Chapter 11:

The days following Christmas were uneventful. She started and finished her homework so she wasn't going to be bothered by it anymore. She had the conversation with her mother and she was glad she knew now everything. Or at least most of it. She knows that her other uncle died serving The Dark Lord and that one of her mother's cousin was also in Azkaban for the same crime. Her mother confided in her that a distant relative was attending Hogwarts with her and she was eager to find out more about her. Her mother showed no concern in Ruby getting to know her. She now also understood why her mother left. She couldn't even imagine growing up in a household like this.

Today was New Years Eve. In a few minutes, they were going to floo over to the Burrow. They were spending a couple of days with the Weasleys until they had to leave for Hogwarts. She was excited that her parents were also staying and she could finally meet all the siblings properly. At last, she packed the picture Cedric took of Charlie remembering the promise she gave Ginny.

When it was noon the whole family, only containing three members, floo over tot he Burrow. Ruby was the first one arriving. As soon as she stepped out of the fireplace her vision became dark because someone gave her a bone-crushing hug. She started laughing.

'-It was only a couple days !' she exclaimed.

'-It felt like an eternity!' the twins answered acting overdramatic. There was laughter and that's when she noticed that this little interaction was watched by the whole Weasley family and her parents.

'-Oh dear I hope you had a nice journey!' Mrs. Weasley said stepping forward. She also gave Ruby a motherly hug and went over and talked to her parents.

'-There is someone eager to give you a hug.' Fred said in her ear. He pointed over at Ginny.

'-Oh where is my favorite Weasley ?' Ruby asked teasingly. She spread her arms and Ginny gave her a long bone-crushing hug.

'-Ah it's so great finally having a girl over!' Ginny said jumping up and down. Ruby laughed at the little girl.

'-And I thought I was your favorite Weasley!' Charlie said while coming over to her and wrapping an arm around her.

'-Well you are pretty high up but no one can beat your sister.' She winked. Charlie smirked and shook his head.

'-Great having you over!' he said. The twins just wanted to start an argument about who was more likely the second favorite when Ruby noticed a boy. He too had flaming red hair.

'-Hi you must be Ron.' She said gently to him. He nodded and she shocks his hand.

'-Is it true you turned Charlie into a fairy ?' he asked looking slightly terrified.

'-Yes it is.' She said smiling back.

'-Wicked!' he answered looking impressed.

'-Arthur will be coming shortly, as will Bill. They needed to visit the ministry for a short time.' Mrs. Wealey said.

'-Lunch will be ready in five minutes. Ginny shows Ruby where she is sleeping. Pheobe and Christoph you can follow me.' She continued.

Ginny immediately grabbed her hand and she was particularly drawn upstairs.

Ginny's room was on the first floor. When she entered the room she noticed a large poster of the Weird Sisters on one wall and a picture of a Quidditch Captain. There was a desk facing the open window. Which looked out over the orchard. It was small but bright and Ruby loved it. Next to Ginny's bed was another bed for Ruby. She walked over and sat down. Ginny sitting down in front of her.

'-I have to show you something but you have to keep it a secret.' Ruby said quietly.

'-What is it ?' Ginny said immediately bouncing excitedly.

'-Promise me first.' Ruby said holding out her pinky. Ginny gave her the pinky promise and Ruby got the package. She opened it and gave it to Ginny.

'-Cedric was able to take a picture during the prank. I didn't know it until Christmas. It was my gift.' Ruby explained.

'-This is brilliant!' Ginny said barely being able to answer from her laughing.

'-I want to show it to everyone but it has to be a surprise.' Ruby said thoughtfully.

'-You could ask Bill. He will be thrilled to help you. After all, you will be embarrassing Charlie and therefore he is more willing to help.' Ginny replied still laughing.

