Blood (thicker than) Water (but what about) Lemonade?

Miracle

Avril felt as if she were in the middle of an emotional hurricane. She was standing still, stiff as a board, while thoughts, both confused and senseless were running through her mind a thousand miles a moment.

It's Mom and Dad- no, they're dead.

They're back from the dead!

Don't be stupid- you can't bring people back from the dead.

It's their ghosts!

But they look real and well, whole.

How did they survive?

My God, I need a donut or something. This is all too much for me.

Before Avril had time to master the thoughts and answer the questions whirling in her mind, a tall woman with long black hair stood up and ran to Avril.

"Avril? Oh, Honey! I've missed you so much!" Sydney wrapped her arms around Avril and held her tightly.

"M-Mom?" Avril choked, pushing away only to get a good look at the woman with her eyes. "Is it really you?"

Sydney's eyes filled with tears as she nodded and pulled Avril back into her arms. "I've missed you so much!"

Avril had too. She turned to the other man, who was looking as strong and audacious as ever, and stumbled, unbelieving, into his arms.

"Dad? You- you're both alive!"

Ray lifted Avril into the air and held her tightly.

"Sweetheart, nothing could keep me away from my baby girl," he laughed. The familiar dimple in his cheek appeared when he smiled, and Avril buried her face in his dark blue robes. Sydney joined them.

"I've missed you both so much!" she sobbed, happier than she'd been in days. Inside her head, there was a sharp stab of pain, which went unnoticed, and Harry saw that her blue-gray eyes had suddenly burst into a deep shade of green.

Around them, in the office, several of Dumbledore's interesting silver instruments were levitating in mid air, caused no doubt by Avril's extreme excitement.

Ray and Sydney didn't seem to notice.

The three standing in the middle of the circular office made Harry's insides twist. A silent yearning for his own parents unearthed itself within his being and hovered inside his mind like a cloud.

Slowly, he began to edge out of the office, when he caught Dumbledore's eye.

Dumbledore beckoned to him. Harry instead edged around the three and stood awkwardly by Dumbledore.

"Stay, Harry. Avril may need you in the end."

Harry looked up at the Headmaster.

Dumbledore was smiling.

Suddenly Avril stepped back.

"Avril, what's wrong?" Ray asked, looking concerned.

Avril smiled, but it looked strained.

"What happened to you? Everyone thought you were dead. If you weren't, then... where were you?"

"Well, we were held up during our mission."

Avril looked skeptical. "For five months?"

Ray sighed.

"Maybe you ought to sit down, Kitten."

Avril lowered herself into a chair and stared at the two people she thought she'd never see again.

"We arrived in America, ready to chase down some lunatic Death Eater that'd been terrorizing the Muggles. We tracked him down all right and damn near caught him too. But before we could hex his brains out, He appeared."

Sydney gave a small shudder as Ray continued.

"We hardly had time to fight back before he cursed us, so we threw ourselves down and lay flat on the ground as he hexed us, and managed somehow to escape the curse. The stupid Death Eaters thought we were dead, so they left us. However, in case they came back, Sydney and I disapparated. Unfortunately, we didn't really think of where we wanted to go- anywhere but there, and we reappeared somewhere in Tokyo. It was very lucky that we both apparated together- we were gripping each other's hands, I think. Anyway, we arrived in Tokyo or some similar place- all those Oriental people look alike."

Harry frowned at this. Although it was only a first impression, he decided that he didn't like Ray very much.

"Unfortunately, we arrived in the middle of a Muggle's party. This took quite a lot of explaining, and when the Tokyo Ministry found out, we were put into jail for three months for disturbing the peace of Muggles or something absurd like that. They're really harsh over there."

Sydney gave another shudder.

"We didn't speak Token, or whatever they speak, and were pretty much stuck there, as no one knew where we were. The only thing left for us to do was wait it out. But," he said, looking meaningfully at Avril, "we were worried sick about you and didn't know what was going on in the outside world. Finally, after three months of eating sushi and trying to shake off their Dementors we were set free, and tried to apparate. Weirdly enough though, it didn't work! Somehow, the three months with the Dementors had sucked our ability to apparate. They hadn't been able to break our spirits, so they took our practiced skills instead. It took your mother and I about a month to get our way back, hitchhiking our way to the nearest English speaking village (more than two hundred miles- and that's a lot when you're getting there by borrowed brooms and Muggle cars). We managed to get an apparating pad to Scotland, then to BC, but when we got back to Victoria, everyone was looking at us like we had grown two heads."

