Disclaimer: Do not own the Wonderful World of Harry Potter… not making any money from my writings…DO NOT LIKE that Rowling has killed Sirius Black and have chosen to pointedly ignore that certain part, allowing him to make an appearance here…
Note to readers: your reviews are only welcome in these types of formats: praise, gushing, skepticism, flames, anger, denial, repulse/disgust, and I suppose constructive criticism can be entertained as well…
A/N: Warning: Snape/McGonagall appearance starting from this chapter, will get worse as story progresses, or as worst can be without increasing the ratings. Also be prepared for unorthodox reaction of Harry towards Snape and Snape's unSnapeish behavior
Just a note: This is a continuation of another fic I wrote earlier, that was… let's say the stepping stone of McGonagall and Snape's relationship… I didn't/won't post it coz it's about Charlie Weasley and my OFC (Julianna Montgomery) and that's not really hot stuff here. It takes place in fifth year for the dream team and they were kidnapped by Voldermort at the end of that year. You don't have to read that to understand this, but I do make some reference to it occasionally. Also, note that Julianna and Charlie are married and have a little girl, Lizzie… you'll meet them later in the fic… probably around Christmas… ^_^… that's all…
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The nightmares had increased in intensity and were a constant occurrence that to a point she began to sleep in fits where she would wake every hour or so just to stop dreaming. This resulted in a very tired and gloomy Jessica (although she tried not to show it, for her mum's sake). And to make things worst, at today's breakfast Mrs. Stanford told her something she didn't really want to hear.
"Jessica, I have to go to Washington day after tomorrow, to handle a complicated court case," her mum said. Jessica groaned.
"But mum, I'm leaving for Hogwarts end of this week, couldn't you go next week?" she moaned. Mrs. Stanford looked troubled.
"I know darling, that's what I told them, but I'm needed there this week," she said. Jessica could see her mother become restless and knew she had to thread tactfully. She put on a fake smile.
"It's okay then mum, it'll only be a few days. We got to spend two weeks together, so that's something," she said, trying to sound cheerful. Mrs. Stanford gave her a grateful smile.
"Thank you for understanding. I'll see you tonight okay?" she said and picked up her briefcase. She dropped a kiss onto Jessica's head and left for work. Tiredly, (as she had spent most of the night awake) Jessica sat down on the sofa. Her eyes were so tired, she could barely keep them open. She fought the sleepiness but several days of not sleeping caught up with her and Jessica gently slumped to a lying down position on the sofa. She was asleep the minute her head touched the chair. And her nightmare began.
She was back in the school grounds surrounded by students pointing and laughing at her. Cries of 'mudblood' and 'muggle trash' could be heard in the air, all directed to her. She covered her ears but the taunts were too loud to be blocked out. Suddenly, out of the shadows, looking like an angry Adonis was Harry. He looked at her, his green eyes glinting. Then without a word he took out his wand and with his free hand he pulled Jessica into his embrace. Jessica was confused, as she clung onto him. What was Harry doing in her dream? Then she realized something else, he wasn't alone. Just behind him was Hermione, Ron, Parvati, Dean, Seamus, Neville, Lavender, Neville and they all had their wands drawn up, pointing to those who had laughed at her. With a small nod from Harry, spark of colors shot simultaneously from their wands hitting her taunters, sending them spiraling into the sky. Then, one by one, they began falling to the ground.
Thud, thud, thud.
Jessica woke up with a start. Whoa, what a dream, she thought, but couldn't help smiling a little at the thought of Harry saving her. Could it be? With this unusual turn of events, could it be that her nightmares would… stop? Jessica was too scared to hope it was true. Suddenly her ears perked up. Wait a minute, she thought, if that had been a dream, then why could she still hear the thudding sound?
Cautiously, Jessica got up from the sofa and looked around for the sound. It was coming from the kitchen window. Grabbing a baseball bat, she slowly made her way to the kitchen. What she saw made her laugh and put down the baseball bat. It was Ron's owl, Pig. The small bird was trying to get in and couldn't seem to understand that the window was closed and kept on banging himself against the glass.
"Stupid bird," said Jessica good-naturedly. She wouldn't acknowledge it but her insides were excited to receive mail from some one other than her mum. She quickly opened the window and the small hyperactive bird came zooming in, flying around the kitchen excitedly. It took several minutes for her to catch the small bird and untie the note on its legs.
Jessica,
Just wondering if you'd like to meet with me, Hermione and Harry at Diagon Alley this Friday?
Owl me,
Ron
"Oh Ron, what horrible timing," she muttered softly. She quickly summoned a piece of paper and a pen and scribbled a reply note. She then tied the note to Pig's leg and let the bird out the window, after letting it nibble on a wheat meal cookie.
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~At the burrow~
Ron,
Thanks so much for the offer, but my mum's going out of town day after and she's pretty much my only mode of transport…
Sorry,
Jessica
Hmm, thought Ron. That means she'd be all alone. Hmmm…Harry is here and don't the most unexpected things happen at the Burrow?
"MUM! DAD!" cried Ron and ran to look for his parents.
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Jessica had just finished showering when Pig flew into her room.
Another note so quickly, she thought amusedly as she untied the note.
Jessica,
If your mum's out of town, why don't you spend the rest of the hols here? Harry and Herm will be here too. It'll be fun, you can meet my family. We'll pick you up,
Ron
She reread the note again. Why not, like Ron said, it'll be fun.
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~At the burrow~
Ron,
My mum's okay with it. Is tomorrow, 10.00 am too early?
