Chap. 6 Disclaimer on opening note.

"Ahh, Prof. Snape and Ruby Kennedy, good day to you both."

"Good day Professor," Ruby responded looking around the room full of magical gadgets.

"Have a seat, both of you." They both sat a crossed from Dumbledore. "Now, Prof. Snape, you've brought to my attention that Ruby is much farther along in Potions then we previously thought, correct."

"Yes."

"Now, Ruby," Dumbledore turned to her, "Prof. Snape would like to move you to his fourth year class. What do you think?"

Ruby thought a moment. "It would be more challenging."

"Yes, but Prof. Snape has made it clear that he thinks you can handle it..." Ruby looked at Snape who gave merely nodded. Oh yeah, she thought, crystal.

"What do you think?"

"I think," Ruby paused then decided," I think it would be good for me to in a higher class."

"Then it's settled. Here is your new schedule. You will know have Dark Arts with the Ravenclaws and fourth year Potions with the Gryffindor and Slytherins. Now, if you would excuse us Prof. Snape, I would like to have a word with Ruby alone." Snape made a grunt like noise and left.

"How are you, Ruby?"

"Fine."

"Your teachers have said marvelous things about you, and your friend Bobby seems very pleased."

"How do you know Bobby?"

"Ahh well, I didn't know him very well as an auror, saw him on occasion. He is a very nice man. He wrote to me about you, and how he wanted you to come to Hogwarts. He thought it might help you."

"Yes." She didn't know where this was going.

"He seems to enjoy being a foster parent more then he did being an auror. That's one thing I remember about him as an auror. He loved having kids around."

"Well, he is the best foster parent I ever had."

"I should say so. You are very lucky to have found him." He paused then and looked more intently into Ruby's eyes. "If you ever have a problem Ruby, you can always tell me. My door is always open."

Ruby uneasily answered," Thank you." Did he know of her curse? How could he not. But he never mentioned it.

"Good, you may leave."

Ruby returned to the library that evening, with her gold card.

*"La la la life is so fab!"-Georgia