Courting the Professor's Son

By wildstraydog

Chapter Seven: A Young Girl's Amazement

Not really much to say about this chapter, except that Ruby is now entering the story. I did say Ruby was going to come eventually. Hopefully you guys are still digging this story, let me know in the reviews.

Yang watched in glee as Ruby zipped across Beacon's courtyard. Her eyes lit up like dazzling stars, admiring every little piece of architecture that sprouted up. It was the first time she got to experience Beacon up close, so she decided not to rain on her sister's parade. It was in the late afternoon and the sun was beginning to drift across the horizon, an orange hue developing in the once blue sky. If she looked up, the fragments from the shattered moon could be visible.

She had no idea where Ruby was going to stay, and that was if the headmaster allowed for it. She hadn't seen Jaune all day, almost forgetting about the handsome boy with all the ruckus her sister caused. That was the other thing that was bothering her; Ruby kept shooting her funny glances. She would giggle and then turn away in embarrassment. Was there something she was forgetting? She would discuss it with her before they went to sleep or Qrow dragged her away.

Away from Beacon all day, she still hadn't got the chance to look at her new dorm. Should they pass the initiation, it would be their permanent residence for the next four years. And Cardin would be across the room... it wasn't exciting, and also somewhat terrifying in a way. Contrary to popular Yang Xiao Long lore, she had never slept in the same room with a guy; excluding the collection of people in the ballroom the night before initiation started.

Cardin wouldn't dare try anything.

Would it be too forward if she snuck into bed with Jaune? Yeah, that wouldn't work out, Weiss would probably freeze them both in an instant. Talk about a mood killer.

"Yang," Ruby called out gleefully. "Are you seeing all of these weapons right now? I can't believe it!" Yang smiled back like she was actually interested.

"Don't get to carried away squirt," Qrow mumbled, brushing a stray rose petal from his shoulder. Her uncle hadn't touch his flask since they left Signal. Either he was out of alcohol or he was playing nice in front of all the passing students.

"So what are your teammates like Yang?"

How could she put this nicely? "Well, there's Blake, my partner-she doesn't talk much, but I'll break that wall. Than we have Weiss, an heiress from the Schnee Dust Company and a know-it-all. And then we have... Cardin, an oaf." Ruby only blinked in response at her blasé description of her teammates. What else did she expect?

"They sound great," Ruby commented.

Her eyes lit up once more when they crossed the courtyard and entered through the main entrance of the academy. The expansive corridors and towering pillars held up a structure that had been constructed hundreds of years ago. Silver eyes still darted to each weapon that hung from a student's waist or back; Yang was worried the young girl was about to die of shock. She was just hopeful her team would like Ruby.

"Yang," Qrow nudged her shoulder. "I'm going to ask Ozpin for permission for Ruby to stay-you can introduce her to your team while you wait." Letting Ruby stay at Beacon for a couple of days would be great.

It would put her somewhat at ease.

Qrow meandered off the path and headed toward the administrative building where the main tower of the academy was located. Ruby blinked at her uncle's retreating form and let out a sigh. She swiveled in place and shot a mischievous look on her innocent face.

"What's with that look?" Yang said with a chuckle.

"Soooo, where's this guy you talked about in your letter?" Yang blanched at the statement. She totally forgot that in her last letter to Ruby she might have mentioned Jaune.

Curse her honesty!

"Oh, the guy... I was just making that up Ruby-you know, to make you feel better and thing about something else!" Yang explained with the least believability anyone could possess. Ruby gave her an incredulous gaze.

"You don't have to lie," She moved in closer. "He sounded really cool! I know the guy my big sister chooses will be one of the strongest Huntsman in Remnant!" Oh brother... that sounded so corny but sweet.

Yang released a tired sigh. "Maybe I'll introduce you to him one day-for now let's go meet my team and then get some dinner. I wanna be ready for anything that happens tomorrow." There was still the second part of initiation.

Perhaps with Ruby cheering her on from the sidelines, her spirits would buck up. She had to admit it was nice to have Ruby by her side again in such an unfamiliar setting. Even that pout she gave off at her aversion to Jaune was adorable, though she expected her to prod later on tonight for more information if possible.

Ruby's enthusiasm slowly died as they walked through the halls of the dorm. There wasn't much to look at save for the identical doors with gold plated letters on the front. She was still uneasy about her team meeting her little sister, especially Cardin. Yang could be patient, but when it came to Ruby she had a tendency to be overprotective. One insult and her fist would be sure to find its way to his ugly mug. Well, as long as Jaune didn't see her rage.

They stopped in front of the door and Yang rested a hand on Ruby's tiny shoulder. "Are you ready to meet my team? I'm sure you'll be welcomed with open arms." At least I hope so anyway.

"Don't worry about me, I'll try and not be a bother." Yang couldn't help but grin at the response.

