As the only remaining witch in the broken Quartet, Ruby took it upon herself to step up and take control of things, she knew she'd never replace Georgia as the mama bear in the group but she had to try something. They needed to get back onto a proper schedule and catch up with missed work and really get their heads down in class because McGonagall had dropped a bombshell during their last Transfigurations class, telling them that exams would still be going ahead and would start on June 1st. No one had been happy with the news, all silently hoping they'd be cancelled due to the way the year had gone and the fact that Professor Dumbledore had been suspended, but the stern witch that was standing in for him had told them the whole reason the school had remained open during such a time of disturbance was so they could continue to receive their education and that running things as normal as possible also meant exams.
Hagrid had also gone from the school and the rumours were that he'd been sent to Azkaban for having a hand in opening the Chamber of Secrets which Ruby found to be utterly ridiculous, the games keeper was no more the heir than she was. He was much too kind and friendly to attack anyone. The monster being on the loose had certainly caused several people to lose their minds. But the start of exams were just round the corner and no one was ready for them, their visits to see Georgia had become few and far between the closer June got.
The common room was still much too noisy for them to concentrate on homework and sneaking off into empty classrooms could only last for so long before they got caught so they'd been granted permission by Madam Pomfrey to work on their homework at Georgia's bedside. So long as they kept the noise levels low. They'd deemed it the perfect solution because they got to keep her company and it almost felt like normal, the four of them together working on essays. Plus they were getting caught back up on missed school work so McGonagall couldn't tell them off because at least she knew where they were and that they were safe and behaving.
Having gotten bored of writing about the properties of a pepperup potion Fred closed his school books and stretched his arms and back out. "I wish she'd just wake up" he sighed, looking at Georgia.
"We have to wait on the mandrakes, you know that" Ruby reminded him once more.
"I know, but surely there should be a simpler solution, like a spell or something"
"If there was then I'm sure Dumbledore would have tried it by now" George replied to his twin, also closing his own books.
"What's to say there's not a hidden method that he doesn't know about?" Fred wondered.
"Then we can't blame him for not trying it if he doesn't know about it" Ruby rolled her eyes, they'd been over this multiple times.
"What about that girl that eats the poisoned apple in that book she reads" Fred frowned, trying to remember the title of the Muggle book that he'd seen Georgia reading from.
"The snow witch!" George blurted out.
"Yes! They all think she's had it but the handsome bloke gives her the kiss of life and wakes her up"
Ruby snorted with laughter, unable to concentrate on her homework anymore she tucked her parchment away into the cover of the textbook. "That's a fairytale Fred, things like that don't work in real life. But if you're sure you're her Prince Charming, then please, be my guest" she giggled, gesturing to the brunette.
"You wouldn't be laughing if it worked" Fred grumbled, a blush creeping up his face.
"Come on then brainbox, what other ideas do you have? If spells and kissing are out" Ruby asked leaning forward.
"I just think we should keep telling her how much we need her to wake up" Fred shrugged, "We're lost without her, George and I haven't pulled any pranks in months, not to mention that Muggle Studies isn't going too greatly without her help, and she still needs to teach us how to play that game she got at Christmas" he listed off.
"She brought that with her you know" Ruby mused, and Fred turned his head sharply to look at her with a questioning look. "She was going to have us play it one weekend, but we got swamped with homework and then this" Ruby trailed off, they all knew what she was implying and that the likelihood of her waking up before the end of the school year was slowly fading.
That was until three days before their first exam, they were all sat at breakfast when McGonagall stood and rapped on her goblet for attention so that she could make another announcement. "I have good news" she spoke and the hall erupted into whispers, speculating what it may be because they'd had no good news all year.
"Dumbledore will be returning as Headmaster" there were several yells of joy before someone from the Ravenclaw table screamed.
"You've caught the heir of Slytherin!"
Ruby and the twins shared a look, daring to hope it was true, mildly disappointed that they hadn't been the ones to figure it out. A couple of places down the table Oliver Wood, unable to contain himself also yelled out in excitement, "Quidditch will be back on!"
The rest of the team cheered, having all missed being able to get outside and train. McGonagall remained standing at the teachers table and slowly the noise faded once more, as students began realising she wasn't done with her good news. Having everyone's attention again she continued. "I have also been informed by Professor Sprout that the mandrakes are ready for cutting"
Fred and George turned excitedly to Ruby, the three of them holding their breaths, wondering if they were really hearing it right. They would finally have Georgia back amongst them.
"Tonight, we will be able to revive those who have been petrified."
Ruby let out a choked sob, pressing her hands to her mouth to contain it, though this time they were tears of happiness. Fred gave his brother a worried look and George quickly wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her to him in a sort of half hug. "Hey she's going to be fine" he spoke softly.
"I know" Ruby nodded, swiping at her tears, she was just so overjoyed that she couldn't help it.
