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MY2 ~ The Great Prank War
By: Noelle
Chapter 1: MISadventures of the Summer
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It was a bright, sunny morning in Surrey, England. Even the birds chirped their consent at the day, satisfied with its pleasantness.
However, someone wasn't very pleasant when they were awoken to chirping birds that morning.
"Go away, stupid birds!" groaned Michael Barnette, as he threw one of his brother's old boots at the wretched creatures. They refused to move. "Okay, that's it. Now you're all going down," he muttered, as he looked for his most prized possession. Triumphantly, he pulled it out, and after a few words, the birds were quiet.
One could say that this boy was not normal. This much was obvious. For starters, Michael Barnette had hair that would not cooperate - a permanent bed-head. He and his brother had inherited this from their ancestor, Godric. Michael's mother had recently become deceased, along with his stepfather. That was when he discovered that one of his best friends was actually his brother. Michael Barnette was a wizard. A real wizard, with real magic powers. The charm he had cast on the birds was a Silencing Charm, to shut those things up!
He had recently (a week ago) completed his First Year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, one of the best wizarding schools in the world. Michael now lived with his real father, Edward Potter, and his wife Elisabeth. He had a brother, James Potter, who was older by several months. Michael also had a half-sister, Jules.
Unfortunately for Michael, he now had many people who wished him dead. Two Dark Lords and their armies. But hey, it could be worse… he could be allergic to chocolate. Fortunately, the former is true, the latter is not.
Such as right now. Michael couldn't fall back asleep. He tried and tried, and tried again to no avail. "Stupid birds," he repeated, and he got out of bed.
Quietly creeping to his brother's room, he readied a bucket of ice-cold water. After all, if he couldn't sleep, why should anybody else?
"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" screamed James Potter, as the water fell over him. His screams woke up his whole village (who wasn't happy with his moving there to begin with) and another of his best friends, Sirius Black.
Sirius Black lived next door. He was a bit eccentric. At least when it came to pranks. His motto was 'Eat, Sleep, Pull Pranks, and Eat Again.' Sirius had been given a reputation as a daredevil, because he dared to do things no one else would do.
"Michael, you didn't pour a bucket of ice-cold water on Jamsie again, did you?" asked Sirius disapprovingly, as he looked out his window. "You should have added food colouring in it first!" he screamed out the window.
"Sorry Siri. I forgot! Remind me next time, will you?" Michael screamed out the window, as he waved to his friend. James was still in shock.
"Sure, ol' buddy."
"Are you coming over soon?" screamed Michael.
"As soon as I can!"
"Bye!" Michael yelled.
"Bye!" Sirius screamed back.
"Bye!" Michael yelled again.
"Bye!" Sirius screamed.
"B -"
"Will you two just shut up?" screamed James. To say the least, James was not a morning person.
Rolling his eyes, Michael shut the window, and turned to face his brother.
James looked at Michael. "Hey, do you know where my boots are? I wanted to wear them today, being as that we will be outside in the marsh."
Michael looked at the ground, scoffing his foot. "Er, you see…"
James stared stonily at Michael. "Those are my favorite boots. What did you do to them?"
"It's a funny story, really," said Michael, his voice lilting. "You see, there were these stupid birds, and they just wouldn't shut up, and…"
James face had contorted from anger to horror. "You didn't…" he said softly, yet dangerously.
"Er, I sort of maybe did…"
"Well, dear brother, you are going to go and get my boots then…" and with these words, Michael was propelled out of the room. He landed in the oak tree outside of James' window. "And you are not to enter this house until I get my boots."
Groaning, Michael began to look for the 'stupid boots'. "Stupid birds…" he muttered. "Stupid boots…"
He realized that he probably would not be able to see them from the tree, and with the grace of a toad, he plopped to the ground. There, he walked around the house to his window. Looking around, he eventually found the boots.
Sirius had rounded the corner. "Oy, what are you doing?"
