Artemis did not allowed herself to scream, even out of shock, but she did lift her wand threateningly once on the ground. She had been impaired with a jinx and knew better than to try and regain mobility; she needed to defend herself before anything else. "Show yourself, don't be a coward!" She shouted, anger ringing in her voice. Humiliation tinted her cheeks a faint shade of red.
It was then when a visibly furious Draco came into sight, emerging from the shadows. His graceful body and movements contradicted the anger apparent on his face; his brown eyebrows were furrowed and his wand was pointing directly at Artemis. He walked over threateningly, like a predator stalking prey, and loomed over her without any indication of lowering his wand. She noticed his hands shaking and knew better than to think it was out of fear. I've never seen Malfoy this pissed. "How dare you follow me? How dare you?!" He seethed, lip curling with rage.
Typically, Artemis would feel at ease in his presence, knowing she had the advantage of manipulation and charm. Still, she felt a stab of worry at the sight of a furious Malfoy. Perhaps this really isn't a game to him, he might actually attack me. Deciding it would be best to resort to her typical banter, Artemis did just that, refusing to let Malfoy intimidate her.
"A tripping jinx, huh? Not too creative but I guess I appreciate not being slammed into a wall, so there's that." She spoke with confidence, glancing at him before looking away. She decided it was best to not escalate the situation, especially seeing that she was not in a favorable position, so she lowered her wand and softened her expression.
She turned her attention to her own body and began rubbing her elbow, wincing as she did so. Clearly, she was doing her best to dismiss Malfoy's anger. Draco evidently was in no mood for a witty retort and was unwilling to let the arrogant Gryffindor assume her normal position of dominance.
"What the hell are you doing here? Why are you following me? You can't stay away from me for a full day is that it?" He continued yelling, his voice growing louder, distorting his features even further. It was out of character for Malfoy to lose his temper in this manner; he was forbidden from raising his voice at home and especially forbidden from raising his voice to a witch. Surely his mother would disapprove of his emotional outburst.
Artemis did not answer right away, carefully considering her options. She glanced up at him once more, bit her bottom lip in thought, and finally attempted to get back on her feet. She predicted that the jinx had run its course by now, and to her satisfaction, she had full mobility once more.
Artemis chose to dance around the accusations; anything to avoid defeat. "First off, you don't know that I followed you. I have as much access to this dungeon as you. Secondly, what's your problem with me anyway? We're alone now, do tell me. Why are you so hostile?" She attempted to change the topic, not wanting to admit she had followed Malfoy down a trapdoor. For emphasis, she folded her arms across her chest in a challenging manner, acting as if she was in the right. Gryffindor pride.
For a second, Draco felt trapped; he couldn't bring himself to attack the girl that had been passing through his thoughts so frequently, yet he couldn't stand to allow someone to barge into his life and demand access to him. Nobody will humiliate me, especially not a Gryffindor blood traitor. Look at her, standing there bold as brass, acting as if she has every right in the world. "You did follow me and you know it!" He snapped, refusing to partake in her change of topic. Despite his determination, his anger had run its course and he lowered his wand.
After a moment of silence, Draco began a new train of thought before Artemis could speak. His voice had calmed and grew cold. "Stay away from me. You must really hate when people hate you, look at you. Out of your mind obsessed with me." He met her eyes and snorted, feeling the power shift that was occurring as he spoke. He felt the truth of his words as soon as he said them.
"You think everyone you encounter will fall to their feet in front of you, but you're really not that charming. You're really not that wonderful, and you're definitely not the center of the damn universe. You followed me for your own sake, this doesn't have anything to do with me. You're pathetic." Silence followed his confrontation; it seemed that he had defeated the dragon. Smiling coldly, Draco felt the impact he was having on Artemis; he didn't even need to look at her to know that he had won. Although his eyes scanned her beautiful face regardless, observing shock and offense alter her expression.
"Do not follow me again. Do not try to talk to me or interact with me in any way. Now, leave me alone before I start taking matters into my own hands." Draco threatened, waving his wand dramatically.
