Seven Years Later...
Chapter 25
"Separation Anxiety"
Author's Notes: Hio all, as you can see i have updated exactly a week from last time... i swear, ill keep it up... Next chapter in a week... Toodles, Deep Shadows
Alexis turned over, rolling half onto a warm chest. She swallowed, her throat dry and sore as she slowly awoke, groaning aloud as she opened her eyes. The bright sunlight filtering into the room met her eyes, and she immediately recoiled, burying her head into the warm chest, yelling into it. "Ahh! The light, it burns..."
She heard laughing, raising her head and squinting at Ron, whom she was laying upon. He still had his eyes closed, but was grinning, and she knew he was awake. She rolled off of him, sprawling out on her space of the bed. There was a loud, seemingly echoing clinking noise that just spiked into her throbbing head, not helping her major hangover. She whined. "Ron... make it stop..."
Ron snorted, sitting up slowly and holding his head. "Would if I could..."
Alexis groaned, then rolled off her bed, falling to the floor. Ron looked down at her oddly, and she smiled up at him. He shook his head, plopping back onto her bed, Alexis just realizing they were in her Tower. She didn't remember how she had gotten in there, but she didn't care. She just wanted to find that damn clinking noise and kill whoever was making it.
She raised her head slowly from the floor, looking to her door. She frowned, seeing a black mass lying half in her doorway. Sitting up, she saw Ron was staring at the same thing. She crawled over to it cautiously, still too dizzy to walk, and sat down beside it. She warily poked it, and she heard a grunt. Cocking her head in confusion, she leaned down at the black haired head, grabbing a handful of the hair and lifting his head from the floor. To her surprise, it was Severus. She turned and looked to Ron.
"Hey, it's Severus."
Ron cocked his head in confusion. "Severus? What's Severus doing in here?" He asked suspiciously. Alexis shrugged, and then let go of the hair, Severus's head thudding to the hard floor. Alexis winced slightly at the thud, Severus groaning painfully. Alexis sat cross-legged next to him, cocking her head down to look at him. He shook his head, raising it and dizzily opening his eyes, looking up at Alexis. Alexis smirked and waved at him. His eyes widened and he turned on his back, scooting backwards away from her a good few feet, staring at her in shock. Alexis laughed, and then held her head, finding that it even hurt to laugh, that damn clinking noise not helping any. Alexis fell back, laying half out her doorway, groaning at Severus.
"I'll race you to that damn clinking noise... whoever gets there first get to strangle whoever's making it."
Severus shook his head, looking confused beyond reason. Obviously he didn't know why he was partially in her room either. She shrugged; surveying the ballroom they had left the night before. She smirked, seeing chairs knocked over, wine and alcohol bottles laying everywhere, not to mention the glasses and plates tossed everywhere, cake still on some of them. Moving her gaze over, she saw Remus passed out on the edge of the low stage, microphone in his hand as he snored.
Alexis realized the clinking noise was louder in here, and she looked back by the doors.
Sitting there in one of the chairs at one of the tables, Artimis leaned back, arms folded with a smug look on her face, legs crossed and one foot kicking the bottom of a box full of potions. So it was her... evil woman... but, those are potions, so she is forgiven... Alexis thought to herself, smiling in relief at the potions, and then smiling at Artimis pleadingly. Artimis snickered at her, shaking her head in amusement.
Ron stumbled out of the room behind Alexis, leaning down and helping Alexis to her feet, letting her lean on him for support as they both stared longingly at the potions.
Simultaneously, they spoke softly. "Please?"
Artimis raised her head with importance, stating loudly and chipperly. "Good morning, sleepy heads. Glad to see you all bright eyed and bushy tailed."
Alexis winced along with Ron, her voice echoing in the ballroom as well as in their throbbing heads. "Oh come on... you have to be so loud..." Alexis complained, leaning her head on Ron. Artimis snickered. "Why not? I'm not drunk and hung over, I can taunt you all I want." She spoke, loudly once again. Ron sighed. "I know those bloody potions come at a price, so tell us and let's get this over with. My vision is starting to go blurry..."
Artimis smirked at the, rubbing her chin. " A price... Hmm... My price is your memory... What do You remember about last night Alexis?" Artimis asked evilly and Ron looked over at her, rubbing his head as Artimis's cutting voice echoed.
Alexis narrowed her eyes at Artimis suspiciously, answering slowly. "What part of last night?"
"Oh any part... Especially any parts involving him." Artimis asked a she pointed to Severus who was holding onto the doorframe for support and moving along, holding the wall for dear life.
Alexis looked over at him quizzically, and he stared back in confusion. She looked back at Artimis warily. "Uh, nothing... why?"
Artimis smirked, leaning forward a little and letting her shoe hit the box again, making the noise echo off of the walls. Severus groaned in the background, taking one hand off the wall to hold his head, thus losing his balance. He swayed precariously, and then fell to the floor, Alexis shaking her head as Ron snickered.
"Nothing eh? No images of dancing, none at all?" Artimis asked evilly, a smirk of pure satisfaction on her face.
Ron looked over at Severus quickly, then down at Alexis, eyes widening a bit. He spoke slowly, remembering a little tidbit of something the night before. "Hold on a minute... you danced with her last night. Yeah, that's what it was." He spoke, glaring over at Severus.
Both Severus and Alexis looked at him with bewilderment, Artimis smiling widely.
