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 024: Traveling and Moving

It wasn’t until everyone was getting ready for bed that Hermione finally had her chance. Jessica was bunking down with she and Ginny and Ginny was the last of them to go downstairs for a bath.

‘Dinner was really great. I think Mrs. Weasley was pleased with how it turned out.’ Hermione said as she fiddled with her pillow.

‘Mmm good thing too. We ladies tend to be quite territorial about these things. But you take help where you can get it if you can.’

Jessica was sorting out her clothes and some things she knew she would need for the camping extravaganza that was the Quidditch World Cup. Hermione watched as she carefully rolled up several pairs of jeans, t-shirts, two sweat shirts and sweatpants and placed them in the large rucksack followed by her toothbrush and toothpaste, a comb and brush and a box of hand and face wipes.

‘Guess you’ve done this a lot,’ Hermione said awkwardly. ‘Erm – camping I mean.’

‘Are you kidding? Of course this is bound to be different since it’s witches and wizards…’

‘Miss Newkirk…’

‘Jessica…’

‘Jessica…’ Hermione blushed. ‘Aren’t you worried about… you know…’

‘What? Ahh – you mean my non-existent magic?’ Jessica whispered conspiratorially.

Hermione nodded fretfully.

‘I take it Harry hasn’t told you then…’

‘Harry doesn’t say very much these days.’

‘Mmm – I can see why. Try to put yourself in his place Hermione. You’re a bright girl; it should be fairly obvious to you after all this time. But suffice it to say that it seems as though I have some semblance of magic in me and have been practicing.’

‘You what?’ Hermione whispered as she flopped down on the floor across from Jessica with wide eyes. ‘But how…?’

‘We don’t know. But I’ve had regular lessons with the Headmaster for a while now and he came to see me at home… After a bit of a mishap on my part wielding this wand that I seem to have inherited.’

‘Professor Dumbledore….came to see you?’

‘Indeed he did my dear.’

‘Wow – it must have been really important for him to do that. I can’t imagine he’d do that for just anyone!’

Jessica didn’t respond as she checked the contents of her shoulder bag.

‘And Professor Snape… is everything – OK?’

Jessica shook her head ‘no’ and Hermione could see that she looked tearful.

‘I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking,’ Hermione said quietly.

The two sat in silence as Jessica held the familiar handkerchief with its entwined double S.

‘It’s a fair enough question, actually, considering what you know,’ she replied at last. ‘I know that you haven’t said a word to anyone and I appreciate it. So does Professor Snape and the Headmaster, although they would never say so.’

‘Have you… have you thought about going back through the stones?’

‘No – my life here still has a lot more promise than my old one there, all things considered. I want to know what happened to my friends – I want justice. But I known damn well that it’s me the police would point the finger at.’

‘Have you been up there again though?’

Jessica nodded.

‘Severus took me, ironically enough. He thought I should have a fair chance to go since I wasn’t terribly happy here to start with. But I had already reconciled things within myself to a degree so it was an exercise in futility on his part. Once my mind is made up, that’s it. I did want to prove to him that what I’d said was the truth – so I showed him. We talked about it, but I already knew that if I was going to stay, he would say that he didn’t want it to be because of him…’

‘But you did stay – because of him, didn’t you…’

‘Yeah… I did,’ Jessica admitted tearfully. ‘There’s more I could say, but I need to respect his privacy and so do you.’

There was a creak from outside the bedroom door. Both fell silent and looked at each other.

Jessica leapt to her feet and bade Hermione to be quiet with a finger across her lips. She moved stealthily to the door as silent as a cat. She counted down from three with her fingers and then flung open the door.

She walked out into the hall and the only sounds were those of the twins, Ron and Harry upstairs. She heard another heard creak and peered ahead. The hall window was open wide and a hard wind was howling through. She closed it and then listened intently. The creaking had stopped.

Jessica sighed as she came back in the room and closed the door behind her.

‘It’s only the wind,’ she said as she took a seat on the camp bed that had been conjured for her. ‘Just the same, I think we need to end this line of discussion…’

Hermione nodded faintly as she let out a relieved sigh and looked down at the two rolls of parchment on her lap and a rather huge book.

