Summer 94’ World Cup
When she arrived home to summer break she decided to have a conversation with her mother. Be honest about what she’d learned and how she learned it and face the consequences.
Erin sat patiently through it all.
“He’s innocent?” She asked at the end and Ryleigh nodded.
“He is.”
Erin looked at her, “I hope you know that I was only trying—“
“To protect me. I know”
“Where is he now?” Erin asked and Ryleigh shrugged.
“I don’t know. He’s still on the run, they can’t prove it because the other rat-guy got away.”
“You know… Ryleigh, I did love your father, and he… well loved you, he didn’t… it wasn’t like that between us. Just the once and it gave us you. He was here you know, all the time when you were first born. But then… when you were still so little he was arrested and I didn’t want you to have to deal with his reputation so I… didn’t tell anyone.”
“It’s okay mam, I understand.” She said, and she meant it.
Xx
They spent the rest of the summer together as a family. Ro turned 8 with a dinosaur themed party and Quinn started primary school.
She had written a number of letters to Sirius though they never had an address she simply gave them to Beau and the bird seemed to know where to go. She’d always return with a letter as well signed SB, at least since she’d made fun of his SOB initials in one of the earlier letters.
She’d been invited by Luna and her father to join them at the Quidditch World Cup and she’d almost declined but her mother convinced her to go.
“It’ll be nice Ry, you’ve been home all summer. Better go on and have a good time.”
Early on the morning of Luna and her father arrive via their floo. Erin invited them for breakfast when Ro and Quinn started complaining that they wanted to come along as well.
“We have 2 more tickets if you want to bring your siblings.” Luna has suggested as they ate.
“Why’d have 3 extra?” She asked and Xenophilius then went on to explain how he’d become good friends with the ticket master for the event through the Quibbler.
“Oh I don’t know you guys are a little young.” Erin said.
“If you’re uncomfortable I understand but we’ll be perfectly safe, got a nice tent rented already and your more than welcome to come along as well.” Xenophilius said.
“Are you sure it’s not an intrusion?” She asked and he tutted at her. “The little ones will love to see the Irish win the World Cup.”
“We don’t have enough tickets but you can stay in the tent for the match Ms. Walsh.” Luna said bluntly and Erin laughed, she’d grown accustom to Lunas rather blunt attitude after her few weeks of staying at the house.
“I think it sounds wonderful.”
Xx
As it turned out, Erin had been called into work just as they were about to leave, but she said that Quinn and Ro could go along so long as they didn’t leave Ryleighs side. The 13 year old took this very seriously as they made their way through the crowds to their tent.
“RYLEIGH!! LUNA!” They heard Ginny call and turned to see the red headed girl come running over.
They all hugged and then Ginny knelt down slightly to shake hands with the children.
“Hi! You must be Ro and Quinn, I’m Ginny.”
Ro shook her hand and smiled at her. Quinn took to hiding in between Luna and Ryleigh but managed a small wave to Ginny who smiled.
“I can’t stay but I had to come and say hi! My tent is just down that way so, see you guys later!” She said then ran off before either girl could get a word in.
Xenophilius led them to a small looking tent similar to everyone else’s and went inside. Luna followed him holding Ro’s hand and then Ryleigh with Quinn.
Inside was much larger and the little kids gasped excitedly as they ran around the fantastical space.
“There are a couple room. Sort however you’d like.” He said as he walked to the kitchen area.
“We wanna be here!!” Quinn yelled from a bunk bed and Ro nodded.
Luna looked to Ryleigh, “guess you’re stuck with me.”
“Couldn’t think of anywhere I’d rather be.” Ryleigh said softly.
Xx
For probably the first time she was just as enthusiastic as the rest of the crowd as they cheered for the Irish team. She’d painted small green clovers on her siblings cheeks and bought them hats to wear. They were seated about halfway up the stands in the middle so it took an eternity to find their seats but she was grateful for the empty seat she had beside her to keep some distance between herself and the strangers.
