After All We've Been Through

Chapter 8

The Big Day... or is it?

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Two months had past since Ron had proposed to Hermione. Jen was getting bigger and the wedding was planned. Ron and Hermione were to be wed in July, which was two months away. It may have seemed like a short engagement, but they had been together long enough.

Hermione had asked Ginny to be her maid of honor and Jen and Angelina to be her bridesmaids. Ron had asked Harry to be his best man and Fred and George to be his groomsmen.

The plans for the wedding were going smoothly. They were going to be married on the Quidditch pitch at Hogwarts by Albus Dumbledore. Mr. Weasley was going to be giving Hermione away since both of her parents had died back in her sixth year.

One day, about five weeks before the wedding, Jen was sitting out by the pond near the Burrow. She had transfigured her guitar into a keyboard and was playing a song that she had written.

If it hadn't been for the twig on the ground, Jen would have never known that someone was behind her. She stopped playing and opened her eyes. "Hello, Hermione. What can I do for you?" Jen asked.

"How did you know it was me?" she asked as she sat down next to her older friend.

"I just knew. What can I do for you?"

"What was that you were playing? It was beautiful."

Jen smiled at her words. This conversation reminded her of the one she had with Ron a couple of months ago. "It's a song I wrote while I was attending the Muggle university in America."

"What's it called?"

Jen's smile grew wider. This could be interesting. "It is untitled as of now, but I will have one by the wedding."

Hermione looked confused. "Why by the wedding?"

"Because I am going to perform it for the two of you at the wedding."

Hermione smiled at her. "Really? That would be great. Thank you so much."

"You are most welcome. I also wanted to tell you something pertaining to the actual ceremony and reception on the pitch." Hermione raised her eyebrows and gestured for Jen to continue. "I have been working on an environment bubble or sorts. It can create natural weather."

"Wow. That sounds really cool. What are you going to use it for?"'

"I was actually going to use it for your wedding, since the ceremony and the reception will be held outside. That way you will have a beautiful day without a cloud or drop of rain in the sky, no matter what the actual weather is."

"Are you serious? Jen, that is so cool. Thank you. It really means a lot to me. The one thing I feared most about having an outdoor wedding is that it might rain. But with your invention, I don't have to worry. That makes me feel much better."

"Not a problem, Hermione. Consider it part of your wedding present."

"Part of our gift? What's the other part?" she asked Jen with a quizzical look.

"That, my friend, is for me to know and for you to find out."

Hermione laughed. "Okay, I've known you a long time and I know that you wouldn't do anything to hurt or embarrass us."

Jen laughed. "My name is certainly not Fred or George Weasley. And trust me, you'll love it."

"I'm so excited. I can't wait till July when I will finally become Mrs. Ronald Bilius Weasley," Hermione told her. She stood up and hugged Jen. "I'll see you later."

Jen said good bye and turned back to her keyboard. This is going to be a great wedding, she thought to herself as she began to play again.

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Three weeks had passed since Jen and Hermione had talked by the pond. Jen was sitting in the Leaky Cauldron with George, enjoying a peaceful lunch. Jen had to meet the girls in thirty minutes so that they could shop for their dresses for the wedding. The two of them sat there talking about the baby.

"So, have you found out if it's a boy or girl yet?" George asked her.

"No. I want it to be a surprise."

"Any names picked out?"

"Well, I had thought of Kyle Christopher for a boy's name and Alexandra Lynn for a girl's name," she told him.

George thought for a moment about the names she had chosen. Kyle Christopher Weasley... that sounds kind of nice. Alexandra Lynn Weasley... that could work too. "I like those names, Jen."

"Thanks. I can't wait till the baby is born," she said as she rubbed her belly.

"I can imagine. I'll bet you are just waiting for the baby to come out. I remember when Mum was pregnant with Ginny. She was always complaining towards the end about how enough was enough and that the baby needed to come out already," George told her with a laugh.

Jen smiled at the story he just told her. "I feel like that sometimes. Other times I just wish this would all go away," she finished softly. George stopped smiling and looked at her with concern.

"Why would you wish for this to go away?" he asked her. She shrugged her shoulders and turned away from him. He knew what she meant. "Listen to me. I know that you feel slightly insecure about being a mother, but I think you'll do a great job. I mean, if you were able to keep me, Fred and Lee in line during all our years at Hogwarts, a baby would be a walk in the park." Jen laughed at his words. "You'll be great; you'll see. And we'll all be there for you every step of the way," he told her warmly.