‘Is that the essay for Professor McGonagall?’ Jessica asked.

‘Yes…’ came a nervous squeak. McGonagall could always tell now when Jessica had reviewed Hermione’s work with her. With Jessica Hermione managed to find some semblance of a voice whereas on her own it was straight repetition from the book.

‘Well at least one of you has some sense…’ Jessica sighed as she settled under her duvet.

‘Don’t you want to see it?’

‘No – what I want is sleep.’

Several minutes later Ginny bounded into the room and giggled as she stepped over Jessica.

‘Don’t mind me ladies. If you know what’s good for you you’ll settle down though. You do not want to be bone tired with all that walking to get to Stoatshead Hill in the dark.’

‘We’re walking? Carry all that stuff’ Hermione asked incredulously. ‘I mean – you have that huge utility vehicle…’

‘Which I wouldn’t have for long if someone came across it. It would look odd that a brand new car was simply left with no trace of the owner. The car stays here with your mother.’

‘I better lighten my pack,’ Hermione said dejectedly.

Ginny and Jessica watched in amazement as the bushy-headed Gryffindor dumped what seemed to be half the Hogwarts Library along with her schoolbooks on the floor.

‘I can appreciate that you are quite studious Hermione, but really – the world won’t come to an end if you don’t finish your homework and read the entire syllabus for the rest of your school career over the next few days…’

‘Besides – once we get there you’ll forget all about those essays!’ Ginny said enthusiastically, before turning out the light.

Jessica lay in the dark quietly, listening to the two girls whispering to each other before falling asleep. She was strongly compelled to warn them all – but she knew what Dumbledore thought about that. Events needed to play out as they were meant to with no interference from her if she could help it. If she managed to exercise such restraint then clearly it was meant to be.

She listened to the sound of the wind through the trees outside Ginny’s window and the branches scraping against them. There was a faint creak in the hall she didn’t catch as she drifted off to sleep.

xxxOOOxxx

Mr. Weasley hadn’t been joking about setting up for the sun had an intention of beginning to rise. The bleary-eyed group set out for Stoatshead Hill after saying their goodbyes to Mrs. Weasley. She had her Association meeting to go to later that morning and the Ladies had to plan their annual fundraiser. She wasn’t much of a Quidditch fan so didn’t mind missing the World Cup.

No one was inclined to talk because they were all tired, trying not to think of how nice it would be to turn around and go back to bed. Usually on the wrong side of bickering, Ron and Hermione were blessedly quiet. Harry stumbled along next to Jessica with Ginny on her other side. Jessica put a steadying arm around both teenagers and kept them moving forward.

After what felt like a long time, a small hill came into view, with bits of trash strewn about. The sun was just poking over the horizon and the small party stopped to have a good look at it.

‘Nature in all her glory – Greetings to you our Grandfather!’ Jessica said softly as she took a deep breath and spread her arms wide.

Ginny asked her what she meant by that, and Jessica told one of the creation stories of her people.

‘You come from a fascinating culture…’ Mr, Weasley said admiringly.

‘Arthur!’ came a sonic boom of a voice. ‘We were thinking you might be late!’

‘Not on your life Amos…’ Mr. Weasley replied pleasantly.

‘And who is this gorgeous lady? When the cat’s away eh!’ Amos Diggory chortled.

Mr. Weasley countenance had lost some of its customary pleasantness as he introduced Jessica to his colleague from the Ministry of Magic.

‘Ahh so you’re the lovely Miss Newkirk my Ced has praised to the moon! When I heard Dumbledore had hired some relative of McGonagall’s I thought “Nepotism! There’s the library down the drain” – but apparently you are quite competent from what I’ve heard. Sprout certainly seems pleased, and you know she has the most impeccable standards!’

Jessica was ready to smack Mr. Diggory when Cedric stepped forward and said hello. Harry said hello while Ginny and Hermione just smiled. The twins grunted, and their disposition wasn’t made any better by Mr. Diggory claiming that the best man had won when the Hufflepuffs led by Cedric had finally beaten Gryffindor.

