The Adventures of The Misfit Professors
Chapter 20
"The Unearthed Truth"
By: Deep Shadows and Eckostalker
Ron sat at the large table slouched in the chair, relatively silent as the Grimauldy family sat around him, boisterously talking and laughing. Ron's thoughts were elsewhere though.
He had been working around the clock these last few weeks in his attempt to figure out what was going on with his unknown enemies, while balancing his time with the conferences as well. Several times he had practically collapsed from exhaustion, and that was usually when Vinnie, who visited often, would make him get some sleep, convincing him to crash at his house when Ron argued it wasn't safe to sleep at his apartment.
Ron's thoughts tonight were split between that and his concern for Alexis. He had recieved no reply from his last two letters to her and one to Severus (in regards to his job of protecting her), and he was worried something had happened. But he couldn't risk returning to England, not yet. Not until he found out at least something about these people that had been after him.
It was just then that a large white owl swooped into an open window, startling a few well enough that Vinnie and a several others were on their feet with their wands at the ready. Seeing it was merely a flustered and tired looking owl clutching a harmless looking letter, they calmed, watching it warily as it circled the room, banking and gliding to perch on the back of Ron's chair.
Ron recognized it immediately as Alexis's owl, and took the letter with nervous anticipation, the owl nipping him on the shoulder as it rested briefly on the chair. The table went relatively silent as Ron quickly opened the letter reading the hastily written script.
'Ron.
This is Artimis. I'm using Alexis's owl because I know it's the only one that would be able to find you wherever you are as soon as possible. You need to come home for Alexis NOW. I do not care what might be going on over there, but it is not as important as the situation here.
Jason is back. Well, was back. And he has been after Alexis for the better part of two or so months, and apparently she has been meeting with him. No, not like that, just as friends I guess from what Severus told me. She didn't know anything about what he was truly after. He was really going all Voldemort on everyone's asses and decided Alexis would make the perfect queen or something. She's okay now, she's sleeping in the infirmary. Severus apparently rescued her when Jason kidnapped her not too long ago. Shocking, I know.
But the important thing is that you be here for her, immediately. I don't want to hear any excuses. You'll know more when you get here, so I'll see you soon.
~Artimis Malfoy~'
"Hey Red, you okay? You're looking kinda sick there..." Toni asked Ron, and with good reason. As Ron read the letter, all color vanished had from his face and he leaned back in his chair weakly, too stunned at first to say anything.
Jason... after Alexis? Oh my god... Was all he thought before he suddenly jumped up out of the chair, startling everyone once again.
"Whoa, where's the fire Red? Everything okay?" Vinnie asked cautiously.
Ron looked to him with wide eyes, speaking with a slightly trembling voice. "My wife needs me. I've got to go."
Vinnie looked surprised for a minute, then nodded. "You gotta do what you gotta do. Don't worry about your stuff then, we'll have it sent back. Use the living room fireplace. And send us an owl when we get there so we know you're alright, okay?"
Ron nodded, still too stunned to speak as he bolted from the dining room, the owl taking off through the open window, and Ron skidded to the fireplace, grabbing a handful of floo powder with clammy palms, praying Alexis was unharmed while thinking of the best way to murder Kinsler.
He scrambled into the fireplace, shouting. "Hogwarts, Alexis's quarters!"
The room spun out of sight, oly to spit him out into his wife's quarters not a few seconds later. Coughing from the soot and ash, he scrambled to his feet, looking around frantically. She wasn't in there, and he recalled Artimis saying she was in the infirmary. He bolted out the door, running at top speed down the hall towards the hospital wing, not stopping even when he passed Severus who was heading in the same direction.
Alexis yawned widely, feeling tons better now that she had been able to sleep somewhat. She lazily opened her eyes, immediately jumping when Remus's concerned face appeared in front of hers, asking.
"Alexis? Are you alright? He didn't hurt you did he..." Her adopted father rambled, sitting down on the edge of the bed next to her and touching her cheek gently as he studied her face intently. Alexis smiled softly and pulled away, replying as she sat up against some pillows, seeing she was still in the infirmary.
"Yes, I'm fine. Still a bit freaked out, but I'll be okay. Hold on... when did you get here?" Aleixs asked curiously, looking around.
"Draco told me everything when I was at the hospital, and said Artimis had left to go after you-"
"Hold on, did you just say Draco told you?" Alexis asked, wondering how much sleep Remus had gotten at all that night.
He nodded, replying. "Yes. Apparently he woke up not long after Jason took you."
"He's awake? Oh my God, that's awesome!" Alexis exclaimed, smiling widely and guessing that was why Artimis wasn't there.
"Wait... how did he know?" Alexis asked again with confusion.
"Apparently he had overheard almost everything that night in the Hoggesmeade alleyway. It was Kinsler's men that jumped him." Remus spoke lowly, and Alexis looked at him with wide eyes, still not beleiving that she was fooled by Jason's act and that he would go that far.
"But I'm not interested in talking about that right now." He spoke lowly and looked at her seriously. Alexis knew she was in trouble, and she didn't even have to say anything.
"How long?" he asked quietly, and Alexis swallowed painfully, wishing she hadn't woken up just yet.
"Um... about I'd say... two months." Alexis mumbled, looking at her hands as she pulled a string from the blanket that was over her.
Remus was silent for a minute, and Alexis looked up uncertainly at him. He was staring hard at her, and Alexis immediately lowered her eyes.
"And you didn't tell anyone about him."
Alexis immediately protested. "I did! I told Severus. Every time I went out, I let him knew. And precisely for this reason."
Remus sighed, and Alexis shook her head as she continued. "I... I didn't think he would be like that... he seemed so different... I thought he had changed."
Remus looked up at her, speaking quietly. "I wish you had told me."
Alexis sighed, bowing her head slightly as she pulled at another string. "I couldn't bear to. I know you wouldn't agree to it, and you were stressed out enough as it was with Artimis. I figured she needed you more, and I didn't want to stop you from helping her. I didn't know Remus, I just wanted a friend."
