The Pretence

April joined Harry, Ron and Hermione at their favourite spot under the oak tree.  The four of them were transfixed, watching a scene unfold in front of them, about fifty feet away.

Sirius was walking briskly along the corridor, with a much-shorter plump woman desperately trying to keep up. The woman kept attempting to grab Sirius' arm but to no avail.

"Who's that?" April asked as Sirius and the woman disappeared out of sight.

"That's Dawn Umbridge.  She's horrible! She told Harry terrible lies to keep him away from Sirius!" Hermione said.

Harry coloured slightly.  "Sirius is having a hard time trying to shake her off."

"When and where did they meet?" April asked again.

"They were at Hogwarts at about the same time. Dawn Umbridge was a couple of years his junior," Ron chipped in.

"Professor Lupin said she has been pestering Sirius ever since," Hermione added.

"And he doesn't like it?" April smiled.

"He hates it," Harry replied. "Actually, we were hoping that you'll be able to help Sirius get rid of her."

"Get rid of her?" April laughed, "shall I kill her off then?"

"You'll help, won't you?" Hermione pleaded. "All of us hate her and hope that she'll stay away from Hogwarts.  As far away as possible!"

April pondered for a few moments. Finally, she said, "If Sirius needs my help, get him to ask me himself."

*

April was in Sirius' quarters on the third level of Hogwarts.

"You didn't bring your Brandy and Whiskey along with you?" he queried.

April shook her head.

"They're not your favourites anymore?"

April glared at him.

"You can bear to leave behind your favourite guys?" Sirius persisted in a mocking but playful tone.

"I'll see them when I'm back home tonight anyway," she replied evenly.

Sirius frowned and grew serious. "You're leaving again? Why don't you just stay here for a few days?"

"Sirius Black, are you asking me to stay?"

"If you want to," he shrugged. His expression was unreadable.

April was beginning to feel a little annoyed. "Is there anything you need me to help with?"

"No," Sirius answered immediately. "Why?"

She tried to act indifferent.  "Nothing."

"What is it?" he insisted.

"It's just that your godson and his friends are under the impression that you want to get rid of someone.  Apparently they have mistaken."

When Sirius did not respond, she ventured, "so are you enjoying the accompany of your new girlfriend?"

Sirius looked bewildered. "Since when do I have a new girlfriend?"

"I happened to see one hanging on your arm this morning."

"You mean Dawn Umbridge?  She's not my girlfriend!" Sirius' face gradually broke into a smile.  "Don't tell me you're jealous," he added teasingly.

April shot him a dirty look. "You think too highly of yourself, Black! I'm just asking because Harry, Hermione and Ron asked me to help get rid of her for you."

"You have ways to get Dawn Umbridge off my back?"

"I can always try," she shrugged. "Is that what you really want?"

"Are you kidding? I'll give up anything for that!"

"Anything?" April paused to consider thoughtfully. "So I guess that you'll grant me a request if I succeed in making her stay away from you?"

"It's not as easy as you think. I've tried all ways and means and nothing discourages her."

"How about telling her in her face that you don't like…no, hate the sight of her?"

Sirius shook his head ruefully.  "It doesn't work.  I did that and she behaved as though I was whispering sweet nothings to her."

"How about giving her a tight slap across the face?"

Sirius shook his head to show his disapproval.

"Get Albus to send her away?"

"She's the Education Liaison appointed by the Ministry."

April was lost in thought for several moments.  Then her eyes lit up and she flashed a mysterious smile. "We have to take the last resort then."

Sirius looked at her hopefully.

"You have not answered my earlier question. Will you grant me a special request if I succeed in keeping her away?"

"What's your request?" Sirius asked warily.

"I'll tell you after I succeed."

Sirius quickly weighed the pros and cons. He was not entirely comfortable committing to something he was not aware of.  Knowing April, she'll probably think of something ridiculous for me to do, he thought.  But then again, if this means I can shake off Dawn Umbridge… "I'll oblige as long as you're not getting me to make a fool of myself," Sirius told her finally.

"That's a deal!" April grinned happily.

"So what's your grand idea?"

April hesitated for a few seconds, as though deciding how she should tell him. "Pretend that you have a girlfriend.  Bring her to see Umbridge."

"And how am I supposed to go about doing that?"

"Well, there are a few candidates right here in the school. Professor McGonagall is out of the question of course. Madam Pomfrey and Madam Pince are not very suitable either.  Hooch? Hmm…not quite. That leaves you with Professor Trewanley!"

"WHAT?"

"At least she's the youngest female professor at Hogwarts," April tried to stifle a giggle before continuing, "she'll do well in a staring match with Umbridge.  Their eyes are about the same size."

"Why don't you do it?" Sirius asked meaningfully.

April feigned ignorance. "Do what?" she asked.

"Pretend to be my girlfriend."

"That's a big sacrifice! Let me think about it," April replied mischievously.

Sirius was about to make a witty comeback when there was a knock on his door.

"Come in," he called out, a little upset by the interruption.

