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ENIGMA	By : NativeMoon Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female Views: 3931 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

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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 025: The Quidditch World Cup

Jessica followed Mr. Weasley into what was no doubt the best box in the stadium. She eyeballed the plush seats and sofas resplendent in a deep burgundy velvet, a fully-stocked bar with catered food and luxury private bathroom complete with shower.

�So this is how the other half live, eh?� Mr. Weasley whispered to her under his breath as Jessica wondered why in hell would a shower be necessary for spectators at a sporting event.

�Alright for some, isn�t it?�

�We can sit where we like, but it looks like Minister Fudge and the Bulgarians have taken the best seats over there...�

�How about right there,� Jessica said, pointing. �The boys�ll still have a great view.�

Mr. Weasley nodded and ushered everyone to a cluster of seats and sofas near one of the floor-to-ceiling windows. Jessica�s mind was racing a-mile-a-minute. Goblet of Fire described the box so differently to this. But this made a lot more sense. She�d gone to sporting and concert events in her world where she�d used Merrill Lynch�s corporate boxes around the country. The book made the box sound like every other part of a stadium with its tiered seating. Yet this was like being in the V.I.P. room of an exclusive club, not dissimilar to what she�d been used to.

Jessica thought over the finer details of the chapters relating to this event in the book � by all accounts, Voldemort�s most faithful servant was in this room, hidden by a cloak of invisibility. There were a number of seats that looked free, but even if she�d been able to pinpoint exactly where one Barty Crouch Junior actually was, there wasn�t anything she could do about it. Or more to the point, there wasn�t anything she should do about it according to Dumbledore and her own finely honed instincts.

The Librarian continued to look casually around the room. She was looking for a house-elf, one that figured prominently in the events of Book 4. But there was no elf to be found. And if there was no elf, then there surely couldn�t be any Barty Crouch Jr. either. Or could there?
As she looked around, the Librarian felt someone looking at her. She found her gaze going to the opposite end of the room. She recognised a familiar pointed face with deep-set pale cold gray eyes and white-blond hair � Draco Malfoy. Seated with him were a man and woman who could only be his parents. She could see where he got his looks from, for he was the spitting image of his father. Lucius Malfoy had a decidedly aristocratic air as did his wife Narcissa. Mrs. Malfoy, however, also looked as though she�d just swallowed a bowl of cat sick as she realised she was meant to tolerate the presence of blood traitors, half-breeds and women who most definitely were not �Ladies Who Lunch�. It was a shame that someone so attractive was so nasty.

Jessica pretended not to notice as Lucius gestured slightly towards her as he leaned down speaking with his only child.

All were mercifully distracted as Minister Fudge entered the box with Ludo Bagman and an assortment of other Ministry officials. While this was happening, a grimy little creature moved cautiously across the room towards two seats by Hermione, Harry and Ron. So that was a house-elf, she thought to herself as she ignored the house-elf�s complaining about being up so high and how she didn�t like it. Barty Crouch Senior was nowhere to be seen and the Librarian was set to jump out of her skin at the merest provocation.

Lucius rose to his feet and Jessica noted that everyone went to him, rather than the other way around.

�That is too much power for one man to have,� she whispered to Mr. Weasley.

Mr. Weasley turned slightly to look at her.

�You are one of the blessed few who truly sees it and sees the danger for what it is, my dear�� he whispered. �Just remember that, will you?�

�Well I�m not going over there � I�m not on his payroll��

�You are indirectly. And since you seem to have caught his attention don�t be surprised if his school governor�s privileges and influence starts extending to Library business � though I can�t imagine that he�d take more than a passing interest. He doesn�t read anymore than his son does. The Malfoys can consider themselves lucky that that their fortunes don�t depend on their grades��

Mr. Weasley excused himself and moved towards the centre of the box once the Minister was through with the senior Malfoy. Jessica observed as he did the customary polite hellos and ignored what undoubtedly were pointed remarks directed at him surreptitiously by Malfoy Senior. The Bulgarians were distracted by the sight of Harry�s scar and then all eyes were on The Boy Who Lived, much to Percy�s displeasure. He�d already been humiliated by the Minister in front of everyone by his continued insistence on referring to him as �Weatherby�.

