Upside Down

laur - I'm just a one-liner whore. I love them, worship them, if they had feet I would kiss them. Well...maybe not, but one-liners are just so damned fun!

distinctlyME - I know, I know....the Andromeda part was a bit anti-dramatic...but I promise you'll like something I've set up for later...*smiles innocently* I'm sure Tonks will be fine...the Healers should be sending me her bill of health in a few days, and we'll see how she fared then. Battle...*smiles even more innocently* no comment... And Voldemort....oh he's going to die...I'll tell you that right now....no surprise. But you'll really LIKE the way he dies....

nitesfool - I ALWAYS fantasize about Snape and Sirius....and Lucius...but just not with Ruby. Maybe together....maybe all that crap they put each other through was UST? Hmm...

LadyVoldemort87 - *beams* I just lurv you. And I just couldn't let Bella get by without a baby....or two...
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Hermione was a bit miffed when she found out Ruby had disappeared before talking to her, but she was interceded by Sirius before she panicked. She wasn’t sure how she felt about her being out with Ron. He was a manipulative bastard when it came to women, and she sure as fuck wouldn’t let him do what he did to her to her cousin.

She was worried, though, when she heard about Tonks’ house being attacked. She liked Tonks, and she hoped that the pixie-like Metamorphmagus was okay. She had almost panicked when she discovered that it was Death Eaters leading the attack. Voldemort was supposed to have called off his little demon-spawn so that they could prepare. It all seemed a bit planned…odd that the fate of the magical world was set for a certain date….like a Doomsday. She wondered briefly how everything would begin….would they wave a checkered flag or something? Would it be an all out battle between everyone, and then Voldemort and Harry? Would those two start?

And that brought her to another thought: if they had two weeks to gather their troops…would that mean even the nonhuman ones? Would Voldemort pull something sneaky? She hoped not.

She broke off her wondering when she reached the family room and saw Bella sitting on the sofa, her elbow propped on her knee, and a little white stick in her hand. That looked kinda like…

“What are you doing?” Hermione asked. Bellatrix looked up, and shrugged.

“Waiting on Andromeda to get back so she can tell me why I had to piss on a stick.” She said. Hermione’s eyes widened. A Muggle pregnancy test! Andromeda probably had Bellatrix use that so the dark witch wouldn’t know what was happening. What was the result?

“I know what that is…” Hermione said.

“Well what is it?” Bellatrix inquired. Hermione went to the sofa, and sat down beside Bella. She looked at the stick in her hand. Two blue lines! She wrapped her arms around Bellatrix, hugging her soundly. Bellatrix was confused to say the least. Why was the little Muggleborn hugging her? “Um…I hate to interrupt you, Granger….but, uh…why are you hugging me?”

“That’s a Muggle Pregnancy Test. It’s how some Muggle women find out if they’re pregnant or not. Two blue lines mean that you are indeed pregnant.” Hermione said, pulling back. Bellatrix’s eyes darkened.

“I swear to the gods, Granger, that if you’re lying to me I will kill you.” She growled. Hermione shook her head.

“I’m not lying. You’re pregnant!” Hermione said. Bellatrix’s face softened immediately, and then she wrapped her arms around Hermione, pulling the girl into a squeezing hug.

“Really?” Hermione nodded. “Really and truly?” Hermione nodded again. “Oh gods!” she sobbed. Hermione felt distinctly uncomfortable as Bellatrix cried against her. Was she upset? “Oh thank the gods! I’m going to have a baby!” she hiccupped. No…definitely not upset. Quite happy, actually.

Bellatrix finally pulled back, still sniffling happily.

“I bet Rodolphus will be thrilled.” Hermione said gingerly. A mix of emotions crossed over the older witch’s face.

“Oh…he’ll be ecstatic….but….the knowledge might distract him. Maybe I should wait until after the Battle to tell him.” She said softly. Hermione frowned at her.

“I don’t think he’d appreciate it. Besides…he might fight harder if there was something worth fighting for.” Hermione suggested. Bellatrix shook her head.

