Wednesday, August 19th:

DIAGON ALLEY:

Artemis had started to walk through Diagon Alley, The crowds began to part letting her come through as her shoes met the cobbled street.

She didn't pay attention to the onlookers who whispered her name as she walked by. The daily Prophet informed the wizarding world about her discovery over 2 months ago and it's still in the newspapers now.

Rita Skeeter had tried to interview her many times but Celeste didn't want the hyperbolic journalist twisting her daughter's words so she had to decline on the behalf of her child at least 10 times.

Her mother apparated her to the Alley a couple of minutes prior but she had to leave again since she was told that there were issues with one of the materials her designers were using, she also told her daughter that Lucius and Draco had business to attend to in Borgin and Burkes she so said to meet them in the Flourish and Botts.

She got what she needed for the school year and put it all in her charming bag, it allowed her to have infinite space. She was standing by the balcony looking down at her peers, hands resting on the rail in front of her.

She saw the flashes from cameras below, she narrowly avoided Gilderoy Lockhart and his overbearing personality. She heard from Daphne that he was going to be their new Defence against the dark arts teacher.

Yay.

Why couldn't Dumbledore give the position to Snape? She wondered.

She liked Snape as her potions teacher but she would like to see how he would if he had gotten the position that he has been after for years. Maybe he would even crack a smile.

She wouldn't be surprised if Lockhart didn't teach her a single successful spell this year. She hoped she wouldn't fail because he would be too busy looking at himself instead of teaching. Artemis already knew she would have to study spells in her spare time, so she bought some extra books in preparation.

"Bonjour princess," A voice broke her out of her thoughts, she swiveled around and saw a taller version of her best friend. He lost most of the baby fat that filled up his face, she gawked as her eyes trailed up his body. He smirked "M'avez-vous manqué?"

She ran into his arms and he brought her into a tight embrace, she loved his french accent, it always sounded so rich, "Oh my Merlin, D you've grown." she looked up at the boy who was towering over her, "and your voice has gotten deeper."

Puberty hit him like a bludger. Artemis tried to ignore her thoughts but a huge grin made it onto her face.

"You're no longer the same size as Flikwik anymore," she hit the back of his head, he started to laugh. His eye scanned her face, he noticed her brown eyes had widened, chocolate skin had gotten silkier, must be from the sun. her dark curls looked more defined, he let his finger be entrapped by one of them, "you look so pretty."

A blush appeared on her cheeks, she hid her face into his chest, his body vibrated due to his laughter, "thank you." They pulled away from the embrace but his hands glided down to her hips, he still wore a smile on his face, his eyes stayed on her eyes, "Stop looking at me like that."

He tilted his head, "Like what?" It was how he always looked at her, but she just started to notice it more.

"Like that." His expression was making her feel odd. He playfully rolled his eyes, he stopped gazing at her because he didn't want her to feel uncomfortable. She cleared her throat, "what did you want to tell me?"

His eyes widened in realisation, "two things, one has to do with that fool, Potter." she nodded, "I overheard mother and father discussing something about how he's in danger this year," he sighed deeply, "and so are muggle-borns." he let out a laugh, she immediately flicked his forehead causing one of his hands to leave her waist and soothe the pain until it settles. "Calm down-

"Don't tell a woman to calm down."

"O-okay I won't." he stammered before continuing, "and they mentioned 'the heir of Slytherin'" she went to speak but he cut her off, "and before you ask I don't know who it is, but I sent Dobby to his muggle house to you know..." he trailed off not wanting to finish his sentence.

"Help him?" she chortled at the grimace that appeared on his face, "aww D have you gone soft, do you like Potter now?" he playfully shoved her which made her laugh even more. His grimace disappeared at the sound of her laughter, he loved it.

"No, I don't like that half-blood."

She ignored his comment, "oh really?" she teased.

"Yes really," he shrugged his arm over her shoulder, which made her face his chest while he continued to look down at her.

"What's the other thing you wanted to tell me?" she muttered as she started to play with the snake-shaped ring that rested on his finger. She remembered he said he wanted to tell her two things.

His body temperature rose due to her touch, "Father just brought us nimbus 2001's." he beamed at her, her gaze snapped towards his as her jaw dropped,

"So does that mean..."

He nodded excitedly, "It does, we're playing for the team this year."

