After All We've Been Through

Chapter 7

Return to Normalcy?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Fred stared at Jen for a few minutes with his mouth hanging open. He was trying to process what she had just said to him. Did she just say that Malfoy is the one that did this to her?

Seeing his expression, Jen knew that she had to say something. "Fred, don't do anything irrational. Just stop George before he lands himself in Azkaban." Fred's expression softened slightly. "Don't worry about Malfoy. He will get his just punishment. That is a promise." When he saw the look in her eyes, he knew that she was serious.

He nodded and opened the door to leave. "I'll owl mum, so that she can come and stay with you. You never know," he told her as he left the room. She knew that he was concerned that Malfoy would come to the hospital. Not long after he left, Mrs. Weasley came in, followed by Ron, Hermione, Harry and Ginny. Jen smiled warmly at them and they returned the smile.

While they visited, Jen never mentioned anything about being pregnant. Not knowing if she even knew, none of them said anything. It was when Mrs. Weasley went to get them all some tea that she found the Healer that had been treating Jen. "Excuse me, but I have a question pertaining to Jennifer Henley." The Healer nodded and gestured for Molly to ask her question. "Well, I was wondering if Jen has been told that she is pregnant. She hasn't mentioned it to any of us and we are afraid to say something to her."

The Healer sighed and looked at Molly. "Unfortunately, Jen had fallen asleep before we had found out about the pregnancy. I was actually on my way to her room now so that I could tell her," he told her.

"With all due respect, sir, but would you mind if I told her? I think that she would prefer to hear this from me," Molly told him sincerely.

"That would be fine with me. Just let her know that if she has any questions to just call me. My name is Healer Marks."

"I will do that. Thank you," she told him as she headed back to Jen's room with the tea. When she entered the room, Jen was looking through a bunch of photos that had been taken since she left. Mrs. Weasley saddened when she saw Jen's happy and smiling face. She knew that she would crush that with the news she had.

Jen looked up to see her standing by the door. "Hi, Mrs. Weasley," she said. Molly did her best to smile.

"Can you lot wait outside for a moment? I need to talk to Jen alone," she said as she looked at Ron, Ginny, Harry and Hermione. They all sensed what she wanted to tell their friend so they left quietly.

"Is something wrong, Mrs. Weasley?" Jen asked once they had left. Mrs. Weasley sighed and sat in the chair next to Jen's bed.

"I don't really know how to say this, so I'm just going to say it." Molly paused for a moment, thinking about how she was going to say this. "When you came in last night, the Healers ran some tests on you in order to make sure that you were okay internally. I had asked them if I could be the one to tell you since I thought that you would rather hear it from me." Molly stopped to take a sip of her tea before continuing; Jen waited for her to finish. Molly looked up at Jen and felt so bad for her. "One of the tests came back positive. I am so sorry to have to tell you this, but... you're pregnant."

Jen gave no reaction to what Molly had said. It was as if she didn't even hear it. Merlin, tell me that I heard her wrong. Tell me that I did not just hear that I was pregnant. "What did you say?" Jen asked in a soft voice.

"The Healers told us that you were pregnant. They would have told you sooner, but you had fallen asleep before they found out. Healer Marks was on his way in to tell you, but I asked him if I could do it instead," Molly told her. "Healer Marks told me that if you have any questions, that you should call him."

Jen just sat there, now looking out the window. She wasn't sure how to react. On the one hand, a child would give her a family again. All though she had the Weasleys, she had no blood family of her own. She hadn't expected to become a mother just yet, but she knew that she would be a good mother. The other part of her was screaming with anger. She was so angry with Malfoy for what he had done to her. She had hoped that she could have had this obliviated from her memory, but now it could not be so.

Tears began to form in her eyes as she looked out the window. What am I going to do now? Molly stood up and pulled Jen into a hug. Jen just held on, crying like a child would to a mother.

