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A Bouquet of New Beginnings: Chapter 10 "Witch's Briar"

Summary: As the first week of school comes to an end, Artemis takes the plunge.

Floriography: Witch's Briar - Ferocity

[AO3]

Full chapter can be read through the AO3 Link above, excerpt below!

Despite returning to her room near the witching hour, Artemis awoke at five in the morning per usual. The semi-permanent black circles were even more pronounced as she braided her hair under the soft candlelight; her roommates all fast asleep. The armada of white hairpins were placed for stability, careful to avoid the side-swept bangs both along her forehead and sides that framed her face.

The day began with another self-defence training session at the Quidditch pitch, supervised by Nocturne who was happily chomping on a jerky reward, courtesy of the “for hungry students” cabinet provided by the kitchen house-elves. She even risked knife-throwing into the mannequins at the edges of the field; it was entirely refreshing to see the blades sink into the centre each time.

However, without her garden, greenhouse or rigorous summer training curriculum, after she’d gotten done with the morning shower and had a green apple from the common room, she was at a loss for what to do. Leto hadn’t sent his response yet, she’d finished up her homework and extra assignments from her long waking hours, and Nurse Blainey had stated clearly Monday to discuss volunteering. Her desire to mingle with people was non-existent at the point, but she’d decided already she’d sketch tomorrow. Aimlessly, Artemis wandered the grounds with her legside bag attached, school uniform on sans robe until she reached the greenhouses. A melodious hum carried in the air.

As she poked her head in, she saw the familiar green robes and braided red hair. Professor Garlick was tending to the venomous tentacula that stood proudly within their greenhouse classroom, the smile on her face soft and endearing. Artemis found her vivacious, bubbly demeanour treading a fine line between endearing and exhausting, but right now it leaned toward the former. A thought came to her as she quietly stepped into the space.

“Good morning, Professor Garlick.”

Professor Garlick let out a surprised gasp as she whipped around, braids and all. The older woman had a hand upon her chest, the clippers in the other lowered.

“Goodness! I didn’t hear you enter, Miss Loreley. Good morning to you as well,” greeted Professor Garlick. “It’s rare, having a student come to the greenhouse on a Saturday. Can I help you?”

“I… was wondering if there was anything I could assist you in the greenhouse today.”

Professor Garlick tilted her head. “Assist me? In the greenhouse?”

“Yes,” said Artemis as she felt the dull pain of her thumb against her hidden scar, quelling her nerves for being so forward.

Professor Garlick hummed as her expression softened considerably.

“Miss Loreley, please do be honest with the question I am about to ask. I shan’t be offended with your answer.”

“Professor?”

“How has the first week of my class been for you? And the extra assignment? In terms of challenge.”

Artemis blinked twice.

“It… was easy, Professor,” answered Artemis honestly. Truth be told, the extra assignment regarding puffapods and their uses had been simple, and the plants they’d been covering in class were second nature to her. She had to search for something to do in class so that her hands were kept busy.

“I suspected as much. I’d never seen a student be able to handle three or four different plants in one lesson without sacrificing the care,” remarked Professor Garlick with a smile. “Professors Weasley and Fig had, of course, shared with us your experience, but it’s another to see it entirely.”

Artemis gave a noncommittal hum as her gaze moved to the venomous tentacula.

“In light of that, I’d like to make some adjustments to your extra assignments,” said Professor Garlick.

Artemis looked toward the redhead, who’d gone toward her desk and came back with a bronze key, its handle decorated with a wild rose and briars. At the professor’s insistence, she followed the older woman out of their current greenhouse.

“My predecessor, before he became… indisposed, had a particular way of running the greenhouses,” explained Professor Garlick as they continued down the scenic path. “I’ve taken to reinvigorating and redoing one per year, and of course, one cannot forget maintenance. This one still is yet to be replanted, re… well, let’s just say it needs some love. A bit of an overgrowth”

Their feet stopped in front of one of the darkened greenhouses. Artemis could make out long, thick lines of some sort of overgrowth along the glass panelling.