Grumbling, Michael told Sirius that James had kicked him out of the house until he found the boots. Sirius was laughing.
"It's not that funny," Michael grunted.
"Oh, but it is. Now, can we go inside to plan our 'Welcome Us Back' prank?"
The two boys went into the house through the kitchen door. Estella Black and Jules Potter were making cookies. One batch was baking in the oven as another batch was cooling off.
Without asking, Sirius and Michael each grabbed two cookies, and attempted to make a clean get away. However, they were not successful.
"What do you think you're doing?" Jules asked the both of them, hands on her hips.
"What's it look like we're doing squirt? We are eating," Sirius said, as he stuffed both cookies into his mouth. "Why did you make cookies anyway?"
Without a word, Jules sat next to Estella, staring out the window.
"You see," Michael began, his mouth full of cookie mush, "Baking is Jules' way of relieving stress. She is worried that she won't - " he was interrupted by a stiff elbow to the ribs.
"OUCH! YOU LITTLE BRAT!" he screamed. He jumped over several chairs in his quest to capture 'the brat'.
Sirius, standing next to Estella, nodded approvingly at the two, the boy with fury in his eyes, figuring out how to capture the girl, who was taunting to boy. "Isn't that sweet, to see how much two siblings love each other… Now, why is Jules baking?"
Estella whispered to Sirius, "She is worried about not being accepted."
Sirius stood up on the chair. "Jules Potter, Michael Barnette-Potter! You stop right now! Michael, you go upstairs. I am going to talk to Jules for a moment. You can stay Estella."
Grumbling once again, Michael trudged up the oiled wooden steps. He stopped at James' door, and threw the shoe in. By accident, it hit James in the head.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Sirius had eaten six more cookies. "Jules," he said. "Why are you baking?"
Jules huffed at her surrogate big brother. "You're so smart. Why do you think I'm baking?"
"I think that you are a little nervous about Hogwarts. Now, hun, I know that you are going to make it. You have the Potter blood in you, after all. Hogwarts would have to be stupid to not accept you," Sirius answered, putting his arm around the young girl. In response, Jules hugged him.
"Thanks Sirius," she whispered, before returning to her baking.
"Sirius," Estella said softly. "Thanks. That's what she needed to hear."
"Anything for my two favorite sisters," he said, before grabbing the rest of the cookies, and running up the stairs, two steps at a time.
He tumbled into James' room, after tripping over Michael's broom. "So, what are we going to do?" Sirius asked, rubbing his sore head.
Michael and James looked up with identical mischievous grins. It was times like this that you could tell they were brothers. They had similar hair (Michael's hair was a little neater), similar eyes (the same shape, but different colours), and the same facial features, down to their grins. Sirius shook his head, wondering why he hadn't realized this before.
"Well…" James said, and he filled Sirius in on their idea. Sirius loved it, and they began to set up. They were soon finished.
The next morning, the tiny village in Surrey awoke to a not so good day. Their teacups kept on biting their noses. They were sprouting feathers and beaks as they bit into their breakfast. The little boys and girls found their lips stuck together, and they couldn't speak at all, not even to say the culprits. However, the adults managed to figure this out. A peculiar smell came from little 'bombs', which were placed strategically throughout each house. And fireworks were hidden in the sink. When water touched the fireworks, the would explode, leaving the kitchen in sparkles and smoke.
"POTTER! BARNETTE! BLACK!" they screamed, as the three Marauders ran past, waving the Marauders Flag.
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
"Aunt Melinda! It is so wonderful to see you," Bella said, hugging her aunt. She was at the airport, after a long flight to Los Angeles.
Aunt Melinda was tall, and had long, wavy blonde hair. She had twinkling grayish blue eyes, and was fairly attractive. Melinda was only 22 years old, but she was Bella's aunt. She was a fashion designer in Los Angeles, and a famous one at that. Melinda was a witch, but designed both wizarding and muggle clothes.
