Seven Years Later...
Chapter 20
"Toasty Homecoming and Handcuffs"
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Author's Notes: This one of my favorite chapters... Although I have a lot of them...
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Artimis awoke to the light streaming over the roof of her tent and she got up out of bed. She stretched a bit and changed into normal clothes for once. She walked over to the bed and shoved Draco over on to his back and kissed his lips softly. After a moment, he kissed her back and she drew away from him smiling.
"Get up. We get to go home today." She told him and he smiled.
"Home, the place where people know how to knock." Draco teased her and she smirked, walking out toward the exit of the tent. She walked out right into Molly who was walking in. Molly quickly caught Artimis's elbow as she began to fall backwards and steadied her to her feet.
"Oh, sorry dear. I was just coming to see if you were awake." Molly spoke and Artimis smiled, catching her breath.
"Yeah. Hey you know what?" Artimis thought aloud and Molly looked at her oddly.
"What?" Molly asked.
"We didn't celebrate. But oh... Hey. How about you, Mr. Weasley, and Ginny all come to the Manor tonight for dinner and we can celebrate then?" Artimis spoke quickly and Molly thought for a moment smiling at her.
"Sure dear. Now I'll go help Arthur with the tent. He seems to have a bit of a hangover." Molly joked and Artimis looked over to their tent, or at least where it once was. The tent was down and there was a flailing person waving about in the tent, hollering about something. Artimis covered her mouth and smirked, nodding as Molly walked off. Artimis looked over toward the Medic tent and saw Alexis being escorted out by Ron. As Artimis stood there, Draco walked up, rolling his sleeves up.
"Ok sweetheart. I'll take the tent down. You go make sure everybody else is up and doing the same. The sooner we get home, the sooner I get pancakes." Draco spoke and Artimis rolled her eyes. She turned and kissed Draco and he wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer into him.
"Will you two get a room for that." A voice sneered behind them and Artimis couldn't point it out. She drew back and then looked to see her brother Apollo standing there.
"Hey lil' sister. I heard your news. And I told my wife that we are coming home today." He spoke and Artimis let go of Draco and leapt at Apollo, wrapping her arms around his neck and crying into his shoulder.
"What? What is it Artimis?" Apollo asked, patting her head and she lifted her head a bit.
"We have to do dad's stuff today." She spoke softly and Apollo nodded his head, kissing Artimis's head.
"You, my darling sister, do not need to think of that now. We will do it this afternoon. Now, tell me where to help." Apollo spoke as Artimis backed away from him and he rolled his sleeves up.
"Well, you can help me, since I won't let Artimis." Draco told him and Artimis watched as Apollo smiled.
"Ok, I need to talk to you anyways. Don't worry Artimis. I know that look." Apollo spoke as Artimis looked at him with scrutiny.
"Fine. I'll go wake up the horde. Be nice." She spoke as she headed off to wake the rest of the Manor's occupants up so they can go home.
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Alexis's head swam up out of the drugged induced sleep that had claimed her God-Knows how long ago. She felt a hand on hers, and shifted, opening he eyes wearily. First she noticed that everything around her was pretty much the right color, though maybe a little off. Then she jumped at seeing Hailey in her face, which immediately reminded her of Madame Pomfrey back in their school days.
"Good. You're awake. Now take this before you start feeling anything." Hailey ordered, shoving a vial of some potion in her face as Hailey looked her over worriedly. Alexis groaned, taking the potion from her and downing it quickly, feeling the insistent pounding in her head subside mercifully. She lay back tiredly, rubbing her head. She touched gauze, and assumed her head had been bandaged, but not sure as to why exactly. But it was downright itchy...
She sighed and looked to her side, seeing Ron in a chair, his head laying on the edge of her bed, one hand over hers. She smiled tenderly as Hailey turned to Harry, who was waking slowly and reluctantly.
She smirked at him, then looked down at Ron. She reached out, running a hand softly through his bright red hair, which seemed to have an orange tint to it...
He sighed contentedly, lazily opening his eyes and looking up at her. He smiled widely, and Alexis smiled back as he sat up, stretching. He shook his head, looking over at her. "You feeling okay?" Was his first question. Alexis nodded, smiling tenderly.
"Yeah, for now. Probably until Hailey's potion wears off."
"Yep. Gave me one too... glad for it though..."
She laughed softly, stiffly moving to the side of her bed as Ron stood. She looked him over, seeing he was in the same blood stained and dirt smeared clothes. What wounds he had were already patched up, but otherwise, he was a mess.
"Didn't you take a shower, or even leave the tent last night?" Alexis asked in amused confusion.
Ron replied quietly, watching her intently. "Didn't want to leave you. You were a bit... out of it... last night. Kind of worried me. Fell asleep watching you."
Alexis smiled gratefully, feeling special that he had cared so much for her. Thinking on it now, he had cared for her a lot ever since before the battle. Rarely had he left her side, in fact.
"Well, you should go get one then." She told him, standing with his help. Her vision swirled for a minute as she gained back her balance, Ron holding her up. He spoke laughingly. "You need one as much as I do."
Alexis looked down at herself, seeing herself still in her dueling outfit. Blood spattered it in most areas, but mud was splashed on it as well as a few grass stains. She sighed, shaking her head, rubbing some dried mud from her arm.
"Yeah, we should go get one." She answered, then realized what she had said.
They were silent, staring at each other at the comment. Alexis quickly reworded it. "I mean... I'll, go get one, in my tent. And... you go take one, in yours."
Ron nodded quickly. "Yeah... knew what you meant..."
They both blushed slightly, gazing at each other. Hailey looked over at them, then walked towards the tent exit, mumbling about having to go get something. As soon as they were sure she was gone, Ron pulled Alexis closer to him, and she wrapped her arms behind his back, gazing up at him with shining eyes. Ron leaned down and kissed her lips softly, Alexis kissing back as she closed her eyes in happiness, forgetting everything else. She knew without Ron's strong arms around her waist, she'd have probably fallen back onto the cot.
