Upside Down

Aww....only five reviews. Five WONDERFUL reviews...but come on....I thought we went through this, guys? How am I going to break 300 if you guys are being selfish with the review-cookies. I like review-cookies, thank you...and the plot bunnies love review-carrots....now come one...

smurphy - I'm glad you got the reference. I wasn't sure if our UK readers would get that. (Do you get I Love Lucy in the UK?)

angelnomiko - Rodolphus is rightfully angry. But I'll see if I can keep him from hitting her again...

distinctlyME - here are so e-tissues. *Hands box* I hope they work as well for you. I got a little emotional writing that chapter. I had to put myself in their shoes...what would I say? What would I think? How would I react? Especially the Harry scene....*misty eyes*

Laur - Thanks for the line!

bLondpierogi - I scolded him after he did it, but he was just so darned angry. I think I can keep him from hitting her any more, but he's still pretty mad...and just read on and you will find out what happens.

Now, some transition from the battle....
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Ron and Ruby walked into the medic’s corner, intent on finding out if Harry was alright. They finally found his cot, and Ron was quite confused when he spotted Snape sitting in a chair beside him, doing quite a good job of frightening off the Mediwitches. They approached the cot, and Ron’s confused look morphed into a scowl when Snape met them halfway, keeping them a good ten feet away from Harry’s bed.

“We want to see Harry…” Ron said.

“Mr. Potter asked me to keep away all visitors. He is tired, and wanted to rest.” Snape said. Ron raised an eyebrow.

“Harry hates you…and all evidence shows that you hate Harry…” He said.

“Yes…that may have been true before….but anyone who is brave….or stupid enough to mouth off to the Dark Lord like Potter did can’t be all bad…” Snape said with a small smirk. “Besides…I may have misjudged the bo-…young man.” Snape added, and crossed his arms. “Now, it would be in your best interest to depart…”

Ron started to make an argument, but Ruby grabbed his hand to stall him.

“Let’s go see if everyone else is okay…” she said softly, tugging his arm gently. He looked between Snape and Ruby, but then followed Ruby’s gentle tugging; walking away from Harry’s sleeping form as Snape took his place once more at Harry’s bedside.

~~

Bellatrix sat, still and silent, as the mediwitch wrapped her shoulder. Rodolphus was standing nearby, his dark brown eyes boring into her. She was afraid to meet his gaze lest she provoke his wrath again. The side of her face still stung from his slaps, but he hadn’t struck her again. Although she was grateful for the reprieve of violence, she almost preferred a few more slaps to the stinging silence he was now giving her.

When the cut on her shoulder had been wrapped completely, he Mediwitch told her she could leave, and she fearfully stood and went to her husband.

“Rodolphus, I-”

But he held up his hand to stop her, and shook his head.

“I don’t suggest you speak. I’m not so sure I won’t knock the holy hell out of you at any moment.” He said softly. She nodded softly.

What had she done?

~~

The Mediwitch had released Draco, and Lucius and Hermione helped him to his feet from the cot, intent on Apparating back to Grimmauld Place to let him finish healing. They found the rest of their battle-worn group, and Apparated one at a time in an effort not to run into each other. They had been released by a tired Albus, who planned to deal with the Death Eaters, living and dead, personally, and then help deliver the sick and dying to the appropriate places. Then he would help deal with the dead of the Order.

~~

Narcissa heard the first pop, and jumped from her seat. She quickly gathered Kyra up in her arms, and practically ran to the front room. The first to return had been Sirius. He immediately went to his favorite chair and collapsed into it, glad to be home.

“How did it go? Is Lucius all right? What about Draco? Is Hermione okay?”

Sirius held up his hands, a pained expression on his face.

“Please, Cissy….they’re all fine….just let me rest…” he said. “They’ll be back within a few minutes. We’re Apparating separately to make sure we don’t collide.” He said, quickly answering what he assumed was her next question. It was, and she then went to the sofa to sit and wait on her husband to return.

But it was Rodolphus and Bellatrix that returned next. Narcissa gasped at their appearance, but then her brows creased at the look of total loathing Rodolphus was giving a shame-faced Bellatrix.

“What happened?” she asked, holding the baby out to her sister as the dark-haired witch came to retrieve her.

“Why don’t you tell her, Bella?” Rodolphus snapped angrily. Bellatrix looked at her sister.

“I’m pregnant.” She said. Both Sirius and Narcissa started.

“What?” they said together.

“Weren’t you part of the battle?” Narcissa asked. Bellatrix nodded. “You didn’t!” Narcissa gasped.

“She did!” Rodolphus interrupted. “Now, if she doesn’t get her sorry arse upstairs so that we can discuss this rationally, I will personally drag her up the stairs by the hair on her thick head.”

Bella frowned, and started to argue with him. “But-”

“NOW!” he roared. The sound was enough to frighten Kyra, who began to cry as Bellatrix skittered out of the room.

“Don’t you think that’s a bit much, mate?” Sirius asked. Rodolphus turned to him.

“No….she has no idea what she’s done. What she could have lost…” Here Rodolphus’ voice actually broke a bit, but he cleared his throat and stood taller, walking from the room.

Narcissa was practically bouncing in her chair in anticipation of her son and husband (and hopefully soon daughter-in-law) ‘s return. She didn’t have to wait long, because it was Lucius and Draco next, the giddy younger man being supported by his father. Narcissa practically tackled the two of them, crying and fussing over the blood on their robes.

