The Wilderness Years

Chapter 5: Luck Of The Irish

On the morning of the Quidditch World Cup final, Artemis, Tonks, and Chiara travelled down from London to Dartmoor, making a pit-stop at a small town in East Devon, on the edge of which a tall, higgledy-piggledy house stood in the middle of a yard surrounded by orchards.

"Oh, girls! It's just lovely to see you!" exclaimed the plump, red-haired witch who opened the door to them. "Bill and Charlie are in the kitchen. Come on in, you're just in time for breakfast."

Bill and Charlie Weasley's mother Molly ushered the girls through to the kitchen, where her two oldest sons were eating crumpets and drinking tea. Artemis hugged Charlie from behind on her way to the empty seat next to Bill, who reached over and ruffled her hair as she sat down.

"Long time, no see," he said. "How are things with you, Little One?"

"Not bad," replied Artemis. She frowned at him. Poking out from his long red hair was an earring shaped like a fang. "Have you pierced your ear?"

"So observant."

"Don't you get me started on that earring!" Mrs Weasley huffed as she used her wand to set three more places at the breakfast table. "Honestly, why such a handsome boy would decide to poke a great big hole in his ear-"

"It's a tiny hole, mum."

"A hole is a hole, William!"

Bill said nothing, but he smirked and cocked one of his eyebrows, and next to Artemis, Tonks choked on her tea.

"Where's Percy?" Charlie asked, looking around suddenly. "Did he decide to get the early Portkey with dad and Mr Diggory?"

"No, dear. I think he's just making sure that he's got everything sorted for work so he can enjoy the weekend," said Molly. She turned and smiled at the three girls. "Percy's just started in the Department of International Magical Co-Operation. We're very proud of him."

Bill made a coughing noise that sounded suspiciously like the words 'favourite child'. His mother ignored him as she continued:

"But, then, you must know that, Artemis. He's been helping Mr Crouch with the Triwizard Tournament."

Charlie tilted his head. "I thought that was supposed to be a secret."

"Me too!"

"So did I!"

"That's funny," said Bill. He grinned at Artemis. "Well done, Little One. You've officially made this the worst kept secret at the Ministry of Magic."

"It's not my fault. Well, not entirely my fault," Artemis retorted through a mouthful of crumpet. "I'm not the only one who's been telling people, and I've not actually told that many people, either."

"You did tell Penny, though," murmured Chiara.

"No I didn't."

"Didn't you?"

"Obviously not."

"Oh. My bad," Tonks said with a grimace. "I assumed you'd told her, so..."

"Why would I tell Penny if it's meant to be a secret? I'm not stupid." Artemis rolled her eyes. "No, I only told you four, Ros, Kingsley, and my uncle. And Chester, of course."

Mrs Weasley placed her cutlery down.

"Yes, of course," she said, turning her full attention to Artemis, who shrunk back in her chair. "I've been looking forward to hearing about this new boyfriend of yours."

"I mean, he isn't that new anymore. We've been seeing each other since February or March, I think."

"Really?" Tonks' eyes widened in faux-innocence. "I thought you started seeing quite a lot of each other in January."