The Mudblood Movement

Chapter One: The Flyer

Artemis turned in her seat at the Slytherin table in the Great Hall, looking out for Severus. Where was he? In her searching, she caught a glimpse of Sirius Black, an attractive Gryffindor who was presently tearing away at a piece of chicken. Seeing her, he smiled, but then seemed to think better of it and turned back to his friend James, probably to discuss the untouched pudding on James's plate.

Artemis kept her gaze on the Gryffindor table. Suddenly, Severus slid onto the seat beside her, arm propped on the table. "Good afternoon, Arty," he said in his usual polite-but mysterious manner.

"Afternoon, Severus," Artemis sighed wistfully.

He noticed Artemis's lack of attention, and glanced in the direction she was gawking. Severus gave a disgusted sort of groan. He snapped his fingers in front of Artemis's face, who abruptly shook herself awake.

Artemis looked at him, puzzled and a bit irate. "What did you do that for?"

Severus sighed and then leaned close to her. "Because, Artemis, he's in Gryffindor. You're in Slytherin." Severus's expression softened. "Take my word for it; it will never, ever work."

Artemis's gaze flitted from Severus's pale face to Sirius, who was now digging into the pudding James had left untouched. "Maybe you're right. Gryffindors aren't exactly the brightest baubles in the shop, are they?"

"That's more like it. Now you're beginning to sound more like the Artemis I know." Severus spun around so that his feet were under the table. Leaning forward, he gestured down towards the far end. "Now then, what about Malfoy? He's a respectable Slytherin."

Artemis leaned foward as well to see Lucius Malfoy at the end of the table. His silky, white blond hair draped over his shoulders like a cloak. His handsome, strong features and his mysterious, blue-gray eyes radiated pride, intelligence, and confidence, as was obvious when he glanced in Artemis and Severus's direction. He flashed his captivating grin at Artemis and nodded politely at Severus before turning back to his meal.

"See?" Severus smirked. "Lucius is clearly a better choice." He leaned close to her ear, and said in a voice that always sent both pleasurable and fearful shivers up Artemis's spine, "He also knows the value of a decent bloodlines, if you know what I mean." Pulling away slowly, he looked Artemis squarely in the face. "You are pureblood, aren't you?"

"Yes."

Severus grinned curtly again. "Then he should take to you right away." Spinning himself as if to leave the table, Severus leaned forward, then back to face Artemis. "If you will excuse me, I have some business to attend to. I'll be right back," and with that, he pushed himself up and strode toward Lucius's end.

Artemis spun herself around to see precisely what he was doing. When she realized, she put her head in her hands, mutter, "Oh my God." Lifting her head, she said to herself, "Severus, you fool." She saw Severus point in her direction, then turn back to Lucius, who leaned backward in order to get a glimpse at what he was pointing at. Seeing Artemis glance at him, he smiled broadly, then leaned back foward. He looked up at Severus and nodded enthusiastically. Severus backed up as Lucius made his way towards Artemis.

Severus, rushing ahead, quickly bent down and said, "Congratulations on you and Malfoy." Then with a short laugh, he dashed away.

Before Artemis could say a word, Lucius, who was standing behind her, said, "Well, well, well. Artemis Broombatter. I believe I have already had the pleasure of speaking with you on several occasions, have I not?

Artemis spun around to meet Lucius's eyes, and for a moment, was lost for words. Finally, she managed, "Um...y-yes,I believe we have."

Lucius seated himself beside her. He took her hand between both of his, startling Artemis slightly. "And if I remember correctly," he said, "you were quite an intelligent, witty, skilled, and might I add, lovely, young witch, were you not?"

Artemis bowed her head bashfully, her face turning red as the Gryffindor banner on the other side of the hall. "Well, I-I wouldn't go that far..."

Lucius grinned his wonderful grin again. "Oh, but I would." His eyes glanced over her a moment. "And from the looks of it, you still are, my dear Artemis." He gazed at her entrancingly and scooted closer. "Artemis, would you give me the divine pleasure of being my girlfriend?" Still gazing at her, he kissed her hand tenderly.

Artemis's mouth hung open, and all she could do was nod dumbly.

Getting up, Lucius offered his arm to Artemis, who wrapped a slightly shaking hand around it, pulling herself up. "Well, in that case," Lucius smiled, "I believe we have some catching up to do. I haven't actually gotten to see you lately, and I know a good spot to just sit and talk.