"Jason as a friend, Alexis?" Remus continued with a raised eyebrow and Alexis sighed with exasperation. She knew they would never understand. And it was damn hard to explain.
She looked at him seriously and answered. "Yes. I beleive in giving people second chances. It's their choice whether or not to make good of it. No one could've known Jason's choice, Remus. But it's over now. He's... gone, and I'm okay. Thanks to Severus... But now there's nothing I can do to change what happened."
Remus looked at her thoughtfully, seeming to deeply consider her words, and Alexis looked away, still feeling guilty that she hadn't told him despite her reasons not to.
Remus suddenly took her chin in his hand, turning her face to him as he looked her dead set in the eyes. "Alexis, I want you to swear to me. Swear that you'll be open with me from now on, that you'll tell me these things. You're my daughter, it's my job to worry about you. Don't put me out of business here."
Alexis smiled slightly, and so did Remus before he continued. "But no, I'm serious. You have to tell me these things, I don't want you to be hurt. You can't afford it either." Remus spoke, looking to her stomach. Alexis's hand immediately went to it as her eyes widened slightly, having not heard Pomfrey's diagnosis of her child's condition.
Remus shook his head and spoke. "She said it was fine. Everything's good. Though, it could've turned out differently."
Alexis nodded timidly, understanding him but not saying anything. Remus let go of her chin and pulled her into a hug, Alexis hugging him back tightly. Suddenly there was a commotion near the front of the infirmary, and Remus let her go, both of them looking to it curiously.
Ron had burst through the infirmary's doors, looking around frantically. Alexis's smiled widely, her chest swelling with happiness at the sight of him safe and unharmed, especially after what Jason had said about sending his people to Italy.
Ron looked around the room once, then spotted her. He immediatenly ran to her side, kneeling down on the bed and taking her face in his hands and looking her over worriedly as he tried to catch his breath.
"Oh my god... are you alright? Did anything happen? I just got the letter..." Ron spoke between words, looking her over frantically, Alexis didn't put up much of a fight as she spoke softly.
"Ron, I'm okay-"
She quieted though as Ron's face took on a look of confusion, and he turned her face, his thumb lightly brushing the cut under her left eye. She winced slightly, and Ron's face reddened, his eyes practically blazing with anger.
"Where is the bastard..." He growled in barely concealed rage, and he was answered by a low voice from behind him.
"Taken care of already." Severus spoke, and Ron turned to see him standing a few feet away, apparently having just arrived. Ron stared hard at him for a moment, at a loss for words it seemed, Severus staring back, then Ron turned and pulled Alexis to him, hugging her tightly to him. Alexis closed her eyes as she leaned against him, sighing deeply as the unease within her settled at his reappearance.
He held her there for a long moment, his breathing slightly ragged as he clutched her like he would never let go. Alexis found a problem with this when it became difficult to breath. She gently pulled away from Ron, who still held onto her arms as he continued to stare at her with anguished releif, Alexis not sure of what to say to him.
He found the right words soon enough as his eyebrows furrowed and he asked lowly. "Alexis, what has been going on?"
Alexis swallowed painfully, wondering how many times today she would have to relate the story. She began softly, watching him warily. "He... he sent me a letter about two months ago... after what happened to Draco-"
Ron's eyes widened and he exclaimed. "You've known that long?!"
Alexis flinched slightly as his tone, continuing in a soft voice as she confessed. "Yes. It was just coffee at the Boar's Head! Lunch twice, that was really it, I swear! There were a lot of people around, nothing ever happened. He just wanted to be friends-"
Ron had stood up from he bed now, looking at Alexis with shock, and Alexis could barely stand to look at him as he cut her off. "Friends?! Alexis, did you forget how he almost got you killed before? And didn't you find it a bit weird when he showed up, after Draco had been beaten into a coma, asking to be your 'friend'?!"
Alexis frowned as she looked up at him timidly, trying to explain in a quiet voice, everyone else in the room silent. "I... I had no way of knowing Ron. I wanted someone to hang out with, I just wanted a friend. You were leaving, Artimis was distraught..."
Ron sighed with frustration, turning away from the bed and pacing a bit as he shook his head, Alexis watching him warily, not sure how he was going to take it. He looked to her with a scowl as he growled. "And you didn't tell anyone? He could've taken you earlier, Alexis. Did you ever realize that?"
Feeling a bit indignant, she replied. "I told Severus!"
Ron took a few steps toward her and shouted. "Severus isn't me! Or Remus or Artimis! Nothing against him, but he didn't realize what kind of influence Jason had over you before, nor did he go through the struggle to break you of that fear Jason had given you! It took me years Alexis. Didn't you consider that maybe I had a right to know if he was back? I am after all, your husband."
Alexis bit her lip, feeling tears coming on, but she fought them back as she tried to calm him in a shaky voice. "Ron please... I didn't want you to be angry with me... I wasn't going to do anything, you should know that."
Ron's face was slightly red as he continued to shout, advancing towards her. "That's besides the point Alexis! What if he had hurt you?! What if he had hurt our baby? What would you do then, apologize also? I'd think it would have been a bit late for that!"
Alexis had backed up against the wall slightly, staring at him with wide eyes that shone with tears as Ron shouted, his look of anger frightening her. She had never really seen him angry with her, and it was a scary experience to say the least.
"You're lucky he just wasn't insane enough to kill you! You know he could've, and if Severus hadn't known or cared, you'd have been dead and no one would be the wiser-" He yelled, and Alexis flinched back from him, trembling slightly as tears slid down her cheeks.
But before Ron could get another angry word in, he was cut short and halted in his advance as a hand was put to his chest. Severus stepped in front of him, pushing him back slightly as he spoke in a low voice. "That's enough Weasley. I'm certain she has the point well enough, stop frightening her."
