Seven Years Later...
Chapter 30
"The Finale AKA A Slytherin Birth"
Christmas Eve, Afternoon...
Artimis, Alexis, Molly and all the other females in the house, bustled around in the kitchen, preparing food. Artimis was sitting at the table, cutting steak for shish kabobs, while Alexis was slicing carrots and vegetables, tossing her head side to side to play with the ball on the end of her Santa Clause hat. Molly was baking up a storm while Hermione and Hailey worked on the sides for dinner. The whole house was busy with activity, the boys upstairs, making sure everything was set up for the Christmas party. Even Severus had his sleeves rolled up and helping the guys set tables up, which now wasn't so weird. Artimis got up and handed Alexis the meat, sighing.
"What is your problem now, your moodiness?" Alexis asked with her usual humor.
"I bet they are either not doing anything or doing it wrong." Artimis replied and Alexis chuckled, her face happy-go-lucky, as Christmas was her favorite Holiday besides Halloween.
"Well, then go check, you are done here anyways." Alexis replied and Artimis smirked.
"Ok, I will." She spoke, exiting the room. She waddled her way toward the stairs, being three days away from her due date and quite large. She went up one flight and then rested, trying not to over do it. She started the second flight of stairs and made it to the top, seeing Remus and Ron carrying a table across the room. She looked around the ballroom, seeing the large Christmas tree that she had got to help decorate earlier. The lights sparkled brightly and Artimis smirked, feeling that sense of Christmas take her over. Her thoughts were interrupted by the concerned voice of her husband.
"Honey, what are you doing down here? You should be downstairs cooking. With all this stuff getting moved around, you could get hurt." Draco spoke worriedly and Artimis smiled at him, moving aside her hair.
"I'm done cooking, I can't touch any of the veggies and all the meat is cooking. I decided to come check on you guys." She replied as Draco walked forward touching her cheek softly and kissing her lips.
"That was sweet of you, but you shouldn't be walking up and down these stairs in your state. What if you lose your balance and fall?" He questioned her and she smirked.
"We just won't let that happen then." She replied and heard another male voice.
"It's nice that you can pause to chitchat with your wife Malfoy, but I'm not doing these tables by myself." Severus interjected and Artimis laughed at him. He looked at her and rubbed his forehead, sighing.
"And why aren't you resting? Shouldn't you be resting or something in your state?" He asked her and she rolled her eyes.
"Me, Rest? Right? I am going to help with this party even if it kills me." She mocked and Severus gave Draco a stern look.
"And I'm sure Draco is going to let you do that." Severus spoke with a hint of authority and Draco sighed.
"Cone on dear. Let me take you downstairs. You can rest in the lounge while you wait for the guests to show up." He spoke, taking Artimis by the arm and walking her down the stairs. She decided not to argue and was flattered that Severus showed some form of concern for her. Even if it was a bit overboard, some was better than none. He walked her down the stairs and walked her to the lounge. She smirked as she sat down on one of the couches and he sat next to her, placing his hand over hers.
"I'm sorry honey, but Severus is right, sadly. You need to rest. The last thing I want to happen on Christmas Eve is for something to happen to you or our daughter." He spoke, kissing her forehead and she smiled, rubbing her hands over her stomach. The other day she had felt the baby shift lower in her abdomen and she knew that her daughter was going to be born soon.
"Alright Honey, I'll rest, for a little bit." She told him and he smiled at her.
"Ok, thank you. Now I have to help Sev, before he has a hissy fit." Draco spoke and he got up, leaving Artimis in the warm lounge. She put her feet upon the couch, feeling that they were swelling a bit and she called for Dobby to bring her some warm tea. He brought it and she sat in to lounge with the doors open, watching everything going on in the first floor.
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Alexis watched Artimis waddle out of the room, snickering at how much she resembled a penguin with that gait. Her thoughts eventually drifted to what tonight would be like, also trying to remember if she had gotten everyone a gift. With all the extra money she had inherited from being a part of the Callabella family, she decided that she had to spend it on something.
She felt a stab of pain and looked down, seeing that instead of slicing the carrot, she had sliced across her finger. She winced and dropped the knife, holding her finger. She grumbled to the nearest person. "Damnit, I quit with the bloody vegetables... quite literally..."
Hailey looked over from beside her where she was making mashed potatoes and gave a sigh. She summoned a small kit and took Alexis's hand, cleaning it off.
"You don't have to, I can fix it myself..." Alexis whined at Hailey, watching her with a pout.
She rolled her eyes and replied. "Shut up and hand me a band aid."
Alexis grumbled under her breath as she grabbed the item, letting Hailey play 'Doctor'. Alexis had annoyingly realized she liked very much playing Doctor ever since getting her Degree, using the slightest cuts and bruises as an excuse to fix someone up.
Hailey used her wand to dispose of the kit, and then pushed Alexis across the Kitchen to where Hermione was getting ready to put the shish kabobs together. "Hermione let Alexis do those. She needs something simpler that cutting vegetables." She informed as Alexis glared at her with indignity. Hermione laughed as she walked to Alexis's last station, cleaning up her mess.
As Alexis turned to the shish kabob sticks, she heard Hailey mutter. "Don't really even know why Artimis let you help cook... should let you wrap presents. Well, that's not too good an idea either..."
Alexis shook her head, picking up the readied pieces of meat and veggies and started sliding them onto sticks.
Molly was taking a quick rest before moving onto the seventh batch of cookies, speaking to Alexis. "Don't worry sweetie. We'll teach you to cook yet. You'll catch on sooner or later."
"Thanks Mum, but cooking just isn't my thing. I'm just glad you taught Ron how to cook, otherwise I'd be spending many a night eating cereal and granola bars as a late dinner."
