Broken
The Yule Ball had ended just six hours ago, and all of the students were still sleeping soundly in their dorms. Save for one, Draco Malfoy. He was asleep in the hospital wing, while he recuperated from the previous nights exertions. The young man's bed was surrounded by his head of house, Professor Snape, the school's Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, the school nurse Madame Pomfrey and Deputy Headmistress, Minerva McGonagall. They had been standing at his bed side, for what seemed like ages, when he slowly started to stir.
"Finally the boy awakens," sighed the Headmaster softly, to his companions. "Minerva, will you go and wake Artemis and accompany her to my office." The old woman turned and left. "Severus, will you go to the front gates and await the arrival of their parents. Once they have arrived, please accompany them to my office." The younger wizard nodded and left the hospital wing.
"Mr. Malfoy" whispered Albus, as he gently shook the boy. "Mr. Malfoy, you'll need to wake up now." Draco slowly opened his eyes. Upon realizing he was in the hospital wing, he became startled and tried to sit up quickly. This was a mistake. Draco grimaced and held onto his side tightly, waiting for the pain to subside.
"Don't move too quickly, Draco. You'll only cause yourself more pain." The Headmaster patted the boy softly on the back, in a soothing gesture. "Now, we have some pressing business to deal with, so I will help to my office."
"Can't this wait until I'm feeling better?" asked Draco as he slowly moved to rest against the headboard.
"Unfortunately Draco, it cannot." Albus helped him out of the bed and they, very slowly, made their way to the Headmaster's office, the old wizard supporting the injured boy the entire way.
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Once they arrived at their destination, Draco was startled to note, that not only was his parent's there, along with Professor Snape, but Artemis' parents were there as well. He also noted that they all looked rather upset, especially Draco's father. Suddenly the events of the previous night came rushing back and Draco knew he was, for lack of a better word, screwed. He nervously glanced at his mother, who looked as if she would break down in tears, at any moment. Cautiously, he took his seat next to his father, and waited for someone to speak.
After a few minutes of tense silence, the door to the office opened and Minvera walked in, with a very tired-looking Artemis, trailing behind her slowly.
"I cannot believe how hard it is to wake a teenage girl," huffed the agitated woman as she entered. "She refused to get up, finally I had to drag her from the bed… didn't even have time to properly dress herself." Minvera glanced at Artemis' attire and rolled her eyes, disapprovingly. Artemis was clad in an ivory chiffon nightdress that fell to mid-thigh. Her feet were nestled into a pair of, rather ridiculous looking, floppy eared, bunny slippers.
"I, for one, find those slippers to be absolutely charming," gushed Albus, who watched in fascination, as the ears flopped with each step she took.
"I think they are darling, as well," said Artemis as she yawned. "Perhaps, I'll get you a pair next time I'm in muggle London." Artemis sat next to her parents and looked around the room, unsettled by everyone's somber expressions.
"What's going on… is this another pop quiz?" She asked jokingly.
"No, my dear, unfortunately it is not." Perseus said softly, as he grasped his daughter's hand reassuringly. Just as Artemis was beginning to worry, the door began to open.
"Ah, yes, our last guest has arrived," said Dumbledore calmly. Everyone's attention shot to the door as, an old, grumpy looking Wizard entered. The Headmaster conjured a chair for the man, who then began to sort out his belongings, on the desk in front of him. One of the item's he had brought with him, was a Dictaphone. Apparently they needed record of what was about to take place. The man turned the Dictaphone on and cleared his throat, before he began.
"We are here today, to pass judgement on case number a4501121986, Draco Malfoy versus Artemis Fowlington."
"What!" exclaimed both, Draco and Artemis, in unison. Draco had attempted to jump up, but the pain it caused him, was too great, and he doubled over. His father roughly pulled him upright, in his seat, making the pain worse, which caused Draco to moan loudly.
"The girl hasn't been informed?" questioned the old wizard, agitation evident in his voice.
"Not yet," replied Albus quietly.
