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 023: Jessica’s Detour

Jessica took one last chance to see Harry as she began her holiday. She’d told Dumbledore she would stop by at the start of her road trip, just to set her mind at ease. The Headmaster had chuckled as only he could with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes and commented he wouldn’t have expected any less of her.

It was just past noon when the Librarian pulled into Number 4. She was surprised to see Harry in front of the house with his trunk and Hedwig. The snowy white owl was hooting excitedly as Jessica alighted from the truck and strolled over.

‘Rather enthusiastic, aren’t you Mr. Potter?’ Jessica grinned. ‘You aren’t due to leave for another day or so…’

Harry looked at Jessica like what planet was she from. ‘No – I’m all packed to go with you…’ he said slowly.

‘Me?’

‘Erm, Professor Dumbledore said you’d take me to the Weasleys…what with Mr. Weasley’s overtime and Mrs. Weasley tied up with things at home and with the Witches’ Good Housekeeping Association... He said I should give you this…’

Jessica took the sealed note from Harry’s outstretched hand and quickly opened it and read it.

‘Ahh, I see…’ Jessica said shaking her head in disbelief. ‘Well come on then…’

She picked up Hedwig’s cage and the owl nipped playfully at her fingers. ‘Calm down Hedwig; a few hours on the road and you’ll be begging to be let out!’

The Librarian unlocked one of the rear doors and strapped the cage in securely after spreading newspaper over the seat. ‘Are those Owl Treats in that bag Harry? Better bung some in her cage and fill up her water bottle…oh – and please check your room for stuff I just know you’ve forgotten!’

‘Yes Mom!’

‘Cheeky devil!’

As Harry bounded back into the house and tore up the stairs to his room, Jessica heaved his trunk into the back of her truck. She’d always written about the Machiavellian side that Dumbledore had to have to his character and she couldn’t help but to have the feeling that before the summer was even done her perceptions of his dual nature would be borne out. Still, she couldn’t blame him. All great and successful people, regardless of their sex, had an almost detached ruthlessness by which they manipulated their environment. At least she could take heart that Dumbledore acted for the greater good unlike Lord Voldemort.

‘Forgot my Potions homework! Old Snape would…’ Harry stopped short and looked down into his rucksack as he jammed the parchment into it.

‘…have your head on a stick,’ Jessica said assuredly. ‘What about Herbology, Transfiguration and History of Magic?’

The Boy Who Lived looked sheepish and Jessica rolled her eyes exasperatedly.

‘You’re asking for trouble if you don’t get those done…’

‘They’ll get done, trust me!’

‘Mmm hmm; I can’t imagine Mrs. Weasley would take kindly to you staying up half the night before you’re due at King’s Cross!’

Harry turned a faint shade of purple remembering the live versions of Mrs. Weasley’s Howlers he’d witnessed the last time he was at the Burrow. She was definitely not someone he wanted to get on the wrong side of. ‘I swear – I will definitely get it all done long before then!’

‘I’m not saying a word; it’ll be on your head to deal with…come on, get in and buckle up.’

Harry whooped and literally bounced up into his seat.

‘And your aunt and uncle are where?’ Jessica asked as she started the car.

‘Watching the telly.’

‘Right…’

Jessica turned off the ignition and jumped out of the car. She was already through the front door and standing in the living room by the time Harry unbuckled himself.

‘Harry’s leaving,’ she said pleasantly as all three Dursleys cowered on the settee which protested mightily against the weight of the males. Petunia Dursley was little more than a toothpick wedged tightly between their considerable girths. ‘Aren’t you even going to say goodbye?’

‘Anyone would think he’s off to see the ruddy Prime Minister!’ Uncle Vernon snapped.

‘Forget it Miss Newkirk…’ Harry said, pulling at Jessica’s arm.

Jessica flicked her wand absent-mindedly at the new television set and it exploded with a loud BOOM followed by the bowls heaving with crisps, candies and cakes that was Dudley’s elevenses. ‘Enjoy the rest of your summer,’ she said sweetly as Dudley began to howl the house down about his tv programmes and his sweeties.

Just before she closed the door, there was an almighty snapping CRACK!

‘There goes the settee…they need a gym membership more than they need junk food and television,’ Jessica sniffed as she and Harry set off for good.

xxxOOOxxx

‘You are dangerous, Miss!’ Harry grinned.

‘Uh uh – none of that again; just call me Jessica,’ Jessica replied idly as she looked down at the map that had been enclosed with the letter and handed it to Harry.

The Weasleys weren’t exactly convenient to the route she’d mapped out for herself, so this extra detour would mean she’d be set back by two or three days. She’d certainly have to find a motel after dropping Harry off. It would be impossible to drive all the way back down the West Country into Devon and then turn around and head to the Northwest. It didn’t really matter though; Harry’s well-being was more important than anything. He was certainly looking a lot brighter since they left and that confirmed that she’d done the right thing by going to see him again, Dumbledore notwithstanding.

