Sir Scratch a Lot awoke with the same goal, and the same determination, that he arose with every morning - drive the resident wiener dog ape-chit crazy, by any and all means at his disposal. Thus far, he had been unsuccessful in his endeavors, but as all cat and Kneazel owners know, there is no more revenge-driven creatures as a feline scorned; and this feline had almost eleven years of scorn driving his revenge-mobile.
Artemis had been slowing down over the last few months, almost imperceptibly at first, but more obviously in the last two weeks. Severus and Harry had sought advice from Madame Pomfrey and Professor Grubbly-Plank, just one day prior, and both suggested low-sodium kibble, mild water restriction, and reduced activity, after finding moderate to severe heart valvular disease. The wizards were distraught, setting Artemis’s comfy bed in front of the fire, hoping for just a little more time.
Sir Scratch a Lot stalked the sleeping canine, and was just about to pounce, when he sniffed his prey and found his nemesis smelled “off”. Artemis was breathing rapidly, her tongue was purple, and just as Scratchy decided to go off to find his Wizards, Artemis dropped her head, losing consciousness. The feline let out an otherworldly caterwaul, instantly awakening both of them.
Racing to the living room, Harry and Severus took in their beloved dog’s condition and Apparated the dog and themselves to the infirmary. Before Madame Pomfrey could pass the wand over the unconscious, beloved pet, she seized up, then went limp. Harry knew immediately that Artemis, his beloved familiar, had died. A pain he had never before experienced settled in his chest, as hot tears spilled down his cheeks. Severus, the ever stoic Headmaster, let his façade slip, with singular tears running down each cheek.
Professor Grubbly-Plank, having been summoned by Poppy, Flooed into the infirmary, offering her support to the clearly distressed Potter-Snapes. She addressed the most pressing issues first, the disposition of the beloved canines remains, and the mourning period they could expect from the couple’s Kneazel.
“Wilhelmina, Lady Hogwarts has the means to entomb the cremains of our beloved Artemis, within her very walls. There is a Wixen pet/familiar mausoleum in a Fidelius-guarded room in Ravenclaw tower. When a beloved familiar dies, the room becomes visible to the grieving Witch or Wizard. Hogwarts herself handles the cremation and will deliver her urn to our quarters. We have the option of hosting a service, in her honor, in our quarters, then Lady Hogwarts herself Apparates her urn to her crypt, affixing a silver, never-tarnishing memorial plaque to mark her final resting place.” Severus had to stop at this point, to comfort his soulmate and hide his tears, tears that were apparent to both witches.
“Harry, Severus, those of us trained in the Care of Magical Creatures are also trained in grief counseling after pet loss. Hagrid is in France, with Madame Maxine, but he is aware of your beloved companions passing, and is, at this very moment, arranging an international Portkey. He should be here”-
Hagrid materialized in the Infirmary, dwarfing the four already gathered. In a gesture of tenderness and unexpected gentleness, he embraced Harry and Severus, holding them closely to his bosom, as Lady Hogwarts tended to Artemis’s earthly remains, and depositing the gold and silver urn, tastefully encrusted with tiny rubies and emeralds, to the Potter-Snape home.
Later, as Hagrid escorted the grieving Wizards to their quarters, they entered to find Sir Scratch a Lot curled around the urn, meowing softly. The feline dedicated the entirety of the little wiener dog's life to their little game of cat and dog, knowing full well that the game was a gift to Artemis, to hone her instincts. There was no malice, only very closely-guarded affection. A Kneazel never shows weakness.
The service for Artemis immediately followed the discovery of the Kneazels devotion. Harry and Severus and their devoted Sir Scratch a Lot were joined by Poppy, Wilhelmina, Rubeus, Minerva, Filius, Molly, Arthur, Ron, Hermoine, Neville and Luna.
A few months passed, and a miniature long haired dachshund joined the Potter-Snape household. The Wizards had seen her in the AKC Marketplace breeder advertisements. A video showed a litter of dachshund puppies, with a bold, barking, tail wagging like helicopter blades puppy who pushed her way to the front of the litter (holy carp, a clandestine crup/dachshund breeder).
They made the trip to the States to pick up their new puppy. Harry named her Persephone, just because he liked the name. Severus had no objections, he felt the name fit their little tan and white piebald cutie. She was not a replacement for Artemis, she was an addition to the family. And Sir Scratch a Lot, who was getting on in years, decided to embrace Persephone’s infectious affection. They slept together, in the dog’s sumptuous bed, every night, from the first night onward.
And Harry and Severus, they held the memory of Artemis in their hearts all of their days.