The Wilderness Years

Chapter 11: Ring Down The Curtain

The midsummer sun was high in the sky over Ottery St Catchpole. Artemis sighed as she looked out of the window at the honeysuckle tree that stood proudly in the middle of the Weasleys' garden and the rolling green fields in the distance, all bathed in bright light.

"It's a perfect day for flying," she said, as much to herself as anyone else. From her spot by the window she could see that the door of the Weasleys' broom shed was ajar. "Anyone else want to go?"

She turned her attention back to the people inside the Burrow; Bill and Charlie, their parents, and Chester. None of them made to move, and Bill laughed as he shook his head.

"Artemis, we've just eaten. I can't believe you want to go flying now."

"I agree with Bill," said Chester. "I'd much rather remain stationary, but don't let me stop you."

Artemis did not miss the amused look that the Weasley brothers shared at his words, and she herself had to suppress a smile. She had never been one to let anyone stop her from doing anything, and she was not about to start now.

Still, for the sake of politeness, she placed one hand on Chester's arm as she stood up and asked him: "Are you sure?"

"Positive. It's not like you'll be able to concentrate on the conversation without fidgeting until you've been out and gotten the energy out of your system, is it?"

Artemis rolled her eyes, but grinned as she left Chester's side to walk across the room, pausing as she reached the sofa where Charlie was sitting.

"You'll come with me, won't you, Charlie?" she said, raising her eyebrows as if she were daring him to say no. Charlie swallowed and quickly glanced across at Chester, and Artemis sighed loudly. "Charlie. I'm asking you a question."

"Of course. Sorry," said Charlie. He cleared his throat. "Yeah, I'll come with you."

The air outside was crisp and warm and grass scented, and the two of them walked in companionable silence to the broom shed and selected two of the least battered and worn-looking broomsticks to take out across the fields that surrounded the house Bill and Charlie had grown up in. Once up in the air, they weaved between the trees in the orchard and raced up to a grassy bank on the side of Stoatshead Hill, where they paused to take a break in the dappled shade provided by a sycamore tree.

"It's good having you back," Artemis told him. "You and Bill. This is the first time I've seen you all year."

"I know. I should come home more often."

"You should. I miss hanging out with you."

"Literally?" Charlie asked, rising in the air to grab hold of a branch and using his arms to lift himself up. Artemis laughed and shook her head.

"Very funny, monkey boy." She pulled a face, and Charlie returned to his broomstick, still smiling. "You know what I mean."

"I do. I've been busy, you've been busy. It feels like everyone's busy, and then before you know it, six months have gone by without seeing anyone." Charlie paused and glanced back in the direction of the house. "Things seem a lot better than they were back in December. Between you and Chester, I mean."

"They are. I overreacted, really. It was just an argument, that's all. A big argument, and it was my fault, but yeah. It's okay now. I told him stuff, and now I think he gets it. I mean, you saw how much effort he was making with all of you today."

Charlie hummed in response. His eyes didn't quite meet Artemis' own, and she got the feeling that he didn't believe her.

"And we had Kingsley over last month and went to my aunt and uncle's the other night, too," she continued. "He suggested all of it. So he's trying, really trying."