Jen smiled at him. "Thank you, George. That really does mean a lot," she told him as she glanced up at the clock that hung behind the bar. "Bloody hell. I have to go. I'm supposed to meet the girls in five minutes and it will take me ten minutes just to get there," she told him as she reached for her money bag.

George placed his hand over hers and shook his head. "Lunch is on me today. You better hurry or you'll be late," he told her.

She smiled and stood up. "Thanks, George," she said. She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and headed out the door.

George watched her leave and then brought his hand up to his cheek. He felt a blush began to creep up his body. Sweet Merlin, I love this girl. George gathered his things, left some galleons on the table and headed back to the shop.

Jen entered the dress shop to find Hermione, Ginny and Angelina already there. She apologized for being late and then began to sort through the racks. Jen, who was hesitant to try anything on because of her very pregnant state, opted to help the others find their dresses first.

She pulled out a simple but elegant light blue dress for Angelina. It had a scoop neck and it only showed half of her bare back. There was a slight embroidered pattern along the hem and the breast of the dress. The dress was tight at the top and it flared out at the waist. Angelina was a little wary about trying it on. She was never one to wear form fitting clothing, but Jen assured that she would look great. True to her word, Angelina looked gorgeous.

"You look beautiful, Lina," Jen told her. Angelina blushed at the compliment and muttered a thank you before heading back to the changing room.

Jen picked out a pale green dress for Ginny. It had a slight train and it was off the shoulders. It had a scoop neck in the front and a v-neck back. It was made of satin material and it would look perfect on Ginny. Ginny took it into the changing room and came out a moment later with a huge grin on her face.

"Ginny, you look gorgeous," Hermione breathed. Ginny's smile turned into an embarrassed look.

"You do, Gin. It compliments your hair, eyes and figure perfectly. It's like it was made for you. Good pick, Jen," Angelina told both girls. They both smiled at her in return and Ginny went in and changed back into her clothes.

"Thanks, Lina. Ginny, you look absolutely ravishing. I think you will definitely knock the socks off one Mr. Harry Potter," Jen told her young friend with a smirk. The other girls giggled at her comment.

While waiting for Ginny to come out, Jen perused the selections until she saw the perfect dress for herself. It was a periwinkle blue, just like her dress robes. It had a scoop neck and a plunging back line. It also had a slight train in the back and it flowed beautifully to the ground. Jen wished she had the figure to wear it, but she was pregnant and pregnant girls didn't wear stuff like that. She had started to put the dress back when the shopkeeper approached her.

"Why not alter the appearance of the dress a bit so that it will fit you better, my dear?" she asked Jen as she watched Jen look longingly at the dress. Jen snapped out of her reverie when she heard the saleswoman say something to her. Jen nodded in understanding and then took the dress off the rack and headed into the changing room. Once she was dressed, Jen stepped out of the dressing room and the other girls were amazed at Jen's appearance.

"Jen, you look bloody amazing!" Angelina exclaimed. Jen blushed at her words.

"Thank you, Lina. I feel like a hippo," she added with a laugh.

"Bollocks! You look absolutely beautiful. Enough to knock Mr. George Weasley right out of his socks." Jen turned a brilliant shade of red. She then turned around and went into their respective rooms to work. It was then that they heard a voice; a voice that mad Jen's heart skip a beat and her throat close up.

"Well look at what we have here. A Mudblood, the Weaselette and a Weasel lover," the cold drawl of Draco Malfoy said.

"Are you picking out wedding dresses?" Pansy Parkinson asked from Malfoy's side.

Seeing her engagement ring, Malfoy's eyes widened. "Don't tell me that the Weasel actually wants to marry you," he said coldly to Hermione.

Ginny was about to open her mouth in response, but Jen had just exited the dressing room and the three girls just looked at her. They knew that it was Malfoy who had attacker her. "That's enough, Malfoy," Jen said through gritted teeth.

His eyes widened when he saw her, but the real shock came when he saw her pregnant stomach. He gasped at the sight, but Jen didn't falter under his gaze. She had so many emotions running through her at that moment that her body was shaking. "I thought this story had a policy about pets, Malfoy," Jen said with a smirk as she glanced at Pansy.

