A/N : Hey guys, here a new chapter for you to enjoy ! However, before you start reading, there are some things to say.
-First of all, I would like to thank those who have favored and/or followed my story so far. I would also like to thank those who commented on this story. It warms my heart to see that you like my work.
-Secondly, Voldemort is dead and Dumbledore is as well. You can find the cause of Moldyshort's demise in the prequel of this story 'A FIERY REVENGE'. As for Dumbledore, he died alongside the rest of humanity.
-Thirdly, I decided to pair Harry with an OC character but I am in need of a good name for the OC. At the end of this chapter, you will find a list of name. Pick the one you like !
-Fourthly, if you do not like my story then you are free to leave !
Now that everything was said, I wish you all a good reading ! ENJOY THE CHAPTER EVERYONE !
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A few hours later, Ruby Rose was sitting on a chair in the kitchen, a look of shame and nervousness as she was surrounded by every single member of her family : her father Taiyang Xiao Long, her mother Summer Rose, her surrogate older sister (and secret first crush) Cinder Fall, her surrogate aunt Salem/ Selena Fall.
The Xiao Long Kitchen was very big and was accessible by a doorway leading from the living room. On the wall to the right side of the door, stood a shelving unit containing various books. There was alo another doorway, where a small landscape painting was seen tucked away in the corner… along with a shovel for some reason.
In front of the archway was a large yellow rug, a medium sized wooden dining table decorated with a matching yellow table runner and a green bowl containing various fruits and a pair of chairs with green cushion. A landscape decorated the wall next to a large window behind the chairs facing the arcade, with cream curtains, next to a door probably leading outside. A coat rack was attached to the wall on the other side of the door with two coats hanging on the hooks.
The end of the room had many benches wrapped around the two outer walls, a large stove in the middle of the side benches, and a sink occupied the center of the other side. They were directly beneath a window (albeit only the stove window was curtained) and the wall behind the sink was decorated with a brick-style splash-back. It was also supporting five overhead cabinets. On the right side of the sink stood a drying rack while a large refrigerator was tucked in the corner against the wall opposite the sink.
Anyway, to get back to topic, Ruby and Cinder returned from the city a few minutes ago and right now, the young girl was about to deal with the consequences of her actions… this time with her family instead of Ozpin and Glynda Goodwitch.
Ruby shyly glanced at all the people present and she could see many different expressions on their faces : her parents and aunt all wore stern looks, their eyes flashing with disapproval while Cinder looked at her with a similar expression on her own face.
Her older sister, Yang, was not present and for good reason, she was in her room upstairs. She returned shortly before Ruby and Cinder and the blonde with lilac eyes was apparently lectured by Summer and Taiyang.
You are probably wondering why?
Well, Yang was in a terrible state: her clothes were in a sorry state and she walked like a fox on the loose. Additionally, a strong smell of alcohol emanated from her. Summer, Taiyang and Salem immediately realized that Yang was drunk. After a long lecture, Summer spanked her eldest daughter before sending her to bed.
The moment she was upstairs, Cinder and Ruby came in. At the sight of her youngest, Summer sternly ordered the two to follow her to the kitchen where Taiyang and Salem were.
Which bring us back to present…
"Ruby... Can you explain to us how you came face to face with Roman Torchwick ?!" Summer asked her daughter in the sternest tone she could muster, her silver eyes narrowing slightly.
"I didn't mean to ! I was just minding my own business and he and his thugs came in to rob the place ! I just fought back !" Ruby defended herself like she did with Goodwitch in the interrogation room.
"While we can understand the need to defend yourself, what on Remnant were you thinking of CHASING after him ?!" Taiyang asked her in a softer tone than his wife but the firmness was still present.
"I cannot simply let him get away !He was a bad guy ! He needed to be punished !" the young 15 years old girl childishly retorted with a pout and a huff, crossing her arms over her small busts.
Hearing this, Salem couldn't help but releasing a deep sigh of… fond annoyance.
"Your heart is in the right place... but your head is not... You are indeed Summer's daughter alright..." the former Queen of Grimm said with a chuckle while shooting a sideway glance toward her friend, her eyes shining with playfulness and mischief.
"HEY !" Summer and Ruby cried out at the same tine, their faces red with embarrassment.
Their answer caused Taiyang and Cinder to snicker in amusement while Salem shot a smug smile.
"As the saying goes 'Like mother, like daughter'~" Cinder couldn't help but add with a smirk aimed at the two silver-eyed people.
In response, Summer and Ruby shot her a glare but it did nothing to get rid of the smirk on the ashen haired young woman's face. Salem, her, snorted in amusement while Taiyang shook his head with a tiny smile.
"As amusing as it is to tease those two, we still have to deal with Ruby..." the blond man said in an attempt to change the subject.
At those words, Salem and Cinder both snorted while the other two females in the room looked at the man with clear betrayal on their faces.
"Tai ! You are supposed to be on my side !" Summer hissed to her husband with narrowed eyes and a pout.
