Seven Years Later...
Chapter 12
"Confessions, Interuptions, and Eased Pains"
Author's Note: I, Deep Shadows am 18 and EckoStalker is 16, and niether one of us have been pregnant, so we are just winging this pregnancy and collecting data from people who are either pregnant, or have had kids, so if it doesn't fit,We're sorry, we don't have the experience...
Oh, And Draco is up to something...
Alexis glided across the forest floor in wolf form, all senses attuned to the surroundings. She stopped and glanced behind her, picking out several distinct forms in formation a ways behind her. Manor Dela Loyalty was on patrol this morning, checking beyond the perimeters of the threstals.
She turned her head to the front as she caught a whiff of something foreign. She crouched lower and stalked towards a rise that led out of the thin expanse of trees. Creeping along on her stomach, she slowly crept to the top of it, pausing to check around her real quick. She slowly sat up and gazed over the top of the low hill, glancing down partially.
Her eyes widened and she stood up on all fours quickly, seeing a group of no less than twenty of their enemy. She checked around for any other groups, then spun on her hind feet and raced back along her trail to inform the others. She observed the rule of Radio silence, knowing they weren't the only people who could perform Occlumency.
She recognized a few forms and ran to them, quickly shifting to human form.
"Artimis! There's a group of them not too far a..."
She was cut off as she noticed a line of shadows emerging through the trees behind them.
"Ah shit... Never mind... AMBUSH!" Alexis yelled aloud.
"Fall into position!" Was called by someone, and the rest of the Manor slowly backed together as a thick ring of Deatheaters slowly surrounded them. The group of the Order members was being forced to a circle of sorts as they watched themselves being pushed together, Artimis somehow being shoved to the center of it all.
"I am not an INVALID! I'm on the outside, OKAY!" She yelled loud enough for everyone, including the enemy, to know that she was there. But she liked letting them know she was there. Alexis turned to her and hissed.
"Just shut up for once, damnit!"
"I am jumping over you now..." Artimis ignored her. Alexis shook her head, pulling out her pair of nunchucks, twirling them silently as she evaluated the situation. Artimis unsheathed her sword, plunging into the dramatic ninja stance, the sword suspended in front of her face. Alexis snickered as Artimis tossed her hair over one shoulder. Alexis watched as some of the smarter people drew their wands, knowing this war was not fought by brute force alone. Shield spells were thrown up as Alexis and Artimis mad dashed forward as the deatheaters charged. There was a loud clashing of metal and wood hitting skin. All could hear Alexis's battle cries. Ron and Draco held the other side of the circle, everyone getting a turn to bash out a Deatheater or two. Hermione yelled aloud a spell and three deatheaters fell from around her as she panted, growling at them. Hailey and Aaron circled Apollo, Remus, and Severus, seeing as they were Order members and to be protected, even though they were fighting too. Artimis swathed a path, not carefully stunning as she would usually, but killing any who crossed her path as a foe. She twirled her sword about, fighting another with a sword, who would parry her every move. She was getting angry at this touch and go motion so she dropped her sword at the exact moment she was swung at and took a solid hit to the arm as she dropped and swept the foe to the ground. Then still on the ground she rolled and stabbed the fallen enemy with her hidden dagger. She pulled out her dagger from his flesh and stood, retrieving her sword as a spell was tossed her way. She threw up her hand, beginning the shield spell when another from Hermione went up. Artimis nodded her direction in thanks and began to fight once more, ignoring the bleeding sensation from her arm. She sheathed her sword on her back and drew her dueling knifes, back flipping towards Alexis, who was currently roasting and toasting deatheaters. Artimis landed beside her, within the flames and asked, "Enjoying the barbeque?"
"Always. Hey, you're bleeding. MEDIC!" Alexis yelled and Artimis growled, covering her arm from Alexis's gaze.
"I am fine. Watch out!" Artimis spoke as she drew her dagger up and blocked a throwing knife aimed at Alexis's head.
"Thanks." Alexis said as she pushed out her flames and then dropped them, grabbing her nun chucks and knocking out a few more. Artimis dived out of the fire, intent on fighting a bit more. She watched as the remainder of the group rushed away and Artimis bared her teeth at them, growling in triumph. Draco looked at her oddly. "Um, isn't that Alexis's thing?"
"Yeah, but I felt like doing that." Artimis stated as she walked off, holding her arm. Draco looked at her oddly and saw the blood running from under her fingers.
