Spanning the River of Blood

Chapter 4 - First Impressions

As the Concentrator spun it started to glow with a pale blue light, which increased as it spun faster and faster. Eventually, when they were lit as if standing in front of a window at mid-day, Dumbledore opened the vial containing the potion and threw it into the centre of the Concentrator.

After a few moments they could make out shapes in the light which gradually started to solidify. After a few more moments they could make out two indistinct figures but it was impossible to say if they were male or female, young or old, as all that could be seen were their outlines.

'That is the strongest fix on our guest I think we shall get gentlemen. I suggest you leave now as I do not know how long we have before the potion wears off.' and he motioned them both forward.

Lupin again took the lead and stepped up to the light. He thought his heart was going to leap out of his chest but decided it was better to get it over with. So he stepped into the light and disappeared from the cavern. Casting a last look at the headmaster Snape followed him.

~~~~~~

The unlikely duo found themselves standing at the edge of a copse of trees in what appeared to be a park. Glancing around they saw that the only figures which looked like those they had seen were two women seated on the same grass 200 yards ahead of them.

'So what are you going to do?' Snape turned towards Lupin for his reply. 'Well I'm going to start by getting out of these robes.'

Lupin ducked into the trees and started to remove his outer robes. 'Of course he's right with all these bloody muggles about' Snape growled to himself as he followed. He took off his outer robe and jacket then pointed his wand at them and murmured a spell. They quickly shrunk and he put them into one of the pockets in his trousers. Looking down at himself, he brushed some imagined dust off the pristine white cotton shirt which was tucked neatly into his pressed black cotton trousers. Securing his wand up his sleeve where it could be easily reached he turned to see that Lupin was now similarly attired, although his choice of army style trousers and wrinkled T-shirt left something to be desired in Snape's opinion. Turning they peered out of the trees towards the two women.

'Once again, what are you going to do?

'What do you mean?' Lupin was looking a little puzzled now.

'Typical,' he thought! We come all this way and the stupid idiot doesn't even have a plan.

'Well far be it from me to criticise,' he hissed, 'but, 'Excuse me Miss but would you mind accompanying me because you are in mortal danger!' doesn't sound very promising unless you plan to get us arrested.' Although the thought of Lupin in handcuffs was somewhat appealing Snape had to admit (and he was sure that little fantasy would be worth pursuing at some point), he didn't wish to spend any longer getting this woman, as it now appeared to be, than absolutely necessary.

'Well there are two of them and two of us... So I guess you'd better smile, 'cos I think we're on the pull!' Remus allowed himself a smile at the look of shock that passed over Snape's face. 'After all who wouldn't fall for that hair cut of yours?'

Deciding he had probably gone to far Lupin quickly stepped out of the shelter of the trees and started to walk over towards the women. He was sure Snape would make him pay for it at some point but it really was his best idea, and he had deserved that jab about his hair after the way he'd scowled.

They quickly crossed the space to the women who seemed oblivious to their approach. Now that they were closer Lupin could see them more clearly. They were dressed in muggle clothing and seemed to be enjoying a day out in the sun. The one closest to them had shoulder length chestnut hair and was strumming on a guitar; the other was reading a book. Guitar girl looked around at their approach and her fingers stilled on the strings. Now he could see her face he could tell that she was of that indeterminate age some people went through, with piercing green eyes. Those eyes looked at him first and then moved over Snape before coming to rest on him again.

Katrina looked at the two men stood in front of her. Apart from both being tall there were no other similarities she could see. One was rather scruffy in a boyish manner with ruffled light brown hair, the other looking like a dictionary definition of 'severe' and was dressed as if he had walked straight out of a Dickens novel. Scruffy was looking at her with mounting horror as the moments ticked by. She decided not to help him out, but to wait and see if he had a voice.

After a few more moments of staring Lupin deciding he'd better say something... anything... took a deep breath and said hello.

'Hello,' her silvery voice replied, 'I'm sorry but do I know you?' She knew her friend was paying close attention and was happy to do the leg work. They had been watching both men since they had appeared by the trees and had quickly decided that she would take the lead until they knew who and what they were.

Lupin silently thanked the Gods for the opening and smiled broadly back. 'We were wondering the same thing actually. That's why we came over.'

Snape snorted slightly at this and resisted the urge to kick Lupin into hurrying up. Shifting her gaze to him for a moment at the sound, Katrina caught his eyes and wondered what her friend was picking up from him. He was clearly not happy to be there and from the look on his face wanted his companion to drop dead. Unwilling to let her draw him into the exchange Snape started to make a point of looking about the park. Ah yes, there was the obligatory pond with a young child throwing stale bread for the ducks. Further on, an old couple sitting eating sandwiches on a wooden bench, a man walking a dog, a couple of joggers. Feeling his patience running out he was about to prod Lupin, who seemed to have found the power of speech again, to hurry it up when he saw some movement in the trees off to their right.

Concentrating on the movement while making a show of not looking was he knew a habit of old. Years of constantly watching his back had led to certain habits which had saved his life more than once, and right now the hair on the back of his neck was rising.

He was therefore quick enough to dive on the two women when a bolt of energy came out of the trees heading straight for them. Lupin was a second behind him and all four of them ended up in a heap on the grass. 'Are either of you hurt?' he hissed as his wand came out of its home up his sleeve and he sent fire back to the trees. 'Not yet,' said a voice from beneath him, 'although you seem to be working on it! Any chance you could let me breathe?' Scowling he moved while keeping his body in a shielding position.

'I don't know who the fuck you guys are but I strongly suggest that we get out of here!' Snape identified guitar girl's voice and hissed at Lupin to get them through the portal while he provided cover.

Taking their cue from Lupin the three then ran towards the copse of trees while the bolts of energy continued towards them. Running as fast as they could all three disappeared through the portal which had brought the men to the park. A few moments later Snape followed to land in a heap on the floor; safely back in the cavern at Hogwarts.

'We're gonna have to stop meeting like this, people will start talking. Besides my ribs won't take much more!' said the voice from the park as someone underneath him gave a kick.