Molly felt so bad for Jen. She knew that Jen had been a virgin before this and that she was now going to have to carry this burden with her for the rest of her life. "Don't you worry about a thing. No matter what happens, we will be there for you. We will all help you through this in any way we can. You won't ever be alone again," Molly told her as Jen continued to cry.

At that moment, Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione came back into the room. They saw Jen crying and they all felt so bad. Ginny and Hermione joined Jen and Mrs. Weasley in the hug. After a few minutes, Jen loosened her hold on Mrs. Weasley and wiped the tears from her eyes.

"I'm going to keep it," she told them. They looked at her in confusion. "The baby. I am going to keep the baby and raise it on my own."

"But you won't be alone, Jen. We will all be right here with you," Ginny told her. Harry, Ron and Hermione nodded in agreement.

"And you will be staying with us at the Burrow as soon as they let you out of here," Molly told her. She started to protest, but Molly wouldn't hear of it. "I will not have it any other way. Besides, you'll be better protected with us."

"And it beats the Leaky Cauldron," Harry added. Jen smiled at his comment.

"I don't know what to say," Jen told them. "Thank you. All of you. It's good to know that I still have someone."

"You'll always have us," Hermione told her warmly. "I have to go to work now. I'm on duty in five minutes," she told her as she looked at the clock on the wall.

"Me too. We'll come back visit you when we go on break," Ginny told her. Hermione nodded in agreement. Hermione gave Ron a kiss and she and Ginny left the room.

"Well, I hate to go too, but I have practice early in the morning," Ron told them. They nodded in understanding and he Apparated back to the Burrow.

Harry looked at Jen and gave her a smile. "I hate to do this too, but I have to go. If I don't get to sleep soon, I'll be a wreck in the morning and Kingsley will have my arse." Jen laughed at him and gave him a hug before he Apparated home.

"Would you like some more tea, dear?" Molly asked her. Jen nodded and Molly went to leave, but was stopped but Jen calling her name.

"Molly, wait. Allow me to get it," Jen told her. Molly looked confused, but returned to her bedside anyway. With a wave of her hand, their teacups refilled and a plate of biscuits appeared. "There are a lot of things about me that none of you know," Jen told her when she saw the look on Molly's face.

"No one but me, you mean," came a voice from the door. Both women looked up to see Albus Dumbledore standing in the doorway. He smiled at them both and entered the room. "Miss Henley, I am most relieved to see that you are all right. Is there anything that I can do for you?"

"Actually, there is something you can do for me. I was wondering if you could arrange for me to return to work as soon as possible. Arthur had mentioned something to me about transferring my job from America to London?" Jen asked him.

Albus smiled at her. "I knew that you would ask this of me, so I took the liberty of already making the arrangements for you. You can start whenever you feel ready."

"Thank you, Albus. You really don't miss a thing, do you?" she asked him.

"I have known you for thirteen years, Miss Henley, and I have worked along side you for six of those years. I have seen the way you work and what you have created. You love your job and I know that you wouldn't be happy if you weren't doing it. Besides, I received your owl, which I must say was a work of pure genius, detailing the progress of your research. You need this job to continue that research and keep up with your work," he told her.

"I take it that the spell on the letter worked. I will have to inform the rest of the Order at the next meeting. When is the next meeting?" she asked.

"The next meeting will be as soon as you are able to attend. It will be a special meeting in your honor, Miss Henley." She smiled at him. "I must be going, now. I have a meeting with the staff in a few moments. I will talk to you again soon, Miss Henley," he told her as he nodded his head to her. He turned towards Molly and nodded his head at her, "Molly," he said before he left the room.

