The Adventures of The Misfit Professors
Chapter 19
"The Search and Rescue of Alexis"
By: Deep Shadows and Eckostalker
Alexis stumbled to her knees, Jason letting go of her as they apparated into a roomy office. Alexis doubled over, vomiting on the floor and groaning in pain as she held her stomach with a grimace. Jason hurried back a step, then drew his wand and cleaned up the mess as Alexis looked up queasily.
"Please, warn me next time..."
Jason pulled her to her feet, where she leaned on him wearily, gaining back her equlibrium.
"Sorry dear, didn't have much of a choice." He spoke, letting her go when she steadied. She gazed around with confusion, seeing a large desk covered in papers, maps and letters, two chairs were arranged near a fireplace, where no fire burned, leaving the white-walled room chilled. There were no windows. Remembrance of what happened hit her, and she looked at Jason with wide, worried eyes.
"What happened? Where are we?"
"Sshh, everything's okay now. We're safe, he won't find us here. Please, sit down." Jason spoke with calm assurance, going behind his desk and sitting in the cushioned office chair with a smug smile, leaning back as he watched her.
Still feeling uneasy, Alexis didn't sit down, walking closer to the desk as she asked him again. "Safe? From who? Where are we Jason?"
Jason was silent for a moment, and his unwavering smile and penetrating gaze made Alexis look away uneasily, surveying the strange room once again. She looked back at him as spoke with a hint of an amusing tone.
"We're... home."
Alexis paused, raising her eyebrow in confusion. She looked around breifly, replying hopefully. "Home? You live here?"
Jason smirked, answering with his own eyebrow raised. "Well, you could say that. Sit, please."
Alexis watched him, wondering how all of sudden he could go from nervously intent to a relaxed smugness in a matter of seconds. Something was off here.
Still rejecting his offer to take a seat, she asked a bit more demanding, since she distincting recalled him ignoring it the last few times she asked. "Home, okay. Where is home, then."
Jason shrugged his shoulders casually, waving his hand as he answered. "It does not matter. You are in safe hands."
There was a knock on the door suddenly, and Jason added nonchalantly. "Excuse me dear. Come in."
The door opened and a tall, taller than Jason, and stiff man entered, with black hair cut in the same military style as Jason's walked in. He stoppped upon seeing Alexis, a flicker in his eyes the only betrayal of his surprise, and he looked at Jason. Watching the two men, she saw Jason give him a small nod, and the man relaxed, though he still stood stiff as he spoke.
"General sir, we confirmed that there is no suspicion from any others besides that of... him. We know he is on her trail though."
Jason nodded, still unfazed as he replied. "No matter. He will never find her here. And inform Captain Lancen plans at Delta will have to be moved up a few hours, it seems we had been pressed for time. Oh Alexis, this is my Lieutenant General, Jordan. My top man. Jordan, this is Miss Whyte."
Jordan looked at her, then bowed his head respectfully, and Alexis was more confused than ever, dimly noting that Jason had used her unmarried name as he continued. "Now then, if you wouldn't mind, Alexis and I are in a discussion."
"Yes sir. Sorry to interrupt. Miss Whyte." He spoke, nodding to her before leaving the room, closing the door softly.
"My apologies Alexis, my job is never-ending. I cannot say there will any more interuptions though." Jason spoke, and Alexis shook her head, trying to figure out what was going on from what she had just heard.
"Find her? Is someone looking for me Jason? And did he call you General?" Alexis asked, starting to feel that tingly prick of suspicion.
Jason was quiet as he studied her, then answered as he came upon a decision. "Yes, I am General Kinsler. Like I said before, my job is my life."
Alexis thought a moment, then answered accusingly, narrowing her eyes suspiciously. "You said you worked with stock or something. With muggles."
Jason shrugged. "I do work with muggles. Maybe not in the way you think, but I do."
But Generals are like, the heads of armies and stuff..." Seeing the unsurprised look on his face at her assumption shocked her as she finished in a softer voice, still unbeleiving.
"Jason, are you saying you have an army?"
Jason crossed his arms, a thoughtful look on his face. "Well, I wouldn't actually say an army..."
Alexis shook her head slowly, thoughts of Severus's warnings whispering quietly in her mind as she spoke with a frown. "An army... for what? What's going on Jason, you're weirding me out."
To say the least... he actually lied to me... Alexis thought wonderingly to herself as he replied, sitting up in his seat.
"Calm down Alexis, no use getting worked up."
"Well, I wouldn't be if weren't being stubborn and actually tell me what's going on. So far all I know is you whisked me off to some god-knows place that you won't tell me of, you have an army, and someone's obviously looking for me. What's going on." Alexis demanded, frowning with rising irritation at this man.
Jason frowned, all amusement leaving his face as he looked at her sternly. "I'd advise you to calm down Miss Whyte. Take a seat."
Alexis put her hands on her hips, surprised at his own demanding tone at her, but offended enough to snap. "No Jason. I'll sit as soon as you tell me where we are."
