Little Reminder: The fabulous world of Harry Potter does not belong to me, no matter how much I may want it. Thus, I credit JKR for her amazing work.
Chapter Three Da
Harry stared down at the child who was before him. Yes he could see the family resemblance but could Ron? Looking over at his best friend, Harry noticed right off that Ron was paling quickly before Hermione's daughter.
"Well mate, congratulations. I always knew you would have a family sometime. I guess it was a lot sooner then any of us knew," commented Auror to his comrade who had walked forward towards Jenny.
The little girl's eyes were fixed up on the man who she had always known to be her father. She seemed to be taking in his reaction and attempting to adjust to it. Realizing that Ron was unable to speak at this point and may bring the small girl to tears if he did, Harry knelt down before Jennifer forcing her to focus her attention on Harry.
"Where are you from Jennifer, I don't recognize your accent," said Harry calmly.
"I'm from the United States with Mommy. That's were we used to live; we came back because Nana and Granda were sick. Besides I don't have the silly accent, you do," said Jenny before she started to giggle. This seemed to bring Ron back to life because he shook his head and looked from Jennifer to his parents as Harry stood up slowly. With a nod of encouragement from his father Ron knelt down in front of the child that he knew was his and gave her a slow smile.
"Tell me Jennifer, do you enjoy Quidditch?"
Jenny grinned widely and nodded while excitement filled in every line of her face. The fact that her father was attempting to talk to her sent her head spinning. Ron withdrew from in front of Jenny and brought her beside him to sit as the Healer mended his broken arm. That morning he had been feeling very poorly and had taken it out on Harry at practice, only to be injured and brought here where his daughter was waiting. Ronald Weasley finally felt like a king once more.
-------------
Hermione finally left her parents with the promise that she would visit again very soon and have them back home in no time. The promise of seeing their grandchild had brought both of the Grangers to near tears. Stepping back into the waiting room Hermione looked up to a scene she didn't expect to find.
Jenny was seated next to her father as the Healer applied the finishing touches to his arm. The pair was discussing Quidditch and Quodpot at length; it seemed that Ron couldn't quite understand the point of the American version of his favorite game. Harry stood with Remus Lupin and Tonks talking quietly way from Ron and Jenny; their glances at the pair's way told Hermione exactly what they were discussing. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were watching the exchange between father and daughter with a mix of pride (Mr. Weasley) and surprised joy (Mrs. Weasley). Wanting to let the group know she was there Hermione took a deep breath and cleared her throat.
Ron looked up sharply at the noise and stared into Hermione's eyes while everyone else turned their attention to the woman of the past. As Jenny leaped up and ran to Hermione, Ron's eyes traveled down the length of Hermione and back before standing up himself and thanking the healer for her help once again. The witch shook her head and sighed, telling him to not be back for at least another month before leaving the group alone.
Jenny was talking rapidly to her mother about Ron and Quidditch and how they had made her wish come true. Hearing this Hermione and Ron both looked at Jenny, puzzlement on their faces.
"Your wish sweetheart? What wish?" whispered Hermione fearing the answer.
"That Da would like me!" seeing her mother's puzzled look at last Jenny continued, "You know Mommy, in Kirke's Cauldron back home. I wished and it came true, I will never forget this! Da just came in with Mr. Potter and everyone and it was all there. All of it!"
Unsure how to react to the child's declaration of faith in a myth, Hermione looked up and her eyes fell on Ron. He was looking down at his daughter thoughtfully. Feeling Hermione's eyes on him however he focused on Hermione and gave her a questioning look, Can we talk? Taking his meaning and agreeing, Hermione gave him a pleading look, Not in front of Jenny, please? Nodding, Ron turned to Harry, but Harry, who was following the situation at hand, spoke up.
"Jenny would you like to see some of London with Lupin, Tonks and myself?"
Jenny looked up at her mother for permission her eyes bright, "Can I?"
"'May I' is what you say. You ask 'May I'," said Hermione correcting her daughter without thinking.
"May I?" said Jenny quickly in automatic response drive.
Hermione nodded and Jenny dashed over to Harry, Remis and Tonks. Placing her hand into Harry's out stretched one Jenny looked back at her parents.
"Bye mom, bye Da."
Watching Jenny turn back and walking out with the other three, Hermione heard Harry ask Jenny what she wanted to see first and if she minded little boys.
-------------
Seeing the questioning look on Hermione's face Ron shrugged. Ron wasn't quite sure what question she wanted answered but he had a few of his own.
"Harry has kids?" asked Hermione slowly trying to break the ice.
"Two of them, they are some of the greatest ever, a little boy and girl. Alan is the eldest and Brenna is the youngest. Greatest god-kids a guy could ask for; made up for a lack of my own," replied Ron steadily, his eyes fixing on Hermione's face. "Would you care to explain to me how, a little girl knows I am her father, yet somehow, I have no bloody clue she even existed?"
