Artemis looked at the sight before her with amusement. The Slytherin eighth years and Harry Potter were standing as if they had never done anything wrong in their lives in front of her desk. Zacharias was giving them the same amused look from behind his coffee cup she noticed.
"I'm sorry but I remember saying that we were going to meet this afternoon?" Parkinson stepped forward then with a determined look.
"Sorry Miss, but Potter thought it would be smart if we start earlier. It's a difficult spell to learn after all." The brunette looked at Potter who gave her a characteristic grin in return. She clicked her tongue and turned her attention towards the report that was in front of her and wrote down the last information she needed on it before putting it to the side. Leaning back into her chair she looked at them seriously.
"I'm sure Mr Potter told you you won't learn the spell in a day right?" All of them nodded.
"We are aware that we might never do it." Blaise gave her a knowing look and she had to smirk at him.
"If that moron of a brother you have can do it so can you Mr Zabini."
"I heard that, Prince!" Everyone turned to look at Zacharias who was slightly frowning at Artemis.
"That was the point of saying it out loud." He rolled his eyes but smirked back at her before turning his attention towards his younger brother.
"Don't worry about it so much little brother. Just don't force it." The younger Zabini just gave him a look but he smiled softly at Artemis which she returned. Suddenly the floo flared to life and Septimus stepped through focusing on the paperwork he was holding, but his attention shifted when he noticed the crowd in front of him.
"All is well, I hope?" His eyes clearly showed worry as they met Artemis.
"Everything is fine, Ace." He gave her a sceptical look as he went to sit down behind the mountain of parchments. In turn, Artemis got up from her own chair as she grabbed a document and brought it over to him. The dark blond scanned it quickly before putting it on the top of a pile and she hoped that he had control of it all.
"I will be in the Room of Requirement if you need me." She laughed softly as Zacharias gave her a thumbs up. The brunette turned to the younger wizards and witch and motioned them to leave the office. As she was about to follow them she was surprised by Septimus grabbing her uniform sleeve.
"For what reason do you have to go back there?" Worry was clearly evident in the man's eyes and she took his hand in hers to squeeze it reassuringly.
"Don't worry, I'll get Potter to make the room. Call for me if you need me." Septimus studied her for a few seconds before nodding. The brunette thought he was going back to his papers but was again surprised by him getting out of his chair.
"Ace?" Again, he looked at her with a worried look before it became determined.
"I am coming along." Taken aback by his words she froze for a second as she watched him walk past her and out into the hallway where the students were waiting. The brunette looked to Zacharias for answers but he just shook his head in confusion.
"Are you coming, Auror Blackmoore?" Draco peeked his head into the office and gave her a strange look. Artemis smiled at him.
"Yes." Putting the confusion to the side she walked out in the corridor where everyone was looking at Septimus with weird looks. Clapping her hands she got their attention.
"Seems like Auror Zouch is coming with us everyone, and now that we are all here let's go." She was quick to start walking in the direction of the staircase and soon quiet chatter filled the silence behind her. Septimus came up to walk next to her and touched her carefully on the shoulder.
"Care to answer me now?" Raising her eyebrow at him for using Legilimency she shrugged.
"Answer you about what?"
"What can be the reason for you to go back to that cursed room? You remember what happened last time do you not?" She scowled at him.
"Bits and pieces, however, as long as I'm not making the room it should be fine. The students need a place to practice in peace, sadly that room is our best option." The wizard peeked behind him to look at the little group following them.
"Now tell me, practise what exactly?" Artemis couldn't help but smirk at him like a wolf.
"Oh? The great Septimus hasn't figured out something on his own? What a surprise." The brunette had to stop herself from laughing when she got an annoyed look from the man in return.
"I am teaching them how to use the Patronus charm. They came to me after the first Defence me and Queen had." The dark blond's eyes widened for a second before his professional mask returned.
"That does explain a few things. However, why is Mr Potter here?" They were on the moving staircase now and were walking amidst the rest of the students who were going on about their day. The two Aurors waited for the younger wizards that were walking behind them to make sure none got left behind before moving on when they reached the seventh-floor landing.
"He is here to learn some control. You know how the boy grew up? If I hadn't stopped him the other day I'm afraid he might have done something he would come to regret later to his friends. But now that you are here my problem is solved." Artemis gave him a smile which he immediately seemed to understand there was something sinister behind as the wizard looked like he wanted to hide.