�Jessica; Jessica!� a voice interrupted her thoughts.

Mr. Weasley was beckoning for her to come over.

�Ahh,� said Fudge. �So this is the newest addition to Hogwarts. Apparently you are giving our Ministerial Libraries a run for their galleons from what I have heard! A week doesn�t go by without old Flitwick tormenting our poor Manager!�

�I wouldn�t know,� Jessica replied innocently as she glanced at Hermione whispering to the house-elf. �I just try to do the best I can with the budget we have.�

�Given how little of it has been used in the past, I would say so far, so good � so long as you don�t get too extravagant! Fudge chortled.

�I�ll do whatever I can so that we don�t play second fiddle to Beauxbatons or Durmstrang��

�And what would an American such as yourself know about European wizarding institutions?� Lucius enquired quietly.

Warning bells went off in Jessica�s head. The last thing she needed was to be in the line of sight of a hardcore Death Eater. But it was a foolish thought really � it wouldn�t be long before everyone would be a target regardless of what position they took. Everyone would be expendible even in the den of thieves that was the Death Eaters.

�Not very much, Mr. Malfoy; certainly no more than I do about those in the Americas,� she replied carefully. �But it has been a big concern with most of the staff and more than a few parents. The idea the some parents would choose a Continental school over Hogwarts simply because of the facilities they offer doesn�t sit well. One transfer out or offer declined is one too many and I�ve had to listen to no end of talk about it since I arrived.�

�A fine point indeed, Dear Lady. However the curriculum itself leaves much to be desired. That is as much an issue as any supposed lack of facilities. And of course there is still the thorny little problem of the unfortunate selection process for admittance.�

Jessica fell silent, not wanting to dig an even deeper hole for herself.

�Oh come now, Lucius,� Fudge chortled. �We certainly offer a first rate education and no one is admitted who��

The Librarian used the opportunity to slip away to the bar. She took a place in line as the Minister and his companions proceeded to their seats as the debate carried on. There was a sudden clearing of the throat and the Minister picked up the microphone that appeared. He officially started the match and Jessica was grateful that everyone�s attention was on the game.

�And how are you finding your work at such a prestigious institution as Hogwarts,� came a cool voice.

Lucius had returned and sidled up to Jessica, much to his wife�s obvious displeasure.

�It�s fine � quite a challenge; but a very good one,� Jessica said calmly.

�It is certainly a change from your previous role.�

�That it is.�

�One thing intrigues me about you above all that I have been told.�

�And that is?�

�How on earth could a witch stomach working for Muggles! Being a Librarian is thankless enough. And to have lived amongst them � very peculiar indeed.�

�Ahh, well I�ve done other things in my career but I love books and antiquities. The British Library is a very prestigious institution even if it is run by Muggles. I worked hard to get the job and then I took it as far as I could go with it. Minerva and the Headmster made me an offer I couldn�t refuse � I like being my own boss to a degree. And my mother thought it was important for me to understand Muggles beyond how to make tea without magic and take a train without getting lost. What we learn in our world is pretty useless for the most part. We stand out like sore thumbs especially in those moments we need to pass unnoticed by them � like here, for example.

�Somehow I can�t imagine that you manage to pass unnoticed by anyone, a blessing and a curse � depending,� Lucius said quietly. �And you are a relation of Minerva McGonagall�s; very good indeed although to some it might appear to be nepotism at work.�

�I just want to do the best job I can with what I have, Sir. And I do think that if there had been someone else more qualified then that someone would have gotten the job.�

�No need for such formalities�� Lucius began.

�Goodness me, the service here is quite dreadful if it takes this long to be served,� Narcissa Malfoy sniffed as she stood next to her husband. �And you are�?�

�Nobody,� Jessica said drily as the trophy wife looked at her appraisingly.

�With a lineage such as yours; your modesty is�intriguing,� Lucius said slowly.

�My lineage?�

�Yours is an ancient and noble house. Not quite as ancient nor as old and prominent as mine or my wife�s, but still respected just the same. No dilution � despite this rather insane need to understand your inferiors.�

�Oh � you�re referring to my family being pure-blooded?� Jessica said innocently, but knowing full well the effect her words would have.

