Thank you Lenora. I don't get the thing about Ladybug though. . . I didn't
see her laughing. . . -_-
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"We got winners; we got losers; chain-smokers and boozers. And we got yuppies, we got bikers, we got thirsty hitchhikers. And the girls next door dress up like movie stars. . . hmm, hmm, hmm, I love this bar. . ."
Artemis kept humming to herself as she listened to her 27th Century walkman. It wasn't affected by the Hogwarts dampening field, thank the Gatekeepers; and it was designed like a button, with a dolphin on it. She pinned it to her shirt, and the cordless headphones slipped into her ears, virtually invisible. She got off the couch and swirled around the reading room.
"Hmm, hmm, hmm, I just love this bar. . ." She was singing under her breath, and enjoying the beginning of the holidays. She and Nemesis had sent everyone home using a special type of teleportation, and now the only people left were the Elemental Controllers, the teachers, and Harry Potter. The boy had begged to be allowed to stay behind, and Dumbledore had consented. Nemesis wasn't pleased, Artemis knew, but she didn't show it. Now the group had the three weeks off, and Artemis for one was planning to use them in the most energy-saving way possible.
As in, no physical activity besides very bad dancing to Toby Keith songs.
The song changed, and Artemis bounced her head in time to the tune. She decided that the media room would be better for the songs. Stopping her ECD (extra-compact disk), she went to the middle of the reading room, pulled up the table, and slid down to the Fun Room. Exiting by the small door in the east corner, she went down a hall, up five stairs, turned right, went down 8 more, walked down a twisting hallway, jumped through the third window on the left, got on a elevator and went up 3 half-levels, dodged through a secret tapestry and found herself in the media room.
A big screen Muggle TV was in the corner, and there were huge speakers embedded in the walls for surround sound. The room was originally a practice room for spells, but there were quite a few of those and so Artemis had, ah, converted this one into her media room.
An ECD player was in the south wall, and she slipped her ECD in. Turning to the second song, she set the speakers to level 8 (which came with a decibel warning). The room was very soundproofed, with Muggle technology and spells. So no-one would be bothered.
"Don't my baby look good in them blue jeans, tight on the top with a belly- button ring and a tattoo, somewhere in between, she only shows to me. . . Yeah we're going out dancing, she's ready tonight. So damn good looking boys it ain't even right. . ."
Artemis thought she heard something on the last line and turned around while dancing (very badly) to see Fred standing in the doorway. He grinned at her and walked in. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he brought his mouth closer to her ear.
"So damn good-looking boys, it ain't even right. . ."
Artemis giggled and pushed him away, swirling out into the middle of the media room.
"And when the bartender, says for the lady, what's it gonna be. . ? I tell him man. She ain't into wine and roses, beer just makes her turn up her nose and, she can't the thought of sipping champagne. . ."
Fred caught Artemis and looked her in the eye.
"She needs something with a little more edge and a little more pain. . ."
Fred brought his face closer to hers as the music blared on. The girl tilted hers upwards, and their lips were centimetres apart.
A loud laugh made them spring away from each other. The music immediately was quieted so that the two close teens could hear the sardonic one in the doorway.
"Well well, Delta, what do we have here? Should I call Crystal in and she can get it on with George?"
Nemesis's sarcastic form was leaning, arms crossed, against the doorjamb, an annoying smirk on her face. Artemis felt her face go hot.
"You. . . you. . ."
"What, Fred got your tongue? With his mouth?"
Artemis raced at her sister and slammed her backwards into the wall of the corridor outside the media room.
"Temper temper, Delta! Calm down, honestly!" Nemesis leaned forward and, like Fred, whispered in Artemis's ear. "You know I'm only stopping you to protect you."
"Oh yeah? Well what about you and precious Draco?"
Nemesis looked angered for a second, but the trademark, mocking smirk quickly made itself at home again. She simply gazed over Artemis's head. When Artemis followed her line of vision, she saw Draco, leaning against the opposite wall, with a smug look.
