Chapter 6:
The first week was almost done. Today was Friday and she had a double lesson charm in the morning and her first flying lesson after lunch. The twins couldn't stop talking about flying and Quidditch, which as soon as they heard that Ruby had no idea what quidditch was happily explained. They had tons of homework. Ruby managed just fine to get ahead of her homework. She was helping Lee and Alicia with potions. When they had to brew their first potion she discovered a hidden talent. She was not bad at it. Snape also didn't manage to humiliate her a second time. She was proud of herself. She saw Cedric again in Herbology but they haven't had the chance to talk. They were to busy with their fractious plant. Today she maybe had the opportunity to talk a little bit more with Cedric. She got up, packed her stuff fort he day and made herself ready. When she was finished only Alicia was up. Angelina was still sound asleep in her bed. How the witch managed to stay asleep while everybody was making so much noise was unknown. Ruby had an idea. She knew Angelina would hate her but she decided it was worth it. With a scream, she jumped on top of her hitting her with a pillow.
'-Goooooood Morning sleepy head. Time to get up.'
Angelina was mumbling something under her breath. She could only hear a couple of things and they were not nice. Animated by her reaction she got up. She was jumping up and down on Angelina's bed and continued to hit her with her pillow. When Alicia left the bathroom she saw quite the scene. Feathers were floating around and a very happy looking Ruby. Under all this mess she could see Angelinas not so amused face. She decided to join in and they soon both tried to get Angelina out of bed. Angelina's bad mood slowly disappeared and suddenly she was joining the pillow fight against her two dormmates.
All the girls were giggling when they made their way down to the Great Hall. The boys were already eating breakfast when they joined. Ruby sat next to Lee while Angelina and Alicia sat next to the twins.
'-What got you all in such a mood?' George asked looking suspicious.
'-Nothing.' All three girl said at the same time. They looked at each other and began another giggling session.
'-Do we want to know what happened?' Lee asked continuing eating his breakfast. There was almost nothing that could come between Lee and his food.
'- I just had a great idea of how to wake Angelina up.' Ruby said with an innocent look on her face.
'-Don't believe her. She almost got me killed.' Angelina exclaimed.
'- Now you are being a little bit overdramatic. Don't you think ?' Alicia asked.
'-Overdramatic? Were you woken up by her jumping on your bed hitting you with a pillow.' She asked deadly serious.
'-No but it was fun to join in afterward.' She stated. All three oft he boys turned to face Ruby.
'- What?! I'm an angel. I couldn't do such a thing.' She said with the most innocent look she could manage.
'-One could think you're quite the troublemaker.' Fred said with a smirk on his face.
'-Yeah almost the bigger troublemaker than us two.' George added with the same smirk plastered on his face.
'-Did I get detention because I purposely added something to one of the Slytherins potions?' she asked.
'-No but you would have done the same thing.' They added.
'-Actually, I did. I was just to smart to get caught.' She said along the way. The twins choked on their orange juice and Lees fork fell out of his hand. Her roomies did already know what happened and they laughed at the boys' reaction.
'-NO WAY.' They all said in utter disbelief.
'- What do you think happened to Puceys potion?' she asked.
'- WHAT?! We just thought he was hopeless at potions.' They said looking at her with wide eyes.
'- Oh I bet he is but I just helped him along the way messing up his potion.' She said with a smirk on her face.
'-You have to teach us your tricks.' They said with pleading eyes.
'- And let you use them against me? Probably not a great idea.' She said in a serious tone. She was only messing with them but their reaction was worth it.
'- Pleeeeeeeeaaaase, pretty pleeease.' The twins got up and got on their knees. They were begging on her knees for her help. They were all laughing.
'- Do I want to know why my brothers are on their knees begging you for something.' Charlie asked with a raised eyebrow.
'-They are just being overdramatic.' Ruby answered while continuing her breakfast.
Charlie looked at his brothers when they reluctantly got up and continued their breakfast. They continued looking at Ruby with puppy eyes.
'-Oh alright then.' Ruby gave in. The twins had a mischievous smile on their face when they looked at Charlie.
'- Oh hello brother. Had a nice morning?' they asked him as nothing happened.
'-I got to go. I will see you at lunch.' He said shaking his head. It was probably better not to know.
After breakfast, they made their way tot he south tower on the third-floor corridor. When they arrived the Huffelpuffs were already there. She was standing with her back facing the door when someone made their way behind her. When someone nudged her she startled and almost fell over. The only reason she didn't fall was that she could manage to grab a hand. When she looked up she realized who it was.
'-Your quite clumsy and easily to scar too you know that ?' Cedric asked amused.