Jason stared at her defiantly for a moment, then sighed, shaking his head as he leaned back in his seat. He then smirked, looking back up at her and speaking. "You want to know, then fine. We are at the Base of Operations, Headquarters, approximately seven miles east of Hoggesmeade and I'd say roughly one hundred feet underground. This is my office. My quarters are down the hall to the left. Does that answer your question?"
Alexis nodded slowly as she processed this strange information, replying. "Good, we're getting somewhere. Now, why are we here."
Jason frowned, and Alexis knew she was getting on his nerves, but she had a right to know. It was almost like he had kidnapped her. He answered coldly. "At the moment, that is not important Alexis. You are home, and under my care, that is all you should worry about."
Alarm bells were going off in Alexis's confused mind, and she spoke. "Wait, I'm home? And who said I needed to be under your care? I think it's about time I left, Jason..."
She backed to the door, but Jason merely laughed. "I don't think that's an option dear."
He gestured to the door, and Alexis turned to see the door open, seeing Jordan standing there, and the outlines of four other, apparently armed, people out in the hallway. Jordan looked at her sternly, then to Jason, who spoke.
"I don't think you'll be leaving anytime soon Alexis. Jordan, any other information on our little stalker?"
"No sir, but we'll keep searching."
"I'm not too worried, this is a secure location. And she's with me, so there will be no problems. Leave us."
Jordan nodded, closing the door securely, and Alexis looked at Jason with narrowed eyes, becoming angry as she hissed. "You're keeping me against my will?"
Jordan merely smiled, and Alexis shook her head, lost on what to do. But there was something else that bugged her. She demanded of him. "Who's looking for me?"
Jason let out a short bark of laughter as he replied vaugely. "That greasy haired git couldn't find his way out of a cereal box. Always too over-analytical."
Severus is looking for me? Something is definately wrong... maybe I should've listened to him... She crossed her arms, no determined that this little meeting was over as she growled. "Jason, I'd advise you let me leave, otherwise you are going to regret it."
Jason narrowed his eyes, all amusment gone, and Alexis had the distinct impression that he did not like to be given orders. He stood up slowly, replying in a dangerous voice. "Is that a threat?"
Alexis took it in stride and snapped. "Yeah. It is. I'm sick of you're little mind games. I don't know what you think you're doing, but I not going to have any part in it."
"I'm afraid that's not an option. You see, you're already a major peice in my plans, I can't very well let you go after all these years of looking for you. And now that you're here beside me... I can put the final stages of my plan to action. And you're going to help me. Now, sit down." Jason spoke quietly but firmly, his icy grey eyes boring into her, and Alexis stepped back nervously.
She shook her head in shocked amazement, seeing the change that had overcome what she thought was a reformed polite and respectable man. This new fact that he had been searching for her freaked her out, and his use of the words 'plans' had it's own freaky ring to it. She had to get away from this guy.
"I don't know what your plans are, but I'm pretty sure that I won't agree with them. And I'm sorry, if I don't agree with something that concerns me, it's not going to happen. You're on your own here dude."
To her surprise, Jason chuckled, shaking his head as he looked down at his desk. He moved aside a few papers, and Alexis saw under them a huge representation of the grounds of Hogwarts, marked with notes and calculations.
"My dear, dear Alexis... I'm afraid you have no choice. I expected a reaction of these sorts from you, but I'm sure they will pass and you'll be more accepting, once your child is born. I'm also eager to see what becomes of this child, which will no doubt be gifted with your inborn defiance and strength... and then under my careful tutoring and instruction... yes, it will be a fine protege. Of course, you will help me with that."
Severus, still standing in the alleyway, Alexis's wand now in his pocket, pulled out a chart, unfolding it with panicked haste.
I should have never let her come... If anything has happened to her, I swear... Severus told himself as he looked at a map that closely resembled the Marauders Map in its own way.
"Thank goodness Alexis is still wearing that earring." Severus stated, seeing a mark on the map that noted her location. In secret he has devised a way to keep track of Alexis, and for good measure, Artimis as well, by charming a specific piece of jewelry, naming the new pieces he gave them, to show thier location on this map. Artimis was at the hospital and the underscore showed her emotions as distressed, no surprise. Alexis was actually in a field near here, within easy apparation distance, yet he knew there was something more to that place and her emotions read confused.
Seeing his own marking on the map, underneath it reading panicked, he now knew how far he was from Alexis. Knowing the area she was in already, from days he didn't want to remember, Severus closed his eyes, and inhaled as he apparated.
He landed in a thin grove of trees, looking around to see Damond Field spread out before him. This place had once been the scene of a great battle and he knew, though there was nothing on the surface, that there were extensive networks below ground that the enemy, and the Deatheaters that had come before them, used for headquarters. He quickly dashed forward, seeing that there was nobody out there in plain sight. He reached the hillside that was an entrance and inhaled deeply, shaking his head.
I have a feeling this is going to be bloody... He thought as he tucked the map away, drawing his wand.