The professor stuck the key into the lock; even the click sounded thick and rusted.

A bit of an overgrowth was a gross understatement.

A Bouquet of New Beginnings Chapter 15: "Flowering Maple"

Floriography - Enlightenment

Summary: Professor Fig is back from the fruitless trip to the Ministry, and another chat with Professor Rackham is had.

[AO3]

Below is an excerpt of the chapter. Full chapter can be viewed from AO3 link above!

Her heart and footwork were equally light as she made her way toward Professor Fig’s classroom with the note delicately folded into her pocket. The path was all but etched into her memory as she silently weaved through the student crowd. In fact, she didn’t stop until she knocked onto the professor’s office door, heart elated when she heard the voice beckoning her in.

“Professor Fig,” greeted Artemis warmly as she stepped through the threshold and clicked the door behind her. “Welcome back.”

Professor Fig looked up from his desk, weariness etched into his features but the English grey eyes brightened nonetheless.

“Artemis, it’s good to be back. Please, have a seat.”

“How was the errand to the Ministry, sir?”

“About as useful as pearls to a horklump,” sighed Professor Fig in lingering frustration as cups of warm chai were placed. Artemis took the seat across from him in front of the fire in the usual armchair. “Minister Spavin was much more concerned of the rogue dragon in the skies, and not in the least bit concerned of Ranrok and his ilk. But, I wouldn’t say it was a completely fruitless trip.”

Professor Fig gestured toward the back of his classroom where she noticed a distinct, new mound of papers and books were haphazardly stacked in a shaky lean equivalent to the Tower of Pisa.

“I was able to swing by my flat and grab Miriam’s old research. I presume you would like to read through those with me?”

Her mouth practically watered as she nodded. Professor Fig chuckled.

“Also, thank you for handling the Moste Ponte Potions.”

“Why did you need that book, sir?”

“Ah, you see. I had a feeling that this trip would be exactly like it ended up. So I thought we could brew something a little…useful. Call it a secret project,” teased Professor Fig as he opened the book and flipped it for her to see.

Polyjuice Potion. Her shoulders shook as her eyes scanned the calligraphy. Deliciously complicated, brilliantly long, and utterly disastrous if done wrong.

“I look forward to brewing, sir.”

“I could tell.”

“Are there any other potions that we should consider?”

“Hmm… why don’t you take a quick look? What Madam Scribner doesn’t know won’t hurt.”

Artemis flipped through the book; many were less than stellar, and some of them were downright dastardly. Not that the drawing of a woman with spider legs growing out of the tendrils of her brain on the Polyjuice Potion page was any bit delightful. She created copies of those she deemed necessary.

“Professor, while you were away, I was able to track down the missing pages of the book.”

Professor Fig choked on his chai.

“You – what?”

“I tracked down the pages, sir.” Artemis pulled out the pages from her legside bag, a poor attempt at righting the wrinkles clear. “It, er, it got a bit crumpled.”

She passed the paper; his English grey eyes scanned the lines. “How did you come by this?”

“Well, I became friends with a ghost named Richard Jackdaw initially when I dove into the Black Lake –”

“- wait, you dove into the Black Lake?”

“Yes. But I’d been reading at the boathouse when he popped by and mentioned that he’d pilfered a few pages from Peeves once. Of course, I asked him where he had them just in case and um, it turned out he had died in a cave. So I… may have gone to search for his bones to bring him back since he’d apparently been forgotten there for four decades – ”

“- you went to search for a dead boy’s bones?”

“Mm. But, of course, the pages were the ones from the book, and sir. The cave was like Gringotts and the Restricted Section, with ancient magic and those ornate decorations. It led to a chamber with a portrait of Professor Rackham a few floors beneath Hogwarts. He also said we would need the book,” finished Artemis.