'-That's great. So I will talk to him and we can decide the right time to show this picture.' Ruby said amused. She packed the picture back into her bag. Just in time because moments later Fred entered the room telling them that lunch was ready.

xXx

Ruby quickly learned that the Weasley household was very loud- and she loved it. She always wanted to have siblings and know she had friends who she considered family. Mrs. Weasley outdid herself for lunch. There were so many different dishes and it tasted delicious. They ate lunch in the kitchen. The kitchen was also accessible from the garden. It contained a large wooden table where everyone fitted just perfectly around it. There were a lot of different cookbooks located in the kitchen and there was a little perch fort he family owl Errol just outside one of the kitchen windows.

'-Mrs. Wealey the food is delicious. Thank you so much for inviting us over.' Ruby said.

'-You're very welcome. We love having you here.' Mrs. Weasley said with a kind smile.

'-Molly you have t ogive me this recipe for this dish. I never tasted something this good.' Her mother said to her. Molly was blushing and the adults were getting back to their previous conversation.

'-So what are we gonna do this afternoon?' Ruby asked curiously.

'-So either we are going to show you around or we can play Quidditch ?' George answer already knowing her answer.

'-Quidditch !' she said eager to fly again.

'-Oi Charlie.' Fred said throwing bread at Charlie. He turned around like it was normal to be pelted with food.

'-We want to play Quidditch. Are you in ?' Charlie nodded and turned his attention back to his food and begrudgingly to Percy.

'-Perfect so we play two against two.' George stated.

'-What about Ginny and Ron?' she asked.

'-Ginny is too young to play and with Ron, we got an uneven number.' Fred answered. Ruby frowned at this statement.

'-Who says that?'Ruby asked.

'-That she is too young? We do.' the twins answered. Ruby looked over at Ginny and she could see her disappointment. Ron wasn't happy either.

'-I'm going to ask your mother if they are allowed to play.' She stated. The twins wanted to argue with her but then decided against it because they knew how stubborn she could be. Charlie was smiling gently at her and nodding and Ginny was beaming. Ron also seemed grateful.

They finished lunch and helped with the dishes. The twins a bit reluctantly. Ruby and her parents insisted on helping and soon Mrs. Weasley was happy about the helping hands.

'-Mrs. Weasley, can I ask you something?' Ruby said gently when everything was finished.

'-It's Molly, dear. Yes, what is it.' Mrs. Weasley asked.

'-We wanted to play Quidditch afterward and I wanted to ask you if Ron and Ginny were aloud to join?' Ruby asked. Mrs. Weasley looked thoughtful and then said.

'-Oh I don't know dear. Ginny is still very young and she hasn't had much experience with brooms.' She said.

'-Mum you know we are playing without Bludgers and we can't fly very high.' Charlie added.

'-Yes Mrs. Weasley we will take care of them.' Ruby continued.

'-And it would mean the world to Ginny.' Charlie said pointing at his sister. Ginny looked at her mother with pleading eyes.

'-Oh I would love to see Quidditch. It has been ages.' Ruby's mum added. She quickly understood the situation and wanted to help.

'-Mum you three could watch.' Charlie proposed.

'-Oh I don't know if our guests want to spend the afternoon watching you lot.' Mrs. Weasley added a bit concerned.

'-Oh we would love that. I've never seen a Quidditch match.' Her father said excitedly.

'-Ok, fine. Ginny, you can play. But as soon as it is time to cook you will stop playing because I can't watch it anymore.' Mrs. Weasley said and the whole room began cheering. Ginny gave her mother a bone-crushing hug and ran outside.

'-Where is she going?' Ruby asked.

'-Probably to the broom shed.' Charlie said laughing.

'-Let's go then.' She said running after Ginny.

They all got their brooms and the adults made themselves comfortable on some chairs with a Cup of coffee in their hands. The teams were Fred, George, and Ron against Charlie, Ruby, and Ginny.

The afternoon was an absolute blast. The teams were pretty even. Ginny was, to her brother's surprise, really good. She got a talent for Quidditch. Ruby loved it. She played well with Ginny and Charlie and in the end, they scored more point than the others. After 3 hours Mrs. Weasley slowly made her way inside and Ginny had to stop playing. She reluctantly left the pitch but she was happy she was allowed to play. Ruby's parents made their way inside to help Molly and meet Arthur who just returned from work. The five left made their way to the ground when they saw another person emerging from the house. Coming their way was a tall, thin and rather a handsome redhead. It could only be one person.

