ENIGMA

Plot, new characters, new magical terms and abilities etc. are my intellectual property. If you want to borrow then please kindly ask. JK Rowling's characters and Wizarding Universe are all uniquely hers.

Summary: AU: What if everything we ever read in JK Rowling’s books was real – including the people characterised? What would you do if you found yourself caught up in that reality knowing what was to come? SS, RL, OC

Authors Note: It has been mentioned in the story but now I am noting it here. I am a fan of Diana Gabaldon’s ‘Outlander’/’Cross Stitch’ series and definitely was influenced by that in writing this story – i.e. the Standing Stones and traveling through time. But I also love Philip Pullman’s ‘His Dark Materials’ series and the tv programme ‘Sliders’ and the alternate universes alongside ours idea comes from there no doubt.

Fantasy/Drama

This story is rated R/M.

ENIGMA

Chapter 016: The Gauntlet

A glowing fog had rolled in heralding the arrival of the Dementors, bringing with it a sinister cold and damp unlike anything Jessica had ever felt in her life. It wrapped itself around her and Severus from the inside out, threatening to choke the life out of them. Jessica tucked her head under his chin and kept her eyes closed at first, willing herself to be still and think of nothing as she sat in his arms. She would not think of the rats or cockroaches that scuttled in the darkness, soot and coal. She would do as she knew she must and think of nothing.

There was the faintest intake of breath from her beloved and Jessica opened her eyes. The glow was seeping through the coal that shielded them from what lay on the other side of the door: the Dementors. Severus was wound tighter than a spinning top, ready to spring into action if needed.

Jessica slowly craned her head upwards and withheld a gasp.

The window was open and a slimy, decayed arm and hand was reaching down, feeling around in the space above their heads. Jessica’s attention was drawn once again in front of her as coal stones began falling. There was grating noise she hadn’t noticed before; the Dementors on the other side were feeling along the wall for hidden openings. Severus tensed even more and Jessica along with him. Her stomach began to churn and she willed herself to calm down – but to no avail. It was everything she could do not to wet herself let alone vomit. There was a horrid noise that sent shivers up her spine and she realised it was from the Dementor at the window. It was making a sort of sucking sound in anticipation of feeding on any wizards unfortunate to be about.

Jessica began to shake in Severus’ arms and he gripped her tightly. That she calmed was only down to his will. As for the Potions Master, he was resolved in this moment that if they made it out of this unholy nightmare alive and well Jessica would have to be told what had been on his mind that fateful day when he had come to her with the little Jarvey.

xxxooxxx xxxooxxx xxxooxxx

“Have you any idea how it is that she managed to come through the stones, Albus?” Lupin asked.

“Not with any certainty,” Dumbledore said wearily. “This concerns me greatly; the timing of it all…”

“What do you mean, Dumbledore?” McGonagall asked with a penetrating look. “Are you suggesting that she does have ties to…You Know Who?”

“It is highly unlikely,” the Headmaster answered hesitantly.

“You do not sound as though you are certain, Headmaster…” Snape said smoothly. “I will point out that in all my years of service to the Dark Lord, not once did I ever hear of any matter relating to the Stones at Loch Looemond. He never set stock in what he classed as ‘fairy stories’. And I can assure you that if the Dark Lord had so much as an inkling of their power, he would have stopped at nothing to harness it for himself.”

“Miss Newkirk presents a wealth of enticing possibilities,” Dumbledore replied thoughfully after nodding in agreement. “She managed to pass through the Stones into our world relatively unharmed save for the encounter that led her here. If she passed through once…”

“…she may be able to pass through again…” Lupin finished.

“…or perhaps not given what you have told us of those who tried and failed, Dumbledore,” said McGonagall.

“The fact that she survived and is here – such knowledge would be dangerous in the wrong hands…” Dumbledore said.

‘…as much as it is in the right ones,’ Snape thought to himself. Dumbledore must thought that all who crossed his path were incredibly thick – well certainly more so than usual.

“As you have advised against Obliviation, then the best that can be done is to continue with matter at hand and work with Miss Newkirk to ensure a successful transition into her new life,” Snape said aloud.

He then paused dramatically.

