A Friend Who'd Say "No Sweat!"
By: Deep Shadows and EckoStalker
Author's Note: The Final Part Of Chapter 5 Let's get out the syrup and celebrate! {EckoStalker}
Alexis watched the entire confession with awe. Now she knew why she missed Artimis so much.
The entire hall went quiet as Artimis barged into the place, carrying Alexis, and stalked towards the Slytherin table after setting her down. In shock, everyone witnessed the return of Alexis and her friend's obvious worry.
So, Alexis sat between the Weasley Twins, at the command of her friend, and tiredly but happily watched the whole scene played before her. Only the Twins whispered back and forth, as always commenting on the rage of Artimis. Alexis was in her glory. All this over me? She rocks!
When Artimis demanded that she eat, Alexis dove in-seemingly just waiting for the invitation- and practically engulfed whatever was in arm's reach. Fred swore no one had ever eaten half that much in the Weasley house; not even on Thanksgiving holiday, commented George.
Alexis finally slowed down, her other ribs about to burst also, as Artimis gradually finished. She wasn't really surprised when her friend passed out.
It was deathly quiet, almost to the point you would hear crickets chirping. Alexis glanced around at the room, not caring at the stares of confusion she got for her tattered appearance.
Resolved not to let her pal just lie there, Alexis painfully stood up and turned towards Artimis. Only the echoes of her footsteps could be heard as she limped towards the still form.
Alexis halted in difficulty, swaying and looking down at her friend, vaguely wondering how she was to manage getting Artimis off the floor. Everyone else sat still in their place, watching in confusion and continued amazement. Alexis, too tired to care any more, gave up. "Good night." she murmured, as she collapsed beside Artimis, falling into blissful unconsciousness.
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"... Is she awake?..."
"... I think so.."
"... Hey Artimis, wake up...."
Artimis fought for consciousness as she awoke to her brother Apollo's face inches from hers. Fred and George were standing on both sides of her bed. "A...Alexis?" she stammered trying frantically to get up.
"She's sleeping, you were bloody brilliant. Malfoy still hasn't left his dormitory." Said George, or Fred, she couldn't tell at the moment nor did she care too.
"Hey lil sis, you ok? You worried me and dad is kind of upset at your outburst, but-" Apollo was cut off by her father's soothing voice. Apollo backed up.
"Artimis, my child, are you alright?" he said wrapping her in a tight embrace. " I thought you nearly killed yourself."
"Father, I'm fine really,... I need to see Alexis." she stammered pushing her father back and getting out of her bad, not noticing the look of dismay and confusion on his face. She shakily walked to the bed that Alexis was sleeping peacefully in. She dropped to her knees, very suddenly and grabbed Alexis hand in hers. "I thought I lost you. When you attacked me I thought you were gone for good. I wouldn't have been able to live with myself if I couldn't have brought you back." She cried, as everyone left her alone with Alexis. Artimis pointed her wand out the window and stated "Sigilnus!", and their mark raised high in the sky. You have no idea how much I missed you, my dear friend. Don't ever do that to me again, she thought getting up to sit in a chair. She stayed there all day and night, eating only what she must and watched over Alexis.
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It was the morning of the third day after Alexis's reappearance that she came to. Artimis was sitting quietly next to her, staring morosely out the window when Alexis drew in a deep breath. Artimis, startled, turned to her and smiled at the movements of her friend. Wearily, Alexis opened her eyes, staring at the brightness of the room and breathing in slowly and deeply. She looked to Artimis, slightly grinning.
"You scared the shit out of me." Artimis slowly stated. Alexis saw in her lap Chocolate Frog wrappers and half empty boxes of Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans.
Alexis shrugged minutely, indicating that, well, she couldn't help it.
Artimis smirked and stated, "But I scared Draco even more. Hell, I scared the whole student body!" She chuckled, reveling in the memory of the look of fear on Draco's face. Alexis smiled happily, glad her friend decided that issue was for later discussion. Instead, she asked, "How long was I out?"