�Really?� Narcissa asked scathingly, clearly very surprised, but not willing to believe her own ears.

�There is very little I haven�t ascertained about you and every other employee and student at Hogwarts. I am on the Board of Governors, after all. I have a responsibility to know these things.�

�Right � of course you do��

�Offended, are you Miss Newkirk?� Narcissa asked.

�So you know me now, don�t you Bitch,� Jessica thought to herself.

�Why on earth would I be offended? I wouldn�t have been hired without the approval of the governors as I understand it. I understand how important these things are.�

�Good,� said Lucius. �It�s good to know that you understand and respect our role, Miss Newkirk.�

�If you�ll excuse me, I should be getting back to my party��

Lucius dismissed his wife after a quick word in her ear. Narcissa wasn�t best pleased, but she did as she was told.

�Let me give you some advice, Jessica� (the way he said her name�it was almost a delicious purr)� You want to be very careful whom you associate with. Oh I understand that you are new to these shores, but you have been in our little world here long enough. You don�t want to become known for hanging around the wrong sort. You could do quite well for yourself, provided you curb certain�tendencies. It was kind of dear old Weasley to bring you along rather than his own wife; and no one could blame you for taking him up on such divine luck anymore than they could fault him for having better taste in women than I could have imagined. Who wouldn�t sell their soul to some devil to be here especially on your rather meagre salaries � although you certainly do very well, much better than he� Be that as it may, you can certainly do better than the likes of Arthur Weasley and the rest of them � and you should do for your own sake. It�s entirely up to you, but don�t think you have all the answers. You don�t, that I can assure you.�

The silkiness of his voice gave her goose pimples. Jessica hadn�t thought about him nearly as much as she should, and it had been some job to not trip herself up with him. This wasn�t going to be the last time she�d have to deal with him; she hadn�t passed unnoticed, no indeed she hadn�t.

�There is nothing between me and Arthur Weasley!� she grumbled resentfully.

Good Lord � after all Lucius Malfoy had said, the best she could do was confirm that she wasn�t shagging the man he considered a blood traitor and disgrace to the name of wizard! Jessica was ready to kill herself�

There was no reply from her tormentor, just a simple smile that set Jessica�s nerves on edge. The man made her feel like she had to explain herself and about things that made no sense. She needed to be careful, lest she ended up on the wrong side of his wand, but this was something different. He seemed to know an awful lot about her � and her presumed bloodlines.

Just where and how did he come up with that? And why on earth had someone even gone there in the first place? Since she was obviously known as a pure-blood, just what would that mean after Voldemort made a full return?

xxxOOOxxx

�Lucius Malfoy seems quite�interested in you,� Arthur said carefully as they made their way back to the tent.

�He�s the last man on earth I want interested in me,� Jessica replied glumly.

�It was inevitable, I�m afraid. And it comes as no surprise. There isn�t one corner of Hogwarts where he doesn�t exert his influence � no different to the Ministry. You are quite an enigma, Jessica � and in many ways it�s very attractive. This mystery that begs to be solved��

�There�s nothing mysterious about me��

�Isn�t there?�

�Oh come on Jessica � you can�t be so grim on a night like this! WE WON!!! WE BLOODY WON!!!� George roared as he turned back.

Ireland had won the match, but Viktor Krum had gotten the Snitch. The twins were crowing about their big bet with Ludo Bagman and all the gold they�d won off him. Everyone was celebrating wildly all around them. There were bonfires as far as the eye could see and it would be no small feat if any of them managed to get some sleep.

They all finally piled into the tent where every single move of the game was analysed several times. Mr. Weasley finally called time when Jessica and Ginny fell asleep at the dining table. Jessica fell onto her bed with visions of that evenings conversations with Lucius Malfoy tormenting her as she fell fast asleep.

xxxOOOxxx

�Jessica, Jessica!� came Arthur�s voice as hands gripped her tightly.

�Wake up! You have to take the children and get out of here!� Mr. Weasley shouted as he tried to get her to get up.

