A Piece of Mind

Chapter [3]

Professor Dumbledore was an old man. He'd seen many things and heard of many others. He had, quite some years ago now, come to a point in his life where he stopped worrying about the future. He had lived his life, and changed many others; he was content with this and with anything else the world had to offer, including death.

This did not mean he wouldn't try to make others' futures better. In fact, that had been his goal since he decided to become a teacher. He'd experienced more than most wizards would in a lifetime, for most were not as old and intrepid as Dumbledore.

Even with all this knowledge and wisdom and experience, Albus was pleasantly surprised with finding something he had never known or expected to encounter in his life.

The day was unordinary, and the old wizard knew he would not soon forget it.

Albus always expected the unexpected, so was surprised when he appeared on the steps of Fowl Manor. It looked exactly as he had pictured: a regularly used, modern castle, held together by mortar and money. Dumbledore smiled as he knocked on the grand front door.

When it opened, a huge Eurasian man almost the size of Hagrid (but with far less hair) stood there, a resigned expression on his face. His eyes flicked to Dumbledore's purple robes and the wand in his hand, all of which seemed out of place against the backdrop of the Fowl estate.

"Who are you?" The man asked in a low voice, reminding Albus once again of his half-giant friend. He wondered briefly if they were somehow related.

"Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, professor and headmaster at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Pleased to make your acquaintance. Is Mr. Fowl available? I need to have a chat with him," Dumbledore said, not unkindly, his eyes twinkling behind half-moon spectacles. He assumed Artemis had talked with his guardian about the letter from the ministry, but had prepared for the worst. The man in front of him didn't look surprised by Albus' words so he must have presumed right.

The man led Albus inside to a sitting area where he was told to wait. "Artemis will be down in a moment. Help yourself to some tea while you wait." And with that Dumbledore was alone again.

He was pouring himself his second cup of tea when someone cleared their throat. He looked up to see a blue-eyed boy standing just inside the doorway. He hadn't made a sound coming in.

The boy walked over and sat stiffly in the chair facing Dumbledore, delicate hands folding over a crisp black suit.

"Magic," The boy said after it was apparent the wizard was not going to speak first. "Is it real?" He asked. Dumbledore sipped his tea before answering.

"As real as you or me, but only as real as you believe it to be. It is all around us and yet dormant. Only active when called upon."

"If it's all around us," the boy asked, "Then why can't everyone use it? Why can't everyone learn to control it?"

"Because only a witch or wizard can do that. And you, Artemis, are a wizard."

Artemis only nodded, gazing at Albus the way one might read an interesting book. Dumbledore smiled patiently and waited for the Irish boy to speak.

"Why now? The letters suggested that my magic is somewhat late. This is unusual?"

"Yes," replied Dumbledore, suddenly trying to put his finger on something very familiar about this conversation. "Quite unusual. But not unheard of. Can I ask; were your emotions... out of control yesterday? Normally a person's magic is brought on by emotion, so around the age of two or three."

Artemis looked down in thought. When his head came up, his eyes were calculating. "When does term start?" He asked instead of answering.

Dumbledore was taken aback at the question but recovered quickly. "September 1st. The train to Hogwarts leaves Kings Cross Station, London at precisely 11 am. If you and your guardian agree to enroll in my school, you will receive another letter with all the necessary books and supplies. The only question is what year to put you in..."

He trailed off, sipping his tea once more as it was his turn to think.

"What year would I be in for my age?"

"Everyone begins first year when they are 11. You, being 15, would be in your fifth year. There are seven years total, 17 being the legal adult age for a witch or wizard."

A thought occurred to Artemis. "You're telling me an awful lot. What if I decide I would rather share your secrets with the rest of the world? Flaunt my magic instead of learning to control it? Am I right in assuming you came prepared with a way to wipe my memory if I refuse your offer?"

Dumbledore looked genuinely curious. "We stay hidden for a reason. Many safety measures have already been put in place but if it came to it... yes, I would be forced to obliviate you. How did you know?"

"Just a guess," The boy said dismissively. "Obliviate... are all your spells taken from Latin roots?" When the headmaster raised a grey eyebrow. Artemis elaborated. "Oblivisci; forget, in Latin. What would it take to summon water? Some form of the root word aqua? Exactly how old is this magic?"

Dumbledore listened to Artemis, suddenly realizing what was so familiar about the boy. The questions, the brightness in his eyes, the curiosity. Not to mention the striking physical resemblance. It painfully reminded him of the boy Riddle had been in school, the wizard he could have been if he'd had better friends. If he had a better family. If he hadn't found those books.

Albus decided then and there that he would keep an eye out for Artemis and make sure he wouldn't become corrupted. If, Merlin forbid, he ever started using Dark Magic.

They continued talking, Dumbledore answering all his questions about the wizarding world that the boy could think of, and staying much longer than planned. When the flow of questions had ebbed, Albus decided to wrap things up.

"So. Are you interested in attending Hogwarts this year, even if it means you will be with students younger than you?"

"Yes, although as I'm somewhat of a special case I was wondering if I could be permitted to practice this summer in an effort to catch up to my peers. I'm confident in my abilities to reach the level of understanding any upcoming fifth year might have. I will do everything within my power to fill in any remaining information I might have missed. Furthermore, If we are being technical, I will be sixteen by the start of term so I will be older than my peers either way."

Artemis was bolder and smarter than even some of the best witches and wizards Albus had met over the years. If another student had claimed they could learn four years' worth of content in two months he would have chuckled and taken it as a good joke. But it was an unusual case for an unusual boy.

"I will try to arrange for some books to be sent to you, or I can have my gamekeeper come and bring you to get supplies," Dumbledore said, taking a mental note. "Whichever one you or your guardian are most comfortable with. Speaking of which, is the man I met at the door your caretaker?"

"Yes. Domovoi Butler," Artemis said, looking down. His face pinched slightly and it was more expression Albus had seen on the boy since they'd met. "He takes care of me now that my parents are gone."

No more questions were asked as Butler strolled into the room, having been monitoring the conversation from Artemis' room. The boy didn't even turn his head as the man stepped behind him.

"I would like to see the place you mentioned earlier; Diagon Alley. It would be a joy to see a whole street filled with magic, and a nice introduction to the wizarding world before I come to school. I also require a wand to practice my magic before this coming year."

"Of course," Dumbledore bowed his head, standing as he put his tea down. "I will send a letter with the list of supplies you need and when Rubeus will come to pick you up. This has been quite the conversation. Farewell, Artemis Fowl."

And with that, the wizard disappeared with a pop.