the first time anyone had ever heard Draco imply that his father was evil. It did not bode well.

"What's wrong with your father?" Zabini asked slyly, wanting to make trouble.

"Nothing's wrong with my father! He's a Malfoy!"

"Yes, we know all about the Malfoys," Zabini taunted.

"Are you insulting my family?" Draco hissed.

"Blaise, lay off him," Artemis ordered, alarmed.

Draco turned on him again. "Stay out of it, Fowl! Nobody cares what you think, anyway! Nobody cares about you at all! It's not like you're such a moral, upstanding guy yourself!"

Artemis sighed. "Fine. Whatever. Feel free to insult him all you want, Zabini."

Draco was reaching for his wand, but Pansy grabbed his wrist. "All the teachers are watching!"

"Yeah, Malfoy," Zabini smirked, and calmly began eating grapes. "Don't be so hot-blooded."

Artemis rolled his eyes and stood up. "I'm going back to the dorm," he announced, expression unreadable.

"Alone?" Bole looked as if she was debating coming along.

"Yes," he said firmly, so she stayed.

__________ ___________

Artemis left the Great Hall and climbed the stairs. The passage was dark and somehow seemed more forbidding than normal. He turned a corner. Ahead of him were three people, frozen as if in shock, staring at a wall. Artemis walked closer.

It was the Gryffindor Trio--Potter, Weasley, and Granger. Words were written on the wall, just legible in the torchlight. "The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Enemies of the Heir, beware."

The three spun around at the sound of his voice. "Fowl!"

"What's going on? What's that mean?" Artemis demanded. "And--what's that?" He pointed at something hanging from the torch bracket.

The three Gryffindors crept closer, then jumped back into a puddle of water. "It's Filch's cat--Mrs. Norris," Ron choked out.

Artemis's eyes went wide. He turned and looked at them. "You didn't. . ."

"No! It wasn't us! We just got here!" They declared emphatically, looking pale and shaken. Artemis was inclined to believe them.

They all stood there for another moment, then Weasley said, "Let's get out of here."

"Shouldn't we try and help. . ." Harry began awkwardly.

Ron shook his head. "Trust me, we don't want to be found here."

But it was too late. A rumble, as of distant thunder, signaled the sound of hundreds of feet, and loud, happy conversation, and the next moment, students were pouring into the passage from both ends.