Chapter 22- Flippancy
The next few days passed quickly and in a flurry of visitors. Ruby felt like she never got a moment to herself and there were always at least two Aurors in the room with her, usually Uncle Harry or Teddy. By the end of the week she was able to sit up with minimal pain and she was on a much lower dose of potion so Scorpius felt more comfortable coming to visit her.
On the night before she was due to be released Uncle Charlie came in with Annabel and Immy.
"Hey, how's my favourite god-daughter?" Uncle Charlie asked cheerfully.
"Your only god-daughter is feeling much better, thank you." Ruby said, sitting up and hugging them all. Immy looked like she hadn't slept all week and couldn't meet her sister's eyes.
"Alright Immy?" Ruby asked.
"I'm fine." She replied but Ruby was not convinced.
"Could you guys wait outside for a minute? Just a minute, Uncle Harry?" Her Uncle did not look happy but he glanced at Immy and seemed to be worried about her too so he left the room with the others.
Immy sat down and looked at the floor.
"Immy, what the hell is the matter? You look like you haven't slept all week?"
"I haven't." Immy confessed quietly, Ruby leaned out of the bed and stroked her sister's wavy ginger hair.
"What's the matter?"
"I… I just… it doesn't matter…" Ruby tried to persuade her sister to tell her what was bothering her but Immy was as stubborn as they rest of them when she wanted to be and she didn't give an inch.
The others came back in and they talked about small matters until Uncle Charlie had to take the twins back, when the door closed behind them Teddy looked at Ruby.
"Did you find out what was wrong with her?"
"No, she told me she hasn't slept though. Can you owl Madam Pomfrey and get her to give her a potion?"
"Sure, I'll tell your mother now." Harry said, immediately dispatching the message through the bond. "She already has but Immy wouldn't take it, she said she didn't want to until you were out of hospital."
"What the hell is wrong with her? I've never seen her like this." Ruby said, very worried about her usually lively sister's personality change.
"Maybe she's got dumped by some guy?" Teddy suggested but Ruby shook her head.
"No, it's something to do with me, she couldn't even look at me. Well at least I'm going home tomorrow, Pomfrey can force a potion down her throat."
"About that, Rubes."
"What?" Ruby asked, glaring at her Uncle.
"We want you to stay at the Burrow until we catch Crayton." Crayton was the name of the man who had attacked her, Ruby wasn't sure how they had identified him yet but they wouldn't tell her.
"The Burrow! Why? Grandma will never leave me alone!"
"I know, I'm sorry but it's got the best protection of all of our houses."
"What about Grimmauld Place?"
"Come on Rubes, me and Vic just got married we're still getting used to living…"
"Bullshit! You just don't want to catch you shagging all over the place!"
"Ruby, please, I prefer not to think of such things. And Teddy and Vic work all day." Harry said, clearly expecting this reaction.
"Vic's an artist! She works at home…"
"Yes but when she's in the middle of a painting she's like Aunt Eliza, the house could fall down and she wouldn't bat an eyelid." Teddy's stern look was replaced by a faraway dreamy look and Ruby snorted.
"Granddad still works though."
"He's got some paid leave coming up."
"Seriously? Why can't I just go back to Wales?"
"Sorry Ruby but I'm not budging on this." Ruby thought for a minute and then was struck by an idea.
"Fine, I'll go to the Burrow." Uncle Harry looked at her shrewdly.
"Oh Christ, what do you want?"
"I want to know what happened between Mom and Crayton's son." She said firmly.
"Ruby…"
"No Uncle Harry, I nearly died! I deserve to know why. I won't tell Mom that you told me. Please?" Harry looked conflicted for a moment and then nodded.
"I'll wait outside." Teddy said, standing up and leaving the room. Harry moved closer to her and then ran his hand through his unruly hair, a sign of stress.
"Did Mom really kill his son?" She asked quietly.
"Yes, it was when she was in Azkaban. How much do you know about Azkaban? What have they told you?"
"Not a lot, just that she was there for five months, that she was tortured and that Penny and Mr Lovegood were there as well."
"Okay, well when she as there they… they were trying to get information from her."
"About you?"