They made two stops at large service areas where Jessica bought them lunch, afternoon tea and re-fuelled the car. Harry slept for the last leg of their journey, the first good sleep he’d had all summer.

‘Sweet dreams,’ Jessica thought to herself after glancing over at him and tucking his jacket around him. ‘Enjoy them while you can…’

xxxOOOxxx

As it wasn’t the weekend they managed to stave off quite a bit of time, pulling up outside the Weasley home shortly before dinner time. Jessica had felt an unbelievable excitement as they crossed the old stone bridge that spanned the River Otter just outside Ottery St.-Catchpole in Devon, knowing what lay ahead on the other side.

‘Wow! That is mad – brilliant, but definitely mad!’ Jessica muttered as she stared disbelievingly at the Weasley homestead after navigating the hills, woods and orchards that protected it from prying Muggle eyes. She had to give Arthur Weasley his due for doing what he could to accommodate such a large family. He’d conjured whatever was handy and just kept stacking it up, clearly aiming for what was more suitable practically than aesthetically. There was no mistaking that the legendary thatched-roof house was being held up by magic.

‘It’s wicked, isn’t it,’ Harry yawned.

‘MUM! They’re here!’ came a voice as the front door banged open.

Ron piled out along with the twins and two other red-headed young men that Jessica could only assume were the eldest brothers, Charlie and Bill.

‘Hi Miss Newkirk!’ George said excitedly as he eyeballed the 4x4.

‘Boy – wait ‘till Dad gets a look at this!’ Fred whistled appreciatively as he circled the car.

‘Want to get in and see how she feels?’ Jessica grinned.

‘Is Eloise Gudgeon bandy-legged with a hump?’ George said jumping in the drivers’ seat and sighing with ecstasy.

‘Get away from that car!’ Mrs. Weasley shrieked as Fred pulled George from the car and sailed into the driver’s seat with Bill and Charlie jockeying for position.

‘It’s alright Mrs. Weasley, they’re just seeing what it’s like…’ Jessica said cautiously.

‘You touch one thing; that car makes one sound and all of you will…! Oh hello, Harry dear I hope you’re ready for dinner,’ said Mrs. Weasley.

‘Mrs. Weasley – this is Miss Newkirk…’ Harry said as he stood next to Jessica.

‘Pleasure to meet you Mrs. Weasley. Harry’s told me a lot about you. He says you’re a fabulous cook.’

Mrs. Weasley laughed a strange high-pitched tinkling sort of laugh that made all of her children look at her in astonishment. They hadn’t heard anything like it since she met Gilderoy Lockhart, five time winner of Witch Weekly’s Best Smile Award when he taught Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts.

‘Oh, Harry’s just exaggerating! I wouldn’t say that; but thank you Harry dear just the same!’ Mrs. Weasley was grinning from ear to ear. ‘And it’s a pleasure to meet you at last, Miss Newkirk. Dumbledore thinks very highly of you, you know.’

‘Some of us think highly of her too!’ Ron sniffed.

‘Oh dear me, where is my head. Fred, George; get Harry’s things upstairs and then all of you can de-gnome the garden and get out the table and chairs.’

‘And what about Percy, Ginny and Hermione?’ Ron asked without thinking.

‘Percy has a very important report to finish for Minister Fudge,’ Mrs. Weasley replied as she puffed out her chest with pride. ‘You hurry and get the garden sorted; Ginny and Hermione will set the table when you’re done.’

‘Well – I better leave you all to it,’ Jessica said as she opened the driver’s door and moved to step up. ‘Have a good rest of the summer and please don’t leave your homework until the last minute – all of you!’

‘What? Aren’t you staying for dinner?’ Mrs. Weasley asked, looking slightly put out.

‘You didn’t ask her Mum,’ George muttered.

‘Oh heavens – where are my manners. We’d planned on you staying for dinner…’ Mrs. Weasley began.

‘…and…’

‘Never you mind Ronald Weasley!’ Mrs. Weasley said, looking very cross. ‘Get going, all of you.’

‘So are you staying, Miss Newkirk?’ Harry asked hesitantly.

‘Erm… yes, yes I am….’

‘Great!’

Mrs. Weasley introduced Jessica to Bill and Charlie. Harry and Ron tore around to the rear garden while Fred and George took his trunk and Hedwig to Ron’s room.

