Upon reaching the greenhouses they found Neville already there helping the head of Hufflepuff, he gave the older students a nervous smile hoping they wouldn't think he was a teacher's pet just because he was enthusiastic about magical plants. It was something he'd kept to himself so far. Professor Sprout had been shocked to see the three troublemakers but let out a sigh of relief nonetheless, thankful that she had several extra pairs of hands.
"Earmuffs please!" The Professor demanded pointing at the box as they entered the greenhouse and dropped their belongings off. "I cannot stress enough how important it is that these remain on at all times" she warned, giving them all serious looks. "These Mandrakes are fully grown, their cries will be fatal"
Pressing a pair over their ears the three fourth years nodded to let her know they understood. Hoping that they wouldn't lose concentration and start messing around Professor Sprout brought them over to join Neville at the workbenches in the centre of the greenhouse where several large pots stood, each one holding a big sleeping Mandrake with big green leaves hanging over the top. "Now, we only need to cut the roots, the mandrakes will scream but I promise you it isn't hurting them so please don't freak out."
Ruby squared her shoulders and nodded determinedly, she wasn't going to let the Mandrakes scare her off. Beside her Fred and George clapped their hands together, ready to get on with it, if only for Georgia's sake. They worked endlessly for over an hour, gathering as many roots from the Mandrakes as they possibly could to ensure that there would be enough to make a decent sized batch of the revival potion. Once they were done and the mandrakes were successfully repotted and quiet once more they removed their gloves and earmuffs.
"Oh well done everyone, excellent work" Professor Sprout beamed, "50 house points each for helping!"
The twins cheered at that, it wasn't often they got given house points, they were more used to losing them. Neville smiled bashfully and Ruby held her closed fist out to him for a fist bump. They'd made a great little team but it would be a while before she agreed to anything similar.
"Right, well I best get these up to Professor Snape, you four best to get cleaned up." Professor Sprout suggested as they all had streaks of dirt across their cheeks.
"Do you want help carrying them Professor?" George asked, taking in the mass of roots laying in a pile.
"Thank you Mr Weasley but I've got it" with a flick of her wand all the roots gathered themselves up and lay neatly into a big woven basket that she was able to pick up and carry. "Come along, I suspect you're all hungry now."
Fred's stomach grumbled at the mention of food and they all laughed as they made their way back up to the castle. Dinner was almost done by the time they reached the Great Hall and Professor Sprout left them to enter the hall alone as she went off towards the Dungeons. Quickly joining the Gryffindor table they loaded their plates before the food could vanish, Fred and George instantly tucking in as being Weasley's meant they were starving after having to wait a little longer than usual to be fed. Some things never changed and Ruby hid her amusement as she ate her own dinner with a little more grace.
The four of them seamlessly joined in with the conversations happening around them, making idle chit chat when Lee questioned where they'd been and why they looked like they'd had a mud fight. Conversations varied from everything between how lessons were going to plans for the rest of the evening. The twins quizzed Neville about whether he had any theories on the heir and he'd explained how his gran thought the Chamber was a crooks tale to scare people. Ruby realised they hadn't managed to catch up with Ginny to find out what was wrong earlier and was about to mention that she couldn't see the youngest redhead at the table but found herself distracted by Fred who seemed otherwise occupied in his own thoughts.
"I wonder if she was about to braid it..." Fred sighed out, playing with a hair tie that he was twisting around his fingers.
"Who?" Ruby followed his line of sight to see who he was talking about. "Is that Georgia's?" she asked, looking at the hair tie, and wondering where he'd gotten it from, George shrugged as he grabbed another sandwich.
"He's been wearing it on his wrist for weeks"
"I always like it when she braids it..." Fred's eyes went all misty and Ruby and George rolled their eyes, the pieces of the puzzle fitting together.
"Merlin's right butt cheek Gred, just tell her how you feel!" Ruby begged. "You've been pining after her for months, please just tell her before you drive us both batty"
"I can't do that until she's awake" Fred huffed, checking his watch to see how much longer he'd have to wait before he could go wait in the Hospital wing for her to be revived. Leaning back in his seat he checked how far from the entrance they were, "Reckon anyone would notice if we left?"
"You can't" Neville shook his head with wide eyes, "We have to be taken up to the Tower by a Professor"
"Live a little Longbottom" Fred told the shorter boy.
