After Party

Prank Preparation and
Planning

“Headmaster?”  Natalie
stopped Albus as he made his way to the Great Hall for breakfast. 

“Good morning, Miss Richmond!” 
He exclaimed, his blue eyes twinkling madly.  “It seems a message was delivered
to all of the participants in our little contest last night.  He chortled,
stroking his beard.  “I believe congratulations are in order.”

“Well, thank you,
Headmaster.  I do seem to be a-head in the game.”  Natalie’s eyes twinkled
every bit as mischievously as the Headmaster’s were wont to do.  “But, I
actually need to warn you that at least two of my brothers are visiting in the
vicinity.” 

“Really?”  Albus sobered
slightly.  “At least two?”  He asked curiously.

“Two that I know for sure. 
It would not surprise me to find a third somewhere nearby as well, sir.” 
Natalie’s face grew quite serious.  “I have offended my father, and defied him
in one of his requests.  I believe they have been sent to …”  She hesitated,
searching for an innocuous word.  “Keep watch over my actions?” 

“I see.”  Dumbledore
gallantly held open the doors for the young lady, thoughtfully fiddling with
his flowing beard as they entered the Hall. 

“I thought it only fair that
you be warned.  Their presence may attract unwanted attention.”  Natalie spoke
very quietly, not wanting to be overheard. 

“Do you require anything, my
dear?”  He asked, the twinkle in his eyes gone, and stopping to look her dead
on.

“I don’t think so, sir.  I
believe they are only here to watch.”  She gave him a small smile, trying to
reassure the kindly old wizard. 

“Very well, then.  Do come to
see me if I may be of assistance?”  He offered.

“Certainly, Headmaster.” 
Natalie’s smile grew wider.

“I might like to meet these
brothers of yours.  Perhaps inviting them to the Castle where they can watch
you up close would be helpful?”  He offered, placing strong emphasis on the
word watch, hoping Natalie would catch on to his intended meaning. 

“Headmaster!  That is very
generous of you.  Perhaps they would like to watch my classes …” 
Natalie winked at him, fully understanding that the old voyeur meant he could
keep an eye on her siblings for her, if they were inside the Castle.

“Do invite them in, Miss
Richmond.  I look forward to meeting them.”  He smiled, bowing his head
slightly as he made to turn to his table.

“Thank you, Headmaster.  I
will.”  She practically beamed at the man, settling into her corner of the staff
table with Ana.

**

“Did you bring what I asked
you?”  Natalie hissed at Nolan, in parseltongue, as they sat in The Three
Broomsticks, watched by the sparse patrons assembled. 

“Switch to Bulgarian.”  Nolan
commanded, uneasy at the attention their parsel conversation garnered from
Rosmerta’s other customers. 

“All right, but did you?”  
She asked, in the clipped tones of the Bulgarian they were all taught as
children, her brothers in preparation for their attendance at Durmstrang.

“Of course.”  Nolan grinned
happily, handing over a rather bulky, but light parcel, wrapped in plain brown
paper, and bound with string.

Natalie gleamed with
anticipation and joy.  “Thank you, Nolan.  This is going to be one hell of an
April Fool’s prank!”  She continued, giggling beyond her control. 

“I wish you’d let us in on
the secret!”  He griped good-naturedly. 

“Yeah, c’mon Natalie, tell us
what you’ve got up your sleeves?”  Noah feigned begging, hands folded, trying
his best puppy-dog eyes on his older sister.

“NO WAY!”  She answered,
emphatically.  “No men allowed in on the prank until after the pranking has
occurred.”  She smirked, quite smug.  “But you will come to the Castle after
breakfast?”  She asked, innocently hopeful, completely duping her younger
brothers with her guileless smile, and ingenuous blue eyes meeting their gazes
forthright. 

“Wouldn’t miss it!”  Noah
chuckled, putting his arm around his sister conspiratorially.  “Do we get to
help demonstrate anything for your lovely lady students?”  He petitioned
hopefully.

“Demonstrate exactly what
dear Noah?”  Natalie asked in turn. 

“Anything!”  He sighed
breathlessly. 

“Good grief, you’ve turned
into some sort of pedophile since I’ve been gone, haven’t you?”  Natalie
accused him, playfully punching him in the shoulder. 

“Have a heart, Natalie?” 
Nolan added.  “Veelas!”  He grinned sheepishly as his sister just shook her
head in disbelief. 

Note: OK BOYS, and girls, there's your lead in to April Fool's day. Any guesses what Natalie needed from the twins to pull of her prank? If you want to know what she has up her sleeves, show me some love, show me some love, lol. Pitt