Ruby walked through the yard toward the castle, clutching a bag in her hand. She had been gone for several hours. Belle had gone somewhere with Mary Margaret so she hoped her disappearance hadn't been noticed. She crossed the threshold and turned toward the Gryffindor dormitory. Her eyes glanced quickly from left to right to make sure no one caught her sneaking in.

Her foot had barely been placed on the first step when she suddenly tumbled forward due to a weight on her back. She reached out to stop herself from face-planting on the stairs as a giggle filled her ear and soft lips pressed against her neck. "Belle..." she breathed, shaking her head. She felt her girlfriend release her grip and she shifted her position so she was sitting on the stairs, looking up at her. "What would you have done if I had busted my face on the stairs?"

Belle pouted for a moment as she took a step closer. She leaned down, placing her finger under Ruby's chin. "I would have done this to make it all better," she said, pressing her lips against Ruby's and kissing her lightly. She pulled back suddenly, flashing her a suspicious look. "Where were you coming from?"

"Uh…" Ruby raised her hand to scratch her head. "I went to … I was in..." She blew out a breath as she fidgeted anxiously with her hands. She held her hand out toward Belle. "I was in the Great Hall."

Belle crossed her arms against her chest. "No you weren't."

"Yes I was."

"No ... you weren't." Belle's eyes narrowed as her brow knitted tightly together. "I just left there, and I didn't see you." She waited patiently for a response, but all she received was a blank stare. She exhaled heavily and opened her mouth to speak when she noticed a bag sitting next to Ruby. She pointed at it. "What's that?"

Ruby's eyes drifted to where she had pointed. She quickly slid the bag behind her. "Nothing."

Belle could feel the irritation with her girlfriend's behavior growing. She tapped her foot. "Ruby..."

A small crooked grin crossed Ruby's lips. "Why are you being so nosy today?"

Belle released a small gasp. Her eyes narrowed further. "Why are you being so evasive?"

Ruby kept the grin on her face as she picked up the bag and stood. She placed her free hand on Belle's waist, pulling her forward. She held the bag behind her back out of Belle's reach. She leaned in to kiss her, but was stopped by Belle's hand pushing against her mouth.

"You think you can just kiss me and the whole subject will drop?" she questioned, flashing her a stern look.

Ruby shrugged and mumbled under her girlfriend's hand. "That was the plan."

Belle released a small chuckle filled with disbelief. "I don't think so."

Ruby sighed, dropping her head. She removed Belle's hand from her mouth and looked into her eyes. "Belle, just ... just let this go..." she requested, watching as her girlfriend's features shifted to hurt. She quickly brushed her fingers through Belle's soft hair in an attempt to comfort her. "It's nothing you need to be concerned about." She smiled. "I promise."

Belle gripped the bottom of Ruby's shirt. Her eyes shifted downward for a moment before returning to meet the beautiful hazel staring back at her. She tugged gently, bringing Ruby closer. "Then why can't I know?"

Ruby laughed lightly before kissing her forehead. "Soon. I promise." She moved back, her thumb caressing her love's chin as her focus returned to her eyes. "Trust me." It was more of a question then a request.

Belle's picked up on the tone immediately and nodded.

"Belle! Belle!" Mary Margaret called, running up behind them. She stopped short once she reached them, resting her hand on her hip as she tried to catch her breath.

"You should really start running with David in the mornings," Ruby teased, receiving a dirty look from Mary Margaret and a playful slap from Belle.

"I found that…" Mary Margaret paused. Her gaze shifted from Ruby to Belle. "That thing you were looking for." Her eyes went wide for a moment.

Belle caught the gesture and released a long "Oh".

Ruby raised a curious eyebrow. "What thing?"

Belle turned to her a grinned. "Nothing you need to be concerned about." She leaned up and kissed her quickly. "I'll see you later." She touched her face and walked off with Mary Margaret.

Ruby watched her leave, her arms spread out at her side. "Now who's being evasive!" she shouted.

