Seven Years Later...
Chapter 16
"The Begining of The End"
Author's Note: This is where the real battle begins, and the lives they know end. Well... Maybe...
And a life quest is finally fulfilled... But which one?... We shall see, won't we... And if I were you, I would be paying close attention to minor details. They become larger.. sooner or later...
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Ron yawned widely, waking mentally and feeling oddly warm. He felt his arms were locked around something soft, also feeling deep breathing against his chest. He took a deep breath, nose filled with a familiar, lovable scent. He slowly opened his eyes, looking down in his arms upon a smiling, sleeping Alexis. His blue eyes widened with surprise, and he looked around in confusion.
Yep, he was still in his room... but, so was she...
He scanned her with curiosity, seeing that she had her back to him, wearing a scanty red tank top and pajama bottoms while curled comfortably into him, his arms locked around her small waist with his head almost touching hers. Looking down at himself, he saw that he was only in his boxers. He swallowed a bit nervously, blushing ever so slightly.
"I don't remember her coming back here with me..." He spoke aloud quietly to himself, praying that he hadn't done something to her that he would regret later. He shifted, moving his arms from around her, and Alexis yawned, turning over and lazily opening her eyes, gazing up at him with sparkling emerald green eyes. Suddenly she stopped, turning red in the face and slowly sitting up and locking eyes with him, thinking, Uh oh...
Ron sat up as well, both gazing at each other a bit nervously. They sat in his bed for a long moment, Alexis blushing and looking away. Ron spoke quietly. "Where did you come from?"
Alexis swallowed, slowly backing up and moving off his bed as Ron scooted to the edge of it, sitting with his legs over the side. Alexis backed up a step into his bedroom doorway. Her gaze darted about nervously as she tried to come up with an explanation for her sudden appearance in his arms. Saying that she wanted to test Artimis's damnable theory wouldn't make a good excuse, she she told him the next best thing that came to mind. She looked at the ground with slight embarassment, speaking softly.
"I uh... I had a nightmare. And, well... I couldn't go curl up with Remus... I'm too old for that. And Artimis was busy with Draco... I think... so I thought... since you were right next door and all... didn't think you would mind, if I... came in and curled up with you. I was nervous, and... needed someone."
She finished in a timid voice, hiding her true reason perfectly. Well, it was kind of true... she couldn't sleep, and was feeling lonely... and he actually didn't mind...
Ron's features softened tenderly as he spoke sweetly.
"Oh Lexy... you should have woke me up if you had a nightmare..."
Alexis smiled at him, looking innocent. "No, I didn't want to bother you, you looked tired... figured you wouldn't mind too much..."
"Oh no, not at all. You're okay now, right?" He questioned with slight concern, standing up and walking over to her. Alexis grinned, looking up at him and nodding. Ron smiled. "I'm here whenever you need me okay? Don't be afraid to talk to me." He told her gently, touching her cheek lovingly. Alexis sighed with contentment, nodding happily. Ron nodded with approval.
"Come on, let's go see if there's any breakfast food around. Think I need to go shopping to stock up... all I have left is a box of stale crackers..." he told her, and Alexis laughed, following him out of his room. They made their way to the exit, deciding to see if Alexis had anything in her fridge.
As they approached the tent flap, Artimis walked in, looking serious. Alexis and Ron halted with surprise, looking like deer caught in headlights.
Artimis skidded to a halt, gazing at them wide eyed with surprise. Alexis swallowed nervously, and Ron gave a feeble wave. Artimis narrowed her eyes with strangeness, scanning them in their half nakedness. She shook her head, sighing.
"Never mind. Guess I didn't need you to go wake Alexis up. Um... get dressed... the both of you... yeah, uh... big, fight... last one... meet in the Conference room... after you two are, dressed..." Artimis spoke haltingly, surveying them oddly. Ron shook his head as Artimis gave them a last odd look, turning to leave. Alexis stepped forward, speaking quickly and nervously.
"No! Artimis... we didn't do anyt-"
"Alexis, just... no. Just... not a word. Don't want to know. Go... get dressed..." Artimis ordered, leaving quickly with a last strange look. Alexis sighed dramatically, shaking her head as Ron stepped up to her. They looked up at each other, knowing that trying to explain stuff like this to Artimis was no more successful than talking to a brick wall. Ron followed Alexis to her tent, pushing the recent confrontation aside as they quickly rummaged for a hasty bite to eat.
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Artimis awoke contently in Draco's arms, hearing a strange whooshing noise above her tent. She got out of bed, walking out of the room to the hallway where she saw three black owls resting on the hall desk. She snickered and walked over, puling the first letter off. She opened it quickly and read it.
