The Adventures of The Misfit Professors
Chapter 18
"Set into Action"
By: Deep Shadows and Eckostalker
Alexis woke up feeling a body next to her and she tensed nervously, wondering who could've been in the bed with her. She opened her eyes and quickly backed away, then sighed, seeing Artimis laying there.
Confused, Alexis looked around, finding herself in Artimis's room. But upon seeing the empty ice cream carton and strewn about movie cases, Alexis remembered last night. A very sticky, emotional last night... Alexis thought, feeling melted ice cream on her shirt and neck and brushing some popcorn peices from her hair they had dropped on the bed then slept on.
She decided not to wake Artimis, seeing as it was only about 9:30 in the morning, and sat up in the bed. She groaned though, feeling her stomach do a flip flop in protest to last night's gorging of junk food and she stumbled into the bathroom to rid her stomach of it. Dousing her face with water after a minute in the sink, she decided breakfast was not too good an idea that early in the morning, figuring instead a shower would do her some good. It would beat smelling like salt and butter all day and having her clothes stick to her due to the melted ice cream... didn't sound too apetizing...
She left Artimis's room, stopping upon seeing Severus sprawled on the couch in the Living room, Selena curled on his chest, thumb in her mouth and a pink blanket grasped firmly in one hand. Alexis shook her head in wonder, wondering why Severus never wanted children when he seemed hell bent on making Selena his own. For a guy who hated children, he sure loved the kid.
"And to think, I have that to look forward too... wow... too weird to think about right now." Alexis concluded to herself with a slight frown, hand instinctively going to her now slightly bulging stomach in thought. She sighed as she shook her head again, swearing that if Ron so much as complained once about their child, she would beat him about the head and shoulders with the nearest available peice of furniture. She wasn't about to go through all the pain of child birth only to have him ask for a refund... nosireebob, not happening.
Alexis trudged her way to her quarters still half asleep, ignoring a few students curious stares as they passed her in the halls at her in her pajamas and wolf slippers as she found her quarters, trudging into them and straight to the bathroom for a hot shower.
About an hour later, she trudged out, dressed in a pair of Artimis's jeans, since her own were becoming a bit tight on her, and a light sweater. Finding it a bit chilly, she entered the living room intent on lighting a fire in the fireplace, but was stopped in her tracks at a familiar large grey owl sitting on the back of her recliner chair, tilting its head at her curiously and twittering around the letter in its beak.
Already thinking she knew who this was from she took it, giving the owl a peice of cookie she had on her table, but it didn't leave. Looking at it oddly, she sat carefully on the couch, taking out the yellowed parchment from the envelope and reading it to herself.
'My sweet Alexis.
I do hope you had a Happy Christmas, even with all the events taking place around you at the present time. My own was quite... enlightening, to say the least. And it seems that I have managed to schedule this free day after the holiday as well. But alas, what is a free day without any company?
I was wondering, if you were free, if you would like to join me today? We could meet at the Crying Dragon Cafe once again... and just tour Hoggesmeade for a while if you so wished. It's not often I do things like that, and it would be good for me if I knew the territory a bit better. And if we're lucky, I'll be able to introduce you to a few of my colleagues. I'm sure they'll be in town... since it had been a holiday and all. I would be delighted to have you join me today, just delighted. Please send your reply via my owl. His name is Alexander. Hope to see you!
Sincerely Yours,
~Jason Kinsler~'
Alexis looked up, smirking at the owl and its coincidental name. She shook her head amusingly, though she had a vauge feeling that Jason was starting get a little too close for comfort. She frowned and shook her head roughly though, telling herself that Jason wouldn't try anything like that knowing she was already married to Ron. He told her himself he was only interested in being friends, she doubted he would push that strict friendship. And that was that.
She found some spare parchment and a quill, quickly writing.
'Jason.
I would be delighted to meet you for the day. Free days are a drag with no company, I should know. Everyone's going to be busy or somewhere else today, so otherwise I'd be sitting in my room or being tailed by Severus all day. He's getting weird with his constant popping up wherever I'm at. But it won't be too hard losing him if he decides to just 'show up' in Hoggesmeade if he so found out where I was going to be at. He has this notion that it's his job to escort me everywhere, 'just in case'.
Well, I'll be with you today, so he shouldn't worry. I'll meet you about lunchtime, if that's alright. See you soon.