“Severus,” Lupin asked looking at his old enemy hesitantly as was McGonagall and Dumbledore.

“We are making an assumption – too big an assumption,” Snape said ignoring the werewolf.

“And that is?” McGonagall asked peering over her glasses.

“We are assuming that Miss Newkirk is the only Muggle to have ever made it through the Stones and lived…”

“And?” Lupin interrupted.

“As I was saying,” Snape hissed darkly. “We assume that Miss Newkirk is the only Muggle to have ever made it through the Stones and lived… it could be that others have made it, either accidentally or purposely and have assimilated without detection…”

“But surely we would be aware of such a thing?” Professor McGonagall asked incredulously.

“Why would we – if it was the world of our Muggles that they assimilated into rather than our own. It would take some doing, to be sure, but it is not impossible. Muggles, in principal, cannot see this world or experience it as we do. It is a fact and as such there is no debating it. However, we have overlooked something very important about Miss Newkirk – her bloodlines.”

Lupin wiped his eyes; he was getting a headache from all this back and forth. “Can you get to the point, Severus…”

“The point is,” Snape replied in a sneering tone. “Miss Newkirk is Native American – she is from a culture that embraces magical practice. The Shamanistic practices of her people rival our magic and in some ways surpass it spiritually. The Nanticoke in particular were known and feared for their sorcery. I have read tales of Nanticoke warriors being able to kill a man simply by blowing in his direction…”

“A very tall tale…” Lupin said with a smile.

“A tall tale of unspoken magic, perhaps,” Snape replied with a fearsome gaze.

How dare that mangy mutt imply he was a dunderhead!

“No – you mean!” McGonagall gasped.

“We have stated the obvious over and over again without taking on its significance,” Snape said idly as he ignored the shocked werewolf and turned his attention to McGonagall. “Native Americans are an ancient race, thought to been in this world since the beginning of time. But history shows us that many tribes would have died out had they not assimilated other cultures and tribes into their fold after being so decimated by the descendants of the Europeans who conquered the New World. The Nanticoke remained on the Eastern shores of America and did not go west during the Migration of Tears. And neither did many Lenni Lenape though they are discounted by the Lenape of the Western States because of it. Many tribes, particularly those of the Eastern seaboard, saw many outside their culture accepted into their tribes as one of their own through the bonds of marriage or adoption into a clan and then the tribal band concerned at large…”

“Including Europeans…” McGonagall said slowly as a realisation struck her.

Snape nodded. “Including recently arrived Europeans since the 18th Century. America would be a different place had the Natives who helped the Europeans not done so – the Nanticoke! And I would be willing to wager that history is more or less the same from Miss Newkirk’s point of view.”

“But what does that have to do with the stones?” Lupin asked as he looked at Dumbledore.

“It means that Miss Newkirk may have had an ancestor or a few that crossed from this world into her own. I would propose that the Stones are a portal for travel through time itself, just as some of the legends propose. They are older than even our world, and even their origin cannot be determined. Not everyone is capable – why we might never know. But we do know it is a fact that many have died trying,” Snape said confidently. “It would go a long way to explain why she survived traveling and how it is that she sees and experiences this world. She is a descendent of one who made it through!”

“Even if that were the case, we don’t know who. And it doesn’t answer who it was that came after her in the first place,” Lupin said. “All you are proposing are theories and conjecture, there is very little that is factual evidence.”

“Ah, yet another one who doesn’t believe anything that he cannot read in a book. Nothing ever changes with you, does it? I would propose a Library visit Loo-penn, except you won’t find what needs to be looked for.”

“An interesting hypothesis, Severus,” Dumbledore said thoughtfully. “It also suggests that there is no such thing as coincidence.”

“All things being equal, it is the only hypothesis of merit, Headmaster.”

“Miss Newkirk perhaps is more aware than she lets on,” Lupin interrupted sharply.

“I do believe Miss Newkirk is completely ignorant of these matters; such things are likely to only be passed from Chief to Chief, Sachem to Sachem,” Snape replied. “And the Headmaster and I are both highly skilled Legilimens. He knows as well as I as I just how woefully ignorant she is…”

“Or perhaps not,” said Lupin. “How do we know for sure that this isn’t some long dormant plan of Voldemort’s brought to bear?”

