Alternate Ending
By: EckoStalker

Disclaimer: The Harry Potter crew ain't mine, savvy? I own everyone and everything else (besides the HP world), with the aid of Deep Shadows.
Author's Notes: ---MUST READ!---
This is a sort-of spin-off. This scene/story branches off from Seven Years Later... Chapter 7 ('Finding Out Who You Are'). It is another outcome of Seven Years Later. As in what could've happened had Artimis decided to take matters into her own hands upon waking at the Manor... yep, I was angry when I wrote this... good inspiration for these types of stories... And yeah! I'm gonna be very dramatic in this, so live with it!
(da da-da da, da da-da da DA!)
MUST HAVE READ 7 YEARS LATER CHAPTER 7!

Artimis awoke in a soft bed, which disturbed her. Her eyes flashed open and her eyes darted around fearfully.

Surrounded by Deatheaters in disguise again... She thought angrily as she glanced at Alexis sleeping deeply beside her, Remus and Ron sleeping nearby in chairs, Severus sleeping in a corner, and Draco sleeping on the couch.

''Hmm...To kill them now, or find out how many there are altogether?" She asked herself. In her mind, these were all Deatheaters, trying to get her to transport to the real Manor Dela Loyalty, but she would not fall for it. Her family had died for that secret, a secret she would keep if only for the sake of their memory, and these people had killed them.

Artimis felt a rage grow within her that she could not withhold much longer. How idiotic of these Deatheaters to think that she would be fooled into thinking that these were her family and friends!

She slowly sat up in the bed she had been place in, in a room that resembled her own, only a space cleared for them. Trembling with anger, she studied the sleeping forms around her intently. What seemed to be Draco slept beside her bed on a couch, an air of relief tinged with a pall of unease lingering over him.

Hm... Unease because he knows that he will die for his foolery...

Artimis thought smugly, glancing over at a sleeping "Lupin" and "Ron". Lupin was slumped in a chair, snoring gently. A good act, Artimis commented to herself, but not good enough. Ron was sprawled in a chair directly beside abed that contained none other than Alexis herself. A sight she thought she would never see was in the form of Ron's hand resting gently on Alexis's own.

This further added to Artimis's angered unbelief. She stood quickly and backed towards the door, gaze darting about like that of a caged animal.

A form in the corner diverted her attention, and she viewed Severus Snape sitting on the floor in a corner, watching her fearfully. Something the real Severus would never have done. She narrowed her eyes and hissed.

"You all will pay for killing MY Family..."

Then her gaze locked once again on Alexis, who slept peacefully, with a hint of the characteristic, carefree smile that her dear Alexis had used to wear.

That was the last straw. That was the worst mistake her enemies could've made, to try and imitate her best friend, her sister. Artimis shook with rage; eyes darkening as all the pain of her wounds were crushed under the rising wave of anger that consumed her. She yelled aloud, grabbing the nearest person to her by the throat.

It happened to be Draco.

His eyes snapped open in shock as she lifted him from the couch with inhumane strength, her fingers digging into his throat, her nails drawing blood. He frantically clutched at her hand as it cruelly cut off his oxygen. He kicked and struggled, trying to call out to her, but all in vain. Artimis smiled malevolently, reveling in this Deatheater's panicked and scared wide-eyed gaze.

"Let him go Callabella." A deep voice ordered, and she looked over Draco to see Severus standing and warily pointing a wand at her. She smirked, then heaved and threw Draco at him, sending them both crashing into the far wall. The loud thuds woke Lupin and Ron. Lupin jumped to his feet in confusion, only to be high kicked by Artimis in the jaw, knocking him into the ground painfully. Alexis yawned and looked around, dazed stare lingering on Artimis, a smile being brought to her lips that quickly vanished at Artimis's murderous black gaze.

"YOU will suffer worst of all Deatheater scum!" Artimis screamed, diving towards Alexis, who scrambled back fearfully and fell off the bed. Ron, who had jumped to aid Alexis, rammed Artimis out of the way roughly. Artimis glared at him and growled angrily, spinning and kicking his feet out from under him. He thudded to the ground painfully as Artimis rose to her feet triumphantly. She saw Alexis wobbly standing and backing up hesitantly, watching Artimis carefully.

