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? SSnape, CDiggory, OFC

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.

CHAPTER NOTES: I have edited this and re-submitted. Thanks to Sasha for showing me why I shouldn’t write when I’m half asleep. Only Cedric is in Hufflepuff; Cho and Marietta are in Ravenclaw. This chapter has quite a bit of hot lovin’ in it – tried to rewrite but Snape and Jessica had other ideas LOL!

Fantasy/Drama

This story is rated R/M.

ENIGMA

Chapter 038: The Yule Ball, Part II

Hermione was determined to carry on having a good time, but couldn’t help looking at Cedric Diggory with Cho Chang. One minute he hated the sight of his housemate and the next he was all over her like a bad rash. If they got any closer on the dance floor she’d be heading to Pomfrey for a pregnancy test. Cho whispered into Cedric’s ear and he burst out laughing before allowing himself to be led away.

‘Bizarre, really bizarre,’ Hermione muttered as Viktor lifted her up and twirled her around.

Despite a growing uneasiness about the two Hufflepuffs, she couldn’t help but to grin from ear-to-ear because of the obvious envy of some of the other girls.

Cedric and Cho were finally forgotten as the room went mad with the arrival of the main band of the night called the Wyrd Sisters.

xxxOOOxxx

‘I am very disappointed in you,’ Dumbledore said gravely.

Jessica had left the Great Hall as the Wyrd Sisters launched into their first number and he hurried after her. This would not wait.

‘Your prerogative,’ Jessica snapped as she turned around.

‘I am not your enemy, Jessica; really I am not!’

The former Librarian shook her head in exasperation. ‘You don’t get it, do you? After all this…? I’m done! I’m not going to repeat myself; you’ve heard it all before!’


‘You’re quite Machiavellian, Headmaster,’ she added as she stood in the fullness of her height. ‘But it never occurs to you that the pawns in this sick real-life game of wizard’s chess you insist on playing get sick and tired of it all. I’ve gone through so much since I arrived here – and most of it is because of you. I need to be free to live my life as it’s meant to be lead without interference from you and so does everyone else! If all this hasn’t taught you that I don’t know what will!’

‘I was only doing what I thought best!’

‘The most convenient excuse… Now if you’ll excuse me, Professor...’

‘And what about the mistakes that you’ve made, my dear? Or are you above making them?’

‘I often wonder, Sir; just how many of my mistakes were under my own volition and how many are because of your influence. I wonder that about others as well… I wonder just how free anyone has been when they’ve crossed your path, or crossed you in some way that would make no sense to anyone but you…’

The colour visibly drained from Dumbledore’s face and Jessica stepped closer.

‘You’d like to hex me to kingdom come, yes you would. But I’m too much of a temptation for you; you are bound and determined that you will use me just like you use Severus! I had already committed myself to do what I could… But that just wasn’t enough for you. You have had thoughts which extend even beyond this coming war. You are a man who does like power, Professor Dumbledore. Impress the hell out of me some day by coming down off that pedestal and admitting it!’

‘You really think so ill of me…’

‘And whose fault is that? Destiny is predetermined and cannot be avoided. As you well know, we can change the impact of destiny by the choices we make and how we respond to what occurs. And the soul continues to be guided by a Greater Plan and a Higher Order. That is an absolute metaphysical truth. Fate, however, can be influenced, changed, and rearranged. You preach against it, but you yourself play with Fate constantly, and it’s your pawns that pay heavy price for it. The ends do not ever justify the means!’

There was nothing but a tense silence.

‘Have a good night, Headmaster,’ Snape said coolly as he moved forward from the shadows.

‘Whether or not I am an enemy is entirely up to you, Miss Newkirk,’ Dumbledore commented.

‘My enemy is ignorance of Spirit, Professor Dumbledore. ‘The battleground is this world and the weapons are souls, magic and ego. If you understood anything about me you would know that.’

