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 026: Under the Moon and Over the Sky


Jessica was paralysed as her tormenter whirled her like a top from her ankles. Whoever it was would set her spinning and then stop abruptly. She’d vomited uncontrollably at one point, and that had made things worse. The deranged hoard was baying for her blood.

Why weren’t these people afraid of the Dark Mark as Rowling had portrayed in the fourth book?

There were shouts followed by a sea of upturned faces. A flash of white light hit somewhere below and the crowd began to disperse as fast as their legs would carry them. Jessica began to freefall and slowed just before she hit the ground. She was covered in vomit. Her semi-naked body was bloody and bruised from the torturous hexes and curses she’d been subjected to. She began to cry as a thundering herd ran past her. Some literally jumped over her, kicking her in the process, as though she were nothing more than the flora of the landscape. Someone wanted to do more than that when he realised the heap he’d collided with was a woman without very many clothes on – but was almost knocked out by a deadly beam of yellow light. The man was helped to his feet by some unknown persons and hurried away as yet another beam of light was aimed in his direction.

‘Jessica,’ Cedric said anxiously as he pocketed his wand and dropped down beside her in the melee.

She recoiled at his touch, screaming ‘NO!’, her mind not yet registering that he was no enemy.

‘It’s me, Jessica; it’s Cedric,’ the Hufflepuff said gently as he took her into his arms. ‘It’s Cedric – I wouldn’t hurt you… I’d never do that…’

‘C…Cedric?’ she croaked.

‘Yes…’ he answered as he looked up at the violently bright green Dark Mark hovering over the landscape. ‘I need to get you away from here…’

Cedric took off the oversized sweatshirt he’d been wearing and hurriedly put it on her after administering some cleansing spells, apologizing for hurting her as she cried out in agony. He scooped her up in his arms as though she were a rag doll and walked as quickly as he was able, looking for a place where they would be alright until things calmed enough to make their way back to the tents. There was so much devastation and confusion; it was hard to get his bearings.

He moved deep into the woods, noting that the pandemonium grew fainter the further he went. There was an eerie dead calm as he prepared a space for them in the shelter of some great boulders. Given everything that was happening, it was unlikely that anyone would venture this way. The last thing most people would want was to be so isolated. But Cedric reckoned that for a change there wasn’t safety in numbers.

He and Jessica would wait it out.

xxxOOOxxx

‘Mmm,’ Jessica moaned softly as she opened her eyes. ‘Cedric?’

‘I’m here,’ came a soft reply. ‘We’re safe for now…’

The young Hufflepuff looked down at her, wishing he could actually see her face in the darkness. But he didn’t dare make a light for them in case there were dark wizards or bands of yobs roaming nearby. He’d manage to clean Jessica up and conjured the sweatshirt so that it was much longer and could protect her modesty.

‘You are incredibly brave,’ the Librarian murmured. ‘If you hadn’t come upon me… Nobody else would help me.’

Cedric’s only answer was to hold her tighter – and to kiss her gently on the forehead.

‘I wouldn’t let anyone hurt you,’ he said at last. ‘They’ll have to kill me before they can get to you – and I won’t make it easy for them to do that.’

Jessica leaned into him, hear head resting on his chest. She wasn’t sure if it was his heart beating so fast and so loud or her own as she sat between his legs. He was rubbing her back a bit and she tried not to think about how good and comforting it felt; of all things to be happening –and of all times.

‘We are alone here – aren’t we?’ she asked slowly.

‘Yes…’ Cedric answered clearing his throat. ‘Are you alright?’

‘I am – thanks to you…’

‘It’s nothing…’

‘You are too modest, Mr. Diggory. Too modest indeed… I don’t know what I would have done without you… You’ve done much more than just nothing.’

‘I was so worried; I went looking for you… I just wanted to… I couldn’t bear it if…’ Cedric said hoarsely. ‘I’d do anything for you, Jessica, honestly I would!’

‘I know,’ Jessica murmured, just before his lips found hers in the darkness.

They began to kiss, and her mouth opened at the prompting of his tongue. Cedric was so passionate in such a sweet and earnest way that Jessica felt herself melting into his caresses.

‘Do you like me – even just a little?’ he murmured as he pulled away reluctantly.