Artemis was at a loss for words and she stood there quite awkwardly, looking at Draco with pain in her eyes. She'd never been topped or silenced before. Furthermore, the truth stung. Finally, she blushed once again, a rather rare sighting, and glanced at the floor to avoid Draco's eyes. "Yeah, I guess you're right. I don't know how to handle being disliked, and maybe I've been obsessing over you a wee bit. You've been quite the fun challenge." She paused and focused on her shoe for a heartbeat. "I guess I should treat you like a real person rather than something to be won over." Artemis felt her heart beating as she spilled the truth. Being vulnerable was something new for her. She quickly looked up at Draco and half jokingly added, "Clearly I have ego problems."
Draco sneered and replied, "to say the least, Lupin." A moment of silence followed, which seemed endless to Artemis. She couldn't believe Malfoy's change in attitude. He wasn't gloating or trying to hurt her, or even using her words against her. How rare. She couldn't help but smile; he forgave me. She noticed his face had softened and his shoulders had relaxed, making her feel calmer. Artemis then eyed his wand, which was unintentionally illuminating his expensive shoes.
"Did you pick out those shoes?" She questioned, bending over slightly for a better glance. She was utterly distracted, having already moved on. Draco was taken by surprise, but answered nonetheless, "Yes. Father doesn't dictate every aspect of my life."
"I like them," Artemis smiled at him, causing his confusion to grow. "I need to go now," Draco began with an uncertain voice, making way to leave the way he emerged from. Before he could move, Artemis raised her wand ahead of her and walked in the same direction, taking the lead. "Let's go then." She called, turning back to meet his gaze, eyes sparkling. Draco sighed as he watched a gryffindor explore the secret passage he thought was only his. He knew he wouldn't be able to persuade Artemis to leave, so left with no choice, he followed behind her.
"You ruined this for me" Draco said coldly, with a faint sadness in his voice. Artemis picked up on this immediately and allowed him to take the lead before saying, "Can't this be our thing? Or our place? You know, meaning shared." She asked with enthusiasm, adding in a quick "Or I'll pretend I never saw it, if that's what you want" when she saw the anger in his eyes. Maybe I'm granting him too much respect now.
"The second option Lupin. You did not see this." Draco snapped. He lead the way down the dark hallway until they reached a circular metal door. Before Artemis could so much as sigh with disappointment, Draco entered a combination of numbers and letters on the nearby password slate. A loud click followed, indicating that the door could now be opened. It never droned on Artemis how intelligent Draco was; she glanced at him curiously, with newfound respect. If she was amazed before the door opened, it was nothing to the amazement she felt when she stepped through the doorway.
"Wow" Artemis gasped, eyes wide, while Draco chuckled lightly next to her. The doorway transformed into a huge circular pipe that extended out of the castle, to the grounds. Artemis and Draco walked up to the edge, facing the world. He really found a secret passage out of Hogwarts, Artemis thought in amazement. The pipe was around ten feet off the ground, which wouldn't prevent Artemis from exiting it in the saw Hagrid's hut in the distance, next to the forbidden forest, along with other parts of the castle. Artemis peeked beyond the pipe to see the star-filled sky, amazement lining her face. She remembered faintly seeing this pipe when she was on the grounds during the day. It was always blocked off by the door and nobody assumed it to be anything but a useless pipe.
"You really found an exit, this is a gem Malfoy!" Artemis exclaimed in excitement. She sat on the edge and let her legs dangle. "Yes and it was mine until you forced yourself in." Draco muttered darkly. He continued standing, looking out into the distance. Artemis patted the spot next to her, indicating that he should sit. He raised his lip in disgust before eventually sitting next to her. Seeing that the pipe was circular, it wasn't the most comfortable place to walk through or sit, but Artemis didn't care.
It was fall now and the weather was rather cold, causing Artemis' teeth to chatter. "I suppose you want my cloak then?" Draco sneered, glancing at her in light amusement. Artemis gave him a dirty look. "Why would I want it? We need to feel the temperatures of our world to know we're alive." She said simply, as if that were common knowledge. "Right, I'll make sure everyone knows your last words when they find you under a pile of snow." Draco retorted.
Artemis didn't respond, but turned her head to look at him. She noted his profile and observed the beauty marks that were sprinkled lightly around his face. Draco felt her eyes on him and turned to look at her, excepting her to look away. She didn't, and his sight moved back to the dark trees; holding eye contact proved to be too much for him.
"Am I so beautiful that you can't help but stare?" Draco snapped after a few heartbeats, growing uncomfortable. He heard Artemis giggle next to him, and she responded with, "Indeed you are." Draco felt his cheeks flush and wished he were in his common room, away from such an embarrassing moment.