Professor Fig inhaled then exhaled exaggeratedly.

“And were you alright? During this unsanctioned excursion?”

“Yes,” answered Artemis. He didn’t need to know of the tussle with the arachnids or the close call with Ranrok’s loyalists.

“Did you go alone?”

Artemis nodded, and she got the distinct feeling that Professor Fig was not pleased with that response. “But, Richard knew where I’d gone and he would’ve reported it if I didn’t come back, and I’d mentioned to Sebastian I was running an errand.”

“I see. Though I am glad you had put some contingencies, if you do something like that again, I do not care if I am in London or Cairo or the North Pole –”

“– the North Pole?”

“It’s just an example. Anyways, I would like you to owl me beforehand. Send a notice somehow. Understood?”

Artemis bit her lower lip.

“Yes, sir.”

“I know you’re more than capable, Artemis, and I realise you didn’t have many options. But just to ease this old man’s heart, alright?”

She smiled meekly toward his fond one.

“Were you able to find his bones?”

“Yes, he’s still deliberating on how he would like to be handled. There was one more thing I wanted to discuss with you, sir, but I’m not sure if I should wait for Professor Rackham since I’m not sure if it’s ancient magic related or not.”

“You’re full of mysteries today. Very well, let’s go down to the Restricted Section first; you could show me the pensieve, and we can bring up the topic to this Professor Rackham,” concluded Professor Fig.

Both Professor Fig and Artemis stood up from their respective chairs and made way toward the door.

“I wonder if all of the statues reset themselves,” mused Artemis. Professor Fig chuckled.

“Godric’s heart, I hope not. I’m no spring chicken.”  

A Bouquet of New Beginnings Ch. 17 "Calendula"

Floriography - Health & Trouble

[AO3]

Summary: A month into the new school year. Professor Weasley checks in on progress, and Poppy invites Artemis for some moonlight rescue.

Below is an excerpt of the chapter; full chapter can be viewed from AO3 link above.

The beds of green slowly shifted to red, gamboge, and brown to welcome autumn. Students brought out their warm cloaks and jumpers to welcome the cooler months ahead. This particular afternoon, Artemis sat across from the redhaired Deputy Headmistress in her office. Fresh cups of earl grey wafted their elegant steam as the snow-haired girl rested her hands, right over left, in her lap.

“Miss Loreley, thank you for coming to see me so quickly.”

“It was no trouble, Professor Weasley,” responded Artemis quickly. Her palm tingled from the slight rub of her thumb against the hidden scar.

“It’s been a little over a month since you’ve come to Hogwarts, and I wished to check in on your progress. May I see your Field Guide?”

Artemis dutifully pulled out the tome from her school bag with both hands.

“How have you been adjusting?” Professor Weasley asked as she began to flip through the pages.

“Well, ma’am.”

A perfect blend of bitter and sweet swirled her mouth with her tea.

“I’m glad. I was starting to worry, since you’ve shown up to breakfast only once.”

She swallowed; the liquid felt like molten lava. Her gaze fell to the liquid surface. Reflected back was her carefully neutral façade. The additional Glamour Charm hid the increasingly darkened under eye circles.

“I eat light in the mornings, Professor.”

“I see. Well, you certainly keep yourself busy. Hospital Wing volunteering, the Briar Greenhouse, and I’ve heard you’ve taken to extra broom lessons with Miss Reyes. Nurse Blainey has also expressed that you wish to undertake the next Asclepius Record.”

A small smile stretched the Deputy Headmistress’ lips. Artemis wondered if this woman had ears in every crevice of the school.

“Collectively, all the professors of the mind that you are rapidly catching up to your classmates. You’re making great progress. Well done.”

Artemis’ gaze moved toward the desk as another sip of earl grey glided down her throat.

“Professor, may I ask a question?”

“Of course.”

“The room I stayed in my first night… did it disappear?”

