Draco was pretty sure the entire scene unfolded before him in slow motion.
He and Harry made a great team, although he would never admit it, and the good side was finally winning. Lucius had noticed and decidedly ignored his son's presence and fought on regardless. Just when he thought Harry and the sisters had the situation handled enough he stole a glace towards Artemis and Blaise. Unfortunately he saw he one thing he hoped he wouldn't.
Bellatrix was looming over them like an evil cat with her eyes gleaming with delight of the kill. And like that Artemis used all her might to push the evil witch off the table. He felt himself grin from ear to ear. That was his girl. But she wasn't his girl was she? He had made sure of that himself.
He watched her and Blaise run to the door. His relief at her safety was short-lived because Bellatrix, as dangerous as an angry cat, had noticed her mistake but took full advantage of her victim's unawareness of her. Draco saw in perfect slow motion as Bellatrix mumbled a curse and sort it out her wand and right at Artemis' back before she could even hit the ground.
And just like that everything around Draco seemed to lurch suddenly into real time. He snarled and lunged ready to attack Bellatrix with all his might but he felt warm hands touching his arm.
"We'll take care of her, Go to Artemis" One of the girls whispered as they moved swiftly through the hall. He could feel his heart pumping in his chest so heavy he felt like it was trying to escape. Now was certainly not a time to be in denial of his feelings. All he knew was that she was in trouble and he had to get to her as soon as he could. When he reached her part of him wished he hadn't. Blaise was hunched over stroking her cheek with tears streaming down his face. Her face was deathly white but her lips were still bright red with life. He fell down beside her heavily and watched as his eyes slowly filled with tears.
"Silverbow, Silverbow" He lifted her head into his lap and stroked her hair tenderly. "You can't just die Artemis, don't you fucking dare die!" His voice was now growing in volume, "Artemis don't leave me. Please don't leave me Artemis"
And like that Draco Malfoy finally gave in, "Artemis I love you. Please don't leave me." He closed his eyes and sobbed, not caring for his image, his reputation or his prestigious last name. He would have sat like that for forever if he hadn't felt soft cold fingers caressing his cheek. He looked down and he saw a half smirk on the face of the girl he loved and her feather eyelashes fluttering open.
"You called me Artemis." She half-heartedly giggled although she felt like someone had just dropped an elephant on top of her.
"Artemis! Artemis! You're alive!" Draco and half the hall that had congregated around the couple shrieked.
"No I'm talking from beyond the grave" She giggled again, this time a more bell-like sound. It made Draco's stomach feel warm and joyful. "Grumphhh" She mumbled and nuzzled her face into the material of Draco's now ripped tux. He stroked her hair and smiled down at her.
There were sighs of relief from all around and at that moment Draco realised the fight was over. Dumbledore stood behind him with an amused and heart-warming smile on his face whilst Snape looked just as bored as ever. Around them stood students all looking touched at the scene, some Slytherin's looking disgusted and Blaise and Harry looking downright depressed. Everyone's clothes seemed to be ripped and torn from fighting, some had obvious blood stains but regardless of the trouble that people had just been through everyone seemed genuinely happy that Artemis was okay.
"Did we win?" She whispered as she gripped hold of Draco's sleeve.
"We had re-enforcements from the ministry despatched as soon as they appeared on the premises." Dumbledore interjected from behind, "Lucius got away but thanks to the Phoenix sisters Bellatrix was captured. No students or teachers were killed but several have been taken by Madame Pomfrey to the hospital ward. You should be there too Miss Silverbow."
"No" She nuzzled her face into Draco once again like a kitten, "I'm fine, I just need some sleep."
"I'll take her back to her room" Draco replied lovingly, "Artemis can you walk?"
She didn't reply only lifted herself slowly up and off the ground and onto her feet. She stumbled slightly causing Draco to wrap his arm protectively around her and the pair walked together out of the great hall ignoring the stares of the on looking students and teachers.
"Can't say I'm surprised," laughed Dumbledore as he observed the pair leaving, patting Harry tenderly on the arm in a way that said "better luck next time" whilst the 9 Phoenix sisters cooed and awed at their new favourite couple.
Meanwhile Draco lay the girl gently down on the bed of her room whilst her owl happily chirped away in its cage. She immediately curled up on the bed and made sounds of comfort at the soft sheets. He smiled down on her and couldn't help but smile at how amazingly cute she looked. This girl was making him so soft.
"Draco stay," She mumbled barely audible.
"What in here?"
"No, outside. Of course here you stupid git"
"I love how you can just be attack by a mob of death eaters and still be so sarcastic. You're quite a handful Artemis" He chuckled as he threw off his torn shirt and climbed into the bed and lay beside the beautiful girl.
She chuckled and cuddled up close to him, pressing her hands against his chest and her lips up to his. Unlike their other kisses neither was running away, neither was confused or scared. All they felt was the heat and compassion in the other's company. Draco wrapped his arms around Artemis and thought to himself, yeah, this feels right. The two stayed there together tangled up in each other for what seemed like forever and as they both lay there on the edge of sleep Artemis whispered to the insufferable git that was Draco Malfoy, the boy who had been constantly making her time at Hogwarts heaven and hell for the past few months.
"Oh and Draco, I love you too."
Fine! awh its all done guys! now i have a plan roughly for a sequal , should i or shouldnt it ? i need your thoughts. did you like it guys? did you hate it? :D