Seven Years Later Chapter 37: Bored Turned Bad, a harry potter fanfic

Seven Years Later...
Chapter 27
"Bored Turned Bad"

Author's Notes: This is the product of a song by Nickleback from Silver Side up. If you have it, it's the first song. This is where we see that everyone is human, and with that we all have breaking points. Enjoy and the next update will be next Tuesday….

One Month Later... After a few days of complete disdain from Alexis, she eventually completely forgave Remus, their relationship actually going back to being better the it once was now that Remus could share with Alexis stories of her mother when she was young. Severus and Alexis on the other hand, built up a semblance of their 'I hate you' relationship, but she would at least talk to him in some fashion. Artimis hadn't quite gotten over the shock of all the information and that on top of her pregnancy state of mind, hadn't made her all to easy on Severus. She at least had semi-decent conversations and she had stopped trying to kill him. Severus had been back to Hogwarts, the new school year having begun, but the Minister of Magic declared a holiday, so school was closed. It was a very boring day at Manor Dela Loyalty, everyone having the day off for the holiday. In their boredom, the Manor occupants congregated in the lounge, for what the thought would be an uneventful afternoon...

(A/N: DUN DUN DUN... sorry had to)

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Artimis stood next to Draco, Hailey on her other side, as Hermione was busy talking to her stomach as Remus held back the laughter at her growing anger.

"You just keep giving your mummy indigestion, don't you?" Hermione talked in a baby voice to her stomach and Artimis just bit her tongue even though this was the fifth time this afternoon that Hermione had taken to having a conversation with her stomach.

"So, Artimis, how have you been feeling, has the morning sickness subsided?" Hailey asked and Artimis looked at her, glad for a distraction. She had been going nuts with everyone else working and her being on maternity leave.

"Yeah, mostly anyways. I still get sick thinking of salads, though." Artimis replied and Hailey rubbed her chin thoughtfully.

"That should subside a little after you have the baby. When are you due again?" Hailey asked and Artimis rolled her eyes.

"December 27th, or around there, Dr. Garnet." Artimis replied and Hailey smiled brightly.

"One more test, one more, and I will be a licensed doctor. I could even get a job at St. Mungo's working on the cutting edge... Oh that's gonna be great..." Hailey spieled, mostly to herself and Artimis growled as Hermione began to rub her now larger belly.

"Mione, please, lay off the baby." Artimis pleaded and Hermione stood tall, blushing.

"I'm sorry, it's just, so cool. You have another life in you. It must feel amazing." Hermione declared and Artimis rolled her eyes.

"Oh, I love the indigestion, vomiting and soreness. I most especially love the constant gaining of weight and my feet swelling up." Artimis replied sarcastically and Draco looked at her with a smirk. Artimis went to say something to him, but she felt a wave of anger and turned to look at its general direction. Alexis was sitting next to Severus, her mouth going a mile a minute and she saw him with a look of anger on his face. She turned to Hailey and whined.

"Why do I have to be so empathic when I'm pregnant? It's bad enough I have to feel my shit as well as everyone else's." Artimis complained and Draco wrapped his arm around her shoulder, rubbing his hand up and down her arm as Hailey rolled her eyes and Hermione was trying to get Remus to talk to Artimis's stomach, which he was not going to do, much to Artimis's relief.

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Alexis lay sprawled out on one couch of the Living room, listening to everyone else's conversations, snickering at hearing Hermione 'talking' to the baby. She knew Artimis was getting pretty annoyed by it, and was waiting for her to snap at Hermione. She listened for a few more minutes, but getting bored with all the polite talk real quick.

She rolled off of the couch, looking around the room and seeing most all the guys huddled around a far corner. Cocking her head in curiousness, she got up and strolled over to them. She scooted up beside Ron, who was sitting and watching his brothers, Fred and George, calling out bets. The Twins had four cups on a table, spinning them around and taking bets from the other guys about under which cup was a coin hidden.

Alexis sat on the armrest of Ron's seat, and he snaked an arm around her waist as they watched as Harry lost two galleons to the Twins in three rounds. After a minute of close examination, Alexis saw that Fred was slipping the coin into his hand every time they switched the cups and took bets.

She smirked at their ploy, leaning in and whispering in Ron's ear. "Don't bet any money. Trust me."

Ron smirked up at her. "Okay... sure..."

Alexis nodded smugly, watching as Crabbe and Goyle relentlessly betted sickle after sickle, bent on guessing where that damn coin was. Alexis snickered at them, and then saw Goyle frown. The large man leaned forward in his seat and growled.

Hold on a minute, I know what you're up to..."

Fred and George stared at him wide eyed.

"Up to? Come now Goyle..." Fred scolded lightly.

"Don't know what you're talking about..." George added, looking back down at the cups.

"No tricks but the one you see." Fred commented, smirking.

Goyle narrowed his eyes and stood. "Yeah, I'm sure... little cheat."

He reached forward and grabbed Fred's collar, pulling the lanky man forward a bit. George backed away, looking nervous.

"I saw your little scheme... and I want my money back!"

Fred swallowed, smiling nervously. "S, sorry. No refunds."

Goyle yanked him over the table as George laughed, but he was immediately pinned by Harry. Ron laughed as he watched his brothers get looted out of all their earnings and Alexis smirked, but quickly losing interest. She stood, looking around the room once more. She grinned slyly at seeing Severus sitting calmly on another couch, reading a book and keeping to himself.

Hmm... Well, I'm bored, and Severus is boring... so why not spice things up a bit... Alexis thought mischievously to herself as she nonchalantly strolled up to the couch, Severus not even sparing her a glance. She looked around distractedly, and then plopped down next to him, seeing his attention flicker to her, and then quickly going back to his book.

Alexis folded her hands in her lap, whistling distractedly. After a moment of silence, Alexis leaned in slightly, looking down at his book like she was interested. She whispered quietly. "Hi Severus."

Severus paused in his reading, but didn't look up at her, as he spoke, none too pleasantly. "Hello."