‘Dad – please, we should have had re-match. It would have been the right thing to do,’ Cedric mumbled, looking as though he wanted the hill to swallow him up. Everyone knew that it was only because Harry had fallen off his broom when the Dementors invaded the pitch that stormy, windswept Saturday.

‘Nonsense! I’m sure young Harry here can appreciate that he can’t always come first! You won fair and square!’

Harry gritted his teeth and said nothing as he stood next to Jessica.

‘One minute to go,’ Mr. Weasley said crisply. ‘Everyone gather ‘round and put a finger on this…’

‘Put a finger on an old boot?’ Ron demanded.

‘It’s a portkey, Ronald – unless you plan on missing that Wonky Faint…’ Hermione sniffed.

‘Wronski Feint…how many times do I have to tell you the move is the Wronski Feint!’

Jessica slammed Ron’s hand down just in time.

What she experienced for the next couple of minutes was nothing less than traumatic. It was like being on the Tilt-A-Whirl at the Carnival when she was young, spinning and spinning so fast that she always managed to get sick when the ride stopped. This most peculiar ride began to slow down and she found herself dropping hard on her feet on the edge of a great hill.

‘Everyone alright,’ Mr. Weasley asked carefully.

Jessica’s answer was to vomit heavily, narrowly missing his shoes.

‘Oh well it happens – some of us just aren’t as strong as we need to be, right Ced?’ said Mr. Diggory.

Jessica didn’t care as she proceeded to projectile vomit, covering Mr. Diggory in a good deal of bile.

All of the Weasley children except for Percy were ready to piss themselves laughing while Mr. Diggory cleaned himself up with a scouring spell. Unfortunately for him he was recognised by some of his colleagues, one of whom appeared to have taken a couple of pictures surreptitiously.

‘Are you alright Miss,’ Cedric asked worriedly as Jessica continued to dry-heave more out of anger than actually being sick.

‘You lot go on ahead. Here Jessica – swallow this,’ Mr. Weasley advised as he popped a violent orange tablet into Jessica’s mouth and then handed her a bottle of water. ‘You’ll be as right as rain in a few minutes.’

Jessica did as she was told with a bit of difficulty, but found that she felt much better once the vile-tasting tablet had gone down.

‘Ahh – I’ll have to tell Severus his experiment worked,’ Mr. Weasley said cheerfully.

Jessica said nothing and just swirled a bit of water in her mouth for a bit and then spit it out.

‘Thanks Arthur – I was about ready to take his head off. Just tired is all…’

‘So I noticed,’ Mr. Weasley said with a conspirital wink.

‘Be mindful His Lordship doesn’t see that – next thing you know he’ll be carrying tales…’

‘People know Amos Diggory enough to not believe any such thing,’ Mr. Weasley said directly. ‘He’s not a vicious man, honestly he’s not. He’s just a bit…proud…’

‘Especially where Cedric is concerned,’ Jessica said thoughtfully as they began to follow the others up the hill.

‘Yes – well Ced’s the only child they have; the only child they were able to have. And Amos was blessed to get the son he desperately wanted. I don’t think he would have been heartless if he’d had a daughter, but I do know that his life is all the more joyful because of his only son.’

‘I see. Still – Cedric is nothing like him… I know I don’t really know him; it’s just…an instinct…’

‘And a very fine instinct indeed. You see, Cedric’s more his mother’s child than his father’s, don’t let appearances fool you. You wouldn’t know it to meet her, but the fine young man that Cedric is has everything to do with Eliza. She and Cedric both are a credit to their House.’

The young man in question was still looking very concerned when they reached the top of the hill. While the others in their party were transfixed at the never-ended jumble of tents and market stalls that went on for miles, Cedric’s concern was that Jessica was alright. She could tell he felt bad about his father’s remarks and quietly reassured him that no offense was taken. Cedric wasn’t sure that he entirely believed it, but managed to give her a small smile just the same.

‘Why don’t you stop by ours for some lunch,’ Jessica suggested. ‘That is if your father doesn’t have other plans for you.’