"Miss Fowlington, I am a Marriage Law Specialist. I wrote the contract between yourself and Mr. Malfoy. As you know, the contract clearly stipulates that both parties must remain faithful to each other, once the engagement has been announced." The wizard paused as he adjusted his glasses. After clearing his throat, he continued. "Last night young Mister Malfoy, committed, rather he attempted to commit, an act of adultery, with one, Miss Pansy Parkinson." Artemis stared at Draco, confusion creasing her brow. Draco quickly looked away, unable to look her in the eyes.
"But... I thought we had a good time?" Artemis whispered, to no one in particular
"The charm used to force faithfulness, was a derivative of the Cruciatus Curse. My own creation," he gloated. "This will account for Mr. Malfoy's obvious discomfort."
"So, if he broke the terms of the marriage contract, I don't have to marry him right?" Artemis asked hopefully.
"Correct… mind you, he will also have his wand snapped and be banished from the wizarding world… forever," said the specialist flatly.
"Oh…" gasped Artemis, "I forgot about that part." Artemis then looked at Draco, who was starring blankly at the wall. Lucius, however, could not mask his anger, he looked absolutely livid.
"Miss Fowlington!" shouted the specialist, trying to get her attention.
"Sorry, what did you say?" she asked, having not been paying attention.
"I was saying that, since the charm stopped Mr. Malfoy from actually engaging in sexual intercourse, there is another option."
"What other option?" asked a teary eyed Narcissa Malfoy.
"Well, if Miss Fowlington agrees to ignore the young man's indiscretion and is willing to go forth with the marriage, he can remain in the wizarding world."
"In other words, my dear, Draco's fate lie's in your hands." Albus whispered, smiling sadly at the panicked young woman.
"So he can stay?" Narcissa said breathlessly.
"Only if she agrees," the man reminded her. All eyes turned to Artemis.
"But if I don't agree... I get my life back?" Artemis asked, attempting to clarify her options.
"Yes, but you would, in essence, be taking his away from him," interjected the Headmaster before the specialist has a chance to reply.
"Father, what should I do?" Artemis asked quietly, hoping for some sort of guidance or support from her family, who had thus far, been silent.
"It's not my decision to make. Legally I cannot offer you council. I just ask you to remember that everyone makes mistakes." Perseus looked at Draco, disgust etched on the young father's face. Artemis, once again, turned her attention to the Malfoy family. Draco was staring at the ground, his hands grasping the arms of the chair tightly. Lucius, having noted his son's tension, gently placed his hand over Draco's and squeezed it reassuringly. Draco relaxed slightly. Artemis' heart began to ache. If she didn't agree to continue on with this sham of an engagement, she would be tearing a family apart. If she did agree, than she would be throwing away, what would most likely be, her only chance of escape. Artemis, quickly looked away from the Father, trying to inconspicuously console his son. She then made the mistake, of looking at, the very distraught Mrs. Malfoy. Silent tears ran down the beautiful woman's cheeks, her breathing ragged. Narcissa locked eyes with the young girl, silently pleading with her.
"I don't want to marry him." Artemis choked out, as she began to sob. Placing her head in her hands, she quietly wept. After several minutes of mourning her decision, she lifted her head, wiped away her tears and turned to the specialist, who was fidgeting wildly, having already lost his patience.
"I will agree to the terms of the marriage contract," she said sadly. Everyone in the room gasped.
"Alright then, Mr. Malfoy, please relinquish your wand," said the specialist, holding his hand out.
"Wait... what? Why do you need his wand?" Artemis shouted. Draco slowly handed his wand to the old wizard, and slumped further down into his chair. Lucius rested his hand on the back of his son's neck, softly drawing small circles, in an attempt to comfort his boy.
"I told you that he would be banned from our world and his wand would be snapped." The specialist couldn't hide his annoyance any longer. "I thought we discussed this quite thoroughly." He tightly wrapped both of his hands, around either end of Draco's wand, and began to bend it.
