Shattered Past || Tom Riddle

02: A New Home

I followed Artemis into a large mansion. "Do you own this entire island?"

"Yes. My parents retired and bought an island in Fiji. Butler's younger sister Juliet is with them. The twins just went off to college together. Myles and Beckett refused to be separated unless they went to the same school. They should return next week before classes start up again." Artemis explained.

The house was enormous. Skylights lit up the house. A large fireplace was the centerpiece of the living room, with a large dining room and kitchen. Large glass windows lit up the house, overlooking Fowl island. Before I could finish admiring it, a girl around 10 years old ran up to us. I smiled and held out my hand to introduce myself when she grabbed it and flipped me over her shoulder.

"Ha!" She shouted.

I landed on my back a bit stunned.

"Lizzie!" Artemis said sharply.

Lizzie smiled. "Just protecting the house Artemis!"

"This is Danelle. She'll be living with us." Artemis said.

She leaned down smiling at me as if nothing happened. "Welcome."

"No problem." I managed. I got back on my feet, eyeing the girl warily. Butler smiled proudly at the girl.

"This is Lizzie, she's Juliet's daughter. She helps around the house and does all the cooking. Lizzie, show Danelle to the guest room. That will be her room while she's here." Artemis explained.

The girl ran off down the hall, so I followed her.

"Upstairs is Uncle Butler's room. Artemis sleeps in the master bedroom. Artemis's office is up there too. You can't go in without his consent though."

She gave me a quick tour of the house, rushing around before running back down the hall.

"Hurry" Lizzie called.

I smiled as I walked into the last bedroom down the hall. The room had light blue carpet and victorian style wallpaper. By the back wall was a canopy bed with lace curtains. On the right side, large double windows lit up the room with a grand view of the ocean. A blue plush chair sat next to the bed. To the left were a nightstand and dresser.

"Cool huh?" Lizzie asked.

I sat on the chair and relaxed. "It's all very beautiful."

"The entire house is solar-powered. Even the fireplace uses alcohol instead of fuel." She said.

"So, where is your dad?" I asked curiously.

"He's on an assignment. He's a bodyguard too. Mom met him when she was shopping with Artemis' mom."

"Do you go to school?" I asked.

"I get to go train with Madam Ko soon. That's where my parents trained. I want to be a bodyguard like them." Lizzie said. She jumped up and threw a few punches in the air.

I smiled at her enthusiasm. Didn't most kids just want to play with their friends at her age?

"Did you like that maneuver I used on you?" She asked.

"Not really," I muttered.

"Mom showed me that," Lizzie said with a proud smile.

I smiled politely but kept quiet.

"Are you hungry? I can make us some sandwiches." She asked.

"Um... sure."

Just then an owl flew in and landed on the windowsill. Were owls normal around here? I looked closer and realized it had something attached to its feet. It was pecking at the window as if it wanted in.

"Woah," Lizzie said.

I carefully opened the window, half expecting the bird to fly away. It flew in and landed on my bed frame.

"Um... can we help you?" I asked it.

It held out its leg with the attached letter. I stood there, unsure.

"I think it wants you to take it," Lizzie said.

"What if it pecks me?" I asked.

I carefully untied the string and took the letter. My eyes widened in surprise and confusion. Lizzie came over to take a peek. The owl flapped its wings irritably and flew back out the window.

The front of the letter read, "Danelle Sofia Fowl." It had the Fowl's address on it as well.

"I just got here, how'd it know I was even here?" I whispered.

Lizzie looked just as confused. "Come on. Let's take it to Artemis."

She snatched it out of my hand and ran off before I could stop her. I rolled my eyes and followed her up the stairs. Artemis was in his study at the computer.

Lizzie knocked and rushed in without waiting for a response. "Danelle got a letter!"

Artemis was at his computer and stopped typing. He held out a hand without looking at her. Lizzie placed in his palm and Artemis examined it and held it back out. "Danelle. Stop lingering in the doorway and come open this."

I walked in a bit timidly and took the letter. "It's a letter inviting me to a place called, Hogwarts. A school for magic." I said after reading it.

"Well, that just solves all our problems doesn't it?" Artemis said.

"What do you mean?" I asked Artemis.

Artemis finally turned around and looked at me. "You need to learn control over your magic and I have some... let's just call it business trips to take care of. I'll take care of the details."

Artemis turned around and continued typing without another word. Lizzie took my hand and pointed at the door. I guess he was done talking to me.

"What business trips?" I asked Lizzie.

"He has two solar-powered hotels he designed and runs. That and he helps the fairies from time to time," Lizzie said.

Two weeks had passed since I came to Fowl Island. I went down to the kitchen, hearing two new voices.

Someone jumped out from behind, putting their arm around me, and began bumping me in the chin so my head bobbed up and down with their elbow. "This must be the new girl!"

"Hey! Quit it! Knock it off..." I managed to escape the stranger's grasp and was about to insult him until I laid eyes on him. A young, muscular, blonde-haired man grinned down at me innocently.

"Hi." I squeaked.

"Beckett. Fist bump." He said, holding out a fist.

I looked at him, not sure of what to do. I mimicked his fist and he grinned and bumped it against his own.

Another young man who looked the same age sat at the table reading the newspaper. He seemed to contradict Beckett in every way. He looked more like Artemis with dark hair and glasses. He had a handsome face though.

"You must be his twin brother I assume," I said.

He read a bit more before finally putting down the paper. "You assume correctly. I'm Myles. Artemis already has us up to date on your situation."

"How long are you two staying?" Lizzie asked, sitting next to Myles.

"Until school starts up again next month," Beckett said.

I sat down and grabbed a bagel from the table and began eating it. "So, you both getting your degree?"

Myles gave me an amused smirk. "Well, I'm on my fourth. I'm just sticking by this idiot."

Beckett grinned at his brother and both did type of fist bump from the side. I realized they had matching scars.

"Don't let Becket fool you, he can kill you in six different ways before you throw a punch. He spent some time training." Lizzie bragged.

"Wow, impressive," I said.

Myles looked at me again and smiled. "Welcome to the family Danelle."

This was going to be interesting.