A/n: Here's a whole day of Ruth.
(Note: the file uploader on FF was a little wonky last week so this is a re-upload)

Ruth

It's not a Saturday night in the Ravenclaw common room without half of the house doing homework.

'Bugger – this is not the night for essays!' I tell my friends, stepping over their propped up legs and pushing away numerous books to set down four large mugs of butterbeer.

'Do you have some event you're missing out on? You're not suggesting we spend tonight celebrating with the Gryffindors, are you?' Nell asks, not looking up from her papers.

Amelie grunts and scowls, dipping her quill in her butterbeer rather than her ink pot. Luthe doesn't even acknowledge me, nose shoved deep into a thick tome.

'No.' I sniff. I had been rather hoping to run into Romeo and spend my night consoling him, but he disappeared immediately after the game. 'But I'm not going to give up one of my nights off from school to school work.'

'So you're going to lounge instead and put it off till tomorrow.'

I flutter my hand at her. 'No comment.'

'Well then,' She sighs and rubs her eyes, shutting her book. 'I'll join you.'

'So, how are things going with your Hufflepuff?' I smile, sitting back with my drink.

'Which one?' Nell sighs. 'Arne is sweet but we can't seem to get past flirtations. McLaggen makes it his job to stick his nose in and he very often gets his way.'

'They're both pricks.' Luthe stirs from behind his book, giving Nell a pointed look. 'The Hufflepuff way is to be kind and fair and dedicated. I'll give Corner the last, he's dedicated to his act. McLaggen makes it known that he's a prat. But they're no better than that.'

Nell pats him on the foot and smiles. 'Arne is a darling. You're just smarting because you don't get dates like the rest of us.'

'I wouldn't say that any of you got dates – Amelie spent a day with the Wotters, Ruth babysat and you had pudding poured on your head. I've got a date with my future – Luthe Carter, Mysteries Department.' He says settling in with his book again.

'Well, Arne has at least brought up the holidays. Though I'll be forced to spend Christmas and New Years with the McLaggens, I will have an escape to look forward too. We're planning to get coffee.' Nell can't hold back her soft smile and faint flush. She's always been the sweetest of us and McLaggen is the only person that she really thinks badly of.

'Romantic.' Luthe snorts.

'What about you, Ruth?' She ignores him.

'What about me?' I grumble, suddenly put out. 'Who knows what that boy is thinking. One minute he's got his arm around me, making nothing of it at all, then I don't see him for days.'

'Blokes.' Nell nods sympathetically.

There's a loud slamming of the door into our tower and one of our quidditch girls storms past, then does a quick turn upon spotting us.

'Has anyone seen Rose?' Ida looks worried. And angry.

Nell and I share a look. 'I think she's out doing rounds. What's the problem?'

'My false boyfriend is a bloody idiot, that's the problem. There was a minor mishap on the quidditch pitch a few days ago where James insinuated that Rose told him some Slytherin secrets and then Rose didn't exactly make her case and very neatly categorised Scorpius as her friend. Which didn't make him happy – and I sent good for nothing Damon after him, thinking he would solve everything, but I forgot that he doesn't believe in love. And now Scorpius is put off Rose and I can't even imagine how to fix this situation.' She says all in one go before snatching up a butterbeer and downing it. She sits down in an armchair in a huff.

'Wait – you're not actually dating Vicker?' That's all that Luthe picks up on.

'Yeah, don't spread it around.' Ida grumbles back.

'No wonder Malfoy was playing all over the place today.' Amelie says, brow furrowed. 'Looks like our plan worked out after all.'

'But at what cost?' I question her. It doesn't seem like we're any better off if Rose fancies him like we all think she does. 'When Rose comes back from rounds we'll sit her down and break the news. We've simply got to explain the situation to Malfoy. If he's got any sense at all he's listen to our sense.'

And so we wait.

At some point past midnight when Nell has dozed off, Luthe has gone to bed, Amelie has all but chewed off her nails and Ida has grumbled herself out, Coraline comes in looking rather cheery. Which none of us can stand.

'And where have you been?'

'You're out late.'