Once he left, Molly turned to Jen and gave her an odd sort of look. Jen saw this and knew exactly what she was thinking. "I cannot tell you what he was talking about, Molly. I have been sworn to secrecy, but all will be revealed soon. I promise." Molly nodded and took a bite of her biscuit.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*MEANWHILE*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

George had left St. Mungo's in search of Draco Malfoy. He was shaking with anger over what he had done to Jen. He was walking down the cobblestone street in Diagon Ally searching for him. It was when he was starting towards Knockturn Ally that he was stopped by someone grabbing his arm. Instinctively, George whipped out his wand and pointed it at the person who had grabbed him. "Hold on there, George," Fred said. George lowered his wand and looked at his brother.

"What are you doing here, Fred?'

"Stopping you from doing something stupid."

"You will do no such thing. I will tear Malfoy apart for what he's done."

"It's not your place to do this, George. If you kill him, you will go to Azkaban for sure."

"Then I will go with the satisfaction of knowing that the little ferret has paid for what he's done."

"Then you'll never get to be with Jen," Fred told him; anger evident in his voice.

George's expression softened immediately. "I'll never get to be with her anyway," he said gloomily.

"You don't know that, George." George huffed at Fred's comment. "That's why I am here. I never would have known if Jen hadn't sent me to stop you. She doesn't want you going to Azkaban because of this. She really does care about you, you know." George sighed and looked away from Fred.

"Do you really think she cares about me?"

Fred smiled at his twin. "She cares more about you than she should for the way you treated her. I think that the two of you can work through this and become friends again."

George smiled widely at his brother. "I hope you're right, Fred. Come on; let's get back to St. Mungo's so I can tell Jen that I was able to stop you." George nodded in agreement and they both Apparated back to St. Mungo's.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Fred and George walked into Jen's room to find their mother listening to a story that Jen was telling her. "Hi, Jen. How are you feeling?" Fred asked her as both he and George sat down in the chairs near her bed. Jen nodded and looked at George and then back to Fred.

"Is he okay? You were able to find him in time, right?" Jen asked Fred. He nodded and she let out a sigh of relief.

Molly smiled at this. She knew that someone should stay with Jen during the night, so she decided to take matters into her own hands. "Fred, who is opening up the store tomorrow?"

"I am, why?" Fred asked her.

"George, would you please do me a favor and stay here with Jen tonight. I don't want her to be alone," she asked her son.

"That's okay, Molly. I don't need-"

"Yeah, I'll stay. Just let me go home and get some clothes for tomorrow. I'll be right back," he said just before Apparating to the Burrow.

"I'll be back in the morning so George can go to work. I will see you then, Molly told Jen. "Fred, stay with her till George gets back." Fred nodded.

"Thank you, Molly. I will see you tomorrow." She hugged the older woman and she was gone with a small pop. "Now what am I going to do?" she asked Fred.

"What do you mean? Are you referring to George?" Jen nodded. "I think that this time will be good for the both of you. It will give you both a chance to get reacquainted. It has been six years. Who knows, maybe the two of you could even be friends again."

"I'd really like that."

"And so would he." George appeared just after Fred made his last comment. "Well, I best be off now. I shall see you at work tomorrow, George. Jen, I will come visit you tomorrow when I get out of work." The both nodded and he disappeared.

There was an awkward silence in the room after Fred left. To take his mind off of the eerie silence, George went to change into his pajamas. When he came out, Jen was looking out the window, staring into the dark night. "Did you know?" she asked him.

"Know what?" he asked her as he turned to look at her as she stared out the window.

"About the baby. Did you know?" she asked him again.

"Yeah. Healer Marks told me and Fred not long after we brought you here," he told her. She nodded, but continued to look out the window.

"I've decided to keep it." George looked at her with confusion. "I have decided to keep the baby and I plan on raising it by myself. I know I can do it."

"But you won't be alone. We will all be here for you. You're family to us."

Jen smiled and looked at him. "That's what you mother told me earlier. She's even making me move to the Burrow. It's her way of knowing that I am safe."

"Really? Well, at least then you'll be on familiar ground and you'll be better protected and cared for than you would be at the Leaky Cauldron."

