An·ar·chy: A state of disorder due to absence or non-recognition of authority.

"Oh no- no, please, anything but that, please, have mercy-"

James Potter heard more than saw the enormous snowball whistling towards him; and he certainly felt the ice cold trickle and splatter of it as it landed square in his jaw, knocking him backwards several steps. Some feet before him, Sirius Black was almost bent double, shaking with uncontrollable hiccoughs of laughter that brought tears to his eyes.

"Don't you need a license to be that ugly, Prongs?"

"Oh yeah? Well, if you were on fire and I had water, I'd drink it, buddy."

"Oh, low blow, mate, low- OI!" A second snowball hit Sirius in the ear, sending him careening sideways as James sniggered.

"Everyone's entitled to be stupid, Pads, but you abuse that privilege."

And all of a sudden, it was an all-out war. Innocent passers-by were slammed into with such force they fell backwards into snow drifts; the lone Professor that was out and about decided she'd much rather attend to her Venomous Tentacula than interfere with those two.

Insults were flung back and forth along with the snowballs:

"I'd punch you, Prongs, but that would be animal abuse."

"People like you are the reason I'm on medication, mate."

The comebacks paused for the briefest moment as a window opened high up in Gryffindor Tower, and a head poked out. "You two have your whole lives to be jerks," Remus Lupin shouted out over the screams of laughter from the other students. "So why don't you just take a day off?"

"But Moony, we're having fun!"

"I'm afraid our definitions of fun, Sirius, differ greatly."

"Well I'd rather be out here than with my head buried in a book!"

"Then I guess your brain feels as good as new, seeing that you've never used it, Pads."

Sirius paused, dumbfounded at the pure gold of comeback lines that were pouring out from his friend's mouth. He decided to solve it the only way he knew how; Remus spluttered and choked as a snowball hit him directly in the mouth, mid-shout. "That's it!" he yelled, slamming the window shut. James and Sirius looked at each other for a long moment, waged war forgotten.

"You don't think-?" James began, but before he could voice his opinion, the doors of the castle flew open and Remus stepped out, a very dangerous grin striped across his face. He bent down very deliberately, scooping massive amounts of snow expertly into his hands.

James and Sirius shared a glance, then yelled simultaneously, "Run!" They turned, took off as fast as they could, but before gaining any momentum they slammed headfirst into Professor McGonagall, whose hands were balled into fists and planted firmly on both of her pointy hips. She raised a single eyebrow, and Sirius knew at once they'd landed themselves at least a week's detention.

Professor McGonagall looked over their heads. "Lupin!" she barked. "Move it!"

James and Sirius glanced back to see their friend, so bent on their destruction moments before, walking innocently away, hands in pockets, smiling. They fumed.

"I'll see you both tonight at eight," McGonagall told them sharply, striding away with what might have been amusement in her eyes. The accused stood for a moment, keeping up the pretence of obedience until McGonagall was out of sight, then immediately turned on Remus. The latter sensed their gaze immediately and took off at a sprint into the castle.

James and Sirius followed close behind: "You think that was anarchic, mate? Then you'd better keep running!"

Author's Note: I've decided to do a Harry Potter Alphabet Themed Challenge. Every one will be published as a separate story, but they're in the one series. Hope you enjoyed A! Not all will be on the Marauders, too, but I love them so much I just had to start with them. Please review! xoxo