'-Really? I didn't notice.' She said with a smile on her face.
'-You're never short for an answer are you?' he said matter of factly.
'-No that's one of my better properties.' She stated. She let him go and turned to face her friends. They all looked at her with different expressions. The girls had a curious look on their face. The boys, on the other hand, looked rather annoyed.
'-Guys this is Cedric. We met each other in the library. Cedric, This is Angelina and Alicia.' She said while pointing to the girls. He shook their hands.
'- And these are Fred and George Weasley and Lee Jordan.' She said pointing to the boys. They shook hands and the boys nodded firmly. A bit surprised by the boys' reaction she turned to face Cedric.
'- How was your week so far?' she asked.
'-It was pretty good. Potions were a horrible thought. Yours?' he replied.
'-It was good as well. I didn't give Snape the chance to humiliate me again. So that's a plus.' She said with a proud look on her face.
'-I knew you would give him not another opportunity.' He said with a proud smile.
'- Hey do you want to sit next to me in Charms ?' he asked. Hoping she would say yes.
'-I'd love that but arent we supposed to sit with our house ?' she answered.
'-That's true but there is always a Hufflepuff sitting next to a Gryffindor. Somebody has to do it.' He said with a teasing tone.
'- In this case, it would be an honor.' She said with a smile on her face.
Just then the classroom door was opened and a tiny professor Flitwick appeared.
'-Please enter and take a seat.' He said with his squeaky voice.
Ruby and Cedric looked at each other and made their way inside. The charms Classroom was different compared to the potion classroom. There where three rows of desks, all facing the teacher's table. Two blackboards flanked the teacher's table, and behind them was a small shelf with books and other objects, beneath a pair of windows. When they were seated they quickly began to work. Charms were the slightly lighter subject compared to Transfiguration, which they all figured out was very hard work. Flitwick explained that there would be a little more leeway for more personal creativity
The lesson started with copying the spells they were going to learn this year. Then he started with their first spell. The Levitation charm.
'- The Levitation spell is useful for every young witch or wizard. With this charm, we can make things fly with the flick of a wand.' Flitwick explained. The class was getting excited.
'- The charm is an excellent test of your magical skills, wand control and above all, patience.' He continued. If Ruby was anything than not patience. It was never her strength. She was patient with people but not with anything else.
'-Does anybody have an idea what could affect the length of time of an object hovering ?' he asked looking expectantly around.
'- What's your name, young man?' he asked.
'-Cedric Diggory, Sir. I believe it is depending on the weight oft he objects and the skill of the spellcaster.'
'- That is correct Mr. Diggory. Five points to Hufflepuff.' Flitwick said.
'-And your name is ?' he continued.
'-Fred Weasley, Sir. It is possible to levitate living objects as well ?' he asked. Ruby already knew the reason behind his answer. He was thinking of a new way of pranking.
'- It is possible to levitate smaller creatures but not people Mr. Weasley.' He answered.
He continued to show the class the required wand movement.
'-Now repeat after me. Wingardium Leviosa.' He said and the class did so.
'- Make the Gar and the OH long and smooth. Like this' he said while levitating a feather in front of him.
'-Now it is your turn. Again remember wing-GAR-dee-um Leh-vee-OH-sa. With this pronunciation.' She stated firmly. Feathers appeared in front of the students and they began to work.
First, they all began to work enthusiastically but quickly realized that patience was indeed required. Ruby grew more and more impatient. It was her first actual spell and she wanted to perform well.
'-Calm down Ruby. You're doing great.' Cedric said quietly to her.
'-Yeah I'm doing brilliantly. Do you see all the feathers in front of me?' she answered sarcastically.
He chuckled at her response.
'-Your wand movement is correct and your pronunciation as well. I think it's only a lack of concentration that's keeping you from succeeding.' He said. She looked at him in disbelief.
'-Or its the lack of skill.' She answered.
'-When are you starting to believe in your skills?' he asked seriously.
'-Ist just hard for me. I keep thinking that they made a mistake. And by the way. What makes you the expert in Charms?' she asked. Hoping to change the topic.
'- My mum is pretty skilled in Charms herself and she taught me some stuff before I started at Hogwarts.' He said matter of factly.
'-Mhm ok. Maybe you do know your stuff.' She said. She looked at him and he encouraged her to try again and listen to his suggestions. She looked at her feather and tried to envision her wand movement and concentrated only on her task
'-wing-GAR-dee-um leh-vee-OH-sa' she said while doing the required wand movement. She couldn't believe her eyes when the feather began to levitate in front of her. She was beaming and Cedric was as well.
