Chapter 6 Part 1
Forgotten Faces, Loving Embraces
By: Deep Shadows and EckoStalker

Author's Notes: Again, we broke this story into two parts. Too much.... can't tpye.... fingers falling off....(I know, we're tiresome little twits aren't we? heheheheh...)

Artimis sits in the chair in the Headmaster's office, her father standing behind her with his hands lightly resting on her shoulders. The room smells of sweets and candy, and Headmaster Dumbledore generously offers her a lemon drop. She respectfully declines and glances over at Alexis, who is sitting quietly beside her, then looking to Alexis's mother in a chair on the opposite side of Alexis. Professor Snape casually leans against the ancient mantle place over the smoldering fire, Artimis mentally remarking that he actually looks human in that position. Draco uncomfortably slouches in a chair on the adjacent side of the room, and every time Artimis looks over at him, he winces. Sorrowfully, she stares discreetly in his direction. I never meant to strip him of his dignity, perhaps I was too harsh on him, she regretfully thought as Professor McGonagall and Professor Lupin enter the room.

"Well, It looks as if we only require Mr. Malfoy's father, and then we can begin." Dumbledore stated, looking to the girls. The door slammed opened, and a man with silky off white hair enters. In his hand he grasps a cane topped with a silver snake on its head. He looks about the room and fixes Artimis with a look that sends shivers down her spine, then sneering at Dumbledore in an air of superiority.

"Is this the child that embarrassed my son in front of the whole school, Dumbledore?" He spoke in a proud and self-assertive tone, gesturing nonchalantly to Artimis. In the instant he spoke, Artimis held back a terrified scream. The voice of the Death eater from her past had just spoken in her presence once again. Alexis felt a wave of fear rush throughout the room, emanating from Artimis, as she heard her gulp and readjust. Professor Snape looked at her in questioning from his place across the small office. Before Lucius Malfoy had ended his sentence, Artimis was sitting ramrod straight up in her chair, her hands gripping the armrests until her knuckles turned white. Her chest seemed to freeze, making it near impossible to breath. In waves of terror, tucked away memories of her mother and sister's brutal murders revealed themselves, with more detail than ever before. It took all of Artimis self-control and strength to sit in that chair and not flee or attack this man.

For an agonizing hour she sat there, listening to that voice as it harasses her, and her memories tortured her viciously. Finally, Professor Snape tiredly looked up at the clock, unbent from his reclining spot at the mantle and stated distractedly, "Both of these girls have a detention tonight, Headmaster. My dungeon floors need scrubbing." And before Professor Snape could even finish, Artimis bolted up out of her chair, yelled "Yes!" and rushed out the door as fast as she could make her legs carry her, not waiting to be dismissed, only wishing to leave the assaulting presence of Lucius Malfoy.

Everyone, including Professor Snape, looked flabbergasted at Artimis's sudden enjoyment of cleaning and her quick departure. The Headmaster looked to Alexis, who got up and ran out the door ahead of Professor Snape before anyone could stop her. He nodded at the other Professors and followed the girls, wondering what had gotten into Ms.Callabella. Alexis stepped off the descending stairs led by the phoenix statue and glimpses Artimis's hunched form in the corner of the corridor. Confused, she rushed to Artimis and grabbed her shoulders, kneeling next to her.

"What was that about? You got excited about scrubbing Scarab guts of the dungeon floor!" She said looking into Artimis's tear streaked face.

"He is... he is... He was the one who ... Who… killed Diana and My mot... mother!" She whimpered leaning on Alexis small frame.
---------------------------------------------- Professor Snape strides up behind Alexis and gazed into Artimis's fear filled eyes. She pulls away from Alexis's near embrace and rushed away down the darkening corridor, her cloaks billowing behind her in almost a life of their own.

Artimis fled to the only place she had ever felt safe -the class her and Alexis use for their usual gymnastics training. Finally there, she slumps to the floor, hands clamped over her ears, and begins sobbing. "Stop it, go away." she murmurs, her voice no louder than a faint whisper.