"I need hardly remind anyone that one of them may be able to tell us who, or what, attacked them. We have every hope that this year will end with us catching the culprit. It will be in the best interest of anyone with any information to come forward"
So the heir hadn't been caught, and as the hall erupted into loud cheers Fred threw a look at the Slytherin table across the opposite end of the hall. Not one of them looked happy at the prospect and his insides roared with anger. The mood in the hall had shifted though and everyone looked happier than they had in weeks. Even Fred was giddily bouncing in his seat, both from excitement and nerves. All the things he'd said to Georgia while she was unconscious, he'd get to say them to her face. And this time he wouldn't be so worried about it because he'd already done it once.
Ruby managed to regain control of her emotions and with a blush she reluctantly detached herself from George's side, thanking him in the process. She didn't want people to start speculating things and was thankful when Ron began chattering beside them, drawing everyone's attention.
"Hermione will have all the answers when they wake her up, mind you, she'll be mad when she finds out we've got exams in three days' time and she hasn't revised. It might be kinder to her if they leave her there until exams are over." Harry nodded his agreement and Fred chuckled, he'd been thinking a similar thing only his mind was on Georgia. Much like the bushy haired bookworm she'd panic she wasn't ready to take exams.
Seemingly out of nowhere Ginny appeared and squeezed herself between Ron and Ruby, she looked tense and nervous despite all the good news they'd just received. As she stared at the tabletop, twisting her hands in her lap, her brothers shared worried looks.
"What's up?" Ron broke the silence as he helped himself to some porridge. Being close in age he and Ginny had always had more of a connection to one another than with their other siblings so Fred and George quietly watched on, knowing there was more chance she'd answer to Ron. But rather than say anything she glanced up and down the Gryffindor table with a look of worry in her eyes that was concerning Ruby, the young red head was usually full of life and fierce.
"Spit it out" Ron encouraged and Ruby placed a comforting hand on her back but quickly removed it when the witch jumped and flinched away from her.
"I've got to tell you something," she mumbled quietly.
"What is it?" Harry asked across the table. Ginny opened her mouth but no words came out. Harry leant into the table and spoke softly so that only those closest could hear him. "Is it about the Chamber of Secrets? Do you know something?"
Ginny drew in a deep breath and right as she was about to speak Percy appeared behind them, looking tired and worn out. Noticing that Ginny didn't have anything on her plate he spoke directly to her.
"If you've finished eating I'll take that seat Ginny. I've only just come off patrol duty and I'm starving."
Ginny jumped right out of her seat as though she'd been electrocuted, gave Percy a fearful look before dashing away.
"Percy!" Ron and the twins yelled angrily, glaring at their big brother. But unfazed Percy poured himself a cup of tea.
"She was just about to tell us something important" Ron snapped at him and Percy paused mid way through drinking his tea, choking on it.
"What sort of thing?" He asked while coughing, his voice sounding slightly nervous.
"I asked if she'd seen anything odd and she was about to say..."
Percy cut Harry off mid explanation, clearing his throat as he did so, "Oh! That. That's nothing to do with the Chamber" he said.
Ron raised his eyebrows, "How do you know?"
Fred hummed beside Harry, wondering the same thing. Ginny had looked terrified to open up to them and he very much doubted she'd confided in the prefect first. Especially considering how fast she'd fled when he'd shown up. He'd be willing to bet all the sickles in his pocket that Ginny knew something about the heir and was scared for her own safety to speak up. Another thought occurred to him that maybe the heir was blackmailing her into not saying anything and he threw a look at his twin, the pair holding a silent conversation across the table. George gave a subtle nod as he understood what his twin was saying, he wanted them to talk to Ginny.
"Well, er, if you must know" Percy shifted uncomfortably in his seat, the tell tale Weasley blush creeping up his neck, "Ginny, she uh, she walked in on me doing something and I asked her not to mention it to anyone. I must say, I'd hoped she would keep her word. It was nothing really, I'd just rather..."
He trailed off as Ruby, Fred and George burst into uncontrollable laughter, holding their stomachs as the tears rolled down their faces. Percy gave them unamused looks, knowing full well they had their minds in the gutter but he wasn't going to bite and give them the satisfaction of knowing the truth.
"What were you doing Percy?" Ron grinned, "Go on, we won't laugh" he waved his hand between himself and Harry. Percy didn't smile back though and ignoring the people he had the misfortune of calling family he tucked into his own breakfast.
Soon enough breakfast was over and the students were being escorted to their first lessons of the day, the twins kept craning their necks to look over Madam Hooch to see if they could spot their sister as they wanted to find out more about what exactly she'd seen Percy doing, but when they could only spot their brothers they frowned, shared a confused look and then carried on following behind the flying teacher to their first lesson of the day which just so happened to be Care of Magical Creatures - which meant that the three of them could talk.
Professor Kettleburn called them all forward so that he could show them the creature they would be studying during the lesson "Gather round class, gather round" he said, looking everywhere but at the class as one eye was bandaged and therefore he was relying solely on his good eye to see out of. Fred, George and Ruby quietly sniggered but shuffled forward to see what would be inflicted on them once they had that answer they could then zone out and have their conversation.
"Today class we have the delight of studying Flobberworms!" Professor Kettleburn announced and the trio grinned at one another - the perfect creature to ignore so that they could get down to the correct use of the lesson talking about Ginny's discovery and whether they should be there to see Georgia get revived.
