A/N:
Thanks to Ms Padfoot for your review and encouragement. You're my favourite author!
Thanks also to Ainsley Sloan for reviewing, and for your reminder about the sorting ceremony bit. As for Ron's "idol", I was referring to Dumbledore and not Harry :) Oh yes…and I think Orlando Bloom is cute too – especially as Legolas in LOTR!
Here goes my third chapter.
The Plan
"Professor, do you really believe that April will be able to help Sirius?" Harry asked Dumbledore.
"I can only say that I believe April will try her best, Harry. I have considered many other ways, but this seems to be the best option."
"We do not have the luxury of time. We need every help we can get in our fight against Voldemort. There aren't many we can count on these days. We need Sirius." Dumbledore paused before adding in a softer voice, "you need Sirius too."
"So, much as I hate to admit it," the headmaster continued. "I have to agree with April that this is the quickest way to have a go at clearing Sirius' name. And it may also achieve other things besides that."
Harry ran Dumbledore's words over in his mind, trying to make sense of what was said, as well as what was left unsaid.
"So it's April's idea and you were not for the idea initially?" Harry ventured, a frown creeping into his face. The plan had loophopes afterall.
"Yes, I had my reservations. I still do actually. But as I've said, this may be the best plan and April is prepared to carry it out."
Harry wanted to ask about the Sorcerer's Stone, but he knew that Dumbledore was not ready to reveal more than he already had.
So he decided to ask the headmaster another question. "Professor, you mentioned that April needs to prepare for her lessons tomorrow. Will she teach at Hogwarts too?"
Harry's mind might had been preoccupied by other matters at both meal sessions in the Great Hall that day, but he did noticed that there was no new professors at the teachers' table. Sure, the real Professor Alastor Moody was there and this would be the first time he was teaching the Defence Against Dark Arts at Hogwarts. But this was something known only to Harry, Ron and Hermione. As far as the rest of the student population was concerned, this was the second consecutive year Moody was the DADA teacher.
"She will be teaching Care of Magical Creatures for a few weeks, Harry." Dumbledore replied.
"But she can't! That's Hagrid's subject and I just had his class earlier today!" Harry cried in both protest and shock.
"Hagrid has to be away for an important mission. It may take several weeks. Till then, someone must fulfil his teaching duties at Hogwarts," Dumbledore explained. "Being the temporary teacher for Care of Magical Creatures will give April a good cover for being here."
Dumbledore placed both hands on Harry's shoulders, forcing the boy to look back into his face, into his eyes. "No one must know about April's real reason for being at Hogwarts, Harry. This is important. But of course, I suspect that Miss Granger and young Mr Weasley will be the exceptions. But as far as the rest of the school is concerned, April Flamel is in Hogwarts for only one reason – to teach in Hagrid's absence."
Harry was disappointed that he would not be able to meet Hagrid for some weeks. But he was also anxious to do his part in ensuring that April and Dumbledore's plan, whatever it was, proceeded smoothly.
*
The next day, Harry, Ron and Hermione were making their way to their Potions class, all deep in thoughts.
Harry had told his friends all that transpired the night before in Dumbledore's office, after he had returned to the Gryffindor common room to find his two best friends staying up waiting for him.
It was Hermione who broke the silence. "I've done a bit of research in the library this morning. Most books just state that Nicolas Flamel is the only known maker of the Sorcerer's Stone. As far as records go, there is only one known Stone. But what if that is not the only Stone Nicolas Flamel made?"
She pretended that she did not hear Ron's snort and continued, "I've considered another possibility too. Perhaps one of his descendants, April Flamel's great grandparent, grandparent, parent, or even April herself, might have inherited the skills from him and produced another Sorcerer's Stone!"
"Or perhaps the Stone was not destroyed three years ago," Harry chipped in.
Hermione was about to comment when Ron suddenly stopped walking and grabbed her arm.
As they grew silent again, they noticed sounds of footsteps behind them. Harry turned around with his friends and gasped.
"Damn! It's Malfoy and his entourage," Ron cursed under his breath.
Harry, Ron and Hermione exchanged worried looks. Had their conversation, or part of it, been overheard?
"Well, well…if it isn't the famous Harry Potter and his stooges!" Draco Malfoy smirked as he went past them, with Crabbe and Goyle wearing almost identical smirks on their faces.
Ron clenched his fists, shaking in anger and dislike for Draco. "I'm surprised you are still allowed on Hogwarts grounds, Malfoy. One would have thought after everyone is now certain which side your father is on, you'll not be allowed a mile from our school."
Before Malfoy had the chance to respond, Hermione quickly steered both Harry and Ron away, down the corridor.
"That's right! You'd better hurry. Won't want to be late for Potions, would you?" Draco's laughter rang behind them.
***
Thanks for reading this. Please review! The gorgeous Sirius Black will be featured in the next chapter.