Sydney decided to pick the story up and interrupted.

"By the time we found out we were supposed to be dead, your father and I had already been screamed at, run from and had people throw themselves at our feet begging for mercy. It was odd, and we wanted to get home to our baby girl."

Avril smiled, amazed that they had been through so much during their five- month absence.

She glanced at Harry, who she had forgotten was there, and saw that he was just as interested as she was.

"We spoke to the Ministry, told them about what had happened, but were very relieved when we got to go home," Sydney said.

"But then, you weren't there! We looked everywhere- we searched the skies for you on your broom! We looked all over the beach, but we couldn't find you anywhere. Panic stricken, we went to the Ministry, and they told us you had gone to live with my brother Severus. We wanted to go straight away to Hogwarts, but there were a few things that needed to be taken care of. They needed us for witnesses at a trial for a Death Eater, and a whole lot of different things that held us up. Finally, after more than two weeks, we managed to get a hold of the Minister of Magic here and he had some workers bring us here. So, here we are Sweetie, and we're so glad to finally be with you!"

Sydney pulled Avril in for another hug, and Ray joined them. There was a silence as Avril, sandwiched between them, thought about their story.

They weren't really dead- they were just delayed!

But now they're back and we're together- like a real family.

Oh my God- I'm so happy!

Avril pulled away from Ray and Sydney and began talking fast.

"Oh, I have so much to tell you- I'm a Lamia, did you know? Isn't that great? And, and oh, this is Harry. Harry Potter! He's a friend of mine- I have to show you the Gryffindor tower- I'm a Gryffindor, just like you Mom! You'll have to meet Hermione- she's my best friend- and Ron- there's a whole story about him. well, it's more about his dad. And just wait until the spring- I made the Quidditch team here, and you can watch us play our first game against Slytherin!"

She stopped. The smiles on Ray and Sydney's faces had faltered a little, and they were looking uncomfortable.

"What is it?" she asked, looking from Ray to Sydney.

"Well Avril," Ray said, standing, "you know we're still needed at the Ministry in Canada."

Avril eyed him carefully. "What are you saying?"

Sydney stood now too. "We'd like to take you home Avril. Back to our manor in BC. You'll return to your old school and it will be just like it was before we were separated. What do you say to that?"

Ray and Sydney stood in front of Avril, smiling down at her.

Avril stared up at them, not knowing what to say.

Leave Hogwarts? Leave her friends? Leave Snape? Leave everything behind?

No!

But, then again, this is what she'd wanted ever since she'd came to Hogwarts. She had missed her life at the sea, being able to soar on her broom over the water, and missed her school in the middle of the Rockies. She'd missed her parents. Now she had them back, and everything seemed irrelevant.

I could probably come to visit once and awhile, Avril reasoned to herself. I mean, with Snape in prison, where would I go once school ends? It's not like I won't come back. I can't believe this is actually happening!

"Yes! I'd love to go home again!" Avril said, smiling broadly.

Ray grinned even wider and laughed. "That's great Kitten!" he glanced at Dumbledore, who looked mildly surprised, then smiled at Avril again.

"Why don't you go and get your things ready- we'd like to leave now, if that's all right with you."

Avril bit her lip. "I'd rather leave tomorrow or something, if that's okay. I want time to say good-bye to all my friends and pack and everything." She looked extremely uncomfortable.

Ray looked reluctant, but shrugged. "Whatever you want, Kitten. Maybe we can sleep in an empty room, Dumbledore doesn't mind."

Dumbledore nodded. "That would be fine. I shall summon a house elf to show you to the room you may stay in."

Ray and Sydney shook hands with Dumbledore, then sent Avril to get her things.

"Coming Harry?" Avril asked.

Harry nodded and followed her and into the corridors.

"Isn't that incredible Harry? I mean, this is like a miracle! Never, in a thousand years would I expect something like that to happen- but, that's Mom and Dad- they've always been full of surprises!"

Avril was so cheery that she didn't notice Harry's reluctance to return the joy.

"I can't believe I'm going back home- this is going to be amazing! I'll see all my old friends again, and I didn't think I'd ever see the manor again!"

"So you're just picking up and leaving then?" Harry asked quietly, accusingly.