"A, Artimis... it's okay... it's m, me..."

"I know you not imposter!" Artimis yelled, stepping towards her. Her feet were swept out from under her as Ron yanked her to the ground.

"Stop it! Leave her alone!" Ron commanded, attempting to keep hold of Artimis. She merely smirked and kicked him off, standing and yanking him to his feet. She then rammed him against the wall, slamming into his ribs unmercilessly. She thought she heard a satisfying crack. Ron yelped painfully, doubling over and falling to his knees, clutching his ribs. Artimis moved to deal him a last blow when something hit her from behind, her arms pinned to her side. She looked down over her shoulder to see Alexis restraining her.

Alexis gazed up at Artimis pleadingly, though saw no recognition in her darkening blue eyes, only an intense anger lined with deep sorrow. Alexis tried reaching her mentally, but encountered a solid mind block that gave Alexis visions of living shadow and pent up rage. Alexis felt deep down that she would witness the full power of her friend very soon.

"You can't fool me with the mind link. Many wizards, and Deatheaters, can use Occlumency." Artimis hissed, feeling her mind being probed. She flung Alexis to the side, turning to face her. Alexis gazed up at her, wide-eyed and pale. Artimis smiled grimly. A hand latched around her ankle and she looked down, meeting the pained glare of Ron. She frowned as he spoke.

"Damnit Artimis, snap out of it! Are you really going to kill your best friend?"

"My best friend is dead. And YOU all killed her!" She growled back, snatching her foot away and kicking Ron in the jaw. She saw Lupin getting up, and summoned her wand to her, pointing it at him and yelling, "Crucio!"

Lupin collapsed to the ground once again, writhing and cringing in pain.

"NOOO!" Alexis cried angrily, tackling Artimis to the ground and snatching the wand away, tossing it behind her. She shook Artimis, glaring in angered confusion. "Think about what you're doing sister!"

"I'm avenging my family... and you screwed up by calling me that, Deatheater." Artimis snapped back, punching at Alexis, catching her slightly in her very sensitive jaw. Alexis fell back, groaning as Artimis flipped to her feet, ignoring her own torn open wounds. She summoned her wand to her once more, spinning and catching Severus Snape pointing his own at her. It was quiet as they faced off.

"Go ahead. Curse me. Cause if you don't, you'll be sorry." Artimis stated quietly.

"Artimis, we aren't Deatheaters... put the wand down." He spoke lowly, hesitantly lowering his wand an inch in nervousness. Artimis took the chance and yelled. "Expelliarmus!" Sending Snape flying back into the wall and cracking his head against it. He crumpled to the ground in a daze besides a bleeding Draco, whom was out of it, his neck bruised and red.

Artimis turned back to Alexis, who was rubbing her jaw and rising to her knees. Artimis thought a moment, then calmly pocketed her wand, walked up to Alexis, and grabbed a fistful of her soft white hair. Alexis yelped and clutched Artimis's arm as she was dragged out the door and towards the flight of stairs.

Alexis, tears of pain and confusion in her saddened green eyes, looked up at the tormented Artimis. She knew Artimis didn't mean to do this to them all, knowing her tormentors must had done something to her to make her think this way. But Alexis also knew that if she couldn't stop Artimis, Artimis would kill them all. She struggled against Artimis's latch on her hair and neck, but in vain of the vice grip. The angered woman started down the stairs, dragging Alexis behind her, the hard edges of the steps bruising her fragile frame.

Alexis couldn't take it anymore, she whispered. "Sorry..." as she turned to her wolf form. She twisted in Artimis's grasp and chomped down on her ankle. Artimis stumbled to a halt, looking down at Alexis in odd wonder, indifferent to the pain. A very brief flicker of uncertainty shown in her eyes as Artimis surveyed the wolf, but it quickly vanished as Artimis sneered, coming to a conclusion.