"Me, the Order, anything. Anyway when she was captured your Dad nearly died, he only escaped because the Snatcher was allergic to paint and Eliza had been painting the kitchen. That's where his head got… dented." Ruby nodded; it was well concealed now but if Ruby ever ran into their room at night when she was little she always noticed the odd shape of her father's head.
"They got quite a bit of his hair and they used it in Polyjuice potion." Ruby gasped.
"Really? Did Mom know it wasn't Dad?"
"Yeah, she always knew, something about how he smelt." Ruby thought about the smell of Coconut that she always associated with Scorpius and nodded.
"Anyway one of the imposters was Crayton's son, they probably knew she wouldn't tell them anything but they were just playing with her, the imposters…" Ruby nodded knowing what her Uncle was avoiding saying, "…yeah, well when Crayton's son went in under Polyjuice, Eliza fought back I don't know how she got the strength but she… she killed him. Then she had to wait for the Polyjuice to wear off."
"Oh my god, did she think she'd killed Dad?"
"I don't know, she must have at some point, I can't imagine the relief when it finally wore off but anyway, it was Crayton's son, that's why Crayton tried to kill you." Ruby nodded but didn't say anything, she felt sick.
"Are you alright, Rubes?"
"Yeah." She lied. Harry didn't look convinced but he let it go. "You're going to catch him soon aren't you?" She asked, rather childishly she knew.
"Course I am. In the meantime, please stay at the Burrow."
"Okay, are there still going to be Aurors there?"
"Yep, me or Teddy or James. We'll make sure you get some time on your own."
"Thanks Uncle Harry, sorry I blackmailed you." She smiled slightly.
"Don't mention it, you're your mother's daughter." He replied, squeezing her hand.
Ruby managed to convince her Uncle Harry to let her go back to the flat before moving to the Burrow. Although Alice had packed some of her things she wanted to pick up some letters and photos and some of her healing notes as well. She had been given another week off training and the head-healer had postponed her January exam until March which she was very relieved about.
She was now standing in her room sorting through some of her notes with Pox trying to jump onto the bed in order to get closer to her. He had apparently missed her a lot and she was planning to take him to the Burrow with her so that Alice could get some sleep without him howling in longing. She flicked through the notes when a letter fell out. She leaned down to pick it up and saw that it was one from Immy from a while ago.
Ruby scanned through it before gasping and finally realising what was wrong with her little sister. She tucked the letter in her pocket and summoned the rest of the things she needed before picking up Pox and carrying him into the living room and putting him in his basket.
"Ready to go?" Uncle Harry asked, smiling at her.
"Yep, but we need to go to Hogwarts before we go to the Burrow." She said, fastening the crup basket.
"Why?" Teddy asked.
"I know what's wrong with Immy and I need to talk to her."
"What's wrong with her?" Teddy asked.
"It's nothing serious but I'm the only one that will be able to knock some sense into her so I need to see her."
"Ruby, we need to get you to the Burrow. You're still supposed to be resting." Uncle Harry said but Ruby shook her head and sighed.
"Look, Uncle Harry, I know you're trying to protect me and I really appreciate it but I need to go to Hogwarts to talk to Immy and I'll do it with or without your help." She said firmly.
"You can't apparate." Teddy said, smiling slightly.
"I'm not supposed to apparate, I think you'll find I still can. Of course it's not advisable…"
"Fine, we'll take you. Come on then." Harry looked annoyed but they moved towards the fireplace. "I'm taking you in the Floo, I know what you're like with the…"
"I was four!" Ruby protested but her Uncle just laughed and threw the powder down and shouted the destination.
They landed smoothly in Professor Flitwick's office and the tiny man looked up in surprise at their arrival. Before he could speak, Teddy landed behind them and smoothed down his robes.
"Ah, Harry! Miss Weasley and Mr Lupin! To what do I owe the pleasure? I heard about the attack Miss Weasley, I trust you are recovering well?"
"Yes thank you, Professor Flitwick. Sorry to intrude but I really need to talk to Immy."
"I hope you can talk some sense into her, she has not been herself."
"I know, don't worry I know what's wrong with her."