“Not now, my sweeting….let’s get our son to a bed to rest.” Lucius said softly. Narcissa held Draco’s hand as they took him up the stairs and to his bedroom at Grimmauld place to rest. When he was healed they would move back to the Manor.

Hermione came next, looking around as soon as she appeared.

“Upstairs.” Sirius said when she opened her mouth. She gave him an odd look, and then bounded upstairs.

Ron appeared next, and then went straight to the sofa to collapse like Sirius had.

“Whoo! I can’t believe it’s over! I’m glad as hell, too…” he said, and threw his arm over his head. Ruby appeared next, and went over to Ron, and sat on his stomach. He made a soft ‘oof’ sound, and then proceeded to tickle her sides. She giggled giddily and fell back against the sofa. He pulled his hand away, but she kept her seat. She was light, anyway, and didn’t bother Ron much.

“Are you all right, Ruby?” Ron asked softly, remembering her run-in with the Death Eater. Ruby sighed softly.

“I am right now….that’s not to say I will be when I close my eyes tonight. I can…I can still see his face. He didn’t expect it at all…” she said, and gave a small, mirthless laugh. Ron’s hand found one of her smaller ones, and he ran his thumb over her knuckles.

“If you need to talk, then I, or anyone in this house, would be glad to listen…” he said gently. She smiled at him, and nodded.

“I’ll remember that if I’m up crying at four in the morning.”

~~

Within the hour all residents of Grimmauld place were there once more, with the addition of several more. Most that had rooms were in them, resting after the trying day. The entire Weasley clan had come to the large house, and Mrs. Weasley was currently in the kitchen whipping up a great celebratory feast for them, with the help of Hermione, Ruby, and even Narcissa.

Fred and George decided it was about time to harass their brother about his apparent relationship with Hermione’s cousin. And it was quite easy to spot considering Ruby and Ron had both fallen asleep on the couch, Ruby still perched on Ron’s stomach.

Fred stood over then, stroking his chin.

“Think we should let them sleep, George?” he asked his twin. They looked at each other.

“Nah!” they said at once, and proceeded poke the two on their noses. At first Ruby just twitched her nose sleepily, but after a few minutes she batted at Fred’s hand. Ron just snored in response. Fred pressed his finger against her nose, and snorted softly when she began to mumble in a strained nasally voice. He couldn’t really understand what she was saying.

Ron batted his brother’s hand away, and turned his head aside. George then put his finger in his mouth, and stuck it directly in Ron’s ear. Ron jumped, disturbing Ruby, who awoke and, upon seeing Fred so close, punched out as hard as she could, coming in contact with Fred’s nose.

Fred fell back with a cry, clutching his nose, and Ruby was on her feet immediately.

“What in the name of flying monkeys is going on?” she asked sleepily. Fred looked up, and despite actually having a bloody nose, began to laugh.

“Dear Ruby….you have one hell of a right-hook.” He said, his voice distorted from his injured nose. George helped his twin to his feet, both laughing as Ron sat up, wiping his ear.

“Really, mature, you twin terrors…” he said disgustedly. Molly came into the den at that moment, wiping her hands on her flour stained apron.

“What’s going on in- Fred, why do you have a bloody nose…?” she asked. Fred pointed at Ruby.

“She decked me good, Mum…” he said, with a hint of pride in his voice. Molly turned a surprised gaze on the small young woman.

“Why ever for, Ruby?” she asked. Ruby rubbed her fist.

“He poked me in the nose while I was asleep…” she said. Molly was silent for a moment.

“Well good for you! I do believe the last one to bloody Fred’s nose was Charlie….doesn’t happen often enough if you ask me….” She said, giving Fred the ‘evil eye.’

~~

Bellatrix sat in the squishy chair in her and Rodolphus’ room, rocking and feeding Kyra her formula. She could feel Rodolphus’ eyes on her as he sat on the bed. She finally braved a look, her black eyes flicking up and meeting his brown ones.

“I just want to know….why the bloody hell you would risk everything like that?” he asked her, his voice cold and distant.

“Rodolphus….I have no excuses….I wasn’t thinking everything through….I’m so sorry….I know that an apology is never going to be enough to let you know just how sorry I am….but I am sorry. You can slap me and hit me all you wish….just don’t hate me…” she said softly, gently pulling the empty bottle from Kyra’s mouth and putting her over her shoulder to burp her.

Rodolphus sighed. “I don’t hate you, Bella, and I never will….maybe that’s what the problem is. I love you so much….I’ve waited so long for this….both of us have waited…..and you would just gamble it just like that?” he asked, snapping his fingers for emphasis.

She stood, and walked with Kyra over to her husband. She sat down next to him, and he brought the two close to him, tucking her head under his chin. He glanced down, and saw Kyra looking up at him with her large blue eyes.

“I still love you, Bella, but you betrayed my trust. You’ll have to get it back…and you’ll find that my trust isn’t easily given…” he said softly, reaching out to run a finger over Kyra’s cheek. The small infant gave a twitchy grin, and waved her hands.

Bellatrix had a feeling that, although she’d fucked up royally, that she could fix this eventually, and they’d be able to live as a happy family.

If the Minister came through with their reprieves, that is…
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Oh....I hope this was a good enough chapter for you guys (*coughcough* distinctlyME *coughcough*) I'M JUST KIDDIN!!!

ANyway, if you enjoyed the chappie then please rate/review....better yet, do BOTH!!