"We haven't even tried out for the team yet," she smirked.

"With our natural talent, we will easily get on the team."

She hummed, "I guess you're not wrong, you definitely will, you should've made it last year along with Potter." she thought back to how he effortlessly flew through the air during their first lesson, regardless of him trying to antagonise the 'chosen one' he was still great, she was irritated that McGonagall didn't let him on the Slytherin team.

"I know but we'll make it together, right?"

"Right." they shared a smile before they started to hear giggles from below them, "oh great it's Lockhart."

"So you don't like him? Most girls do," he pointed out.

"Nope he's not my type and I don't see how anyone likes him."

"So what's your type?" he pressed.

She smirked up at him, "Wouldn't you like to know." He flicked her forehead, she rolled her eyes, "that was weak D."

He went to reply but was cut off, "Out of the way! This is for The Daily Prophet!"

"It can't be Harry Potter?" Gilderoy Lockheart said. He grabbed Potter and turned him to the photographer. "Nice big smile, Harry. Together you and I rate the front page! Ladies and gentlemen! What an extraordinary moment this is! When young Harry here stepped into Flourish and Blotts this morning to purchase my autobiography, Magical Me --which, incidentally is celebrating its twenty-seventh week atop The Daily Prophet's Bestseller List - he had no idea that he would be leaving with my entire collected works! Free of charge!"

Artemis scoffed at the scene. She didn't hate Harry, but she thought he got too much credit for just being mediocre.

He wasn't even a good student in her eyes, yes he is brave but that doesn't make him a great wizard.

Draco went down the stairs and Artemis followed. He picked up a book and nudged her, bringing her attention towards the title,
'the basilisk.' He ripped out a page and stuffed it in his pocket. He jumped off the final step and invaded Harry's personal space.

"Bet you loved that, didn't you, Potter? Famous Harry Potter. Can't even go into a bookshop without making the front page." he glared at the Weasley siblings that approached him.

Artemis joined him and he slung his arm around her, causing everyone's eyes to look toward the action. Ron scowled at the girl, she wiggled her fingers at him with a smirk prominent on her face.

She noticed the dirt that was smeared across their faces, it was obvious that they used the floo powder, either that or they didn't wash.

A little redhead stood in front of Draco, "Leave him alone!" the girl said through gritted teeth.

"Look, Potter. You've got yourself a girlfriend!" The Weasley girl blushed at this statement.

Someone's got a crush, Artemis concluded.

"I could say the same thing about you Malfoy," he pointed at Artemis. Draco's face went red while the witch's face stayed neutral.

She laughed at the accusation, everyone looked at her waiting for a response, she looked towards the redhead that stood near Harry, "what's your name sweetheart?" Draco scoffed at her fake intrigue, so did Ron he didn't like Artemis, but the twins didn't have much of an opinion of the girl.

The younger witch stuttered "G-Ginny". She heard stories about the Seramore Witch from her older brother, she didn't want to get on her bad side.

"And you're attending Hogwarts this year?" She nodded. Artemis fake smiled. "Hope you have fun Weasley." she turned her gaze at Ron, "Ronald did last year, isn't that right?" Draco snorted, as he remembered that their classmate had gotten beat up by him, Blaise and Theo at different stages during last year.

Ron stomped his foot and attempted to lunge at her but the two older brothers held him back.

This year is going to be fun, Artemis thought.

Draco's smile dropped and his body tensed at the feeling of a silver-snake jaw on his shoulder, he immediately moved himself and Artemis out of the way, "Silence, you two! Play nicely, Ah. Mr. Potter. I don't believe we've met." the voice of Artemis' godfather; Lucius interrupted.

Lucius Malfoy extends his hand as if offering to shake Harry's, but instead gently plays his fingers over the fringe of Harry's scalp, revealing Harry's lightning bolt scar.

Coming across a very creepy man, uncle, Artemis cringed at the action.

At his touch, Harry withdraws, ever so slightly. "Forgive me, Mr. Potter. But your scar is a legend. As, of course, is the wizard who gave it to you."

'Preach' Artemis mouthed to the platinum-haired boy, they both tried to contain their smiles.

"Voldemort killed my parents, He was nothing more than a murderer."

"You must be very brave, Mr. Potter, to dare speak his name. Or very foolish." The eldest Malfoy spoke with a faux smile.

