Ch. 14. The Good-Bye Ball.

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. If you recognize it, it isn't mine. If you don't recognize it, it might be.

A/N: Howdy Ya'll. Um I don't really have much to say. I guess it's the same as always. To my SL you all are truly the best, thanks for putting up with me. B, you are the best friend a girl could ask for. I hope you all enjoy this chapter.

On with the show…………………

Jessi heard Hermione squeal when they entered the hall. It looked amazing, and she knew it was all because of Hermione's hard work. Jessi smiled brightly as Padma, Parvati and Lavender approached, they talked for a few moments before Parvati and Lavender disappeared into the crush of students.

"Hermione…this is amazing" Jessi said turning to face her friend.

"I'm glad it all came together" Hermione said leaning against Harry's side when he returned from a conversation with Mr. Weasley.

"You too have fun, I'm going to go sit for a bit." she smiled and waved at her friends. She made her way slowly through the throngs of students, smiling bemusedly as she passed. She stopped in front of one of the large windows which was allowing light to pour into the room. She stood silently, looking out of the grounds.

"Jessi, How are you?" a voice said from behind her.

"Andrew," she said turning to face Andrew Scottsdale (A/N: and you all thought he was gone….MUHAHAHAHAHA) "I'm good. How are you?" she smiled at him and sipped her drink.

"Fantastic, are you planning to stay at St. Mungo's , continuing your training I mean." he asked

"Yes, and I hear you're going to work for the Ministry, Department of Magical Games and Sports?"

"Yes" he replied genially. "Jessi?"

"Yes" she smiled up at him.

"Would you care to dance?" he asked

"Sure, why not?" she smiled at him as he took her hand and lead her onto the dance floor. He twirled her around softly before pulling her into her arms.

"So was it true what you said out there?"

"Which part?" she asked looking up at him.

"The part about everyone teaching you something" he smiled as he spun her again.

"Yes" she said laughing softly.

"What did I teach you?" he asked cheekily.

"Oh how quickly you forget. You taught me the Bubble head Charm." she smiled at him mischievously.

"Ah, yes I do seem to recall that." he smiled and released her slightly as the music faded. "Jessi?"

"Hmm…"

"I'm sorry." he said quietly.

"What for, you haven't done anything. Have you?"

"No, No, I meant for last term. I knew Jason Henson was spreading rumors about us and I didn't do anything to stop him."

"It's ok , Andrew…that all seems like ages ago." she smiled and winked at him.

"Why are you so great?" he asked rhetorically.

"Aww…That's sweet."

"What's Sweet? And Andrew do you mind if I cut in?" Ron said coming up behind them.

"Not at all, Ron, I'll talk to you later Jessi." he grinned at her as he walked off.

"Subjecting your self to Scottsdale, Are you really that upset?" Ron grinned down and spun Jessi.

"Andrew isn't really that bad. A bit pompous at times, but he's not all bad. When did you learn to dance so well?" she smiled up at Ron and stuck her tongue out.

"Ok Ok…and Mum made us all learn this past summer"

"I see…where is Padma by the way. She really missed you while we were at St. Mungo's."

"She's talking with Anthony Goldstein, something about Egypt" he shrugged. "I'm going to ask her to marry me." he said quietly.

"Who? Egypt?" she joked.

"No Padma…I really love her." he was grinning like mad.

"That's fantastic Ron. I know she'll say yes." she smiled quickly. "I'm really happy for you"

When the song ended Ron lead her over to a table where Harry and Hermione were sitting. Jessi sat gratefully and Ron disappeared to get Padma. When they returned they sat talking and laughing. Jessi and Padma both raised and eyebrow when Harry and Ron stood abruptly glaring at someone behind them. Jessi looked over her shoulder to see Remus standing behind her.

"Jessi can I talk to you?" he glanced around the table at the others "alone."

"I don't think that's a good idea." Harry said, Ron nodded in agreement.

"It's alright guys." Jessi smiled wanly at them as she stood. "I'll go."

"We'll be here if you need us." Ron said.

Jessi nodded gratefully to them and let herself be lead outside. Remus didn't speak as the walked, just kept going at a determined pace. Jessi groaned and pulled her elbow from his grasp.

"I'm not as tall as you and I'm wearing heels. Unless you want me to fall and break my neck, slow down." she glared at him.

"Sorry" he said shortly. He placed his hand back on her elbow and lead her at a slower pace down to the lake. "Jessi, we need to talk."