"Very clever Deatheater. To imitate my dear Alexis to the point of copying her Animagus form... you and your kind must be desperate to persuade me... I have to admit I'm impressed. But not enough to spare you any longer."

Alexis switched back to her human form, looking amazed.

"Damnit! You're a stubborn fucking woman!" She yelled in exasperation. Artimis replied by throwing her the rest of the way down the stairs. Alexis cried out in pain as she thudded down, rolling off the bottom step and stopping, whimpering and cringing in upon herself slightly, eyes shut tight.

Two red haired heads popped into view, and Fred and George Weasley surveyed the scene with confusion. They viewed Artimis, her whole countenance dark and menacing, gloating down at Alexis, who lay hurt and bleeding along the ground. They immediately ran to her side, carefully lifting her to a sitting position as she whimpered.

"Foolish to show yourselves!" Artimis boomed in a low voice, raising her arms towards them. They watched in awe as Artimis's own shadow seemed to ripple and expand, oozing down the stairs and along the walls, darkening the Foyer room with a life of its own. As they watched, her moving shadow branched upon reaching the bottom step, taking the shape of two hands along the ground, just like Artimis's outstretched ones.

Artimis smirked, closing her hands. This triggered her shadow hands to reach up and close around the Twins, the inky blackness chilling them to the core. She lifted them up, slowly squeezing, reveling in their pained whimpers and vanishing body heat. Alexis tried to stand, but failed, watching wide-eyed and trembling as she fought to push back her pain enough to save them. Luckily, Hermione ran in, took one look, and pulled out her wand. Thinking quickly, she spoke as she pointed her wand at Artimis. "Lumos Maximus!"

A flash of blinding light filled the room, causing Artimis to yell out in surprise. She dropped her arms to cover her temporarily blinded eyes, releasing the Twins from her shadow hands. They collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath and shivering uncontrollably from the frigidness of the shadows. Hermione stood in front of all three as the Twins crawled beside Alexis, who was trying to get to her knees.

"Artimis stop and think for a damn moment. You're not using your head... this is all common sense..." Hermione spoke logically as usual, using her intellect and putting two and two together to find the reason why Artimis was acting this way. Artimis rubbed her eyes viciously, trying to rid of the spots dancing in front of them. She scowled angrily, and then yelled.

"Accio sword!"

Hermione dove to the floor as the sword flew from some resting place, almost grazing the top of her head. Artimis grasped it, feeling eased by the cold steel and the weight of it. She did not stop to think of how these Deatheaters had got it.

She jumped off the steps to the bottom, swinging the sword and smoothly slicing it across the back of Hermione's shoulders. Hermione cried out in anguish, clutching at the bleeding wound as she sat on her knees. Artimis raised her sword above the woman's head, bringing it down in a smooth arc.

There was a resounding crack, Artimis's sword edge colliding with a pair of black and red nunchucks instead of flesh. She looked up in confusion. Alexis stared back, pale and trembling, straining upwards with her nunchucks against Artimis's downward force on her sword. Alexis heaved up, making Artimis stumble back as Alexis spun away gracefully, falling into her battle stance, the nunchucks held protectively in front of her.

"I don't want to fight you Artimis. I just want you to calm down and stop hurting your family." Alexis spoke calmly, evaluating the situation. The Twins scrambled to Hermione, helping her up and backing out of the way of the face off between friends.

"Alexis, not fight? You are obviously not her, Alexis would always fight, even against me!"

"Not if it meant one of us dying! ... But I can't continue to let you hurt anyone else... I will do what I must." Alexis spoke quietly, hurting herself more so than anyone. But her family was at risk; it was her duty to protect them, even against her pact sister, even if it meant her life.

Artimis let out a battle cry, running at Alexis with her sword in front. Alexis bowed her head in grim acceptance, and then nimbly jumped out of the way, twirling her nunchucks downward and knocking the sword thrust wide.

Artimis took it in stride and used the momentum of the push to spin around and slice her weapon towards Alexis's feet. Alexis jumped over the blade, swinging her weapon and catching Artimis's elbow with a solid thwack. Artimis hissed in pain and backed up at step, glaring angrily as she favored the injured elbow. She pushed it aside and raised her sword, angrily performing a series of complicated parries and thrusts, forcing Alexis into the defense.