"Thank, George. Would you like a cup of tea?" He nodded his head and she waved her hand over the two empty cups and they were instantly filled with tea. "That should be right," she told him as he took the cup she held out to him.

He took a sip and smiled. "Just the way I like it. I can't believe you remembered," he told her.

"Why would you think I would forget?" she asked him in a slightly hurtful tone.

"Because we haven't talked in a really long time. I figured that you would forget about me," he told her as he stared fixedly on the floor.

"Did you forget about me?" she asked him. He shook his head, but still kept his eyes on the floor. "Then why would I have forgotten about you? You were my best friend, George. I couldn't just forget about you," she told him as tears threatened to fall.

"Would it be wrong of me to ask if we could start over?" he asked her hopefully.

Jen smiled at him. "I'd love nothing more." The two of them stayed up and talked about what had happened over the past six years. Both realized that the other never mentioned a significant other, but neither one would dare ask.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Four months had passed since Jen's accident. She was now living at the Burrow and had gone back to work. Her pregnancy was going very well and all of the Weasleys were there for her every step of the way. Jen and George had been slowly rekindling their lost friendship as well.

One day, when Jen had the day off, she was sitting out by the pond with her guitar. She had just finishing the lyrics to a song that she had been working on since she attended the Muggle university in America and she was eager to play it. As she sat there, a figure walked up from behind her. It wasn't until that person stepped on a twig did she become aware of their presence.

"You shouldn't sneak up on people like that, Ron. You could give them a heart attack." Ron smiled and sat down next to her on the grass.

"That song was beautiful. What is it called?"

"Thank you. I started writing it when I attended the Muggle university in the States. I learned how to play the guitar and the piano there."

"That must have been cool."

"Yeah, it was. The title of the song is still undecided, but I will come up with one before the wedding," she told him with a smile.

Ron's jaw dropped. "How did you know? I haven't even asked her yet," he told her with surprise and confusion in his voice.

"Your father asked me to help find you a job since I have a lot of connections. I told him that I would look into it."

Ron smiled at her. "Really? You'll help me? Wicked! I was actually going to ask you to help me anyway."

"Trust me, she'll say yes. But I think the real issue you have is whether or not you want to give up Quidditch."

"How did you know that?" he asked her with wide eyes.

"Ron, I've known you for thirteen years now. For even longer than I've known you, you have wanted to play Quidditch for the Cannons. The best part about that dream is that you actually get to do it and you have been doing it for three years now. Most people, both Muggle and wizard alike, would kill to be doing what they have always dreamed of. I also know that you love Hermione more than anything and that you have loved her for about ten years." Ron blushed at her comment, but nodded in agreement.

"I think that the decision to quit Quidditch and marry Hermione is the right one. The way I see it, you're already living your childhood dream. Maybe now it's time to go after your adulthood dream. I know that you have dreamed of marrying Hermione and eventually having children, but this dream might be a little difficult if you are gone for eight or nine months out of the year. I think it's time for you take the next step in your life."

Jen sat there for a moment, as if contemplating something. "Well, I have found you a job, but you will only be allowed to know what it is after you have finalized your resignation with the Cannons.

"You found me a job? What is it? When can I start?" he asked excitedly.

"I am not telling you until after you resign from the Cannons and they have finalized it," Jen told him firmly.

Ron nodded, but was still happy. He decided to send out his resignation letter right now. "I'm going to go see when dinner will be ready. I'll talk to you later," he told her as he stood up. She nodded and picked up her guitar again. "Thank you so much, Jen," he said as he headed towards the house.

Jen smiled as she watched him go back to the house. He's going to send in his resignation now, she thought. But am I ready for a new assistant? Especially after what happened to Beth. A tear slid down her cheek as she thought about her old friend. Her death still didn't sit right with her and she knew that something had happened to her other than what they all thought. I still have to talk to Dumbledore about that. Jen started to play her guitar again; totally losing herself in the song and its meaning.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A few days later, Jen was in her room writing a letter Dumbledore when Isabella flew into the window with a letter attached to her leg. "Hi, Isabella. What do you have for me today?" Jen asked her faithful owl as she untied the letter. She saw that the letter was addressed to Ron and it was from the Chudley Cannons. Jen smiled to herself. This must be his resignation confirmation, she thought to herself. "Ron!" she called as she placed the letter on her desk and resumed the letter she was writing.

