****This is a fanfic all characters etc. belong to JK Rowling with the exception of Jenny Prewett and Alex MacCrimmon****
Late October—
Jenny laughed maniacally as she flew above the trees into the night sky, the wind blowing through her long hair, "You'll never catch me!" She called back behind her.
"You just wait, lass," Alex yelled up at her, "I'm faster than I look."
"You better be!" she teased, doing loops in the air. She dived straight down towards the lake.
"What are ye doing you madwoman?!" he gasped.
She pulled up at the last second, just enough to skim the surface with one hand. "I forgot how much I love to fly," she murmured feeling at peace for the first time in ages. She pulled up and shot back towards the stars. I don't know why, she thought, but even though the dreams haven't gone away... they don't bother me anymore.
"Alright, alright," Alex yelled, "I give in, you are the better flier, could ye please come down now, lass?"
She snickered as she landed softly on the edge of the lake, "Glad you can admit it now."
He chuckled, "Yes, yes I get it." He pulled her into a gentle embrace, resting his chin on her head.
"Alex," she sighed.
He leaned back slightly to look into her eyes, "I canna help it lass, until Harry shows up to fight me in person... I'm not going te give up!" he kissed her passionately.
Jenny tried to respond, she always did, but as much as she liked Alex... as attractive as he was... He's just not Harry. "I'm sorry, Alex. I wish I could feel the same way about you."
He shrugged, "I will keep trying. Will ye go with me to the All Hallows Staff Party?"
She shook her head and laughed, "Yes, of course."
"Oooh," Luna gasped, clapping her hands together, "You look lovely! Who are you supposed to be?"
"Juliet," Jenny smiled, adjusting her cleavage nervously, "Although I hope the poor girl didn't have this much showing."
"It's a beautiful gown," she protested, "Alex will be very pleased."
The redhead looked in the mirror and smoothed the sapphire velvet with damp fingers. The Renaissance gown was trimmed in silver and gold and cut to perfection. Empire waist to show off the bosom to advantage... a bit too much advantage for Jenny's taste. Her hair was pulled smoothly back to the nape of her neck where it fell in a braid almost to her waist. "Could you help me with my locket, Luna?"
Her friend nodded, "Of course, is it the one you got for Christmas our first year at Hogwarts?"
"Yes," Jenny nodded.
"Didn't Harry give you a book of sonnets that year? I remember you carried them with you everywhere after that." Luna hummed as she did the clasp.
"Yes," she replied weakly, "he did, for Valentine's Day. Would you excuse me for a moment?"
Luna pirouetted out of the room singing some sailing ditty she'd picked up locally. After she closed the door behind herself, Jenny walked to her bookshelf and pulled down the book of sonnets:
"Jenny?"
She turned, "Oh, hello Harry. Lovely decorations, aren't they?" She made a face.
He chuckled, "Oh yes, lovely." He cleared his throat, "I, um, got you something."
"You did?" She asked in astonishment, "How very thoughtful of you."
He blushed, "Here," he held out a small package.
Jenny opened it carefully, "Shakespeare's sonnets," she breathed, "How did you know?"
"Well, I grew up with Muggles," he shrugged, "I've read them."
"Thank you," she hugged him impulsively, "It's one of the nicest gifts I've ever received."
He hugged her back, "Thank you for helping me..."
"Oh," she stepped back, "you don't have to thank me. I enjoy helping you."
"Would... would you like to take a ride later?" he asked awkwardly.
"I would love to!" She smiled, "Before dinner?"
He nodded, "That would be brilliant."
"Jesus, Mary, and Joseph," Alex breathed as she walked down the stairs, "What are ye trying to do to me woman?"
She blushed, "Thank you, you look pretty spectacular yourself."
He made her a leg, "Lord Paris, at yer service milady."
She curtsied prettily, "Pleased to meet you, kind sir."
"May I escort ye to the ball, beautiful one?" he grinned up at her boyishly, holding out an arm.
"I thought you'd never ask," she smiled.
When they arrived the party was in full swing. The staff at the school was still not very big, since many parents opted to send their children overseas for schooling still. Many professors taught more than one subject. Jenny and Alex mixed and mingled, chatted and danced. Alex was attentive as ever and she was enjoying his company as always.