Avril gave him a sideways look.

"What are you getting at?"

Harry forced a smile.

"I'm just wondering- you're not staying the year?"

Avril looked thoughtful.

"I didn't think about that. I guess so. But, it's not like I'm not coming back, Harry. I'll still want to come and visit once and awhile."

Harry shrugged. "It won't be the same as you being here all the time."

Avril smiled. "Are you trying to tell me you'll miss me?"

Harry shrugged again. "I'm trying to tell you that the Quidditch team won't be as good with you playing Chaser."

"Oh well. You'll find someone to play, and I'm sure they'll be just as good. What about Ron?"

Harry shook his head. "Ron doesn't joke around like he used to. He's different since Christmas."

Avril raised an eyebrow. "What does joking have to do with playing Quidditch?"

Harry didn't answer, and they were silent until they reached the Common Room.

Sitting on the sofa was Parvati and Lavender.

"Have you two seen Hermione and Ron?" Avril asked, looking around.

"Oh yeah, they went to St Mungo's to see Ron's dad," Parvati said, not looking up from her Witch Weekly.

Avril looked slightly disappointed, but that didn't stop her from saying "Hey, it turns out that my parents weren't dead- they were in prison in Tokyo!"

Parvati and Lavender looked surprised.

"Well, that wasn't expected," Lavender said.

"I know, isn't it great? I'm going home with them- I'm leaving tomorrow!" Avril said as she climbed the stairs.

"We're really happy for you Avril," Parvati called up the stairs, feeling that was the right thing to say.

Harry stood there alone for a moment once Avril had gone into her Dormitory. Then, ignoring the piercing and nosy gaze from Parvati, he followed her.

"Avril?" he opened the door and saw she was hastily packing her things into her trunk.

"Yeah?" her voice as muffled, as she was digging through her wardrobe.

"I don't think you should leave."

Avril resurfaced, eyeing Harry strangely.

"Why not?" she asked, dumping a pile of robes into her trunk.

"Because this whole thing is weird," he said, hoping to God that he knew what he was doing.

Yeah- that's good- make them seem dangerous Harry. That'll convince her.

Avril stood up.

"What do you mean?" she asked slowly, small violet colored flecks appearing in her jade green eyes.

"Well, er, think about it," Harry said, trying to think up a good enough story, "the same day Ron's dad and the other hostages are set free, you're parents, who've been missing for four months, show up with some weird story and demand you come home."

Avril dug her nails into the bundle of shirts she was holding.

"I see where you're going with this," she said, a dangerous edge forming in her voice.
"You don't like the idea of my parents coming back- because I got them back, and you haven't."

Harry gritted his teeth. That wasn't it at all! Well, that wasn't the only reason.

Avril's expression softened. "Harry- I'm sorry. I didn't mean that- but this is something I've wanted ever since last August. It's important to me. Be a friend? Be happy for me?"

Harry stood awkwardly for a moment, then nodded.

"You're right- sorry."

Avril sighed, relieved. "That's all right, really. C'mon- I'm packed- let's get some breakfast."

Harry opened the door, and in fell Parvati and Lavender.

"Oh, hello-" Parvati giggled, trying to look innocent. "Lav, why don't you wait here and I'll lock myself in the bathroom!"

Parvati brushed past Harry and Avril, leaving Lavender standing there, looking mortified.

"Oh, come on!" Lavender said sulkily. "We missed your last fight!"

She then turned and hurried away too.

Avril raised an eyebrow.

"OK..."

She and Harry went down to the Great Hall for breakfast, but only Avril ate.

Harry wished he could be at St. Mungo's with Ron and Hermione right now, and not with Avril. He hated how lucky she always was; sure, she'd wished for this for five months, well she should try fourteen years.

Avril had it all; she was smart, pretty and had two parents. What did Harry have?

Glasses and scar, he thought bitterly.

"Harry? You okay?" Avril asked, eyeing him from across the table.

No. I detest you for having a family.

"Yup. I'm fine," Harry said, plastering a smile onto his pained face.

Avril winced slightly, seeing through the mask. It was pointless, however, to ask. She knew what was wrong and didn't want to press on something Harry was obviously sensitive about.

She took a deep breath instead and forced a smile similar to Harry's, then continued to shovel scrambled eggs into her mouth.

"Don't you breath?" Harry asked, finding it hard not to grin at Avril, who ate a lot when she was nervous or excited.

