A/N: Eh he, long time no see, you guys! :ducks from sharp objects thrown by the die-hard fans: Yes, I know it's been about eight months since I've updated anything on here, but my muse had left me! Seriously! But it's back now, so I'm updating! Huzzah! L'anyhoodle, I hope you all enjoy this chapter, and remember to review at the end!
The next morning, Artimis awoke to someone jostling her shoulder. Rolling over, she grumbled and slowly opened her eyes to see Àine standing over her, still in her pajamas. It took Artimis a moment to realize that there was a banging on the door.
"Àine, The hell…?" she mumbled.
"You have a visitor, and I would suggest you shut him up before I shove my wand up his bloody arse," she muttered, falling backwards onto her bed again. The rest of Artimis's friends were grumbling, throwing extra pillows at the door. Fumbling for the knob, she opened the door to reveal a very awake – and dressed – Draco.
"And why aren't you ready yet?" were the first words out of his mouth.
"Draco, what in the seven Hells are you on about? What time is it?" she said, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes as a yawn escaped her lips.
"It's a quarter of six, and I told you yesterday that we were going to leave early so that we could swing into Hogsmede before everyone else shows up."
"A quarter of six? A quarter of six? Do you have any idea as to why no one else is awake this early?"
"Oh shut up and get dressed already, Crawford," he spat, turning on his heels and heading back down to the common room. Shutting the door, Artimis turned around to find her friends sitting up, glaring at her.
"Hay, it is so not my fault, you guys; I didn't tell him to bang on the door at this ungodly hour, now did I?"
"Can I hex him, please?"
"As much as I wish you could, Anila, I don't want you getting detention again."
"Yah…hay, what'd you mean again?"
Artimis wasn't paying attention to her grumpy friends, because she was already looking through her trunk for some decent clothing. Pulling out a pair of blue jeans and a red turtleneck, she got changed, brushing out her hair and applying her standard make-up: some foundation, brown eyeliner, light brown eye shadow and some sheer pink lip gloss. After brushing out her hair and putting in some gold stud earrings, Artimis pulled on a pair of black boot socks and a pair of black combat boots.
Putting a few last things into her trunk, Artimis looked up to see that her friends were also packing to go home for the holidays. "I thought you all said you were going to sleep some more," she smiled.
"Well we were, before that boyfriend of yours-"
"He's not my boyfriend."
"-started banging down the door because he couldn't wait any longer to shag you."
"Gwen I swear to God I should strangle you right now!"
The slim girl blew her American friend a kiss before tying her hair back into a ponytail. Grabbing her black leather jacket – not a biker one, mind you – Artimis headed down the stairs with her friends to get some breakfast. Turning out of the common room, they were joined by Draco, who looked a tad agitated.
"What are you doing?"
"We're getting food, like any sane person would. Let me guess: you already ate, I take it?"
"No, I was going to take you to the Three Broomsticks while we were in Hogsmede so that we could take less time to go shopping."
Artimis stopped walking, her friends arching eyebrows and elbowing each other.
"Are you buying?"
"What kind of 'boyfriend' would I be if I didn't?"
Turning around, the brunette gave a sort-of salute to her friends. "Well, it's been fun, you guys, but I will see you after the holidays!"
"Hay, you're not getting out of here without giving us hugs first, you stupid Yank," Anila said, grabbing her friend and pulling her into a group hug. Draco rolled his eyes as the friends exchanged last-minute information as to where they would be during the holidays.
"Now don't forget," Moriko said, "I'm going to be in Japan with my mother,"
"I'm in Dover with my mother," said Àine, – since both girls were only really related because Àine's father had remarried,
"My parents are taking me to France," chimed in Gwen,
"And I'll be home this holiday with my entire family," finished Anila.
"Okay, I think I've got all that. Well, you all know where I'll be," Artimis rolled her eyes at the thought, "So I'll see you guys after break; Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!" she called as she walked out the front of the castle with Draco.