They heard movement and quickly parted, Alexis spinning towards the other forgotten bed. Harry was sitting up slowly, holding his head and squinting at them. Ron and Alexis quickly let go of each other as Harry stared at them. The man reached over, fumbling on a table and quickly bringing his glasses to his eyes, staring at them once again as they smiled nervously at him. Harry sighed. "Oh, okay... I thought I saw something else..."
Ron and Alexis looked at him like he was crazy, shaking their heads. Harry shrugged, turning and grabbing a potion left for him off the table. He quickly chugged it, sighing in relief. Ron and Alexis shook their heads, smiling at each other as Ron led Alexis out of the tent, Harry stumbling to his feet behind them.
As they stopped outside of it, Alexis saw Artimis talking to Molly about something, and Molly nodding happily. Ron saw this too, looking nervously down at Alexis.
"I have a feeling that something not good is gonna come out of this..." Alexis spoke quietly a she watched Molly walking away. Ron looked down at her a bit strangely, knowing those 'feelings' she got could be more true than people realized. Alexis didn't seem to notice his expression as she gazed up at him.
"Okay then. I'll catch up with you after our... my, shower. Alright?" She asked, and Ron nodded, smirking slightly.
"I'll help you with your tent too if you want." He offered.
Alexis looked warily at the people bustling around. "Um thanks... but I don't think that's too good an idea... people will be noticing, and then will come the questions." She spoke quietly. Ron sighed slightly, but nodded, smiling gently. Alexis smiled gratefully, waving as she made her way to her tent.
Ron watched her go, shaking his head slightly. He didn't really mind anymore if people found out about them, at least they wouldn't have to be so nervous and careful in public. But Alexis still seemed cautious, his guess being she didn't want to jinx their relationship. He didn't really understand it; he would make sure that nothing went wrong between them if it came down to that. But, Ron respected her wishes. He knew that everything would work out with time, he just needed a little more patience. Right now, he was just ecstatic that they were 'together'.
Ron started towards his tent, intent upon a long hot shower and clean clothes, and to mull over such thoughts in peace.
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Everyone packed their tents up and looked around at the empty spaces they once occupied. They all stood in a circle as Artimis uncoiled the portkey rope.
"Wow, we actually get to go home. Where there are doors. And you can lock them and people have to knock." Alexis spoke in humor and Draco nodded.
"My thoughts exactly. And of course, Breakfast." Draco spoke and then Remus snickered as Artimis began handing the end of the rope out.
"Wait one minute, I gotta do this." Remus spoke and he stood tall and clicked his heels together. "There's no place like home, there's no place like home." Remus smirked and everyone just bust out laughing. Well, except Severus, who merely rolled his eyes, mostly because he didn't know what the hell everyone was laughing about.
"Can we please just go home?" Severus hissed and Artimis looked at him with a raised eyebrow, handing the rope and making sure everyone had a hold of it.
"Yes, Severus, we can go home." She spoke as she activated the port-key, taking everyone back to Manor Dela Loyalty.
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Everyone appeared on the green lawn in front Manor Dela Loyalty, no one more happy to be home than they were at that present time. Suddenly, the ground trembled underfoot, and everyone gazed about a bit nervously. Alexis merely smirked. There was loud barking, then two, two headed, six foot tall dogs bounded around the corner of the Manor, thudding towards the group. Everyone instinctively backed up a step as the guard dogs ran closer. Alexis smiled and dropped her bags, stepping forward happily.
The black dog, Carpe Noctum, skidded to a halt, while the white dog, Carpe Diem, loped forward, pouncing at Alexis and knocking her to the ground, both heads taking turns licking her. Alexis groaned once as her head hit the ground, not helping her headache, but then laughed as she fought to push the fuzzy heads away, rolling out from under it and grabbing one of the heads around the neck, hugging it tight.
"Oh my puppies... you guys did such a good job, oh yes you did... my little guard pups..." She cooed in a baby like voice, Carpe Noctum ambling up and giving Alexis a lick down as well. Alexis laughed and rubbed one of his heads affectionately as well.
Severus, watching the whole scene, shook his head with annoyance, watching the two beasts warily. Alexis managed to extract herself from the beasts, stumbling over and grabbing her bags, smiling widely, clothes damp with drool and flecked with mud. "Think I'm gonna have to take another shower..." She spoke aloud, wiping her face off as they dogs scampered away, probably to find a deer to chase.
Artimis unlocked the doors, putting down several spells with her wand and finally entering the house. Alexis entered right behind, taking a deep breath and smiling as everyone piled in behind her. Alexis caught a whiff of something heavenly and immediately dropped her bags, sniffing the air.
"I smell... sausage!" She exclaimed, looking towards the Kitchen.
Artimis grinned widely. "And bacon."
Alexis asked one of the several house-elves to drop her bags in the Tower. Then she walked into the Kitchen, everyone else joining her eventually. Parvati was dishing out some oatmeal to her two children, Damien and Athena, who sat one end of the table across from Erica and Vicky. Vicky smirked, grabbing a biscuit off a plate and tossing it at Damien, who glared and threw a piece of bacon at her. Parvati lightly smacked her son's hand with a spoon and he whined. "Vicky started it!"
Parvati turned and smacked the woman's hand as well, and she pouted sullenly, sticking out her tongue at Damien, who replied with the same.
Parvati looked up wearily, then smiled widely at the group as they entered the Kitchen. "I'm so glad you all are home! Had breakfast done early, so I fed the kids to keep them quiet. Also to keep Erica and Vicky occupied, they weren't helping with keeping the children in check." She spoke, looking to the two women with a stern expression. They smiled sheepishly, turning back to their meals, Erica snickering.