�No!� Jessica whispered as her eyes adjusted to the faint light in the room.

All of the singing and merriment from before was gone. There was nothing but screaming and a pounding that sounded almost like an earthquake.

Fortunately she hadn�t changed her clothes. She pulled her boots and a sweatshirt on as Mr. Weasley woke up Ginny and Hermione.

�Here � get these on, quick!� Jessica ordered as she tossed them both a pair of jeans.

�What�s going on?� Hermione asked, her voice quivering with fear.

�No time � come on!� Jessica said as she grabbed their hands and pulled them outside behind Mr. Weasley.

Acrid smoke filled the air and they could see cluster after cluster of tents on fire. The earthquake was literally hundreds and hundreds of witches and wizards of all ages running for their lives. Something was moving almost supernaturally, coming towards them and forcing people to flee in its wake. Screams of unholy terror filled the night as sonic boom after boom echoed across the fields. There were other sounds too � sounds of drunken taunts and loud cracks.

In the distance a small group was marching, but as the group drew closer it swelled. They could now make out masked figures at the centre of the affray. They wore black hoods over their heads and hideous skull masks that looked almost like bone with real veins pumping blood. Jessica�s eyes were forced up and as she�d expected, there were the Muggle caretaker, Mr. Roberts, his wife and children being drawn along like cartoon character balloons in the Macy�s Thanksgiving Day Parade. They were upside down � and clearly conscious. Mrs. Roberts was tugging in vain to keep her underwear on as some invisible force finally pulled them free of her body. The clothes of the entire family finally went and wave after wave of wizards joined in with the cruel dirty taunts. It was clear what was going to happen to all of them.

�Oh my God!� Jessica wailed. �They�re only kids � almost babies!�

�That�s sick,� Ron spat as he tried not to heave. �That�s twisted and sick!�

Percy came up behind Mr. Weasley along with Bill and Charlie.

�We�ve got to help the Ministry!� Mr. Weasley shouted. �Jessica � get the kids to the woods and stay put until I come to get you! You lot listen to her and do what she tells you � no arguments! Especially you two!� he roared, gesturing at the twins.

�Come on!� Jessica shouted as the crowd came closer. �Harry, Ron � grab onto Ginny and Hermione and don�t let go no matter what happens! Fred and George, stick to me like glue!�

The little group ran for it as hard as they could. The lanterns had been extinguished in the woods and they felt themselves colliding with unseen figures. Harry swore under his breath as someone reached out and heaved him up.

�Are you alright?� Jessica asked?

�Yeah � just tripped on something is all��

�Good Lord � Lumos!� Jessica hissed angrily.

If Hermione was surprised that it worked, it didn�t register on her face as Jessica shone the narrow beam of light around.

�No surprise there, four eyes,� someone drawled.

Jessica whirled around and shone the light in the line of the voice. Draco Malfoy was standing calmly with a slightly bemused air � too calm for Jessica�s liking.

�Fuck off and die, Malfoy!� Ron hissed.

�Language, wizard trash, language! You�re a waste of space. Better hurry along since you�re with her!� Draco sneered as he jerked his head towards Hermione.

�And what�s that supposed to mean?� Ron snapped.

�God you are thick! They�re Muggles and the Mudblood�s no better than one!�

�Use what few brain cells you have working and shut your mouth, Mr. Malfoy!� Jessica said darkly. �It never ceases to amaze me how stupid you really are!�

�Why who do you�� Draco snarled as he stepped closer. He stopped when he saw that it was the Hogwarts Librarian he was about to curse rather than one of the Gryffindors he hated with a passion that bordered on insanity.

�Just wait �till my father hears��

�That�s right � go crying to Daddy! Thing is, your father won�t always be around; and then what will you do?�

�Come on Miss Newkirk,� Hermione mumbled. �It�s not worth it!�

�Somebody needs to save him from himself � the fool!�

Jessica looked around after they began storming away from the petulant Slytherin.

�Dammit! Where�s Fred, George and Ginny?�

Suddenly there were screams � a chorus of screams. �No � not my wife, not my babies! Please!� someone shouted. There were more shouts and leering catcalls.

