The Adventures of The Misfit Professors
Chapter 15 Part 2
"The Spy Named Severus"
By: Deep Shadows and Eckostalker
Alexis Whyte walked into the not-too-familiar Crying Dragon Cafe, smiling at it's relative coziness and not very crowded tables. She gazed around with interest, then noticed a familiar buzz-cut, brown-haired man waving to her from a table to the side. She smiled, walking over to him, Jason rising to his feet. She spoke cheerfully. "Hi Jason. Nice seeing you again."
Jason bowed slightly, taking her hand in his own as he spoke sincerely. "Always a pleasure to see you Alexis." He then barely brushed his lips against her hand, not enough to make her uncomfortable though. Alexis blushed slightly, surprised at his gentleman-like qualities he had seemed to develop over the years. He gestured to a seat, and Alexis took it, Jason following suit across from her as soon as she was comfortable.
He folded his hands in front of him, speaking with interest. "I hope everything has been going well with you lately?"
Alexis sighed, shrugging a bit, and Jason cocked an eyebrow with curiousness. Alexis explained. "It's been going okay I guess. A lot of weird things have been going on lately, stressing everyone out. Only person I've really been able to see is the person who pretty much hates my guts. Everything going okay with you?" Alexis asked, not wanting to be too rude and ramble on about herself too much just yet.
Jason replied quickly with a slight shrug. "I guess you can say the same here. Some... delays, in the business have been stressing on me lately as well, but I trust they will get sorted out soon enough."
Alexis asked curiously. "You haven't told me about your job here yet."
"Ah yes. It's really nothing more than a branch of our business in America. Only I have been... promoted to a higher position. You can kind of say I am a General of sorts now." He spoke, smirking.
Alexis snickered, nodding in understanding, then asking curiously. "So you're still working with Muggles."
Jason frowned a bit, replying slowly. "You can say that. Not the same business with the muggles in America, but I still deal with them here. But now I am mercifully back with our own kind. I must say it's nice to be in the presence of people where I can use what I have been gifted with." Jason spoke, and Alexis nodded. She understood Jason's longing to be back wth wizards, from what she remembered, he could never really deal with them for a great amount of time. But he had done well in life so far from what she knew.
Jason waved his hand at a passing waiter, who immediately was at his side. He ordered them both a meal, and sent the waiter on his way, smiling back at Alexis. "Lunch is on me."
Alexis smiled gratefully, hoping she could eat some of it. Jason then folded his hands, asking curiously. "Pray tell me, what has been bothering you lately Alexis? You're not you when you're stressed, I can tell."
Alexis smiled softly, glad that there was someone who actually cared to hear her problems. "Well, I haven't seen much of Artimis or my father lately, both have been at St. Mungo's during most of their free time, and I have been asked to stay behind for reasons. Only person I can actually hang out with is Severus, and he's not too good of company at times."
Jason looked at her with confusion, musing politely. "Something has happened for them to be at St. Mungo's?"
"Yes. Surely you remember Draco Malfoy, who's Artimis's husband? Well, Ron and Remus found him one day beaten into a coma in one of Hoggesmead's alleys, and he hasn't been awake since. It's wearing everyone thin, none more than Artimis. Though I think there's more to this than everyone's seeing. It was weird how Draco was beat, you know?" Alexis spoke with a lowered voice, and Jason nodded slowly with great interest.
"Is that so? Please offer my condolences for him, that's just terrible. And it's amazing how you can pick up on such things as that Alexis." He spoke with admiration, and Alexis couldn't help but smile sheepishly.
"But that isn't all thats bothering you." Jason added, waching her with penetrating eyes. Alexis hesitated at first, and he spoke soothingly, leaning forward slightly. "Alexis, we are friends, correct? I'm here to listen to you when you need to talk. No one should keep things bottled inside all the time."
Alexis sighed, seeing his point. And he was willing to listen... so she continued. "Well, Ron's gone too, on a business trip. He'll be gone for a month, in Italy! Can you believe that! So now I have to console a depressed Artimis, a confused Remus, and put up with a grumpy Severus, and not be able to see my husband, all on Christmas. Maybe I'll just skip the damn holiday this year... what's the point of it..." Alexis spoke, eyes reddening slightly as she fought back tears.
"And no one is ever there to listen to me or talk to me, they're always busy or out somewhere, which I kind of understand. I want to do something to help, but I can't, and I don't know how to make things seem better for them. It's just downright depressing around here! I should've never agreed to take this job... I miss being an Auror and taking my anger out on some unlucky bastard that got in my way..." Alexis spoke quietly, a tear trickling down her cheek. She felt Jason wipe it away with his hand, turning her chin up to look at him.
"There will always be regrets Alexis, but you have to look at the advantages as well. You are there when they need you, and soon enough they will. You have a lot to offer to the school, you are a brilliant woman. You have always been. Yes, fighting was your strength, and will probably always be, but now you have the chance to learn something new, adding to your overall knowledge of things. Things will get better. I promise you." Jason told her, and Alexis stared at him wth wide eyes. She felt a conviction in his words that made them sound as if they had some deeper meaning, but Alexis couldn't see what it would be. But she was grateful for his advice.
The waiter returned, setting down two plates that contained steak, a light salad and some french bread.
Alexis looked down at it a bit queasily and wistfully, and Jason asked quietly.
"You say Weasely is out of town?"
Alexis looked up at him, seeing his puzzled expression, wondering a bit why he was interested. She shrugged, thinking maybe he was just trying to let her vent everything.
"Yes, Italy. He's helping with the new rules and regulations being set for Quidditch games. I'll only be able to talk to him through letters, and that's only on the few days he's not in the meetings. So he won't really know too much that's going on here, and I won't know much of what'll be going on with him. Really sucks..."