No matter how many times she’d passed by that hall, the door never reappeared. Professor Weasley lifted an eyebrow before she chuckled softly.

“I’d wondered when you were going to ask me. Frankly I’m surprised it took you as long as you did.”

Artemis gave a sheepish smile. “I wanted to make sure I’d not been mistaken.”

“Hm. Very well. Nurse Blainey did mention the lack of a… what was it… a Healing mannequin? Perhaps the Room will have it.”

“The… Room, Professor?”

The professor held the Field Guide toward her. “Yes. Come, I’ll show you.”

Artemis followed the Deputy Headmistress without hesitation; her heels clicked as the clumps of students parted the halls. Professor Weasley’s overwhelming presence dulled her own as she followed in the taller woman’s shadow. The seventh-floor corridor wasn’t far, and there were no students there.

“Now, walk past this wall three times, and focus on something you need. To make it simple, how about somewhere to focus on the Asclepius Record?” Professor Weasley suggested warmly and gestured her arm toward the hall.

Artemis began. To and fro, her soft treads barely made a noise on the castle floors. Her mind, however, went broader than the Asclepius Record. She needed somewhere that could offer her all the Healing texts available, including texts in the Restricted Section, for herself, for Professor Fig, for Henry, for Anne even. Somewhere to train her Healing magic. Somewhere to go that wasn’t the Witty Pear if she were ever hurt, but couldn’t raise Nurse Blainey’s suspicion.

A… clinic.

Slowly, a dark cherry wood door unfurled itself from the middle of the greyed brick, and Professor Weasley gave a noise of awe.

“Well done! I do have to say, I’d never seen a wooden door before. Go on in,” encouraged the professor.

The door opened inward to something akin to a hexagonal conservatory. Some sort of conjured sunlight warmed the room from the kinmokusei glass mosaic on the ceiling. Half of the walls were made of clear glass, and beyond was a glade that closely resembled her mother’s glade. The solid walls were painted a pale sky blue, two of them nearly covered by the dark cherry bookshelves full of every other Healing text possible – delightfully, in both English and Japanese. Two Healing training mannequins stood in the corner, where the floor was tiled unlike the rest a light English Oak.

An overly large desk with an overhead glass cabinet stood against another wall, filled with potion vials and other equipment. Hanging baskets hung on the sides, and she was pleasantly surprised the ones already filled contained dwarf roses, lavender, and mints. There was an interesting-looking quill with a bronze ink bottle that stood on the side of the desk under the soft lamp light.

Artemis breathed out in awe. “What is this place?”

“This is the Room of Requirement,” started Professor Weasley. “It’s a room that changes to fit the seeker’s needs. I requested for a comfortable bedroom for you to rest in your first night.

Now, you’ve made quite a canvas for yourself. A rather interesting Desk of Description as well.”

“Desk of Description?”

“Yes. I’m sure you’ve come across a few things you didn’t know what they were; whenever you do, place it here and it’ll tell you what the item is.”

“So, like the Information spell?” Artemis asked.

Professor Weasley nodded. “Yes, though much more powerful. I daresay you could use this space to catch up on your other studies as well. Perhaps take one of those training mannequins to Nurse Blainey?”

“I- yes, Professor, thank you.”

“Speaking of studies… I noticed that Professor Fig has put in a few requests for outdoor excursions,” started Professor Weasley. “He marked them as introducing you to the land’s history and learning to immerse yourself into wizarding communities. Now I must ask… is any of this related to what happened with the dragon attack?”

“Not at all, Professor,” lied Artemis smoothly.

A moment passed between the two before Professor Weasley gave a small, tired smile.

“I see. Now, I shall let you get acquainted with your space – you’re free to use this space as you please, though I do ask you continue to adhere to the school rules.”

“Yes Professor. Thank you, for trusting me with this.”

“You’re welcome. I did, after all, show you this on your first night; I’m sure you would’ve figured out the secret sooner rather than later. Use it well,” said Professor Weasley warmly.

