Chapter 5 Part 2
To Risk It All
By: Deep Shadows and EckoStalker

Author's Note: Part 2 Of Chapter 5, W007!

Artimis breathed deeply, and stepped onto the cold snow covered ground. Shivering slightly, she hoisted her pack farther up her shoulder, ready to start her trek. The wolf had unnerved her. It having the same exact eyes as Alexis. Maybe if I follow them, she wondered to herself, that is, if they're within a mile of this place. Bent on her mission she quietly stalked off. Back in the Defense Against the Dark Arts room, Lupin was in the process of leaving too. Over the past few days after he made Artimis promise to stay here, he had noticed her becoming more and more vexed. She was frequently staring into the Forbidden Forest, occasionally wandering towards it. She was more aggressive than usual also, lashing out a lot. Above all, no pranks had been pulled in almost two weeks. Though their infamous symbol popped up in almost every outside location Artimis went to. He realized she was fully bent upon finding Alexis on her own, and Lupin had to stop her. He had encountered a number of dangerous things during his...excursions... through the forest, and would be shocked if Alexis had lived past all that. As he hurried out the door, he decided to grab Severus, knowing damn well he wouldn't be able to stop her on his own.

Artimis was in sight of the Forbidden Forest when she decided which approach would be best, if the wolf was indeed her lost buddy. Looking up in the clear sky, she raised her wand, repeating the incantation she and Alexis had put together to release their sigil into the air above the forest canopy. Three things it would do, one it would provide a pinpoint for her to get back, two it would inform everyone who saw it that she was leaving, and finally and most importantly three, it would call to Alexis if she was anywhere near to come home.

Lupin saw the bright symbol wisp into the sky, the trademark ying-yang symbol encircling a black snake and a white lion. Lupin knew he had a few precious moments before Artimis lost herself in the abyss of the woodland. He slid to a halt and rammed the door open to Snape's study. "Don't you ever knock, Remus..." he spoke exasperated. Lupin, out of breath, informed, "It's Artimis, and she's going to go find Alexis." At this, Snape about flew out of his chair, following Remus to the courtyard leading to the woods.

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Alexis shot up from her warm spot next to the lead wolf, all senses attuned to her surroundings. The pack was nestled comfortably in a small cave near the half giant's hut. Something was calling to her, urging her to come back. Back to the humans. It was so irresistible that, before she knew it, she was slinking along the ground towards the source. The other wolves sensed her absence and looked up after her. Understanding her instincts, they respectfully followed providing protection and companionship. Alexis continued on, oblivious to everything except this new calling.

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Lupin and Snape skidded to a halt, the harsh winds whipping past their faces. From a distance they took it all in, the A&A mark cloud like in the sky, Artimis using the "Point Me" spell to lead her to Alexis and to their shock a full wolf pack drifting into the clearing from the midst of the forest. There were eight of them, all earth tone colors, except the lead one, which was so dazzling white it almost blended perfectly with the clean snow. Confused, they concluded two things that somehow the white wolf was Alexis, and Artimis was in trouble.

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Artimis jerked to a halt, staring amazingly at the white wolf. The wolf stared back, green eyes wandering from Artimis to the symbol. Artimis knew it was her. On impulse, Artimis lunged at her arms around the wolf's soft neck before Alexis could react. Alexis tensed, struggled and snarled, Artimis letting go in confusion. Alexis backed up a few paces, head lowered and teeth bared, her bright green eyes riddled in befuddlement. Artimis was lost, "Alexis? It's me. You know that you twit." The other wolves were cautiously creeping forward, creating a loose semi-circle around their wolf companion.

Artimis surveys her companion closely. She was gaunt and shabby-looking clearly put through her limits. She can tell it Alexis; she could feel it was Alexis. Artimis stands slowly, the pack growing tense with worry. Alexis starts to snarl, head low, body close to the snow. Taking the hint, the leader wolf starts a low growl also pretty soon having the whole pack in on the chorus.

A jumble of thoughts raced through Artimis's head, first off, God, I'm glad she's alive. Next and more urgent one, but how long will I be. Off behind the group, Snape and Lupin stood side by side in shocked amazement. Snape had to ask, "Is that really..."

"Lupin answered before he had finished, "Pretty sure it is."

Snape's curiosity quickly turned into one of anger, "How the hell did she do that?"

Artimis heard this and quickly thought up a plan. She slowly started backing up, Alexis following no clue as to why. She was torn between leaving with her new family and pursuing this female who triggered agonizing emotions in her. So instinctively she followed though growling and snarling the whole way.