"So," Moriko asked as they headed into the Great Hall, "how long do you think she'll last before killing him?"
"I give her one week before he seduces her," Anila said, sitting down to the table as other students filed in.
"Thirty seconds after setting foot inside the manor before she kills him," Moriko responded. "I'm not going to ask Gwen, since I know she wouldn't tell us even if she knew-"
"Hey!"
"-so how about you, Àine?"
"Hm," she pondered for a moment. "Well, it's Artimis, so it's pretty unpredictable. I'll bet on whatever actually happens. Pass the bagels, would you, Gwen?"
Stepping out of the carriage, Draco extended a hand for Artimis and led her through the village to the Three Broomsticks. It was after seven, and a few morning shoppers were out. No snow had fallen as of yet, but it was still a bit chilly.
Entering the pub, Draco let Artimis grab a corner booth while he ordered their breakfast. A few moments later, he sat down across from her.
"So," he said once their food was brought over, "who do you still need to shop for?"
"Um," Artimis pulled her list out of her pocket, "Let's see...Mom, Dad, Àine, I need to swing by the post office to get Devin's present, and-" she paused for a brief moment at the next name on the list, "-a friend of Maggie's."
"Why can't that sister of yours do her own shopping?"
"She can, but this guy and I are also pretty close, so she wanted me to grab something for him, that's all."
"Him?"
"It's a friend from the States; jeez, don't have a cow," she grumbled as she shoved some pancakes into her mouth. She would have told him that it was Harry, except for the fact that a) they pretty much hated each other, b) he was Maggie's boyfriend, and c) no one knew he was her brother.
"So," Artimis said after taking a sip of Pumpkin Juice, "who else do you need to shop for?"
"Just my mother."
"Oh, did you already get something for your dad, then?"
Draco stiffened. "My father's in Azkaban, so I don't really see the point."
"Oh," she said quietly. "I'm sorry, I didn't know."
"It's fine. Are you done?"
"Uh, yah, let's go."
Paying for their meal, Draco opened the door for Artimis as they walked out into the chilly December air. They decided to meet back in front of the pub in an hour so that they could get to the train on time. Artimis headed to the post office, opening the door to a lot of owls hooting.
After a few people in line were done, it was finally her turn. "May I help you," asked the witch at the counter.
"Yes, is there a package for an Artimis Crawford back there?"
"Yes, would you like to take it with you?"
"Yah, that'd be great."
"Fifteen sickles, dearie."
Fishing the money out of her pocket, Artimis deposited the coins on the counter, taking the large package out of lady's hands and exiting the building. Carefully setting the package down, she pulled her list out of her other pocket and crossed Devin's name off the list. Picking the box back up, she headed towards two more shops, where she picked up a scarf for her mother, a singing tie for her father, and some magic coloured pencils for Àine, which never got any shorter or broke, and they were pretty much every colour and then some.
'Let's see,' Artimis thought, 'That just leaves Harry…' Walking down the street, she caught sight of something shining inside a shop window, and decided to check it out, since she had a little time until she needed to meet Draco.
Walking inside the jewelry store, she saw that what had caught her eye was a glittering necklace with a sun-shaped pendant. The rays and face seemed to be made of tiny topaz crystals, the eyes onyx, and the mouth rubies. The chain was relatively thick; more for a boy than a girl.
"Can I help you with something, miss?"
Artimis jumped as the shopkeeper entered from the back room. "Um, actually, could you tell me how much that necklace is? The one with the Sun on it."
"Oh yes, that one; the piece was intended more for a male, but-"
"No, I wanted to buy it for my brother," she laughed.
"Oh of course; do forgive me; I get so many young ladies in here shopping for themselves. You must be very close to him, I take it?"
"Well, not as close as we used to be, but we're getting there. Um, how much, now?"
"Ten galleons; would you like it gift wrapped? It's free of charge."
