Chapter 14:

Hogwarts was filled with learning students. It was that time of the year again where every year had to study for their exams. Being it Ruby first year she was nervous and spent a lot of time in the library. She was accompanied by Angelina and Alicia. Sometimes Charlie and Cedric would join them. It was rare that the twins and Lee were present. They didn't bother much about the exams. Mostly they were in detention with Professor McGonagall, who forced them to prepare for their exams. Ruby was thankful that at least someone could make them study. The weather was beginning to change and it was getting warmer.

Ruby, Alicia, and Angelina snuck out on some days and practiced on the Quidditch pitch. All three were determined and focused. Additionally, it helped them clear their minds.

They were currently in the library revising the hand movement for the knockback jinx when the twins entered.

'-Good evening my lady. We were wondering if we might can steal Miss Fineau for a second.' Fred said.

'-No Fred. I'm just revising for Charms. You know it's our first exam on Monday.' Ruby said without looking up from her notes.

'-It wasn't a question.' George said and before Ruby could react they threw her over Fred's shoulder and ran out oft he library.

'-Let me down!' Ruby screamed.

'-No it's for your good !' George said laughing.

They were running out of the castle. Some oft he Hogwarts students looked at them a bit surprised but they didn't question it any further. When they arrived at a three next to the lake they let her down.

When Ruby was taking advantage of her free hands to hex the twins they threw their hands in the air as an apologetic gesture.

'-We are sorry Ruby but we had to get you out.' George said.

'-You were so stressed about the exams that we sometimes didn't even recognize you as our mischievous friend.' Fred added.

'- We missed you and we saw this as our last option.' George continued.

'-Please don't be mad at us Rue.' Fred ended. They both looked at her with puppy dog eyes and she melted. She knew they were right. When Fred said her nickname she couldn't be mad anymore.

'-You know just because I care about my education doesn't mean I'm not myself anymore. I'm still as mischievous as you two.' She said lowering her wand.

'-We know Rue.' Fred said. He stepped forward and hugged her. George soon joined in to comfort their stressed friend.

When they released her she looked at both of them. Thankful to have them.

'-We need to show you something.' George said.

'-We know you wanted to help us figure out the parchment we stole from Filch. But you were so stressed that we decided to try it on our own.' Fred continued.

'-Please don't be mad at us for not including you.' George looked at Ruby waiting for an answer.

'-I'm not mad at you. I fully understand your reasoning behind it. I don't think I would have been much help.' Ruby admitted.

'-And did you succeed?' She asked eagerly awaiting their response. The twins grinned at each other.

'-Freddie will you do us the honor?' George said.

'-With pleasure.' He took at the parchment and pointed his wand at it. Ruby got nearer so she wouldn't miss a thing.

'-I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.' Fred said. Ruby was amazed by what she saw next. Appearing on the parchment were the following words:

'Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs

Purveyors of Aids to Magical Mischief-Makers

Are proud to present

THE MARAUDER'S MAP'

Fred handed the map over to Ruby who slowly opened it. She couldn't believe her eyes.

'-This is?' she said, lost for words.

'-Yes it is a map, which reveals all of Hogwarts.' Fred answered.

'-It not only shows every classroom, every hallway, and every corner of the castle but it also shows every inch of the grounds and even the secret passageways.' George continued.

'-it also shows the location of every person in the grounds.' Fred added.

'-Yes, it shows them at every second of every day.' George ended by pointing out some familiar names.

'-We are currently here.' Fred pointed at the dots with their names on them.

'-Professor Dumbledore is currently in his office and Angie and Alicia are still in the library.' He continued pointing out some names.

Ruby sat down on the ground. She had to process this information. Ideas and possibilities were floating in her heads.

'-Now there are a lot of options who just opened up to us! All the pranks we can do and not get caught.' She said in awe. The twins had the biggest smile on their faces. They had Ruby back.

'-How did you do it ?' She asked.

'-Do what ?' George asked.

'-Figuring out the map. How did you find the exact words?'

'-That's quite a funny story. It was like the map wanted to be used again.' Fred said.

'-We had to experiment with it to learn how to get it to work. But it gave us clues. It flickered into life here and there when we got close to the activating phrase until we got it exactly right.' Fred continued explaining their process to Ruby.

'-To hide the contents of the map so the parchment appears blank again, you have to again ta pot and recite. Mischief managed.' George explained and as he said the words the parchment appeared blank again.

'-That's quite some magic we got here. I wonder who these four are.' Ruby said. Something about the nicknames seemed familiar but she couldn't explain why.

'- We were wondering the same thing. When we got the chance to meet one of them we have to thank them. They were geniuses.' Fred said excitedly.

'-They were.'

xXx

The exams were finally over. They were just walking out of the last exam, which was History of Magic.

'-Freedom how much I missed you.' Angelina exclaimed. She swung an arm around Ruby and Alicia and the girls made their way down to the lake giggling.

'-Professor Binns really expected that we remember every batty old wizards who invented Sel-Stirring Cauldrons. Like we hadn't better things to do.' Fred said annoyed.

'-Stop complaining. You only spent like 3 hours revising for the exams.' Ruby said. She leaned back in the grass and closed her eyes. She enjoyed the sun on her skin. It was way too long that she spent some time outside. She overheard Fred mothering something as a reply but she just didn't care.

Angelina and Alicia were talking between themselves with Ruby sometimes answering to their questions. But something didn't feel right. It was too quiet. Normally with the twins around there was always a lot of action. She got up immediately and looked at Angelina.

'-Where are the twins?' she asked. Angelina looked around. She pointed at them near the lake. They were talking with Lee.

'-They are up to something.' Ruby said. She looked at them suspiciously.

'-I think we will find out soon enough.' Alicia said. She was right. Fred, George, and Lee made their way up. They stopped in front of them and all three had a devilish grin on their faces.