Jason nodded slowly, looking sympathetic and in deep thought. Alexis sighed, sorting the different vegetables on her plate into seperate piles as she spoke quietly. "Thanks Jason. You've been very helpful by listening and all. And at least you don't roll your eyes or scoff at me..."
Jason frowned then, asking quietly. "I take it Snape hasn't changed too much over the years."
"Well, not in some respects. He'll always be Snape. But he's a little more tolerable now. And he actually does stuff for me." She spoke, poking at the steak with her fork. Jason raised an eyebrow at her as he cut a peice of the meat, eating it slowly.
Alexis picked up a small carrot, making a face at it before taking a hesitant bite out of it, then putting it back on the plate. Jason looked confused and asked. "Why aren't you eating?"
"Oh, sorry. It's not that I don't want to, it's just that I can't." Alexis explained, and Jason cocked his head.
"Why not?"
"Well, I can't eat any kind of meat. The pregnancy won't let me, I get sick. And I refuse to have anything to do with those blasted plants they affectionately call vegetables. Plants is what they are..." Alexis huffed sulkily.
Jason looked taken aback. "You poor thing. What do you eat then?"
"Well, that's where Severus comes in. He is actually my cook. He takes vegetables and makes them look and taste like meat. It's the only way I've been eating lately." Alexis told him, and he looked stunned.
"Severus is cooking for you? And you trust it?"
"Well, yeah. I doubt he'll try and poison me or something. You know how many people would kill him if you did? Actually kind of funny..." Alexis snickered.
Jason shook his head slowly, eating his meal thoughtfully as he seemed to mull over the information. Alexis smirked at his expression. Jason then shook his head roughly, speaking again. "People can change over the years..."
"Yeah, you were one of them." Alexis spoke softly, and Jason looked at her with a smile. Alexis smiled back, then looked down at her plate, making a dragon out of a potatoe, carrot sticks, toothpicks, and lettuce for wings. Jason smirked at her as she continued to make small 'villagers' out of the rest of the miniature carrots, setting them up in a mock lettuce village that the 'dragon' was trying to 'consume'.
She looked up at Jason, forgetting for a moment that he was watching, and smiled sheepishly. Jason merely laughed, shaking his head and admiring her 'masterpeice'. "Very creative I would say."
Alexis smiled, laughing. "Thanks. One good use for the plants..."
Jason laughed, and Alexis smirked down at her plate, suddenly thinking of how Ron would have actually joined her in the construction of this peice. She sighed heavily, shaking her head, and Jason spoke, pulling her out of her reverie.
"You know Alexis, you should stop by my business one of these afternoons, I can give you a tour. It would be nice to familiarize you with it... in case you ever visited again, of course." Jason mused, and Alexis smiled at him.
"Yeah, that would be cool. Never get around too much over here. As a student, I was restricted by Professors, and as a teacher, I'm restricted by Severus and Artimis. Some of the time. One or the other's always at my side, Artimis not as bad though. And a chance to lose Severus is never to be passed up. I'd like a tour of the place." Alexis spoke happily, and Jason nodded, looking satisfied.
"Yes, I do think we can arrange one very soon... it would fit into my schedule quite nicely..." Jason spoke, more to himself it seemed, for Alexis didn't quite catch on to his full meaning.
As he was about speak again, a tall, rigid looking fellow with a similar buzz cut hairdo walked up, standing beside Jason stiffly and silently. Alexis cocked her head in confusion at him, looking to Jason, who quickly looked up at the man, asking.
"Oh hello Jordan. Is there something I can do for you?"
The tall man shook his head, speakinga bit hesitantly. " No si- Jason. I was just wondering if I could speak to you for a moment. It's of a pressing matter."
Alexis looked between them oddly, sensing some kind of awkwardness. Jason quickly spoke to him a bit louder. "Now's not to good a time Jordan. I'm in the middle of a lunch date."
"But, it's important. Our foreign agent just arrived from... from out of town, and there's a matter of business that needs to be heard before he can go back to his office. Out of town." The Jordan guy spoke, with some difficulty it seemed. Jason looked at him sternly for a minute, then stood, looking to Alexis apologetically.
"I am so sorry Alexis. It will only a be a short minute, I promise."
Alexis nodded, and Jason bowed his head, following Jordan to a far empty table across the tavern in a vacant section of the building. Alexis studied her food, picking up a peice of steak, staring at it wistfully and wondering if she should have Severus make that or meatloaf for dinner. If he had managed to escape from Rosmerta that it. The smell wafted to her, and she felt queasy, so she quickly put the steak back down, hastily pushing it away from her and holding her stomach.
She sighed then, drinking from her glass of water and gazing about the tavern curiously, noticing a few men with similar haircuts to that of Jason and the Jordan fellow, and two or three regulars.
Hmmm... must be a new trend or something... a bit odd, but most trends are... Alexis thought distractedly as Jason approached the table, without his buddy and looking behind his shoulder subtly once or twice. He smiled at her, speaking quietly "Regretfully, I must cut our meeting short Alexis. There's a mix up at work that they need me to try and sort out, the dimwits. Say, would you like me to escort you back to Hogwarts grounds? I wouldn't be able to live with myself had something happened to you like it did to poor Malfoy. Then I must unfortunately leave."
Alexis smiled, standing as she spoke. "Thank's Jason. That would be nice."
He bowed his head, standing aside to let her pass then following her out of the Cafe, strolling comfortably at her side.
Severus walked in the back door of the Crying Dragon, nodding to the chef, who let him go right into the dining area uninteruppted. Severus had come here many times, never to eat but to watch students or targets. He knew the staff, and they knew him, and they knew to ignore his presence unless his tea cup was empty.
