"Who the hell is Artemis?" you ask.
"We thought you'd be able to tell us." Neville answers.
You stare at the three of your friends not knowing what to say. You had no recollection of ever meeting anyone named Artemis. Ever. And yet he pretty much saved your life. Not to mention he gave you that gorgeous dress for the dance. Who was this guy?
"I don't like him." Harry announces, breaking the thoughtful silence.
"You've never even met him." You point out.
"Neither have you apparently. A guy you don't even know gave you a dress that had a tracking spell on it. Either he knew what was going to happen that night in which case he was probably in on it, or he's stalking you. Both scenarios I don't like. Thus I don't like him." Harry states defiantly.
"Or he might have noticed how depressed I was and decided to do something about it. Maybe the tracking spell was for a romantic rendezvous later. Did you ever think of that?"
The two of you glare daggers at each other. You weren't about to let Harry know that his theories were a lot more probable then yours. Why was he even here anyways? Didn't he have Cho to look after and, hopefully, get mono from?
"Thanks for checking up on me and giving me your unwanted opinion, but I'm sure you have to get back to the leech sometime. Might as well be now." You say coldly.
"Actually, Cho broke up with him. He kept spending all his time here instead of with her." Hermione states.
"Hermione!" Harry shouts.
"What? She deserved to know. And it wasn't like you were going to tell her."
"Because it's none of her business!" he argues.
"Of course it is! Or are you forgetting the fact that you happen to admit that…"
"Shut up Hermione!" Harry interrupts standing up this time.
"I was just saying." Hermione shrugs, giving you a wink. You giggle. You had enjoyed their little banter.
"I need your help with the herbology homework Hermione, let's go to the library." Neville chimes up. You had almost forgotten he was there with how quiet he was.
"Herbology Neville? You need help in your best subject?" she asks in a disbelieving tone folding her arms across her chest.
"But this new plant is really really stumping me, come on." He says dragging her towards the exit.
"That was subtle." Harry sighs, sitting down next to you this time.
"That's Neville. He has a certain finesse when it comes to subtleties." You joke, causing Harry to crack a smile. Why did he have to give you butterflies like that every damn time? And how were you supposed to take this new news about Harry staying by your side most of the time this past week? You couldn't just let him run back into your arms. Not after how big of a dick he was to you. You were going to make sure he suffers a whole lot.
"I'm glad you're okay Lanae." Harry whispers touching your hand lightly. You felt the heat rush through your body like wild fire.
Okay maybe he'd only suffer a little bit. No wait. You have to concentrate and tell him what you need to say. You pull back your hand and take a deep breath.
"Thank you. But this doesn't change anything. You broke up with me for a stupid reason. All be it I wasn't completely honest, but seriously? You were so stinking jealous of something that wasn't even there. And then you go out with that ho-bag and flaunt it in front of me every chance you get? Did you ever stop and think about the pain you'd be causing me? No I don't think you did." You say, your anger growing stronger with every word. You were back to wanting him to suffer a whole lot. And it had been maybe thirty seconds. Maybe you were PMS'ing.
"I'm not asking you to give me another chance. I blew it. I know that now. But I do want to be your friend." Harry pleads, taking your hand in his. Why did he have to touch you? And why did it have to calm you so? You stare into his eyes, wishing for the briefest second that he would kiss you. Which was probably why your eyes wandered down to his lips. His soft sweet lips.
As if reading your mind he leans forward and kisses you. Pressing his lips firmly against your own. Your initial shock gave way to some hidden desire as you run your fingers through his hair pulling him closer. You break away suddenly and slap him hard across the face.
"I deserve that." Harry sighs, his cheek stinging from the blow.
You keep your eyes locked on him. Damn right he deserved that. Yet it didn't stop you from wrapping your fingers behind his neck and pulling him back towards you. Your lips meeting for a second time. The fire that burned within you was alive and ached for a way to be released. Harry must have felt the same way because as his tongue explored your mouth, caressing your lips gently, his body found its way on top of your own. It didn't matter what had happened between you. Kissing him was right. You loved him. He could tear your heart in two and you'd still love him; somehow you knew it was the truth.
You gasp when Harry's hand puts too much pressure on your ribs. He pulls away abruptly looking worried. The pain subsides quickly, but gives you time to think clearly. Something Harry seems to prevent whenever he touches you.
"I'm sorry." He says. Though you didn't know exactly what he was apologizing for. Kissing you? Hurting you? Everything that happened recently? All of the above?
"Help me stand up." You suggest, changing the subject. You didn't know what to say yet. Obviously you couldn't explain to him that you love him and you would rather cut off your foot then be without him. Boys don't react well to the L word. Harry wraps his arm around your waist and lifts you up into a standing position. He sets you down lightly, slowly letting you rest your weight on your legs. Leaning only slightly on him you remain standing on your feet.
