Chapter 545 - Artemio Home (1/2)
Having finished with the last of his business in England, Kain Shafiq readied himself for his return home. There were many things to be done in the passing months as the entire Shafiq household would be moving and returning to their home in Great Britain. That and he wished to spend time with his own family before the moving preparations completely overwhelmed them. However, there was one more place he had to visit before his return home.
It was a warm summer afternoon when Kain Shafiq floo'd to the home of his wife's uncle and aunt's, Mr. and Mrs. Artemio. The elderly couple had kept the family home and had handed over the ancestral home to their eldest and only remaining child, their firstborn son. Their second-born son, Fogey Artemio had tragically passed away in a tragic accident mere days after having graduated from Hogwarts.
Having already sent word that he would be visiting the elderly couple, the instant that Kain Shafiq emerged from the floo hearth he was greeted by warm smiles and greetings from the elderly couple. Mr. Artemio the blood uncle of Sophornia, the wife of Shafiq, was now a hunched over bald, spotted man with a great deal of many wrinkles. While Mrs. Artemio had a bit of a saggy chin, but a warm, sad smile. The death of her youngest child had hit her particularly hard and it still showed even after all these years.
”It has been so very long, Kain!” Mrs. Artemio wiggled her fingers at him as if chiding a naughty child. ”You should have visited sooner. And where is my favorite niece and your wonderful children?”
”I am alone in England on business,” Shafiq replied as he took her hand and gave it a brief kiss. ”But I have good news that I am certain will absolutely delight you. As Zael will be starting Hogwarts within the next upcoming school year, we will be returning to Britain until he has completed his schooling. I am certain that Sophorina and our still yet unwed daughters will be frequent visitors to your residence.”
”How absolutely wonderful!” Mrs. Artemio beamed with sincere joy at the news. ”In that case, I must make my own preparations to show them a delightful time.”
”I am certain that will not be necessary, Aunt. Sophorina positively adores you as do my daughters,” Shafiq replied as he stepped back and nodded to his uncle via marriage. ”And Uncle, how are you?”
”I am well, thank you,” Mr. Artemio patiently replied, before gesturing to the nearby parlor room. ”Let us continue our conversation over an icy pitcher of tea and some refreshing lemon tarts to deal with the heat.”
”Naturally, after you,” Shafiq graciously accepted as he followed the aunt and uncle of his wife to the parlor room.
Mrs. Artemio quickly pours them a drink of ice-cold tea, before taking a nibble out of the lemon tart. Making small talk, Shafiq appreciatively says, ”I must commend your house elves, Aunt. They are even better than before.”
”Of course,” Mrs. Artemio said with a beaming smile. ”I sent them to Hogwarts to be properly be retrained as it's all very much the rage in high society. And now, the house elves comport themselves as proper beings, why it is like they are almost civilized really!”