April Flamel Is Back
There was a buzz of excitement when the owl posts arrived in the Great Hall.
Hermione was eagerly flipping through her newly-arrived Daily Prophet when a dark owl flew low and neatly dropped a letter between Harry, Ron and Hermione.
Harry snatched the letter and began reading it, with Hermione and Ron leaning closer on either side of him. The three of them finished reading at about the same time and slumped into their chairs.
"She saw through us. She knew we made it all up," Harry said.
"We waited for two days and this is the reply?" Ron said, disappointed.
Hermione looked sharply at Ron. "Did you tell April that you're the new Gryffindor goalkeeper?"
Ron nodded guiltily. He gasped suddenly as he remembered his mention of Sirius And Remus in the letter.
Hermione noticed Ron's ears had turned crimson red, and grew suspicious, "What else did you mention in your letter?"
"Nothing," Ron replied quickly and pretended to find the muffins in front of him exceptionally fascinating.
*
Harry, Ron and Hermione arrived at the Transfiguration classroom fifteen minutes early, as instructed by a note from Professor McGonagall. But the professor was nowhere in sight.
"It's unlike Professor McGonagall to be late," Hermione said.
Harry was looking around, half-expecting to see a cat, the animagus form of his Transfiguration teacher, but the classroom looked perfectly empty, save for the three of them.
Deciding to make good use of time while waiting, Harry took out the letter they had received from April and read it again, frustration building up inside him.
"Even if she saw through our trick, can't she at least make a trip back?" Harry said aloud.
"Perhaps we should send her another letter," Hermione said with sudden inspiration. "We'll be truthful and simply tell her that we miss her and ask her to come back."
"Will that work?" asked Ron doubtfully.
"It has to," Harry declared fiercely. "We'll tell her that if she doesn't come back soon, we'll sneak off to Flamel Fortress to see her!"
"That's a great idea, Harry. Only that we have no idea where Flamel Fortress is." Hermione was her usual logical self.
Ron moaned, "I was hoping that she'll be in time for our first Quidditch match. It looks like that's not possible anymore."
"You mean that's YOUR first Quidditch match," Hermione corrected.
"Hermione Granger, why must you always be such a spoilsport?" Ron bellowed, but instantly regretted raising his voice when Hermione's eyes begin to mist.
"Now, that's not the way to speak to a lady," a voice rang out.
The three youngsters were startled and looked around the room frantically for the source of the voice.
"Still can't figure it out?" the voice teased. This time, they traced the source to a corner of the room.
"Looks like I'm caught!" April lifted the invisibility cloak and beamed at the three teenagers.
"April!"
"Is that really you?"
"You're back!"
Harry, Ron and Hermione ran up to the laughing young woman and each gave her a warm hug.
"Whoa! That's a nice welcome!" April remarked happily.
"We thought you'll not be back after we read your letter!" said Hermione.
"Well, I did not intend to visit so soon. But I changed my mind."
"What made you decide to come back?" Harry asked.
April shrugged. "What matters is that I'm back, isn't it? In fact, I've got presents for all of you!"
"Presents?" Ron echoed blankly. The only thing in April's hands was her invisibility cloak.
April merrily went on, oblivious to Ron's puzzlement. "I've gone for a little shopping spree after receiving your letters." She strolled to the door, opened it and yelled, "Aren't you two coming in?"
To the teenagers' amazement, two house-elves, each carrying assorted items, came skipping into the classroom.
"Harry, Hermione and Ron, meet my companions Brandy and Whiskey. Brandy and Whiskey, meet the letter-writers," April introduced them.
"Brandy and Whiskey? Your names are so wicked!" Ron cried, eyes wide open as he stared at the two elves.
Harry had to stifle an urge to shake the house-elves' hands when he noticed that their hands were occupied. Just then, he heard a snort behind him and froze. He knew what was coming.
"They're not your companions. They're house-elves. Your family slaves," Hermione said coldly.
April was caught off-guard by the sudden change in the girl's temperament.