The Headmaster looked at his Potions Master, standing beside the former Librarian holding hands.

‘Good luck,’ was the last thing he had to say.

For now.

xxxOOOxxx

‘Would you be willing come with me to the Astronomy Tower,’ Snape asked Jessica. ‘I would like to spend time with you away from prying eyes and enquiring minds.’

‘Ok,’ she replied softly.

‘Jessica!’ someone shouted, almost angrily.


The former Librarian turned slowly. She might as well get it over with. ‘Hello, Harry,’ she said quietly. Jessica felt Severus immediately stiffen and squeezed his hand lightly, but did not let go of it. Instead, she threaded her fingers through his.

‘So you’re back then?’

‘Something like that, yes.’

The Boy Who Lived looked at her warily, taking note of the intimacy between her and the man she knew tormented him like no other besides his despised uncle.

‘I have no intention of returning to Hogwarts; I have a business now in Hogsmeade.’

‘So I’ve heard. Just how long have you really been around then?’

‘Does it really matter?’

‘It does to me.’

Harry’s eyes flickered from Jessica to Snape. How he hated the Potions Master. He was itching to wipe that self-satisfied smirk from his face.

‘I needed time, Harry.’

The Gyffindor looked at Snape with undeniable hatred.

‘Yeah – and I wonder why…’

Jessica held up a hand. ‘That’s enough. I’ve had enough drama for one night.’

There was nothing but a loud snort.

‘We will talk, Harry. But I’m not about to justify how I live my life to you!’

‘Leave it Harry, and come back to the party,’ Ron said appearing at his side. ‘Hello Jessica – Miss – it’s great to have you back!’

Ron couldn’t help breaking into a big smile. Jessica had returned and that was the important thing. He was willing to overlook this madness with Snape. In his mind they all needed to get over it or else Jessica might change her mind and leave again.

‘Hello Ron; you look very handsome in your dress robes!’ It was true, Ron actually had proper robes and not the mad get-up described by Book 4 and portrayed in the film. ‘Where did you get them?’

‘Mum sent them. She got them second-hand and they were absolutely horrible before from what she said. She transfigured them for me into something proper,’ Ron beamed.

‘Your mum is very talented indeed...’

‘Oh, she is Miss! She did the needlework design on the tux vest herself and everything!’

‘Now that you’re all out of the house – think she’d be interested in taking on some work now and then at my shop?’

‘Are you serious? She’d love it I’m sure! She’s been raving about it since you opened! Just let her get over wanting to strangle you for up and leaving like that…and then for opening the shop and not telling her it was you that it belongs to…She’s going to go mental when she finds out!’

‘I’ll leave it to you to pave the way Ron.’ Jessica smiled.


Ron pulled a clearly displeased Harry back into the Great Hall and Jessica and Severus were finally able to make their getaway.

xxxOOOxxx

There was the faint sound of grunting and panting as they neared the top of the Astronomy Tower.

‘I think someone beat us to it,’ Jessica whispered as it became apparent what the grunting was.

‘They will just have to leave after I give them detention!’

‘Severus, please; you weren’t the least bit randy as a teenager?’

Snape gave her a look and tried not to smile. Just as quickly as he began to smile there was overwhelming sadness and he shrugged it off before hurrying to the top of the staircase and throwing the door open.

‘What the hell…’ he began only to stop short.

Jessica couldn’t see this. As much as it would boost his position if she did, he would not use this to inflict more pain on her. He knew without a doubt who her paramour in Venice had been. He would exact his revenge another way, a way that didn’t involve her.

‘Jessica, we should leave and…’ he began in a whisper as he turned.

But he was too late, Jessica was already standing next to him.

