Chapter 5- Uncle Harry's Big Mouth
They arrived in an alleyway and both removed their robes, shrunk them and pocketed them. Scorpius was wearing a pair of jeans and a pale green shirt, and tie. He removed the tie and undid the top two buttons. Ruby was wearing black trousers and a white shirt, she undid the top button to make it slightly more casual.
"So, what's this place like then?"
"It's just around the corner. Popular with muggle students at the university, good music and the alcohol's cheap."
"How did you find it?" Ruby asked, surprised that Scorpius knew of muggle clubs.
"Surprised I go to muggle places, Weasley?" He asked, smirking as they emerged on the darkening street.
"Well, yeah." Ruby admitted, blushing slightly.
"My best friend, Hamish from Hogwarts, is a muggleborn, his sister was at the university." They walked into the club and it was not too busy. Scorpius led the way and they found a table in the corner. Ruby sat down on the sofa and Scorpius looked down at her.
"So, any preference for alcohol?"
"Nope." She said, he disappeared and came back moments later with a tray of ten shot glasses, two of each colour, Ruby laughed.
"I think when my Grandma told me to always have colourful meals this wasn't what she meant!" She said as Scorpius sat down next to her and picked up the first two drinks and passed her one.
"Variety is the spice of life, Weasley, cheers!" The hit the glasses and then downed the drinks. It didn't burn as much as Firewhisky but it still had quite a kick.
Within fifteen minutes the tray was empty and Ruby was feeling quite flushed and happy. She pulled out her emergency muggle twenty pound note out of her purse and passed it to Scorpius.
"Any more colours, Malfoy?" She asked.
He took the money and returned five minutes later with more than ten shots.
"You trying to get me drunk Malfoy?"
"Absolutely, I want to know if you can hold your drink, Weasley!" He said.
The club started to get busier and Ruby could feel the alcohol hit her and she welcomed it, Scorpius also seemed to relax.
"Let's dance!" Ruby said, standing up and pulling Scorpius up with her, they stumbled over to the dance floor. The song changed and Ruby was thrilled when she recognised it.
"I love this song!" She shouted. Scorpius looked surprised.
"You know muggle music?"
"Yeah, why, surprised?" She asked.
"No, I like this song too I just didn't think you'd be into it."
"There's a lot about me you don't know Malfoy!"
"So it appears." He grinned. They danced and Ruby realised that she had almost been flirting, with Scorpius Malfoy.
After another round of shots and another couple of hours of dancing the trainee healers stumbled out of the club in search of food. Luckily there was a kebab shop nearby and they both had a portion of chips and meat of a questionable origin.
"How are we going to get home without splicing ourselves?" Ruby asked, they were linking arms but only because they were too drunk to walk alone.
"Splicing, no that's not right! I think it's splurting? Anyway there's a Wizarding pub round the corner, your flat connected to the Floo?"
"Yeah."
They arrived at the pub, which was almost empty and walked over to the fireplace.
"I'll check you get home okay, what's your address?"
"Flat seven, Brighton square." She answered, feeling queasy. She placed some sickles on the counter and took a handful of Floo powder and made her way home.
The landing was not smooth, she flew over the coffee table and landed head first on the, thankfully squishy, sofa.
"What the hell?" Alice asked, coming out of her bedroom.
"Hi Alice!" Ruby said brightly, pulling her head out of the cushions.
"Ruby, are you pissed?" Before Ruby could answer Scorpius also arrived and followed the same path that Ruby had.
"Scorpius, Alice, Alice, Scorpius." Ruby said when Malfoy had also righted himself.
"Hey, well I better get home. Mom's going to kill me for being this pissed, can't wait to move out." Scorpius left before Ruby had offered him the sofa, probably a good thing.
"Ruby, you got pissed with Scorpius Malfoy!" Alice cried. She was wearing her pyjamas and Ruby glanced at the clock and saw that it was nearly two o'clock in the morning.
"Yeah, we had to."
"You had to go and get drunk?" Alice asked sceptically.
"Yeah, Kyle told Scorpius he had to take me out and we had to have fun."
"Why?"
"Because we had a horrible day, I'm going to bed, have we got any potions for the morning?"
