A Prank With A Purpose

Severus checked his watch once again. He looked over to Lily, who was still perusing the shelves of Honeydukes. The Halloween festivities had turned the store into a massive black and orange explosion.

Truthfully, Severus wasn't taking in much of his first visit to Hogsmeade. He had gone in and out of shops all day making no purchases. Instead of looking at the items in the shops, Severus looked through the crowded streets for the familiar face of Lucius Malfoy.

Unconsciously, Severus felt his hands wrap around the note Lucius had sent him in his pocket. There was no need to bring it. But Severus had felt himself wanting to bring it all the same. As if the note proclaimed some sort of proof that this was all real.

As the laughter of Lily cut through his thoughts, Severus shoved the note further into his pocket.

'Sev! What do you think? Liquorice wands or cauldron cakes?' Lily smiled back at him shoving the assortments of sweets in her hands towards him.

Severus studied her face for the moment. A habit he had found himself doing for the past few weeks. He couldn't put his finger on it but Lily had changed. It had been an ever so slight shift, so small that he might have missed it. Outwardly, Lily seemed fine, she was as kind as ever and always chatty. But Severus couldn't shake the feeling in the back of his mind that something was different.

Her smiles around him seemed fake. Her laughs were too forced. Severus tried to think of any incident over the past week that might have caused this change, but he couldn't think of any reason for it.

They hadn't really had any arguments lately. In fact, Severus had thought that they were getting on better than ever. But ever since the Quidditch match, maybe even before then. Lily seemed to be distancing herself from him. Not in a physical way, they still hung out as much as they could. But the air had changed. Their conversations seemed to solely focused of school work or the upcoming holidays.

Severus desperately wanted to ask her if there was something wrong or if something had changed. But he was terrified. Something deep in his gut told him to just go along with it. To hope that it passed by its self.

'Sev? Are you even listening to me?' Lily asked as she waved a hand in front of Severus's face.

'Oh-um...Liquorice...I guess.' Severus blushed as he focused his eyes away from Lily and onto the assortment of sweets placed along one of the shelves.

'Sev, you ok?' Lily spoke as she stepped closer into his space. She reached her arm out and placed it on his shoulder comfortingly.

'I'm Fine.' Severus muttered quickly as he stepped out of her grasp. He turned away from her as to hide his face. He was certain that he had turned a very dark shade of pink. 'I just don't like crowds, I think I just need some air.'

Severus waved off Lily's protests to come with him as he scrambled towards the door. As soon as the door opened and he stepped outside Severus was hit with the cold winter winds lapping at his exposed cheeks. He pulled his robe tighter around himself and breathed into his hands. As much as he had tried to ignore it, his heart continued to thump in his chest.

Ever since the summer, it had become increasingly difficult to be around Lily and for once it wasn't because of his other friendships or that they were fighting. It was because Severus had finally admitted to himself that he cared for Lily. He loved her. But it was something that Severus had refused to dwell on for too long. The feeling was always there; whether he was around her or not. But it was pushed to the back and out of sight, trapped in a box. But every once in a while, Lily's natural kindness would invade and he would lose control of that tightly shut lid. It was in these moments that he felt the instinct to run; to hide himself from everyone.

It was the cold, bitter air starting to seep through his cloak that gradually pulled Severus from his thoughts. He looked back through the window and found his eyes naturally resting on Lily who had joined the very long line of buyers. She was smiling as she chattered to a blonde girl that Severus recognised as one of her dorm mates.

Severus looked at her through the window for only a moment longer before he tore his eyes away from her and began making his way down the street. Lily would be in the store for a little while longer and this was his perfect opportunity to slip away without her asking where he was going. His hand travelled directly to the note in his pocket as he made his way through the town towards The Three Broomsticks.

As Severus walked down the streets he studied the decorations that had been hung and strewn across the buildings. Much like at Hogwarts, the town of Hogsmeade was decorated with pumpkins and streamers. As he passed Madam Puddifoot's tea shop, Severus heard the cries and cheers of students and villagers celebrating Halloween together.

Severus liked Halloween. He had never been into holidays; his childhood had been unsurprisingly lacking festivities. His father could hardly remember what day it was, never mind the holidays.

But Halloween had always held something special in his heart. When he was seven years old, Severus would frequently try and sneak out of the house. He would disappear for an hour or two, not so long that his father would notice but enough time for Severus to escape for a little while.