Molly laughed, turning back to the oven. Alexis smiled, jerking her head to move the end of her Christmas hat from her face. She hummed to herself as she stuck meat onto a stick, and then paused. Grabbing a single large piece of meat on a stick, she stuck it over one part of the stove, leaning slightly over to watch it cook.
A minute or so passed, then Hermione snapped at her for being behind. Alexis jerked her head up, her hat falling off her head in front of her. She sighed, pulling back her half cooked piece of meat and nibbling on it as she went back to making shish kabobs.
Hmm... I hope I got everyone a present... gotta make sure later... if I give them one, they're sure to give me one, and I can't miss out on more presents... Alexis thought distractedly. After a few seconds though, the smell of burning cloth filled her nose, also seeing the room getting a little smokier.
"ALEXIS!" Hailey screeched, pointing at the stove with frustration. Alexis looked, seeing her Christmas hat over the stove and flaming.
Her eyes widened, and she grabbed the nearest oven mitt, trying to put it out with it, but only succeeding in setting that on fire to. She felt Molly pulling her back as Hermione yanked out her wand and extinguished the flames.
"Um, dearie, maybe you should go see if Ron and the others need any help. I believe we've got it down here." Molly spoke, letting go of Alexis. Hermione and Hailey both nodded and Alexis shrugged, leaving the Kitchen and hearing sighs of relief behind her.
"Jeesh, they act like they never set anything on fire on the stove before..." Alexis grumbled as she walked upstairs towards the third floor and ballroom. She walked out onto it, seeing Remus setting out chairs as Draco pulled in another table with Aaron.
"Alexis, done cooking already?" Ron asked smugly, walking up beside her.
She stuck out her tongue, and then smiled. "No, they kicked me out for setting my hat on fire... again. I've got another one in my room, and I'm going to see if I have all the presents."
"You mean all the boxes and bags coating the second room?" Ron asked, smirking.
"Yeah, and you better get over it. 'Cause some of them are yours." Alexis replied smartly. Ron smiled warmly, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her to him, kissing her gently as she sighed happily. He pulled away after a moment and spoke softly. "I already got what I wanted for Christmas, hat and all."
Alexis smiled tenderly, and kissed him again, mentally commenting on how much of a sweet talker he was. "Well, I've got to go count the presents. Holler if you guys need any help." She spoke and Ron nodded, letting her go so she could walk to their Tower. She entered, making her way across the room to the ladder and climbing it. She reached the top and carefully crawled into the room, careful not to step on any presents. She looked out over the carpet of brightly colored packages, rubbing her chin with one hand, the other on her waist as she mumbled to herself.
"Alright, let's see... One for Aaron... Three for Remus... Two for Hermione... one for Severus... wait, what did I get him? Oh. I remember... hehe... um, another for Severus, from me and Artimis... Four for Ron... where is Artimis's pile? ..."
Alexis frowned, then shrugged. She looked around, spotting where the wrapping had taken place in the room by the huge heap of paper scraps, tissue paper, and bows. She smirked and dived into it, sitting back up with a bow stuck on her cheek, tape in her hair, and her arm tore through one sheet of paper. She smiled, and then found Artimis's presents sitting on a bookshelf across the room.
"Eureka! What're they doing over there? Oh well..." Alexis mumbled, getting to her hands and knees and crawling through the maze of presents towards the bookshelf, ignoring the houseelf Cleo trailing after her, frantically trying to clean up the mess she left.
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Six Hours, One Dinner and Two Hats Later...
Artimis rubbed her temples, feeling a headaches coming on From Alexis. All of dinner, even before dinner, Alexis wanted to open her presents. Artimis hadn't been feeling to well, feeling cramps and such for most of the day but ignoring it for Christmas. The Weasley Family, The household, Even a few of the Entingos and of course Narcissa Artimis's mother-in-law were now upstairs in the ballroom, mostly sitting around a digesting their large feast. Alexis was bouncing around Artimis's table, yelling and ranting about how it was time to open the presents.
"Please, Please, Please... Aw come on what about the Christmas spirit, let me open my presents." Alexis whined, bouncing around in her elf hat that jingled as she moved.
"Alexis, at this rate, Severus will get to open his presents first." Artimis hissed, rubbing her temples. Alexis got an evil smile on her face as she looked toward Severus, who was having a heated discussion with Narcissa and Artimis had a feeling it was about her. Artimis then looked to the clock seeing it was nine at night. She sighed in exasperation and looked at Alexis.
"Fine, We all come open our presents. But we give Severus his present first." Artimis informed her midget sister and Alexis grinned, mad-dashing over to the tree and pulling out a flat box. Artimis picked up a spoon and hit her glass with it, getting everyone's attention.
"We're going to open presents now, because if we don't Alexis will kill me. So everybody, go under the tree and grab the presents you bought for everyone else. Except you Alexis, I think your presents are holding the tree up." Artimis commented as Alexis began to dig through boxes. She pouted and brought the thin box up to Artimis, smiling with evil intent. They waited as everyone grabbed their presents, Draco grabbing his and Artimis's. Everyone was sitting down when Artimis stood up, Alexis holding the box, snickering.
"The first present of the night, gets given to... Severus." Artimis spoke and Severus looked at her with mild interest.
"Sev, we looked long and hard to find you a present, you aren't easy to shop for. Alexis wanted to get you a shrunken head. She thought it would be funny if we could find one that looked like you. I nixed that idea. But we found this and decided you would appreciate it. Alexis give him his box." Artimis told him and he glared daggers at Alexis at the mention of a shrunken head, but then looked to her as Alexis held the box with hesitation.