Alexis rushes into the room with Snape in tow. Artimis does not notice their entrance, all her energy focused on willing away the dreadful memories. She grabs her hair, crying, trying to block it out, all of it. Next thing she knows, she is in someone's arms and someone is whispering in her ear; but the memories won't let her pick out the words. She opens her eyes and looks into black robes. Not wanting to look up at whoever the person holding her is, she buries her head into the soft cloth and sobs. Unknowingly she was being handed to someone else, and being carried. She knew it wasn't Alexis -even with her good intentions, Alexis could barely carry a bag of potatoes. She buried her head into the chest of who ever this person was and forced it all away. Slowly she came out of her reverie enough to know exactly who was placing her calmly on a bed in the hospital ward. Professor Snape set her down gently and she tried to murmur something to him, but he turned and swiftly walked towards Madam Pomfrey, who also rushed into a room, returning with a vial, which she handed to the Professor. Artimis could hardly tell what was going on, her mind drained. She allowed Alexis to hold her up as Snape poured a warm liquid down her throat. Alexis settled her down and brushed hair out of her face. The last thing Artimis remembered seeing was Professor Snape glaring toward the door and a shadow at the curtains.

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Alexis didn't have a clue as to what had happened. One minute Artimis was her cool collected self, and then Malfoy's dad walked in and Artimis froze in terror. She felt a jolt of disturbing familiarity at the sight of Draco's father, though she had never before seen him in her life. It almost felt like a connection. Pushing that scary thought aside, she focused on the problem at hand.

At Artimis's rush out of the room, she was shocked. When no one made a move to follow, she quickly sped out of the door ahead of a bewildered Snape; intent on finding out what was wrong. Then when Artimis said what she had said and ran away from her, all she could do was grab Professor Snape's sleeve and pull him along, running to stay ahead of his long strides. Out of breath she reached the room she knew Artimis would head to. There Artimis lay, almost writhing in pain. Alexis ran to her, enveloping her in her arms, her only conclusion was that Lucius Malfoy had done this to her.

"Artimis I'm here, Please, I'm here." she whispered gently in her ear. Artimis snuggled up to her and shook convulsively with tears.

"Ms.Whyte, I'm sure you know what's going on with her but I believe she needs to be taken to the Hospital wing, now." Professor Snape stated, his voice lowered considerably. He leaned down and picked Artimis up with little effort. Artimis simply sighed and murmured, burying her head in his robes, something he was obviously not used to. Alexis followed in silence; racking her brain for every tidbit of information Artimis had given about her mother.

As they entered the Hospital ward, Artimis wept and then looked up at Professor Snape. Then as if this was not out of the ordinary she simply tucked her head back into his robes as he lay her down. "Th....Th.... Th...." was whispered from her lips as Severus Snape walked up to Madam Pomfrey and asked her for a dreamless sleep draught for the girl.

Alexis moved close to Artimis, putting her arm around her shoulders as Professor Snape came back with a potion. She held Artimis up as he put it to her lips and she drank it carefully. She sighed and laid down, her eyes fixed on something no one could see, the she turned to look at Snape and the her eyes focused on something near the privacy curtain before her eyes closed in deep slumber.

"Ms. Whyte would you care to explain why she had such a reaction?" Snape asked her, looking more than a bit concerned for a moment then his normal scowl quickly taking his face back.

"All I know is that Malfoy's dad had something to do with it. She said that he was the one who murdered her mum, said that it was his voice...." she trailed off, remembering the look of dread on Artimis's face, and a strange familiar shudder raced through her body at the thought of Lucius Malfoy.

Snape's head turned quickly and he put his hand up to silence her. She nodded, and went to sit by Artimis. Lucius Malfoy's voice was heard through the room, what he was saying was barely audible, but the noise was getting closer and Artimis's body tensed. Professor Snape walked out of the area and his somber voice was heard with the smooth mumbling of Malfoy Sr. Alexis held Artimis's hand, not knowing what else to do. Then the curtain was thrown back and Dumbledore walked in, his eyes not holding their usual sparkle. "Miss Whyte, do you know what it was that spooked Miss.Callabella so?" he asked quietly. She nodded, realizing that she was one of the only ones who did.