A few moments later, Ron appeared in her open doorway. "Did you call me?" he asked. She nodded and beckoned him into the room.

"It seems that Isabella was carrying a letter for you that she just delivered to me," Jen told him as she held up the letter. "May I ask why Isabella carried this letter without my knowledge?" she asked with raised eyebrows.

Ron looked at Jen with pleading eyes. "I'm sorry, Jen. I know I should've asked you before I borrowed Isabella, but Pig was carrying a letter for Ginny and Errol is way too old. I didn't think you would be mad. I'm sorry."

Jen smiled at him. "I don't mind that you used her, but next time let me know. Here is your letter," she told him as she handed him the letter. He took it and quickly read it; a smile crossing his face. "What does it say?" she asked. He handed her the letter and told her to read it.

Dear Mr. Weasley,

We are very sorry to have received your resignation a few days ago. You have always shown more than 100% in practice and during games. You have been a great asset to this organization and we will miss you dearly.

We hope that you enjoy your new life with your wife and you will always have a position here if you ever change your mind.

Consider this a confirmation that your resignation has been received and processed. Your final pay will be deposited into your Gringott's vault.

We all wish you the best of luck.

The Chudley Cannons

PS - If you ever want tickets, just ask. We will be more than happy to oblige.

When Jen finished reading the letter, she folded it up and handed it back to Ron. "So what are you going to do now that you are unemployed?"

"Well, I was kind of hoping that you would tell me about the job that you found for me so that I can propose to Hermione tonight," Ron told her.

Jen smirked at him. "I knew that you were going to say that. I guess I could tell you about your new job, but I have a few questions for you before I tell you." Ron nodded, though unsure about her questions. "What were your N.E.W.T. grades in Charms, Potions, Transfiguration, DADA and Herbology?"

Ron raised his eyebrows at her question. He was certainly not expecting her to ask him that. "Well, err... I got an O in DADA and Transfiguration, an E in Charms and Potions and an A in Herbology. Why do you ask?"

"Because the job I found for you requires you to have good marks in those subjects."

"Oh. So do I have good enough marks for the job?" Jen nodded with a smile on her face. "So, what's the job then?" he asked hopefully.

Jen's smile got even wider. "Congratulations, Ron. You have just been hired by me. You are my new assistant."

Ron's eyes bulged out of his head. "Are you serious? You're hiring me? Are you sure?"

"I'm positive. I am going to need an assistant when the baby comes anyway," she told him as she rubbed her belly. "I want you and Hermione to be happy and I know that she would be happy if you were around more. Plus, I think that you could be helpful to me. What do you say? Do you accept the job?"

"Do you really need to ask? Of course I'll take the job. When do I start?"

"Tomorrow morning. After breakfast." Ron got up and hugged her tightly. He thanked her and ran from the room. Jen laughed at him. She was glad that Ron and Hermione would finally going to be happy. I just wish that I could do the same, she thought to herself. She sighed and continued writing her letter to Dumbledore. When she finished, she said the incantation to conceal its contents before tying it to Isabella's leg. Once Isabella was out of sight, Jen headed downstairs to help Mrs. Weasley with dinner.

When she entered the kitchen, Jen found both Fred and George sitting at the table eating some cookies. "Hey guys," she said. They both said hello in return. "Do you need help with anything, Molly?" she asked.

"Yes dear. Could you get out the plates and silverware from the cupboard and set the table for me?"

"Sure. How many will there be for dinner tonight?"