He sat back in a dark corner booth, seeing Alexis sitting with who he assumed was Jason. Severus knew he had seen him before and he didn't mean his school days, he had seen him recently. He studied Jason, seeing that he had perfect posture and noticed that his movement was mildly rigid. Severus found that odd in itself, for Jason used to be a very fluid mover, seeing as that was how he managed to get away so many times. Severus watched his interaction with Alexis like a hawk. He had a bad feeling about all of this, especially the fact that there were far more people in here than normal. He knew normal business and he knew that this was not normal business.
Jason and Alexis seemed to be involved in deep conversation and Severus fought to hear them, sipping his tea. After about three minutes he gave up, pulling out a pair of Fred and George made Extendable Ears. The only reason he kept them on him was they were a great device to use on students when they didn't think he could hear them.
Severus couldn't hear what Alexis had said but he could now hear Jason loud and clear as he spoke, giving a far-too-stiff shrug.
"I guess you can say the same here. Some... delays, in the business have been stressing on me lately as well, but I trust they will get sorted out soon enough."
Business... What kind of business is he involved in?... Severus thought warily and Alexis must have been thinking the same thing.
"You haven't told me about your job here yet." Alexis asked him curiously.
Severus intently listened to his reply.
"Ah yes. It's really nothing more than a branch of our business in America. Only I have been... promoted to a higher position. You can kind of say I am a General of sorts now." Jason joked, but Severus, being the serious hardass that he was, didn't find it funny in the least.
"So you're still working with Muggles." Alexis asked him and Severus's eyebrow raised in interest as he feigned reading a book that he had in his cloak pocket.
Jason Kinsler?... work with muggles?... He thought to himself, continuing to eavesdrop on there conversation.
"You can say that. Not the same business with the muggles in America, but I still deal with them here. But now I am mercifully back with our own kind. I must say it's nice to be in the presence of people where I can use what I have been gifted with." Jason stated and Severus watched them out of the corner of his eye, seeing Alexis nodding.
Severus's eyes were on Jason when he summoned the waiter and Severus could see a gesture of grandeur when he saw one. Jason was trying to show off to Alexis, and by the look on Alexis's face, she was buying it.
Severus had the sinking feeling that his shadow had followed him into the cafe as he felt himself being watched. He hid the wire that was connected to his ear with his black hair and continued to 'read' his book and sip his tea.
"Pray tell me, what has been bothering you lately Alexis? You're not you when you're stressed, I can tell." Jason asked her and Severus smirked to himself, knowing that Alexis had a lot on her plate and if Jason didn't know then Alexis wasn't trusting him as much as he thought she was. Smart girl.
"Well, I haven't seen much of Artimis or my father lately, both have been at St. Mungo's during most of their free time, and I have been asked to stay behind for reasons. Only person I can actually hang out with is Severus, and he's not too good of company at times." Alexis stated and Severus shook his head, indignant at that statement. He was mostly nice to her...
"Something has happened for them to be at St. Mungo's?" Jason asked in what seemed to be confusion, but Severus could swear he heard smugness underlying that confusion.
"Yes. Surely you remember Draco Malfoy, who's Artimis's husband? Well, Ron and Remus found him one day beaten into a coma in one of Hoggesmead's alleys, and he hasn't been awake since. It's wearing everyone thin, none more than Artimis. Though I think there's more to this than everyone's seeing. It was weird how Draco was beat, you know?" Alexis stated with a lowered voice but Severus could still hear her. She wasn't the only one with his doubts about Draco being 'mugged', but he hadn't said anything for fear of making Artimis cry on him again. He really hated crying.
"Is that so? Please offer my condolences for him, that's just terrible. And it's amazing how you can pick up on such things as that Alexis." Jason spoke with admiration which Severus scoffed at.
Can't Alexis see when she is being played like a fiddle?... Good lord, she is slow as ever... Or worse, in denial... Severus thought, turning the page that he had not actually read.
"But that isn't all that's bothering you." Jason added and Severus looked at them plainly, wondering what this man was getting at.
"Alexis, we are friends, correct? I'm here to listen to you when you need to talk. No one should keep things bottled inside all the time." Severus knew interrogation tactics and that was one, something was definately going on here.
"Well, Ron's gone too, on a business trip. He'll be gone for a month, in Italy! Can you believe that! So now I have to console a depressed Artimis, a confused Remus, and put up with a grumpy Severus, and not be able to see my husband, all on Christmas. Maybe I'll just skip the damn holiday this year... what's the point of it..." Alexis stated with a wavering voice and Severus shook his head.
"And no one is ever there to listen to me or talk to me, they're always busy or out somewhere, which I kind of understand. I want to do something to help, but I can't, and I don't know how to make things seem better for them. It's just downright depressing around here! I should've never agreed to take this job... I miss being an Auror and taking my anger out on some unlucky bastard that got in my way..." Alexis continued and Severus watched as Jason reached over and wiped away a tear from Alexis's face. Severus was fighting an inner conflict to not go over there and make some excuse to make Alexis come back to Hogwarts. This man was getting to Alexis, not that Severus cared, but he didn't think that she should be exploited in her vunerable state.
"There will always be regrets Alexis, but you have to look at the advantages as well. You are there when they need you, and soon enough they will. You have a lot to offer to the school, you are a brilliant woman. You have always been. Yes, fighting was your strength, and will probably always be, but now you have the chance to learn something new, adding to your overall knowledge of things. Things will get better. I promise you." Jason comforted her and Severus sighed as they began to have chitchat about Ron, something he payed attention to. He wanted to know exactly what this man knew about Alexis so he knew what to expect if he was right. Which as much as he would enjoy it, he hoped that Jason had changed just so that Alexis would not try to jump off Gryffindor Tower again.
Then the subject turned to him and he wanted to know exactly what Jason knew about him. Even though Jason was an adult, children who made grudges against him when they were children rarely got rid of them as adult.
"I take it Snape hasn't changed too much over the years." Jason asked and Alexis sighed as she replied.
"Well, not in some respects. He'll always be Snape. But he's a little more tolerable now. And he actually does stuff for me." She stated and Severus listened intently, hoping that Alexis did not reveal that he lived with them.