Cedric glanced at his father, who was glad-handing some Ministry Officials from Fudge’s office.

‘I’m sure he doesn’t. That would be great – if no one else minds.’

‘And why would they? You’re my guest,’ Jessica said as she tucked her arm in his and followed Mr. Weasley to the entrance where they needed to pay for their tent pitches.

‘I heard you’re a great cook,’ Cedric smiled. ‘Dad hates spicy food but Mum and I like it a lot. Nothing beats a good curry!’

‘Then all the more for us then…and that gives me an idea for dinner tonight.’

Cedric and Jessica continued to talk. Harry finally looked back to see where she was and caught the two of them laughing.

‘You see – told you she’s all better,’ Mr. Weasley said brightly.

xxxOOOxxx

Harry said nothing as he waited for Jessica to join them. But he wasn’t happy seeing her with Cedric. It made him think of their time together at Bluewater. Percy didn’t look particularly pleased about anything, but no one paid him any mind. All he could think about were the officials from Minister Fudge’s office he was expected to socialize with, or so he had convinced himself if not anyone else.

The man taking the money and confirming their pitches for them identified himself as Mr. Roberts and he was definitely a Muggle. Jessica didn’t meet his eyes as he counted heads and muttered about the strange folks and things that were about. She didn’t want think that before the Cup festivities were over, this man would be paraded upside down like a marionette long with his wife and children. Jessica needed to do something, but even in thinking that she realised how pointless it was.

‘How much for pitches near the facilities?’ asked Mr. Weasley. ‘I don’t want a long walk if I can help it.’

‘That’ll be forty pounds – twenty each.’

‘Forty pounds – right! Here you are,’ Jessica said as she handed over the cash after taking twenty from Mr. Weasley who was clearly confused by what to use and adding it to twenty from her own money. ‘Just put down Arthur Weasley for both of them.’

‘Lots 21 and 22 in Field A…w-e-a-s-l-e-y.’ Mr. Roberts said as he handed them tickets and pamphlets from the Ministry of Magic. ‘OK who’s next? Move it along!’

Mr. Diggory secured Lot 30 for himself and Cedric and tried to pay for it with some of his Gringott’s gold.

‘Is this – gold? Real gold?’ Mr. Roberts asked with eyes as wide as saucers.

‘Of course not! Amos you joker!’ Jessica chortled as she handed over another twenty pounds and handed the ticket to Mr. Diggory who looked as though he wished the earth would swallow him up.

‘Just then two Aurors turned up and before she could bat an eyelash, Mr. Roberts was Obliviated.

‘Mmm yessiree – you’ll be wanting… that one,’ Mr. Roberts said dreamily as he waved a hand airily around.

‘If we have to do this anymore his brain will turn to mush,’ the taller of the two complained. ‘You think people have any common sense? No! Why just last night…!’

Suddenly there was a loud bang and everyone was spellbound by a band of gaudily dressed gnomes tap-dancing across a magical rainbow. There was a rousing roar followed by Leprechauns doing triple somersaults and breakdancing routines culminating in an Irish Step Dancing routine.

‘Goddamn those Germans and Irish!’ the tall Auror squeaked as they ran off.

‘I don’t know about you, but I could do with a good wash, some lunch and a kip,’ Jessica said tiredly.

‘Sleep? Are you mad woman?’ the twins exclaimed in unison.

‘Erm – yes?’

Everyone started to laugh as they followed Mr. Weasley and Mr. Diggory to Field A. Mr. Weasley found his and Jessica’s lots and all the Weasley children dropped their things along with Harry and Hermione.

‘Give us at least an hour,’ Jessica instructed Cedric after informing Mr. Diggory that Cedric could take his lunch with them.

There was no protest as Mr. Diggory hurried off to get their tent set up. The sooner it was done, the sooner he could catch up to Bartemius Crouch and Cornelius Fudge.

