Late April 1994:

Dear my darling Draco,

I am saddened to hear that you have been through so much and kept it all to yourself.

I am also slightly disheartened to hear that you have made such a mess of your 3rd year at Hogwarts.

Your father and I didn't raise you to be a coward, so I am glad to hear that you have managed to resolve the issues that involved you and your group of friends.

I was overcome with joy that you and young Arty might start dating.

I love that girl as if she were my own, please treat her like your father treats me; with love and respect, or you'll have Celly and Lia to deal with and that wouldn't be pretty my darling.

Please just try and find the right words to woo her with, she's a beautiful and intelligent girl and i couldn't imagine you with anyone else.

You should try and engage her before other ghastly young boys try to do the same thing.

I love you with all my heart and good luck my little star.

N.M.

***

ASTRONOMY TOWER:

"I like you Artemis," Draco blurted out after he brought the Seramore witch to the astronomy tower.

Immediately after he received his mother's letter he didn't want to waste any more time, he simply couldn't.

Each time he thought back on his behaviour throughout the year he rolled his eyes, not because he didn't care, it's because he had realised how embarrassing it had been.

He didn't want to be like that anymore. He wanted to change, not just for his friends, but for himself.

He had already made amends with the rest of his group and there was just one more person to make it up to.

His arty.

Artemis was taken back to hear him use her full name, he never did, "what-"

"I'm deeply sorry for what I have put you through, it was stupid and you shouldn't be treated like that."

"Draco-" he cut her off again, she sighed.

"Please forgive me, I can't handle the space between us anymore, even though I caused it-" he sucked in a deep breath before he continued, "I brought you to the astronomy tower because it was the first place I found on the school grounds that I showed you, so we could just be alone." he gestured to the room around them, she nodded slowly and embraced the butterflies in her stomach, "so I thought it would be a great place for us to talk and be alone again."

"Okay," she smiled up at him.

"and-"

"Draco can you let me talk?" she cut him off, knowing that he was about to ramble again, he nodded and rung out his hands, still feeling anxious.

"I forgive you," she whispered, the words made him freeze and gawk down at her.

"You do?"

"I do," she spoke absentmindedly, ignoring it sounded like they were saying wedding vows, "but I'm just worried."

He gently grabbed her hands and placed them into his, "why?"

She nervously gulped, "Because what if you hurt me like that again?" he could hear her voice crack as she spoke each word.

He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath, "I won't." he said sternly, he felt her piercing stare.

She didn't know whether to believe him or not, "But-"

"I promise," his eyes snapped open and he raised up his pinky finger, "I promise that I will treat you with love and respect," he recalled his mother's words.

Artemis could hear the sincerity in his tone, although she was still apprehensive.

"Really?" her heart hammered against her chest.

"I'm sure,"

She shakily raised her pinky up and linked it with his, making a teary smile appear across his face.

They kissed their hands before they stared back at one another.

A smile tugged at her lips when she caught the engraved ring encircled his fingers and he noticed hers.

He took a step closer to her and placed his hands on his face, "you're so beautiful," he muttered, a red tint threatening to appear on her brown skin but luckily her melanin kept it at bay.

"I know," she let a giggle escape her lips and he chuckled.

"Can I kiss you?"

She nodded dazedly, "Yes..."

Her stomach flipped and rolled instantly as he kissed her with all the gentleness she knew he could possess.

Fireworks exploded in his head as they kissed slowly, it was brief yet innocent, showcasing in actions what their words couldn't convey.

When they pulled away, opening their eyes, they shared a look of realization and Draco quickly crashed his lips into hers again, she kissed back with equal eagerness.

Her arms wrapped around his waist tightly as the kiss deepened, spreading passion throughout their bodies.

Neither wanted to break the kiss, neither wanted to pull away, they just wanted to block out the world as they explored their feelings for the other.

His Arty and Her Draco.

But unfortunately, they pulled away, he pressed their foreheads together, That should've been my first kiss, he thought. It was perfect.

Staring deeply into his eyes, she caught something flicker through his iris', something she couldn't really decipher.

"That was nice," she beamed and reached for his ring-clad fingers and interlocked them.