Inwardly, Jessica protested as he put a little distance between them. Every cell in her body was crying out for him again. They were in dangerous territory, extremely dangerous territory. There was a sudden break in the cloud cover and they could see each other for the first time. Cedric’s face was an absolute picture. He looked so pensive, so afraid of the rejection he felt certain was coming. She couldn’t bring herself to tell him anything but the truth.

‘I like you, Cedric; I like you a lot and I have done for a while now it’s true,’ she murmured as she reached up and touched his face.

‘But I’m just a student…’ he replied bitterly.

Jessica didn’t answer as the handsome Hufflepuff searched her face for more clues. Their eyes finally met and he reached out and began to stroke her face as he moved next to her once more. Both of them were well aware of the other’s regard. Cedric was a frequent visitor to the Library, always in search of help he really didn’t need. He and Jessica always lost track of time as they talked about all manner of things and he found that he thought a lot about her when he couldn’t get to see her. His eyes would search the stands in vain during each Quidditch match, hoping she was there and taking notice of him.

‘I’m just a student,’ he repeated softly.

The minutes ticking by felt like hours as he waited in silence. Why didn’t she agree and politely dismiss him? Or get angry? She must find the whole thing too funny – a nobody like him wanting to be with a real woman like her. It’s not like he had much to offer her, not while he was still at school anyway. Why was he making such a fool himself?

Cedric pulled Jessica back into his arms and held her once more. Even if this one moment was all he ever had with her, the most he could ever hope for, he wanted it. They couldn’t help how they were brought together like this; but they were together right here, right now. And Jessica wasn’t protesting against it even if she believed she should. There was something about the shock and trauma of tonight that was bringing them together. But it was more than just comfort… at least it was for him.

‘Jessica,’ he murmured before kissing her again.

This time her arms went up around his neck and what happened between them was heated. Cedric devoured her, not wanting it to ever end. He felt himself getting hard and couldn’t have stopped it even if he’d wanted to. He moaned softly as he kissed her face and her neck, his hands running through her long hair.

The moon went behind the clouds again, but in his mind’s eye he could still see her face filled with wanting. He eased her down and Jessica pulled him on top of her. He thrust the bulge in his pants hard against her as he lay between her legs.

‘Cedric,’ she moaned softly as his exquisite hands explored her body. ‘Cedric… take your time; I’m not going anywhere…’

xxxOOOxxx

The noise in the distance had died down some time ago. Cedric and Jessica thought over and over that it was probably OK to make their way back, but it was several hours before they finally gave into reason. Both were reeling from everything that had happened that night, but especially what had happened between them.

In the end they hadn’t had full-on sex, but came damn near close to it. He’d taken off his pants and rubbed against her, mentally cursing himself for being such a damn coward as he did as much as he dared, but with his underwear on. He did want to be with her like that – he just didn’t want it to happen here and like this. Still, she was a real woman, not some giggling air-headed girl or tart. He was ready for something real and true – and he wanted it with her. Jessica was the one he had feelings for, plain and simple. But this situation wasn’t so plain and it definitely wasn’t simple. Being with Jessica was so different to the girls at school. He could talk to her about anything and everything and they could have a good laugh… Even when they strongly disagreed with each other, they always managed to calm down and agree to disagree. And when they would see each other the next time, their barney was forgotten and all was forgiven.

‘I just wanted you to know how much I like you,’ Cedric said as he conjured a pair of pants for Jessica from a small piece of material taken from his own. ‘And it’s more than that; it really is…’

‘I know…’ she answered uneasily. ‘Cedric I just… I don’t… I can’t… Oh, God…’

He watched as she pulled up the pants and buttoned them before braiding her hair.

‘You liked it at least?’ he asked worriedly as he sat on a boulder. ‘I don’t regret it and I hope you don’t…’

The Librarian walked over to him, her heart filled with a tightness she hadn’t felt since her split with Severus all those months ago.

‘You are one of the few people I could ever regret anything with’ she said gently as she stood between his legs and felt his arms go around her. She ran her hands through his hair and couldn’t help but think how damn lucky fucking Cho Chang was going to be, the stupid cow.

‘This is my last year and I’m an adult now. When I leave school… If you still like me… If you want to… Do I stand a chance – a real chance?’

