Crushed
Chapter 5
By: EckoStalker

Disclaimer: I. Don't. Own. Harry. Potter. OKAY!? HAPPY!? (Sorry, just wish I thought of them... they rock. hehehe...) J.K. Rowling has the honor of professing her ownership of the characters besides Alexis (mine), Jason, Brad, William, and Krinston (also mine), and Artimis (Deep Shadows' person). Thank you, have a nice day.

Author's Notes: This is the last chapter of my story thingy. NOOO!! I won't have anything else to write after school!! AHHH!! Must... think... of, more... IDEAS!! Plus I haven't seen Deep Shadows in TWO WEEKS!! I'm going crazy! HELP!! --Sobbing looks up after a moment, composed now--

Also, I know Severus Snape is a bit O.O.C. at the end here, but you know what, I WANT IT THAT WAY! SO THERE!! --Sticks out tongue-- Mwahahahahahaha...

Alexis felt an ache deep in her chest that just about brought tears to her eyes as she came to. She opened her eyes, lying on her side in one of the infirmary beds she was so familiar with now. Her curtains were up around her bed, so she just lay still for a few moments as she reoriented herself. Her whole body was stiff and mouth dry and she could dimly hear several voices drawing near her. She gingerly sat up, leaning against the wall behind her bed, holding back tears as the memories from the night before surfaced in her mind.

The voices stopped, and Alexis saw several silhouettes around the bed to the left of her, and she laid her head back, intending to listen as she recognized Dumbledore's voice.

"Good morning Severus. Feeling better are we?"

She heard a growl that was interpreted as a yes.

"Have you found who was responsible for this yet, Headmaster?" Snape's silky voice asked, she saw a figure sitting up in the bed next to her.

"That is the problem, Severus. We have several stories." Minerva's curt voice cut in, sounding a tad confused.

"Well? What went on? No one bothers to come and tell me these things. I wake up here without a clue next to a hysterical caretaker, an annoying girl who thinks I'm insensitive, and an unconscious girl in need of anger management classes! What went on!?"

"Hey! I'm not that annoying! And you are insensitive at times... sir. Someone saves your life and all you do is scowl at them and complain about what they did wrong." she heard Artimis's agitated voice.

"10 points from Slytherin! And it was ignorant of her to think she could take on two ten foot spiders by herself!! She could've got me out from under the blasted creature so I could properly rid of them without any harm coming to anyone!"

"By yourself? Yeah, that's why when I ran up, you were unconscious and squished under one? Tell me, sir, is that the proper way?"

"Another 10 points from Slytherin! And I could've..."

"Enough, you two." Dumbledore cut in. The arguing stopped.

"When we were able to break the locking spells, we caught several students watching the incident from another safer location. They seemed quite amused by it... We recognized them as Jason Kinsler, Bradley Stuners, William Rolking, and Krinston Bryts. After we aided you, Argus, Ms. Callabella -who foolishly went ahead of us-, and Ms. Whyte, we questioned them thoroughly." Minerva explained as everyone listened, Alexis listened in worry.

"And? Did they confess? Who else was involved?" Artimis asked hurriedly.

"Silence, Callabella. This is none of your concern. Well? Did they?" Severus asked impatiently also. Alexis heard disgruntled grumbling coming from Artimis.

"We heard several stories, all pretty similar. Yes, they did confess to partially taking part in the 'prank', as they called it. But they all... well... they all also said it was all Ms. Whyte's idea, having held a grudge against you and Argus for some past incident or another."

There was silence, and Alexis stopped breathing for a moment as she listened in fearful shock. Snape spoke up. "But... she, she was actually fighting against the creatures... why, would she then?... If she was guilty of letting them loose?"

"She's not guilty! Alexis would never do something that drastic over a grudge that insignificant!..."

"Artimis. Settle down and hush." Dumbledore's soothing voice quieted her. Alexis was near tears as she listened further.

