"Fweddie!" Zara shouted as she once again launched herself toward her favorite red head.
"Hey Zara," Fred laughed as he helped the little girl climb into his lap, "I was beginning to wonder if your mother had left you behind."
"No, Fweddie," Zara scolded him as she latched onto his hair and snuggled into his chest. "Mommy din't forget me, I'm her snuggle bug."
"I can't imagine why she would call you that dear," Molly laughed as she watched as the little girl staked her claim on her son's lap before preparing to eat her dinner from her perch.
"This really looks wonderful Molly," Arthur complimented as he helped himself to a roll.
"Well thank you dear but I can only take half of the credit as Jones did most of the cooking this afternoon."
"Well she's a bloody good cook," Ron complimented around a mouthful of food earning him a disapproving glare from his wife which he ignored.
Molly bristled with pride for the girl she was fast becoming quite fond of. None of her daughters-in-law or any of her children for that matter had ever offered to actually help her make dinner and certainly not without using any magic.
Jones' comfort in her kitchen as well as her honest love for the warmth and familial feeling feelings the Burrow instilled had impressed Molly to no end. She had even surprised herself when she asked Jones to teach her how to make some of her more complicated dishes at a later date to which Jones had happily agreed.
"I wish Mione could cook like this," Ron muttered under his breath as he scooped large forkfuls of spaghetti squash into his mouth hungrily, earning him a good smack to the back of the head from Harry who was sitting on his other side.
"Now Jones dear, Molly began as the family contented themselves with stuffing their faces in true Weasley fashion. "I meant to ask you about your trip. How was it?"
Jones swallowed her mouthful of baked chicken. "Well, the Azores are very beautiful," she offered, "but honestly? The entire trip was a disaster."
"Really and why was that dear?" Molly asked surprised.
"Someone," she looked pointedly toward where Zara was attempting to feed Fred a spoonful of mashed potatoes, "was a real beast the entire trip. It should have been one of my easier assignments. You know get a few interviews about the festival take a few pictures and that's it but I'll be lucky if I have enough decent information for even a two page spread in the magazine with the way she was carrying on."
"Really?" Ginny asked shocked as she too looked toward the happy child. "Are you sure you took the right kid?"
Jones nodded and took a sip of her butterbeer. "Oh I'm sure. She screamed so much that I thought she had an ear infection at first but as you can see she's perfectly fine. There's no way I will ever get any work done if she acts like that every time we're on assignment."
Hermione patted a choking Ron absentmindedly on the back. "So what are you going to do? Can you to give up traveling?"
"Can't," Jones shrugged, "it's all part of the job and I really don't want to give it up. I've never loved a job so much and it would be a shame to give up something like this when I know she'll outgrow it eventually. Anyway I was actually going to talk to you and Ginny about it later because I think I may have a solution."
"Oh?" Ginny asked. "What is it?"
"A nanny," Jones winced at the word. "It's not ideal but I suppose I need someone who can travel with us when the need arises and watch Zara while I work. I was wondering if you knew any witches who might be good for the job since Zara's abilities make having a normal muggle nanny impossible."
Ginny and Hermione furrowed their brows in thought while Mrs. Weasley looked back and forth between Jones and Zara in consternation. "I'll do it," she announced expectantly causing all the heads of those involved in the conversation to snap toward her.
"But mum," said Ginny, "just think of all that travel. Are you really up for that? "
"Nonsense," Mrs. Weasley brushed off her only daughter. "I'm a witch aren't I? I could easily watch her here at the Burrow and just pop down and deliver her to her mother at night. As for whether or not I'm up for it well, you're not suggesting that I'm old are you Ginevra?"
Ginny looked horrified. "No, no of course not mum," she stumbled over her words as everyone else laughed quietly, "I was just thinking-"
"Oh I know what you were thinking young lady." Molly shook her head disapprovingly. "What do you think Jones? I would love to have your little one around during the days when you are gone and you have to admit I have the qualifications for the job," she joked with a wary looking Jones. "Oh and did I mention I'm free?"