Surprisingly Quinn seemed to pick up on the rules and gameplay rather quickly for a first time viewer and Ro was practically an expert by the end of it.
Troy scored the first goal of the match. After another two Irish goals, Bulgaria registered their opening score. Then Ireland’s Seeker Aidan Lynch was fooled by Krum’s Wronski Feint, but managed to continue play after the aid of some mediwizards. Fifteen minutes later Ireland had stretched their lead to 130-10, when their chaser Miller was fouled by the Bulgarian Keeper and was awarded a penalty. This led to anarchy, with another penalty being awarded to Ireland and referee Hassan Mostafa being distracted by Bulgaria’s mascots, the Veela. Quigley sent a Bludger toward Krum which broke his nose. Lynch then spotted the Snitch, but was beaten in the race for it by Krum. Despite this, Ireland still ran out the victors. The final score was 170-160. The Irish team performed a lap of honour before being presented with the Quidditch World Cup in the stadium’s top box, with Lynch having to be supported by amoral and Connolly. Troy and Quigley lifted the trophy.
She looked to her brother and sister, “you’re never playing Quidditch.”
Xx
Back at the tent the small children were running around pretending to be in their own game while Xenophilius wrote furiously on a strip of parchment, presumably for the Quibbler, Luna and Ryleigh were sat on the couch together watching them play.
She leaned over at some point to rest her head on Lunas shoulder and let her eyes drift shut without even realizing it.
She was startled awake by the sound of booming and shouting outside.
She looked around as she sat up from apparently being snuggled in Lunas lap. Luna was rubbing her eyes like she’d just woken as well. Someone screamed again outside and she shot up.
“Quinn? Ro?” She called out.
No response. She began frantically searching the tent. Under the blankets and in the bunk beds. Luna joined her a moment later.
“Quinn?” Luna called gently.
“RONAN!?” Ryleigh yelled in opposition.
They looked over at Xenophilius who was just finally noticing their frantic searching.
“What’s going on?” He asked.
“The kids are gone!” Ryleigh yelled and grabbed her shoes, slipping them on and pushing the tent flaps open.
People were running and screaming in all directions. She jumped back as someone ran past her.
Frantically she started searching the crowd for her siblings. Any tuft of blonde that caught her attention has her running toward it.
“QUINN!! RONAN!!” She screamed, she could hear Luna screaming to but it was distant and the screams of the crowd were overwhelming her senses. She had tears streaming down her face as she stumbled around the smokey field.
“Ro!! Quinn!” She cried. She could see Fred George and Ginny running toward her.
“Ryleigh let’s go!” Ginny shouted.
“It’s death eaters!” Fred added.
“No!! I can’t find Quinn and Ro!” She cried back and the boys looked at each other.
“Take Ginny and get to the port key. I’ll stay with her.” George said and Fred looked like he might argue but they didn’t have time.
Fred took Ginny’s arm and took off running.
“They look like you?” George asked.
Ryleigh shook her head, “no! They’re blonde..” she said. Together they began searching around, ducking as the beams of magic began but they didn’t stop.
Suddenly Luna and Xenophilius appeared at her side, they had Ro, who looked upset and scared but otherwise unharmed.
“Ro!” She cried and pulled him in for a tight hug.
“Found him hiding under someone’s tent.” Luna explained.
“Take him to the north forest line, my family has a portkey waiting.” George explained.
“Ro go with Luna and don’t let go of her hand no matter what okay?” Ryleigh said and the boy nodded.
“I love you Ry!” He sobbed as Luna dragged him away.
“I love you Ro!” She cried back.
“Quinn!!!” She screamed loudly.
George looked to his left just in time to see a burst coming their way. He dove on top of Ryleigh and knocked them both to the ground, narrowly avoiding it.
She blinked quickly to clear her vision and at that moment saw her sister. She was curled into a tiny ball hidden behind someone’s still body. Ryleigh stood without thought and ran top speed toward her, George trailing behind her.
The older boy was shooting off spells left and right at the attackers as they got closer and closer to the danger area. She slid to the ground as she reached Quinn’s side. The girl was holding her head with her arms covering her ears.