"You're hurt. Hailey!" Draco yelled and she rushed off to check the battlefield, making sure none of her crew were laying out there, dead. Fortunately, none were.
Everyone could tell where Artimis had been fighting. There were bodies laying around a circle of stomped down grass and none of the bodies were moving. As Artimis surveyed the area, another black Owl landed on her shoulder, with orders to return to camp so the next group could go out.
She turned back to her crew, scanning the small group. She frowned in confusion, noticing a small cluster off to the side. She noticed the tell tale shock of white hair that covered her friend's bowed head. She started towards her with worry.
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Alexis ran alongside Artimis as they charged the wall of Deatheaters, letting out a battle cry for good measure. Ron ran along beside her, and she smirked at him right before rolling onto the ground and tripping him. With a startled yelp, he flew forward, bashing into two deatheaters and clearing a path for herself. She stood in front of him and swung out her nunchucks, cracking against an assailant's hand that held a wand. She turned and looked down at Ron, who scowled up at her. "You did that on purpose..."
"Naw, ya think?" she spoke sarcastically, and then fell to the ground beside him as a spell blew past her. Ron looked across at her and smiled.
"Nice of you to join..."
Alexis laughed and jumped up, snapping her nunchucks over her shoulder and grabbing Ron's hand to pull him up. Ron started to rise, then gasped and yanked Alexis's arm towards him, grabbing her around the waist and pulling her onto him as she yelped. A blinding flash of purplish energy exploded at the spot where Alexis just stood, solidifying every blade of grass and grain of dirt in that small area. Alexis stared at the spot in amazement, then looked down at Ron. She was sprawled atop him, hands on his shoulders, his arms draped loosely around her waist and back. The looked at each other for a moment, then smiled simultaneously.
"Hey you two! Save that for when we get back to camp, we've got a battle to fight first!" Harry yelled to them as he raced past, chasing down an enemy. Alexis glared, then rolled off Ron, grabbing the ankles of a running Deatheater and pulling him off his feet. She rammed him in the nose with her elbow, knocking him out cold. Ron nodded his head, impressed.
"Quick to get back into the gist of things I see..."
"Couldn't have it any other way... better move."
"Huh?"
She pointed, and Ron looked up from his spot on the ground, noticing several deatheaters running at him.
"Oh shit..." he spoke, jumping up and drawing his wand. Alexis laughed, and then felt something strike across her shoulder. She stumbled, and reached for the shoulder, noticing her nun chucks were gone. Her eyes narrowed and she spun around. "You did not just touch those..." She growled, that little stunt being all the motivation she needed for flaring up. She noticed Ron moving quickly away, feeling the heat.
Alexis glared at the Deatheater that held her cherished weapon as he backed away, swinging it slowly. She twirled and shot a jet of green flame at him, pushing both fists in front of her. To her surprise, he flipped away, snapping the nunchucks as professionally as she herself could. Alexis growled, sending three more fiery balls in rapid succession. The dude kept on dodging; slowly circling her and making her follow him. Artimis landed beside her within the flames, parrying a blow with her dueling knives. "Enjoying the barbeque?"
"Always. Hey, you're bleeding. MEDIC!" Alexis yelled worriedly, distracted by her friend's wounded arm. Artimis growled an 'I'm fine' and swiftly blocked a knife that was aimed at Alexis's head. Alexis thanked her, turning to the annoying vermin that held her nunchucks and that was surprisingly still there.
The dude just wouldn't DIE! Artimis had run off after someone else, leaving no one to warn Alexis of this deatheater's decoy plot.
Growing mighty fed up, Alexis focused all senses on the guy. For a moment, she thought she saw a smirk in his eyes. But, she had no chance to confirm so as she jerked stiffly, sudden streaks of white-hot agony blossoming across her back. She gasped with pain, stumbling a bit, her flames sputtering. The deatheater stood arrogantly in front of her, nodding to an unseen partner behind Alexis.
Another jab of intense pain erupted on her skin, this one it seemed lancing straight into the bone of her shoulder. Alexis fell to her knees, her flames dying out. She gazed over her shoulder in pained shock as she witnessed a deatheater aiming yet a third metal throwing star, as big as his fist, at her.
She fell forward as it dug into her back, bringing tears to her eyes. Her breathing ragged, she stopped a moment, letting the cold laughter of the two deatheaters sink into her consciousness. Then, with a roar of fury, she lunged to her feet, unleashing a solid dome of magical green flames straight from her body, watching it charbroil the two unsuspecting assailants, her nun chucks receiving not even a scorch mark.