"Yeah, it was." he chuckled, "come on darling," she loved the way the pet name rolled off his tongue. he nodded towards the door,  "I don't want Theo and Blasie to eat all of the food."

"You're right."

"When am I not?" he teased as they walked away.

"Always D," they laughed, "Always."

***

THE GREAT HALL:

"You know you my girl now." Draco grinned down at her as they strolled through the hallway, their hands were interlocked.

She playfully rolled her eyes at him, "I'm well aware D."

"Good." he pecked her forehead as they neared the great hall and ignored the jealous stares they received.

"Good."

Before she could step past the threshold of the grand room, he stopped her and placed his hand on her hips, "But can I just do one thing?" he smirked as he heard some gasps from the other students.

She tried to stop herself from smiling, "Is it for your ego?" She asked and he pulled her closer.

"Maybe." His eyes glistened with mischievousness.

"Fine."

He was quick to place his lips on hers, the gasps and the gawking that filled the role., alerting most people to the new couple.

"Are you done with your pissing contest?" she asked after pulling away, knowing that he was directing his public display of affection to a few of people.

He grinned when he noticed the defeated looks from Harry and Iziah, "not even close." he muttered and instantly received a smack on the arm, "just kidding darling."

"Better be." she pulled him through the hall, embracing the envious stares, especially the tear-filled one from Pansy.

The students all began gossiping again, as did the professors.

When Artemis looked up as she swerved through the students who were leaving, she noticed Professor Snape, a smile tugged at his lips and joy shone through his cold eyes.

She nodded toward him before she and Draco reached the table and sat next to Theo.

"About time." the Nott boy muttered and piled his dinner onto his plate.

"Shut up T," they responded in unison, making Blaise and Daphne beam, the former was trying to calm down his girlfriend, feeling the excitement radiate off of her.

The blonde witch squealed making them all flinch back, "we can go on double dates and then we can have a double wedding and then all have babies-"

"Daph," Artemis and Draco recoiled in their seats, struggling not to laugh.

Blaise's eyes were wide in shock, "Sweetheart-"

"Let be happy." Daphne ignored all their reactions and turned to stare at Theo, who quickly shook his head, "now we just need you to find a girl, boy or someone with a just great personality." she clapped excitedly.

"Stop," Theo shook his head at the thought, but her smile didn't fall, "I'm fine being single and I've kissed a bunch of people throughout the year."

"Who?" the other wizards wondered, whereas the witches knew about his activities.

"George Weasley, Zacharias Jones," he paused when he noticed the Draco fake gag at the mention of people who were not from his house, making him roll his eyes, "and someone else who would definitely make snow bunny over here," he nodded to the Malfoy wizard, who smacked his arm, "throw up."

"Try me," Draco shrugged, missing the way they all stared at each other knowingly.

"Granger."

Draco choked on air and began to have a coughing fit, Theo rolled his eyes at his reaction, Artemis rubbed her boyfriend's back, despite laughing along with her cousin and best friend.

It took the Malfoy wizard approximately 5 minutes to calm down, luckily their housemates didn't seem bothered by his outburst.

Although Pansy was still crying after his kiss with Artemis and had Millicent to comfort her.

Draco sucked in a deep breath and stared at the Nott wizard in confusion, "How?" he screeched,  "why?" he shook his head in disbelief, "you don't like people from other houses. And why the bloody hell would you kiss that mud-muggleborn?" he quickly corrected himself when he saw the glares his friends and girlfriend sent him.

Theo looked up at the ceiling, trying to recall the day, "Well after I heard she slapped you-"

"Assaulted." Draco snapped, making Artemis grab his hand, calming him slightly.

Theo ignored him, "I ask to meet her and then I spent an hour in the trophy room with her," he clicked his tongue, smiling smugly, "and safe to say she was obsessed with me for a while."

They all turned around and stared at the witch in question, Hermoine blushed under Theo's gaze and immediately turned away.

Ron glared at the Slytherin purebloods who chuckled at the boy, which only made him angrier.

"But of course, she didn't tell anyone," Theo added on, "which pissed me off, but I got over it and left her alone, but she still sends me letters." he went back to eating his food.

Blaise nodded proudly at him, whilst his girlfriend, cousin and godbrother were still trying to come to terms with it all.