"Yah, that'd be great, thanks."
"Might I interest you in the matching Moon pendant, too, miss?"
Looking back into the display case, Artimis saw a smiling crescent Moon made out of diamonds and sapphires on a delectate silver chain.
"Oh, it's lovely, but no, not today; just need to get my last-minute Christmas shopping done. Thank you, and Merry Christmas!" Picking up the box, she waved at the lady behind the counter and headed back towards the Three Broomsticks, only to see Draco already waiting.
"Took you long enough," he said as soon as she was within hearing distance.
"Hey, I had more people to shop for than you did! Sheesh!"
Heading back towards the carriage, Draco held her packages for Artimis as she stepped inside. Once they were both comfortably inside, the carriage took off towards the castle train station.
"Artimis, may I inquire as to who this package is for?"
"Devin," she replied bluntly.
"May I also ask, what the bloody hell did you buy him?"
She looked up from her view out the window. "Not that it's any of your business, but, I ordered him a Panic! At the Disco hoodie and a pair of My Chemical Romance backstage passes for an upcoming show of theirs over break, since last time I checked they're in Ireland."
"Oh; a what and a pair of tickets for what?"
As they stepped out of carriage, Artimis nearly choked, then regained her composure. "You've never heard of Panic! At the Disco or My Chemical Romance? They're both wizard bands, for God's sake! Where have you been, Draco!"
"Apparently not where you hear about whatever it is you're talking about."
As the two boarded the train, walking past several groups of people on the platform who where all crying as if it was the end of the world.
"God, it's just Christmas break; you're going to see them again in a few weeks, for God's sake," Artimis muttered.
"I'll agree with you there, Crawford," Draco said, opening a compartment door. "After you, Darling."
"Thank you, Sweetheart," she said, stepping inside, Draco closing the door behind him. The two Slytherins reviewed what they had discussed the pervious night to make sure they hadn't left anything out, Draco fiddling with his earring the entire time.
Shortly after the train pulled out, Draco excused himself to go look for Crabbe and Goyle, leaving Artimis alone. Sighing, she propped her back against the window, stretching her legs out across the seat. Stretching, she sat for a moment before getting up and pulling a notebook out of one of her bags.
Sitting back down, Artimis pulled a pen out of the spiral binding, and began to write something down, every so often scratching out what she had just written. The compartment door opened a while later – nearly twenty minutes – to allow Draco back inside.
"What're you working on," he asked after a moment.
"Song," she mumbled without looking up.
"You write music?"
"Well, the music itself is all in here," she tapped her head with the back of the pen, "but I write out the lyrics a lot; was never very good at picking much out on the piano save for the melody."
"Well, I guess there's still a lot to learn about you, isn't there, Snowflake?"
"You have no idea, Dragon; you have no idea."
"Well then," Maggie said, plopping down in one of the common room couches, "how do you like that? I just talked with Sri before she and 'Mione left, and she said that Artimis had already gotten on the train! Huh!"
Harry sat down next to her. "She left without saying goodbye? Is that normal?"
"Surprisingly, it actually is."
"So, she's going back to the States, then?"
Maggie choked on the water she had just taken a sip of, so Harry patted her back. "You alright, love?"
"Um, yah, I'm fine; no, she's not going back to the States just for the break; she's, um, staying with a friend for the holidays." She gave Harry a sweet smile, sure that if she told Harry where his sister was going, he'd have a heart attack.
"Hey, Maggie?"
"Yes, Harry?"
"Um, what do you think Artimis would like for Christmas?"
"You mean you haven't gotten her anything yet?"
Harry looked up at the ceiling, a slight blush creeping onto his face. Maggie opened her eyes wide, making a dramatic faint into the back on the couch. "Oh my God you haven't! What the devil's wrong with you! Come on, get some money; we're allowed to go down to Hogsmede all day for some last-minute shopping, so we're going to find you a present for her, alright? Come on, now!"