"Excellent, well I shall go and fetch her for you. Please take a seat, drink some tea." He conjured a tea tray and the three visitors sat down as the Headmaster left the room.
"Hello sir." Uncle Harry said, looking up at the portrait of Professor Dumbledore.
"Good morning Harry, how are you?"
"Well thank you sir, Hello Professor Snape."
"Potter." Snape muttered. Ruby tried to conceal her smile.
"How is the family, Harry?"
"Excellent thanks, present company excepted of course." He indicated to Ruby.
"Yes Miss Weasley, I was sorry to hear about the incident. I'm glad to see you looking well."
"Thank you, sir."
"How is your mother?"
"Fine, thank you."
"Not in my head." Uncle Harry muttered and Dumbledore chuckled.
"The twin bond still as strong as ever then I take it?"
"Yes, very, I am more scared of Eliza now than I ever was before." Uncle Harry said, smiling.
"How is your training going, Miss Weasley?"
"Well thank you sir, just eight months left now."
"Do you know where you will specialise?"
"Emergency healing, sir."
"Excellent, how is married life, Mr Lupin?"
"Brilliant, thank you sir."
"Did you hear about Ginny, sir? We're having another baby."
"I did hear, wonderful news and I gather, unexpected?"
"Yes, quite a surprise."
"You must be running out of names, Potter?" Snape said, looking menacing.
"Still got a few to pick from, Professor." Harry said brightly.
Professor Flitwick returned with Immy walking slowly behind him. She look surprised to see Ruby there.
"Ruby? What are you doing here? Is everything okay?"
"Everything's fine I just needed to talk to you, we'll be outside Uncle Harry."
"Don't wander too far." He warned. Ruby turned to him.
"I will be just outside the door, but if you listen in I'll tell Mom." Teddy laughed.
"There's the Potter temper." Snape said and Ruby left the room with a confused Immy.
"What are you doing here?"
"I found this." She pulled the letter out of her pocket and pushed it into Immy's hands. The young witch avoided looking at it.
"I'm sorry, Ruby." She said quietly.
"Come on Immy, you know it wasn't your fault I got stabbed! It was just a flippant remark."
"It might have been a flippant remark when I wrote it but… it happened and I just… I just kept thinking about when I wrote it, I was laughing Ruby. Like it was some joke!"
"Imogen, this was not your fault!" She said, sternly.
"But… you could have died! You nearly did…!"
"Immy people nearly die every day! It was just a set of unfortunate circumstances but it was not your fault, you're not a bloody Seer Immy!" Immy had tears sliding down her face and Ruby felt horrible knowing how much this had been tearing her up inside. She pulled her into a hug.
"I'm really sorry, Ruby." She said into Ruby's shoulder.
"You've got nothing to be sorry about Immy, let it go now okay? Promise me?"
"I promise… I love you Ruby."
"I love you too, Immy. What class are you in?"
"Care of Magical Creatures." Immy said, drying her face.
"Well tell Uncle Charlie I said hi."
"Okay, see you soon."
Ruby nodded and she watched her sister walk down the staircase and then went back into the office.
"Sorted?" Uncle Harry asked.
"Yep, I'll go to the Burrow now."
"She could have come and said Goodbye." Teddy said grumpily.
"She was crying, you know what she's like when she's upset."
"Merlin, she was crying! Immy never cries!" Teddy said, standing up.
"Well it turns out that under all that Quidditch and grumpiness she really is just a big softy, who'd have thought?" Ruby said, walking over to her Uncle.
"Sure she's alright now?"
"Yeah she'll be fine." Ruby said with a yawn; she was now exhausted.
"Come on then, you should be resting, your mother's waiting for you and she's giving me another headache. Thanks Professor Flitwick."
"Not at all Harry. I'm glad Imogen will be back to her usual pranking self; it's been a while since she ended up here with Annabel and Lily and I rather miss the excitement." Ruby smiled and they said goodbye. Ruby was nearly at the fireplace when Professor Dumbledore called her back.
"Miss Weasley!"
"Yes, sir?"
"How is your godmother doing? I haven't seen her for a while."
