Chapter 36- Results
"…Excellent, well everything seems to have gone well, let's reduce the anaesthetic and get her up to recovery. Any questions, Miss Weasley?"
"Yes, when can she move to Hogwarts?" Ruby asked, looking from her mother's face to Spanswick.
"Probably tomorrow, if all goes well. Tell your family that everything went well, I'll be in my office if they want to talk to me." Ruby nodded and Spanswick left.
Ruby watched as the operating team removed various spells, tubes and machines from her mother and attached other things and then followed them into the recovery ward. Predictably her mother was given a private room.
"If she wakes up, press this button. I'll send your father in." One of the medi-witches said, Ruby nodded and sat down again.
Her mother looked pale but Ruby felt such relief at how everything had gone that she wasn't worried about it. The operation had lasted seven hours and Ruby was exhausted.
After a few minutes her father rushed in.
"Hey Dad." Ruby said, she wasn't sure if her father had heard her, he only had eyes for his wife. He looked at her face and kissed her gently on the forehead before taking her hand and dropping into a seat. Only then did he look at Ruby.
"They said it went well?"
"Yeah, it did. It was fine, honestly." She said, smiling.
"When can she go to Hogwarts?"
"Probably tomorrow. What's been happening at the Ministry?"
"Malfoy is going to Azkaban, Kingsley's arranging the trial but he can wait in that hell-hole."
"Good." Ruby put her head in her hands and took a deep breath.
"And Scorpius is up and about, Penny said he should be alright in a day or two. Oh, and she gave me this for you, she said she's had it since Friday but kept forgetting." He passed her a thick envelope and Ruby looked at it, knowing instantly what it was, her exam results.
"Buggar." Ruby muttered, she looked up at her father and he smiled at her.
"Just open it, it's already done, not reading the result won't change it." He said wisely.
"Okay." She opened the envelope and pulled out the parchment.
EXAMINATION RESULTS FOR FINAL HEALING EXAM- ST MUNGO'S HOSPITAL FOR MAGICAL MALADIES AND INJURIES
Name- Ruby Ariana Weasley
Student number- 72145
Supervisor- Hl Robert Kyle
Examination result- 92%
Ruby gasped, she couldn't believe it. She had passed with almost full marks, she passed it over to her father and he grinned as he read it.
"We've got a smart one here, Eliza!" He said, holding the parchment in front of his wife's unconscious face.
"I can't believe it!" Ruby exclaimed.
"Well done, Poppet. I'm really proud of you, go and tell the family." Ruby stood up and took the parchment back from her dad. She left the room and asked a Medi-witch to take her place and then walked to the waiting room, on the way she passed Kyle's office and she walked in.
"Can I help you?" Asked a woman sat at Scorpius' desk.
"No, I'm fine thanks." Ruby replied, knocking on Kyle's door, he invited her in.
"Oh hello Miss Weasley, I wasn't expecting you in today."
"I'm not really here, Mom had her surgery."
"I heard, did it go well?" He asked.
"Yes, it was as planned. I just got my exam results."
"Oh, what did they give you?" He asked, holding out his hand for the parchment, she passed it over and he laughed as he read the result.
"Excellent, excellent, well done! Only the project to go now and you're officially one of us. Have you told your family?"
"No, I was just on my way."
"Go on then, I'll see you tomorrow morning. Oh, and is Scorpius alright?"
"He will be soon, thanks sir." Ruby left the room, the witch looked as if she had finally recognised Ruby.
"I'm really sorry, I didn't recognise you." She said, standing up and holding out her hand for Ruby to shake. "Delilah Finnigan."
"It's fine, Ruby Weasley, nice to meet you. I'll be in tomorrow so I'll see you then."
When she had told the waiting family the news of her results she was inundated with hugs and congratulations. She was glad to return to the relative quiet of her mother's room. Uncle Harry came with her, he was looking quite pale.
"Honestly Uncle Harry, it went well." Ruby said, holding the door open for him.
"Oh, I know, I think some of the drugs are coming through the bond, I feel exhausted."
"Shall I see if I can find you a Potion?" Ruby asked.
"Nah, I'll just look in on Eliza and then head home. Ginny's probably annoyed with me about something, sympathy might be my greatest defence." Ruby laughed and followed her Uncle into the side room.
When she returned to the Burrow in the early evening she was pleased to see Scorpius sat at the kitchen table talking calmly with Ron.
"Hi, how are you feeling?" She asked, putting down her bag.
"Fine, how's your mom?"
"She's stable."
"I heard you got your results."
"You told him?" She said, turning on Ron.
"No, I just said you'd got the results, not what they were! I'm not about to get back on your bad side, it's not even been a day!" He said, holding up his hands. "Anyway, I better go and cash up the tills, see you soon." He was almost in the fireplace when Ruby called out to him.