Ron went silent as he stared at Severus, too stunned to make a remark, but then he turned his gaze to Alexis. Alexis stared at him with wide eyes as she sniffed, and his expression immediately softened and he frowned.
"Oh Lexy..." He whispered, and Severus let him go, stepping back from him as Ron walked forward, sitting on the edge of the bed. He took her in his arms and Alexis buried her head in his shoulder, feeling horrible.
He held her tight as he whispered in her ear. "I'm so sorry Alexis... please don't cry. I didn't mean to yell... I was just so scared for you. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if anything ever happened to you."
Alexis hugged him as she replied through choked breaths. "I, I'm sorry t, too... I should've told you all, I know. I was j, just scared you'd be mad... I t, though he had changed, he seemed like it. I wanted to give him another chance to make friends... th, that's it..." Alexis cried, and Ron put his head on hers, whispering.
"Sshh, it's okay... I'm not angry with you. It's him, and me... I should've come home sooner instead of thinking it was safe to stay there. A bad move on my part... it's okay now... don't cry..."
Alexis's tears lessened as she leaned against Ron, feeling lighter though, as if a load was taken off her chest. It was okay now. No more secrets, no mysteries, it was over. For the most part. But Alexis was happy now in her brief moment of releif.
A quiet voice then rose up in the slient room. "Um... well, I guess I came in at a bad time..."
Alexis looked up, seeing Artimis standing next to Severus, watching them. Alexis smiled, wiping away her tears as Ron let her go, smiling softly at her.
Artimis was headed to the infirmary, having settled her husband in her quarters. He was more than happy to watch his daughter, having missed her birthday and Christmas. Artimis knew he needed some alone time with his little angel. She heard a commotion in the infirmary and quickened her pace, not quite able to run at the present moment. She enter the infirmary to see Ron yelling angrily at Alexis, and he was madder than she had ever seen him. She saw Severus a few feet from him and he seemed to be watching the pair with an air of caution.
Artimis listened to Ron yelling.
"-What if he had hurt our baby? What would you do then, apologize also? I'd think it would have been a bit late for that!...You're lucky he just wasn't insane enough to kill you! You know he could've, and if Severus hadn't known or cared, you'd have been dead and no one would be the wiser-" Ron yelled, not seeming to notice Alexis's tears or flinching. She was about to say something as Ron stepped toward Alexis, but Severus put himself between the angry husband and the scared wife. She didn't hear what Severus said, but it must have snapped Ron back to his senses because next thing Artimis knew he was holding Alexis to him, conforting her and apoligizing and Severus was getting a dirty look from Remus. Artimis wasnt quite sure what was going on and she had noticed that no one seemed to notice she was even there. The room was silent and she figured it was best she made her presence known.
"Um... well, I guess I came in at a bad time..." She mused as she moved up to stand beside Severus who didn't seemed startled by her presence. Alexis looked up at her and smiled, wiping away her tears with Ron's cloaks. Ron let her go tentatively, smiling softly at Alexis as Artimis shook her head.
"Hey girl, how you doing?" Artimis asked, trying to calm the air of tension that had now sprung from Remus.
She knew that look, it was a look of contemplation, a look of question and Artimis wasnt sure what Remus was asking himself but it didn't seem good. Alexis looked exhausted and Artimis just wanted to hold her to her and never let her out of her sight again. Jason kidnapping her right under her nose was enough to tell her that she was not the best of protectors when she was pregnant. Alexis smirked as she absentmindedly rubbed her stomach.
"I'm ok, as is the baby... I was sc- What the hell was that?!" Alexis yelped as she looked at her stomach with wide eyes, placing her hand over it. Severus, Remus and Ron all went on alert, looking at Alexis's belly with concern. Artimis moved over to her before Ron could block her path and she kneeled hestiantly.
"What was it Alexis?" Artimis asked softly, seeing fear in her friend's eyes.
"It felt like a tugging, or something... Like a pressure..." Alexis whined, her lower lip trembling and Artimis placed her hand on Alexis stomach, moving her hand carefully over where she knew the baby to be. Artimis could feel three sets of worried eyes on her and she shook her head as she felt Alexis's baby kick back against her hand.
"You idiot!" Artimis stated, pulling her hand back and Alexis looked at her curiously.
"What? What did I do wrong?" Alexis questioned and Artimis laughed, shaking her head. Alexis really is a dork sometimes... Artimis told herself as she replied.
"Your baby is kicking you moron. That's normal." Artimis stated as she got up and Ron was immediatly in her place as she left Alexis to wonder at her stomach.
"This feels like that movie 'Alien' man... Kinda freaky, but kinda cool too..." Alexis spoke softly as Artimis backed up feeling tired and feeling most of all guilty as she looked at Alexis, who was smiling at Ron as he felt her stomach with a wide, giddy grin.
If she had just payed a little bit more attention, a little bit more notice, this never would have happened. If she or Alexis had had thier hormones under enough control to be logical they would have seen it, seen the pattern, but no, she had failed and the price had almost been her best friend. She watched as Ron and Alexis had a moment, feeling happy for her friend, yet knowing that they might not have been this happy were it not for Severus.
Speaking of ominous black shadows, the one in question was now looking at her with a raised eyebrow, eyeing her with questioning. Artimis was feeling very tired and she knew she had exhausted herself already today with taking care of Draco, Selena, and coming up to check on Alexis with all those stairs had taken its toll on her.
"Artimis, are you alright?" Severus asked and she nodded, shaking her head. No, I'm not alright... I'm five months pregnant... That's a dumb question... She thought to herself as she felt her ankles swelling from all the walking. She needed to get to her room and take a nice long nap.
"I'm just fine Severus. Um, Remus... I was wondering... Would you help me downstairs? I'm not too sure I will make it down three flights in one piece." She asked Remus, who was just done feeling his grandchild kick and he turned to her, his face softened as he looked at her, nodding.