Almost totally spent by the sudden outburst, Alexis's flames disappeared with a wisp, and she collapsed to the ground, trying her hardest not to land on the three throwing stars now lodged deep into her back. Her vision was tainted with black and red spots as warm liquid slid down her skin. Her name was being called, she heard a man's voice, but she couldn't quite pinpoint it, the pain was shorting out her senses. Soft hands touched her shoulders, and she flinched involuntarily, features scrunched with pain.
"D, don't touch m... me..." she spoke through gritted teeth.
"Alexis... you need help..." Ron's voice told her with concern, and he kneeled beside her.
Just, don't... touch me." she said quietly, registering it as him, but reluctant to have anything else touch her skin. He obliged, though hovered by her shoulder, torn between letting her alone for a minute or angering her by making her let him help. He chose to leave her be, he didn't feel like testing out how effective her pyro abilities were. Remus bolted up, but Ron put out a hand to stop him.
Alexis gritted her teeth and rose to her hands and knees, trembling. Ron stood hastily, holding out a hand as if to steady her. She pulled away from him sharply, staggering to her feet, vision swimming with the movement.
"Alexis!" Artimis's voice called, and she dimly saw her running towards her. One glare and Artimis skidded to a halt, watching her warily but respecting her wish. Alexis slowly walked over to where her nun chucks lay next to a crisp of a corpse. She swayed a minute, and then leaned down a picked up her nun chucks, drawing in a sharp breath as the movement seemed to tear the holes in her back wider. She clipped them onto her belt tenderly, looking down at the once-deatheater. She growled and gave it a sharp kick.
"Teach you to touch my shit..." Alexis mumbled as she turned back towards the group. Artimis ran up to her as Alexis swayed and crumpled, falling into Artimis's open arms, out cold. Artimis attempted to hold her up while avoiding the metal weapons sticking out of her. Remus joined her, taking Alexis and flipping her gently and slowly over his shoulder, hastily starting back towards camp, ordering Hailey to meet him back at the medic tent.
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Ron paced around the several or so tents in Manor Dela Loyalty's plot, worried and anxious. He heard a sharp yelp, then Hailey's voice from the nearest tent.
"Sorry, but it's going to have to hurt. Artimis ran off to find some more potions, I'm all out, but I have to get these out now before you get infected."
"Fine, but is there any possible way to do it gently?" Alexis's pained voiced asked.
"I can try but..."
Another whimper.
"…I'm not saying it'll work. Hermione, hold down her shoulders, this one's lodged into the bone..."
"Ooohhhh, just great..." Alexis groaned. There was quiet for a minute, and then there were a series of sharp barks and loud whines.
"Alexis! You can't go doing that; it'll lodge them deeper! Change back to human form."
A moment of quiet, then Alexis spoke, voice wavering.
"Well, don't wiggle them like that! Can't you do anything without making it worse..."
"Will you quit complaining and let her yank them out!" Hermione scolded with exasperation.
"Yank is such a painful word... why not, extract gently, or, carefully remove... Ahh! You did that on purpose!"
"Hey! Give those back! That is, unless you want me to use my hands... that's what I thought. Hermione, can you please hold her down? Or tie her to the table, either one..." Hailey asked in frustration. She heard Alexis grumbling, then a small yelp.
Ron couldn't take it anymore. Walking briskly up to the Medic tent, he opened the flap and peered inside with concern.
Alexis lay on her stomach on a high operating table, shirtless so as to expose the throwing stars protruding from her back, a sheet hiding her exposed chest. Hermione was pinning her arms to the table as Alexis scowled at Hailey, who was situating a pair of heavy-duty pliers to a half submerged star. They had managed to extract one, the bloody weapon thrown into a small pan near the table. Alexis's back was streaked red with dried blood, and fresh, warm, liquid oozed from the wound Hailey was currently working on. Alexis was awfully pale and sheaned with sweat, her face a mixture of pain, anger, and exhaustion. Hailey latched her hands around the pliers, poising to yank upwards.
"You know, that just tears the muscles worse internally..." Ron interfered.
Hermione froze as she saw Ron, causing Hailey to look as well.
"Um, Ron? This isn't a good time..." Hailey blushed.
"I can help." He spoke simply and determinedly, walking towards them. Alexis gazed up at him tiredly, an odd look in her eyes before plopping her head back on the table.
"You don't mind, Alexis? I mean, you're half... well, you know..." Hermione stuttered, looking down at Alexis.
