Chapter 11

After Christmas, time passed smoothly. Everything stayed the same between friends, Fred encouraging her and there, George remaining slightly aloof. Lee and Jessica had two more lunch dates, but Jessica had come to the conclusion that she was going to break up with Lee on the day of the Quidditch match. She could not take it anymore. After countless battles with her conscience, Jessica knew that she liked George.

Nevertheless, she held to her original plan for the match. Fred and George had known Oliver Wood, a star keeper for Puddlemere United and Jessica owled him before the match, asking a favor of him. An express owl came back with a letter of the affirmative. Even though Jessica did not like Lee, her secret made her burst with laughter at every thought of it.

The day of the match dawned on a gray sky, but it soon changed to sun. Ron, Harry, and Ginny showed up at Weasley's Wizard Wheezes on time and they were given instructions on how to keep the store. Fred and George were afraid to leave the shop with their younger siblings and Harry, but Jessica reassured them that it would all be okay.

Excitement swelled as the foursome apparated to the Puddlemere Quidditch Pitch. They were met by reporters from Quidditch Monthly. To Jessica's surprise, the photographer shot pictures of the foursome and led them to their seats which were right near the Puddlemere end. The air was thin in the top box, but anticipation was thick.

Three minutes before the Quaffle was to be released, a paper airplane flew into their box. It was addressed to Lee. Jessica encouraged him to open it. With one look inside, Lee nearly fainted.

Mr. Johnson, your attendance is requested in the Announcer's Box immediately.

Fred and George looked at Jessica with matching suspicious faces.

"Come on, Lee, we have to move!"

The three of them picked Lee up and carried him to the Announcer's Box. Inside the box was the elderly hall of fame announcer Elsard Brenner. Lee excitedly shook hands.

"Well, Mr. Johnson, I have been informed that this is your dream. Please fulfill it."

Lee stared at him in awe before tapping his throat with his wand. "Sonorus" In front of him were papers listing the names of all the Quidditch players, different companies he was supposed to endorse, and a book of Quidditch moves. Tapping his throat with his wand, Elsard called across the field in a resounding voice.

"Welcome, witches and wizards, to this cooooold morning! Today, Puddlemere United faces off the Wimbourne Wasps. Puddlemere has a slight advantage being on home turf, and I have an advantage as well, having a second announcer! Say hi, Lee!"

Lee hesitated for a moment. Jessica, giggling with happiness, squeezed his shoulder. "Hello, all, this is Lee Johnson! Who's ready to meet our visitors?" Cheers filled the crowd. "All right, everyone, we have Ardgall! Sullivan! Fergus! Balcombe! Bunbry! And… CARTRET!" Lee's voice became more confident as he moved into his comfort zone. "Now, give it up for the home team! Barnard! Drummond! Halifax! Meiclejohn! (Did I pronounce that right?) And fellow Gryffindors from the good old days, Wood! And… POTTER!"

An enormous amount of girlish screams filled the stadium. Jessica held up her ominoculars to see Ginny Weasley sitting in the stands with a look of slight dislike on her face.

"Careful, girls, he's engaged!" Lee let out. Ginny smiled slightly, showing off her Future Mrs. Potter shirt. "All right! The Quaffle has been released! Barnard of Puddlemere takes possession, passes to Drummond…"

The game carried on, Lee commentating with the help of Elsard. Puddlemere won and after the game, Oliver and Harry met Lee in the locker room. Lee smile was contagious as he got everyone's autograph. The twins apparated home to check on the state of the store while Jessica and Lee took a stroll through the stores around the pitch.

"Jessica, that was the best Christmas gift I have ever gotten!"

"You're welcome, Lee," she answered half heartedly.

"What's wrong, Jess?"

Jessica took a deep breath and turned to look Lee directly in the face. "Look, I'm sorry, Lee, for dragging this on, but I have to tell you the honest truth. I don't think we should continue together."

"Why not?" Lee looked into her eyes, surprised.

"You want the blunt truth?"

"Preferably."

"I don't like you as more than a friend. I've tried, but I can't. I'm so sorry." Lee just looked at her for a moment before laughing out loud. Jessica stared at him in shock. "What is so funny? I just broke up with you!"

"That's what's so funny! Look, I have something to tell you in return. I've never liked you as more than a friend either. I've never had to try."

"What?"

"You are very observant, Jessica," Lee said through his smiles and laughter. "You saw that Fred is becoming more independent and wanting less time with George, right?"

"Yes."

"Well, he came up with this plot on his own. I would take you out and date you for a while, and make George jealous."

"Jealous of what?"

"Come on, Jessica; don't tell me that you don't like him."

"WHAT?" she screamed. A few passersby turned their heads. In a quieter voice she added. "How did you know that?"

"I'm glad you aren't denying it. I've seen the way you look at him. The secrets that pass between your eyes silently. I've also seen the way he looks at you."

"You really think George likes me?"

"Honestly, I think he loves you, but you know George."

"What?"

"He's too stupid to realize it. That's where the jealousy plot comes in."

"You are going to make him jealous of you? Lee, you realize you put your life on the line, right?"

"Yeah, but Fred promised me protection. Look, all we have to do is go on pretending that nothing happened between us. Everything will fall into place. All I know is that you just made my job ten times easier."

Jessica smiled. "Those twins sure are evil and conniving."

"You could say that again. Now, what do you say to our evil plot?"

Jessica put her hand up. "To our evil plot." They slapped high five and walked away.