'-You know George.' Fred said.

'-What Fred.'

'-I think the three of them spent too much time inside.'

'-Mhm right you are. What should we do?' George asked.

'-How about we throw them in the lake.' Fred said. He looked at the girls in front of them.

'-Don't you dare.' Ruby said. Before he could reply she got up and ran away.

Unfortunately, Fred was taller and faster than her. When he caught her he throws her over his shoulder like a potato sack and made his way over to the lake. He threw her in with all her clothes on. The water was cold but not as cold as expected.

Fred was laughing at the sight of Ruby in the water. It suddenly stopped when a tentacle wrapped around his leg. It pulled Fred up in the air and let him gently fall in the water.

Ruby was laughing and swam over to the squid. She patted his head and he made some happy splashed with his eight tentacles.

'-Was Freddie mean to me? And did you help me my cute little one.' She said gushing over the squid.

'-That's not fair !' he said.

'-Well Fred. I couldn't care less.' She winked and they both swam over to the rest o the group. Alicia and Angelina had the same luck as Ruby. But George and Lee soon joined them all. They were having a blast. They were splashing water on each other faces and racing each other.

The sun was setting and they decided it would be best to head up to the castle. They had to shower before going to dinner. The way up was not much fun. It was windy and they were freezing.

Professor McGonagall almost had a heart attack when she saw five students wet and freezing arriving. They had to interrupt her lecture to remind her that it would be best when they first had a shower and then she could continue her lecture. She begrudgingly agreed and they made their way up the stairs.

xXx

The dinner this evening was almost as good as any feast they had too far. Every year was finished with the exams and everybody was enjoying the end of the torture. Ruby was convinced that the roast beef never tasted this good. She was talking with Charlie about Quidditch. The twins and Lee were talking about the last prank they pulled, which of course landed them in detention. They got their own drawer in Filches offices, which they were proud of. Angelina and Alicia were talking about their plans for the summer.

'-So what is everybody doing this summer?' Angelina asked the group.

'-I'm going to spend some time with my family in Italy.' Alicia said.

'-I'm going to my grandmothers. It's like a summer tradition my family has.' Lee answered.

'-We are staying at home.' The twins answered.

'-No you're not. You are invited to spend the summer at my house with your whole family.' Ruby said. The twins had a wide grin on their faces. Charlie looked at Ruby and then said.

'-You're sure you can handle the whole Weasley bunch.'

'-I think I will manage.' She winked and continued eating.

'-You, of course, are also welcome.' She said addressed to the other three. They were beaming.

'-So is it settled that we are coming?' Charlie asked.

'-Yes. My mother was corresponding with yours. They organized everything. You are spending two weeks at home and then you come to me.' She said. The twins got up and did some kind of celebration dance. The Gryffindor table was laughing at them, whereas most oft hem had no idea why they were dancing. They had long learned not to question the twins.

'-I don't want to interrupt your little dance but Fred don't you have to still do something ?' she said with a raised eyebrow. She chuckled when she saw his reaction.

He gathered all his courage and stood on the bench of their table.

'-Ladies and gentlemen, dear Professors. May I gather your attention.'

Ruby had to stop herself from falling off the bench. She was laughing so hard. Charlie as well could barely hold himself together. When they saw Professor McGonagall's reaction it was almost impossible, She had a stern look on her face and was on the verge of stopping Fred but funnily Dumbledore holds her back.

'-I wanted to ask a special someone for a long time now out on a date.' He said seriously.

Some guys from the Slytherin table were whistling. Now the rest of the group seemed to understand what was going on.

'-Professor Dumbledore. Would you do me the honor and go out on a date with me.' He looked up at the Professors. Professor McGonagall was fuming, while the rest of the Professors seemed to find it funny. Even Snape had trouble containing his laughter.

'-Even when I find you very charming Mr. Weasley I have to deny your request.' He said with an amused smile on his face.

'-Maybe next time you might consider asking Professor McGonagall out.' He said and the hall burst out laughing. McGonagall was gobsmacked.

'-Albus!' she said.

This resulted in the students laughing even harder. Fred sat down with a proud smile.

'-See I did it.' Fred said looking at Ruby.

XXX

It was their last evening before they head home for the holidays. They sat at their favorite spot in the common room near the fireplace. Ruby, Alicia, and Angelina were squished on the armchair. The boys sat in front of them. Blankets wrapped around them to make them more comfortable.

'-I'm going to miss this.' George said. When they looked at him questionably he continued.

'-Us being together. Nights like these.' He said shrugging.

'-Don't make us all go sentimental.' Lee said.

'-Besides we have six years ahead of us.' Angelina said.

'-They're a lot of adventures ahead of us. Think about it. The first year was epic now imagine what the future might hold for us.' Ruby said.

'- I think it's time for our tradition.' Fred said and everybody nodded.

'-Me first.' Fred said.

'-My highlight was our pajama party and that we all slept in the common room afterward.' He said. He looked at Ruby and she shyly smiled at him. They both thought of the moment they had in the morning.

'-My highlight was after the exams when we were all swimming in the lake.' George said.

'Some of us had no other choice.' Ruby said a bit grumpily.

'-My highlight was when Fred asked Dumbledore out on a date.' Lee said. Ruby chuckled at this memory.

'-My highlight was that Gryffindor won the Quidditch Cup.' Angelina said.

'-I double that. And the party afterward was pretty amazing.' Alicia added.

'-I probably have to agree with Fred. Our pajama party was amazing and the dares everybody had to do were hilarious.' Ruby said.

'-Next time you are going to have to do something much worse than singing.' George said.

'-Is it a threat or a promise ?' she asked.

'-A bit of both.' He said laughing.

Please review. So I know if my story has some potential.