"Yeah, I'll leave one out for you." Ruby stood up and nearly fell down again so Alice moved over to her friend and guided her to bed.
"Thanks Alice." She said, as Alice transfigured her clothes into nightwear and took off her shoes.
"You're welcome, oh Ruby?" She added as she was nearly at the door.
"Yeah," Ruby answered sleepily,
"Did you have fun then?" Ruby could hear Alice smirking.
"Yeah actually, it was fun," Ruby smiled and let the alcohol drag her to sleep.
When Ruby opened her eyes the next morning she felt horrendous, she rolled over and saw, to her delight, that Alice had put the hangover potion on her bedside table with a note.
I wasn't sure if you'd be able to make it to the kitchen. Have fun tonight, I want details tomorrow!
Alice
Xxx
P.S. Just to clarify I want details about last night, not tonight!
Ruby smiled and picked up the potion downed it quickly, without even sitting up. The hangover potion bottle was designed to stop at the correct dose so you couldn't overdose yourself even if you wanted to. Ruby closed her eyes and slept for another thirty minutes, allowing the potion to clear her foggy mind and uneasy stomach.
Feeling much better she looked at her watch and was surprised to see it was already the afternoon. Ruby climbed out of bed quickly and showered, taking her time in the shower so that she would feel refreshed for the evening. She then walked to her wardrobe and pulled on her green tartan dress than she had brought in the summer with her Aunt Minnie's birthday in mind. It was short but she wore leggings and black boots and the whole outfit actually looked rather nice.
She walked out into the kitchen and saw that Alice had already put a mug with a tea bag in by the kettle. Oddly touched she put them away before picking up her bag and apparating to Wales.
Ruby walked into the house and saw her mother sitting at the table, looking at some work.
"Hi Mom." She said, pointing her wand at the kettle and then sitting down opposite her mother; no response.
"Mom!" She said, putting her hand in the middle of the parchment. Her mother jumped and Ruby smiled.
"Oh, hi Ruby, I didn't hear you come in."
"I guessed, new project going well then? Seriously mom anyone could just walk in!" She said, indicating to the front door.
"That's what your father said. Anyway your Uncle Bill changed the wards. If someone comes with the intent to harm anyone then they can't get through. And yes, the project is going well. How are you? Nice dress." She added as Ruby stood up to make the tea,
"Thanks, I'm fine."
"Really?"
"Uncle Harry been in your head?" She asked, smiling.
"He was worried about you." Eliza said simply, Ruby sat back down and nodded.
"I know that I can't save everyone, Mom, I do know that…it's just…"
"It's hard to let them go." Her mother finished, holding onto Ruby's hand, she nodded.
"I thought you were going to come home last night, even made your bed up for you."
"I would have done but Healer Kyle made me and Malfoy go out and 'have fun', trust me I was in no state to come home."
"Really? Did you 'have fun'?" Her mother asked, looking surprised.
"Yeah we did actually, went to a muggle club in Birmingham that Scorpius knew. Drank a bit too much though." She said honestly.
"Well I'm glad you feel better, and I don't mind how drunk you are you can always come home."
"Thanks Mom. So, did Uncle Harry tell you anything else?" Ruby asked, taking a sip of her tea.
"No, why should he have?"
"No." Ruby said, too quickly. She could almost hear her mother demanding information from her brother through the twin bond.
"He said he'll tell me later, and he's grateful that you didn't tell me." Ruby laughed and her mother stood up and collected her work together.
"What time is Dad getting home?"
"Not till five, I thought we could pop and see Aunt Petunia?"
"Cool, can we see if she wants to go out for lunch? I'm famished!"
"Good idea, come on."
The apparated to the back garden of Aunt Petunia's house and her mother opened the French windows and called to her Aunt. She arrived in the doorway of the kitchen with rubber gloves on, she appeared to be in the middle of washing up.
"Oh, hello. What a lovely surprise!" She said, taking off the gloves and coming to hug her niece and great-niece.
"Lovely dress Ruby."
"Thanks, I got it in the summer in the sale. Is David here?"
"No, there's a new garden centre opened a couple of miles away and he's been looking forward to going for weeks. Cup of tea? Have you eaten?"