"Wait!"
"What?"
"Happy birthday." She said, pulling him into a hug.
"Thanks, but I'm moving it to next month, Fred said he'll share for this year. See you later." He waved at Scorpius and then disappeared into the Floo.
"So?" Scorpius asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Ninety two." She said with a grin.
"Bloody hell! Ninety two! You're like bloody…Weasley!"
"I am a…"
"No, not a Weasley, you're like Weasley, Rosie!"
"Oh, well…" Ruby laughed, "I guess I saved my best exam result for the end." She said, as he pulled her into a hug and squeezed her tightly.
"Well done, we'll have to celebrate." He said as he pulled away.
"Of course, not tonight though, I'm so tired it's not even funny, and I've got work in the morning."
"I wanted to go back to the flat tonight but Dad wants me to go home, he doesn't trust the wards on the flat…"
"But your Grandfather's been arrested."
"Yeah, but he's got lots of friends, I'll just go home for a bit…"
"Come and stay at Grimmauld Place, it's got millions of protective charms on it." Ruby suggested, Scorpius raised his eyebrows.
"What about you and Victoire?"
"She won't mind, and you know anyway. I'll go now and check it's okay and then collect you later."
"Are you sure? We'd be living together…"
"Not really, anyway it's huge! We could walk around all day and not bump into each other. Please, I wouldn't have to worry about you, I'm already worried about Mom, so can't I keep one of you with me?" Ruby begged, pouting out her lip. Scorpius laughed.
"Fine, check with Vic."
An hour later Scorpius and Ruby were sat in the kitchen of Grimmauld Place having a cup of tea. Vic had been delighted by the chance to get to know Scorpius better, although she had said she was glad he already knew about the baby.
"When are you working tomorrow, Rubes?" The blonde asked, stirring a pot on the stove, Pox was jumping up and down and leaning on the cupboard begging.
"Six till four, Pox get down!" Pox looked at her and ran over, nudging her knee. "It's not dinner time!" She told him firmly.
"What about you, Scorpius? When are you back at work?"
"They've given me a week off so not till next Monday."
"Have you managed to get any painting done today?" Ruby asked, sipping her tea.
"No, I made some doodles though. I've got another Hogwarts restoration and the man in the painting is being a nightmare so I keep him under a cloth."
"Who is it?"
"Sir Cadogan, he keeps challenging me to duels, he doesn't seem to have noticed that he's got no legs left, and his pony is without a tail." Ruby laughed and Scorpius snorted.
"Do you need any help with dinner?" Scorpius asked, standing up. Victoire set him to work laying the table.
When the stew was on the table Ruby attacked it with a most unlady-like manner, Scorpius and Vic gaped at her.
"What? I skipped breakfast and lunch, I'm starving! Plus, you both love me already anyway."
"Seriously, Scorpius I think you might want to rethink." Vic mocked. Scorpius laughed and reached across to wipe a drop of gravy on Ruby's chin.
"So, anyway, I've aired out the yellow room for you, I assumed you were sharing?"
"Yep." Ruby replied, Vic nodded and then told them about the quirks of the house, namely which rooms to avoid and which paintings were drying and should not be touched.
After dinner the Floo-bell rang and moments later Uncle Harry stepped into the kitchen.
"Hey Uncle Harry, everything okay?" Vic asked, pointing her wand at the kettle.
"Why does everyone think I always bring bad news?" He asked, sitting down.
"Because you're an Auror, and you look at bit pale, are you okay?"
"Good point, I'm fine, it's just Eliza."
"You're worried about her?" Vic asked.
"No, well yes but…she's dreaming a lot." The haunted look in her Uncle's eyes made Ruby feel uncomfortable.
"What about the Moonstone blanket?" Asked Scorpius.
"Eliza's magic has a habit of overpowering it, Minerva tried to explain it but she lost me, anyway hopefully she'll be awake soon, it will be easier when she's at Hogwarts anyway, the wards should help."
"Tea?" Vic asked, everyone nodded and she moved to the kettle and started making four cups.
"Anyway, I heard from Teddy this afternoon…"
"Is he okay?" Asked Vic and Ruby, together.
"He's fine, it was just to check in, everything is fine, honestly girls, it's like you don't trust me!"
"Is Hamish alright?" Scorpius asked.
"Oh, I forgot you were friends, yeah he's fine. They arrived safely."
"Did you tell him about Mom?" Ruby asked.
"No, I will when she's awake, I need him focussed and not worrying, sorry if that seems heartless."
"Well, a bit but I see your point." Said Vic, returning to the table with the teas.