"But, I don't want to, I wanna open it. I want the paper. It's pretty." Alexis whined and Artimis glared.
"Alexis give him the present." Artimis hissed and Alexis sighed.
"Oh, alright. But I get the paper." She spoke and handed him the box. He took it warily and inspected it for explosives and then began opening it as Artimis sat back down, feeling achy. He opened the box and unfolded the paper.
"A black tee-shirt?" He asked and Alexis laughed.
"That's not just any black tee-shirt, open it, read it." She spoke and he slowly opened it, reading the words slowly. Then a big grin appeared and he stood up, closing the shirt.
"Excuse me for a moment." He spoke and he dashed toward the library.
"Good, now presents for me!" Alexis stated and was handed her presents as everyone began to exchange their presents. Artimis got a new pair of green high heels, that she couldn't wear yet and new leather boots, she was in heaven. Severus walked back into the room and tossed his frock coat on the back of a chair, now sporting his new shirt, which had bright white letters across the front. Ron walked up and read the shirt, laughing like a lunatic.
"That is so true... good pick girls. Let me guess, the punk-Goth store?" Ron asked and Alexis nodded as Remus read the shirt aloud.
" 'I used to be disgusted, but now I'm just amused.' Ah haha. To true." Remus spoke and Severus sat down, not watching as Alexis sneaked up behind him.
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Alexis snickered as she silently crept up behind Severus's chair, readjusting the paper and bow hat on top of her Christmas hat. He didn't notice her, so she crept closer, reaching out slowly and hesitantly, smiling slyly.
She leaned forward and grabbed his shoulder, making him jump several inches in surprise. He turned half around as Alexis giggled and whispered next to him. "Hey, Severus?"
He slumped in his chair slightly, shaking his head and sighing. "Yes, Whyte."
"Um... can I wear your frock coat?" Alexis asked quietly, grabbing the coat on his chair, ready for him to say no and give her an excuse to steal it.
"I don't care." He answered nonchalantly, not looking at her.
Alexis stood up straight, looking at him with surprise. "Hold on. Don't care as in, you don't mind, go ahead, Yes?"
Severus looked up at her with a raised eyebrow. "What part of 'I don't care', do you not understand?"
"Sooo, that's a yes?" Alexis spoke incredulously, shocked at this lack of argument.
Severus smirked and spoke slowly. "Yes Alexis."
Alexis smiled widely, and then took his frock coat off his chair, bouncing away a few steps as she yipped. "Wow, Christmas really is a time of miracles!"
Severus rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to whatever he was doing in the first place. Alexis smiled as she pulled it on, finding it stretched down to her knees and the sleeves extended several inches past her hands.
She paused, trying to roll up the sleeves and button the numerous buttons at one time. She frowned with frustration, wondering how the hell he ever got this thing on every damn morning without ripping half of them off. She pushed the sleeves up once more, and then sighed with frustration, looking up and whining. "Roooonnn. I need help with these damn buttons! Please?"
Ron saw her and her dilemma, laughing and shaking his head as he walked towards her. Severus turned in his seat, watching her for a moment with amusement. Then he sighed and pulled out his wand, pointing it at her and mumbling a spell.
All the buttons immediately latched themselves, Alexis watching with fascination. "Dude! You gotta teach me that one!"
Severus answered. "What, did you think I spend twenty minutes every morning buttoning that?"
"I dunno. Maybe, if you were bored enough..." Alexis answered, twirling once or twice in the black coat. Severus shook his head and turned back in his seat. Alexis smirked and put her hands on her hips, scowling at Ron, who stopped with confusion.
"I am Severus Snape... Fear me! Five thousand points from Gryffindor! Give them to Slytherin because... because... 'Cause I like Draco's hair!" Alexis growled loudly, Draco looking to her and snickering as Ron laughed as well.
Hey... this is cool. I bet it's the coat that makes Sev think he's so important... Alexis thought amusing to herself, stalking around the room for a few minutes and deducting 'points' from random people for stupid things, like standing wrong, or having a funny name.
She stuck her tongue out at Severus, who was glaring, then remembered something. She raced back to the Christmas tree, taking out another box. She smirked and ran back up to Severus, holding it out to him. "Forgot to give this to you."
He looked at her with interest, then at the box, raising an eyebrow at the wrapping that read 'Happy Birthday' and sported rainbows and pink balloons. He sighed and took it, beginning to unwrap it. Alexis watched quietly, smirking as he opened the box.
He stared in confusion as he pulled out a pair of fuzzy slippers shaped into large wolf heads. He gazed up at Alexis in bewilderment and she smiled proudly. "Um... thanks?"
"Your welcome. Thought you could use them when you're sitting around, drinking tea and glaring at everyone. You won't seem as depressing then." Alexis replied matter of factly. That, and if I see them lying around somewhere, I'll just wear them... She thought, as he looked them over with confused interest. Alexis nodded, then turned and skipped away, looking for Artimis. He spotted her talking to Draco or someone. She bounced up to her, and she looked her over with amusement, noticing the frock coat.
"Artimis? Aren't the Christmas cookies ready? I really want some, Molly made about five batches. Can we go get some?" Alexis asked chipperly.
Artimis sighed. "Sure, go ahead."
"But I don't know where they're at." Alexis replied, watching her expectantly.
"Then you can wait a little longer." Artimis replied shortly, looking more irritated than usual. Alexis continued on relentlessly, really craving cookies.
"PLEASE! Please, please, please, please..."