Artimis knew what she had to do. She stepped back, lowered her head and allow the transformation to take place. She felt her limbs stretching and muscles groaning under the shifting. She felt her bones move and her face grew out to. Her hair traveled up her head and covered her body. She fell forward catching herself on what were her hand and are now her front feet. Her body elongated, her lungs grew as she drew in a deep breath. Artimis stood there as a black horse with a mane and tail so white it was barely noticeable against the snow. It has to be like this. She thought as she turned tail and ran. As she ran she caught a glimpse of the near stunned look on the Potions master's face, and the look of respect and awe on Lupins face.

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Snape was astonished, "Don't tell me her too!"

Lupin added in a amusement while watching the transformation, "Well, you should know well enough that whatever one does, the other is not far behind in the same procedure."

Snape shook his head, watching as Artimis in full horse farm slowly started to back up, the what supposedly was Alexis in wolf form pursuing. The rest of he wolf pack started forward hesitantly, but were reluctant to leave the forest boundaries. Snape and Lupin silently agreed to an unspoken plot and followed the raving pack at a distance.

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If it had not been for Alexis, the pack would've run by now, but they stuck to code and aided their friend. What they didn't know was that if the symbol, the shape-changing female, or the alluring scent of horseflesh on her taste buds hadn't confused Alexis, she probably would have run too. When the horse started running, the wolf's instinct to hunt kicked into overtime and Alexis sprinted off behind her.

Great, she fell for it, now to lose the rest of them. Artimis thought fleeting as the wolves followed closely on her heels. She spotted the two professors jogging of to the side behind the pack and whinnied to them as a sign to follow her lead, Lupin nodded as if he understood. He yelled to Severus to put away his wand when he tried to take aim and Immobilize Alexis.

Artimis ran as fast as she could to the only safe haven she knew, The Quidditch Pitch. Her muscles rejoiced in the exercise but she maintained control over her animal instincts. DAMN you Alexis, I'm risking my life for you, You BETTER know I would only do this for you. She thought rapidly.

She could see the pitch coming and neighed loudly as she noticed Professor Mcgonagall in the way. Uh oh. She lowered her head and charged, praying Mcgonagall would move. The Professor just turned looked at Artimis and moved to the side quickly. Artimis ran pass and prayed her plan would work, she only has so much control over the horse inside screaming to turn and fight.

The wolves sensed the horse leading them into a boxed in canyon of sorts and were reluctant to enter. Ages past, their ancestors avoided such places, where prey could turn and attack with out being circled. All but Alexis knew this and she proceeded recklessly after the horse. The wolf pack stopped, barking for the white wolf to return. They sensed two humans behind them and run fearfully in the surrounding forest. Whining over their lost companion.
Artimis's mind waged war on it's self.

Kill! Defend! Was the call of the horse.

NO, Artimis yelled in her mind, wrenching control form the spirit within. She had entered the pitch and to her joy she could only hear her pounding steps and the solitary breath of a wolf. Artimis knew what she had to do. She jumped and twisted her body to face the wolf. Taken by surprise, Alexis digs in her front paws skidding to a halt. Artimis reared up threatening hoping Alexis didn't learn much about hunting. Fortunately, Artimis was right. Not heading the warning, Alexis lunged grasping her teeth around her foreleg. Artimis screamed the best way her form could, threw her head back and kicked out at the snowy wolf.

Snape rushed up and gasp at the sight, Artimis flinging Alexis wolf form aside as she nearly collapsed in pain. Without a second thought he yelled "Immobulis" and pointed his wand at Alexis. Lupin rushed to Artimis, who had shifted back and sent out a blood-curling scream while she grasped her arm. Lupin tried to pick her up but she came to her senses and shoved him away.

Using her good arm she hoisted herself to her feet and shoved past a befuddled Snape, murmuring "If this is the last thing I do, then let it work." She walked to Alexis's paralyzed form and knelt in front of it. Very little of her friends glow and warmth filled her the wolves eyes, but enough to give her hope. She reached out and, stroking her comrade's head and whispered, "Your name is Alexis Whyte..." She told Alexis about herself, her blood spilling out on to the snow, watching the glow return to her friends face. Professor Mcgonagall tried to pull Artimis away but she simply turned her head to look at her and said, "If I go right now, then she will be this way forever and then I will follow her." The three professors stood there watching Artimis's dedication to her friend slowly revive Alexis's spirit.