"Fear of a name only increases fear of the thing itself." The muggle-born witch interrupted them. Artemis looked at her and Hermoine glared back, until she noticed the pureblood's unwavering gaze, making her look away,

"You must be Miss Granger. Draco and Artemis told me all about you."

"Since when?" Artemis shot her uncle an incredulous look. She hasn't spoken a word to the man since July and they only discussed their dislike for Dumbledore.

"Hush Artemis-Joelle," she huffed and started whispering to Draco, "and your parents. Muggles, aren't they?" the granger witch glowered at the grey-eyed man, her muggle parents were standing talking in the back of the store, completely oblivious to the conflict that was taking place.

A grown man approached the bunch, his hair was as red as his face, and dirt was similar to the rest of the redheads, a cautious smile was on his face, "Ron! Harry! It's mad here. Let's go outside."

"Well, well, well -- Weasley Sir. "

"Lucius." he pursed his lips.

"Busy time at the Ministry. All those raids. I hope they're paying you overtime." Lucius reaches into Ginny's cauldron, removes a very old, battered copy of A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration. "Not. Dear me, What's the use of being a disgrace to the name of a wizard if they don't even pay you well for it."

"We have a very different idea about what disgraces the name of the wizard, Malfoy."

"Clearly." he placed Ginny's 'books' back in her cauldron, "The company you keep, associating with muggles, Weasley. And I thought your family could sink no lower."

Artemis and Draco shared a look, "Uncle, play nicely, they're cameras around." Artemis said mockingly.

Mr. Weasley and Lucius continue to glare at each other, gazes fighting for dominance. "I'll see you at work." he gestures for his godchild and son to come with him.

Lucius, Draco, and Artemis were on their way out when someone called for the witch. "Ms. Seramore!" Artemis turned around to see Lockhart calling her name, she groaned. "How are you? You know your mother offered me to model for her male line." he grinned from ear to ear.

"Oh really? That's funny." she drawled.

"Why?" he laughed.

"Because she doesn't know you and doesn't ever recall hearing your name come out of my mother's mouth." The Weasley twins snorted, while others held back a smile.

"She probably calls me by a different name when you're not around," he concluded trying to recover from his embarrassment.

"Arrogant prick? Blonde twat? Foolish faker," she listed with furrowed brows causing everyone to become silent, "tell me when one of them sounds familiar."

He swallowed harshly and let out a chuckle, "I saw your picture in the Daily Prophet, I think we should get one together." he reached out to grab her.

"No." the two best friends said in unison, "Immediately no, don't touch me," she said.

"Your mother said the same thing to me," he said without thinking,  "You get your looks from her, she is a beauty." everyone exchanged odd looks, Draco pulled Artemis closer to him.

Lucius noticed the man's leering gaze on his goddaughter and scowled, "time to go," he announced coldly, causing Lockhart to look towards him.

Before they left, Draco glared at Harry and shook his head, "see you at school."

Artemis locked eyes with the orphan, "Bye Harold." he blushed and looked away, completely missing the frown on a certain Weasley's face.

***

Tuesday, September 1st

"Temi." a familiar voice screamed her name from behind her.

She smiled and turned around to see her close friend, "T." Theo gave Artemis a big hug. "You've grown."

They were standing on one of the train carriages.

"And got better looking." They laughed.

Blaise and Draco exchanged looks, the latter wasn't fond of the proximity between the two, and he didn't like how they both gave each other nicknames.

The two wizards sat down in a compartment, waiting for the other two to come in.

Artemis pulled away from Theo and dragged him into the compartment, she sat next to Draco, whilst Theo sat next to Blaise. The wizards all fist-bumped each other.

Draco's sour look vanished when Artemis began playing with his rings on his fingers, "Has anyone seen Daphne?" the witch asked.

Theo nodded, "I think I might have seen her talking to Montague." Blaise sighed, this didn't go unnoticed by the rest of his friends,

Draco kicked his best friend's leg making him hiss, "she'll be here soon."

"When she stops talking to Graham," he mumbled.

Theo snorted, "It's a conversation, they aren't exchanging vows mate."

Blaise rolled his eyes, "She needs to hurry up or I'll lock the door."