"Look at how many people are in this hall, who's going to notice a few missing" George smirked, turning and standing from the bench, Fred following him.
"Rules are made to be broken" Fred winked. "Ruby?"
"Where are we going?" she asked, not sure how good an idea it was. No one else was leaving the hall, they'd sure be seen.
"To see Gia"
"I don't think they'll have brewed the potion yet" she tried, rather than making a decision on whether she would be joining them or not.
"Only one way to find out" he shrugged and Ruby caved but before any of them got chance to go anywhere, McGonagall's stern voice was ringing throughout the hall.
"All Students are to return to their house dormitories at once. All teachers please report to the staff room immediately."
As the hall erupted into chaos and noise, Fred cocked an eyebrow at his twin and Ruby "Feel like we should be heading for where the teachers are?" He questioned, the trademark twins smirk dancing on his lips and Ruby found herself shaking her head, following instructions seemed the better alternative this time round.
"Absolutely not" she warned.
"Aww come on Roo, it's a little bit of fun. Find out what's really happening." George pouted, giving her his wounded puppy impression but she stuck to her words. McGonagall's announcement was still echoing through the corridors as they left the Great Hall, pushed along by the sea of people hurrying to find safety in their common rooms. Some were saying there'd been another attack and while Ruby knew they were close to having the potion made she felt like the person behind it would be foolish to do it right before they were awoken and didn't believe it had happened.
"No, not this time. It's too risky."
"What's life without a little risk Ruby-Roo? You've changed" Fred commented pulling her into a secret hallway after his brother.
"There's a difference between taking a risk and throwing yourself into detention" Ruby glowered, they'd be in more trouble than they'd ever been in before if they could be caught spying on the teachers lounge. "How do you expect to be there when they wake Gia if you're being told off?"
"She's got a point," George agreed. "Shouldn't we be heading to the hospital wing instead?"
Fred huffed but agreed it was the better option and careful not to be seen as they left the secret hallway and headed back down the corridor they'd come along. Which was now quiet and deserted. Reaching the doors to the hospital Fred didn't wait, he just pushed his way in, his heart racing that he'd get to speak to Georgia again. Moments later Ruby and George followed him and within seconds Madam Pomfrey closed in on them, shooing them back out the door.
"You can't be in here" she warned in a stern tone.
Fred held his hands up in surrender, "We just want to be here when Gia wakes up" he said softly.
"No, out. Absolutely no visitors, I'm sorry." Madam Pomfrey apologised.
"Oh please Poppy, we won't be any trouble" George tried on his twins behalf.
Madam Pomfrey shook her head, continuing to usher the three of them back out, "Headmasters rules, not mine, she'll have to stay overnight anyways so come on, out."
"Overnight?!" Ruby grumbled.
"Yes that's what I said, if everything goes to plan then all students will be back with you by breakfast" The matron explained, hoping whatever the teachers were meeting about wasn't going to warrant the school closing.
"Can we at least just see her first?" Fred sounded hopeful as he tried to get a look at the witch in question but she was too hidden from view.
"I've let you spend more time than I should have in here, please come along. You've got your common rooms to get back too"
"Misters Weasley" Fred and George stopped their pleading and turned towards the voice, coming face to face with their head of house.
"Professor McGonagall..." she held a hand out to halt them.
"Save it, I think it best you came with me" The stern Professor then looked at Ruby standing just behind the boys and she nodded at her, "You'd best follow as well Miss Wilkins" Their moods deflated and they nodded their heads solemnly, knowing they'd done it now and would definitely be in trouble for not following orders. She walked them along the corridors to her office, opening the door she led them inside where Percy was already waiting, tapping his foot nervously. Ruby suddenly felt confused and conflicted, the Prefect's presence threw her completely off. Her mind began racing with different things, either Percy had snitched on them for not returning to Gryffindor Tower or something was up. But no, the others would be there with them as well, and why would she have had to follow? She wasn't family. Then her stomach dropped and her heart felt like it was beating in her throat, the hope that McGonagall had given them that morning was about to be snatched from them once more. Something hadn't worked with the potion, she had them there to let them down about Georgia and Penelope. But surely Harry and Ron should get told about Hermione too?