Artemis nodded as she watched the redhead leave. Once the door shut, her shoulders slumped in relief. Lying had been necessary but it left a bitter taste in her mouth. She reached into the legside bag and pulled out the mysterious palm-sized box that she’d gotten from the bottom of the Black Lake. She couldn’t believe it’d been a full month since she’d picked this up.

Inside sat three, translucent stones, fashioned into ear pierces onto their velvet bed. The moment she touched one the stone changed colour until it was an iridescent blue-green with a silvery shimmer on the inside.

<<How odd,>> gasped out Artemis before she placed the box onto the desktop near the ink and bottle. Bronze runes lifted from seemingly nowhere as they encircled the box in a flurry before they coagulated into a piece of parchment where the quill wrote at a furious speed. Once it had been completed, she read the words scrawled in bronze ink.

Secret Sharer

Mid-Tier artefact, commonly used to communicate between individuals telepathically if they are within a half-mile radius. Once attuned, the stone will change to the colour of their magical core. Resets upon return.

Artemis hummed as she picked up the Secret Sharer box, and repocketed it. She supposed, on occasion, it paid to explore the lakebed. Perhaps she’d invite Richard again when he came back. Or Nerida now that they’ve started floating practise in an enlarged bathtub.

But for now, she had Healing texts to read, and a mannequin to practise on.

Her fingertips glided across the book spines until she found Duality of Healing Arts, and began to read. She’d been going to the Restricted Section on twice a week with Sebastian, and had been chipping away at its contents slowly. Now, she had the luxury of reading it at her own pace without the constant threat of Madam Scribner, Peeves, or any myriads of ghosts. The contents were not as Dark as she would’ve thought, considering where it had been located, but it did touch on the ‘other’ side of Healing arts – necromancy. Artemis scrunched her nose in distaste.

The dead should remain dead, rest from the life they’d been living.

A particular spell, however, caught her attention. She pulled the mannequin manual and tapped her wand on the rune she needed. Suddenly, the mannequin was heavily lacerated - the chicken blood flowed freely in abundance onto the tiled ground. She pointed her wand, aglow in soft green light, and attempted in a sing-song incantation.

“Vulnera Sanentur.”

Thank you @sallowslove & @thefeatherwrites for the tags! ✨✨

The latest sentence in my WIP, a few chapters ahead:

He was a man once; he deserved a modicum of privacy, even when melted down to the bone.

No pressure tagging: @betheckart @theladyofshalott1989 @dom1re

LAST SENTENCE TAG GAME

RULES: Post the last sentence you wrote (fanfic / original / anything) and tag as many people as there are words in the sentence.

@groovytimetravelflower shared this with me and I thought I'd give it a try!

Had the Lucians done something to Linda, there would be no more reason to keep cooperating like this.

Tagging @groovytimetravelflower @andywinter16 @pandansca and whoever wants to do this! I don't know many other writers on Tumblr enough to tag them in these things.

A Bouquet of New Beginnings Ch. 9: "Blue Gum"

Herb meaning: "Quiet" or "I watch over you"

[AO3]

Summary: We do so love restricted areas, don't we? (Tl;dr - Restricted Section).

A little excerpt from the chapter below the cut, but the full chapter can be read at the link above!

Happy New Year and hope 2024 is fantastic!

“Why do you have the key to Fig’s classroom?” Sebastian asked as Artemis beckoned him in. It’d have been simple enough to, perhaps, speak in the Common Room, but there were too many people clambering. No, better to go where she knew nobody would be listening in.

“He gave it to me before he was conscripted to Headmaster Black’s whims.”

“Poor Fig. Anyways, this is great timing, really.”

“How so?” Artemis asked as the door clicked shut behind her.

“Garreth and Natty may be curious about Rookwood and the troll, but neither of them heard what we did,” said Sebastian as all hints of jovialness dissipated. “Why are Ranrok and Rookwood after you?”