"Attention Members of the Manor Dela Loyality Family:
You are stationed to the southeastern sector. We have a feeling that this may be the final confrontation and we wish for all persons to come equipped with that knowledge. Report immediately to Headmaster Dumbledore once your entire family has been informed of the assignment.
-Apollo Callabella
2nd Chief Advisor of Albus Dumbledore"
Artimis snickered to herself at the thought of being ordered by Apollo, but she shook her head and picked up the next letter. It was the same thing. She opened the third letter and expected it to be another dupilcate but this one was a letter scripted in Apollo's hand.
"Artimis and Alexis,
Please be careful, espcially you Artimis. Both of you watch over each other and everyone else. Parvati sent a letter, everyone is fine as is the house and Carpe Diem ate the rose bushes... again. And she said that Erica and Vicky are driving her nuts. She wants us home soon and safely. Please be careful and watch your backs. I must go now, but my prayers are with you.
Love Your Brother,
Apollo"
Artimis read the letter with humor, but felt there was something more to her brother's words. Shrugging, she tucked the letters in her pocket and walked back toward her room.
"Draco, get up. Apollo has sent us orders for the final battle I believe. Get dressed and go wake up Aaron, Hailey, and Crabbe and Goyle. Tell them to be in the conference room ASAP. " She spoke to a very sleepy Draco as she grabbed her dueling suit and pulled it on. She walked into the bathroom and looked in the mirror as Draco got up and began dressing. She turned her side toward the mirror.
"Oh god, you can so see I am pregnant in this. Ugh. Oh well, better wake up Alexis and them." Artimis thought as she stalked out of her tent. As she headed towards Alexis's tent she came up with a better idea.
Alexis would like it better if Ron woke her up instead of my loud mouthed self... And I am sure he would have no problem doing so... Artimis thought to herself as she turned and walked toward Ron's tent. She entered upon a very well, odd scene. Ron and Alexis were walking hand in hand toward the tent flap she had just entered, but that wasn't the odd part. Ron was in his customary boxers and tousled hair and Alexis was, well, in her skimpy pajama top and some loose pants.
About damn time... Was Artimis's first thought as they looked at her like trapped rats. Her second thought was that Ron didn't need to go wake her up. She shook her head, sighing as she looked at them oddly.
"Never mind. Guess I didn't need you to go wake Alexis up. Um... get dressed... the both of you... yeah, uh... big, fight... last one... meet in the Conference room... after you two are, dressed..." Artimis spoke haltingly, surveying them oddly. Artimis gave them a last odd look, internally snickering, turning to leave. Alexis stepped forward, speaking quickly and nervously.
"No! Artimis... we didn't do anyt-"
"Alexis, just... no. Just... not a word. Don't want to know. Go... get dressed..." Artimis ordered, leaving quickly with a last strange look. She shook her head and smiled, walking toward Remus's tent. She entered to hear him snoring loudly. She entered his bedroom to find him sleeping, curled in a ball. He looked really pale and she shook her head, grabbing him by by the ankles and yanking him off of the bed. He fell to the floor and yelped.
"I'm up. I'm, up!" He stated as he sat up and looked at her, rubbing his elbow.
"Good. Get dressed. Conference room as soon as you can. Final battle." She told him and he nodded as she walked out of the room. She stepped over toward the tent next to Remus's, a pitch black tent and smiled, opening the tent flap. She was met with a glaring Snape with his arms crossed.
"I'm awake, conference room. I already know." He told her and she nodded, then shook her head.
"Ok, take the fun out of tossing you out of bed. Gotta ruin all my fun." She grumbled as she left and he grumbled something after her and she ignored him. She walked over to the tent that everyone had been avoiding, Fred and George's tent. She entered it to see Fred and George with welding masks on and a blowtorch, melting some kind of metal into a bowl.
"Fred, George, please tell me you slept." She screeched and they turned the torch off, lifting the masks.
"Sleep?" George stated.
"Who needs sleep?" Fred replied.
"When you have potions..." (George)
"...and coffee."(Fred)
"Get dressed for battle, meet me in the conference room." She told them and they both saluted.
"Sir yes Ma'am." Both echoed as she left and she laughed loudly as she went to her tent and entered the conference room. She waited till everyone entered. Severus entered shaking his head and was followed shortly after by Remus who was rubbing his temples. He was followed by rest of the house hold, all dressed their battle clothes and yawning. Ron and Alexis entered five minutes apart and Artimis smirked knowing that they had planned it that way. After everyone sat down she began reading the letter that had been sent to give them their orders. She pulled down the map and pointed to where they were stationed and asked for any questions. Nobody had any, everyone eerily silent. Artimis nodded and sent an Owl to Dumbledore.
"What do we do now?" Alexis asked and Artimis smiled.