Alexis smiled, staring over his shoulder at his book as she asked childishly. "Whatcha doin'?"

Severus sighed and answered slowly. "Reading."

"Oh. That's cool..." Alexis answered, nodding. Severus shifted slightly, moving an inch or two away from her in annoyance. Alexis merely scooted after him. "Hey Severus... I want to ask you a few questions."

Severus's eyes stopped following the words on his book, though he pretended that he wasn't really listening. But Alexis knew she had at least some of his attention as she took a breath and started. "Okay. What was the deal with you and Miranda? I mean, did you ever think about anyone else besides just you? I mean, come on, she had kids..."

"Shut up." Severus growled, cutting her off. Alexis smirked, now knowing she had his full attention, or as much as she was going to get.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Does that bother you?" Alexis asked in mock concern. Severus, still staring hard at his book, which he had stopped, reading but still kept open, snapped. "Yes."

"Oh. Good." Alexis quipped, smirking at seeing Severus closing his eyes in irritation.

"Well, was it 'Oh Severus, you're back. And I don't love Andres anymore' that she said, or did you actually have to talk her into it?"

"Whyte, shut up or you're not going to like me." Severus growled angrily, eyes blazing oddly. Alexis smirked as she replied matter of factly.

"I already know I don't like you. What gets me is that Miranda liked you... actually I don't see how anyone could really like you like that..." Alexis continued on mercilessly, not realizing how hard her words were hitting.

"I'm warning you. Shut up." Severus hissed in a low, angry voice, one Alexis didn't remember hearing since she had been in school. She just shrugged, still not satisfied at his annoyance level, thinking she could dig into him a little further before she reached his snapping point.

"From what I heard from Artimis about her mum, Miranda was popular, pretty, smart, blah blah blah. So why in the hell would she fall for someone like you? Don't think she had good taste in guys..." Alexis rambled, seeing Severus close his book and put it aside.

He finally turned and looked at her, eyes narrowed angrily as he growled. "Go to hell."

Alexis's eyes widened slightly in surprise as he stood, fists clenched as he started to walk away. Alexis stood, following him a few steps as she asked.

"You know... It really makes me wonder though... Cause the affair is not all your fault... What kind of a person was Miranda to just cheat on her loving husband of so many years with you... I mean think about it... I've seen pictures of Andres when he was younger, and well, you still look the same. Andres, was at least attractive. What kind of morals did Miranda have to leave him to go have a 'fling' with you..."

"I said shut up!" Severus yelled aloud with rage, spinning around, hand raised. Alexis froze and her eyes widened as she watched him spin towards her, all of a sudden being backhanded hard on the side of her face. She yelped slightly as the force of his hand sent her stumbling and she fell to the floor, tears brought to her eyes by the sharp slap. Her face stung sharply as she sat on the floor, holding herself up on her hands as she stared at the ground in numb shock, breathing shallowly, a few tears slipping down her cheeks, one reddening brightly.

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Severus had been sitting on the couch, trying to read a book in the clamor that was daily life in the Manor. Severus had tried to go home once again, but soon realized that a part of him, needed to be there. He relaxed in the couch, actually used to the noise as he focused on the pages before him. Out of the corner of his eyes he saw movement to his side and glanced carefully to see Alexis plopping down next to him. He was slightly surprised at this; she had been doing her best to stay away from him. The look on her face told him one thing, she was bored and he was her next victim. She sat down next to him, whistling in an attempt to gain his attention. He ignored her, going back to his book. After a moment of silence, Alexis leaned in slightly, looking down at his book over his shoulder like she was pretending to be interested. He rolled his eyes as she whispered quietly at him.

"Hi Severus." She stated in her annoying tone of voice. He had learn that it was just better to answer her then to ignore her, ignoring her only made her worse. Severus paused in his reading, but didn't look up at her, as he spoke, none too pleasantly, trying to give her the hint that he didn't want to talk to her. "Hello."

He sat there a moment, with her practically at his face, looking over his shoulder and then she spoke in her well known childish tone.

"Whatcha doin'?"

Severus sighed, knowing this was going to take a while and answered slowly in hopes of deterring her. "Reading."

"Oh. That's cool..." She told him, nodding. He could feel her short hair hitting him as she nodded and he shifted, moving away from her in irritation. Not getting the hint of his need and want for personal space, Alexis merely scooted after him, speaking to him again. "Hey Severus... I want to ask you a few questions."

Severus's eyes stopped following the words on his book, though he pretended that he wasn't really listening, that would just make her talk more.

Doesn't she ever just once give up?... Hmm... Must be a Whyte thing... He mused to himself, feeling annoyed, but not enough that he was going to leave, yet. Then she took a deep breath and he knew it had started.

"Okay. What was the deal with you and Miranda? I mean, did you ever think about anyone else besides just you? I mean, come on, she had kids..." Alexis spoke and Severus's mind froze as he processed what she had just asked him.

That pretentious little... Breathe Severus... She is just trying to get a reaction... He told himself as he kept it cool on the outside.

"Shut up." Severus growled a warning, cutting her off before she could say more. He saw her smirk and he glanced around to see if anyone else was listening to them. Thankfully everyone else was too involved in their own conversation to hear Alexis.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Does that bother you?" Alexis asked him in mock concern. Severus continued to glare at his book, wish it were some way Alexis and she that she would just shut up.

"Yes." He hissed in anger, venom dripping from that word.

"Oh. Good." Alexis quipped at him. Severus closed his eyes, knowing that he had just given her the ok to torture him. She inhaled again and angered him more.

"Well, was it 'Oh Severus, you're back. And I don't love Andres anymore' that she said, or did you actually have to talk her into it?"

"Whyte, shut up or you're not going to like me." Severus growled angrily, feeling a bit of his blood boil like it hadn't done since school.

Alexis smirked at him as she replied matter of factly, only adding to his rage. "I already know I don't like you. What gets me is that Miranda liked you... actually I don't see how anyone could really like you like that..." Alexis continued on with her torment, hitting Severus's only hot button. Severus could feel that if she kept on he was going to lose his temper like he hadn't lost it in years.