There was a fire going aided by a heating charm, making it uncommonly hot in the freezing open air. Jessica was riveted to the spot by the sight before her. Cho Chang was naked except for her dress robe and backed up against a wall, beginning to fake an orgasm for all it was worth. And there was Cedric, still mostly dressed but with his pants down, jack-hammering inside her manically as he suckled on one of her breasts. There was only the strange grunting from him as she wrapped her legs around his back, begging him to fuck her hard. The Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw Quidditch Captains then sank to the ground. There was still that god-awful grunting as Cedric pounded Cho and then flipped her over like a pile of rags to take her from behind.

Jessica turned around wordlessly and swept back down the curving staircase with Severus on her heels. There was a loud cry of agony behind them and she supposed that Cho’s anal cherry had just been popped. The former Librarian started running and didn’t stop until she tripped and fell over in a darkened corridor.

‘Jessica, please,’ Snape said gently as he lifted her up into his arms. ‘He’s not worth it!’

There was nothing but the sound of Jessica’s hysterical sobbing reverberating in the hallway around them.

‘I didn’t mean for you to see that! Honestly I didn’t!’ he implored. ‘I should have realised someone else was bound to be up there already; but that was nothing to do with me honestly it wasn’t!’

‘Just take me away from here… please!’

She wasn’t blaming him, thank Merlin!

‘Of course…’

xxxOOOxxx

Jessica and Severus sat in her sitting room in silence. They hadn’t said much to each other since making their startling discovery. For the first time that night he began to wonder if he was fighting a losing battle in trying to win her back.

‘All I ever did was compare the two of you,’ she finally said.

‘And aspersions were cast upon my character,’ the Potions said tightly.

‘Yes… I won’t deny it….’

There was a silence filled with nothing but sadness; sadness and regret.

‘I bought an illegal time-turner,’ Severus said slowly, ‘I wanted to change things; undo the mistakes I made with you. I love you so much, and yet all I did was hurt you…’

Jessica looked at him, her eyes filled with sadness.

‘I know, I know,’ the Potions Master continued. ‘It seems the Goddess had other ideas. When I returned I found it had shattered in transit.’

‘That’s a very expensive way to have to learn a lesson…’ Jessica said quietly as she brushed tears off her cheeks.

‘I would still do it if it meant that you could be happy; if we could be happy again…’

‘Even though you know I was with…him?’

Jessica placed one of his hands to her temple and closed her eyes.

‘No, no more magic tricks,’ Snape replied gently as he removed his hand and then kissed hers. ‘We need to talk, Jessica; all we really need to do is talk to each other.’

The former Librarian nodded her agreement.

‘You were with Cedric Diggory…’

Jessica nodded tearfully. ‘Yes, yes I was…’

‘But it has ended… and you have grieved for him, haven’t you?’

‘Yes,’ Jessica sighed, ‘on both counts.’

Severus impulsively ran a hand through her long hair. Tears began to fall again and he held Jessica in his arms.

‘I grieved for you, Severus… and our son. Neither of you has ever left me.’ Jessica said answering his unvoiced questions. ‘I said some things that I can’t take back. You were heartless and cruel and I needed you so much. You didn’t care about me anymore…’

‘I did care! I have never stopped caring – and I couldn’t bear it Jessica!. I was a dunderhead I admit that!’ the Potions Master replied as he blinked back tears of his own. ‘And it was my own fault you grew to despise me… and take up with him!’

‘If the Headmaster hadn’t sent me to that damned Cup…’

‘But he did… he did…’

‘…and we’re all paying a price for it…’

Severus and Jessica clung to each other.

‘I’m sorry; but I meant what I said. I love you, Jessica and I will spend the rest of whatever time I have left alive proving myself to you. I will do whatever I have to for you to love me again.’

‘You were with someone yourself, weren’t you?’ Jessica asked with a frown.

‘Yes, but none of them were going to matter to me…’ Snape replied turning her face to his. ‘No one is as important to me as you are.’

‘I see…’

It was as though he’d punched her in the stomach. Jessica knew that she had no right to feel angry that he’d slept with other women. They were apart and she did have that liaison with Lupin besides. But Severus could never know about that. And still she felt… disappointed. In fan fiction he lived for no one but the main characters she created, but this real life Severus Snape… he wasn’t quite the stuff of fictional fairy-tale romances.

