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

Spanning the River of Blood

By Ridley-Roo

Chapter 12 –  Sunday Night By the Fire

As Lupin walked through the door into the headmasters study he could see Minerva McGonagall pacing up and down the room, her arms flying to punctuate her speech which was not only raised but appeared on the edge of hysteria.

'It will all end in tears you mark my words… HOW COULD YOU!'

Lupin ducked under an animated limb and made a break for the relative safety of a chair.

'I mean have you thought of the consequences?  Our feelings?  How do you think I felt in that meeting?  And SNAPE of all people?  Why not just give my rooms to You-Know-Who while you're at it!  And just exactly what do you think you're looking at?' 

This last comment was aimed directly at Lupin who was openly staring in complete bewilderment.

'Now, now Minerva, there is no need to take this out on Remus.'  Dumbledore tried to sooth the agitated woman.

'No need.  NO NEED!'  She stopped pacing and turned to glare at him and Remus was please to see the headmaster retreat slightly.  At least he wasn't the only one to find that stare frightening.

Lupin slid his wand down his sleeve so that it was within easy reach and got ready to intercede in case the formidable witch did something silly when there was another knock at the door.

Minerva didn't even blink as the door moved open slightly and the small form of Poppy Pomfrey came into the room.  The diminutive Mediwitch quickly sized up the situation and drew her own wand as Minerva launched into another verbal assault.

'So I'm supposed to put up with decisions like this being taken behind my back, having to live in rooms with more soil visible than carpet AND be stared at as IF I'M MAD!'

Lupin had his wand in his hand now but was beaten to it by Poppy who cast a sedation spell and caught the slumping woman all in one go.  A stretcher appeared and within a minute Poppy was leaving as quietly as she had arrived with an unconscious Professor McGonagall floating along behind her.

The silence stretched out as Dumbledore lent over the side of his chair looking for something Lupin couldn't see.  When he straightened up he had a brightly coloured drink in his hand with an umbrella and a straw sticking out the top, and a grin to rival the Cheshire Cat.

'I don't suppose you want to tell me what's going on?'  Lupin asked.  The old man grinned as he stuck the straw in his mouth and took a noisy slurp before answering.

'I'm afraid our dear Professor is a little upset with the new school house arrangements.'

Lupin looked at him blankly.  Of course, Dumbledore thought, he doesn't know yet.

'In the interests of team work I decided to reassign everyone to new Houses for a while,' another loud slurp, 'including teachers.'

A matching grin started to spread across Lupin's face as the last part of this information sunk in.

'And she is?'

'Head of Hufflepuff'

'Snape?'

'Head of Gryffindor'

Two matching grins stared across at each other.

'There's gonna be fireworks about this you know?'

'You know… I do believe you are right.  Care for one of these rather enchanting drinks Rosemerta has dreamed up while we watch them?'

'Snape been to see you yet?' Dumbledore shook his head in response.  'Wonderful.  Make mine a double will you!'