Ruby rushed across the Quidditch field, adjusting her uniform with every stride. If they wouldn't have a coronary, she would just hop on her broom and arrive at her destination in no time. But, no, she wasn't allowed to do that. That would mean more points from Gryffindor which she would surely hear about during detention if word got out.
She scoffed. Belle French in detention. Who would have ever thought it? Knowing her, she'd probably show up early too.
August turned in search of her. When he saw her running, stumbling over her own feet at one point, he chuckled and nudged Graham with his elbow. "Here she comes." he said, shaking his head.
"You're late, Lucas!" Graham shouted, grinning from ear to ear.
She finally reached him, slightly out of breath, but with enough energy to shoot him a dirty look. "No kidding." she responded. She dropped her broom, bending forward as she rested her hands on her knees to catch her breath.
Graham looked down, patting her back. "What happened with Snape and the book worm?"
Ruby rolled her eyes and straightened. "Detention. After practice." Her words were broken apart as her breathing finally slowed. "Next time, remind me not to be so nice to her."
August released a small bark of a laugh. Graham elbowed him in the ribs, flashing him a scolding look. Ruby looked from one to the other. She raised an eyebrow. Graham cleared his throat quickly and August took a step away.
"Would someone like to let me in on the joke?" Ruby's hazel eyes shifted from one boy to the next.
Graham looked like he was struggling hard to keep something in, and then, it slipped out of his mouth with a smile. "You like her."
"Graham!" August elbowed him as Ruby stared at them cluelessly.
"Who?"
"Belle, you idiot. You totally love her," Graham teased.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Ruby asked, laughing a little herself at how silly the idea was. Or maybe she was just laughing to stop herself from really thinking about it.
"Oh come on," August spoke up. "What was that little show before? You messing up her hair and standing up for her?"
"That was just – that was – oh come on!" Graham and August started to laugh again. "You two are so ridiculous," Ruby rolled her eyes and mounted her broom. "Come on. We have to practice.
"Nice grab, Ruby!" Sean yelled approvingly as he watched her zoom around the pitch, catching the Snitch expertly each time. "I think that's enough. Great practice, everyone!"
Graham, August, Ruby, Sean, Emma, David and Mulan landed firmly on the ground, swinging their broomsticks over their shoulders as they headed to the locker room.
Regina Mills was sitting alone on the bleachers, eating an apple calmly. She looked so elegant and yet, unamused, as though there was something else she would rather be doing, something more deserving of her time. But then again, she always looked like that.
"What are you doing here, Regina?" David shouted. "No Slytherins allowed."
"Actually, Charming," David cringed when she used Mary Margaret's nickname for him, "I'm allowed to be wherever I want as long as I'm on school grounds."
"Who says you're not spying on us?" Sean asked.
Regina laughed. "Oh please. I have enough petty items to attend to without spying on your pathetic little team."
"Well then, clear out and attend to them," Ruby spat back. Her teammates nodded in agreement. Emma was scratching her neck awkwardly, avoiding any and all eye contact with Regina, who had started her descent to the ground.
"So … do you have any plans for tonight?" Mulan asked, her beater's bat hanging by her side as they resumed their walk.
"Yeah, I have detention with Snape. Woo-hoo," Ruby grumbled sarcastically.
"What did you do this time?"
"I didn't do anything. I was just trying to help Belle, and I got a bit carried away. … I may have used magic." Mulan raised her eyebrows and Ruby rushed to her defense. "But this detention is Belle's fault. She was the one who started yelling at me."
They had finally reached the locker room, hurriedly removing their filthy robes and setting them in the laundry basket for the house-elves to wash.
"Why was she yelling at you?"
"Because I lost Gryffindor point. … But so what? Everyone else does it, but Belle doesn't hate anybody like she hates me," Ruby sighed with a mix of sadness and frustration.
"I don't think Belle hates anyone, Ruby." She hesitated before adding, "Some people just don't know how to express what they're really feeling."
Ruby froze, her shirt halfway over her arms. She was about to ask what Mulan was implying when Emma suddenly walked into the changing room.
"Where have you been?" Ruby asked.
"Yeah, what took you so long?"
"Calm down," Emma laughed nervously. "I was just putting the balls away."
"Oh … right," Ruby finished pulling on her shirt. "Well, I've got to go. I wouldn't want to be late and get the lecture from Belle."
Mulan shook her head, and Emma grinned. "Ruby," Mulan warned, "be nice."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Ruby smirked. "You know, maybe I will be a few minutes late. I do love hearing her patronize me. … Oh, and Emma, you got a little lipstick on your face."