"I'm warning you. Shut up." Severus hissed in a low, angry voice, trying his best from raising his voice and letting the whole room know what Alexis was doing to him. He saw her shrug nonchalantly and he tightened his grip on the book he was holding, trying his best to just block her out. But she just didn't know when it was in her best interest to quit.

I will not sit here while she mocks the only woman I ever loved... He thought to himself as he prepared to just get up and walk away, before he did or said something he would regret.

He finally turned and looked at her, eyes narrowed angrily as he growled at her in his fury. "Go to hell."

He saw her back up a bit in surprise and her eyes widened as he got up, containing his anger in his clenched fists as he started to walk away. He heard her get up and cursed himself mentally, knowing she wasn't giving up till she made him blow.

"I said shut up!" Severus yelled aloud with rage, spinning around, his hand raised. He saw her freeze and her eyes grew wide as he spun toward her, backhanding her across the face and sending her to the floor. He heard her yelp as she thudded to the ground, but he had just had enough. Then, as he watched tears run down her cheeks, one reddened from where he had hit her, a realization hit him.

What have I done?...

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Artimis had been getting thoroughly irritated with the constant rubbing of her protruding stomach, and was thinking about having a ham sandwich for lunch when she heard a loud yell.

"I said shut up!" Severus yelled aloud with rage, and Artimis turned to see him spinning around, his hand raised at Alexis. She watched as he backhanded her hard and she fell to the floor from the sheer force of it. The room silenced and Artimis saw Remus and Ron beginning to move but she moved first. Not heeding her pregnant state or anything else she rushed forward, leaping on Severus, making him thud to the ground under her. NO one hit Alexis, no one at all.

"Who the hell do you think you are!" She yelled at him, him looking at her in a shocked stupor. She saw Crabbe holding Ron in a headlock and Goyle was right next to Remus, watching him as Remus watched Artimis. To her surprise, Hermione had to hold Hailey back; she was mumbling something in German that nobody really understood.

Artimis turned back, looking at Severus, who seemed to be in his own world. She watched as Alexis got up and stumbled out of the room, herself in a shock.

"What the hell is your problem? Who do you think you are, hitting her?" Artimis yelled, shaking him a bit and he just ignored her.

Fine... I do this the hard way... She thought as she lifted herself up off of him, with the assistance of Draco, who was daring Snape to do something to her. She got to her feet, feeling very, very lightheaded. She shook Draco off and in a very low, very scary voice she barked an order.

"All of you, out." She demanded and Draco looked at her like she was nuts.

"I'm not leaving you in here with him after he just did that." Draco told her and she looked at him, letting him glimpse the shadows covering her irises.

"Oh...Alright, guys, lets go?" Draco spoke hesitantly, and everyone looked at him like he was nuts. Artimis watched as Severus got up to a sitting position, his head in his hands, looking at no one. Artimis waited till everyone left the room, the door closing loudly as Aaron closed it, Hermione dragging the still cursing-cursing Hailey out. Artimis sat on the couch facing Severus, who looked to her very child-like at the moment.

"Felt good didn't it?" She spoke lowly and he didn't answer her. She had learned a long time ago from her father how to give a man who had just a woman guilt trip and that was just what she was doing.

"Must make you feel like a big man, hitting a woman? Right?" She hissed lowly and he looked up at her in frustration.

"What are you going to do, hit me too? That will make you feel really powerful, won't it, hitting a pregnant woman?" She snarled at him with total disgust and he looked back down at the floor.

"You should feel like king of the world now right? " She decided, digging into him.

"Artimis, I feel like shit, if that's what you wanted to hear well then there it is." He spoke lowly, his hair hanging over his face.

"Oh, now why would you feel like shit?" She quipped, a small smirk on her face, knowing she was getting the point across. He didn't answer her.

"You know, I believe you feel like shit and you should." She told him and he grunted.

"You know what you are going to do. You are going to apologize to her, and you better mean it. If you don't, well, then I think it's time you went home. I do not allow that in my house. Then you are going to apologize to Remus and Ron, who are probably going to try to kill you for hitting her. Oh, and apologizing to me, for making me compromise myself in my state by jumping on you, would be a good idea too." She told him and he looked up at her, and she could see a glimmer of true sorrow in his eyes.

"I'm sorry, and I hope you didn't hurt yourself or the baby." He spoke softly and then he stood, walking out of the room slowly, almost as if he were lost. Artimis got up and followed him out of the room, seeing everyone else standing outside the door and having cleared a path for Severus. Artimis heard angry yelling and saw Hailey shout angrily in German at Severus, pointing at him as she tried to scramble out of Hermione and Aaron's reach. Fred rushed up with a pan and Hermione snatched it, whacking Hailey in the back of the head, making her plummet silently to the floor.

Aaron looked shell shocked as everyone looked at him.

"You don't wanna know what she told him." He whispered and Artimis nodded her head that she did.

"Well, it started out with her tearing his spleen out and feeding it to him on a red hot spike. Then she told him she was going to skin him alive, with a butter knife and a lighter. Then she was going to cut his hand off and put it on her mantle. It was a disturbing picture." He spoke lowly, looking at Hailey with worry.

"Is she ok?" He asked worriedly and Fred nodded, patting Aaron on the shoulder.

"She's fine, she just grew some balls." Fred told him and Aaron rolled his eyes, kneeling down beside Hailey, checking her head. Artimis looked up the stairs, seeing Severus sweeping up to the third floor, where Alexis was sure to be.

"She better accept it. You only get one chance to hurt Alexis, after that, I kill you." Artimis mumbled as she walked back into the lounge, sitting roughly to catch her breath for a moment.

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Alexis stared at the ground in pained shock, trying to register through her numb mind what had just happened. She saw Severus hit the ground beside her, but didn't really acknowledge that fact. She didn't, couldn't, acknowledge anything at the moment.

She tried to comprehend what went on as she sat weakly on the floor.