Bella followed Melinda to her car, and after a short drive, they arrived at her Rodeo drive apartment. Bella looked at all the muggles in fascination. They were so elegant, wearing beautiful dresses and skirts.
"Do you see that dress?" Melinda asked, pointing to an amazing blue dress. "I designed that as a part of my casual selections."
"It is wonderful," Bella whispered in awe.
"Have you ever heard of the Oscars?" Melinda asked casually.
Bella shook her head, still staring out the window. People cluttered the cobbled street, as they mingled about, chatting with old friends.
"Well, the Oscars is an award show. And since many people have decided to wear my dresses, I managed to get an invite, for me and a guest."
"You will have to tell me all about it. And take pictures. And - "
"Honey," Melinda said, ruffling Bella's hair. "I won't need to. You'll be there."
Bella turned around, awestruck. "Really?"
"Of course. And you can pick out what dress you want to wear right now, if you want. The Oscars are tomorrow night."
Bella jumped up, and ran after her favorite aunt. Melinda led her to a warehouse room, filled with beautiful dresses. "You can wear whatever you want in here," she said cheerily. "Happy hunting!"
Bella tore through the dresses, looking for the perfect one. Her dress. And at last, she found it. The dress was long and white. It had a small train in the back, and fit her like magic. Then again, it probably was. The dress was a halter dress, with a thick strap. It came with a sheer wrap, to wear if she got cold. Although it didn't look as if it would provide warmth, it did. That was magic too. Bella found a pair of glass slippers to wear with it.
Bella tried on the dress. Standing in front of the mirror, she analyzed her appearance. Something was missing.
Behind her, Aunt Melinda whispered, "Something is missing." She disappeared into another room, before returning.
Aunt Melinda stepped behind Bella, and whispered, "Close your eyes". Bella obliged, and felt something rather heavy drape around her neck. She looked at her reflection in the mirror.
Bella was now wearing a beautiful diamond necklace, diamond earrings, and a diamond bracelet. Her hair was in a stylish up-do, and she wore a tiara on her head. A diamond tiara, mind you. She looked perfect.
"Perfect," Melinda whispered.
"Perfect," Bella repeated.
*******(time change)*******
Bella awoke the next morning to someone knocking on the door. Very loudly knocking on the door. Melinda was at work that morning, so Bella rolled out of bed, and trudged to the door.
Opening the door, Bella discovered a familiar face on her doorstep.
"Kiana!"
"Bella!"
The two girls hugged each other for around, oh, 2 minutes. Finally, they had the sense to go inside.
"So, what are you doing here?" Bella asked amiably.
"Vacation, you prat. Remember, you told me to visit you here."
Bella smiled. "Oh, that's right…"
"So, what are we going to do for the next few days I'm here?" asked Kiana.
"Hold on, I have to call my Aunt Melinda…" Bella said, running to find the 'fellytone'. She then dialed the number Melinda left with her, with some trouble.
It rang three times before Aunt Melinda answered. "Fashion Forward, Melinda Edwards speaking. How may I help you?"
"Aunt Melinda?"
"Oh, hello Bella. What's up?" asked Melinda.
"My friend from England came to visit. Can she come tonight?"
"Sure. Just have her pick out a dress. I'll help with accessories when I get back. I should be home at around 3:00."
"Okay Auntie M," Bella said, grinning widely. "Bye!"
"Bye!"
Bella hung up the 'fellytone', and ran to tell Kiana the good news.
"Kiana, would you like to accompany my Aunt Melinda and I to one of the biggest events in Muggle history?"
"Sure. What are we doing?"
Bella grinned. "We are going to the Oscars."
Kiana dropped the television remote. "You are joking. You must be joking. The Oscars - really funny…"
Bella grinned wider, if possible. "Kiana, I'm serious. Let's go pick out your dress." Bella led Kiana to the back room where all the dresses were hung, rack upon rack.
