A/N: Fluff? Quite. Humor? Sure. Seriousness? Not at all.

Disclaimer- All I own is the plot, and various and sundry items I might happen to invent.

Prologue

Mindlessly, Fred Weasley scribbled down a name, for what seemed like the sixtieth time over the course of the last hour. Filch had chosen the least favorite of Fred's tasks for the detention- copying down names of past miscreants. Glancing up at the clock, he sighed, pushing his hair out of his eyes, and stretching his arms. One hour down, one to go. He pulled out the next card in the box, only to find it so worn that he couldn't read the writing. Shoving it back into the middle of the box already stuffed chock-full of the well-worn cards, he got up.

It wasn't fair that he had gotten all of the blame for being the "sole" perpetrator of the 'shampoo-turned-hair-dye' incident. It had been George's idea in the first place; he had only been the one to actually carry it out, and then get caught with the real shampoo in his book bag. Besides, Snape looked much better with pink hair. It was so…. him.

Cautiously, Fred peeked around the door connecting the small room he was serving detention in to Filch's office. Seeing the office empty, he snuck out into the deserted corridors. Sure, he had only served half of his detention time; but that was all that he had deserved as well. He made his way up to the Gryffindor common room, where he found George sitting in a chair by the fire.

Seeing him, George began snickering, and waved Fred over.

"How was detention, my ickle Freddy-poo?" George asked in a high sing-song voice. "Not letting detention ruin our mischief genius here, are we?" For effect, he patted Fred's head.

"Shove it, before I shove you out the window," Fred retorted, but grinned all the same. "Besides, we all know that I'm the true mastermind in this pairing."

"I beg to differ!" George jumped out of his seat and struck a pose, pretending to make a speech to the small crowd around them (including Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and a few others sheltering from the snow by crowding into the common room). "I, George Weasley, defy the accusations made by one Fred Weasley that I am not the biggest prankster in the castle. I feel that as events warrant, I am forced to contradict this said statement!"

"I don't know, George," Ginny intervened. "Fred's got guts and half of a useful mind… whereas you only have half of a mind."

"Excuse me? Fred? A brain? Impossible." George seemed to be contemplating, and Fred noticed.

"Looking for something in your mind? Too bad it all comes from up here," he joked, tapping his head.

"You wish. Everyone knows I'm the brains behind Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes." George hastily continued, before Hermione, who had been opening her mouth, could admonish him. "Besides, I could prove I'm the better prankster."

"That sounds like a challenge to my ears," said Fred jovially. "But don't make it like in second year when you decided to see who could stick more mice in Snape's desk. Because if you ask me, we need to do something original this time!"

"Original is my middle name." George smirked. "You sure you're up to the challenge."

"Up-to-the-challenge is my middle name." Fred turned towards the four younger students. "You guys want to be the official judges, along with the voice of the uproar we're bound to cause?"

"I'm in," replied Harry and Ginny simultaneously. Ron nodded, as well. Hermione, however, shook her head.

"No! You really shouldn't do this, think of the trouble you'll be in! Besides, don't you two cause enough trouble as it is, without competing to see who can make more?" She sniffed disapprovingly.

"Aw, come on, 'Mione. It'll be fun. Besides, they've never gotten into any real trouble," Ron pleaded.

"Absolutely not. I refuse to be part of such petty rule-breaking. And it's not even for a good cause! No, no, I'm sorry; you'll have to find someone else!" Without another word, she pulled a book out of her bag and opened it up.

Rolling his eyes, Fred turned to the three whom had agreed. "So, the contest will be open for one week, alright? It's up to you guys to decide what we have to do."

"Fair enough," Harry said, nodding. Turning to Ron and Ginny, they began to mutter amongst themselves about what the requirements should be. Meanwhile, Fred and George smirked at each other, both sure they would win.

"All right," Ginny announced. "We're ready."

Harry spoke up. "Both of you have to prank a teacher, at least one student, and have to invent at least one joke item, and sell it. Profits count." He looked at Ron and Ginny to make sure he hadn't left anything out. "Oh, and the student can't be someone who knows something about the bet."

"Alright," said Fred, standing up and rubbing his hands together. "Let the games begin!"