"I am happy that I can be of help to you, Artemis, however, I fail to see the reason why I am the solution to your problem." Rolling her eyes she patted him on the back.
"I have never seen you so angry in years after the incident with…all you did was break a glass. No one else can keep their cool like you can, not even Orion. So who better to teach the boy some control over his emotions? I feel stupid for not asking you earlier honestly. Please, Septimus, for me? I owe you a great favour for it." All of them had reached the wall where the Room of Requirement was located and Septimus turned to face her with a raised eyebrow.
"So you are willing to do me a favour? No matter what I ask of you?" Most likely she would come to regret it but she nodded anyway. A smirk spread over the wizard's face and he leaned down to now whisper in her ear.
"We have a pact then, my Prince."
The sky-blue eyes continued to study her as she turned to the students in front of them. Her eyes met Draco's and they were filled with uncertainty and she wondered where came from. Hopefully, it came from what they were about to do in the next hours.
"Mr Potter, do you mind making the room?" The ravenhead looked confused at her but nodded and started to walk the hallway up and down the three times that were needed before a door showed up.
"There ya go, Miss." She nodded at him in thanks before letting Septimus open the door and lead the way inside.
~ཐིཋྀ~
It was a fairly simple room the boy had chosen. The walls and floor were clad in stone and there were a few chairs off to the left side most likely for the Aurors to sit on. A fireplace was placed at the end of the room and it filled it with a soft light.
"Wait… I recognise this room." Draco looked to Potter than with a raised eyebrow. The boy in question grinned back.
"This was the room that we used when I trained Dumbledore's Army, was the first thing I could think of. Hope it works, Miss?" Artemis smiled at him.
"It will do. Now, everyone ready?" The Slytherin looked a little unsure at each other before Bulstrode puffed herself up and walked up to Artemis.
"I'm ready, Auror Blackmoore! Let's show these stupid Gryffindors that they are not better than us." The others looked at her surprised as the young witch turned around on her heel walked a little into the room and readied herself.
"Potter show us already what you do!" Potter stood frozen for a few seconds before he looked to Artemis who motioned for him to go ahead and start. He cleared his throat before taking out his wand.
"Alright, for this to work you have to find power in the happiest memory you can think of. It can't be anything trivial. The first time I tried I thought of the first time I flew a broom and that didn't work at all." He looked a little uncomfortable for a second and turned to Artemis once again. She knew what he was thinking of. For this to work properly he had to tell them what his most happy memory was and she could imagine doing so was like giving them a piece of his soul. All she could do was smile at him reassuringly and hope that he would take the plunge. Draco was studying the ravenhead she noticed and took a step forward.
"What do you think about then if that didn't work?" Potter took a deep breath before he smiled a little sadly, his eyes never leaving Draco's as he spoke.
"I honestly don't know if the memory is even real or not but I think about my parents, just talking to me normally. Like they've always been here. For some reason that makes me happy even if the 'memory' might not be." Silence filled the room as the little group of Slytherins watched the ravenhead closely.
"Sorry, Potter." Everyone looked to Nott who had been quiet up until that point. He walked over to the young Gryffindor and patted him on the shoulder before smiling at him. Potter looked at him confused.
"Sorry? For what?" Nott shrugged at him.
"For being a bastard to you for so long. You haven't had it easy these years and I'm sure we didn't really make it easier for you. So sorry. Let's play some Quidditch again after this, heh?" A laugh escaped Septimus and he waved his hand in front of him when everyone turned to look at him.
"Pardon me, this just looked too familiar to me. Wouldn't you say, Auror Blackmoore?" She gave him a knowing look before turning her attention to Nott.
"If I was a teacher I would have given you some House Points, Mr Nott. I'm glad you are all getting along. Now let's continue, hm? Mr Potter, please show them the wand movements and here, Mr Malfoy, your wand." The brunette levitated his wand out of her pocket and he caught it gracefully in the air. A glint was seen in his eye as he peeked towards the rest of the group.
"Please, Auror Blackmoore, call me Draco. There are no teachers nearby so it's only fitting you use our first names right?" Parkinson grabbed his arm and squealed a little bit. "Can we use our first names then too? Please?" Septimus chuckled a little bit next to her.