Kiana browsed for a good hour before selecting her dress. It was a beautiful dress - one of the most beautiful in the room. It was form-fitting and clinging. The dress was long, and brown. There were little ripples all over it that looked like fish scales. It was thin, and silky, and also had a matching wrap, as did Bella's. This wrap was sheer brown, and extremely thin. It didn't provide warmth, but it looked good. And that's all that matters, isn't it? Kiana's shoes were brown high-heeled sandals, which made Kiana a good three inches taller.
True to her word, Aunt Melinda arrived at her apartment at 3:00. She helped Kiana pick out accessories - a brown bead bracelet made of wood, and a brown bead necklace made of wood. Kiana wore her long black hair down, and it looked perfect, as Melinda straightened it with magic.
At 6:00, the three girls stepped into the black limousine, and started on their way to the Shrine Auditorium, where the award show was held. It was beautiful, and there was a red carpet leading to the doors. Hundreds of celebrities milled about the red carpet, attempting to get on television. Fans stood behind the barriers, tears pouring from their eyes, for joy of seeing their favorite stars.
Bella stepped out of the limousine first, blinded by the flashing lightbulbs. The reporters mistook her for a celebrity, and did she look like one! Kiana stepped out next, and was also blinded by the flashing lights. Lastly, Melinda Edwards, the world-famous fashion designer, slid out of the door, and this time, the lightbulbs hit their target.
The three linked arms and made their way towards the doors, stopping every now and then to do short interviews.
They were almost there when disaster struck.
Melinda was being interviewed by Joan Rivers, when Joan asked who the two 'darling girls' were. They answered her charmingly, but were interrupted by a fan, who didn't really like British people.
"Go back to Britain, you brats!" screamed the girl.
Bella was known for having a temper. And that showed immensely on this night.
"Why don't you come and say that to my face?" she screamed.
The girl jumped over the barrier, and walked over to the group. "I said, go back to Britain, you stupid brats," said the girl, in a dangerously low voice.
"I may be a 'British Brat', but at least I'm not a fat, stuck-up, pratty cow like you!" Bella shouted, although the girl was next to her. Kiana backed her up, making gestures to the rude girl.
"That's it!" screamed the fan, balling up her hand, and taking a swing towards Bella.
Bella ducked, and delivered a quick kick to the obnoxious plebeian. Kiana swung her handbag and hit the girl in the back of her head.
Joan Rivers then stomped her foot in the small of the girl's back. "Never insult anyone on my show!" she shouted.
Pandemonium broke out as cops rushed forward. They handcuffed the fan, but didn't arrest anyone else. After all, it was self-defense. However, after their behavior, Melinda decided to take Bella and Kiana home. For their own safety, for many Americans were not very happy with them.
Bella and Kiana watched the Oscars on TV, and cheered when Melinda won the award for best movie costumes. The Oscars ended at 12:30, and Melinda arrived home at 1:00 in the morning.
The next morning, 'Fight at the Oscars' was plastered over every newspaper in the country. Perhaps every newspaper in the world. Pictures of Bella, Kiana, and Joan fighting that wretched girl were in every magazine and gazette.
Two of our favorite characters were now famous.
On the Thursday after that fateful night, Bella and Kiana left Los Angeles and Melinda, vowing to visit again.
And next time, there would be more misadventures.
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
"Lily…" said Grandma Rose, as she gently shook her favorite granddaughter awake. "Lily… wake up!"
Lily blearily rubbed her eyes, and stretched her arms. "Hullo Grams. What's going on?"
"We are going to Diagon Alley today. I have some business to attend to, and you must get your school supplies, no?"
Lily yawned. "Sure. I'll be down in 20 minutes."
After showering, Lily put on a pair of blue jeans and a white shirt. She pulled her red hair into a ponytail, and tied it with a green ribbon. Lily then put on her oldest pair of running shoes, and slid down the banister.
