Hermione, pretending to be asleep, watched through half-closed eyes as Artemis walked through the room. As soon as he left, she sat up and turned to Harry.

"Harry?" she whispered. "Wake up!" There was no response. Hermione shook him and spoke in a louder voice. "Harry!"

He moved sluggishly to put on his glasses and face her. "What?"

"Do you know the time?"

Harry shrugged. "Two or three, maybe? I dunno."

"Guess who I just sawslinking through the house?"

"Voldemort," Harry guessed.

Hermione ignored his sarcasm. "No, Artemis!"

"Are you sure you weren't dreaming?" Harry replied skeptically.

"Of course not, I haven't slept a wink since we arrived," said Hermione. "But that's not the point. What would Artemis be doing at this hour of the night?"

Harry yawned. "Maybe he was sleepwalking," he suggested.

"I doubt it." Hermione was silent for a moment, deep in thought. "I don't trust him. I don't trust him one bit."

"Yes, I remember hearing that sleep deprivation can result in paranoia."

Hermione glared. "Very funny, Harry. All I'm saying is, we should have a plan."

"A plan," Harry repeated. "What sort of plan?"

"Just in case Fowl tries to- oh, I don't know, lock us in a dungeon for all eternity."

Harry blinked. Deciding that he didn't have enough energy to argue, he lay back down. "Good night, Hermione."

"Harry!" Hermione protested, "Don't you care if we're stuck here forever?"

"Listen, the only way we're getting home is with the help of Foaly and that fairy technology. The only way we have access to that is through Artemis. If he decides not to help us, then it doesn't matter what we do, we're gonna be stuck here."

"Wait," said Hermione. "I talked to Foaly, remember? And I think I have some idea of what he's planning to do. If Artemis gets in the way, we could possibly still go home."

"I suppose," Harry admitted. "The fairies might even help..."

Hermione was puzzled. "What do you mean? I thought the only reason they were involved was Artemis and that dwarf."

Harry told her about his conversation with Holly.

"So if they do give back his memory, that will solve our problem, won't it?" said Hermione when Harry finished. "I still think we should be careful."

"Of course," Harry agreed, "but right now I think you should get some sleep."

"Nonsense, Harry, I..." Hermione was dozing before she finished the sentence.

Holly awoke to the eerie sensation that she was being watched. She opened her eyes and discovered that Artemis was indeed standing before her. "Fowl!" she exclaimed, now wide-awake.

"Sorry," he apologized. "I didn't mean to startle you. I was trying to remember..."

"What?" Holly prompted.

Artemis' brow was furrowed in forgetfulness. "I don't know," he confessed. "It doesn't matter. How are things going?"

"Well, I think," answered Holly. "Foaly should be calling sometime soon with an update on-"

As if on cue, a voice crackled over the headset. "Holly, do you read me?"

"Yes, Foaly," Holly replied, "we were just talking about you."

"How flattering."

"Do you have a solution yet?" wondered Holly.

"Almost. I need to ask a few more questions-"

"Pardon me," Artemis interrupted. "Could I talk to Foaly for a moment?"

"Let me check." Holly spoke into the headset, "Did you get that, Foaly?"

Foaly sighed. "Do I have to?"

"Be polite," Holly answered in a warning tone, before handing the headset to Artemis.

He put it on carefully, to avoid ruining his meticulously groomed hair. "Hello?"

"Artemis, my dear friend!" Foaly greeted. "How marvelous to hear from you!" His voice was dripping with sarcasm.

"Rest assured that the feeling is mutual." Artemis' reply was cool and crisp. So intent was he on the conversation that he didn't even notice when Holly slipped away.

"What is it that you wanted to talk to me about, then?" wondered Foaly.

"Your project, of course. I am allowed to be curious, aren't I?"

Foaly chuckled. "If you think I'm going to tell you anything, you don't know me as well as you think you do."

"Yes, I assumed that would be your response," said Artemis.

"Then what is the point of continuing to banter back and forth?"

Artemis' reply was cut off as Holly burst back into the room. "Mulch is gone!"

Ta-da! How long was it between postings, a week? See, I can be prompt. Thank you, reviewers, and please keep it up! Bye! -Luna