Caryn nodded, giving a small smile to Clay, thankful that he was raised to be such a gentleman.

"Clay," Bill said, taking the boy's hand and giving it a firm shake. "Bill Weasley, pleasure to meet you as well." He gave a slight nod, as though sending his approval of Clay's handshake, then shot his daughter another raised-eyebrow look.

"Caryn, I assume Ron gave you my message?"

Caryn nodded, as she desperately tried to find her voice. If she remained silent, he would sense her guilt, and know she had been up to something.

Caryn was only too right---Bill wasn't stupid, he could plainly see that his daughter's hair was all a mess, but he was too much of a gentleman himself to bring it up in front of Clay. Oh sure, he wasn't happy at all with what had clearly taken place in that spare room, but he had only just met the boy, and didn't wish to make the situation any more awkward than it already was. He would surely talk to Caryn about it later, however.

He softly cleared his throat, and gave a polite nod to Clay. "I hate to cut this short, but I'm due back at the Ministry. Caryn, I trust you can manage getting back to school unaccompanied?"

Caryn nodded. "Yes," she replied, finally finding her voice. She could tell by the look on her father's face, and by the words that he chose, that he meant for her to go back to Hogwarts NOW, and without Clay.

Bill managed a weak smile. "Good. Take care, Mr. Ashbrook, it was a pleasure making your acquaintance."

Clay stood by as the two talked, not seeing his place in their conversation. Once Bill had left, Clay turned to look at Caryn. "Your father's right ... It's probably best if you head back to school on your own. Wouldn't want to give him an excuse to hate me first thing." Clay said.

Caryn sighed, her face falling into a sort of tiny pout, but she nodded. If people saw her coming back to school with an older boy, there would be talk, and it most definetley would get back to her father. "Yeah...you're right. Will I see you again soon?" she asked, her eyes hopeful.

This post has been edited by Caryn Weasley on Sep 4 2006, 12:39 AM

"The sooner the better," Clay responded with. He gave Caryn a smile as he leaned and gave her a gentle kiss on the lips. In addition, he wrapped his arms around her, a hug between them that he desperately didn't want to break.

Caryn's heart melted at his soft kiss, and even moreso at his warm embrace. "Soon, then," she whispered, gently pulling back from his arms, letting her hands grasp his fingers for a but a moment before letting go completely.

She started to walk backwards down the corridor, then blew him a kiss before turning about-face, walking away from the man she was quite sure she was in love with.

Clay stood a moment, watching Caryn walk away from him, but not forever. They would meet again soon, it was almost certain. Watching until the final moment when she was out of sight, Clay turned and headed for the last stop on his tour of the hospital before heading home.

((The end))