Violet Evans and her husband Daniel sat at the kitchen table, drinking their coffee. Violet had red hair, and twinkling blue eyes. Daniel had blonde hair and bright green eyes. Between them sat Petunia Iris Evans, a blonde with a rather horse-like face. She also had an abnormally long neck. Of course, Petunia thought she was beautiful - much more beautiful than her 'ugly' younger sister. Grams stood at the stove, cooking something that smelled delicious.
"Grams, you are making blueberry muffins, aren't you?" Lily said happily.
"They are your favorite, right my Lily?"
Lily eagerly nodded. "Right."
After a delicious breakfast of blueberry muffins, bacon, eggs, and of course milk, Lily and Grams went to Diagon Alley. They arrived at the Leaky Cauldron, and Grams let Lily have the honors of opening the door.
Diagon Alley was crowded that day. Witches and wizards conversed in every square inch of space. Lily and Grams pushed their way past people, Grams every now and then pausing to say 'hello' to people she knew. This turned out to be a lot of people.
"Honey," Grams said, while she was talking to Maurice Gudgeon, "Why don't you go get your supplies. I will meet you at Florean's in three-quarters of an hour."
"Okay Grams," Lily agreed, before pushing past people once again.
Lily made her way to Madame Malkin's first. She had grown over an inch in the past year, and her robes were too short. After being a new set of black robes, and a beautiful silver dress robe, Lily went to Flourish and Blotts. There she met up with an old acquaintance.
"THOMAS!" she screamed excitedly, throwing her arms around her friend, one of the Hogwarts Marauders.
"Lily," Thomas said shakily. "You are choking me…" Lily quickly let go of him, turning red. Muttering a quick apology, she shook his hand. "So, how are you?"
"It's terrible. My house is so dull, and I have the most awful sister who is trying to make my life miserable. But besides that, I'm doing fine. You're looking rather tan. How was Greece?" Lily asked brightly.
"It was amazing. Greece has such a fascinating history and - " he dropped his voice, "Greece has the most beautiful girls…"
Laughing, Lily playfully elbowed Thomas. "So, what books do we need?"
"Year Two for all the books, and that's about it."
Lily and Thomas began to collect their books, and by the end, they each had a whole big bag full. The bag was really heavy too! After they paid, they made their way to the Apothecary store, to stock up on Potions ingredients. They both found the story to be incredibly smelly and disgusting, but some Slytherins happened to find it interesting.
Afterwards, Thomas had to buy an owl, so they went to The Magical Menagerie.
"What about this one?" Thomas asked exasperatedly.
Lily surveyed the owl, circling it as a vulture does a desert mouse. "Eyes are too beady," she said slowly.
Thomas groaned. Lily had already turned down 23 owls. Turning calmly to face the red-haired girl, he said, "Why don't you pick one for me?"
Lily's eyes lit up. "Really?"
Sighing, Thomas said, "Go ahead."
Lily squealed, and ran off in search of the perfect owl. There was only one with this status.
"It's perfect," Lily breathed, reaching through the cage and gently stroking the snowy white owl. Thomas had to agree with her. The owl was the whitest of white, and had blue eyes, which was unusual for an owl.
"Is it a boy or girl?" Thomas asked rather stupidly.
Lily stared at him. " 'It' is a girl," she said.
"What is her name then?" he asked.
"Er… how about… er…"
"Aries," Thomas said.
Lily looked rather confused at that moment, her face contorted in a puzzled expression. "Aries?"
"Her name is Aries," said he softly. In response, the owl nuzzled against his hand, which he had stuck in the cage. Gently, he opened the latch, and the owl perched itself on his arm. Lily and Thomas walked to the counter, where Thomas paid 10 galleons for Aries. He paid an additional 10 galleons for the cage.
As the exited the store, Lily checked her watch. "Oh, Thomas. I was supposed to meet Grams quarter of an hour ago," she said. "I have to go." Lily embraced Thomas, making him swear to write her a letter and send it with Aries ("The perfect owl," Lily said).
