Chapter Four – Ruby

"Here it is, sir!" Remus Lupin proudly announced as he burst into Albus Dumbledore's office. Albus looked past Minerva McGonagall and Severus Snape to smile at Remus.

"You have it?" he asked, somewhat it doubt.

"I do!" Remus exclaimed proudly. He held out the box. It seemed to belong to an extremely long wand: about two feet in length, and a bit heavier. It wasn't until the box was opened and the contents were revealed that one realized why it was such a strange wand: it wasn't a wand at all. Rather, it was a long golden staff, which was topped with a bright ruby.

"Perfect," Albus whispered, his eyes inspecting the elegant rod. He picked it up out of the box and chucked. "You...you didn't find out how do get it to work, did you Remus?"

Smirking, Remus shook his head. "No sir. You told me not to open it."

Albus laughed and turned to Snape. "If you'd please go retrieve him, we can conduct this properly."

Severus nodded and walked out, his cape following by waving in the air behind him.

Minerva moved closer. "It's beautiful, Albus!" She took her tiny spectacles off and examined it closer. "Just stunning. This is in wonderful condition, for something that as been around for so long."

Dumbledore nodded. "It is surprisingly perfect, isn't it?"

Just then, Severus returned with Sir Nicholas floating behind him. Nick was looked extremely confused. The last time he had been called to the Headmaster's office had been when he recovered after being petrified four years ago.

"Pardon my curiosity," he began, "but why am I here?"

"Sir Nicholas," Dumbledore said seriously, "do you recognize this?" He held out the staff.

Nicholas frowned as he saw what was being held in Albus' hands. Had he been still alive, the color would have drained from his face, and goosebumps would have surrounded his entire body. "What are you doing with that?"

Albus smiled. "You recognize this, Sir Nick? We hoped you would."

"I recognize it all right," Nick grimaced. "It should have been destroyed. Ruined my father's life...prepared me for my little...er...mishap," he said, pushing his head off his shoulders. "Don't think I didn't know this would happen!"

"We have it now," Albus continued, ignoring Nicholas as he placed his head back on properly. "And it's a good thing. We must know about Voldemort and his plans for Harry. But, considering there is no other Potter which we could turn to....I'm assuming she will still talk to you, despite you being dead?"

Nick nodded. "She'd better. Personally, I'd rather not ever see her again. But..." he frowned. "But if it's for Harry, then all right." He floated closer to the staff, and smiled sadly. "Never thought I'd have to say these words again....Hold her up, Professor...yes, just like that. Perfect." He sighed sadly, and quietly whispered, "Might Oracle, please answer my requests."

Light suddenly detonated in the room, radiating from the ruby. Then, the woman was there, her soothing face causing Nicholas to curse to himself quietly. The others in the room, Remus, Severus, Minerva, and Albus, all looked at her with wonder...she was possibly the most beautiful thing any of them had ever seen.

"I am the Oracle," she announced, her far off voice wrapping everyone but Nick in a blissful trance. "What do you wish of me?"

"Hello, Oracle," Nick said, a bit of anger in his voice. "Remember me?"

The woman nodded. "Sir Nicholas. How pleasant to see your head is still connected to your shoulders."

Nick growled to himself, but forced a smile. "Likewise. I must ask you a serious question...one that has to deal with a descendent of mine...Harry Potter."

The Oracle nodded. "The young boy? Ah, yes. Father and mother both killed by Voldemort. I remember it all now. What is it you wish to know?"

"Er..." Nick turned to Albus. "What is it you wanted to know, Professor?"

"Voldemort's plans for him," Dumbledore answered.

Nick looked back at the Oracle. "What are Voldemort's plans for Harry, Oracle?" he asked.

The Oracle thought for a moment, then answered, "He has many plans, most of which will fail. But one will succeed. This scheme will ensure that Harry will not live to see his seventeenth birthday."

"Seventeen!" exclaimed Remus. "He's sixteen...just turned in July! Albus, we must do something...he can't die, not so soon! If he dies before eighteen, he'll never—"

Albus held up a hand, and Remus fell silent. "This is a problem. Nick, ask what the Fates will have in plan to ensure that the Potter family will continue."

Nick recited this to the Oracle.

"That is something that I cannot answer. You will know in time."

"Know in time?!" Nick exclaimed. "Now, don't you pull that again! You did that to my father, and look what happened to me! What is going to happen? How can we stop the killing?"

"Hold it off as long as you would like,"  the Oracle warned, "but he will still die. You cannot change his destiny."

"I can't handle this," Snape cursed, and left the room angrily. Minerva jumped as he slammed the door, and decided to go after him.

Albus stared at the door, somewhat angry, but looked up at the Oracle. "Please, Miss, you know what we must do to protect Harry."

Slightly surprised that someone not of the Potter line dared to talk to her, she looked at Dumbledore with some interested. After moments of consideration, she said, "Yes. Do what you must. And I have a feeling you'd like me to interfere as well. Have I assumed correctly?"

Albus nodded. "A human form would be quite helpful. If you don't mind, of course..."

"I have no problem with protecting my owners."

"Good. Let's get started then."

^*^*^

"Potions," Harry spat, entering the dungeons. "I hate potions." He looked up to see Snape glaring down at him. "Er...I hate potions...when Professor Snape isn't teaching!" he quickly covered, causing Snape to sneer at him.

"In your seat, Potter. And trust me, I don't like teaching you anymore than you like being taught, alright?"

Harry nodded. "Understood, sir." He turned around to secretly smirk at Ron and Hermione, both of whom were giggling quietly to themselves. They took their seats, the last in the Gryffindor rows, and chatted quietly while taking out their materials. When Draco entered the room and sat at the Slytherin side, Harry sadly smiled to him and he smiled back: it was difficult being friends with an enemy.

"Chapter fourteen," Snape announced, "page three-sixteen. Work on it while I get ready for—oh, hello Ruby."

All eyes turned to the girl who was standing in the entranceway. Short, frizzy brown hair, brown eyes, quite plain. She smiled brightly, and walked over, holding her hand out to the Professor. To everyone's surprise, he burst into laughter as they shook hands, and she joined in the laughing. Ron raised an eyebrow at Harry, and he stared with an open mouth.

When Snape got control of his snickering, he turned to the class and said, "This is Ruby Rocale. She will be joining us at Hogwarts this year. Ruby, what house will you be put in?"

"I've been placed in Gryffindor, Professor," she answered.

He smirked. "Gee, imagine that. Alright, please go sit next to Granger over there..." he pointed at Hermione and Ruby made her way over.

As Ruby sat down, Hermione whispered to her, "I hope you'll be here until I graduate."

"Why?" Ruby asked the stranger.

Hermione smiled. "You seem to bring out the best in the beast."