âGo on then.â Arthur coaxes, smiling despite his worry. Charlie hesitantly takes one and pops it into his mouth.
âSay thank you, Charlie.â
âFank-yew.â He says, his mouth full of chocolate.
Arthur speaks quickly, wanting to fill Healer Tonks in as much as he can. He knew Andromeda well enough from work and he recognized Ted from the odd ministry formal and their Hogwarts days, though they ran in different circles in both. Heâs suddenly hyper aware of how this must look-a five year old with a gnome bite-the specific kind of gnomes that only lurk around gardens.
âMe and his mum were sprucing up the yard and we try to get the boys involved in ways that they can-weâve got five of em, the oldest is seven-and wellâŠâ
Arthur lowers his voice, hoping Charlie is distracted by the fudge flies and the sounds of his own chewing.
âHe thinks he can keep up with his older brother. Even though heâs a bit S-m-a-l-l. They ran off before we could stop em, and I swear we eradicated the gnomes last autumn but they wonât bloody-er, they wonât stay away. And normally weâve got a tinture at home but we didnât have enough and I havenât seen a h-a-n-d s-w-e-l-l quite like that soâŠâ
âSorry. How bout we let Auror Tonks do his job, eh Charlie?â
Ted listens carefully as Arthur speaks, reading some of the backtracking that is happening in his voice. His brain stacks everything up that heâs said and thinks of the best way to approach Charlie. âNo need for the apologies-- I appreciate that getting information isnât like pulling teeth.âÂ
He leans down again so that heâs eye and eye with Charlie again, whoâs finished his fudge fly. Ted looks him in the eye before speaking. âSo, Mr. Weasley, Have you ever heard of Babbity Rabbity?â Charlie nods enthusiastically. âWould you be able to help me, then? I have never heard the story of Babbity Rabbity, and would love to know what happens to her-- would you mind telling me?â
He leans quickly over to Arthur. âThis is going to s-t-i-n-g, but it will be quick.â
As Charlie excitedly tells Ted about Babbityâs cackling stump, Ted walks over to the cabinet, grabbing some gauze, a small cleansing potion and his wand. Ted asks several leading questions as Charlie talks, sitting so that the bite is right in front of him. âNow Charlie--â Ted interrupts him gently. âDo you know how to count to three?âÂ
âCan you count to three for me and squeeze your dadâs hand really tight? I have to use some magic to make you feel better.â Charlie suddenly looks a bit fearful. âTrust me, it will only last for a second and I think I might have some more fudge flies in my pocket.â He counts down with Charlie, moving quickly to pour the potion into the wound and wipe it clean-- he tries to move with efficiency, spelling the skin to begin itâs closing process, finishing it with even more gauze.Â
âWell, Mr. Weasley, I think you mightâve survived.âÂ