"Are you going away for the holiday break?" Artemis inquired, ignoring Draco's embarrassment. "It's coming up soon you know." "Yes. Father made it clear that I'll always come home during breaks." He paused, before letting his pride down enough to ask about her. "And you?"
"Dad said it's my choice, yet this year he's making me go. Kinda contradictory, don't you think?" She replied. "I do miss him though, I think I'd go regardless. Not to mention he's alone in the house." She concluded in a slightly sadder tone, leaving a conflicted Malfoy unsure of what to say. Luckily for him, this was Artemis he was next to, a girl who didn't dwell on her sorrow or ask for sympathy.
"You know, I'll admit it's pretty brilliant that you found this passage. I underestimated you." She winked at him. "Do my ears deceive me? Did I actually make Draco Malfoy laugh?" Artemis teased. "Shut up before I set Crabbe on you again Lupin." Draco retorted.
Artemis laughed, stretched her legs out before her, and got to her feet. "I think I'll turn in, I just came from a grueling detention session, not to mention that it's 1:18 A.M. now." She said after glancing at her watch. Draco got to his feet as well, "I suppose I should too."
They walked back inside, passed through the circular door that Draco proceeded to close and headed down the hallway together. "You're not quite as horrible as you try to be" Artemis remarked seriously. "You don't know how horrible I am or am not," was all that Draco said.
They walked through the dark hallway and climbed up the stairs. At the top, Artemis pushed open the trapdoor and stepped out, holding it open for Draco. When they were both out, Draco started looking around frantically for something. Artemis suddenly remembered that she pocketed the lock, and she took it out and presented it to him. "You forgot this, you careless person, you." Artemis scolded jokingly.
"Oh please, give me that." Draco said, snatching it from her. He quickly placed it on the door and popped it shut. He got up, looking rather pleased with himself. Artemis pulled on his arm before he could walk away, almost throwing him off balance. "Take your hands off me Lupin, you'll tear my robes!" Draco snapped. Artemis remained unphased; she was looking at him, waiting to ask her question. "One last thing before you go to bed," she started with a small smile. "How did you manage to open that? Those enchantments surely can't be broken by students?" Artemis eyed the lock once more, wondering if she had the power to open it.
"Don't waste your time trying, it'll only upset your ego. I have my ways" Draco said with a smile. He watched her face for a moment before reaching into his robes and pulling out a small golden key. Artemis was about to ask what the key was but Draco answered her question before she asked it. "This key has been in my family for a long time. It has the ability to open almost any door and any lock, despite the enchantments." Draco declared with a proud puff of his chest.
Artemis laughed, "Well, well. I see your family was good for something" she joked. Catching sight of his face, she rolled her eyes and assured him she was joking. Draco only scowled in return.
"Well Mr. Malfoy, I'd say we made great progress tonight. I'll be coming here often, I can assure you that; you won't miss me for too long." Artemis flashed him a grin and they looked at each other for a heartbeat before Draco cleared his throat. "I never agreed to you coming back here but I know you won't let up. Don't make me regret showing you this, Lupin. Promise you won't tell anyone. Promise me." His voice had turned serious and his gray eyes pierced hers.
Artemis couldn't believe she was making a promise to Draco Malfoy, but without thinking about it any deeper, she promised him. "I promise you that nobody shall know," she assured. Looking visibly less tense, Draco almost smiled. "I promise too," He added hurriedly, embarrassed to be making promises to a Gryffindor. He suddenly realized that he didn't need to promise her anything, seeing as this was his secret. He cursed himself internally.
"Great. Well, goodnight Draco" Artemis said quietly, a softness in her voice that wasn't there before. Draco felt a shiver running down his back as he heard her say his name. He couldn't explain the reason for it, or why his heart skipped a beat, but he knew he wanted to hear her say it again. He observed her doe eyes, laced with long lashes, and felt the urge to run away. He couldn't handle the emotions her hazel eyes brought forth.
"Goodnight" he said quietly, before turning away gracefully. He had learned many things from his parents, one of the most valuable being manners. Draco shuddered at the thought of his father knowing about Artemis. As he walked back to the Slytherin common room, he didn't notice a shadow lurking in the distance.