"Mmff mff!" Avril grinned back, her cheeks bulging.

"You sure know how to impress a guy," Harry muttered loud enough for her to hear.

He really did find it difficult to remain angry at Avril; after all, it wasn't her fault she was lucky. He'd probably do the same (move away) if his parents came back and asked him to.

Harry would miss Avril. They had had a lot of laughs, shared each other's grief on Christmas, and were basically on the same wavelength. He couldn't help but wish she would stay.

24

Fly

That evening Avril ate her last supper at Hogwarts. Hermione and Ron returned that night, though Ron was only back to collect his things (he was going to spend a week with his dad in the hospital). At dinner they were filled in on Ray and Sydney's strange and interesting story, and that Avril would be leaving come morning.

"Oh, Avril, do you have to?" Hermione asked, dropping her fork in surprise, "I'll miss having a girl around to talk to."

Ron glanced up at the High Table, where Ray and Sydney were eating alongside Dumbledore. Ray was sitting in Snape's spot.

"Your mom's hot," he remarked.

Harry kicked Ron under the table.

"Hey, what about Snape, eh? You gonna say good bye to him?" Ron asked.

Avril suddenly looked awkward.

"No, I can't. They won't let visitors into Azkaban, and Dumbledore says they curse every owl within a five mile radius. Besides, Dumbledore promised to get the word out to him."

Ron shrugged. "Oh, well. He probably won't get free anyway."

Harry scowled at Ron, not daring to believe his attitude.

"Hey, Ardree, your mom's hot," said a disgustingly familiar voice.

"Told you," Ron muttered.

Malfoy came to stand over them, flanked by Crabbe and Goyle, as usual. They were guffawing as if it were a private joke.

"Leaving then? Well, we'll miss your stench. I expect Granger will as well. There aren't a lot of girls at Hogwarts who swing the way you two do."

Avril rolled her eyes and spoke without turning. "What? Away from slime like you? You wish. How'd you find out I'm leaving anyway?"

Malfoy's smirk faltered slightly.

"Come on, Ardree. Dumbledore can't keep his decrepit old mouth shut long enough to chew food."

Harry stood quickly, but Avril pulled him back down.

"Don't Harry," she said. "Malfoy'll get his comeuppance. Little ferrets always do," she added, glancing furiously at Malfoy, who tinged pink.

"I hope you splinch yourself on the way home," he spat angrily before heading away.

"I so won't miss him," Avril muttered, watching him go. "What a jackass."

******

That night, before they went to bed, Harry, Ron and Hermione threw a good-bye party for Avril in the Gryffindor Tower. With the help of Wormtail, Moody, Padfoot and Prongs, Harry and a slightly reluctant though curious Ron returned from Hogsmeade with armfuls of food and butterbeer. Parvati gave lend of her Wizarding Wireless player, and the majority of the Gryffindor Tower had a good time eating and talking.

"Thanks guys!" Avril said, smiling from ear to ear. "You're the best!"

Hermione answered with a moderate "We'll miss you!"

Harry grinned, rather pleased with the way the whole thing had turned out, and Ron replied with a swig of butterbeer.

The party carried long into the night, though not past midnight, as Hermione, being a prefect, insisted that they wrap it up at eleven thirty.

With a few groans about how things were just getting started, the gathered trudged up the stairs and up to bed, leaving the four standing alone in the very messy Common Room.

Together they went around tapping garbage here and there, cleaning the room. Finally, as they were finishing, Hermione suggested that they too go to bed.

"You've got to be out early, I expect," she said to Avril in her bossy tone.

"Yeah, Mom and Dad seemed pretty eager to go home, huh?" Avril said, tapping an empty butterbeer bottle. Secretly, so was she.

"But you won't leave without saying good-bye, will you?" Ron asked, kicking a Chocolate Frog box instead of picking it up. He didn't care either way; it just seemed like the right thing to say.

Avril decided to ignore the tone of his voice.

"I promise, I won't. Even if it's six in the morning."

"I'll hold you to that," Harry said.

*****

The next morning, before sunrise, Avril was woken up by Sydney.

"Avril honey?" she whispered, tugging at Avril's sheets.

"Mom?" Avril yawned, sitting up, "what is it?"

"It's time to go now," Sydney said, pulling back the covers and handing Avril her robes.