"Yes, of course. Ron, Alexis, I'll be back later. And Severus, you and I need to have a talk." He stated, looking hard at the dark-haired man and Severus nodded his head, turning to leave the room. Remus took Artimis's arm and lead her downstairs to her Quarters, where she took a much needed nap while Draco played with Selena.
Remus slowly made his way up the stairs after seeing Artimis safely to her quarters, his mind riddled with confusing and disturbing thoughts.
Ever since he had found out about the predicament about Alexis and Jason, then finding out the Severus had known all along, had saved her, he was confused beyond beleif. But there was this other feeling there, a bitterness in his chest that seemed to increase every time he saw Severus with Alexis. Well, not really just with, when he was doing the things Remus had planned on doing.
He should've been able to come up with a plan to get her to eat when she refused, not Severus. He should've found her when Jason kidnapped her, he should've been the one to stop Ron when he was getting out of hand. There was a list of things Remus should've done that Severus had somehow taken over. And Remus was suspicious. He didn't like it one bit.
The primal side of Remus that was always there in the corners of his mind now whispered... Competition?
Remus shook his head roughly, frowning as he approached the top of the stairs, telling himself it couldn't be, competition over what?
You know exactly what... It whispered again and Remus furrowed his brow, contemplating to himself while he changed the direction of his original course to the infirmary, instead heading towards the Potion's classroom. He approached it, taking a deep breath and determined to get the facts straight once and for all.
He stepped in, seeing Severus sitting behind his desk in the empty classroom, feet propped on it and his chin in one hand, a distracted expression on his face as he stared at his boots with a distant gaze.
"Severus." Remus barked, and Severus looked up with a start, finally seeing him.
"We need to chat." He spoke lowly, and Severus looked at him with confusion, which further annoyed Remus. He probably knows exactly what he's doing... and he knows it bothers me... he thought hotly, watching Severus shake his head and casually get up from his seat.
"Chat away." He spoke with a sigh, and Remus shook his head.
"Not here. Why not in my office?" Remus spoke, watching him intently, and Severus narrowed his eyes.
"I'm not going in any office of yours when you look at me like that."
Remus rolled his eyes, suggesting. "Fine. The Teacher's Lounge. That's neutral ground."
Severus shrugged, leaving his desk and nonchalantly leaving the classrom, Remus dogging him close on the heels as he stared at Severus's back, trying to decipher the Potion's Master's recent actions. They found the lounge, Severus entering and taking a seat, crossing his arms as he looked at Remus with a raised eyebrow. Remus was too miffed to take a seat, and instead paced to and fro in front of him, wondering how he was going to word this, Severus's eyes following him curiously.
Remus finally decided to just cut to the chase, figuring Severus already knew what he was going to say.
He stopped in front of him, asking with exasperation. "What is you deal? Would you care to explain to me what is going on here?"
Severus stared at Remus like he was nuts, speaking softly. "Excuse me?"
"Come off it Severus. Your 'I'm-totally-clueless' act is getting pretty old." Remus snapped at him, sick of being toyed with.
Severus shook his head slowly, watching Remus as he spoke. "I have no fucking clue what you are talking about Remus."
Remus threw up his hands with frustration as he turned away from Severus momentarily, covering his eyes with one hand as he shook his head. He turned back, snapping. "I know you're not that big an idiot. What is going on between you and Alexis, Severus."
Severus's eyes widened and he spoke quickly. "Please rephrase that Remus."
Remus rolled his eyes. "You're so immature. Fine, what is it with you and this whole 'saving' Alexis thing?"
Severus looked at him with confusion. "I was recently under the impression that what I did was a good thing. Correct me if I'm mistaken."
Remus narrowed his eyes, wondering how far he was going to take his act. "That's not only thing that bothers me. It's got something to do with this whole new thing you have with caring about my daughter. My daughter. Me father, she daughter. Am I getting the hint across?"
Severus uncrossed his arms, starting to look a little annoyed as he asked sharply. "What are you going on about? No, you are not geting your hint across, I know she is your daughter, did someone say that I said she wasn't?"
Remus shook his head as he accused him, getting frustrated to the point he didn't care how subtle he was. "Now your just trying to piss me off... You know exactly what you are doing. For some insane reason, you are trying to take my place as her father!"
Severus eyes widened as he stared at Remus, and Remus continued to glare, breathing slightly faster as he waited for Severus to say the wrong thing. That was one thing he was jealous about the most, that was his daughter. No one else's.
Severus spoke softly as he stared. "What the hell are you on? Why would I want Whyte as a daughter of all people and why would I try to take your place? Remus you've lost your mind..."
Remus gave a short bark of laughter, informing him. "Oh, I'm very sane... very sane... Why don't you explain what you've been doing."
"What have I been doing that is out of the ordinary!" Severus exclaimed, looking lost, but Remus wasn't going to buy his act.
"Do you honestly want me to give you a list? We can start with your finding a solution to Alexis's inability to eat all the way down to saving her..."
Severus stood up this time, cutting him off as he waved his arms at him to stop. "I thought those were good things. I mean god, your acting like I'm trying to steal your girlfriend or something."
Remus glared angrily, taking a step towards him agressively as he demanded. "No, just my daughter! Just give me an explanation!"
Severus seemed calm, too calm for comfort as he spoke normally. "Well, honestly?"
Remus looked at his colleague sarcastically as he snapped. "No I want you to lie to my face you idiot!"
Severus looked away for a minute as he bit his lip. He then took in a deep breath and looked at Remus squarely in the eyes, Remus watching him defiantly.
"Well, in all honesty, its because I c...ca...care about her."
Remus practically tripped at that sudden confession, his jealous expression turing to one of disbeleif. Severus seemed unfazed as Remus asked. "Huh? What? I don't think I caught that."
Frowning, Severus snapped loudly, surprising Remus. "I care ok! I am worried about her, about her well-being ok!? I care! Are you satisified?"
Remus stared at Severus, whose fists were clenched as he glared at him. Remus was too dumfounded to speak for a moment, that answer having totally ruined the mood. He spoke softly, narrowing his eyes suspiciously. "I wasn't expecting that one, but y...yeah. So you are trying to take my place!?"