Ryleigh placed careful hands on her sister shoulder and rolled her over.
“Quinn. Quinn it’s me, it’s Ryleigh…” the little girl cracked her eyes open and then threw her arms around her sister.
Ryleigh sobbed in relief, standing with the little girl in her arms. As she turned she saw a masked figure standing before them. Their wand was drawn and aimed.
The figure spoke something and pointed to them. Instinctively Ryleigh spun so her back faced the attacker, using her body to shield her sister.
As the spell hit her she fell to her knees. Her whole body felt as though someone was stabbing a million knives into her while she was being lit on fire. She released her hold on her sister as she crumbled to the ground, muscles stiff and tight, convulsing, she finally let out a blood curdling scream.
“Reducto!” George shouted and blasted the attacker away. He was at her side a moment later.
“Ryleigh? Can you hear me?” George asked. Quinn was sobbing and shaking Ryleighs shoulder.
“Y—yes.” Ryleigh panted.
“Come one, we need ta get outta here” George said and yanked the girl up. She stumbled and reached for Quinn.
“I’ve got her, you worry about you then.” George said.
He lead them through the burning tents. Most people had cleared away and apparited or port-keyed to safety.
When they were in the line of sight with the rest of the group she stumbled. She could see Luna running toward her, followed by Ginny and Ro.
George picked her up and carried her the rest of the way, aided by his older brothers as they ran forward to meet them.
“What happened to her?” Percy asked.
“Someone crucioed her.” George said.
They all seemed to be shocked by this.
“She’s just a kid…” one of the older Weasleys said.
“it almost hit her, Ryleigh blocked it.” George explained.
Ryleigh shrugged them off as they set her down. Luna and her siblings were at her side instantly, Ginny right behind them.
“I’m fine okay?” She said.
They all turned to the sky as a giant skull and snake appeared, it was an eery green color and hissing.
“The dark mark…” Ginny said in a hushed tone.
“Where’s everyone else?” George asked and Ryleigh looked around. Mr. Weasley wasn’t there and neither were Ron, Harry and Hermione.
She looked at Quinn.
“Are you hurt?” She asked and the girl shook her head no.
“I want mammy…” she whimpered and Ryleigh nodded, she opened her arms for the girl to crawl into them, and she did. Tucked herself right into Ryleighs embrace and Ro soon joined them.
“I know baby.. we’ll see mammy real soon okay? Don’t you worry love.”
“Luna we should go.” Her father said and Luna shook her head.
“I need to stay with Ryleigh.” Luna said firmly and tightened the grip she had on Ryleighs hand.
“We can’t have them apparate with us Luna. She’s in no state and the little ones… They will go with the Weasleys in the port-key.”
Ryleigh nodded to Luna. “Go with your dad. We’ll stay with Ginny okay?”
Luna looked less than sure about this plan but have her a nod and then took her fathers hand and they disapparited together.
After a excruciatingly long few minutes they saw Arthur, Ron, Harry and Hermione jogging toward them. They looked tired and stressed to match the group.
“Everyone okay?” Arthur asked as he looked around, catching the strays they gathered.
“We’re fine dad.” Fred said.
“Ryleigh, wish it was under better circumstances.” He greeted, “and who do we have here?” He asked kindly to the children gathered around her.
“My brother and sister Mr. Weasley.” She said, her voice carrying the tone of exhaustion the torture curse had instilled in her very clearly.
“Did you three come on your own?” He asked.
“We came with a friend of mine. They apparated home but he didn't think it would be a good idea for us. I hope it’s okay if we come along with you…”
Arthur looked to his oldest sons in confusion.
“Someone used the cruciatus curse on her and the little kids don’t know about apparition.” Bill explained and Arthur nodded.
“Are you alright now Ryleigh?” He asked.
“I’m fine sir.” Ryleigh said.
Arthur leaned down to the kids, “and how about you two?” He asked in a warm tone.
Quinn simply snuggled deeper into Ryleighs embrace while Ro nodded to the man.