"Actually, we were wondering if you wanted to go out for lunch? It's Minerva's birthday meal tonight but we won't be eating till eight."
"What a lovely thought, I'll just grab my bag." Aunt Petunia dashed up the stairs and Eliza moved into the kitchen and finished the washing up, using magic of course. Ruby walked over to the sofa and saw an envelope on coffee table, it was address to her Aunt and although Ruby didn't touch it, she could see the prison crest on it.
"Ready? Where would you like to go?" Aunt Petunia came into the room. Ruby stood up quickly and stood in front of the table, neither her mother nor Aunt seemed to notice her not so subtle reaction.
"You choose, Ruby." Her mother said as they walked into the back garden to apparate.
"Where was that place we went for Uncle David's birthday? Do they do lunch?"
"Café Rouge? Good idea, they have a lovely lunch menu." Aunt Petunia held on to her niece's arm and took a deep breath. They had tried to tell her that apparition would be easier if she breathed normally but she refused to listen.
They arrived in an alleyway in Bristol.
"Alright?" Her mother asked, looking at her aunt.
"Yes, it really is unpleasant you know?"
"I know, come on a drink will help." Her mother said. Ruby knew that her mother would prefer not to apparate at all, she usually preferred to Floo or to drive and she had still not used a Portkey although Ruby understood that completely.
They were seated near the window and Ruby looked at the menu with great interest, she was starving.
"So, how's your work going, Eliza?"
"Well thanks, the new project is going better than I thought it would."
"And how's Harry?"
"He's fine," Eliza replied, failing to miss Ruby's bright smile at the mention of her Uncle.
"What?" Aunt Petunia asked, looking between the witches.
"Harry told Ruby something yesterday but apparently I'm not allowed to know yet."
"Can I know?" Petunia asked, looking excitedly at her great-niece; Petunia loved gossip, and this definitely counted as gossip. Ruby looked up at her mother.
"Fine, I'll ask him….he said you can tell her when I've gone home." Ruby smiled and Petunia looked delighted.
The waitress came and took their orders and then brought them some drinks, Ruby decided on just a diet Coke and her mother smiled and then turned to her Aunt.
"Ruby had a late night last night."
"Oh, were you with Henry?" Aunt Petunia had only met Henry a couple of times but Ruby knew that she approved; most people did.
"No, I had a horrible day at work and my supervisor told me and the first year I'm working with that we had to go out and have fun. We went to a club in Birmingham, it was actually quite fun. That reminds me, I need to pop to the bank to get a new emergency twenty pound note."
"So, has Milly picked the date yet?" Eliza asked.
"Yes, she's sending out the invitations tomorrow, it's December the twenty third. Has Teddy picked a date yet?"
"Twenty seventh I think the invite should be coming this week."
"Oh isn't it lovely, two Christmas weddings! Have you got your bridesmaid dress yet, Ruby?"
"Yes, Vic picked out a pale green, that's quite nice. Of course we'll look like hags next to her but…"
"She is remarkably attractive..."
"It's magical, Aunt Petunia. Her great-grandmother was a veela, they are beautiful creatures native to Bulgaria, and they enchant men. It's diluted a bit with Vic but not enough for most people."
"Oh, I did wonder why Dudley can't form a coherent sentence around her!"
"Ron was the same when we met her mother."
"What about Uncle Harry?"
"He wasn't too bad actually, a bit blind-sided if she jumped up on him, but not as bad as Ron, Hermione was livid!" Ruby smiled.
"So are you and Henry thinking of getting engaged?" Petunia asked as the food arrived. Eliza watched her daughter's reaction carefully.
"No, not yet…no…I'm still in training anyway." Ruby stuttered; Aunt Petunia shared in Grandma's mission of marrying them all off.
They had an enjoyable and relaxed lunch with Aunt Petunia and by the time they arrived back at the house Ruby had completely forgotten about Harry's news. She was just about to disapparate when Aunt Petunia ran out and reminded her, her mother had already left.
"Oh, sorry I forgot. Auntie Ginny is pregnant again!" She said.
"Really! What a surprise, they must be delighted!"