"Bradley, William and Krinston alike explained Alexis would have bolted, but it was too suspicious, and she wasn't intending to kill the creatures. Jason Kinsler said it was because she backed out and got scared that she would be caught if you and Argus were seriously hurt or killed, so aided you instead, to cover it up." Minerva spoke softly, almost incredulously. There was more silence, and Alexis paled out, tears slipping down her face, not believing what she heard.

"Knowing Alexis's relationship with Kinsler, we questioned him once more, to see if he would keep to his story. He steadfastly stood upon the story that Alexis had thought of and put together the stunt, but he was tricked by her good persuasive skills into thinking it wouldn't be anything of this magnitude, so that was the only reason they went along with it." Dumbledore added.

"You did not use any truth serum?" Snape asked, sounding surprised, maybe even a bit shocked.

"It's against school policy, Severus. We must contact the parents first before any of those means are approached. But, they did sound pretty serious." Minerva informed.

"Has Ms. Whyte been questioned yet?" Severus asked again.

"No, she is still asleep. I do not think though that it would be wise not to mention anything to her yet about Jason Kinsler's accusations." Minerva said quietly. Artimis spoke up, her voice wavering. "Um... Professors, I don't think she's asleep anymore."

Her curtain was pulled back by McGonagall, and Alexis stared at the shocked faces of the group. Snape was in the bed next to hers, hand bandaged along with his ribs and chest. Artimis was in the bed next to his, head wrapped tightly in bandages. The bed to her right was occupied by a drugged Filch, but no one seemed to notice him at this moment. Dumbledore and McGonagall stood at the foot of their beds.

Alexis was curled against the wall, silent tears streaming down her face, as the group stared in the 'uh-oh,-what-do-we-do-now' expression. Alexis shook her head slowly. Then she slowly and gingerly stood up off her bed on the opposite side, staring back at the people in unbelief. Artimis was already standing now, and Snape also moved to the edge of the bed. Minerva stepped forward and spoke in a calm, soothing voice, "Ms. Whyte? It's alright... why don't you sit back down... we will all talk about this together..."

Alexis felt as if she were being spoken to like a psychiatric patient without her meds. Alexis smirked at the thought, and Snape raised an eyebrow.

Hell... maybe I'm not that far from it... Alexis started to come out from the other side of the bed, circling widely away from the group as she headed for the far doors slowly, never turning her back to them. Minerva reached for her, but Alexis jerked backwards. Severus had gotten up with some difficulty and was standing beside Minerva now. Dumbledore stood beside Artimis's bed, making no move to halt Alexis as he watched her, a sorrowful glint in his spectacled eyes. Severus now stepped forward, grabbing her arm and attempted to stop her get-away. Alexis let out a cry and quickly transformed to her wolf form, twisting out of Snape's grasp and silently racing out of the infirmary. Artimis made to jump up and bolt after her, a panicked look on her features, but Dumbledore put a hand on her shoulder. "She won't leave. Just let her be alone to think for a while."

Artimis looked worriedly after her fleeting form, Severus sitting back on the bed, a look of deep contemplation and confusion on his face.

Alexis wasn't seen for the rest of the already diminishing day, or even most of the next.

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Artimis was in her Common Room the next day, again pacing the floor in front of the fireplace. Artimis didn't have to go to classes that day, but she had anyway, in hopes of spotting Alexis, who still hadn't shown up at any class or any of the meals. She had asked the Twins, but they hadn't seen her either. In fact, no one she knew that Alexis knew had seen her since that night of the incident. She went to Dumbledore in concern, but he assured her that she had not run off again and was fine, just deeply hurt emotionally.

There was something important she had to tell Alexis, really important. She knew Alexis would be a bit more relieved when she heard it, but first she had to find her.

In the middle of her thought process, a Slytherin girl, Hailey to be exact, rushed up to her from the entrance of the dorm and spoke hurriedly. "Artimis! There's this guy outside who said to tell you that they found Alexis. But she's not doing too well, and she won't come down!"

"Come down? What? Where is she?" Artimis asked in worried confusion.