Alexis replied happily. "Thank god... I was starving... Erica, pass me the sausage." Alexis asked as she plopped down next to her, grabbing a plate. She was hungry, and nothing was going to stop her from getting food into her system. Formalities and greetings could be issued later, stomach was first.
Ron shook his head with amusement, grabbing a seat opposite of Alexis as Artimis took the seat right beside her. Everyone else fell into whatever seats were closest, no one bothering to sit in their designated spots, everyone too hungry and content to care.
Alexis loaded her plate with as much as she could; sausage, bacon, ham, gravy, eggs... pretty much anything that contained protein or was meat. It had been a while since she could gorge like this and not worry about being too stuffed to run and fight later. She ate quietly for a few minutes, then finally looked up and around at all the people around her, her Family.
She frowned, knowing something was wrong. Everyone was oddly quiet, no conversations or small talk from anyone except from the children, who were quietly discussing who could stuff the most pancakes into their mouths. Even Erica and Vicky were quiet, feeling the vibe from the group and remaining silent. Everyone was bent on eating, almost all with a look of gloominess and tenseness on their features, as if waiting for an interruption calling them to fight once again.
Alexis admitted, it was a bit odd now that the Dark Lord was gone, strange to finally get to resume some semblance of a 'normal' life. But this was just pathetic. Everyone still acted like this was their last breakfast together!
Alexis put down her fork, swallowing her mouthful of eggs and watching everyone, sending a mental note to Artimis. (Damn, it feels like Dooms Day in here.)
Tell me about it. I'm about to start a food fight or something, this is ridiculous. Artimis replied, also gazing at the Manor's occupants with a bit of a glare.
(Not bad, but I think they just need a little something to lift their spirits. Maybe some... entertainment.) Alexis spoke mischievously, seeing Ron look at her oddly as he noticed her sly grin. Artimis stopped eating, turning to look at her curiously. What do you have in mind?
(Oh... I just think that a certain... Song, would be a good start to everyone's day. You agree?) Alexis asked, smiling at Artimis. Artimis grinned with realization of Alexis's suggestion, picking up a spoon and a fork, replying. Perfect. Ready when you are.
(Alrighty then. Start the drum solo, and I'll follow up. Oh, and remind me to grab another potion from Hailey afterwards, my head'll be pounding by the time this is over...) Alexis sighed mentally, setting down her fork and coughing to clear her throat. Several people looked up at her, knowing something was about to go down.
Alexis smirked, nodding to Artimis. She nodded back and started drumming out a beat on the wooden table, everyone's gaze flicking between her and Alexis with befuddlement. Alexis bobbed her head, getting a feel for the beat, then sung out.
"All around the country and coast..."
She paused, Artimis continuing the drumming.
"People always say what do you like most." She sung, and Remus grinned widely, realizing what was going on. Alexis continued.
"I don't wanna brag, I don't wanna boast... I always tell them, I like toast."
They were several giggles from the children and Erica and Vicky as Artimis and Alexis yelled out together.
"YEAH toast! ... YEAH toast!"
Smirks were forming on everyone's faces as they stopped eating and watched the two women curiously. Alexis picked up a jar of jelly and another of jam while Artimis continued drumming.
Alexis sung out once again. "I get up in the morning 'bout six am..."
She paused, smiling as she studied the jars, lifting them each in turn. "Had a little jelly, had a little jam."
Severus shook his head and sighed, while Ron laughed as Alexis continued, setting down the jars and lifting a piece of bread from a plate. "Take a piece of bread, put it in the slot..."
She gestured to a toaster on a counter, continuing to sing. "... push down the lever and the wire gets hot, I get toast."
There were several laughs as Artimis joined in, singing. "YEAH toast! ... YEAH toast!"
Artimis stood, still beating out the rhythm with her fork and spoon as Alexis sung out as serious as possible, summoning the toaster to her and holding it up for everyone to see. "Now there's no secret to toasting perfection..."
More laughs ensued, and Alexis felt the uneasiness leaving the room. She smiled as she continued. "There's a dial on the side and you make your selection."
Artimis bounced as she drummed, smiling at Alexis as the short woman continued, holding up a piece of bread as well as the toaster. "Push to the dark or the light and then, if it pops too soon, press down again and make toast."
Alexis looked to Artimis and both sung out. "YEAH toast! ... YEAH toast!"
The two children were laughing hysterically, now deciding to beat each other with their own slices of toast as everyone laughed, even Severus smirking slightly, still shaking his head.
Alexis continued singing proudly. "When the first caveman drove in from the dregs... Didn't know what would go with the bacon and the eggs."
Alexis pointed to the mentioned foods with a look of mock confusion on her face, making everyone laugh again. She smirked and sung out. "Must've met a genius, got it in his head... Plug the toaster in the wall, buy a bag of bread and make toast." Alexis finished with a shrug, Artimis giggling as she continued her drum beat. And suddenly, to everyone's surprise, Remus stood up with a grin and started belting out some lyrics himself, in French.
Alexis looked at Artimis, and she shrugged, mocking Remus as she continued to drum. Alexis shrugged too, listening to Remus and laughing, only picking out the words, 'croissant', and 'Eiffel Tower'.
He finished to much laughter, smiling widely at Artimis and Alexis. The two women looked at each other, shrugged, and sung out together, practically head banging now. "FRENCH toast! ... FRENCH toast!"
The was a chorus of loud laughs after them as Remus nodded proudly, sitting down again and grinning. Alexis pulled a spoon up to her mouth, using it as a microphone as she sung out once more.
"In London or on the Arty and Lexy Show..."
Artimis stopped drumming and sung out with Alexis once more. "YEEAAAHHHH toast!"