'What the hell is on your face?'

'Hello to you too.' She says, looking defeated as she slumps in an armchair and rubs at her glittering gold lips.

'Sorry, Coraline.' Ida feels guilty and tries to make it up. 'How was your night?'

'Fine. The boys all got quite drunk and I got them to bed, but then I didn't know anyone – apart from Potter, but he had his quidditch jersey tied around his head and was screaming himself hoarse about his victory – so I decided to come home.'

'Then why are you smiling like that?' I ask, drawn to the way she seems to laugh at an inside joke. Coraline flushes, embarrassed.

'The boys tried to – um – make a show of undressing for me.' She covers her face with her hands. 'I will never be unable to see the Scamander twins and their matching Wiz Man boxers.'

'Aw – Coraline!' Ida cries, covering her ears. 'That's not something I need in my head!'

We all have a laugh at the twins' expense, then Coraline asks why we're all still awake. We tell her Ida's news, effectively killing her mood.

We don't need to wait for too long this time though – Rose flies through the door just as the clock strikes one. She disappears up the stairs to the dorms despite our calls and we chase after her. We find her laying on her bed, curly hair spread all over her pillow, with tears in her eyes.

'I think you owe me a captain's badge, Amelie.' She hiccups with a small, devastating smile.

We migrate to our dorm because of her disgruntled dormmates, setting her up with plenty of tissues and soft pillows.

'Guys, I'm alright.' She says weakly as Nell brings out her secret chocolate stash. 'Really – I've though it through and I understand. Scorpius and I are friends, we laugh and joke and study together. It was foolish of me to think that he saw me as anything else. I should have known, anyways. I was always so embarrassed and ready to defend when James pointed out my infatuation – Scorpius was never very effected, he had a good laugh and shook it off. Besides, it's true, relationships and quidditch don't mix.'

'You found out?' Ida deflates, thinking it's her fault.

'I found him snogging a girl in the astronomy tower.' Rose looks at her friend, confused. 'How did you know about it?'

Ida opens her mouth but no sound comes out.

'I saw him leaving the pitch with a girl–' I say in her place. 'They looked rather chummy. We were worried how you might take it.'

'I'm fine,' She says, wiping her eyes. 'I'm acting silly. I just… need to sleep it off and maybe stay away from him for a while.'

Rose stands, shrugging off her many blankets and heading for the door. She leaves us sitting on the floor of our dorm, gobsmacked.

'Thank you, Ruth.' Ida says after a while. 'I am still mad at Damon, but it's not his fault that Scorpius turned to another girl for consolation.'

'That's what I thought.' I sigh, rubbing my eyes. 'Damn it, Malfoy!'

'We should still talk to him.' Nell pipes up. 'We can't tell him how she feels because now she's adamant that she doesn't love him, but we can at least tell Malfoy that Rose didn't give away his secrets. We should also figure out who did.'

'Yeah, if he can get over that, maybe they'll start talking again.' Coraline says, clapping her hands.

Amelie doesn't contribute, simply pressing her face into a pillow and letting out a string of garbled curses. Ida stands and puts her hand on the older girl's shoulder sympathetically.

'It's alright, this will all work out in the end.'

But I know that working it out isn't what has Amelie in a bad mood. She has been confronted with the fact that her plot of seduction really isn't turning out in our favour. It's going to be interesting to see how she deals with this issue. For one, I hope that she revokes her plans.

She crawls in the direction of her bed and the younger girls make towards the door. Coraline pops her head back into our dorm though, looking worried.

'Do any of you know how to fix my lips?'

I march down the hall, mind made up. I'm going to ask Romeo out on a date. We're living in the 21st century, for Merlin's sake! A girl can ask a bloke out.

And hopefully he'll say yes.

I pause beside a portrait of some warty witches to get my courage back. I tap my wand against my hand, a nervous tick, sparks exploding from the tip. I use the image of Rose, teary eyed and heartbroken for inspiration. I'm not going to let that be me.

After a few moments I start down the hall again. The only problem now – I don't know where to find him.

I make a quick stop into the library where I find Shea and one of the redhead twins reading in the Slytherin section.