"Dad ! You are supposed to protect me !" Ruby added with a pout of her own before recoiling in fear when she saw her mother turned her narrowed eyes at her.
At this sight, Salem, Cinder and Taiyang were unable to stop themselves from laughing loudly in amusement, causing the other two to glare at them with red faces. After a few moments of hilarity, they slowly regained their calm, much to the joy of the silver-eyed girls.
"Anyway… Cinder told us that you were speaking with Ozpin when she went to get you… What you both talking about ?" Taiyang then asked his daughter in a serious expression, changing the subject to focus on an important topic.
Instantly, the mood turned serious as all eyes fell on Ruby who couldn't help, but gulping in slight fear, intimidated by the gazes. It was no secret that Ozpin was not everyone's favorite in the family and the youngest (Yang and Ruby) didn't know why the adults and Cinder seemed to dislike the Headmaster. Each time they asked them about it, their answer was always the same
"You will understand when you are older !"
To this day, neither Ruby nor Yang knew about why Ozpin, the Headmaster of one of the most prestigious school on Remnant, was so disliked by the rest of the family.
But let's get back to present…
"At first, he wanted to know who taught me how to use Crescent Rose… then he asked me 'why an adorable little girl like myself was doing at a school designed to train warriors ?'" the 15 years old girl answered in a soft tone but it was loud enough for the other people in the room to hear.
Salem's eyes narrowed at those words but she said nothing. Summer, her, gritted her teeth in slight disgust and anger but, like her friend, she staid silent. It was Taiyang who spoke next, asking curiously despite how serious he looked at the moment.
"What did you answer ?"
"I didn't have time... Cinder arrived just then..." Ruby answered her father while shooting a small glance toward the woman in question.
"And the first thing I said when I entered the room was 'If anyone else were here and heard those words, people would think you were a real pedophile, Professor...'..." Cinder said with a playful smirk.
At those words, none present could restrain themselves from showing their amusement : Salem was laughing with her head in her arms on the table, Taiyang was laughing loudly while pounding on the table, Ruby laughed loudly but tried to hide it behind her hands (note : it failed) and Salem was holding her stomach while laughing loudly alongside and her friends.
It took them a few minutes to regain their senses, but once they were back to normal, the mood turned serious again.
"So… What happened after Cinder's little jab against dear Ozpin ?" Salem asked Ruby while shooting a sideway glance at her adoptive daughter who winked back at him, smirking.
Snickers echoed afterwards from Summer, Ruby and Taiyang but it was soon stopped by Ruby who answered softly.
"Well… He offered to enroll me as a student at Beacon Academy… He said I was a skilled fighter and it would be a shame to not have me as a student in his Academy..."
At those words, Taiyang, Salem and Summer narrowed their eyes in suspicion. Ozpin must have something in mind regarding Ruby. The question was : what is it ?
"Before you ask, she's already agreed to enroll at Beacon..." Cinder added with a serious expression on her face as she went to stand next to Ruby, placing a hand on Ruby's shoulder. of the youngest daughter.
"Of course she did..." Taiyang grumbled with fond annoyance.
It was no secret that Ruby had always wanted to become a huntress like her parents. However, none of them expected it to happen so soon! She was going to enter Beacon two years early !
Fate was clearly something interesting…
Summer stared at Salem with a conflicted expression on her face and her friend shot her a comforting look in response. The silver eyed adult took a deep breath before looking back at her daughter and saying gently
"Very well… You can go to Beacon..."
Ruby's smile could light up the darkest places and the sound of her scream made everyone present laugh in amusement and/or make them smile because of how happy she looked right now.
"Thank you thank you thank you thank you !" Ruby chanted while jumping like a fangirl who received an autograph from her idol.
"Anything to make you happy, my little Rose~" Summer said with a warm smile before finding her arms full of her daughter, who was hugging her.
Salem, Taiyang and Cinder also received their own hugs, accepting them with smiles on their faces. However, it was easy to notice the blush on Cinder and Ruby's faces when they pulled away from one another. The adults all chuckled when they caught it but didn't say anything.
"However Ruby, you are still getting punished for your actions… No cookies for a week !" Summer added in a stern tone, her eyes narrowed at her daugther.
"NOOOOOOOOOO !" Ruby cried out with tearful eyes at those words.
As the other occupants of the room laughed amusedly at Ruby's expense, something unexpected happened.
In a burst of fire, appeared a swan-sized bird with crimson feathers on his body and a golden tail as long as a peacock's. Its claws and beak were gleaming gold and its eyes were black. From say 'beak', came out a melodious song that put everyone in ease. None of them had moved when the ball of fire appeared out of nowhere as they all knew who it was.
"FAWKES !" Ruby cried out in greeting at the Phoenix, waving her hand with enthusiasm.