"Me, Arthur, you, Ron, Hermione, Harry, Ginny, Fred and George," Molly told her. Jen nodded and started to take out enough table settings for nine people. Unfortunately, Jen could not reach all of the items she needed. Her large belly and lack of height got in her way. She was about to reach for her wand when a long arm reached over her and took the remainder of the table settings from the cupboard for her.

"Here you go," George said as he placed them on the counter n front of her. Jen turned around, looked up into his green eyes and smiled at him.

"Thank you, George." He smiled in return, shrugged his shoulders and left the kitchen; grabbing a few cookies as he left. Jen stared after him for a few moments before busying herself by setting the table. Both Fred and Molly watched the interaction and raised their eyebrows at each other. Then, as if they silently agreed, Fred left the room to talk to George so Molly could talk to Jen.

~*~*~*~*~*~*Kitchen*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

As Jen set the table, Molly stirred the pot that was on the stove. Molly turned around to find Jen sitting in a chair rubbing her stomach as she stared blankly at the door that George had left through a little while ago. Molly smiled to herself as she watched the younger woman. "You still love him, don't you?" she finally asked as she sat down next to Jen.

Jen was immediately brought out of her reverie and looked at Molly with wide eyes. "Excuse me? What do you mean, Molly?" Jen asked her, hoping that she hadn't heard her correctly.

Molly laughed at Jen's reaction. "Just what I said, dear. I asked you if you were still in love with George." A blush began to creep up Jen's neck, which caused Molly to laugh. "You don't have to answer that if you don't want to. I can see how that would be awkward since I am his mother, but you don't hide it very well. I have seen the way you look at him when you think no one is looking." Jen blushed and looked away from Molly. "I can see it in your eyes now, the same way I did six years ago."

Jen's gaze instantly fell back upon Mrs. Weasley. "With all due respect, Molly, I would really prefer not to talk about this right now."

"I understand, dear. I just think that you deserve to be happy for once in your life and I think that you would find that happiness with George. Why don't you talk to him?"

"There's nothing to talk about, Molly. We are only just becoming friends again. There is no need to ruin our friendship again," Jen mumbled.

"That may be, but how do you know that he doesn't feel the same way about you?" Molly asked her, knowing full well that her son was absolutely head over heels for her. Jen raised her eyebrows at the older woman.

"Because I know that he doesn't. If he ever felt anything for me, then he wouldn't have let me go the way he did six years ago. I waited for an owl from him for so long. I eventually gave up on him. I tried to write him so many times, but my heart just couldn't bear the silence I would have received in return." A tear slid down Jen's cheek and she hastily wiped it away. "I've wanted to come back here so badly during the years that I was away, but my heart ached too much. I wish I never moved," Jen said as several more tears escaped her eyes.

Molly put a comforting hand on Jen's shoulder. "I understand how you feel. I would most likely be saying the same thing if I was in your situation. But maybe you should just let the past go and start over. I wish there was a way to change what has happened to you over the years, but, unfortunately, there is no way. However, I do believe that there is happiness out there for you and George will be the start of it all," Molly told her as she patted her back. "Maybe it's time to finally give your heart what it has been denied for all these years." Molly stood up and resumed her cooking. Jen just sat in the chair, rubbing her belly and staring blankly at the kitchen door.

~*~*~*~*~*~*Fred and George's Room*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Fred walked into the room to George lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling with a blank look on his face. "What's the matter, George?" Fred asked, knowing very well what was wrong with him.

"I feel lost, Fred. Completely and totally lost," George told him as he continued to stare at the ceiling.

"You still love her, don't you?" Fred asked him as he sat down on his own bed.

"If I could only express just how much," George told him. Fred's heart went out to his brother. He just wished that the two of them would finally admit their feelings to each other that way they could both finally find happiness together.

"So why don't you tell her then?"

George sighed. "I can't just walk up to her and tell her that I have been in love with her for almost ten years. Our friendship died during the six years she was gone and we are only just starting to mend it. Why would I want to screw it up now?"

