A/N: Someone mentioned that they felt Artemis should know better in regards to Tom, and you're right [you know at least until feelings take over ;)]. I realized maybe I should have thought to add this first scene in the last chapter to clarify that buuuut I didn't so sorry :( I hope this clears some of it up! And thank you for all of the reviews! Please keep them coming! You have no idea how inspiring they are; they truly keep me motivated. Enjoy this chapter of Utopia!
"Are you sure this is wise, Albus? You know Tom can read minds."
Artemis had been held over by Albus after Transfiguration class to discuss how she was doing and, honestly, she was a bit peeved. The witch knew that Albus always had a tendency to micromanage but she had never been on the receiving end of it.
Frowning, Albus responded, "You're a very talented Occlumens. Tom should not be able to breach your defenses."
"Oh he cannot break through my deep defenses but he has been able to push surface thoughts even when I don't want him too quite frequently. Tom has a natural gift for Legilimency," Artemis answered with a scowl. Those who could break any shields of hers, even for surface thoughts, were few and far between. Even Albus could not get through her defenses.
Albus looked like he wanted to discuss the topic further but he merely sighed instead, "I have heard rumors from the gossip mill that you and Tom are dating exclusively."
"That's correct."
"Are you sure that's wise? Tom is very manipulative. He must have an ulterior motive considering he has never had a girlfriend before," Albus continued, albeit hesitantly, no doubt sensing Artemis's growing irritation at being questioned by someone many years her junior.
"Albus, please use the brain that you're so proud of and think," Artemis scolded, "What better place to keep an eye on Tom than right by his side as his equal? The closer we get, the more he shares with me. He thinks he is manipulating and controlling me but he is sorely mistaken. I do believe his defenses are weakening. He might even care about me, even if it's just a very minute amount."
Albus protested, "Artemis, I don't think that boy is capable of such emotion."
Narrowing her eyes, the witch frowned sharply, "Considering I'm the one watching him, Albus, I think that is for me to decide. Should you not be focused on finding Gellert?"
Properly chastised, Albus nodded, "You're right; I'm sorry. I should trust in what you are doing. I just worry about you."
"Yes, you should," her gaze softened, "I'll be fine, Albus, don't worry."
"You're going to be late to your next class," Albus added.
Artemis blinked at the sudden change of subject. Checking the time, she confirmed that he was correct.
"I'm off to Defense. Please don't hold me over again; Tom is paranoid about everything. If I need help, you know I'll come to you."
"Very well," Albus acquiesced.
"What did Professor Dumbledore want?" Tom asked immediately, not even waiting for his girlfriend to completely sit down.
Artemis rolled her eyes, "Hello to you as well, love. He wanted to ask if I was having difficulty with any classes since I was new this year."
Tom's eyes darkened with what Artemis could best describe as pleasure when she called him 'love', earning a quirked eyebrow from her. He only shrugged in response.
"That meddling-" Orion was cut off by Professor Merrythought's arrival.
Her sharp green eyes scanned the class for absent students before nodding; everyone was present.
"We have finally made it to the practical lesson for the Patronus Charm," she said cheerfully, waving her wand to send the desks to the walls.
Artemis scowled. Once upon a time, she had been able to cast the Patronus charm quite easily because, at one time in her life, she was happy. Ever since Ronan, the Patronus was difficult for her. And as time marched onward and she watched everyone she knew died, her Patronus had been reduced to merely a wisp.
The immortal witch watched as her friends demonstrated their ability to the professor before being sent off to a part of the room to practice. She was pleased to see that no one was very successful, not that she was surprised. The Patronus Charm was closely tied with pure, raw magic. It was much more common to see the ability to perform a corporeal Patronus when Artemis was young than it was today. It was so rare now. Even Tom, as talented as he was, could not even produce the thin wisps that the others had been capable of.
A frown marred Tom's expression as he went off to practice; he did not like to be incapable of anything. Artemis watched him thoughtfully as she waited for her turn. For him to not be able to even get the spell to work at all was a bit shocking.
Had he never been happy?
Not that she had any room to judge his attempt. Artemis had not been able to produce any sort of the Patronus Charm in decades.
"Miss Pierce! Let's see what you can do!"
Artemis vaguely noted that Tom was discreetly watching her as he practiced. He seemed slightly disappointed in the feeble wisp that she produced. Artemis had the opposite response.
Eyes wide in shock, Artemis numbly walked to a corner of the room to practice. She had done it; at least something.
Was she...happy?
Artemis huffed to herself as she pointedly ignored the supposedly inspiring speech Abraxas was giving the Slytherin Quidditch team. She could practically feel Tom's gaze on her back from the stands. Rolling her eyes, she exchanged a look with Orion. Abraxas was very gifted at saying the same thing in a different way multiple times. It was a game against Gryffindor, how much inspiration did they really need? A sigh of relief escaped her lips when she heard the whistle.
Finally.