"Why aren't you eating?" Jason asked her on a sudden change of subject and she explained to him a predicament that Severus had been working on taking care of for sometime.
"Oh, sorry. It's not that I don't want to, it's just that I can't."
"Why not?" Jason asked and Severus shook his head.
"Well, I can't eat any kind of meat. The pregnancy won't let me, I get sick. And I refuse to have anything to do with those blasted plants they affectionately call vegetables. Plants is what they are..." Alexis huffed sulkily and Severus snickered, having heard that argument many times.
"You poor thing. What do you eat then?" Jason seemed sympathetic.
"Well, that's where Severus comes in. He is actually my cook. He takes vegetables and makes them look and taste like meat. It's the only way I've been eating lately." Alexis told him and Severus felt smug at the shocked look on Kinsler's face.
"Severus is cooking for you? And you trust it?" He asked incrediously as if Severus had poisoned him or something. If only.
"Well, yeah. I doubt he'll try and poison me or something. You know how many people would kill him if you did? Actually kind of funny..." Alexis snickered and Severus sighed.
Oh yeah, real funny... Headhunting Severus.... He thought grimly watched them some more, sighing Alexis played with her food. The conversation turned to Alexis coming to see Jason's work, and losing Severus and Severus scoffed, shaking his head at the thought of him letting her go off with this too perfectly practiced idiot, not happening. Severus looked up as a rigid man approached the table, sporting the same haircut as Jason and standing in the same rigid fashion.
"Oh hello Jordan. Is there something I can do for you?" Jason asked and the man took his time in speaking.
" No si- Jason. I was just wondering if I could speak to you for a moment. It's of a pressing matter." This Jordan man spoke, Severus noticing the near slipping of the title 'sir'. Something was definatly going on.
"Now's not to good a time Jordan. I'm in the middle of a lunch date." Jason replied and Severus wondered if Jason was going to leave Alexis to speak to this man, because then he would not be able to hear the converstaion.
"But, it's important. Our foreign agent just arrived from... from out of town, and there's a matter of business that needs to be heard before he can go back to his office. Out of town." The Jordan guy stated and Severus wondered what code they were speaking, because that was not conventional language.
"I am so sorry Alexis. It will only a be a short minute, I promise." Jason stated as he bowed to Alexis and walked off, outside of the hearing range of the blasted extendable ear.
Alexis surveyed her surroundings and Severus hid from her gaze as she went off to thinking, noticing the similar haircuts that Severus had just noticed. There was about five men, all with Jason's style hair cut. That was odd.
Jason approached the table, without Jordan and he looked toward Severus once or twice.
Oh, damn.., He knows I'm here... Damn it... Severus thought as he lowered his head, listening to there conversation.
"Regretfully, I must cut our meeting short Alexis. There's a mix up at work that they need me to try and sort out, the dimwits. Say, would you like me to escort you back to Hogwarts grounds? I wouldn't be able to live with myself had something happened to you like it did to poor Malfoy. Then I must unfortunately leave." Jason spoke, though Severus thought there was more to that sentence.
"Thank's Jason. That would be nice." Alexis of course, accepted his gesture and he bowed to her, letting her go ahead of him as he turned and looked straight at Severus. Severus knew that he knew he was there and knew that he needed to follow them now or else he might have a meeting with that Jordan fellow.
Severus got up after retracting the device he was using, stalking out of the Cafe as he stalked Alexis and Jason. He watched Jason carefully, noticing that his hand was always near his wand. Severus followed them alway to the barrier of Hogwarts, knowing that within the barrier, Alexis was safe under Albus's wing as he had been for years. That barrier was like a no danger zone to the world. Severus then headed toward the shady end of Hoggesmeade, deciding to call in a few favors and contacts of his own. If Jason was up to something, he was going to know it and Jason would have no idea how he knew. You didn't mess with an ex-deatheater and someone he was charged with protecting, even if it is a self-proclaimed charge.
"I bet Michaud will have just the information I need." Severus stated as he slipped into a secret passageway to the underground, heading for his informant for all the information he could get on Jason Kinsler and just for kicks, the other goons that had played pranks with him.
Alexis walked from the front doors of the school towards the Slytherin halls, deciding that Artimis could do with a little company this Sunday afternoon. She hadn't been able to spend too much time with her friend, either being caught up with classes and the fact that Artimis spent almost every moment of her free time at the hospital with Draco. She shivered and pushed aside those thoughts, knowing today Artimis would be in her quarters for the better part of the day.
She found Artimis's quarters and spoke the password, waltzing in and speaking chipperly. "Okay, I've got two bags of chocolate and no one to eat it with, so I hope you're in the mood for sugar."
Artimis looked up in surprise from her seat on a chair near a window, holding a cup of tea and still in her pajamas. Alexis could see the signs of irregular sleep and stress on her features, and sighed to herself, hoping Draco would hold out for the well being of his wife, and his children. If he didn't... well, it wouldn't be good.
She smiled warmly as she put that in the back of her mind, walking over and sitting on the floor by the table, taking out her bags of chocolate and plopping them on the table, looking up at Artimis with a childish grin.
"Well? I can try to eat this all by myself, but do I want to?"
Artimis gave her a small but genuine smile and slid off of the chair to sit beside her.
"Remus said he saw you going to town earlier?" Artimis asked softly.
Alexis shrugged, dumping out the sweets across the table. "Already did. And just as a tip, don't go with Severus, he's boring when it comes to shopping of any sorts."
Artimis looked at her with surprise. "You went with Sev?"
Alexis smirked, shrugging again. "He said I needed an escort."
Artimis nodded in agreement, looking at the floor as she spoke quietly. "And he was right. Don't know what I'd do if something happened to you as well..."