"Right about now, I wouldn't care if I was fully naked. Just as long as I can get Hailey to stop ripping me to shreds." She spoke muffled-like into her arms.
Hailey scowled and let go of the pliers. "I'd like to see you try..."
"I would, but you all won't let me. And besides, I can't reach."
"Let me try." Ron offered again, walking to the side of the bed.
"Fine. You have fun." Hailey spoke, whisking out the tent a bit offensively. Ron gestured for Hermione to leave. She did so quietly, smiling ever so slightly. Ron examined the wounds as Alexis gazed at his serious countenance with wonder. He picked up a different salve from a nearby table, carefully smoothing it around the base of the star, something Hailey hadn't done. Alexis hissed from the stinging, stiffening, but relaxed at his soft touch.
"It'll help it come out easier. Here, bite on this, helps the pain." He spoke professionally, putting a long wooden spool of sorts between her teeth. She nodded, watching him with grateful affection. He grabbed the pliers, slowly pulling straight upward. Alexis bit down hard, stiffening. It dislodged from her skin, and she let out a sigh, removing the bit as Ron proceeded to toss the star in the pan and staunch the blood flow.
"How d... do you k, know how to do all this? You s, seem to know as much as Hailey..." Alexis spoke quietly.
"Living with all my brothers, I learned a lot about fixing injuries. This next one's gonna hurt a bit worse, it's lodged in your bone... fucking bastards..." Ron cursed, eyes blazing in hatred of the person who did this to her as he put more salve around the weapon.
"Thank you Ron."
"No big deal. I can do this anytime..."
"No, not just for this. For... everything. For trusting me, accepting me... not caring about how childish I can be, nor how hard-headed... that is a big deal... for me." Alexis whispered tiredly, eyes half closed. Ron gazed at her, motionless for a moment.
"Y, you're tired... it's okay, I'm... almost done..."
Alexis laughed softly, wincing slightly. "You know I mean it Ron... more than you know... much more..." She trailed off. Ron grabbed a hold of the pliers in determination, and Alexis bit down hard on the wood piece. A few moments of strong pulling, and Ron managed to slowly pull it from the bone and out of her skin. Alexis whimpered, spitting out the bit angrily and grimacing. She breathed shallowly as Ron hurriedly applied pressure to the newly bleeding wound, gazing at Alexis worriedly. She smiled dazedly, resting her head on her arms.
"Thank you so much Ron..." she whispered before calmly dozing off in a pained sleep.
"Alexis? ... Alexis?" Ron asked worriedly, shaking her gently. She didn't stir, merely sighing in her sleep. He sighed, smiling slightly as he tenderly moved a damp strand of hair from her face.
"Thank you Lexy..." He whispered, gently wiping the blood from her back as he gazed at her in distraction. He rubbed at a spot of blood at the base of her bare back, but it wouldn't come off. He cocked his head in confusion, cleaning the semi-dried blood around it, seeing more and more of a pattern of sorts. He put aside the crimson stained cloth, studying now what he knew was a tattoo. He never knew she had a tattoo.
It spread across the small of her back, a tribal symbol of sorts. Directly in the center at the bottom of her back was a solid lined black circle. A black four-pointed star shape lie within it, it's four points protruding from the circle. Within that star was another smaller, sideways, green, four pointed star shape, its points protruding from the first star and touching the insides of the circle with its four points. A smaller black and green one lay within that in the middle of the circle. Four smaller circles with designs inside then were positioned between the four points on the outside of the circle. Flaring out from the circle were two heavily detailed wings of green and black flames, each curve of each little lick of flame making up the 'feathers' of the 'wings'. Even with his lack of knowledge of tattoos, Ron knew that this had to have taken a while.
Fascinated by it, he drew his finger over the design, almost reverently tracing the imprinted lines. His touch brought a small smile to the sleeping Alexis's lips.
"The circle indicates a vow or promises that she has solidly promised to fulfill. The three Celtic stars indicate the strong and everlasting determination she keeps to fulfill those promises, using stars as symbols because they are powerful and last for millions of years. The four smaller circles represent the four lives she has sworn to avenge, protect, and never betray. Her mother Vanessa Whyte, her father Walden MacNair, Remus Lupin, and me. You can see the initials in them if you look closely. The wings of flame were her own personal touch, indication of a light soul that still burns with passion and a darker side."
Ron spun around in alarm at the words, seeing Artimis standing in the door, holding a box of assorted potions.