"Shut up! Okay, hold on a bloody minute..." Artimis growled, rubbing the bridge of her nose. Artimis called out for someone to go bring up cookies, but no one answered her. She turned and looked back down at Alexis and shrugged. Alexis pouted, whining. "But I REALLY want some cookies. We don't get these kinds all the time, and if you bring them up later, I'll forget about them and everyone else will eat them and I won't get any and that would really suck..."
"ALEXIS! Okay! Damn, I'll get them my damn self... Severus will you help me with the cookies?" Artimis snapped at Alexis and then turned to the surprised Severus.
"What?... Why me?" He asked and she rolled her eyes.
"Because I am pregnant and can not balance three trays of cookies and not fall down the stairs, thus hurting myself and my daughter." She replied and he sighed, grumbling as he got up. Artimis glared at Alexis, placing her hand over her tummy and stomped away towards the stairs. Alexis watched her go and smiled.
Well, it gave her something to do... and I like annoying her... Alexis thought to herself, waltzing over towards the Christmas tree, eyeing the long strings of popcorn with interest.
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Artimis stormed down the stairs, Severus trailing her mumbling to himself. She ignored him paying more attention to the pains that had increased in the past hour. She was having mildly painful cramps in her stomach, but she just figured it was false labor again. Alexis had sent Artimis into a false labor once before so Artimis figured that what this was.
"Are you listening to me?" Severus asked her and she shook her head, entering the kitchen.
"No, Sorry, what were you saying?" She asked him and he rolled his eyes.
"Nothing but your mother-in-law is driving me insane, thinking I care to listen to her and thank you for my shirt and not letting Alexis get me a shrunken head." He spoke quickly and she smirked, snickering as she picked up two trays of iced Christmas cookies.
"Welcome." She spoke and suddenly Severus picked up the other tray and took one of hers. She raised an eyebrow at him and he rolled his eyes.
"If we go up there and you are carrying two trays and I'm only carrying one, everyone will be on my case cause your pregnant." He told her and she nodded, walking out of the door. They were walking across the foyer, Severus in front of her, when she felt an odd sensation in her stomach and then what felt like a rush of water inside of her. She felt a quick sharp pain immediately after than and she dropped her tray of cookies, it clattering to the floor. Severus turned to look at her with concern and she was to busy figuring out that this was the real thing.
"Artimis what is the mat-"
"My water just broke. I'm going into labor. Go get Hailey and Draco, NOW!" She spoke, leaning against the wall, feeling another contraction run through her. Severus looked at her for a moment and then mad dashed upstairs with the trays still in hand. Artimis slid to the floor, holding her stomach and bringing her knees up to her chest, wondering why the hell now her daughter had decided to be born.
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Alexis was busy throwing pieces of popcorn into the air and catching them in her mouth, intent on beating Ron at how many she actually caught. She threw a piece at him; distracting him and making him drop his popcorn piece. Alexis laughed and threw one up, turning in her attempt to catch it. She stopped though and let it fall as she saw Severus flying up the stairs; wild eyed and holding two almost empty plates of cookies.
Alexis frowned and asked as the room quieted somewhat. "Hey, what happened to the cookies? You eat them all already?"
"Draco, Artimis is going into labor!" He exclaimed breathlessly, looking toward a wide-eyed Draco. Alexis didn't notice his comment and asked. "Yeah, but what about the cookies... wait... WHAT?" She exclaimed, staring at Severus as he dropped the trays, turning back to descend the stairs as Draco ran after him.
"She's in... Oh, ooww... oh yeah. She's in labor alright..." Alexis groaned, grimacing as she felt the echo of pain in her stomach. She grumbled angrily to herself. "Damnit, gotta find a way to turn this thing off, sharing thoughts is bad enough, but now this?..." She hissed slightly in pain and then doubled over, feeling a particularly sharp pain. Ron rushed up besides her, helping her stand straight and asking with concern. "Are you alright?"
Alexis looked up at him and replied sarcastically. "Uh, I don't know, I'm having my own repeat of a pregnancy, what do you think?"
Ron looked apologetic, and Alexis sighed, speaking again. "Sorry, guess I'm getting part of her mood swing as well. Better go down and see to her."
Ron smiled, helping Alexis towards the stairs and following the steady flow of traffic downstairs. Alexis tried to put up a strong enough block to ward off the sharp pains, but she could still feel them, and she knew she'd need a few aspirin and a long nap after all of this.
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Artimis sat down on the floor in the foyer. Surrounded by cookies. She heard Severus loudly exclaim to someone her state and she smacked her head, knowing she should have just done it herself. She heard a loud stampede of feet and saw the whole house rushing down the stairs, all narrowly avoiding Severus's cookie trail. Artimis felt another sharp pain and groaned, closing her eyes. She suddenly felt someone skid on their knees next to her and she opened her eyes to see Draco, looking at her worriedly.
"You know, this is all your fault." She grumbled at him and he looked at her like he was going to say something when a hand grabbed his shoulder. Severus leaned down and whispered in his ear and he nodded, rolling his eyes.
"Alright honey, whatever you say." He spoke, wiping away some of the sweat that had began to pour down her face.
"Get the hell out of my way." Artimis heard Hailey yell and she saw the short brown haired woman pushing past the bodies. She walked over and kneeled next to Artimis, looking at her. She seemed to think for a moment and then Artimis was ripped through by another pain, Alexis groaning in the background.
"Nope, can't move her upstairs. Draco, pick her up and move her to the lounge, everybody, get the hell out of the way." Hailey yelled and they all moved, seeing that Hailey was serious. Artimis felt Draco pick her up and begin walking with her carefully. He kissed her forehead as he moved quickly through the path following Hailey. She was carried in and placed on the couch. Hailey grabbed Hermione and gave her load of instructions and she rushed off, but Artimis ignored them as she felt the pains more frequently and stronger.