"That's going to take a lot of explaining and this is not the place to do it," stated Hermione like it was a clear fact that even Ron should understand.
"Well then you're coming with me and we'll discuss it at my flat," stated Ron in the same tone that Hermione had just used on him.
"Now wait just a minute, you think that you can order me around…"
"I know I can because, I, unlike you have been extremely honest up to this point and I deserve some answers," interrupted Ron turning to the door, "You can follow me or just stand there but just remember that Harry has our daughter for the time being and I will get answers one way or another."
Hermione was stunned for a second by the way Ron took control of the situation without even arguing or insulting her. Realizing that Ron was waiting for her response by the door, Hermione stuck her chin in the air and walked over to him. Ron took this as an affirmative response and led the way out of St. Mungo's and turned right towards his flat. As Ron started to walk in the direction of home, Hermione stopped; she could turn back now, find Jenny and leave, or finally tell Ron everything. About to turn left, Hermione saw her daughter's face when she and Ron had sat together. No mother could take that away from a child. Hermione resignedly turned back to the right and hurried to catch up to Ron.
-------------
Jennifer's eyes were wide as Harry, Lupin and Tonks walked her down the street to the heart of London. Everywhere she went she saw something amazing and new; the royal guard, that big clock, the shops that sold space outfits like on TV. She tried to listen as Harry pointed out the old 'muggle' building and the unnoticed wizarding establishments that dotted the streets of London.
The adults led her back to the Leaky Cauldron where Harry left a note with the innkeeper. The innkeeper looked to be Harry's age or slightly older; his black skin was crystal clean and his dreadlocks were pulled back in a ponytail at the base of his neck. The man laughed at something Harry said before giving him a swift nod and began to clean the glasses that were before him. Jenny was sure that the man hadn't been there earlier that day when her mother had checked them in.
Harry walked back over to the group and spoke quietly to Lupin and Tonks but Jenny heard everything clearly.
"You two head back home; it's been a long day. I left Hermione a note letting her know where Jenny and I are. If Ron and Hermione out past ten, I'll have Jenny stay with Brenna for the night, both girls will love it."
Lupin and Tonks said goodbye to Jenny with the promise that they would see her again soon and headed out the back of the pub to the little courtyard. Turning back to Harry, Jenny looked up and saw him smiling down at her.
"You'll be spending the rest of the day with the Potter clan, and yes they are that. But, you never answered me about liking little boys. I have a son, Alan, who is about your age and is quite intense. But my daughter Brenna is about four years younger than you, I'm sure you two will get on very well. Come we'll head over and make it in time for dinner."
As Jenny followed Harry over to the fireplace against the back wall and pondered what he had just told her. If Harry had kids her age then she might just have some friends at school before she even went there. Taking the green powder from Harry, Jenny looked at him expectantly.
"Oh right! Step into the fire and say 'Tanner Woods' very clearly, it will take you straight to Abbots Langley where we live."
Jenny nodded and stepped into the massive hearth. Speaking very clearly like her mother had taught her and said "Tanner Woods" and was engulfed in green flames. She was spinning around so quickly that the world around her blurred and she closed her eyes to keep from getting dizzy. She came to a stop as she landed in the grate of the Potter's fire. Before her Harry apparated and grinned down at her as she stepped out and shook herself off. Harry waved his wand and all the soot vanished.
"Harry is that you?" called a female voice from beyond the room. A woman with rich chocolate brown hair that was tied up in a messy bun on her head stepped into the room wiping her hands on a dish towel. She appeared to be about 5'6" tall with a warm smile and intense hazel eyes and an almost tanned complexion. Those eyes fell on Jenny and curiosity crept into them but the smile remained.
"Who is this young lady? Not another imp to feed, cloth and educate I hope," said the woman to Harry and Jenny both.
"This lovely young one is Hermione Granger's daughter Jennifer. Hermione and Ron are talking right now and asked me to keep an eye on their child. I thought she may have a better time with Alan and Brenna" pausing to slip his arm around his wife's waist, "Where are our imps by the way?"
"Alan was invited over to Mathew's for the evening and Brenna is upstairs attempting to get her cat to sing," replied Harry's wife and seeing the look on her husband's face at the last part of the statement continued, "She believes that Twig can sing and dance like that cat on the telly and is determined to have the world discover the amazing Twiggie."
Harry laughed heartily while Jenny gave a little giggle at hearing this; cats can't sing and dance, everyone knows that. Then Jenny heard a squeal that she knew only could belong to a child like herself. Then a flash of black and teal came hurling in through the door that Mrs. Potter had just stepped through.
"Daddy, Daddy, Daddy! Guess what Twiggie can do?" bantered the young girl.
Watching the exchange between father and daughter, Jenny's eyes took in the similarities between two; the jet black hair, the same facial lines. Yet the differences between the two were good ones; the little girl had her mother's hazel eyes and complexion. Then the two were staring right at her and Jenny gulped as the younger girl sized her up.