"Aunt Minnie? She's fine thanks, she got me a Crup puppy for Christmas." Ruby said with a smile.
"Excellent, well please give her my best wishes."
"I will sir."
They arrived at the Burrow and Ruby was immediately escorted to the sofa by her Grandma. Her mother came and covered her with the Moonstone blanket and then sat on the armchair and poured some tea.
"Is Immy alright now?" She asked. Ruby waited until her grandmother had left the room before she replied.
"Yeah, it was really silly. She wrote me a letter ages ago and in it she said that she wanted to play Quidditch professionally and that it was safer than Annabel being an Auror, and then she put that even I could get stabbed by some psycho patient. I'd completely forgotten about it but I found the letter this morning."
"Poor Immy, did you sort her out though?" Her mother asked, sighing.
"Yeah, she'll be alright now. She was really upset, she was crying and everything."
"Immy- crying. Merlin she must have been upset, she was the only one not to cry at Teddy's wedding."
"Mom, does everyone know about Scorpius now?" Ruby asked.
"No, your father does, and Harry, Teddy, Minerva, Ginny, Penny and I think Hermione knows as well."
"I want to see him, I really miss him. We never really got to talk at the hospital there was always someone there."
"I'll talk to Harry and see if you can come home next week for a night and we can have him round for dinner."
"Thanks Mom, do you think Dad will mind?"
"No, I think he was impressed when he told you he loved you in front of Minerva. Your father is secretly terrified of her so I think that scored Scorpius some brownie points." Ruby laughed remembering the mortified look on her boyfriend's face.
Ruby was about to reply when the door opened and her Granddad walked in followed by Hl Kyle.
"Hello, sir. How are you?" She asked, smiling at her boss.
"I think it would be better if I asked you that Miss Weasley. I went to the hospital to see you but Penny told me you were here. How are you feeling?" Her mother stood up and left the room with her father in law. Kyle sat down.
"Much better thank you. How are you? Have you heard from the inquiry yet?"
"I'm fine, I've been given a stern warning. Thank you for your support, I know that you helped my case, you shouldn't have. It was a terrible mistake…"
"It was just an accident. I didn't feel in danger with him, please don't blame yourself, sir."
"Thank you. I'm looking forward to seeing you back at work, Mr Malfoy misses you." Ruby blushed.
"I know it's not really professional…"
"Ruby listen, you were being very professional about it. If you hadn't been attacked I wouldn't have known there was anything going on between you. It's not for me to judge; a lot of healers meet their future spouses in the hospital. You spend so much time there it's hard to meet anyone else."
"So I'm not in trouble?"
"No, it's fine. There's only six more weeks of his placement and I know you can act professionally."
"Thank you sir."
"You're welcome, he was so terrified when you were attacked that Penny gave him a calming draught to keep him quiet. I don't think anyone else is any the wiser."
"He said I scared him."
"You scared all of us, Merlin I still can't get over how much blood you lost! Anyway I had another reason for coming other than thanking you for putting in a good word with the investigation. Your project?"
"Oh yes, Mom's project, will I be able to use it?"
"Yes, I've spoken to the board and you will be able to use it, I'll leave it to your mother to explain it to you. After Mr Malfoy leaves the team you can just work afternoons and the occasional night shift. You'll have to keep me in the loop though, perhaps weekly updates?"
"Of course sir, thank you."
"You're welcome, now you rest and I'll see you next week." Ruby nodded and Kyle left the room. She leaned back on the sofa and took a deep breath. The past week had been so busy she hadn't even had time to think about what had happened and she hadn't told her mother she knew about Crayton. Ruby knew she would have to say something soon, she hated keeping secrets.
A/N So Ruby is out of hospital, yay! What do you think?
Next chapter; Eliza pranks Fred, and Scorpius meets the parents, properly!
Thanks to mozie for beta-ing! I'm still looking for a new beta!
xXMizz Alec VolturiXx- Lol, thanks!
scorubes4life- Thanks, Scorpius is back in the next chapter.
witchprincess33- Thanks!
Luna- Kyle is technically Ruby's supervisor so if she gets hurt under his watch its legally his responsibility, don't worry though, he just got a fine.