The Twin Legacy: the Shadows of Dusk

Chapter Seven

As November rolled in, the weather turned very cold. The mountains around the school became icy gray and the lake like chilled steel. Every morning the ground was covered in frost. Artemis was not a fan. She started to miss the warm weather back in Greece. The same could not be said about Apollo. He was excited for snow, especially the snowball fights he's heard about from the Weasley twins.

The days leading up to Saturday were filled with whispers of the hot gossip revolving around Harry Potter. It has been said that he would be playing as the seeker for the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Obviously she will be rooting for the Slytherin team, yet she was curious to see how well he would play. Apollo has been pestering her to bet on which team will win. She refused knowing he had some inside information on how well Harry played, but Alex insisted on betting against Apollo. She tried to warn Alex since in her opinion, Apollo is a pro bet-ter, yet he refused to listen.

By breakfast, Apollo had gotten a few dozen other students to join the bet as well. Artemis doesn't understand why he bets money when they have plenty of it. She ate some breakfast as she tried to tune out the boosting of the Slytherin Quidditch team. At times like these, she would like to root for the Gryffindors.

Before heading to the Quidditch Pitch, Artemis added on a coat, scarf, earmuffs and gloves. She also decided to bring along a blanket. At the stands, she was met by Alex who was waving Artemis over to where he was at.

"Hey, I brought a blanket just in case" Artemis showed Alex.

"Perfect! It's absolutely freezing out here" Alex shuddered.

"I hope you guys don't mind if we sit next to you"

Artemis looks up and sees Yoora and Mia holding travel mugs.

She smiles and nods. Alex wasn't as enthusiastic to see Mia.

"We brought hot butterbeer!" announced Yoora as she sat down next to Artemis.

"How did you guys get this? Aren't third years only allowed at Hogsmeade?" asked Alex.

"My sister is in fifth year and she bought us some" explained Mia.

"What's butterbeer?" Artemis spoke up.

"Excuse me? What?" Mia exclaimed, "You've never had butterbeer?"

"Nope, what is it"

"Only the best drink ever!" blurted out Alex.

"Try some" Yoora handed her the mug.

Artemis blew inside the opening before taking a sip. Her eyes grew big as the hot liquid touched her tongue. It was explosive with the soft and creamy flavor of butterscotch. Artemis took another long sip, not caring how hot the liquid was.

"Wow, that is good," Artemis smiled, taking yet another sip.

Her friends laughed at her butterbeer discovery.

"Just wait until you try it cold," said Mia.

Madam Hooch's whistle interrupted as all fifteen brooms rose up high in the sky. Artemis lasered focus onto the game.

"And the Quaffle is taken immediately by Angelina Johnson of Gryffindor — what an excellent Chaser that girl is, and rather attractive, too —"

"JORDAN!"

"Sorry Professor."

A third year student Lee Jordan was doing the commentary for the match, closely watched by Professor McGonagall.

"And she's really belting along up there, a neat pass to Alicia Spinnet, a good find of Oliver Wood's, last year only a reserve — back to Johnson and — no, the Slytherins have taken the quaffle, Slytherin Captain Marcus Flint gains the Quaffle and off he goes — Flint flying like an eagle up there – he's going to sc– no, stopped by an excellent move Gryffindor Keeper Wood and the Gryffindors take the Quaffle — that's Chaser Katie Bell of Gryffindor there, nice dive around Flint, off up the field and – OUCH — that must have hurt, hit in the back of the head by a Bludger — Quaffle taken by the Slytherins — that's Adrian Pucey speeding off toward the goalposts, but he's blocked by a second Bludger — sent his way by Fred or George Weasley, can't tell which — nice play by the Gryffindor Beater, anyway, and Johnson back in possession of the Quaffle, a clear field ahead and off she goes — she's really flying — dodges a speeding Bludger — the goalposts are ahead — come on, now, Angelina — Keeper Bletchley dives — misses — GRYFFINDOR SCORE!"

Gryffindor cheers filled the cold air, with howls and moans from the Slytherins.

A small purple ball of light from below catches Artemis' eye. It slithered across the playing field, towards the slytherin stand all the way behind.

"I'll be right back" she whispers to Alex.

He nods as he watches the game, not paying any attention to Artemis. As she reaches the bottom of the stand, the light stands still as if it was waiting for Artemis. Once out of the Quidditch Pitch, the light continues on moving towards the Forbidden Forest. She follows with curiosity until she reaches the entrance of the forest. Hesitant, she stops and so does the light, already in. The light moves towards Artemis and stops in front of her chest. Flicks of purple reflected her eyes as she reached her hand toward the light. A sense of urgency streamed through her body.

Suddenly a roar of cheers erupted from the Quidditch Pitch. Catching Artemis off guard, she looked back. Once she looked forward once again, the light was gone. I should probably get back. Artemis thought to herself.

She made her way back to the Quidditch Pitch, waiting below for her friends.

"Hey where did you go?" asked Mia.

"Oh, I needed to go to the bathroom," she responded.

Artemis gave Alex a side eye look.

More than needed cheers and shouts filled the air as the Gryffindors passed them, Apollo being one of them.

"I'm guessing the Gryffindors won," she uttered.

"Now what makes you say that?" Alex and Artemis share a laugh.

Once in the Slytherin common room, Artemis and Alex sat in a rather private place.

"So what really happened?" asked Alex.

"Well, I saw a small purple ball of light." she answered.

"A small purple ball of light?"

"Yes."

"How small are we talking?"

"Like the size of a grape."

"Mhmm — and you followed it?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Well it went towards us and through to the other side. And when I went down, it looked like it was waiting for me. So I followed it to the Forbidden Forest. But I got distracted and it went away."

"You went INTO the Forbidden Forest?" shouted Alex.

"Shh– keep your voice down. And no — I didn't — I stopped at the entrance. When I stopped, the light stopped and went towards me."

"You know that's incredibly stupid of you, you know? Especially after the black-smoke-snatching-you incident. Or don't tell me you forgot. "

"No I didn't forget, my ankle still hurts. But you don't understand, this light was different. I wasn't scared or anything. I was intrigued. It didn't feel like it wanted to hurt me. Instead it felt like it wanted to help me."

"You sound insane. Did you hit your head when the black smoke dragged you across the school?"

"No, well yes I did —- I'm fine! I need to go into the Forbidden Forest."

"No you need to get yourself checked into a mental hospital."

"Alex please. I need to go."

"Fine, but I'm not coming with you."

"That's fine. Just don't tell Apollo."

"Uh I do not feel comfortable lying to your brother."

"Why? Besides it's not lying. Just withholding information."

"Same difference. After Halloween we became closer. Plus he's your brother. Who cares about you."

"He doesn't need to know everything about my life."

"He does when it involves danger to you."

Artemis looks at Alex with a blank expression.

"Fine I won't tell him."

"Thank you, thank you, thank you," Artemis jumps up from her seat to give Alex a hug.

"Now, to get you into the Forbidden Forest without getting caught or killed."