The morning after Christmas everything at the manor just seemed off. Vanessa couldn't quite figure out why, but the whole atmosphere was nowhere near as cheerful as it had been the day before. It started at breakfast, when Artemis' normally bright and cheery parents were more somber and serious than Vanessa ever recalled seeing them. Hardly a word was spoken at breakfast, other than the light conversation Artemis had struck up with her to not have to eat in relative silence, and the ramblings of the twins.

After the awkward breakfast, Vanessa retreated to her room to write a few letters. She sent one to her father, mostly thanking him for the gifts he had sent her. She sent a second one to Alex, doing the same, but also telling her they had a lot they needed to catch up on when they got back to school. She wanted to tell Alex more, but she didn't dare risk it via a letter in case someone intercepted her owl. The third and final letter was to Draco.

Vanessa honestly didn't know what to tell him. It wasn't like she had anything nice to say. She didn't miss him much. She appreciated his gift, but it wasn't quite her style. She certainly wasn't behaving herself either, and she was positive as soon as they reunited at Hogwarts, he was going to be accusing her of the very things she was doing. Her conscience was still at war with itself about the whole Draco or Artemis thing, even if by all means the answer was crystal clear. But for now, she needed to make sure he thought everything was completely fine. So she lied.

She felt a little bad as she watched three owls from the Fowls' owlery fly off with the letters, but the deed was done. She was digging herself a deeper hole, one she'd deal with later. She wouldn't have to see Draco for another week and a half, and maybe by then she would for sure have some semblance of a decision made on where their relationship was going from here.

Vanessa left the owlery and made her way across the manor grounds, pulling her coat tightly around her. She was already tired of the cold winter air, and she was beyond ready for spring. The only positive was that there wasn't that much snow on the ground, just a couple centimeters at most. She was grateful when she finally reached the manor and could step out of the elements. After stepping inside, she shrugged off her coat, hanging it on a nearby coat rack as she slipped her shoes off as well.

The manor was still eerily quiet, and Vanessa decided enough was enough. She climbed the staircase, making her way upstairs to Artemis' room. If nothing else, she was going to have some sort of conversation to liven this day up. She hadn't seen him since breakfast anyway, and to be honest, she missed her friend. If friend was even the right word for him now.

As she grew closer to his room, Vanessa could just barely make out the sounds of a hushed conversation. She pressed on cautiously, the conversation becoming clearer the closer she got to the doorway. By the time she was standing outside the open doorway, she could hear the words being said clear as day, even if those speaking them thought they were being quiet. She watched the room's occupants in silence, hoping to eavesdrop a little bit.

"You're lucky your parents haven't caught onto any of this, Artemis. If they knew what you have been doing-"

"-I know, Butler. Which is why I implore you to keep all of this between us," Artemis interrupted, his voice soft and harsh all at the same time. His back was to her, so she could only assume he was not smiling judging by the tone of his voice. "I don't wish to be lectured about my life choices."

The manservant sighed quietly, his arms crossing in front of him. "Artemis, you know as my charge, anything we discuss stays between us. I'm not going to inform your parents of anything. I just think you should exercise caution," Butler said calmly. "While I don't think Vanessa would intentionally hurt you, she's in a particularly sticky situation. However, you said her actual boyfriend is... far from pleasant, so I wouldn't put it past him to cause harm to either one of you."

A frown formed on Vanessa's face. It seemed like Artemis had finally told Butler about what had been transpiring between the two of them. On one hand, she really didn't want anyone else knowing. On the other, she thought it was only fair Artemis was able to confide in someone; she had talked to Alex about it, after all. Fair was fair. Even if Butler was far more likely to give sound advice. Ultimately, Vanessa was just grateful she knew whatever he told Butler wasn't going to reach the ears of anyone else. He was duty-bound to Artemis, and, beyond that, he was the boy's closest friend other than herself. He wouldn't betray Artemis' trust, that she was certain.

"Malfoy is no threat to me," Artemis declared confidently, breaking her thoughts.