“No…he’s wanted this too long. He’ll be distracted if he finds out. Besides…I’m not going to be any less pregnant in two weeks…but I’ll talk to Albus about not putting me on the front lines…”

~~

Ron and Ruby stood in front of the restaurant, looking up at the sign. It was a restaurant that catered to people from many walks of life, and all sizes of wallets. It was a Muggle restaurant, but that didn’t make any never mind to Ruby. They waited patiently to be served, and when their turn finally came, the waiter seemed to recognize Ron.

“Ah! Mister Weasley….back with another female companion?” the waiter asked. Personally he saw Ron as a bit of a playboy. Shame, really, because he seemed like such a nice boy.

“Yes, William, but this one is special.” Ron said, giving the waiter a look that Ruby missed due to looking around.

“Will it be the usual table?” William inquired. Ron’s usual table was the cheapest in the house. Right next to the kitchen, and one of his dates had actually gotten whacked by the door.

Ron looked at Ruby, whose face was lit up with awe at the place.

“Uh…no….I think an upgrade is in order…” Ron said. William became very interested. This little bite of a woman (she looked a bit young, but who was he to judge?) was going to make him shell out? There must be more than meets the eye.

“Of course, Sir. I know just the table.” William said, and led the two away. The table was right near a dance floor that seemed more of a fun thing than traditional. When Ruby and Ron were seated, William supplied them with a menu.

“Might I get you something to drink?” he asked, flipping out a pad.

“Water for me.” Ron said. William raised an eyebrow. Usually Ron went right into the alcohol.

“Lemonade, please.” Ruby said. William nodded, and left them for a moment to decide on what they wanted to eat. “What’s good here?” Ruby asked Ron, looking through the menu. Ron usually got the cheapest item on the menu – burgers. But he wanted Ruby to feel she could order what she wanted. It wasn’t that he was as poor as he used to be. He worked at his brothers’ joke shop, and did odds and ends jobs…. He had money enough…

“I hear the pasta is fantastic.” Ron said, looking through the pasta dishes. Ruby’s eyes darted down as well.

“This chicken pasta bake sounds really good. Let’s see… there’s chicken sausage, pepper, and onion with rigatoni. Yum.” Ruby said. Ron smiled at her.

“I think I’ll get the chicken cacciatore with spaghetti.” Ron said. They put their menus down, and sat quietly. It was a bit awkward.

“So…” Ruby started. “We’re having a battle to save the world in two weeks…” she continued. Ron grinned at her, and Ruby discovered that he was very handsome when he smiled.

“That we are. I assume that you’re going to be working at the Medic’s corner?” he asked. Ruby frowned sharply.

“Why would you assume that?” she asked, a bit angry. Was he hinting that she wasn’t in any shape to duel? She’d show those Marked bastards who was boss! Ron looked a bit flustered.

“I only meant…it’s really not your fight…” Ron said softly. Ruby looked absolutely rabid.

“Why? Because I’m American? I tell you one thing, Ron Weasley…it became my fight when Hermione took me under her roof to keep me from being tossed into an orphanage. It became my fight when You-Know-Who tricked me and took me prisoner. It became my fight when he had me stripped down and whipped until I nearly bled out. And most importantly…it became my fight when he had me raped…they took my virginity from me. That was the only thing I had left to give to someone I loved one day. And I wanted to be able to give it to my husband, but now I can’t!

And I’ll be damned if you’re going to try and keep me off the front lines because I’m American! Being American isn’t just about who my parents were and what continent I was born on! It’s a belief that all men and women, Purebloods and Muggleborns alike were created equal and free, and everyone deserves a break!” she hissed. Her voice was a sharp whisper as to not draw the attention of the rest of the patrons. Ron looked thoroughly dressed down, and his face flushed. He then cleared his throat, and locked his blue eyes with her green ones.

“I apologize, Ruby. You’re right…it is your fight as much as mine.” He said, his voice still soft, trying to placate her.

Ruby calmed down immediately, and slumped in her chair. She then promptly burst into tears. A few other patrons looked around, a few of the chaps glaring at Ron for no other reason than he appeared to have made a girl cry. Ron panicked, and stood from his seat, going over to Ruby and trying to calm her down.