They finished, flourishing their arms to loud laughter and a smattering of applause, mostly from the children and Erica and Vicky. Alexis bowed dramatically, Artimis curtsying and they both plopped in their seats, grinning widely.
I think that hit the spot... Artimis sent to her mentally, looking around at the laughing group of people with satisfaction.
Alexis smiled tiredly. (Yep. That'll do. And now, everything is seeming to ECHO in my head...) Alexis replied through her mind, sighing through her grin, taking another bite of sausage.
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Artimis watched as Alexis and Ron finished their food and went to get up, Alexis looking tired, but happy. She stood and smiled at Alexis sweetly, walking up to both of them as they watched with curiousness.
"Would the two of you join me in the kitchen for a moment?' She asked politely and Alexis raised an eyebrow at her and nodded, Ron following her quizzically. Artimis extended her stride, making it into the kitchen before them. She put her hand in her pocket and smirked, feeling her newest torture device as she turned to face them. Alexis and Ron walked into the room and as soon as the doors shut behind then, they were holding hands, looking about nervously. Artimis smirked as she moved quickly. In a flash, she handcuffed Alexis to Ron, smiling insanely. Alexis looked down at the handcuffs and then looked at Artimis in confusion.
"WHAT THE HELL!" Alexis yelled, letting go of Ron's hand, and Artimis backed up a bit, rolling her eyes.
"Now, until the both of you admit to the whole family that you are together, you will be wearing these." Artimis spoke, speaking the curse as Ron and Alexis looked at her dumbfounded. She smirked at him and turned on her heel, walking out the other doors of the kitchen, hearing Alexis whine. "GET THEM OFF!"
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Alexis stood from the table, picking up her empty plate as Ron quickly did the same. She smiled at him, and he smiled back. She turned to discard her plate, wanting to just go upstairs and take a nap. Ron walked up to her, and she sighed while smirking, knowing she wouldn't with him around.
They turned to leave the Dining room together as Artimis gave Alexis a huge smile. She smiled back, knowing she was up to something. She casually sauntered up to them, asking politely and low enough for only them to hear. "Would the two of you join me in the kitchen for a moment?"
Alexis looked up at Ron, who shrugged and followed Alexis towards the Kitchen, feeling an odd vibe from Artimis. Artimis quickened her stride, disappearing into the Kitchen a few seconds ahead of them. Alexis looked up at Ron, and he frowned slightly, but they continued in after her.
They stepped into the Kitchen, seeing Artimis standing there, arms behind her back as she grinned slyly. Suddenly, the doors slammed behind them and Alexis jumped slightly, grabbing Ron's hand instinctively. He grasped it back tightly, both watching Artimis with confusion.
Suddenly there was a blur and they both felt cold metal around the wrists of their hands that were holding the other's. Artimis stepped back swiftly, smiling mischievously. Alexis looked down at her hand, seeing thick metal handcuffs attaching her arm to Ron's. Her eyes widened and she gulped, feeling a tinge of fear and nervousness. Ron stared at the handcuffs, mouth slightly agape as Alexis darted her gaze back to Artimis, yelling with confusion. "WHAT THE HELL!"
She let go of Ron's hand, glaring at Artimis. Artimis took a step back and rolled her eyes, stating smugly. "Now, until the both of you admit to the whole family that you are together, you will be wearing these."
She mumbled a curse, and Alexis felt a wave of magic wash over them as she stared at Artimis with incredulity, Ron also staring, still speechless. Artimis smiled sweetly, turned on her heel and swiftly left as Alexis yelled after her almost pleadingly. "GET THEM OFF!"
Artimis ignored her as Alexis gazed after her in shock. She looked up at Ron, who was still staring at the handcuffs. Alexis shakily put a hand to her head, trying to figure out what to do.
"Oh no... oh no oh no oh no." She mumbled to herself, shaking her head as she frantically looked around.
Ron spoke quietly, seeing her become panicked. "Alexis... it's okay..."
"No it isn't! This is BAD! Oh no... um, we've got to get out of here, b, before anyone sees us..." Alexis mumbled frantically, studying the handcuffs. Ron sighed, knowing this was going to be a long day.
Alexis started quickly towards the door, yanking Ron behind her, catching him off guard. She peeked out the doors, making sure no one was in the halls leading to the staircases. She turned to Ron, making the signal to stay silent. He nodded, and she stealthily left the Kitchen, crouching slightly, Ron hurriedly following so she wouldn't yank the handcuffs.
As soon as they reached the staircase, Alexis tried to run, without letting Ron know. Her arm was yanked back, jerking Ron forward as she lost her balance. She tumbled backwards off the stairs, Ron catching her with open arms before she fell. She looked up at him fearfully. "This is going to be tough..."
Ron sighed, helping Alexis to her feet and following her swiftly up to her Tower, avoiding any unwanted attention to their relief. Alexis pulled Ron into her room, slamming the doors behind her. Ron looked around her room as Alexis tried to pace, dragging Ron to and fro. He sighed, grabbing her shoulders and stopping her, speaking sternly and quietly. "Calm down a bit or you'll pull my arm out of it's socket."
She nodded and stopped, staring at him with the lost puppy dog look.
"Do you know what people will say if they see us like this!" She hissed just above a whisper. Ron thought a moment and removed his hands, his eyes widening, realizing what she was trying to say. He looked down at the handcuffs, pulling out his wand. Alexis did the same, both taking turns trying every unlocking charm known to them. They only succeeded in making their wrists red from straining the handcuffs.
Alexis threw her wand down in frustration, holding her head with her free hand, looking panicked. She dragged Ron towards her bed, yanking his arm down so she could lift her mattress. Underneath, Ron saw a medium sized blow torch. He gazed at Alexis curiously.
"You have one of those under your bed?"
Alexis nodded like it was nothing, pulling it out and looking it over. Ron questioned, still confused.