Severus quickly shook his head. "NO! You don't understand... I don't want to care about her! I just... do. I feel for her as a father would, but I don't want to... much... And the things that I have done to help her, they've been instincts, nothing else... Do you understand now?"
Remus shook his head slowly, speaking lowly through his surprise. "I'm not to sure I know anything at this point and time... So you care about my daughter, but don't want to, and you've been her hidden guardian out of instinct? Is that right?"
Severus nodded, grumbling. "Yes, to a point."
Remus wasn't going to accept any more riddles, not over something like this. "What point am I missing Severus."
Severus glared at him, as if wishing he weren't asking, but sighing as he gave in, looking at the ground. "I care about all the kids like that now, but Alexis more severely. I care about Artimis, Draco... everybody, especially Selena and Alexis... I don't know why. I know that with Alexis it must be that she seems vunerable when she is pregnant... I hope that's what it is..."
Remus continued to look at him, backing up slowly and finding one of the chairs, falling into it as he continued to watch Severus, who looked away uncomfortably, never beleiving that Severus would ever admit that. Not sure of what else to say, his angered jealously having died away, he stammered. "Uh... Um... wow... yeah... Have you been holding this in for a long time?"
Severus wasn't hesitating anymore as he answered shortly. "Yes. Since Selena was first placed in my arms."
Remus shook his head, knowing he couldn't have held something like that in for that long.
"Wow... Um Severus..."
"Yeah?" Severus replied, rasing an eyebrow.
Looking now at the floor in thought, Remus told him truthfully. "I'm not as jealous as I thought I would be."
Severus looked at him with sarcasm as he snapped. "And that helps me how?"
Unfazed, Remus replied with his decided ultimatum."I won't kill you... As long as I don't have to share the title of Dad or Grandpa with you."
Severus shook his head frantically. "No worries... I get called either and I'm killing the person that says it."
Remus nodded, Severus joining him, both silent for a minute as the contemplated what had just been discussed. It was odd enough, he didn't even think of taunting him. He finally spoke slowly. "So... I guess that clears everything up?"
Severus nodded slowly, replying. "I guess..."
Remus nodded, getting up from his seat. He and Severus looked at each other silently, then Remus turned and left, shakng his head as he walked towards his quarters, a slight unbeleiving smirk on his face.
Severus was sitting in his office, his feet propped up as he stared off into space, rubbing his chin as he was pondering on the main questions that he had been bombarded with since Alexis's rescue. Why?... Why did you save her Severus? Why were you protecting her? The words echoed through his mind as he tried to decipher what was really going on with him. The only problem with him was every time he thought he had a logically unemotional answer, one word would echo through his mind; cub...
Severus knew one thing, and that was that when his animagus was thinking and in control, it was his true emotional side. He would not have stood over her as a cub if his subconcious didn't really believe her to be it. It just was all too much for Severus. He had been hiding all his emotions for too long though and he was determined that they would never come out to hurt him or someone he loved ever again.
Severus was shook from his reverie by another male voice barking at him.
"Severus." Severus heard Remus snap and he looked up startled, not hearing anyone walk in.
"We need to chat." Remus hissed lowly and it was in a tone that made the hair on the back of Severus's neck bristle. Severus looked at Remus with confusion, not knowing what caused him to be that angry with him to use that tone. Severus shook his head to clear his thoughts away and stood up as casually as possible as Remus watching him with intense anger in his eyes.
"Chat away." Severus stated resignedly, wondering what was wrong now as Remus shook his head.
"Not here. Why not in my office?" Remus growled with eyes that were trying to to burn holes through him and Severus narrowed his eyes in return.
"I'm not going in any office of yours when you look at me like that." Severus replied, knowing that look and not trusting it at all.
"Fine. The Teacher's Lounge. That's neutral ground." Remus suggested agitatedly and Severus shrugged, not knowing what was going on and why Remus was treating him like he had done something wrong. Severus exited the classroom, feeling Remus's gaze the whole way as he thought to himself.
What is wrong with this idiot?... Doesn't he know I have things to do?... Like ponder on what is going on?... Severus thought as he entered the lounge, taking a seat as he crossed his arms. He looked at Remus with a raised eyebrow, trying to understand the angry man before him.
Remus was obviously too agitated to sit, so he took to pacing to and fro, something that bugged Severus and made him mildly sea-sick. He only liked pacing when he was the one doing it. Severus watched as Remus paced in silence, wanting to say something, but having problems getting it out. After a long time of just angry pacing silence, Remus spoke, much to Severus's relief, for he was starting to wonder what was really going on. Remus stopped in front of him, asking with exasperation that was plainly heard.
"What is you deal? Would you care to explain to me what is going on here?"
"Excuse me?" Severus asked as he looked at Remus like he was nuts. Severus didn't have a deal and there was nothing going on that he knew of.
"Come off it Severus. Your 'I'm-totally-clueless' act is getting pretty old." Remus snapped back at him and Severus shook his head at him. He really, for once, had no idea what Remus was referring to and he told him so.
"I have no fucking clue what you are talking about Remus." Seveurs sighed, his head aching from all this pacing and confusion and most of all, emotions. Severus watched as the werewolf threw his hands up in the air in frustration as he turned from Severus. He watched in wonderment as Remus rubbed his temples as he shook his head. He really thought Severus was playing games with him!
"I know you're not that big an idiot. What is going on between you and Alexis, Severus." Remus snapped at him and Severus's jaw dropped.
"Please rephrase that Remus." He stated quickly, not liking the connotation to that at all. There was nothing going on between him and Alexis and there never would be, not as long as he was alive. Although he was sure Remus didn't mean it that way, he hoped.
"You're so immature. Fine, what is it with you and this whole 'saving' Alexis thing?" Remus asked him and Severus looked at him increduously, wondering if somehow saving someone had become a bad thing. Last he checked, it was a courageous and right thing to do, not something to be yelled at for.