"Draco, go close the doors and grab Alexis, Artimis will need her." Hailey demanded and Draco nodded, doing as she was told. Artimis watched as Hailey felt her stomach and then shook her head at Artimis.
"This little girl wants her Christmas presents." Hailey jokes and Artimis glared at her as Alexis walked forward and moved around behind her head, putting her hand on Artimis's shoulder.
"You know, Artimis, if I didn't love you, I would be eating cookies now." Alexis whined and Artimis glared as another pain ripped through her, her squeezing Alexis's hand.
"OW OW OW, sorry, sorry." Alexis yelled and Artimis decided to try to pay attention to Alexis instead of Hailey and what she was doing.
"Tell, me, a joke." Artimis demanded and Alexis looked at her like she was nuts.
"I have a one, but you won't think its funny." Alexis whispered and Artimis glared.
"Make it funny." Artimis told her and Draco snickered, making Artimis turn her gaze on him.
"What is so funny? I'm in pain here." She hissed and he frowned in shame.
"Sorry honey." He replied and Hermione rushed into the room with stuff that Artimis didn't want to see. They moved her legs and put a blanket on her.
"Artimis, your lucky, it seems like this is going to be a quick one." Hailey spoke and Artimis grimaced as another contraction hit her. Artimis sat there for a twenty minutes in pain, Alexis holding one hand and Draco holding the other. Then Hailey said the worst words in the world.
"Ok, Artimis get ready to push." She spoke and Artimis looked at her like she was nuts.
"Push? That will make it hurt worse!" Artimis yelled and Hailey rolled her eyes.
"1... 2... 3... Push." Hailey spoke and Artimis felt a hard contraction and instinctively did as she was told. The pain was incredible. She honestly felt like she trying to rip herself apart.
"Again." Hailey spoke and Artimis pushed again, screaming this time with the pain. Alexis's whimpered in her ear and Hailey was smiling.
"I see the head. Draco, come here, come look." Hailey spoke and Draco got up and moved around her.
"Dear god, that is..." He spoke as he looked down at Artimis and his eyes crossed and he passed out straight away.
"Bloody bastard, I'm giving birth to his daughter and he's sleeping." Artimis stated though labored breaths, squeezing Alexis's hand.
"Come one Artimis, again." Hailey spoke and Artimis pushed hard, screeching in the pain. She felt a quick rush and the pain faltered. Then Artimis heard the most beautiful thing in the world. A loud high-pitched baby's cry. Her baby's cry.
"It's a girl." Hailey spoke in excitement, Hermione holding the baby, wiping her down.
"DUHHHHHHHH! Make her let go, I can't feel my hand!" Alexis yelled and Artimis let her hand go, a feeling beyond anything she could imagine filled her.
"Here she is." Hermione spoke as she placed a bundled up baby in Artimis's arms. Artimis looked down at the bright pink little baby and smiled, seeing a tuff of black hair and little hands.
"Oh my god." Were the only words she could say. She sat in her own little world with her new daughter, ignoring everyone around her as Hailey cleaned everything up and got up and left. Artimis felt oddly complete, even though Draco was passed out on the floor. She had finally started her family.
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Ron ran down the stairs, Alexis half yanking him along. They skidded into the lounge, Alexis jumping to see over the small crowd of people as Ron merely craned his neck, seeing Hailey pushing everyone back from around a sitting Artimis. He looked down at Alexis, who was grumbling darkly.
"Damn you tall peoples..." She stopped as she hissed in pain, squinting her eyes. Ron grabbed her shoulders, watching her with concern and trying to figure out why Alexis was hurting so much. The crowd thinned, and Alexis sucked it in and walked towards the doors, Ron following.
They double doors were slammed, and Alexis turned to look up at Ron, who still kept a hand on her shoulder. She sighed and shook her head, and Ron smiled faintly before the doors were opened once more. He barely had time to blink as a hand reached out and grabbed Alexis, dragging her into the room and closing the doors on him. He stood there frozen for a moment in surprise, then sighed and turned from the door.
He could here muffled voices and whimpers as he paced back and forth, having nothing else to do. He rammed into someone, mumbling a 'sorry' upon recognizing it as Aaron. He nodded, then both looked towards the doors as they heard a pained yell, echoed by another, slightly quieter, one.
Ron sighed with frustration, asking aloud to anyone in general with pent up nervousness. "Why the hell is she yelling when Artimis is the one pregnant?"
"Well, technically she is pregnant. But, not, because Artimis is. And because their Mind Link is really a Pain link. Those are the two most complicated women in the world. You married into a fucked up family." Severus answered his question simply, and Ron looked toward him, answering with slight frustration.
"Well, you live in a fucked up family."
"Yeah, but I can leave anytime I want. You're stuck here." Severus commented, sitting back in his chair with crossed arms. Ron shook his head at him, and continued pacing. He heard more screams, and winced to himself. Damn that's must hurt... but to think of what comes after. She's got a kid now... Ron thought wistfully to himself.
He hadn't mentioned to Alexis yet that he wanted above most things to have a son or daughter, to start his own family. He knew that she was reluctant to even think about that subject, and he didn't want to pressure her at the time. But he continued to plan how he would bring it up with her and eventually convince her. Though, after this ordeal, he didn't expect her to be too willing.
There was another particularly loud scream, then relative quiet before hearing the shrill cries of a baby. Ron smiled widely, stopping in front of the doors, waiting until he was to be allowed in.