�Do them all!� someone roared with a resounding �Yeah!� in response.

�Oh my god!� Hermione shrieked. �Jessica!�

�Come on,� Jessica roared as she pulled the quivering girl along. �Get your wands out � this will quicker if we can see where the hell we�re going better!�

Ron and Hermione whipped out their wands but Harry stopped dead in his tracks and looked around frantically.

�My wand � I�ve lost my wand!�

�Oh fuck�, Jessica moaned. �We can�t look for it now � we have to get out of here!�

There was a rustling noise in a clump of trees to their left.

�Winky doesn�t like it,� came a small squeak. A familiar grimy little creature with large jug ears and a squashed tomato of a noise tried to move forward, but seemed to be held back at the same time. �There is bad wizards about, people is high in the air! Winky don�t want to be high up again! Winky wants to get away!

�Why is she acting like that� Ron asked in amazement.

�She probably doesn�t have permission to hide,� Jessica said irritably. �No matter what she wants to do she�s bound to her Master.�

This kicked off a tirade from Hermione about how the house-elf was afraid of heights, but had been forced to go to the box and hold a seat for Mr. Crouch who had the nerve to not even show up! And goodness knows she was probably bewitched to not run away, so of course she can�t run away from bad wizards!

�You heard her before,� Ron sniffed. �House-elves aren�t supposed to have fun! House-eves are supposed to do what they are told! That�s what she likes � she likes being bossed around!�

�It�s people like you that are the reason why there is so much intolerance and injustice and��

Yet another squabble at the wrong time � and Jessica wasn�t having it.

�I see your point, Hermione. But this is not the time or place. There are people being tortured and raped out there and we need to find someplace to hide � quick!�

They veered off the road and followed a thin dusty trail into what had to be the heart of the woods. It was quiet � dead quiet.

�Let�s stop here � we should be alright,� Jessica said hesitantly. �Get behind these boulders��

There was a faint rustling and the Ludo Bagman stumbled from behind some bushes.

�Erm � what�s going on?�

�The Muggle caretaker and his wife are being paraded around like marionettes by some people in masks�� Jessica answered. She also said what she thought was happening to them and anyone unfortunate enough to cross the mob�

�Damn them, that�s all I need right now��

Bagman disappeared with a faint pop!

�Effing waste of space he is!� Jessica snarled.

�Mad � the whole bloody thing is just mad!� Harry said. �Why even do it � and especially with the Ministry here tonight and��

He was cut short by a crunching noise.

Footsteps.

Harry craned his head around Jessica, who was holding him back. He couldn�t see very far, but he knew that someone was there.

So did Jessica.

�Show yourself, you bastard!� she screamed. �Come on you coward scum � show yourself!�

�Are you nuts?� Ron whispered incredulously.

�They couldn�t do it if people didn�t support them Ron!� Jessica hissed. �People who don�t stand for something will fall for anything!�

The deafening silence was broken by a guttural yell. �MORSMORDRE!�

The trio clung to Jessica as something vast, glittering and green streaked upwards from the black upon black darkness Harry had strained to see. Harry didn�t see him, but Jessica did. She knew without a doubt that the man in the blackness was Barty Crouch Junior.

�Is it another Leprechaun?� Harry asked uneasily.

�No � worse!� Jessica shouted as she took off running.

�JESSICA! JESSICA COME BACK!� the trio screamed as the Dark Mark took shape in the night sky above. �DON�T LEAVE US! COME BACK!�

Screaming erupted all around them as people emerged from hiding places and began running as fast as their legs could carry them. But Harry, Ron and Hermione didn�t dare leave. At least Jessica knew where they were, and if anything she could lead Mr. Weasley back to them if she found him.

They were left in the heart of the forest, well and truly alone.

xxxOOOxxx

Jessica could still see him as she ran hard on his heels. She aimed her wand and hurled hex after hex that she could think of. Something began to smoke up ahead; she could only hope that it was him.

�Goddamn you!� she yelled. �You fucking low-life bastard!�

It was the last thing she said before the world turned upside down and went pitch black.
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ENIGMA