Lily ran off to meet with Grams, who was not in a very good mood. Grams wouldn't even buy Lily ice cream! Of all the unfair things…
Lily exited Diagon Alley with both a high and low heart. Low, knowing that she still had a month before school began. But yet high, because there was only a month until school began.
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
"Hold your wand upright! No! That's not right! How many times do I have to do this to you?" screamed the man.
The young boy dropped to his knees. "Please Father. Please don't do it. It hurts!"
The man looked cruelly at his son. "Damn right it hurts. You better get used to that feeling, you worthless piece of filth."
"No Father! Please, have mercy!"
Smiling an evil smile, the man looked down upon is shaking son. "Crucio," he whispered.
The boy began twitching uncontrollably, screaming at the top of his lungs. If his mother could hear - if only - she would stop him.
But no one heard, except for the Father, and the Son, whose screams of pain echoed in his mind.
The curse was soon lifted. Muscles and bones thriving with pain, the boy sat up.
"Boy. How do you expect to become an Elite, if you cannot handle pain? Shall we repeat the lesson?"
*******(time change)*******
Severus Snape sat on his bed, still shaking. If only his mother heard -
'Don't kid yourself', he thought. 'She is an Elite. She wouldn't have stopped him, she would encourage him'.
He sat shaking, as the darkness surrounded him. Circling around him, taunting him. It circled closer, enclosing him in a circle.
Severus inched closer to the headboard. "Stay Back," he said shakily. "Stay away from me!"
But the darkness loomed over him, not listening.
And then, came a light, from the center of the room. The darkness backed, creeping away from the light. The light was blinding, twinkling.
Severus bolted upright into his bed, sweat pouring over his blankets. Although, with the tears, it was impossible to tell which was which. He was shaking, from is dream (or nightmare) of darkness enclosing him. And yet, there was a light. The light had saved him.
And he looked around, at the surrounding darkness. But it did not come near, for above his head, there was a light, watching over him.
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
Toria Vanter sat in the spacious sun parlor, staring out the window. One could guess that she was looking for something… or rather, someone.
Her father had not been seen since the attack on Hogwarts. Her real, birth father, that is. Her other father is dead.
Toria took this fairly hard. She blamed herself for his death. If only she wasn't so close to him. If only she hated him. If only… he was alive.
By no means is Toria a nutcase. Her mother is actually a wizard shrink, whose clients range from Cornelius Fudge (Assistant Minister of Magic, who has SERIOUS mental problems) to Mary Madenia (a witch who lived in Diagon Alley, quite renowned for her work in 'Witch Weekly') to the neighbor two houses down.
Toria was just feeling guilty, for something that was not in her hands.
The girl sighed, pushing a piece of blonde hair behind her ear. She shivered and wrapped a blanket around her, for the sun was going down. But she would not move from her lookout post. Or else, Vanter (whose name is always said with the utmost disgust) would strike the moment her guard was down. And she wouldn't. He already killed her father (Vanter's brother). He has attempted to kill Toria. She could deal with that. But if he dared to mess with her mother…
Then, he would be in BIG trouble.
Toria sighed, before laying her head on the pillow. Her father had gotten it for her, one Christmas. It read 'The Vanters. Richard, Emily, Toria'.
A tear crept onto the pillow, as this young girl puzzled over Life's mysteries.
She used to be able to understand how life worked. Now, she was just a grain of rice in a pan with a million other grains. Clueless grains, of course.
She just didn't know.
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
Remus Lupin threw a dust into the fireplace, and called out 'The Nut House'. A face appeared in the fire.
"Hello Mr. Potter. Are James and Michael there?" he asked.
Mr. Potter smiled. "I'll go get them." He turned around and screamed, "JAMES! MICHAEL!"
Remus cowered back, for that had been his ear that Mr. Potter screamed in.