‘Oh Cedric!’

The young Hufflepuff looked up at her, his grey eyes moist and filled with hope.

‘I’m so much older than you…’

‘You might be older, but you aren’t old enough to be my mother. And age doesn’t matter Jessica, we both know that. Nobody would bat an eyelash; the only things people give a toss about are bloodlines, connections and money and none of those things matter to me.’

‘I don’t want make promises, Cedric; it wouldn’t be fair or right. It’s a long time ‘till the end of the school year…’

‘You aren’t even going to be alive then,’ Jessica thought to herself. Despite everything she’d experienced so far, a lot of what Rowling had written with major plot lines was holding up. And Cedric’s death played an important role not just for Harry Potter, but for the wizarding world at large. He was so innocent in many ways, so pure. He was good, kind, brave and phenomenally loyal. He deserved so much more than she was with what time he had left.

‘If nothing has happened with someone else for either of us; and we both still feel the same (or more…) – can you at least consider it?’

‘Don’t waste your life on me! Don’t put off someone who could be good for you because of some romantic notion about me! You can do better, Cedric, even if you can’t see it right now!’

‘I don’t have this with anyone else! If I did, this couldn’t have happened! I’m not like that, Jessica!’

‘No – no you aren’t; I guess that’s why it was too damn easy for me to lose my head.’

Cedric smiled ruefully as he looked up at her.

‘I don’t want you to regret it… This was the worst night of my life, but it was the best too. You were the only good thing about coming here.’

‘Please – you love Quidditch more than you could ever love me!’

‘No,’ Cedric replied firmly as he stood up. ‘I’m not Oliver Wood, not by a long-shot. I could never love anything or anyone as much as I love you.’

‘Really?’ Jessica asked in a small voice, not wanting to look at him.

‘Yes,’ came a stern reply as Cedric tilted her head up and then wiped away her tears.

Jessica had never come first with anyone she’d been with, not even Severus. If she had, her life would have turned out quite differently. Cedric was usually the strong, silent type – that is around everyone else except her. Perhaps that was what falling in love did to people; it made them come out of their shells in a way with the object of their affection that just wasn’t possible otherwise.

‘Please give me a chance,’ Cedric whispered as he held her. ‘I’ll wait as long as I have to for you…’

His mouth sought hers once more and it was another hour before they finally started making their way back to Mr. Weasley’s tent and the grim realities of that night and an uncertain future.

xxxOOOxxx

Jessica and Cedric made their way down the path towards the campsite, the neon green Dark Mark was little more than a faint blob in the sky overhead. They held hands as they walked, and he was the only thing that kept her from being afraid. There was an uneasy stillness as they took in smoldering ruins. There was some light here and there in tents where people were packing up. It was futile however, at the minute there was no transport out for anyone.

Finally Mr. Weasley’s tent came into view, but Cedric didn’t let go of her hand until they were a few steps from it.

‘I love you Jessica; no matter what happens, just remember that I do love you a lot…’ he murmured before they stepped uneasily into the tent.

xxxOOOxxx

‘Diggory! What are you…’ a viperous voice came from the kitchen.

A tall figure in midnight black robes flew at him, and then stopped short when he realised who was with the young Hufflepuff.

‘Miss Newkirk,’ Snape said slowly.

‘Hello to you too, Professor…’ Jessica replied wearily.

Cedric began to tell the Potions Master what he’d heard about that night’s horrors, and what he’d witnessed for himself.

‘Cedric saved my life,’ Jessica added. ‘If he hadn’t turned up – I don’t even want to think about about what else they would have done to me.’

‘In the end it seems they just didn’t care about targeting the only Muggles for miles,’ Snape answered after detailing rather gruesome facts of the aftermath of the Cup just as Mr. Weasley burst into the tent.

‘Oh – thank Merlin you arrived! The children will be back shortly but no one has seen Jessica…’ the red-headed man began. ‘Severus…’

‘She’s right here Arthur. Young Diggory here fought off one of those… those… marauding bands of yobs and rapists and brought her back!’

Mr. Weasley walked over to Cedric and put a steadying arm around his shoulders.

‘You’re a good lad, Cedric. There aren’t many who would risk their lives for someone else.’