"What were YOU doing here?" Artemis dropped her sister. "Go away, won't you two?"
Nemesis smirked even wider. "He's bored. I need to teach him. Don't worry, I was just passing by. Stupid of you to leave the door open, really. . ."
"He shouldn't know about the Passages!" Delta near-shrieked.
"Silly, silly Delta. All of the seven, sorry, eight, need to know about the Passages. I'll bring the other five up tomorrow.
"You'll do no such thing!"
Nemesis and Draco now looked positively evil. "Why not? Afraid someone will walk in on you snogging a twin?"
Artemis felt her face go even redder. However, Nemesis knew when to cut it.
"All right, I'll wait until after the winter break. You have three weeks to get one of the Weasley's to bed." Her sardonic smile grated Artemis's nerves, and just before the girl lost it, Draco and Nemesis strode down the hall and out of sight.
Fred stood in the doorway as 'American Soldier' played.
"She's an annoying little git, isn't she?"
Artemis managed a weak smile. "You have no idea."
They went back into the media room to watch The Matrix.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Nemesis and Draco entered into a room behind a sliding panel. There walls were padded, there was no windows, and a thick carpet covered the floor. There was no furniture.
"Perfect place to practise."
"Are you finally going to explain?" Draco asked. As his relationship with Nemesis had grown, he'd noticed that she rarely explained things. Draco did not like being left in the dark. However, Nemesis hadn't tried to hurt him, kill him, or lock him in any bubbles, so he was content to wait. Now he wanted some sort of answer.
"All right. Sit."
Draco complied.
"I've been rehabbing you in a sort of way, correct? It's because you are an Elemental Controller. Yet your power doesn't reside in you. There is an explanation for this, and why you do not like Harry Potter. When Harry Potter was attacked by Voldemort-"
"Which time?"
Nemesis gave a wry smirk. "The first. As I was saying, when he was attacked, he survived because of his mothers love. However, that only stopped the curse itself. The curse was being carried on a string of evil- infused dark. Therefore, young Harry Potter needed something to stop the evil. Survival instincts kicked in, and since the evil was being carried on dark, he took the element of Light from you."
"He took Light from me?" Draco said, in a sceptical tone.
"Yes. You are the Elemental Controller of Light. Harry Potter is carrying your powers; however, he cannot access them. He will carry them until you reclaim them."
Draco was stunned. Nemesis had enlightened him on the Elemental Controllers after he had overheard Nemesis and Artemis having an argument about Ron and Ginny. He'd assumed he was a controller, but never for Light. Denial came to him.
"No! I can't be Light! I'm the son of Lucius Malfoy, a Death Eater, I'm in Slytherine, I'm-"
"Stop that!" Nemesis looked ruffled for the first time since Draco had known her. "Stop speaking like that! Don't you understand? Voldemort isn't the Dark Lord. He's evil, but Dark isn't evil. It is used for evil because we say it is evil! Don't you get it? Our past has nothing to do with being an Elemental Controller! And your father-" Nemesis paused to draw breath. "Your father is in Askaban, Draco! You need to stop with the emotional baggage! Just accept it . . ." Nemesis looked on the verge of tears. "Just accept it. . ." she murmured, as she slumped against the wall and down to the floor, as Draco had done less than a month before.
Draco was shaken out of his vetoing state by the sight of Nemesis so defenceless. Nemesis always was so on top of things, so 'Excuse me while I walk all over you', so sure of herself. Draco had never seen her so vulnerable.
Draco crawled over to the closest thing he had to a friend. "Nemesis. . ." he whispered, trying to sound sensitive. "Nemesis, what's wrong?"
Nemesis took a breath, leaning her head against the dark blue padding that was the wall. "I don't know. I just don't want you to talk like that, okay? You aren't just Lucius Malfoy's son. You're Draco, Light Element Controller. Light doesn't mean good. But you can be good, Draco. I know you hate Potter. He took away your powers, and I know how that feels. So does Artemis. But you need to realize that there's a person underneath all that hate and disdain." Nemesis turned her head to look back at the pale youth beside her. And their eyes locked.