"Hermione has a thing for house-elves," Harry tried to explain.
"Yeah, she tried to start a campaign to lobby for house-elves' rights,' Ron added.
"Oh," April did not know what else to say. The happiness she felt a moment ago had completely evaporated.
"How dare you be rude to my Missy!" Brandy dropped everything he was holding and pointed a bony finger at Hermione menacingly.
"Brandy, no!" April quickly restrained her house-elf.
"No one can bully Missy!" Brandy growled at Hermione.
Hermione, who had gone pale at Brandy's outburst, tried to speak again, "House-elves have rights too. They have rights to be free."
"Brandy does not want freedom! Brandy wants to stay with Missy forever!" the house-elf cried fiercely.
Whiskey, who was quiet all this while, decided to jump into the fray too. Walking up to Hermione, he stood close in front of her and poked a finger into her stomach. Hermione let out a silent scream in mixed surprise and fear as she stared back at Whiskey.
"You are an evil girl. You do not understand house-elves. Whiskey and Brandy are very fortunate. Missy is family. You want Missy to chase Whiskey and Brandy out of home!"
"I.I do not," Hermione managed weakly.
"Missy treats Whiskey and Brandy well. Never like slaves. Missy says Whiskey and Brandy are Missy's friends," Whiskey said.
Brandy added, "Missy allows Brandy and Whiskey the honour of eating at same table. Missy also taught Whiskey and Brandy to read and write."
"Whoever upsets our pretty Missy will be punished!" Whiskey shrieked.
"That's enough! Everyone is entitled to their own views," April said quietly and the house-elves immediately fell silent and hurried to her side.
"April, Hermione didn't mean."
"That's alright, Harry," April cut in.
"April?" Hermione spoke up in a small voice, head bent slightly such that her bushy hair fell forward and covered part of her face. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have blown my top at you like that. I should have known you're different."
April regarded the girl for several moments. "No, I'm not different, Hermione. I'm just a selfish prat. You're right. I have not given my house-elves the freedom to choose. But I just can't bear to let either of them leave me."
"Brandy will not leave Missy, even if Missy gives Brandy new clothes."
Whiskey was bawling, "Missy doesn't want Whiskey anymore! Missy wants to chase Whiskey away!"
"How can I bear to chase you away?" April smiled weakly at her elves, on the verge of tears herself. "But I'll let you choose. Just this once and I shall not repeat my offer again. Do you want me to give you new clothes? Consider carefully before you reply."
Both Brandy and Whiskey hugged their mistress around her knees, one on each side. "No! Don't send Brandy and Whiskey away!" they pleaded in unison.
April smiled and gave each house-elf a kiss on his forehead.
Harry, Ron and Hermione were watching the peculiar scene, dumbfounded. This was the first time they had witnessed genuine affection between house-elves and their owner.
"I'm sorry, April. I'd like to take back what I said," Hermione said miserably.
Ron, in an effort to lighten up the mood, looked around the room and his eyes met one of the items Brandy and Whiskey had earlier thrown onto the floor.
"Is that a Firebolt?" he could not resist asking when he caught sight of the fine broom.
"Yes!" April replied and strode to pick up the items strewn on the floor. The bounce in her steps was back and she was her usual bubbly self.
"This is for you, Ron. To properly congratulate you for being Gryffindor's new goalkeeper." She handed the Firebolt to him.
"For real?" Ron's eyes were wide in disbelief. He had never dreamt that he would someday own a Firebolt.
April laughed. "For Mr Ronald Weasley," she said.
"But that's expensive!" Ron almost wanted to hit himself when he realised what he had just said.
April shrugged nonchalantly, "Money is not a problem. I have more than I can ever spend anyway."
She then took out a small rectangular box and handed it to Harry, who shyly accepted it. "Open it," she urged.
Harry opened the box and to his surprise, it was a pair of glasses. And it was a pair that looked exactly the same as the one perched on his nose.