"Good boy Ron." Artimis spoke as she picked up a vial and looked like she was going to toss it to him, but instead got up and placed it in his hand. Ron looked at her like she was insane, but happily took the vial. Alexis looked up at him with a bit of a glare, then back at Artimis. "Whatever. I did not dance with that." Alexis emphasized, pointing at Severus.
"Are you sure you weren't drinking last night Artimis? Why the hell would I dance, and with her above all people." Severus declared, holding his head as he sat up against the wall, looking to Alexis with disgust.
"Hey, don't ask me! That was your choice. But it's the solid truth. Won ten galleons off you two..." Artimis snickered, clinking the coins in her pocket, which also echoed off the walls, making them grimace. Except for Ron, he had downed his potion and was sighing contentedly. Severus and Alexis looked at each other almost fearfully, Alexis paling as Severus swallowed. Artimis sat back in her chair, adding tauntingly. "Yeah, Colin should be arriving with the pictures later today."
Alexis shook her head with disbelief, backing away a step. Severus stood wobbly, staring at Artimis and asking quietly, a scary thought coming to mind. "Um... do you happen to know what exactly we danced then?"
"Hmm, let me think... I'm not sure, but it greatly resembled the tango... very interesting." Artimis mused, watching them slyly. Severus immediately looked down at himself, swallowing nervously, eyes widening and holding his hands out from him disgustedly, grumbling a bit fearfully. "Oh my god... I've got to go scrub my hands..."
It took Alexis a minute to remember what the tango was, but as soon as she remembered, her breath caught in her throat and she squeaked. "WHAT! He touched me like tha... oh my god..." She shuddered visibly, checking her arms and waist carefully. "Ooohhh... I feel so violated... got to make sure I'm not contaminated..."
Severus stopped looking himself over, gazing up at her affronted. "I beg your pardon... I do not carry no disease or anything of its likeness..."
"Dunno Alexis... you're looking awfully pale... much like him..." Artimis taunted her, watching her freak out.
"I can't believe I was that drunk... he had to have been like, three inches from my face... my bubble space has been invaded... there is no more bubble..." Alexis mumbled to herself, hugging herself and backing away as she shuddered, gazing at Severus in near horror.
Artimis added in for effect. "And you told him he smelled good when you were dancing."
Alexis hook her head, trying to think up some excuse. "Well, m... maybe he did smell good at the t, time... I dunno!"
"Alexis, you think garbage smells good when you're drunk." Artimis sighed at her.
"Well, I guess he smelled like garbage then!" Alexis shrugged hopelessly.
Severus pointed a finger accusingly, growling. "Hey, I don't smell like garbage. Alcohol, maybe. Garbage, no."
He paused, pulling his sleeve to his nose and sniffing it. "Right now though... I smell like floor..."Severus shook his head, still shocked at this whole predicament. "I'm leaving now... to scrub my hands, and pack my bag... uh, I need another drink..."
"Naw, I think that's what started it. Take one of these instead." Artimis spoke casually, tossing him a vial of potion. He caught it, quickly leaving the room, giving Alexis one last look of disgust and unbelief. Ron, who had been standing there, listening, was still trying to figure out what the bloody hell the tango was.
Alexis looked down at her hands, shaking her head. "A long, hot shower... with a scrub brush, and bleach... I want my bubble back..."
Artimis laughed, holding out a vial teasingly to Alexis. "Well, go take a bubble bath then..."
Alexis glared, walking up to her and snatching the vial, quickly storming into her Tower and entering her bathroom, intending to stay in there for at least an hour. Artimis shook her head, watching her leave.
Ron still stood where he was, having listened to the whole conversation with confusion. He looked at Artimis quizzically, thinking deeply. Suddenly, he realized what had gone on. "Wait a minute... the Tango? ... You mean he... with Alexis... Ooohhh... I should break his hands off..." Ron growled at the realization of what had happened.
Artimis snickered. "Don't worry Ron. He's probably going to scrub them off." Artimis smiled and then looked at Ron.
"Why don't you go comfort your fiancé." Artimis told him and he nodded, walking into the Tower without a look back.
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Artimis was highly amused with herself as everyone left the room. She looked over to the low stage, snickering as she noticed that Remus had slept through the whole ordeal. She grabbed a vial and walked over to the low stage, smirking as she saw that Remus still had the unplugged mic in his hand. She kneeled by the stage and put her hand on his shoulder.
"Remus, wake up." Artimis spoke softly, shaking him gently, knowing that if you woke Remus up loudly, he came to swinging. He grunted at her and opened his eyes partway.
"Please, make the world stop spinning." He groaned and Artimis smiled, placing the vial in his hand.
"There, this will help." She told him as he lifted it to his lips, biting off the stopper and drinking it quickly. He lay back, sighing, and then smiled at her, shaking his head.
"I have got to stop drinking, one of these days your gonna hate me for snoring through something important." He teased and she smirked, going to stand up. She stood up and then swayed a wave dizziness hitting her. Suddenly Remus was at her side, holding her shoulders to steady her.
"You ok?" He asked and she nodded, standing straight as it passed.
"Yeah, just stood up to quickly. Hey Remus." Artimis asked lowly, curious about something.
"Yes." He spoke; letting her go after making sure she could stand on her own.
"You said something last night in one of your drunken rants, and I wanted to know about it." She spoke quietly and he looked at her with cautious eyes.
"Sure." He spoke hesitantly. Artimis smiled and sat down on the stage. He sat next to her and looked at her.
"You mentioned something about Severus, going to my dad, for help with girls. And I was wondering if it was true cause that is so blackmail material." She asked him amusingly, and he stiffened, looking at her warily.