"Because I have been by your side every Christmas when you drink yourself completely stupid. I have been by your side when you have broken down crying because you miss her so much. I have been by your side ever since she left and I've been trying to pick up your broken pieces ever since. You have been miserable since she left, but now... now you're starting to become the old George again." Fred stood up to leave the room, but paused when he reached the door. "All I'm saying is don't deny yourself the one thing that you really, truly want. It's been killing you for six years now, don't add more time to that." With those words, Fred left the room. George just lay in his bed, staring at the ceiling with a blank expression on his face.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

That night, the Weasleys, Jen, Harry and Hermione found themselves seated at the table eating dinner. They had just finished eating dinner and Jen was helping Molly clear the dishes away when Ron cleared his throat.

"May I have you attention, please? I have something to tell you all." They all stopped their conversations and looked at Ron. He waited until his mother and Jen had rejoined the table before continuing. "I wanted to tell you all that I resigned from the Cannons today."

"What?!" both Hermione and Mrs. Weasley cried. Harry, Fred and George all gaped at him in shock. Jen and Mr. Weasley just sat there with no reaction, since they both knew about it.

"How could you do that, Ron?" Hermione asked him. She looked rather mad about it. "Why would you just quit your job without even talking to me about it first?" she asked him in a hurtful tone.

Ron looked across the table and saw Jen looking at him. She gave him a slight nod and he continued. "Don't be upset with me, 'Mione. I got another job."

She looked at him with curiosity, as did the rest of his family. "You did? Doing what?" she asked him as she wiped her eyes.

Ron looked from Hermione to the rest of his family to Jen and then back to Hermione. "I'm going to be working for the Ministry."

"What are you going to be doing there?" Harry asked him.

Ron quickly glanced at Jen and then back to Harry. "I got an awesome job. Jen helped me get it." At that, everyone looked at her.

She looked at everyone in return. "What are you all looking at me like that?"

"You knew that he was leaving the Cannons?" Fred asked her with raised eyebrows.

"Yes, I did. How else do you think I knew to get him a job?" Jen responded.

Hermione was looking at Jen through teary eyes. She looked even more upset now than she did before. "Why would you help him throw away his dream? After all he's worked for. You shouldn't have done that, Jen," Hermione told her in a rather harsh tone.

Jen just looked at Hermione in surprise. I can't believe she's getting mad at me about this. "I'll tell you what, Hermione. Why don't you let Ron finish telling you about his new job and why he even thought about quitting the Cannons before you go and get mad at me? If I was in your position, I would bloody well be thanking Merlin." With that, Jen left the kitchen; tears beginning to fall.

George stared after Jen, not fully understanding what had just happened. He knew that she would be crying by now and he was determined to be there for her. "I'll be back," he muttered as he stood up and left the room.

Ron looked at Hermione in shock. "Why did you say that to her, 'Mione?"

"She helped you give up your dream. Friends aren't supposed to do that."

"'Mione, did it ever occur to you that maybe she was helping me give up one dream for another one? A better one?"

Hermione looked at him in confusion, along with everyone else. "What are you going on about, Ron?"

"Well, this is not how I planned for this to happen, but here goes." He turned in his chair to fully face Hermione. "Hermione, we have known each other for eleven years now. We've been best friends for eleven years and we have been together for the last six years. Since we've graduated, you have become a very successful Healer at St. Mungo's and I have been the Keeper for the Chudley Cannons. My whole life, all I have ever wanted to do was play for the Canons; and now I am doing just that." Ron paused to take a sip of his tea.

"But recently, I have been thinking about my life and I have decided that I want to do something different with my life. I have a new dream; a dream that does not involve Quidditch. At first, I asked dad to help me find a job. He ended up asking Jen to help as well since she has many contacts as well. I didn't quit the Cannons until I knew for certain that I had another job lined up, which Jen got for me."