"Do they look the same?" April peered from the glasses Harry was holding to the one he was wearing, obviously pleased. "Great! My memory served me well," she said, rubbing her hands together in delight.
She remembered to explain when she finally noticed that the three teenagers were staring at her as though she had gone bonkers. "This pair of glasses will come in useful, Harry. It repels water. And the best part is, it can also help you see clearly through storms and fog."
Hermione gasped. "Is that allowed?"
April gave a deliberate sigh and addressed Hermione, "Does it say anywhere that prescriptive glasses are not allowed?"
Hermione reluctantly shook her head when she could not recall such a rule.
"They look the same. No one will know. Well, even if they do, they'll just be inspired and get themselves a pair too. No rules will be broken. Hooch does not have a rule against prescriptive glasses."
"Thanks, April," Harry said, hoping to end the topic before Hermione could find a cause to argue again.
"And last but not least, Hermione, this is for you." April handed her a round bright orange container and whispered into her ear. The girl instantly broke into a smile, opened the container excitedly and peered at its gluey content.
"What's that?" Ron asked, curious.
"Nothing," Hermione quickly replaced the cover and held the container behind her back. "Thanks," she beamed at April gratefully.
Just then, a group of Gryffindor fifth-year students, including Dean and Seamus, entered the classroom, staring in surprise at April and her house-elves.
"Oops, looks like your lesson will begin soon. I'll go to the Shrieking Shack to look for the men then." April said as she waved to the group of bewildered students.
"No, April! No one's at the Shrieking Shack now," Harry stopped her. "Professor Dumbledore had offered Sirius and Professor Lupin their own quarters in the school."
"Albus did that?" April smiled.
"Sirius' room is on the third."
"That's alright, Harry. I think I shall pay Albus a visit first."
As April made her exit with Brandy and Whiskey, she bumped into Professor Gonagall at the doorway. Acting on impulse, April grabbed the older woman and gave her a bone-crushing hug. "Thanks. The reunion was great," she whispered and winked.
April then waltzed away, leaving the slightly disheveled Transfiguration teacher barely time to regain her composure.
"Oh no!" Hermione whispered to Harry and Ron. "We forgot to tell April all about Dawn Umbridge!"
***
Ms Padfoot : Don't worry, Sirius will be free from the desperate Dawn Umbridge soon! Glad you like Brandy and Whiskey. They'll be featured now and then for the rest of this fic.
Annoriel : April's back, and she'll meet Sirius in my next chapter!
Sirius-Hotness : Thanks for including me in your "Favourite Authors" list. Just don't "forget" to review again, ok? :)
Dragongurl / AlltheLonelyPeople / Angel357 : Thank you! Hope you like this chapter!
Katykat1010 : You're right! I deliberately make April very similar to Sirius! :) But as for whether it's to pair her up with Sirius and Sirius' best friend.you'll find out about the pairing about three chapters later. *evil grin*
Senshichan14 : Yes, Brandy and Whiskey are kawaii! *stuffs lots of honey down Senshichan14's throat* You must have a sore throat after all that singing! LOL
Sunshine*girl-Hermione : Is my last chapter different? Hmm.because there's no Sirius?
Star06 : Yes, they actually thought of sending more notes to April! But fortunately, they did not have to do that since she's back!
black-cat-on-the-wall : You'll wait patiently for the next chapter, ok? Please? :)
Someone Reading : As always, your review brightened up my day! :) I'm so glad you like the elves! Your gut feeling is right - April is back. Thanks for your very encouraging suggestion, but I don't have the expertise to make this into a film.if I try, I'll probably make a mess out of it!
peachgirl1608 : Hope this update is soon enough for you. By the way, is your name inspired by a drama starring Vanness Wu and Annie Wu?
Summerkins : You can do another happy dance 'cos April is back!
amber eyed wolf : I may not kill her.don't want to send my favourite guys to Azkaban. But I can promise you that I'll not be kind to her.
LILRKCHK : Now you really have a VERY original name. I gave up trying to pronounce it! :)