Dashing up the stairs with his girlfriend yelling after him, Harry rolled his eyes as he grabbed some extra coins. Heading back down to the common room, Maggie grabbed his arm, dragging him through the portrait hole, down the stairs, and out through the castle gates to one of the carriages.
Upon their arrival in Hogsmede, Maggie held a firm grip to Harry's arm, looking around for a good shopping possibility. Finally, she stopped. "There," she said triumphantly, pointing to a small jewelry shop. Smiling, she dragged an embarrassed Harry inside the store.
Looking at all the pieces inside the display cases, Harry finally stopped at one that caught his eye. "Hey Maggie, do you think this would be alright?"
"Let me see…oh my, it's beautiful! She'd kill for that! Excuse me, could you tell us how much that necklace is?"
"Ten galleons miss; you know, I just had someone in here earlier today looking at a piece similar to that this morning."
"Harry, you've got to buy it for her; she's your sister after all!"
"Well, I guess it's pretty enough…"
Maggie gave her boyfriend a look. "Harry, you have a lot to understand about women. Buy us jewelry or flowers and we're happy. Then of course, there's Artimis…"
"What's that mean?"
"Just give her something shiny and she'll be extremely happy."
Harry laughed. "Well then, I guess that's your way of telling me to buy it, then?"
"Yes, dag nabbit!"
Laughing again, Harry paid for the necklace and had it wrapped, deciding to take Maggie to lunch at the Three Broomsticks while they were still there.
"So," Harry said as they sat down to eat, "did you already get all your shopping done, Maggie?"
"Yup; what about you, Mr. I'm-Going-To-Wait-Until-the-Last-Moment-to-Figure-Out-What-My-Sister-Likes?"
"Actually, that was the last thing on my list, surprisingly."
"I'm in shock."
"Well aren't you in a pleasant mood today?"
"Oh, come on, love; you know I'm just messing with you!" Laughing, she leaned across the table and placed a quick peck on Harry's lips, sitting back down to finish her sandwich.
About fifteen minutes later, Harry and Maggie were coming back into the Gryffindor common room, with only a few other students staying at school for the holidays.
"Alright Maggie, I don't think you told me why you didn't go home for the holidays."
"Well I thought that was obvious."
"I guess not."
"A) The flight isn't worth it, and B) I'd much rather spend time with you than my family, who I can pretty much see anytime."
"I feel so loved."
"That's because you are, Mr. Potter. So, ready for me to wipe the floor with you in Wizard's Chess, again?"
"Oh, it's on, now."
Later that evening (as in, waaay later), Harry was heard to be arguing with his girlfriend. "Oh come on," he pleaded, "best fifteen out of twenty!"
"Harry, we've been playing for four hours, and I've won more than you have, Sweetheart."
"But-"
"No, we had a deal: I won, you had to do your homework already."
Harry sighed. "Fine, fine."
Maggie smiled as she sat down on the sofa. "I'll make you a deal, though."
"What," Harry asked, standing behind her.
"If you get your Potions assignments done, I'll make out with you."
"You'd do that regardless of whether or not I do my Potions."
"Well maybe I won't; how do you like that, Mr. Potter?"
"Fine, fine! I'm going, I'm going!" Harry laughed as he headed back up to the boys' dormitory to grab his books before heading down to the library, but not before stealing a kiss from Maggie first.
"Harry, you little-!"
Harry darted through the portrait hole just as Maggie sent a pillow flying after him before falling back, exasperated, onto the sofa. 'Well then, this'll make for an interesting break, won't it?' she thought.
A/N: Whew! That's a lot of typing! Now that you've reached the bottom, click that button to submit a review! Please no flames, though; I'm already aware that I'm not the most fantastic writer on the face of the Earth, so at least give me something that could help me get better if you have to critique, mmkay? Good! Thanks, you guys!
Serenity