Belle turned quickly and blew her a kiss. "I love you!" she called out before she and Mary Margaret quickened their pace and disappeared down the hall.

Ruby huffed a small laugh, shaking her head and continuing up the stairs toward the dormitory.

"Okay, Regina, you know this."

"I know I do," Regina sighed in frustration, lying across Emma's lap on the sofa. Emma held her Transfiguration notes in one hand, the other resting gently in her hair, brushing softly through the strands.

Ruby walked in on them curiously, a bag in her hand. "Is she allowed to be in here?" she asked Emma, who shrugged.

"No, but everybody else is out enjoying the weather, so…"

Regina rolled her eyes. "Look, Lucas, if you're going to actually start some hypocritical lecture and kick me out from your common room, I would appreciate it if you would deafen me first."

Ruby sighed impatiently as she made her way up the stairs to the dormitory. "I wasn't going to say anything. Just don't let Mary Margaret catch you."

Emma nodded, turning her attention back to Regina with a smile. "Come on, baby. We went over this yesterday."

Regina closed her eyes, thinking hard. "This was all the way back in second year," she whined. "Was it … Vera Verto?"

"Yeah," she grinned. "See? That wasn't so bad."

Regina sat up angrily, trying to hide the worry laced in her voice. "Emma, O.W.L.s start tomorrow. What am I supposed to do?"

Emma took her hand gently. "Regina, you're a prefect; you're the smartest person I know; you're the most determined person I know. … You're going to do fine." She kissed her forehead lightly.

"No, I won't," mumbled Regina, grabbing her notes, practically crumpling them in her hand. "I can't remember any of this." Frustrated tears built in her eyes.

Emma smiled warmly. She pulled Regina against her and lay back on the couch. "Just take a deep breath. The more you worry, the worse it's going to be." She played with Regina's smooth, black hair. "Why don't we take a break from studying for a while?"

"I like the sound of that," Regina sighed, relaxing at Emma's touch and nestling into her side.

"Do you really think she's going to like it?" Belle whispered as she and Mary Margaret approached the portrait hole. "I mean, is it too much?"

"Belle, it's perfect. I think she's going to love it," replied Mary Margaret with a wide smile. "Baubles," she said to the Fat Lady as she swung open to reveal their common room.

Both Belle and Mary Margaret stopped in front of the couch, Belle turning nervously to her friend, who looked livid at the sight of Regina and Emma asleep, their arms wrapped around each other. "She is not supposed to be in here," Mary Margaret hissed, stepping forward to wake them up.

But Belle grabbed her arm. "What are you doing?" she asked quietly, pulling her back into the entryway.

"What am I doing? She's a Slytherin! She shouldn't be in here." Mary Margaret was furious, but at least she had had the courtesy to lower her voice.

"Is that really what this is about?" Belle raised her eyebrows.

Mary Margaret crossed her arms, rolling her eyes and staring at the ceiling, "Yes, Belle. What are you implying?"

Belle suddenly found herself very angry. "I'm implying that you have been nothing but adamant against their relationship ever since the beginning. Ruby may not care for Regina, but she at least makes the effort to tolerate her … for Emma. You and David, on the other hand, won't even stay in the same room as her. Do you know how upset Emma's going to be if she finds out that you hate Regina? You're her best friend."

Mary Margaret sighed. "I know, but – "

"No! No 'but'!" Belle insisted. "You don't have to love her; you don't even have to like her. You just have to be nice to her. Do you think you can do that?"

"Hey!" Ruby called quietly, running up to them on her tiptoes. "What are you guys doing over here?" She wrapped her arms around Belle immediately and kissed her on the cheek.

"Nothing," Mary Margaret lied. "We were just talking about – how we'd better make sure Regina doesn't get caught by McGonagall when she leaves."

Belle's lips perked up in a small smile, and Ruby's eyes widened in confusion but she tried to pass it off as a yawn.

"Well, quit standing in the doorway. We can all talk upstairs," she whispered. "Let's let these two sleep."

Belle nodded, grabbing Ruby's hand and tugging her up into the dormitory, Mary Margaret following them hesitantly.

