Christmas Day
Remus awoke to David screaming at about three in the morning.
"Voldemort," said David as soon as Remus woke him up. "Father's there. He's back. No time. Got to go."
As David swung his legs over the side of the bed to stand up Remus got over the panic of the situation and said, "You can't go like that. Your scar…"
"Right," David mumbled and disapparated still in his pyjamas.
Severus was half sitting, half lying, tied up against a tombstone in a manner he guessed was almost identical to how his son had been two and a half years previously. He had been the guest of honour at Voldemort's rebirthing party. As he watched his former master summon his still loyal followers Severus contemplated how all this could have been avoided. Voldemort had been clever to realise that Harry was not dead but was still having visions of his plans. That fact had been revealed during his trial to enable Fudge to bring in the articles Rita Skeeter had written in support of Harry's insanity. There must also be a leak in the Order through whom Voldemort had found his plans had been discovered. It had been clever to manufacture a vision to lull them into a false sense of security.
Even with all Voldemort's planning Severus himself could have ruined everything. Had he got drunk with the rest of his colleagues he would have slept through the knocking on his door half an hour previously and would not have taken the portkey from his student. He wondered idly whether Elsa Knight knew what she was doing or if someone had manipulated her. It was possible that she had looked on in horror as he disappeared and then gone running to the headmaster. Albus could show up at any moment to save him, but he doubted that. Severus held little hope of being rescued. He had dampened down on the parental-bond link so that David would not know what was happening. David was drunk and in any case needed more information before he could destroy Voldemort. He was not going to let his son risk everything to save him.
After all this thought Severus was extremely annoyed when he heard a familiar voice in his ear telling him to keep quiet and play along. A strip of cloth was shoved through the ropes and into his hand. Then Harry, for it was Harry that David was looking and sounding like, staggered drunkenly forward and started mouthing off at Severus for fixing his trial and sending him to Azkaban. The Death Eaters and Voldemort looked on in amusement at the unexpected entertainment. Harry started sending curses drunkenly at Severus and Severus hoped that he was the only one who realised that Harry was not quite as drunk as he was making out. Severus saw the red light coming towards him at neck level and prepared himself to face his death convinced that it was a cutting hex and his son had indeed lost control. His last coherent thought was that when they both reached the afterlife he would have a lot to say to his son for attempting a drunken rescue. Then instead of feeling his neck slice open he felt a tug around his navel and was dumped via a portkey in front of Remus, presumably in his Hogwarts apartment.
Remus who appeared to have been pacing nervously turned sharply at the sound of Severus arriving. The portkey's accuracy had been off, although not bad for a drunken attempt, and he had appeared at waist height and had hit the ground hard. Remus checked Severus for injuries and on finding nothing more serious than a broken arm which he strapped up. Severus's hair had also been cut off short, suggesting that David's plan had worked and the hair was now providing the burnt remains required to suggest that Severus had died. Remus helped Severus to his feet and asked what had happened. Severus sank tiredly into an armchair explained how he had been abducted, he skimmed over the events in the graveyard simply saying that Voldemort had regained a body, before ranting about how David had gatecrashed the Dark Lord's rebirthing party as drunk as a lord. Despite his anger and harsh words it was obvious that he was extremely worried about David's wellbeing.
"He's still alive," Remus reassured him. "He's happy actually, like he's having fun."
"That's because he's drunk," grumbled Severus running a hand through his jagged locks. "He's probably charming the Death Eaters robes pink while their sending the AK his way. Can't you order him to come home?"
"I've tried, must be the distance because it didn't work. He must be freezing in his pyjamas though so hopefully that'll make him want to get back."
They lapsed into silence and Remus started pacing again. "Do you think we should wake Albus?" he asked after a few moments.
"No," said Severus firmly. "We don't know where they are. I'd guess Little Hangleton but I'm not sure. Also David turned up as Harry so we'd best keep Albus away from him. I know we both think Albus probably wouldn't hurt Harry, but David said Albus is certain Harry is dead so he'd think he was facing an inferi or something which would just give David another opponent and I don't think he can afford the distraction. I don't like it either, but we've got to wait it out and hope he's sober enough to go through with the original plan."
"I guess we could be doing our bit then instead of hanging around," said Remus. "Don't you have potions you're supposed to be taking?"
