A/N: This chapter's slightly slow at the beginning...okay i am joking, it is damn slow at the begining...but do put up with it as it is necessary...and my writing skills will improve )
Story: All's fair in love
Author: ∂ลякลиgэl
Summary: Artemis knew that falling in love with him, a man back from the dead was not following her set rules. But rules after all are meant to be broken. Follow Artie as she discovers new horcruxes and a love. Set after HBP. Contains spoilers for DH. Sirius/OC.
Current Rating: T
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot and Artemis.
Disclaimer : I own nothing but the plot and Artemis.
Chapter: 4 – Outside Grimmauld place:
Artemis stared at Severus, "How do you know the password?" she whispered. Severus whispered back with a nervous grin, "All the credit goes to my skillful magic." Artemis rolled her eyes.
Artemis went forward, thus blocking Severus's face from the view of the person who opened the door. There was a noise behind the door, and she found herself staring at a tired face. Arthur Weasley. His face lit up when he saw her, "I was expecting you." He said happily. "Now come in, I had cleared a room for you, I'll introduce you to the other memb ….." The sentence was broken by Arthur giving a yell, "Snape!" and with that he lunged at him, without thinking of his wand and proving how stupid people could be when in anger. Urgh…she hated people calling the name 'Snape' with such distaste. She knew that Severus alone was reserved for the 'hatred-filled look', but duh, they didn't need to forget that shouting it like that wasn't a good way to earn her respect. After all, she was a 'Snape' too.
Severus ducked, looking pleadingly at her. She sighed,"Sorry Arthur, but you have to listen to what I have to say. Petrificus Totalus!" Arthur's eyes widened for a second, before his arms and legs stuck to his body and he motionlessly fell to the ground.
Artemis hated cursing people for no reason. She wondered where the other members were, and if here, had they heard the commotion? She felt Arthur's eyes on her, and turned to look at him. "Sorry" she whispered. But Arthur shouldn't have let her in, without asking for the password they had set between them. Any Death Eater could have just taken a Polyjuice Potion and killed them all. But this just proved that he trusted her. And another thing she hated was breaking people's trust.
"Arthur, promise me, that when I take this curse off you, you won't try to kill or hurt or use your wand or hand for that matter, on me, Severus or Draco. You just need to blink once, if you agree. And then I am ready to tell you." This all was spoken in a very solemn voice. Arthur contemplated for a while, and then blinked once. Artemis smiled encouragingly, "All right, so here you go" And with that, she muttered the counter curse, releasing Arthur from his body-bind.
Arthur stood up warily, "I have done as I promised; now it's your turn. Explain yourself." Artemis wondered how he was so calm. Any other person would have done something drastic for sure. She admired him for that. With a nod, she began explaining everything to him, right from what Dumbledore had said to her recent Horcrux destruction. Arthur all that time was standing in a quiet poise. After she finished, he mulled over it. "I know that this all is very hard to believe, and you need some proof, so here it is." She removed a small bottle from her pocket, the one which had memories of Severus with Dumbledore. [A/N: this too is the idea of the great JKR
Severus, who had been standing with Draco, scrutinizing everything calmly, spoke up, glaring at her, "Artemis under no means, will you show these memories to anyone."
"Just the one with Dumbledore, the other memories are only for Harry. He will see them and will confirm to the others that you are innocent." Artemis argued. Snape snorted, muttering something that strangely sounded like, 'Innocent…my ass.'
Artemis raised her eyebrows. Severus blinked, "Fine" he said gruffly. She nodded, giving the bottle to Arthur. Then, muttering a spell that would show him the specific memories, she conjured a Pensieve, and nodded to Arthur.
Arthur glanced at her once, before disappearing into the silvery memories.
Draco, Severus and Artemis stood in silence. Artemis took that time to look around the house. This was supposed to be the 'Noble and most ancient of house of the Black.' There were cobwebs everywhere; the place radiated a musty smell from it. It was also covered in darkness, which made it all the more uninviting.
She saw Draco staring off into the space moodily. Between them, it was the hardest for him. He wasn't quite of the age yet and had already lost the support of his family. The only family he seemed to have was the other two, among which once was an Ex-Death Eater and on the run. And now he was expected to stay with people who didn't trust him and was also supposed to help them. She felt sorry for him, but also thought that he had the strength to handle this well.
She noticed Severus look at the Pensieve impatiently. The Pensieve shook slightly as Arthur came out. He looked directly at her and said, "I believe you." in a flat voice. He probably knew that it was impossible to create memories, though it was possible to take out some part of it. She nodded.
Severus put up his usual scowl. Draco looked slightly relieved. Arthur cleared his throat nervously, as if to catch their attention, "It's only fair for me to say what's going on in the Order, as you have told me about this. You must be wondering where the other members are, they have gone to the Ministry and will be back shortly. As soon ass they come back, we will update you about the recent news. And yes, you three will have to stay here. It isn't because we don't trust you." He added hastily, seeing Severus's glare. "It's just that we want you to be safe."
Artemis nodded again. In her apartment, with its lousy security, she would easily be murdered in her bed. Here with the strong safety enchantments, it was not so easy. Severus must have thought the same thing, for he too nodded.
"You will have to bring the necessary clothes and other personal things soon." Arthur said after thinking for a while. Artemis looked at him, "I am going right now, and will be back soon." Before anyone could respond, she went out of the door, her hood back in place. It had turned fully dark now. The crescent moon shone down on the pavement. She walked to the spot and apparated back to her apartment.
▬She looked around her room, scanning it to see if there was anything else needed. Her backpack, which was charmed to appear small and weigh light, was full with her clothes. She had another briefcase-type bag which also had been charmed, containing all the books she needed for her research and Hogwarts.
She moved out of her room, backpack on shoulders and briefcase in hand. She moved out of her door and looked around her house for the last time, in maybe some months. She had cast all the charms. She moved out, locked he door with charms and apparated to the spot near the Headquarters again.
She knocked on the door, after saying the password. Severus opened it. Apparently, others had yet to come. Once inside, she found Arthur sitting on the musty couch, waiting for her. Severus sat next to him, leaving a place for her on the armchair. Draco was on the other armchair.
Severus said that he and Draco had gotten all their stuff. The room was covered in deep silence after his announcement. There came a knock on the door. Other members had come. She felt an odd sensation in her stomach. Anticipation.
Arthur stood up quickly and opened the door. About a dozen people piled in, followed by a huge black dog. She raised her eyebrows questioningly at Severus. She didn't know there was a dog here. But Severus was staring at the dog in horror. Arthur had sent a letter to Kingsley explaining about them. Some members were staring at Severus with pure hatred, some warily. Two twin redheads were looking at the dog and back at Severus with large smirks on their face.
She didn't have time to notice others as Severus gave a yell, "BLACK!"
A/N:This chapter is slightly bigger than others..!cheerz! Do R n R and tell how you felt about this chapter. Ideas are welcome anytime!
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