She reached over and took his hands in hers, unsure of what to say.

‘All I ask is that you give me the chance that I have given you; that I still want to give you’ Severus said firmly.

‘Even though I’ve been sat here crying my eyes out over being betrayed by Cedric?’

‘If I knew with absolute certainty that you still loved him and wanted to be with him, things would not have transpired as they have tonight. And I most certainly would not be here trying to begin again with you!’

‘It’s just… it really hurt having to see it with my own eyes. I just don’t understand it.’

‘I wish you had not been hurt in this way, but I will not pretend that I am unhappy that are you are free of him and that you have moved forward. I am happy; very happy and relieved that he has moved on. And I am especially pleased that you did not run off again, Jessica.’

‘But how did you know, Severus? How did you manage to find me when even Dumbledore couldn’t?’

‘I can do many things that he cannot…’ came a bitter reply.

‘…which is why he feels perfectly justified in using you in the great crusade against You-Know-Who…’

There was no reply.

xxxOOOxxx

Jessica stepped out of the shower and donned her bathrobe. She wiped steam off of the bathroom mirror and looked at her reflection critically. Cho was attractive, yes – but so was she. Jessica didn’t look her age (or what people thought she should look like considering her age) and she was in decent enough shape. Cho couldn’t match her intellect; that much was certain. As for any talents – well Jessica couldn’t say. She really didn’t know the girl that well.

Her mind flew to the man waiting downstairs for her. Severus Snape was a man filled with pride. She did not underestimate what it had taken for him to do what he did this night. And she was very pleased about it. It meant a lot more to her now that it would have all those months ago when they split.

Nothing happens that isn’t meant.

So was it really necessary for Cedric to betray her in order that she appreciates Severus? The idea of it didn’t sit well with her, but Jessica had to acknowledge that with the passage of time had come a great deal of wisdom. She had to think about everything that had come to pass which placed her right here, right now. And still it did not sit well with her, this idea that pain was meant.


She and Dumbledore had both made mistakes. But again she wondered: just how free was she and anyone else within the sight of Albus Dumbledore? Reluctantly accepting that she would never really know the answer, Jessica turned off the bathroom light and headed back downstairs.

She’d told Severus that she’d think about all that he’d said and what he proposed and then give him her answer when she came back down.

xxxOOOxxx

Severus had lit a fire in the fireplace and unfolded the large Celtic quilt that had lain across the back of Jessica’s overstuffed sofa. Jessica looked at her Saviour, her avenging angel – her Dark Knight, framed as he was by the firelight as he stood waiting for her. Her heart pounded in her chest and the blood roared in her ears. There was something in the way that he looked at her, that something that had been in his eyes as he held her while the danced.

‘It was quite cold in here,’ Snape said quietly.

‘A lot warmer than your dungeons…’ Jessica said without thinking. She was beginning to wish she’d made more of an effort for him. He was certainly going all out for her. But how long would it last?

The Potions Master swallowed and then took a deep breath.

‘I’m sorry, Severus; thank you for the fire,’ Jessica said as she took a seat on the sofa.

She looked up him, his black eyes glittering in the firelight, his mouth a line of determination. He was not prepared to give up on her that much was clear.

‘I meant every word I have said to you this night,’ Snape said tightly as he sat down.

For the first time Jessica could sense the slightest bit of fear in him. Despite what he’d said about being sure about where she stood with Cedric, he was insecure about her feelings for him. She reached over and ran her fingers through his mass of black hair, down a cheek and then across his lips. They inclined towards each other in the same moment and their lips touched hesitantly. Severus began to loose control as he engaged her tongue in a hot fiery dance and devoured her hungrily, causing Jessica to moan.