"You're right," said Severus resignedly pulling himself to his feet. "If we're going to do this I should get the declarations out of the way. I'll need your help since I can't use my wand hand."
Severus talked Remus through casting the magic required for Severus Snape to cease to exist. Later they could sort things out for the formal appearance of Severus Antirrhinum, but that would require David's help assuming he survived the night.
The pair flooed to Severus's quarters. They retrieved the wand and the appearance changing potions they had ready for this occasion. Severus had expected that he would loose his wand. The potions were legal simply because they were so extremely difficult to make and the ingredients were hard to come by that it had not been high on the Ministry's agenda to outlaw them. Severus had never even considered making them for Sirius when he was on the run, but David's ability to apparate anywhere in the world and his contacts with vampires had given them access to what was needed. It also took two talented potions masters to brew them so before David's training it would not have been possible. A few minutes after taking the first one Severus already looked completely different. His curly red hair gave him a much softer appearance and had been chosen to match David's own natural style.
There was a knock on the door to Severus's rooms. The two wizards looked at each other wondering what to do. The knocking increased in volume. "Should I…?" asked Remus.
"No, I'll get it, you hide in the bathroom. I can pretend to be my own lover or something."
It was Albus at the door. He had been returning to his chambers after playing Father Christmas for the house elves when he had been accosted by Elsa Knight, a Slytherin second year. When he had calmed her down enough to be coherent he had found out that Severus had disappeared. Although the latest intelligence he had been sent by Lord Crimson had indicated that the danger had been delayed for a few months he concluded that the Death Eaters were the most logical abductors. Albus woke Minerva and sobered her up, thinking that Sibyll was not the best choice for dealing with a distraught student, and left her to look after Miss Knight while he investigated what had happened to the potions master.
Albus had not expected to be confronted by a stranger dressed in pyjamas. The wizard who answered the door introduced himself as Severus's partner and explained that Severus had been called away to deal with a problem with one of his students. Albus's subtle questioning revealed that this unknown wizard knew a lot about Severus's habits which added credence to his story about them being lovers. Albus noted that he did not want to let Albus into the rooms and was also eager for Albus to depart. Taken together with the rips in his clothing and their general muddy and possibly bloody appearance Albus felt the need to investigate further before searching elsewhere for his missing teacher. The man had not opened the door completely so that half his body was hidden. Albus said goodnight and allowed the stranger to see him walk away. Once out of sight he turned himself invisible and moved back down the corridor. He cast an eavesdropping spell and listened to what was going on inside Severus's rooms.
"He's back!" Remus suddenly announced. He concentrated hard. "It's really difficult to reach him. He's injured, but he says Voldemort thinks you're both dead." Remus paused. "He's drifting a bit. He's not sure where he is, he's trying to find out from the castle… Oh, it's our office. He's gone again. No wait a moment; he says the spy is P… He's completely gone now. Are you done? We need to go and find him now!"
Severus downed the remaining two potions which would stabilise the changes and then asked Remus to banish the evidence before they left. He pulled a bag out of the cupboard as they went. Unknown to the two wizards they were being followed by Albus. He had had recognised one of the voices in the room as belonging to Remus which had only increased his curiosity. The mention of Voldemort worried him, particularly since it was implied that he was back. Albus was unsure as to whom 'he' was but he expected 'he' went by the name David, although Severus was also a possibility.
Albus followed the two wizards as they ran through the castle. They were making their way to the DADA classroom, which he supposed made some kind of sense having found the pair in the potions domain. Albus followed them inside the DADA office and stood just inside the door as the others examined a figure on the floor. He could not get a good look at the figure because Remus and the stranger were in the way.
"He's alive even though I still can't feel him," said Remus waving his wand over the figure. "But he's in a bad way. Several broken bones and I think one of his ribs has punctured his lung. Can you do anything for him?"
"Strapping up the bones will prevent further damage," said Severus. Albus noticed that one of his arms was in a sling. "You'll have to do it. He will need a real healer though. If I could use my wand arm I might be able to help, but as it is…"
"Poppy's the nearest."
"No," said Severus firmly. "Voldemort got his information somehow and David referred to the spy as P. We can't risk it. What about Tonks? She would have basic healer training as an auror."
"Can we get her here in time and without anyone seeing?" asked Remus doubtfully. "If he's not alright in the morning he will be missed and we can't let anyone see him like that. What's the limit on what he can cure for himself?"
