It's just a book

A/N: My Beta’s Alianne and akathryna deserve a million bucks but since I am poor, they’ll have to accept my sincerest thanks. Also to my reviewers: yes, I know I’m evil but evil spelled backwards is live.

Chapter 9: How to keep your reader in suspense.

Ruby rubbed her temples as the arguing kept going on around her. She had made the mistake of inviting everyone to her house. Derek put a comforting hand on her shoulder as she looked up and took in the scene in front of her. Dumbledore and Hagrid were on one side of the room. Minerva and the rest of the Order were on the other side.

“You could have let us in on your plan,” Minerva growled.

“I was not sure it would work, Minerva. I could have stayed dead and you would still be where you are now,” Dumbledore explained.

“What do you mean where I am now?” She glared at him and he really wished he had a lemon drop to offer her.

“Are we going to tell Harry? He could use some good news,” Lupin interjected.

“No. He needs to believe I’m dead to give him the hatred he’ll need to defeat Tom,” Dumbledore sighed. “Minerva, you need to stay Headmistress of Hogwarts and be in charge of the Order. I’m still too weak to fight.”

“What about Hermione and Snape?” Mrs. Weasley asked, glaring at Ruby. She had put extra venom in Snape’s name.

“They are getting close to being able to leave. Snape has realized his feelings for Hermione. Amazingly enough, she is being the difficult one. I would say a day or two at the most,” Ruby informed them, wincing at the glares shot her way.

“I for one think it’s about time that those two get together,” Dumbledore said and then shrank back as even Hagrid glared at him.

Hagrid was being extremely quiet. When he had opened the door of his rebuilt hut to find a very ticked-off Minerva standing there, he had actually feared for his life. He had tried to deny that the Headmaster was still alive but she had waved the book under his nose and threatened to hex his balls off. He had reluctantly led her to the cave where she had proceeded to yell at Dumbledore and was still doing it.

“I still don’t see how you could fake your own death,” Minerva hissed.

“It was quite easy. I didn’t fake it per se.” He just earned another glare from everyone. “Severus hit me with a silent Expelliarmus while he spoke the killing curse, sending me flying over the battlements and falling to my death. Fawkes’s tears healed the wounds to my body and Severus’s potions brought my soul back to it.” He sighed as everyone stared at him as if he had two heads. “The timing had to be perfect or I could have been stuck in limbo and even as it was, there was no guarantee that I would come back. So I thought it would be best for everyone if they didn’t know.”

“How dare you make that decision for me?!” Minerva screamed, her knuckles turning white around her wand.

Ruby had had enough. Using her empathic abilities she pulled all the anger out of Minerva, and fed it to the potted plant that was by the window. The plant wilted, turned brown and its leaves fell off in a matter of seconds. This had also drained Ruby to the point she was almost passing out. Derek put his hand back on her shoulder and fed her some energy. No one noticed this as they had been doing stuff like this for years and had learned to be subtle.

Minerva sat down and looked at Ruby before sighing. “Well, Matchmaker, what do you suggest we do?”

“What you are planning to do. Albus will pretend to be dead until he feels it is safe to be alive. Minerva, you will go on running things. I have altered their exit spell. Instead of them returning to where they were before, they will come out here.” She ignored the twinkle in Dumbledore’s eyes. It really was annoying. “I will inform them of the situation and we will go from there.”

“Are you sure it is wise to have them come out here? They both might be very angry,” Lupin said.

“We can take care of ourselves.” Derek told him.

“Also if what Albus has said about your young Harry is true, I think the book should stay here. If he were to find it, he would know Albus is alive. Since he doesn’t want Harry to know, it would be safer here.” Ruby said looking pointedly at Molly hoping that look would keep her from objecting.

“I highly doubt he will get a hold of it while it is in my possession,” Molly said, not getting the hint.

“Molly, he will have Ron and Ginny’s help.” Lupin said, making sure Minerva was between them.

“Not to mention those ingenious sons of yours. I believe their names are Fred and George. They will help Harry get the book and when they put their mind to something they usually do it.” Ruby looked thoughtful for a moment. “Poor things, their soul mates make them look like angels.”

“What about the war?” Hagrid said softly, bringing everyone back to reality. Most had forgotten he was there.

“I don’t have the power of divination. I sense people’s emotions and I see people’s souls. I believe Muggles call sensing emotions “empathy”. It is actually very common. As for seeing the soul, that is passed down from female to female in my family. I am the last of my line.” She seemed saddened for a moment and then shook her head determinedly. “I will help with the war any way I can.”

“Then it is settled.” Albus smiled warmly at everyone. “My dear Ruby, I do believe you are known for your brownies.”

“Yes, and when I knew you were coming, I baked a special batch just for you,” Ruby informed the twinkling old man. She was just glad she had failed to tell them what was happening in the book as they spoke. They would probably be after her head if they knew.