"Already? What about breakfast?" Avril said.

"Here, drink this. It will help you to wake up." Sydney handed Avril a vile containing some thick pinkish liquid.

"Huh?" Avril gulped half the liquid as it tasted strongly of orange pulp and glue, then set it beside her on the bed.

"Shh! You don't want to wake up all your little friends, do you?" Sydney said, glancing at the bed next door, where Hermione was sleeping. Avril pulled her robes on.

"Actually-" she began, but Sydney grabbed her trunk and led Avril out of the Tower, through the Portrait Hole, and down to the Entrance Hall.

As they walked, rather than waking up, Avril found it increasingly difficult to think straight, let alone stay awake.

As they came into the Entrance Hall, Avril, with blurry vision, saw Ray standing by the door waiting for them.

"Ready to go?" Ray asked, smiling warmly.

Avril, feeling sluggish and confusingly placid, suddenly remembered.

"No! I have to say good-bye to my friends!" she turned to go upstairs again, but Sydney stopped her.

"No, we're running late, Avril. We have to go now. You should have said good-bye last night."

"I did, but-"

"That's fine. They'll understand. We left a note with Professor Dumbledore," Ray said, smiling slightly.

"Oh," was all Avril could think of to say. She allowed herself to be half-dragged outside and lifted into the carriage waiting for them.

As they drove away from Hogwarts, Avril had a strong desire to turn and watch it get further and further away, but found her muscles were useless. She tried as best she could to at least crane her neck, but could not.

"Mom," she said, her voice thick and hardly comprehensible, "Mom, I can't move!"

Sydney didn't seem to hear her.

Avril soon grew tired of trying to move; it was exhausting and nearly impossible, so she settled between her parents, the guilt from breaking a promise to her best friends continuously eating at her mind.

They drove through Hogsmeade, as it was still very early, there was no one on the cobblestone road.

"This is too risky," Avril heard Sydney mutter to Ray. "People don't usually drive on this road. We'll be noticed."

Avril opened her mouth to ask what the big deal was, but found that she no longer could work her jaw.

"Mmmffghhh!" she gasped, breathing fast through her nose and straining to open her mouth.

"Oh, Avril, don't do that- you'll pass out," Sydney said without looking at her.

They reached the end of Hogsmeade, in front of an old bakery and got out of the carriage.

Ray scooped Avril up and carried her behind the little shop.

"Dad?" Avril whimpered through her closed mouth. Ray didn't answer. Avril was beginning to become slightly apprehensive about her parents. Could they not hear her? Were they not concerned?

"Hurry up," he said to Sydney, "leave the trunk. She won't need it."

Before Avril could attempt to protest or inquire as to why, Sydney left the trunk with the horse less carriage and joined them behind the bakery. She pulled out her and muttered "Accio, bottle."

A dark green bottle came soaring out from under a heap of newspaper, and Ray gripped Sydney's arm. Sydney caught the bottle, and Avril saw a whirl of color. She would normally have felt a tug

beneath her navel, but at the present moment could hardly feel any part of her body.

After a few moments of swirling, Avril felt her body hit the ground- Ray had dropped her when they landed.

Avril looked around in bewilderment. She was standing (well, being held up) on a dusty wooden floor. There was furniture everywhere, but they were all covered with thin white sheets. Avril glanced (she could slowly move her neck) to her right and saw a familiar bay window which overlooked the ocean. In the distance, she could just barely see a pod of familiar whales breaching. For the moment, all the pent-up anxiety and apprehension was lost and Avril felt nothing but extreme happiness. She was home!

Then, as if being jerked from a pleasant dream and back into reality, Avril was picked up and hauled over to a covered couch.

The gentleness in her mother's eyes were gone, and Ray's teasing smile had been creased.

"Welcome home, Avril," he said, smiling in a very unRay-like way.

In the corner of her eye, Avril saw a tall, thin looking figure standing in the shadows.

"Mrs. Walker?" she whispered, realizing that her mouth could move a bit as well.

"I'm afraid not," said a high, cold voice.

"Then who-" Avril began, but her voice caught in her throat as the figure stepped from the shadows.

Just about the same time, Harry Potter was wrenched from a forgotten nightmare, drenched in cold sweat.

Hermione burst into the room the next moment.

"Harry! Ron," she cried, looking very distressed, "Avril's left!"

In her hand was a potion vile, half full with pink liquid.