“Hush now, Ru…everything’s all right…you can fight as hard as you want to…hell…we’ll let you go after Voldemort himself if it will make you feel better.” He cooed, wrapping his arms around her and patting her back. Ruby gave a half sob, half chuckle, and then reached up to dry her eyes, still wrapped in Ron’s arms. Truthfully…it felt nice…

When she had been stuck with the Death Eaters, she felt a horrible sense of terror and helplessness when they touched her. But when Ron wrapped his arms around her she felt…well….safe. She sniffled a few times more, but was calm enough not to draw any more attention to them.

“I’m sorry…it’s just…I haven’t really gotten a good cry as of late…and it was kinda building up…” she whispered.

“S’alright…” Ron said, giving her a small smile. William returned with their drinks, and set the beverages in front of Ron and Ruby. Ruby cocked her head when presented with her lemonade.

“Bubbly?” she asked, looking up at William. William, having been versed in many cultures due to the people-friendly nature of his job, merely smiled at Ruby.

“Lemonade over here is sparkling, my little American lass. I do believe you’ll find it similar to…uh…Sprite.” He said. Ruby took a small sip, and nodded at William. “Have you decided what you want? Will it be the usual for you, Mister Weasley?” he asked, readying his notepad. Ron smiled a bit wider.

“No, William. Today I will have the chicken cacciatore with spaghetti.” He said, amused at the shocked look on William’s face. “And the lady will have the chicken pasta bake. Oh, and we’d like salads to start.” Ron said. William looked at Ruby, and then back at Ron, an eyebrow raised.

“Very well, sir. I shall be back promptly with your salads.” He said, bowing slightly before he left. Ruby gave a stray sniffle before she giggled at Ron.

“I take it you’re usually very predictable with your orders?” she asked. Ron flushed a bit.

~~

Draco was sprawled out on his bed, staring at the top of his canopy. It was all coming to a head. The Final Battle was so close he could taste it! He was ready… He couldn’t wait to off some of the bastards that had stood by and watched while he was tortured for displeasing the Dark Lord. Especially the fuckers who had whipped him, slit his throat, and left him to die.

Besides…he had something to fight for. If he could help Potter get rid of Voldemort, then he would be free to try and convince Hermione to be his wife. He had entertained the notion of asking her before the Battle, but he decided against it because he didn’t want the extra burden on her. He wanted to settle her down, move her to the Manor, and turn her into a properly spoiled Society wife. He knew, of course, that she would rather hex his balls off than let that happen, but it stroked his ego to think he could convince her otherwise.

He had a little brother or sister to look forward to. Personally he hoped it was a sister, because he he’d always had a partiality to small female children. If Hermione accepted his offer, he wanted to have a few little girls of his own so that he could spoil and dress up. Little girls that be his pride and joy. He’d fight over them, protect them…

Look at him! He wasn’t even sure he would live through this damn battle, and he was already planning what the gender of his children would be. Ah well…there was nothing wrong with hoping…

He got off of the bed, and knelt awkwardly at the edge of his bed. He put his hands together almost comically, and looked upward.

“Ruby said you sent someone to protect her when she was in captivity. It was never taught to me to believe in you. It was your children that hunted my ancestors…killed them…caused us to live in fear…but if you’re real…if you’re as merciful as Ruby claims…let my family be okay. Let Hermione be okay…I…I want to marry her, and it’s really hard to marry a dead woman. Let my Aunt Bella and uncle Rodolphus be okay. I know they didn’t start out too well….but they’ve just had their lives turned upside down…let them be happy.

Most importantly….let the Order win. Even you must admit the world would suck eggshells if that slimy snake won the War. Your children would be in danger…nobody would be safe. I’ve never asked you for anything….because I’ve never prayed like this before. Um…Amen.” He said, and stood fro his kneeling position. Well…that was really awkward and slightly embarrassing…

But if he had ever hoped for anything in his life…he hoped that it worked.
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Aw....how very awkward with a slight hint of blaspheme. We love you and all of your awkwardness, Draco!

Bella is so happy....but I'm not sure I condone holding out on Rodolphus.

Ron and Ruby are just drawing closer and closer. Hmm...oh the complications that could arise...