"You're hired," Jones said quickly with a smile. "Thank you so much Molly," she said appreciatively.
Molly beamed happily glad she could help out. She got the feeling that Jones was another lost soul just like Harry had been when they had found him years ago and though she didn't know Jones' story and certainly didn't want to pry, she knew instinctively that Jones really was alone in the world with only her girls.
"That's wonderful dear. Anytime you need me you just let me know and I'll be more than happy to watch her."
"We'll help too," Ginny added looking toward Hermione and Luna who had taken an interest in the conversation and was nodding emphatically. "Lily would love to have her over for a sleep over."
"Hugo and Rosie too," Hermione agreed.
"Well when the baby comes I won't be much use to you at night but if you need any help during the day I'd love to help," Luna said. "I'm sure she'd like to hunt for faeries in our garden."
"I'm sure she would," Jones agreed. "Thank you all so much. When I brought it up I really hadn't meant for you all to volunteer so please don't feel obligated in any way."
"Hush now," Molly scolded, "we're happy to do it. If you can't tell," she gestured to the large family surrounding her, "we certainly don't dislike children. Now who's ready for dessert?"
The desserts that came flying out of the kitchen certainly silenced any further conversation about watching Zara and Jones couldn't be more thankful to have the Weasleys in her life. While she had only known them for a short time, they had made her feel like a part of their family, welcoming her and the girls with arms wide.
When the final plate had been cleared from the table Jones offered to help Molly with the dishes but was shooed outside to join the others out back while Zara napped on the couch and Fleur engaged the rest of the smaller children in a game of hide and seek.
Walking with Luna toward the large field near the back of the family's property she engaged the woman in idle conversation and was surprised to find that Luna was actually a noted naturalist in the wizarding world. The two quickly began comparing notes about some of their better excursions into the field over the years.
"Oi! Who's up for a game of Quidditch?" George shouted as he lay down an armload of brooms onto the field.
Eagerly the adult Weasley siblings and Harry rushed forward to grab brooms and began deciding on teams while Hermione wandered over toward where the two women had settled on a small hill.
"You don't play?" Jones asked surprised as Hermione took a seat.
"Oh Merlin no!" Hermione exclaimed as she shielded her eyes and returned Ron's wave. "I'm really terrible."
"She really is," Luna agreed with a laugh.
Hermione pretended to look affronted but soon let it slide. "So Jones do you know anything about Quidditch?"
Jones had to tear her eyes away from the sight of her friends soaring through the air atop brooms to answer her question. "Um yeah, a bit. I've read Quidditch through the ages and then just, you know, what Fred and Ginny have told me."
Hermione's eyes lit up at the mention of Fred but she decided not to comment. Unlike Ginny, she felt that the subtle approach was definitely needed in this case and she didn't want to break her promise to Jones not to meddle so quickly.
"By the way," Jones began as she watched either Fred or George knock what she had decided must be a bludger toward the other. "Did you ever find anything out about that portal?'
Hermione furrowed her brow in frustration. She wasn't used to her tried and true research turning up so little. "No but I have filed an inquiry with that department at the ministry so I should be hearing back any day."
At that moment Luna's baby decided to tap dance on her bladder and she excused herself to use the bathroom. Bored with watching Quidditch for the millionth time, Hermione offered to accompany her back to the house leaving a content Jones behind to watch the aerial acrobatics taking place far above her.
"Having fun?" a voice asked, startling Jones from her flying induced fantasy. Whirling around she was surprised to see Fred hanging upside down from his broom directly above her.
Erupting into a fit of giggles, Jones wasn't able to answer and soon Fred also found himself laughing hysterically and tumbling off of the broom onto the soft fall grass next to her. "So you really didn't see me coming?" he asked for the third time once they managed to talk without laughing between each word.
"No," Jones laughed remembering how ridiculous he had looked, "I really didn't."
"Well I suppose you did look like you were pretty deep in thought. Mind if I ask what it was about?"
"Course not. I was just daydreaming about flying. It looks like so much fun." Jones eyed his broom enviously. "I wish I could."