Both Pansy and Malfoy went to grab for their wands, but Jen was too quick for them. Pansy and Malfoy found themselves silenced and hanging upside down in mid air without their wands. Both were screaming profusely, but no sound escaped their lips. Angelina hurried over to the shopkeeper and assured that no harm would come to anything in the shop. Hermione and Ginny watched in awe at their friend's self control.

Jen walked up to Malfoy and placed her hand over his mouth to stop his silent screams. He finally stopped moving his mouth, but he continued to stare daggers at her. "If I were you, Malfoy, I would leave this store and not look back. I would also advise you to stay away from all of the Weasleys, Hermione, Angelina, myself and anyone else that you know is very close to me. That also includes Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes," she told him calmly. Pansy was still thrashing around, but to no avail.

Jen took another step closer to Malfoy and began to speak in a voice just above a whisper. "If I ever see you or any of your friends near any of us again, I will kill you. You have ruined my life in so many ways." She paused and glanced down at her bulging belly before continuing. "If I ever see you near me, my family or any of my friends again, you will die. Am I understood?" she asked him in a very calm voice. He nodded and he then found both himself and Pansy back on their feet with their voices and wands. "Now get out of here," Jen warned.

Though Pansy didn't hear the last bit between Jen and Malfoy, his face was enough to make her leave quietly. It was only when he got to the door that Malfoy thought he was brave again. "I'll get you next time, Weasel lover. Mark my words." Jen spun around in anger, but Malfoy and Pansy were gone.

Jen had begun shaking again. She was furious about what had just happened. Ginny, Hermione and Angelina went over to her and hugged her. "Come on. Let's pay for these dresses and get over to the shop. The boys are probably wondering what's taking us so long," Ginny said as they gathered their things.

Jen paid for all of the dresses and accessories, despite the protests from Ginny, Hermione and Angelina. They took their bags and headed for the joke shop. Upon entering the shop, they found Fred and George talking to Lee, Alicia and Katie. They all greeted the girls and Alicia and Katie left the boys to discuss the upcoming wedding.

"Are you okay, Jen?" Katie asked her when she noticed her friend's facial expression.

Ginny looked at Jen and then at Katie. "We had a run-in with Malfoy while we were looking at dresses," she told her in a low voice. She didn't want her brother to hear, but it was too late.

"Did you say Malfoy?" George asked as he walked over to the girls. Ginny nodded her head and a frown worked its way onto George's face. "I'm going after him," he said as he headed out the door.

Unfortunately, he never made it to door. He soon found himself frozen in place. "No, George," Jen said quietly. "You must not go after him at this time." She unfroze him and he turned around to look at her. "I have already dealt with him. I told him that, if I ever saw his face again, I would kill him."

George looked at her in surprise. "Do you think that was wise in your condition?" Jen cocked an eyebrow at him and everyone else stared at him in disbelief. "I mean, with you being pregnant. It's not like you could fight him-"

"Excuse me? Did you just say that I wouldn't be able to beat that slimy little ferret?"

"I didn't mean it like that. I meant that, with you being pregnant, you wouldn't be much help in the war." Fred slapped his hand on his head at George's comment.

Jen was furious. "Are you telling me that I am useless in our cause because of what that good for nothing son-of-a-bitch did to me?" Jen was starting to yell and everyone else saw how upset she was getting. If it was one thing they learned about Jen when she was pregnant, she was very moody.

"No, that's not what I meant either. It's just that you need to take care of your child and protect them."

"Which is why I will fight in this war?"

"But you can't. You need to stay at home with you son or daughter. I'll protect you from You Know Who." Jen's eyes bulged out of her head and George immediately knew that he said the wrong thing.

"GEORGE ARTHUR WEASLEY! I cannot believe that you just said that to me!" George winced from the volume of her voice. "I am one of the most powerful witches in the world! Who are you to tell me that I can't fight? Who are you to tell me that I have to stay behind while you all go out and fight the good fight? I am fully capable of fighting in this war and protecting myself and my child. It's not your job to protect me, George Weasley!" With those last words, Jen fled the shop in tears.

"Jen, wait!" he called after her. His words fell upon deaf ears because she was already gone. "I want it to be my job to protect you," he muttered to himself.

Fred walked up to his twin and hit him in the back of the head. "Nice job, George. What a way to win her heart."

