A/N: This is my third...counted it third attempt on writing this idea. I have not given up because I really like what ideas I have for this story. I have deleted the second attempt at this story. The first attempt, A Silver Lining in Hell, has been left up for those searching for updates. There will be a note there too, of course, to direct them here (Hi!). I will be sticking with this version as I like it the most out of any of the previous ones I have written. You will notice some similarities if you have read the other two, I didn't dislike all of it! I like the ideas, which is obviously why I'm still on this story, but I didn't like HOW I wrote it. Thus Utopia was born. Stick with me, as I plan to continue this as long as I get at least some feedback (reviews are my favorite, please please please!). Enjoy and review!
"Please tell me you're joking."
Albus Dumbledore studied the young witch from his plush armchair. She was pacing and muttering under her breath, clearly arguing with herself. She finally sat down in the chair across from him, pinching the bridge of her nose in a fruitless effort to stave of the looming promise of a headache. Auburn hair obscured her expressive hazel eyes from the Hogwarts' professor's knowing gaze.
"Alright," she took a deep breath, "Explain."
"I have come to extend an invitation to you to attend Hogwarts."
"Albus, the last time I was in the wizarding world…" she trailed off, a pained look in her eyes.
His blue eyes twinkled sympathetically, "Gellert Grindelwald is not your fault, Artemis."
"He's my nephew." Upon seeing the amused look on his face, she amended her statement, "Well he's my very distant nephew. I should have looked after him better."
"One can hardly be faulted on the deeds of another. Even if he is your sister Alekto's descendant, do you not think that he would have been suspicious to see that his Aunt Artemis never aged? If we were to be judging you on your distant relatives, I would say that the Potter family is a splendid example of your character. They are Antiope's family, are they not?"
A fond expression crossed her face, "Yes they are."
"Despite the unfortunate situations you have experienced in the wizarding world, we need you back," Albus said gently.
"Albus, the wizarding world is what made me a monster in the first place. Unable to die; forever stuck at eighteen years old. Centuries ago, my parents sold me to 'upstanding young wizards researching healing methods' to provide for themselves and my brother and sisters. Countless of painful experiments resulting in an eternity alone. You know this. Yet you want me to come back."
"I want you to come home, Artemis. Back to Hogwarts."
Artemis eyed the wizard suspiciously, "Why do you want me to come back?"
"There is a darker force rising in the shadow of Gellert Grindelwald, my dear. I can do many things, but I cannot be in two places at once. If my attention is to be on Gellert then someone must be watching at Hogwarts for me. He is too intelligent to give himself away to other professors."
"This young man is still a student?" she was surprised.
Albus trained a concerned eye on the witch before him, "Tom Riddle may be a student, but he is very dangerous."
Artemis pinched the bridge of her nose again, "So let me be sure I am understanding what you're asking of me. Gellert, who you very well know was the reason I had to leave the wizarding world in the first place, would have stopped at nothing to discover how his Aunt Artemis never aged…never died…yet still retained her soul in one piece. You want me to associate with a man who is more dangerous than Gellert?"
"My dear, I'm asking much more," Albus said softly, "I'm asking you to be friends with Tom Riddle."
She grimaced.
"We have no right to ask you to help us, but I'm here nonetheless."
"Alright Albus. I'll help you with this…dark threat, but don't expect any miracles."
Albus stood to leave. Glancing back, he paused to look at her thoughtfully. "Go on and share your thoughts," Artemis said with a sigh, "Merlin knows it is probably important." Albus chuckled and replied, "I recommend you stop at Ollivanders to get a wand. Wandless magic is incredibly rare these days."
"A wand?" Artemis blinked. "I've never used a wand before."
Albus Dumbledore's suggestion is what had Artemis out on a very dreary August 31st. Rain was pelting students and adults alike as they rushed from shop to shop at Diagon Alley. Of course, the only students out right now were the ones who had procrastinated getting their school things until the last possible moment. Unless someone else had the exact same circumstances as Artemis: deciding to attend Hogwarts yesterday evening.
Considering that she hardly ever left her own house, Artemis had no magicked cloak to keep the rain off. Trying to avoid using wandless magic—imagine, centuries ago wands did not even exist!—she did not cast any spells to keep herself dry. Thus, she was soaked to the bone as she made her way through the shops of Diagon Alley. It was strangely nostalgic, reminding her of a time when she was eleven and attending Hogwarts for the first time. Granted there were not nearly as many shops back then.
Artemis blinked, realizing that she was suddenly not being abused by the downpour.
"What's a pretty girl like you doing in the rain by yourself?" a young man questioned. Gesturing to himself, "I charmed you so you won't get wet, if that's ok?"
"Thank you," Artemis said pleasantly, keeping her mind carefully blank. Until she knew who this person was, it was safer to assume that anyone could be a Legilimens.
"Do you go to Hogwarts? I've never seen you before," he commented, flashing her a brilliant smile.
Taking in his aristocratic features, she chuckled and answered, "No, this is my first year at Hogwarts. Special case. I'm starting my seventh year. And you must be a member of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black."