He... he just hit me... Severus hit me... and, it hurt...

She thought numbly to herself, feeling her tears cool her stinging cheek, trying to discern this new feeling. A guy had never actually hit her. Yeah, she had been pounded numerous times by Deatheaters, but they weren't considered human in her perspective, and they had all eventually been either killed or at least knocked out afterwards.

For once, someone she knew most her life, tolerated, lived with, had hurt her, and of his own free will. This was something new to her, something she did not like in the least bit.

Alexis heard yelling, recognizing it as Artimis, but couldn't discern it, nor did she want to. She tensed, all of a sudden feeling cramped and vulnerable. She needed to get away from this place, some safe haven where she could sit in and tune out the world. She stumbled to her feet, a few tears still falling as she stood shakily, touching her tender cheek. She looked around in a vacant daze at the people watching her, and then slowly left the Living room, a path being cleared for her.

Alexis made it to the stairs, walking up them slowly as she kept a tight grip on the railing, willing her legs to hold out long enough for her to make it to the Tower, her haven. She found her way to her room, entering the Tower and softly closing the doors behind her, locking them tight.

She took two steps and her knees gave way, herself crumpling to a kneeling position in the middle of her room, staring at the floor in confusion as she touched her stinging cheek. She summoned a small hand mirror to her, looking at her tear stained expression. She traced the outline of the handprint on her face with soft fingers, and mumbled aloud in fascination.

"He hit me... hard. And it hurt. My ears are ringing... And I don't even know what for..."

She set down the mirror slowly, shaking her head.

"Am I suppose to do something now? ... Do I go kick his ass? ... Or... I don't know! I'll, just sit here. I won't have to decide, or look at him. Or anyone for that matter..." She said softly to herself, feeling relieved by her choice. She was too nervous to talk to anyone, which also confused her. Alexis never was nervous about talking about stuff... nor had she ever really turned down a good chance to tear someone apart. But for once, Alexis was too paranoid to try.

She sat in the middle of the floor for a few silent minutes, feeling eased by the quiet and solitude. Suddenly, there was a soft knock on the door, and Alexis jumped, looking around in a slight panic. Her first thought was that it was Artimis.

Alexis rose slowly to her feet, mumbling quietly to herself. "Good, it's Artimis. I need a hug..."

She walked to the door, unlocking it and pushing the doors open. But who she saw was not her friend and sister.

Alexis's eyes widened in slight fear as she took two steps back, even flinched slightly as she gazed up at Severus standing in her doorway, a look of slight surprise on his face as he watched her actions. Alexis swallowed, looking around nervously, for one scary moment, feeling like the prey instead of the predator.

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Severus stood in shock as he looked at Alexis on the floor, crumpled at his feet. For a brief second, hitting her had felt good, right, like he had some reason to, but now, with her on the floor, crying, he felt like the worst human being on the planet. He felt something inside him cringe at the sight and before he could move or speak a forty pounds heavier Artimis who was angry beyond belief leaped him upon. They fell to the floor and Severus landed on his back, his breath stolen from him as Artimis landed on her knees above him.

"Who the hell do you think you are!" She yelled at him, and he just looked up at her in a shocked stupor.

I just hit a woman... I just fucking hit Alexis... He thought as he felt Artimis kneeling on him, forcibly shaking him in her anger. He watched as Alexis stumbled out in her own stupor and he felt guilty as hell.

"What the hell is your problem? Who do you think you are, hitting her?" He heard her yelling at him as she shook him, but he couldn't even speak in his shock. He felt her lifting herself to her feet and saw Draco giving him a daring glare, as if he thought Severus had intentions of harming Artimis. He watched her as she shook Draco off and in a very low, very scary voice she barked an order to the rest of the household.

"All of you, out." She demanded and Draco looked at her like she was nuts. Severus just sighed lowly, knowing that he had just committed the worst crime in the Manor. If Artimis was protective of anyone, it was Alexis, and she had just recently stopped trying to kill him. He figured she wouldn't have to try this time, she would succeed.

"I'm not leaving you in here with him after he just did that." Draco told Artimis and Severus just lay there in his stupor, wondering what the hell he was supposed to do next. He heard everything going on around him as the angry mob left but he didn't care to listen, to involved in his own mind. He sat up, crossing his legs and placing his head in his hands, wondering what the hell was wrong with him. He heard Artimis sigh as she sat down on the couch and Severus just braced for the onslaught of anger.

"Felt good, didn't it?" He heard her speak lowly to him and he shook his head minutely.

Felt good?... Yea, for half a second... She didn't deserve that... Even if she is a pain in the ass... He thought as Artimis opened her mouth again, hissing dangerously.

"Must make you feel like a big man, hitting a woman? Right?" He heard her and he looked up at her with pure frustration.

"What are you going to do, hit me too? That will make you feel really powerful, won't it, hitting a pregnant woman?" She snarled at him with total disgust and he looked back down at the floor, feeling as if his mother, which hadn't happened in many, many years, was scolding him.

Why did I hit her... He questioned himself relentlessly.

"You should feel like king of the world now right?" She declared to him, and he decided that if he didn't speak up she was just going to keep going on.

"Artimis, I feel like shit, if that's what you wanted to hear well then there it is." He admitted with regret lacing his voice, his head hanging low.

"Oh, now why would you feel like shit?" She asked him, really laying into him. He didn't answer her.

"You know, I believe you do feel like shit and you should." She told him and he grunted.

Well, I'm glad you believe me, even if you are being sarcastic... But how will I ever look at Alexis again without feeling guilty... He thought as Artimis began to give him instructions, answering his question.

"You know what you are going to do. You are going to apologize to her, and you better mean it. If you don't, well, then I think it's time you went home. I do not allow that in my house. Then you are going to apologize to Remus and Ron, who are probably going to try to kill you for hitting her. Oh, and apologizing to me, for making me compromise myself in my state by jumping on you, would be a good idea too." He heard her say and he internally cringed at the idea of Ron and Remus fighting each other for their turn at killing him. He looked up at her, and he knew he wasn't holding all of his emotions back as he spoke.