Happy Anniversary, sweetheart. Meet me in our spot after you've showered and dressed. I love you so much.
Belle

Ruby smiled as she read the note that was left on her pillow. She opened her drawer to place it inside when her eyes caught sight of the small box containing Belle's present. She smiled inwardly as she put the note down and grabbed the box. She opened it, inspecting the item, making sure there were no flaws. It had to be perfect. Everything concerning this day had to be perfect. Once she was satisfied with its appearance, she closed the box and made her way out of the dormitory to meet Belle.

Belle paced the floor inside the Room of Requirement, nervously fidgeting with her hands. Her gift to Ruby sat on a small table by the couch they had become so comfortable and acquainted with. She heard footsteps and turned immediately to greet the person attached to them. Ruby walked toward her, a wide smile on her lips, looking absolutely adorable in her jeans and red and white flannel shirt.

Ruby couldn't even get out a greeting before Belle crossed the room, threw her arms around her neck, and kissed her deeply. Ruby fell far into the kiss, wrapping her arms around Belle and lifting her slightly off the ground. She felt her girlfriend's hands grip her hair and move to rest on her face. They pulled apart slowly, their foreheads pressed against one another's as their breathing attempted to return to a normal pace.

"Happy anniversary," Ruby said finally. She moved back slightly to look into her eyes. She smiled, caressing the small of Belle's back. "It's been the best six months of my life."

"Me too," Belle responded softly as she took Ruby's hand in hers. "Come. Let's sit down."

Ruby allowed herself to be led by Belle and took a seat next to her on the couch. Belle turned away for a moment to grab a small box from the table. When she had looked away, Ruby pulled her gift from her pocket. Belle could feel her hands starting to shake as she picked up the box. She did her best to control it and turned to face her girlfriend once again.

"Ruby…"

"Belle..."

They paused looking down at each other's gifts. The sizes of the boxes were completely similar. The wrapping mirrored each other as well. They raised their eyes to meet one another, Ruby releasing a small laugh first.

"Please tell me we didn't get each other the same gift," Ruby said, playing anxiously with the box.

Belle furrowed her brow. "No, we couldn't have... I mean..." She paused, shaking her head. "You go first."

"Okay, but I want to say something first..."

Belle shifted, holding her box tightly between her hands. "Alright."

Ruby took in a deep breath then slowly let it out. She ran her hand through her hair, tucking it behind her ear. She shifted nervously, suddenly feeling as if she wouldn't be comfortable no matter how she sat. It wasn't until Belle rested her hand on her thigh that she relaxed. She looked into her girlfriend's comforting blue eyes and finally started to speak.

"Belle, I – am so lucky to have you in my life..." She paused, swallowing hard. "I never thought I could love someone as much as I love you. And, even though some people might think I'm crazy for saying this ... I don't think I will ever love anyone other than you for the rest of my life..." She opened the box slowly, revealing a beautiful sapphire ring. "This ring is a promise ... that I will be by your side through thick and thin ... forever…" She smiled timidly. "If you'll have me, that is."

"Of course I will..." Belle felt the tears well up behind her eyes then fall slowly as Ruby slipped the ring onto her finger. She leaned in and kissed her lightly. She released a small laugh. "You're never going to believe this…" She inched back from Ruby and opened her box, revealing a gorgeous ruby ring. She watched as the shocked expression overtook Ruby's beautiful features. "I love you so much, Ruby.… Regardless if people think we are too young, or crazy, or whatever ... I know I will never love anyone other than you... You are the only person I want to be with... You bring out a side of me I will never share with anyone else..." She slipped the ring on Ruby's finger then raised her hand to touch her face. "I'm yours ... forever…"

Ruby felt her own tears begin to fall as she pulled Belle closer and kissed her lovingly. Their desire and need for one another grew with each touch, each movement of their lips against one another's. Ruby raised herself slightly, leaning into Belle as the small girl laid back, pulling Ruby on top of her. No more words were needed. They were bonded together. Forever.