~Alexis Whyte-Weasley~'
Alexis finished it off, nodded, and stuck it in an envelope. She handed it to the owl, who hooted and immediately took off through the window, Alexis watching it go before sighing and turning to find some cloaks, wishing a bit depressingly that it had been Ron who was taking her out.
Severus awoke to the snuggling of a small body on his chest. He cracked open his eyes to see a head of raven hair and knew that he had fallen asleep with the young girl on his chest. Her arm was rasied to her face and he knew she was sucking her thumb, a present vice they were trying to break her of. He moved her hair out of her face as he removed the thumb, setting her hand on his chest. She shivered and then laid still as he pulled her light pink blanket over her. Smiling slightly to himself, he sat there, watching the innocence in her face as she slept. Resigning himself to just lay there until she woke up, he adjusted the pillow under his head, closing his eyes once agian.
He lay there, not really sleeping, when he heard the door open and Artimis stumbled out, looking a mess, covered with chocolate staims and popcorn peices. He raised an eyebrow at her and she sighed, looking around resignedly, then she noticed her daughter's sleeping form on him and she smiled at him.
"Thank you." She whispered and he shrugged mildly, not really feeling a need for her to apoligize. Artimis went and took a shower, and in that time Selena had simply readjusted, more content to sleep.
Severus, who did not feel compeled to wake her, just let her continue her long slumber.
Artimis came out and sat on the side of the couch beside him, her hand gently rubbing her daughter's back.
"Sweetheart, it's time to wake up, Uncle Severus probably is hungry... Selena, baby, wake up..." Artimis cooed lovingly and Severus took this moment and close proximity to examine how much becoming a mother had influenced the wild and untameable Artimis. She looked composed and loving, nothing like her younger years.
Severus felt his small neice awaken and she looked up at him, smiling gingerly.
"Morning Uncle Severus." She spoke joyfully as she climbed off of him, blanket still in tow. Artimis got up and ushered her daughter to the bathroom.
Severus got up and decided to take his leave, desperately in need of a shower and fresh clothing. He walked to his quarters and changed after a long shower. After that he headed to his classroom, wondering why Alexis had not asked for breakfast yet.
After half an hour, Alexis, finally came down to his classroom, seemingly in mildly better spirits than the night before. Sighed as he pushed aside the essays he had sat down to grade she smirked at him as she plopped down in a chair.
"Sleep well Sev?" She asked him with a gloating tone and he shook his head at her standing and streching.
"Yes, in fact I did." He replied, not willing to give her something to tease him about, especially not his affection for his neice.
"Are you sure you weren't cold? That pink blanket didn't seem like it was big enough for you." She teased and he grumbled, going over to the workstation made just for her food.
"What do you want to eat?" He asked and she rolled her eyes.
"Food. Maybe some sausage, maybe some bacon, and toast, I really want toast..." She explained and he went to fixing her food.
It was silent as Alexis stood up and paced around, seemingly in her own thoughts and he was getting tired of the silence, knowing that it meant something was going on with Alexis. Desperate for some kind of conversation, he started simple.
"What do you think you will want for dinner tonight?" He asked and Alexis stopped for a moment and then shrugged.
"I don't know... but it will be later..." She stated adding in that last part lowly, but he had good hearing.
"How late, and why?" He asked her, curious and she looked at him indignantly.
"I won't be here at normal dinner time. I will be out." She told him, hands on her hips as if to ask him why he felt he could question her.
"Oh, with Artimis?" He continued, ignoring her indignation as he made her bacon.
"Um... Not really... She's going to spend today with Draco..." Alexis told him, looking at her feet, making it clear that Alexis was hiding something.
"Oh, then are you going with Remus, or Fred and George?" Severus questioned, making it seem as if he was interested in simple conversation.
"No... Not them either..." Alexis stated as she sat down again, looking everywhere but him.
"Well, surely you wouldn't risk going to Hoggesmeade alone, not after what happened to you brother in law?" He told her, knowing she had to give in soon.
"No, not alone, I'm meeting a friend." She stated and he sighed, knowing exactly who this friend could be.
"It's Jason Kinsler, isn't it." He stated and she stood up, glaring a bit.
"What's it to you?" She questioned challengingly and he shrugged.
"Nothing, except I don't think a married woman like you should be traipsing around with her ex-boyfriend." Severus chided, knowing it would get to her.
"You make it sound so horrible." She whined and he sighed, looking at her.
"The truth, as horrible as it sounds, is still the truth. So, where are you guys going?" Severus asked as he transfigured a carrot to a piece of ham.