"What's the job, Ron?" Molly asked him.

"Actually, Jen hired me as her new assistant."

"That's wonderful, Ron. Congratulations," Ginny said to him.

"That's great, Ron. I'm really happy for you, but what is this new dream that you are talking about?" Hermione asked him.

Ron smiled widely at her. He got down on one knee and pulled a beautiful engagement ring out of his pocket. Hermione's jaw dropped at the sight of Ron kneeling in front of her with a ring in his hand. "My new dream is you and only you. For as long as I've known you, I have wanted to be with only you. My heart aches when I am away from you during the season and I know that I would never make a good husband as long as I was playing Quidditch. Here, at home with you, is where I know that I belong. Hermione Jane Granger, will you do me the honor of being my wife?"

Hermione's opened mouth turned into a smile as several tears slid down her cheeks. "Of course I will marry you, Ron." she told him as she flung her arms around his neck. Then, as if a bolt of lightning struck her, she remembered what she had said to Jen. "Oh my gosh. I have to go apologize to Jen." Ron nodded and kissed her before she left the room.

~*~*~*~*~*~*Meanwhile*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Jen sat in the living room, thinking about what had just happened in the kitchen. I can't believe she got mad at me for Ron quitting his job. George came in and sat next to her, pulling her from her thoughts. "Are you okay, Jen?" he asked her.

She looked at him with hurt eyes. "No, George. I'm not. I can't believe Hermione got upset with me over this. She doesn't even understand why Ron did it."

"I don't think I understand either. Why would Ron quit his job with the Cannons? He's wanted to do that for as long as I can remember."

"Ron quit his job because he wants to marry Hermione. He didn't want to do it while he was playing Quidditch because he knew that he would never see her and because he wants to have a family."

"So you helped him get a job at the Ministry so that he could marry Hermione?" he asked her.

"Yes, but I also helped myself. I hired Ron as my new assistant, both to allow him to marry Hermione and live comfortably and to give me an extra hand with my work once the baby comes," she told him as she patted her bulging belly.

George shifted uncomfortably on the couch. Just knowing that it was Malfoy who had raped and impregnated her made his hair stand on end. "That was a very nice thing that you did for them, Jen. I'm sure Hermione will get over it once she knows why you did it."

"Thanks, George," she said to him with a smile. At that moment, Hermione came rushing into the living room.

"Jen, I am so sorry. I never should have gotten angry and said what I said to you. Will you forgive me?" she asked her older friend as she hugged her.

"It's okay, Hermione. I understand why you got upset. I just hope that everything will work out for you," Jen told her as she winced in pain.

"Are you okay, Jen?" George asked with concern.

"I'm fine. The baby just kicked me. Sometimes it hurts," she assured them. They both looked relieved that it wasn't anything serious. "Wanna feel it?" she asked them. Hermione nodded her head eagerly and Jen placed Hermione's hand on her belly. "George, do you want to feel?" she asked him. He gulped at the thought of touching her stomach, but he agreed when he saw the happiness in her face. She took his hand and placed it on her stomach and waited.

Several moments later, they both felt the baby kick and they both got excited. "Wicked," George said as he pulled his hand away. Hermione agreed. Jen smiled at the both of them.

"Well, I am going to go to bed now. I will see you both in the morning. Tell everyone else that I said good night. Congratulations, Hermione. I am very happy for you," Jen said as she stood up. She walked out of the room and up the stairs. George stared after her; an adoring look in her eyes.

Hermione noticed the look on his face and smiled. "I don't know why you don't just tell her that you love her and get it over with," she said to him and she stood up and went back into the kitchen to rejoin her fiancé.

George stared after Hermione with his jaw hanging open. He then returned his gaze to the direction of the stairs. Why can't I just tell her how I feel? Why is this so difficult for me? He asked himself. He put his head in his hands and thought about everything that has happened over the past five months. I know that Jen would be a good mother. I just wish that the child she was carrying was mine.