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 24 – Make or Break

Jake strode into the Great Hall just in time to see Snape hand Lupin the foaming goblet he knew held the final dose of Wolfsbane Potion before the rise of this month's full moon.  Grimacing slightly the werewolf raised it to his lips and Jakes stride faltered as he watched to see if anything amiss had been noticed.  But Lupin drank it all before turning back to a breadstick he had been gnawing, giving no indication that he knew anything was wrong.  Regaining some confidence Jake quickened his pace to keep up with Layla and soon found himself climbing the steps up to the dais at the head of the hall where the faculty members ate.  Staying close to his mistress as she moved around the side of the table, he jumped onto the back of the chair she selected between the Werewolf and Snape before turning his attentions to the rest of the hall.  He noted with interest that both men were probably remembering the previous nights encounter by the way they suddenly became interested in looking everywhere except in Layla's direction.  True to form she had no intention of taking the hint, and within moments of settling her voice rang out into the loaded silence.

'Looks like it will be lovely weather for a stroll around the battlements again tonight.  Either of you gentlemen care to join me later?'

Lupin choked on his soup and Snape turned a whiter shade of pale.  Normally Jake would have taken great amusement at their reactions, but his heart was beating so fast, he was sure it would explode from his chest.  So instead he concentrated on calming himself by shifting his awareness and viewing the colours of the energies around him.  As he moved along the wizards and witches he checked the colours of those he had marked out for tonight, either as an active player of possible problem. 

He started with Snape, whose colours swirled frantically around him, a mass of conflicting emotions radiating outwards; hate, confusion and arousal predominating.  Turning next to Lupin he saw anxiety shrouding him from head to toe, but nothing to indicate a potential problem. Passing quickly over the next few people he moved onto the Headmaster.  Sitting in the centre of the table he radiated calm and authority to those around him.  Of course they couldn't see him the way Jake could; inside that shell of tranquillity he could see fear and doubt.  Oh yes he was definitely going to have to keep an eye on him.

Once satisfied with its occupants, he turned his attention to the fabric of the Great Hall itself.  Finally assured that the house elves had carried his instructions out correctly he started to relax and lowered himself until he was draped across the back of the chair and purred.

Dinner progressed and Layla was tucking into a wonderful cauliflower cheese with a side order of chips, when Jake jumped down from his perch behind her, setting off down the row of seats.  She thought nothing of this and continued with her meal as Lupin finished telling her a story from his student days involving large amounts of alcohol and an inflatable wand.  Jake meanwhile worked his way down the row of diners and headed out through the staff entrance to the side of the hall.  Once there he signalled the house elves to proceed with the next part of the plan.  It was fortunate that the excellent cuisine and generally convivial atmosphere were keeping the wizards and witches too occupied to notice the changes.  Even Dumbledore seemed to be unaware of the altering of the internal castle wards to prevent the casting of magic inside the hall and the magical sealing of all entrances and exits.

* * * * * *

Lupin was growing increasingly nervous as the evening progressed and moonrise came closer and closer.  He knew Dumbledore worried about him and had insisted he come to dinner in order to keep an eye on him, but the wolf within was stirring, it felt the pull of that silvery disk in the heavens.  Feeling he had done more than enough to satisfy the old man, he took his leave from Layla and made his way towards the staff entrance, intent on a discreet retreat to his chambers so that he could be ready for the trial ahead.

Bidding goodnight to the various faculty members as he passed, he could feel his vision starting to blur, a sure sign that the transformation which had been the bane of his life was about to start once again.  He calculated he had about a quarter of an hour before the physical changed started to be visible.  Arriving at the door he reached for the ornate wrought iron handle, turned it and pushed.  But the door didn't move.  He pushed again.  No movement.  Drawing as little attention to his movements as possible he retrieved his wand from its home up his sleeve and tried an opening charm.  Nothing happened.  Turning so his back shielded his movements from the students, he looked down at the wand which had never failed him for over twenty years.  It didn't appear to be broken so he tried another spell, then another, each growing in power and complexity.