"We wait, but I have something someone wants you to read." Artimis spoke handing Apollo's letter to Alexis. Alexis scanned it and laughed out loud, rubbing her eyes.
"Leave it to my puppies. And Vicky and Erica would drive anybody nuts." Alexis replied handing the letter back and Artimis smiled.
"Puppies? Those things aren't puppies, they're small dragons." Artimis teased and Alexis pouted. All of a sudden the was a pop in their tent and Dumbledore stood in front of the table.
"Ah, I'm am glad to see that everyone is well and things are as they should be for the most part." Dumbledore spoke in a riddle-like manner, pausing before continuing.
"Now, as all should know by now, the long awaited confrontation has been confirmed. Our one day of relative peace has not been without its suspicions. As we have vaugely suspected, the Enemy has been gathering its masses for, we are guessing, a last assault. A last for the side of good or evil, we do not know. But it has also been confirmed that the King pawn has decided to finally come into play. Voldemort has apparently felt that it was time he take part in this struggle over the Wizarding world. He should be in your sector at any point and time."
Alexis's demeanor immediately turned cold, and her calculating gaze narrowed at the Dark Lord's name. A foolish, but determined, thought bubbled up into Alexis's mind beneath the boiling rage she was starting to feel. This will be her time to finally make good her vows... Voldemort will not forget what he had put Alexis through... she would make sure of that...
Ron glanced at Alexis a bit nervously, feeling the angered vibe along with most others, but he refrained from saying anything, merely giving her an odd glance with the rest of them.
Artimis turned her view on Dumbledore, her hand going up to a spot on her arm. The spot everyone knew the branding mark was at.
"And Lucius Malfoy?" She asked with venom in her voice.
"Here as well, we suspect him in your sector." Dumbledore replied to her and Artimis glared.
"Good, He owes me some blood and some flesh." Artimis snarled, feeling the rage smolder within her. He would die this day. This was his last day on earth and there was no way around it. Everyone looked at Artimis a bit fearfully as she flicked her eyes over her shoulder to her sword. After a moment of silence Dumbledore spoke.
"You should get going soon. The battle has been going on since dawn. Groups will switch out at different intervals throughout the day." He declared and everyone nodded as he apparated away. Artimis inhaled and looked at everyone with a smile, wondering who would not be coming back today.
"Everybody ready?" She asked and they nodded at her, none speaking.
"Well, let's go then." She spoke as they all began to apparate to the sector of the final battle they were assigned to.
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Remus fumbled for clean clothing, shaking his head to rid of his strange weariness. He knew it was partly because of his hangover, but he also felt a bone weariness, feeling strained internally. He pushed it aside, thinking on the more persisting problems at hand. He stepped out of his tent, squinting at the light that met his oddly sensitive eyes. He turned, viewing Severus stalking over towards his tent, looking a bit on edge. Everyone was on edge and different in some way once they had started these last battles, so Remus didn't feel too nervous about his condition.
Severus stopped beside Remus, gazing around at the hustle and bustle with an indifferent stare.
"Artimis, I presume?" He asked, not looking at him.
"Yep. And you?" Remus replied.
"No. Made sure I was already awake."
"Lucky you. Better get to the Conference room and get this all figured out."
"Yep." Severus spoke. A look passed between them at the word, and they both grinned slightly before staring hastily towards Artimis's tent. Remus discreetly glance over at Severus, noting on how he had changed since he beginning of the summer. He was a lot more... bearable... interesting, even. A bit strange and different, but Remus thought he could get use to this new, well, somewhat newer, Severus Snape.
As they started past Alexis's tent, Remus caught a glimpse of movement from within. He glanced over, thinking Alexis was just now waking. What met his gaze seemed to confirm that and some other things. He skidded to a halt outside Alexis's tent exit as he watched Ron step out of the tent, shirtless and only in boxers, Alexis right behind him in a uncomfortably small pajama outfit, smiling up at Ron. Severus came to a halt as well, staring at the two young people leaving Alexis's tent.
Alexis and Ron immediately stopped in their tracks beside one another, staring wide eyed at Remus. Alexis paled out as Ron blushed brightly.
Severus gave a loud sigh, shaking his head slowly as he looked them up and down. He turned to walk off, grumbling something under his breath as he pinched the bridge of his nose. Remus's eyes widened as he studied his daughter and Ron, noting how they both avoided his gaze. He put his hand to his face and rubbed his eyes vigorously, putting it down and staring at them once more, just to make sure he was seeing this. He turned away for a moment, putting his hand to his forehead as he tried to stay silent, remembering the little tidbit of advice he had gotten from Arthur.
Don't interfere... let them come to you... don't give them reason to fear your reaction...