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Alexis walked around from behind Artimis's head, holding her throbbing hand and trying to move her numb fingers. She stopped and tiredly watched as Artimis was handed her child, holding her tenderly and giving her new daughter a soft smile. Alexis backed up a small step, weirded out by this, having never seen Artimis give that 'soft-smile-thing'. She shook her head, looking the baby over carefully. Artimis looked up at her after a moment, then back at the baby. She spoke softly after looking to Alexis again. "Do you want to hold her?"
Alexis's eyes widened in surprise, not sure of what to do. She wasn't used to being around kids. She asked quietly, pointing at herself. "Me? You want me to hold it? I mean, her?"
Artimis smiled and nodded, holding her out to Alexis. Alexis swallowed and cautiously stepped forward, reaching out to cradle the child carefully. She stood back up straight, gazing down at the tiny wriggling form.
"Wow, all that, over this. I don't get it man..." Alexis mumbled quietly, assessing the small child with curiosity. Ron walked up beside, looking down at the baby with admiration, and Alexis noticed a look of longing in his eyes. She sighed and looked back down at the kid.
It's so... small. And cute... And I'm never, EVER, going to have one... Alexis thought determinedly to herself, smiling at the small child. She noticed Draco sitting up from the floor, then felt a tremor go through her.
Alexis stiffened as a wave of energy flowed through her, and her vision melted, as she stood rigid. Everything around her disappeared as her vision took on something totally different. She was outside somewhere, and all she felt was pain. But it wasn't physical pain, this felt as if someone were ripping her heart from her body. Looking around, Ron was nowhere to be seen, and it was cold and dark. She felt tears on her cheeks as she looked up, staring into the emerald green eyes of a tall red headed young man that stood not far in front of her, clothed in black and watching her with a look that portrayed of pure evil, of which Alexis had never seen besides in the blood red eyes of Lord Voldemort himself. She did not know what was going on, but deep down, Alexis knew this to be her child, if she were to ever have one.
Alexis cried out once in pained sorrow, then the vision melted around her, and Alexis found herself once again in the Lounge, surrounded by her Family and friends.
She felt arms partly holding her up, and she noticed Artimis had taken her daughter back, watching Alexis with nervous confusion. Alexis, breathing shallowly and shaking slightly, looked up at Ron, who was watching her worriedly. She swallowed painfully, looking at Artimis's daughter once more in almost nervous fear, then looked up at Ron.
She took a deep breath and grabbed his arm, shakily walking out of the room, dragging a confused Ron behind her. She ignored the several odd stares she got as she pulled Ron away from listening ears and into the Gym. She closed the door behind her and turned to look at him.
"Alexis, what's wrong? You're pale and shaking, what happened?" Ron asked urgently, looking her over worriedly.
Alexis stepped back a step and spoke quietly. "I've got to tell you something."
Ron stopped, nodding slowly as he watched her. Alexis took a deep breath and began pacing slightly as she explained. "While I was holding the kid, I... I had a vision or something. I'm... I'm not sure what it was, but it scared me. But, then again, I kind of do know what it was, and that scares me even more..."
"Whoa, hold on a minute. First, calm down. Nothing bad happened, you're not hurt. So first take a breath and tell me what you saw." Ron spoke to her soothingly, grabbing her arms to stop her pacing. Alexis nodded and breathed deeply, starting slowly. "I... um, I think it was... our son."
Ron stared at her in shock, and she tried to explain. "In the future. One outcome of what could happen, I guess. Ron, w... we can't have any children. Please listen, we can't have kids, okay?"
"What? Why not? What did you see Alexis?" Ron asked in confused shock, shaking his head. Alexis rubbed her temples and spoke quietly. "I saw him... and he was... it was bad. Something happened, and he... I could feel that he was evil. And it was killing me to see it..." Alexis finished quietly, tears almost welling up in her eyes as she remembered the vision. Ron stepped forward and wrapped her in a gentle hug, whispering into her ear.
"Shh, it was just a vision. We're not sure if it was even real... everything's alright Alexis..." He cooed tenderly, and Alexis buried her head into his shoulder. After a quiet moment, she whispered. "Promise me Ron... Promise. We can't have any children. Please, promise."
Ron stiffened and was silent for a minute. Alexis hugged him tighter, asking urgently. "Please, Ron."
Ron relaxed, hugging her back tightly as he answered. "Alright Alexis. I... promise."
Alexis let out a sigh of relief, and then stepped away from him, drying her eyes. She noticed his eyes were downcast, and he seemed almost glum. She knew why and spoke tenderly. "It's for us Ron. I can't see us hurt like that if that were to happen. Better to not have children and live content than do and die of a broken heart."
Ron nodded slowly, looking at her and smiling slightly. "Better go see how Artimis is doing. You almost dropped her kid during your vision."
Alexis's eyes widened and she turned to the door. Ron grabbed her hand and she smiled up at him smally before leaving the room, Ron following behind her, not letting on to his true depression at her words.
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Artimis looked down at her beautiful baby girl, smiling at this feeling or joy and wonder. She saw Alexis looking down at her. Artimis looked at her daughter and then to Alexis, a hopeful smile on her face.
"Do you want to hold her?" Artimis asked softly and Alexis looked at her with surprise.
Alexis replied quietly, pointing at herself. "Me? You want me to hold it? I mean, her?"
Artimis held in a chuckled as she nodded, holding the fragile baby out for Alexis to take her. She watched as Alexis swallowed and cautiously stepped forward, reaching out to cradle the child carefully. She stood back up straight, gazing down at the tiny wriggling form with her eyes. Artimis felt a sort of pride but it was unexplainable. She was now, officially, a mother.