Mounting her broom, Artemis kicked off into the air. She split her attention between the Chasers, where the Gryffindor beaters were, and looking for the Snitch. Blowing her auburn bangs out of her eyes, the witch soared above the game with the Gryffindor seeker as her only companion.
She blinked when she felt Tom's presence touch her mind. Biting back a snarky mental rebuke about being a distracting boyfriend, Artemis was in the process of strengthening her mental shields when a Bludger smashed into her. As if in slow motion, the broom slipped from her fingers. She shook her head violently, trying to clear the groggy feeling from her mind as she hurtled toward the ground.
Shimmering with power as she pulled her magic to her aid- because a hard meeting with the ground and the pain it would bring was not something she was interested in- Artemis's eyes suddenly locked with Tom's dark gaze. She gritted her teeth as she realized the best option, releasing her magic immediately and resigning herself. Tom could not find out about her ancient magic. Artemis simply hoped that someone would cast a cushioning charm so he would not find out about her inability to die too. She knew Albus was watching the game and had to depend on him. Even if it was about to hurt.
A lot.
Offering empty smiles and greetings to his fellow students, Tom made his way to the stands among the Slytherins. He waved off their surprise at his presence at a Quidditch game and settled into a seat gracefully. He chose one closer to the top: for a better view and to be further away from the masses of Slytherins that refused to sit down during games.
He settled his gaze on the head of auburn locks dressed in serpent green. The woman was small, especially next to all the Quidditch players. Even Abraxas dwarfed her. As he watched the teams take flight, Tom was mildly irritated that he could not see her facial expressions. He cast Legilimens nonverbally, determined to see if he could glean any information from his girlfriend as she played.
Her shields were weak when he first touched her mind, but Artemis noticed his presence immediately and set to strengthening them quickly with the fleeting thought, Tom, get out. I'm busy and have to focus on-
Tom felt blinding pain before being forced out.
He stood sharply as the students around him gasped and leapt to their feet. Artemis was free falling to the ground.
Overwhelmed with a sense of panic, Tom's wand was in his hand faster than many of the professors though he did not know it. His mind was free from rational thought, concern for someone other than himself overwhelming Tom Riddle for the first time in life.
"Arresto Momentum!"
Tom's clear voice rang out with only a minute hitch. He dearly hoped that slowing his girlfriend's descent combined with the cushioning charm he casted right after the first spell. Unsure if a spell designed for objects would work on a rapidly falling human, Tom imbued it with power.
Even with the charms he cast, Artemis still hit the ground with a resounding thud. Tom was already making his way to the pitch, moving students out of his way- gently, he had a reputation to uphold afterall- with a flick of his wand.
Anger bubbled over inside him.
He couldn't see her.
Artemis's prone form was surrounded by professors. From where he was, he could see that it seemed like Professor Dumbledore was, hopefully, speaking to her. All that was visible through the throng of professors was her auburn hair splayed out across the ground. She was not moving nearly as much as Tom would like. Perhaps his spells were not as effective as he thought. Surely if she could speak to Professor Dumbledore then she was not gravely injured. His heart sank a fraction when a gurney was conjured and her body levitated onto it before she was whisked to the Hospital Wing.
Even though the game continued on, as Quidditch games are wont to do, Tom left the Quidditch pitch deep in thought as he made his way to the Hospital Wing.
Tom was uncomfortable with the slew of emotions he was experiencing. The Slytherin prided himself on his complete detachment from emotion. Overwhelming worry tinged with terror was flooding his senses. And he hated it. Emotion was weakness. What he thought was strength through Artemis was starting to look much different when she was in danger.
He couldn't have that.
Arriving at the Hospital Wing, Tom politely asked to see Artemis. When the matron denied him, Tom pressed gently, expressing his concern for his girlfriend. He was decidedly put out when the matron still refused him and suggested that he returned at dinnertime; he might be let in then depending on how she was doing.
Frustrated, Tom headed back to the Slytherin common room in a foul mood. When the students returned from the game, elated, Tom was still stewing. Sensing his black mood, Abraxas and Orion did not join him in front of the fire, thus leaving him to dwell in his thoughts.
Was Artemis an asset to him? Or was she a liability?
Deep down, Tom was certain that she was a liability and should cut all ties. Though her power enticed him, he was much too attached to her and he was not entirely sure what was happening to him. When she had been falling, his heart had leapt into his throat and dropped to his stomach in a matter of seconds. It was quite nauseating.
He should try to separate himself from her, but he felt like he couldn't. No, he stubbornly refused. He was in charge of his feelings and no one else was. If he wanted to continue his pursuit of Artemis Pierce, and he did, then he would continue onward. No one or nothing could stop him.
Drifting in thought, his attention focused on the witch herself.
Tom had no idea if she was alright or not.
A/N: Ahhh a teeny tiny cliffhanger! I'm sorry! Please review if you have the time! They inspire my writing! Thanks for reading :)