"I'm not sure, but he can't do anything while he's unconscious. I could give him a stimulant and we could see."
"I think it's worth a try. Do you have the right potion on you?"
"Yes," said Severus and he fished a pink potion out of his bag. Between them they raised David's head and gave him the potion and lay him back down. A few moments later David opened his eyes and looked up at them, but his eyes were focused on a spot behind them.
"Show yourself Albus," he said resignedly. "You might as well hear the whole story before you kill us." Severus had Remus snapped their heads around to see what David was looking at and took on resigned looks themselves as Albus removed his invisibility spell. They looked more hopeful than David but not by much.
"Remus, perhaps you would enlighten me as to what is going on?" asked Albus mildly his gaze flicking between the three wizards. His eyes widened a bit as he got a better look at David and took in the messy black hair, green eyes and lightning bolt scar, but he said nothing further.
"Certainly Albus," said Remus with remarkable composure as if he might have been about to explain the feeding habits of hinkipunks rather than the tangled web of deceits he was caught up in. "But first I would like to ensure that David isn't going to die on us."
"I'll be fine," David assured him quietly. His eyes lingered on the discarded potions phial beside him. "Severus's pick me ups are very useful. I should have enough time to cure myself before it wears off. I'm afraid I'll have to leave the explanations to the two of you. A sobering charm would help if you would?" Remus cast the charm and then a crimson glow formed around David's body as he got to work. David's fellow conspirators left him to it. They sat down in the chintz armchairs Albus conjured for them and began to explain.
Albus listened patiently. He questioned them both over their certainty that the man on the floor was actually Harry Potter, but the mind ritual proved that he was closely blood related to Severus so they were able to convince him. The story was unbelievable on so many levels, that a seventeen year old with only four years of magical education had been successfully masquerading as a teacher was hard to take in. That he was also Harry Potter and the Crimson Lord, and had spent time in the realms of the dead just increased the problem. Despite all that, Albus had to admit that the story made a lot of sense, and the evidence was in front of him. It explained many of the things that he had been wondering about. The events they related were not impossible, just highly improbable, but with Harry Potter the improbable seemed to be a regular occurrence, particularly when his life was in danger. It also simplified things to find that the two people he found strange and had never heard of were actually one in the same person who he did know.
When David had finished healing his own injuries he morphed back into his natural appearance and healed his father's broken arm. He then spent a long time working over Severus's dark mark. He blocked the connection to Voldemort but did not remove the mark since he did not have the strength to do so following on from the other events of the evening. David would remove the mark when he was sober, fit and could take his time over it. He and Severus ran through the events of the night and David explained that he was strongly occluding his mind so that Voldemort would believe he was dead, which was why Remus and Severus could no longer feel his presence through their bonds. He went on to say that the spy Voldemort had referred to was Percy Weasley. Nobody was happy with this news and they hoped that Percy had been under the imperious curse. None of them wanted to think about what Molly's reaction to her favourite being a Death Eater would entail.
When the question of what had really happened that summer was raised neither David nor Severus was able to answer in detail. Severus had already explained that he knew what had happened and believed in his son's innocence but he had been unable to elaborate. Remus took up the tale and outlined his own suspicions, including that the secrecy vow was made to Albus. On hearing this Albus ritually released both men from the vow and they found that they were able to discuss the events.
Albus immediately assured them that he had not been the person David made the vow to and David agreed that since finding out about Albus's 'past occupation' he had had his own doubts on the matter. At this point the stimulant began to wear off and it was agreed that further discussion could wait for a more convenient time. Remus helped David back to their rooms where he took a dose of revitalicorpus before falling asleep. Severus remained with Albus for a few minutes to discuss how he was going to disappear and the future of Severus Antirrhinum, before he left the castle and apparated to Lions' Den. It would not do for the second Severus to show up immediately after the supposed death of the first.
David and Remus slept late on Christmas day, not getting out of bed much before eleven. They opened their presents and were both delighted to have received jumpers from Molly, particularly since she had not known they were 'family' for very long and would have had to work very quickly. Due to his position, David was expected to exchange gifts with a lot of people he did not know and he had made sure that all such presents would turn up at Lions' Den for him to deal with when he returned. Only people who knew him would be able to get their gifts to him on the 25th.