‘Well – why don’t we have a nice cup of tea and have a chat?’ Mrs. Weasley said as she ushered Jessica into the house after sending Bill and Charlie to oversee Ron.

xxxOOOxxx

Jessica sat in the cramped kitchen, inwardly marveling at how Mrs. Weasley could profess to being so tired when everything was running on magic. Once again, it seemed the films weren’t too far off. However, it was one thing to see it on celluloid and yet another to be living it. After dispensing with formalities, she answered Molly’s barrage of questions as best she could. Mercifully she ran out of deeply personal ones and the talk turned to food. Jessica was happy to talk about how American barbecues were very different and before she knew it, Mrs. Weasley had her in an apron making deep fried chicken, potato salad and corn-on-the-cob.

‘No need to wear yourself out doing it by scratch!’ Molly exclaimed as she realised Jessica was clearly not going to use any magic.

Not willing to comment on the contradiction inherent in that assertion, Jessica simply replied that using magic for domestic chores had been strictly forbidden when she was growing up. It helped her family to blend in better with the Muggle environment around them. Before Molly could reply, the front door banged open and shut.

‘Oooh Hi Miss Newkirk!’ Ginny called out excitedly even though they were only a few feet apart.

‘Mmm what’s that smell?’ Hermione asked as her stomach let out a loud gurgle of hunger.

‘Spicy Southern Fried Chicken amongst other things. I hope you girls are really hungry; I hate seeing food go to waste…’ Jessica answered.

‘What about pudding?’ Ginny sighed as she looked lovingly at the chicken already heaped onto a platter.

‘Merlin’s Beard! I knew I forgot something!’ Mrs. Weasley said irritably.

‘What about a chocolate bread pudding?’ Jessica suggested.

‘And a butter one too?’ Ginny asked hopefully.

‘Good that you’ve volunteered. Make yourselves useful…’ Jessica said as she tossed them aprons. ‘Molly, why don’t you put your feet up for a change and relax? Let somebody else do the work. Girls, we need to tidy as we go, no point in leaving it all to be done at once.’

If there was one way to truly score brownie points with Molly Weasley in her own home, Jessica had just done it. Mrs. Weasley settled herself into a cozy armchair by the window and put her feet up on a footstool, savouring the piping hot mug of tea Jessica handed her. The little kitchen hummed with activity as the girls helped with the cooking and began to set the table outside. They gossiped with Jessica and Mrs. Weasley about some of the other students at Hogwarts. Even in the summer holidays, the school’s rumour mill was in overdrive with owls flying back and forth especially from students going to the Quidditch World Cup.

The front door slammed open and shut once more just as the one-handed clock in the kitchen indicated that Mr. Weasley was home.

‘Hello everybody!’ Mr. Weasley boomed as he took off his traveling cloak. ‘What’s this – having a break are we Molly? What on earth is the world coming to?’

‘Did you get it, Dad?’ Ginny demanded, clearly ready to burst. ‘Please tell me you did!’

‘Well! That’s a fine ‘how-do-you-do’! A man comes home after another hard day’s graft for his missus and the fruit of his loins and not so much as a ‘hello’ or…’

‘DAD! Did you get it? Did you?’ Ron interrupted as he hurled himself into the kitchen and nearly upset the table heaving with their dinner.

‘That will be enough of that! Upstairs, all of you! Get yourselves clean and be outside in ten minutes!’ Mrs. Weasley ordered as she stopped a bowl of dinner rolls from falling over.

There was a cacophony of footsteps on the narrow staircase as all the children and their guests trooped upstairs to wash up.

‘Hello, Mr. Weasley. I’m Jessica Newkirk,’ Jessica said extending her hand. ‘Just call me Jessica though. Being called “Miss Newkirk” makes me feel old.’

‘I daresay a few days with this lot will have much the same effect...’ Mr. Weasley replied as he shook her hand. ‘Just call me Arthur – we don’t stand on much formality here. It’s great to finally meet you. Dumbledore speaks very highly of you, you know… and the children do as well.’

Jessica looked embarrassed as she washed her hands at the kitchen sink.

‘I do what I can…’

Mr. Weasley looked up at the ceiling, noting that everyone was still occupied with getting ready for dinner.

‘Dumbledore has told us you’ve joined our ranks, so-to-speak,’ he said in a low voice as he drew near.

Jessica nodded her confirmation. ‘I don’t know how useful I’ll be, but I’ll do what I can like everyone else.’

‘There aren’t many who would willingly put themselves out and I wouldn’t hold it against you if the situation changed and neither would Molly.’

‘Whatever happens, we all need to support each other,’ Mrs. Weasley said gravely as she rose. ‘The in-fighting the last time – it nearly tore us apart when we desperately needed to pull together.’

‘I can’t imagine what it was like back then…’ Jessica replied in a hushed voice.

‘We had no way of knowing about the scorpion in our midst,’ said Mr. Weasley. ‘We just knew that we’d been compromised. Looking back now, we should have known better about a great many things.’