Draco felt himself being pulled into that multi-coloured abyss. She was being open with him, and it was hard for her. She had some many hopes for him, hopes he just wished he could fulfill. And something else.
She was talking about herself, too.
That was why she was so sad, so wretched. She was just like him, in a way. Cynical, sarcastic, annoying, with a superiority complex. But she was a good person. It was just that she needed help being sensitive. And she wanted someone to understand.
Draco leaned closer to her. "I understand. And I can help you. If you help me."
Nemesis didn't have to ask. She knew.
"Alright." She breathed. He was nearer to her now.
"You don't have to be so distant. You can be a person. You can feel. . ." Draco murmured. His mouth was so close to hers. Closer than Fred and Artemis's had been.
"But-"
"No buts. What did you just tell me?" Draco leaned back a little to study Nemesis's face. "You're a person, Nemesis. And you can be happy. You can feel. If we help each other, maybe we'll be a little less reserved. And a little more warm."
"Yeah. Maybe." Was her barely audible reply.
Although Draco had backed up, they were still so close, in more ways than one. She reached up to touch his face, with the back of her hand, like she hand three weeks before. Again, Draco felt the only just contained emotion, the warmth that she was capable of.
Then she contained herself.
"Right. You need to reclaim your powers from Harry. Since he begged to stay, we'll do it tomorrow, if you get the reclamation spell properly."
Draco nodded and stood up.
"Oh, and Draco?"
"Mmm?"
"One word, Draco; and I will know."
Draco swallowed. She sounded menacing. But Draco knew it was just a front; she was back into hiding under her sarcastic intimidation. She wouldn't actually hurt him.
Or so he hoped.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The practise session went well. Draco wasn't as brilliant as Nemesis, but he definitely had some brains. He was near mastery of the reclamation spell when they ended.
"Good work. Right, let's get some sleep. We have to be ready for tomorrow." Nemesis aid, as she double-checked that there weren't traces of magic still in the air that could go rogue on them.
"What's happening tomorrow?" Draco looked curious. He'd gotten a lot of Nemesis today, considering; she didn't seem to trust anyone with more than the barest minimum of knowledge. But, without speaking, she seemed to have given him some sort of insight into herself. He was shaken out of his thoughts by the borderline wicked smile on Nemesis's face, and the glint of malicious pleasure in her eyes.
"Tomorrow, you reclaim your power from precious Potter."
Draco's expression was identical to hers. "Let's hope he can handle it."
"Oh, I don't think he'll be all that dignified. That kind of power won't come out easily; he's lived with it for fifteen years, remember, and any element will give bravery and self-assurance to the owner. Without it, he may feel rather lost." Nemesis paused. "You know, maybe it's better the power went to Potter instead of you. Last thing you need is more arrogance in your swagger." She smirked at him.
"Well, ex-cuse me for living!"
"Don't worry; I think I can overlook that one fault."
The two continued their banter as the walked down to the Slytherine Common Room, which was entered by taping a certain stone and saying the password.
"So, uh, have a good night." Draco blushed. Why did he feel like he was being walked home after a date? *Not good* he scolded himself mentally. Although there had been that little thing with her almost-crying and touching his cheek, that was simply a momentary lapse of control on her part. She would never let anyone get close.
"You too. Draco?"
"Yes?"
"Are you alright? Staying in Slytherine, all by yourself?"
Draco swallowed. "Of course. . ."
"Do you want to use the room next to mine?"
Draco smiled immediately at the idea; however he knew well enough to hide it. "Actually, that would be rather appreciated. I don't think I remember how to get into the Unknowable Passages, and it's probably best if I can find you in the morning to ask, so we can - uh - confront Potter."
"My room is IN the Unknowable Passages. Right beside your front door, actually."
Draco looked around, and immediately felt like an idiot. Nemesis smiled another smug smile. Reaching past Draco, she tapped the stone that was used to enter the Slytherine dorm and - instead of using the regular password, 'Kilgog' - said "Theta".