"I see no wrong in this, do you, Artemis?" She knew that tone all too well. It was the tone he used when he knew something she didn't and it bothered the hell out of her. Sighing, she nodded.
"Fine. But you have to use first names with each other as well. That goes for Harry too." The brunette noticed the ravenhead blush slightly from the corner of her eye as a flash of surprise went over the blond Slytherin's eyes. However, he only nodded in agreement.
"Wand movement, Harry." The ravenhead stood up straight as he walked into the middle of the room and waited until he had everyone's attention.
"The movement is pretty simple, you move your wand in a circular motion like this." Without saying the incantation he moved his wand in a circle clearly showing what he was doing. Zabini and Draco were quick to mimic him and the rest soon followed.
Soon all of them were practising the movement while Potter walked around making sure they were doing it correctly. Artemis and Septimus had taken a seat on the chairs that were placed in the room and were paying close attention. The brunette had decided to let Potter do the teaching as he seemed good at it and he had managed to teach people the spell before. This also meant that he would get a closer connection to the Slytherins which hopefully was a good thing. So far they had managed to dodge using each other's names too much, Nott being the only exception when he had asked Potter straight up to show him the movement again. She moved her chair closer to Septimus and leaned towards him.
"You should recruit Nott. Seems like someone you can use." He nodded.
"I have had my eyes on him for a little while. He and Miss Parkinson are good candidates for keeping things afloat at this castle. However, she needs to learn not to tell everything to everyone." Artemis chuckled.
"Fair point."
"We've been practising this circle for like an hour now! Can't we actually try and cast it, and I wanna see what your Patronuses are too." Bulstrode asked impatiently to everyone in the room but pointed to the two seated Aurors when she said the last part. Artemis got up from her chair and walked the short distance to join them in the middle of the room.
"Alright, Millicent calm down. Harry, do you mind showing everyone the full charm?" The ravenhead nodded and pointed his wand into the room. He stood still and closed his eyes for a second before shouting.
"Expecto Patronum!" A proud stag ran across the room and did some laps around Septimus who was still seated before it ran around the little group in the middle of the room.
"I've never seen it up close before, that is seriously impressive Po… Harry." The young Zabini managed to correct himself in the last second as he watched the stag run around. Potter blushed at the compliment and made the stag disappear.
"Thank you, Blaise." Nott caught her eye as he stared at her.
"Something you want to ask Theodore?" He nodded politely.
"I was wondering if you and Septimus could show us yours?"
"Certainly." Ace got up from his chair brought out his wand and pointed it in the same direction as Potter had done before him and said the incantation calmly. The dove shot out of his wand and flew around the room before landing on Parkinson's shoulder.
"Aw, it's so pretty!" Bulstrode looked at it slightly disappointed.
"It's so small though, can that really deflect dementors?" Septimus smirked at her.
"Size is not everything, Millicent. The shape is merely a symbol of your soul that is hidden deep within yourself. Do not worry, my dove can perfectly protect me and those around me if needed." The young witch glared at him before she crossed her arms.
"What is your happiest memory then?" Artemis had to look at Septimus with curiosity. She knew a lot about the man but that was something she didn't know. What she did know, however, was that it had taken her friend a long time before he could produce a corporeal one but she had never gotten the opportunity to ask him straight up about what the memory was. His sky-blue eyes met Artemis and she felt something stir in the pit of her stomach. He dropped eye contact with her and turned his attention back to the room while he smirked.
"A time when I tasted red wine on someone's lips." The brunette looked at him dumbfounded while Parkinson's squeal of glee filled her ears.
"Oh, Salazar! Were you in love with her?" The older Slytherin's eyes glinted with mischief.
"Perhaps, at one point. However, it is lost to history. Artemis? How about you show the young ones your Patronus before they try themselves?" She continued to stare at him for a few seconds before nodding slowly taking out the fake wand and casting the spell. The monarch butterfly flew around Septimus's dove that had moved to the top of Potter's head and the boy laughed.
"What kind of butterfly is that, Artemis?" Draco looked at her when he asked.
"It's a monarch." The blond's eyes widened slightly as he looked back at it just in time for him to stretch out his hand so that it could land on it.
"Isn't that the most poisonous butterfly?" The brunette nodded.
