Chapter 8- Birthday surprises
They drank until just after midnight when they had a bottle of Champagne to celebrate Ruby's twenty first birthday. Then they all staggered into bed. Alistair and Alice shared because Ruby was a fidgety sleeper and was likely to kick whoever shared with her, and Alistair was too tall for the sofa.
In the morning Ruby woke before the other two and was very glad for the hangover potion, she took it quickly and then changed and tidied up the flat before scribbling them a note and apparating to Wales.
"Happy Birthday, Ruby!" Her father said as she walked into the kitchen, he crossed the room and gave her a hug.
"Thanks dad, where's mom?" She asked, sitting at the table.
"She's having a lie in, she didn't sleep well last night."
"Is she okay?" Ruby asked, she could tell that her father was about to lie but them he seemed to change his mind.
"She's got something on her mind, gone a bit foggy." He said, sitting down next to Ruby and passing her a cup of tea. Foggy was a term they always used with Eliza, apparently she had first said it to Uncle Bill years ago and the expression had stuck.
"Do you know why?"
"No, I'm sure it's nothing. Anyway did you have a good night last night?"
"Yeah it was great thanks." She said, wondering for a moment if Aunt Minnie had spoken to her but then she dismissed the thought because she knew that Aunt Minnie wouldn't have acted without speaking to her first.
"How's Alistair?"
"Really good, he loves it out there. Is Uncle Charlie coming tonight?" She had not seen much of her uncle and god-father since he had started at Hogwarts and she was looking forward to catching up with him.
"Yes, he's bringing someone apparently." Her dad said.
"Who?"
"Didn't say, someone from Hogwarts though."
"A staff member I hope?" She said with a smile.
"Oh, happy birthday Ruby!" Her mother said, coming into the kitchen, she looked well and Ruby was relieved.
"Thanks mom, how are you?"
"Fine thanks, morning." She said to her husband as he kissed her on the cheek.
"Morning beautiful." Her father said softly. Ruby could always see the love that her parents had for each other, she wondered if she's ever get that, she doubted it would be with Henry.
"I'll get your present Ruby, and Teddy is coming round for lunch." Ruby smiled as her mother disappeared, her husband watched her with slight concern etched on his face.
"She seems okay, dad," Ruby said.
"Perhaps I over reacted, don't think on it Rubes." He kissed her on the forehead and she smiled.
Her mother reappeared with a large parcel which she placed in front of her; it was wrapped in bright red paper and appeared to be box-shaped. Ruby tore the paper enthusiastically and pulled open the box, there was a large painting of the cottage that her mother had clearly painted.
"Oh mom, it's beautiful!" She exclaimed and her mother looked delighted.
"I thought you might like a reminder of Wales down in your flat. There's a few other things in the box too." Ruby looked at the picture for a few more moments and then looked in the box. There was a new purse; her old one was quite tatty now, some joke products, and a new waffle maker (her old one had exploded, probably due to over-use).
"Thanks! I love them." She said, standing up to hug both of her parents.
"I got that waffle maker in America, apparently you can change the shape and one of the options is Uncle Harry's face!" Her dad said. Ruby looked at the box and saw to her delight that he wasn't joking, Uncle Harry's face, complete with glasses and lightning bolt scar was indeed one of the options.
"That's amazing!" She said. "Let's make some for lunch!"
So a couple of hours later when Uncle Harry and Aunt Ginny arrived for lunch it was to find a pile of 'Harry Potter' waffles. Teddy howled with laughter when he saw them.
"That's so cool!" He exclaimed and his hair flashed all the colours in excitement, it rarely happened anymore and Ruby always loved to see him that excited.
"I feel I should be able to sue someone?" Harry muttered as he looked at the pile.
"Do you really want to draw attention to it Harry?" Ruby's mother asked.
"No, but if I find one of those waffle things here with my face on I'm going to get Hermione to sue, it's my face Eliza! Why don't you have one?"
"Because I'm not as recognisable, and they probably knew I actually would sue." She replied, laughing.
They had an enjoyable lunch and at five when Ruby flooed back to the flat she was quite disappointed at having to attend the ball, she had been having such a nice relaxing time with her family and now she had to dress up and be grown up for the evening. When she landed Alice was sitting on the sofa in her dressing gown and looked to be quite distressed.
"What's up Alice?" She asked.
"Oh thanks Merlin you're here Rubes, happy birthday by the way."
"Thanks, what's wrong?" She asked, Alice lifted a blanket off her legs and Ruby saw that she had paper strips stuck on her legs, except for one patch at the front of her calf where the skin could be seen, it looked to be an angry pink colour.