The professor droned on about the properties of the creature before sending them off to different parts of the reserve to feed their flobberworms, but the remaining members of the quartet had other things on their minds….
"What do you reckon Ginny caught ol' Percy doing?" George sniggered, waving a lettuce leaf at his Flobberworm.
"Did you see how uncomfortable he looked?" Ruby giggled in response, "I bet it was something your mum wouldn't approve of" she added, prodding her own Flobberworm with the end of her wand, it wasn't moving and she wondered if it was already dead.
"I don't know about you but I don't think that's what Gin was going to tell us" Fred mused, eyeing the creature on the bench with distaste, "Percy definitely let his own secrets out, who knew he had a kinky side?" he added and the three of them caught the giggles again, imagining Percy as anything other than a nerd was amusing.
"Enjoying class I see" Professor Kettleburn interrupted them and Fred successfully held his laughter back enough to reply.
"Oh of course, sir" he nodded proudly, making the other two duck their heads to hide their giggles and avoid getting told off for mucking about. As he limped off to see how the rest of the students were getting along the trio went back to their previous conversation.
"I think you might be onto something, you know" said Ruby, as she grabbed a cabbage leaf and tore it in half.
"About what Ginny wanted to say or Percy's kinky side?" Fred smirked and Ruby shook her head at him, a smile on her face.
"Ginny, she was terrified after McGonagall's speech"
"She definitely knows something," George nodded in agreement with them.
"Why run when Perce showed up though?" Ruby questioned, as she watched her Flobberworm nom on the green leaf she'd let go off.
"Easy" Fred shrugged, "He's a prefect and would rather side with the Professors than with us, his own family. If she knows something she's afraid of getting into trouble for now speaking up sooner. Percy wouldn't have been sympathetic about that"
"I say we corner her after classes and get her to talk," George suggested, laying the lettuce leaf over his worm like a blanket after it continued to refuse to eat.
Fred shook his head though, "If we can catch her at lunch I'd rather we do that. But I think we should be there for Gia when they wake her tonight"
"She's going to be disoriented and confused when they wake her, the last thing she needs is us crowding her" George argued.
"All the more reason to be there to support her, we're her friends, she needs us"
"You heard McGonagall, they're going to question them to see what they know. We'll just be in the way"
"No one said you had to come, I'll go alone" Fred snapped and Ruby figured it was time to step in as their argument was getting a little too loud.
"Let's not fight over this, and just think about it" she reasoned with the two boys.
"There's nothing to think about, I'm going to be there when Georgia wakes up and I don't care what either of you say" Picking his Flobberworm up Fred crossed the classroom to go sit by the Hufflepuffs they shared the lesson with. Ruby sighed, pressing her hands to her temples to prevent the headache she could feel starting. Teenage hormones were not something she enjoyed dealing with, and couldn't wait to have her female best friend back for moral support.
The rest of their school day passed by in a much similar way, every passing hour seemed to be becoming longer and longer. Fred couldn't concentrate at all in any of his classes, and just willed them to be over with so that they could get through dinner and be reunited once more as a quartet. As the final school bell rang to signal the day as over Fred grabbed his bag and was one of the first out the door, George running after him.
"Fred wait!"
"Time waits for no man Georgie" he called back letting his legs take him the familiar route to the first floor.
"Fred!" Ruby yelled in a demanding tone, causing him to halt in his tracks. "Will you listen for one damn second"
George backed out of her way as she stormed towards Fred, glad he wasn't on the receiving end of her anger. "They're not going to let us anywhere near that hospital, not to mention that the mandrakes still need cutting and the potion brewing. It's going to be hours before they wake them"
Fred's face lit up as though he'd just had an amazing idea and he grabbed the blonde witch by the shoulders, "Ruby-Roo, you're a genius!" She threw George a look to see if the other redhead had any idea what his twin was talking about but he shrugged, shaking his head. "We've got to go" the elder twin announced hurriedly, taking hold of her hand and grabbing George by the sleeve of his school robes he dragged them back down the corridor with him. Ignoring the looks of the passing students.
"Where are you taking us?" Asked George as he shook his brother off, more than capable of walking the halls on his own accord.
"To the greenhouses" Fred spoke excitedly and with a hint of something in his voice that said they should have guessed it already. "If we help Professor Sprout with the mandrakes they'll get the remedy ready quicker"
"I think I'm needing a potion from Pomfrey, my hearing is off" George teased his twin playfully.
"Have you, Fred Weasley, honestly just offered to do extra Herbology outside of class time?" Ruby gasped, a smile playing on her face to show she was joking.
"Sod off. Both of you" he rolled his eyes sarcastically before sprinting down the marble staircase and sliding to a halt on the stone floor at the bottom as they reached the entrance hall. Ruby and George crashed into the back of him and the three of them turned their running into fast paced walking as Filch, the school caretaker, was giving them a dark stare across the hallway. Clearly looking for any excuse to punish someone. He'd grown a lot more grumpier than usual without his sidekick of a cat, and was often seen screaming detention at students for the least of things. The three lions weren't going to allow it to be them today though, they had important things to do.
