Half Blood Prince pt5
Luna returned after the party to spend the night with her. She’d been doing that often as she was permitted. They talked and cuddled and eventually fell asleep.
The next morning she woke to find her siblings, Ginny, Ron and Harry waiting for her.
“Woah. What’s going on?” She asked.
“Aren’t you lot meant to be on the train then?” She asked.
“We we’re waiting for you.” Quinn said with a beaming smile.
“What?” She asked.
“Madam pomfrey said you could come alone, so long as you rested.” Ginny said with a smile. Ron had grabbed a wooden wheelchair and brought it over.
“Carefully Mr. Weasley.” Pomfrey said from behind them.
Ron waved a hand and reached for the girl. One arm under her knees and the other behind her back.
“Ready?” He asked.
“As I’ll ever be.” She said.
He lifted her and she winced harshly as he placed her as gently as he could into the chair. Ginny placed a blanket over her lap and helped her to pull a scarlet and gold sweater over her head.
“Ready.” She said, already sounding exhausted. As they wheeled her down the halls they reached the inevitable staircase going down.
“Now what?” She asked snarkily.
“Come on now.” Ginny scoffed and the three quidditch players each picked up a corner of the chair (Ro taking the finally corner albeit without helping much) and Quinn led the way.
“Got this all planned out didn’t you. Sneaky lot.” She laughed.
“It’s a surprise, not sneaking.” Quinn clarified.
She laughed at the sass from her sister and thought sadly of how much it reminded her of her mother.
At the base of the stairs stood McGonagall.
“Have a pleasant holiday children. Make sure you rest well Ms Walsh.” She said.
“Bye Minerva!!” Quinn shouted and gave the woman a tight hug.
“Goodbye Quinn. I shall see you after the new year.” She smiled.
Then Ron began pushing them down the hall.
“It’s so weird that they call her Minerva.” Ryleigh said once they were out of ear shot and the four of them all laughed loudly.
“Can you imagine it?” Ginny asked.
“Absolutely not.” Harry and Ron both responded.
Getting onto the train was the most difficult aspect as the chair was to wide to fit through the doors.
“Right then. I’ll carry you on.” Ron said.
“Ron I don’t think—“ she started.
“Nah it’s alright, who do you think carried you before?” He said with a smile.
“Alright.” She said wearily. They all watched nervously as he picked her up bridal style. The hard cast around her upper leg made navigation difficult in the narrow halls so he placed her into the first available compartment.
She took up the hole bench with her cast, leaning her back against the window.
“The kids can ride with me.” Ginny offered. “Luna will sit with you.”
“They can stay with me.” Ryleigh said.
“No room Ry. You sit with Luna and we’ll get to play with Ginny.” Ro said firmly and Ryleigh raised a brow.
“Well okay then Mr boss.” She laughed. Luna joined her a moment later.
“Sorry I’m late. I forgot my shoes.” She said.
“Kiss. Haven’t see you today.” Ryleigh said and tapped her cheek. Luna smiled and gave her a kiss on the cheek then one on the lips.
“Ready?” She asked.
“Did you know about this?” She asked.
“Nope. Can’t tell me anything, secrets-“ and she shrugged, Ryleigh laughed. “I know.”
Xx
When they pulled into the station she was feeling like absolute shit. She could see the whole Weasley crew on the platform waiting. She watched Ginny lead the kids off the train just before Ron entered their compartment.
Getting off the train was even harder than getting on had been as she was sore and stiff from sitting on the bench for hours. He picked her up and she held her breath. She nearly screamed when Ron tried to maneuver out.
“Maybe I should get Fred or George to do it.” He said awkwardly and she nodded, holding her eyes closed he set her back down. He rushed out and a minute later George Weasley was on the train.
“Never thought I’d be on here again.” He said.
“Hi George.” She said with a smile.
“How come I only get your attention when you’ve got a very specific leg injury that requires I carry you?” He asked. She laughed.
“I’m just that popular.” She said.
“Come on then.” He said and scooped her up with much more finesse than his brother. Luna grabbed their things and followed them off.
The platform was full of Weasleys as she held tight to George’s neck, she could see Molly standing with them and walking over to her.
“Alright then George. Set her down in the chair.” Molly said. Harry and Ginny had already started leading the kids off toward the brick wall.
Luna was in front of her. “I’m off. See you back here?” She asked and gave Ryleigh a short kiss before skipping toward her father.
“Ryleigh, I’m very glad your joining us this Christmas. I’m…” she started.
“I know.” Ryleigh said, “thank you for having us.” She said.
“You and your brother and sister are always welcome in our home, you understand?” She said and squeezed the girls hand. “Let’s get on.”
Xx
They settled her into the living room and that’s where she’d stay for most of the holiday. People seemed to take rotations sitting with her so she wasn’t alone.
Ginny or Molly would help her to the bathroom when she needed it and help her change after everyone else had gone to bed. It was a very lovely few days before Christmas came.
On Christmas Eve day she watched with a raised brow as Fred and George carried the large table from the kitchen into the dining room.
“What are you doing?” She asked.
“We’re going to make Christmas biscuits.” Fred said as if it was the most obvious thing.
Following behind the twins was Molly Quinn Ro and Ginny with bags of ingredients. Flour, sugar milk salt ect.
“Gonna make a ginger-bead witch” Quinn said proudly as she dropped her pile onto the table.
Molly worked tirelessly to keep everyone in line. Harry and Ron had taken to throwing fistfuls off flour at each other and Quinn was covering her cookies in giant globs of icing that would’ve made Ryleigh sick if she’d tried to eat it.
Molly took a seat on the couch next to Ryleigh and met out a large breath.
“Bunch of animals.” Ryleigh said with a smile.
“At least those two are children!” Molly laughed.
Then the woman looked over at her and gave her a sad smile, she placed a hand on Ryleighs good leg and squeezed it.
“I want you to know how grateful we all are that you’re okay. That you and Ro and Quinn made it out safely… I am so sorry about your mother Ryleigh…” the woman said then opened her arms and pulled Ryleigh tightly into her embrace. Ryleigh let herself be held by the warm motherly hold and took a shaker breath.
“Thank you…”