"So Artimis trusted you enough with the knowledge of her past; you must mean a great deal to her, especially since she was willing to die to find you, but it seems in a short couple of days the roles have switched and it will be you to save her." he said he voice carrying that comforting tone that made her feel as if everything was alright.

"But why now, Headmaster, Why tonight?" She questioned.

"Ah. The mind is a very mysterious place; one does not know what makes it bring up things. But luckily for her, you and Severus were there to help her here." he stated, placing his hand on her shoulder. "I must say I don't think I've ever seen such dedication flow both ways from two friends. Make sure things never jeopardize your friendship." She shook her head in acknowledgement and returned her eyes to Artimis's sleeping form. I won't let you go, just like you wouldn't let me, she thought as Madam Pomfrey sent her to her dormitory. When Alexis awoke the next day she put into action a plan to keep Artimis's spirits up for the next couple of days. Besides, now some much needed pranking can get done.

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Artimis and Alexis meandered down the hallway, giggling as they read out of an old dusty book in Alexis hands. They are once again heading to Snape's dungeons for another well-earned detention. Alexis looks slyly in the book, places her finger on a line of script, and begins reciting a piece. "My naked weapon is out: quarrel, I will back thee." she says, grinning and jumping in front of Artimis, her wand out like a sword. Artimis steals the book, peeks in it and replies, "How! Turn thy back and run?" Drawing her wand in the same clumsy fashion.

"Fear me not." Alexis says hopping behind Artimis and holding her wand at ready.

"No, marry; I fear thee!" Artimis replies seemingly looking at Alexis and trembling. They pause for a moment and laugh heartily, while Alexis steals glances at Artimis questioningly, and looks in the book yet again.

Alexis begins again, saying evilly, "I will frown as I pass by, and let them take it as

they list."

Artimis, in her giddiness turns around, looks at Alexis and speaks, "Nay, as they dare. I will bite my thumb at them; which is a disgrace to them, if they bear it."

A deep voice behind them echoes, "Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?" They turn in shock and look in to the face of their Potions Professor, Severus Snape.

"Uhhh. We were just heading to your class for our detentions." Artimis said sheepishly, closing the book and passing it behind her to Alexis. Professor Snape looks at her in mild amusement, glaring at the book behind her back.

"No need to hide the book from me, I know perfectly well what you are reading." He sneered, an eyebrow raised almost in interest. "I wonder how it would seem to your housemates if you were seen gallivanting about with a Gryffindor, whom you supposedly hate, reciting muggle literature, Miss Callabella?" He says a hint of disgust in his voice.

Artimis goes white. What if they did hear about this? Snape wouldn't dare. And why does Alexis and him keep looking at me like THAT!

"It makes me wonder, Professor Snape, how you know of such literature and even have it memorized." Alexis chided dangerously, breaking into to Artimis thought process. Alexis thinks inwardly, I can't let her stop to think to long or she will remember.

Professor Snape looks at her coldly, his eyes burning with anger. "That is none of your business, 10 points from Gryffindor. Now get to the classroom, the cauldrons are already set out, waiting for you to clean them." he said, whisking past them before they could get a word in edgewise.

"Well, that was pleasant," Artimis chuckled as she headed down to the Dungeons, Alexis behind her. They enter the classroom and sigh. The pile of cauldrons sat before them and the two wooden buckets of murky water sat on the floor, staring at them in familiarity. On the blackboard was written," NO FIGHTING IN MY CLASSROOM!" in Snape's graceful script.

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Alexis looked at Artimis in wonder, as Artimis distractedly scrubbed the greasy cauldron. How could she have forgotten last night? I don't understand. Its as if it never happened to her! Alexis wonders, while barely brushing some potion remains from her cauldron. She sneaks a glance at Artimis again, and notices Artimis glaring back at her.

"What is it? Is there something on my face or something?" Artimis asked angrily.

"What do you mean?" Alexis replied, trying to sound dumfounded.

"You, Dumbledore, hell, even Snape keeps looking at me funny. What is it?"

Alexis gulped, Should I tell her? I guess it's my job to. "Artimis, um... what do you remember about last night?" she asked softly, staring into the depths of the cauldron.