She released another sigh and swiped her scroll across the lock. The door creaked open and she opened it to see two of the beds already occupied by Blake and Weiss. The heiress was setting down a few supplies on one of the desks in the corner, while Blake flipped through another page of some novel she was reading. The binding appeared worn, and from Blake's focused stare on the text, it must have been a favorite. There were still two beds with clean linen sheets that she could choose from.

But where was Cardin?

"You've return... with company." Weiss stated. Ruby returned a short wave toward the heiress who narrowed her ice blue eyes in suspicion.

"Weiss, Blake, this is my younger sister, Ruby." Blake looked up from her novel and looked at Ruby with a mute expression. She gave a brief nod and returned to her book.

"Hey guys, it must be so cool to be at Beacon!"

Weiss relaxed in the wooden chair next to the desk and leaned on her arm for support. "Beacon is a magnificent institution, though our placements are still not guaranteed. Are you currently going to Signal...?" Yang was actually surprised at how cordial she was being with Ruby.

However, that look of scrutiny never left her face.

"Yep, well I got in trouble today... but I hope to try for Beacon to. I heard you guys start the second part of initiation tomorrow right?" Weiss' gaze shifted over to Yang with a look of disbelief.

"Yes, though we don't know what it entails," Weiss curtly answered. The ice queen seemed uncomfortable with discussing the specifics, perhaps because she believed that Ruby wasn't supposed to be privy.

"How long are you visiting?" Blake mumbled from behind her novel. Yang was just happy she was at least somewhat interested that she brought another family member along.

"Um, I think a day?" Ruby answered with an unsure expression at Yang. That was pretty much her answer as well until Qrow returned from Ozpin's office.

"Have you guys just been unpacking things all day?" Yang looked about the room and noticed that most of their belongings were in the closet on the left side of the room. She saw her bag lying on the side of one of the beds where she would be next to Cardin Winchester...

"I wanted to claim my bed," Weiss said. "Cardin has still yet to arrive, though I doubt we'll see him anytime soon-what kind of teammate is he?" Ruby looked hesitant to ask about their fourth member.

"He'll have to come around eventually for his stuff."

"If I were to guess, he's probably moping around his friends that Jaune mentioned." They were the only team to lack a third member; that would work against them if they lacked enough points in the second trial.

She kind of felt bad for them.

"Points?" Ruby innocently asked.

There was no way she was going to sit down and repeat the convoluted point system to Ruby. She could explain the basics and hopefully move on to a much lighter topic. She wanted to know more about this girl that tried to bully Ruby; that bitch was going to learn some manners.

"It's complicated, but basically we have to earn enough points to secure our spots in Beacon. Only question is, how will that system work tomorrow? There's still a bunch of students in the running." Weiss released a sigh at the comment and turned back to look at Yang.

"Knowing the headmaster, something eccentric I'm sure."

"Is Headmaster Ozpin really powerful?!" Ruby asked in excitement, her silver eyes sparkling at the possibilities of a professional Huntsman's weapon.

"Don't know," Yang answered. "But he walks around with an unusual looking cane." Ruby cooed at the description and imagined what the cane might shift into.

The door behind Yang creaked open, startling her and Ruby. The familiar breastplate of Cardin Winchester peaked through the door. Cardin wore a scowl on his well-cut features that immediately brought down the mood in the room. He waded through the two of them and stomped over to his bag that sat on the furthest corner bed. The room stayed silent, nobody sure how to broach a conversation.

Cardin pulled out a few clothes and opened the closet on the right, placing them on a few hangers. His appearance was more civil than she expected. Since no one else was going to be brave enough to ask where he been, Yang decided it was up to her to bring this team together somehow. They would barely last in the next trial if they couldn't cooperate. She would have liked Jaune, but this was what they were stuck up.

"What's up Cardin, where ya been?"

He grabbed a few more clothes and released a long sigh. "I was with some of my friends-they needed advice on how to approach initiation tomorrow." That was... actually honest.

"There's only three of them correct?" Weiss joined in the conversation. Yang could imagine that she was gritting her teeth and holding back from insulting the boy.

"Yeah... but I won't go easy on them-that would be insulting." She agreed. If they were good friends, I would be pissed if they held back just to make me feel better. They would have to just try harder.

"I'm sure you'll all pass!" Ruby semi-cheered.

"Who's the pipsqueak?" Yang snorted, holding back any laughter as Ruby deflated at the term. Compared to Cardin who towered over her, she was dwarf.

"This is Ruby Rose, my younger sister." He looked between the two of them and shrugged.

"You guys look nothing alike." Weiss' eyes widened at the rude comment. It might have been a bit crude, but he was right; they weren't similar in appearance at all. She was much taller and muscular than her sister's more fragile figure.

"That's because we're half-sisters."

"Ah, makes sense." Cardin said.

Cardin threw a few more clothes over his shoulder and made for the door. "I'm staying with my friends tonight, so you don't have to worry about me popping up in the middle of the night." He walked out the door, leaving behind befuddled expressions on all of their faces.

