Disclaimer : - The world of Harry Potter isn't mine – wish it was – but belongs to JK Rowling…  anything from the books is hers not mine…. Anything else is probably mine.  Not getting anything but fun from writing this etc etc etc….

The fic is Rate R …..  if you are not old enough to read it etc then please don't

A/N – Sorry for the delay in this chapter folks but my cat has had kittens and to be honest watching them fight over the strawberry flavoured nipple is much more fun than sitting typing at the pc……  (mum and babies doing well by the way)

Spanning the River of Blood

By Ridley-Roo

Chapter 8 – The Day after the Night Before

The black form at the base of the ancient suit of armour watched as the old man came down the hall, and stopped outside the door it had been watching since first light.  Luminous green eyes watched him curiously and it slowly lifted its muzzle to taste the man's scent in the air.  Strongest was the adrenaline of fear and the creature decided to pay close attention to this human in the coming months; people were more dangerous when they were afraid.

Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts, Holder of the Order of Merlin (First Class) and the wizard most feared by Voldemort stood nervously outside the door leading to the guest quarters where Layla Green and Katrina Wilson had retired the night before.  Feeling like a schoolboy for the first time in over a century he took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

The sound echoed down the stone hallway and faded away before he heard anything from within the room.  Footsteps grew louder and a few moments later the door creaked slightly open.  A sleepy face framed with deep brown curls which cascaded down over a rumbled blue shirt peered out at him.  For a moment he thought the door might be closed again, and then the bleary eyes spotted the tray he was carrying and its precious load.  Suddenly the door was flung open and a hand grabbed his left arm drawing him into the room before the door shut once again.

Maintaining her grip on his arm Katrina dragged him over to the comfy chairs by the fire and relieved him of the tray which she placed on a small table.  Layla came over from the window and sat in the chair on his left and both women started to inspect the contents of the tray.

'What you got there?' Layla asked as Katrina grabbed a tub and retreated, spoon in hand.

'Belgium Chocolate and it's mine before you start whinging.  I saw a Strawberry Cheesecake so you can have that!'

Layla continued to rummage through the tubs for the said flavour giving a squeal of delight when she found it and retreated into her own chair.

Deciding it was probably safe Dumbledore reached for a tub of vanilla and joined the lady's for their ice cream breakfast.  They had much to discuss but in silent agreement they all decided that it could wait, but the ice cream couldn't.

After the tubs were emptied and the spoons licked clean Dumbledore got rid of the evidence with a flick of his wand and replaced the tray with a steaming pot of tea surrounded by bone china cups with matching saucers.  Pouring for the lady's and himself he settled back once again and decided to open the conversation.

'I trust you both slept well?'

'Judging from the snores, I'd say she slept well,' Layla answered motioning towards her friend.  'I don't sleep much anymore.'

'I see… and are the rooms to you liking?'

'Yes thank you, but I'd be surprised if that's what you are here to talk about.'  Looking at him squarely she waited as the silence dragged on.

'I always find a few pleasantries help to break the ice… but you are of course quite right.  May I ask what happened to you yesterday?'

Layla continued to look at him and he in turn watched emotions flicking past in her eyes.  Despite all that had happened she was remaining remarkable calm he noticed and waited patiently for her to decide how to answer.

'I don't know, I'm finding it hard to remember much after entering the cavern.' Now that he had not expected.  His agile mind swung into action as this new piece of information was absorbed.  She didn't remember.  If she didn't remember could she repeat what she had done?  They needed everything they could get against Voldemort whose strength was growing by the day; he had high hopes for these women.

'I would be grateful if you could arrange an alternate way of getting Katrina home, I'll still stay.' 

'Excellent.  I'm sure the arrangements can be made in time for after lunch.  Will you be joining us in the Grand Hall again?'

They nodded agreement and he lifted his tall lanky form from the chair, smiled, bid them a good morning and left.

He was still smiling as he headed down the corridor past the silent black shape by the armour.  Perhaps things would work out well if he could keep Severus and Minerva from getting to close to the truth, they were both hot heads in their own ways and he didn't need a couple of loose canons.  As he walked on the seeds of an idea planted themselves in his mind and he chuckled.  Yes that would do, that would do very nicely, and he'd tell them all at the staff meeting tonight.

*****

Remus entered the Great Hall and made his way through the students towards the top table.  He could see that most of the staff had yet to arrive but he noticed that there were two extra places set, and several professors were not sitting in their usual seats.  Surprisingly enough this had the effect of moving them closer to the central three chairs where Dumbledore and their guests would presumably sit.  Smiling to himself he took a seat near one end next to Hagrid.  The hall continued to fill and soon there were only a few places left at the head table.  Snape took a seat at the opposite end next to Madam Hooch the flying instructor, who along with Pince, Vector and even Trelawny were all sitting looking as if they were determined to win the competition of how long you could make your desert last.  He was just about the leave when in a repeat of last nights entrance Dumbledore walked through the main doors with Layla on one arm and Katrina on the other.

A hush fell over the hall as they made their way down between the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables.  Remus now had a chance to see the full impact of this entrance as it must have appeared to everyone else.  Dumbledore was as always tall and exuded a quiet assurance, but neither of the women looked intimidated in any way by the hundreds of eyes watching them.  In fact they acted as if it was the most normal thing in the world.  As they drew up to the table he could sense people subtly moving in order to follow their progress to their seats, smiling to himself as he lowered his eyes to his tea and took a sip.  Grimacing at the cold liquid in his mouth he reached for his wand to reheat it for the third time.

'Personally I prefer to just get a fresh cup as it never tastes as good.'

Swivelling in his seat he came face to face with Katrina Wilson who had placed herself right at the end of the table on his left.

Just as she had done in the park she waited while he groped for some words.  'You're rather cute when you're speechless,' she thought as he continued to stare.  She smiled sweetly and turned her attention to the fruit bowl wondering just how far she could push it with him.  Of course since finding out was half the fun, she decided upon a banana.

Turning to face him once again she slowly pulled back the skin and offered him a bite.  Still no response, other than his gormless stare.  She waited a few seconds before shrugging her shoulders.  'No?  Oh you don't know what you're missing.' and with that she raised the banana to her lips and sucked the top off.

Further down the table Layla was watching the performance and wished she could hear what was being said as Remus's face turned the colour of beetroot.  Somehow Katrina was managing to keep a straight face but she wasn't sure for how much longer.  Smiling she turned her attention back to her food and wondered just how long the poor man could hold out.  Dumbledore was planning ask him to accompany Katrina home, to ensure her safety.  Something told her he was going to get more than a night cap as thanks.

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