"Wow, all that, over this. I don't get it man..." Alexis mumbled quietly to herself and Artimis watched her look her child over. Ron walked up besides her, looking down at the baby with admiration and a smile. Alexis looked up at him and sighed, looking back down at the baby. Artimis watched Alexis smiling sweetly at her daughter and then the movement of her husband caught her attention. She was looking at him when she felt something was off and she saw that Alexis went rigid. Artimis's arms instinctively went out and clutched her child to her. She felt Alexis being mentally cut off from her and Artimis checked her baby quickly, returning her gaze to Alexis quickly. She watched as Alexis came to and saw a look of fear fill her eyes and she quickly pulled Ron out of the room. Artimis watched her go with confusion, but it quickly subsides as Draco spoke groggily.
"I had the weirdest dream, I dreamed you went into la- bor." He stuttered as she saw him look at the small child cradled in her arms.
"Oh my god. Is that?"
"Your daughter, yes. Now come here." She told him with underlying anger and he half-crawled forward, leaning on the couch next to her.
"You passed out on me. Alexis had to hold my hand through the worst." She whined and he frowned, looking at the baby and touching his finger to her little fist.
"I'm so sorry sweet heart. And I'm sorry to you too, Selena." He spoke and Artimis smirked at him, looking down at her daughter.
"Selena, you're right, I do like it now. Selena Alexandria Malfoy kinda has a ring to it." Artimis mumbled as she kissed her daughter's forehead.
"She has such little hands. She is so beautiful. I love you sweetheart." Draco spoke as Selena wrapped her tiny fingers around his index finger and he looked at Artimis, smiling like no tomorrow.
"Knock, Knock, can I come in." Remus's voice echoed and Artimis looked up at him, tears rimming her eyes in her joy.
"Yes, come here." Artimis spoke excitedly and he rushed forward looking down at the bundle in her arms. He smiled sweetly asking softly.
"Her name?"
"Selena." Draco replied in a soft tone, looking down at her.
"May I?" Remus asked, holding his arms out. Artimis looked at him and nodded, lifting Selena up and placing her in his arms. He held her close to him and smiled down at her.
"Well Hello Selena. You're a pretty little girl aren't you? I'm your Grandpa Remus. I intend on spoiling your rotten, cause you look like a little angel." He whispered and Artimis smiled, seeing the joy on his face. He kissed the baby softly on her pink little forehead and passed her back to Artimis. He flashed her a smile and then he started to walk out the room.
The door opened and Molly walked in.
"Oh I want to hold the baby." She spoke and an instinct in Artimis kicked in.
Not a member of the herd, defend... She felt spoken to her and Artimis shook her head, clutching her child close to her.
"NO. Make her go." Artimis spoke and Molly looked at her offended.
"Nonsense dearie, It's me, mum. You must be delirious from exerting yourself." Molly spoke, coming forward and Artimis held Selena close to her, letting shadows flow from her as they created a dome around her, Selena, and Draco. She heard Remus speaking, making Molly leave and then she let the shadows down, breathing heavily.
"Artimis, are you ok? You just freaked out on Mum." Draco asked and she shook her head.
"I don't want anyone but the family in here. NOONE but those who are my close family, my h-, peoples." Artimis spoke, cutting herself off from saying 'herd'.
"Ok, no problem honey. But Hailey says that in a few minutes I need to move you and Selena to our room." Draco spoke and Artimis nodded.
The door opened again and Artimis reared her head up, looking to see Remus entering again. She sighed, watching as Severus followed him. Her mind thought on him for a moment, but he had already been established as a member of the family/herd.
"May I hold Selena again?" Remus asked and Artimis looked at Selena, who was waving her little hands around and blinking her big blue eyes. Artimis nodded and let him take her from her arms softly. Artimis looked at Draco who was looking at her with a rim of tears. She wiped them away and kissed his forehead, knowing he must be feeling the same swell of emotion she was feeling. A hint of movement caught her eyes and she saw Remus handing Selena to Severus and trying to tell him how to hold a baby.
"I've held a newborn before you louse." Severus snorted, looking down at Selena. Artimis watched him carefully, making sure she didn't do something unexpected and drop her.
"You are cute, for a small pink thing." He mumbled and Remus snorted, looking at Selena.
"And this is your Uncle Severus, get used to the sarcasm, he gives it to everybody." Remus mused, trying to take Selena out of Severus's arms, but Severus shrugged him away, stepping over toward Artimis. He leaned down and handed her to Artimis, Artimis seeing something in him that worried her a bit. There seemed to be laughter in his eyes, and that was, well, odd. She took Selena from him and smiled down at Selena, who yawned, closing her eyes and falling asleep in her arms.
"Ok, honey, time to move you, so Greggory and Vincent can throw the couch away." Draco spoke, putting his arms behind her back and under her legs. Artimis put one arm around his neck and the other one securely held Selena to her. He walked her out of the lounge, past the guests and up the stairs carefully. He walked her into their bedroom and set her softly on the bed. Artimis handed Selena to him, realizing he had yet to hold his own child. She carefully got up, feeling oddly empty and stumbled over to the walking closet AKA the nursery. She grabbed a baby jumper and diaper and walked back into to the room. Draco was busy playing with the tuff of black hair on top of his daughter's head, mumbling to himself. Artimis set the stuff on the bed and took her daughter, unwrapping her from the blanket and dressing her. She handed her back to Draco and decided she needed a change of clothes. She quickly grabbed her clothes, still feeling kinda of weak, but as usual, ignoring it. She went to her bathroom and changed quickly, feeling sore. She came back out to find the cutest scene in the world. Draco had lay back on the bed and fallen asleep with Selena sleeping on his chest. He had both hands on her, one on her back and the other on her bottom. Artimis smiled as she leaned on the door, happily watching two of the most important people in her life sleep peacefully. Artimis sat on the bed beside Draco and tried to carefully move Draco's hands but he growled and snapped his eyes open angrily. She smiled and he smirked, letting their daughter go. She took Selena and lay down with her between them, smiling as she lay down, watching her. Draco got up and changed, turning the lights out and locking the doors, wanting to be alone with his family and Artimis didn't want it any other way.