Artemis rubbed her thumb against her hidden scar; the tingle tremored through her forearm. Frankly, she was surprised it’d taken Sebastian this long to ask, though she supposed she'd hardly been alone outside of being in her room.

I trust you.

Professor Fig’s words came back to her as she made her decision.

“We’re not entirely certain,” started Artemis slowly.

“We?”

“Professor Fig and I. There was… before I go on further, you mustn’t tell anyone what I am about to tell you. Not even Ominis,” insisted Artemis. Her mouth tasted bitter at leaving Ominis out, but she agreed in Professor Fig's judgment; the less people that knew right now, the better.

“I won’t, you have my word,” declared Sebastian with a confident smile. “Not Natty or Garreth?”

“I’ll only tell them if they ask. Like you said, they didn’t hear Ranrok and Rookwood talking. Frankly, I’m not sure if knowing or not knowing is safer. Either way, I’ll… let you know, if I do.”

“Fine,” said Sebastian as he flopped into the nearest seat. “Either way, I’m asking. Why are they after you? It isn’t everyday where the leader of the goblin rebellion and the top criminal in the region are both after the same person. Let alone a new student.”

She noted that Sebastian had emphasized with a fair degree of malice the word ‘goblin’.

“We suspect that they’re after something that we retrieved at Gringotts.”

“- Wait. Gringotts? The bank? When were you at Gringotts?”

“After the whole, dragon situation. Professor Fig managed to grab the portkey – ”

“– Wait, a portkey? To Gringotts?” Sebastian repeated back. “I’m not sure I follow.”

Artemis chuckled as she took a seat across from Sebastian. His freckles looked like the amanogawa against the afternoon sun through the window panes.

“Long story short, we picked up something at Gringotts that Ranrok wants. It’s a map of Hogwarts, and it leads into the library. The Restricted Section, to be precise.”

“You can’t be serious.”

Artemis looked at him pointedly; Sebastian gave a long, slow nod.

“Okay, you are serious. So, did you end up going?”

“Not yet. We were going to during independent study, but…”

“Black conscripted Fig for his toils,” finished Sebastian.

Artemis nodded as she let out a small sigh.

“Exactly. Headmaster Black, in some mental gymnastics I fail to understand, concluded that being nearly eaten by a dragon was Professor Fig’s fault, and he’s now en route to London.”

Sebastian rolled his eyes with a shrug.

“That’s Black for you. But I see where this is going – you want to be proactive.”

“Yes, exactly.”

“So, you came to me. I’m honoured.”

“Well, you did say you were clever enough to get into the Restricted Section,” offered Artemis. “I thought perhaps I could ask you for advice on how to get in unseen. Without needing to use excessive invisibility potions.”

She saw Sebastian’s back straighten as his chest puffed ever slightly.

“I am. Though, with your soft treads, you might even do better than me without magic.”

“I doubt that.”

“You’ve nearly given me seven heart attacks the past five days, Artie. Seven. Almost flung that book into the fireplace earlier…” muttered Sebastian as Artemis gave an apologetic smile.

“Sorry about that, truly.”

Sebastian batted the air nonchalantly with an easy smile.

“Whatever. Anyways, if you’re going into the Restricted Section, I’m coming with you. I’ll teach you the trick tonight.”

“Wait but –”

“– Uh-uh, like I’m ever going to pass up an opportunity to go. I do so love getting into places I shouldn’t be,” teased Sebastian. He leaned his cheek into his propped-up palm. “Besides, two heads are better than one.”

Artemis hummed in thought as she met Sebastian’s gaze. The warm chocolate eyes conveyed a clear intent that he would not budge on his decision. It did seem he wanted to go in for his own things, and she needed the assistance.

Artemis nodded in agreement. Sebastian laughed bright; his smile devious as dimpled formed on his freckled cheeks.

“Meet me in Central Hall at eleven, and don’t tell anyone.”