“Right then, let’s head back home.” He said.
Xx
They appeared in the woods outside the burrow with a thump. Quinn still holding tight to Ryleigh and Ro having taken Ginny’s hand. They walked through the woods with their wands lit toward the burrow. Every step she took felt like an additional knife to her body. She could tell the twins were hovering behind her, just in case, but she didn’t say anything to dismiss them.
As soon as they got near the house the lights came on and Mrs. Weasley came running out.
“Great Merlin! What on earth happened!?” She cried as she ran toward them, stopping in front of Ginny and Ro she checked them over then Ron Harry and Hermione, then Fred and George shrugged her off.
She stopped in front of Arthur, “what are you doing here?” She asked.
“Death Eaters attacked the World Cup.” He said in a hushed tone. Molly gasped, “but you’re all alright?” She asked looking around at the group again.
Arthur nodded.
“Let’s get you all inside then, warmed up and cleaned up.” She said and ushered them in.
She sent Fred and George up to their room, as well as Percy. She told Harry to sleep in Ron’s room with him. Leaving the girls with Molly in the living room.
“You must be Quinn and Ro.” Molly said sweetly as she sat in front of them.
“Ginny sweetheart why don’t you and Hermione go and grab some blankets and pillows from the closet to make up some beds?” She asked and the two girls nodded, walking off.
“I’m going to make some beds up for you down here okay? We’ll get in touch with your mother tomorrow. We have a phone, I don’t much know how to use it but I’m sure you do.”
Ryleigh laughed, “thank you Mrs Weasley…”
Ginny and Hermione re-apreared with a few pillows and blankets.
“You girls just leave those right here and head on up to bed in Ginny’s room.”
Hermione smile at them and headed to the stairs. Ginny walked over to Ryleigh first.
“You sure you’re okay?” She asked quietly and Ryleigh nodded. “You know where my room is if you need anything.” She said and Ryleigh nodded again then Ginny headed up the steps after Hermione.
Molly took the blankets and pillows and set them up on the couches to make two beds. One for Ryleigh and Quinn and the other for Ro.
She lead Ro to the bed and tucked him in, having already had him change into some of Ron’s old clothes.
“If you need anything tonight you just wake us right up okay? And we’ll get your mother here tomorrow.” Molly said and Ro smiled.
“Thank you Mrs Weasley.” The boy said.
Then Molly walked over to Ryleigh and Quinn. The girl was already fast asleep so Molly scooped her out if Ryleighs arms and carried her over to the couch.
“Ginny brought these down for you to wear. The bathroom is just down there okay?” Molly said. “Do you need anything?”
“No, no thank you so much for everything you’ve done tonight.” Ryleigh said. She stood from the chair with a soft grunt and made her way toward the bathroom.
“Are you hurt Ryleigh?” She asked following the girl.
“No… just a little sore from the curse I think.”
“Curse?” Molly asked.
“I.. I’m fine Mrs Weasley.” She said, “just tired.”
Molly looked less than convinced but said goodnight and allowed her to move on.
She changed and washed her face of the dirt it had collected before returning to the couch and climbing in beside Quinn.
Xx
The next morning it was late when she finally awoke. She moved to pull Quinn closer to her and felt the spot empty, she shot up immediately. “Quinn??” She asked frantically.
“Right here Ry.” A voiced said and she snapped her head in that direction. Her mother was sitting at the table with Molly and Quinn where the girl was eating breakfast. Ryleigh let out the breath she’d been holding.
“Come and sit with us love.” Erin said and Ryleigh nearly ran to her mother. She hugged her tightly.
“Hey, hey it’s okay…” Erin hushed.
“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…” she cried.
“Love… love listen to me, you have nothing to be sorry.”
“I fell asleep! I fell asleep before I put them to bed…”
“Honey, you can’t control the fact that lunatics attacked. It should have been a perfectly safe place.” She tilted Ryleigh to look up at her, “you found your brother and sister, you got them to safety. You saved your sister from a curse Ryleigh. You did perfectly.”