"Well, um... you see... I can't tell you about that... I made a deal with Severus that his past is his past and mine is mine. You want to know about it, you ask him... but seeing as you heard about it from me... you can't ask him about it... You understand, right?" He drew out his speech and Artimis had a sinking feeling that there was more then Remus would not tell her.
"Alright, I guess." She spoke as she got up to walk away.
"Hey Artimis, I didn't say anything else did I?" He asked worriedly and she smirked at him.
"Besides you wanting a bagel with honey, nope." She teased and he smiled thinking for a moment.
"You know... that sounds really good." He spoke as he got up and began heading downstairs.
"Hey, You might wanna tell Sev goodbye, he's going home." She told him and Remus looked at her, nodding and headed downstairs.
"Artimis, you are so lucky that you are my friend, I almost fell asleep in the ink. Here they are, copies and all." Colin declared as he rolled out of the fireplace, holding a few picture packets to his chest. He stood in front of Artimis and he handed them to her, smiling.
"Now, I am hitting the sack." He told her and she waved at him as he flooed back home. Artimis looked at her new prized possessions and then stalked into the Tower. She peeked around to see that no one was in the bedroom, the shower running and stumbling being heard from the second story part of Alexis's room. Artimis stalked over to the bed, quietly as she could and placed a photo packet on Alexis's bed. With that she scrambled out of the room, hearing Ron coming down the ladder. Artimis paused in the ballroom, inhaling deeply as she laughed lowly to herself.
"They will try hard to forget, but me, I will always remember... God, I sound like a super villain. Oh well." She spoke as he headed downstairs carefully. She moved over to Severus's room and saw a bag sitting on his bed, closed. Artimis looked around and heard water running in the bathroom. She quickly rushed to his suitcase and placed a packet in it, closing it back up and heading toward the door.
"What are you doing in here?" He asked her as he walked out of the bathroom, wringing his hands.
"I was coming to tell you goodbye. But you were in the bathroom, so I was leaving." She lied quickly, seeing him look at her.
"Goodbye Artimis." He spoke kind of nicely, and Artimis smiled.
"Goodbye Severus... Oh and just so you know, no matter who much Alexis's protests, you are always welcome to come over." She informed him and he looked at her oddly as she began for the door.
"Thank you." He whispered lowly and she smirked, not turning to look at him.
"No problem. Hey, you're practically family now anyways." She mused as she walked out of the room. She closed the door behind her and smirked to herself.
"He'll be back in a day." She told herself as she headed into her bedroom. She saw Draco lying in bed, sleeping soundly and she yawned, feeling exhausted. She placed her picture packet in her drawer, changing into her pajamas, and then she walked over to her bed. She lifted the covers and crawled under them, snuggling to Draco. He opened one eye and smiled at her, kissing her forehead.
"Have fun?" He asked and she chuckled.
"A blast. And now I need sleep." She told him and he pulled her close to his chest, holding her protectively.
"Well then, go to sleep Mrs. Malfoy." He spoke proudly and she smirked.
"I will, Mr. Malfoy." She told him with the same kind of pride and curled to him, closing her eyes and getting her much needed sleep.
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Ron walked into the Tower, still ticked at Severus for getting some sort of fresh with Alexis.
Hmm... The dude better be disgusted... feeling up on Alexis... bastard... Ron thought darkly to himself, not really putting into effect that Severus had been stone drunk at the present time. He heard the shower running, and decided to go change while she took a shower. He walked to the back corner of the room, climbing up the wide ladder that led to the second room above Alexis's own in the Tower. He crawled over into it, standing and making his way over to where a stack of his clothes sat waiting on one of the dressers, put there after getting home from the final battle, just in case. He quickly changed, throwing his other clothes to the side and walking back to the ladder, hearing something down in the room. He climbed down the ladder, turning but seeing no one.
He walked over to the bed, seeing a small packet of sorts on the pillow. He sat on the bed, picking it up quizzically and opening it. He started pulling out pictures, seemingly from the reception the night before. And all of these were pictures with either him or Alexis in them. He flipped through a few, shaking his head, wondering how the hell they had gotten into such predicaments, then coming across the photos of Alexis and Severus's dance. He studied them closely, glaring at Severus's closeness to her, growing even angrier at seeing his hands on her waist. He flipped through a few more angrily, shaking his head. He came to one dance picture, this one being the one where Severus had fallen on Alexis. He laughed involuntarily, hearing the bathroom door open.
"Whatcha looking at?" Alexis asked, walking towards him, all visible skin on her bright red from where she had vigorously scrubbed. Ron looked up at her and grinned. "Come look at these." He asked, and she walked over curiously, Ron holding up a few of the pictures. She looked them over, eyes widening. She quickly turned away, shielding her eyes. "Gosh, must you taunt me so?" She spoke dramatically, walking towards her doors. Ron laughed and stood, walking up behind her, stopping her.
He wrapped his arms around her waist, leaning his head down next to hers. "I'm sorry."
Alexis smiled warmly, leaning her head back against him happily. "It's alright, you're forgiven."
He laughed, kissing her softly. She kissed him back, and then pulled away. "Don't know 'bout you, but I'm hungry. Gonna go see if there's any breakfast."
Ron smiled. "Alright. It's my turn for a shower."
Alexis nodded, and turned to leave the Tower, Ron heading for her bathroom. She left the ballroom, whistling at the huge mess there that the house elves were beginning to start on, bouncing down the stairs, singing softly to herself, a huge smile on her face. "I'm gonna get married... I'm gonna get married..."