"I am not traipsing, that sounds vulgar. We are just hanging out and having lunch because I have absolutely nothing to do today." Alexis challenged and he shook his head, thinking of a million things to tell her.
"You have nothing to do today. Really. Why dont you go with Artimis?" He asked her, trying to deter her from going. Severus rarely had bad feelings like he did right now. He knew though that if Trelawny came in telling him about bad omens and such at the moment, he would be more desposed to believe her with the feeling in his gut screaming at him to prevent Alexis going. Something was not right with Jason Kinsler, his sources had been coming back with that message for quite some time.
"You should know why I don't go to the hospital... In a nutshell, I get too emotional, then I cry, she cries, Remus cries, Selena cries, and we end up disturbing the other patients." Alexis explained and Severus shook his head, beleiving everything but Remus crying, though it would be a sight to see.
"Well, what about Hagrid? Surely he has some beast you can try to tame today?" He questioned, almost done with her food, but not the conversation.
"No, he won't let me handle anything bigger than a rabbit right now. Scared I will hurt the baby. Besides he's off to Durmstrang to spend the holidays with Madam Maxine. You should know that..." Alexis told him and Severus was losing ropes to pull on.
"Well, why not help Minerva or Remus? I'm sure someone has something you could help with instead." Severus stated, determined to keep her at Hogwarts and away from the only Bane of his Existence that would remain in that position forever.
"Minerva is boring, and Remus is taking Selena to the Manor for Artimis. I dont see what's the big deal, its just lunch and me showing him around Hoggesmeade." Alexis grumbled and he wanted to tell her how much of a big deal it was, but he wasn't sure himself how to tell her.
"Have you told Ron that you are going to see him?" He baited, already knowing the answer.
"Uhh... no..." She stammered nervously and he smirked.
"And why would that be? Afraid that I might just be right and that Ron might not like that you are seeing him?" He asked her smugly as she looked away from him, letting him know that he was at least getting through to her.
"Of course Ron won't like it. He... he wouldn't understand... Jason is just a friend. Nothing more. I'm happily married to Ron. Severus, why would you think I would do something behind his back like that? Is that what you think of me Sev?" She bit back hurtfully and he shook his head, serving her plate to her.
"My opinion of you doesn't even factor into this case, it's Jason's character I greatly question..." Severus stated and Alexis looked at him in a kind of shock.
"Um.. Yeah ok, let's just drop it ok." She stated with a grumble and he sighed, sitting down across form her.
"Ok, dropped." Severus told her and then in the next minute, asked. "When will you be back?"
She groaned as she looked at him in disbelief and he held his hands up.
"I just wanted to know when I should start cooking! And seeing as you don't know what you want, I'm gong to make meatloaf." He covered, the real reason being for his own purposes of knowing when and where she would be.
"Um... I don't know, four or five." She told him and he sighed.
"Which is it, four or five? There's an hour of time between there..." He told her, seeming to her as concerned only with when he would have to cook.
"Jeesh, five... my gosh... I feel like I'm 12." She groaned as she stuffed her mouth with food.
"Ok well, I'll expect you back a five then. Where will you be eating lunch?" Severus questioned her, needing to know so he could have an idea of where she would be.
"Damn, I feel like Remus is talking to me... The Crying Dragon... Why you gonna stalk me again? Stalker..." She hissed at him and he sighed, shaking his head, because he no longer had to stalk her with this information, though it wasn't a bad idea.
"No, I want to be able to tell someone where you are if they ask." He told her and she glared at him.
"You know, you ask to many questions... You act like you don't trust me." She told him harshly and he bit his tongue, replying after a moment of thought.
"I trust you as much as I can... Jason Kinsler, on the other hand, I wouldn't trust him to any extent..." He told her and she finished her meal, rolling her eyes.
"Just because someone tries to kill you once doesn't always mean that they are forever evil... People can change, look at you for god's sake." She told him and he tunerd on her with a look of anger.
"I am never and will never, EVER, be like Jason Kinsler. And don't you ever compare me with that idiot again." He barked, instantly regretting his anger from the look on her face. She had drawn back in her seat and was quiet as she stared at her empty plate and he sat down, feeling terrible.
"I'm sorry Alexis. I just... I have a really bad feeling about him. I'm going to my room now, I definately need a nap..." Severus said as he got up and he headed for his office, stopping as she spoke softly and apologetically.
