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 this one has taken a while to be posted and is a little short… bad case of the flu I'm sorry to say : - (
Spanning the River of Blood
By Ridley-Roo
Chapter 11 – Lost
'Come on! I haven't got all day.' Snape barked as a first year 'New Gryffindor' formally of Hufflepuff tripped on his robes on their way to the Gryffindor common room. The procession of worried and scared looking students trailed along behind him as he strode up the stairs determined to be rid of them as soon as possible. Since most students had no idea where the other houses common rooms were he was leading the sorry bunch up the stairs and suspected that they would probably need their arses wiping when they got there. Perhaps a couple of the more annoying ones could be made to disappear for a while, he could claim they got lost if anyone noticed
He mentally shrugged off the appealing daydream as they approached the Fat Lady. With his head still pounding from earlier Snape growled the password and went straight in without checking to make sure his little charges were behind him. Once into the common room a quick head count of the students forming a worried circle around him showed all of them present much to his annoyance.
'Find your rooms, and if any of you cause me any trouble I'll make sure you get detention for a year.' With that he turned and stalked out past a coughing and spluttering Fat Lady. He refused to stop as she shouted down the corridor for him to explain what was going on and how he knew the password. Something would have to be done about her manners he decided as he stalked towards his new rooms and some Dreamless Sleep potion.
Snape reached the rooms which had previously been occupied by Minerva McGonagall and stood stock still resisting the urge to break a few things. What was the headmaster playing at? Had the old man finally lost it completely? How on earth was he going to cope with both Weasley and Longbottom in his house?
Remus had been greeted as he arrived back at Hogwarts by a group of house elves who had taken charge of Layla's possessions and disappeared in record time. Somewhat curious as to their behaviour he decided to change and freshen up before reporting to the headmaster. He therefore made his way up to the rooms he was using up in the tower which also housed Gryffindor and was soon stepping through the portal to his living room. Shakily he sank down into the welcoming armchair and resisted the urge to take matters into his own hands after his afternoon with Katrina. Perhaps a cold shower would help? Deciding it was worth a try he headed of in search of icy water.
* * * * *
Layla slept as Lupin returned to Hogwarts and handed her belongings over to the waiting house elves before heading off in search of his rooms and a cold shower.
Layla slept as the House Points Scores fluctuated wildly as teachers and students alike balked at the new arrangements.
Layla slept as the house elves stole into her chamber on silent feet and unpacked her things.
And as Layla slept the Black Creature sat on the back of the settee and watched her dream.
She sat on a grassy meadow watching the grass rippling and flowing down the slight incline in the gentle breeze. Breathing in deeply she could smell the pollen in the air and the sweet scent of the wild flowers around her. Sighing she lay back and stared up at the inky sky above and gazed at the stars.
Time stretched on seamlessly to the sound of the wildlife and she marvelled at how peaceful it was here. Gradually she began to wonder where here was. She didn't remember arriving but knew that she had existed somewhere before this place. The memories wouldn't come. Sighing she tore her herself from the stars and got to her feet.
The meadow stretched about four hundred yards in all directions. To the left, right and above at the brow of the small hill was woodland, dark and welcoming. Below at the bottom of the meadow was a small stream whose waters seemed to skip and dance along over cobles. Slowly she made her way down and sat once again to watch the water play.
As Layla slept on the creature rose up, arched it's back before stretching first it's front, then back legs and sitting upright to regard the sleeping form. After a few moments it turned and leapt over her to land in front of the fire. The golden flames cast a small shadow onto the side of the settee which started to change form. A few moments later the shadow was so large the top was on the far wall as two hands reached out to cover the sleeping woman with a blanket brought in by the house elves.
* * * *
Suitably refreshed Lupin headed down the deserted hallways towards Dumbledore's Office. Murmuring the password (Candy Floss) he entered the opening and mounted the moving staircase. As he approached the top he could hear raised voices so he wasn't surprised to see a very animated Professor McGonagall in full rant at an impassive Headmaster who was sipping tea by the fire. Wondering what new calamity had befallen Hogwarts he stepped into the line of fire.