She bounced as she reached the second floor, coming to an abrupt halt as she saw Severus exiting his room, carrying a suitcase. Alexis snickered, the sight actually kind of funny. He turned towards the stairs, glaring upon seeing her. She grinned a little bit, leaning on the railing of the staircase.
"Soooo... you're leaving?"
"Yes." he answered curtly.
Alexis nodded, finding that she felt glad about it a bit. She spoke. "Oh, okay... Bye Severus."
"I don't think I'll ever feel good about saying something to you, except now. Good bye." he answered sharply, turning towards the staircase. Alexis frowned. "Dude, that was harsh... fine, be that way. You'll get yours." She grumbled as he disappeared down the stairs. Alexis stood there for a moment, hearing the front door open, then close a moment later. Alexis sighed a bit happily, grinning as she made her way downstairs to the Kitchen.
"Wow... no more snide remarks... cursing my existence... evil glares... this is cool." Alexis told herself, entering the Kitchen, finding it empty. She knew something was wrong when she hadn't smelt any food. She walked over to the refrigerator, reading a note on it written in Artimis's handwriting.
"Feed Yourself. --Artimis"
Alexis sighed, wondering how this was going to work. She opened the fridge, looking at the contents for a moment. She was really craving bacon, and pancakes too. She stopped, thinking for a moment. After a minute, she shrugged, reaching for what she thought were pancake ingredients and a package of bacon.
"Well, I have nothing better to do..." Alexis thought aloud to herself as she placed the food on the counter, pulling out several pans, trying to decide which one to use.
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Ron walked out of the bathroom, towel drying his hair, when he smelled something. He put down the towel, looking around in confusion, realizing he smelled smoke and something burning. He quickly left the Tower, running down the two flights of stairs and following his nose to the Kitchen.
He stopped in the doorway, surprised at what he saw. The entire Kitchen was filled with smoke, several pans or so on the stove, which still emitted jets of smoke. Ron couldn't really tell what was supposed to be in them. He saw Alexis standing in front of it, splattered with pancake batter, looking lost as she held a spatula in one hand and an oven mitt in the other. She was fanning frantically with the spatula, coughing as the smoke wafted about the Kitchen.
Ron shook his head in confusion, asking with wonder. "Alexis? What are you doing?"
Alexis looked to him with slight panic, whimpering. "Help please."
Ron rushed in, quickly turning off the stove, taking the mitt from her and pulling the pans off the top of the stove, setting them far away from it. He stepped back, trying to wave the smoke away from his watering eyes as he looked down at Alexis, who stood there, still looking lost.
"I... I just wanted some bacon and pancakes. Thought I could cook them myself... I've seen Artimis do it a million times, didn't look too hard... guess I was wrong. And I was bored." She explained apologetically, looking up at Ron. Ron smirked, shaking his head and gently taking the spatula out of her hand. She let him, shaking her head as she stared at the pans of once-food. There was running footsteps, and Aaron and Hailey appeared in the Kitchen, looking around frantically. "We smelled smoke..." Hailey spoke, looking over Alexis quizzically as she looked away.
Ron reassured them. "It's alright, got it under control."
They nodded, Aaron snickering at Alexis, knowing what had happened, both leaving the Kitchen.
Ron sighed, looking to the pans and holding back snickers. In one pan, several strips of some of what he assumed was shriveled blackened bacon still sizzled in the still hot grease, while the other pan held a slop of some type of batter, scorched in some places, still liquidly in others. The same batter was splattered around the stove and counters, also sprinkling Alexis. He just labeled them the pancakes. He looked down at her, wiping some batter from her nose, looking at her curiously.
"Well, I ah... kind of got in a fight with the blender..." Alexis spoke sheepishly. Ron laughed, informing her. "Um, you don't use a blender with pancake batter honey."
"Oh... that would explain why it didn't work..." Alexis mused quietly to herself. Ron sighed, pushing her back a few steps as he retrieved more ingredients from the cabinets, taking out clean pans. "You just sit tight and I'll make breakfast, okay?" He told her and she nodded, grinning as she watched him admiringly, wondering happily if this man was whom Fate had decided should be with her throughout the rest of her life.
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Artimis rolled over in her bed, still in Draco's arms as she heard scrambling footsteps down the stairs. She sniffed the air and smelt burning meat, something that turned her stomach. She quickly dove out of bed and went to pay her homage to the toilet. She kneeled there a moment, after she discarded her stomach contents into the porcelain bowl, shaking her head as she heard more footsteps.
"Yep, Alexis was trying to cook again. Even though the cereal is in plain sight." Artimis mused to herself as she lifted herself up, realizing that this gained weight made it harder for her to get up. She walked back over to her bed, her feet killing her for some odd reason and she shrugged, lying down and drifting back to sleep contently next to her husband.
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Alexis watched Ron for a few minutes as he cooked, head resting on her hands. She sighed, looking around in a preoccupied manner. After a moment she stood, sighing and meandering out the Kitchen doors. Ron looked up from his cooking, smirking at her and shaking his head before turning back to the food.
Alexis wandered upstairs slowly, not really knowing where she was heading. She walked out onto the second floor, looking around with boredom. But her face brightened seeing Severus's door slightly open to his room. She snickered, walking up to it and carefully pushing the door open. The room was empty, void of any sign of Severus. Alexis stood in the doorway, looking around like it was the Forbidden Room or something. She looked over to the bed, getting an idea.