"He said she's up on Gryffindor Tower. And I mean literally, on Gryffindor Tower!"

Artimis gasped, and raced past Hailey, she glanced at a nearby clock, it reading almost 5:00pm. She skidded outside the Potions Master's quarters and banged on the door. Severus Snape flung them open, looking flustered and tired. Before he could say a word, Artimis walked in, grabbed his cloaks, grabbed his arm, and dragged him out of the room, shoving the cloaks into his arms. "Alexis needs help. I'd grab Professor Lupin as well, but he's having some issues with his other side tonight." Snape clumsily put on his cloaks and followed Artimis out the door, meeting Ronald Weasley outside. Artimis walked up to him and all three quickly ran down the corridors to Gryffindor Tower as Ron spoke. "Me an' Harry were waiting for Hermione in the Common Room for dinner so she could put away all her books and stuff. She didn't come down for a few minutes, so we called for her. She came bouncing down the stairs, telling us she had heard something outside the window by Alexis's bed and looked out. She saw Alexis sitting outside on the ledge away from the window, crying. She said she tried talking to her, but Alexis wasn't saying anything. Also said she looked ready to pass out. Told me to get you while Harry went to find Professor McGonagall."

"Thanks Ron, Hermione's a smart one." She glanced back at Snape

Severus listened to this and sighed inwardly. Over dramatic, girls are these days... always end up getting these two out of something...

"She is not overdramatic. You go through that, and see how you take it. Well... not you... if you were her I mean. Knowing you, you'd probably kill the boy first..." Artimis said angrily.

Snape growled. "Whatever... next time, mind your own business."

"How can I when you're the one telling me?"

Snape scowled, Ron staring at them in confusion as they reached the portrait hole. He said quickly, "Solus Preliators!" and the Fat Lady nodded worriedly and quickly swung open, Artimis and Severus following. They went straight to the girls' stairs, most of the House congregating in the Common Room. Severus spoke a complicated spell to allow himself into the girls' dorms and followed Artimis up as Ron, Harry, the Twins, and Apollo also followed. Frustrated by this, Snape put the spell back on the stairs, but the boys were already up and in the room.

Inside the room, Hermione stood near the window with McGonagall, the rest of the boys and two other girls from the room crowded around also. Snape growled at them to move, and all complied. Artimis raced to the window and glanced out and to the left.

Alexis sat on the edge of the stone ledge, one leg hanging down, the other drew up under her chin as she stared out over the lake hundreds of feet above the ground, tears streaming down her face, trembling, and deathly pale.

Artimis spoke softly, "Alexis. What are you doing? Come back in here!"

Alexis slowly looked at her in an unfocused gaze, and spoke. "Why d, did he lie Artimis? Do you know? H... he said he, loved me..." Alexis trailed off as her lower lip trembled. Artimis shook her head. "I don't know Alexis. But come inside here, we can find out!"

Alexis smirked sadly, then looked down at her left hand. "I... I believed h, him. I t, trusted him! Look what he gave me!" Alexis thrust out her hand to show Artimis her ring, and wobbled dangerously. Artimis cried out, reaching for her. Alexis righted herself quickly, looking unconcerned, and held out her hand again.

"Please Alexis. Come in..."

"L, look at it!"

Artimis did, and was surprised. The ring was beautiful, the gold and silver bands sparkling in the moonlight as the green gem supported by the wolf heads glimmered softly. Alexis took back her hand after a moment, gently caressing the ring. She spoke softly, "But... but it was a lie... h, he never loved m, me... he even blamed that... that... horrid stunt on me!"

Alexis wavered slightly, looking sick, too pale for Artimis's liking.

"Listen Alexis. I found out something. You won't believe it..."

Alexis looked at her mournfully, lowering her other leg over the side. Artimis spoke quickly. "Jason went back to Dumbledore later today! He... he said that you were innocent! He told him everything, about how he and the others set you up, and that it was all his fault! Alexis, he cleared you! That must mean something!"