Vanessa rolled her eyes, but couldn't resist smiling. Always so cocky, but he was right. One on one, she definitely thought Artemis had the upper hand on the magic front. Unless it erupted into a physical fight, then all bets were off.

"Maybe not to you," Butler countered, "but he could certainly harm Vanessa. Especially if the rumors of him being a Death Eater are true. You know how they are."

The thought made the color drain from Vanessa's face. That was a possibility that hadn't crossed her mind yet. Surely Draco wouldn't actually physically harm her? Her heart wanted to believe that, but her more rational brain said otherwise. She knew the odds were stacked and all the evidence pointed to him being a Death Eater. All the verbal abuse could just escalate, and then what?

"I won't allow that to happen," Artemis answered calmly.

Butler frowned. "You won't always be around, Artemis. You're not going to be with them for every waking moment. You can't be." The man paused. "I'm not going to tell you what to do- mainly because I know you won't listen regardless- but as long as she is still with him, you both need to be careful. I don't trust him, and I'm not there to protect either of you."

Artemis barely nodded. "I know."

Butler looked away from Artemis, and finally caught Vanessa's gaze. She was sure he had to have known she was standing there long before he looked at her. Butler was always hyper aware of his surroundings, so there was no doubt he had carefully worded his sentences in that exchange with Artemis so as to not let him catch on she was standing right there.

That was short lived though, as he finally addressed her. "Good afternoon, Vanessa."

If Artemis had spun around any faster, Vanessa was sure he would've collapsed from vertigo. He certainly looked a bit light-headed for a moment as he straightened his posture once again. He had an awkward smile on his face, and Vanessa was sure he was hoping she hadn't heard any of that conversation.

"Yes, good afternoon, Nessa," he added.

"Afternoon, boys," Vanessa replied before looking directly at Artemis. "Just got back from the owlery, and I thought I'd come bother you."

Artemis nodded lightly. "I presume you sent those letters you said you were going to write after breakfast?"

"Yeah," Vanessa answered as she stepped fully into the room. "Figured I'd get them sent out since I finished writing them all. Doubt I'll get a response any time soon though, with dad working and all that."

"I'm sure Alex will have something to say back," Artemis replied. "She always does."

Vanessa plopped down onto Artemis' bed. She was silent for a moment, as her mind filled with the memories from the other night. It was hard not to think about it all. The warmth, the closeness, the passion... Vanessa blinked a few times, forcing herself to focus on the present. Now wasn't the time for reminiscing. She'd deal with the complicated feelings she had developed for her friend later.

"That she does," Vanessa sighed. "I'm sure she'll have quite a bit to say, actually." She gave Artemis a knowing smile. "To both of us."

Artemis caught on. "Ah. So I see."

"Yeah, so expect her to be particularly annoying here soon," Vanessa warned.

"Noted."

Before Vanessa could add anything to that, two figures appeared in her peripheral vision, seemingly standing in the doorway. Vanessa looked over to see Artemis' parents standing there, grim looks upon their faces. Artemis and Butler noticed them as well, and had directed their attention to them.

"Mother. Father. What brings you here?" Artemis acknowledged them.

"We need to talk," Senior answered, and Vanessa's heart immediately sank. Did they know about what was happening between her and Artemis? That was the one thing she had been dreading about this stay at the manor. It was beginning to be incredibly difficult to act like nothing was happening, and she just knew she had done something to let it slip by now. This was it.

She saw Artemis hesitate slightly, likely thinking the same thing she was. The only difference was that he wasn't going to show that he was internally panicking. "Oh? What about?" he inquired.

Senior sighed as he and his wife stepped into the room, coming to a stop just inside the door. "There was an attack last night."

"We wanted to tell you earlier, but the twins are too young to be dealing with the real world's problems," Angeline added, hands folded gently in front of her. "Now that they're napping, we can talk about it."

Vanessa felt one weight lift off her chest, only to have another come crashing down to take its place. She was relieved they hadn't come to confront her and Artemis about their affair, but this was a whole new issue to worry about- a much bigger one. That explained why everyone was so quiet and melancholy that morning.