Mr. Weasley set up the two tents with the help of Charlie and Bill. In less than ten minutes, Jessica found herself standing in the lounge of a comfortable tent that was like a small home inside. The living area separated the girl’s room where she, Ginny and Hermione would sleep from the boys where Mr. Weasley would bunk down with his offspring and Harry.

Jessica excused herself to go down to the shower block. Having been sick she felt in insatiable urge to scrub herself clean.

‘Why don’t you have a nice wander and then we can break for lunch?’ she suggested to everyone else. ‘Just be back in an hour or so…’

‘I can’t wait to see the market stalls!’ Ron whooped as he ducked out after Harry.

‘Why don’t we have a look as we get you down to your shower, hmm?’ Mr. Weasley suggested after Jessica picked out a fresh pair of jeans and a t-shirt along with a small waterproof bag that held her toiletries, a facecloth and towel.

They walked slowly, with Mr. Weasley taking time to point out Ministry personnel along the way.

‘That’s Kingsley Shacklebolt; one of the best Aurors the Ministry’s got… The best thing for that department would be for him to be the head of it instead of old Scrimgeour…’

The market trader’s area hummed with activity as good were bought and sold from all over the world. Jessica was fascinated by the items on offer and said she’d like to have a good look. Mr. Weasley left Jessica out side their Shower block and promised he’d be back in time for lunch.

Jessica didn’t waste too much time and had a quick shower. The facilities were surprisingly good, and she was glad that she’d decided to smarten herself up. She walked quickly to the market, and then took her time going up and down the first two rows of stalls. She wanted to get the Weasleys something as a small ‘Thank You’ for their hospitality and knew that it should be a present for Molly, something for Molly herself rather than something for the house.

She was pleased to see that wizarding world had wraps akin to Pashminas and picked out a sumptuous olive-coloured one that was bordered with a dazzlingly sparkly gold, orange and silver design and matching slippers.

‘That would look really great on you. It suits you,’ said a familiar voice.

‘Taking a bit of a stroll before lunch?’ Jessica said looking up at Cedric. ‘It’s not for me, actually, it’s for Mrs. Weasley – just a little token of my appreciation.’

‘My mum would protest – but I think she’d like these herself,’ Cedric said thoughtfully. ‘Something a bit more subtle though…’

He pulled out a small bag and showed Jessica a picture of his mother. She was a rather stately woman with her fine robes and a simple strand of pearls.

‘Mmm she’s very elegant…’ Jessica said as she began rifling through a pile of Pashminas.

She unearthed one that was a sumptuous royal blue trimmed with a simple black design at both ends.

‘Now that’s my mother, definitely.’ Cedric said smiling.

Jessica unearthed the matching slippers.

‘How much?’ Cedric asked the vendor.

‘Ten galleons for the set.’

‘Ten?’ Jesscia said idly. ‘Forget it – we can do better than elsewhere. There must be at least twenty stalls selling these…’

She put both sets of Pashminas and slippers down and began to walk away.

‘Tell you what I’m going to do – just for you mind – eight galleons each!’

Jessica snorted as she game the man a look of disdain.

‘You must be having a laugh!’

‘Alright – seven; but that will be my final offer on this!’

‘Please – I could go to the whole of Asia and kit out my house for less than that… Those aren’t worth more than two each tops.’

‘I can see you are a woman who appreciates the finer things in life, Madame. But even an astute businesswoman such as yourself understand the needs of a simple merchant to turn a profit.

‘And that’s exactly why we’ll give you three each; no more than that.’

‘You drive a hard bargain Madame. But for such a beautiful lady with such remarkable eyes – DONE!’ The vendor said with a clap.

He carefully wrapped each item and packed them away in elegant cloth bags which he put into rather gaudy shopping bags.

‘Might I interest you in anything else – you will not find a better selection anywhere!’

‘As a matter of fact…’

By the time they were done Jessica had Pashminas for herself in deep red and purple, respectively and several ornately carved wooden boxes with jewelry. She had only spent nine galleons and so felt very pleased. She and Cedric waited until they were near the Weasley tents before bursting into laughter.

‘And what’s all this?’ Mr. Weasley said, clearly amazed by her packages and the site of she and Cedric doubling over with laughter.