"But, aren't those combustible?"
Alexis looked up at him and nodded, not seeing his point. Ron shook his head, replying. "Okay honey, whatever makes you happy..."
She shrugged at him, pulling him over to an empty space on the stone floor. Ron winced in pain, his wrist already stinging from all the yanking, and it had only been ten, fifteen minutes. She put her wrist with her part of the handcuffs on the floor, gesturing for him to do the same. He did so, pulling the cuffs tight. She started the blowtorch, a look of determination on her face. Ron gulped, looking away. Alexis put the flame to the handcuff chain, trying desperately to melt them off. All she managed to do was singe all the hair off of Ron's hand. She growled in hopelessness, turning off the blowtorch and tossing it on her bed, Ron exhaling with relief.
Alexis plopped on the floor, sitting cross-legged as Ron did the same in front of her, actually having no choice. Alexis whined, eyes reddening slightly. "I am so gonna kill her..."
Ron spoke quietly. "Lexy, it's... it's really not that bad... we can just tell them..."
Alexis looked up at him, and his eyes widened in surprise at the look of fear in her eyes. "I... I can't... if we d, do... and everyone f, finds out... with my luck..." She stammered, looking down at the ground, lower lip trembling. Ron watched her in worried confusion as she looked up at him, tears brimming in her eyes.
She whispered, Ron barely able to hear her. "I... don't want to lose you... if I say something, I'll jinx it, and something will happen between us... it always does... I can't go through that. So I can't let anyone know."
Ron watched Alexis with surprise, not really knowing what to say as Alexis looked back down at the ground. He never knew she was that worried and scared about messing up their relationship. He was about to try and comfort her when she looked up, speaking quietly.
"Oh, and your parents are coming to dinner tonight."
Ron eyes widened, and he gulped, his face paling. He stared at the handcuffs once more, desperately trying to think of a way to remove them.
Suddenly, they heard footsteps and stared at each other with wide eyes. The Tower doors were flung open and Apollo stood there, hand on the handle as he stared at them sitting on the floor, handcuffed hands in front of them.
He smirked mischievously at them, shaking his head. Alexis shook her head frantically, standing and yanking Ron to his feet painfully. She growled angrily. "Not now! We're busy!"
Apollo snickered and replied, "Sorry, but that's gonna have to wait. You needed down in the Living room. Pronto."
Alexis's looked to him with confusion, then she saw his gaze on the handcuffs. She stammered nervously, stepping forward.
"No Apollo... it's not like that... it's... we... AHH!" She growled in frustration, Apollo leaving the room and closing the doors behind him, snickering. She turned as Ron stepped up to her. She leaned forward, burying her head in his chest as she cried. "I hate these people..."
Ron wrapped his free arm around her, patting her back. "Shhh... it's going to be okay, we'll get through this..."
Alexis nodded, wrapping her free arm around him and hugging him tightly. She sighed into his shirt after a moment, Ron kissing the top of her head. She looked up at him, face slightly red and eyes watery.
"We better go down there before she finds another way to torture us..."
Ron sighed, nodding and gently touched her face. She sighed, looked up at him and smiled smally, then turned to the doors, Ron following close behind.
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Artimis sat on the couch as everyone else pulled up chairs behind the couch. She quieted her sniffles, knowing that if she and Apollo didn't take care of their father's will today it would never get done and that would not be right to her father's memory. Artimis turned her head as Apollo walked back into the room, snickering to himself slightly as he looked to Artimis with his big brother 'I-know-what-you-did' look. Apollo sat down beside her and whispered lowly.
"They will be down here in a minute." He told her and she nodded, the thought bringing a small smile to her face in the gloom of the moment. Artimis heard the doors to the living room open and she turned around to see Alexis walk in, still handcuffed to Ron. She walked in and the whole room silenced as they looked at Alexis and Ron and then at each other. Alexis walked over to the couch like nothing was out of the ordinary, even though Artimis could see the blush on her face. Alexis walked over and plopped on the couch next to Artimis, dragging Ron into the chair by the couch. Artimis saw Ron grimace and she felt kinda bad but she had to do this, for them.
"Ok, now everybody, please be quiet." Apollo spoke as he put a stone pensive on the coffee table and pointed his wand at it.
A scene projected itself up from the bowl and Artimis's breath caught in her throat. It was her mother and her father. Artimis's father began speaking from the memory.
"This is our final will and testament, should something happen to us in these dark times." Her father spoke and then Artimis's mother drew in a breath.
"Should anything happen to us and our three children not be of age, then their guardianship goes to my sister, Selena Entingo. Should Selena be incapable of watching over the children, then the children should go to Andres's parents." Miranda Callabella spoke and Artimis turned her head to see Severus exit the room in a rush, his face turned away from the group. How strange... She thought as she turned back around.
"Should something happen to us and our three children, Diana Crysta Callabella, Apollo Marcus Callabella and Artimis Marietta Callabella be of age, then things go to them in this order. " Miranda spoke again and then looked to Andres Callabella.
"My son, Apollo, shall have Callabella Manor, as it is a tradition to past the home down to the male of the family. If he should not want the Manor, then it shall to go to which ever one of his sisters wish to have it. The Callabella fortune is to be split evenly to all three of our children. There is a list of things of sentimental value to each of our children with this." Andres spoke and then they both smiled in the memory.
"Kids, know we both love you more than you know. This is our final will and testament and it shall not be contested." Andres spoke again and then it cut out. Artimis had to hold back tears as she listened to those last words.
"Why did I need to be here?" Alexis asked and Apollo glared at her, telling her to shut her trap and be patient. Artimis looked as another memory flew up from the pensive.
Andres was alone this time and Artimis knew he was much older. He smiled one of his smiles and Artimis missed him so much.