"She's Uncle Ron's isn't she Daddy? I bet she is. I'm Brenna, I'm six. Who are you?" stated the tiny girl like a common fact. Jenny liked her already.
"I'm Jennifer Jean Granger. I'm ten. Da is your uncle?"
Mrs. Potter laughed, "Goodness no, 'Uncle Ron' is just their Godfather. Uncle is just easier. Brenna, would you like to take Jenny up to meet Twig?"
With a yip, Brenna grabbed Jenny's hand and drug her out of the room talking excitedly about Twig and all the stuff she wanted her to do. As they walked out, Jenny heard Mrs. Potter address Harry, "I hope you can explain all this to me later," and knew this was definitely a laid back family.
Twig had been Brenna's last birthday gift when she had turned six back in October. The cat was a very thin sleek thing that moved with a dancer's grace. Twig was a black Egyptian Mau with vivid green eyes like Harry. As Jenny learned the real name of the cat was Taweret. Jenny couldn't see the connection between 'Twig' and 'Taweret' but it didn't matter because Twig was awesome. Brenna and Jenny spent the evening trying to teach Twig to sing and playing hide-and-seek inside the Potter's house.
-------------
Hermione stepped through the door that Ron held open for her. The flat that Ron called home was small, but surprisingly clean. There were occasional papers and articles of male clothing but nothing too scary. The furniture was old and well used but not ugly. Noting Ron still behind her, Hermione moved to the old green armchair that faced a squashy matching couch. Ron closed the door quietly and moved over and sat on the couch to face her. He remained quiet.
Remembering the way Ron had been in school, Hermione wanted to speak before Ron got worked up. "Look, before you yell, I did what I thought was right at the time. I might have done things differently under different circumstances but I didn't. You want the whole story though so you're going to get it," stated Hermione even though her voice shook. Ron leaned back into the couch and looked at her, his eyes not leaving her face.
"Fine, you remember the night of your twentieth birthday don't you? Never mind the look your giving me says enough," indeed Ron's face did tell of that fond memory they had made that night, "I didn't know I was with child until you and Harry had left for training. I didn't want to mess up your future with a kid so I decided that the best way to let you grow was to leave. I took a job offer at St. Coventina's in the United States working their memory department.
"Jennifer Jean was born on December 30th, and I never mentioned who the father was. I thought a few times of coming back to Britain and telling you but my conscience prevailed. I loved you too much Ronald to ruin your goals. After a while I decided that Jenny was just fine without you. Then she started to question why your picture was on the mantel and I told her the truth. Everyday after that she would ask if you were coming until she realized the answer was the same. Until she received her Hogwarts letter Jenny left the subject drop.
"I didn't want her exposed to my past, so I told her the only way she would ever attend Hogwarts was if we came here for something else. Then my parents were admitted to St. Mungo's and I couldn't avoid it any longer.
"I'm sorry I never told you but you needed to live your life, without strings. I knew how much it hurt you as a child to not have money and I didn't want you regretting giving up freedom for a small child and a wife. I know it wasn't right but I did it because I loved you and I still do," realizing what she had just said, Hermione brought hands to her mouth in shock.
Ron shook his head, leaned forward and took Hermione's hands from her mouth and held them in his own, "Hermione, if it meant a life filled with love, I would have left training. I didn't care about anything else but you, and if happiness meant having just enough to support us, we would have managed. I felt hurt that you left me, but I can't hate you for it, or for Jenny. I just want to be in her life. I know it's hard to believe but I've wanted a family more than you can imagine. Let's start over, just you, me and Jennifer. We could be a family at last. Please, Hermione, I beg you, let me be in your lives once more."
Hermione saw the love still in Ron's eyes and couldn't speak because it overwhelmed her. Only able to nod, Hermione leaned forward and sank into Ron's arms for the first time in years. Feeling lighter than she had in ages Hermione looked up and Ron and smiled, "I guess that means we need a place to keep this family then?"
Ron chuckled at this because he was just thinking that his flat was no place for a kid to grow up, "If you will finally marry me then I think it can be arranged."
Hermione sat back and stared at Ron. Hermione had never allowed herself to dream of this but it was too good to be true, "What?"
Ron smiled, "Marry me and we'll be a true family by New Years. I don't think I can be near you without getting ideas that come with marriage, besides Jenny needs a real family, rings, siblings and all."
Just To Let You Know:
Same routine as before people, if you want another chapter, I want more reviews. This is the general idea behind why we write fanfiction, for the masses to enjoy.
Real Quick:
I am a freshman in college and am presently taking eighteen credit hours towards my general education classes and major (Business and Accounting with a History minor). I would like to pass and graduate in four years, so classes take first priority. I am giving a shout out to my roommate with the nickname "Twig" to Brenna's cat. This cat is one of her favorite breeds and thus I decided to honor her for her help in checking my stories over. Thanks for all you have done Twig.