With these thoughts buzzing through his mind, Remus gave a long sigh, turning and walking away without a word, following Severus to Artimis's tent.
Alexis and Ron watched him go a bit nervously, then looked at each other, letting out a sigh of their own. Alexis shook her head, pushing Ron towards his tent and smiling at him as she quickly turned into her own to go don her deuling outfit and grab her wand and beloved nunchucks.
She exited the tent once prepared, seeing Ron leave his, now fully dressed. He walked towards her, but Alexis held up a hand to stop him. She nodded her head towards Artimis's tent, gesturing him to enter first. He smirked and nodded, walking towards it. Alexis waited about five minutes, watching him enter it, then followed, looking as inconspicuous as possible.
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The household landed at the edge of a forest, the trees creating a back drop for the the scene before them. Hundreds of wizards, deatheaters and aurors alike were fighting for control of the clearing. There was the noticeable sound of sword fighting and the yelling of spells echoing through the air, dust rising from the moving feet. Artimis smirked, drawing her sword and holding it at her side, scanning for who she wished to see. Alas, her prey had not shown himself yet. She looked over as Alexis drew her nunchucks, beginning to spin them in anticipation. A second later Arthur and Ginny appeared next to them, wands drawn. Artimis looked to them and then peered at her family behind her, all who were bracing for the strain of battle. Artimis locked eyes with Draco and he looked at her with worry, his eyes shifting down toward the slightly noticeable bulge in her stomach and then back to her eyes. She nodded to him, and before she even gave the signal to move in, Alexis was out there, flinging herself into the glory of battle. Artimis smiled at her friend's back and then moved forward as well, her sword brought up as she approached, feeling the whole group move behind her. The first clash of metal sent Artimis into her battle mode and she constantly scanned the duels for a glimmer of long blonde hair. She knew he was there, she could feel it. She was just bidding her time for him to show himself. She continued to fight, parrying and blocking her attackers, feeling spells begin tossed over her shoulder by Hermione.
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Alexis stood beside Artimis, gazing out over the battlefield with sparkling, eager eyes. She was charged and ready to go. The whoosh and zaps of spells mingled with the clash of weapons, going well with the smell of blood and magic that was heavy in the air. Alexis smirked to herself, gaze darting to the closest battles longingly. She looked over at Artimis, but she was still scanning the battlefield with a careful eye. Alexis sighed wth slight frustration, unhooking her nunchucks and spinning them effortlessly with anticipation. She heard Artimis draw her sword, and Alexis tensed, ready to run out to join the... fun. After a minute or two, Alexis grew impatient. She gave a quick glance behind her, feeling eyes on her, having a feeling they were Ron's. Two seconds later, Alexis ran forward before anyone else, twirling her nunchucks offensively, tired of waiting any longer.
She approached the first cluster of deatheaters, seeing that the few Aurors were struggling, being pushed back. Alexis could fix that. She jumped ahead of the wizards, snapping her nunchucks ahead of her, spinning with the movement as well. She downed the nearest surprised deatheater, turning tightly to take on the next. Two more surrounded her, and she felt a little cramped. She stepped back, then did a backflip out of the small circle, facing their backs and cracking her weapon against them before they even realized she was there.
They went down to her satisfaction, but she was then hit with a weight, falling to the ground as the breath was knocked out of her. Cloaked arms wrapped around her neck tightly, the man's weight crushing her ribs. Her arms being pinned, Alexis did they next best thing. She drew her head down, biting into the man's bare wrist without mercy, causing him to yelp and loosen his hold. Alexis took the time and scooted out from under him on her back, kicking out and slamming booted feet into his face harshly. Nose gushing blood and with a few missing teeth, they man fell back, laying still.
Alexis smirked, flipping to her feet and spinning just in time to bring up her nunchucks and block a blow from a metal staff. She gazed angrily into the dark eyeholes of the deatheater's mask, frozen as she strained to hold her stance. She thought a moment, then fell back, letting his own weight against her fall forward. Alexis fell on her back, bringing her feet up to catch the deatheater on the chest, using his momentum to flip him hard onto his back on the ground behind her. Alexis rolled away, jumping to her feet eagerly.
Looking around, she viewed Severus nearby, fighting barehanded with another deatheater, all attention focused upon his foe. She started forward towards him, but another Enemy jumped out in front of her. She sighed, spinning her nunchucks as he pulled out two short swords. Alexis immediately ran at him, and he quickly parried her attacks, backing up quickly to avoid Alexis's furied offense. Looking over her opponents shoulder, she saw Severus two feet from them, finally catching his opponent in the face and knocking him back. Alexis blocked a thrust to her stomach, flipping over him and cracking the guy across the back. He stumbled, but turned and slashed at her, almost catching her wrist.