She sniffled slightly, eyes slightly reddened, and Alexis quickly hugged her, squeezing as she spoke to her soothingly. "Nothing's going to happen to me. You won't let it. What happened with Draco... we couldn't do anything about it."
Artimis buried her face in Alexis's shoulder, hugging her tightly back as she spoke muffled like. "I know... but look at him! Who's to say it won't happen to any of us either? We don't know what's going on..."
Alexis pushed her back to look at her sternly. "We just have to be strong and stay on guard, okay? It's not going to happen to any of us. Remus is trying his hardest by looking after you and Selena, as well as me, and I doubt Severus will let anything happen to any of us as well. And I know if they could've, they wouldn't have let anything happen to Draco."
Artimis sighed and nodded, and Alexis wiped the tears from her cheeks, watching her best friend a bit worriedly. Artimis then smirked smally, speaking quietly.
"Yeah, Severus has been acting weird lately hasn't he."
Alexis rolled her eyes, replying. "Weird isn't the half of it. That man thinks he can solve anything. I'm just waiting till he snaps with the stress. That'll be something to see. If I didn't know Severus, I would think he's almost worried about us."
Artimis smirked, replying with a riddling tone. "He's put up with us for the better part of our lives you know. I would think it's hard for anyone to know someone that long and not feel something for them."
"Yeah, like disdain..." Alexis grumbled, though her words got Alexis to thinking. She had been thinking for quite a while actually about Severus's continued deeds of compassion. Mostly she had thought he had done them out of fear of being reprimanded, or due to his guilt of the tricks he had played on her. But some things he has done Alexis knew he could've been fine without doing for her. She knew Severus could be very protective, look at him and Selena for pete's sake, but could it now possibly be over her as well? His overly announced 'Bane of his Existence'?
"Hey, you're zoning out on me. Not a good idea with all this chocolate sitting in front of me..." Artimis spoke amusingly, and Alexis shook her head, looking at Artimis and smiling distractedly. Hmm... something to ponder much about later...
Alexis thought to herself as she began to sort out the variety of chocolates, making an even pile between her and Artimis. She grinned, looking up at Artimis. "You know, you're weird when you're pregnant, you get like Dumbledore. All riddle-like and confusing. I've noticed that about you."
Artimis laughed, looking at Alexis and shoving her lightly. "I'm weird? Look at you! Talk about emotional..."
"Hey, you know what..." Alexis growled good naturedly and threw a peice of chocolate at her. Artimis giggled and threw one back. She smiled gratefully at Alexis, and Alexis beamed. It was her job to cheer her up as much as she could, like it was Artimis's job to her.
After a few peices of chocolate, Artimis asked off hand. "What's going on for Christmas? You know it's in like two weeks."
Alexis paused, remembering. "Oh yeah, well Ron was..." Alexis stopped, remembering that Ron wasn't going to be there this year. She set down her chocolate, looking at the floor a bit depressingly.
"Alexis? What's wrong?" Artimis asked, watching her. Alexis looked up, lip trembling slightly.
"Ron's not going to be here for Christmas. He's in Italy."
Artims looked at her in confusion, and she explained. "Has a meeting there for a month about the new Quidditch rules. Christmas is going to suck this year..." Alexis sighed, a tear leaking out of the corner of her eye.
Artimis was silent, and Alexis looked up at her, seeing her cheeks starting to glisten with tears as well.
"It is going to stink... don't know if Draco's going to be awake by then either..."
Alexis scooted next to her and both hugged once again, sniffling back their tears and taking comfort in each other's presence. Alexis was trying to figure out how they could make the best out of the holiday, when Artimis spoke, and Alexis noticed the tone of foced determination in her voice. "We should celebrate it like we used to, when it was just me and you. We always had fun, remember?"
Alexis sniffled, speaking mournfully. "Yeah... but that was so long ago... We've had the guys, and not just Ron and Draco, and the others as well, with us for such a long time, it's just... different..."
More tears found thier way onto her face as she buried her head in Artimis's shoulder,Artimis doing the same. Alexis would've loved to have one of those Christmas's with just Artimis again, but, like her dependence on her best friend, Alexis had developed a dependence on Ron, and sort of on the others in her life; Remus, Severus, the Twins... all of the Manor occupants... as well. No longer could she just resort to being alone, even if it was alone with just Artimis, for now she was used to the huge Family, and she wouldn't be the same old Alexis without them.
And Alexis knew that Artimis felt the same way, even if she was covering it up.
Eventually Artimis and Alexis let go of each other, their crying subsiding to sniffles and red eyes. They stared at each other silently, then both laughed for no reason in particular, shaking thier heads and smiling. Alexis wiped her eyes and turned to the table, rubbing her hands and looking at the chocolate. "Now it's time to get down to business..."
'Thank you." Artimis spoke, looking at her.
Alexis smiled and shrugged. "No problem, everyone can do with a bit of chocolate here and there..."
"No, not just for that." Artimis spoke softly, and Alexis looked at her and gave her a smile, knowing exactly what she was saying, but knowing any other words were useless at the moment.
"Okay, enough of this mushy crap, I want chocolate." Alexis spoke gruffly, though smirking. Artimis laughed and both began snacking on chocolate, chatting about thier classes, the students, and any upcoming events that sparked thier interest for the better part of two hours.
Presently there was a knock at the door, and both women looked at each other with confusion.
"Who knocks anymore?" Alexis mused, and Artimis shrugged, starting to rise to her feet.
"No, I've got it." Alexis spoke, psuhing herself to her feet, though finding it harder than usual. Baby weight... this is going to suck before the end... Alexis thought grimly as she walked up to the door and opened it. She cocked her head in confusion, seeing Severus standing there, holding Selena on his hip, the girl covered in three colors of paint.
"The classics never get old. And you never wanted kids Severus..." Alexis taunted him, shaking her head and tsking.