He entered the stone passage way, hearing nothing. He moved forward, his back against one wall as he searched around corners whenever he came to them. He occasionally looked at the map to make sure he was heading in her direction and he assumed that Jason had Alexis in the main antechamber that Lord Voldemort had once used for many a meeting. Severus turned a corner and saw a man dressed in black slacks, combat boots, and a grey shirt, covered by a black jacket, sporting Kinsler's same hairstyle. What set Severus off the most though was that this man had not only a wand, but a gun. A nasty looking one at that. He pressed himself against the wall and waited as the man approached. When he passed and looked at Severus with wide, surprised eyes, Severus drew a fist back and hit him square in the jaw, knocking him to the ground, out cold. Severus quickly moved over him and down that hallway, determined to find Alexis and not make his presence known just yet. Severus moved through the hallway, knocking out as many guards as possible, knowing that he saw no need to kill them, yet.
That was until he was shot at with a silenced gun. The bullet hit the wall above his head and he lunged at the man before he could call for help, Severus using a well silenced killing curse to futher mask his presence. The man fell to the ground and Severus knew he had yet another life on his concious, but that was to be worried about later.
He made it to the area that Alexis was generally at, the map showing he was actually a mere fifteen feet from her location. He turned to corner and almost came face to face with four burly men, which he avoid by skillfully blending with the shadows. Two of them walked away, mumbling about coffeebreaks and tons of other women who would want Jason and kiss his feet. Severus waited and watched silently as they took turns pacing back and forth in the hallway, oblivious to his presence. Severus, knowing he had to get past them to get to Alexis, stepped out to the side, and he knew one of them had caught a glimpse of him. And as all stupid guards do, he just walked over to check it out, not sending out an alarm.
Maybe there is an advantage to watching action films with Alexis... Severus thought as he reached around the man's head and, with deadly accuracy, broke his neck. He fell to the floor with a slight thud and that brought the other idiot. Seeing his comrade down and out, the other one when to run when Severus silenced him with a killing curse, having gotten fed up with this cat and mouse game. He raced to the door, seeing Alexis and Jason in the room, Alexis seemingly defiant to something, staring at Jason with a grim expression. Severus felt something was seriously off and began to quickly try and unlock the door as silently as possible, not wanting Jason to grab her and take off again, because he would have a hell of a time getting back out to save her again. He watched the agressive interaction from Jason toward Alexis and inside him, deep within, there was an insane rage and an even more insane need to protect Alexis.
Alexis stumbled back a step, a look of unconcealed shock and growing anger on her face as she yelled. "You're WHAT?! Protege?! What the hell-"
"Alexis, you will calm down and stop this unreasonable yelling. Now I ask again, sit down." Jason spoke loudly and demandingly, glaring slightly. But Alexis was past all reasonable arguement, he had just gone too far. If he expected her child to be her protege... that meant she was expected to be like, his queen or something.
She shook her head as she growled. "I don't know what you're thinking, but I've had enough of it. You're nuts..."
"Oh, I am far from insane Alexis. I have never been more clear headed in my life as in these past few years. I have it all figured out." Jason was speaking, walking slowly from around his desk towards her.
"You see, I've realized something over the years. We wizards are superior to these ungifted muggles. We're more intelligent, more understanding, more powerful. And yet wherever I went, wizards were in hiding, afraid of these muggles that we could kill with a single thought. We do not deserve to be condemned to this lifetime of hiding and covering, changing our ways to accomodate the muggles' ways, to comfort them in thier ignorance. Not when we have the power to bend them to our own will."
Alexis was backing away from Jason, shaking her head at him as he stopped a few paces from her. His eyes held an eager glint, an insatiable hunger for power and authority, and Alexis knew it.
"You're cracked Jason... it's always been that way... no one really complains..."
"Don't they though? I hear it everywhere I go. Not openly of course, because those in the seat of power in our world are compassionate, weak, and feel that we must accomodate ourselves for the weak and senstive side of humans, these magicless beings they call Muggles. You have to see it Alexis, you have to be tired of always hiding who you really are, struggling to fit in where we should be comfortable with our abilities. I knew I was, and that was when I began preparations for a new order."
Alexis couldn't beleive what she was hearing. It was like listening to a minute version of Voldemort, and it was freaking her out. But what got to her was why she was needed by him for this. He answered her question soon enough.
"It's been a few years now, and I have aquired a nice following of people who see the same way I do. But of course, I am in charge of this. I have to be, to make sure the world, starting in England, sees how society should be, how it was meant to be."
Alexis cut in here. "Jason, you're sounding like Voldemort! What the hell are you doing?!"
Jason rolled his eyes. "The Dark Lord screwed up. I do not wish to kill these Muggles, but to merely put them in their place. Under us wizards. Under me. But, I have also considered that I will not always be here to ensure this order is kept. Which meant I needed a way to make sure my work was carried on."
Alexis knew what he was getting at, and the smile on Jason's face let her know he understood as well. "This is where you come in my dear. Yes, there are plenty of women out there who would kill for this chance. Who would kiss the ground I walk on, listen to my every command. But that's the problem. I know I can have them, they are no challenge. They're predicatable. But you..."
Jason looked her over with a raised eyebrow, and Alexis internally shuddered, feeling almost violated.
"You have always presented a challenge. The one I could never quite get. You're unpredictable, and powerful. Which makes you a perfect candidate for the open position at my side. I could have no less. It was vital I have that position be filled, and it could only be by one person."