"I've wanted to do this for a long time..." She told herself as she took a running leap and landed on Severus's former bed. She whooped happily as she bounced on it, head narrowly avoiding the ceiling.
After a minute though, Alexis heard a door slamming and angry footsteps. She stopped and looked towards the door, seeing Draco standing there, arms crossed with an angry glare.
He hissed sternly. "Artimis is asleep! Keep it down!"
Alexis narrowed her eyes, mocking. "Well, aren't we the caring one..."
"Yeah, I have to be." He snapped back. They stared hard at each other for a moment; the Alexis made a face and stuck out her tongue. Draco rolled his eyes, turning and stomping back to his room. Alexis shook her head. "Spoil sport..." She grumbled, plopping to a sitting position on the bed. After a moment, she fell back, snuggling into the mattress. She frowned and spoke aloud, "Man, his bed almost as comfortable as mine..."
She shrugged, looking around the room as she sprawled on the bed. She rolled off the bed, staring interestingly at the bathroom. She never knew what it looked like in there. She stood, skipping into it and plopping prone onto the cold linoleum. She gazed around, looking around curiously.
Not bad... she thought to herself. She sighed, that interest quickly whisking away. She sat up slowly, looking out into the room as she frowned. "You know, for some reason, this doesn't hold the joy that I thought it would... something's, missing."
Alexis sighed to herself. She stood slowly, trudging out of the room. She stood outside the door, looking around, desperately trying to find something to do. She saw Harry's room across the hall from Severus's and shrugged, casually sauntering up to it and looking it over curiously. She tried the handle, and as usual, it was locked. She shrugged, giving it a good kick. Beating up Harry's inoperable door was always something interesting to do. She made a fist and proceeded to pound on it, searching for some type of weakness. Suddenly, in the midst of another loud knock, Alexis heard the clicking of locks and the door swung open. But, instead of Harry's confused face, Alexis looked up to see an angry Ginny.
Her eyes widened and she swallowed nervously, seeing she was clothed in pajamas. Looking behind Ginny slightly, she saw Harry sitting up in his bed, looking to the door in confusion, clad only in boxers. Alexis looked back up at Ginny, looking a bit scared and confused.
Ginny hissed lowly. "Alexis, unless Voldemort has risen from the dead or the house is on fire, you better have a good reason for knocking on this door."
Alexis looked between Ginny and Harry quickly, shaking her head slowly. She backed up a step, finding her voice. " I, I don't even want to know... I'm, g, going now..." Alexis squeaked, turning and quickly dashing away downstairs, hearing angry grumbling behind her. Alexis shook her head roughly, trying to rid of the sight. Harry and Ginny... who woulda thunk it... gosh, not what I needed to see...
Alexis shuddered to herself, wandering into Foyer. She stood there for a minute, hearing noises from the Fencing Room across the room. She walked over curiously, too bored to worry too much about walking in on something else.
She quietly opened the door, sticking her head in and seeing Hailey and Aaron sparring with their fencing swords. She grinned mischievously, making as if too sneak in and annoy them in some way. But in mid step, that little smidgeon of common sense for once came into play, when she needed it.
If I sneak up on them... they got sharp, pointy sticks... much pain... maybe not then... She thought dejectedly to herself, quietly backing out of the room, and turning to look into the foyer. She saw Artimis trudging down the stairs and she perked up, skipping up to meet her. Artimis stopped, looking at her quizzically.
"Artimis! You won't believe what I saw... Ginny and Harry. Together." Alexis whispered dramatically. Artimis looked at her with a vacant expression and answered. "Uh, I already knew."
Alexis stepped back, narrowing her eyes. "Man! You just know everything now don't you?"
Artimis just shrugged. "Is there a problem with that?"
Alexis glared, sticking out her tongue as Artimis smirked. Behind them, Ron stumbled down the stairs in a rush, pulling on a shoe and almost tripping on the last stair. They watched him curiously. He walked up to Alexis, speaking quickly. "Forgot I had to work today. Just got an owl saying I'm late. Breakfast is ready in the Kitchen, so I'll see you later. Love you. Bye."
He kissed her briefly, then quickly raced out the door, Alexis watching after him. Artimis snickered as she walked into the Kitchen. "Awww, how sweet."
Alexis looked to her and glared as she disappeared into the Kitchen. Alexis stood in the quiet foyer, looking around kind of lost.
"Now who am I gonna mess with?" She spoke aloud, hearing no answer, merely the familiar creaking and noises of the manor. She sighed, hanging her head and slowly trudging into the Living room. She stood in the middle of it for a long moment, then collapsed onto the floor, rolling onto her back and sprawling out her arms and legs, gazing up at the ceiling.
She was silent as she studied the designs and paintings of dragons all over the ceiling. She squinted her eyes, asking herself. "Hey, they move? Dude..."
She sighed, once again losing interest quick. Finally, just to get it off her chest she shouted out to the twirling dragons and whatever else would listen to her complaints. "I'M BORED!"
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Severus appeared at the darken entrance to Snape Manor. He sighed in relief as he placed his hand on the knob.
"Amor Vita Fides Veneratio Familia." He spoke softly, and then shook his head in distaste. "Bloody hell, I've been there far to long."
He said the proper password and opened his door, feeling a wall of cold stillness press against him. He tossed his bag at the door, taking his cloaks off and placing them on the hook they usually rested on.
"Ah, Solitude, silence, no interruptions, no meddling people." He sighed aloud, hearing a pop in front of him.