A few moments later, a stampede could be heard running down the stairs. And that stampede crashed, tumbling down the stairs. Remus looked amusedly at Michael, who was on the bottom, but had his legs on James; Jules, who was being sat on by Estella; and Sirius, sitting proudly on top of the pile. Mr. Potter looked at this group exasperatedly.
"I'll leave you to get out of this yourselves," he muttered, before walking off, running his hand through his graying hair. Remus supposed that those gray hairs came from James, Michael, Sirius, Jules, and Estella.
"Hullo Sirius," said Remus cordially.
Sirius just beamed back in response.
"Sirius, will you get off?" grunted Michael, who was in a very uncomfortable position.
Sirius just beamed back in response.
Remus watched the scene unfold. There was a brief whispering near the bottom of the pile. And then, Michael and James pushed Estella and Jules up. They, in turn, pushed Sirius to the ground. He fell on his stomach, and James and Michael leaped on top of him. Estella and Jules sat on James and Michael.
"Will you geroff of me?" came Sirius' muffled voice.
The four people on top beamed back in response.
"So, Remus, how are your hols?" Michael asked amiably.
"Quite well," Remus answered. "We went to Spain, and just got back today.
A mumbling could be heard from the very bottom of the dog pile. Michael moved his leg so that Sirius could repeat what he said. "How were the girls?" Sirius asked.
Remus smiled. "Sirius, you dog. You would have been in Heaven."
Sirius smiled wistfully into James' arm.
"Remmie, why don't you come over for dinner?" James suggested.
Remus looked surprised, then elated. "I'll go ask Father," he said, before running off. He returned several minutes later, holding a velvet pouch. He took a pinch of it, and threw it into the fire, calling out, "The Nut House."
Tumbling out of the fireplace, Remus fell onto the very top of the dog pile. Sirius could be heard grunting on the bottom, and complaining about everyone's weight. "Hullo Remus," he muttered. "Care to join us?"
Remus grinned. "Since you offered…" At this, the whole pile groaned. "Fine, I see how it is," Remus said, before getting off poor Jules.
The group, once they were disentangled, ran upstairs. There, the boys shut Jules and Estella out. The girls ran happily off, to reread their Hogwarts letters for the millionth time.
"So," James began, dropping his voice. "We still need more ingredients for our 'project'. What do we still need?"
Sirius consulted the list in front of him. "We need Veritysil Straw, the wings of the Lacewing Flies, the hair of a Unicorn, and powdered horn of a Unicorn. We also need a drop of Veritasyrup…"
"Veritasyrup?" questioned Michael.
"Yes. It is a truth potion, although an incredibly light one. It is used to be able to tell which animal you are most suited for," said James.
"But it is still illegal," said Sirius, "because if one takes enough of it, it acts as Veritaserum."
"We can begin brewing the potion as soon as we get back. I was thinking that we could use that one passage, that leads to the lake…" James suggested.
"Sure. We just have to password the passage, and it will be fine," Michael said.
"I can't thank you all enough, for doing this," Remus said, his eyes being to water. "You are true friends…"
"Aw Moony," said Sirius. "No need to get all sentimental…"
"But - " Remus began, although he didn't get to finish.
"DINNER TIME!" interrupted a voice from downstairs.
The boys looked at each other for a moment, before leaping up, and trying to be the first downstairs. However, they all got stuck in the doorway, and were forced to watch as Estella and Jules walked past.
Eventually, the four Marauders became unstuck, and rushed downstairs, to fill their tummies. After all, they were growing boys!
After dinner, Remus said his good-byes, as he stepped through the fireplace.
Remus arrived home, and went straight to bed. He didn't talk with his father anymore - his father was ashamed of him. His mother was away on 'business'.
Remus laid his head that night, at 7:30. And he slept, a full moon burned into his eyes.