A look of surprise crossed his face before he broke out into a good-natured laugh, "You must be from the wizarding world to know my family solely on looks. The name is Orion. Orion Black, obviously." He extended a hand to her.
"Artemis Pierce." She grasped his hand firmly.
Unsurprised when he kissed her knuckles instead of shaking her hand, Artemis just sighed.
"I've never heard of the Pierce family. Are you a pureblood?" he took her hand and tucked it into the crook of his arm, "Where are we heading, love?"
"Ollivanders," she saw confusion flicker across Orion's features, "My family is pureblood, but I'm surprised that you haven't heard of them."
"And why is that?" he asked pleasantly as he steered her towards Ollivanders.
Artemis glanced at him from under her lashes before answering, "My parents are dead. I'm the only Pierce left."
"I'm sorry-" Artemis cut him off, "It's alright Mr. Black. They died a long time ago."
"Please call me Orion," he grinned at her.
"Alright Orion," she gave him a small smile back. It was hard to be standoffish with Orion's easy going attitude.
"So, why do you need a wand?"
"My old one got snapped," Artemis was prepared with her story, "I'm rather clumsy if I'm not on a broom. I fell down the stairs and it was an unfortunate casualty." Ollivander was already aware of her circumstances. As much as he needed to be per Albus. Hopefully he wouldn't make any mention of this being her first wand in front of Orion.
A barking laugh escaped from Orion's throat.
Stepping into the old shop caused a little bell to go off above them. An older wizard peered at them from the small counter.
"Ah Miss Pierce," his eyes flickered to Orion and back to her, "How lovely to see you again. I only wish it was under different circumstances."
Artemis raised a fine eyebrow. She had never met Ollivander in her life. What Albus had told him Artemis could not be sure. But she was reluctant to complain if he kept her secret that the wand she was getting today would be her first. For what if she had met Tom Riddle in Diagon Alley instead of Orion Black?
A measuring tape floated into her peripheral vision, whipping around her sharply as it measured.
"Here we are. Holly with dragon heartstring. Twelve inches. Excellent for defensive work."
The wand was barely in her hand when it was snatched away by Ollivander. "No no, that one won't do at all," he muttered to himself as he went among his shelves once again.
"Yew with unicorn hair; ten inches."
Once again the wand was taken from her. As the stack of wands that had rejected her grew, Orion's boredom became more and more apparent. He was lounging on a plush chair in the corner, watching her sharply. The look in his eyes warned Artemis of hidden intelligence. Someone of which to be wary.
Ollivander studied her for a moment when he handed her the next wand.
"This is the only wand I have ever made to have such a unique core. Only one other wand has even had something similar. In fact, I acquired this from the same beast as the other wand's core. Long dead, the beast was, magnificent but deadly," he prattled, "Here you are then. Thirteen inches. Pine with basilisk horn."
Orion's eyes, which had been drifting closed, snapped to her.
Artemis blinked, "My previous wand had…unicorn hair. Such a different core will not work for me."
"You'll never know until you try. And pine is…fitting. Every witch or wizard I have known that has been chosen by a pine wand has lived a very long life indeed. However oftentimes they are…alone," Ollivander trailed off, "And as for the basilisk horn, I cannot be certain the extent of its properties. Only one has been used before and it was much before my time. I believe its meaning will be revealed to you in time. But you must try it first."
She scowled but acquiesced. Unfamiliar with how to exactly use a wand, she waved it aimlessly, not unlike a first year trying magic for the very first time. A shower of silver sparks lit up the shop.
"Marvelous!" Olivander exclaimed.
After paying for her wand, Orion tucked her hand into the crook of his arm once again as they walked out.
"Why have you taken such an interest in me?" she finally asked him, curious as to what the intelligent mind hidden behind the pretty face was thinking.
Orion glanced down at her, "You are new to Hogwarts and a seventh year. Consider it my job to discover interesting and possibly important people."
Artemis quirked an eyebrow at him but he didn't see her unasked question and continued to speak.
"In any case, depending on which house you are sorted into, which I have no doubt it will be Slytherin." Under his breath, Artemis heard the 'because really, a basilisk horn core' that she was not meant to hear, "I'd like you to meet my friends. Abaraxas and Tom would love to meet you."
"Abraxas and Tom?" she questioned.
"Abraxas Malfoy, who's family I'm sure your familiar with if you have the pleasure of knowing my family enough to recognize members based on appearance."
"You're not wrong," she agreed with a strained laugh, "And Tom?"
"Tom Riddle. You probably don't know him."
Tom Riddle.
A/N: What do you think? A completely different take on how I had originally started this story. So, no Tom yet but Orion has already met Artemis. You also learned some about Artemis's family line: Gellert & the Potters, both relevant at some point, I assure you. And what's with that wand she has? Basilisk horn, according to Pottermore, was used in the core of Salazar Slytherin. The implication is that Ollivander was able to find some leftover of what was used for Slytherin's wand, using it to make one more wand with a similar core. The part about a pine wand is also from Pottermore. Please review! It makes me happy and gives me inspiration.