Severus glared at her murderously, and Artimis walked up beside her, looking at Severus, speaking with confusion. "She wanted to be with Remus this morning..."
"Yes, and I found her like this in the Art room." Severus growled, and Artimis's eyes widened as she took Selena, who was singing 'Bingo'.
"That's at the other end of the hall from Remus's quarters!" She exclaimed, Selena finger painting on her face.
"I know. I've already talked to Remus. Apparently he had fallen asleep after their lunch." Severus grumbled, watching Selena. Artimis looked at the clock and her eyes widened.
"I have to be at the hospital in an hour! Severus, you wouldn't mind watching her wouldn't you?" Artimis asked hopefully, and Severus waved his hand.
"Not a problem. Come Selena, I bought us some more sweets." Severus spoke with a small smile, and Selena yipped joyfully, kissing Artimis on the cheek before struggling from her mother's grip and latching herself to Severus's leg. He pulled her off and lifted her to his hip, giving Alexis one last glare before leaving them. Alexis shook her head, not sure if she'd ever be able to get used to having a kid of her own, not if they were going to be anything like Selena.
Artimis sighed, then looked at her a bit confusingly. "Speaking of which... why don't you ever come to the hospital with me?" Artimis spoke softly, and Alexis's eyes widened, and she looked to the ground.
"Don't you remember the last time I went? Was a few days after... after it happened." She replied lowly, and Artimis answered with a slight frown.
"Dimly."
"Well, I do. We, as in mostly Remus and I, agreed I shouldn't go there too much anymore." Alexis said quietly, feeling a bit apologetic.
"But... why?" Artimis asked, and Alexis sighed.
"Last time it was a glorified cryfest. I... I saw him, Draco... and I started crying. That got you to crying... and then, Remus as well... strangely enough... But as soon as he got us to calm down, I started crying again, and it started the cycle over again. It was to the point that the nurse had to ask us to leave because we were disturbing the neighboring patients. Don't you remember?" Alexis spoke sheepishly.
Artimis nodded slowly. "Oh... And I guess I don't remember much of those first few days now that I think of it..."
"Understandable. But Remus thought it was best for everyone that I don't come as often. Since I can't seem to control that emotion too well in my present state, and that doesn't seem to help you to well..." Alexis explained, though still feeling horrible that she couldn't be there with her friend in her time of need. But that time, because of her continued crying problem, had left all three of them without a voice for the rest of the next day. No, better to not be there and instigate more crying. Artimis cried enough there as it was without her help.
Artimis sighed deeply, looking back at the clock. "I should go get dressed so I won't be late then."
Alexis nodded, frowning slightly. She grabbed Artimis and hugged her reassuringly, speaking to her softly. "Don't beat yourself up over this, cause it seems that's what you're doing. Get some better sleep, it'll help both you and everyone else. Love ya girl."
Artimis squeezed her back, and Alexis nodded, stepping back and smiling at Artimis before grabbing what was left of her pile of chocolate and leaving Artimis's quarters, heading towards her own with a mind full of thought.
Severus carted Selena on his hips to the potion's classroom, disgruntled by the fact that he was now covered in paint and had yet to have a chance to read his 'parcel' of information.
"Ok Selena. Let's get you hosed off and then we'll eat chocolate." Severus stated as he set the young girl down on her feet, walking over to his desk. He took his long billowy cloak off, setting it on his chair as he took off his frock coat as well. He rolled his white sleeves up as he picked Selena up again, walking over to the large stone basin on which he washed his bigger cauldrons which was in the back room. He set her on her feet in there and she smirked as she tried to finger paint his face.
"Uncle Sev, you need some paint too..." She stated and he sighed, looking at her.
"Selena, honey, you need to be washed off so you can help Uncle Sev with his papers... You don't want to mess up my papers with paint do you?" He asked her in a low voice and she shook her head 'no'.
"Good, now stand still." He stated as he turned on the water, bringing a cupful up and washing the green paint out of the young child's raven hair. He covered her eyes with his hand, making sure to not get any paint in them as he washed the paint off.
"There, now to dry you off." He stated as he picked her up and took her out of the sink. She was sopping wet and he drew his wand, watching her eyes go wide as she watched him.
"This is a drying spell. You point your wand and say Drenatio!" He stated as he dryed the little girl off. She nodded her head as if she were remembering the fact and then began bouncing up and down holding her arms up.
"Carry me Uncle Sev." She stated and he shook his head as he picked her up, setting her on his hip. She reached up and hugged him around the neck.
"I luv you Uncle Sev." She stated and he looked at her, her big blue eyes looking at him inocently. He could see Artimis in those eyes, but even more so, he saw Miranda. He kissed her small forehead and smiled.
"I love you too Selena..." He stated, walking toward his desk again in a much better mood, though he still wanted to know what Kinsler was up too. That could wait till after chocolates. Severus looked at his chair expecting to see his cloaks, but instead he saw flamboyantly neon green cloaks, belonging, of course, to none other than Alexis.
Leave it to her... Oh wait... The BOX is in there... He thought as he set Selena down, looking to see if his cloaks had just fallen to the ground. Selena was snickering at him.
"Selena, did you see who took my cloaks?" Severus asked her and she nodded with a big grin.
"Un huh... Auntie Lexy did..." Selena stated and he shook his head, picking her up.
"Come on, now Aunt Lexy has our chocolate..." He stated as he headed off to Alexis's quarters, praying that she just wanted to play dress up and not actually go through his pockets...
Alexis quickly ran off down the hall away from the Potion's classroom, Severus's cloak draped loosely about her shoulders as she chuckled. She slid up to her quarters and dove in, shutting the door behind her. She pat Sasha, Selena's puppy on the head as it bounced around her feet. The dog had been sentenced to her quarters during the time Selena wasn't playing with it, since it's incessant barking would keep her and Artimis up to all hours of the night. They had found that in Alexis's quarters under her care, the dog was oddly calm and quiet at night. So, that was it's temporary home.