"I read it in her Journal. She caught me though after I asked why this tattoo. Never heard the end of it for going through her personal stuff." Artimis added casually yet kind of admiringly, gazing at Ron strangely. He took a step away from Alexis's sleeping form, though looking at her with admiration.
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Artimis walked in with her box of potions slowly, her arm having been forcefully bandaged against her will by the insulted Hailey. She walked in quietly, noticing Ron carefully tracing the lines of Alexis's tattoo. Not many people knew about the tattoo, as a matter of fact, only Artimis and Remus knew of it. Artimis grimaced in remembrance of the pain she endured, the pain from her own tattoo as well as Alexis's. Artimis smiled lightly, knowing the look that was drawn over Ron, the look of pure adoration. She spoke softly, as to not startle him and to keep Alexis asleep.
"The circle indicates a vow or promises that she has solidly promised to fulfill. The three celtic stars indicate the strong and everlasting determination she keeps to fulfill those promises, using stars as symbols because they are powerful and last for millions of years. The four smaller circles represent the four lives she has sworn to avenge, protect, and never betray. Her mother Vanessa Whyte, her father Walden MacNair, Remus Lupin, and me. You can see the initials in them if you look closely. The wings of flame were her own personal touch, indication of a light soul that still burns with passion and a darker side."
Ron spun around in alarm at the words and Artimis smiled, setting the box down on the near by table.
"I read it in her Journal. She caught me though after I asked why this tattoo. Never heard the end of it for going through her personal stuff." Artimis added casually yet kind of admiringly, gazing at Ron strangely. She saw him step slightly away from Alexis, still looking down on her, smiling lightly. Artimis walked forward and placed a hand on Ron's shoulder gently.
"I've been meaning to talk to you and it seems now we have a chance." Artimis spoke softly, gesturing for Ron to take a seat in the chair by the bed Alexis laid on. Artimis drew a chair up to him and sat across from him. Artimis looked at Alexis's arm, moving her fingers to trace the brand new black scar that ran from her wrist to her elbow.
"I didn't mean to do that." Artimis whispered, looking at the scar apologetically as she turned her attention to Ron. Ron shied from her gaze and she chuckled.
"I'm not going to hurt you or threaten you, or even ask any questions. I have some statements I need to make, things I need to make you aware of." She informed him, looking into his eyes.
"Ok." Ron spoke sheepishly. Artimis sighed and leaned back in her chair.
"I know it is not my place to stick my nose in Alexis's relationships with people, be they friendships or more, but as you know, she is like my kid sister, and with that I feel the need to protect her." Artimis spoke, crossing her legs slightly.
"From me?" Ron asked, taken aback.
"From anyone. You know about Jason, you know what he did to her, how he hurt her so bad that we almost lost her. I will never, NEVER, let a man do that to her again. If someone were to break her heart in such a fashion again, I would break their body in two. Are you getting my point?" Artimis asked and Ron nodded, glaring slightly with remembrance.
"Now, Ron, I've know you forever, and you have proved yourself to be nothing but a good person, so I really don't worry about you hurting her too much... but, I still worry. Alexis's heart is her blind spot, her one true weakness. And were anyone to try to control her by it or anything, I'd have to protect her, just like you protected her today. "
"Artimis. I'm lost, are you threatening me, or approving of me?" Ron asked with confusion.
"I am in no position to do either. I am just letting you know, when you tell her that you love her, if you haven't already, you better mean it. She likes you, she's liked you for a long time. She's kept it hidden from everyone, even me. But you two getting closer has opened that up to me. In essence, I'm just telling you to take care of my sister, and as long as you don't hurt her, you have my blessing as it were." Artimis spoke kindly, placing her hand over Ron's hand.
"I guess... um... Thanks?" Ron spoke and Artimis laughed, drawing back. She stood and moved the chair back to its original place.
"You're welcome. Now, help me rub this healing salve in these wounds before they get infected." Artimis laughed, summoning to her a light blue bottle of salve. She opened it and smelt it, drawing back disgusted. She held it open to Ron, who had moved to the other side of Alexis and he took some, carefully rubbing it into one of Alexis's wounds. Alexis flinched when he first touched her, but relaxed. Artimis rubbed a bit in the wound on her shoulder, noticing how Ron so reverently touched Alexis. Artimis held the bottle of salve and laughed.
"I swiped this from Snape's tent." She informed Ron and he rolled his eyes.
"He's going to notice." Ron sighed, laughing with Artimis.
