A Piece of Mind

Chapter [4]

"He has the iris cams?"

"Yes."

"And his money?"

"Yes."

"And you're going with him?"

"Yes, Holly." This time it was Artemis who answered, calling from offscreen somewhere. He came back into view, holding five large bags.

"What are those for?" Foaly asked, squinting at the oversized black duffle bags Artemis was setting on the table.

"We're going to need a lot of books," was all the Irish boy said.

"These wizards seem to be very punctual. We should get going," Butler said in his usual low rumble. Artemis nodded his head, and carefully put the blue contacts in. He blinked a few times, feeling the uncomfortable sensation of his vision being tinted on one side from the blue contact.

"Make sure to look at everything. Butler, I threw in some dark brown ones for you too. We want to see as much as we can," Foaly reminded them. Artemis opened his mouth as if to add something, but shook his head and started for the door.

"Good luck. We'll be watching from Section 8, along with Commander Trouble." The line cut out.

Just then, the doorbell rang. Artemis gave Butler a knowing look. "Punctual, you said?" he recounted as he checked his watch.

The man standing at the door was not what they expected. For starters, he was taller than Butler; a feat Artemis had yet to see achieved by anything other than a troll. Artemis estimated he was around 8 ½ feet tall. And he wasn't just tall, but large and imposing in the doorway, which he had to duck under to come in. His long brown overcoat had more pockets than Artemis cared to count, all with various items sticking out of them. His scraggly black hair was long and his beard covered most of his face.

"Rubeus Hagrid, nice ter meet yeh." The man had a thick accent and extended an enormous hand which Artemis obligingly took in his own. "Oh, yer are Mr. Fowl, righ'?" He asked, hesitantly. "Forgot ter ask."

"Yes, that is me," Artemis said with a tight smile, "And this is my guardian. Will he be joining us today?"

Hagrid shook his head. "Sorry. Dumbledore's instructions said only you was to be coming. Yer can tell Mr... erm, yer guardian all 'bout it after you come back."

Artemis didn't much appreciate being talked to as if he were a child. He looked up at Hagrid, thinking of the best way to handle this. "I would feel much better if Butler were to come with us. And, with no offense to Dumbledore, I am a rather unusual case. Not many have magic that appears as late as mine, and I don't want to affect it in any way. Such as getting emotional or frightened without Butler near me."

"Butler?" Hagrid asked, looking confused. Butler shifted behind Artemis and Hagrid's eyes widened in understanding. "Oh! Yer his butler? But I thought..."

"Domovoi Butler. I am Artemis' guardian, and will be going with him today." Butler said decidedly. Hagrid looked confused but shrugged. "Righ'," he said, dazed by the Irish boy and his bodyguard. "Do yer have a fireplace?"

After locating the nearest fireplace and lighting it, Hagrid pulled a jar from his coat and spread some of the dirt-like powder on the flames, which turned green.

"This should take yer near where we're going. Simply toss the powder on the flames like tha' an' say, "Norshes Woodshop," and wait fer me. I never liked the floo. Motion sick. No, I'll apparate."

The sensation was strange, but something worth remembering. The flames licked at his sides like a warm blanket, and when he came out the other end he was in a shop. Dusting off his suit, he found Butler waiting by the door. Soon after Hagrid appeared, and they left, stepping out onto a busy street.