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 Rated R ….. 

Spanning the River of Blood

By Ridley-Roo

Chapter 15 – Nightmare in the Dungeons

Layla made it out of the Great Hall and down several corridors before realising she had no idea where she was heading.  Determined to keep moving in case the giggles caught up with her she kept placing one foot in front of the other.  Casting a glance down at Jake who was trotting along beside her she could see he was holding his head high and his tail was held vertical except for the tip which pointed forward slightly.  Shiny black paws reminded her of show horses as he danced down the corridor to keep up with her, but the wicked glint in his eyes was plain to see and totally ruined the angelic picture.  Slowing she bent down and scooped him up into her arms.

'You did that on purpose you little bugger didn't you,' she whispered into his coat as they rubbed their heads against each other, 'I can't take you anywhere can I?'

Pulling back to look him in the face for an answer she tried hard to look upset but those beautiful eyes blinked at her, those magnificent whiskers pushed so far forward they were tickling her face and that melodious purr washing over her like music.  She gave in, buried her now grinning face back into his fur and kept walking just to see where she would end up next.

* * *

Harry was walking with some of his new housemates on their way to Potions when they were passed by a crying Hermione running full pelt towards the girl's toilets.  Panting and out of breath Ron staggered to a stop beside him, taking in gulps of air he lent on the wall and held his hand to his side as he fought to regain his breath.

'Err. What's up with Hermione?'  Harry asked even though he was sure he could guess.  Ron gulped a few more times and eventually managed to croak a response.

'Bloody Snape!'

The surrounding students all looked on with a mix of fear and understanding.  News of the events at breakfast had travelled quickly to those who hadn't been there and every student in the school had offered up a prayer.  Those with potions lessons today had asked for help, and those fortunate enough not to be due to visit the dungeons had offered thanks.

'I tell you...  I've never seen him like this before,' Ron's face was retuning to something like it's normal colour.  'Not even when Sirius escaped.'  Several jaws hung open and more than a couple of gasps could be heard in the silence.

'Err, well in that case we'd better get going,' Harry mumbled.  Silently he joined his housemates as they turned back to their journey down into the dungeons.  He had the feeling this was going to be the longest potions lesson in his life.

On the wall behind the retreating students the painting of a former head of Ravenclaw moved into his neighbours painting to compare notes on what he had just seen.

* * * *

After exploring some of the unused parts of the castle Layla returned to her rooms to look for her mobile phone.  The huge wooden doors swung open silently as she approached and soon she was digging through the chests, draws and bookcases where most of her belongs had been placed.  Various books, pieces of clothing and a few packets of cat food went flying over her shoulder to form an ugly pile in the middle of the pristine room before an 'Aha..!' was heard in amongst the sounds of the rummaging and she resurfaced with a triumphant grin.

Half-heartedly telling Jake to stop ripping the food packets she moved to the settee and turned her phone on.  For a few moments it looked to be working properly before the screen started to make fractal patterns and the buttons stopped working.  She played with it for a few more minutes, took the back off and fiddled with the battery before admitting defeat and slumping down.

Just my bloody luck she thought as she stared into the dying embers of last night's fire.  How was she going to tell Katrina about this morning if the phone wasn't working?  Come to that what was she going to tell her?  Crunching noises told her Jake was now happily chomping down on the contents of one of the packets, turning she looked over and with a few clicks of her tongue and a pat on the settee he came over and sat down.

'So my love what do you think I should do?'  Jake swished his tail around his paws and made himself comfortable.

'Lets for arguments sake say I figure out a way to get in contact with Katrina.  What am I going to tell her?  That I made the world's biggest prat of myself by sitting in the headmaster's chair, or by kissing Snape?'  She paused and looked down for an answer.  Jake tilted his head over in thought for a moment before purring.  Layla smiled in return and as the black cat moved onto her lap she felt the worry start to drain away.  Lazily she stroked his sleek body and once again her thoughts started to stray back to that kiss as her eyes closed.

Jake kept purring on her lap until she was fast sleep before carefully raising himself up and heading back out the door in search of Snape.  After all he mused if she can have some fun then so can I!

* * * *

Harry sat quietly at the bench in potions trying not to look at his new brewing partner as they worked on the potion Snape had set for them.  Draco Malfoy sat quietly beside him but was failing to keep the disgust at partnering Harry from his face.  His pale face had contorted into a scowl when Snape had announced the seating changes which had earned him ten points from Ravenclaw and a detention.  He now sat moodily chopping the Dragontail roots and occasionally tossing a few into the mix as Harry stirred.  Harry was wondering if this lesson could get much worse when there was a knocking at the door.

'Answer it Miss Hargraves.' Sarah Hargraves turned green at the sound of Snape's voice but managed to get her legs to carry her to the classroom door and open it.  She stood looking outside for a few moments before turning back to the class.

'Err there's no one there' she whispers into the silence.

'Speak up you stupid girl.'  Snape pat out and first the first time raised his head to look at her.

'I said that there's no one there.' She managed a bit louder.

'Well stop wasting time standing in an empty door way and get back to work then.'  Shakily she complied but those few moments had been all Jake had needed to slip unnoticed into the classroom.

As the girl made her way back to her stool he wound his way through the student's legs occasionally sniffing at a bag or a shoe, but all the while heading nearer and nearer to his destination.  Severus Snape.

When he eventually found himself underneath the potions master's desk he sat down and studied his various targets.  Shoes, trousers and cloak, all easily within range. 

Leather shoes like that will be fairly easy to clean but a good soaking should leave a residual smell, he thought as he weighed his options.  Trousers look a bit risky but that cloak is just crying out for a drench.  Silently he stood up, stretched, turned and sprayed.