ᑭETᖇIᑕᕼOᖇ

Chapter 10

6 years ago

A small, petite girl with curly raven locks dashed down the hallway through her family home. Excitement poured from each and every pore, a large toothy grin on display. Today wasn't like the others, no. Today she would get to see her Godfather one last time before she was whisked away to the school of magic called Hogwarts.

Artemisia's Godfather was her favorite person. Ever. He held the world in his hands and she adored it. She loved that a man just as powerful as him could have the capacity to care for someone like her. She loved him. 

Her small feet covered in oxford shoes echoed throughout the silent home. The portraits on the walls were mostly agitated, a mere few smiling warmly at such childish innocence. She was so close to slipping and tumbling down the stairs; her heart shrinking 3 sizes and her breath catching in her throat. A large hand grabbed the scruff of her shirt and pulled her upright once more.

Turning to face him, her embarrassed blush was replaced with a look of absolute glee. "Godfather!" She screeched, throwing her tiny body onto his as he let out a huff of surprise.

"Little Lennox, how have you been darling?" Her response was muffled - her face buried too far into his suit jacked for any words to come out intelligible. 

The man chuckled and glanced down with an adoring look reserved only for her. She was the only person on Earth to look at him as if he held the stars in his eyes. She would be raised to become just what he needed. A weapon.

"I've missed you." She practically sobbed, staining his over coat with her tears and snot. He shivered in disgust but kept up the doting godfather façade.

His small smile changed in an instant as he noticed the too-large ring situated on her thumb. "Artemisia.." She knew that tone of voice. With a loud exhale, she slowly looked up and flinched at his expression. "What have I told you about snooping in my things?" 

And just like that the tender embrace was broken, her small body flung across the room and into the opposite wall. She was pinned there cowering as he made his way over. She loved that man, but Merlin did she fear him.

"You really must be taught to mind my rules." His rough, calloused hand came to cup her cheek whilst his other pried the ring from her finger.

"W-wait.. please! I'll be good! I swear it!" His glare didn't falter. She shivered knowing what was to come. 

"I'm truly sorry, darling, but you must learn. Crucio."

Present day

She looked back on the memory fondly, even if her body felt as if every organ was imploding at the time. Yes, it was cruel. Yes, no 9 year old deserved such torture. But that experience and many more like it were what made her who she was. They made her stronger. She would always be thankful to her Godfather for that. 

She looked in the body-length mirror and reminded herself that she was powerful. Going into Slughorn's party where she knew she'd have to deal with Tom had her on edge, but the not-so-sweet memory helped to bring back that sense of superiority. She had been through much more than whatever little Tom Riddle could do to her.

She was no fool. Artemisia knew well of Tom's resentment that he continued to harbor after their fight in the Room of Requirement. She just didn't know when he'd enact his no-doubt pain filled plan. There was no bone in her body that feared the snake-like man. The only thing she truly feared was time, and time taunted her with the paranoia of Riddle's revenge.