"I – I do?" she stuttered, wiping at her face hurriedly.
"There. You got it. I'll see you girls later," Ruby said good-bye with a wink and headed back to the castle to face her detention and the annoyances that were sure to come with it.
Belle sat in the detention room, her hands folded on the large table in front of her. She glanced up at the clock; it was already five minutes past the starting time. Professor Snape was sitting at his desk, dipping a quill in black ink and scribbling down notes. Belle wasn't exactly sure what she was supposed to be doing. She had never had detention before. All she knew was, as usual, Ruby was late.
The door swung open, slamming against the wall behind it. Belle jumped as Ruby came sauntering inside. "Miss. Lucas," Snape said, dryly. "Thank you for finally joining us."
"You're welcome," she responded, a huge grin on her face as Belle shot her a scolding look. When she saw the reaction she received, her grin spread further.
He pointed the quill toward the stadium style seats. "Take a seat."
Belle gripped her desk, silently praying that Ruby would choose the area furthest from her. Ruby watched her for a moment, a grin crossing her lips. She walked over and sat right next to her. Belle took in a deep breath, catching the smell of Ruby's perfume. She closed her eyes, shaking her head lightly as she inched away from her. Ruby noticed the movement and scooted closer.
Belle exhaled heavily. "Do you mind?" she whispered, harshly as she scooted to the side again.
Just as Ruby went to respond, the door to the room opened again. Both girls turned to see Mary Margret enter the room. Her eyes caught Ruby's and she smiled, giving her friend a short wave. Ruby waved back as she approached Professor Snape.
"Miss. Blanchard, I trust there is a logical reason for you entering this room at this hour."
"Yes, sir. Professor McGonagall sent me." she explained. "She needs to speak with you for a moment."
Snape sighed, exasperated. He looked at the girls. "I trust you two can be left alone for a few moments without killing one another?"
Ruby held her hand up. "You can trust me," she said, pointing at Belle. "It's this one you might have to worry about."
Belle's jaw slacked. She stammered over a response before grunting angrily and opening her book. Professor Snape rolled his eyes and stood from his desk. He held his hand out, allowing Mary Margret to go first, then exited the room after her.
Once the door closed, Ruby turned to face Belle. "You were early, weren't you?"
Belle kept her eyes on her book. "And you were late." she snapped back, her eyebrows raising slightly. "What a surprise."
Ruby stared at the side of her face. Her head tilted as she watched the way Belle's blue eyes danced over the words on the page. She found herself entranced for a moment. She actually wanted to know what made this girl tick, besides the obvious books and expert spell casting. She reached out, pulling the book away from her.
Belle looked at her angrily. She slammed her hands down on the table. "Seriously?"
"Yup." Ruby closed the book and put it behind her. She looked at Belle again. "Let's talk."
"I have nothing to say to you."
"And why is that?"
Belle recoiled. Her eyes looking anywhere but at the girl who was staring so intently at her. "I just don't." She held her hand out. "May I have my book back, please?"
Ruby smirked and shook her head. "Not until you tell me why you hate me."
"I don't hate you. I just don't particularly like you very much." She pushed her hand closer to Ruby. "My book, please." This time her tone was more of an order than a request.
Ruby's head cocked further as she raised an eyebrow. "That still sounds like hate to me."
Belle sighed, heavily. "Listen, Ruby, I've had enough with all these games today. Between you and Gaston—"
"I know you're not comparing me to Gaston."
"No, I'm not.. I just…" She exhaled, running her hand through her hair. "Just...give me back my book."
Ruby grinned. "Come get it," she baited, crossing her arms against her chest.
Belle's jaw clenched. "Fine." She leaned in, attempting to reach around Ruby awkwardly.
Ruby grabbed her wrist to try and stop her. She must have tugged too hard because Belle came flying forward, knocking Ruby backwards. Before she knew it, she was laying on the bench with Belle on top of her. They stared wide eyed and wordless. They locked eyes and Ruby suddenly felt compelled to reach up and tuck a stray strand of hair behind Belle's ear. When Belle blushed at the contact, Ruby felt the small smile form on her own lips.
The door opened again and both girls scrambled to return to their upright position. Ruby pressed her lips together, looking down at the desk. Belle swallowed hard, her throat suddenly very dry, as she did the best to relax the blush on her cheeks. Snape walked in, his eyebrow raised curiously at the quietness that filled the room. He walked slowly passed them and returned to his desk.
There was silence. Neither girl looking or speaking. Until Belle finally opened her mouth and whispered, "May I please have my book back, Ruby?"