"Okay," Fred hopped up and grabbed her hand pulling her to her feet.
"Wh-what?"
"I said okay," he laughed as he grabbed his broom and swung his leg over the handle. "Come on, no need to beg, get on." Not needing to be told twice, Jones rushed over and climbed on behind him with only a small amount of assistance. "Alright back there?"
"Yep," she confirmed as she wrapped her arms around his middle.
"Now just hold on," Fred directed before turning his head to look at her earnestly. "I promise, I won't let you fall."
"Oh I'm not worried," Jones replied honestly, "now quit your chatter and let's go!"
"Yes ma'am," Fred laughed as he used his best American accent. "You are quite impatient aren't you? Alright on the count of three. One, two-," he kicked off hard into the air on two surprising Jones into letting out a happy squeal. "Three," he shouted over the roar of the wind as the pair rose higher and higher into the air. "You still doing alright back there Jones?'
"Faster!" Jones demanded in response and Fred happily obliged as he took them through a dizzying array of maneuvers he had been dying to perform for quite some time. Jones didn't know it but it was the first time Fred had flown freely in years and he was enjoying it just as much as she was.
When they were both out of breath Fred slowed the broom down and brought it to a hover. "Well?"
"That was amazing!" Jones shouted gleefully as she threw her hands up over her head. "I've never- that was- thank you Fred," she said as she wrapped her arms back around his middle and gave him a hug.
"Anytime," he grinned.
"Uh Fred, where are we?"
Fred looked down and was surprised to find that their ride had taken them further afield then he had intended. Rather than hovering over his family's Quidditch pitch they were skimming the treetops above the forest that bordered his parent's property line.
"No worries Jones," he assured her, "the Burrows just over that hill. Did you want to head back?"
Jones shook her head although she knew he couldn't see it. "No just wondering. Anyway if you're still interested I could explain what I said about scars earlier," she offered.
"I would love that," Fred admitted as he pointed the broom's handle downward and brought them to rest in a small glen. "I have to admit I've been trying to figure it out ever since you said it."
Clambering clumsily off the broom, Jones found a spot to sit on a fallen log and motioned for Fred to join her. "It wasn't much really it's just one of the philosophies in my life I choose to live by. We don't know each other very well Fred but what I'm about to share with you is pretty personal and it's not really a nice story so if you could not share it with the rest until I'm ready I would really-"
"I swear," Fred said and held up his wand. "I Fred Weasley do solemnly swear that I won't tell a soul what you are about to tell me."
Jones chuckled and threw a pine cone at him. "No need to be so dramatic Fred. I just want everyone to hear it from me rather than from someone else."
Fred lowered his wand and grinned crookedly before getting more comfortable, "of course."
Jones took a deep breath not knowing where to begin and finally decided that at the beginning was always a pretty good place to start a story.
"My family died." she paused, maybe that wasn't the best way to start a story but it was too late now. "Er yes. So as I said my family is dead I mean they weren't always, obviously right? Anyway when I was a kid I was always more adventurous than my younger brother and sister. I used to beg my parents to send me away for the summers so that I could 'spread my wings' or some crap like that, while my siblings were more than happy to stay home. I never knew for sure but I've always felt that my parents were secretly happy to be rid of me for those few weeks.
You see I was never the normal one. Trouble was my middle name. I was always getting myself into a predicament of some sort without meaning to. It's not something I can explain really, strange stuff has always just kind of happened around me.
Anyway, that summer, the summer after I turned twelve, I had gone away to some sort of wilderness camp for two weeks with a friend. When it was over, my friend's mother was came to pick us up and drive us home. Looking back, I should have known something was wrong when I saw the front yard. My mother was meticulous about the yard and it was covered in weeds, but I wasn't paying attention. Instead I waved goodbye, unloaded all of my things, and dragged them toward the front door.
The doctors say it's a miracle that I survived the blast. The fire officials claim that it was a gas leak that did it but the coroner's report said they had been dead for at least a week and a gas leak would have taken care of the house long before that. I suppose I'll never really know what happened but I'd like to think they all went peacefully in their sleep.