"This is an amendment to the my final will and testament, seeing as a tragedy took my wife and my daughter, Diana. As per Miranda's instructions, all of her things were given to our last surviving daughter Artimis and she shall receive them on her seventeenth birthday. I would also like to clarify exactly who my three children are, now that events have changed that predicament." He spoke and Artimis scooted closer, wondering what the hell he was talking about. If Diana died, then he only had two children, her and Apollo. Artimis listened closely as Andres spoke again in a bit more cheerful tone.
"My three children are Apollo Marcus Callabella, Artimis Marietta Callabella, and now my adopted daughter, Alexis Catherine Whyte." He spoke and the whole room looked at Alexis. Artimis looked at Alexis and saw her look back at Remus with questioning. Andres kept speaking.
"Were Alexis's adoption be questioned, the paperwork is with this and Remus James Lupin, who is her main caretaker and has main custody, can attest to my adoption of Alexis as well as his own." Andres spoke and Artimis looked at Apollo who had that smug smile on his face.
"Now, as I stated in my earlier will, the fortune is to be split evenly to all three of my children; Apollo, Artimis and Alexis. This is my amendment to my final will and testament." Andres spoke as the image faded away and Artimis sat there with her breath stolen away. Alexis was her adopted sister. Her father had adopted her as well as Remus, they were really sisters.
"Oh my god." Artimis stated as she reached forward and opened the envelope with paperwork with it. Artimis looked through them and pulled out adoption papers with Alexis's name on it.
"Oh my god, Alexis, it's true. And oh my god, look who sighed it! And copies of Remus's papers are here too, and look he signed them too!" Artimis screeched as she looked at both the papers, seeing the fancy scripted signature of one Professor Severus Snape. Alexis rushed over, dragging poor Ron and reading the papers.
"S, Soo, I'm, We're..." Alexis stammered quietly as she read the papers.
"Sisters! Like, really!" Artimis shrieked.
"And he, he signed it for them." Alexis asked as she looked at Snape's signature.
"I guess so." Artimis replied and then Alexis leapt on her, hugging Artimis around the neck with one arm and making Ron lose his balance. Ron winced and then groaned.
"Uh, Alexis, my arm." He spoke and Alexis let go of Artimis, looking to Ron with concern. Artimis snickered and then looked at the rest of the dumbfounded family.
"I think that is enough excitement for one moment." Artimis spoke and she then smiled.
"How about we all go take our much craved naps. Cause I know I need one." Artimis spoke yawning and then she walked out of the room, grabbing Draco by the arm as she left the room, heading up to bed and totally shocked at the news that Alexis was her sister.
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Alexis stopped outside the doorway leading into the Living room, sighing to herself. Ron put his free hand on her shoulder, and she looked up at him with hopelessness. He gave her a reassuring smile, and she hung her head, taking a deep breath. She lifted her head back up, putting on a look of indifference, hoping she wasn't blushing too bad. She nodded up at Ron and they both entered the room of conversing people, looking as nonchalant as possible.
A dead silence washed over the room as everyone stared at them and the handcuffs, eyes holding glints of surprise and laughter. She held her head up, staring everyone down as she walked over to the couch, avoiding Artimis's smug look. She plopped on the couch huffily, yanking Ron's arm down. He grimaced as pulled a chair over beside the couch, sitting in it with a sigh.
Alexis made as if to cross her arms, but Ron grabbed her wrist, stopping her and shaking his head. Alexis gave an apologetic smile, setting her left, handcuffed arm on the edge of the couch for his comfort as the first projections of Artimis and Apollo's parents filled the front of the room.
Alexis could feel Artimis's unease and sadness, and, though she felt bad for her, was a bit too frustrated with her to acknowledge her.
She listened to the first few lines explaining the will and testament, then her gaze drifted to the handcuffs as she confirmed she had really nothing to do with this event. She glared at Artimis's torture device, trying to devise some plan to remove them.
Hmmm... tried magic and melting them. And they didn't work... what else could we try?
She thought to herself, Ron watching with slight amusement her intense studying of the handcuffs. She looked up around at everyone, the will and testaments still being read, then turned back to her thoughts, rubbing her chin with her free hand.
Could try the ax under my bathroom sink... naw, might end up chopping off Ron's hand...
She sighed, rubbing her temples in frustration.
Maybe Fred and George could help? ... Then again, maybe not. End up with the rest of us handcuffed as well...
She looked up at Ron, and he cocked his head in confusion. Alexis looked back down at the handcuffs.
I swear, payback will be a bitch... that's a promise...
Alexis looked up as the projection of Andres Callabella closed the announcement of the will and Alexis shook her head in confusion. She looked to Apollo quizzically. "Why did I need to be here?"
Apollo turned and glared at her, snapping for her to shut up and be patient. She drew back a little, mumbling to herself. "Okay, okay. Gosh, testy much?"
She gave up thinking about the handcuffs, deciding to see what she needed to be so patient about with this whole event.
"...I would also like to clarify exactly who my three children are, now that events have changed that predicament." Andres voice spoke and Alexis cocked her head in confusion. Artimis didn't have another brother or sister... Who was the third one?
"My three children are Apollo Marcus Callabella, Artimis Marietta Callabella, and now my adopted daughter, Alexis Catherine Whyte." Andres confirmed in a slightly cheerful voice, and Alexis's breath hitched in her throat as she sat up straight, staring at Andres's picture on the projection. She felt eyes on her, and she turned, gazing at Remus questioningly. He never told her that Andres's adopted her too!
So she kind of had two fathers this whole time!