'- Oh great. Everybody look. Miss Fineau was the first one to be able to levitate her feather. 10 points to Gryffindor.' He said.
'- Sir, I wouldn't have been able to do it without the help of Cedric.' She said honestly. She didn't want to earn points when she wasn't able to do it without help. His help needed to be recognized as well.
'-Very well done Mr. Diggory. 5 points to Hufflepuff.' He answered. He looked curiously at the two of them. It was rare to see people interact and become friends when they were in different houses. He was happy to see these two interacts. Maybe the house rivalry would end.
'- I can't thank you enough for your help today.' Ruby said sincerely.
'-It was an honor.' He replied. Her friends all looked between the two of them. She didn't realize the look Fred was giving her or the grin on Angelina's face.
'-We are going to lunch. Are you coming ?' Angelina asked.
'-Yes I'm on my way. I will see you around?' she asked Cedric.
'-Yes you will. Maybe ist my turn needing help.' He winked and walked away with his group of Huffelpuffs. Angelina and Alicia immediately hung into Ruby.
'- So what was that all about?' Alicia asked with a raised eyebrow and smirk on her face.
'-What do you mean?' Ruby asked oblivious to any assumptions the two girls made.
'-You and Cedric silly !' Angelina chuckled.
'-And? What's the problem? We met in the library and now we are friends. Is it forbidden to befriend someone?'
'-To befriend someone as good looking as Cedric? No not at all.' Angelina said laughing at Rubys look of reproach.
'-He's strong and silent.' Alicia said dreamily.
'-He's a nice guy. Not that it matters to you two by the looks of it.' She said rather amused. She knew her friends were just making fun of her. When they entered the Great Hall they took their usual seats.
'-Diggory not with you?' Fred asked. He seemed irritated.
'-What's the matter with you all? I and Cedric are just friends. FRIENDS like we all are. Now can you please leave him alone. I'm getting frustrated and hungry. That's not a great combination guy.' She said seriously. She didn't look up until she finished her lunch. This afternoon they got their first flying lesson. She was eager to learn it. The twins did tell them great stories about their flying adventures in their back yard. They talked about Charlie a lot. He was in the Gryffindor Quidditch team with their first game of the season coming up soon.
'-Everybody excited for this afternoon.' She asked and everybody answered immediately. She laughed at their reaction no longer mad at them.
'-I'm a little nervous.' She confessed.
'-There is nothing to worry about.' Fred comforted her.
'-It is perfectly normal to be nervous. But don't worry it is safe to fly on a broom and we are not alone a professor is teaching us how to fly properly.' He continued.
'- And if you fall we are here to catch you.' George added in a teasing tone. Rubys eye winded. She didn't even think oft he possibility of falling. Alicia hit George for his statement and he held the spot where she hit him.
'-Perfect George! Now you got her all worried for nothing' Alicia said in a scolding tone. Ruby looked over at George and she could see hat he genuinely felt sorry.
'-Ist ok George. I knew you just wanted to make me feel better.' She said leaning over and squeezing his hand. He gently squeezed her hand back and leaned over.
'-We are going to keep you safe.' He sad quietly while pointing at him and Fred. Fred looked deadly serious when he nodded. Like his life depended on keeping Ruby safe.
'-Thank you.' She said knowing that they don't just mean Quidditch.
Escorted by the twins Ruby made her way down to the grounds. She was worried that they took their task a little to serious but she didn't want them to leave her side just yet. Internal she was grateful. They hurried with the other Gryffindors down the front steps. The Slytherins were already there, and so were roughly twenty broomsticks lying in neat lines on the grounds. Flying was taught by Madam Hooch. She was the Hogwarts Flying instructor and Quidditch referee. She explained the curriculum of the lesson which contains providing the students with a basic understanding of the elementary principles behind the study of broomology. They will be learning how to handle a broom and will be working on various techniques and maneuvers performed while in flight. Another part of the curriculum was the subject of proper broom care and maintenance.
'- It is important to remain focused and not take unnecessary risks while in the air.' She looked over at the twins who were smirking at her comment.
Ruby looked down at her broom. The school broom looked very old and of poor quality. That didn't calm her down.
'- We will start by summoning your broom.' Madam Hooch said.
'-Position yourself on the left side of your broom and with your right hand you say the word «up!». If successful the broom should jump up to your hand.' She continued. The class did at she said. On the count of three, they said the word up. When Ruby said the word Up the broom barely moved. She knew what her problem was. She wasn't as confident as she should be and the broom could kind of feel it. She was a Gryffindor after all. Wasnt one oft he main house treats the bravery? She asked herself. She pulled herself together and said it again.