‘This,’ Jessica said handing Mr. Weasley a bag. ‘Is a thank-you from me for your kindness. Something for the missus.’

Mr. Weasley clearly didn’t know what to say. He wished he had money enough to buy Molly nice things that other people took for granted, but she always said that her husband and family were more important to her than anything that could be bought with money. They had long learned to go without wanting anything that was unnecessary beyond the basics.

‘Molly will like them – won’t she?’

‘She will indeed, my dear,’ Mr. Weasley replied quietly. ‘She will indeed. But this must have cost a small fortune!’

‘Three galleons – for the whole set!’ Cedric volunteered enthusiastically before giving Mr. Weasley the play-by-play account of their shopping expedition. ‘You should have seen her, Mr. Weasley! Jessica was brilliant! I’ve never seen anything like it – even Dad isn’t that good!’

‘Three? Why, most of them are charging ten at least!’

‘We can pay him a little visit after lunch if you like,’ Jessica said with a grin. ‘I won’t even tell you what the jewelry cost…’

‘I’d like that very much indeed Jessica, if you don’t mind. I’m never any good at bartering!

‘No problem at all. Why don’t you relax and Cedric will help me get things organised.’

Mr. Weasley sat down in his armchair and put his feet up on a plump footstool. A piping hot mug of tea and the latest copy of Witch Gadgets magazine and he was a content man. Jessica packed her things away in her rucksack and then joined Cedric in the small kitchenette. They’d brought a hamper with them with leftovers from their meal the night before. A platter of Southern Fried and Barbecue Chicken was set out along with Potato Salad and tall pitchers of ice-cold Lemonade. There was a bread-and-butter pudding for dessert along with the customary British Custard.

‘Boy am I starving!’ Ron said as he barged into the tent rubbing his stomach.

‘Even after whatever it was you bought from the food stalls?’ his father said knowingly. ‘Don’t waste any more of what you’ve got on food; we’ve plenty here. Just remember the souvenirs you’ll be wanting from the big match.’

Both Ron and Harry looked sheepish until George noticed their guest.

‘What’s he doing here!’ said George.

‘He is having lunch with us and was good enough to help me with it,’ Jessica replied tightly.

George said nothing as he began to set the table in their dining area, earning him a wry look from his father. Everyone returned on time as requested and lunch managed to be a rather animated affair, the underlying tensions between the twins and Cedric notwithstanding. The twins were still resentful about the Quidditch match Gryffindor had lost to Hufflepuff, but nothing Cedric had ever said or suggested could appease them. But they at least managed to be civil enough, unlike Harry who ignored the Hufflepuff Quidditch Captain for the most part.

Jessica could see that he was resenting her friendliness and camaraderie with Cedric. She and Harry would have to have a talk. If he was this bad about Cedric there would be no telling what he’d be like when school started.

‘Kickoff between Brazil and Germany is in half an hour and I said we’d stop by at Lee’s and walk over together,’ Fred said looking at his watch.

‘You’ll need at least twenty minutes just to get to the stadium even from here – it was absolutely heaving at that end,’ said Ginny. ‘They’ve got some great souvenir stalls at that end, but you had to fight the crowds just to try and walk!’

‘Dad – you coming?’ George asked.

‘I’ll give this one a miss. It’s just nice enough to have some time to myself. No need to get dragged into Ministry affairs here before I really have to… Barty Crouch looks like a man on a mission roping in anyone and everyone for nothing at all.’

‘Jessica, are you coming to the match?’ Ginny asked as she and Hermione cleared away the dishes.

‘Yes – after I sort something else out. See you all up in the box…’

‘Thanks for having me; it’s been great,’ Cedric said quietly as the Weasley children and their guests scampered for the stadium.

‘You are welcome anytime, Cedric,’ Mr. Weasley.

‘I’ll remember that, Sir.’

Once Cedric left Jessica turned her attention to Mr. Weasley.