"He'll be annoyed with you though." Ruby said quietly.
"I know, I'm ready for that…" Harry stopped suddenly and gripped the table in front of him with white knuckled grip.
"Uncle Harry?" Ruby asked, placing her hand on his shoulder. "Are you okay?"
"Talk to me, Ruby, about anything…" He said, looking pale.
"Umm, okay…I made up with Uncle Ron, he's moved his birthday which…is good because I haven't got his present yet…umm…Alistairs coming home soon…Alice has moved into the pub for a while…"
"Uncle Harry?" Asked Vic as Ruby hesitated.
"I've gotta…get to Hogwarts…see you later…" He stood up and swayed so violently that Scorpius stood up and stopped him from colliding with the oven.
"I'll Apparate you, see you in a bit." Said Ruby, picking up her wand.
She twisted, and pulled her Uncle with her. They arrived ten feet from the gate, Hagrid was just walking back inside, presumably after a trip to the pub.
"Hagrid!" Ruby cried, supporting her Uncle who looked seconds away from passing out.
"Ruby, Harry! What is it?" He asked, running to them.
"I need to get him inside the wards, can…" Hagrid lifted Harry up and strode quickly towards the gates, Ruby jogged to keep up with them.
As soon as they were inside the gates Harry leaned over Hagrid and threw up, Hagrid lowered him to the ground and knelt next to him.
"Alright, Harry? What's happened?"
"Uncle Harry, are you okay?" Ruby asked, as she reached them.
"Yeah Rubes…" He threw up again so Ruby wasn't entirely convinced.
"I'll get yer up ter Poppy." Hagrid said, standing up.
"No, just a cup of tea Hagrid, honestly."
"You should see Madam…"
"It's fine, I just need a bit of a break from it!" Harry snapped, he stormed off towards the cabin and Ruby and Hagrid followed slowly.
"What happened? What does he need a break from?" Hagrid asked.
"Mom, she's having nightmares while she's unconscious and some of it's getting through the bond. Shall I get Madam Pomfrey?"
"Not yet, go and get Ginny, Floo her to Charlie's office, I'll warn him yer comin', go on." Ruby nodded and ran back to Hogsmeade and Apparated to Godric' Hollow.
When she knocked on the door she heard swearing coming from inside.
"…swear to Merlin, if this is you forgetting your keys again Harry I will hex your…Ruby? What are you doing here?" Aunt Ginny asked, rubbing sleep out of her eyes.
"It's Uncle Harry, I had to Apparate him to Hogwarts, Mom's having nightmares and…"
"Buggar, come in."
"Hagrid said to get you, to Floo you to Uncle Charlie's office. He won't see Madam Pomfrey."
"He bloody will see Pomfrey, come on!"
When they arrived in Uncle Charlie's office he was massaging Katie's huge ankles.
"Hey Gin, they're still at the cabin, so do you want me to…" Charlie's sentence faded as Ginny stormed out of the office.
"I'll go with her, can you ask Madam Pomfrey to come to the cabin? It might save time." Charlie nodded and Ruby ran to catch up with her Aunt.
Ruby had to hand it to Ginny, considering her size she could move pretty fast. When they reached the cabin Ginny threw the door open with considerable power.
Harry was sat at the table with tears running down his face, Hagrid was standing next to him looking unsure of what to do.
"Harry." Ginny said softly, crossing the room and hugging him tightly, he cried into her bump and Ginny stroked the top of his head before sitting next to him.
"Harry, she survived, she's happy, she's safe." Harry nodded.
"I…I don't know how…I should have protected her…I should…"
"You were kids, Harry, just kids caught up in a war." Said Hagrid from behind him.
"It's no defence…I can't stop seeing it!" He rubbed his scar, Ruby knew that only happened when he was really stressed.
"Ruby, come here, sit down." Ruby obeyed her Aunt's instructions.
"Harry, look at Ruby. Eliza survived, she had Ruby, she had the terror twins!" Ruby snorted and Harry made an odd hiccupping sound.
"Can't they wake her up, at the hospital? She shouldn't have to go through it again!"
"She might not remember Uncle Harry and…she needs to rest, to build up her magical reserves again." The door opened and Madam Pomfrey walked in with a stern expression on her face.
"Wrist." She said, holding out her hand, Harry placed his left wrist in there and the nurse felt his pulse whilst waving her wand over him.
"Hmm…"
"I'm fine, I just…"
"Stop talking." Harry stopped talking immediately and Ruby concealed a small smile, she had a lot to learn until she could deal with patients in the same way Madam Pomfrey could.
"Is it better inside the wards?" Pomfrey asked, her voice softening slightly.
"A bit, not much, I thought it would help more."