"I'm sorry, and I hope you didn't hurt yourself or the baby." He told her softly, actually hoping he was not the cause for Artimis to have any other problems with this pregnancy. He stood, beginning to walk out of the room, still in his lost daze. He stepped out of the room, not looking at anyone as he moved past them, all of them clearing a path. It was silent when he walked out, but as soon as Hailey Garnet saw him, she began to yell loudly in what he thought to be German. He ignored her and walked up the stairs, bent on his task. He heard other discussions ensue, but ignored them, walking on to the third floor with a lump in his throat. He braced for anything, including being barbequed as he knocked on the door. He heard a scrambling of feet and then the door was opened. Alexis had a look of relief on her face that quickly faded to fear and she backed away in near fear of him. She flinched as he looked at her, knowing the surprise of her actions was apparent on his face.

What did I do to her... She looks afraid of me now... He thought as he looked at the former hunter of all look like the prey of the world.

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Alexis swallowed nervously as she stared at Severus standing in her doorway, wondering what she was supposed to do now. Do I go at him... or run away... or, do I just stand here?... Alexis thought confusingly to herself, tensing as if to jump at him or spring away if he were to try anything.

Why is he up here? Why can't he just leave me alone... probably come to rub it in or yell at me further... Alexis thought grimly to herself as she studied him carefully, though seeing how he couldn't even look her in the eye. They were both awkwardly quiet for a minute, neither having moved from their positions when Alexis spoke in a soft voice.

"Artimis followed you up here didn't she..." She spoke as she craned her head to look around behind him, though careful not to approach him any closer than she was.

Severus shook his head and sighed. " No, she didn't. She's downstairs. Alexis, I... I am so sorry."

Alexis looked him up and down for a minute, and then shook her head slowly, speaking quietly and in a matter of fact tone. "No you're not. You're just up here because Artimis threatened you."

He looked at her for brief moment, a look in his eyes that she had never seen, before he looked back down at the floor.

"I am sorry. I am so sorry right now that even I can't comprehend it." He spoke lowly and she looked slightly surprised, but was still wary and didn't fully believe him as she spoke a bit nervously. "Yeah, sure. Whatever you say."

"What is it that I have to do to prove I am sorry? Do you want me to get on my knees and beg your forgiveness, what?" He spoke lowly and Alexis looked at him in utter shock.

"Wh... You just... di... HUH?" Alexis stammered in surprise, thinking to herself, He just said beg... and referred to himself... beg, like in groveling... She thought to herself in shock.

"You know, if I didn't already feel like a heaping pile of dragon dung, I would go run my head into a wall for suggesting that one. But yes, Alexis I am that sorry. I am truly very very sorry, and I apologize for hitting you. You didn't deserve it." He told her and she shook her head in disbelief.

"Hold on a minute... you apologize? You've been wanting to hit me since you met me!" She exclaimed, watching him in wary surprise.

"Okay. So you're sorry. But I'm still confused... what did I say that made you so angry that you hit me? You hit me. And it hurt. It still hurts." Alexis asked with bewilderment. Alexis watched as Severus looked over his shoulder toward the stairs and thought for a moment.

"Are you going to let me in to explain this, or do I have to just sit here on the floor?" He asked her, looking at Alexis, who was now more confused.

"You want to come in? Into my room?" Alexis said, knowing something was definitely up with Severus.

"You've got a point there... I guess you can come in..." Alexis said slowly, moving aside to let him walk in. She closed the door behind them, watching as he looked around the room curiously.

"You know, this is the first time I have come in here not storming with fury or angry. Can actually look around." Severus spoke, sounding civil.

Alexis stood back, looking him over oddly. Severus is making small talk... there's a problem here... this is about the time they turn around and say 'Luke, I am your father'... please god no...

She skirted around him, walking towards her fireplace and the two cushioned stone chairs. She plopped into one, while Severus pretty much just stood there.

She spoke slowly. "You know, you can sit down..." Alexis watched as Severus sat down, softly, way to softly for a man and Alexis couldn't help but laugh inside.

"Thanks." He replied as Alexis nodded. Then she asked carefully once more. "Okay... so, what made you so angry to do that?"

"Hmm... Let's see, you work better with examples..." He began and Alexis looked at him in shock.

"You notice that?" She asked in disbelief and he nodded.

"Alexis, I notice that you have to put your sugar in before your cream in your coffee, or you won't drink it. But anyways..."

"You know, if I didn't know you, I'd say that's kind of stalker-ish." She spoke and he rolled his eyes.

"No, 'stalker-ish' is your fiancé, who spent all of potions class studying your various expressions of boredom."

"He did? Wow... wait, you noticed that too?" She questioned him and he smirked.

"I notice everything. Anyways, back to what I was saying before your stalker issues. Let's say, for example, and I'm not threatening him, that Ron was to die. That Ron was to die, and you had to watch it and there was nothing you could do to save him? How would you feel?" He asked her and Alexis shook her head, looking at the floor.

She spoke softly. "I... I don't know what I'd do with myself..."

Alexis thought for a moment, and then replied quietly. "Honestly, I would mostly likely fillet and barbeque them, then ask questions later. But that's just me."

Severus nodded, sitting back a bit. "Yes, as I would expect. I, on the other hand cannot roast someone with out a grill. I honestly tried to retain my anger today, because all you were doing to me, was basically, digging into my heart and tearing it apart from the inside, and that is kind of painful and rage inducing."

He explained to her and she looked at him with many thoughts running through her head. "Whoa... didn't really think like that... I was just, bored... now I feel guilty... I'm sorry Severus..." Alexis whispered, sniffling as tears ran down her cheeks. She never meant to make him feel like that; she never wanted anyone to feel like that. She didn't really know why she was crying, but it just came. She didn't really notice Severus looking at her with a lost kind of surprised stare.

"You know, I have never been good with this whole crying thing, so I told you I'm sorry, we had a peace talk, I can leave." He told her as he started to get up. Alexis got up as well, intending to lock the doors behind him, feeling very much at the moment like a horrible human being.