‘What they did Mr. Weasley… what they wanted to do to her…’

‘I know, son; I know… Severus, I think the sooner we all get out of here the better.’

Snape nodded as he looked at Jessica. There was so much he needed to say, but this wasn’t the time or place. He took in the sight of her in Diggory’s clothes – and wanted to tear his eyes out and rip those ridiculous clothes off her they were so ill-fitting. It was mad – after all, the boy had needed to do something for her and it was no less than any other competent wizard would have done. Still, it rankled the Potions Master to no end that the handsome boy (he refused to acknowledge him as a man even though he was legally a man now) had been the one to come to Jessica’s rescue.

‘Arthur; I’ve arranged for immediate transport… ’

Snape gave him a knowing look and Arthur returned it with a faint nod of the head.

‘Cedric, your father is with Minister Fudge and Barty Crouch. You are to come back with us; I have your things here,’ Mr. Weasley said as took a seat and dropped a large rucksack on the floor. ‘I just need a few minutes to catch my breath and then we should think about leaving.’

The Weasley children and Harry and Hermione returned and filed in wearily. There was a barrage of chatter as they and Jessica and Cedric compared notes.

‘I need to make use of the facilities before we go,’ Snape said curtly before entering the boy’s room. He would conjure a bathroom rather than risk being seen using the campsite facilities. The evidence could be done away with quite easily – he was a wizard after all. Besides which, none of the Ministry inspectors was around to even think about a fine for an illegal toilet.

Raised voices reached his ears through the shut door. Potter’s was loudest of all.

‘HE HAS NO RIGHT!!!’ The Boy Who Lived screamed. ‘HE’S GOT NO FUCKING RIGHT TO…’

‘Harry for once in your life TRY to see reason!’ Mr. Weasley countered. ‘You think you have all the answers; but trust me you don’t know half of what you think you do!’

‘DO YOU? DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT SHE’S BEEN THOUGH BECAUSE OF HIM? DO YOU?’

‘STOP IT HARRY!’ Jessica screamed. ‘GODDAMN IT TO HELL! WHY CAN’T YOU KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!’

Snape supposed Jessica had stormed out of the tent. From the sounds of things it sounded like Diggory went after her. If he hadn’t been in the throws of Montezuma’s revenge he would taken off after her himself. Things might be quiet at the moment, but they couldn’t assume that it would stay that way.

‘Harry that’s enough!’ Bill said heatedly. ‘It’s been a long night and now is not the time for yet another pointless argument!’

‘You aren’t the only one close to her,’ George sniffed. ‘And you aren’t the only one who cares about her either!’

‘BUT HE’S ONE OF THEM! HE’S...!’

‘ENOUGH! YOU WILL KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT BEFORE YOU LAND US IN EVEN MORE TROUBLE THAN WE ALREADY ARE!’ Mr. Weasley roared in an uncharacteristic display of temper. ‘Get your things packed, all of you! We’re leaving immediately!’’

‘But the earliest emergency portkeys aren’t available until later this morning…’ Fred said tentatively. ‘I overheard Mr. Diggory say…’

‘That’s not entirely true. There are Portkeys being activated even as we speak; there just aren’t enough of them at the moment so it’s not common knowledge. Anyway it doesn’t matter; Severus has been good enough to sort something out for us. Given what’s happened, the sooner the girls are away from here the better…’ his father answered. ‘It’s not safe for anyone, least of all anyone female. I will trust all of you not to speak about anything that’s happened tonight – and especially the fact that Severus rescued us all. As far as everyone else is concerned, we stayed the night here and took the first Portkey to Stoatshead early – at least there’s some benefit to working for the Ministry…’

‘Wouldn’t it be better if someone actually saw us leaving tomorrow?’ Hermione asked.

‘They will,’ Snape answered tensely as he emerged from his makeshift bathroom and closed the door behind him. There was a low crackle, and the illegal room disappeared. ‘It’s already taken care of.’

‘Thanks Professor,’ Charlie said. ‘I for one don’t want to spend anymore time here than I absolutely have to!’

Murmurs of agreement flew around the room. Dawn wasn’t that far off, but no one wanted to see the carnage in broad daylight.