"Welcome home, Mr. Snape." The house elf stated and Severus nodded, stalking past it toward his lounge. He plopped into his chair in satisfaction, leaning his head back to savor the silence. He sat there for a few moments until a nagging thought penetrated his mind.
It's too quiet... Something is odd... He thought as he lifted himself from the chair and walking over to his phonograph. He placed an album on it and landed the needle on the correct place and the sound of an orchestra lightly filled the room. He stood there for a moment and then turned it up a bit. He sighed and walked out of the room, hearing the noise from the lounge. He walked into his library, turning on the lamps and peeking around the corner in a paranoid fashion. Something was unnerving him and he couldn't think of what it was. He walked upstairs into his bedroom, checking around and under everything. He had no idea what he was looking for, but he was determined to find it. He walked into his bathroom, finding his stuff placed there from his bag. He shook his head and headed out of that room, going into the next room, his lab. He checked that everything was in place, but yet he still hadn't found what it was he was searching for.
"Damnation." He snarled as he left that room and stormed downstairs. He headed into his kitchen and wandered past his small table toward his fridge. He opened it slowly; groaning as he realized the only thing in there was tea.
"Hailey, you need to go shop-" He stopped himself mid-sentence, shaking his head.
"A book, that's what will calm this stir." Severus spoke as he headed to the lounge with a cup of tea. He sat down and summoned a book to him, opening the cover and trying his hardest to immerse himself in it and rid himself of his odd unease. He threw the book to the floor in distaste and sighed, leaning his head back and rubbing the bridge of his nose as he grumbled about the noise, or lack thereof. He heard a noise at his fireplace and witnessed Albus Dumbledore wiping soot off of his long robes.
"Headmaster, what a surprise." He spoke after his shock subsided.
"Ah, Severus, how is it to be home after all?" Albus asked with a knowing smile and Severus scoffed.
"Just fine, except something seems to be unnerving me. It's too quiet. I keep expecting someone to jump out of the shadows at me like at the Manor. It's odd." He stated and Dumbledore smiled at him.
"Ah, so you are missing Ms. Whyte." He asked gently and Severus sat up straight.
"I said and feel no such thing. I am glad to be away from her most of all." Severus declared, though a piece of him inside, called him a liar.
"Well, if you say so. I must be going, just wanted to see how you were. I shall see you wherever I see you." Dumbledore spoke with a tone of knowing, walking back toward the fireplace and leaving as quickly as he came. Severus got up and kicked a chair leg, injuring himself more than the chair.
"Me, miss Alexis? No way in hell would that ever happen. I'd miss Artimis first, way before Alexis. Pain in my ass." Severus snarled as he paced, trying to figure out why he was so uneased by the place. He sat back in his chair and tossed his feet up on the coffee table in anger. He leaned his head back and drifted into an angered and confused nap.
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Alexis lay still on the Living room floor, having been in the same position for at least two hours. She didn't even realize it, as she remained zoned out, bored green eyes fixed on the ceiling as she watched the dragons twirling and spiraling hypnotically. Several times, people had come and gone, stopping to gaze at the odd scene in confusion. Alexis never sat still, or for that long.
Noon presently came around and Artimis called out into the Manor from the Dining room. "LUNCH!"
Alexis immediately sat up, eyes wide. "Food?" She asked aloud, looking around. She had forgotten the fact that she had forgot to eat breakfast, having been lost in her melancholy. She slowly stood, wandering into the Dining room, where the Manor occupants were beginning to enter. She saw Harry and Ginny sitting next to her, and gave them an odd and awkward look, shaking her head at the memory.
Without a word to anyone, Alexis simply took her seat, pulling a plate to her and sluggishly filling it. Artimis gazed at her oddly, giving her the 'Are-You-Okay' look. Alexis looked up at her disinterestedly, then back down at her plate, eating slowly. Artimis looked beside her at Draco, who shrugged, going back to his own meal.
Lunch went pretty much at this slow pace. Alexis rested her head on one hand as she picked at he food, eating slowly and with intense boredom. There were several prime opportunities where she could've butted into personal conversations, but they just didn't seem interesting to her at the time. Artimis even tried to make conversation with her, but Alexis didn't really feel like talking. She wanted to do something. There were plenty of things to do, yeah, but there was something else she wanted to do beside those things. Problem was, she really didn't know what. Well, she kind of did, but that certain person wasn't here anymore to annoy. Alexis was determined to convince herself that that wasn't her problem.
She paused eating for a moment, wondering if she really was sick or something. She didn't feel sick... at least, she didn't think so.
She finished her meal slowly, almost all the people present for lunch having left, most with a last, strange look at the oddly silent and inactive Alexis. Even when Alexis finished her meal, she just sat there, not really feeling the need to get up and go someplace else. Everywhere else was just as boring as right here, so why bother and leave?
She slumped back in her chair, head lolled back as she gazed once more up at the ceiling, though having no dragons to distract her gaze this time. Her spoon was still in her hand and she sighed, involuntarily bringing it up to the tabletop and tapping it loudly on the wooden surface.
Tap... Tap... Tap... Tap... Tap Tap... Tap...
"Alexis." A voice said sternly, and Alexis rolled her head to look at Artimis, who was watching her with a bit of stern annoyance. Alexis sighed, stilling her hand for a few minutes as she turned her gaze back to the ceiling. Several silent minutes passed, and once again, Alexis, unknowingly to herself, started up with her spoon.