'Hello, Ruth.' Shea calls out to me, obviously bored of her studies.

'Have you seen Romeo?' I have no time for pleasantries.

'I think he's with Evert, and who knows what they're up to.'

'You Ravenclaws are after all of our guys.' The twin mutters angrily.

Shea glares at her friend but I'm unfazed. 'Yes, we are. Have you seen Malfoy?'

'He's with Pamela Morris.' The redhead sniffs. 'She's been trying to get herself a quidditch player since she hit puberty. Really, I'm not a fan of Ravenclaws, but I prefer Rose Wealsey to that–' She doesn't say anything, just grumbles angrily.

'You're not a fan?' I ask, leaning over the table. My interest is peaked.

'She wanted Damon, knowing that we were dating at the time.'

'So you think that Rose is better?'

'Weasley is an alternative.'

'So you might assist in a matchmaking endeavour…?'

'What are the perks on my end?' She asks, looking up at me through her bangs.

'A favour, redeemable whenever. Of course, with some boundaries. You are a Slytherin after all.'

The twin stares up at me, I stare down at her, and Shea glances between the two of us, feeling the tension.

'Alright.' She passes her hand across the table and I shake it quickly. 'My name is Posy.'

'Ruth.'

'We'll be in contact then?'

'Yes. Shea, want to be our mediator?'

'You guys are unbelievable.' Shea laughs, then nods. 'While we're on the topic of romances, can I ask about that Weasley over there with my brother?'

She points to Dom and Eli, set up at a table not far from us. Dom is gazing at him lovingly while he works on something, presumably Head stuff. When Eli turns to share something with Dom, she nearly falls off her chair in her eagerness to read it.

'She's making a fool of herself.' Shea laughs.

'Dominique Weasley is sweet. She fancies your brother but doesn't know how to make a move on him.'

'And my brother is so oblivious that he doesn't know when he's got a veela falling for him.' Shea sighs, watching as Eli packs up his things and waves goodbye to Dom. They all notice the way she visibly deflates and beats herself over the head with her book. 'I like her. Do you think we can make them happen after Rose and Scorpius?'

My hand shoots out to shake. 'It's a deal.'

I leave Shea and Posy in the library and renew my search for Romeo. I stalk the halls, waiting for a flash of green tie and charming smile.

Instead, I find a tittering midget.

'Miss Taytum!' Flitwick chases me down the third floor corridor. 'You're just the student I was looking for.'

I turn to him, really not in the mood for Charms talk right now.

'Miss Taytum, I was wondering if you wouldn't mind doing me a favour. I'm looking for a tutor for some third years who aren't quite grasping some of the class concepts.' He twiddles his thumbs and looks up at me. 'You are a very talented student and as an advanced level charms caster, I thought you might appreciate the distinction.'

I quirk an eyebrow after him. Last week I lit fire to one of his throw pillows while trying to charm it to tap dance.

'Look.' He drops his sugarquill sweet act. 'They're kind of an unruly bunch and no one else will take them. It's once a week until they improve – and I'll write a letter of recommendation for you to my friend at the Ministry. I know that you want to be a curse breaker.'

I tap my hand against my hand. 'Which students?'

Flitwick sighs. 'Perseus Flint, Gavin Dale, Steel Graham and Sal Zabini.'

'I'll take them.'

'Fantastic!' He cries, clapping his hands together and looking near to tears. 'Come with me, we'll sort out a time.'

I follow him to his office where the four boys are waiting. They recognise me when I walk through the door, surprisingly happy to see me.

'Taytum, did ya see the quidditch match yesterday?' Flint asks excitedly.

'My brother flew so well – those bloody Gryffindors didn't deserve to win.' Zabini says, crossing his arms angrily. 'We're going to put itching powder in all of their gear.'

I raise a finger to my lips and we all look to Flitwick. He seems frightened.

'You're well acquainted then?' He asks after a moment with a tone of worry. 'I trust that my classroom will be in one piece after your tutoring sessions.'

'Yes, professor.' We chime.