"Wait... stop!" Artemis reached forward, grabbing Draco's wand from the specialists hands, before it broke. "I meant that I would continue to go along with the contract. I will marry him."
"You should have been more clear," spat the specialist, rolling his eyes, before clearing away his belongings. "If that is your final decision, than my business here is done."
"That's my final decision."
"Oh, Thank God!" exclaimed Narcissa, grabbing Artemis and hugging her excitedly. Artemis gently pulled herself away from Narcissa. After handing Lucius his son's wand, she rushed out of the office, in an attempt to hide that fact, that she was quickly losing her composure.
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When the door closed behind her, Artemis broke down. The last few months had worn her out, and this morning's events, were more than she could bear. Letting her grief consume her, she slowly slid down the wall, pulled her knees to her chest, hid her face and wept uncontrollably. A few moments later, the door opened and the marriage specialist walked out. As he disappeared down the corridor, Artemis couldn't help but feel that, with him, went her only chance out. Her only chance to finally have her life back. She then did the only thing she could think of. She ran, and she kept running, ignoring the burning sensation in her lungs, the floppy ears of her slippers, flapping wildly with every step she took. She needed to get out. Where she was going, she didn't know, nor did she care.
Unfortunately, that morning was a cold, dreary one, the snow falling steadily. Within seconds of passing through the large wooden front doors of the castle, snow covered the hysterical young girl, thoroughly wetting her, as it melted against her skin. When Artemis could run no more, she collapsed on the hard packed snow. Lying flat on her back, staring up at the dark sky, she wept until she had nothing left. As she lay there, Artemis hoped, more than anything, that if she stayed as she was, long enough, with the snow piling on her shivering frame, she would be able to disappear. At least then, she would never have to face the miserable, unloved, future that lay ahead of her.
"Feeling better?" Artemis shot up quickly at the unexpected intrusion. "Pardon my interruption, but I cannot allow you to stay out here any longer. Albus would have my head on a pike, if I let you freeze to death," said Severus Snape, as he offered his hand to the young woman sitting on the ground. Artemis made no move to accept his hand.
"Miss Fowlington... I have known Draco his entire life, and though his actions are often questionable, he really isn't that bad." Severus' words were meant to calm the young girl, but they had the opposite effect. She began to cry violently again, making the stoic wizard very uncomfortable.
"Everyone keeps... saying... that." she wailed brokenly, as she crumpled back to the ground, contorting herself into the fetal position. Severus did the only thing he could think of. He picked the soaked, snow-covered girl up and carried her back to the castle.
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By now, many of the students had awoken and were roaming around the castle. When they saw their Potions Master carrying a fellow student, they began to stare and whisper. Ignoring their chattering, Severus made his way to the wing of the castle, that held the Ravenclaw dorms. Upon entering the common room, he removed the wards that prevented males from entering the girl's dorms. He then laid the quietly sobbing girl on her bed, whispered a drying spell, so she wouldn't be cold, and left.
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Artemis spent the entire afternoon, exactly where Professor Snape had left her, alternating between sleeping and crying. No one, who entered the dorms, was able to lift her spirits, not even her dearest friend Cosette. Finally, they all gave up and left her to cry in peace.
As the sun was setting, on that cold December Sunday, the door slowly creaked open, and Albus Dumbledore walked in. He cleared his throat, in an attempt to get her attention. When she did not respond, he continued with what he had to say.
"Miss Fowlington... you will be happy to know that Draco is feeling much better. The pain is completely gone and he can move about freely." Artemis continued to ignore him. "Artemis... sit up... look at me," commanded the Headmaster. Artemis begrudgingly obeyed. Her normally pristine hair was horribly disheveled, the waist length locks full of knots. Her eyes were red and terribly swollen from an entire day's crying. All in all, Artemis was a sight to behold. As he took in her broken state, his eyes began to fill with tears, he quickly blinked them away.