David had taken perverse pleasure in organising his gifts to some people. Cornelius Fudge would be receiving a charcoal sketch of Merlin that David had drawn himself and then had animated to make rude gestures at Fudge whenever nobody who liked him was looking at it. He hoped that Fudge would have it on display in his office, since it appeared to be such a personalised gift, and he was delighted by the idea that Fudge was being insulted regularly on his behalf. He had sent a similar sketch to Albus and made a note to change the animation as soon as he got the chance. He had a sneaking suspicion that Albus would ask him not to since it would appeal to his sense of humour.
Christmas lunch was a small affair due to the evening feast. David chatted to a Russian Durmstrang student in his native tongue since his English was very poor. The student had been left out of most of the activities since he could not communicate very well with his British or French counterparts. He was thrilled to find someone who could speak Russian and David had great difficulty getting rid of him later in the day without offending him. Remus commented on David's skill with languages and he replied that it ran in the family. The wink he gave belied the simplicity of his explanation and led Remus to suspect that the ability was not natural.
In mid afternoon Albus called David up to his office where he had Kingsley Shacklebolt waiting. Albus introduced David as Lord Crimson and had him run through the events of the previous night and the evidence he had been given of Percy Weasley being a spy as if his own spy had collected it. Albus informed them that Percy was likely to be present at the ball to 'carry Fudge's bowler hat.' They planned how to separate him from his employer for a while and interrogate him. Next Albus informed Kingsley that Harry Potter was still alive, although they thought Voldemort believed him to be dead, and they had managed to break the secrecy vow he had been under. He asked Kingsley's advice on how to get Harry's statement without exposing his continued existence. Kingsley had no immediate answer to give by promised to consider the problem. He stated that even if they could not use an official statement the information Harry could provide them with could be used to track down other witnesses.
When Kingsley had left Albus asked David if he would explain what had happened that had turned him against Albus. David said that he doubted he could talk about it yet because he had only been able to properly process what had happened since the vow had been removed, but he was willing to show Albus the main events. Albus agreed, and after warning him that the memories were extremely unpleasant David produced a mist and projected his memories for Albus to view.
Albus watched the figures. He saw Harry leave the Dursleys' home with his uncle in a car and being left in the middle of the countryside. He was met by Fillius Flitwick. Then Harry fell to the ground, presumably stunned, and the scene changed to the hospital wing. He saw himself beside Harry's bed when the boy woke up. He heard himself explain that Harry had been abducted but that they had rescued him. Harry had questioned whether Professor Flitwick had been involved.
"It is time some things were explained to you," Albus heard himself say. "But we can't afford this information to fall into the wrong hands. There is a way to ensure that they can't force you to divulge what you know." He went on to explain about a secrecy vow and even cautioned Harry that a person should only give one to someone he trusted. Then Harry made the vow not to discuss what had happened since he had left the Dursleys or what happened during the rest of the day. Harry appeared very amenable and Albus suspected that he had been drugged so that he would not think too much about the consequences of his actions.
"I'm going to speed this bit up," croaked David, his eyes tight shut. The figures moved faster and their words were undecipherable. Albus forced himself to watch as his figure brutally raped Harry's figure. "You're… He's telling me that he's done this before," said David still not looking at the re-enactment, "but that he's obliviated me afterwards. He's talking about other students who he…" There were tears streaming down his face now. The images slowed again. "This is where Peter came in." said David.
A rat scurried up behind the impostor and transformed into Peter Pettigrew. He stunned the impostor and then disentangled him from Harry and carried Harry out of the room. The scene changed again to show Peter helping Harry to clean up and giving him something to eat. David fast forwarded it again. "We talked," he said quietly. "Peter was under a secrecy vow too, but he hinted that it wasn't you. We planned how I could get to you without being caught by the impostor." The scene changed once more and Albus saw himself confronting Harry and shooting the killing curse at him. He remembered confronting Harry but not trying to kill him. It appeared the impostor was still at work. He watched as Harry escaped and then came the meeting he did remember. Harry attacking him wildly and shouting that he would kill him. Albus still dreamt of the look in Harry's eyes as he yelled; the naked hate was frightening.