She whispered to herself more than to him, still sniffling. "Oh, okay... I, I need a hug..." Alexis watched him as he looked at her room in a lost kind of disorganized fashion, then she looked at the floor. She heard him mumble lowly and she had to look up at him as he spoke.

"You tell a soul and I will skin you alive... It will be painful..." He spoke and Alexis looked at him in wonderment, tears still running down her reddened face.

Suddenly, he had stepped forward, wrapping his arms around her gently, hugging her to him. She froze for a minute in shock, but then relaxed, leaning her head against his shoulder as she cried harder. She guessed that she just hadn't cried in a while, and this was a good time to get that off her chest. That and she was starting to realize that Severus was an actual human being. That was enough to make anyone emotional.

They stood there for a moment, Alexis's head buried into his shoulder as she cried, one arm around his back as he hugged her, letting her vent. Soon, her crying lessened to sniffles and reddened eyes, and she smiled, actually feeling a lot better, which was kind of odd, seeing as Severus had made her feel that way.

He mumbled something, then let her go, stepping back as Alexis let go of him as well. They both looked away, Alexis at the floor and Severus studying the walls. She heard him speak softly.

"Um... well... I guess I'll just, go now..." He said, heading for the exit, straightening himself in a dignified manner. Alexis looked up, watching him leave and smiled as she sniffled.

"Thank you Severus."

Severus stopped in his retreat, not turning to face her as he spoke softly, humanely. "You're welcome Alexis."

With that, he left, closing the door gently behind him. Alexis stood in still for a moment, shaking her head in disbelief of what had just happened. She smiled though, finding that she actually didn't feel disgusted, thinking that she was actually starting to understand Severus to some degree. And Alexis actually felt glad about it.

---------------------------------------------

Artimis got up and followed the rest of the family up the stairs, leaving the unconscious Ron and Hailey to sleep in the Foyer. They all sat on the last step before you could be seen on the landing and all of them were silent as they heard speaking.

"He's gonna grovel." Hermione whispered and Artimis fished in her pockets, looking for her camera.

"Hey, Mione, get a pic." Artimis whispered back handing Hermione the camera. Hermione nodded and peered over the landing.

"He's not groveling... They... They are talking... like civilly... What the hell did you do to him?" Hermione asked lowly and Artimis shrugged, trying to make out the words of what the two of them were saying. Then she could tell loud and clear what Severus was saying, almost as if he were yelling.

"Well, yes, unless of course, you want to just stand here till our legs give out while the rest of the house sits on the stair just below the landing, listening?" He declared and Aaron looked around quickly.

"Retreat, we have been ID'd. Retreat." He whispered and they all got up, hurrying down the stairs.

"I wonder what they are talking about now." Artimis spoke aloud and they all nodded. Then Artimis got a bright idea.

"Come in my room. You all will have to be quiet, but I might have enough of a link right now to hear what's going on. I'll give you play by play." Artimis spoke and they all agreed, following her to her room.

--------------------------

Severus stood in Alexis's doorway, looking at Alexis in her rare form or fearfulness. The air was still and silent for a moment, then Alexis spoke before Severus could find the words to tell her how sorry he was.

"Artimis followed you up here didn't she..." She spoke to him as she craned her head to look around behind him. He noticed that she didn't move nearer to him at all, even inching back a bit. Severus shook his head; her actions only making him feel worse. He had never, in his whole time of knowing her, seen Alexis fear anything. She smirked at Lord Voldemort for Pete's sake.

" No, she didn't. She's downstairs. Alexis, I... I am so sorry." He apologized, watching the skeptism in Alexis's red, teary eyes as she assessed him. Then she spoke quietly and in a matter of fact tone.

"No you're not. You're just up here because Artimis threatened you."

Severus looked at her, feeling more miserable by the second, but he also knew that Alexis would never in her life believe he was sorry on the first try. He looked her in the eyes, trying to convey his apology without a link and then looked at the ground. He decided to try again.

"I am sorry. I am so sorry right now that even I can't comprehend it." He spoke lowly, trying his best to be sound as sincere as he felt. Severus could tell she didn't fully believe him as she spoke a bit nervously. "Yeah, sure. Whatever you say."

Stubborn girl... You have to know I am sorry, if not for your sake then for my own mental state... He told himself, as he looked at her in total seriousness.

"What is it that I have to do to prove I am sorry? Do you want me to get on my knees and beg your forgiveness, what?" He spoke lowly and he watched, as she looked at him in utter shock.

"Wh... You just... di... HUH?" Alexis stammered in surprise, and it dawned on Severus as to what he had just suggested.

"Hold on a minute... you apologize? You've been wanting to hit me since you met me!" She exclaimed, he could see the surprise on her face.

God, she does think I am a cruel bastard... He thought as he began to speak.

"That is not true. Had I ever wanted to hit you, I would have. I... I don't hit... Females. You would be only the second one in my life that I have ever hit. And I feel twice as worse." He spoke in a near whisper, knowing of the many reasons of why he did not hit women. He watched as Alexis stared at him in confusion. Obviously what he was saying was a shock to her, but he didn't know why, he had never hit anyone in front of her, save for a few Deatheaters.

"Okay. So you're sorry. But I'm still confused... what did I say that made you so angry that you hit me? You hit me. And it hurt. It still hurts." Alexis asked him with bewilderment and he internally grimaced, realizing that getting backhanded stung like hell for a long time afterward. Severus went to speak but then he heard whispering from behind him and he turned to look at the staircase.

Jeesh, doesn't anyone ever not want to be nosy... He thought as her turned to Alexis, creating a plan to avoid eavesdroppers, because he was about to relate to Alexis things that no one else knew.

"Are you going to let me in to explain this, or do I have to just sit here on the floor?" He asked her seriously, looking at Alexis seeing confusion overtake her features.

"You want to come in? Into my room?" Alexis stated in disbelief and he nodded, speaking again.