A stone arch appeared before the two teens.
"Wow."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Please Review.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"We got winners; we got losers; chain-smokers and boozers. And we got yuppies, we got bikers, we got thirsty hitchhikers. And the girls next door dress up like movie stars. . . hmm, hmm, hmm, I love this bar. . ."
Artemis kept humming to herself as she listened to her 27th Century walkman. It wasn't affected by the Hogwarts dampening field, thank the Gatekeepers; and it was designed like a button, with a dolphin on it. She pinned it to her shirt, and the cordless headphones slipped into her ears, virtually invisible. She got off the couch and swirled around the reading room.
"Hmm, hmm, hmm, I just love this bar. . ." She was singing under her breath, and enjoying the beginning of the holidays. She and Nemesis had sent everyone home using a special type of teleportation, and now the only people left were the Elemental Controllers, the teachers, and Harry Potter. The boy had begged to be allowed to stay behind, and Dumbledore had consented. Nemesis wasn't pleased, Artemis knew, but she didn't show it. Now the group had the three weeks off, and Artemis for one was planning to use them in the most energy-saving way possible.
As in, no physical activity besides very bad dancing to Toby Keith songs.
The song changed, and Artemis bounced her head in time to the tune. She decided that the media room would be better for the songs. Stopping her ECD (extra-compact disk), she went to the middle of the reading room, pulled up the table, and slid down to the Fun Room. Exiting by the small door in the east corner, she went down a hall, up five stairs, turned right, went down 8 more, walked down a twisting hallway, jumped through the third window on the left, got on a elevator and went up 3 half-levels, dodged through a secret tapestry and found herself in the media room.
A big screen Muggle TV was in the corner, and there were huge speakers embedded in the walls for surround sound. The room was originally a practice room for spells, but there were quite a few of those and so Artemis had, ah, converted this one into her media room.
An ECD player was in the south wall, and she slipped her ECD in. Turning to the second song, she set the speakers to level 8 (which came with a decibel warning). The room was very soundproofed, with Muggle technology and spells. So no-one would be bothered.
"Don't my baby look good in them blue jeans, tight on the top with a belly- button ring and a tattoo, somewhere in between, she only shows to me. . . Yeah we're going out dancing, she's ready tonight. So damn good looking boys it ain't even right. . ."
Artemis thought she heard something on the last line and turned around while dancing (very badly) to see Fred standing in the doorway. He grinned at her and walked in. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he brought his mouth closer to her ear.
"So damn good-looking boys, it ain't even right. . ."
Artemis giggled and pushed him away, swirling out into the middle of the media room.
"And when the bartender, says for the lady, what's it gonna be. . ? I tell him man. She ain't into wine and roses, beer just makes her turn up her nose and, she can't the thought of sipping champagne. . ."
Fred caught Artemis and looked her in the eye.
"She needs something with a little more edge and a little more pain. . ."
Fred brought his face closer to hers as the music blared on. The girl tilted hers upwards, and their lips were centimetres apart.
A loud laugh made them spring away from each other. The music immediately was quieted so that the two close teens could hear the sardonic one in the doorway.
"Well well, Delta, what do we have here? Should I call Crystal in and she can get it on with George?"
Nemesis's sarcastic form was leaning, arms crossed, against the doorjamb, an annoying smirk on her face. Artemis felt her face go hot.
"You. . . you. . ."
"What, Fred got your tongue? With his mouth?"
Artemis raced at her sister and slammed her backwards into the wall of the corridor outside the media room.
"Temper temper, Delta! Calm down, honestly!" Nemesis leaned forward and, like Fred, whispered in Artemis's ear. "You know I'm only stopping you to protect you."
"Oh yeah? Well what about you and precious Draco?"
Nemesis looked angered for a second, but the trademark, mocking smirk quickly made itself at home again. She simply gazed over Artemis's head. When Artemis followed her line of vision, she saw Draco, leaning against the opposite wall, with a smug look.
"What were YOU doing here?" Artemis dropped her sister. "Go away, won't you two?"