She looked beside her, seeing Severus dispose of his foe with a flick of his wand. She also saw that Severus was oblivious to the enemy sword-weilder racing up to him. Alexis ducked a particular harsh slash of her foe, her enemy faltering for a minute. Alexis used the time to turn and shove Severus with her shoulder and flip out her nunchucks, catching the advancing enemy's sword with them and wrenching it out of his hands before he was able to attack Severus.
Snape froze in place for a moment, staring at Alexis in surprise of her sudden rescue. Alexis nodded at him, stumbling as her first opponent slashed at her, catching her across the arm.
She hissed in held back pain, but quickly became angry. Her nunchucks spun in a blur, finally catching him on the shoulder, then painfully across the face, knocking him prone to the ground. She gazed down at him with contempt, breathing heavily, unaware of another deatheater pointing a wand at her and mumbling something. She turned in time to see a flash of light racing towards her, but was unable to do anything. Suddenly she was shoved roughly to the ground, out of the way of the spell. Looking up, she viewed Severus in her place, quickly erecting a sheild spell in front of them, bracing as the spell made impact. Severus immediately shouted out a spell as well, and Alexis watched as their enemy fell.
She looked up at Severus with awe as he looked back down at her with slight surprise as well. He nodded his head to her, then turned and ran off, diving into his next confrontation. Alexis watched him go, seeing Ron skidding to a halt in his race towards her, no doubt on his way to intercept the spell as well. Alexis looked at him as he looked to her, and she shrugged her shoulders, flipping to her feet and scoping out her next target.
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Artimis drew her sword in an arc as another Deatheater assaulted her with his own bladed weapon. She parried a thrust and the drove her sword down on the assialants shoulder, slicing through the flesh and some of the bone. She drew her sword out, glimpsing the blood dropping from it as her attacker fell at her feet in pain. He drew a wand and pointed it at her and she quickly stepped on his hand, driving her sword into his chest before he could speak a spell. She drew back and looked around, glimpsing everyone in some kind of affray. Then she saw it, the shiny silver hair that was Lucius signature. She knew that the time of repayment had come. She drew her sword up on anger and attacked the first deatheater in her path to her sworn foe. He fell under her blade, only being equiped with a wand. She moved on to the next, anger fueling her, a need for confrontation. She swung her sword out and quickly decaptiaed the unaware deatheater, swathing a path of blood in her quest. Then after a moment, he was before her. She glared as a semi-circle of cleared out space formed around them, all feeling the intense hatred from them both and not wanting to be in the way.
"Ah. So Callabella, we meet again." He stated and she glared at him in fury.
"Yes, and I do believe this shall be our last meeting. Why don't you remove that old mask so I can watch your face as you die?" She hissed at him and he lifted his hand to his face.
"I shall remove the mask simply so you may see the same thing as your mother before she died. I always knew you two would follow the same path." Lucius drawled as he tossed the mask to the side. Artimis held her sword at her side, anger from his words calling to that dark shadowy spot in her mind.
"How wrong you are, my dear pet..." She snarled at him and he smiled sat her, putting his own wand away and drawing an ornate sword. Artimis held her sword in front of her, bracing for the duel she had been waiting for since she was seven years old. He charged her and their swords sung a sympohany of clashing and clanging. After a few strikes and parrys, she finally caught him, catching his long pony tail of hair and slicing it from his head. He looked at her in small fury and then stepped back, standing tall in pride.
"You forget Artimis, you are mine." He spoke as he raised his hand to her. She felt a pain sear through her body from the mark in her arm and she winced at it in surprise. He lowered his hand and Artimis fought as he body lowered itself to her knees against her will.
"Drop it." He demanded and Artimis's hand automatically droppe her sword. Her mind was going a million miles a minute fighting this control he had over her. The pain in her arm intensified and she cried out in pain, feeling it swarm her whole body.
"Disobedence is not taken too lightly." Lucius stated as he approached her. Artimis fought like hell to gain control over her body, but she could not. Then, for a moment she was able to look up, for a moment, she regained control. That moment was all she needed.
She saw the throwing star lodging in Lucius's arm and she felt the anger rinsing up in her. She let the anger boil up in her, feeling her eyes turn black. Lucius stabilized himself and thought he took control of her again. The pain slightly coming back to Artimis. She heard his voice, looking down at the ground.
"Come to me." He told her and she looked at him, smiling like no tomorrow. She had control of her body now, there was nothing he could do to save himself.
"Not this time." She hissed as she pulled her arms up and sent a spiral of shadows toward him, knocking him to the ground. She quickly got to her feet and grabbed her sword, walking over to him and stepping on his chest and placing her sword tip under his throat. Her eyes were still black and the shadows waved over her. He looked at her in fear and she smiled at him.