Alexis stared at her in utmost shock, then her face darkened. "Y, you're just s, saying that to g... get me back in..." She grimaced and leaned over, holding her stomach. Artimis, concerned at her state, asked, "Alexis!? You don't look too good... come on..."

Severus was listening to the entire conversation, and was fed up. He pulled Artimis back and stuck his head out the window. "It's not a lie Ms. Whyte. I was there, I heard the entire confession. It was a few hours after you took off."

"P...Professor? How'd you get up here..." Alexis slurred, looking at him in confusion as she wavered dangerously on the ledge. Severus looked back at Artimis.

"She's sick from the spider venom that got in her system the other night. She couldn't take the second dose of the antidote while she was asleep, and she ran out before we could give it to her yesterday afternoon."

Artimis's eyes widened, and she rushed back to the window beside Severus.

"Damn it, Alexis! Why would I lie to you!? Get your ass in here before you fall off and I jump after you!"

"He.. Really came back and said that, Artimis?... but, he still lied, if he really loved me, he would never do that..."

"Girl, I better not have to climb out there after you or there will be much pain on your part on the way in." Severus growled at her, and Minerva McGonagall looked at him discouragingly.

Alexis thought a moment, then sluggishly pulled her feet over the ledge and went to her hands and knees, pushing herself up along the wall onto two feet. Artimis and Severus both sighed in relief, then looked at each other at the incident, quickly turning back to Alexis.

Alexis took a step towards the window, breathing rapidly and shaking. Then her knees gave out and Alexis stumbled, falling to the stone ledge and rolling off, slipping along the following incline towards the edge of the tower, staring and fumbling in silent terror. Artimis cried out, and jumped halfway out the window, but not catching the edge, herself now falling towards the edge. Severus lunged forward and quickly grabbed Artimis's ankle as she yelped, and quickly hauled her back in. Artimis looked shocked for a brief second at him, then she pushed at him and tried to get back out at the slipping, weakly struggling Alexis, who had a few fingers grasping the edge now. Severus scowled and pulled Artimis back from the window, shoving her into the arms of the Twins. Then he jumped on the window ledge and lowered himself out the window. He controlled his slipping as he stepped off the ledge onto the incline, and held on to the window with one hand, reaching for Alexis with the other. Alexis reached out a hand and grasped his as her feet went over the edge while she slipped. Snape strained in place for a moment, grimacing at his bruised side, then slowly hauled her back towards him, until he could get a arm around her back as she clung to him. Minerva rushed up and grabbed Severus's arm, helping pulling him through the window as Artimis struggled strongly against the Twins, who held her back with the aid of Apollo.

Severus stepped fully in the window, breathing shallowly and shakily, holding a pale, trembling Alexis in his arms. She mumbled, still clutching his cloaks. "Man... heights are scary... damn..." Severus grumbled and made Alexis loosen her hold on him. The boys let Artimis go, and she lunged at Alexis, almost pushing Snape to the floor. Artimis took Alexis out of his arms and squeezed her in a hug, a few tears slipping down her face. "Bloody hell! I though you were going to jump..."

"N, no... Didn't feel l, like testing the law o, of gravity tonight... just wanted t, to think awhile... away f, from people..." Alexis stammered, hugging Artimis back. Artimis let go, holding her up, and looked her over. Alexis winced, moaning," I feel like I'm g... gonna be s, sick..."

Severus snorted and took her back from Artimis, hefting her light form in his arms. "Well, then we better go get that antidote you forgot earlier."

They made their way back down the stairs, followed by everyone else in the room everyone else, and made their way to the portrait hole, everyone but Artimis and McGonagall remaining behind in Gryffindor tower.

Alexis looked up at Severus, who was bent on keeping his gaze straight ahead and away from her. "Um... Pr, professor?"

"Yes, Ms. Whyte?" Severus replied quietly, still looking ahead.

"Thank you. A lot. I owe you big time."

Alexis stared in wonder and relief as Snape smiled minutely.