"That's why I'm gonna put it back before he notices." She chuckled, closing it as they rubbed the last wound down, watching the lacerations slowly close up. Artimis rubbed her chin and then smiled slyly, looking at Ron with a look of mischief.
"What?" Ron asked, a bit afraid.
"Oh, nothing. I'm just gonna go put the potions back. But... somebody needs to stay with her in case she wakes up. Why don't you stay?" Artimis told him and he nodded, looking down at the sleeping Alexis.
"I didn't plan on leaving her." He informed Artimis and she smiled.
"Good answer." She spoke as she walked out of the tent carrying the box of potions back to her tent. She went into her tent to find Draco sitting at the kitchen table, drinking a glass of water. The second she walked in he stood up and took the box from her.
"I'll carry that dear." He spoke, placing it on the table. Artimis shook her head and walked past the mirror in the hallway. She stopped and went back in front of it, lifting her shirt in the front a bit and looking in the mirror. She placed one hand on her stomach, feeling the muscles as she gazed at herself.
"Can I really be pregnant? Look, I'm not even fat." Artimis spoke quietly to herself. Draco got up and walked up behind her, wrapping an arm around her and placing his warm hand on her stomach.
"Dear, There is no doubt in my mind that you are pregnant. And I love you all the more for it." He whispered in her ear and she placed both her hands over his.
"But are we ready? I mean, are you willing to spend the rest of you life answering to daddy?" Artimis asked lowly, looking at the two of them in the mirror. She saw Draco smile at her and he rubbed her stomach softly.
"Yes. I am more than willing to spend the rest of my life being called Daddy, as long as it's you who is being called Mummy." He told her and she smiled lightly, grabbing his other hand and pulling it around her waist as she leaned back on him. He held her close to him, his chin tucked on her shoulder and he took his hand off of her stomach, intertwining his fingers with her.
"I love you, Artimis. I really love you." Draco whispered softly in her ear. She turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck, feeling a burst of joy in her heart.
"I love you too." She replied to him, him holding her close. He backed away a bit and smiled at her sweetly.
"I wanna ask you something." He told her and she nodded at him, wondering what it was he was going to ask. She turned her head quickly, hearing her name.
"ARTIMIS! ARTIMIS!" Hailey shouted, rushing in the tent flap in a hurry.
"What?" Artimis asked urgently, turning from Draco.
"Dumbledore sent him to us. He's bleeding really bad, they'd send him to St. Mungo's but they don't think he'll make it. They want us to stabilize him to get him there." Hailey spoke, out of breath.
"Who?" Artimis asked cautiously, approaching Hailey.
"Zabini. Blaise." Hailey spoke and Artimis turned to Draco.
"Honey, is it really important?" Artimis questioned and Draco shook his head.
"No, you go take care of him, I'll ask you later." He spoke and Artimis smiled at him, turning and rushing out to Hailey's tent with Hailey.
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Draco held Artimis in his arms, feeling her stomach with his hand, dwelling on the fact that another life was blossoming in her. A life he helped to create. When she asked him about being called Daddy he couldn't help but smile, having this swell of emotion inside of him. He loved Artimis, he had always loved her, he just never knew how much. But with almost losing her, and then finding out that she was carrying his baby, he came to realize how much she meant to him and what his life would be like without her. He let the words of how much he loved her fall from his lips and was surprised when she turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck. She whispered that she loved him too in his ear and he felt that the time for him to make sure he never lost her was at hand.
"I wanna ask you something." He told her, backing away from her and she nodded at him, a look or curiosity covering her face. Draco went to kneel when suddenly a flood of yelling entered the tent.
"ARTIMIS! ARTIMIS!" Hailey shouted, rushing in the tent flap in a hurry.
"What?" Artimis asked urgently, turning from Draco, who straightened quickly.
"Dumbledore sent him to us. He's bleeding really bad, they'd send him to St. Mungo's but they don't think he'll make it. They want us to stabilize him to get him there." Hailey spoke, out of breath and Draco sighed to himself.
"Who?" Artimis asked cautiously, approaching Hailey.
"Zabini. Blaise." Hailey spoke and Artimis turned to Draco looking for his approval.
"Honey, is it really important?" Artimis questioned and Draco shook his head.
"No, you go take care of him, I'll ask you later." He spoke and Artimis smiled at him, turning and rushing out to Hailey's tent with Hailey. Draco sighed, sitting back at the table, pulling a diamond and emerald ring out of his pocket.
"Artimis Callabella, will you marry me?" He whispered to himself, closing his hand around the ring and tucking it back in his pocket. He picked up his glass of water and sat there, trying to conceive of the perfect moment to ask her.