Artimis face grew solemn, her breaths becoming slightly labored as her voice lowered. "Oh, I had hoped you all would have forgotten. I'm trying to." She said with her head hung low, her hands no longer grasping her brush. " I'm sorry I rushed out like that, I just... I couldn't..." She stammered.

Alexis tossed aside her brush and moved over to her friend, giving her a huge hug. "Don't be ashamed, No one thinks any less of you. In fact, I believe I heard Professor Snape commenting on how he was amazed at your self-control." She commented into Artimis's hair.

"Ms.Whyte, Ms.Callabella, I don't believe that is cleaning!" Professor Snape's voice broke through the tender moment between friends. They broke apart quickly, and Alexis realized Artimis had been crying again. Artimis wiped her eyes and looked up at Professor Snape. Alexis looked at her and saw in her eyes something along the lines of deep gratitude.

"Professor Snape?" Artimis said quietly.

"Yes, Ms.Callabella?" he sighed distractedly as he stalked to his desk. He stiffly sat down and glared at her, waiting for her to reply.

"Thank you. I really appreciate what you did for me last night." Artimis said quickly and turned back to her vessel and began scrubbing furiously again.

Professor Snape got up and cautiously walked over to Artimis, "Your welcome…but don't expect me to be around to save you all the time." He said in a low voice. Artimis chuckled.

"Don't worry, that's what I keep her around for." pointing to Alexis, not looking up at Snape. Alexis glared daggers at Artimis.

"Ms.Callabella, it is customary to look at someone when they are talking to you." he chided, a tad confused.

"No offense meant, Sir, but I can't bring myself to look you in the eyes." she replied, her voice low.

"Why is that?" He questioned, kneeling a bit. Artimis sucked in a deep breath. "Because Sir, I am embarrassed that you indeed needed to save me, and that the person you saved me from was myself." She replied, her shoulders slumping dejectedly.

"Do not be, I look at you no differently, You're still an insolent prat who insists on making my life miserable. Now get back to cleaning so I can rid myself of the two of you." He expressed, suddenly stern, and standing up straight and tramping back to his desk. He sits down, head low to his desk to hide his face, and begins writing hurriedly on a piece of parchment.

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A day later at another tiring detention with Professor Snape, Alexis polished off the last bit of gunk out of the tankards.

"Professor, we're done," They both stated, trying to keep all excitement out of their voices.

"Very well, you are dismissed." he mumbled darkly, barely looking up from him grading.

"Thank you, Sir." they replied in quick unison as they grabbed their things and rushed out of the dreary room. They bolted straight for the abandoned classroom. Once they got there, they magically sealed the door with a quick "Colloportus!" and stripped off their cloaks. It was a Saturday and turning stormy, so practicing for their upcoming duel was all they could think of to pass the time.

"Ok. Now, who's winning this one?" Alexis asked, straightening her Muggle T-shirt over her bathing suit.

"I am, you won last time, and why are we in our swimsuits, again?" Artimis questioned, fixing the shorts she wore over her suit.

"Because it's easier to move gracefully in them. Now ready yourself." Alexis said stepping to the middle of the platform they had constructed for dueling purposes.

They positioned themselves, holding their wands out at the ready, and slightly grinning. "Okay, let's just go over it the way we practiced." Alexis reminded, holding her wand loosely over her head, "I'll start."

Quietly, they glared at each other, going into character. The room was deathly quiet and the air was charged with an air of anticipation. Suddenly, Alexis smoothly flicked her wand, twirling and shouting defiantly, green eyes shining in excitement, "Expelliarmus!"

Artimis tensed and flashed her wand in front of her, expecting that exact spell. Counteracting, she parried with a shout," Impervius!"

The spell backfired, and Alexis gracefully flipped to the side, narrowly avoiding the ricocheted charm, and smiled maliciously.

In an instant, Artimis dismissed the air of proud ness and quickly yelled, catching her off guard," Locomotor Mortis!"

Surprised, Alexis almost fell over backwards as the spell hit her full on, freezing her legs in place. If not for her good sense of balance, Alexis would've toppled over in a heap. But Alexis grinned as she realized the fault in that charm -her wand arm was still free. She grinned and bellowed, ''Impedimenta!"