"Oh No, you won't." Artemis grinned, she knew how much her cousin fancied her close friend, everyone did, he made it very obvious. But Daphne had mentioned to her many times that during the first year she had caught him flirting with many third years.

He let out a dry laugh, "Oh yes I will."

Artemis went to reply but the door opened revealing her friend, "Daph." she screamed and got up, making Draco miss her touch.

"Missy." the two girls hugged one another tightly

"I've missed you," they said in unison and giggled as they separated.

Theo gasped, bringing the girls' attention to him and the other boys, "What about us? We exist too."

"I'm very hurt Daphne," Draco added, despite not caring at all, he reached his hand out and brought Artemis next to him again, while Daphne sat next to her.

Blaise nodded, "Very hurt." he smiled but it didn't reach his eyes.

Artemis began to wear a sly smirk, "Blaise now's your chance to lock the door." He kicked her leg, making her retaliate. The other wizards started chuckling at her words, Daphne was confused but joined in anyway.

"Zitta." Shut up. He looked towards the blonde witch, "Where were you?" she felt hot under his gaze.

She swallowed nervously, and looked around the mini room, "Oh yes, you'll never guess who stopped me."

"Graham." they all said simultaneously.

She moved back, surprised that they all knew, "umm yes how did you-

"Theo." they all said simultaneously even the Nott wizard himself.

Daphne looked at the boy in question, he shrugged,  "What? I said 'hi' and you didn't see me so I left." he was mainly embarrassed because he was blanked by his friend so he left before the feeling sunk in.

She rolled her eyes, "You could have waited."

Theo winced at the thought, "I didn't want to intrude on your little conversation." He also did not like anyone who wasn't in his year and most importantly hated the older years, he didn't have a reason for his hatred he just felt uncomfortable.

"It wasn't about anything special."

Blaise moved forward, putting his elbows on his knees, "Then what did you talk about?"

"He said I was pretty and wanted to ask how old I was." she mused.

Blaise ignored the feeling in his chest, "Oh, that's weird."

"What, because he thinks I'm pretty?" Daphne started to feel upset.

Blaise immediately shook his head, "What- no that he- I mean you are pretty." Theo and Draco started to look out the window like they had never seen trees before. They didn't want to get involved.

"Very pretty Daph," Artemis added and linked pinkies with her friend, she looked like she was about to cry. Artemis wanted to scold her cousin but she instead attended to her friend. The Greengrass witch gave her a grateful smile.

Artemis hated her feelings and she didn't like dealing with other people but since Daphne is her friend she knew she had to try.

"I was just confused-" Blaise stopped speaking after receiving glares from the girls. He didn't want to dig a bigger hole for himself.

Daphne cleared her throat looking away from the boy, "He also asked about Artemis."

Draco's head snapped towards the two witches, so did Theo, he just wanted to watch the drama that was about to happen, Artemis' eyes widened. Blaise was still recovering from his brief embarrassment but started to look pissed, he didn't like Montague anymore.

"Daphne what did he say?" the Malfoy wizard spoke calmly making the rest of the second year's shift uncomfortably, they could detect the anger in his voice.  

Daphne grinned and looked at the witch, "He wanted to know if you were seeing anyone." 

Draco went to speak but was cut off by Artemis, "Isn't he like 14?"

"Yeah, that's creepy," Theo spoke up.

Daphne nodded in agreement, "He also thought you and Draco were together." she said with a teasing smile.

She was not so secretly shipping the two together, she thought they were adorable and it looked as though they were together anyway. She always sees them linking arms, hugging, kissing cheeks, and even holding hands.

It wasn't a big assumption to make. 

Draco blushed, Theo and Blaise snorted at the boy, the former even reached out and poked his now, red cheeks. The Malfoy wizard swatted his hand away.

"So did Potter,'' Artemis remembered the scene at the bookstore.

"Did you not correct him?" Theo asked, he heard some of what happened, mainly about Lockhart, and to say he was disgusted is an understatement.

"I don't care what he thinks." she shrugged. "It's not like we're actually together." she looked at the Nott wizard, missing the sad look on her best friend's face.

'Yikes' daphne mouthed to the wizards sitting opposite her. They both shrunk back in their seats, not liking how the mood changed.

Draco frowned, "yeah, we're not." his voice falters and he looked out the window again. Theo tried to give him an encouraging smile but he just ignored it.