"This is too easy. Oh well." She stated as she raised her sword and drove it deeply into his chest, right where his heart should've been. She saw the stunned look in his eyes as his heart stopped and she smirked in satisfaction.
But as suddenly as he died, a rip of pain pulled through her arm and she fell to the ground, grabbing it with her other hand as she felt blood soak her uniform.
Many Miles away at Manor Dela Loyalty...
Naricissa Malfoy looked out a barred window, watching the sun rise high into the sky. Parvait sat, watching as Erica and Vicky played with the kids. Suddenly, Narcissa fell to the ground screaming, holding her arm. Parvati was immediately at her side, looking at her in concern. After a moment, Narcissa drew in a relieved breath and smiled.
"He's dead. I am free. I need a drink." She declared as she got up and walked out of the room, blood pouring down her arm.
Back at the battlefeild...
Artimis got to her feet, breathing heavily. The pain had subsided and she felt the blood still rushing from her arm. That could be dealt with later. Artimis gripped her sword and moved to Lucius's corpse, glimpsing the illusion fall from his face as she read the word 'deatheater' carved in his forehead from their last meeting. She smiled in satisfaction and raised her sword above her head, cutting Lucius's head from his body, making sure their was no way he could come back to life to haunt her. She then let her anger fuel her and she raised her sword, driving it into Lucius at many different areas, going into blender mode. After a few moments and she was drenched in his blood she regained control and looked at the bloody pulp before her.
"Now, that is art. Look at the precision and beauty of it. A true picasso." Artimis spoke with humor and then she heard Alexis.
"Artimis, Battle. Hello." She yelled and Artimis picked up her sword, squinting her eyes in the noon light. The sunlight was gleaming off of all the metal in the feild and Artimis smiled in contentment of fulfilling one goal and she moved back into the fray, realizing that she was getting hungry. She rushed off into the battle ignoring the wary look from her companions.
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Alexis spun her nunchucks in a fury, making sure that she didn't get angered enough that she lost her temper. The only reason being that she had Ron at her back. They stood within a small circle of deatheaters, downing one after another, while making sure the other was safe from sneak attacks. With him at her back, she felt calm enough not to worry about flaming up and hurting him.
She stepped forward as her most recent assailant backed up, going with him to make sure she finished him off. Once again, she felt a back against hers, but this one was different, more muscular, a bit wider than Ron's.
She spared a moment to look up over her shoulder, meeting deep, hazelnut brown eyes. She frowned in confusion, scanning the tall, well built, and pretty handsome, fellow. A thought clicked in her mind as she quickly fended off another blow from an opponent.
"Neville?" She asked, looking up once again. The tall man threw a spell at an advancing deatheater, then looked down at her and gave her a sweet smile.
"The one and only." He replied in a deep voice. Alexis's eyes widened in slight surprise, and she viewed Ron a few feet away, grappling with his own foe. She looked up at Neville once again, and he blocked a spell thrown at him with his wand.
"Well, you've grown up..." Alexis spoke, turning around, keeping her back against his as she snapped her nunchucks sharply at an enemy. He snickered. "You have too... well, in other aspects... you don't seem too much taller..."
Alexis laughed, then ducked as a deatheater tried to high kick her. She jumped back up, ramming him in the face with her weapon. She walked backwards until she felt what she thought was Neville's back against hers again. She ducked and attacked for a moment in place, until she realized that the person whose back was against hers seemed shorter than Neville. She looked behind her, seeing bleach blonde hair. Alexis sighed, mumbling to herself sacastically. "Why don't we all play 'Revolving Backs' with Alexis... it's fun confusing her... hello Draco."
Draco grunted back a greeting, punching out at his opponent. She attacked her next opponent with eagerness, wondering as a side thought whose back would be to hers next. Surprisingly, Draco stayed with her for some time. She fell back as her opponent rushed her, and Draco held her up as she gained back her balance. She grumbled a thanks as she stepped up and bashed the deatheater's head in with her nunchucks, blood spattering her lightly. Suddeny she felt Draco stiffen behind her, feeling him go rigid. She finished off the deatheater she had been fighting, then turned, thinking Draco had been hurt. But she froze in confusion, seeing the look of concern and anger on his features.
Alexis followed his gaze until he saw two figures facing off. One was Artimis, the other one was Lucius Malfoy. She stepped forward, eyes wide as she viewed Artimis on her knees, Lucius gazing at her intensely as he held out a hand, obviously controlling her movements. Alexis's eyes narrowed in anger, and she began walking towards them, quickly and efficiently removing anyone that got in her way.