"Yeah, George, what would possess you to say something like that to her? While she's pregnant no less," Ginny said as she picked up the bags that Jen had left behind.

"I didn't mean for it to sound like that. I only meant that her child would need her during the war and that she would rather be close to her newborn child instead of fighting. What good would it do her son or daughter if she died in battle? Then they would never know her the way we all do and they would never love her like I do." George stopped with that sentence. The thought of Jen dying in battle and then her child being left all alone and never knowing her has tortured his sleep ever since he found out she was pregnant. He has had countless dreams where he is raising her son or daughter because she died during the war. He never told anyone about those dreams, not even Fred.

"Well, I'm going to go back to the Burrow and check on her. I'll talk to you guys later," Hermione said as she headed for the fireplace. The rest of the girls said their good-byes and followed her.

Fred and Lee just looked at George, who looked like he was about to cry. "Are you okay, George?" Fred asked. George just looked at his brother with painful eyes. "I really messed up, didn't I?" he asked. They both nodded.

"You have to understand, dear little brother. Jen is seven and a half months pregnant. She's been having mood swings very often and she's still bitter about the fact that her entire life has drastically changed in such a short time. Just give her some time to cool off before you go and talk to her. Explain to her what you really meant without tripping over yourself and hope for the best," Fred told him sincerely.

"I never would have said you were the sensitive type, Fred," Lee told him with a laugh. Fred hit him in the arm and George smiled, though he didn't laugh.

"First of all, I'm not your little brother. Two minutes doesn't really count. I'm gonna go upstairs now. If you need me, I'll be in my room." Fred and Lee nodded and George went upstairs.

George laid on his bed and stared at the ceiling. I can't believe I got her so mad. That wasn't my intention. I just want her to be safe.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~AT THE BURROW*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Jen appeared in the kitchen of the Burrow, causing Mrs. Weasley to jump in surprise. "Jen, you scared me. What are you doing back so early? And where is Ginny, Hermione and Angelina?" At that moment, the other girls appeared, causing Mrs. Weasley to jump again. "What in the name of Merlin is going on? Hello Alicia. Hello Katie." Alicia and Katie said their hellos and then looked sympathetically at Jen, who was staring off into space. Molly noticed all of their behavior and decided to ask about it. "Is something wrong, girls?"

Jen looked at her friends and then to Molly before staring back off into space. "We saw Malfoy earlier," Jen told her. Molly gasped and covered her mouth with her hand. "I'm okay, Molly. I took care of both him and Pansy. It was just hard for me to see him after what had happened," she said as she stood up. "I'm gonna go lay down for a bit. Call me when dinner is ready."

"I will," Molly told her and Jen left the room.. Once she had heard the door to Jen's room close, Molly turned to the other girls with a questioning look. "So, what really happened today?" Ginny sighed and told her mother everything that had happened from when they had arrived at the dress shop to when they left the twins' shop. Molly just shook her head. "Those two better admit their feeling to each other soon. They are driving me nutters," she said as she stood up and went back to preparing dinner. The girls all nodded in agreement.

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"Hermione, you look beautiful," Ginny told her as she entered the room that Hermione was getting dressed in. Hermione smiled at her friend.

"Thanks, Ginny. So do you. Where are Jen and Angelina?"

"I'm right here," Angelina said as she entered the room. "Jen is in the bathroom. She will be a few minutes. Hermione, you look absolutely lovely."

"Thanks, Angelina. So do you."

"Hello ladies," George said as he popped his head in the room. "You all look stunning," he told them. He noticed that Jen was not there. "Where's Jen? We're gonna be starting in five minutes."

"She's in the loo, George. She'll be ready in a couple of minutes." He nodded and left the room. "Where is Jen? I hope she's okay," Hermione said nervously. Jen was eight and a half months pregnant and looked as if she could pop at any minute. Hermione was pulled from her thoughts when the door opened and a very pregnant Jen waddled in. Hermione smiled at her.

"Sorry I'm late. I had to use the loo. Didn't want to ruin my dress," she said with a smile, causing the other girls to laugh.

"Jen, you look beautiful. You really did a great job on that dress," Angelina told her.

Jen blushed. "Thanks, Lina. You look beautiful too; you all do." Jen conjured up a glass of water and took a big sip. "So, let's get this started. I need to sit down," she said with a laugh.