Tap... Tap... Tap Tap Tap... Tap... Tap... Tap Tap Tap...
"Alexis!" Artimis growled once again, and Alexis looked back at her in a preoccupied manner. Artimis was shaking her head and glaring between her and her spoon. Alexis shrugged "What?"
Artimis sighed and shook her head, going back to whatever she was doing, Alexis didn't know what, she was too bored to care. She heard grumbling and smirked slightly.
Tap... Tap... Tap...
"Damnit Alexis! Is something wrong with you or something? You're acting very odd..." Artimis asked with exasperation. Alexis sighed, stilling her hand as she replied slowly. "I'm... fine."
Artimis looked her over a bit with concern, going back to her own thing or whatever. Alexis sighed dramatically, staring up at the ceiling. She heard footsteps outside the Dining room, and saw Artimis walking away towards them out the corner of her eye. Alexis heard slight incomprehensible whispers, and then the footsteps entered the Kitchen.
Ron's head suddenly loomed above hers, looking down at her a bit worriedly. "Alexis? You okay?"
Alexis nodded slowly, Ron pulling his head back out of her view. There were more whisperings that Alexis wasn't paying any attention to, she was busy counting the upraised grains illusioned onto the ceiling. She was up to 74 when Ron's head popped back into view.
"You sure nothing's wrong?" He asked once again. Alexis was tired of being asked that question. She sat up in her seat, looking to him and Artimis. "I, am fine. Just really, extremely, intensely bored. Savvy?"
She didn't mean to snap, but she couldn't help it. Something was bugging her, and she was getting pretty annoyed by it. Ron spoke slowly. "Well, why don't we go up to the Tower and play a game or something?"
Alexis sighed, slumping deeply back into her chair and gazing once more up at the all too familiar ceiling. Suddenly she felt arms around her and she was being lifted up. She looked up with alarm into Ron's concerned face, wrapping her arms around his neck instinctively. "Come on. Let's go." Ron said quietly, kissing her on the head. Alexis sighed, shrugging her shoulders.
As Ron carried her out of the Dining room, they heard Artimis snickering, followed by a short gasp of surprised pain. Alexis snickered at her mockingly, lolling her head back against Ron's shoulder.
They made their way up to the Tower, and Ron closed the door behind them, turning and setting Alexis on the bed. She turned on her side as Ron went to the second floor of the Tower, tossing down a stack of games. He came back down a moment later, rubbing his hands together.
"Alright. We've got Checkers, Battleships, Yahtzee, and Wizard's Chess. Hmmm... haven't played Wizard's Chess in a while. You want to?" He asked chipperly. Alexis rolled off her bed onto the floor, sitting cross-legged and shrugging. "Sure, why not..." She agreed without much enthusiasm. Ron frowned a little bit, but turned and pulled out the game from the stack, sitting cross-legged in front of her.
The game proceeded, Alexis zoned out pretty much the whole time, making her moves as she glared at the chessboard. She was stuck on trying to figure out what was bugging her so much about today. Today should've been happy and full of activity. But... it wasn't...
She came out of her reverie, hearing confused mumbles from Ron. She gazed down at the board, seeing she had his king pawn pinned. On instinct, she spoke in a monotone. "Checkmate."
Ron looked up at her in surprise, and then studied the board carefully. And to think, this time he wasn't trying to let her win...
"Alexis, you won." He spoke softly, watching her and waiting for some bragging, jumping around for joy, even a huge grin would've be something. Alexis merely looked up at him, as if seeing him for the first time. "Huh? Really? Oh... that's cool..." She said quietly, looking at the chessboard with forced interest.
Ron sighed, moving the board away and scooting next to her. He gently brought her chin up to face him, and she looked up at him with strangely duller green eyes. "Alexis, are you sure your okay? You're not sick or anything are you?"
Alexis smiled smally, shaking her head. He frowned in thought for a moment, asking quietly and a bit fearfully. "Is something bothering you about... our engagement?"
Alexis looked up at him in shock. "No Ron. Of course not. That's one of the greatest things that's ever happened to me. I've never been happier about it. No... It's just, something. I don't know. I don't know if I really am sick or just... I don't know." She trailed off a bit frustrated, looking away.
Ron smiled with relief; glad it wasn't anything about that. But he was still worried about her. He leaned in, pulling her face back around and kissing her deeply, feeling her go slightly limp as he embraced her. He pulled back, looking down at her and smiling tenderly. Alexis looked dazed for a minute, giving him a small but true smile, though still looking greatly troubled. He stood and pulled her to her feet. "Maybe we should just go to bed." He suggested and Alexis sighed, nodding.
They got dressed in their pajamas, Ron slipping into the bed as Alexis crawled up next to him. She plopped back on her pillow, sighing aloud. Ron put an arm around her, pulling her next to him. Alexis turned into his embrace, wrapping an arm around his stomach and laying her head on his chest. She lay there for a minute, still awake as she stared into the darkness. After a minute, she distractedly started drumming her fingers on his chest, listening to the soft thumps. Ron brought his hand up and took her hand, stopping her movement. He kept hold of her hand as he whispered. "Goodnight Lexy."
Alexis spoke back softly, "Night Ron." Then she closed her eyes, falling into an uneased sleep almost immediately. Ron looked down at her sleeping form with worry, wondering what was really wrong with her today and hoping that she would be okay by the morning. He lay awake for a while, trying to ease her as she shifted uncomfortably from time to time, mumbling something once or twice in her sleep that he didn't understand. Presently he too drifted off into a concerned sleep.