"I bought this muggle waxing kit from the supermarket, it said it was painless! Painless my arse! I pulled one strip off and I nearly hit the roof and I'm too scared to do the rest, can you do it?"
"Sure, do you want me to use a numbing spell?"
"I absolutely love you Ruby! Thank you!" Ruby performed the spell and was nearly finished waxing Alice's legs when the spell wore off, mid strip.
"Shit, do the spell again Rubes! Christ, how do muggles do this?" Five minutes later Alice was in the bath calming the angry skin and Ruby was in her room slipping into her dress, it was a nice fit. She was planning on having her hair up but then she remembered Scorpius's compliment and she found herself undoing the clasp holding her hair up and curling the dark red waves with her wand. She then sprayed her hair a few times with Sleeze-Easy's and then painted her nails and did her make up.
"Ruby? Alice?" Came Henry's voice from the living room. She opened the door and saw him standing by the Floo with a bunch of red roses.
"Wow, you look incredible." He said, crossing the room and giving her the flowers. She smiled and looked for a vase.
"Thanks, you look nice too, new robes?"
"Yes, got a bonus for making a mill." He said, flippantly. Alice came out of her room and Ruby looked over at her.
"Alice, you look great!" She exclaimed.
"Thanks, can't bloody breathe though." She muttered, and then she greeted Henry and complimented his suit.
"Thanks, they're dragon skin, got a bonus at work for making my first million." He said. Ruby hated the way he always talked about money; she didn't talk about her work all the time. Uncle Bill was a banker and he didn't feel the need to tell them how much he made at every opportunity, in fact she had never heard him talk about money.
"Oh, well you look nice. Are you ready to go?" Alice said, picking up her silver clutch bag and wand.
"Yep, Alistair meeting us there?" Ruby asked, grabbing her green bag and using her wand to fill the vase of roses with water.
"Yes, in the atrium." The ball was to be at the Ministry ball room. The three disapparated and arrived by the fireplaces where Ruby saw her mother, wearing a long pale green dress and yellow shawl, being guided back to her feet by her father, she walked over to them to check she was okay.
"Alright mom?" She asked, her mother jumped slightly and turned to Ruby.
"Oh, hello Ruby, yes I'm fine, lost my footing. You look lovely, new dress?" She asked, Ruby saw her father give Aunt Hermione who was standing next to them, a worried look.
"Yes, Alice gave me some money towards it for my birthday. You look nice too, hi dad, Aunt Hermione." They greeted her warmly and her father gave her a peck on the cheek and then shook Henry's hand who had moved over to them.
"Hello, Mr and Mrs Weasley, Mrs Weasley." He said, looking at them all.
"Hi Henry, you look dashing." Aunt Hermione said as her husband walked over to them.
"Thanks, got a bonus at the…" He began but Ruby was glad when her Uncle Ron interrupted him.
"Happy Birthday Ruby, you look beautiful."
"Thanks, Uncle Ron."
"We'll give your present tomorrow, Ruby." Aunt Hermione said. Alistair and Alice arrived and Ruby's family all greeted him with hugs; they all loved Alistair.
"So what's this I hear about you opening a new shop in Africa, Fred? Three continents not enough for you?" Alistair asked, grinning.
"Not when there are six, Ali!" He said.
"Seven," Aunt Hermione said automatically.
"I doubt Antarctica counts Aunt Hermione," Ruby said with a smile. Her aunt shrugged and they made their way into the ball room. Alistair went off to sit at the top table with his parents and Ruby sat down in between Henry and her mother.
The meal was delicious and was immediately followed by speeches. The Chairman of St Mungo's thanked the Auror department for raising money, then Uncle Harry gave an amusing speech about how grateful the Auror department were for the hospital. The Chairman then took to the stage again to present the St Mungo's awards, starting with the older and more experienced members of staff and then talking about the healer training programme. Ruby had forgotten about the award ceremony but was pleased for Scorpius when he was named as best first year student, she felt Henry stiffen in irritation next to her and she saw Alice give her a significant look from next to her father.
"And finally the last award is for best final year student, and the award goes to Ruby Weasley!" Ruby jumped slightly, she had definitely not expected that. She stood up after being prodded into action by Henry who made sure to kiss her on the cheek as she stood up. She crossed the dance floor feeling very embarrassed and collected the award which was presented to her by Uncle Harry.
"Nice one, Rubes." He said, giving her a hug.
"Thanks Uncle Harry." They turned to the photographer and posed for a photograph and then Ruby returned to the table, very much looking forward to a drink. The speeches finished and the music started, a few people moved to the dance floor and Ruby suddenly found herself inundated by Weasleys congratulating her, her mother slipped out from next to her.