"Correct." Everyone flocked around the young blond to take a closer look.
"It's beautiful, Artemis." Draco's eyes locked on her when he said it and something flashed over them that she didn't really catch but she smiled at him anyway.
"Thank you. Now, all of you can try it." She made the butterfly disappear as Septimus did the same to the dove. All of the younger Slytherins looked uncertain but it quickly disappeared as Potter put his hand on Draco's shoulder supportingly.
"You can do it! You just gotta find a memory that works. Everyone can do it, I mean think about it. Umbridge had one so why shouldn't you get one?" The blond nodded to the ravenhead and closed his eyes to focus. Artemis took a few steps backwards to give the group some space. Septimus walked over to the chair and sat back down crossing his legs in the process.
"Do sit down, Artemis. This might take all day after all." As Draco cast the first spell without success he frowned but was quick to try again. Potter went around to each of them to encourage them to try again and Artemis sat back down next to Septimus.
"Whose lips did you talk about exactly?" The brunette's curiosity had gotten the better of her after watching the students for the past thirty minutes in silence. She jumped slightly as he put his hand flat on her back and started to stroke softly up and down.
"Do not worry, there was no love involved. If I am being honest I have no idea why that particular memory worked." Artemis relaxed slightly by his soft touch.
"Honestly?" He smiled at her.
"Do I ever lie to you?" The witch frowned.
"You just choose to not tell anything instead of lying. But I guess I have no choice but to believe you as you told me something this time." A deep laugh came out of him as he pulled his hand away from her.
"Do not worry, my Prince. I would never complicate your relationship with the King and Jack any more than it already is." She glared at him as he laughed again.
"Shut up, idiot." His eyes glinted in mischief again as he leaned closer to her.
"I have to say, Prince that trying to get both of them is a bold move." Artemis hit him on the leg and glared at him again.
"Zach told you didn't he?" The dark blond smirked.
"The moment I saw him after it had happened." The brunette groaned and she put her face in her hands while she felt the blush spread across her cheeks. Of course, Zacharias would tell Septimus about what he had seen in the bedroom that morning the second he got the chance. The worst part of it all was that none of them had talked anymore about it after it had happened. She had no idea where they stood on the matter, but Orion and Cyril had not been at each other's throats so at least that was a good thing she reasoned.
"You got it!" Artemis looked up to see a soft light come out of Zabini's wand. He was standing there looking at it with wonder as it slowly dimmed before vanishing completely. Potter was standing next to him and was beaming with pride.
"You did it, Blaise! You just gotta focus even more on the memory and it might take shape!" The young Zabini looked frozen and almost sick and Artemis frowned. Standing up she walked over to him waving the others away to give him some space.
"Are you feeling alright, Blaise? The spell can take a lot out of you, don't push it." Zabini looked at her with wonder and slight anger.
"I don't understand why it worked. I was trying to focus on something else but my mind drifted to what Zacharias told us in the office earlier and it suddenly worked kinda? Why?" She couldn't help but laugh a little before she answered.
"Because the memory of your older brother did the trick. Try changing the memory to something you and your brother did in the past and try again." He looked uncomfortably at the others before looking at her again.
"But I don't even like him. He's a menace and a bloody moron." Artemis grinned at him.
"He is, isn't he? But I will let you in on a secret, Blaise." Before she continued she pulled out her wand and threw a Muffliato around them. The others looked confused but none of them tried to intervene. Zabini raised his eyebrow at her.
"If you are going to spout some nonsense that he loves me above all else then just spare me of it, please. It's getting old at this point." She rolled his eyes.
"Well he probably does, but that is beside the point. Listen, Blaise. Had it not been for your brother I would not even be here to watch over Draco. He was the one that persuaded me to come here by telling me something that I sometimes still think about." The wizard looked interested now as he looked down at her with wonder in his eyes.
"What did he tell you?"
"He simply asked me if it was him that was sent here to protect you and I was asked to come along, would I? Your brother might be a 'menace and a bloody moron' but there is no one else that can keep you safer. Besides, I know what his happiest memory is. But I am sure you don't want to know…" Artemis watched as the young Slytherin bit his lip in frustration and looked towards Draco who was looking back with confusion.
