The Sun Sets Twice Again

Chapter Fourteen

There wasn't a big trial needed to pardon Sirius Black. It was a simple affair really; an announcement was made, his wand was returned, his Gringott's vault refunded with what it had had when he was arrested (goblins keep excellent records), and the Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge blamed the aurors. Tom got the striking impression the man was an utter, blind idiot, trying to save his political standing in a failing position. Tom wouldn't have been paying much attention at all really, as he had no idea who Sirius Black was or what he had been imprisoned for, if Harry's mood hadn't been ecstatic for nearly two whole days now.

Harry was still bickering with him whenever he wasn't with his godfather, but it was lighter. Harry had even muttered a thanks to him the morning before, which Tom could only surmise was for getting Black pardoned. As far as he could tell the other boy was taking this as an eye-for-an-eye situation, a payment on the death of his parents. If that made him more amicable Tom certainly wasn't going to argue that he hadn't done it for him. Black didn't interest Tom much, he seemed like an overgrown child if anything, and even more excited about being freed than Harry was--which was hard from Tom's point of view given how absolutely outstandingly happy Harry was--making all sorts of plans for the next summer and winter break and how he was staying at Hogwarts for a while.

Aside from Harry's good mood the only other positive thing that had come of it was Remus Lupin. Lupin was calm, intelligent, and oddly enough, aware of who he was. Tom could only guess that Dumbledore had informed him before the pact was made. Black didn't know, as Lupin had said if he did he would be threatening Tom with grave bodily harm or horribly painful death. When asked why he himself wasn't making threats Lupin had replied that he liked to give people the benefit of the doubt but if Tom stepped outside of that he'd have no problem making the threats and following up on them as well. Tom, who had been threatened often enough to know what a real one looked like, took this seriously. It didn't hurt that something about the man wasn't entirely human, though Tom hadn't figured out what exactly was off. He'd ruled out part-veela for obvious reasons, part-vampire because he would recognize that, and fully a number of things for the fact the man used a wand. He almost wanted to say the man was feral, and for that reason Tom was leaning towards a particularly predatory animagus or a werewolf. He'd have to check the registers at some point.

Regardless of what Lupin may, or may not, be, he was willing to help Tom with the information he'd need. Fifty years wasn't particularly long in a wizards life, as there had been cases where wizards had lived to 210, though the average was about 165, but it was a wealth of knowledge and culture. New charms and potions were always being invented and tested, and while Lupin couldn't help him with the potions he was more than helpful with the charms. Luckily transfiguration, which was always Tom's worse subject and the only one he got less than perfect marks on, didn't really change in concept. Animagus, which Tom had no chance of being, though that didn't really upset him, was the basic end all of the subject. So, making up fifty years of information wasn't as difficult as it might have been. Culturally, however, it was a mess.

The wizardry world had always been more progressive in that manner than the Muggle one, and Tom certainly had nothing against the female population--some of the absolute best Slytherins were female after all--but it was still...odd that basically any sexual discriminatory policies had been eradicated since he joined the wizardry world. Especially since it had apparently spread in the Muggle world as well, which, unlike the magical one, was traditionally male dominant. After all, magic was a great equalizer and, being inherent, it was almost impossible to control in another being. In the Muggle world the males' physical strength had been their hold on the power, but in the magical world what good was strength when one could levitate you a few metres off the ground and threaten to drop you or hex you painfully from across the room. Even taking away wands, a temporary and painful experiment over a two millennia previous, had failed horribly. That was perhaps the reason women made the best Slytherins generally, because they had to be more cunning to deal with things. Unlike Gryffindors who still favoured running into a situation fists swinging and under prepared. Needless to say some things were culturally a shock, but Tom wasn't worried. He had always been good at adapting to a situation.

That had brought the number of people who knew who he was on sight to five, including himself, with a possible sixth when Rubeus Hagrid returned. He was apparently now the Care of Magical Creatures--who else but Dumbledore would be insane enough to appoint him to that sort of position. He was thankfully currently on sabbatical as well, especially considering that according to Harry he had framed Rubeus for the Chamber of Secrets debacle and therefore Tom was the reason Rubeus wasn't a full wizard. Things would have to be dealt with when he did come back but Tom was assured that wouldn't be before the new year.

Artemis was the current issue, a possible, insistent seven. She suspected something. Tom could only figure that she knew that he wasn't who he said he was, which was actually a rather intelligent conclusion even for the observant type. Not that he hadn't acted oddly enough around her to warrant the suspicion that something was off, but she kept asking questions as if she knew he would know about that, even when he wasn't suppose to. She also kept making references to things he knew nothing about and wasn't certain if he should know about. The worst had come when Artemis started asking about his 'family', which, of course, were questions he couldn't honestly answer as he knew next to nothing about the Hunters. How she knew about the Hunters he had no idea. It didn't matter what exactly Artemis believed to be true, she knew something was false and that could cause all sorts of problems. Then again, if she knew the Hunters she might be useful for information, but that would require telling her who he was. She also might be able to fill in some of the cultural gaps. Worst though, he had to get permission from both Dumbledore and Harry to tell her anything. If she did react badly, for that matter, he'd have to get Dumbledore to put a memory charm on her about it. Assuming Dumbledore would even agree to something like that. So, the question being, was Artemis more dangerous with only part of the information and theories about the rest or all the information and therefore the ability to share it? In Tom's experience people were almost always worse with the former, but he didn't know Artemis well enough to make an informed decision one way or another. Therefore, he was going to attempt to lie his way out of the situation, as most people would prefer a likely lie to an unlikely truth.