The Potions Master rained kisses down on her, pulling her close to him. Jessica’s hands went up around his neck and Severus eased her down on the sofa, laying on top of her between her legs. They looked in each other’s eyes momentarily and Snape began to move against her, slowly at first, almost teasingly. He began to kiss her again and a hand untied her robe and moved down her body to the moistness below. She moved against his fingers as their tongues engaged in a dance once more. Severus pulled back for a moment and removed his clothes before lying on top of her again. It was Jessica’s turn to stop and get out of the robe, as awkward as it was. She started to pull the quilt over them.

‘No,’ Severus said softly, but firmly. ‘I want to see you… all of you. You are so beautiful, my love…’

He explored her body with his tongue, reacquainting himself with Jessica’s curves. He began to kiss and lick her below and it was as though he’d been wandering in the desert for many days and nights and had finally found his oasis. Jessica held onto his hair as she thrust against him.

Severus was moving up her body and then she felt a prodding. There was a sharp intake of breath from both of them as he entered her. She felt herself stretching to accommodate him and began to move with him to find their rhythm. Jessica wrapped her legs around his back and pulled him as deeply to the hilt. She cried out his name uncontrollably. Snape was no fool; unlike that idiot Hufflepuff he knew when a woman was putting on an act for his benefit. Jessica most definitely was not doing that and never had done with him. He looked down her, her hair fanned across the sofa, one hand tugging at a nipple while the other ran up and down his back.

‘Did he ever make you feel like this?’ Severus rasped as he began to pound hard.

Jessica was holding onto him with both hands now, but before she could answer he covered her mouth with his and their tongues began battle for dominance. He pulled back and looked down at her, her ferocious Dark Knight with the blazing black eyes. Severus was making her his again; just as he had intended.

‘No, not like you – never like you,’ she answered truthfully as she looked up at him.

She couldn’t lie to him or to herself now; not like she had to when she was with Cedric. And she had to tell Severus the absolute truth, because he already had the answer to the question he had put to her.

Snape began to thrust harder and faster.

‘Come with me darling,’ he hissed. ‘Oh Merlin!’

He pounded and pounded and then there was an explosion of hot, sticky wetness deep inside her as they climaxed. There was nothing but him and her and finally they were one again.

xxxOOOxxx

Jessica woke up the next morning to find herself being held by Severus. He was looking at her with so much… happiness… and love.

The Potions Master leaned down and kissed her.

‘I love you, Jessica,’ he said.

Jessica looked up at him, studying his face. ‘I know…’

Severus blinked. He had known it wasn’t going to be easy to get where they should be, but he had been in denial about how much it would hurt to not have those words from her.

‘I’m sorry – I need…time…’ Jessica said sitting up.

She looked out the window nearest her at the snow that was falling. There was a whistle in the distance; the Hogwarts Express. A cursory glance at the clock on the mantelpiece showed that the train was now leaving and any students not remaining over the holidays were on their way home. Book 4 made it clear that the entire school as well as its visitors had remained in residence throughout the holidays. Reality once again had a different story to tell.

‘Do you regret…?’ Severus began.

‘No, I don’t,’ Jessica replied quickly without thinking about it first.

The Potions Master covered one of her hands with his. ‘I never hated you, even though you thought I did,’ he said.

‘I don’t think now is the time to have that conversation…’

‘Yes – you’re right,’ Severus replied, his voice and countenance filled with a longing that tugged at Jessica’s heartstrings.

There was an almighty throbbing in her chest and she was struggling so much with all of this.

‘Would you be willing to accompany me to town?’ Severus asked quietly. ‘We can have breakfast there and talk?’

Jessica nodded. ‘I’d like that…’

Severus kissed her on the forehead and got up.

‘Why don’t I hang up your things and then we can sort something a bit more appropriate,’ Jessica suggested as she picked up his garments from the evening before and laid them across her arm. Severus followed her upstairs to the master bedroom where she hung his clothes in the closet next to her own from the Ball. She placed the masks carefully in a large cushioned box lined with silk. She folded sheaths of silk around the masks and then placed the box on its own shelf beside their Ball attire.