"Jason, I'm MARRIED. And I'm having his kid. " Alexis couldn't help but say, not sure what else she could say at the moment because this was all too wacked out to be beleivable.
He waved his hand like he was swatting away an annoyance. "A minor detail I'm not concerned about. Besides, he will no be a problem much longer. Some of my best men have already been sent to Italy... and I will hear from them shortly again. The fact that the child isn't biologically mine won't matter once we raise him or her as my own. And I'm sure you'll be comfortable with the housing arrangements. My greatest forces are amassing as we speak, waiting for my orders to storm Hogwarts. A perfect place for the ruling seat, don't you agree?"
Alexis stared at Jason with a mixture of emotions... unbeleif, confusion, betrayal... anger. She was to be his queen as he attempted to take over pretty much the world with an insane idea to put wizards in charge. This guy seriously needed mental help... and Severus was right. People did change for the worst at times.
Alexis narrrowed her eyes at Jason, knowing at the moment she was the only one who could do anything about this. She'd be damned if he was going to threaten her family and friends... and then expect her to be his 'loving wife/queen' person. Not on her watch.
"You're fucking insane, there's no question there. I don't know where you got this wacked out idea that I was going to be 'at your side'-" She began, voice starting to raise, and Jason growled lowly.
"Alexis, I'm warning you..."
"But if you think I'm going to go along with this happily, you are sorely mistaken-" Alexis continued, clenching her fists with growing anger at this man as she took a step forward threateningly.
He narrowed his eyes dangerously, speaking sternly. "I'm not going to tell you again..."
"I don't know who the fuck you think you are, because you mean nothing to me!-" Alexis yelled, and was cut off abruptly as Jason stepped towards her suddenly, yelling with fury.
"You will not speak to me that way!" He shouted as his hand flew back. Alexis froze with wide, frightened eyes as his hand came down, hitting her in the face so forcefully she stumbled and fell. She hit the floor hard on her shoulder, grimacing painfully as her face stung from the impact, tears brought unwillingly to her eyes. She had a very brief thought that this was the second time she had ever been hit by a man, and wondered unconciously how many more times this was going to happen to her in a lifetime.
She touched her face where it stung the worse, on her left cheekbone right under her eye, and her fingers came away sticky with blood. He must've had a ring on.
She looked up with mute shock as Jason stood over her, fists clenched. He pointed one finger at her, making her flinch slightly in uncertainty as he growled. "Now, you will stay there until you can give me the proper respect. I will not be treated that way by a woman, regardless who she is. Understood?"
Alexis swallowed painfully, shocked into silence, but she couldn't even think of replying before a deafening roar of sorts echoed through the room, making her ears ring. She looked at the door as she heard a terrible creaking and cracking, seeing it visibly ripped from its hinges.
There was a flash of blackness, and Alexis saw with wild eyes a huge, black lion now crouching with its back to her, and the only visible part of Jason being his feet sticking out from beneath the stance of the giant cat.
Alexis went numb with shock, her mind racing as a few moments passed, and then there was a pained gasp from the pair, and a sudden jerk from the cat, and there was no movement from Jason. Speechless and freaked out beyond belief, Alexis watched as the masssive pedator turned to look at her, rich red blood coating it's jaws and slightly on it's huge paws, and Alexis stared fearfully into the coal black eyes of this killer animal as it stared at her with what she saw as an insane and primal look of fury filled hunger.
All it took was a single step towards her, and Alexis dimly thought with numbing fear that this was finally the end of her. Death by abnormally huge back cat. Go figure. Then, all Alexis saw was swirling blackness.
Severus stood at the window to the door, fighting with the lock. He grew angrier by the minute, seeing Jason approach the defenseless Alexis. Upon coming to the conclusion that the door had a special password or something he began to figure out how he was to open the door, that was, until Jason hit her.
He saw the hand swing around and knock Alexis to the floor, her collapsing and holding her face painfully. In that instant, Severus was overcome by a deep, strange feeling, one he had never felt in his life. Before he knew what he was doing, the hair on his body bristled as it grew out, his nails elongating and thickening as he felt his body changing. It had been years, decades even since he had done this, and he wasn't even trying. All of his logical thought left him as he sunk his claws into the wood of the door, ripping it from the hinges with his increasing strength and a mighty roar. Immediately he leapt forward on his prey, his now superior size pinning his victim.
Severus had not used his lion Animagus form since Miranda had died, and having not used it in so long, it was not completely under his control. His claws were sunken into the chest of Jason, now labeled as a threat and prey. The human stared up at him with wide, surprised eyes clouded with pain, but not enough to knock some sense into him. He growled deeply, warning him not to move, for it would not be good. Apparently this prey did not speak lion very well, for Severus saw a movement of its hand and that was it. Severus took his vunerable neck in his teeth and ripped it out, feeling the creature cease to move in that instant.