"I... I wasn't comparing you to him. I'm sorry you took it that way... I just meant that people can change for the better..." She stated and he sighed, leaning against the door frame and looking at her over his shoulder thoughtfully.
"True, but they can also change for the worse. Have fun Alexis, and please be careful..." He said as he headed to his room, immediately setting up his black cloak and silencing his boots, because secure or not, he had a bad feeling and was not about to let her go to Jason without some sort of protection.
St. Mungo's Hospital... Room 546...
Artimis sat next to Draco, her eyes already red and sore from all the crying she had already done. She knew that she was slowly but surely sinking into a deep depression. For so many years, Draco had always been her rock, her other shelter, aside from Alexis. In the four years that she had been his wife, he had never, not once, not been there for her when she needed him the most. Except for right now, right now she needed him, and he couldn't console her with his voice, his gentle caress, his caring manner of compassion. She felt all alone, and she hated that feeling. She also hated that her daughter, her pride and joy, and Draco's as well, had to go through this. Artimis wished she could wake Draco up just for her.
The tears began to flow again as she thought of the problems that could occur when he did wake up. He could wake up and be perfectly normal, back to himself, or he could wake up and not remember her, Selena or the new baby coming, the little boy he had always dreamed of. Artimis had found out just last week that she and Draco we expecting a son, and she couldn't share the happy news with him. Laying her head down on his hand as she held it tightly, crying lowly.
"Sweetheart, you need to wake up from this. I need you... I don't think I can take much more of not having you here... Please, if you can, please just wake up and be the Draco I know and love with all my heart... Please baby, I can't lose you too..." She cried and she felt his finger twitch in her hand, but she also knew that it was just a reflex of her touching him, and that he had been doing it for a while. She sat there, crying herself into an uncomfortable slumber with her face cupped in his hand.
Alexis made her way towards the Crying Dragon Cafe, maneuvaring through the sparse crowds and down the cold roads with a thoughtful mind. Her conversation with Severus had been odd... odder than usual. His last comment had struck her the most as unsual. He had sounded like Remus right there, whenever Remus knew she was going on a Mission as an Auror, or when she was off to do some stunt. He sounded concerned. And no matter how much he said it, she had the feeling he wasn't just doing it because everyone would kick his ass if he didn't act like he... cared.
She shook her head roughly, already developing a headache and her stomach churning queasily with all the recent stress and confusion. She had debated, though wouldn't admit to him, on staying at Hogwarts that day, feeling something deeper to Severus's words. It didn't just sound like his usual grumbling about an old grudge, she knew those, and this sounded a bit more serious.
But if she had stayed, she would be bored senseless. Artimis wouldn't be back till late that night, and Alexis's task would be to console her again, so she had to be in relatively good spirits to aid her friend. Everyone else was either gone as well or too busy to hang with her. And spending the whole day with Severus would just be weird.
She sighed deeply, thinking that times like this was when she needed Ron to be home. Thinking about him though and his extended business trip just made her even more depressed, so she tried to push it aside for the moment and hopefully distract herself with thoughts of the upcoming meeting.
"Traipsing with my ex-boyfriend... jeesh, he makes it sound like I'm having an affair. Can't believe he thinks that..." Alexis grumbled aloud to herself as she kicked at a pile a snow in front of her, thinking indignantly about Severus's words.
Jason was exactly that, her EX-boyfriend. Nothing could EVER happen between her and him again, she wouldn't let it. Even if she wasn't with Ron. Jason might've shown he had grown up a lot, might've showed her he had gained some morals, but the memory of the pain he had caused her as an adolescent would never leave Alexis. The gap that pain created would always remain between her and Jason, he was merely an aquaintance now. And she and Jason both seemed happy enough to keep it that way. She was pretty sure Jason knew enough to keep his distance. But Severus... that man couldn't keep his nose out of anything concerning Alexis, even if it was for his own good.
She would never understand that man and his constant goal to make her life as confusing and stressful as possible. At times she thought that was his main goal in life, to harass her.
She growled at herself, trying to get off this negative train of thought as the Cafe came into view. She paused a moment, taking a deep breath and telling herself it was too late to turn back to the school, and she couldn't leave Jason hanging like that. Besides, it would give her something to do.
She entered the Cafe, looking around and seeing Jason sitting in the familiar booth near the back, and she smiled politely as she walked towards him. He stood up, bowing his head slightly to her and she smirked as he stepped forward, grasping her hand and kissing it.
