Chapter Fifteen Disclaimer on opening note

Ruby was on the road to recovery. She was eating well and studying harder then ever before. She was still bound and determined to take her O.W.L.S. No one else had yet realized that she was planning on taking the test. She studied when no one was around, which was usually late at night, since she was allowed to have visitors again.

Oliver and Ginny came together one day after dinner to chat up about the quidditch final, what Ginny had over heard about BuckBeak's trial, and over all gossip.

"Malfoy kept saying that you were dead, which turned into you being at St. Mungo's, which turned into you being in Egypt for an ancient cure," Ginny said.

Oliver picked up from there, "You have also been under a sleeping spell, the influence of the dementors, and some have thought you have turned completely muggle."

"Wow," laughed Ruby, "I've done more being sick then being well."

Also Fred and George would visit, with strange stories from potions and how they were studying for there O.W.L.S.

"We've been trying to convince Mom that we've been studying," said George.

"But she doesn't seem to believe us."

"I wonder why," Ruby grinned.

Unfortunately, her plan to take her O.W.L.S. was discovered. Snape came to check on Ruby the night before she would return to Gryffindor tower. She did not hear him coming and did not have enough time to hide her books.

"Miss Kennedy, if you are studying for O.W.L.S., you can stop. I am not making you take it this year."

"You aren't?"

"You've been sick, you couldn't possible prepare in time."

"You seem to underestimate me, Professor."

"If you take it, the mark you get is the mark you will keep. You can not try for a better one."

"I think I will be fine, Professor. Really," she assured him. He took a seat next to her bed.

"I am not trying to challenge to take it. Honestly," he said.

"Hmm, I was feeling up to a challenge. I'm slightly disappointed," she smirked.

"Fine," he sneered, "Take the test. I wish you well." He got up to leave and added, "You are to see Dumbledore tomorrow after dinner."

"Thanks for the message."

Snape turned and stomped out of the room.

Her first day back to regular classes was wonderful. Being with people again, even if it was Malfoy made her feel great. She was not far behind in her work thanks to Hermione and she felt like life was a breeze: no nightmares, no talking mirrors, nothing.

She went to Dumbledore's office after dinner. It was strange setting foot in his office again. It had seemed like forever since she had read on the floor of the office. Dumbledore hadn't changed a thing. It was exactly like before, and the spot where she would read was still open.

"Ah, Miss Kennedy," Dumbledore broke her thoughts. He smiled and motioned to a chair and Ruby took a seat. Dumbledore sat at his desk and continued. "How are you feeling?"

"Much better, sir."

"And the dreams?"

"I haven't had one since," she smiled proudly.

"That I am happy about. Professor Snape said you told him a little about those dreams." Ruby's smile faded. "Do not worry, Miss Kennedy, it was not spread any further, I assure you. But we, and I mean myself and Professor Snape, would greatly appreciate if you would share with us, when you are ready, to what extent these dreams went."

"Do you think that I saw the future or something?"

"Not at all, I think that you will eventually need to get it off your chest, for your own well being. It is good to know that at least two people are ready and prepared to listen."

"Oh, well, thanks?"

Dumbledore laughed. "Now, you need this," he handed her a schedule for the Potions O.W.L.S. "Now, many of the teachers have voiced there opinion to me on you taking this test. They were unanimously against you taking it, but it the end, it is up to you."

"Thank you, Headmaster."

"I have missed you reading up here. I hope you will have some spare time to come next year."

Ruby got up and smiled, "I will make time, sir."

* * * The day of Potion O.W.L.S had arrived, and Ruby had been excused from her other classes for the day. Fred and George walked with her down to the Great Hall where desks had been set up for the students. Everyone found there seats and the test began.

It started out simply enough, basic first year knowledge, but quickly excelled to much harder material. Ruby was excited to see a question about the potion for the Scherzo curse on there. She answered one after the other, skipping the one that gave her problems, but she had time to come back to them. She used up every minute of the time, going over and re- going over questions, trying not to second guess herself.

When the test was over, Ruby, Fred, and George went back to the common room until the time for the actual mixing test came.

"I totally bombed that test," Fred said.

"Yeah," George agreed, "I'm blaming you, Ruby."

"Why me?"

"Cause if you hadn't gotten sick, you could of told us what we needed to know," answered Fred.

"Sure your mom will except that excuse?"

"I think so," said Fred confidently. "After last year she said that you were the best influence on us. What will she think of you now," he mocked.

The actual mixing portion of the test was done in groups of five in alphabetical order. Since W was no where near K, Ruby ended up walking down with Lee Jordan. Snape was at the door and called them in to the room. A cauldron and set of ingredients was set up for each of them. They performed the task in front of member of the ministry of magic. Ruby was set up with a middle-aged man with thick glasses.

"I want you to make me a remedy foot fungus," he said blandly. This was very simple, far too simple, Ruby thought. She concocted it rather quickly and let the man see it.

"Very well," he said and magically cleaned the cauldrons. "Now, please make me a draft of the moon." This was much harder. This was a strong sleeping potion, only used on extreme cases of sleep apnea. This required many ingredients, some common, like dandelion petals, others not so common, like Veela hair. (Sure Veela hair is common, but not in potion making).

"Fine job, one more," he said as blandly as before. "Now an intengio potion."

Ruby stopped a moment. She caught a nervous look from Lee, who was next to her. She did not dare look at Snape. "I'm sorry sir, could you say that again?"

Again with no emotion, "The integio potion, dear."

"I saw." Do not, under any circumstances touch your hair until you have washed them thourghly, she warned herself. It's just a potion, you are the one who controls it. No one is going to poison you. You'll be fine. With that she took a deep breath and began.

* * * "You are kidding me," Ginny exclaimed when Ruby told her about her test.

"I was scared out of my gourd." Ginny gave her a funny look. "Outta my mind."

"Oh right. So you think you passed?"

"I don't see how I couldn't."

"Neither do I," she smiled, but seemed slightly preoccupied.

"What's wrong?"

"I really have no idea where they could be. Important business of some sort, but I mean, everything is important business with them."

"Harry, Ron, and Hermione," asked Ruby.

"Yeah, I mean, they have been acting strange all week."

"Maybe they went to Hagrid's. They were working on Buckbeak."

"You're probably right. It's getting late. I think I'm going to bed."

"Don't worry, they'll be fine."

"I know," she smiled. "Good night."