*********

Artemis and Lucius sat beneath the shade of a weeping willow near the Lake's edge. At first, Artemis was nervous and couldn't bring herself to look at Lucius; his eyes gave her the impression he could read her very thoughts; but after a while, she felt as though she could tell him anything. Nothing pleased Artemis more at the moment than just sitting with Lucius. Just listening to his voice was intoxicating. It was so strong and confident and yet comforting at the same time.

Dusk was beginning to settle on Hogwarts, bathing the walls in red and orange and gold. Lucius glanced up at the sky. "It's getting late. Shall we go back for dinner?"

Artemis, who was looking out over the Lake, turned to Lucius, whose hair was tinged red and orange and gold as well by the setting sun, which sent pale rays of light dancing in his mysterious eyes. "Not yet. I like it out here, just the two of us." Artemis's voice lowered. "I don't want it any other way right now."

Lucius smiled, pleased, as he rested his hand on Artemis's. "Nor would I, Artemis, nor would I.

Suddenly, a paper flew into Lucius's face. Ripping it lividly off, he scanned what appeared to be a flyer.

Lucius made a noise that sounded curiously like a growl and pushed himself up, glaring around furiously. "We have to go," he demanded. "It's dinner time." His voice dropped into a threatening snarl. "And I must have a word with Crabbe and Goyle."

"Lucius, what are you..."

Lucius tossed the paper at Artemis, who caught it. "Have a look at that!"

A Slytherin banner with a large x through it dominated most of the parchment. As if this wasn't enough, below it was written, "Hate Slytherin? Then you belong in our anti-Slytherin club, Gryffindors Against Slytherins. Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs see our president Nicholas Edgewick for further details on membership."

Artemis stared in disbelief a moment. "Those filthy...you're right. Let's go." She leapt up as well, and the pair made quickly for the Great Hall.

*********

As Lucius rushed through the doors, he spotted Crabbe and Goyle looking their usual dumb selves in a corner. He muttered quickly in Artemis's ear, "You go ahead and have dinner without me. I'll talk to Crabbe and Goyle out here."

Artemis nodded and hurried off towards the Great Hall.

*********

"Well," Severus simpered, "I see you're back. Did you two have a nice time?"

Artemis shoved Severus playfully. "You set me up for that, Severus Snape. You know, you're not very funny."

"Oh no? You still haven't answered my question."

Cutting into a healthily-sized piece of meat, Artemis smiled reflectivly. "Yes, I had a marvelous time."

For a split second, a jealous sort of look passed over Severus's face, but Artemis didn't see it. "So, where is Mr. Malfoy anyway? Left the missus all alone, has he?"

Artemis kicked him under the table. "Oh, stop your bedeviling. He's off talking to Crabbe and Goyle."

*********

"What do you make of this?" Lucius hissed, brandishing the paper at Crabbe and Goyle.

The both glanced at each other, then back at the paper, the back at each other, then at Lucius and shrugged.

It's a flyer, you buffoons! A flyer for an anti-Slytherin club!" They hadn't had dinner yet was their problem. Maybe once they were fed properly.

Crabbe and Goyle grunted their astonished anger.

"And just guess who it's created by. Just guess!"

Crabbe looked down, then at Goyle, then back at the flyer, and then at Lucius. Scratching his head doubtfully, he said hesitantly, "By the...um...by the Gryffindors, Malfoy?"

Lucius smiled a tiny smile. So they weren't as dumb as he thought after all. "Very good, Crabbe. Now, do you see who their president is?"

It was Goyle's turn to be smart. He too looked at the flyer, tongue poked thoughtfully between his teeth as if finding this information was some great mathematical equation. For reassurance, he glanced at Crabbe, and then slowly and uncertainly to Lucius said, "Um...Nicholas Edgewick?"

"Good, good. Now, do you know what I want you to do?"

The two cronies pondered this a moment. Then Crabbe suddenly snapped his fingers. Smiling he said, "You want us to find him and beat him up!"

"Oh, so close, my thick-headed friend. I want you two to find Edgewick and any associated with him. Write their names down and bring the list to me. Have you got that?"

Crabbe and Goyle nodded quickly.

"Good. In the meantime, I'll do a little investigative work of my own."

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