"Are you okay, Jen? If you need a few moments to rest, I'll totally understand," Hermione told her. All though she was anxious to finally marry Ron, she wanted to make sure that Jen was healthy enough for her to do so.

"I'm fine, Hermione. You and Ron have been together for just so long and you have both been waiting for this day almost as long. Everyone else has been waiting for this day since the two of you had your first row." Ginny and Angelina giggled at Jen's last comment, which caused Jen and Hermione to smile. "I will not allow the two of you to wait a minute longer. Now let's get moving," Jen said. She finished her water and made the glass vanish.

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Since Hermione was a Muggle, they had decided to have a combination Muggle/wizard wedding. Ron, Harry, Fred and George stood at the alter as Jen, Angelina, Ginny and Hermione walked down the aisle. Professor Dumbledore married them and then the reception was held in the same place.

Once everyone was seated, Jen walked up to the stage. "First and foremost, I would like to finally present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Weasley. "The entire crowd applauded them. "Now, it is my honor to bestow upon them two songs that I have written while I was attending a Muggle university in America." She looked over at Ron and Hermione and beckoned them onto the dance floor. "This first song is called "Greatest Story Ever Told." I originally wrote this song about a certain someone," her eyes briefly met George's, "and I thought that this song would be perfect for the two of you. This song goes out to Hermione from Ron." Jen conjured up a chair and sat down. She picked up her guitar and began to play.

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Thank you for this moment
I've gotta say how beautiful you are
Of all the hopes and dreams I could have prayed for
Here you are
If I could have one dance forever
I would take you by the hand
Tonight it's you and I together
I'm so glad I'm your man
And if I lived a thousand years
You know I never could explain
The way I lost my heart to you
that day
but if destiny decided I should look the other way
then the world would never know
the greatest story ever told
and did I tell you that I love you
tonight

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George watched Jen very carefully. He wanted to see if she would look at him again, but she did not. He listened to the words of the song, but was unable to place their meaning. He looked over at his younger brother and new sister-in-law and saw how happy they looked. I wish I could be that happy one day, he thought to himself as he looked back at Jen.

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I don't hear the music
When I'm looking in your eyes
But I feel the rhythm of your body
Close to mine
It's the way we touch, it soothes me
It's the way we'll always be
your kiss your pretty smile
you know I'd die for
oh baby
you're all I need
And if I lived a thousand years
You know I never could explain
The way I lost my heart to you
that day
but if destiny decided I should look the other way
then the world would never know
the greatest story ever told
and did I tell you that I love you
just how much I really need you
did I tell you that I love you
tonight
tonight

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"I never knew she could play the guitar," George said to Fred as he watched her play. He watched the way she closed her eyes and sang the words. She sang them as if she meant every word and was trying to say something.

"She learned when she was in America. She told me that she had taken lessons at her Muggle university," Fred told him as he took a sip of his drink. George nodded and kept listening.

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And if I lived a thousand years
You know I never could explain
The way I lost my heart to you
that day
but if destiny decided I should look the other way
then the world would never know
the greatest story ever told
and did I tell you that I love you
just how much I really need you
did I tell you that I love you tonight

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Everyone applauded and Jen bowed her head in thanks; she never left her seat. She lifted her wand and conjured up a magical drum set and keyboard to play with her. "This next song is called "Long Time Coming" and it goes out to Ron from Hermione. I actually began writing this song just after I left Hogwarts for America. It wasn't until I attended the Muggle university that I was able to put it to music. I also wrote this song about the same someone." Without looking at George, she began to play.

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Everybody wants to be loved
every once in a while
we all need someone to hold on to
just like a helpless child
yeah
can you whisper in my ear
let me know it's alright
it's been a long time coming
down this road
and now I know
what I've been waiting for
and like a lonely highway
I'm trying to get home
ooo loves been a long time coming

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Ron and Hermione danced across the floor, accompanied by several other couples. Harry had asked Ginny to dance, Fred danced with Angelina and Lee was dancing with Alicia. Katie would have asked George to dance, but she saw the way he was staring at Jen and knew that it was not worth it to bother him. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley joined the crowd on the dance floor, as well and Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall and Remus and Tonks. George, however, sat in his seat staring at the beautiful woman on stage.