She didn’t propose sending his things to him and he didn’t complain about them being in her closet.

xxxOOOxxx

Severus took Jessica to the Three Broomsticks. He had booked a private salon earlier in the morning, just in case. Rosmerta and Llewellyn were nothing less than shocked as they watched the couple walk up the stairs; the rumours about the Ball were true after all.

xxxOOOxxx

Jessica and Severus sat across from each other, Jessica’s small hands resting in his, their food forgotten. They had talked until there really wasn’t that much left to say. There was only their togetherness, a togetherness that confused Jessica despite the fact that she wanted more of it.

‘You must be thinking that something must be wrong with you to even consider being with me…’ the Potions Master offered.

Jessica smiled faintly. ‘Something like that, yes…’ she admitted.

‘I do not hold it against you. I know that I have much to prove to you, last night notwithstanding.’

Jessica nodded ‘yes’, but acknowledging it didn’t make her feel any better and she said so.

She looked down at her hands resting in his and then over at him. What Severus Snape felt deep inside shone through in those black eyes; those black eyes which he kept only on her. What he could not put into words could only ever be communicated in lovemaking. There was a gentle tug from him and she stood up and walked the few steps to his side of the table. He adjusted himself in the booth and she slid onto his lap, straddling him. The Potions Master looked up at her, tracing her face with his fingers. He brought his hand down to the collar of her shirt, his shirt. He undid a few buttons and began to kiss her, taking her hair down from its twist and letting it fall over them as their kissing grew more passionate. Jessica ground against the bulge in his trousers and moaned softly as his hands moved across her back then up front to cup her breasts. Severus leaned forward and took a nipple into his mouth as he thrust up hard against her. It was so painful to be so contained…

Jessica reached down and undid his pants, her mouth parting slightly at the sight of his springy black curls and then the angry red and purple of his thickness as it was set loose. Snape undid her pants and with a wave of his wand they were both naked except for their shirts. Jessica moved against him, warm and wet. There were voices and footsteps outside of their Salon – more customers with bookings for the other private suites. There was raucous laughter and shouts of “Merry Christmas”, not that Jessica and Severus cared. They still had another few days before Christmas itself.

She eased herself onto him and began to rock, causing the seat to squeak just a bit. They moved for a moment or two and then he lay down on the bench with her still sitting astride him. Jessica’s shirt was completely undone and hung loosely around her, her curly hair like the mane of a lion as she rode him. ‘I want to hear you,’ she groaned softly. ‘I need to hear how much you love me…’


Severus’ voice was a taught moan as growled in her ear, telling Jessica how much he loved her, how he couldn’t live without her. He’d been a fool, a complete dunderhead; he couldn’t carry on with being so alone and with her thinking ill of him. He was nothing without her, she gave meaning to his life...

His face was a mask of anger and despair as he thrust hard and deep. He was relentless, as though it would scourge away the reality of the others both of them had been with in the time that they were apart. There was an almighty guttural cry as he let go and orgasmed. Severus fought to regain control but it was no use. He looked up at Jessica’s flushed face and kissed her gently. Her hands snaked through his hair and pulled him to her, squeezing her tight.

They was nothing else and no one else; there was only this bliss.

Only then could Jessica let go and finally admit that even after everything that had come to pass, she still loved him deeply.

xxxOOOxxx

Severus and Jessica walked back to Hogwarts together in a comfortable silence, their gloved hands intertwined. They seemed to have come to the agreement that there was no need to discuss any further what both already knew. It was enough to deal with their present circumstances.

‘They’ll be talking about you,’ Jessica observed, breaking the silence as drank in the landscape.

The old gothic courtyard was covered in a blanket of snow and looked ethereally beautiful. It was as though the Goddess had made it especially for them.