"Now, as I stated in my earlier will, the fortune is to be split evenly to all three of my children; Apollo, Artimis and Alexis. This is my amendment to my final will and testament." Andres finished, his image fading away. Alexis stared at the place, mouth slightly agape. The thought of Andres actually kind of being her father brought tears to Alexis's eyes and she closed her mouth, sniffling and trying to keep from crying. She slowly turned to look at Artimis, who was scanning adoption papers intently, a look of amazement on her features. "Oh my god, Alexis, it's true. And oh my god, look who sighed it. And copies of Remus's papers are here too, and look he signed them too." Artimis screeched, and Alexis shook her head slowly in awe. Artimis was her true sister now?
She dove towards her, yanking Ron half out of his chair as she grabbed the papers, studying them. Scanning down to the signatures, she saw he graceful signature of Severus Snape.
"S, Soo, I'm, We're..." Alexis stammered in an almost whisper, still gazing at the papers.
"Sisters! Like, really!" Artimis shrieked.
"And he, he signed it for them." Alexis confirmed, still shocked that Severus had even agreed to sign her adoption papers.
"I guess so." Artimis replied.
Alexis yelped in glee and jumped at Artimis, wrapping her free arm around her neck and squeezing her tightly, eyes closed tight. She heard a groan and backed up from Artimis as Ron moaned.
"Uh Alexis... my arm..."
She turned and looked to him with concern, seeing him holding the shoulder of the arm handcuffed to Alexis. She gasped, getting off the couch and moving in closer to him, studying him with worry. Artimis was saying something and snickering, but Alexis was too occupied with the ailing Ron to notice.
"Oh my gosh... I think it's dislocated... I'm s, so sorry Ron..." Alexis spoke quietly, feeling Ron's shoulder and seeing him wince.
He spoke in a pained voice. "It's a, alright... you had r, reason to be e, excited." He told her through short breaths, smiling though. Alexis smiled up at him, then studied his arm worriedly. She looked around, searching for Hailey. She grabbed his hand and carefully led him out of the room, watching his face with concern.
They approached the staircase, but stopped upon seeing Severus sitting on the steps, arms on his knees as he stared at the floor. Alexis looked up at Ron, who shrugged, then grimaced with the movement. She walked up to Snape, Ron following.
"Um, Severus? You okay?" She asked, but he didn't even acknowledge her. She cocked her head in confusion, knowing that something was wrong with him. She waved her free hand in front of him, speaking quietly. "Severus? Hellllooo... you sick or something?"
Severus closed his eyes tight, speaking through gritted teeth. "I'm fine, Whyte."
Alexis stepped back, nodding. After a second, she asked again. "Um... I just found out Andres adopted me... and that you signed the papers making it possible."
Severus stiffened, slowly looking up at her with narrowed eyes. "WHAT?"
Alexis grinned. "Yep. Which is kind of weird, since you hate me so much..."
Severus stood, glaring, then saw their handcuffs. He couldn't help but smirk at them, shaking his head. Alexis followed her gaze, then turned red. He looked at her once, and she growled.
"Damnit, you know it isn't like that Snape..."
"Hm, whatever you say Alexis..." He sighed, smirking as he walked past them. Alexis glared after him, then shook her head, taking Ron's hand and leading him upstairs. Faintly they heard Severus's upraised voice.
"Remus! I was assured she would never know I had anything to do with this until after I was dead!"
Alexis smirked, leading Ron to Hailey's room to fix his shoulder.
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Severus sighed, sitting on the stairs, pushing back those dreaded things people affectionately call emotions. He sat there after Artimis clamored up the stairs, dragging Draco with her. He rolled his eyes, looking at the floor. He hadn't been reduced to emotions in a long time, and it was not something he enjoyed. He heard footsteps moving near him and he didn't look up, not wanting to talk to anyone. Then she, the bane of his existence on more levels than he could count, spoke to him.
"Um, Severus? You okay?" Alexis asked him and he ignored her, hoping that she would just go away and leave him be. He felt the movement of air, as if someone were waving in his face and he grimaced, knowing she wasn't going away.
"Severus? Hellllooo... you sick or something?" She asked him and he held in his anger, knowing it only gave her pleasure.
Severus closed his eyes tight, speaking through gritted teeth. "I'm fine, Whyte." He informed her, hoping she would just go away. He thought that she had left after a moment of silence but had no such luck. After a second, she asked again. "Um... I just found out Andres adopted me... and that you signed the papers making it possible."
A million things ran through his head, one of them being that she now knew that he had helped her in some way, a bad sign for his hating her guts. He stiffened and looked up with narrowed eyes in disbelief.
"WHAT!" He declared and she smiled at him smugly.
"Yep. Which is kind of weird, since you hate me so much..." She told him and he wanted to kill Andres, well, if Andres wasn't already dead. Severus got up from his seat on the stairs and saw Ron standing next to Alexis. He looked down and saw handcuffs on their wrists, cuffing them together. He couldn't help but smirk at them, shaking his head in humor. He saw Alexis look down at the handcuffs and she then looked up at him, turning red with embarrassment. He looked at her and she growled at him.
"Damnit, you know it isn't like that Snape..." She told him and he snickered, not wanting to know how they had ended up in that predicament.
"Hm, whatever you say Alexis..." He sighed at her smirking as he walked past them up the stairs. He murmured lowly as he was far away fro them not to hear him.
"Like mother, like daughter." Severus mused, heading to go kill Remus. Severus walked through the force field and opened Remus's door, not bothering to knock.
"Remus! I was assured she would never know I had anything to do with this until after I was dead!" He yelled, startling Remus, who was lying in his bed.
"What are you bellowing about?" Remus asked him and Severus glared in anger, rolling his eyes.
"The adoptions. She was NEVER EVER supposed to know that I had anything to do with it. And now, she does." Severus hollered at Remus, who sat up and rolled his eyes at him.
"So what? She knows. It's not like she hugged you or anything right?" Remus asked him and Severus crossed his arms.