"Well, yes, unless of course, you want to just stand here till our legs give out while the rest of the house sits on the stair just below the landing, listening?" He stated, looking back toward the stairs. He knew they could hear him and he heard Aaron declare something and there was scrambling from that direction. He heard Alexis speak as he turned his head to look at her.

"You've got a point there... I guess you can come in..." Alexis said slowly to him, moving aside hesitantly to let him walk in. He walked in, moving past her as she closed the door. He looked around the room, for once noticing the stained glass windows and the mural on the floor.

"You know, this is the first time I have come in here, not storming with fury or angry. Can actually look around." Severus mused, trying to sound as normal as possible, considering Alexis was jumpy as it were. He watched as Alexis walked around him, an odd look on her face as she plopped into one of her stone chairs that were covered with cushioning.

Nice idea... With her pyro abilities and all... He mused as he walked over toward her, standing there for a moment, not knowing what he should do, a new thing for him.

She spoke slowly to him. "You know, you can sit down..."

Severus sat down quickly, noticing Alexis with a smirk of humor on her face.

Obviously I did something funny... or she's lost it... He thought as he casually thanked her.

"Thanks." He replied and Alexis nodded at him.

Ok, we are being nice to each other... What now? He asked himself and then she spoke carefully.

"Okay... so, what made you so angry to do that?" She asked him and the thought of how he was going to explain this to her. He referred to how she learned best in school and then began.

"Hmm... Let's see, you work better with examples..." He stated and she looked at him in shock cutting him off.

"You notice that?" She asked in disbelief and he nodded, raising an eyebrow.

"Alexis, I notice that you have to put your sugar in before your cream in your coffee, or you won't drink it. But anyways..." He told her, annoyed a bit that he did notice that, but that seemed to be the point in the morning where she always decided to kick him under the table.

"You know, if I didn't know you, I'd say that's kind of stalker-ish." She joked with him and he couldn't help but roll his eyes. She had no idea who her real 'stalker' was.

"No, 'stalker-ish' is your fiancé, who spent all of potions class studying your various expressions of boredom." Severus informed her and a smile pulled over her face.

"He did? Wow... wait, you noticed that too?" She questioned him, the smile leaving and he couldn't help but smirk.

Alexis... I never missed a beat with you and Artimis because I notice these things... He mused, knowing she couldn't hear him, but this conversation was a bit unnerving as it were.

"I notice everything. Anyways, back to what I was saying before your stalker issues. Let's say, for example, and I'm not threatening him, that Ron was to die. That Ron was to die, and you had to watch it and there was nothing you could do to save him? How would you feel?" Severus asked her, trying to get her to have a feel for the situation. He watched as she shook her head, looking down at the floor.

She spoke softly after a moment. "I... I don't know what I'd do with myself..."

He smiled, seeing that she was getting the point.

"Exactly. Now, with that feeling in your mind, think of someone like, well, me, who you loathe and loathes you, walks up and starts taunting you about your relationship with Ron, especially after he was dead. What would you do? And don't lie." Severus questioned her, leaning forward inadvertently, surprised that he might actually get something through Alexis's thick skull. He saw her think for a moment, that evil look of plotting coming over her face for a brief second, and then she replied lowly.

"Honestly, I would mostly likely fillet and barbeque them, then ask questions later. But that's just me." She told him and he had expected an answer similar to the one she gave him.

Severus nodded at her, sitting back a bit in the seat.

"Yes, as I would expect. I, on the other hand cannot roast someone with out a grill. I honestly tried to retain my anger today, because all you were doing to me, was basically, digging into my heart and tearing it apart from the inside, and that is kind of painful and rage inducing." He told her, actually revealing to her that he did have some feelings after all.

She looked at him and he could see deep thought running through her head. After a silent second she inhaled and spoke in a very soft, sorrowful voice.

"Whoa... didn't really think like that... I was just, bored... now I feel guilty... I'm sorry Severus..." Alexis whispered to him and he heard her sniffling as she began to cry.

No, not the crying again... I didn't want to make you cry... I hate crying... He thought as he looked around with a lost kind of surprised stare.

Wait... I can just leave... I told her I was sorry, she believes me... It's time for me to go... He thought as he spoke lowly, looking at the crying Alexis.

"You know, I have never been good with this whole crying thing, so I told you I'm sorry, we had a peace talk, I can leave." He told her as he started to get up out of the chair. He stood and then Alexis stood shakily, tears still running down her cheeks. He looked at where he had hit her, a bruise in the form of his knuckles forming just below her cheekbone.

He heard her whisper, still sniffling. "Oh, okay... I, I need a hug..."

He looked at the floor, thinking to himself, grumbling to himself.

I made her feel like this... And even if I'm an arrogant bastard, I'm not cruel... He thought as he whispered lowly to Alexis as he looked at her.

"You tell a soul and I will skin you alive... It will be painful..." He informed her and Alexis looked at him in wonderment and confusion, the tears still running down her reddened face. Severus took a breath and stepped forward, wrapping his arms around her gently, hugging her to him softly. He felt her freeze at his touch, then relax, pressing her head into his shoulder, crying on him.

You know, I think I'm supposed to be disgusted... He thought as Alexis wrapped an arm around his back, crying a bit harder. He didn't understand why she was crying, but right now, he just wanted her to quit.

Why do I feel like I am doing Remus's job?... He thought as he heard her crying subside to sniffles and he mumbled to himself.

"I think she is good now." He grumbled as he let her go, stepping back as Alexis let go of him as well. He looked at her and she looked at him and it seemed as if they both looked away at the same time. He decided it was time to take his leave.

"Um... well... I guess I'll just, go now..." He stated, heading for the door, straightening himself in a dignified manner, it would not do to leave her room in any other fashion. He was near the door when he heard her speak softly.

"Thank you Severus."

Severus stopped in his retreat, not turning to face her as he spoke softly in return. "You're welcome Alexis."

With that, he left, closing the door gently behind him. Severus stood there for a moment, his mind reeling over what had just happened. He and Alexis had a decent conversation. No, not decent one, a good conversation, and it somehow in a weird twist of fate ended up with her crying again and them hugging.