Knowing that there may be other threats he looked around and spotted a woman. He took a step towards her, trying to fight with his primal side as Severus recognized Alexis as she passed out cold, collapsing onto the floor. But keeping his other side long dormant made it have a need for control and all his thought was lost. Severus surveyed the room and looked for any other movement. Seeing none, he approached carefully the female on the ground. He sniffed her head with his great nose and he picked up a scent he recognized.
Cub... Protect... Severus thought as he took a position over his cub, nuzzling her from time to time to make sure she was still alive. He glared at the carcass that had dared to strike at her as he stood guard, whining at her to get up, somehow knowing it was not safe here.
Jordan had been standing in the far corner of General Kinsler's office for quite some time now, having come in a side door, and was silent as he watched the confrontation between his General and his chosen female. He felt no emotion towards this woman except that she was important, because his leader said so.
Jordan had been practically raised like that, his own father having been a strict army veteran. Jordan had always been under the command of a leader of sorts, if it was his father, his teachers, or Jason himself. If any position had been offered him that didn't require him having to answer to a superior, Jordan would've most likely turned it down. He was used to having to answer to a higher authority, and he was more than content at keeping it that way.
He was a young man actually, barely in his prime at 32 years of age, and yet he already knew he would live out his life this way, in a military structure. He knew no other life.
General Kinsler and Miss Whyte's discussion was starting to turn hostile, but Jordan remained rigid in his position by the side door, having been ordered to not interfere and merely wait for instruction from his leader. There was a commotion outside in the hall, but Jordan barely noticed it as he watched with dim interest as his leader asserted his authority over this defiant female, fairly warning her against her disrepect.
But he was taken by surprise when the main door to the office suddenly vanished in a barrage of noise, and Jordan angrily thought he'd have some soldiers to reprimand soon for their carelessness. But the scene that unfolded before him froze him in place. A huge cat unlike anything he had ever seen had suddenly appeared, a cat that could've easily swatted Jordan aside with an annoyed swing of his great paw.
Those paws which now held his General pinned to the ground. Jordan felt a fleeting swell of anger and discouragement at this threat to his commanding officer, and breifly considered taking out his wand. But Jordan was a smart man, and he surveyed the situation carefully. A huge, wild animal, probably immune to most spells, looking at Jason with one of those looks a hungry man gives a hamburger... and Jordan still going unnoticed. Jordan's decision was quickly made.
Discreetly and silently, Jordan eased open the side door, deftly squeezing out of it and shutting it so soft the beast's ears didn't even flicker as it stood over his General. Then as quickly as he could, Jordan took off down the hall toward the nearest emergency exit. There was no hope for General Kinsler, and Jordan knew it. So he wasn't about to waste his own life for an already doomed man, there was no logical sense in it.
In his mind, the Liuetenant General said a brief and respectful good bye to his former leader and exited the complex. Besides, there would be more commanding officers out there in the world. All one had to do was be patient and look.
Artimis followed Dumbledore's instructions on how to find Severus and entered the passage way, Fred and George behind her, all of them with wands drawn. She had a really strong feeling that Severus would find Alexis, would be with her. At least, she hoped that was the case. It was quiet and Artimis's heart was racing as she thought about how blind she had been this past month or two. The whole thing had been right under her nose!
She silenced her thoughts as she came to a knocked out guard sprawled on the floor. She looked at her two male companions and sighed.
"Severus has been here alright. Fred, George, let's all split up and find her. Pick a hallway and follow it, she has to be here." She demanded, not listening to protest as she followed one hallway. The red-heads took thier directions and Artimis was now alone and she listened carefully, trying to feel for Alexis. She kept coming across unconcious guards, even a dead one and she hoped she was going the right way. If something had happened to Alexis, she would never forgive herself. She stalked down the hallways until she came to a shattered door that had been thrown from a frame on the other side of the hall. She stepped into the room, her wand pointed in front of her. She nearly dropped it at what she saw.
A huge black lion, taller than her at the top of its head, was standing over Alexis, blood dripping from its mouth on to Alexis as it nuzzled its face to her. Fearing this beast was set to devour her best freind, she yelled loudly, hoping to scare it away.
"Relashio!"
The spell sent sparks at the beast and it did an odd maneuver, rolling from Alexis and suddenly taking the form of a man. In her shock, wand still trained, she took a moment to recognize who it was.
"Severus?" She questioned, shaking her head and he nodded, inhaling deeply as he looked at Artimis.
"What are you doing here?" She asked and he shook his head, moving over to Alexis with a look of intense concentration.
"Saving Whyte." Severus chided in a preoccupied manner, checking Alexis's forehead and not seeming to notice the blood that was covering his arms and chest.
"How did you know?" She questioned him softly and he rolled his eyes, eyes still trained on Alexis as he was checking her out.
"I've known, I've been trying to prevent it from happening for quite some time." He grumbled as he continued looking over her, oddly determined to find her unharmed it seemed.
"Ok, why didn't you tell anybody?" She demanded and he glared at her, standing indignantly.
"I did, and all I got was disregard and criticism." Severus hissed and Artimis sighed, shaking her head, wand now slightly relaxed.
"Where is he?" She growled, not knowing where Jason was. Severus grimaced slightly, and then pointed to the barely familiar body in the corner of the room, a pool of blood forming around him. Artimis covered her mouth to keep from vomiting and then looked at Alexis.