After the mass of red-heads moved away her father walked her other to her mother who was standing in the corner.
"Congratulations Ruby, I'm so proud of you!" She said, pulling her daughter into a hug and squeezing her tightly.
"Thanks mom, I can't believe it, I'd completely forgotten about the awards." She said honestly.
"Well done, Rubes. Let's get you a drink," her father said, leading his wife and daughter towards the bar.
"Good idea, I definitely need one!" Ruby said and her mother nodded.
The arrived at the bar and Ruby stood back with her mother, she looked at her mother and thought she looked well but her eyes seemed distracted and distant.
"Are you alright, mom?" She asked.
"Yes, fine, you know I don't like these things, we'll probably slip away soon." Her father brought them drinks and then Hl Kyle walked over to them, with the Malfoy family following him, slightly awkwardly.
"Ahh, there you are Miss Weasley, just wanted to congratulate you both. I'm very proud of how hard you've been working." He said, smiling at the pair of them.
"Thanks sir, congratulations Scorpius." She said, looking at him; he was wearing grey robes and they made his blue eyes stand out vividly.
"Thanks, you too." Hl Kyle walked off and the two families looked at each other for a moment before her dad spoke.
"So, growing up fast aren't they?" He said, looking to Scorpius's parents.
"Indeed Weasley, doesn't seem two minutes since Ruby came spinning out of the fireplace at Malfoy Manor." Malfoy's dad said and Ruby felt herself blush. Henry appeared as if from nowhere.
"Hello Mr and Mrs Malfoy, Henry Chang, Junior banker and Ruby's boyfriend." He said, holding out his hand, Mr Malfoy took it, looking at Henry and then at Ruby with a strange expression on his face.
"Would you like to dance Mrs Weasley?" Henry asked, Ruby looked at her mother quickly but her father intervened.
"No, you take Ruby, Henry, we've got people to see." He said, her mother had blushed and Ruby led Henry away feeling very annoyed.
"Why did you do that?" She asked, as soon as they were on the dance floor.
"It's proper decorum, Ruby." He replied, gripping her waist and holding her hand. Out of the corner of her eyes she saw the Malfoy's making conversation with her parents. Scorpius was watching her and she looked away.
"You know my mom's shy Henry, don't draw attention to her like that, she hates these things anyway."
"She should be used to them by now."
"Well she's not." Ruby snapped and then the song ended and she moved away and back towards the table she had been sitting on. Henry dashed off to talk to someone else and Ruby sat next to Aunt Minnie.
"Congratulations Ruby and Happy Birthday!" She said.
"Thanks Aunt Minnie."
"Are you having a nice time?"
"Yeah, mom's a bit foggy though." She said quietly, Aunt Minnie looked at her and then over at her mother who was talking to Penny Shacklebolt and Alistair.
"Yes, I had noticed…"
"Excuse me, would you like to dance, Ruby?" Ruby looked up and saw Scorpius holding out his hand to her, she could almost feel the eyes of several of her relations boring into the back of her neck but she knew it would be rude, not to mention insensitive, to decline.
"Oh, yes, thank you." She said and she took his hand and let him lead her onto the dance floor.
He held her waist and they swayed in the music, he smelled like coconuts and it was not an unpleasant smell.
"You look beautiful Ruby, it's nice to see your hair down." He whispered and she tried to suppress a shudder.
"Thank you, you like nice too… I mean I like your robes. It was nice to see your parents. Did you know about the Floo story?" Scorpius laughed slightly,
"Yeah my dad told me when I said you were my final year supervisor, can you remember it?"
"No, but it comes up frequently at family dinners. Are you having a nice time?" She asked as he span her around and then back into his body.
"Yes, although we better stop dancing though, you're junior banker boyfriend is giving me evils." Ruby did not look to where she knew Henry was but instead she let go of Scorpius and thanked him for the dance before moving back to the table and sat next to Rosie.
"Nice dance?" She asked, quirking an eyebrow.
"Yes thank you, and before you say anything Rosie it would have been rude and not to mention insensitive to say no."
"I wasn't going to say anything." Rosie said and next to her Albus snorted into his drink.
"Course you weren't Rose." He said quietly.
Ruby had another glass of wine and spoke to her cousins for a few minutes before her Uncle Charlie and asked her to dance. She followed him to the dance floor and out of the corner of her eye she saw Henry talking to the Chairman of St. Mungo's who seemed to be delighted with whatever Henry was saying to him. Her parents had sat back down at the table and her father was talking to his sister who looked radiant.
"It's nice to see you again, Rubes, I haven't had chance since I started at Hogwarts." Her Uncle said as they started dancing.