‘As always,’ came a withering reply.

‘You are something else, Severus Snape.’

‘I hope you mean that in a good way, Miss Newkirk.’

‘Yes,’ Jessica smiled as she tilted her head up to look at him. He was smiling too. ‘In the best possible way.’

xxxOOOxxx

‘I don’t get it,’ Harry ranted as he stomped across the Gryffindor common room, ‘I just don’t freaking get it! Is she on drugs or something?’

‘Harry you really don’t know as much as you think you do,’ Hermione admonished him. ‘And it’s nobody’s business really!’

‘I haven’t seen or heard from her in ages and then she swans in here and goes straight to him?’

‘Harry, have you lost your bleedin’ mind mate?’ Ron demanded. ‘She’s a grown woman! She has her own life to lead and you have yours!. Hermione is right! What Jessica does and who she does it with is her business!’

‘I think it’s very romantic, actually,’ Hermione said dreamily. ‘I think Professor Snape wanted to show how much she means to him to her and to everyone else. You know, bring it out into the open so they wouldn’t have to hide anymore while they worked things out.’

‘Romantic??’ Harry squawked. ‘Throwing her right out there for Voldemort? You think that’s romantic?’

‘Has it ever occurred to you that she might actually be safer because of it?’ Hermione sniffed. ‘No, I’m fairly sure it hasn’t occurred to you any more than it should have occurred to Dumbledore.’


Ron looked at Hermione with a penetrating squint. ‘Right – what have you heard and where did you hear it!’

Hermione looked around and beckoned for them to sit by her.

‘I heard Liam McKenzie talking, trying to calm Dumbledore down. The Headmaster put up a massive front last night like he was ok with what happened, but he’s furious with Snape – even more than he is with Jessica!’ she said darkly.

‘Dumbledore? Please… he’s a big part of the reason why everything is such a mess from what I heard Mum and Dad saying,’ Ron hissed.

‘Well they aren’t wrong there! It seems that there’s a bit of friction with Snape and Dumbledore because the Headmaster manipulated Jessica into going to the World Cup (amongst other things).’

‘Well he did! And my parents!’ Ron snapped.

‘I know, Ronald I know! For the love of Merlin, don’t take my head off! I’m just telling you what I heard!’

‘Anyway Snape apparently told Dumbledore that anyone who really cared about Jessica and knew her well would have figured out for themselves why she had disappeared and where she went. But he also reckoned that since Dumbledore didn’t have the knowledge then it wasn’t meant for him to know. Professor Snape said that it wasn’t right for Dumbledore to hold things against people that didn’t start with them. While Jessica was in the library she was a non-entity of sorts, just another Hogwarts employee that Draco Malfoy moaned about. It’s the library – Pince gives everyone a right grilling so nothing new there! But Dumbledore was the one who opened her up to public scrutiny – he was the one that made it possible for Lucius Malfoy get a good look at his son’s latest hate figure and he kicked off a whole load of stuff that should have never happened!’

‘Are you serious?’ Harry piped up. ‘Snape really said all that??’

‘Yep! And that’s not all! Dumbledore was really wound up about the way Snape and Jessica were dressed last night; here she is for all intents and purposes missing and not a word to anyone. She turns up in full Venetian regalia and so does Snape – and each is the one that completes the other!’

‘How do you mean exactly…?’

‘Oh – you know the masks they were wearing and the designs? There’s always significance to Venetian masks and costumes and there’s a long history with theatre and the like. I was reading about it in a book Jessica snuck in with my things for the Ball. In their case it was a comment on how alone each was without that special someone to complete them; you know, the whole two become one thing with souls that we study next year in Metaphysical Theory and Practical Applications.’

‘You mean the whole time Snape was in touch with Jessica?’ Harry grimaced, the veins at his temples throbbing mightily.