‘Get your things – we don’t have much time…’ Snape instructed just as Jessica and Cedric walked back into the tent. He looked around the room, ignoring the deadly glares from Harry. Jessica was visibly upset, beyond angry, and it was all Potter’s fault. Damn that pseudo boy wonder and his wind-clapper of a mouth! ‘Aren’t we short by one?’

‘Merlin’s Beard… It’s Percy!’ Mr. Weasley sighed wearily.

‘Sucking up to Fudge and his lot; I saw him with them on our way back,’ said George. ‘What’s the point when his boss can’t even get his bloody name right?!’

‘Blast it! I told him to come straight back here! Since he started working directly with the Minister there’s no telling him anything,’ said Mr. Weasley replied wearily.

‘D’you think we should stay then?’ Ron asked worriedly.

‘No – I don’t,’ his father answered ‘Get your things, all of you. We’re getting out of here.’

xxxOOOxxx

Snape had taken them to his illegal Portkey, but didn’t come with them as the weary group made their way up the drive to the Weasley’s home. There were unspoken questions about why he’d turned up and where he was going; but Harry kept his mouth shut still stinging brutally from the tongue –lashing Jessica had given him in private just before they left.

The Librarian had questions of her own, but couldn’t forget how her former boyfriend had treated her. She couldn’t just fall into his arms even if that had been what she wanted. And the thing was that for the first time in a long time, Jessica Newkirk didn’t want to be with Severus Snape. She was as sure of it as she needed air to breathe. But a small voice nagged her – was it because of Cedric? If things hadn’t come out into the open with she and the Hufflepuff Quidditch Captain, would she be feeling so strongly that she didn’t want to be with the Potions Master?

Mrs. Weasley flew out the front door at the first sight of them from a sitting room window.

‘Oh Merlin! I was so worried!’ she howled in tears as she clutched the early morning edition of the Daily Prophet with its horrifying pictures from the Quidditch World Cup, including one of the Dark Mark illuminating the night sky.

It was good to be home where everyone at least felt safe. Once she was satisfied that everyone was alright it became clear that they needed sleep more than anything else.

‘I’m going to hit the road,’ Jessica said quietly. ‘I’ll drop off Cedric on my way…’

‘You shouldn’t drive when you haven’t had much sleep; and after all that…’ Hermione countered.

‘I’ve intruded long enough. I’m sticking my plan same as before. I’ve still get my reservation at the motel and I intend to use it,’ Jessica said assuredly. ‘You, on the other hand, need to get some rest and finish your homework. You’ve still got another two weeks and a bit so make the most of the time you have left.

‘Cedric, your father sent word that he’ll be back in a day or so,’ Mrs. Weasley said. ‘Ministry business, he’s got to get up to London after all this. He’s alerted your mother and she’ll be back at the end of the week from your Uncle’s. Your Aunt Martha is still poorly and she doesn’t want to leave her just yet if she doesn’t have to…’

‘Fine; I’m used to being by myself.’

‘Oh, but you are more than welcome to stay here dear! It’s a bit cramped but we can make room for one more…’

‘Thanks Mrs. Weasley,’ Cedric said evenly. ‘But I’ll be fine at home, really. You’ve got enough with this crowd.’

Everyone said their goodbyes and then Jessica and Cedric climbed into her 4x4.

They watched in her review mirror as everyone piled into the house as they drove off.

Finally, they were alone again.

xxxOOOxxx

Jessica drove up to the Diggory home and turned off the ignition. It was a large house secured behind high gated walls. It was clear a family of reasonable means lived here, but it looked so empty. Jessica began to realise that as an only child with working parents who had an active social life and responsibilties, Cedric probably spent a lot of time alone when he wasn’t in the company of adults. It explained a lot, and she felt quite sorry for him.

‘I guess this is it,’ she said softly, flushing slightly as the sun began to rise faintly on the horizon.

Cedric didn’t reply as he leaned over and engaged her in a kiss.

‘We can’t do this – not when we’re back at Hogwarts,’ Jessica murmured as she pulled away momentarily and looked up at the burly young man.

‘No – we can’t,’ he replied before kissing her again.

Jessica returned his kisses passionately, but it was different this time. She had been so contained before and now, now she was allowing him to know how she felt.