"I know what you did to him, but what did you do to her?" She asked waveringly, pointing to a blood spattered Alexis and Severus glared at Jason's corpse.
"I didn't do anything, she passed out." He stated, leaning down to pick her up carefully. Aritmis looked at him questioningly.
"Severus, one; why did you kill him like that, and two, how long have you had an animagus form?" She asked and he sighed, glaring still at the corpse.
"I killed him because he was a threat and he harmed her. I've had my lion side since my school years. Now, we should go, this place is not safe." Severus demanded and Artimis looked at Jason's body angrily. He had hurt Alexis, it was bad enough that he kidnapped her, but he hurt her. Oh, she so wanted to kill him. Too bad Severus had got to him first. He had begun to head to the doors and she looked at him curiously, wondering what had encouraged that kind of rage for him to rip a door off, as he had assumed he had done. She decided to ask him before he got to the twins, but the answer she got made her rageful and wanting vengence.
"He smacked her to the floor. I dont remember much after that except killing him." Severus told her and at that moment they were met by a stupified set of Weasley Twins.
Alexis grimaced, head throbbing with all the past thoughts, confusions and emotions of not long ago as she drew in a deep breath. She felt herself moving, and she wildly opened her eyes, suddenly remembering coal black eyes and sharp fangs coming towards her. She gasped and instinctively tried to sit up, but found she was in strong arms. So instead, she latched her arms around the person's neck, squeezing involuntarily as she look around with an unfocused and dizzy gaze.
"Where is it! Where'd it go!? I'm not dead am I..." She rambled a bit frightfully, and the person stopped walking. Still looking about frightfully for the huge beast, she felt the person shifting her uncomfortably, and a low calm voice spoke next to her ear.
"Alexis, calm down... it's alright... I can't breath..."
Alexis loosened her hold, looking into the face of the person holding her and seeing Severus watching her carefully. Not really caring since she wasn't sure where the lion was, she cringed against him, looking around with a clearer vision, seeing themselves in a foyer of sorts that resembled Jason's office.
"But it was right here, I saw it! And it was about to eat me or something..." Alexis mumbled painckedly, arms still clutched around Severus's neck.
He shook his head, moving his head once again with a slight grimace and speaking in an oddly reassuring voice to her. "It's gone now. And it wasn't about to eat you, beleive me."
Alexis looked at him with confusion, noting that he was actually trying to calm her without any of his usual sarcasm, and he sighed once, turning and speaking to Artimis, who had somehow appeared here. God, how long was I out? When did they get here...
"Artimis! When did you guys get here? Thank god... did you kill it? And where's Jason?!" Alexis asked, still panicked and a bit nervous, looking about once more for the crazed man, instead seeing only Fred and George, who were actually silent as they watched her with a look of thoughtfulness. Now she knew something was up. Like she needed any more of that.
"Alexis, please calm down. He's not going to bother you anymore." Artimis spoke soothingly, and Severus spoke to her over Alexis's head.
"I think I should show her."
Alexis looked up at him with confusion, wondering what they were talking about, but hoping they hurried in case that cat decided to jump down out of nowhere and slash them to bits or something. Severus looked down at her in his arms, which Alexis was starting to find as a bit odd, and spoke softly. "Now, don't freak out okay, I think it'd be better to show you than to try and explain."
"Explain what..." Alexis asked as Artimis stepped up beside them, taking Alexis from Severus and helping her to sit on the floor, Alexis finding herself still to weak to stand from her recent stress.
Severus stood back, Alexis watching with confusion, and he lowered his head. No one moved for a moment and Alexis stared at Severus with wide eyes as he began to change, his hair growing out shaggier, spreading over his body as he fell on all fours, hands now enlarged and developing claws. A long, black tufted tail whipped out from behind him as Severus, fully transformed, once again looked up with slitted black cat eyes, as the same pure black lion that she had met in Jason's office.
"Oh. My. God." Alexis whispered as she stared at the familiar massive lion, Severus cocking his head at her as he sat on his hind legs, his tail flicking on the floor that was probably powerful enough to knock Alexis to the floor if he so wished.
"It was you?" She spoke with awe, staring at Severus with disbeleif as she wondered when this happened. Severus bowed his head to her in acknowledgment, then shifted back, stretching as he returned to human form.
Alexis shook her head slowly, then noticed the blood on his arms and neck. Confused, she looked at herself, seeeing blood spattered on her. She felt no pain, she didn't think she was hurt...
"I didn't bite you. Though, that's more than I can say for him..." Severus mumbled as he walked up to her. Alexis looked up at him with surprise.
"Hold on... you mean... you killed Jason?"
Severus winced slightly, then a look of firm determination came over his face as he replied. "Yes. It was his own fault."
Alexis continued to just stare at him with mute shock, just watching him as he bent down, hoisting her into his arms once again and started walking again without so much as an explanation. Alexis looked to Artimis, who merely shrugged at her, otherwise also remaining silent, looking deep in her own thoughts.