Alexis got close enough to the two that she heard Lucius's silky voice commanding. "Drop it."
Watching with seething rage, she viewed as Artimis dropped her sword, a look of intense struggle and anger on her features. To Alexis, it almost looked like the Imperio Curse. And Alexis didn't like that curse. Not in the least bit, not since it had been used on her to try and destroy her best friend.
Alexis stepped forward, reaching into a back pocket.
I think it's about time to test out my new toys... Alexis thought to herself as she pulled out the three large throwing stars that had once been used on her. Sensing Draco not far behind her, she took careful aim, then chucked one of the weighty stars, watching it slice through the air and lodging itself deep into Lucius's arm. Alexis smirked.
"Oooh... I like... a lot..." She spoke to herself, watching in satisfaction as Malfoy Sr. faltered, losing control of Artimis for a moment. Watching, Alexis knew that's all the time Artimis needed to gain back control of her body. Lucius seemed to think that he had control over Artimis oce again, commanding in a silky voice. "Come to me."
Artimis looked up with that smirk on her face, and replied. "Not this time."
Alexis smiled, speaking to herself. "Yep, she's okay."
She turned, gazing off into the battlefield, looking for another opponent. Before running off though, she made a mental note to herself. Remember to get that star from his body later... if I can find it...
As Alexis surveyed the battlefeild, she noticed a group of deatheaters off to the side surrounding something. She squinted, realizing that half of those deatheaters were on the ground, dead. Cocking her head with confused interest, she glimpsed Hailey Garnet standing in the midst of the group, trying her hardest to maintain the upper hand, and not doing too bad a job at it, seeing as she was the only one admist the group of deatheaters. Still, Alexis saw that she could do with a little help. She started running towards her and her assailants, ducking blows and dodging spells. She skidded to a halt, seeing Hailey pitted against a foe, seeming to have a tough time of it. Alexis concentrated a bit, working herself up until she was able to conjure her flames, forming a large green fireball in her arms. She tensed, then jet it towards the deatheater after making sure it wouldn't hit Hailey.
It was then that Alexis viewed Ron jumping into the path of the flames, a look of determination on his features as he watched it spiral towards him. And it was too late for Alexis to stop her fiery jet. Her eyes widened with horror and she yelled aloud. "RON! NO!"
She turned slightly, cringing, and covered her eyes, unable to handle seeing him be hit by her fireball. She trembled with sorrow and fear as she crouched there, waiting for his screams. But, the scream that met her ears she realized was not Ron's, but someone else's. She decided to risk a peek and looked under her arms, staring with shimmering wide eyes in Ron's direction. Ron stood there still, but Alexis saw that he wasn't crispy, nor even singed. He stood gazing at her with a look of amazement on his face, perfectly untouched, and Alexis saw that the deatheater she was originally aiming at was flailing about, wreathed in green flame. Hailey stood frozen in place, looking back from Alexis to Ron with awe. Alexis stood straight, mouth hanging slightly open as she looked at Ron. Ron gazed back for a moment, then broke out in a huge smile.
"Oh yeah! Score for me..." He called out happily, grinning at Alexis.
First, Alexis felt a major swell of relief and happiness, glad that he hadn't been turned into a stick of firewood. But that was immediately followed by anger. She narrowed her eyes at Ron, yelling angrily.
"You fucking idiot! What the hell were you thinking! I could of killed you! What, you want me to go ballistic or something!"
Ron's grin faded slightly as he heard her ranting, and he looked away a bit guiltily. But he smirked and looked back up at her.
"Key word... could. But, you didn't..." He spoke.
Alexis opened her mouth to berate him again, but closed it in realization of his words. He was immune to her flames... Just like Artimis and Remus... She couldn't hurt him now...
She glared a last time at Ron, then turned to see how Artimis was doing. She saw her standing above a very dead, very bloody, Lucius Malfoy, repeatedly plunging her sword into his mutilated corpse. A little unnerved, Alexis decided it was time she moved on.
"Artimis, Battle. Hello."
Artimis looked up, seeming to finally realize he was dead. Alexis nodded in approval, then turned, looking for another opponent. But, due to her most recent worry, Alexis didn't hear the spell being muttered, nor see the wand aimed right at her back. She only realized this as she turned around, face to face with the deatheater as the spell flew at her, slamming into her body and sending her into pained unconciousness.
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Artimis was a very happy fighter at the moment, having just completed a life quest. She lifted her sword to attack when she heard a very loud manly yell.
"ALEXIS!" Ron's voice echoed despairingly and Artimis spun around, her eyes searching for the bouncing head of white hair. Artimis looked to where Ron was runnning and saw Alexis sprawled out on the ground, unmoving.