Alexis spun her nunchucks into a blur, frantically trying to avoid the flurry of the onslaught. All she could do was block; any attack on her part would result in a missing limb no doubt. But another, stronger worry nagged at the back of Alexis's mind, something telling her that something bad was about to happen, something very bad.

She was backed against a wall in the spacious Foyer, ducking in the nick of time as Artimis swung at her head. Alexis rammed her nunchucks up, catching Artimis under the chin and partially in the throat, causing her to stumble and fall to one knee. Alexis then stood and kicked Artimis back onto the floor.

She stood over her, nunchucks poised, as Artimis gasped for breath, glaring up at her. She attempted to jump up, but Alexis put a foot on her chest and pushed her back down, speaking quickly with short breaths.

"If I was a bloody Deatheater, I would've already killed you. Please Artimis, stop fighting... this isn't going to end well... I, I can feel it..."

"Nope, it isn't. Because you're going to die." Artimis growled as she hit Alexis in the kneecap with the hilt of her sword. Alexis yelped in pain as she stumbled and fell to the side. Artimis flipped up and swung her sword at her. Alexis gasped and blocked quickly with her nunchucks, mere inches from her throat. Already weakened and tired, Alexis gave away to the force and fell back, pushing the sword away to the side.

Artimis grit her teeth angrily. How could this witch fight so diligently against her? No Deatheater had ever matched her this well, it was as if she knew Artimis's style...

No matter... she will die. I will avenge my sister's death if it be the end of me...

Artimis turned back to Alexis, who had rolled away and now stood shakily in the Living room doorway, favoring her left leg. Artimis unexpectedly yanked out her wand, reveling in the look of dismayed surprise on the woman's face. She yelled, "Lepidae!"as Alexis tried to dodge away. The spell followed and collided with her, forcing cries of pain from her as her every nerve sparked with daggers of white-hot pain. She fell to her knees, trembling as the spell wore away.

She looked up to meet the gaze of Artimis. Something clicked in Alexis's mind, and she realized that she would have to hurt Artimis if she wanted any chance of bringing back her sanity. She had held back before, but it was getting harder to defend herself. She had no other choice.

Green eyes shimmering with unshed tears; Alexis snapped her nunchucks sharply, the end whacking Artimis in the jaw. She winced and fell back a step, giving Alexis time to force herself to her feet. She immediately spun her weapon again, cracking against Artimis's wrist and making her release her sword.

Artimis grasped her wrist painfully, but didn't utter a sound. Alexis spun without hesitation and kicked out, catching Artimis again in the face. She fell to one knee, spitting out blood, but merely glared. Alexis went to strike again, but Artimis shot her leg out and attempted to sweep Alexis off her feet. Instead of thudding to the ground though, Alexis went with the fall, twisting to fall on her back and kicking out, planting both feet square in Artimis's chest, knocking her harshly to the ground. Alexis stood shakily, leering over Artimis, nunchucks raised.

Artimis gazed up without fear, breathing labouredly, ready for the deathblow that would send her to meet her friends and family.

But, it never came.

Alexis stood still, breathing shallow and shaky, tensed to strike, but she couldn't. Her body wouldn't cooperate. Her heart wouldn't let her. It was then that she suddenly realized there was yet another way, a way to bring Artimis's sanity back without hurting her. But, it would require a tremendous price.

She slowly lowered her weapon, trembling and pale as Artimis watched her in confusion. Alexis fell back a step, shaking her head.

"I'm done beating you." She whispered, eyes blazing sadly. Though, every fiber of her being screamed to her that this action would most likely be fatal.

And they were right.

Artimis spoke, "Well, I'm not." With lightning speed, Artimis reached behind her and grabbed the sword laying behind her head, sitting up and jabbing it smoothly under Alexis's ribcage, the tip protruding from her back with the plunge. She stood quickly, eyes sharp with eagerness.

Alexis's eyes widened and her breath hitched in her throat as she stared in wonder at Artimis.