Severus didn't say anything more on the subject, oddly silent and Alexis shook her head, wondering what was going on. One minute she was being told she was going to be queen to an insane evil lunatic, the next she was being carried away by Severus. It just got weirder by the minute.
Feeling sick with all the confusion, she asked as they eventually came out into sunlight from the underground complex.
"Okay, what happened and when? I'm a bit lost here... Jason was going to take over the world or something... psycho wanted me as his queen... and now he's dead? Just like that? What's going on?"
Severus sighed as he shook his head, looking down at her as he explained slowly. "I found out where you were not long after he took you. So, I got here, went through a few guards and well... found you. And I didn't like the way I found you, so I did something about it. Plain and simple. Artimis wasn't far behind me with the Twins. Now, we're going back to Hogwarts. Hold on."
He answered simply and held on tighter to her. Confused, Alexis was once again taken by surprise as Severus apparated them to the entrance of Hogwarts. She clutched to him, eyes closed tight with pain as her stomach did a flip flop. Unable to keep it down, she vomited, groaning with pain and looking up at Severus dizzily. She paled, realizing she had just gotten sick all over him, and she braced for yelling.
But... it never came. He merely grimaced slightly, setting her down carefully. He pulled out his wand and quickly cleaned off the mess without a word.
Amazed, she merely stared at him as he pulled her to her feet, holding onto her until she was able to keep her balance on her own shaky feet. Still holding onto her arm, he led her into Hogwarts, not saying a word as he guided her through the halls, Alexis silent with shock.
Severus wasn't complaining, wasn't grumbling, not anything, about having to... save her.
Oh my God... he did didn't he? And he killed Jason... because of me. No, for me. Why?! Alexis thought with amazement, looking up at Severus again, looking for any sign of reluctance or disdain for what he had done for her. But she saw nothing of the sort. He looked down at her, asking with confusion. "What? Something wrong?"
Alexis shook her head slowly as she looked back to where they were heading, though internally she was thinking. Yeah, you're weirding me out...
'Where are we going anyways?"
"To the infirmary. I want to make sure you're okay." Severus answered as they approached the doors to the infirmary, Alexis looking behind her and seeing Artimis running up to them, sword still strapped to her back. Alexis didn't reply, not sure how to.
Severus led her all the way to a bed, where she sat down wearily, feeeling queasy, she felt her cheek where she had been hit earlier, feeling the stinging cut on her face.
She stopped upon feeling a hand on hers, and looked up with confusion. Severus was moving her hand away, and he cupped her chin in his hand, turning her face so he could see the cut. Alexis looked at him oddly, but his expression was unreadable except for a tightening of his jaw and his eyes glinting strangely. But no comments could be put in as Artimis and Pomfrey appeared at her side, Pomfrey pushing in front of Severus, immediately wanting to check on Alexis's unborn child.
Alexis lay back on the bed tiredly, looking up at Artimis who watched her nervously, going as if to say something.
Alexis, too tired to relate to her everything at the moment, cut her off. "Girl, first I really want to take a nap."
Artimis closed her mouth, smiling smally and nodding, siting beside the bed without a word and watching Alexis. Alexis found it odd that Artimis really hadn't said anything at all since finding her, but she was too sleepy to care at the moment. She yawned widely, ignoring Pomfrey's ramblings as she looked around, wondering where Severus had gone. But she realized he had disappeared as she drifted off to an exhausted sleep now and then invaded by visions of Jason and his tyranny.
After making sure Alexis was in safe hands in the infirmary, Severus left the room, kicking a wall as soon as he left with barely contained rage. He was angry with himself, with his ignorance, and most of all, with his emotions.
That bastard...If I could kill him again I would... Severus thought as he decided to head to Great Hall, hungry enough to eat just about anything, which was not currently a good thing. Storming into the Great Hall, forgetting all about the blood and gore all over him, he approached his seat, deciding to sit in what seemed to be smug pride kind of attitude as he thought to himself, ignoring inquiries.
Minerva looked at him aghast as he took his seat and Albus looked like he was going to say something but Severus ignored him as he began to serve himself something to eat. He wolfed down some chicken and ham, which made the grumbling in his stomach cease, slightly. He looked at Albus, who was watching him oddly and Severus sighed.
"I saved Alexis and am very hungry, okay? Now just let me sit here and gloat for a minute." Severus replied and then he turned his face to the horrified students. If he had never scared them before, they would be terrified of him now. Leaning back in his chair after his meal, he began to rub his chin, ignoring the sticky substance which was there.
Why did I react like that?... Why was my first instinct to shift, espcially since I haven't thought to do that in years... And why in the world did I call her 'my cub'... Severus thought to himself. The questions he posed puzzled him, for they seemed to be things that Remus would do, not something he, Severus Snape, would do on Alexis's behalf.
Well, I was charged with protecting her... Maybe that has something to do with it... He told himself, not willing to admit what he already knew in his mind. He couldn't deny it, not with that feeling in his chest that continued to demand that he go check on Alexis once again and make sure she was alright. And as much as he hated it, his 'other side' never titled something wrong. But that didn't mean he had to admit it, it just meant that it was there and he could neither deny it or admit it. It just was.