The mist disintegrated and David opened his eyes and turned to Albus. "I didn't believe it was you, but after the AK I was no longer thinking straight. It was like my world had turned upside down and everything I thought I knew turned out to be wrong. When I was in the cell at the Ministry I had time to think and decided it wasn't you even when you drugged me to throw the trial. I wanted so much to believe that it was an impostor. But then when you visited me in Azkaban and kept making references to what had happened, and ordered the wardens to continue… it took a few months but in the end I accepted that it must have been you. Then when I escaped I kept that opinion. Severus saw my memories and Remus deduced them, both of them tried to persuade me that I was wrong, but I couldn't take the chance. I am really sorry for doubting you."
"We were both victims of Voldemort's plot," said Albus gravely, "He gains by dividing us. You have sort to do me no harm so an apology is superfluous. I did do you harm so I offer my own although I don't for a moment believe it is enough. I assure you that I did not cast the killing curse at you, nor did I interfere with your trial or ever visit you in prison. I am amazed, given what I've just seen and what I actually did, that you did not attack me again the moment you escaped."
"I can't say that I didn't want to," said David softly, "but I thought you were needed as a symbol against Voldemort. I was biding my time until I'd got rid of him. Severus also believes that it was you who asked him to make the dementialis potion. He accompanied you to force me to drink it. I think I should apologise for a certain hex you are under – I did it to protect the students. I am of course now willing to remove the hex."
"Thank you," said Albus. "Until last night I had no suspicions that you had cast it. It will be nice to be able to walk around without gloves." After David had removed the hex Albus changed the subject. "I understand now why you felt the prophesy did not refer to Miss Granger. You do seem a more likely subject."
"Yes, and I know I am the youngest Hogwarts teacher ever," said David. "You hired me before I even came of age! But I can't exactly tell everyone that."
"No, I do see the problem," agreed Albus. "You know you could keep a closer watch over Miss Granger as a student. The offer to transfer is still open. While I admit that your knowledge would make most of the classes a bit boring, actually taking your NEWTs would be a good idea. It helps to have proof of your abilities."
"I see where you're coming from," said David thoughtfully, "but after all that has happened I find it very hard to behave like a teenager. In many ways I have lived so much longer, I am nearer Remus's age than theirs. I would like to become friends with Ron and Hermione again, but I am worried that we have grown too apart. Besides, what would you do for a DADA teacher?"
"I'm sure I'd think of something, I think it might be a good excuse for having an auror on the premises and there's always a time-turner. As I understand your main reason for not revealing yourself to your friends was that they were my students, so perhaps now you would feel able to do so. You could see what they think about the matter."
"I'll consider it," agreed David. "I am tempted by the chance to be a student again. But I would need to be able to commute to Lions' Den at the weekends to keep up with my work."
"That can be arranged," said Albus. "You would not be the first ruling zia to attend Hogwarts."
"Oh, one other thing," said David, smiling although his face was still tear streaked. "I sent you a sketch for Christmas before last night's revelations and I don't think it's appropriate anymore. I sent a similar one to Fudge."
"Ah yes, I was intrigued by that picture," said Albus. "And if I might take the liberty to suggest a slight alteration to the animation it would then make a superb piece to add to my office." He sobered up a bit. "We really failed you didn't we," he said. "Nobody spotted that you were a zia, a metamorphmagus or had a talent for art."
"I think a course on wizarding culture for students who have been raised by muggles would be a good initiative," responded David neutrally.
As David left the office he considered that although it had been difficult for him to bring up the memories of three summers ago for Albus to see, in some ways it had helped the healing process. The wounds of the betrayal were no longer raw. Now that he was certain that it had not been Albus, that the adult he most trusted had not betrayed that trust in such a way, that his original instincts had been correct all along, David felt much more comfortable around other people. The process had begun when he had connected Albus with Brian, but the conversation that afternoon had reinforced it. Albus had lowered his barriers and allowed David to probe his mind to see for himself that he was speaking the truth. David was confident in his own legimency skills, since if he could enter Voldemort's mind without being detected he could easily determine Albus's intentions, and he now knew Albus was being honest with him. David even allowed himself to hope that this new level of peace within himself would enable him to finally cure his magical repression. It would be nice to be able to make the ball glow red and no longer have to use a ring to focus his magic.
David felt the ball was much more enjoyable than the previous one. It helped that this time he liked his partner and did not have to open the dancing either. Sirius was there as a Hogwarts governor and his presence did much to liven up proceedings. While Remus and David were in mufti, Sirius had worn insignia to indicate his position as steward to the Crimson House. David privately believed that this was to annoy Fudge in particular. David himself made sure to steer well clear of Fudge which took little effort because he was mostly in the company of a Weasley, Sirius of Remus none of whom Fudge would seek out.