‘Come in with me,’ Cedric begged as he placed a hand over hers. ‘Even if it’s just for a little while… I just want to be with you – just a little bit more… I’m not ready to loose you – not yet… Please Jessica…’

The Librarian couldn’t find the words to speak and simply nodded her agreement. They made their way into the house and up to his bedroom.

‘I wouldn’t mind having a shower first,’ Jessica said through a yawn.

Cedric showed her into his en-suite bathroom and turned on the shower.

‘It’ll be easier if we kill two birds with one stone,’ Jessica said softly, throwing all caution to the wind.

She pulled his t-shirt out of his pants and then off of him. Her small hands undid the buttons on his pants and then let him undo hers. He pulled off the sweatshirt and they completely disrobed and stepped into the shower. The hot jets of water were a welcome relief for both of them as each cleaned the other with soapy hands. Cedric stood behind Jessica and she could feel the swell of his manhood and sac as she leaned into him, moving against him as his hands kneaded her breasts and then moved down to her belly and between her legs.

Both moaned as she ground her buttocks into his thickness and he moved a soapy hand over her wetness repeatedly. They quickly washed off the soap and made their way to his bed, not caring to dry off. Cedric mounted her, but again couldn’t bring himself to penetrate her even now that both were completely naked. He’d never been with anyone like this and was afraid of looking stupid. Jessica seemed to understand instinctively that he wanted her, but was afraid. She never would have believed that the popular young man was a virgin. Gently she guided him to her entrance and pulled him downwards.

Cedric’s breathing was hard and ragged as realised what he was doing.

‘Oh Merlin,’ he rasped as he pushed into her.

‘I won’t break,’ Jessica whispered in his ear. ‘I want you Cedric, and it’s OK… I need you – I need this…’

The young man thrust hard and cried out from the shock of the pleasurable heated wetness that sheathed him. Jessica clenched herself tightly, pulling him deep and deeper. They began to find a rhythm and the springs of his bed protested mightily as Cedric began to thrust harder and harder. The Librarian called out his name and begged him not to stop. He repeated over and over how much he loved her through cries of his own.

The lack of sleep caught up to them both and finally they separated, with Jessica falling asleep with Cedric spooned against her.

xxxOOOxxx

It was just past lunchtime when Cedric woke up with Jessica in his arms. Now that they were together, he didn’t want to let it go even though he accepted that things would change come the start of term. She wasn’t one of his teachers, but she was a member of staff.

‘I don’t care what anyone says; I love her and it can’t be wrong,’ he thought to himself as he looked down Jessica cradled in his arms. ‘We’ll be together; we will be…’

xxxOOOxxx

It was late afternoon when Cedric and Jessica finally got out of bed. They’d made love again after she woke up and he was more confident this time. There were advantages to being intimate with Wizards that she would never have guessed from the books; their stamina and ability to last was nothing less than breathtaking. And a Wizard of Cedric’s age… well, it was nothing less than phenomenal. Her old friends would have been beyond green with envy at the notion of her with a rather delicious toy-boy like him. He was anything but – he had a wisdom that belied his age and had many qualities that men twice his age had no hope of possessing. He was a man, just a bit younger than she was used to. But as soon as she thought of that, the devil on her shoulder worked overtime to convince her how wrong their liaison was.

‘It isn’t just sex between us,’ Cedric said heatedly as they enjoyed a hot curry of Chicken Balti that he had prepared for them with her help.

She was dressed in clothes of his that were a bit baggy on her since he was much taller and definitely broader in his build. But he liked her wearing them and in his eyes she looked great. They were seated in the Diggory family’s conservatory that overlooked their expansive back garden and the undulating lush green hills beyond it. Jessica was trying to convince him that what they’d done was wrong and the fact that she was still with him was doubly wrong, but Cedric wasn’t having it. They’d been arguing for almost twenty minutes and he wasn’t about to back down.

‘I know that,’ Jessica answered through a hiccup as she pushed her food around on her plate. ‘But… I just… I want you understand…. Cedric I’m so scared!’’