After a good long time, Artimis came down to the Great Hall, looking tired and beaten and still awestruck, her sword still strapped to her back. The students turned their gaze on her and away from him and it was obvious they wondered if she had been where Severus was.
Artimis walked up to her chair beside him, putting a hand on his shoulder and squeezing it. He looked at her and she nodded her head to him in apparent thanks. Knowing that it need not be said, he simply nodded back and Artimis took her seat, unstrapping her sword. She held her stomach for a moment, seemingly ill and he looked at her with questioning.
Shaking her head at him, she straightened up, eating a piece of ham herself. After that she looked at him and something clicked in her mind because she stood up quickly.
"Oh my gosh, Draco!" She stated and with that she began to head to the door. As she was exiting, Remus entered looking angry, haunted, and without Selena. Artimis skidded to a stop.
"Remus, where is my daughter?" She asked him and he looked at her, shaking his head.
"She's fine, she with Draco, but where is Alexis, is she ok? Did you save her? Where is she, Artimis?" He asked, a panicked tone to his voice as he grabbed her shoulder and Artimis knew that Draco had told him.
"She's just fine, Severus saved her, she's sleeping in the infirmary." Artimis told him and with that she was out of the room. Severus saw Remus look up the room at him and took note of his countenance, his gore covered shirt and shook his head as he left the room at a dead run, heading for the infirmary. Severus was now confused of his own actions as well as those of Remus, because who in their right mind would leave a child with a comatose man.
Artimis, frustarted at herself, at Severus and mostly at Jason, sat down ather desk in her quarters, bracing to tell Alexis's husband the cruel unjust news. How Jason had made it back to their lives, she wasnt sure, but he had been there and he had been slick. She pulled out a piece of parchment, tapping her quill lightly on the edge of the ink bottle as she began to write. After finishing her letter to Ron she sent it off, then sending another letter to Hailey about Draco waking up and the news about Jason and Alexis. After making sure everything was alright she set off for St. Mungo's hoping that it had not been just a wonderful dream.
Artimis sat next to Draco's bed, Selena happily holding on to him for dear life, talking about how Santa granted her wish and how she was so happy. Artimis waited for the nurse to come in and let them know that she could take Draco home with her, or to Hogwarts, which is what she really wanted to do.
Draco, now relieved that Severus had got there in time to save Alexis and that he was not too late, took all the time he could holding his daughter, thanking the powers that be that nothing had happened to her or Artimis. Artimis sat, tears brimming her eyes, and for the first time, they were happy tears.
The nurse walked in, clipboard in hand as she smiled at Artimis, who stood up. She looked over the papers and nodded, speaking softly.
"He is free to go home now, though we caution him from doing anything too strenous for a few weeks and he shouldn't work for a month. Seems like somebody was determined to be awake for thier bundle of joy." She stated softly, gesturing to Artimis's very pregnant stomach. Artimis smiled and Draco piped in behind her.
"Of course, how could I miss the birth of my first son." He stated and Artimis smirked at him as the nurse laughed at him and left the room, wishing them well. Artimis helped Draco get up and dressed, Selena in the bathroom as they did so. She supported him as he got used to walking again, he legs not working as well as they used to. They got to the fire place, Selena holding on to Artimis's other hand as they flooed to her quarters at Hogwarts. Artimis helped him to the couch as she walked to the bathroom, in dire need of praying to the porclian goddess. After empting her stomach she walked back to him, sitting next to him. He took her face in his hands and Artimis began to cry, so happy that he was there and yet still not believing it.
"Oh sweetheart, don't cry." He told her as he kissed her lips softly and Selena ewwed. Shaking his head he looked at her and smiled.
"Baby, why don't you go change into your pajamas like a good girl and go get in mummy's bed, you get to sleep with us tonight." He told her and Artimis smirked as the hyper child did as she was asked, singing "Santa Claus is coming to town."
Draco turned back to her and she smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck as she clung to him for dear life, not wanting to ever let him go. He pet her hair as he kissed her head, holding her tightly, but not too tight as to hurt their child.
"Don't ever leave me like that again." She told him and he squeezed her, kissing her head again.
"I won't." He told her with a determination that made her cry and he held her as she let it out. After a few minutes she heard Selena calling for them. She got up and went to help Draco and he struggled to his feet on his own, looking at her.
"Your the one who should be being helped my dear, I will get my bearings back and then you are getting pampered to the best of my ability." Draco told her as he stumbled back toward the bedroom and she watched him, following slowly. She felt the baby kick and she smiled as she entered the bedroom, seeing Draco collapse into it and envelop their daughter in a hug. She went to her bathroom and changed.
Upon coming out she saw Draco sound asleep, Selena lying on his chest with her thumb in her mouth. It brought tears to her eyes as she crawled into the bed. Draco woke up slightly and set Selena on the other side of Artimis. He wrapped his arms around her as she turned her back to him and she took Selena in her arms. Draco placed on hand on her stomach and the other on Selena as he fell back asleep. Artimis lay there for a few hours, hearing the sound of his breathing and heartbeat, fighting to savor this until they both lured her to the best sleep she had in months.