"No, but now she has just a little bit more to hold over my head, a little bit more to torture me with. It's bad enough that I live here with her torture, but now she can say that I helped her." Severus told him and Remus smirked at him.
"Didn't you realize Severus, you can go home. Voldemort is dead. You don't have to live with her torture." Remus told him and Severus stopped for a moment. Surprisingly Severus had given no thought to going back home, which worried him. Had he in someway, forgotten that Manor Dela Loyalty was not his home?
"That is not the point Remus. The point is that I was told she would never know." Severus spoke and Remus rolled his eyes, getting up and walking out the door. Severus, not wanting to be ignored, followed Remus, telling the whole way to the third floor and Severus then realized they were heading to Alexis's tower. Severus at that moment, really just felt like arguing and continued to yell at Remus, who was obviously tuning him out.
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Alexis lay on her stomach beside her bed in the Tower, tapping her temple with her wand as she spoke. "Alrighty then... we tried opening spells, spells that break stuff... enlarging spells didn't work... maybe if we tried the damn Killing curse we'd get somewhere, don't you think Ron? ... Ron?"
Alexis stopped speaking, looking up on the bed where Ron lay on his stomach, his, healed, handcuffed shoulder and arm dangling over the edge for Alexis's comfort. Looking up at him, Alexis saw that he was fast asleep. She smiled tenderly, seeing the calm look and small smile on his features. She nodded, turning back to their handcuffed wrists.
"Good idea. You rest and I'll figure out how to get these off..." She spoke aloud, studying the device closely. She sighed, then backed up, pulling their wrists taut as she pointed her wand at them, turning her head from the wand for safety and mumbling a bit angrily. "Avada Kedavra!"
A flash of green light filled the room, and as it cleared, Alexis looked down at the cuffs hopefully. They went unscathed. She growled, crawling back to the side of the bed and leaning against it, closing her eyes tight with frustration, leaning her head back.
Distantly she heard yelling, then footsteps approaching her room. She opened her eyes partially, wondering what else could happen today. Her door was pushed open and Remus stepped in, looking annoyed as Severus stomped in behind him, still grumbling and hollering about the adoption papers and how she wasn't suppose to know some stupid stuff or something, Alexis really wasn't paying him any attention.
Remus smiled at her and she looked to them in confusion. Severus glared over at Alexis, continuing to yell at Remus. Remus looked back at Alexis, then up at Ron, who still lay sleeping, on her bed. He sighed and shook his head, then smirked after Alexis gave him that 'don't-say-a-word' glare.
Severus quieted upon seeing the two, then stepped up to Remus, whispering next to his ear sarcastically. "Brings back memories, don't it."
Remus stiffened, turning and glaring daggers at him. He hissed quietly, "I don't know if you remember or not, but it's still the full moon, if you get what I mean."
Severus shut his mouth, taking a step back and glaring slightly, but getting the point. Remus turned back to Alexis, smiling at her.
"Hey Alexis. I forgot earlier, but I wanted to give you something." He explained, then fished an awfully large rock out of one of his deep cloak pockets, Severus watching in confusion. It was still muddy slightly, and had what seemed like blood stains on it along with a few scorch marks, as if from great magic. Remus looked at it once more, then walked up and handed it to Alexis as she stood up beside the bed. She studied it, then suddenly realized that it was the rock she used against Remus, along with several other uses.
She took it, and Remus gestured for her to turn it over. She did so, reading aloud the carving on the underside to herself.
"To Alexis; The Cutest Pup Ever."
Alexis looked up at Remus in confusion, Severus snickering slightly as Remus grinned. Alexis shook he head, studying the rock and then asking quietly, changing the subject. "Remus, why didn't you ever tell me?"
The grin vanished from his face as he swallowed. Severus stepped back, folding his arms as he watched, feeling smug at Remus being put on the spot. Remus sighed, running a hand through his sandy brown hair. He looked up, speaking quietly. "There was a lot put on you at that time. Anything else would've merely harmed you more. You didn't need the stress. Me and Andres agreed to share your adoption for your well being. In the case that something happened to me in my... other state, you would've gone to live with Artimis."
Remus explained and Alexis watched him with wide eyes that shimmered with unshed tears. She smiled at him with great gratitude, looking at the ground as she fought back the tears. Remus stepped forward, wrapping her in a hug as she wrapped her free arm around him.
Behind them, Severus rolled his eyes, mumbling something to himself. "Yeah, and she wasn't suppose to find out I had anything to do with it..."
Remus stepped away from Alexis, turning to glare at him. "You know what Severus, just shut up." he glared back at him, still grumbling.
Alexis smirked, commenting lightly. "My gosh, you sure you aren't a woman? You're worse than Artimis with the complaining."
Severus quieted, sneering at her and hissing quietly. "I hate you, Whyte..." He spoke her name like it was a bad taste in his mouth. With that, he turned and stomped out of her room, leaving them laughing behind him.
Ron shifted, yawning and looking up at Alexis as she turned to him. He smiled at her, then looked down at the handcuffs, smirked, and shook his head. Remus laughed, walking towards the doors. "Okay then , I'll leave you two to whatever you were doing..." Remus commented smugly, leaving the room. Alexis glared after him, shaking her head. She turned to Ron, who was sitting up.
"Good. Now I can take a nap and you can figure out how to get these bloody things off before dinner and your parents see us like this." She grumbled as Ron got up. She turned and set the rock on her dresser, then plopped on the bed, laying down and snuggling into the covers as Ron sat on the floor in her spot, staring at the handcuffs.
As Alexis stared dozing off, she smiled and commented quietly about the spot where she lay. "Ooohh... it's all warm..."
With that she heard a light chuckle and she drifted off to sleep, feeling her arm being shaken slightly by a confused Ron.
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Wow, that was a long chapter... And there's more... How are they going to get them off? Review and find out...
Deep Shadows