But before Snape could answer, Dumbledore spoke. “I trust Jessica Newkirk, Remus. I trust her enough not to have done what would have been done with her in Dippet’s day and before.”

Lupin failed to hide his disbelief.

“The graveyard in the Abbey ruins on the far side of the grounds,” Snape said quietly. “The unmarked graves…”

“Even that does not escape your notice, Severus,” Dumbledore said matter-of-factly with a resigned sigh. “I am sad to say that the unmarked graves are exactly what you believe them to be...”

“So there was a traveler who came through in Grindewald’s time!” McGonagall said through pursed lips. She was clearly cross that all this time such knowledge had been withheld from her. “Headmaster Dippet alluded to it once out of sheer frustration I think… it was during old Codger’s time (he was Minister of Magic then); well the old fool called in Codger when it was Albus and myself he should have consulted privately. You know what the Ministry are like; they see with tunnel vision and never in favour of what is just or right…”

“And those times being what they were – one was guilty with no chance to be proven otherwise,” Dumbledore said calmly. “Even I was woefully ignorant of certain matters until I became Headmaster of this school after Armando. On that day, all secrets pertaining to Hogwarts were now mine to keep. And I have kept them all – until now.”

“Headmaster, your openness does beg questioning…” Snape ventured cautiously.

Dumbledore nodded gravely and gestured for him to continue.

“Is it possible that as a student here in Dippet’s day – the Dark Lord found out about these travelers; the ones who made it through?”

“While I am most certain that he is familiar with the stories of the Stones,” Dumbledore offered, “I am in agreement that he did not take them seriously. Knowing him as I do, Lord Voldemort would have stopped at nothing to harness that power for himself, most definitely.”

“Well I’ll be damned,” Lupin said in astonishment.

“We all will be should the day come that the Dark Lord finds out about Miss Newkirk, Loo-penn!” Snape said darkly.

“Well only a handful of us even know…”

“That remains to be seen,” Snape interrupted.

“What do you mean, Severus?” Lupin intoned exasperatedly.

“It is fairly obvious why you weren’t sorted into Ravenclaw,” Snape sniffed. “It is clear enough to me that Miss Newkirk’s secret will get out in some fashion or another. This in turn is what puts her life and those of her friends in danger 13 years from now in her world.”

“Are you saying that one of us betrays her?” Lupin asked incredulously. “More than likely she makes some careless mistake…”

“Or one of us does,” Snape answered sharply. “Perhaps even thinking we are doing some small thing for the right reason. One way or another, her hand is tipped and to someone who obviously comes to view her as a threat.”

xxxooxxx xxxooxxx xxxooxxx

The hand was still swiping downwards above their heads and the Dementors on the other side of the wall and hidden door seemed dangerously close discovering Jessica and Severus in their hiding place. Jessica looked anywhere but up and eventually buried her head in the Potions Master’s chest.

There was so much he wanted to say to her and her to him; but now there just wasn’t the time.

xxxXXXxxx

“Jessica…” Snape whispered softly.

“Nuuuggghhhh…”

“Jessica love, time to wake up….”

Jessica opened her eyes slowly. She wasn’t to know just yet but they were bloodshot. She had been crying softly as Severus held her until she fell asleep from exhaustion.

“Severus? The Dementors…”

“I believe they have retreated – we need to take the opportunity and get back to Hogwarts,” he said standing.

Snape stretched his legs and adjusted his back a bit before reaching down to help Jessica to her feet. A wave of nausea overcame her and Jessica found herself heaving in a corner.

“I’m sorry,” she croaked as tears streamed down her face once more.

The Potions Master said nothing and pulled her into his arms.

“Come,” he said after it seemed she was done with her morning sickness for the moment. “Stay in back of me but be prepared to run if necessary. You will run like hell for Rosmerta’s and don’t come back for me should we have to part – do you understand?”

“No! I can’t leave you!”

“Don’t argue with me! You will do as you are told! I stand a chance against them – you don’t!”

Jessica nodded tearfully.

