Scarred (Artemis/Bella)

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He smiled as Bella seemed to love the name that he had come up with for her. Despite his seemingly growing confidence, he still was just as nervous of upsetting her as he was in the past only this time he was able to hide his nervousness better. As he looked at her again, he felt his nervousness start to slowly slip away after seeing the adoration in her beautiful green eyes.

After he had set her down, he smiled at the words that she said to him.

"And I promise that I will always return that love, no matter what." He watched as Bella moved to thank the blank faced Xayden, and for a moment his body tensed. Xayden had been known to be especially cruel to women who attempted to talk to him in the past, something that had made him extremely nervous. Yet he was surpised when Xayden just stared at her calmly for a moment before nodding slowly.

"He sort of made a deal with me that I could not refuse. Besides, I know what it's like to be worried about the one you love so it's fine." [/i]

His eyes made eye contact with Xayden's in that moment and he couldn't help but feel surprised at the civility that he displayed.

When Bella asked to be apparated to Hogsmeade along with him, he couldn't help but feel nervous, what if something happened to her?! He relaxed slightly as the auror told her that he would apperate to inside of the Shrieking Shack, and he glanced back at Xayden who crossed his arms slightly.

"We'll be apperating to right outside of the shack then. By the time you manage to get out, lover boy should be there waiting for you."

He walked over to them, and took hold of Artemis's hand for a second time. Artemis waved goodbye to Bella, and managed to say a quick goodbye to her before a loud crack filled the air and the two disapperated.

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[Bella Walsh]

Auror Finnegan stood for a moment after the two appirated and held a warm, quiet smile. When Bella asked him what was on his mind, he only answered, "That look you two get when you look at each other reminds me of how I...oh, that's ancient history." "No, no...you started it Seamus, you know you need to finish!" The man laughed, "Yes, alright. It reminds me of the way I used to see Dean Thomas look at your mother, Kendra. And the way I sometimes look at Susan."

Bella smiled and put a hand on his shoulder, "You could tell her that, you know? You never know what would come of it." "Oh, I do...she always says she's sorry, but she has to stay in hiding." She smiled almost teasingly, "However, you always know where she is. Just...tell her once more and stand your ground. Prove that you will protect her as you always have."

Seamus laughed, "This is bloo'y rich. I'm taking relationship advise from a 17 year old who doesn't know how hormones work." Bella paled, "Wait...what? You didn't see that did you??" "No, no, but I know Madame Puddifoot. She told me about it, but she wasn't upset! She thought it was slightly funny." "Merciful Merlin's...Bloody...Beard!" She turned as red as ever, slightly horrified. "Before we go, I just wanted to say that its natural to feel that way. It is true human nature, no need to fear it. Even in the most nervous human, instinct simply overrides the rest." "Oh, I can't talk about that with you!" She wailed, laughing. "An' why not? I'm practically your da'! "

She laughed, as he hugged her and swiftly appirated with a loud crack. When she opened her eyes again, they were in the Shreiking Shack. He seemed to look sad as he said, "This place just isn't the same without Reamus. Anyway...you get on back to school and finish up your year. I'm always on the grounds with the tourney...but I'm going to...err...talk to Susan." She waved as he left, and made her way outside. Less shaky, she moved across the grounds until she saw Artemis waiting there and her world simply felt complete again.

Her arms wound around his waist from behind and her cheek pressed to his arm, "My sweet seraph. I hope you weren't waiting long. I was stuck in the middle of the most awkward conversation I've ever had in my lifetime." The girl smiled at the scent of his cologne filling her senses again. Her mind began to feed off of those barely understood feelings again and her hands affectionately drew along his stomach. "Are we going back to the castle now?" She asked sweetly.

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The second they had arrived back at Hogsmeade Xayden had let go of him and left with just a reminder that the two of them had a deal. Merlin he hoped his sister wouldn't be too upset with him when she found out that he had used her as a bargaining tool. Sighing and shoving his hands in the pockets of his pants, he made his way to the entrance of the shack while keeping an eye open for anyone that might try to harm Bella. The incident at the hospital had been more than enough to make him weary, and cautious. He would never forgive himself if Bella ended up getting hurt while she was with him after he had just sworn that he would protect her.

After a moment of wandering, he managed to make it to the entrance of the shack where he stood and waited while also keeping a careful eye on the people that were passing by. He wouldn't lie and try to deny that he was nervous. He had heard numerous rumors that the Shrieking Shack was very dangerous, and the thought that Bella was in there was enough to make him somewhat uneasy, even though he knew that the auror would protect her. The sooner she was out of that place, the better.

It seemed like he had been waiting for quite a while before he felt a pair of arms wrap around his waist, and heard that familiar voice speak an apology to him. Artemis smiled softly, and turned around pulling her into his arms. " I was not waiting long at all. Even if I was, I would gladly spend the rest of my life waiting for you, Kardiá mou." He smiled and placed a gentle kiss to her cheek. "An awkward conversation? What was it about if you do not mind my asking? And yes, that was the original plan, unless there is something else that you would rather do?"

[Bella Walsh]

Her head shook softly, "I had no particular plans, no. Just...getting my strength back so I don't feel like I'm walking on the deck of a boat sounds lovely. Just...no apricot chai tea today, seraph." She laughed softly and took a hold of his hands. "You look like you could use a bite too, come on. Let's go to the castle and see if it's close to dinner. And, I don't care what people think, I'm going to sit with you at your table. I'm sure Rowena and Helena wont mind that." With a soft laugh, she entwined her fingers with his and started back to the castle.

~End~