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You can look for a lifetime
you can love for a day
you can think you got everything but
everything is nothing when you throw it away
yeah
then you look in my eyes
and I have it all
once again
it's been a long time coming
down this road
and now I know
what I've been waiting for
just like a lonely highway
I'm trying to get home
ooo loves been a long time coming
didn't know I was lost
till you found me
uh huh
didn't know I was blind
but now I see

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Jen was now looking at George, who was sitting alone and staring back at her. A tear slid down her cheek as she looked away from him. He wanted to yell out to her that he loved her, but he knew that he could never do that. The two of them hadn't spoken to each other since that day in Diagon Ally. What I wouldn't give for this song to be about me, he thought as he put his head in his hands.

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can you whisper in my ear
let me know it's alright
it's been a long time coming
down this road
and now I know
what I've been searching for
oh been a long, long highway and
now I see
ooo loves been a long time
ooo been a long time
loves been a long time coming

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Jen finished the song and was met with a standing ovation. She stood up and bowed to her audience. She then held up her hand for silence. "I know that only the maid of honor and the best man are supposed to make the speeches, but I have something to say." She conjured up a glass of water and took a sip. "As most of you may know, Ron has been working for me for the last three months and has been a major help. He has done so much for me so far, as have all the Weasleys, and I have something for him in return. Due to the current situation," Jen patted her large belly, "Ron and Hermione have decided to postpone their honeymoon a few months. That, however, is not acceptable to me. I have known these two for many years and, not only have they waited for this day, but we all have. I will not allow their happiness to be put on hold because of me. This is why I have taken it upon myself to arrange it with Hermione's boss to send them both on their honeymoon immediately." Ron and Hermione's jaws dropped along with just about everyone else's. "Consider this my wedding gift to the both of you. You will be leaving tomorrow morning and will be spending two weeks on the beautiful beaches of Hawaii. Congratulations to the both of you and I hope that you both have fun." Jen waddled off of the stage to meet Ron and Hermione.

"Jen, what are you doing?" Ron began.

"We can't accept this," Hermione continued.

"We have planned on going in a few months, we can't go now."

"Ron, Hermione, you two deserve this trip more than ever. The trip is already paid for and it is my wedding gift to give. Enjoy it."

"But what about the baby?" Hermione asked.

"I have already spoken with Molly and Arthur and they have agreed to help me as much as possible until you return. I am ordering you to go and I will not tolerate anything but a yes from either of you," she told them both firmly.

They both gave her a smile and then a hug. "Thank you," Hermione whispered in her ear. Jen smiled at them both.

"I just want you two to enjoy yourselves. You deserve it," she told them with a smile. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get a drink," she told them as she waddled over to the refreshment stand.

While standing at the refreshment table, Jen felt a pair of eyes on her. She knew without looking who they belonged to and it was making her slightly uncomfortable. Then, sensing someone close to her, she turned around to find George standing directly behind her. "What do you want?" she asked him.

He smiled weakly at her. "Can we talk?" He looked at her pleadingly. She nodded. Jen hadn't spoken to George since that day in Diagon Alley and she hated it. She had been so angry with him for what he had said and she had never given him a chance to explain. "Will you dance with me?" he asked her as the next song began. She took his outstretched hand and walked with him onto the dance floor.

"I'm sorry," he told her as he put his arm around her waist. "I'm sorry for what I said to you that day in Diagon Alley." She went to say something, but he stopped her. "Before you say anything, let me say what I have to say." She closed her mouth and looked at him. "I never meant what I said; at least not the way it came out. All I meant was that I didn't want anything to happen to you. I feared that you would either be severely injured or even killed in the war. I don't think I would be able to handle that; especially if you ended up dying, leaving your son or daughter alone in this world. Then they would never know what a wonderful and beautiful woman you are."

"I'm sorry too. I never should have yelled at you the way I did without letting you explain. I guess I am still a little hurt from the six years that you didn't talk to me." George lowered his head in shame.

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The strands in your eyes that color them wonderful
Stop me and steal my breath
Emeralds from mountains thrust toward the sky
Never revealing their depth
Tell me that we belong together
Dress it up with the trappings of love
I'll be captivated
I'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above

I'll be your crying shoulder
I'll be love suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life

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

"I am truly sorry about that. When I first heard that you were leaving, I was crushed. So many things ran through my mind and I couldn't sort them out. That is also the reason why I never came to say goodbye to you that day. I wanted to write you, but I never knew what to say."