'-Hi there Bill.' Charlie said greeting his older brother.

'-I just found out that mum let Ginny play. Who was able to convince her ?' he asked.

'-Well dear brother our best friend Ruby did. Quite the stubborn witch she is.' George said shoving Ruby in front. Bill looked at her with a smirk and Ruby was a little intimidated. She held her hand out and said.

'-Hi Bill. It's nice to finally meet you. Your brothers told me a lot about you.'

'-and they told me a lot about you too. You're just as mischievous as the twins.' He said smiling while shaking her hand.

'-Me never.' She said with her angelic look.

'-Don't let her fool you. She's cunning.' Charlie said laughing.

'-Charlie was her first victim.' Fred said laughing remembering the time.

Ruby looked at Bill a little bit closer. He wore his hair long and in a ponytail and he had an earring with a fang dangling from it.

'-I bet your mum loves earring.' Ruby said with a smirk. Bill laughed and then said.

'-The first time she saw it she chased me with a wooden stick and threaten to hex me.'

His brothers laughed at this memory and Ron added a bit grumpily.

'-Can we now continue playing or what?'

'-Is ickle Ronnikins a bit mad because he lost ?' Fred said teasing him.

'-You know that you were on his team.' Ruby said with a raised eyebrow.

'-I wouldn't mind some Quidditch.' Bill said.

'-Great. Do we want to keep the teams or mix them?' Charlie asked.

'-What do you think Captain ?' Ruby said teasingly. Charlie stuck his tongue out but then said.

'-How about the twins and Ruby against me, Bill and Ron ?'

The twins looked at Ruby and they smirked. They had a deep connection and they knew they would play great together.

'-Captain I think you will lose.' Fred said and they mounted their brooms.

'-Do you think that was a good idea?' Ron said a bit nervous.

'-I was just thinking the same thing.' Charlie admitted.

'-They can't play that well together.' Bill said shrugging his shoulders.

Bill was wrong. The twins and Ruby harmonized. They knew where the others would be and the others had no chance. Don't get me wrong. Charlie and Bill are amazing players and Ron is decent too but the other three just clicked.

When the game ended they made their way down to the grounds.

'-We just kicked your ass.' Fred said and the other two agreed. Ron was angry and he made his way inside. His brothers laughed at his reaction and only Ruby was concerned.

'-Fred you upset him' she said with a reproachful look.

'-Don't Worry Ru. It's his temper. He's going to calm down as soon as he got food.' Fred said putting his arm around her shoulder.

-He's a bit like you. You're quite moody when you're hungry.' George said. He realized his mistake just a little bit too late. Ruby looked angrily at George and his brothers were a bit afraid for his wellbeing.

'-Run.' She said and George didn't hesitate He ran for his life.

'-I like her.' Bill said laughing.

'-She is perfect.' Fred said and went after them. Both Charlie and Bill looked at each other knowingly.

xXx

Ginny and Ruby were currently in her Ginny's room getting ready for tonight. They were told to dress up and Ruby always thought that on New Year's Eve you needed to wear something sparkly. She put out her dress and showed it, Ginny.

'-This dress is beautiful!' Ginny exclaimed.

'-I got something for you. I never had a sister and I wished I had one. Even more so after spending some time with you. I saw this in a shop and it reminded me of you.' Ruby said and she put another dress out. Ginny was lost for words. She began tearing up and she fell in Ruby's arm.

'-Thank you so so much. It is stunning and it is the same as you are going to wear. I love it.'

'-We are going to look good tonight.' Ruby said winking. They put the dress on and did each other's hair. They didn't put a lot of makeup on. Only some mascara. They both prefer it more naturally.

'-Girls are you in here?' Molly asked. When they answered she opened the door and entered together with Ruby's mum.

'-Oh look at you.' Both women exclaimed.

