Chapter One; Missing
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny all went over to Bill and Fleur's house so that they could see their new kitten Ellie. It was Ginny's birthday and she was now eighteen years old. Even though Harry was really excited and happy for her he hadn't really had a good night's sleep in weeks ever since he had talked to Jessie and found out that her boyfriend Alan had been abusing her.
However Ellie was so cute that he couldn't help but smile down at her as she mewed everywhere she went and then hunching over she started chasing her little squeaky mouse toy. She stopped and caught it inside her mouth before she rolled over onto her back and started kicking it with her tiny back paws. Hermione and Ginny giggled.
"Aww,.. she's doing the exact same thing that Princess used to do when she was a kitten." Ginny remarked when all of a sudden Bill came down the hallway carrying Johnny at his hip.
"Somebody just woke up from his nap." He said with a grin before setting his son on the ground and watching him run over to join the group before he tripped and fell landing straight on his bottom.
"Uh oh, you better watch it mate." Ron told him.
"Oh, he's alright. He's got a lot of padding." Ginny told him when suddenly he rose to his feet again and pointed at Ellie.
"Kiddy!?" he cried as Harry smiled at him.
"Yeah that's right buddy that is a kitty." He told him with a nod.
"Do you want to pet the kitty?" Hermione questioned him leaning her head close to him and showing him the proper way to pet her. Johnny ran his tiny little hand a crossed the fur on her back.
"Kiddy,.." he said happily with a wide grin revealing both his top and bottom tooth.
"Hey Johnny, come here. I have your snack ready for you." Bill said walking over to him as Johnny looked up at him and blinked his eyes before holding up his little arms and gesturing for his father to pick him up. Bill hoisted him up inside his arms and kissed the top of his head before carrying him away.
"I can't believe how gentle he is." Ginny said.
"I know, Bill and Fleur are lucky that he's so gentle around Ellie." Hermione said.
"You mean Ellie's lucky." Ron began. "Most children Johnny's size would try to pull her tail or something." He finished but Harry found himself staring into space again.
"Are you alright Harry?" Hermione questioned him with concern while studying the expression on his face.
"Oh c'mon mate, this doesn't have anything to do with Jessie does it? They arrested Alan. He's in jail now, he can't physically hurt her anymore." Ron told him.
"I know, but it's the emotional part that I'm worried about." He said glancing back up at him.
…
The next morning Harry realized that Jessie still wasn't in church and as soon as the pastor had addressed the congregation as usual, he allowed him to get up there and saw a few words. "Many of you if not all of you by now have heard about our own Jessica Cross. Even though she has been completely healed physically, emotionally I'm afraid she's been scarred for life and she desperately needs all of your prayers and support since that's the only thing we can really offer her right now.
"Anyway, turn your books to three hundred and twenty nine and we shall sing a couple verses of Leaning On the Everlasting Arms before I lead us into our usual Morning Prayer." He said as every grabbed their hymn books and stood up before the pianist began to play.
What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning,
Safe and secure from all alarms.
Leaning, leaning.
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace,
With my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning,
Safe and secure from all alarms.
Leaning, leaning.
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
As soon as the song ended they all closed their eyes, bowed their heads, and began to pray. "Heavenly Father, we come before you this morning Lord in which to thank you for another glorious day in which you have made." Harry began. "We also ask that you watch over Jessie and heal her heart even though it has been broken. Thank you for everyone here who has been able to take time out of their busy schedules to come here this morning and worship your holy name.
We also pray for those who don't know you whether they are here this morning or not. We pray for Alan that he might come to see the error of his ways and be able to come to you through your son Jesus Christ who died on the cross for our sins so that we may be forgiven and one day we might be able to join you in Heaven. Please forgive Alan and all those here who have also done wrong. Please also stay with their families through whatever life struggles they may be facing. And thank you for all of the blessings that we have in our lives. Amen." He finished.
"Amen." Everyone else echoed.
Later on that morning after church Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny exited the church together with the sound of ringing church bells inside the distance.
"I sure hope that Jessie feels better soon so that she can come back to church. I really miss her, I haven't seen her in days." Ginny said.
"I know, but it's like Harry said. Unfortunately there's not much we can do for her right now except pray." Ron told her.
"Yeah, and when it really comes down to it, that's the best thing we can do." Harry said.