Artemis cocked her head to the side as she stared at the muggle-born witch from afar, "I guess she pretty-"

"Still a bitch." Daphne interrupted, but couldn't deny that Hermoine was pretty.

"We all are, but she's a decent kisser to be fair." Theo shrugged and kept eating.

He didn't have feelings for anyone that he has ever kissed, even though he wanted to, he just knew his heart wasn't in it.

"Would you go out with her?" Draco asked, trying to contain his disgust. He glanced down at his girlfriend, and snaked his arm around her waist, Artemis placed her hand over his and used her thumb to circle his skin.

"Merlin, no."

"Good." Draco received many potatoes to the face, causing him to groan and wipe his face, "alright why won't you date...her?"

"I guess I just want to be with someone from my house for now."

"Like who?" Daphne questioned.

"Not sure," Theo shrugged, not even bothering to glance around his table.

However Artemis and Daphne shared a knowing look, then they turned to the blonde's younger sister, who was giggling with her friends.

Astoria waved weakly at her sister and the Seramore witch after feeling their gazes before she turned back to the conversation she was having.

"Anyways, this discussion is making me feel ill,  all of you are disgusting." they all laughed at the Nott wizard.

"You love us though." Artemis nudged him.

"Maybe." he teased.

Suddenly a group of Gryffindors ran inside the hall, with a broomstick-shaped gift and quickly place it in front of Harry and his group of friends.

As soon as she opened the gift, his entire house gasped and cheered, before they all exited the room, making the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs do the same.

Artemis shared a look with her group and they all quickly got up and followed, causing the rest of Slytherin to do the same.

"Of course, he's got a Firebolt!" Blaise whispered as soon as they got outside, watching as Harry mounted his broom and flew around.

"That's the fastest broom in the world isn't it?" Daphne asked and hugged her boyfriend.

"Yeah, it is" Draco gritted out, glaring at the boy who began flying around, he pulled Artemis in front of him, "it's unfair."

"Yeah, yeah, Uncle Luc will buy you one," The Seramore witch said optimistically, he nodded stiffly.

"Gryfindorks," Theo shook his head, but still enjoyed the show Harry put on.

His close friends nodded in agreement, "Gryfindorks."

***

Circa June :

The school year had finally finished and  Slytherin won the quidditch cup after Draco won the snitch during their match against Gryffindor. They also were awarded the house cup for another year.

Their exam week was very tiring but all the students excelled pleasantly.

Somehow during that time, Buckbeak managed to escape his captivity, the pureblood 5 suspected that the Golden Trio had something to do with it. Although most of them didn't care, Draco still carried a lot of frustration.

There also had been no more sightings of Sirius Black, which brought nothing but happiness to the Dons.

Since they all returned to England, the group sadly went their separate ways, due to the different holiday locations they were going to.

Draco spent his birthday with all of them before he went to France, whereas Daphne was leaving for Portugal.

Theo had come out to his parents, however, their reaction wasn't the one he wanted. Mr and Mrs Nott remained silent as they stared at their son in shock and slight distain.

It honestly broke Theo's heart, so he immediately packed up his summer clothes and used the floo powder and ended up at the Seramore Mansion.

He cried when he arrived but he was met with both Artemis and Blaise who hugged him instantly.

The cousins decided that they should take him on holiday to New Orleans and so they did.

***

Friday, 10th June

NEW ORLEANS QUARTER:

The three young heirs strolled through Jackson square, accompanied by security that Ophelia hired to protect them as they wandered the foreign streets of New Orleans.

The cousins kept close to Theo, due to the fact he hadn't stopped crying himself to sleep since he parted with his parents.

They attempted to cheer him up in many different ways, but the only time he would be remotely calm was whenever he felt their presence.

The 14-year-olds gasped as when stood in the middle of Jackson Square and looked around, feeling the ripples of power that caressed their skin.

The narrow city was lively and vibrant, it was packed full of harmless civilians and other creatures, but they all knew somewhere menacing lived amongst the shadows at night.

Luckily for them, the day was bright as the sun shone down on them, cascading over their skin.

From the moment they had stepped inside the Quarter, they had felt something but it wasn't until now that they finally realized what it was.

Magic.

Jazz played smoothly, subtly bouncing off the crooked walls. vibrating the city just slightly.