"Alexis. I am most delighted to see you again. Please-" he gestured to the table, "-have a seat. I've already ordered some Lunch for us."
"Thanks..." Alexis spoke as she stook a seat, sighing internally as she thought of yet another dish of perfectly good food going to waste. It's the thought that counts... I guess...
Jason sat down, smiling widely at her, looking more chipper than usual. She shrugged it off as he spoke, folding his hands in front of him.
"So, how was your Christmas? Better than you had thought, I hope." He asked politely and Alexis smiled as she replied.
"It was okay... as good as to be expected really. Was better towards Dinner, had a little case of christmas craziness I guess, either that or someone spiked Severus's tea because he was the one who actually started the carols. Was cooler after that, got some nifty stuff... got sick on sugar... you know, the usual. How about you?" Alexis asked, and he shrugged.
"I was... working, most of the day." He answered simply, and she frowned.
"Worked? You didn't get it off?"
Jason smiled, finiding something amusing, before he replied. "My 'job' is really my life. It does not bother me, I enjoy my job. Besides, I have a feeling that my Christmases will be getting better after this year."
Alexis nodded slowly, wondering what exactly he meant as drinks were set in front of them.
"No matter. Tell me, how is Artimis faring?" Jason asked, leaning forward with interest as Alexis sighed, shaking her head.
"Not too good. I think she's getting worse. Still really no ideas of when, or if, Draco will get better, and it's going to make her crack soon. She always either with him or in her room with Selena, I haven't been able to spend as much time with her as I would like. It's not healthy for her, Draco being this way."
Jason nodded slowly, looking at his glass as Alexis picked up her drink, taking a few sips as he looked up. "There isn't much more you can do to help Alexis. Don't run yourself ragged trying to make everyone else happy, you need to think about yourself as well." He spoke lowly and seriously, and Alexis sighed, looking into her glass with a slight frown, not commenting.
"Let's think of more pleasant things. What is it you wish to do today? Anything particular in mind? i'm open to suggestions." Jason asked, and Alexis shrugged.
"Don't know, was hoping you had plans." She looked up at him, and he was smiling.
He shrugged casually as he replied. "Plans... not too sure. We can start with a tour I guess, spread out from there. I'm sure we can find something interesting to do."
Alexis nodded, watching as the plates of food appeared, one filled with potatoes and a steak, the other mostly covered with a ceasar salad and a few other sides. Alexis silently grimaced inside, feeling like a rabbit as the salad plate was set in front of her. But, he was trying... failing, but trying.
he smiled at her as his plate was set down, and they took a few minutes to eat, Jason contentdely starting in on his steak as Alexis mostly pushed the salade around her plate, taking a few bites out of the minature carrots, the only vegetable she would even consider conciously putting in her mouth.
About another half hour passed of idle chit chat, followed by a dessert, of which Alexis ate happily. It was practically in the middle of a sentence when Jason froze, and Alexis looked at him oddly. She thought she heard a soft buzzing of sorts, Jason turning his head into his shoulder.
He coughed quietly once, then turned to her, smiling politely. "Sorry dear, something caught in my throat. Um, I was wondering if you would like to leave soon? I'm starting to feel a bit clausterphobic."
Alexis cocked her head slightly in confusion, wondering on his sudden urge to leave. But she didn't stress on it and replied.
"Yeah sure, tired of sitting myself." Alexis replied and he smiled, standing and holding out his hand to her. Alexis took it, and he pulled her up, taking her arm in his and leading her towardsthe back. Feeling a littel uncomfortable, Alexis slipped her arm from his, smiling to hide her discomfort as she asked him.
"Um, isn't that the front door?"
Jason turned, thought a moment, then replied. "Yes, but I thought a change in scenery wouldn't hurt. Besides, this door's closest."
Alexis shrugged, following as he opened the back door leading from the Cafe, walking out into the dim, cold alley behind the resturant. Jason was a moment behind her, and pretty soon they were heading down the alley. Alexis involuntarily sidled closer to Jason's side, looking about the eerily quiet alleyway nervously. She didn't like alleys too much... not after what happened to Draco...
Suddenly Jason froze, looking around warily. Alexis stiffened, gazedarting about nervously as she slowly backed up, putting her back against a wall as she searched all the dark corners in he sight, whispering.
"Jason, what is it?"
His eyes narrowed, and he slowly took a step towards her. "Theres's something wrong... someone's here..."
