Chapter 5: A Manners Lesson
Transfiguration was a fun class to take during their sixth year at school. But it was even more interesting for the Gryffindor and Slytherin students who were in the class with the Merriwether twins. April was already becoming accustomed to the stares and July, well she was only a bit unsettled by them now. But while April was used to the awestruck looks, she did feel responsible for teaching the rude people some manners.
And so, April did what she did best, and stood on top of one of the two-person work stations, beaming to the crowd.
"Yes, hello. As you all already knew from Potions earlier, well most of you, my name is April Merriwether. And," she motioned to July. "This is my sister, July Merriwether. Now for those of you who know our little story this may seem like a surprise. For those of you who continuously stare but knew we were already back, this surprise's effects seem to not have worn off yet. But I would strongly advise you to stop staring because I'm sure you could tell each time that you looked at us that we are indeed here and have not disappeared! So please turn around and go back to your work." She clapped her hands a couple times. "Chop, chop!"
The Marauders were on the opposite side of the room and started laughing, for they had been the only ones not staring, but now were. The rest of the class, both Gryffindors and Slytherins, had immediately returned their attention to their work and were ignoring the twins. April grinned triumphantly and resumed her seat, laughing lightly while July shook her head smiling.
"Thank you for that lovely presentation, Miss Merriwether, but would you be so kind as to let me begin my lesson plan for today?" Professor Minerva McGonagall said, entering the class. As Deputy Headmistress, she had just come out of the faculty meeting on Dumbledore's orders, informing the staffs to keep their eyes open for any trouble.
April nodded, not wanting to mess with McGonagall. She didn't know about the past one, but the future one had been mean as a snake when April didn't behave.
The lesson went well enough. It was mostly a review lesson since it was still September and not too far into term yet. The class was instructed to turn a pillow, block of wood, and a frog into a teacup, a saucer, and a spoon. Most of the class got the spells correct the first time except for the few who had caused small fires on their tables. When the bell signaled the end of class, the twins along with everyone else cleaned their stations and got ready to leave.
"Miss Merriwether and Miss Merriwether. I would like to see you at my desk please," McGonagall said from her desk at the head of the class. The Marauders paused, looking back at the twins, wondering it they were in trouble. "Run along gentlemen, I'd like to speak with them in private. You'll be late for your next class if you do not hurry."
"But Professor, this was our last class for the day, we have free periods for the rest of it." James offered, grinning.
"Very well then. Get out of my class," McGonagall replied simply.
Grudgingly, James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter all left the class, leaving April and July to Professor McGonagall.
"Come here girls, you're not in trouble of any kind, though I would advise you," she started, looking directly at April, "not to interrupt my class in the future."
"Sorry Professor," April mumbled, looking down with her eyes secretly dancing. She was a good actress when called for. "What did you want to see us about?"
"Yes, well I would like to check up on the two of you and see how you're fitting in. I know this adjustment must be rather hard for you but it will get easier. The sooner we know how you went missing in the first place, the sooner we'll come to setting your lives straight and back in order."
July nodded, wondering if that was all. Naturally, it was not.
"And I'd like to know if you've been experiencing any… intruding thoughts today."
"Intruding, how?" April asked, frowning. "If you mean rude, then I might add that those Marauder boys are quite the nuisances-"
"No." McGonagall barked, clearly annoyed now. "I mean your own thoughts. Have you remembered anything at all from before you were taken? Your memories were altered, that much is clear. But the Headmaster and myself were debating on whether or not coming back would trigger anything."
"Nothing for me, Professor." July replied. "I'd know if something in my memory hadn't been there before."
"Same for me," April piped up.
"Very well then, that is all for now.
As the twins made their way down the aisles of desks, July prodded April's shoulder.
"That's a bit annoying." April said dryly.
July smacked her shoulder. "Do be quiet. Can you please, now that we're reentering the hallway, try to be just a little kind to people in our house!"
"Just our house?"
"To start with, and don't get smart with me." July threatened.
April replied soothingly. "Anything for you, July!" April beamed and opened the door to the class, only to be pushed down and fallen upon by Sirius and then James who had been eavesdropping with their ears against the classroom door. Remus stepped over the two, laughing lightly.
"Well that came right around and bit you in the-"
James interrupted him. "Shut up Moony, we were only curious. Hullo April!" he said brightly, standing up off Sirius.
Sirius grinned, looking down at his captor. "April darling, you know I like you but honestly, this is a little quick for me. Ugh," he manages once April pushed him off and stood up, dusting her skirt off. "That hurts."
"Guys. Absolutely revolting." April huffed. "Do the three… Sorry four," she corrected, noticing Peter standing quietly by the doorway. "Mind? We're trying to get through. You see, we have another class to get to. Such a shame too. I heard you tell the Professor that you're all done for the day. Quite the disappointment. Now if you'll excuse me."
James smirked. "You know, I like you Merriwether. Okay then, please don't let us stop you from going on your merry way." He bowed her out of class.
April brushed past him and tipped an invisible hat to July. "I really am trying."
July glared at her twin as she walked down the hall. "Sorry about her, she has a tendency to be…" She searched for the right word.
"Rude?" Sirius offered.
"O-Obnoxious?" Peter stammered.
"Shut up Wormtail you great brute, no one asked you!" James frowned. He turned to July. "Self-centered?"
"Okay, I get it. We're nothing alike and we can pretend she's not related to me."
"She'll warm up, how can she resist our charm," James grinned.
Remus smiled slyly. "I'm afraid that comes very easily to Lily Evans, so why not April also?"
James looked as if he wanted to punch his friend. "All in good time, Moony. She'll warm up too, but only to me." He added possessively.
July blinked. "Well April was lying. We don't have anymore classes for the day either. She's probably heading out to the Quidditch pitch to do a few laps before supper."
"Right," James said. "How is she at Quidditch anyway?"
Sirius grinned. "Probably not that great, seeing as when she arrived she was falling from about fifty feet in the air…"
James winced. "Painful landing."
"I helped!" Sirius said, shocked. "As if I'd let her go through with suicide!"
July looked stunned but decided not to comment. "I'm going to refrain from commenting and pretend you weren't just talking about April trying to commit suicide."
"Okay." Remus said plainly.
Sirius looked to James. "You know, we're short one chaser for the game this weekend. We should call a team practice and test her skills. Maybe she can fill in."
When James would have agreed, July shook her head. James instead frowned. "What? She won't play?"
"She won't be a 'replacement,' she's either on the team or not on the team. That's the ultimatum she gave Wood back home."
"I see." James pondered over this, wondering how he could convince her that playing for James Potter would be the best decision she ever made.