"Oh really" she rolled her eyes. "I thought we'd covered everything. I'm pregnant with your child and you could care less."

"Jessi, stop and listen to me for a minute." he placed a finger over her lips to silence her " I never said I didn't care. I'm ecstatic, I've always wanted children and I'm thrilled that it's you caring this child."

"You have a funny way of showing it" she snapped drawing away from him.

"I'm worried Jess" he said softly.

"You're worried. Hell-o, I'm the one carrying a child, without a support system, outside of another pair of 17 year-olds who are having a baby."

"Jessi, I'm worried that in 10 years you're going to look back at all this and hate me. I don't want you to ever feel trapped, and that's what this is going to do."

"I don't think that's what you're really worried about. I think you're the one that feels trapped. You might be 20 years older than me but you're obviously not ready to handle this'' she glared up at him before turning on her heel and stalking off. She made it halfway across to the front doors of the castle when she stepped off the side of her heels and tumbled to the ground. She sobbed softly as she landed on the ground. Before she could blink Remus was at her side.

"Jessi, Sweet Merlin, Jessi are you ok?" he knelt beside her.

"Go Away…I don't want you here." she sobbed.

"Look, whatever we're going through right now, you can't sit here with a broken ankle." he soothed wrapping and arm around her shoulders.

"I said go away. If you want to help me send Harry or Ron." she pounded on his chest as she sobbed.

"I'm not leaving you here" he said scooping her up into his arms.

"Put me down. I'm not going anywhere else with you." she said angrily.

"You're going to the Hospital wing to have that ankle checked." he said firmly, shouldering the heavy oak doors open.

"It's only sprained. In case you've forgotten I've been learning to treat illness and injury for the last 4 months" she scowled when he set her on a bed.

"I didn't forget, but it's better if you let Poppy do it anyway. You're hurting, you could get distracted." he said softly, heading for the Medi-witches office.

"Fine, Just don't talk to me" she said grumpily leaning back against the pillows.

Jessi winced when Madame Pomfrey came out and prodded her ankle with her wand. The Medi-witch muttered something under her breath. She quickly healed Jessi's ankle and then looked at her seriously.

"You're going to have to stay off of it for the most part at least until tomorrow." the aging witch said.

"Alright. I promise I'll stay off of it after I get up to the tower." Jessi said compliantly.

"I'm afraid that isn't good enough my dear" she held a hand up to hold off Jessi's words as she continued. "If you fall again, you could lose your baby"

"Alright what do you suggest then" Jessi asked quietly, crossing her arms over her stomach as if to protect the baby from harm.

"Someone need to accompany you, and stay with you, to make sure you actually do as you're supposed to" she looked from Jessi to Remus "I would suggest Mr. Lupin accompany you as he is already here."

"No…anyone but him. I'll even stay here" she said quickly.

"You can't stay here I'm afraid. I have to get ready to close the wing for the summer. You will let Mr. Lupin accompany and that's final"

"I guess I don't have a choice" she muttered flatly.

"Apparently not. It isn't like I'm going to kill you, so would you please come on" Remus said semi-annoyed.

"I'm coming, and you're not allowed to be mad. I'm not the one who isn't taking responsibility for my actions." she snapped setting her weight carefully on her ankle as she walked. She was surprised that there was only a small twinge and not a shooting pain.

"Oh stop it. You're just trying to make me mad. I never said anything of that sort." he scowled at her.

"Oh yes, that's my goal, make the ever logical, unemotional Remus Lupin mad" she rolled her eyes.

"Is that really what you think?" he stopped and faced her.

"No" she said slowly. "Super logical yes, but you aren't unemotional"

"Jessi, we really need to talk." he said quietly. "Without fighting."

"What's left to say Remus, You've already broken my heart what else is there." she said nearly inaudibly.

"There's enough come on" he said, gently placing an arm around her waist and leading her to his living area "We won't be interrupted here"

"Fine" she said softly.

"Sit" he guide her gently to a couch sitting down across from her. "Jess, I know I handled it badly when you told me you were pregnant."

"That's an understatement" she muttered under her breath.

"Let me finish?" he asked

"I couldn't stop you if I wanted could I?"

"Do you really not want to here this?" he asked

"Go on" she said softly.