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
"I HATE HER!" screamed Noelle Charrier, as she threw the pillow against the wall. "I HATE HER, I HATE HER, I HATE HER!" she screamed, at the top of her lungs. She walked to her closed door, and turned the knob, opening it. "I HATE HER!" she screamed, before slamming the door as loud as she could.
The Malfoys and Noelle had just sat down to dinner. As of late, the conversation has been civil. But tonight… ("I HATE HER")
It had started out as any other day this summer has. Noelle was woken up by Jobby, at around 6 in the morning, and she fell out of bed. She showered, and dressed in sheer black robes. Today was training.
Noelle did not wish to become a Death Eater. But if she were to announce that now, she would be killed. Noelle wanted to wait, until she was strong enough to fight.
And so, six days a week, Noelle would attend the 'Death Eater Training Camp', as Lucifer Malfoy liked to call it. She would be forced to perform Dark Curses, and have them performed on her.
After her 9-hour course, she would shower again, and change into her dinner robes. Noelle despised her robes, which were an itchy black wool, with serpents imprinted on the sleeves, collar, and hemline.
Dinner was the problem…
"Would you pass the gravy, Luci?" Noelle asked politely.
Magdalena Malfoy turned to stare at her. "You will address my son properly, you little wretch. I guess that one can not blame you for what you are, having parents like those people - "
Noelle's usually cheerful hazel eyes had turned cold, and her fists clenched underneath the table. "WHAT did you say about MY parents?" she asked, gritting her teeth.
Magdalena looked disdainfully at the girl. "I said that no one can blame you for what you are, you little wretch. After all, you had parents like - "
At that moment, the gravy, which Noelle had asked for, poured upon Magdalena's terribly bleached blonde hair. Her hair was now the same colour as Noelle's, although not nearly as lovely. The gravy oozed down Magdalena's face, particularly on her overly large nose.
"That's it!" Magdalena said, her eyes icy with hate. "You little - " she raised her hand, to slap Noelle. Noelle ducked underneath it, and stomped on Magdalena's foot.
"Never insult my parents," Noelle whispered. "Never."
Magdalena grasped her aching foot, as she looked at Noelle with trepidation. She had never once seen Noelle look so - powerful. But that wouldn't stop her from trying again. Magdalena stood up, and rose her hand to strike Noelle once again when -
"MAGDALENA!" Lucifer shouted. Magdalena froze. "Go to your quarters, I shall speak to you later. And as for you Noelle…" he turned to face her. "I would watch what you do. Let's just say that tomorrow's training session shall not be 'pleasant' for you. We are allowed to insult whoever we choose, and you are not to insult a Malfoy. Go to your quarters now!"
And so, Noelle Marie Charrier trudged up the many stone stairs. The passages were dark and dreary, although torches were hung upon the wall. Eventually, Noelle arrived in the West Wing of Malfoy Manor.
The West Wing was her place. She had made it light and airy, with many windows. "I HATE HER, I HATE HER, I HATE HER!" she said, for each stone step her foot touched. "I HATE HER, I HATE HER!" she said, for every step she took. "I HATE HER!" Noelle said, for every breath she breathed.
For Noelle, this was easily the summer from 'you know where' (hot place, not heaven…). And she didn't think that she would be coming here for the next summer.
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A/N: Okay, that's it for now. I think I covered mostly everyone. That is, except for our two FAVORITE Dark Lords. If I forgot anyone else, let me know. I hope you all like this chapter. Let me know! REVIEW!
I would like to thank everyone that sent me pranks, especially Crystal Drache. Thank you so much!
Next chapter, the Marauders will arrive at Hogwarts, and many 'interesting' things will happen. We will meet 2 - yes TWO - new characters. We will also hear from Voldie and Dkembvare on their next BIG plan. And the Great Prank War will either be evoked in the next chapter or the one after that. Next post should be around Halloween (Oct. 31).
Wow, for once, the author does not have much to say. That's it for now! And remember, be responsible and REVIEW!
~Noelle