"I am sure you have heard this all before but... all will be well. I'm sure you feel as if your world has been shattered, but really, my dear, it has not." Artemis looked away, trying to hide the anger that was threatening to burst out of her, but Albus would not relent. He gently grasped her chin with his wrinkled hand, and forced her to look at him. "I am very proud of you. You were given a chance to take back control of your life, but you didn't. All for the sake of someone you claim to hate."
"I... never said I hated him. I just don't like him, and I certainly don't want to marry him," she whispered softly, once again fighting back tears.
"You will learn to care for him. Maybe even love him... perhaps not today, tomorrow or even years from now, but someday. " Albus stroked her arm reassuringly.
"BUT I DON'T WANT TO WAIT!"
"Artemis..."
"No! I want love... now!" she shouted, gesturing wildly. "I want passion! When he walks in the room, I want my heart to race, my stomach to do somersaults, my cheeks to color! When he looks at me, I want to feel like I'm the only girl in the world. I want it hurt when we're apart. It wasn't supposed to be like this! I want... I want.." Artemis choked on her sobs, completely over come with grief. After taking a few deep breaths, she continued, "I want all of that... I want it now, twenty years from now, I want it forever... but the harsh reality is, I can want it until the day I die, but I'll never have it... not with him." Albus Dumbledore was dumbfounded. He had not expected such an outburst, nor had expected so understandable and rational, an explanation for her distress.
"Mister Malfoy," called the Headmaster. The door, that Albus had left cracked, opened to reveal the young man Artemis was to marry. "I believe you asked to speak to your fiancé. I will leave you to it." Albus stood and left the two children alone. Artemis hoped that Draco hadn't heard what she had told the Headmaster, but judging by the look on his face, she was sure he had.
"I... just wanted to see if you were alright... and to say... well, Thank you." Draco whispered meekly looking away from the disheveled young girl. Artemis did not respond. "I'm sorry... about what I did, about Pansy."
"Don't you dare," she hissed dangerously, interrupting Draco's apology. "Don't apologize for something you're not sorry for."
"But I am sorry"
"You're sorry you got caught!"
"No Artemis, I am sorry for what I did."
"I thought we'd had a good time," she whispered, the tears returning. "We had gotten on quite well. I thought."
"Yes we did." Draco said quietly, smiling softly. "Look, I know it was stupid and it won't happen again..." he tried to approach her, but she backed away quickly. "Artemis.. Please, let me make it up to you."
"Get out."
"What?"
"I said, Get out!"
"I really think we need to talk things through, so we can move past this."
"There is not moving past this. You betrayed me, before we were even married. There's no moving past that!"
"Artemis, be rational." Draco said, as he tried to approach her again. She glared fiercely, stopping him dead in his tracks. "I was weak... it had been so long since I had been with someone. I screwed up and I'm paying for it. Believe me, I'm paying for it! What do you have to gain by making it worse?"
"No Draco, I'm the one who's paying for it! If you were the one who had to deal with the consequences of your actions, than your wand would have been snapped and I would have to spend the rest of my life suffering with you, because of you!" All he could do was stare at her, her temper making him uneasy. "Let me make myself very clear, Draco. I will marry you. Only because I have no choice. Until then, you stay the hell away from me. When we meet once a month, don't talk to me, don't look at me, forget you even know I'm there."
"You're wrong! You had every opportunity to end this, and you didn't take it. Don't complain about how things are turning out. It was your choice." Draco hissed nastily.
"You should thank your mother for that! I couldn't be the one to cause her the pain she would of had to endure, if I had chosen differently. Now get out!" Draco was fuming, he had come to apologize, say he was sorry, and this is how she treated him. He stormed out of her dorm room, slamming the door loudly behind him.
Clearly she didn't know how hard it was for a Malfoy to apologize. As grateful as he was to still be a wizard, he couldn't let her get away with treating him like that. After all, technically, this was all Artemis' fault. If she hadn't been slutting around with that Ravenclaw boy, he never would have felt the need to get back at her. "The nerve of that girl," Draco whispered to himself, as he headed to his dorm room.