Alexis swallowed, fumbling for her wand from her pocket. But she felt Jason's hand hit hers, and she dropped her wand. Her breath hitched in her throat as Jason grabbed her, hugging her to him without a word as the familar spinning and tugging hit her, which indicated Apparation. And all she knew was that she wasn't the one apparating.
Severus stood at the window overseeing the path to Hoggesmeade, watching the white haired woman follow it. He watched her move pass the wards and he swopped down the stairs, his black cloak swishing behind him as he fled the building tailling closly on Alexis's heel.
I should have stopped her, given her real meat, something... I swear, something is amiss... Like why would a business man have the day after Christmas off, isnt that when they go back to work?... Severus asked himself a million questions as he tailed the occupied Alexis. She seemed to be thinking and not paying attention to her surroundings. Twice he swore he saw her hesitate to turn around, but she set her look of determination on and kept going. He watched as she kicked a pile of snow as the Cafe came into his veiw and he watched her enter, moving closly to the window. He peeked in and saw Jason greeting her with a kiss on the hand and seating her. He stood there for only a moment, knowing that Alexis was in public and was safe for the moment. He had pressing matters to attend to.
A few minutes prior to Alexis leaving he got a letter from his contacts in Hoggesmeade, saying that they had a letter that he needed to read. Fearing that leaving Alexis would be bad, he decided to take the backways to the underground.
Upon reaching the place of his most trusted contact, and old freind, Michaud Deangleo. He was handed a letter on the sly, and then with a short nod and a smile, Severus exited to the main street of the underside of Hoggesmeade. Severus, wanting to return to the Cafe as soon as possible, opened the letter and scanned it, wondering what was so important that Michand call ofr him as soon as he could get there. As soon as Severus read it, he had to reread it, just to make sure he read it right.
'Captain Prise.
I want you to make sure with First Seargant Lancen that everything is ready and secure at Location Delta for our guest, that includes around the clock security at every thinkable entrance into Delta, enough provisions to last about a month, and constant surveilance established in her chosen quarters. I do hope your mission has been completed, for I want that transportation I had ordered to meet at HQ, for Alexis will be moved to Delta tonight at 2100 hours and no later. Don't screw this up Prise. Be ready, we can afford no mistakes for I already know we have a few who will be making Alexis's transportation as difficult as possible for us.
~General Kinsler~'
Severus was in a silenced shock. If this letter meant what he perceived it to mean then Alexis was in a lot of trouble and Severus had just left her to fend for herself. He tucked the letter in his side pocket, not noticing the man who was eyeing him intently as he rushed back out on to the nice side of the town. He had to get Alexis away from Jason, and now, before it was too late.
Why don't I ever listen to those gut feelings... He thought as he raced forward, not minding his need for stealth in pursuit of speed. A hasty arrival would be better than an undetected one.
Upon reaching the Cafe, he looked in the window once more, not seeing Alexis and Jason at their table. He knew he had not passed them and knew Alexis would not go the other direction, for that was the public entrance to the dark side of town.
I'm too late... He thought as he entered the building asking the waiter about the wearabouts of Alexis and Jason. Upon hearing their retreat out the backdoor, he flew that way, moving as fast as his booted feet would carry him without knocking someone down. He entered a back alley, which immediately sent visions of a beaten Draco to his mind as he took off toward the direction he assumed Alexis to head. He moved down the alley, his steps silenced by the charm on his boots. He could see Alexis breifly ahead, see Jason ushering her on.
Severus slowed, not wanting to frighten Alexis into thinking he was the crazy one, and watched as Jason stopped her and looked about panicked, Severus knowing he knew he was there. Severus, still approaching, watched as Jason looked at him, smirking evilly as he wrapped his arms around Alexis, who looked scared and apparated them away. Severus skidded to a stop where they had stood, finding Alexis's wand on the ground, and cursed as he realized that he had just let Alexis go with a crazed and dangerous idiot, and she was now completely defenseless and without her wand.
Swirling darkness, that was all he could see, minus a few breif glorious moments of light. Draco had been unable to speak, unable to see, and almost unable to hear the world around him for so long he had lost count. All he could do was wait, listen to, and hope that someone else knew what they should about Jason.
Draco listened and through the darkness came the light once again, accompanied by the only voice he had heard, his wife's. He had been able to hear her since the beginning, heard her cries of pain, her need for him, everything. And the worst torture was that he could do nothing about it. When he heard her, crying over his state, all he wanted to do was hold her and tell her everything was alright.
