A Return And A Departure
Harry was in high spirits the next morning. Hagrid was back and the front page of the Daily Prophet screamed that Sirius Black was innocent!
Hagrid was at breakfast in the Great Hall and Harry, Ron and Hermione had run up to the staff table to greet him once they caught sight of their big friend.
During their first break in-between classes that day, the trio visited Hagrid in his wooden shed and updated him on all that had happened in the first few weeks of the school term, including how Sirius got his freedom.
All too soon, they had to leave for their lessons. As they were making their way back to the school, Harry felt a sharp pain on his forehead.
"What is it, Harry?" Ron immediately asked.
"Your scar is hurting again, isn't it?" It was Hermione this time.
Harry pressed his hand hard against his scar and waited for the pain to stop. His scar had been burning several times since Pettigrew was caught the day before.
When the pain finally subsided, beads of perspiration had formed on Harry's forehead and around his temples. "I'm alright," he told his friends. "I've expected this. Voldemort can't be too pleased now that his loyal supporter has fallen into April's trap and is now…well, dead."
Hermione let out a loud sign.
"What is it, Hermione?" Harry asked.
"It's great to have Hagrid back, but I'll miss Professor Flamel and her classes," Hermione replied despondently.
"Yeah. She gives such good lessons!" Ron was beginning to enjoy his Care of Magical Creatures class now that they had moved on from spiders to other creatures.
"Hagrid's classes are fine too!" Harry felt he had to defend his half-giant friend.
"Of course Hagrid is a fine teacher," Hermione lied. "But you'll miss April too, won't you Harry?"
"Yes," Harry admitted quietly. He would really miss the bubbly teacher who was anything but predictable. He considered her among his favourite teachers, second to Professor Lupin of course.
As though she was reading Harry's thoughts, Hermione said aloud, "Why must all our favourite teachers leave so soon? If only another pair was leaving instead." Hermione was thinking of Professor Snape and Professor Trelawney. "I wonder if Professor Lupin has any way to change April's mind about leaving."
Harry was taken aback, "What can Professor Lupin possibly do?"
Hermione had a dreamy look on her face. "Don't you think Professor Lupin and Professor Flamel will make a great pair?"
Ron's mouth fell open. "You mean they're in love?"
Hermione shot the redhead an exasperated look. "I did not say that, Ron. Stop putting words into my mouth! I merely said that they are rather compatible."
"I think April is more compatible with Sirius," Harry said in a quiet but firm voice.
Ron tried to be helpful. "They're both tall, have dark air and eyes. And they're both quite good-looking too!"
"Thanks, Ron. But I'm not just referring to their looks," Harry said and Ron withered slightly.
"Just because you like April, it doesn't mean she has to be a candidate for your godmother, Harry." Hermione said crossly. "I think Professor Lupin is…"
"And just because they are your favourite professors, it doesn't mean they have to be together!" Harry cut in heatedly.
"Quit it, you two!" Ron raised his voice, causing Harry and Hermione to glare at him instead. He added uneasily, "Anyway, it's too late. She's leaving tomorrow."
Hermione suddenly broke into a bright smile. "It's tomorrow, Ron. Not today. We still have time!" she said cheerfully, an idea was clearly forming in her head.
Harry read her mind and grinned, "Shall we try to get both Sirius and Professor Lupin to ask her to stay?" he asked eagerly.
"That's exactly what I have in mind!" Hermione replied happily, all the tension was gone. "May the best man win!"
"Yes, may the best man win," echoed Harry, who added to himself that he would make sure that his godfather would emerge the winner this time.
*
Hours later, Harry, Ron and Hermione dragged two very bewildered men into the school. Harry was pulling Sirius while Hermione had a firm grip on Remus' arm. Ron was clearing the way for them as they made their way up the stairs to the second floor. Countless students who were passing by stopped dead in their tracks to stare at the peculiar sight.
"Can you at least tell us what's going on?" Sirius barked at his godson.
"Or at least let us walk by ourselves?" Remus asked hopefully.
"NO!" Harry, Ron and Hermione replied together, as they found the door they were looking for and steered the men towards it.
Harry knocked on the door.
There was no reply so Harry knocked again, with more force this time.
Still, there was no answer.
Hermione removed her wand. "Alohomora! Let's go in," she whispered.
The three friends gasped loudly when they looked into the room. It was empty and bare. There was no trace that this place was even used.
"Why are you bringing us to April's office?" Remus asked quietly.
"This is her office?" Sirius asked incredulously. "It certainly doesn't look occupied!"
"It didn't use to be like this," Harry said with a sinking feeling in his stomach.
"She has left already? But she said she's leaving only tomorrow!" Hermione squeaked.
"There's only one way to find out. Let's go see the headmaster," Remus said in a controlled voice.
*
Dumbledore addressed the five former students standing in front him. "I'm afraid it's true. April has left Hogwarts early this morning. The child is terrified of farewells, so she decided it's best to leave without saying goodbye."
"She's gone, just like that?" Sirius could not believe his ears. He was looking around Dumbledore's office, as though April was hiding somewhere and would resurface any moment.
"Yes, Sirius. She has returned to the Flamel Fortress," Dumbledore replied seriously, looking at Sirius with concern in his eyes.
"This is for real? It's not another crazy prank of hers?" Sirius managed to ask.
Dumbledore did not reply. Instead, he retrieved two rings from his table, and handed them to Ron and Hermione. "April would like you to have this. She said she's envious of the friendship between the three of you, and wanted to give you these rings so that you can continue to look out for one another."
Harry, Ron and Hermione recognized the rings at once. They were the same rings cast with emerald stones that Dumbledore and April had been wearing.
When the five left the headmaster's office that day, their hearts were heavy with a mingle of frustration, disappointment and a deep sense of loss.
***
Katie Black/ Ms Padfoot : Sirius & April? Hmmm…I've made things a little more complicated, so you have to wait to find out more! (*evil grin*)
Destructor-of-peace : Yes, I'm continuing this fiction. We're only halfway through!
Sunshine*girl-Hermione : Yup, if only he's happy in JKR's fic too. But no matter, since she has abandoned him, we can keep him all to ourselves!
Cleo / Annoriel / black-cat-on-the-wall : Thanks for reading & reviewing my fic! Keep giving me your feedback, okie? I usually update quite soon…if there are more reviews, it'll be VERY soon. (I know this is shameless bribery, but I can't help it!!! LOL)
Lil Lupin : Thanks for your regular reviews. Glad that a great author is reading my story :)
Senshichan14 : Harry still has to attend school, so it'll be a while till Sirius and him can stay together. In the meantime…you'll find out about their accommodation arrangements in later chapters.
Fire'N'Ice : Oh no…I may just decide to torture Draco in my later chapters!
Tiger Lily / SiriusLvr : Thanks for being two of my beloved regular reviewers. I love you gals!
Someone Reading : I'll not be starting on another fic within the next two months. Maybe later, I'll do another do on the young Sirius. Thanks for the milk and platter of cookies!
I miss having cliffhangers! Maybe I'll sneak in one soon…