'-UP!' she said with as much confident she could manage. And the broom jumped into her hands. She had the biggest grin on her face when she looked around. The twins also managed to summon their brooms as did Angelina and Alicia. Lee was still struggling. They looked all at each other beaming. She was proud of herself. She managed to summon the broom all on her own.
'-Very well.' Madam Hooch said as soon as the class all summoned their brooms successfully.
'- Now we are moving on to the second part of today's lesson. I will now demonstrate how to successfully mount a broom without sliding off the end.' She did as she said. It was now the classes turn. She went to each student individually and occasionally corrected them. She also demonstrated how their grips on the broom should be. After her instructions, Ruby felt a little more at ease. She now knew how to mount a broom without sliding off and her biggest fear was now gone.
'-Good now before we end today's lesson we will all learn how to control the broom while in the air. We will kick off from the ground hard and rise a few feet in the air while keeping the broom nice and steady. We will then proceed to come back down on the ground by leaning forward slightly.' She explained.
'-Does anybody have any questions? No? Good. So on the count of three.' She said.
Ruby kicked off from the air and a sensational almost calming feeling overcame her. Flying wasn't how she imagined it. It was way better. She looked to Fred and he was confidently hoovering next to her. He gave her an encouraging nod and she leaned forward to get back down on the ground. They repeated this exercise twice when Madam Hooch called it quits for today. She couldn't help herself but feeling like flying was her newfound passion.
Back in their common room, they made their way over to the fireplace with the comfortable couch in front o fit. She picked up a blanket and curled herself up. Alicia and Angelina joined her mimicking her actions.
'-Do you know what would be great?' Angelina asked.
'-A hot chocolate.' She said before anyone could answer. Ruby looked thoughtful for a moment. They all looked at her before Fred spoke.
'-Spill it.' He demanded.
'-What do you mean ?' she asked.
'-You were thinking about something and we want in. Just tell us your plan.' He said.
'- Ok I had an idea. But I don't know if it's even possible.' She said. She purposely left a part out just to annoy the twins, who both were on the edge of their seats.
'-Ohh just say it.' George said waving his hands for her to continue.
'- Okei. So… There are kitchens at Hogwarts.' She said. When they all nodded she continued.
'- I was thinking. There will be someone working there. I believe there will be house-elves. These creatures are mostly employed as servants. They will follow your every order but I want to remind you to treat them with the most respect.' She said while looking at her friends.
'-So why are you lecturing us on house-elves ?' Lee asked.
'-Because I plan to find a way to enter the kitchens and the house-elves are the last creatures to rat us out.' She replied simply leaning back on the couch.
'-You're a genius !' the twins exclaimed.
'-I try to be.' She said with a smirk on her face.
'-So first we have to find the kitchens. That may be the hard part. Does someone have an idea where it could be located?' she asked.
They were all silent for a moment. Thinking of the possible location.
'-Maybe some older students know where ist located?' Alicia suggested.
'-That could be the case but I think I want to figure it out on my own.' Ruby replied.
'-Besides the more people know about the location of the kitchen the more packed it will be.' Fred pointed out.
'-Ok so help me out on this one. I think it's only logical that the kitchens are underneath the Great Hall. This is obviously where all the food goes.' She said and they nodded for her to continue.
'-Therefore it must be located on the basement level of Hogwarts.' She said. They all looked at each other pretty smug with themselves.
'-There are two ways down to the basement.' George explained having explored this part of the castle already.
'- Georges right. One leads down to Snape's dungeon and when you go the other way down you follow a Marble staircase leading to a broad stone corridor.' Fred added.
'-Was there anything in particular?' Ruby asked.
'-Mhm there wasn't much.' George answered thinking about the corridor.
'-I think we have to check it out.' Lee pointed out.
'-Yeah that sounds like a great idea.' Alicia added.
'- Ok. How about this? Tomorrow we have enough time to explore the castle, which by the way I wanted to do all week.' Ruby said.
'- Tomorrow we can split into two groups. One will check out Snape's dungeon in case we missed something there and the other group will check out the corridor looking for something that could be indicating the kitchens.' She proposed. When everybody nodded she moved on.
'-Maybe there is something written in Hogwarts a History.' Alicia added.
'-That might be the case. We will check it out later in our dorm' Angelina added looking thoughtful as well.
'-Perfect so that's settled.' Lee said leaning back as well.
'-Imagine all the possibilities we will have and all the amount of food we can get.' He continued dreamingly. They worked on a more detailed plan and when it began to get late they all called it a night and went to bed. All excited what the morning may hold.