"I know, how's it going? Immy loves your classes by the way."
"I'm loving it, although teaching my nieces and nephews is a bit odd, Lily is so bloody cheeky!" Ruby laughed.
"It could be worse, I could still be there." Ruby said, smiling at her god-father.
"True, although I don't recall you being a prankster?"
"No, just forgetful, I still can't believe I passed my NEWT and got into healer training!"
"Well you seem to be thriving Miss-Award-Winner." He smirked.
"Well, we haven't had any exams yet this year so I'm sure that helped. I love emergency healing though."
"Good, that's the main thing about a job, you have to enjoy it. That's what I told Alistair."
"He absolutely loves Romania, he brought some vodka back last night, thank heavens for hangover potions!"
"Yeah, Romania taught me how to drink, that's for sure!" They danced in silence for another couple of minutes and then Teddy came to dance with her, they conversed for a few minutes and then the music stopped and Ruby glanced to the stage and saw to her confusion that Henry was standing up there looking like he was going to make a speech.
"He likes the spotlight that one, Rubes!" Teddy muttered as Henry pointed his wand at his throat, Ruby nodded wondering what the hell he was going to say.
"Excuse me everyone, so sorry to interrupt such an enjoyable and worthwhile evening." He said, before pausing so that everyone could turn to him, people started returning to their seats but Henry stopped them.
"No need to sit down, this won't take long. I'm Henry Chang, junior banker with Gringotts," he paused again and Ruby wondered if he was expecting a round of applause. Teddy remained by her side.
"I just wanted to take this opportunity, with such important members of the Wizarding community present, to ask," he jumped down from the stage and started walking over to Ruby, everyone watched him walk and she heard someone, possibly her Grandma, gasp. Ruby felt herself immediately panic, if this was what she thought it was she might actually throw up.
Henry jogged over to her looking like he should be in a fashion magazine and then stopped in front of her and dropped to his knee, smiling widely and clearly loving the attention of the crowd. He pulled out a box and opened it to reveal a very large diamond ring, Ruby was eternally grateful that she could still feel Teddy hovering near her, perhaps wondering if she might faint. Camera's flashed in their direction and Ruby wondered how long he had been planning this.
"Ruby Weasley, I have loved you from our very first date, over a year ago, at Turner's restaurant in Hogsmeade. You have captivated me with your intelligence, quick wit, kindness and compassion and you have enchanted me with your breath-taking beauty." He paused here to allow the crowd to make noises of pleasure; she could tell that none of her family were making them, perhaps recognising the expression of complete panic on her face and wondering how this situation would pan out.
"Will you do me the greatest honour of becoming my wife?" He smiled at her and she could hear the crowd muttering about how romantic it was, they were right, it was like something out of a fairy tale. But Ruby Weasley was no princess and she knew that Henry was not her white knight.
She realised that the seconds were dragging on and she was not making a single sound, the murmurs had quietened slightly, as if giving her the undivided attention of the entire room and, as Henry had already said, important members of the Wizarding community not to mention almost her whole family and all of her co-workers.
"Umm…I…umm." Henry smiled encouragingly at her, showing her all of his perfect teeth.
"I…I can't…" Ruby stammered and the silence in the hall was almost deafening, she felt Teddy move slightly closer to her and she was grateful for it.
"What?" Henry asked, his smile dropping but looking like he was giving her a second chance, unsure if he had misheard.
"Oh dear, I feel rather faint!" Came a loud voice from behind Ruby and she recognised it immediately as belonging to her Aunt Ginny. "It must be the baby!" She said, even louder, although Ruby knew that she was just trying to distract the crowd and it worked because the buzzing that had started when she had stuttered became louder and moved away from the dance floor.
"Henry, get up." Ruby whispered, he did and he moved back from her slightly looking crestfallen.
Teddy pulled her away slightly and passed her her bag and wand which he must have summoned from the table.
"Don't splinch yourself!" He whispered and she nodded before turning and running from the hall without a backwards glance at any of her family or the fuss that her Aunt Ginny had created to let her escape.
She reached the atrium and apparated quickly and arrived at the place that had always been her thinking spot. She fell to the floor and let out a sob of horror, anger, embarrassment and shame.
A/N So did you see that coming? Did you, did you? Let me know what you think!
Next chapter; Ruby deals with the fall-out and an unwilling Scorpius gets dragged into the drama.
Thanks to mozie for beta-ing!
witchprincess33- Do you hate him even more now?
Luna- There will be more about the Vernon situation soon.
xXMizz Alec VolturiXx- Alistair is a great character, I also love writing Alice.