"I wouldn't have cared if it was only a hello. Anything would have been better than nothing, George."

"I know. Well, I have something to say to you now. It's what I was going to say to you before I found out you were leaving." She looked at him with raised eyebrows. Here goes nothing. "We've been friends for a long time now and I consider you a very close friend. During our fourth year, something changed. At first, I didn't know what it was and I ignored it. As the years passed, I came to realize and accept what that change was." George stared deep into her hazel eyes. He remembered his Gryffindor courage and continued. "I felt it back in seventh year when you left and I still feel it now. I have remained silent about this because I was afraid, but I'm not afraid anymore." He took a deep breath before his next sentence. "I'm in love you." Jen's eyes widened and she let out of a tiny gasp. Fear of rejection came over him, but he needed to finish before he said anything. "I have been in love with you ever since the day you, Fred and Lee pushed me in the lake back in fourth year. I have thought of nothing but you since that day. I have dreamed of you and me together so many times. The way you smile, the way you laugh, the way you cry, the way you frown; when you're angry, happy and sad." There were several tears falling down her cheeks, which George wiped away with his thumb. "When you were attacked, I was so angry, but hurt at the same time. I was hurt because your life was going to change forever. You were forced into motherhood and you were going to be doing it alone, even though you were going to be getting help from me and my family. I was also hurt because I wasn't going to be the one sharing this experience with you. I wanted to be your first and only love and I wanted to be the father of your children," he told her as he lightly placed one of his hands on her belly.

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

Rain falls angry on the tin roof
As we lie awake in my bed
You're my survival, you're my living proof
My love is alive not dead
Tell me that we belong together
Dress it up with the trappings of love
I'll be captivated I'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows of heartache, that hang from above

I'll be your crying shoulder
I'll be love suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life

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

Jen gazed into his eyes and he returned her gaze. Jen felt as if she was floating. He loves me. After all this time, he loves me. Bloody hell! She saw his eyes flash with pain and he began to walk away from her. "George, wait," she said as she tightened her hold on him. "Don't leave. I have something to tell you too." He looked into her eyes, searching for a sign of hope. "Thank you," she told him with a smile. He looked at her with raised eyebrows. That was clearly not the reaction he had hoped for. "Thank you for feeling for me what I feel for you." It took him several minutes to actually process what she had just said to him, and his entire face lit up when he did. She smiled at him. "I have loved you for so long, George. I felt so much pain these last few years. I have wanted nothing more than to come and see you and tell you how I felt, but my heart hurt too much. I too have dreamed of the two of us together and being very happy. I have wanted only you to be my first love and only you to be the father of my children," she told him as she placed her hand over his. She leaned up towards him as he leaned down towards her.

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

I've been dropped out, burned up, fought my way back from the dead
Tuned in, turned on, Remembered the things that you said

I'll be your crying shoulder
I'll be love suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life

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

Lee, Alicia, Angelina, Katie, Harry and the Weasleys were all watching Jen and George on the dance floor. "I wonder what's going on with them." Lee said when he noticed that Jen was crying.

"I don't know, but I really hope that he is finally telling how he feels," Fred said.

"I'm with you on that one," Ron said. The others agreed. Then, as if on cue, they watched Jen place George's hand on her stomach and the two of them lean in for a kiss.

"Thank Merlin," Hermione said as they all witnessed Jen and George's first kiss. They all watched as the kiss intensified. Then suddenly, Jen fell to the floor clutching her stomach. Thinking that she was in labor, they all ran to her side.

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

Jen leaned up as George leaned down and their lips met for the first time. It was like nothing either of them had ever felt before. The kiss quickly grew more passionate. Jen brought her arms up around his neck and he put his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to him.

Suddenly, Jen pulled away and gasped. She grabbed a hold of her stomach and winced in pain. "Are you okay? What's wrong?" George asked her with concern.

"I don't know," she said. She gasped again. "I... think... I ... need... to... get... to..." Jen had never finished her sentence because she fainted.

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

And what a cliffy it is. Sorry guys. You will all have to wait until Chapter 9 to find out what happens. You guys gotta love me. LOL!

For the record, the two songs that I said were written by Jen's character at the wedding were NOT written by me. They are both from the 'What A Girl Wants' soundtrack and both songs are by Oliver James. I TAKE NO CREDIT FOR THEM!

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter.

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