The tables were still set up to ensure that the guests talked to people they did not know. David had hopes that Fudge would not know about the rules and would get thrown to the floor but it did not happen since there was a seating plan. Mingling between students and teachers was obviously not on the agenda for the evening and Remus and David found themselves seated with the Sprouts and some of the Beauxbatons teaching contingent. After the events of the staff party they all felt glad to be nowhere near their Durmstrang counterparts. As the only one who had been sober, Remus assured them that they were best off not remembering clearly what had happened.
Once the feast was over, the tables were cleared away and the dancing began. In the absence of Triwizard champions the ball was being opened by the head boy and girl of each school. David watched as Ron made a valiant effort not to tread on Hermione's toes. It appeared that Hermione wasn't comfortable in letting him lead since he was not doing as good a job of it as she felt that she would have done. David crossed his fingers that they would still be together by the end of the ball. They did not have much choice in the long run with their soul-bond given that they were rare enough he doubted either would want to break it as he had tried to do, but they could still break up temporarily after an argument which would cause a lot of heart ache.
After watching from the sidelines for a while Remus reminded David that the whole purpose of spending the last two months learning to dance was so that they would dance and they joined the other couples on the floor. David's concentration was off since he was trying to keep a subtle watch on Percy but fortunately it was Remus who was leading, since he was the taller and more experienced it made sense for him to. Sirius appeared to be enjoying himself immensely. He had arrived with a stately looking witch and they seemed to be getting on really well. Half way through the evening he brought her over and introduced her to David.
It turned out that Sirius's companion's name was Emmeline Vance and she was a member of the Order of the Phoenix. Remus asked Emmeline for a dance to allow Sirius and David a chance to talk. David gave Sirius the highlights of the night's activities carefully so as not to make sense to anyone overhearing them. Sirius did not appear too upset by the news that Voldemort had returned, which explained to David was because they needed it to happen anyway. Now that it had been accomplished and their plan had been successful they could get on with the next phase. As they were talking David lost track of Percy and assumed that he had been taken off for questioning. He crossed his fingers, hoping that Percy had not deliberately given Voldemort information, although from what he had heard about Percy, if he had been spying it would have been on Fudge's orders. The prospect of implicating Fudge in Death Eater activities was quite tempting.
As the evening drew on David saw Hagrid escorting Olympe Maxime, the headmistress of Beauxbatons, out towards the rose garden. He cringed at the memory of unwillingly overhearing their previous encounter their and then smiled as that led to the image of his father blasting rose bushes and taking points from trysting couples. He wondered how the school would take the news of the death of their least liked teacher. When Severus returned to take up the posting he would have to cope with their reactions. His former persona might have been an act, but it would still hurt that he was not liked. David thought Severus believed that some of the Slytherins did like him and were not just pleased with his favouritism. He knew that Severus had a soft spot for Draco Malfoy that had nothing to do with his parents.
Towards the end of the ball David noticed Percy reappearing, looking subdued but his presence was a sign that he had been foolish not disloyal. Shortly afterwards he found himself dancing with an unfamiliar Ministry official who turned out to be Tonks in disguise. She told him that Percy was a little too enamoured with his boss. He had indeed been a spy, but for Fudge not for Voldemort. It had been explained to Percy that the information he had passed on had probably led to the death of Severus Snape and he had not taken the news very well. Tonks said that after hearing that he had offered to resign from the Order and so it had not even been necessary to kick him out. It was generally reckoned that Percy's position in the Ministry had been gained not on merit but because Fudge knew his family were closely involved with Dumbledore and wanted information on his activities. Now that Percy would no longer be able to provide it he would probably loose his privileged position which, given his ambition, was considered punishment enough for his transgressions, after all in the end no actual harm had been done.
The ball closed at midnight and the students were reminded that there was the quidditch tournament the next day so they should go straight to bed. As he walked back towards Remus's rooms David considered that it had been both on of the best and one of the worst Christmases he had ever had. When he recalled that Fudge had not been able to work out who was subtly moving his plate and glass while he was eating and had got more and more flustered, David considered that on the whole he would say it had been a good day. Fudge baiting was always fun.