"Actually we're even. But don't mention it Ms, Whyte. Just promise you won't ever get this way again over a boy. Remus almost drove me crazy talking about it." Snape commented, looking down at Alexis for a moment, for once no strong, offending, glint of sarcasm lacing his voice or glimmering in his eyes.

Alexis smiled and sighed contentedly, trying not to doze off as they headed to the infirmary.

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Several Days Later...

Alexis was sitting in a chair near the fireplace, finishing up her DADA essay for tomorrow, rubbing her eyes to get the sleep out of them. No one was in the Gryffindor Common Room, Hermionie having left her about a half hour ago around 11:00 pm.

She was tired enough that she didn't hear the person walk up behind her. He coughed, and Alexis jumped out of her seat and spun, coming face to face with Jason. They were quiet for a moment, both staring at each other in silence, numerous emotions coursing through them. Alexis was fighting back the few tears that threatened her. Jason looked on the verge of a breakdown as well, and he was the first to look away. Alexis spoke, controlling her voice so it wouldn't crack. "Um... I guess I should say hi."

"You don't have to, I just wanted to say some things... I'm leaving tomorrow."

Alexis nodded slowly, and he continued, looking away still. "Parents got called. Being transferred to a new school. Me and the others. Though Bradley is going to one in America."

Alexis remained silent, letting him talk. He finally could hold it no longer.

"Alexis, I... I never meant... I mean, the spiders weren't s, suppose to go after y... I didn't k... know you were still t, there until... oh my god..."

A tear slipped down his face as his voice cracked. Alexis looked at him in wonder, but spoke to find out. "I, I don't know if I should believe you."

He smirked to himself at her cleverness, eyes reddening with held back tears. "I don't expect you to. Just had to say it... just want you to know, I tried to get them to stop. I should have tried harder, but... I'm not totally bad. Just wanted to get that out."

Alexis looked at him, and he finally looked at her, locking gazes. For the first time, she actually saw a genuine look of true sorrow and guilt. She couldn't bear it and looked away, a tear also slipping down her face.

She whispered, "I know."

He smiled smally, relief flooding his eyes. But then he frowned, looking away, speaking almost inaudibly. "I still l, love you."

Alexis looked up, stunned.

"I know I could've showed it more instead of playing on it... but it was new for me too. I had really liked you before, I didn't lie about that. And there were plenty of times were I meant what I said about you."

Alexis choked out. "You know it can't go on any longer Jason."

He nodded in understanding, his lip trembling. Alexis held back some oncoming tears as she gently slipped the ring off her left finger and, looking at it a last time, held it out to him. He looked down at it, then took her hand, closing it around the ring. "I said it was for you before, so it's for you."

Alexis stared up at him in surprise. Then he, hesitantly at first, leaned down to her, and she let him come. The kiss was deep and passionate, sending Alexis into blissful and agonizing rushes of emotion and she fell against him as he held her tight. It was as good, if not better, than her first one.

They parted slowly and reluctantly, looking deep into each other's eyes. Alexis breath shallowly, as did Jason as his eyes sparkled with concealed tears and relief. He backed up a step and said quietly, his smooth, clear voice drifting to her. "Goodbye, Alexis."

Then he turned, vanishing silently up the stairs.

In her head, Alexis heard a slight exhale of breath, and knew her best friend had witnessed the whole thing through Alexis, but had respectfully remained silent. Alexis didn't care.

Alexis watched after Jason, staring deep into the darkness of the stairs, hearing his footsteps diminish slowly as she let her tears flow. She slowly slumped to a sitting position on the floor in front of the fireplace, staring into nothing in wonder and awe, grasping the ring tightly and smiling ever so slightly.

Author's note: Well, there you have. I'm finished now, and not happy about it either. I reread this last part, and I started to cry. Maybe it's 'cause this kind of thing happened to me along some different lines... anyways, in a way it might have reminded me of a soap opera at the end (hehehehehehe...)

I hope you liked it. Please send reviews. Bye Bye!