Alexis twirled in the cloak a few times, then stopped, remembering that in their place, she had left her own. And Severus would know exactly who took his cloak upon seeing hers there.
"Damnit... wanted to see him flustered in the morning..." Alexis grumbled, grabbing the cloak to pull off of her, but her hand slipped into a deep and once unnoticeable pocket.
Curious, she took off the cloak and set them on the floor, sitting in front of them and spreading them out. Upon studying them, she saw several lumps and masses in the folds of the cloak. She felt around, and came across several pockets. Surprised, she noticed that most of the cloak was covered with pockets of all sizes.
"No wonder the bloody thing is always so heavy... he's got like a store's worth of trinkets in here I bet..." She mumbled as she rummaged through a few pockets. She came across his bags of chocolate, taking a few peices as she reached into another and pulled out what she knew used to be one of Artimis's hairbrushes. She had had more than one of those taken away, since she always had thought brushing her hair in the middle of class was perfectly alright. She pulled out something round and smooth in another pocket and she smirked.
"Hey! My YoYo! Been looking for this for years!" Alexis exclaimed, tossing the green toy a few times with a smile. What weirds me out is that he kept it with him... Alexis thought, then saw a pocket that was actually labeled, with her name.
A bit indignant, she rummaged through it, finding her exploding quill, another YoYo, several notes written to Artimis, and a key to one of her trinket boxes she had lost a while ago.
"Dude, he's got to find a hobby other than taunting me..." Alexis spoke, stuffing the stuff in her own pockets. A slightly bigger bulge in the cloaks caught her eye. She found the opening to that pocket pulling out a parcel of sorts, and something fluttered out with it.
Alexis put the parcel down and picked up the papery item, turning it over and realizing it was a family photo of everyone at the Manor, a recent one at that. Alexis couldn't help but smile as she put the picture back in the pocket and turned her attention to parcel, shaking her head. She turned it over a few times, shook it, then noticed a name scrawled hastily on one side.
"Jason Kinsler." Alexis looked at the box with surprise, wondering what Severus would want with something of Jason's. For all she knew, Severus wanted the least to do with that man as possible, so why would he be carrying his stuff around?
She shook it again, hearing a few shuffling of what she thought were papaers, when Sasha's growling and barking was heard from behind her.
"What's wrong girl, need to go out again?" She spoke distractedly, and a low voice actually answered her.
"I doubt that, but I'd like my cloaks back."
Severus reached Alexis's door and braced as he heard Sasha, that thing Draco called a pet, growling. He opened the door and the dog latched to his ankle as per usual. He heard Alexis calling from another room.
"What's wrong girl, need to go out again?" Alexis asked aloud and Severus set Selena down to distract the pup as he replied.
"I doubt that, but I'd like my cloaks back." He stated dangerously. Messing with his cloaks was like touching Alexis's nunchucks, you just didn't do it. He saw Alexis lying on the floor and his cloak spread out flat in front of her. What was in her lap was what bothered him. His parcel from Michaud lie there.
"Kindly return to me my cloaks and my box." He stated, holding his hand out and Alexis held it up shaking it.
"What's in it?" She asked him and he shook his hand at her.
"Nothing." He replied coldly as he stepped forward, snatching his cloaks up from the floor, shaking them to get the dirt off.
"Awfully heavy for nothing. You sure it's nothing?" Alexis asked him again as he put his cloaks on, still holding his hand out.
"Nothing that concerns you." He stated and Alexis rolled her eyes at him, holding the box to her.
"But it says Jason's name on it. You sure there's nothing concerning me in there?" She questioned and he huffed, rolling his eyes.
"You can have what's in it if you can open it." He stated smugly, knowing that he alone was the only one who could open it. Alexis quickly began to try to pry the box open, looking like a kid on christmas. He shook his head as Selena walked up, holding the wagging beagle in her arms.
"Sasha is my baby... Like Aunt Lexy and Mummy are gonna have babies..." She stated and Alexis looked at her, shaking her head. After a few minutes, Alexis gave up, tossing it at him.
"That's not fair." She grumbled and he smirked, replacing it in his pocket. He looked at the four-year old, soon to be five year old and the three month old puppy in her arms.
"Selena, hunny, why don't you put Sasha down so Aunt Lexy can take care of her and you and I go eat our chocolate." He stated and Selena looked at her puppy.
She set the puppy on the ground after kissing its head and pointed a finger at her.
"Sasha, you be a good girl for Aunt Lexy or you're grounded." She told the pup, who rolled over on its back, wagging it tail.
Severus picked Selena up and set her on his hips as he nodded to Alexis, leaving the room. They got to his quarters and he set her down. She immediately rushed to his bedroom and leapt on his bed, singing 'The Isty Bitsy Spider'. He shook his head as he shed his cloaks, pulling out the bags of chocolates and his parcel. He walked into his room, and pulled out Selena's dolls that he kept in his room for when he was babysitting. He set them on the bed and Selena dove headfirst into the small box, pulling out a few dolls. He sat on the bed, opening a bag of chocolate as he watched Selena with the beginnings of her own soap opera. He handed her three pieces of chocolate and then went to his box.
"Alfonso." He whispered the password and the box opened easily. He quickly pulled the papers out and began to read copies of Jason's mail for the last few weeks. It was nice to have contacts in the underground. He opened the first envelop and it held statistics, something he wasn't interested in. He opened another letter and began to read with curiosity.
'General,
This is First Seargant Lancen, reporting from Location Delta. The premises are secure with only a few rogue civilians loose. We've sent three privates after them. They will be recovered shortly. This location is secure, sir, for the movement and containment of Miss Alexis. Requesting leave for the weekend. Thank you sir.