When I had recovered enough to leave the hospital, I went to live with my godmother in New York. She was my last living relative, my mom's older sister and she made me feel more comfortable with myself than anyone else ever had. She was a bit strange herself so never made a big deal out of some of the weird things I did and always encouraged me to do whatever made me happy. I'm not saying she was never disappointed in me she certainly was at times but no matter what I did, she still supported me.
I had always been the top student in my school. I never had to study or even really pay attention in class and after a few years school began to bore me. That's when I started getting in trouble.
I was so tired of being the freaky smart girl with her head always in a book, even though my aunt accepted me it didn't mean the kids at school did. To them I was just the loud mouthed know it all who ruined the grading curve so I did everything in my power to change that by acting out. I started trying to act more like them and soon found myself dating the most popular boy in my school and because I wanted to fit in I gave in when he pressured me to have sex. Course I wasn't prepared for the repercussions. Anyhow nine months later Hallie was born.
After that, I graduated school early and went to university to be a wildlife biologist while working as a pastry chef at night. It wasn't easy but I managed it with my aunt's help and for the first time in my life being a brain came in handy.
Once I graduated from the university I began working on a reserve, studying grizzly bears. That was, until one of them got to me. Put me in the hospital for a week. After that I focused more on research and started submitting pieces to the magazine I work for now which got my foot in the door.
When Hallie was four I started traveling around the world on assignments while my aunt watched over her. It wasn't ideal but it was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I was doing something I loved. Then, once Hallie was old enough, she began coming with me whenever I had a low risk assignments.
You see Fred, over the years I've had my share of close calls and while I've obviously survived each one, I have my share of scars and I wear them proudly. I think of them as my battle scars, and some of them literally are. They help to remind me that no matter how bad things are I can heal and come back stronger than I was before. They're nothing to be ashamed of they're just a part of my past."
Jones reached down and began to pull her shirt up over her head. "What are you-?" Fred asked wide eyed.
"I'm not trying to seduce you Fred," Jones laughed as she finished removing her shirt and tossed it aside. "I'm showing you my scars. I know it's kind of dark but can you see them?"
Fred leaned forward before whispering 'lumos' and gasped when he saw the scars covering Jones' torso, they were just as bad as his. "What happened?" he asked in amazement as he peered at a large patch of shiny flesh covering her side.
"Oh that one?" Jones pointed toward where he was looking. "That's from the explosion when I was twelve. I was in the burn unit for weeks. Luckily I was holding my big backpack when I opened the door of the house. It shielded me from a lot of the blast. Like I said, it could have been much worse."
"And this?' Fred asked quietly as he moved his wand toward three long scars that marred the length of her back.
"Bear attack. Those are probably my favorite. I'm still amazed I got away. A hungry Grizzly came upon our camp and mauled two of my colleges before turning on me. Somehow I managed to get ahold of one of our rifles even though it had been too far away to reach when the attack had started. He got in one lucky swipe before I took him out for good. After that I managed not only to call for help but also to patch myself up and stabilize the other two long enough for help to arrive. They both survived although their scars are much worse than mine. But the point is, not only did I survive but I also managed to save two other lives as well."
Fred stared at her in amazement and lowered his wand.
"I have a lot more, you probably just haven't noticed them," Jones added, "but I'm not ashamed of any of them. Each one tells a story about who I am and what I've been through. I'm a stronger person because of them and I can tell you at least one important thing that I gained from each one like today." She motioned toward her new scar on her forehead. "Today I learned not to stand so close to doors," she joked.
Fred continued to stare, mouth now agape and Jones shifted uncomfortably under his gaze.
"So um that's what I meant by what I said earlier," she stated lamely. "I'm sorry if that was more than you, you know, wanted to hear. I guess I'll just-."
She reached for her shirt but Fred stopped her hand. Giving him a puzzled look Jones watched as Fred took a deep breath before he peeled off his shirt as well revealing a body covered in scars.
"Sixteen years ago, I almost died," Fred began.