He sighs and climbs atop his books to sit in his chair. 'You can use my room from seven to eight on Monday nights. I will supply you with my course notes and a third year text book, and you are welcome to anything in the supply closet as a teaching aid.'

'Yes, professor.'

'You're free to go.'

'Yes, professor.'

The four boys rush out into the hall ahead of me, excited.

'This is going to be great!'

'Can you teach us some cool curses?'

'We have the coolest tutor ever!'

'Calm down!' I cry, trying to break them up. 'I'm doing this for a letter of recommendation, snakes.'

'You don't really want to spend time with us?' Dale looks up at me with a scowl.

'No, I don't.' I tell them truthfully. 'But I'll still try to make this fun. Bugger, who really wants to learn about charms?'

Flitwick coughs from the other side of his office door and I quickly shoo the boys down the corridor.

'How's about we don't put up a fuss when it comes to studying the class charms – and you teach us some cool seventh year curses.' Zabini wheedles mischievously.

'As long as you promise not to use them unless provoked, alright?' I say, though I know they won't listen to me. They all insist on shaking my hand.

'See you tomorrow!' They cry before running off down the hall.

'Wait – Zabini!' I call after them. 'Where's your brother?'

'Dunno – but he never misses lunch!'

So I set off in the direction of the Great Hall, because there's nothing awkward or creepy about sitting at the end of the Ravenclaw table by yourself watching the door and waiting for the bloke you're trying to snag.

As I enter the Entrance Hall, I spot a snooty albino head at the top of the stairs to the dungeons. My goal changes and I find myself stalking towards the boy. Albus Potter is with him and I give him a look suggesting that he ought to make himself scarce.

'Malfoy, can I have a word?' I ask, jabbing him in the back with my wand.

He turns around with an ugly scowl. 'Yes?'

'Potter – get.' I scowl back. I wait for Potter to sigh heavily, roll his eyes and march off. 'Really, he's being a drama queen. But you, Malfoy, are being a proper prat.'

'Really?'

'Let's not pretend you don't know what I'm talking about.' I narrow my eyes at him. 'You can't take it out on Rose because James Potter was doing what he does best – winding people up. Rose did not tell the Gryffindor about your beater change-up.'

'It's not that simple.' He says, leaning against the stone wall. 'I think that maybe you don't know all of the details.'

'I think that if there is more going on here than quidditch secrets, there should be some talking.' I'm just a little shorter than him, so I stand up on my toes to look him right in the eyes.

'What, to you?'

'To Rose.'

'No.'

'Malfoy.'

'I'm going to assume that you already know the particulars of why Rose Weasley and I are not currently on the best of terms.' He says, studying his cuticles.

'Yeah, you snogged some bint, Rose caught you and you didn't exactly go after her like a knight in shining armor.'

'We're friends. I don't need to explain my actions to her.' Malfoy finally stands up for himself, pushing off the wall and squaring his shoulders. A girl is coming up from the dungeon, a smug smile set on her pinched face. She's got jet black hair tied up in a sleek braid and there's something about the way she walks that makes me want to curse her. She slips under his arm and presses a kiss to his neck. 'Pamela, let's go for lunch.'

He turns away, moving towards the Great Hall.

'Damn it, Malfoy. She didn't mean what she said!'

He doesn't stop.

'Malfoy!' I cry angrily. This kid really has me riled up. He shoots me a dirty look over his shoulder. 'Where's Romeo?'

'I heard that you've been up and down the castle searching for me. Didn't think it was true, but here you are, terrorising my quidditch captain for my whereabouts. You know, you could have just told me that you wanted to spend time with me, Ruth.' A pair of arms snake around my waist and a warm chest presses up against my back. I turn to find the Slytherin I've been tracking all day.

But suddenly I'm really not in the mood.

'For Fawkes sake – why are all blokes so bloody dense?' I vent in his face before shoving him away and storming down the hall. He watches me go, looking hurt and incredibly confused.

It is only later that I realise that I had Romeo right where I wanted him. And I kind of blew it

A/n: Ruth was pretty busy today! Made some deals with some unexpected people and yelled at someone who deserved it – and someone who didn't.