The Daughter of Phoenix 2 [George Weasley]

Chapter 11

Jessie and everyone else is invited to meet in Hog's Heads some days later.

"Gosh how is it so cold in October" Jessie says to herself as she's walking to Hogsmeade with the twins. It's even snowing.
"Enough clothes huh?" She checks out the twins.

"Almost there. You'd better get a boiling drink later." George says to Jessie and covers her ears.

"Hellooo~" Jessie says to the trio. They are the first to arrive.

"Thanks for coming, Jessie and you two." Hermione smiles. "I'm afraid you will need to wait a bit."

"Oh no worries." Jessie smiles as she wipes her foggy glasses. Seeing the twins getting their coats off, she is very jealous.

"Try this." She touches George's face with her frozen hand and it shocks him.

"That's so rude!" George mocks Jessie and offer his hands to warm her hands like he always does.

Once they touch each other's hands, both of them are suddenly attacked by the thrilling nervy sensation they have both experienced. Jessie quickly looks away as her hands are finally getting warmer in his hands, pretending it's nothing.

In this very moment, George has realised Jessie's feelings towards him, because she has forgotten that she's touching him! He never knew she likes him too!

The second she realises this she immediately lets go of his hands. George at once grins in shock and looks at her, waiting for her response. Will she admit it?

"I'm getting yours colder now you want something hot too?" She tries to hide her feelings towards him and walks away. Of course she won't admit it. This is way too of a serious matter to her.

"Oh Jessie use my cup." Hermione instantly offers her cup to her. "You wouldn't want to use theirs if you care about your health." She whispers as they look at the cups on the table.

"Can't thank you more Hermione." Jessie chuckles and asks for some hot water.

George looks at her back analyzing her mind. He totally understands that she won't admit it unless he asks her as she will be extremely shy and freaked out, therefore he will need to do it in a way which won't scare her.

What's really in Jessie's mind is that she knows she can't date anyone. It's her identity issue again. Thoughts are battling inside her head just like when Cedric asked her last year.
Or is it not love? Though she feels unexpectedly happy when she found out that George likes her just now by his facial expressions and touching him, there's no way she can tell if she likes him or it's just illusion.

Even if they like each other, what will happen when he finds out her identity? No one would want to date an escaped criminal. She'll need to tell him one day, and it would only get harder to open up as they love each other even more.

The point is that she's not just struggled by her identity, but also by what she's really done back then. Something hidden, something even Lupin and Dumbledore don't know.

Jessie hates to decide that she pretends it's nothing until George has lost interest in her, but it seems like it's the only choice. She sits down and sighs without looking at anyone. Why is this happening again? She can't feel worse.

After a while people start entering the inn, which gives Jessie reasons not to talk about it now.

"Um...Hi." Hermione starts her speech.
"So you all know why we're here. We need a teacher, a proper teacher."

People seem to be not believing Harry at first, but they are gradually convinced that Harry is very skilled as a defense against dark arts teacher and Voldemort is back.

"He's really back." A little boy named Nigel says.

"Sign your name here, if you are ready to accept the fact, and willing to fight as part of Dumbledore's Army" Ron says as he picks up the parchment from the table.

Very quickly, people start queuing. Jessie and the twins are the last three in the line.

After the twins, Jessie picks up the pen, but suddenly stops.

"...What's the matter?" Hermione asks.

"No um uh..." Her hand starts shaking as she doesn't want to sign. She's so not sure if she should join.

"I mean... are we really gonna fight the Dark Lord and...his death eaters?"

"We learn how to defend ourselves." Harry says to Jessie firmly.

"... Right." She hesitates and signs her name with her trembling hands.

"We won't let Umbridge know." Harry thinks she hesitates because she's afraid that Umbridge will punish her.

"Mm." She nods and forces a smile. She's sure that Harry doesn't know her real struggle.

"Where should we be practising?" Ron asks as they are walking back to the castle.
"Forbidden forest?"
"Not bloody likely."
"The shrieking shack?"
"That's too small."

"Your suitcase Jessie!" Hermione suddenly realises.

"...I think I can clear out some space. Yeah I'll do it." She says without much emotions. George is wondering if he has already scared her just now. He doesn't want her to feel stressed about it at all, it should be better if he asks her as soon as possible.

"It's so exciting isn't it? Breaking the rules." Hermione says with the brightest smile ever. It's quite frightening actually, seeing her say such thing.

"We've got to make sure, wherever it is, there's no chance Umbridge can find us."

They have no idea how comprehensive Umbridge's surveillance system is, and how immediate her actions would be taken.

"Got it?" Hermione asks Jessie who is walking down from her dorm with her suitcase after dinner. They are ready to investigate the best spot for their practices.

"Are you blind or something?" Ron says as he stares at the suitcase Jessie's carrying.
"Alright, hop in."

When Jessie's just about to let everyone in, she is suddenly warned by her instinct. Close it now!