"Yep, and surprised. They only found out yesterday."
"Well, tell them congratulations from me and David."
"I will, bye Aunt Petunia."
At five to seven that evening Ruby was standing by the fireplace waiting for her father to get out of the network.
"You go next, Rubes," Teddy said, passing her the pot, her mother had gone first. Ruby took a handful of the green powder and stepped into the fireplace.
"McGonagall Manor!" She cried, dropping the powder and disappearing in a flash of green. She arrived smoothly and walked over to her parents to wait for Teddy before they moved into the dining room. McGonagall Manor was very grand and Ruby had many happy memories of staying here during the summer.
Teddy fell out of the fireplace and Ruby laughed as he picked himself up from the floor.
"Smooth Ted!" Her father said as he joined them.
"Bloody hate the Floo network!" He muttered, brushing the ash from his suit.
"Well you could always apparate and walked four miles from the gate?" Her mother said, smiling. The family made their way into the dining room and Ruby saw, to her delight, that Hagrid was already there, talking to Aunt Minnie;they both stood up at the family walked in.
"Happy Birthday Aunt Minnie!" Ruby said, running over to her god-mother and giving her a big hug. Minerva McGonagall had aged gracefully and even though she was now ninety Ruby's father said she looked exactly the same as when he was in his first year and she gave him a detention for putting dungbongs on the staff table at the Halloween feast. She was in remarkable health and still published articles in Transfiguration Today, sometimes co-authored with Ruby's mother.
"Thank you dear, lovely dress!"
"Thanks, I brought it with this night in mind." Ruby said before moving away to hug Hagrid. Her family also greeted Aunt Minnie and Teddy turned his hair tartan which he had been trying to perfect for a few months.
"How are you, Ruby?" Hagrid asked as he let her go and she tried to catch her breath.
"Great thanks, how's Hogwarts?"
"Same as ever, Charlie's settled in well, kids love him!"
"Yeah Immy said she was enjoying his classes." Ruby heard some more voices and she turned around to see Uncle Harry and Aunt Ginny arrive with James and Albus. They greeted each other and Ruby saw her mother glare at her brother.
"Harry, don't make me angry!" She said quietly, everyone stopped to watch them. Ruby and Ginny were smiling but Harry looked quite scared, he backed away from his sister and put his hands in the air.
"Fine, fine I surrender! We've got some news." James and Albus smiled and Ruby knew that they had already been told.
"What is it?" Teddy asked, looking perturbed not to be in on the secret.
"I'm pregnant!" Ginny said, smiling. Everyone cheered and Ruby's mother looked amazed.
"Really? That's brilliant, congratulations! I didn't know you were planning on any more." She said, hugging her brother.
"We weren't but we got a bit carried away after your anniversary party." Ginny said, looking at her brother and Eliza.
"Oh, well, you're welcome," her father said, kissing Ginny on the cheek. "Does mom know yet?"
"No, we're telling her on Sunday, don't ruin the surprise." She said, looking serious.
"How come Ruby knew?" Her father asked, looking over at her.
"I had a horrible day at work yesterday and they were cheering me up."
"Are you feeling better about it now, Rubes?" Uncle Harry asked, she nodded and thankfully the conversation was ended by the arrival of more people.
Half an hour later they were all sat at the table. Aunt Minnie was sat between her brother Malcolm (her other brother Robert had died when Ruby was six) and Ruby's mother. There were many people present to celebrate the occasion including, Professors Flitwick and Longbottom, and Professor Sprout who had also retired. Minister Shacklebolt was also present, with Penny who was sat next to Ruby. Uncle Bill and Fleur were there with Vic who was chatting with her fiancé at the end of the table. Aunt Hermione and Uncle Ron were arguing about something whilst Rosie rolled her eyes. Uncle Percy and Aunt Audrey were there with the twins; Lucy had a dressing on her head and claimed that she had been in a crash earlier in the day. Molly was talking to her father about Ministry policy. Ruby's grandparents were also there and Uncle Harry, who was sat next to Ruby, was glancing at them both nervously.
"You look guilty, Uncle Harry." She whispered as they started the meal, the starter was pate and it was delicious.