"A twin bond like yours is not too bothered by Hogwarts wards, it's too powerful, and you've spent so much time in the castle, the bond can work around it. I can give you a sleeping Potion for a few…"
"No, no way! If she has to see it then…" Ginny cut across him.
"Harry, don't be ridiculous, she might not even remember! And she could be asleep for a week or longer, are you going to run the Auror office on no sleep?"
"I can't just…block it out!"
"That's what Mom does, she shuts it away, that's what Dad always says." Ruby said.
"Exactly, Harry don't be a martyr, Eliza will be really pissed off if she wakes up and then you end up unconscious for a week and she has to endure your memories!"
"That wouldn't happen…" Harry muttered quietly.
"I think when we get her here it might be easier, the blanket will help more here, it will combine with the wards. For the next few nights you'll have a Potion, Potter…"
"I said no…" Harry interrupted and Pomfrey puffed up indignantly but Ginny beat her to words.
"I'm not arguing about this with you, Harry! You need sleep, I need sleep, take the fucking Potion or I'll get Fred, Eliza's unconscious, she can't protect you!" Harry looked up and his eyes flitted between Ruby and his wife. He could tell that Ginny was serious and that Ruby would have no issues collecting her father.
"Fine, just for tonight though." He conceded.
Ruby walked back up to the castle with Madam Pomfrey, the nurse was delighted about her exam results. When they crossed the Entrance Hall, Professor Longbottom was waiting for them.
"How is he?"
"He'll be okay, Neville, Ginny convinced him to take the Potion." Pomfrey said, sounding tired.
"Good, Ruby could I steal you for a little bit?"
"Of course, what is it?"
"The twins are worried, apparently your father's letter wasn't very convincing, could you pop and see them, they're in the common room." Ruby nodded and they said goodbye to Madam Pomfrey and walked to Gryffindor Tower.
The Fat Lady let them in and Ruby was pleased that there was only a small number of students still awake, including Annabel and Immy looking uncharacteristically quiet by the fireplace. Immy saw her first.
"Ruby!" Annabel whipped her head around and her eyes looked watery.
"Oh my…is she…?" Annabel squeaked.
"She's fine!" Ruby said quickly, holding up her hands. Professor Longbottom ushered the other students to bed and Ruby sat next to her sisters by the fire and explained recent events.
"…but she'll probably be in the hospital wing tomorrow so you can see her."
"Will she be awake?" Immy asked.
"Hopefully not, the longer she stays asleep the more her magic reserves increase, we're hoping she'll be out of it for at least a week."
"Does Teddy know?"
"No, Uncle Harry's telling him when she's awake, he's supposed to be focussing on the mission."
"What happened with Scorpius? We saw the Prophet, it said he was really hurt."
"He'll be okay." Ruby said quietly, looking down. She glanced at her watch and saw that it was nearly eleven.
"It was Lucius Malfoy?"
"Yeah, he's been arrested."
"What about his Grandmother?"
"I don't think she's been arrested but…"
"But Scorpius is okay?" Annabel said, reaching out to hold Ruby's hand. Ruby smiled at her.
"Yeah, he's staying with me and Vic at Grimmauld Place, the wards are stronger."
"Don't give up on him now, Rubes." Said Immy suddenly, Ruby looked over at her in confusion so her sister continued. "Once this is over with Lucius and Narcissa…if you can get through this together Rubes then…you'll be together forever." Ruby smiled.
"Look at you, talking about boys." Ruby replied, Immy snorted at herself.
"Yeah, I guess I'm growing up."
"We're all growing up." Annabel agreed.
"I'm so grown up that I've got a proper job, I better go, I'm on at six. I'll probably see you tomorrow, don't worry about Mom, she'll be awaking and hexing Dad in no time."
When Ruby finally made it back to Grimmauld Place it was nearly midnight, she crept into her bedroom and saw with pleasure, that Scorpius had tried to wait up for her. He was sat up in the bed, a textbook on his lap, but fast asleep.
Ruby changed into her nightdress and set her alarm charm before picking up the book and putting it on the desk. She then used her wand to slide Scorpius into the bed before crawling in next to him.
She thought she hadn't woke him but he rolled over and murmured her name.
"Yeah, I'm back, go back to sleep." She whispered as he put his arm around her waist and she snuggled into him.
"M'kay…love you Rubes…"
"I love you too." She said, he kissed her neck lightly and they both fell asleep almost immediately.
A/N So the operation went off without a hitch, yay! And we spent some time at Hogwarts, always fun.
xXMizz Alec VolturiXx- Thanks.
Scorubes4life- We will see the Longbottoms again soon.
LUG-14- Hope you feel better soon. Yep Lucius is definitely going to Azkaban, we'll see more about Narcissa soon.