‘Let’s sort out that present of yours for Molly, shall we?’

xxxOOOxxx

Jessica was pleased that she was able to help Mr. Weasley get something for his wife. They had found a lovely pair of ornate gold earrings with a matching necklace that were just her style. By the time Jessica got finished with her bargaining, the vendor was a frail shell of a man and Mr. Weasley felt as though he’d won a million galleons.

She left him and wove her way towards the stadium. Cedric had found some of his Housemates from Hufflepuff and was sitting with them outside a garishly decorated tent when she passed by. Jessica said hello to everyone after he called out to her, but said she couldn’t stop for long – she was running late for the match.

‘It’ll be over before it even starts – Germany are absolute rubbish!’ a bristle-headed boy snorted.

‘Is that a fact, Summersby?’ They almost saw off Bulgaria in the qualifiers,’ sniffed a lovely oriental-looking girl that Jessica recognised as Cho Chang.’

Jessica found it hard to believe that she was going to be Cedric’s date for the Yule Ball when he didn’t seem to be too interested in her at the moment even with the Quidditch talk. Her heart broke every time she thought of the kind-hearted boy who deserved all the good things life had to offer. If there was one thing she hoped wouldn’t be true, it was the deadly outcome of the Tri-Wizard Tournament, if indeed the tournament was going to happen and as it had been scripted by Joanne Kathleen Rowling.

‘In your cotton-candy dreams, Chang. The only way Germany could win a match is to kill the other side!’

These were apparently fighting words, and a firestorm of an argument kicked off. Jessica hurried, but it wasn’t enough to beat the hordes around the stadium. By the time she found the box, the game had started.

‘Is Germany winning?’ she asked breathlessly as she took a seat next to George.

‘Are you joking? Those losers are even lucky to be here!’ he roared.

Sure enough – if there was ever a bunch of Sad Sacks in competitive Quidditch – the national German team was it. In the time it took for her to finish her soft drink the match was over.

‘God – that was anti-climatic!’ Jessica sniffed as they made their way back to the tent.

‘Miss Newkirk!’ a chorus of voices called out from the same gang of Hufflepuffs that Jessica passed earlier. She quickly scanned the group and saw that Cedric wasn’t amongst them. ‘Miss Newkirk – how was it?’

‘Germany got their bums kicked; one hundred seventy-six–nil!’

There was an almighty round of screaming laughter and ‘I-told-you-so’s directed at Cho, who flounced off with her friend Marietta Edgecombe in an almighty strop as Jessica passed them by. When she got back to the tent, Mr. Weasley was tied up with what had to be Ministry officials.

‘Ahh, Jessica. Gentlemen – this is Jessica Newkirk, the newly promoted Head of Library Services at Hogwarts,’ Mr. Weasley said cordially. ‘Jessica, this is Bartemius Crouch, Amos you already know, Kingsley Shacklebolt and Ludo Bagman…’

After a round of handshaking and how-do-you-dos, Jessica excused herself so that she could go to the food stalls and sort out something for their dinner. The rest of the children followed suit and said they’d be back in time for dinner.

‘And how is dear old Molly doing?’ Bagman asked with a thinly-disguised leer as Jessica left.

She didn’t need to be a seer to know what Mr. Weasley’s reply was.

xxxOOOxxx

By the time Jessica finished the food shopping and returned to the tent, Mr. Weasley’s visitors were gone. He was sat glumly in his seat with a rather hang-dog expression and she couldn’t help but to feel sorry for him. It seemed like his once-in-a-lifetime opportunity did not come without significant strings attached. Still, it was a chance that many would give their eye teeth for.

‘Being pressed into service are you?’ she asked diplomatically.

‘It’s not often that so many of us are in one place together – everyone’s expecting the worst because of the big match tonight. The rivalry is huge between Bulgaria and the Irish.’

Jessica didn’t answer as she gave him a faint nod. She didn’t want to think about that night’s game between Bulgaria and Ireland; she didn’t want to think about the horrors to come after it. The Librarian occupied herself with making their dinner, a spicy Jalfrezi curry with Basmati Rice and garlic and coriander naan bread. That was the brilliant thing about having wizards around from so many different cultures, there was the chance to see and experience new things Death Eaters notwithstanding. She focused on preparing their meal and tried not to obsess over things that might not actually happen. There was no point to whipping herself into a stressed-out frenzy and it raised too many questions that she just didn’t need.