"I can't help it! Do you think they know?"
"No, just hope that Aunt Minnie hasn't put cinnamon in the pudding."
"Shit, I forgot about that!" He muttered.
"Don't worry I'll cover you if she's sick. I'll say she's got a bug or something."
"Cheer's Ruby." They continued eating and Penny turned to Ruby.
"So, did you have a good time last night, Ruby?" She asked.
"How do you know about that?"
"I spoke to Robert yesterday, it's standard practice after a rough day to make your interns go out and have fun. Where did you go?"
"A muggle club in Birmingham, it was quite fun actually. Felt bloody horrendous this morning though." She said, picking up her glass of water and taking a sip.
"Robert was my supervisor, you know?"
"Really, he's a great healer," Ruby said, intrigued.
"He's a lovely man."
"Did you find it hard when you lost your first patient?" She asked.
"Well… my studies were quite… disrupted, because of the war. When it was finished I had to take a year out and then go back and retake some exams. I didn't do my final year until I was twenty four, but yes it was hard. You can't save everyone though."
"I know, how's Amber getting on?"
"Quite well considering how much she hates children."
"She told you that?" Ruby asked, shocked.
"No, she told Baxter and Baxter told me, she's a difficult one, not sure she's got what it takes. Too busy schmoozing the parents to look at the children. Don't tell anyone though!"
"I won't, she's driving Amber mad."
"Who is your first year, Ruby?" The Minister asked, joining the conversation.
"Scorpius Malfoy." She replied. She saw Uncle Ron immediately stop talking to his wife and look over at her.
"Your first year is Malfoy's son!" He said, loudly. Most of the table stopped talking and Ruby threw her mother a worried glance.
"Umm…yes." She admitted, wondering where this situation would lead.
"He's already got her to bed." Harry said. Her father spat out his Firewhisky and Ruby turned to her Uncle Harry, horrified.
"WHAT?" Roared her father.
"No! It wasn't like…Uncle Harry!" She spluttered. Harry was chuckling but clearly decided to save his niece.
"Apparently he just put her to bed, she was tired after a spell." He said, evasively, Ruby turned to Penny for help.
"She had to do the resuscitation spell, it takes a lot out of you so you have to go and lie down after you use it. It was completely innocent, I'm sure."
"Yes, yes it was!"
"Alice told me you went out with him last night" Rosie said, looking delighted to contribute to her cousin's embarrassment.
"Why?!" Uncle Ron demanded. Again it was Penny who saved her.
"It's standard practise for supervisors to demand that there students go out together after a rough day, especially the first one, it's important to remember how to have fun when you deal with death all day." She said calmly.
"Yes, see, we had to!"
"So, anyway, Filius how is Charlie getting on?" Her grandfather asked. Ruby gave him a grateful look and then took a long drink of the wine before turning to her Uncle Harry.
"What was that for?" She demanded.
"Just for fun, did you see your Uncle Ron's face?"
"It's not funny, I kept your secret and this is how you repay me!"
"Honestly Harry it was a bit harsh." Ginny said, although she was also smiling.
"I could turn around and tell Grandma and…"
"Alright, what do you want for your silence?" He asked, looking at his in-laws and then back at his niece.
"I'll have a think."
"Who would have thought I'd have to pay Eliza's daughter to keep quiet?" He muttered and Ginny laughed.
"Well it better be good, I know, you can give me twenty pounds."
"Muggle money? Why?"
"I spent my emergency muggle money last night."
"Fine, here you go, that's my emergency money though, you know?"
"You should have thought about that before you embarrassed me." She said, taking it from him and putting it in her boot for safekeeping.
Thankfully the rest of the meal passed much more pleasantly and then they moved into the drawing room for drinks and cake. Ruby sat next to her god-mother.
"How are you Aunt Minnie? Have you had a nice birthday?" She asked.
"I'm well, it's been a lovely day. I went out with my brother for lunch and then we went for a walk around the lake. How are you? Is work going well?"
"I'm fine, yeah I'm enjoying it, yesterday was horrible though."
"What happened?"
"Someone died in a cauldron explosion."
"Was it the first death you have dealt with?"