Artimis almost immediately doubled over, sharp pains blossoming across her stomach and ribs as if she herself had just been stabbed. Looking down at her stomach, she saw a small slice form right under her ribcage, in the exact same place where the sword had penetrated Alexis. She gasped with short breaths as she tried to figure out how this was happening.

Alexis looked down at the sword in amazement, swaying giddily as she stumbled back a step. She gazed back up at Artimis with shock. Artimis painfully looked up, locking eyes with her. With the sudden pain and confusion, Artimis had let down the mind block that had consisted of revenge and sorrow, now suddenly feeling the other presence in her mind; the one that she just realized had actually been there the whole time.

A tortured voice echoed softly in her head. (Artimis... forgive me. I have failed you...)

The thought voice, she now knew, was her dear Alexis's.

Understanding and horror dawned in Artimis's eyes as she gazed at the wounded woman, suddenly realizing what she had done and to whom. "A... Alexis?"

Alexis's dulling green eyes suddenly brightened, and she momentarily forgot the throbbing pain in her abdomen as a great swelling of joy and relief filled her.

Her sister was back, she was okay... that was all Alexis had wanted to see before she had to leave...

Alexis smiled up at Artimis, a thin trickle of deep red blood leaking out the corner of her mouth as she gazed at her, oddly tired. Artimis reached out a trembling hand and touched Alexis's cheek as if in disbelief, tears running down her own cheeks as she studied her friend. Her friend, and not a Deatheater.

Alexis winced and grew dizzy, her feet losing feeling as she swayed and collapsed. Artimis immediately caught her, lowering her slowly and tenderly to the ground, cradling Alexis in her arms.

"My d, dear Artimis... you're back n, now?" Alexis stammered quietly with held back pain, green eyes wide and shining.

"Sshh... Yes sister, I'm back... just stay quiet now..." Artimis whispered back, shakily wrapping her hand around the sword where it entered Alexis's body. Alexis gasped suddenly and grabbed her hand with her own strangely cool ones. Artimis looked to her worriedly.

"L, leave it Artimis. No sense I... in taking it out n, now..."

"Don't you dare say that! I'm back, and you're staying. You hear me?" Artimis sobbed out, moving a damp strand of white hair out of Alexis's eyes. Alexis smiled wearily, coughing painfully, flecks of blood appearing on her lips. Artimis's eyes widened and she put a hand over Alexis's wound around the sword edge, attempting to stop the blood flow.

"Oh my God... I'm s, so sorry, I... oh my God... Alexis, please, I didn't mean for..." Artimis choked out brokenly, eyes blurred with hot tears. Alexis reached up and put a shaking hand on her mouth, quieting her. Artimis grasped her hand tightly.

"Remember what y, you said t, to me... those m... many times you took t, the blame or the b, blow for me?..." Alexis asked quietly, grimacing slightly. Artimis frowned in confusion, watching her intently.

"Well, I... I never really knew w, what you meant... until now... Now... when it's my time to say it..."

"S, say what Alexis?"

Alexis gazed at her tenderly and smiled.

"This didn't happen b, because of you. It isn't your fault. This h, happened because I love you. Don't ever forget that, s... sister..."

"I w, won't Alexis... because, you'll be there to remind me... j, just stay calm now... stay with me..." Artimis spoke soothingly, her heart being torn into messy pieces and trampled as she gazed down at Alexis. There were hurried footsteps, and Lupin and Severus appeared in the Living Room doorway. They froze midstep; eyes wide as they viewed the scene lay out before them, faces a mask of fear and disbelief. Artimis looked up with a lost kind of look, speaking hastily.

"Go g, get someone... please hurry... she's hurt bad..."

Severus turned and immediately bolted out the front door with a flurry of black cloaks, apparating away in his search. Lupin stood stock still, staring down at Alexis. Alexis gazed back, her features taking on an apologetic look. She knew she was going to have to leave him without a daughter soon...

Lupin stumbled back a step, grabbing onto the wall for support. He already knew that Severus would be too late. His knees gave way and he slid down along the wall, sitting with his back against it, trembling and pale, silent tears slipping down his wearied face.