She was shaken from her thoughts as Artemis sat down on the bed next to her. Her friend took a deep breath before he asked, "What exactly happened?"

"Death Eaters attacked the Weasleys' home last night. Burned it to the ground," Senior responded darkly. "They were obviously after Harry Potter, and seemingly only failed in their mission to capture him thanks to members of the Order being present when it happened."

Somehow Vanessa wasn't shocked by any of that. Harry was always their number one target. Hearing that they tried to capture him on Christmas seemed just like something they would do. But burning the Weasleys' home in retaliation was a new low she hadn't been prepared for. She wasn't close to any of them by any means, but it saddened her to hear that they had experienced something so terrifying. And on Christmas, no less.

"That's horrible," she muttered quietly, and even those words didn't seem enough to describe what happened.

"These attacks are becoming more brazen and frequent," Senior continued. "With you two going back to school- likely with some recruits of theirs- we're obviously worried for your safety."

"Hogwarts has its flaws, but I assure you we'll be safe," Artemis said. His words were confident, but Vanessa could hear a twinge of doubt in them. His hand had come to a rest on top of Vanessa's, and she was grateful his parents were standing in such a way they couldn't see it.

"I'm not so sure about that," Senior replied. "Quite frankly, you haven't been safe from the moment you walked into that blasted school in first year. Basilisks, incompentant staff, the Triwizard Tournament... need I go on?" When neither Artemis or Vanessa said anything, he continued. "I obviously cannot speak for your father, Vanessa," he said before turning to Artemis, "but I know we will be reconsidering sending you back in the autumn if things don't improve."

"You're merely jesting," Artemis huffed.

"Does it sound like I'm joking, Artemis?" his father responded, his voice sounding the most annoyed Vanessa had ever heard it. "Our blood status alone will not protect you from these lunatics. Your best friends are half-blood or less. That alone is an offense punishable by death in their eyes."

It was a valid point, even if Vanessa hated the thought. Alex was half-blood, and she was technically less due to her mother's Veela heritage. They were the exact kind of people Death Eaters hated, and Artemis would be lumped into that group just for associating with her and Alex. Vanessa felt momentarily guilty for placing her friend and his family in this predicament, but that dissipated when she remembered the Death Eaters were the ones in the wrong.

Angeline stepped forward slightly, taking her husband's left hand in her right while placing her left hand on his upper arm. Her touch alone softened the man's expression, and Vanessa was reminded of how well the two of them complimented each other.

"We'll obviously have to talk about it more, Arty, but your father is right," she said calmly. "These are dangerous times, and we worry for your safety when you're not home. Vanessa's and Alex's too. Just please be careful while we make the final decision."

Artemis barely nodded. Vanessa felt his hand tighten around hers. He wouldn't admit it, not even to her, but she knew he was just as nervous about the whole Death Eater thing as everyone else.  "Very well," he answered quietly.

"You should be safe enough for now," Angeline said. "But try not to stir up any trouble. You never know who could be one of them."

Vanessa felt guilty once again. Knowing there was a huge possibility that Draco was a Death Eater and the triangle she had unfortunately placed Artemis in. If she stayed with Draco- or hell, even if she left him- and he remained suspicious of their relationship, he could very easily seek revenge on Artemis for what had happened. And Vanessa would be to blame. She'd never forgive herself if something happened to Artemis.

"Me? Stirring up trouble? I wouldn't dream of it," Artemis replied smugly.

"With all due respect, you could make a picnic into an international incident, sir," Butler broke his silence.

Vanessa couldn't help but laugh at that. It was a true statement.

Artemis shrugged lightly. "I'll be fine."

Vanessa only hoped he was right.

*****

Sorry this chapter took so long. I don't really have a great excuse. I've just been tired a lot more recently for some reason, and have been going to bed earlier instead of staying up late to write. I hope I won't take so long to update the next chapter, but unfortunately I can't promise it won't be a bit. I hope all of you are staying safe out there, and thank you for your patience with me.

~arty_writes