Finding Artemis wasn't that difficult. She spent a fair bit of time in the library, and more than that down in the potions laboratory. He wasn't welcomed in the potions rooms but he hadn't let that stop him yet. Still, he was glad she was in the library today instead. Artemis was sprawled out on her stomach on the floor of the library again, with her chin propped up in her hands and her elbows digging into pillows, a book open in front of her. Reading like that always made him dizzy so he just sat down next to her, stretched out.

It took two minutes before she greeted him with a 'Hullo, Lucas'.

"Hey Artemis. The book interesting?"

She shrugged, not looking up. "Interesting enough. Anything you need?"

"Just wanted to...talk."

"Talk about what?"

Of course she couldn't make this easy. Tom sighed, trying to look nervous. "You've been noticing that my behaviour is a little odd."

She looked up finally and nodded. Good.

"My behaviour *is* a little odd, I know." Tom took a deep breath, and tried to look contrite. "It's because of the accident. See, I was in this accident at home-- it was really idiotic actually, I fell off my broom and hit my head--and now I'm having trouble remember anything. I recall *how* to do things but not where or when I learned to do them. Apparently I attended Hogwarts in my first year, which is how I remember things like how to get to the greenhouses, but I don't remember any of that year. My family either. Things keep coming back in bits and pieces and all my knowledge is intact, but for the large part it's as if I've forgotten my entire life. I even had to be told my name." Another deep breath filled his lungs, an embarrassed look crossed his face, a shy smile for convincing. All just an act, but make the act look real. "So, if my behaviour is a little odd, well, that's why. They're hoping I'll remember everything in time, but it's been months since I fell off the broom and most of it's still gone."

"But some of it's there. Like greenhouses and what a Malfoy looks like?" Artemis asked, smiling sympathetically.

A slow nod and a look of sincerity and relief, the relief didn't need to be faked. "Right."

She grinned. "Nice cover, Tom. Pretty ingenious if you ask me. It takes care of all the details, explains the inconsistencies, gives room for error. Brilliant, really. Then again, you were a Slytherin and Head Boy, so I shouldn't have expected anything less. Surprised you approached me as soon as you did, of course, but could be you're just naturally suspicious, or maybe subtly just isn't in my bag of tricks. You should have removed the annual photos though. Maybe done some research on who you're lying to as well. Sorry, I do know you're lying. Good try however."

Tom's face went blank while he adapted to this information. One thought was prevailed: how did she know?

"How?"

Artemis' grin faded into a soft, wistful smile. "Memories are funny things. I should know. I do know, actually. Still, I don't care that you're Tom Riddle. I don't even care that Harry hates you for some reason I've yet to figure out. I'm curious as to how you ended up fifty years from where you should be, but you don't have to tell me. And please, don't feel threatened, alright? I honestly have nothing to gain and no reason to give a damn, and therefore I'm not going to tell. So, really, don't bother trying to lie your way out of this. We all have our secrets. You don't ask about mine, I won't ask about yours. If you do ever need anyone to talk to, I'm here and I'll listen for pure curiosities sake. Oh, and try a memory charm on me and I'll castrate you, okay?"

Tom nodded cautiously.

How did she know? What had he done? Had he done anything? Had Dumbledore somehow told her? Why would Dumbledore tell her? Had *Harry* somehow told her? This was going to drive him mad. How had she jumped from he was lying about who he was to who he truly was? Artemis had threatened him, so he doubted she knew he was Lord Voldemort, or would be Lord Voldemort, or could be...doubted she knew about his connection to Lord Voldemort then. That was reassuring, that she only had part of the information. Unless, of course, she was just not afraid of him despite said connection, which he supposed was possible but not likely. No, it was much more likely she only knew that he was Tom Riddle. Which was all he was.

'Some research on who you're lying to'. Something about her gave her the information, not him? That made sense. 'Memories are funny things...I do know, actually.' Something about memories? His memories or hers? He shook his head.

He heard himself say, "No memory charms, then."

Fuck, he'd just been out played by someone. Oh, that was annoying. Possibly made Artemis a good ally though.

"I still want to know how you did it," he said.

Artemis had gone back to reading her book but looked up again. "Soon as you tell me how you got here and why."

He couldn't do that, not without getting Harry and Dumbledore to agree to it.