"I was recently under the impression that what I did was a good thing. Correct me if I'm mistaken." He stated in confusion, not sure what Remus was getting at. He saw Remus narrow his eyes at him, like he was trying to get an answer from him with his eyes. Severus just continued to stare at him in confusion. "That's not only thing that bothers me. It's got something to do with this whole new thing you have with caring about my daughter. My daughter. Me father, she daughter. Am I getting the hint across?" Remus demanded and Severus really was confused and he was also a little annoyed with this cat and mouse game.
Severus uncrossed his arms, as he replied sharply."What are you going on about? No, you are not geting your hint across, I know she is your daughter, did someone say that I said she wasn't?"
Even if that was the case, why would he be so damned mad about it?... I mean biologically, she isn't his daughter... Not that I said that, but still... Serverus rationalized with himself as the man across from his shook his head.
"Now your just trying to piss me off... You know exactly what you are doing. For some insane reason, you are trying to take my place as her father!" Remus accused him and Severus nearly choked in his breathing as his eyes widened.
Remus just continued to glare at him, breathing fast as Severus tried to figure out where that had come from and what Remus had been on at the moment that thought was concieved. Severus decided to voice his concerns about this opinion as he spoke softly, staring at Remus.
"What the hell are you on? Why would I want Whyte as a daughter of all people and why would I try to take your place? Remus you've lost your mind..." Severus spouted and was replied with a quick bark of laughter.
"Oh, I'm very sane... very sane... Why don't you explain what you've been doing." Remus questioned, seeming like he was trying to stare him down. Now that Severus kinda knew what Remus was so mad about he decided to ask why, and he was quite annoyed that Remus would even think that's what he was doing.
"What have I been doing that is out of the ordinary!" Severus exclaimed loudly, his frustration showing as he felt and must have looked lost. Remus looked at him with disbelief.
"Do you honestly want me to give you a list? We can start with your finding a solution to Alexis's inability to eat all the way down to saving her..." He growled and Severus stood up, waving his arms to stop Remus as he was speaking, not understanding why Remus would be so angry that he was helping Alexis, not hurting her.
"I thought those were good things. I mean god, your acting like Im trying to steal your girlfriend or something." Severus barked, annoyed and confused, not a good combination.
Remus was obviously also confused and annoyed and Severus knew those two things made him agressive and it showed as Remus took a threatening step forward, growling.
"No, just my daughter! Just give me an explanation!" Severus was demanded of by the upset coworker that stood before him.
Severus thought to himself for the answer, for it had been just the questions he was asking himself eariler. He wasn't too sure he wanted to share this thought, especially with Remus Lupin of all people. After a moment to calm himself he spoke as normally as he could manage. He could give Remus an option out before Severus started pouring those dreaded emotions on him.
"Well, honestly?" He quetsioned and Remus rolled his eyes at him as he replied.
"No I want you to lie to my face you idiot!" He snapped sarcastically and Severus looked away, biting his lip in an attempt to silence himself.
After he gathered himself he took a deep breath and looked Lupin sqaurely in the face, eye to eye. He saw defiance and indigance in Remus's eyes and was not sure how this was going to be taken as he spoke.
"Well, in all honesty, its because I c...ca...care about her." Severus stated, choking on the word 'care' knowing he didn't want to say it, but know it was better than the altenative 'L' word.
He watched as the man before him almost fell over as his face changed to disbelief. Severus fought to seem as unfazed as he could as Remus spoke.
"Huh? What? I don't think I caught that." Lupin stumbled over his words at a loss. Upset that he would have to elaborate, he snapped, not wanting to say what he was saying but knowing he had to.
"I care ok! I am worried about her, about her well-being ok!? I care! Are you satisified?" He yelled as he clenched his fists in frustration as he glared at Remus, who just stared at him in a startled fashion.
After a moment Severus unclenched his fists and Remus spoke softly, in almost amazement.
"I wasn't expecting that one, but y...yeah. So you are trying to take my place!?" Remus hissed suspiciously and Severus shook his head in frustration. Why couldn't people just understand him for once?!
"NO! You don't understand... I don't want to care about her! I just... do. I feel for her as a father would, but I don't want to... much... And the things that I have done to help her, they've been instincts, nothing else... Do you understand now?" He exclaimed in annoyance as he began to get upset. He watched as the brown-haired man shook his head.
"I'm not too sure I know anything at this point and time... So you care about my daughter, but don't want to, and you've been her hidden guardian out of instinct? Is that right?" Remus spoke slowly out of his surprise and Severus sighed, nodding.
"Yes, to a point." He admitted, knowing that Remus didn't know the whole of these new confusions and just damn annoying emotions that Severus had been dealing with for a while.
"What point am I missing Severus." He questioned and Severus wished he hadn't asked that. Severus was in a mood to spill the contents of his soul and Remus was just asking to see that side of him. Severus glared at him, trying to make him back off and when he didn't he sighed, giving in. This is going to be a long night... Severus told himself as he looked at the ground.
"I care about all the kids like that now, but Alexis more severely. I care about Artimis, Draco... everybody, especially Selena and Alexis... I don't know why. I know that with Alexis it must be that she seemed vunerable when she is pregnant... I hope that's what it is..." Severus grumbled to Remus, who backed up and collapsed in to a chair, watching Severus in what seemed to be wonder. Severus was starting to think that no one believe he had any emotions. Severus had to look away from Remus after a moment, feeling very, very, uncomfortable.
After a long period of agonizing silence, Remus stammered, seeming to try and find words.
"Uh... Um... wow... yeah... Have you been holding this in for a long time?" He asked him and Severus nodded his head, feeling like letting out all these things that had been bugging him the better part of five years.
"Yes. Since Selena was first placed in my arms." He admitted shortly, hoping that explained the origin of these emotions enough. Severus wouldn't look at Remus, not wanting to see the held in snickers he knew were there waiting to explode and make him feel like shit. Surprisingly, they didn't come, instead, a stammer came.