Percy gave her a worried look which didn't help her nerves and she quickly sandwiched herself between Fred and George knowing whatever was happening they'd need each other. The lack of the two second year boys was quickly made clear as McGonagall followed them into her office and closed the door with a snap. "Has anyone seen Ronald or Mr Potter?" She let out an exasperated sigh as they all shook their heads. "He is becoming quite the troublemaker" she added with a pointed look at the two identical Weasleys, who were quite notorious for getting into mischief, and she had no doubt that it was them he was taking a lead from. Fred and George shared a look, they couldn't have their reputations as the mischief makers taken from them by their baby brother.
Percy cleared his throat "Excuse me, Professor, but uh why are we here? H-Has something gone wrong with the potion?" He asked what the broken quartet were thinking, as even he couldn't understand why Ruby was there unless it was to do with the Muggle-born brunette. The Scottish professor took her seat behind her desk, templing her fingers and rested her chin onto them before looking at each and every one of her lions that were in her office before looking at Ruby again, for a little longer.
"Miss Wilkins is a family friend of yours, correct?" She asked the three Weasley brothers and the twins nodded.
"Yes, since the three of us were five pretty much" Fred explained and the Professor nodded before returning to look over at Percy.
"Then she stays" she nodded curtly and Ruby found herself nestling closer to George at that, her words confirming it was something that was going to affect the family. It was nice to be viewed as part of their family by the professors - and the Weasley's too - but now she felt an unwelcome feeling settle in the pit of her stomach and she didn't like it one bit.
"The heir of Slytherin has left us another message, a student has been taken into the Chamber" She said matter-of-factly, as if telling them that the end of year feast would be on the last evening of term. The four students looked at each other - it couldn't be Ron as the Professor had been exasperated to learn that none of his brothers knew where him or Harry were, and the rest of them were all there which left only one other sibling!
Percy opened his mouth to ask the new question that was in everyone's minds but the Transfiguration teacher held a hand up to silence him, "I'm sorry I have to say this, gentleman and Ruby, but it is Ginny Weasley whom the heir has deemed their victim."
Ruby heard a sob come out from her mouth but she was so shocked at what had just been revealed that she wasn't entirely sure it was her that had sobbed.
"Pardon me, Professor, but did I hear you correctly? Did you just say Ginny?" Percy asked, looking slightly paler than usual and his eyes were wide, he was internally panicking about the fact that he hadn't kept a very good eye on her if this had really happened. He'd been terrible at watching over her all year if he was entirely honest with himself and he knew his mother would be disappointed.
Professor McGonagall nodded her head, she also looked pale, "I'm afraid you heard me correctly Percy" she replied before looking at the other Weasley brothers - not quite believing that the twins had an off switch but at that very moment in her office she was seeing it at work. "Message is being sent to your parents as we speak and I suspect they'll be arriving at the school some time this evening"
To the right of her Ruby felt George scrambling for her hand, so lacing her fingers through his she rubbed her thumb over the back of his hand to ground him and keep him calm. She then sensed, rather than felt, Fred wanting some comfort so she held his hand with her other one and then gave him a small smile before talking to the three brothers, mostly to reassure herself if nothing else.
"She's going to be fine, the teachers will know what to do and she'll be out of there safe and so…" she trailed off at the look on McGonagall's face.
"The problem is," Minerva explained "We are still unaware of where the entrance to the Chamber actually lies"
"Ask the Slytherins," Fred growled out, "They're behind all this" Beside him Ruby squeezed his hand, silently reminding him to keep his cool. Losing his temper wouldn't help anyone.
"Professor Lockhart claims to have worked it out and claimed to be the best man for the job of rescuing her but how reliable that man's word is, is anyone's guess" McGongall cleared her throat, reclasping her hands in front of her, knowing she shouldn't comment on how competent the Defence Professor was. Especially not in front of students. "However, if he does find the entrance there's no way to tell just how long Ginny has been in the chamber for…" she admitted and all four Gryffindor's sucked in breaths - this wasn't good news at all - if they didn't know how long she'd been taken down there then surely that meant?
"Oh Gods…" Ruby whispered, not able to cover her mouth with her hand as they were both occupied.
"What?" George hissed into her ear and Ruby looked up at him before replying.
"She may not make it out of there alive…." and then it was the twins' turn to let out sobs, but this time tears fell down their cheeks and Ruby's heart broke all over again.