They all sat in an uncomfortable silence for a while. Artemis didn't know why the atmosphere shifted. She just hoped that Crabbe and Goyle didn't try and come in.

Daphne went to speak up again, not liking how none of them were speaking, but she was cut off by the door sliding open, making the purebloods look towards it.

"Hi Dray." they all groaned at the sight of the bob-wearing girl.

She starts to giggle and walk to the boy but is stopped when Daphne holds her hand up. The blond was not about to have her ruin the vibe even more than it was already.

She and Artemis shared a look and got up, "Parkinson, leave."

"You don't get to tell me what to do Seramore." she sneered at the witch.

Pansy knew about her reputation of being a smart and cunning witch, but she just thought all of that was a lie, but that didn't stop her from being scared of her.

She and her friend Millicent were beaten up and hexed by the two witches standing in front of her, they had to stay in the hospital for a week.

"Well, Draco has been telling me that you've been harassing him with your letters all summer long, so that does mean I get to tell you what to do." Artemis shot back.

Her best friend had told her that he had his mother set all the letters on fire because of the smell on the parchments, it was obvious that she sprayed her perfume on.

"So leave," they said in unison. The dark-haired girl huffed and left, the two witches locked the door and sat down again. Blaise was proud of his cousin as well as the blonde witch, Theo started chuckling, while Draco threw his arm around the Seramore Witch.

"Praise merlin," he muttered. He was still upset but he felt better because he didn't have to deal with his stalker and he always liked when Artemis was menacing and angry.

"No, praise us." Daphne gestured between her Artemis, the two witches had gotten much closer over the summer break. She even revealed to the Seramore witch that she thought the parents were getting a divorce and it scared her.

Artemis had to reassure her that even if it did happen that her parents would always love her. 

"Praise witches?" Draco asked unsurely.

"Praise witches." they all spoke simultaneously.

The awkward atmosphere disappeared and they all began to talk about their summers. Theo and Artemis kept exchanging smiles, this didn't go unnoticed by Draco, he suppressed a scowl, not wanting to seem jealous.

A loud horn caught the preteens' attention. 

"What the bloody hell is that?" Draco asked.

"A box with wheels," Theo spoke.

The cousins chortled at his innocence, "It's a car, Theo." Artemis informed.

Theo scrunched up his face, "What the bloody hell is a car?" He slept through his muggle studies classes, he relied on Daphne to tell him what was going on but she was too busy painting her nails to care.

he had heard about them but he never really saw one, his parents tried to keep him away from most muggle things and push the wizarding world on him.

The Nott's were not against muggles but they were too infatuated with the magic to care for them.

"A method of transport for muggles, they're everywhere in Italy."

"And in Spain," Daphne added.

Draco gawked, "I swear I just saw a car on the tracks."

Theo gasped and pointed, "It's in the air now." He looked at his friends' shocked faces, so he knew it was supposed to do that.

The car disappeared from their sites. They went back to discussing their summers.

Artemis leaned over to Draco, "Blaise and I need to talk to you later," he shivered at how close she was to him, "okay?"

"Okay." he smiled and whispered back.

Minutes later they an old witch asked sweetly if they had wanted anything off the trolleys.

Blaise was eating Pumpkin pasties.

Theo was eating a Licorice wand.

Draco had a pile of Droobles.

Daphne and Artemis were sharing many chocolate frogs.

Theo stopped his mini feast and spoke up, "We need to do a toast now because I'm going to bed as soon as we get there." his friends looked at him in shock, "I'm just really tired."

Artemis cocked her head, "Are you feeling well T."

"Yeah I'm just tired Temi." he smiled at her, she returned the guest. Draco let out a sigh, causing Blaise and Daphne to grin. "Let's do it now."

They all raised the various candies they were eating in the air as Theo dramatically stood up.

He cleared his throat, "I would say 'to a stress-free year at Hogwarts' but I doubt that would happen."

"Preach," Blaise shouted.

"So let's toast to a devious and impactful year."

"Cheers." they all said and went back to eating their snacks.

A devious year indeed.

***

a/n:

One of my least fave chapters idk y but it is.
Because literally nothing happens.

Also I wrote this act in January so I might forgot the shit I put into it.

Hope u enjoyed.