The Girl in my Arms

Cure for a Bad Day


It was dark by the time Arabella arrived back in Hogsmeade. Apparating into the main street just outside The Three Broomsticks, she shivered and pulled her cloak more tightly around herself. Although it had been overcast in London, it had at least remained dry; up here however it was starting to snow. By the time she managed to get back to the school itself, visibility had shrunk to almost nothing, and she was beginning to feel like a human snowman. Bella stomped across the entrance hall, shaking off the excess snow as she went. She was almost at the entrance to Ravenclaw tower when something darted between her feet, tripping her up. The something hissed viciously and clawed at her ankles.

"Mrs. Norris!" a voice exclaimed behind her. "You should watch where you're going. It ain't nice to kick a poor defenseless creature."

=It's your bloody cat that should watch where it's going, Argus. If it gets underfoot it should expect to get trodden on, and calling that vicious brute 'defenseless' stretched the English language to breaking point. = Bella fumed.

Filch walked over to his cat and picked her up, gently cradling her in his arms. "Don't blame her for your clumsiness. And where have you been anyway? The headmaster said he didn't want people wandering about in the dark."

Filch was now between Arabella and the Ravenclaw painting and for a moment she considered shoving him out of her way. She decided, however, that she didn't really want to spend the rest of her evening explaining to Albus why she had assaulted a member of his staff.

=Where I have been is none of your damn business Filch. I had some errands to run and was unfortunately detained, consequently I got caught in the blizzard that is currently raging outside. Albus knew exactly where I was; and I sincerely doubt that he was referring to the faculty when he made that pronouncement anyway. I'm back after dark because the sun sets around mid-afternoon in this godforsaken country. I'm cold, wet, tired, and in an awful mood, so either get the hell out of my way and let me get to my rooms, or I swear you will regret it you obnoxious little man! =

Filch looked like he was about to argue so she drew her wand and pointed it at him. At this point he realised that she was serious and scuttled off, threatening to report her to the headmaster.


When Arabella got back to her room she found her owl, Iris, waiting for her. Scribbling a short message to Albus telling him that she was back, she arranged to meet him, along with Sev and Remy, in his study in an hours time. She sent Iris off with the message and summoned a house elf. Having arranged for a hot drink to be delivered to her room, she stripped off her wet clothing and ran herself a steaming hot shower. Hopefully the shower and the drink would drive out the last of the chill caused by the snowstorm, as well as soaking away at least some of her bad mood before she had to join the others.


She stayed in the shower until the water began to cool. Cursing the fact that even with a magical plumbing system there was never enough hot water to go around, she got out. She pulled on her robe, wrapped her hair in a towel and walked out into the main room. Looking up she was surprised to see Remus curled up in one of the armchairs.

=I thought we were going to meet up in the headmaster's office? = Bella queried.

"We were, but Sev and I thought that one of us should see how you are and we decided that it would be less suspicious if it was me."

=I'll spare you the details because I want to tell you all together, but let's just say that getting caught in the blizzard actually rates as one of today's high points! =

"Come here and sit down," Remus said, taking hold of her hand and leading her to one of the chairs. "Inferno!" he commanded, pointing his wand at the fire. When he was satisfied that the fire was burning safely, he handed Bella her hot chocolate and sank to the floor in front of her. He crossed his legs and then lifted her left foot into his lap. Starting at the toes, he began to massage it. He gradually worked his way along her foot and up to her calf, until she was almost purring with pleasure, switching feet he glanced up at her. Her head rested against the back of the chair, eyes shut as she concentrated on the heavenly sensation of his fingers firmly massaging her cares away. Her mug, now thankfully empty, hung forgotten from her hand. When he released her foot she groaned in disappointment.

"Sorry, sweetheart, but you need to get dressed if you don't want to keep Albus waiting," Remus said regretfully.

She sighed, =OK, you're right, but we are going to explore your talent for massage further at some point. =

"Count on it, lover."


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