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Alexis slowly came to, very sore, and very, very cold. She groaned quietly, opening her eyes tiredly, thoroughly confused. She raised her head slightly from where she had rested on her bare, cold arms, starting to shiver. She was laying on her stomach on the steel operating table in the Medic tent, shirtless. She frowned with confusion, wondering how the hell she had gotten here. She raised herself up on her arms, gasping at the throbs of pain on her back. She raised her head, meeting the curious blue eyed gaze of Ron. Her eyes widened, and she immediately plopped back down on the cold metal, pulling the light sheet around her as she turned red. Ron blushed slightly, turning his gaze away as he stood slowly.
"Um... I guess you want your s, shirt back..." He stammered quietly. Alexis nodded as she shivered, smiling sheepishly. He quickly turned and grabbed it off a chair, handing it to her and turning his back to her. Alexis gingerly sat up and slowly pulled the halter top over her head, wincing slightly.
"Feeling better?" Ron asked quietly figetting slightly. Alexis smirked as she tiredly leaned back down on the table on her elbow.
"I, guess s, so..." She answered with beweilderment.
Ron turned back around, gazing down at her tenderly. "We got them out fine."
Alexis cocked her head in confusion, wondering why it was so bloody cold in the room in passing.
"The throwing stars." Ron told her, pointing to the pan that held the weapons.
"Oh..." Alexis whispered quietly, shuddering as she remembered, studying the weapons. She reached a hand behind her, lightly tracing the forming scars on her shoulders and back as she sighed. Ron sat back down in the chair, gazing at her. Alexis swallowed a bit nervously.
"Um, how'd Hailey get them out?" She asked to fill the echoing silence. Ron looked a bit confused.
"Hailey didn't take them out."
"S, she didn't? Then, who d, did?" She asked a bit nervously. Ron smiled oddly.
"Well, I did."
"Oohh... um... t, thanks." She stuttered, blushing slightly and pulling the light sheet tighter around her as she attempted to stay warm. She gazed at him gratefully, shivering. Ron smirked, then frowned.
"You okay?"
"Y, yeah. Just a b, bit cold..."
Ron stood quickly. "Oh, I'm sorry... We should get you out of this tent and someplace warm..." He thought, walking up beside her. She smiled, looking up at him.
"Where to?"
Ron stopped a moment, gazing down at her strangely. "Hmm... well... you hungry?"
"Aren't I always?"
He laughed, thinking for a moment. Alexis raised herself up, Ron helping her to a sitting position. "My mom made dinner a while ago... buutt... we can always go back to my tent and I can make you some... let's see... sirloin?" Alexis looked up at him and smiled widely. Ron met that smile with his own. "Then it's settled."
Alexis let him help her to her feet and they left the tent, heading quietly to Ron's, none the wiser of their departure. They entered his tent, Alexis immediately sighing contently at the warmness of it. Ron led her to the Kitchen, sitting her in a chair and bringing out a light blanket, covering her shoulders with it gently as she gazed up at him gratefully. He smiled, then walked over to the stove, pulling down pans and seasonings as Alexis watched him wonderingly.
Under her watchful gaze, Ron hastily made the meal, being a bit of a show-off as he dramaticized his cooking. He moved hastily, but unerringly, which impressed Alexis even more so. He set the table, making sure Alexis didn't have to raise a finger. She smirked, shaking her head amusingly as he flourished his arms.
"Voila, it is finished. Care for some orange soda?"
"Why, of course." She replied as he pulled out two glasses and two cans of the drink. They sat and commenced eating, Alexis devouring her sirloin hungrily, not realizing how ravished she had been. Little conversation took place as they ate, but they gazed at each other most of the time, eyes sparkling. The meal was finished in record time, Ron sitting back, sighing contentedly as Alexis gingerly stretched, wincing. She exhaled deeply, rubbing her neck. Ron watched her a bit worriedly.
"My god, I am soooo sore... it's not even funny. Think I gonna go to my tent and take a long hot bath..." She groaned, pushing her chair back. Ron stood quickly. "Hold on. Why don't you come sit in the Living room with me for a while?"
Alexis cocked her head in confused curiosity. She thought a moment, debating on it. Then she shrugged.
"Oookaayy... sure." She replied, and she smirked at the look of relief and happiness on his handsome features. He bowed for her to lead the way, and she attempted a crude curtsy, which provoked a small laugh out of him. She smirked, entering the dark Living room.