That went... better than I expected.

Jaune was given the rare chance to have dinner with his mother in downtown Vale. The night crept onto the city, the streets lighting up the dark sky, giving it an evening glow that warmed his heart at the sight. The venues and restaurants of the business district were still packed with customers shopping and catching late dinners. His mother offered to pay for his meal at some fancy restaurant with some name he wasn't able to properly pronounce; though he would before they left the establishment if his mother had anything to do with it.

There was a joyful quaint silence between the two at the large round booth the host chose for them. The candle that flickered in the center danced whenever a busy waiter passed by. The leather menus Jaune held in his hands were thick, offering a wide variety of dishes from across the kingdoms. He was nervous on what to choose, not wanting to embarrass his mother after she went through all the trouble.

"You don't need to be nervous." Glynda accurately suggested.

Jaune released a sigh. "I know, it's just I'm not used to these fancy restaurants in Vale. Even the galas we attended put me on edge." Those stuffy events dragged on for hours, save for the times he got to converse with Weiss.

"What sort of meal are you desiring then?"

"Well," Jaune glanced over the menu. "That ravioli dish looks appetizing... that and an appetizer of fried squid sounds delicious." His mother nodded in approval and set her menu down to get the waiter's attention.

"Have you, spoken to dad since I've arrived?" Glynda's expression went rigid for only a moment.

"I did," She briefly answered. "He was proud of you." Jaune chuckled, but that wasn't what he really wanted to know. While foolish at heart, he always wanted his family to get along with each other.

His half mother never held any anger towards Glynda. But his father always brought up memories that his mother didn't want to revisit. He couldn't blame her; how must have it felt to see your ex-husband remarried and living a happy life with seven other children? Jaune always wanted to be a Huntsman, but going to Beacon was also a dream of his. It allowed him to be next to his mother for the next four years, an opportunity to rekindle their distant relationship.

She ordered their dinner and took a modest sip of her glass, the champagne going down gently in her throat and tickling her taste buds. Jaune smiled, enjoying his mother's brightened expression. "What time are we supposed to wake up tomorrow for the initiation?"

"All the details will be sent."

"About Qrow's offer-" Glynda wretched forward, swallowing the alcohol too fast.

"Yes, what about it?"

"I think it might be a good chance to earn more experience and grow as a Huntsman, but-I know you're somewhat against me spending time with Yang's uncle." Glynda shifted in her seat and took another quick sip from her glass.

"Jaune, I'm not against you gaining more experience. It's just, Qrow Branwen has a very versatile training regimen that's not... I should say unorthodox. Once you've secured your spot in Beacon we can talk about this more." He nodded, not wanting to question his mother on such a peaceful night.

He looked out the window and admired the bright stars that began to flicker in the sky. Glynda used to point out the different constellations when he was younger, the two of them wrapped up in a warm blanket. The memory brought a warm smile to his face, and he imagined what new memories they could both create throughout the school year.

"So can I sleep in here with you guys tonight?!" Ruby excitedly asked. Weiss had made herself comfortable in her light blue gown and watched Yang's litter sister prattle on about how amazing the school was.

It was very annoying.

"Uh, let's see what Qrow says first," Yang said.

"Okay," Ruby chirped. "If I stay it will be like one big sleepover-although you guys do have to get up early tomorrow morning." At least she had some tact; they didn't need a fifteen-year-old girl playing around during initiation.

A light rap on the door answered her prayers. Yang twisted the knob, revealing the form of a stressed out uncle, his brows knitted and lips curved into a frown. If she had to guess, the man probably got chewed out by Headmaster Ozpin for his dubious behavior on the campus.

"Hey girls," Qrow greeted. "So good news Ruby, you'll be able to stick around and watch the initiation. And no, you can't spend the night in here." Ruby's expression deflated into a pout at the latter.

The uncle actually saved the day for once.

"I don't suppose he told you anything about what's going to happen tomorrow?" Yang asked with an odd sweetness in her tone. She leaned toward her uncle and tried to flash some puppy dog eyes; it didn't faze him at all.

"Nice try."

"Ah, damn, at least I tried girls." Yang gave a light shrug and went back over to her bed. Nice frilly pink sheets covered the top. She didn't expect the tomboy to have such girly tastes in her bedding.

"Good luck girls, you'll need it." Qrow chuckled.

They all shot him a suspicious look before he dragged Ruby out of the room by force. Despite his lackadaisical attitude, their uncle knew what was coming tomorrow. Whatever the challenge that waited tomorrow, she needed some sleep.

"I'll win for sure tomorrow... Ice Queen." Yang whispered before crawling under her sheets.

Weiss caught the subtle challenge that seeped through the room. She narrowed her eyes toward the blonde and turned off the light in the room. Blake was asleep, somehow blocking out Qrow's bickering and Ruby's depressed moans. She would accept the challenge.

Jaune wouldn't fall in the hands of that seductress.