"Miss Iverson, you're awake. And standing I see! Very good. I think you'll be released tonight. Nice job Mr. Potter, you could do well as a healer." Madame Pomfrey exclaims upon seeing Harry standing next to you helping you up.
"Only if all my patients were you." Harry whispers in your ear. You giggle slightly about to sit back down.
"Why don't you see to it that she can walk around. I'll be right back to do a thorough examination." Madame Pomfrey says leaving you two alone once again.
"You heard the woman. Let's get you walking." Harry says taking hold of your hand and tugging you forward. You lose your balance almost immediately falling into his out stretched arms.
"You did that on purpose." You accuse.
"I couldn't help it." He winks. He assists you around the infirmary without any other incident. You walked back to your bed all by yourself.
"About Artemis…" Harry begins.
"I don't want to discuss Artemis with you." You cut him off.
"Fine, what about the kiss then?"
You spin around not expecting him to be standing so close to you. If you leaned forward you could even kiss him again. Wait, no. Keep your hormones in check for crying out loud.
"I don't want to talk about that either. In fact you're still on probation mister. High level maximum security probation." You state poking him in his chest.
"And you'll punish me if I get out of hand?" he whispers brushing his fingertips across your forearm. Did your breathing just get heavier? Was Harry seducing you?
You didn't have time to ponder any of this because for the third time his lips met yours. He wrapped his arms around you and pulled you deeper into his embrace. His kisses were softer then before. More delicate, as if he might break you. His skin was so smooth and his hair was so soft. You couldn't feel enough of his body against you.
"Ahem."
You and Harry breakaway looking sheepish. Who had caught you now? There standing at the entrance was Dumbledore looking quite amused. You could feel the color rise in your cheeks as you step farther away from Harry.
"No cause for alarm. I was young once too." Dumbledore says heading over to where you two stood. The thought of Dumbledore young was almost comical and made it easier to look at Harry again.
"I am glad to see you are well enough for visitors Lanae, but I have to ask that you, Harry, give us a moment alone."
Harry nodded curtly, but with a small smile on his lips. He gives you one last long look before heading out the doors. "See you later Lanae." He had whispered so quietly you wondered if he had said it at all.
"Young love, so new and fresh," Dumbledore comments taking a seat on the adjacent bed. You didn't know what to say. New and fresh weren't the adjectives you'd use, more like exhilarating and reckless, but you weren't about to tell Dumbledore that.
"As wonderful as your recovery is I am here on other business." Dumbledore's tone had turn from pleasant to serious.
"Sir?" you question not having any idea what other business he could be referring to.
"You will now take up Occlumency lessons with Professor Snape."
"Excuse me, but what?" you stutter. Surely you had heard wrong. Snape had been almost amiable to you today, but whose kidding who here, how long was that going to last? Everyone knows he hates your guts.
"Voldemort knows the truth now, as do any and all of his followers. You need to set up as many defensives as you can. Occlumency will be one of the many. They will be important in these times ahead."
The dream with your father echoed through your memory at these words. What had your father been talking about?? Manifestation and defiance? Would Dumbledore know what he was talking about? But what was Dumbledore even talking about? What happened to you had nothing to do with your mind... if anything you should be taught advance spells and curses or maybe even some advanced martial arts. Not how to block one's mind against nosy intruders, i.e. your father. You can deal with him. At least you have so far.
"And I want you to take heed, the boys that hurt you have not been punished properly but that does not mean you should take matters into your own hands Lanae. Be better then them." He adds, not noticing your shocked silence or confused expression.
You hadn't even thought of revenge. Then again you were too busy fixing your memory and making out with Harry to think of anything else. Revenge would be sweet. And so would gratitude… maybe Dumbledore knows this Artemis guy.
"Well that would be all, if you have any questions my office is always open." Dumbledore says, standing to go.
"Um Headmaster do you know a guy named Artemis?"
"Artemis Hunter?" Dumbledore asks, looking for the first time somewhat curious.
"Is that the only Artemis in Hogwarts?"
"Yes, though I was not aware you two knew each other." He points out, probably more to himself then to you.
"Well technically we don't. I don't know him that is. But do you think you could tell me where I could find him?"
"Alas I do not know all the students whereabouts inside this castle, but if I were you I would check the Slytherin common room when you are released."
He must have realized you were too stunned to speak because he gave his farewell and left you alone on your bed. Slytherin? How had you not met him? You had only been hanging with the Slytherins for what was it? Like three or four weeks now. You were practically one of them and yet no Artemis anywhere in your memory bank. But he knew you…
Maybe Harry was right; it was kind of creepy. Then again he had helped Neville find you. He had saved you from Luke. Luke. Now there was someone you wanted to exact revenge on. That bastard.