"This is amazing!" Artemis' mouth opened wide and her eyes shined with joy, It was like, little currents of power that sent electric shocks through her system.

The wizards felt them too, no wonder why the Zabini twins loved it here. The wind picked up slightly as they enjoyed the happiness and wonder they were feeling.

From their muggle studies, or whenever the wizards bothered to stay awake, they were aware that New Orleans was a city filled with all kinds of magic, spiritual, ancestral, voodoo, and even dark and dangerous currents that made her shiver.

But before they could really enjoy it, flashes of light surrounded the little heirs, "Temi the cameras." Theo pulled her closer and they kept quickly started walking.

Paparazzi swarmed them, knowing who they were from the moment they stepped into the city, some of them were from the wizarding world, and a few were from fashion companies.

"We need to get to the Abbotoir quickly." Blaise guided them through the crowds of people with the help of their security, who swatted the cameras away.

"Who owns it?" Theo questioned as they approached a huge building covered in skinny windows and encircled by balconies.

"Mum said it's own by the siblings that she and Aunt Lia are friends with," Artemis informed them as the security pushed open the gates.

"Wow," Blaise breathed out as they stepped into the middle of the courtyard, staring up at the infrastructure.

"Where is the-"

"Blaisy," a familiar voice shouted from behind them, the teens all swivelled on their feet, coming face to face with Ophelia who was quick to engulf her son in a hug, then her niece and then Theo, despite never meeting him before, "you are so handsome young Theo," she beamed down at the boy, who bashfully smiled.

He didn't expect to be so welcomed by another family.

"Arty, my baby," Celeste appeared behind her daughter and hugged her, "I've missed you," she then placed a kiss on her nephew's head and then locked eyes on Theo, "you are just as cute as Arty described," she pressed her lips to his forehead as well.

"Mum-"

"There a people we want you to meet," Celeste accidentally cut off her daughter, the teens were quick to turn around when they felt an eerie presence behind them, so they gripped onto their wands, "children there is no need for that," she chuckled at their protectiveness.

Ophelia grinned at their teens, "so adorable," she mumbled to her twin.

Two men approached the family, one clad in a three-piece suit, he had russet brown hair and brown eyes, contrasting the other, who adorned a thin henley and jeans, he had sandy blonde curls and ocean blue eyes and a sly smirk.

Artemis could've sworn she had recognised them from her muggle books. "Who are you dating mother?" she asked, whose eyes didn't leave the two men.

All eyes were on the young Seramore witch, Celeste wasn't surprised her daughter deduced the feelings she showed to the blue-eyed man, Artemis thought their affection was suffocating and obvious.

Ophelia walked over to the suit-wearing men, who smiled down at her, whereas Celeste sheepishly strolled up over to the sandy blonde-haired man, who instantly placed his arm around her waist.

"Klaus Mikaelson." the older twin admitted and received a kiss, from him the man in question.

All three teens' jaw dropped,

Artemis' eyes darkened,  "What?"

Theo choked on air, "The..."

Blaise tried to conceal his amusement, "Fuck."

***

END OF ACT 3

a/n:

I've hoped you all enjoyed the act, even though it should've been finished and published back in April but I got sidetracked with 3 different stories.

dartemis are finally together. too soon? Or not soon enough.

theo x Hermione, what did you think of that, as well as the other people he's kissed?

also because the Notts are quite traditional, I feel like they would've reacted that way to their son being bisexual, sorry if it triggering for anyone. Let me know if you want me to put up a disclaimer/ trigger warning.

also I planned on Theo going on holiday with the cousins, just felt it was right. Especially because artemis already said back in act 2 that Celeste would love another child to care for.

...and that ending (if you don't watch Tvd/to your might be confused) Klaus Mikaelson is a hybrid and obviously I changed the events of that timeline, which is why he's in New Orleans during the 90s. Marcel will be featured because he is Klaus' son.

I just wanted Celeste to have a chance at moving on, especially after her experiences with losing her baby and husband in the space of a week. Artemis won't like having more men in her life because she's so used to woman but she'll grow to accept it over time.

I've already started writing act 4, it won't take me long to finish because Slytherin aren't featured as much in goblet of fire, but you'll still like what happens.