‘Ahh, but hindsight is always twenty-twenty,’ Jessica said knowingly. ‘And it’s never easy being the Greatest Wizard of the Age. Professor Dumbledore walks a lonely road with everyone thinking he’s omnipotent and infallible. But he’s a man, first and foremost. His burdens are all the more peculiar because of the choices he has to make for the greater good, but he’s still a man capable of making mistakes.’

‘I can see why he thinks so highly of you,’ Molly said confidently. ‘Most of them admire him, but they are intimidated by him too. It’s not his fault really – they’ve put a mantle on his shoulders that he’s never courted.’

‘You’re not afraid him – not afraid to challenge him. He needs that; Merlin knows we all do…’ said Mr. Weasley.

‘And we’ll need it this time more than ever…’ Mr. Weasley said as the children began bounding down the stairs.

‘Thank you,’ Jessica said simply.

‘OK you lot – dinner’s on!’ Mrs. Weasley shouted as she and Jessica began to take the food outside.

xxxOOOxxx

‘Oh my god, this is SO good!’ Bill said as he helped himself to more of Jessica’s chicken and potato salad. ‘Your boyfriend is a lucky man!’

‘Erm – I don’t have a boyfriend,’ Jessica said, going fairly pink in her face.

Hermione’s head snapped up from her plate and Harry ignored her gaze. He hadn’t written a word to Hermione about Jessica and he hadn’t answered any of her questions yet either. Jessica was all she wanted to talk about, and Harry didn’t want to share. Hermione would just have to get over it, he wasn’t going to talk about it. If she wanted to know so much, she’d have to get from Jessica herself.

‘You don’t?’ Mrs. Weasley asked with a big smile.

‘Molly!’ Mr. Weasley sighed exasperatedly. ‘Head for the hills Jessica while you still can!’

‘After the pudding I sure will!’ Jessica laughed.

Her crack caused a rousing chorus of laughter all around. Mrs. Weasley flicked her wand and the bread puddings bounced out of the house along with a jug of hot custard, bowls and spoons. The talk turned to the Quidditch World Cup and who was likely to win it as everyone helped themselves.

‘Speaking of which,’ George said as he poked his father. ‘What about you-know-what?’

‘Ahhh – that…’ Mr. Weasley said cryptically.

‘Oh come on Dad, we’ve waited long enough!’ Charlie enthused.

‘Well… you know it was hard going, it was. Old Merryfoot put up such a fight. Why I had to…’ Mr. Weasley began.

‘Arthur! Enough’s enough! Now please put them out of their misery so we can all relax!’ Mrs. Weasley screeched.

‘OK my dear wife. To answer the question to which you have all longed for an answer to with baited breath… Yes, I got the other ticket!’

There was a roar of whoops and table pounding as the Weasley children lost their minds along with Hermione.

‘See! I told you!’ Ron said resentfully as he glared at the twins.

‘Other ticket?’ Harry asked quizzically. ‘Is Lee coming then?’

‘Lee’s going with some of his relatives…’

‘Then who…?’

Mr. Weasley beamed at Jessica, who was tucking into her chocolate bread pudding and custard, completely oblivious.

‘What?’ Harry asked. ‘ALL RIGHT!!!’

‘So how about it Jessica?’ Mrs. Weasley asked.

‘How about what?’

‘How about coming with us to the Quidditch World Cup!’ Mr. Weasley offered.

The colour visibly drained from Jessica’s face.

‘Oh – well – erm – that’s very kind of you. It’s very thoughtful indeed…but, um, I need to hit the road. I’ve got my holiday you see…’

‘Dumbledore said you didn’t have anything specific in mind; just that you were driving back to school. Even with this little detour you’ll still arrive before the term officially starts. You’ve already taken the time to bring Harry to us…’

‘I hope you didn’t push for anything on my account…’

‘The ticket was on offer to me because of the work I’ve put in. It’s not often that the Ministry gives me perks so please don’t feel guilty about it. Molly and I thought you might enjoy it – it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.’

‘Oh come on Jessica! It’ll be so much fun!’ Ginny pleaded.

The others joined in until Jessica shushed them with a piercing whistle. ‘Alright…’ she said with an air of resignation. ‘I give in. When do we go?’

‘Tomorrow morning, before the crack of dawn,’ Mr. Weasley grinned. ‘I’ll just go let Dumbledore know that he can expect you at Hogwarts a bit later than planned. It’s about time Hermes stretched his wings and made himself useful.’

‘Which means bed for you lot in an hour,’ Mrs. Weasley added.

There were no complaints as the talk turned to the teams that had qualified. Jessica sat numbly, idly playing with her dessert and giving the odd comment here and there so as to not be seen as rude. She had been worried before, but now she was just plain scared.

She was a Muggle, going to one of the biggest events in the Wizarding World globally – and she was going to be facing the horrors that she’d agonised over when she thought she’d be saying goodbye to Harry and leaving him to it.

God help her if Dumbledore was involved in any way with this.