He heard Artimis speaking, her tone soft and mournful and once again he was filled with a hatred for Jason. Jason was the reason she had to go throught this, the reason he was tortured with her pain. When and if Draco ever made it back to the world of the lving, he would break that bastard's neck.
Presently her voice stopped, the light dimming in his vision, and yet he knew she was still there.
He knew something was different when he could feel his limbs. He felt himself moving away from the swirling, captive blackness which held him and he could feel sensations.
On his hand he could feel warmth and a cool wetness and the rest of him was cold. He forced his hand to move and it did so, moving over what he knew to be the soft skin of his Artimis. He began to move what muscles he could, not opening his eyes for fear that the light he could now see behind his lids would burn his eyes.
He felt the warmth leave his hand and he opened his eyes on instinct, wondering if Artimis was leaving him again. The blinding light pained his eyes and he blinked furiously, only seeing glimpses of Artimis. He began to try to call her name, try to get her to notice he was there and she did so. When she looked in his eyes, he knew he was home, he knew that the swirling darkness was behind him. And now that he knew Artrimis was safe, he had more pressing thoughts to turn to, thoughts of Alexis's demise.
St. Mungo's Hospital... Room 546...
Artimis, with tear-stained cheeks and puffy eyes, was sleeping fitfully, her face begin scratched by something. She awakened to realize she was in Draco's hospital room, her face still in his hand. Thats when she realized what was scracthing her. His thumb was running gently up and down the side of her face. She lifted her head in shock, seeing that his hand ceased moving when she moved. She looked up at Draco and saw his eyes opening and closing and his mouth moving. He opened his eyes and looked at her, his mouth moving as if to speak. Panicked and happy, along with dreadfully afriad, she grabbed the glass of water she had been drinking, bringing it to his lips.
He smiled at her and took big gulps of the water before she movd it away.
"Draco?" She whispered questioningly, assured that this was all a dream, a wonderful dream.
"...Jason..." Draco forced out of his mouth, his voice dry and coarse. She looked at him curiously, shaking her head as she looked in his eyes. He gestured for more to drink and she gave it to him, holding it for him as he was too weak. After taking it away from him he spoke again, gaining more speech.
"... Alexis... You have to save Alexis... From Jason..." Draco began and Artimis looked at him oddly as he gave her a whole long, urgent spiel about Alexis being in danger from Jason Kinsler, or something of that nature. After he was finished, she laughed.
"Draco, honey, I think you are delirious. Do you know who I am? Or yourself? Jason Kinsler hasn't been seen in years and hes not back after Alexis..." She told him softly and he gave her the most serious look she had ever seen him give.
"You are Artimis Marietta Malfoy, my wife and mother of my daughter and soon to be other child, I am Draco Eugene Malfoy, and Jason Kinsler is the man who put me in this state my dear. He wanted to get you away from Alexis, out of the way so she would not be occupied by you. You have to save her. It might be too late." Draco told her and Artimis didn't beleive him at first and he must have known it.
"Please, baby, believe me. I have had to live with this knowledge and hear you despair to me night and day and not be able to comfort you. He tried to take me away from you, and now, he is trying to take Alexis from you." Draoc told her and Artimis knew at once that he was not lying to her. Not wanting to leave him, but wanting to make sure Alexis was safe, seh began to walk to the door to get a nurse when Remus and Selena walked in. Artimis was crying and Remus smiled condolingly at her. And then he got a look of shock on his face as he heard Draco speak.
"There's my little girl."
And with that Selena was on him like fleas on a dog. Artimis grabbed Remus by the face and looked him in the eye.
'Don't leave here, stay with both of them, and if I dont come back in a decent amount of time, send for Albus." She told him as she flooed to Hogwarts a second later. She landed in her personal quarters and held herself up as she felt queasy. Immediately wanting to sooth her concious, she ran to Alexis quarters, only to find her not there. She began a frenzied haphazard search of the school, checking all of Alexis's haunts and enlisting the prankers to find her, but to no avail. She couldn't even find Severus. Now deeply convinced of her husband's words, she rushed to her room, putting her sword on her back with extreme difficulty. Even thought she was very pregnant, that never stopped her from protecting Alexis. She headed to the Great Hall and when she entered, Dumbledore stood, moving toward her quickly.
"Help me find her." She begged, fearing the worst for Alexis.