Surprised, caught in a pose of defense, Artimis froze, every muscle going still, but a glint of anger flared in her eyes.

Thinking she was safe for the moment, Alexis proceeded to wrack her memory for the counter curse that always seemed to slip her mind. Well, I guess that's one thing me and Longbottom have in common... she glanced up momentarily and inhaled sharply as she realized she didn't hit Artimis too well with the Immobilizing charm. Shocked, she stared as Artimis grinned evilly and pointed her wand, yelling triumphantly, "Petrificus Totalus!"

Alexis jerked as straight as a board and quickly tottered backwards onto the hard floor, head hitting the concrete with a thud.

Artimis winced and quickly rushed over to her companion, looking down in concern. Hurriedly, she voiced," Finite Incantantem." Alexis happily relaxed onto the ground, rubbing the back of her head gingerly. Artimis grabbed her wrist and pulled her to her feet.

"That didn't go to bad. But you can't show emotion! Don't look worried when you hit me with the spell!" Alexis criticized.

"Well! It looked like it hurt that time..."

"Okay, as long as you don't do it during the real thing." Alexis commented and glanced out the only window as Artimis strolled over to a table for a drink. Alexis walked over to the window and noticed the roiling storm clouds rushing in over the lake. She watched blissfully as a harsh wind tore through the trees in a rage, and sending the usually calm waters of the lake into a boiling frenzy. She had always enjoyed intense storms like the one that was brewing. She was always amazed at the raw fury of Nature unleashing itself and brutally assaulting the Earth with all the elements of a perfect storm.

"Artimis, why are we inside? Look at the storm brewing outside." Alexis stated, an idea popping into her mind.

"Um... I don't know, I never thought of going outside in the storm..." She looks briefly to Alexis, who has a glint of mischief in her eyes. "What are you thinking of?" she questioned, knowing all to well that they were about to do something dangerous and against the rules again.

"Okay. We're already in our bathing suits, correct? And out there is a lake. Obvious, right? But why don't we spice things up a bit. It's getting ready to pour, and if we just decided to take a dip, a doubt it would harm anyone if we just took it in the rain. It's water too, right? Plus, no one else would be out there to stop us!" she said her eyes lighting up playfully.

"Um... Sure why not? I mean what could go wrong, it's just a storm and they are both water." Artimis agrees, smiling. She goes and gathers her cloaks, throwing them around her shoulders. "We might want to wear these until we get outside, then we can toss them at the door." She says, handing Alexis hers. She quickly recites a spell to put up the platform and cleans up the table. Then Alexis casts Alohomora on the door and they exit swiftly and quietly, not wanting their hiding place discovered.

They hastily descended the grand staircase, taking the steps two at a time. Foolishly not looking about, they head to the front doors, not noticing the black shadow following them nearly as swift, and quieter than a mouse. They push open the doors and step outside, looking over the lake and nearly being blown over by the gust of wind that assaulted them instantly. In the noise of the gust they did not hear the door open and close behind them.

"Well, lets strip here and that way our clothes will be sort of dry when we are done." Alexis stated, unzipping her cloak. Artimis followed suit and they both tossed their clothing back into the shadows, hitting their stalking figure hiding there as they dashed off in a run toward the lake.

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Severus had been heading down to the kitchens to get a mug of hot chocolate or a steaming cup of coffee, which ever he found first. Then he saw them, two dark figures moving silently and quickly through the halls. Cursing under his breath and glancing around to look for other students he took of in a stealthy run, following who he knew to be Artimis Callabella and her accomplice in all things mischievous, Alexis Whyte. He followed them down the stairs wondering what in the world they were doing. It must be my fate to come across them at the most bothersome times... Snape thought wearily to himself. Then he saw them exit the front doors and swore under his breath again. The last thing he wanted to do was go out in the rain, but if they were up to something he had to keep them alive. He snuck out the door; grateful for the gust of wind that nearly made Alexis topple over. Then they had a short conversation followed by nods and then them swiftly undressing. Befuddled he didn't have time to dodge the clothing being thrown. Then, as he struggled and shoved away their cloaks, he saw, to his horror, them dive into the lake.