Nemesis smirked even wider. "He's bored. I need to teach him. Don't worry, I was just passing by. Stupid of you to leave the door open, really. . ."
"He shouldn't know about the Passages!" Delta near-shrieked.
"Silly, silly Delta. All of the seven, sorry, eight, need to know about the Passages. I'll bring the other five up tomorrow.
"You'll do no such thing!"
Nemesis and Draco now looked positively evil. "Why not? Afraid someone will walk in on you snogging a twin?"
Artemis felt her face go even redder. However, Nemesis knew when to cut it.
"All right, I'll wait until after the winter break. You have three weeks to get one of the Weasley's to bed." Her sardonic smile grated Artemis's nerves, and just before the girl lost it, Draco and Nemesis strode down the hall and out of sight.
Fred stood in the doorway as 'American Soldier' played.
"She's an annoying little git, isn't she?"
Artemis managed a weak smile. "You have no idea."
They went back into the media room to watch The Matrix.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Nemesis and Draco entered into a room behind a sliding panel. There walls were padded, there was no windows, and a thick carpet covered the floor. There was no furniture.
"Perfect place to practise."
"Are you finally going to explain?" Draco asked. As his relationship with Nemesis had grown, he'd noticed that she rarely explained things. Draco did not like being left in the dark. However, Nemesis hadn't tried to hurt him, kill him, or lock him in any bubbles, so he was content to wait. Now he wanted some sort of answer.
"All right. Sit."
Draco complied.
"I've been rehabbing you in a sort of way, correct? It's because you are an Elemental Controller. Yet your power doesn't reside in you. There is an explanation for this, and why you do not like Harry Potter. When Harry Potter was attacked by Voldemort-"
"Which time?"
Nemesis gave a wry smirk. "The first. As I was saying, when he was attacked, he survived because of his mothers love. However, that only stopped the curse itself. The curse was being carried on a string of evil- infused dark. Therefore, young Harry Potter needed something to stop the evil. Survival instincts kicked in, and since the evil was being carried on dark, he took the element of Light from you."
"He took Light from me?" Draco said, in a sceptical tone.
"Yes. You are the Elemental Controller of Light. Harry Potter is carrying your powers; however, he cannot access them. He will carry them until you reclaim them."
Draco was stunned. Nemesis had enlightened him on the Elemental Controllers after he had overheard Nemesis and Artemis having an argument about Ron and Ginny. He'd assumed he was a controller, but never for Light. Denial came to him.
"No! I can't be Light! I'm the son of Lucius Malfoy, a Death Eater, I'm in Slytherine, I'm-"
"Stop that!" Nemesis looked ruffled for the first time since Draco had known her. "Stop speaking like that! Don't you understand? Voldemort isn't the Dark Lord. He's evil, but Dark isn't evil. It is used for evil because we say it is evil! Don't you get it? Our past has nothing to do with being an Elemental Controller! And your father-" Nemesis paused to draw breath. "Your father is in Askaban, Draco! You need to stop with the emotional baggage! Just accept it . . ." Nemesis looked on the verge of tears. "Just accept it. . ." she murmured, as she slumped against the wall and down to the floor, as Draco had done less than a month before.
Draco was shaken out of his vetoing state by the sight of Nemesis so defenceless. Nemesis always was so on top of things, so 'Excuse me while I walk all over you', so sure of herself. Draco had never seen her so vulnerable.
Draco crawled over to the closest thing he had to a friend. "Nemesis. . ." he whispered, trying to sound sensitive. "Nemesis, what's wrong?"
Nemesis took a breath, leaning her head against the dark blue padding that was the wall. "I don't know. I just don't want you to talk like that, okay? You aren't just Lucius Malfoy's son. You're Draco, Light Element Controller. Light doesn't mean good. But you can be good, Draco. I know you hate Potter. He took away your powers, and I know how that feels. So does Artemis. But you need to realize that there's a person underneath all that hate and disdain." Nemesis turned her head to look back at the pale youth beside her. And their eyes locked.