The reality of everything between them and how they’d come together was hitting her like a tonne of bricks and she burst into tears. Cedric flew around the table and pulled her into his arms as she sat on one of the two large sofas in the room. The memory of the night before and what the mob had put her through was too much to bear. Cedric’s affections had been a distraction – a very welcome distraction; but a distraction nonetheless. Her mind was beginning to process what happened – and how exposed she had been. And Cedric had seen her like that.

And in the aftermath of a great trauma, she’d used what he felt for her to gain comfort. Sex was a great healer and even in the aftermath of some of her world’s greatest tragedies there were population explosions as men and women turned to each other for solace. She and Cedric had been no different to a lot of people. She was certain that witches and wizards were coming together to channel their fear, their grief and in celebration of being alive. It was an unconscious thing – but it was decidedly human. She would bet a month’s wages that Molly and Arthur Weasley had done anything but sleep once she and Cedric drove off and everyone else went to bed.

‘I’m sorry I’m being so s…s…stupid!’ she cried.

‘You aren’t being stupid,’ Cedric admonished her. ‘You’ve been though hell and I guess that’s why I can’t bear to let you go. I want to look after you, even though you probably think that’s ridiculous!’

‘I took advantage of you, Cedric!’ Jessica said angrily as she brushed her tears away. ‘What I’ve done is wrong and I knew better!’ This – this is wrong!’

‘It’s only taking advantage if you use someone deliberately. You aren’t a user and we both know that. You’re just trying to justify what happened. Stop trying to rationalise it, Jessica. We both know that we really like each other!’

‘I just… I don’t want to leave you right now either, Cedric… even though I know I shouldn’t want that; I don’t want to leave you’ Jessica murmured into his chest as he ran a hand through her hair. ‘But I can’t stay here…’

‘Then I’ll come to you,’ the Hufflepuff said fervently. ‘We’ve got another two weeks and there’s no reason why we…’

‘No,’ Jessica said sadly as she stopped him by putting two fingers to his lips. ‘We can’t! We’ve done too much as it is!’

Cedric kissed them, and then kissed her. ‘Just stay the night,’ he said hoarsely. ‘My father will be back late tomorrow but you can still stay just one more night…’

Jessica’s only answer was to put her arms around him and give into another heated kiss.

xxxOOOxxx

It was mid-morning the next day when Jessica finally left Cedric. She had cried buckets of tears as she drove off, and so did he once he was back in the big empty house without her. He’d never been one to cry like that over anyone; but Jessica – well she was something special. It felt like his soul was shattering into a thousand pieces as he watched her drive off. They’d agreed that things had to be cool between them once school started. While he was still a student their relationship with each other had to be beyond reproach.

His father returned home, bursting with stories about what happened and what he’d been dealing with for the Ministry. Amos Diggory took no notice of his son’s quietness, so used was he to his offspring’s strong and silent disposition even when it wasn’t called for. But Cedric sat numbly and let his father prattle on, his mind miles away wondering how Jessica was feeling wherever she was now in her drive back to Hogwarts.

At one in the morning, Cedric finally headed up to his room. He couldn’t face going to bed all alone, but his father would think it odd for him to stay downstairs all night. He had just come out of the shower, trying to forget his showers with Jessica, when a large brown owl pecked at his window. Cedric took the note from its leg and gave it a few knuts before sending it off.

A familiar scent wafted up from the fine parchment as soon as he opened it and began to read.

Dear Cedric,

As you may have guessed, I’ve made it safe and sound. As I write this I am tucked up by the fire in my rooms in the Pashmina and slippers you picked out for me. They don’t remind me of anything but the time I spent with you.

It feels so strange without you now. I couldn’t bear trying to have some semblance of a holiday without you and so came straight here. Sorry I’m putting you through this; but I wanted you to know that. I know it won’t be easy, but I am looking forward to seeing you again. We will take things as they come, that I can promise you.

I am still yours with love and the deepest affection,

~J~

Cedric could scarcely breathe as he read the note over and over again. Jessica was safe and at Hogwarts…and against all hopes she really did love him. There was so much to look forward to now that he was going into his last year at school. He couldn’t wait for his last months as a student to end and it was all because of her.

The Hufflepuff drifted off to sleep with the scent of his beloved still in his bed as he clutched his precious note to him, dreaming of the future which he was convinced would be very bright indeed.