"Yes, well no but it was the first of my patients. Healer Kyle knew that he knew he was going to die, that's why he came to get us, he thought we'd been too lucky so far, no one had died."
"You can't save…"
"Everyone, I know, everyone keeps telling me. It's just hard, I'm glad I went out last night though, it was better than sitting around and thinking too hard."
"You are so like your mother, you both think too hard sometimes."
"Yeah, anyway your birthday present."
"You didn't need to get me anything!" Aunt Minnie said, taking a sip of whisky.
"Well I wasn't sure so Mom suggested that I take you out for dinner instead. Henry picked a nice restaurant in Edinburgh so let me know when you're free."
"Oh, how lovely. Will Henry join us?"
"No, it's just us. He grew up in Edinburgh so he knows the best places."
"How are you two getting on?" She asked, Ruby thought for a moment before answering.
"We haven't seen each other for a couple of weeks, I've been busy with work and he spends a lot of time with James. I'm seeing him soon though, we're having dinner at my new flat."
"Are you taking him to the ball on your birthday?"
"Yes, are you coming?"
"Yes, I'm going with Neville, Hannah is working so he asked me, I'm rather looking forward to it."
"I wish it wasn't on my birthday, Alistair is coming home for the weekend and I wanted to have a party, Alice managed to get him a ticket to the ball though so at least he'll be there. I think pretty much everyone is going, even Mom, though she'd rather not."
"Your mother hates these things. When she went to the Yule Ball with your father in her fourth year, Professor Dumbledore hit her with a calming spell before she walked in; we were worried she might pass out." Ruby smiled.
"I'll bear it in mind for my birthday then."
"Oh, I'm sure she'll be fine, she's much better at these things now." Ruby looked over at her mother who was talking to Neville, probably apologising for whatever the twins had been up to lately. She remembered the letter on Aunt Petunia's table and wondered what it was about, could Vernon Dursley's sentence be over? She wondered who would be best to ask, her father would over-react, her Uncle Harry probably would as well.
"Knut for your thoughts?" Her grandfather asked and she jumped slightly, he had replaced Aunt Minnie, Ruby cursed herself for getting lost in her thoughts, again. Then she realised that her grandfather might be the best person to ask, he was very calm and he was now the Head of Muggle Relations so would be well-placed to make inquiries without arousing suspension.
"Granddad, can I ask you a favour? You can't tell anyone though."
"Of course, is everything okay?" He replied, looking worried. Ruby looked around and deemed that everyone was out of earshot.
"I was at Aunt Petunia's today and I saw a letter on the table."
"Yes?" Her granddad probed, when it seemed she had stopped talking.
"It…I didn't see what it said because it was still in the envelope but it was from…"
"Ruby? Who was it from?" He asked, gently.
"It was from the muggle prison service." Her grandfather looked shocked for a moment and then also glanced around to check they were not likely to be overheard.
"Are you sure? And your aunt didn't say anything?"
"No, it might be nothing though…"
"I'm sure it is, I'll make some, discrete, enquiries. Don't worry about it Ruby, and for Merlin's sake don't mention it to your parents."
"I won't, thanks Granddad, will you let me know what you find out?"
"Of course, are you working on Sunday again?" She had missed the previous Sunday lunch because of work.
"I'm on nights this week so I'll try and come for a bit."
"Good, are you looking forward to the Ball?"
"Are you coming too?"
"Yes, all the Ministry heads are going, are you taking Henry?"
"Yes, he's looking forward to it, he keeps asking whose coming. Anyway I better go and talk to my dad. I think he's still in shock from Uncle Harry implying I slept with Scorpius Malfoy."
"Yes, that was rather amusing!"
A/N So we get to see Aunt Minnie, yay! Let me know what you think about Scorpius as well.
Next chapter; Ruby and Scorpius bond over a patient, we hear from Immy, Henry takes control again and Granddad has some surprising news.
Thanks to mozie for beta-ing!
xXMizz Alec VolturiXx- Thanks.
witchprincess33- Thanks, yeah I've read a lot of stories where Scorpius is perfect and it didn't seem realistic, he is a Malfoy after all.
LUG-14- Thanks.