'-You look gorgeous.' Molly said tearing up a little.

'-I can only agree. You two are beautiful.' Ruby's mum said gently.

'-Ginerva where did you get this dress?' Molly asked a little concerned.

'-It's a late Christmas present from me.' Ruby answered instead.

'-That's very kind of you Ruby.' Molly said gently.

'-I think we should take some pictures.' Ruby's mum suggested.

'-YES!' Ruby and Ginny said at the same time. They looked at each other and began to laugh. At this moment a picture was taken. When they calmed down another one was taken where the girls were posing. All four women were giggling at the actions and the door opened again. Charlie entered and he smiled at the scene in front of him.

'-Don't you two look lovely.' He said. Ginny ran over and grabbed his hand. They made their way over to Ruby and more photos were taken.

'-Can I now escort you two down ?' Charlie asked after what felt like an eternity for him.

'-You may.' Ginny said. The three linked arms and made their way downstairs.

The Weasleys had invited some friends over. Ruby saw her father talking and laughing with Mr. Weasley. They were both enjoying each others company. Ruby knew Mr. Weasley had a fascination with Muggles. She chuckled at the scene.

'-You look gorgeous.' Someone whispered in her ear. She startled and turned around. Standing next to her was Fred. George was next to him. Both with an identical grin on their face.

'-You know I hate getting startled.' She said hitting him lightly.

'-Well I just can't help myself.' He said shrugging his shoulder.

'-Come outside you have to see this.' George said and the lot followed.

Outside was a massive tent. There were tables and a dancefloor. The most beautiful part was the floating lights. They were everywhere and they looked like they were dancing. Soft music was playing.

'-I think it's time to make the people move, don't you think ?' Bill asked who just joined the group. When they all nodded he changed the music with a spell. They were some funky music playing and all the Weasley kids, except Percy and Ron, and Ruby got on the dancefloor. They began dancing around like there was no one else in the room. They laughed and even Ron joined them after some convincing of Ruby. What they didn't know is that Ruby's mum took a lot of pictures of them dancing together. She even got the part where the twins and Ruby put some itching powder in Percy's pants.

'-I need a drink.' Ruby said.

'-I'm going to join you.' Bill said and he followed her lead.

'-What do you want? Some beer?' she asked and he nodded. She got herself some water.

'-I'm glad the twins met you. I like you.' Bill said winking.

'-Do you like me enough to do me a favor ?' she asked.

'-What kind of favor ?' he asked suspiciously.

'-A favor where one of your brothers get embarrassed.' She said nonchalantly.

'-Now we are talking.' He laughed.

'-Which of my brothers?'

'-Charlie.'

'-I'm in.' He said.

xXx

'-Everybody it is nearly time. Please head outside for the countdown.' Mrs. Weasley said. Ruby was heading outside with the twins by her side.

'-ten.' Everybody began to countdown. There were massive numbers in the air.

'-nine.'

'-eight.'

'-seven.' Ruby looked around. She was happy to spend the night with her favorite peoples. The twins looked at each other and nodded. They were up so something.

'-three.'

'-two.'

'-one.'

'-Happy New Year!' Everyone screamed. Ruby was smiling from ear to ear when suddenly two people kissed her on the cheek at the same time. She looked at the twins smiling.

'-We can't help it. It's a tradition.' They said and then they both pointed on their cheeks. She got nearer and gave each of them a kiss.

'-Only because it's New Year.' She said and winked.

'-Hey don't forget me.' Ginny said.

' -Or me.' Charlie exclaimed. In the end, she kissed every Weasley sibling on the cheek except for Percy. Ron was more than embarrassed. She hugged her parents and Molly and Arthur.

When they all calmed down Bill walked over to her.

'-Now?' he asked and she nodded. In the air appeared the picture of Charlie. Bill managed to levitate it in the air and increased its size. First, the crowd didn't understand what they were looking at but then they realized it. Ruby slowly went into hiding. Everybody was laughing and even Charlie couldn't help himself. He had to say. It was a pretty good prank.

xXx