"Wow... Um Severus..." Remus asked and Seveurs turned and looked at him, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah?" He replied and Remus now wasn't looking at him, but now the floor. With all the looking at the floor, someone would have thought the two of them loved the ugly scratched marble.
"I'm not as jealous as I thought I would be." Remus replied with the full conviction of honesty in his voice. As nice as that was for Remus, he didn't see how that helped him any or made him feel any better.
"And that helps me how?" Severus barked at him with sarcasm and Remus didn't even seemed fazed as he replied with determination.
"I won't kill you... As long as I don't have to share the title of Dad or Grandpa with you." Remus spoke, delivering him an ultimatium that Severus balked at.
Severus shook his head frantically as he convinced Remus there was no reason to fret about that.
"No worries... I get called either and I'm killing the person that says it." He stated with grim determination, because both those titles would never belong to him. Remus, understanding, so he assumed, nodded his head and Severus returned it as he got lost in his thought.
I just told Remus things that have been bugging me forever... This is just weird... Do I really trust him that much now... What is wrong with me, one set of emotions to another... He thought as Remus interupted his thoughts as he spoke.
"So... I guess that clears everything up?" Lupin spoke slowly and Severus nodded in agreement, even though he didn't have anything to clear up and his mind was just as confused as it had been before this conversation.
"I guess..." He mused and Remus nodded, getting up to his feet. For a moment Remus just looked at him and in that moment Severus realized something, something that he would never forget. He could trust Remus, and Remus trusted him. As weird as it seemed, it seemed to not bother him as much as he thought it would. After that moment, Remus turned and walked away, shaking his head as he exited the room. Severus stood after a moment. Somewhere inside of him, he liked this protective feeling and then again, somewhere deep inside of him had a craving for a can of tuna. Shaking off those thoughts he headed to the dungeons.
Ron stumbled towards the dungeons, having just seen Alexis safely to her Quarters and resting in her own bed. He was still in slight shock of this whole turn of events, unsure of how to feel, but right now he would be content with staying with Aleixs, having arranged it with Dumbledore and the Ministry that he would be spending the next two weeks or so at Hogwarts with his wife. Alexis hadn't complained.
Having promised to return shortly, Ron had left Alexis with a bag of chocolate, Selena's puppy and a back rest of pillows before he went of his self proclaimed mission that he figured was best carried out in the quiet and solitude of the dungeons and slytherin corridors.
He found the Potion's room empty, but decided to wait, going on a whim and seating behind Severus's desk and propping his wearied legs up on the desk, vaugely musing what Severus would think. He didn't have long to ponder for footsteps alerted Ron that someone was approaching the vacant classroom.
Ron looked up with a raised eyebrow, seeing Severus trudge in the room, stoppiung upon seeing him at the desk. Ron drew in a breath to start, but was cut off by a huge sigh from Severus, followed by a frustrated rambled.
"Let me guess... I'm an idiot for not telling you or anyone else what was going on with Alexis, and you had a right to know because your her husband and it's your job to protect her, not mine. Oh, and all these things I've been doing for her, which were intentionally to help her, strikes you as suspicious because it is not like me to want and help Alexis and so I'm up to something concerning her and you demand an answer before you ramble off a list of threats customized especially for me. Did I miss anything?" He finished, looking at Ron expectantly.
Ron stared at the Potion's Master with wonderment, surprised at the sudden spout of accusations that for once were his own. Ron shook his head, speaking in a low voice full of surprise. "Wow... that's a far cry from a Thank You..."
Severus stopped his advancement, staring at Ron with slightly wide eyes as he breathed. "What?"
Ron sighed, looking at his feet as he repeated quietly. "I didn't stutter. Thank you Severus."
Sevuer shook his head, staring at Ron as if he were conniving some scheme, and Ron rolled his eyes, moving his feet as he continued, guessing that Severus wasn't all there at the moment. "For helping my wife. For... saving, her... when I couldn't. You don't know how grateful I am."
He finished lowly, looking at his feet, never having imagined the day when he'd be so much in a Snape's debt. He was shocked out of his reverie though by Severus's slow reply. "Weasely, It was nothing. What else was I suppose to do?"
Ron looked up at the man with a shocked expression. This guy was taking this way too nonchalantly. "No Severus, it wasn't just nothing. Her life isn't 'just nothing'."
Severus rolled his eyes, snapping. "That's not what I meant. I meant that you do not have to thank me, I did what I thought needed to be done, not just because you or anyone else asked me to."
Ron was confused by Severus's utter casualness with the whole situation, not understanding his reaction. Normally, Severus would be be as smug as hell and basking in Ron's humbleness, that or complaining about how it shouldn't be his job to protect Alexis. But Severus didn't even smirk as he watched him coolly.
Ron shook his head, repeating slowly. "But..."
Severus sighed, cutting him off in a low voice, not really looking at him. "Look Ron. I don't need your thanks, I don't want them. It was my duty to watch out for her, I did it for me, not just for your comfort."
Ron rubbed his temples, still lost on this as he shook his head, stammering. "You don't understand... If you hadn't... if Jason had hurt Alexis... I, I don't know what I would do. I'd... I'd go crazy. Anything could've happened to her Severus... her and our baby... I-" He stopped, drawing in a shaky breath as he calmed himself. He finished as he looked at Severus sternly. "-I have to thank you. I... I'm in your debt."
Ron watched his former professor carefully as Severus stared hard at him, his expression unreadable. Ron was prepared for almost anything; the smirk, the smugness, the sadistic sarcasm, him dangling this over Ron's head for the rest of his life starting now... Anything except what Severus did do.
The dark and confusing man shook his head slowly, his expression still unreadable as he started walking past Ron, heading towards his private study, Ron watching him curiously as he spoke quietly, Ron barely catching it.
"No you're not..."