“I love you, Jessica. I have never been able to say that to anyone; But I have never loved anyone as I do you…”

For the briefest of moments, a faint look of irony played across her face…irony and then pure joy. And it warmed Severus’ heart to see that he had made her happy even in the midst of so much fear and uncertainty.

He kissed her gently on the forehead and then a hand before tapping on the door.

xxxXXXxxx

They made their way through the cellar and through the ground floor of the house.

“The Dementors have gone, but there is always the chance they will return,” Snape said quietly as they greeted the dawning day outside. It was better to take their chances in the outdoors than to be corned like vermin in the cellar.

“Can’t we Disapparate?” Jessica asked as they began to walk fast through a thicket of trees rather than along the trail leading towards the Stones.

“No – the baby… Otherwise we could have when I found you – as risky as that was with them swarming over every inch of land between the castle gates and here.”

“Oh…” Jessica said, hanging her head down. This was all her fault and she didn’t deserve Severus’ forgiveness or understanding.

Snape squeezed her hand. “We’ll be alright,” he said quietly. He still blamed Lupin for not stopping her, but that was not something he would discuss with her any time too soon.

Another wave of nausea overcame her and Jessica leaned into a bush to be sick. Dammit, what she wouldn’t give for the two of them to be at home, safe and sound in their own bed. Once the dizziness had passed they were on the move again. Severus thought it was better to conserve their energy and so they walked briskly rather than run all the way.

They finally neared the outskirts of Hogsmeade as the sun rose higher in the sky. Severus let out a sigh of relief as they strolled onto the High Street, with the Three Broomsticks in view.

“The Dementors are not particularly enamored of bright light and so retreat from Hogsmeade during the day – hence their patrols from dusk to dawn. But we still have to get from Hogsmeade to Hogwarts. They are still on duty and that is a danger to us. I think it’s best to stop as Rosmerta’s and send word to the Headmaster…”

There was nothing but silence and Snape turned to his right as his voice trailed off. He realised with a start that Jessica wasn’t next to him walking slightly in back trying to keep up. He turned around to see two Dementors with Jessica sandwiched between them. One had her in its grip and she had lost the power of speech, so overwhelmed was she by horrific memories from her past. The other had pulled back its hood and began to suck feverishly as it attempted to clamp onto her face. Jessica’s face revealed the true horror of being a victim of the infamous Dementor’s Kiss – the Dementor would clamp whatever it was that it had in lieu of a proper mouth over hers and suck her soul out, leaving her with no consciousness of herself whatsoever. She would be worse than dead.

“EXPECTO PATRONUM!” Snape roared as he charged towards them.

The air began to hum and his wand vibrated as his Patronus shot forward and drove them from her. It had been a long time since the Potions Master had had to use the Patronus Charm, but he was grateful for the foolish wand-waving and silly incantation nonetheless.

“Oh my God!” came a strangled cry behind him. Having heard his bellowing cry, several denizens of Hogsmeade poked their heads outside, including Rosmerta.

Snape bore down on Jessica and scooped her in his arms.

A man came charging out of an alleyway and Snape murmured something to him Rosmerta didn’t hear. But she recognised him as the bartender from the Hogs Head Pub – and was heartened to know that Dumbledore would soon be on his way.

xxxXXXxxx

“I warned you, Headmaster,” Snape spat furiously as he tended to Jessica who was unconscious. “I warned you that something like this was bound to happen!”

They were in one of the private suites Rosmerta let out. The Three Broomsticks was an Inn as well as a pub.

“Severus my hands are tied,” Dumbledore answered shortly. “I can’t make Minister Fudge see sense! The Dementors do not belong at Azkaban any more than they do here and for the moment we are still forced to endure their presence amongst us.”

“Two of them fighting over her!” McGonagall snapped. “IT’S OUTRAGEOUS!”

Snape craned his head slowly – and then shook it mutely.

“Severus?” Dumbledore asked, feeling quite uneasy.

“The Dementors – they were fighting over her! It’s started, Headmaster – somehow, some way – it’s started! I know it has!”

McGonagall held her hands up to her face in horror. “But how? How can that be?” she cried.

“Tom may have been more aware of her presence when she crossed over than we originally believed,” Dumbledore replied hollowly.