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As the night fell over Manor Dela Loyalty, Artimis stacked a pile of books on pregnancy and kids in the lounge, making sure the doors were wide open so she could see the front doors. She sat back with her large glass of tea and picked up the first book, opening it and reading it as everyone else went to bed. She smirked in knowing satisfaction as the clock ticked.
He'll be back... No one has yet to escape the lifestyle of the family... I mean look at Hailey for Pete's sake... She was so determined she would live at home with her parents... After a week here she went home and bounced off the walls for an hour, then she came back and announced, with Aaron's help of course, that she was moving in... Hailey and Aaron... hehehe... They are such a cute secret couple... I really do need to stop spying... Artimis mused to herself as she continued to read her book, biding her time to tell Colin Creevey 'I told you so'.
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Severus awoke from his nap, seeing the clock telling him it was in the evening. He looked around, realizing he was home, alone. It was too silent for his taste, the music having been turned off a long time ago. He groaned, as he got up, his back sore from his awkward sleeping position. He stalked around the house a bit, not really looking at anything, just stalking around, peering around every corner, expecting to see something. What, he didn't know, but he was expecting it. He walked into his bedroom and began changing for bed, that being the only thing he could think of to do. He fell into his bed on his back, sinking into it. He stared at the now unfamiliar ceiling with fury, trying to figure out why he was still unnerved.
"Bloody Hell, this is impossible." He sneered at the ceiling, trying to evoke fear, anger, and surprise, something from the inanimate object. He rolled over on his side under the covers of his bed, trying to force his mind to silence as it yelled at him. He tossed and turned a bit, feeling really hot under the thick blankets so he kicked them off of the bed, lying on his stomach.
"Fuck it. I'm never gonna sleep until I find out what the hell is wrong." He snarled dejectedly at the empty room. He got up and got dressed, thankful for some kind of task to make his mind quiet. He even put his boots on, just so he would have to tie them, anything to occupy his time. He sat on his bed, staring at the blank wall before him, wondering what to do now. He began to tap his heel of is boot on the stone floor of his bedroom.
Click... Click... Click... Click... Click Click... Click...
He sat there in the darkness, contemplating his next move in discovering his dilemma. Every once in a while he would click his heel more persistently, as if the clicking would rid his mind of it's unease.
Click...Click... Click Click Click... Click... Click.. Click Click Click...
He grew angry at the wall he was staring at, it giving him no answers to his frustration. Something is amiss, I know that much, but what... I know it's not me missing those morons at home... wait... At THEIR home, I am home... And I DO NOT miss ALEXIS!... He told himself over and over again for a good twenty minutes, still clicking his heel against the cold floor.
Click... Click... Click...
"Enough. There is something I am forgetting here. That's it, that's what's nagging me! I must have forgotten something." He spoke excitedly, leaping to his feet.
"I'll just go find out what it is... But if Artimis hears me rummaging around the house at night, she'll probably try to kill me... But it's only one, Artimis never falls asleep before two." Severus argued with himself as he paced his room.
"Damn it, I am going and that is that." He snarled as he turned and stomped out of his room and down the stairs. He grabbed his cloaks, putting them on and walking out into the darkness, the only light from the stars and a sliver of a moon.
"I'll go, find what I forgot, then come right home. That's it." He told himself as he apparated to Manor Dela Loyalty. He landed on the front walk, the torch by the front door lit brightly. He could see lights in the foyer, but there were always lights on in the foyer. He walked up to the door and grabbed the handle, quietly speaking the password. He walked in the door, quietly closing it behind him, even though he didn't know why he was sneaking around. He looked to the kitchen and found it dark and then turned to the lounge, seeing it dark as well. He went to turned and then looked as light quickly filled the foyer as shadows fell into the calm looking dark haired woman sitting on the couch a book in her hands that she was still reading.
"I thought you went home." She asked quietly, with a tone similar to Dumbledore's all knowing one. He froze as she looked up from her book.
"I forgot something." He declared quickly and Artimis set the book down next to her. Severus looked at her, noticing that you could definitely tell she was pregnant, having the signature bulge of it.
"Oh, what did you forget? I'll help you find it." He heard her say as she put her arms at her side and lifted herself up.
"I... I forgot what I have forgotten. You startled me so I can't remember." He lied and Artimis sighed, still getting up, though she had a smile on her face.
'Well, if you can't seem to remember, you are welcome to stay the night and search in the morning." She spoke and he looked at her oddly.
"Thank you. I think I may do that. And what is a woman in your condition doing up at this hour?" He asked her and she drew back, smirking.
"Um... Reading. Last time I checked, I outgrew a bed time, even if I am pregnant." She told him and he saw the large stack of books by her seat. He watched as she yawned and stretched.
"Well, I guess I'm going to bed. Your room is still empty. I hope you can remember what it is you've forgotten." She told him quietly as she strolled past him, her hands tucked in her pockets. He instinctively followed her up the stairs and she walked into her room, waving at him as she entered. Severus looked at the door to his former room and sighed, walking over to it. He walked in and looked at it, it bearing no sign of inhabitation.
I won't hurt to try to sleep and see if I can remember what I forgot... He thought as he walked over to the bed and sat on it, taking his cloaks and boots off. He collapsed back into the bed and laid down straight. He sunk into the bed, pulling the covers over him and he sighed as he drifted off to sleep.
"I forgot how comfortable this bed is." He spoke softly as he quickly passed out into LaLa land.