‘No, Harry he wasn’t! But he knew her well enough to figure out where she could have gone and what she was likely to do! Dumbledore talks a good game but who is he really that close to? He’s on good terms with people – but he’s not friends with them like we’re friends! Anyhow – Professor Snape told Dumbledore flat out that it was just a coincidence and Liam McKenzie took his side. Mr. McKenzie said he knew for a fact that Snape couldn’t have known about Jessica’s plans for the Ball, but he also said that didn’t believe it was some simple coincidence. He said some things were meant to be with Snape and Jessica and that everyone was going to have to make adjustments, Dumbledore included.’

‘Sounds like Snape got the best of him, and probably Liam McKenzie too,’ Ron commented.

‘I think that’s a good part of it to be honest. Professor Dumbledore isn’t used to the hired help knowing more than he did – and keeping him well out of it. But Snape said that Jessica’s well-being was his priority and that Dumbledore had caused her enough pain. He said that there was no way she was coming back to Hogwarts to work and it was the Headmaster’s fault as much as his.’

‘So Snape admits he’s an arsehole – whoopdeedoo,’ Harry snapped.

‘You want to join his ranks Harry? Because you’ll end up with nothing if you keep on with this attitude,’ Hermione said standing. ‘Jessica is on your side but you will make it really hard for yourself if can’t let go and let her get on with her life… You’re making it really hard for her to be there for you the way that you want. She obviously loves Professor Snape and even if we don’t understand it, we have to respect her right to be with him if that’s what she wants to do.’

‘Poor Diggory,’ Ron snorted.

‘Poor Diggory?’ Hermione said carefully. ‘What’s it got to do with him?’

‘I heard he was off his tree last night, totally wasted because he’s got some mad crush on Jessica. He went ballistic because she wasn’t giving him the time of day, just like he couldn’t be bothered with that so-called date of his!’ Ron burst out laughing. ‘What a moron!’

‘Hmmph, sounds like more lunacy from that skank Marietta Edgecombe,’ Hermione frowned.

‘Yeah yeah! Well he must be a total chump not to realise how desperate Cho Chang is. Talk about a clinging vine! I bet he’s hammering that proper good though…phwoar!’

Hermione rolled her eyes and snorted loudly as she started chucking books into her rucksack.

Harry thought about how beautiful Cho was to him in her gown and how much he’d wanted to give Cedric Diggory a slap for not appreciating how lucky he was that he got to take her to the Ball instead of Harry. Harry had asked and had gotten knocked back – hard. ‘You don’t even know the girl,’ he snapped at Ron.

‘And neither does Diggory from what I heard,’ Ron said.

‘And what’s that supposed to mean?’ Hermione demanded as the events from the night before played in her head.

‘Look – all I heard that that Diggory wasn’t really all that bothered about being with her any more than he was with talking to her. Roger Davies said that she plays way too many games for his taste and she’s not even good at them… or with you-know-what!’

‘Well everyone knows Hufflepuff is a house full of duffers!’ Harry snorted. ‘Like Diggory would have ever stand a chance with Jessica, I mean come on!’ He would ignore the comments about Cho – Davies was probably just hacked that Cho had kicked him to the kerb to run after Diggory.

‘What is a duffer exactly?’ Ron asked, puzzled.

‘Oh – well… it’s…it’s…you know!’

‘Someone who is an incompetent or dull-witted person; someone who is actually quite mediocre (especially with sport); someone stupid, worthless and useless…a weakling,’ Hermione replied grimly. ‘It can also refer to someone that’s common, cheap, a cheater, It’s quite a nasty insult! No wonder no one ever really wants to be in that House!’

‘Fits Diggory alright enough though I’d say,’ Ron laughed.

Hermione said nothing and then excused herself to the library.

There were some things she needed to research.

‘That girl needs to learn how to relax,’ Hermione heard Ron say as she disappeared through the portrait hole leading to the rest of the castle.

She had to go to the Library yes, but there was something else she needed to do before she met Viktor.