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Alexis stood with Ron in the Lounge doorway, watching Artimis, Selena, and Draco together, feeling happy for them. She gazed up at Ron, who kept an arm around her waist as he watched them as well, his face a mask of longing and admiration. Alexis sighed, looking away from him as she thought to herself. I hate seeing him like this, but if that was indeed our child in my vision, I can't let it happen. He wasn't just your normal bad; there was something deeper there...
She thought, shivering slightly at the thought. Ron squeezed her to him, and she looked up and quickly gave him a smile, and he smiled back. They stepped aside, letting Draco leave, carrying Artimis with Selena in her arms. She nodded to herself, thinking once more. It's for the best...
She yawned tiredly, feeling a sudden wave of dizziness. She looked up at Ron and spoke. "I need lots of aspirin and a long nap."
Ron nodded, and then scooped her up into his arms, smiling at her tenderly as she returned the smile warmly. She leaned her head against his shoulder as they ascended the stairs, heading for their Tower. Ron kicked the door open, setting her down on her feet and closing the door behind him. Alexis retrieved a potion from her stock in her bathroom, downing it quickly. Then she proceeded to dress into pajamas as Ron changed into boxers. He slid into bed, and Alexis slid in next to him, extinguishing the lights with a wave of her wand. She turned into his embrace, snuggling into his warm chest as he drew in a deep breath. They were quiet for a moment, and then Alexis spoke quietly. "I'm sorry Ron. I know you wanted children, but... this wasn't just some random vision; it felt too real to be a 'what-if' kinda thing. Please understand..."
"It's okay Alexis. I do understand. And it's not like it's my choice if we are to have kids or not, you have a say in it as well, and I respect it. I still, and always will, love you, no matter the decision." Ron replied softly, hugging her tightly and kissing her on her head. Alexis smiled, letting out a sigh as she curled into him, the potion taking effect and sending her into peaceful slumber, Ron not far behind.
Is this the end, or only a new beginning!
This would seem to be a happy ending for our beloved heroines, if you could call them that. Artimis has the beginnings of her very own family. Alexis has found her one true love. Remus has a grandchild, which he didn't know he wanted, but got anyways. The rest of the house also grew in their own ways. Hailey is now a very, very independent woman with an opinion of her own. Aaron, well, he's a little less cocky and a little more interested in our Dear Hailey. Ron is married to the school crush of his dreams. And Draco finally has Artimis all to himself, well, he has to share with his daughter, but he's not complaining there. Fred and George, Crabbe and Goyle are still the two fearsome duos, not much changed there. Hermione, she doesn't change, she hasn't changed since first year, but she's not as annoying. Harry, he can finally rest on his laurels and enjoy the company of Ms. Ginny Weasley. And Severus, oh, dear, dear, dear Severus, has a, well, a family he knew he never wanted but now can't live without. It's funny how things work out.
But still there are questions unanswered, quests unfulfilled, and mysteries unsolved.
What of our Selena? How will this young child of a new generation of fearlessness grow, now not having the presence of the evil lord shadowing her growth?
And what of Severus and his new habitat and this new young one in his midst? Will he try to corrupt her? Will she corrupt him?
And what of Alexis's Vision, will it come true, or will she forever remain childless?
Will Ron break his promise to the woman he loves?
And what of all these new relationships emerging in this age, will we ever get to see them blossom and take root?
What of Artimis's career, could she leave her daughter to go back to the life of a Auror, a deadly job, or will she give it all up for her bright bundle of joy?
Find out all this and more in the Next installment of "The Misfits"!
"The Adventures of The Misfit Professors."
Coming this summer to a computer near you!
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EckoStalker: Dun dun dun... Yes, our own commercial. Tears up
Deep Shadows: Oh yeah, two down, two to go.
EckoStalker: We are good, go batman!
Remus: rubs forehead Oh no, we've let the crazies out of their cage.
Severus: NO, YOU let the them out of their cage.
EckoStalker: I don't like cages. Rambles under breath about cages.
Deep Shadows: I can't wait to work on the next one, so many questions to answer.
Severus: I need a nap. And a Draught of the Living Dead. NOW!
Remus: I second that motion.
Deep Shadows: Ecko, snap out of it, the muses are agreeing!
EckoStalker: Get them quick. IMPOSTERS!
Remus and Severus: ducks still leapt on by Ecko
EckoStalker: hold hands over Remus be gone demons, I demand the evilness to like, leave now.
Deep Shadows: rubs forehead She needs to stop watching the exorcist at 1:30 in the morning.
EckoStalker: 1:15 get it right.
Deep Shadows: We want to thank all of our reviewers, who have watched Artimis and Alexis grow up in front of them. And rest assured the growing isn't done.
EckoStalker: Be gone devils!
Deep Shadows: Well maybe in her case it has. Until we meet again. May your Quills and Keyboards be blessed.
EckoStalker: I like Quills, I'm gonna make one, their hard to make you know. Even harder to write with. To long of a time.
Remus and Severus: push Ecko off of them and get up storming off to their muse rooms in the house of writing. Good night.
EckoStalker: sighs I need ROOT BEER! WOOHOO!
Deep Shadows: Bye guys. Pop
EckoStalker: Hey, wait for me, you have my pen! Pop