Hallo!
Well, I assume probably only Quetzal is still reading this, so: hi, Sweetie, how are you? :)))))
It took me pretty long to finish this (most time took typing it into the comp) but I needed a good time of thinking – also I've just been being plain lazy -.-° Further notices at the end of chapter.
Anyways there is new stuff on my homepage: a new fanart and a little doujinshi, if you have problem with the navigation just ask me :)
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Soon Ruby gave up on trying to finish the lines. She was really sick by now and concentrating (or even moving) had become pretty difficult. Witty was lying on Ruby's pillow, sleeping soundly. Ruby glowered at her. The tiny fairy had eaten an amount which should have made her burst but all effect it had was drowsiness and content sleeping. Wishing she was her fairy Ruby left a note for Witty and left the common room heading for the hospital wing.
When she entered the long high-ceilinged room she felt her stomach finally rebelling and pushing past a student standing in the passageway between the beds Ruby quickly grabbed the bucket she knew was placed between beds 13B and 12B and forgetting there was another person around she sank to her knees and thankfully threw up. The smell made her feel even sicker but at least her stomach was calmed down a bit and Ruby slumped together feeling pretty relieved. A familiar voice made her jump: "You're so happy to see me again?"
Oliver's mocking tone didn't annoy her as it probably would have done some weeks ago. Especially not as a hand with a hankie appeared at her left side. She cleansed her mouth carefully then looked around.
"Thank you. she whispered." Oliver stayed while Madam Pomfrey checked on her and decided she needed no potion but a bit of rest in the quiet infirmary - and company at that. Oliver grinned and sat down at the edge of bed 13B where Ruby half sat, half lay with her back against the bedpost. Madame Pomfrey smiled and winked at her then left for her office.
Ruby stared at her feet (in striped toe-socks), Oliver at his hands.
"So..." both began then laughed weakly.
"You first"Oliver pleased.
Ruby smiled "So...what were you here for?"
"Frankly – looking for you. I had hoped you'd work a little in the infirmary as you seemed to like the place..."
"How do you know? We...well, we haven't been on speaking terms when I did detention here..."
"Witty." he excusingly shrugged.
Ruby was more amused than annoyed "So...what more did she tell you about me? And - even more important - did she do it for one or two Marshmellow Mice?"
Oliver grinned slyly and for the first time looked at her. Was there a hint of a blush in his face? And for one ridiculous second Ruby felt the urge to take his hand into hers.
"Well, actually I just had to give her the puppy eyes whenever she refused to answer a question..."
Ruby was about to say something about Witty's weakness for good-looking guys but bit her lip just in time – she couldn't say that to Oliver, could she? So there was awkward silence again.
Finally she sighed "Look, Oliver, I've been being so stupid, so nasty. I don't know what got into me. I'm truly sorry, ok?" She wasn't very good at excuses but there was pleading in her voice and Oliver obviously was surprised to hear it.
"Excuse accepted as long as you accept mine, too."
Ruby stared at him "Your excuse for what?"
"For me being pushy and all. I mean, you've been in a pretty weak and helpless position. And instead of just spending comfort as a friend should do I took advantage of it – and afterwards insinuated you of stupid things. I feel like such a fool, I'm very sorry!"
"Excuse accepted." Ruby mumbled thoughtfully feeling strangely uneasy by the word friend.
"So we are friends?" Oliver asked while Ruby stared. Why was she so distressed by that question? Oliver was quick to assure "Just friends! I promise I'm up to no more!"
Later Ruby didn't know anymore how she mustered enough wits to nod but she did. And so, finally, the friendship between Ruby Riders and Oliver Wood was sealed though Ruby had an uncomfortable feeling that this was not enough for her anymore...
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Saturday came with a surprise in the form of Franklin Abbot sweeping into the Entrance Hall together with a good deal of wind when Ruby and the others were coming from breakfast. With a delighted grin Ruby parted from the group of Hufflepuffs to go and greet him. Well - actually she flung her arms around his neck, happy to have her best friend from Hogwarts back (his absence had made her feel how much she actually liked his presence), while Witty was rushing around them laughing, infected by the girl's happiness. Franklin was a little taken aback but nevertheless also pleased by this sudden outburst of friendship. Finally Ruby backed away giving him the possibility to catch his breath again. Out of the corner of her eye Ruby saw Oliver passing then, bearing a strangely hurt expression but saying nothing. Ruby decided to deal with that later. Other Hufflepuffs now gathered around them, all greeting Franklin.
"I'm so happy you're back! How did you make Hannah let you go?" Ruby grinned broadly not caring for the glances she received from her fellow housemates around them. Franklin also shot her a strange glance and by that Ruby felt blushing without knowing a reason for it.
"What?" she asked slightly unnerved again.
"You sure you're you?"
"Eh?"
"It's like somebody has pushed a button inside you and I don't know if that's good - or creepy..."
For a short moment Ruby felt a flash of anger bubbling up but then she recognized the sparkle in Franklin's eyes and saw the ends of his mouth twitch slightly. Her anger quickly transformed into high spirits. They started their walk to Hufflepuff Gardens.
Amicably she laid her arm around his shoulders and playfully tugged at his ears as she had often seen Hannah do.
"Had a bit too much sweets on the train ride, hadn't we?"
Frank smirked. "I couldn't bring my half of your present here, could I? I'm prefect, sugar quills aren't the sort of stuff I should own. And one half of a family box even! That has its effects, y'know... By the way Hannah sends her thanks."
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Sadly, it isn't more T.T
And herewith I'm pronouncing I'll abandon this story. It's not only lack of inspiration but also a big lack of time and motivation to continue this!!! Perhaps it's also because of the online Marauders RPG I'm participating in and spending a lot of my (HP-) energy on.
Following are just a few points I had been planning for the plot: P I had researched a little Latin and a curly hair charm: Admonus Fluctus Capillus – probably the worst Latin ever -.-° Anyways that's my translation for very wavy hair (couldn't find Latin for curly so took very wavy instead...)
Oliver's christmas presents were: self-knitted socks (he had asked his mum for them) in Hufflepuff colours and a very tiny Hogwarts uniform for Witty, ordered at Madam Malkin's. First I had planned for him to give her the presents rather than being shouted at. But on a second thought I decided Ruby wouldn't be the kind of character who forgives and forgets everything for christmas presents...
Her mother sends her the photo-album and Ruby recognizes Liz Harrington and finally begins to believe her. But Liz refuses to tell her anything about what led to the quarell with her mom. So Ruby goes on to find out herself. She finds help with Oliver and Franklin who begin to befriend and of course during that process she starts a relationship with Oliver, too... tehe I was vaguely planning to bring in another girl or two from her dorm gang but hadn't decided which, yet. Finally they find out what's with her grandfather (I wanted something evil, he was pretty choleric also, but I couldn't quite think of anything else than Deatheater – and that I found too "boring" and a rather weak plot twist) and then she has to deal with it. I wanted her mom und Liz to get on talking terms again. But perhaps some past thing related to that stuff with her grandfather comes up in the present and gives Ruby a nut to crack...