"I need to stop drinking." He told himself in humor, feeling a load better. Now he had to think of how he was going to survive Ron and Remus. He began down the stairs, looking for an ambush. He started down the stairs to the first floor and then saw Ron and Remus waiting for him at the bottom of the stairs, Ron rubbing his head where someone had hit him to calm him down.

Divide... He thought as he began to speak.

"Ron, um... Alexis, she um... wants you." Severus lied and Ron began up the stairs, glaring at Severus as he rushed by. Severus began down the stairs, wondering what his fate was. Remus wasn't glaring, or even having a look of anger on his face. He was calm, cool and collected. Severus was about six steps from the bottom of the stairs when he heard Hailey yelling in German again.

"Halt's maul!" He yelled back at her and she silenced, looking at him dumbfounded. Severus got to the bottom of the stairs and Remus looked at him warily.

"You and I need to have a serious, SERIOUS talk." Remus hissed lowly and Severus nodded at him, as Remus began walking away.

"Where are you going?" Severus asked him and Remus turned around and sighed.

"The conference room." He snarled and Severus got the hint to follow him. He followed the angry werewolf, wondering what his fate was.

-------------------

Alexis sat on the edge of her bed, leaning forward with her head in her hands, shaking her head still in disbelief. She didn't know what to think, it was just too much to think on. She gazed around her room wonderingly, tears dried on her slightly reddened face.

She jumped slightly, hearing an urgent knock on her door. She stood slowly, looking at it in confusion. Huh? He came back?... She thought to herself as she went to the doors and opened them. Ron immediately stepped in, looking her over with worry as he cupped her face gently in his hands.

"Alexis? Are you alright? Severus said you needed me. He didn't do anything else did he?" He questioned urgently, searching her with his eyes for any other injuries.

Alexis smirked in confusion, grabbing one of his hands with hers. "No, I'm fine... I'm better now..."

"Are you sure? What did he say to you? I can go down there right now and rip his arms off..." He spoke seriously, searching her face.

Alexis smiled and shook her head. "No, that's okay. I feel fine. He apologized."

"He better have, otherwise I would've..."

"Ron, it's okay. It's over." Alexis cut him off, seeing that he was getting riled up. He calmed down, nodding minutely as he looked down at her, gently touching the bruise on her face, and she winced slightly.

"That bastard... if he ever touches you again, I swear I'll kill him." Ron growled, pulling Alexis into a tight hug. Alexis sighed, not wanting to argue as she laid her head against his chest, smiling at the security she felt in his arms. He kissed the top of her head, pushing her back after a moment and pulling her over to the bed. He sat her down on it and took a step back.

"Alright. Now I've got to go down and help Remus..." Ron told her sternly, touching her cheek once more in parting. Alexis looked at him with wide eyes as he turned away, stalking toward the doors with a face set with determination.

Uh oh... Severus is in deep... maybe I should go help him. He apologized to me; he doesn't need too much more of this... Alexis thought to herself as she jumped up and nimbly raced after Ron, who had already disappeared down the stairs. Alexis was still confused as to why she was going to save Severus in the first place, she just felt somehow it was the right thing to do. She reached he bottom steps, stopping in the Foyer and seeing a group of people. She asked aloud to anyone in general. "Where is he?"

Harry cocked his head in confusion, but then pointed towards the stairs leading to the bottom floor, speaking quizzically. "The Conference room."

Alexis nodded and took off there, hearing raised voices as she ran towards the Conference room. She skidded into the large room, seeing Severus sitting in a chair, backing into it as Remus stood, yelling something in his face, looking ready to beat the shit out of him. Ron stood hovering behind him, adding his own yells with Remus's whenever he saw fit. Severus looked trapped between them, and Alexis knew Severus wouldn't last much longer if he allowed Remus and Ron to vent to this extent. She stepped forward, raising her voice to be heard over the two angry men.

"Remus! Ron! STOP IT, NOW!"

Both men froze, turning to her with looks of amazed confusion on their features as Alexis stared at them sternly. She figured that they had vented enough. Severus actually jumped a bit at her louder voice, staring at her.

Ron asked incredulously. "Alexis? What are you doing down here?"
"Stopping you both from harassing Severus. He apologized thoroughly, and he was forgiven. I thank you two for concerning over me, but it was mostly just between Severus and me. He has heard enough from you two." Alexis spoke commandingly, looking between them as they stared at her. Severus also looked at her with pure bewilderment. Dude, I'm just as confused as you as to why I'm saving your ass... Alexis thought to herself, though feeling that she was doing the right thing.

Remus stood straighter, speaking. "But Alexis, he..."

"I know what he did. That was our problem. You two need to stop acting like crazed lunatics." Alexis cut him off matter of factly.

Ron spoke up this time. "Alexis, why are you..."

"I already told you. You need to leave Ron because we have got a lot of planning to do and I don't want to hear you complaining about Severus the whole time, and you need to leave Remus because I'm your daughter and you love me that much." Alexis said, smirking smugly at the power she had over them.

Ron and Remus looked at each other in confusion, then glared at Severus, who shrugged slightly. Ron sighed first, nodding to Alexis. He started to leave, glaring daggers at Severus once more, warning him with his eyes. Severus didn't say or do anything, merely sat there quietly.

Remus fought with himself for a minute longer, looking between Severus and Alexis. Finally he sighed as well, turning to Severus sternly, growling softly. "I'm watching you... one wrong damn move, I swear..."

Severus swallowed, looking slightly to Alexis. Remus shook his head, then stalked out the door past Alexis without a second glance.

Severus watched the two furious men leave with bewilderment, turning his amazed gaze to Alexis. Alexis smirked and shrugged, turning to leave as well. She stopped, hearing Severus speaking softly.

"Um... thank you Alexis."

Alexis looked at him and smiled. "Your welcome Severus." she nodded to him, and he did the same to her, then she turned and left the Conference room, smirking at his expression.