"Would he actually come? There were so many times that I waited for him to come home but he never did. I was sure he didn't care…" He coughed to hide his voice cracking slightly before meeting her eyes.
"What is his memory then? Probably of someone that he had a fling with no doubt." For once, the brunette didn't stop herself from hitting the wizard hard in the chest. He staggered backwards slightly and looked at her dumbfounded.
"I would have you know that his happiest memory is of you waiting for him to come home after a mission. And before you get any other stupid thoughts about it, he has been protecting you for years already. Who do you think fought for you during the war?" His eyes grew wide as he stood up to his full height again. Rubbing his chest he grabbed his wand tighter and looked at her determined.
"I'm ready to try again." The brunette smiled at him and dropped the charm around them and she stepped aside. The young Zabini raised his wand, closed his eyes and said loud and clear.
"Expecto Patronum!" A bright light shot out of his wand and at first, it was a stream of light floating in front of them until it slowly started to take shape. Artemis watched proudly as a black swan emerged from the light and flew gracefully around them.
"Blaise!! You did it!"
"Merlin!"
"Bloody hell, man!" The wizard himself looked at the bird dumbfounded before a laugh bubbled up and escaped him. He was quickly surrounded by the others who shouted their congratulations. Septimus walked up to stand at her side.
"It is always a good sight to see it happen for the first time, is it not? What did you tell him?" Grinning at him she shrugged.
"A piece of my mind and the truth." The Auror laughed at her.
"You never cease to amaze me, Prince."
They watched as Potter followed the dark wizard over to a chair and made him sit down.
"You better rest a bit. The spell takes a lot out of you." The black swan vanished and the room was once again bathed in the soft light from the fireplace. Everyone tried to get out of him what kind of memory he had used but he refused to tell them. The brunette could imagine what he had chosen but keeping it a secret was fair as it usually was something too precious to share for many. His eyes met her and he pointed to the other chair. Smiling she went to sit down next to him.
"You alright, Blaise? Sorry for hitting you by the way. That wasn't really professional of me." The boy smirked a true Slytherin smirk back at her.
"I'm fine and no problem, I would probably have done the same thing. I'm sorry too, for doubting him." She patted his shoulder.
"He will forgive you. Mips!" The little house elf showed up immediately with a soft crack and looked around her with wonder.
"Misses called?" Artemis waved her hand in front of Mips's face to get her attention.
"Can you get some chocolate bars from the kitchen please?" Mips tilted her head to one side in confusion but nodded.
"Yes, Misses! Mips will get it right away!" The elf disappeared with a crack again and everyone looked at the spot where she had stood.
"Is that your elf?" Potter asked. Artemis simply nodded at him as Mips showed up again with a plate filled with several bars of chocolate.
"There you go, Misses!"
"Thank you, Mips. That is all for now." She took the plate from the little creature and smiled at her before she vanished again. The brunette broke off a couple of pieces and started to give them out to all of them.
"It makes you feel better after using so much magic." Everyone took a piece and ate it quickly in silence before someone's stomach started to roar to life. Nott blushed slightly as he folded his arms around his middle.
"Sorry. I had too many nerves so I didn't eat much for breakfast." Septimus mumbled a Tempus and the time floated in front of them showing that it was close to lunch.
"Would I suggest that we all go get something to eat and continue this after? If you are still up for it, I may add." Everyone nodded enthusiastically at the suggestion.
"Very well. Those of you who want to continue, meet back here after lunch. Blaise, I suggest you go back to your room to rest afterwards as the spell takes more power than you first realize." The dark wizard nodded as he stood up from the chair slowly and started to walk with the help of Nott who was steadying him when he needed it. Soon it was only, Draco, Septimus and her left in the room. Artemis turned to the blond with a smile.
"Don't worry, Draco. I know you are trying your best." The stormy grey eyes looked at her with a surprising amount of determination.
"I know. I just need the right memory." Septimus snorted at him.
"Obviously. Pardon me." The Auror walked out the door following the rest. Draco then did something she didn't expect. He hugged her tight for a few seconds before whispering in her ear.
"I'll do it before the weeks done. No matter what." With a slight blush on his face, he let her go and marched towards the door leaving her looking slightly confused at his retreating back. After he had left the room completely the sweet smell of blood filled her nose and she was quick to leave before the castle had its chance to try one more of its cruel jokes.