~First Seargant Michael Lancen~
Third Company of Falcon Battalion'
"That's interesting to say the least, cause I have no idea where Delta is or what premises, but this is mission updating, that's for sure. And Alexis is mentioned..." Severus spoke aloud in deep thought as he lay out on the bed, Selena using his back as the 'house' for her dolls. He opened another letter, looking it over with confusion.
'Lieutenant Santen,
I want one of our Special ops groups breifed at HQ and then sent to Italy ASAP. This is a matter of great urgency, I want this team ready and prepared to head out TOMORROW. Do you understand? I will accept no screw ups on this one.
~General Kinsler~'
Severus wasn't sure what was going on in Italy that had irked Jason so bad, but Severus wasn't that concerned with this, though it was odd he had a special ops group, and more than one by the sounds of it. He pulled out yet another letter adressed from Jason once again, reading it intently.
'Captain,
Your orders are to secure a safe and speedy method of transportation for my Alexis. Transport will be needed by the end of a fortnight. You are also to contact First Seargant Lancen of Third Company and inform him that Alexis will remain at location Delta until arrangements are made to move her to the Palace once it is secure. Have the remainder of the Falcons in 2nd Platoon of A Company infiltrate Location Echo and secure it for our forces. Do not be seen, do not be heard, only be felt. These are your orders soldier.
~General Kinsler~'
Severus now knew something was definately up and he had a sick, sinking feeling that Alexis was going to be kidnapped, and soon. He had to do something... he had to tell someone... but who!?
"Albus!" Severus stated and with that he removed Selena from his back, looking at her soothingly.
"Isn't it dinnertime?" He asked her and she nodded, looking at him worriedly.
"What's a delta?" Selena asked and he shook his head, picking her up.
"I don't know." He stated in truth as he hid the papers under his bed. He took the little girl to the Great Hall and dropped her off with her 'grandfather' without a word as he headed to the Headmaster's office. Severus was in over his head, this much he knew, and the only man who could help him was Albus Dumbledore.
Severus whisked up the stairs that appeared behind the gargoyle that held guard over the Headmaster's office. He skidded to a halt and threw open the doors, not bothering to even knock in his distress.
"Albus! We need to talk." Severus spoke sternly as he walked into the room, and was surprised as Dumbledore whisked right past him, heading towards the cloak stand by the door, and Severus looked at the hurrying man with confusion.
"Can this not wait till later Severus? There is a matter of urgency that requires my presence." Dumbledore spoke distractedly, throwing on his cloaks and rushing back towards his desk. Severus could see the look of grimness onthe old man's face, and wondered what could be so wrong that Dumbledore wouldn't take the time to listen to him.
"This is very important Albus, if we wait any longer, more than one will be in danger." Severus spoke ominously, and Dumbledore barely gave him a glance as he set his hat on his hand and searched his desk top for his wand.
"Are you so sure that it is that important? Have you actually taken time to look deeper into whatever this event might be?" He spoke with slight exasperation, and Severus was a bit surprised.
"Well yes. I actually did look into this one. But I'm in way over my head. I'm sure you remember that Jason Kinsler boy from Alexis and Artimis's own school days, well he's back. And he's been trying to get involved once again with Alexis and-" Severus started to rant off, but halted in surprise as Dumbledore cut him off, standing up from leaning over his desk, looking at Severus rather sternly.
"Please, can we talk about this later Severus? A member of the Wizengamot was just killed on his visit to one of the small Muggle towns a few miles from Hoggesmeade. Apparently a group of renegade wizards had tried to take control of it. I'm needed at the Ministry to help sort things out. Now, I don't think that another man trying to make friends with Alexis is as important as this, wouldn't you think?"
Severus was silent for a moment as he pushed aside his shock at Dumbledore's reaction to him.
A muggle village... Attacked by Wizards?... That sounds like something Tom would do... But he's dead and gone...For good... Severus thought a bit shaken as he watched the elderly man bustle around in front of him. The Headmaster didn't even wait for an answer as he found his wand and started towards the exit of his office.
Severus shook himself out of his shock and spoke once again, his voice lowered in uncertainty as he spoke to this man who used to always listen to him, no matter what it had been. "But, it is important. Kinsler is up to something and Alex-"
Dumbledore stopped and looked at Severus, and Severus quieted with confusion. "I suggest you not stress yourself out too much more Severus. Maybe you should go lie down, have a cup of tea while you're there. We can chat about this later. Good day."
And with that, Dumbledore turned and vanished down the stairs. Severus felt as if he had been hit with a brick. Dumbledore always listened to him, whether it had been about a complaint about a student or an argument over the length of holiday breaks. He was usually the only man who listened to him!
But he just... left. Didn't even let me finish... who the hell am I suppose to tell now?! Severus thought to himself, finally lost on what to do for the moment.
He looked around in confusion for a minute, then shook his head and growled at himself. "Pull yourself together Severus... standing here waiting for him to come back is not going to solve anything. I have to tell someone..."
With that, Severus set a look of grim determination on his face and took off out of the Headmaster's office, the only sound being the rapid pounding of his boots on the cold stone floors.
Alexis lay back on her large and empty bed with a sigh, gazing up at the blank ceiling and debating on what to put up on it to not make it look so boring. She heard a soft clicking of nails and the next moment Sasha hopped onto the bed beside Alexis, wiggling up next to her side and giving her arm a bath with it's cold wet tongue, tail slapping against Alexis's leg happily.
Alexis smiled down at the puppy, rubbing and scratching behind it's soft ears as she sighed to herself. "Well, at least I have some company beside my pillows..."
Sasha looked up at her, togue lolling and yipped at her, and Alexis snickered, petting it some more as she waved her wand and extinguished the lights in her room, a soft blackness enveloping her and the room.
She rolled on her side, the puppy curling in a warm ball of fur next to her stomach and Alexis yawned, slipping off into sleep with a final thought. Hm... wonder how Ron's doing...