No lights were on, but the Fireplace shone brightly with tongues of dancing flame that cast cozy shadows about the room. A short couch faced the fire invitingly, and Ron sat on it, gesturing her to join him. She did so, nestling up to his shoulder somewhat, feeling him shiver slightly, but not with cold. Alexis rubbed her sore shoulders gingerly, trying to ease the pains. Ron watched her for a moment, then spoke quietly.
"Why don't you sit on the floor here in front of me."
Alexis stopped and looked to him with confusion. "What?"
"I... I'll rub your shoulders for you... Make you feel better..."
Alexis smiled, then slid of the couch slowly, sitting crosslegged in front of him carefully. Ron gently pulled the light blanket from her shoulders, tossing it on the couch behind him. Alexis made herself comfortable, gazing distractedly into the flickering flames. She felt his large hands touch her shoulders near her neck, and she flinched very slightly. He leaned down and whispered, his breath tickling her sensitive ear. "It's okay. I'll be careful."
Alexis smiled and nodded. His smooth hands started to rub the tense muscles of her shoulders, kneading them gently, but firmly. Alexis sighed, relaxing against his legs as her eyes closed slightly. He rubbed her shoulders and the base of her neck, working slowly to her shoulder blades, never letting up. She smiled, muscles seeming to turn into jelly as he masssaged her back, carefully avoiding the newly formed scars. She leaned her head back slightly, sighing again as she smiled, and he laughed softly.
Combined with the eerily entrancing dancing of flames and the soothing motions of Ron's hands, Alexis started to feel really drowsy. Catching her eyes drooping, she snapped them open, determined to stay awake. She swayed slightly with his movements, and his hands traveled to the base of her head and neck, kneading into her hair slightly. She leaned her head back into his hands, eyes closing blissfully. She opened her eyes partially when he slowly moved back down to her shoulders. Her vision turned fuzzy and she caught herself leaning back, almost passing out against him. She shook her head and sat back up.
No. I'm NOT going to fall asleep... she scolded herself. That would put her in a vunerable position, and Alexis hated being in such a position, even if it was with Ron. But, it felt so good...
She snapped to awareness when she felt warm breath on her shoulders, then a soft kiss on her neck. "You're not falling asleep on me are you?" Ron whispered into her ear, his breath slightly ticklish. She looked up at him almost drunkenly, eyes half closed. "Trying really hard not to..."
He laughed softly, head still leaned down next to her neck, hands continuing to massage her shoulders slowly. He nuzzled into her neck softly, and she leaned her head against his blissfully, smiling as she closed her eyes, drinking in the scent of his hair next to her features. He kissed her neck again, moving down and kissing her shoulders lightly. She shivered, but not with cold, at the touch. She rubbed her head against his, and he lifted his head up slightly, gazing at her tenderly. She gazed back, smiling tiredly.
He leaned in and kissed her lips softly, Alexis leaning into him as well. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and arms as they kissed, Alexis feeling weak as she leaned into his embrace. As they kissed, Ron lifted her slowly from her seat in front of him, lifting her gently into his lap. She broke the kiss momentarily as she adjusted so she could sit comfortably in his lap and wrap her arms around his neck. He kissed her again, softly pressing his warm moist lips to hers. Her body was completely relaxed as Alexis gave into his comforting embrace. After a moment he drew back, looking at her with adoration in his eyes.
"Lexy?" He whispered quietly.
"Mmm hmm?" She groaned happily, unable to speak at the moment as she gazed up at him through half closed eyes.
"I... I want to tell you something." He spoke lowly, and Alexis snuggled her head on his shoulder, yawning slightly as she nuzzled close to his neck.
"Ok." She sighed softly, rejoicing in the warmth and comfort this embrace from Ron provided her tired body and mind. She smiled and she closed her eyes as he spoke, feeling drowsy.
"Well... It goes back to our school days... Ever since I saw you... I've... I've been mesmerized..." He told her softly and she mumbled at him with incomprehension as she felt herself drifting off to sleep, lulled by the soft murmur of his words.
"Unn hun..." She murmured as she inhaled deeply. Ron continued speaking even after she fell asleep, realizing after a moment that he was confessing his crush to himself. Ron looked down at Alexis in his arms and smiled, taking one hand and grabbing the small blanket, pulling it over her sleeping form lovingly. Then he wrapped his arms around her gently and leaned his head on hers. He smiled as he let her deep rythmic breathing lull him to join her in a blissful rest.
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