Harry and Ron were the first to return and she had them set the table. Ginny and Hermione were next and she sent them all to have a good wash.

‘There’s someone outside,’ Ginny giggled.

She stood by the table with a smirk on her face looking at Jessica.

‘Well don’t just stand there – have whoever it is come in!’ her father exclaimed tiredly.

‘I was just passing by – thought I smelled Jalfrezi…’ Cedric said, turning a bright shade of pink as Ginny brushed by him giggling.

‘You know your curries, Mr. Diggory. If you’ve had a wash, pull up a seat. If not, get yourself sorted pronto.’

‘I’m freshly scrubbed, ma’am! Oh, and I brought you this…’

Cedric handed Jessica a large bag filled with two huge tubs of ice cream.

‘Oooo you really do know how to enjoy a good curry definitely!’ Jessica sighed. ‘Mmm I love chocolate…’

‘Smart lad – you want to get what you can before my boys come back!’ Mr. Weasley laughed.

As though on cue, the Twins came rolling in with Lee Jordan.

‘Game time’s in an hour and a half and…’ Fred said breathlessly. He stopped short as he spotted Cedric. ‘Moving in Diggory?’

‘…and the sooner you get yourselves cleaned up the sooner we can have dinner,’ Jessica said firmly.

‘Holy Merlin, you’re as bad as mum!’ George sniffed. ‘We just came that way…’

‘When you do the cooking and cleaning, you can make the rules… I trust that you won’t take too long since you know where it is.’

‘She’s got a point you know,’ Lee said as they tore out the room and headed for the shower blocks.

Ten minutes later everyone was seated and tearing into the curry.

‘This definitely tops beans on toast…’ Bill sighed.

‘…and burnt sausages!’ Charlie added.

The talk continued on about food. There was a lot of good-natured ribbing about some of the boy’s more interesting experiments over the years.

‘…and he blew the whole back wall out of mum’s kitchen!’ Fred roared as he slapped Charlie on the back.

‘…and nearly took the house down with it!’ George crowed as he helped himself to more ice cream. ‘It was ready to fall over when she and dad got home!’

‘So say the ones who gave us the most violent case of Doxy food poisoning St. Mungo’s had ever seen in five hundred years!’ Charlie snapped.

‘Well how were we supposed to know they weren’t a substitute for venomous tentacula?’ Fred asked innocently.

Hermione, Jessica and Cedric looked at each other then at the twins.

‘You cooked this yourself – right Jessica?’ Hermione asked shakily.

‘I’ve had my eye on them; trust me – your bowels are safe…’ the Librarian replied with a shudder.

‘For tonight anyway,’ Fred said sweetly.

But before anyone could take the twins at their own game, Mr. Weasley jumped out of his chair.

‘Good heavens – we should have left ten minutes ago!’ he shouted, pointing at his timepiece.

There was a mad scramble as the table was cleared and everyone went in search of their moneybags and purses. Cedric said goodbye and went to meet his father. There was one last frenzied check for Ginny’s moneybag, which she’d actually had in a pocket and then the Weasley’s and their guests finally set off.

There was none of the madness of earlier in the day and the venue had changed significantly for this most important of all matches. They had to make their way down a long wooded path that was lit with lanterns to show the way. The effect was nothing less than eerie and Jessica was struck by the profound, almost reverential silence that commanded their attention. There was no pushing or shoving; everyone was making their way in a calm and orderly fashion.

It was the proverbial quiet before the storm.

Finally they reached the stadium which was at least five times the size of the one they went to for the earlier match and far grander. Everyone bought their programmes and souvenirs and then slowly made their way to the skyboxes with Mr. Weasley leading the way.

A faint chill ran down Jessica’s back.

‘Someone’s just walked over my grave…’ she said in a hushed voice.

There was no reply.

There was another chill and then a lone thought crossed her mind; ‘this is it – this is where it all starts…’