"I know I handled it badly, and I know I gave you the impression that I don't care and that you were on your own, but that isn't true." he stopped looking at her to gauge her reaction. She was still looking at him skeptically. "Jessi, I love you with everything I've got. I'm not good with words or feelings, like you said before I'm to logical. I need you Jess. I want to be a part of our child's life. I want to wake up next to you every morning for the rest of my life. I love you Jessi, that's all there is to it, I love you."

"Remus…" she said his name softly, tears coming to her eyes.

"Jessi, sweetheart'' he dropped onto his knees in front of her "Don't cry, please, I didn't want to make you cry.'' he pleaded.

"I…" she dashed her tears away with the back of her hand.

"Hold that thought" he got up and went into the bedroom returning quickly. He handed her a small black velvet box.

Jessi flipped open the box and gasped. Inside was the most beautiful ring she'd ever seen. There was a single square cut diamond set in a band of gold, that had runes etched into it. Roughly translated the runes stated:

I'll love you forever

I'll like you for always

As long as I'm living

My true love you'll be.*

"You don't have to say yes, but keep that anyway, I don't have any use for it anymore. Werewolves mate for life you know."

"Remus, I don't know what to say." she looked up at him, then caught the last part of his statement. "Are you telling me…." she trailed off letting the question hang.

"No" he chuckled sitting down beside her.

"But…you said." she looked at him confused.

"I know" his eyes grew serious and he got up and began to pace "Abigail Bagnold, daughter of the Minister of Magic before Fudge. She was murdered by some muggle the summer after my 7th year."

"Oh, Remus I'm so sorry." she said softly crossing over to him.

"She didn't know" he said in a hoarse whisper "About me I mean, I couldn't bring myself to tell her. After Abigail died, I was lost…I thought I could never love anyone again." he stepped closer to her, running his thumb over her cheek. "And then you came into my life. You knew what I was and didn't care. I tried not to love you, I tried to ignore the fact that I needed to see you smile to complete my day. I couldn't….." he was cut off when a large eagle owl flew in through the window.

"Hamlet?" she shrugged looking between Remus and the owl. "What's daddy want?" she sidestepped and pulled the letter off the owls leg. She stroked the owls head and grinned at it. She read through the letter carefully and blanched.

"Jessi? What's wrong?" Remus stepped up behind her, Reading over her shoulder.

Jessica,

Please return to the house in London as soon as you get back from Hogwarts. Your mother and I have something to discuss with you. Furthermore, I'm disappointed that you felt you could not tell me about your current condition do to the consequences of your actions.

Sincerely,

G. Carmichael

"He never calls me Jessica" she turned to look up at Remus. "How did….Hells Bells" she closed her eyes and sighed heavily.

"What?" Remus placed a hand on either one of her arms, looking down at her worriedly.

"I wrote Toby last week, to tell him about me being pregnant. He didn't respond so I figured he was either really mad or the owl got lost. Apparently however my parents intercepted the letter." she groaned and rest her forehead on his chest.

"It'll work out Jess, I promise. You don't have to go through any of this alone. I'll always be here for you." he slid his arms around her back rubbing her shoulders comfortingly.

Jessi didn't say anything just let her head continue to rest on his chest. Her breathing lowly evened out and she relaxed a bit. When she finally looked up at him, he was staring down at her imploringly. "I love you , Remus"

"I love you too, Jessi" he tightened his arms around her waist and kissed her forehead.

They stood in silence for a bit longer. Jessi was about to speak when a bell went off signaling that the students had fifteen minutes to get to Hogsmeade station. Remus glanced down at her sadly before releasing her. She kissed him softly.

"I'll owl you when I get to London" she said softly.

"Alright. If you need anything at all I'll be here until tomorrow then back at Grimmauld place until the next full moon. After that, well I hope to hear from you before then." he said brushing a piece of hair behind her ear.

Jessi nodded, kissed him again and headed for the door. She skidded to a halt in the Entrance Hall, taking her bag from Harry, who'd picked up His and Hermione's as well from the Head's Common Room. They walked amicably down to the train, although Jessi was slightly downtrodden. When the train reached London Jessi hugged Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Padma good-bye telling them she'd see them later. She then gathered her things and apparated to her parents house.

* The poem is from a book my Mom used to read to me when I was young. I can't remember the name I'll Love You Forever possibly. It's really sweet and I suggest it to all of you. The actual words to the poem are:

I'll love you forever

I'll like you for always

As long as I'm living

My baby you'll be.

A/N: Ok Ya'll you know what to do. Seriously though, there is one chapter and an epilogue left. The more reviews the faster I post. Much love. --Waterlili