"Well, my dear," Professor Johnson, the Transfiguration instructor, nudged her in the arm, "It is so good to see you finally out and about with that dreamboat. I don't think the rest of us could stand seeing him pine after you any longer."
"We're just friends," she protested, "Nothing more."
"Oh honey," the tall black woman chuckled, "You don't know what you're talking about. That boy is head over heels in love with you. Has been ever since you arrived."
Jenny bit her lip, "I know, but I don't feel the same... no matter how hard I try..."
The other woman looked deeply into her eyes and frowned, "Oh my, it's like that, is it? Well... if you can make it work, he's about as close to perfect as you'll get."
She looked across the room to see the man in question staring at her as he talked to the Quidditch instructor, he smiled at her sweetly. "Yes, I know."
When she got home that night there was a letter waiting for her from Charlie
Jenny - Just to keep you guessing about what happened with Zina, because I am currently in a foul mood, I want to talk about Alex. I hope you are seeing more of him. Attentive is good. You deserve it more than you know. Have you taken him flying yet? Has he admitted you are better than him? If he can do that, he is a good man and might be worthy of you. Tell me more about what he does that you find so attentive, well, not everything, but you know...
So, I took your advice, I told Maisse how I felt about her, well, that I really liked her and wanted to see her. We spent All Hallow's Eve weekend together, she had three days off from training. I literally just walked in the door and had to write to you. I had her come to Romania so we wouldn't see anyone we knew. A lot of good that was... I'll get to that later.
I had an amazing time with her, Jenny. I've never felt like that, so happy, so, well giddy... yes, me giddy. We took in the sights, talked. It was wonderful. Do you believe in love at first sight? I didn't, but I do now, and I'm not just saying that, I told her I loved her and amazingly she told me she loves me.
So, the last day we had together, we were on our way to Bran Castle for a tour and a picnic when who did we run into in the lobby. Are you ready for this - ZINA!!!!! Yes, you read that correctly. Zina, complete with a baby. Maisse thinks Rory is mine, because he is a redhead. Not concrete proof in my opinion. Of course, this just ruined our last day and our last night. I told her everything about Zina. Instead of spending the night together though as we'd planned, she had me take her home. She wants me to talk to Zina and get answers about the baby. She thinks I should have a test done to find out if indeed Rory is mine.
What a mess! How can I find something so good and then turn it upside down so quickly. I hope to get a happy, mess free letter from you soon. And I do mean that, I want to hear happy things from your side of the pond.
Charlie
Jenny poured some water for the poor exhausted owl and asked it to wait for her reply. She furrowed her brow as she decided what to say. Finally she reached for her quill and began:
Charlie,
Oh dearest cuz, you do have it rough, don't you? I am so glad that things with Maisse are going so well. She does seem to be your perfect match... if you truly feel in love, cherish it! Don't ever let go... please? For me? Hold on to her with all your might, dear heart. Once you have found your soul mate, no one will ever take their place.
Alex is amazing and wonderful. He has indeed admitted I am a better flier and yes, that means I have taken to the skies again. It is the most amazing feeling; like I found a part of myself I didn't know I'd lost...
I had an epiphany... perhaps the greatest one of my young life... I finally realized that Harry didn't want me to leave... didn't want to leave me... that he just couldn't leave his newfound family. The fact that it's taken this long for me to realize this shows you how very much like my mother's family I am. Damn that MacQuarrie blood! Stubborn as mules, the whole lot of them! And yet... he didn't ask me to stay and that still stings.
Regardless, I am a changed woman, I have let the bitterness go... at last. Too late. I am fortune's fool, cuz... fortune's fool.
No worries, though, Alex still takes me out most nights, even though I've told him he is no more than a friend. He keeps insisting that until Harry comes and fights him for me fair and square he won't give up. Men.
Maisse is right, dear, you should get the test done. You need to know for certain if he's yours. I understand her point of view, she knows you are vulnerable... and so is she. Be fair to yourself and to her, brother of my heart. I wish I could be there to hold your hand through this, since I can't, know I am there in spirit.
Love,
Jenny