Alexis coughed again, stiffening with pain as her breath came in shorter, another line of blood forming on her mouth. She closed her eyes tight, a single pearl-like tear running down onto her cheek.

"Please... you can't leave me Alexis... don't go..." Artimis cried, hugging Alexis to her. Alexis spoke back through their mind link, unable to gather enough strength to speak aloud.

(Don't think of it as me leaving forever Artimis... we will see each other again someday... tell them all that... watch out for Remus for me... and, tell Ron that... that it wasn't all in vain. Tell him... I loved him. Deep down, I always knew it to be true...)

"I will... I'll tell him..." Artimis whispered reassuringly, gently rocking back and forth. Alexis nodded gratefully, closing her eyes contentedly. She no longer grimaced or winced, her whole body all numb to feeling. Her shallow breath came slower, and she looked up at Artimis once more, forcing out her last bit of strength to speak.

"Well... We finally know that this is one race that I beat you at..." Alexis whispered, the fiery spark of life in her emerald eyes sputtering low, like flames. She gave one last smile, the characteristic, carefree smile of Alexis Whyte, and her eyes closed for the last time in the Eternal Sleep, her body losing its tenseness in Artimis's arms.

Artimis hugged her tight, burying her head in Alexis's still soft white hair and wept freely, her whole form trembling violently. The second presence in her mind vanished like an autumn leaf in the wind, leaving Artimis feeling hollow, lonely, scared. She clutched at her dear sister, as if hanging onto the last shred of sanity that she still possessed.

Tears fell steadily as she sobbed brokenly, and another voice joined her own in the form of Lupin's. He still sat against the wall, knees drawn up and his head buried in his arms, as he shook with his own wrenching sobs, oblivious to all else.

There were some more faltering footsteps, and Ron Weasley stumbled painfully down the stairs, clutching his ribs tightly. He collapsed in the doorway, looking around painfully, and his eyes rested on Artimis and Alexis, and the sword protruding from Alexis's stomach. His breath caught in his throat, and his mind went numb at the horrific sight. Artimis looked up, eyes red and lower lip trembling.

"Ron... y, you know I... I didn't m... mean to... I d, don't know w... what h, happened..." She stammered quietly between sobs, shaking her head. Swallowed the lump of sorrow in his throat as he gazed at Alexis, unable to reply, unable to move.

...She was lost to him forever...his one love, gone...

Artimis looked down at Alexis tenderly, still rocking her. She spoke to him without looking up. "Ron, she h... had a message for you... she said f, for me to t... tell you... it wasn't in vain... f, for... she loved you as well..."

She looked up at him. "... She loved you Ron..."

Ron's eyes widened and a faint smile shone on his lips as his eyes closed and he passed out cold.

Artimis turned back to Alexis, still hugging her. After a while, she lessened her hold and gently kissed Alexis on the forehead, slowly laying her prone on the floor. She smoothed the white hair out of Alexis's calm and peaceful face, rising to her knees beside her. Once more, a vengeful rage swelled within her body, but this one was cold and calculating. And Artimis knew exactly what she was going to do with it and to whom this time.

Every, last, one of those Deatheaters would pay before the night was through... she vowed this upon her own life, knowing that it wouldn't last much longer if she followed this vow, but accepting her fate with a crazed eagerness. She grabbed the hilt of her sword, and, as gently as possible, pulled the sword from Alexis's body, blood flowing no more from the wound. She stood up smoothly, gazing down at the bloody hands that took her sister's life, knuckles turning white as she clutched the red stained sword. She looked up, blue eyes blazing with anger, revenge, and bloodlust. She gazed around at the shocked and saddened occupants of the Manor who had entered the room and spoke in a low voice laced with venom that echoed around the room.

"Watch over Alexis... I have some unfinished business to attend to..."

With that, she gracefully stalked out the front door with sword in hand, the crazed predator set loose on her hunt.

Looks like a reasonable place for Ecko to end it right...
Well that's what she thought, but i made her write part two, which will be here on Friday...