The door opened slowly, and Remus Lupin popped his head through it.

"Remus!" April exclaimed excitedly and promptly went over to envelope him into a big hug.

Remus chuckled with delight. "How have you been?" he asked.

"I was bored stiff at home," she complained.

"Welcome back to our exciting world then," Remus smiled.

Sirius cleared his throat loudly. "You were looking for me, Moony?" he cut in.

"Oh yes. I heard from Hermione that April is back again today and I was just about to ask you if you've seen her around." Turning back to April, he feigned an accusing voice, "And you didn't even drop by to say hello to me yesterday."

"That's because I knew I'll get a chance to do that today!" she rebutted.

Remus laughed.  Then he noticed the disgruntled look on Sirius' face. "Did I interrupt something?"

"Oh no," April replied quickly. "Sirius just asked me to pretend to be his girlfriend to discourage Dawn Umbridge. Do you think it'll work?"

"That's an excellent idea! I wonder why we didn't think of it earlier."

"It'll work then?" April sounded excited. "Tell me what you know about Umbridge. I want to well-prepared before I deal with her."

"Whatever you do, just don't duel with her." Remus cautioned.

"Why's that?"

"She topped her class in the Defence Against Dark Arts."

Sirius was watching the conversation between Remus and April, and resenting that they seemed to have forgotten about his presence.  Remus was telling April about Dawn Umbridge and she was listening with rapt attention.  Just before his irritation reached boiling point, they turned to him once again.

"We have to pick a time when Umbridge will look for you. Then we can set it up such that it seems she chanced upon our supposed relationship" April told him.

"That's not difficult," Sirius gave an exasperated sigh, "Each time I step out of this room, she'll pounce. I'm beginning to suspect she has planted herself somewhere nearby and is watching every move I make. Lately she has been trying to budge in here on the pretext of having dinner with me."

April considered thoughtfully.  "In here? She comes to your quarters? And you have dinner with her?"

"She TRIES to get in here," Sirius corrected. "She'll knock endlessly, causing a terrible din.  And she has been doing that at exactly seven for the past four nights."

"Good," April decided promptly, "we'll set up a scene for her tomorrow night then."

"Why not tonight?" Remus asked.

"I have to leave now. Besides, I need some time to think this through."

"So you're coming back tomorrow," Remus smiled. "How about staying a few more days this time?"

"Yes, I probably would do that. It makes our act more convincing anyway."

Sirius silently cursed that he wasn't the one who convinced April to extend her stay at Hogwarts.

"I'll make a move," she announced, stretching like a cat.

"I'll walk you out," Remus offered.

"That's not necessary. Thanks," she flashed the werewolf a smile before turning back to Sirius. "I'll be here before seven tomorrow," she told him.

April turned around as she made her exit. "Oh…and Remus?"

"Yes?"

"Thanks for your letter," she said, giving him a wink.

End of Chapter Twenty-five

You'll find out which Marauder April prefers in my next chapter.  Is this incentive enough for you to click on the "Submit Review" button?

If any one of you would like me to send you an email each time a new chapter is uploaded, feel free to let me know.  I'll be more than glad to do so!

Diosa Alexia : Thanks for explaining about LMAO! I think Sirius should get a haircut too!

black-cat-on-the-wall : Here's more!!! :)

Ms. Padfoot & Someone Reading : BlackLupin likes most man to have shorter hair, so…

Fire'N'Ice : You'll find out if the pairing is April/Remus or April/Sirius or April/non-Marauder in the next chapter

peachgirl1608 : I can only say that Sirius is one teacher some will love while others will dread!

OutOfAzkaban : I like your new pen-name better. It's similar to your email, right? "Out Of Azkaban" makes you sound more like a Padfoot fan instead of a Hermione fan! :)

Senshichan14 : I was not supposed to tell you? Oops! By the way, I'm off to buy lottery tickets now.  If I don't strike lottery soon… *evil grin*

Lil Lupin : You're back! You're back! *jumping for joy*

Star06 : Yes, scissors! *rubbing hands together in anticipation*

sakura : Welcome to my world of "For Better Or For Worse"!

Charma1219 : Welcome to my fic too! Thanks for your review. I'm really glad that you like April!

Kendra Meadows : Actually, I was referring to my ignorance, that is my lack of knowledge :)  You'll know who's the chosen guy in the next chapter.

Madison Black : Poor Remus…

nunnya buiznes : Poor Remus again… How come so few people are rooting for Remus/April? Remus is a cool guy too, you know  *wink*

Arashi Kaminari : You may change your mind about the length of Sirius' hair when you find out who else prefers him in long hair.  You'll read about that two chapters later :)

Summerkins : Good girl! I think both Remus and Sirius are great too! But there's only one April Flamel, and I don't think any of them will like my other OC, Dawn Umbridge!  Imagine a Sirius/Dawn pairing…

lildarkkitty : Poor poor Remus!!! *sigh* You really think Sirius is more suitable for April?

REVIEW please!!! :)