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At first Alexis was furious. This human was touching her and talking to her. She didn't know what to do, her wolf clan had abandoned her and she felt utterly alone and helpless for some reason, surrounded by several of these annoying bipeds. Then Alexis began listening to the soothing words pouring out of the girl's mouth and actually enjoyed the gentle strokes of her hand. Soon she came to understand, slowly and confusingly, that she WAS Alexis Whyte, human witch, and also very reluctantly, the wolf sense gradually receded, leaving a very sore, very sorrowful, Alexis behind, what? How...how did I get here? She wondered to herself as she stared through wolf eyes at her friend. Then the events hit here full force in a painful blow. She teared up, lost and confused. Wishing this night would end as Artimis finished retelling the tale of Alexis Whyte.

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Artimis saw in the eyes what she was looking for and with tears of joy pulled her wand out and stated "Finite Incanantem" as the spell Professor Snape had cast fell. Artimis backed up and coaxed Alexis to shift, knowing the adoration and need in her voice would reassure her friend. Alexis gave in to the change, reliving the joy of it the sensation, the thrill. Lupin watched Artimis carefully, preparing to protect her from and attack from the wolf. Then he heard her gasp and looked down upon the bony, undernourished form of his pupil Alexis Whyte.

Alexis looked up, tears staining her dirtied face, at her dearest friend and three professors. Words could not express the gratefulness she felt for the risk they took to bring her back from her almost permanent from of the beautiful white wolf. Lupin was tearing up, as was Mcgonagall. Snape had a look of deep thought on his face, which was as close as she was going to get to one of happiness from him.

Alexis looked to Artimis, eyes shining and clear compared to her tattered thin form. Artimis let out a sob and pulled Alexis to her, squeezing and bleeding all over her. Alexis gasped out in pain "Artimis, can't breathe as it is..." She quickly let Alexis go watching her carefully as she grasped at her broken ribs. Artimis went dead serious then and gently but firmly turned Alexis face to her "Tell us what started this."

McGonagall also stepped forward, very curious as to why also, "Yes, Alexis, we'd very much like to know." Alexis stared up at the group and took a deep breath. Never mind, that was a bad idea, as she clutched her ribs. So she slowly related every detail. From the point where Draco stalked her to the courtyard, the ambush, the broom ride, and then the blissful release of wolf-dom, for a while it was release anyway. She stopped, out of breath and shivering with cold and fatigue, and stared at the amazed faces above her.

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An undeniable and uncontrollable anger welled up in Artimis. "DRACO? THAT PIG! HE even tried to comfort Me.," she roared. Without a second thought, Alexis was in Artimis's arms and being carried in her arms and she was furiously marching in the snow towards the grand entrance. She kicked the doors open and walked towards the Great Hall and pushed the doors open. She walked in with an anger and grace that compared to Snape who was walking in behind her. He and the other teachers walked up toward their seats as Artimis stormed up to the Gryffindor table. She sat Alexis down between the only two she trusted, Fred and George, and stormed over to the Slytherin Table.

Without a word she picked Draco up by his shoulders and had him off his feet, marching towards the teachers table. She could feel all eyes on her, the blood rushing to her head. Goyle and Crabbe got up and followed her but thought against it when they saw she was bleeding and showing no signs of dropping Draco. She stood before Dumbledore and placed Draco on his feet. She pulled out her wand and placed it to her throat. "Sonorus." she yelled.

"Draco! Explain what your involvement in Alexis's disappearance now or all your shit will be laid bare!" Artimis howled. Draco gulped as he looked into her eyes. I wonder if it is worse to die by Dumbledore's hand than this angry, seething woman.

"No!" he yelled. She smirked evilly.

"You brought this on yourself. -" She whispered even though the louding spell was still in effect."- I'm not the only object you try to exert your physical pleasure on am I, Draco! Crabbe and Goyle can attest to this subject I believe." She said turning to them and raising an eyebrow. They walk towards her manacling. "Try me boys. If i can have the guts to take on my best friend, then you should be easy. -" She turned to Alexis."- Eat Now ALEXIS!"

Draco had gone white. Artimis had not been bluffing. He decided to spill. So he looked to Dumbledore, then down the table to all the teachers, than finally, slowly and fearfully he looked to Artimis. The look in her eyes, a murderous rage, made him glad she had found him in the presence of people or he may very well be dead. He told Dumbledore what he had done, his eyes never leaving Artimis.

Before anyone could get in a word after Draco's confession, Artimis laid into him, giving him a tongue-lashing that made Snape wince. She tore him apart shred by shred, until he was crying and sniveling. When she had finished she glared at him, turned around to walk away and passed out.