Eventually as the urgency of his need to get out of the hall threatened to strip his sanity, he felt a calming hand on his shoulder.

'Tell me.  What appears to be wrong?'  The soothing tones of the headmaster washed over him and his growing panic was momentarily dampened.

'It's almost time, and I can't get the bloody door open!'  He could hear the fear in his voice, the wolf was gaining strength.  'Albus I need to get out of here now.'

Smiling his world famous, all knowing smile, the headmaster drew his own wand, and pointed it at the door.  The door stayed firmly shut.  Lupin looked at his friend and mentor for an explanation but none was forthcoming, the enigmatic smile staying in place.

Motioning Lupin to follow, the tall silver haired wizard walked back behind the head table, and headed to the door opposite which led into a small side chamber.  It didn't take them long to discover that door was also locked, and stubbornly remained so despite various charms. 

Dreading what they might find they then headed down the side of the hall to the main entrance.  As the same scenario played out Dumbledore could hear from Lupin's breathing that they had little time left.  Fortunately the werewolf didn't see his fleeting moment of concern before it was replaced by the normal calm exterior the headmaster always presented.

'Well it appears we have a problem.  Remus I suggest that we move you to the far end of the hall behind one of the pillars.  This should afford you as much privacy as is possible given the situation.  You can rest there while I and the rest for the staff look into a solution.'

Lupin nodded his agreement and, leaning on the old man to maintain his posture as long as possible in front of the students, they made their way back down the hall.  As they passed the house tables he glanced up to see that Snape had risen from his chair and was heading in their direction

Layla had been watching the events unfold since the headmaster had left the table and headed over to Remus at the staff entrance.  Knowing something was wrong she had extended her senses and been struck by the change in Lupin's aura.  As she watched it swirled and writhed around him, his normal colours fighting an invasion of vivid red and green.  Transfixing her as they grew and multiplied in a pattern she couldn't remember ever seeing, yet seemed eerily familiar.  Reason told her that this wasn't normal, that something terrible was happening to the man as she watched.  Yet all the while in the back of her mind, the voices she'd heard in the cavern, deep in the bowls of the castle stirred, and started to whisper once more.

As Snape drew level with Lupin and Dumbledore, the headmaster stayed off his questions with a raised hand.  'I'm afraid Mr Lupin isn't feeling very well Professor Snape.  Perhaps you could escort him to the back of the hall where he can rest?  I know he has taken his medication, but a little privacy is in order I think. '

Snape looked critically at Lupin then without comment replaced the headmaster as support and together they continued towards on past the students.  Lupin knew that hiding him from view was as much to prevent panic as an attempt to retain his dignity, either way he was grateful.

Jake watched as Dumbledore walked back to his staff and quietly started to move from person to person.  He watched as they stared in disbelief at the old man before each tried to cast a spell.  Watched their growing horror as the reality of their situation sunk in, their magic wouldn't work.  Relieved that major obstacle had been surmounted he once again left Layla's side, this time moving under the table in order to listen to their plans.

'But what would be the point, why would anyone want to trap us with a werewolf?'  He recognised the voice of Minerva McGonagall.

'Exactly.  And thanks to the Wolfsbane potion Remus will be…' Flitwick stopped mid sentence and Jake risked a quick look out from under the table cloth at the trio.  'Oh no.  You don't think…'  They both looked at Dumbledore.

'I'm afraid I can see no reason for anyone to go to this much trouble unless they either did not know Remus is taking Wolfsbane or, they believe it will be ineffective.'  Oh yes that cool exterior was definitely starting to crack, Jake didn't need to see Dumbledore's aura, he could hear it in the old man's voice.

The three looked at each other as the ramifications sank in and a blood curdling cry of hunger and lust pierced the silence.