Draco felt himself being pulled into that multi-coloured abyss. She was being open with him, and it was hard for her. She had some many hopes for him, hopes he just wished he could fulfill. And something else.
She was talking about herself, too.
That was why she was so sad, so wretched. She was just like him, in a way. Cynical, sarcastic, annoying, with a superiority complex. But she was a good person. It was just that she needed help being sensitive. And she wanted someone to understand.
Draco leaned closer to her. "I understand. And I can help you. If you help me."
Nemesis didn't have to ask. She knew.
"Alright." She breathed. He was nearer to her now.
"You don't have to be so distant. You can be a person. You can feel. . ." Draco murmured. His mouth was so close to hers. Closer than Fred and Artemis's had been.
"But-"
"No buts. What did you just tell me?" Draco leaned back a little to study Nemesis's face. "You're a person, Nemesis. And you can be happy. You can feel. If we help each other, maybe we'll be a little less reserved. And a little more warm."
"Yeah. Maybe." Was her barely audible reply.
Although Draco had backed up, they were still so close, in more ways than one. She reached up to touch his face, with the back of her hand, like she hand three weeks before. Again, Draco felt the only just contained emotion, the warmth that she was capable of.
Then she contained herself.
"Right. You need to reclaim your powers from Harry. Since he begged to stay, we'll do it tomorrow, if you get the reclamation spell properly."
Draco nodded and stood up.
"Oh, and Draco?"
"Mmm?"
"One word, Draco; and I will know."
Draco swallowed. She sounded menacing. But Draco knew it was just a front; she was back into hiding under her sarcastic intimidation. She wouldn't actually hurt him.
Or so he hoped.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The practise session went well. Draco wasn't as brilliant as Nemesis, but he definitely had some brains. He was near mastery of the reclamation spell when they ended.
"Good work. Right, let's get some sleep. We have to be ready for tomorrow." Nemesis aid, as she double-checked that there weren't traces of magic still in the air that could go rogue on them.
"What's happening tomorrow?" Draco looked curious. He'd gotten a lot of Nemesis today, considering; she didn't seem to trust anyone with more than the barest minimum of knowledge. But, without speaking, she seemed to have given him some sort of insight into herself. He was shaken out of his thoughts by the borderline wicked smile on Nemesis's face, and the glint of malicious pleasure in her eyes.
"Tomorrow, you reclaim your power from precious Potter."
Draco's expression was identical to hers. "Let's hope he can handle it."
"Oh, I don't think he'll be all that dignified. That kind of power won't come out easily; he's lived with it for fifteen years, remember, and any element will give bravery and self-assurance to the owner. Without it, he may feel rather lost." Nemesis paused. "You know, maybe it's better the power went to Potter instead of you. Last thing you need is more arrogance in your swagger." She smirked at him.
"Well, ex-cuse me for living!"
"Don't worry; I think I can overlook that one fault."
The two continued their banter as the walked down to the Slytherine Common Room, which was entered by taping a certain stone and saying the password.
"So, uh, have a good night." Draco blushed. Why did he feel like he was being walked home after a date? *Not good* he scolded himself mentally. Although there had been that little thing with her almost-crying and touching his cheek, that was simply a momentary lapse of control on her part. She would never let anyone get close.
"You too. Draco?"
"Yes?"
"Are you alright? Staying in Slytherine, all by yourself?"
Draco swallowed. "Of course. . ."
"Do you want to use the room next to mine?"
Draco smiled immediately at the idea; however he knew well enough to hide it. "Actually, that would be rather appreciated. I don't think I remember how to get into the Unknowable Passages, and it's probably best if I can find you in the morning to ask, so we can - uh - confront Potter."
"My room is IN the Unknowable Passages. Right beside your front door, actually."
Draco looked around, and immediately felt like an idiot. Nemesis smiled another smug smile. Reaching past Draco, she tapped the stone that was used to enter the Slytherine dorm and - instead of using the regular password, 'Kilgog' - said "Theta".
A stone arch appeared before the two teens.
"Wow."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Please Review.