"A grand total of three days. New record for you." Artimis informed.
"But you know what, those were the three most restful days I've ever had." she confessed comfortably.
Artimis scowled," Yeah, and I cried for three hours cause I was so happy you were back... This might brighten your day," Artimis added, noticing the look of guilt on her friend's face, "Draco hasn't come out of his dorm in three days!" Artimis snickered, a dangerous and laughing glint in her eyes.
Alexis did brighten up. "Your kidding!?" she choked out through fits of laughter as Artimis joined her.
After giggling hard enough to make her ribs throb, Alexis became silent, looking at her friend in undeniable gratefulness. Artimis stared back, both of them quiet for a long moment, thankful that each other were okay.
Alexis looked down, playing with a corner of her bed sheets and spoke quietly, "Thank you. I...I would've left, you know. If y...you hadn't..." she stuttered, tears shimmering in her eyes. Artimis put her hand on her friend's cheek and replied, "I wouldn't have let you go. I would have died trying. If I didn't try, I'd be no better than Malfoy." she spoke, uttering his name in disgust. She enveloped her friend in a hug.
Alexis closed her eyes, relaxing happily in Artimis's arms. This was what she waited her whole life for. A friend who'd risk everything for her, then practically say 'no sweat!'
So, they remained this way until Professor Snape sauntered in. They looked up at him in unison, both of their expressions saying 'We don't care, so leave us the hell alone'.
"Ah, I see Ms. Whtye has decided to deign us with her presence." he sneered, ignoring their look. But they couldn't help but notice a small hint of relief hidden beneath his tone.
Artimis scooted off the bed and into her chair, looking into Professor Snape's eyes.
He took a deep breath, and confessed," Ms. Callabella, I am very proud you belong in my house, and it was a wondrous deed you did for your friend. But, you still have detention." He smirked slightly in amusement. Artimis stared back, a slight look of awe on her features.
Snape continued," I am here to ask you both something. How in the world did you both manage to become Animagi?! And right under the staff's very noses?" he questioned, genuinely confused.
Alexis looked at him like a deer caught in the headlights, then locked eyes with Artimis-who whispered," Your turn."
Alexis scowled at her a bit, then decided to just sum it all up, "Well, I'll make it simple enough for even you to understand without question. We snuck into the Library's Restricted Section for a few new spells, but came across this particularly alluring one instead. Interested, we took it with us, and -well- did it....... though with some degree of difficulty, might I add." There it was in a nutshell.
" A bit blunt are we, Ms. Whyte?" he added, a very slight smirk on his face.
"Well, why go into details? There it is plain and simple. And I personally do not wish to start explaining stuff just yet, I'll need all the strength I can get to explain it to my mother when she arrives later on this week I believe. Thank you, have a nice day." Alexis calmly stated, staring straight into Professor Snape's surprised eyes as she mustered all the respect she could into the sentence.
Artimis shoved Alexis hard in her shoulder. "Hey, you had better thank the Professor here. Without him, I would've been your next meal!" Artimis scolded as she stood and did the one thing no one in Hogwarts ever dared to do. She hugged the Potions Master briefly, saying "Thank you," and quickly sat back down. Alexis and Professor Snape stared ahead in shock. Alexis stuttered first," Well. Um...okay..." Snape was still lost in awe, so Alexis acted quickly as Snape watched her, "Okay. I respectfully decline to hugging you, but please accept my deepest gratitude for not allowing me to devour my stupid but very brave friend... (in a softer voice) There, I did it." Artimis smirked at her accomplishment, she hugged the untouchable Professor.
Professor Snape and Alexis stared at each other for a moment, a small degree of respect being built between them, as Snape nodded and sulked off wordlessly.
Artimis got up and handed Alexis her wand.
"I made Draco give it back to me. He nearly wet himself when I spoke to him." she giggled. Alexis took it and looked with gratitude towards her friend. An unspoken trust and thankfulness passed between them as giggled and started eating some left over Chocolate Frogs. Nothing could get any worse, so they believed.