Jessica******************************
Jessica
Excellent. See you then
Ron
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~At the burrow~
"Wait a minute, let me get this straight; you're in love with someone who's spent the last three months ridiculing you, passing nasty remarks at you and basically hasn't been nice at all to you," asked Julianna. She and Harry were in the Weasley kitchen, and Harry had just told her about his feelings for Jessica. Harry winced. Why did she have to put it like that?
"Yeah," he answered simply, the continued.
"But that was before. She's different now. Now she's funny, sweet and helpful. Well, she was helpful from before but now she has no reservations about offering a helping hand. Jules, she's really great," said Harry, a silly grin on his face. Julianna had to admit to herself, she was a little stunned. She had never seen Harry loose himself like this over a girl. He never spoke like that when he was talking about Cho. Hell, even when he was with Ginny, he still remained a little unattached. Now, it was like he wasn't in control of himself… like he had no hold of his feelings… his mind. Not very Harry-like, that she was certain.
"And how does she feel?" she asked. Harry's grin disappeared.
"Dunno," he shrugged.
"She has no idea about your feelings?" Julianna was incredulous. According to Ginny, Harry wore his feelings for Jessica on his robe sleeves. Jessica couldn't possibly have missed it.
"No, if she did, she probably won't talk to me anymore. That's why she must never know," said Harry sadly. Julianna just shook her head in wonder. When she had agreed to help Harry with his love life, she didn't expect it to be so complicated.
"How can you be sure? Have you tried?" she asked. Harry's eyes clouded.
"No, but Justin tried," said Harry, venom in his voice.
"But she rejected him and then kept as far away from him as possible,"
"And do you know why she's like that?" Julianna asked again.
"She's hiding something about her past, I know, because she never talks about her previous school and her home. She doesn't trust people very much," Harry continued. And the plot thickens, Julianna sighed.
"Oh Harry, how am I suppose to help you if you won't even talk to her about it?" Julianna asked. Harry sunk deeper into despair.
"But you're a woman too, you should know how a woman feels," cried Harry.
"Why couldn't you have asked me a simple question like what's the meaning of life?" Julianna said. Harry gave a small grin.
"Look, Harry. I maybe able to communicate telepathically and at some bizarre twilight zone point can see the future, but I can't read people's thoughts. I want to help you, but if you won't talk to her, then what can I possibly tell you that'll help?" reasoned Julianna. Harry sighed. She had a point. If he won't talk to her, then Julianna couldn't do anything. She shouldn't be the one telling Jessica how Harry felt for her. That Harry had to do for himself. They looked down at a movement and saw Ron walk in. He was clearly waiting for someone not at all aware of their hovering presence. He was clearly excited about something.
Seconds later Hermione walked in.
"Herm, guess what?" he heard Ron say. He looked at Julianna who was also watching the two. She just shrugged her shoulders. Hermione was shaking her head.
"Guess who'll be joining us?" Ron asked again.
"Ron, I don't know, who?" said Hermione in an exasperated tone. Harry smiled at his two best friends. Ron loved getting a rise out of Herm. That's what kept their relationship strong and interesting. He heard Ron guffaw at Hermione's frustration. Harry could only see the top of her head, but he could imagine her annoyed look, but her brown eyes twinkling with humor.
"Jessica," Ron said.
What!?
"Harry!!!" Julianna screamed reaching out a fraction too late.
Ron and Hermione turned to look at Harry who lying in a heap at their feet. He was groaning slightly, probably from the impact.
"Bloody hell, Harry, where'd you come from?" Ron asked. Groaning a little bit more, Harry pointed to the ceiling. The two looked up to see Julianna slowly descending to the ground.
"Good heavens, couldn't you two have sat on chairs like normal witches and wizards?" cried Hermione as she knelt down beside Harry. Julianna who had just placed both feet on the ground joined her.
"Any broken bones Harry?" she asked. Harry shook his head, and slowly got up. Ron moved to his side to help pull him up.
"So, Jessica's coming is it?" he asked, rubbing his sore bum. Ron grinned.
"Yep, and Harry sorry I didn't believe you. You really have 'fallen' for her," said Ron unable to resist adding the pun. Julianna and Hermione laughed. Harry was too excited to feel angry.
"Jules, if she's coming, then you can talk to her," cried Harry. It was brilliant. Julianna rolled her eyes. What is she getting herself into?
"Talk to who?" asked Ron. Harry rolled his eyes at his best friend.
"Jessica, of course," he answered. Ron was still confused.
"About what?" he asked again.
"Me, blubber brain!" Harry cried out in exasperation. Now it was Ron's turn to roll his eyes.
"Harry Potter, you must the biggest chicken shit ever," he said. But Harry wasn't listening. He had turned a pair of glowing green eyes to his god sister.
"So, Jules, will you do it?" he asked. Julianna looked helplessly to Hermione and Ron. She wanted to help, she really did, but if she made a mistake, Harry will suffer. She was saved however from answering for at that moment walked, or actually toddled in a two year old little girl in a soft blue dress.
"Mummy, I need to go potty," said little Lizzie. Julianna hurried over to her daughter.
"Okay, then sweetheart, let's go potty," she said and scooped the little girl into her arms. With a last wave to the three, she walked out of the kitchen.
A/N: Yay, Jessica's coming to the Burrow… and that means she'll spend more time with Harry… unless… of course… things don't go exactly as planned…
Umm, no, my other ficcy about Snape and McGonagall isn't really an extension of this fic… I mean, there are bits of it here and there but nothing major, so it won't explain much… ^_^…