"I'll think about it, then. Talk to you soon." He stood, brushing the non-existent dust off of his trousers, and moved to leave.

"Bye, Lucas."

Tom glanced back, she was grinning.

Bitch. Artemis was a total, manipulative bitch. Maybe he'd have an ally in Slytherin after all. Now, how was he going to explain this to Dumbledore?

* * *

Over an hour later Tom finally managed to get both Dumbledore and Harry together, with no one else but them, in Dumbledore's office for a meeting about what he was mentally dubbing 'the lifes-a-bitch- situation'. Once all the pleasantries and offering of charmed sweets were done, Dumbledore was the first to speak.

"Is there a problem, Mr. Riddle?"

Tom resisted the urge to sneer and ask if he would have called for a meeting if there wasn't a problem. It's not like he wanted to have nice little chats with Dumbledore when he could be doing, well, anything else. He wouldn't have pulled Harry away from the happy little reunion with his godfather if he could help it, as well. This Artemis thing needed to be dealt with now, and unfortunately he was honour-bound--more like bound by the balls--to discuss the situation with the two of them.

"Artemis knows I'm Tom Riddle."

Harry's mouth dropped open, followed by a quick. "I didn't tell her, I swear."

"Of course you didn't tell her, you *can't*," Tom snapped. "She figured it out, somehow."

"Do you have any ideas on how she did so?" That was from Dumbledore. Harry was still sitting in his chair sulking. He would have to deal with that later.

"Not entirely. She mentioned that it had something to do with who she was and also memories, in that she understands them. She refused to disclose exactly how she managed it unless I explained how I came to be at Hogwarts currently. That, as you know, is something I am unable to do. Therefore, here we are."

Dumbledore gave one of those all-knowing, 'I've got a bloody secret' smiles that he was so fond of and 'hmm' mysteriously. Tom glared. Harry glared as well, which made Tom smile thus ruining the glare effect.

"It did not occur to me earlier that Ms. Moirae might have a peculiar gift."

Well, thank god you don't know everything, Tom snapped mentally.

"It is surprising, but not completely unexpected."

Care to share any time soon?

"The Moirae line is known for its natural talents in divination. Mostly in the females, which is why any daughter with the Sight is legally binding as heir, but occasionally in the males as well. There hasn't been a Moirae, in any of the lines, with the Sight since before I was born." Dumbledore tapped his wand against the desk, muttered something, and a parchment appeared out of nowhere, or out of somewhere Tom couldn't see at least. His eyes scanned the writing on the parchment before he smiled. "Ah, yes. Here it is."

No, I don't suppose you do. It was consoling that Harry seemed almost as annoyed as himself by this big production.

"Ms. Moirae does indeed have the Sight, it appears. Something to do with memories. It would be very difficult to restrict that without her knowledge. It may be in everyone's best interest merely to inform her of events. She seems a rather level-headed girl."

"A level-headed girl would hand me over to the Aurors in as quick as it took her to call them. Luckily, Artemis seems rather opportunist instead of level-headed. I agree, we should tell her."

Harry shrugged. "It's your funeral."

Tom wondered if he was correct about that. Artemis could always decide to tell the Aurors after hearing the story, and Tom wasn't certain that Dumbledore would stop her. No, the old man probably would if only because he had been habouring what amounted to a fugitive for over twenty-four hours with full knowledge of the circumstances. Explaining that to Ministry officials without, at the very least, ending up removed from his position as Head Master or, at the worst, being placed in Azkaban, would be very tricky. The sort of tricky he doubted even Dumbledore could manage, though if anyone could...

"We all agree, then," Dumbledore announced cheerfully.

Both Harry and himself were saved from actually having to answer to that by the arrival of Severus Snape's head in the fireplace.

"Sorry to interrupt your meeting Headmaster, but there is a situation which needs to be addressed as soon as you have a chance, sir."

Dumbledore smiled reassuringly as he turned to face the fireplace. "Not to worry, Severus, you weren't interrupting anything. We were just finished. Shall I meet you in your classroom?"

"Better to just come to the Slytherin dorms."

"Alright. I will be right there." Snape's head disappeared. "If you will excuse me, it seems there is another matter that needs my attention. You have my full blessing to tell Ms. Moirae what you feel is necessary. I suggest you do it together, preferably in the safe room so that the magic behind the pact does not read any ill intentions. If there are any problems, it seems I will be in the Slytherins dormitories."

Tom nodded. "Yes, sir."

Harry's 'Yes, sir' was somehow even less enthusiastic than his own, which Tom wouldn't have thought possible without being downright disrespectful. With that Dumbledore ushered them out of his office and hurried off towards the dungeons.

"So, we go tell Artemis."

Harry shrugged. "Might as well."

Tom couldn't help but feel that Harry was more enjoyable when he wasn't agreeing with whatever Tom suggested. Still, they needed to deal with Artemis before they went back to bickering. Hopefully Artemis was still in the library.