Indeed, it was the majestic Phoenix himself. Ever since he brought back Summer and Salem from the Hidden Realm years ago, he would come back to visit the little family. He had taken a liking to the two women and he grew to adore Yang, Ruby and Cinder. In return, the girls loved him dearly as he was not only their friend… but had been their confident during their times of distress or their playmates when they were young.
Fawkes visited the little family whenever he wanted…and usually when Ozpin and Qrow weren't around. Neither of them knew how they would know when they would be there but it was a good thing those two hadn't encountered the firebird.
Only the gods know how they would react to an immortal firebird !
The noble Phoenix let out another small melodious sound as he flew in circle above them before landing on the back of the only empty chair around the table, right next to Ruby. The second he landed, Ruby started petting him and he let out a little song of soothing and pleasure under her touch while everyone smiled at the newcomer.
"Good evening, Fawkes !" Summer waved at the fire-bird who crooned at her in response, nodding his crimson head in greetings.
"Its good to see you again, my friend..." Salem greeted him with a nod of respect and she received one in return.
Taiyang didn't say anything but just nodded towards the bird and Fawkes returned it with a little chirp. Over the years, Taiyang grew to respect the Phoenix not only for brining his wife back to him but also for who he was. It had been a shock to hear that this magnificent creature was in fact immortal with the ability to not only reborn from his ashes but also heal injuries with his tears.
There were times when Fawkes used his tears. Like when Yang accidentally got bitten by Zwei, the family's dog, and Fawkes cried into the wound, healing it completely in a matter of second, leaving behind nothing but a little scar as a reminder of the incident.
Cinder, who was standing right next to Ruby before the latter went to cuddle the noble bird, slowly walked towards him before reaching out to stroke his crimson and gold feathers. The young woman with amber eyes said nothing but in her eyes, one could read tenderness and affection. Noticing this, Fawkes released another melodious chant through his beak bringing another smile to the young woman.
She remembered the day she was introduced to Fawkes and this meeting was still etched in her memory. Cinder had been amazed by this majestic and beautiful bird and that admiration never diminished. However, she was still wondering where does Fawkes came from. She had read many books about the animals living on Remnant and there was nothing about Fawkes and his specie.
She had tried to ask her adoptive mother about it but Salem had told her many times that 'everything would be revealed later'. Cinder was in her early twenties now… and she was still in the dark about Fawkes.
However, her thoughts were broken by Summer's voice, calling out for her "Cinder ? Can you be a dear and take Ruby to her room ?"
Blinking a few times, Cinder turned her head to face her adoptive aunt before nodding her head in acceptance. Just as she was about to tell the younger girl to start moving, Ruby sharply turned her head to look at the other adults.
"Can Fawkes come with us ? Please ?" she asked her mother, aunt and father with the cutest puppy eyes she could muster.
"What do you think, Salem ? Tai ?" Summer asked her friend and husband with a glint of mischief in her eyes while keeping a straight expression on her face.
"I don't know… We are supposed to punish her..." Salem said with an equal expression, having understood that her friend was just teasing Ruby.
Unfortunately, there is always someone who doesn't understand anything.
"I don't have any problems with it… Fawkes is free to go with you if he wants too..." Taiyang responded with a shrug, not having noticed the glint in his wife and friend's eyes.
At those words, Summer and Salem both groaned in annoyance while Ruby squealed in delight as she went to hug her father tightly, under the amused eyes of Fawkes and Cinder.
"Thank you, Dad !" the little girl said to her father before adding to the Phoenix
"Come on, Fawkes !"
With a melodious song that one could sense the amusement of, the noble bird flew after Ruby as she used her Semblance to rush upstairs, leaving rose petals behind everywhere. Cinder rolled her eyes in fond amusement before slowly going after the two, leaving behind the older adults.
"Taiyang ? Can you be a dear and see if Yang is sleeping ?" Summer asked her husband once she was sure Cinder was out of earshot.
The blond man blinked in surprise at the words and shot a questioning look at his wife before nodding when he saw the look in her silver eyes. Clearly, she wanted to be alone with Salem for a bit. Without a word, Taiyang made his way out of the kitchen, leaving the two women behind. Summer and Salem waited until they heard up climbing upstairs before looking at one another.
"Strange night, huh ?" the former Queen of Grimm asked her friend in an attempt to brighten the mood.
"Yes...and one that changes everything...Now that Ruby is going to Beacon, we must now keep our promise..." Summer replied back in a somber look, mixed with nervousness and slight dread.
Salem looked at her friend with sympathy as she also felt the same way.
The time for secrets was over...
Because of Ozpin (even if it was unintentional), Summer and Salem must now rethink their plan and prepare to reveal many things to not only Ruby... but also Yang and Cinder.
The important question that both women asked themselves at that moment was HOW their children would react to her revelations.
(To be continued…)
Note : I hope you liked this chapter ! Now as I said before, here a little list of names for the OC character I plan to pair with Ancalagon the Black. Make your choice :
-Adalinda
-Rhea
-Veydara
-Thyndra
-Morrigan
-Freya
-Freydis
-Sigrid