With that, Severus closed his door, leaving Ron standing there staring at the door with a look of surprise. Ron stood there for a minute, trying to figure out what Severus had meant. Surely he didn't mean that Ron wasn't in his debt... Severus wouldn't pass up an oppurtunity like that... would he?
Ron was getting nothing but more questions out of this continued pondering, so he shook his tired and confused head, slowly leaving the potion's classroom and heading back to Alexis's quarters, shaking his head slowly at the entire puzzlement of this day.
Having gained enough perspective to realize that even when he did something right, everyone would always see it as something wrong. Severus had bloody saved Alexis's life, her life and Remus had grown angry at him for it, though he understood the reasoning. He knew that Ron would have words for him and he knew that once Artimis got her bearings back she would be as angry and vengeful as before. He just didn't understand it. He also didnt understand why he had this urge to go to the infirmary and look to make sure Alexis was still there, to make sure that she wasnt in harms way. Severus was starting to get agitated with this newfoud emotions and he just wanted to sit and contemplate. He turned toward his classroom, deciding to get a muscle relaxer from his cabinets so he could think clearly. He entered the classroom, surprised, yet expecting the scene before him. Ronald Weasley looked up at him with a raised eyebrow from behind his desk, his feet up on his desk. He knew that Ron was about to lay into him and Severus was not in the mood, so he decided to beat him to the punch as he sighed deeply.
"Let me guess... I'm an idiot for not telling you or anyone else what was going on with Alexis, and you had a right to know because your her husband and it's your job to protect her, not mine. Oh, and all these things I've been doing for her, which were intentionally to help her, strikes you as suspicious because it is not like me to want and help Alexis and so I'm up to something concerning her and you demand an answer before you ramble off a list of threats customized especially for me. Did I miss anything?" He rambled angrily, trying to think of anything else that Weasley could be angry at him about as he looked at Ron expectantly, waiting for him to answer. Severus noticed the sense of wonderment on Ron's face and thought breifly if he had just said something extraordinary. Looking over his words he shook that thought away. Severus continued to move towards the desk as he waited for his answer.
Ron opened his mouth as he shook his head, his low voice full of surprise.
"Wow... that's a far cry from a Thank You..." The tall red head stated as Severus froze midstep, looking at him with wid eyes.
"What?" He breathed in disbelief. He knew he had not just heard Ron thank him. That would be the normal thing to do, but no one was ever normal to Severus. Severus watched as Ron took great interest in his feet as he spoke again.
"I didn't stutter. Thank you Severus."
Severus shook his head, staring at Ron for a moment, knowing that this was some kind of plot to bring down his defenses so Ron could pummel him. After a studying him and Ron rolled his eyes at him, Severus was convinced that he might have actually meant it. Ron got to his feet as he spoke again, looking as Severus as if he was crazy.
"For helping my wife. For... saving, her... when I couldn't. You don't know how grateful I am." The man before him finished lowly, still watching his feet as if they were the most interesting thing he had ever seen. Severus never imagined a day that a Weasley, ANY Weasley would think they were in his debt and most certainly not for Alexis's sake. Severus realized that Ron was expecting him to gloat or harrass him, but Severus didnt feel it in him. Saving Alexis had been a duty, a responsiblity, but at the same time, he HAD to do it. Ron really didnt need to be thanking him.
"Weasely, It was nothing. What else was I suppose to do?" Severus told him slowly, trying to convey that thanks were unnessecary. Ron just looked at him shocked as if he had just told him he loved him or something.
"No Severus, it wasn't just nothing. Her life isn't 'just nothing'." Ron stated and Severus rolled his eyes, snapping angrily, because he knew that Wealsey knew what he meant.
"That's not what I meant. I meant that you do not have to thank me, I did what I thought needed to be done, not just because you or anyone else asked me to." He explained, his tone becoming softer as he finished his answer. Ron seemed confused and unbelieving as he looked at Severus as if he had never seen him before. It was creeping Severus out a bit as he watched Ron casually, not understanding how Alexis's father would be angry and her husband thankful.
"But..." Ron repeated slowly, shaking his head in confusion.
Severus sighed, cutting him off in a low voice before he began to really bug him.
"Look Ron. I don't need your thanks, I don't want them. It was my duty to watch out for her, I did it for me, not just for your comfort." Severus stated, not really looking at Ron as he took his turn to examine his shoes. Obviously Ron didnt get the hint that Severus didnt feel he didnt anythign to deserve thanks becasue he began rambling.
"You don't understand... If you hadn't... if Jason had hurt Alexis... I, I don't know what I would do. I'd... I'd go crazy. Anything could've happened to her Severus... her and our baby... I-" Ron stopped as Severus looked up at him, seeing him draw in an emotional and shaky breath. Ron really thought that Severus need to be thanked. Why he didn't undertsnad as Ron continued.
"-I have to thank you. I... I'm in your debt." Ron spoke and Severus looked hard at him, trying to understand why Ron would be in his debt. Ron wasn't in his debt, because he would have saved Alexis if Ron wasnt in the picture, he just had to do it. After a mountian of more confusing thoughts bombarded him, Severus shook his head slowly, meaning to make it to his office beofre this conversation made him have more to think of. As he reached his office door, he paused for a moment.
"No you're not..." Severus told Ron, clearing him of any debt he thought he owed him. After that and before Ron could reply, he closed his door, not even sure if Ron had heard him. He walked into his quarters throught the door behind the Slytherin Flag drapped in his office and he collapsed into an armchair. With a flick of his wand there was a roaring fire and Severus stared into it, trying to figure out what had all happened and more importantly, what was going on inside of him. He was feeling a whirlwind of emotions and a deep need to let his more fuzzy side out to do some thinking. Severus wasnt willing to used his animagus at the moment, so he settled for trying to figure out why everyone had reacted the way they did to him. Conflicting thoughts slowly drove him to a frustarted nap in which he curled up on the rug in front of the fireplace in a very cat like postion.