She felt anger consume her, she was not about to lose Alexis when she had just accomplished so much. Artimis lowered her sword, looking at the advancing Deatheaters. She felt the shadows wisp around her as she gave up control, letting the shadows over take her sense.
"I am so sick of my family getting hurt!" She screamed loudly, letting the shadows rush out from her, covering the ground and erupting from her, turning the broad daylight into solid blackness. She looked around, noticing everyone in their blindness, but being able to see perfectly herself. She growled as she raised her sword and sliced it the nearest deatheater, watching as he fell, the only sound she could hear was the sound of her sword slicing through the air. She moved through the group of deatheaters around Alexis, feeling nothing. She was angry, so angry that she had lost all control. She would not let this battle cause her more loss. She then saw a flash of the only thing that could calm her, green flame. Artimis turned to see Alexis, standing next to Ron, both of them consumed in her flames. Artimis felt relief and with that relief, the shadows receeded quickly into her. She quickly realized that her power did not come with out a price, for she didn't even have the energy to stand. She watched as everyone covered their eyes in the light, falling to her knees in the midst of several bodies. She saw Draco rush toward her and a black owl landed on her shoulder. She quickly took the letter and opened it, noting that there weren't that many deatheaters left in this area.
"Return to your encampment, you next patrol is at dusk.
-Apollo"
She read the quick message as another owl landed on Arthur's shoulder. Artimis let Draco help her up as she yelled loudly.
"Manor, To the camp." She yelled and all her family looked at her, apparating away quickly. Artimis clung to Draco as he apparated them away, Artimis not having the strength. They landed in the camp and they all breathed a sigh of relief, looking as Arthur and Ginny returned as well. Artimis let Draco lead her to their tent and she took a short nap on the couch.
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"ALEXIS!" Ron yelled as he raced towards where he saw Alexis fall, praying that she was alright, that it was just another meager spell. As he ran towards her still form, he noticed that Artimis had seen her fall as well. He watched as she seemed to be consumed in writhing black shadows, turning to look out over the battlefield. Ron skidded up to Alexis's side as the shadows spread through the air, washing over Ron and chilling him to the bone. He came to a quick halt, unable to see anything in the shadowy blackness as he shivered. He fell to his knees, pulling out his wand as he felt along the ground, hoping to come across his Love. His fingers brushed over a small, warm hand, and a little hope filled him as he scooted closer. He felt around some more, calling out.
"Alexis? Where is she... oh, right there... oops, sorry..." he mumbled worriedly as he found her, touching her face gently. He brought up his wand with a hand, trying to steady it with his shivering. He spoke through chattering teeth. "E... Ennervate!"
He waited for an anxious moment until he heard a soft groan. He smiled into the darkness, recognizing Alexis's voice.
"Whoa... it's dark... when did I fall asleep?"
"Alexis! Are you alright? Artimis is going haywire..." Ron spoke urgently, looking down and around blindly.
Alexis gazed upwards at Ron's worried face, seeing that he couldn't actually see her. She groaned in her soreness, sitting up slowly and touching his hand. He jumped a little, then grasped it tightly. Alexis gazed around, hearing the cold swooshing of steel. She surveyed her surroundings seeing that it was very dark, but not enough that Alexis couldn't see. But she saw everyone, Aurors and deatheaters alike, groping around blindly. Confused, Alexis gazed towards a quickly moving person, recognizing the swish of long black hair. She heard a few soft thuds, realizing them as bodies falling to the ground. Growing kind of fed up with this, Alexis focused and erupted into green flame, consuming both her and Ron. Ron jumped slightly in surprise, looking around now that he could see through the green tint. He gazed down at Alexis as he helped her to her feet.
"Dude... this is pretty cool..." Ron mumbled to himself, moving his hand around in the dancing flames, smirking at how they merely flickered about his hand, warming his skin enough to block out the cold from Artimis's shadowy powers. Alexis shook her head and smirked at him, lookng out over the battlefeild towards Artimis. She had just finished off a deatheater with a quick and powerful slice, then saw her turn to look at Alexis. Upon seeing her, Artimis seemed to lose her tenseness, the shadows and coldness receding back into her quickly. She squinted as sunlight once again shone on the battlefeild, seeing the rest of the fighters and what little remainder of deatheaters stand shakily, shivering slightly.
Artimis fell to her knees in the midst of several sliced bodies, breathing heavily. Alexis let down her flames, watching her with a bit of concern, letting go of Ron's hand quickly as people started to look around.
A black owl landed on Artimis's shoulder as Draco rushed up to her, and she heard her yell tiredly. "Manor. To the camp."
Alexis nodded, looking up at Ron. He nodded to and they both apparated back to the campsite after watching Draco apparate him and Artimis away.