...

Severus had walked down the street from his house and towards the town centre with no real destination in mind. With each breath, Severus watched the small puff of cloudy air escape from him. He pulled his raggedy jacket tighter around him as a fresh gust of wind lapped down the streets.

Severus didn't think much of the grim streets of London that he called home. Most of the people living here shared his view, the streets were not the safest to be wandering around alone, but it was better than being cooped up in his room.

But as he had gotten closer to the towns centre, Severus could hear squeals of laughter and soft music. He searched around for an answer when he finally noticed the other people who were walking towards the centre. Their usual grey attire of business suits had been swapped for bright colours and laughter. Their costumes varied from vampires to characters that Severus had seen on his father's TV.

Severus had never seen anything like it. The part of town that he grew up in was quiet and a little dangerous. But the scene before him contradicted all of that. Severus continued down the street further to where everyone seemed to be gathering. He noticed the usually dark, dank streets had been transformed into vibrant scenes of orange. Pumpkins littered the streets, each one of the having been carved into a different face.

There were children weaving in and out of the crowd playing tag. On one side of the street there was a chorus of men and women who had obviously been drinking, who were all singing and swaying together. On the other was a small group of people playing guitars and accordions.

Severus was amazed to be witness of the juxtaposition. He never particularly liked crowds, he had always preferred solitude. Yet he found himself wanting to stay at this gathering for a lot longer than he knew he could. Severus watched as a group of men were dragging logs to the centre of the square, obviously preparing to create a fire. Severus looked up towards the sky, the sun was still a little way off before it would begin to set, the people in the streets where clearly planning to be here for some time.

As Severus studied the sky and the decorations above him, he suddenly felt his gravity shift. One moment he was looking at the orange and black streamers, the next he was face to face with a plethora of legs.

'Oh blimey! Sorry 'bout that!' A gruff voice had spoken as Severus felt a large hand wrap around his forearm and pull him up.

Severus was too shocked to try and resist his grip. The man was easily five times larger than him.

He was wearing a red and white pinstripe suit and carrying a large tray. Severus was still taking in the sight of him as the man continued to yammer at him.

'So Barbra keeps telling me to get me eyes checked! But I tell ya, would you trust those blokes to point lasers in your eyes?' The man boomed on. He looked down to Severus for a reaction but only found a blank and slightly scared expression staring back at him.

'Anyway, here.' The man chuckled as he grabbed something from the tray that was hung around his neck. 'Take this. Least I can do!'

Severus felt his hand grasp onto something that the man had given him. He watched the man disappear slowly into the crowd. When he was gone, Severus looked at the item before him. It was an apple that had been coated in toffee. Severus frowned at it, unsure whether to eat it or not. He was undeniably curious. He hadn't had many sweets in his life. But then again, Severus recalled seeing a public information film of the dangers of strangers that caused him to think twice.

Severus thought about it a little longer before finally giving in and trying the treat before him, after all, he might not get the chance to try something like this again. As he took a tentative bite, Severus was enveloped by the sweet taste of the treat. It didn't take him long to wolf down the candy as he watched the nearby band play songs he had never heard before.

But all too soon the sun had finally made its way down. The party around him didn't seem like it was ending anytime soon; but Severus's thoughts were on how he needed to get back home. He struggled to drag himself away. But soon enough the music became nonexistent and the laughter was replaced by the loud siren of a police car.

...

It was long time ago and so much had happened since then. But the memory of his first Halloween always made him smile.

Severus found himself in front of the door to The Three Broomsticks. He looked behind himself briefly before entering. There were mixtures of students and villagers all around the inn. Severus wasn't sure how he was supposed to find Lucius within the chaos. But luckily, he spotted a glimmer of light blonde hair on the other side of the room. Severus squeezed past person after person. He made his way past the bar and past the full tables of students until he found himself in front of Lucius Malfoy.

Lucius was sitting, tucked away in the back of the room. His arm had been draped around the waist of a blonde girl that Severus recognised as Narcissa.

'Severus! Come, sit.' Lucius beamed as he tore his gaze from Narcissa.

Severus walked forward and pulled the chair out. As he sat down, it was as though he was in a different place all together. The boisterous laughter and chatter of the room was modified into a hardly audible muttering.

Severus looked around him confused when Lucius spoke, 'Silencing bubble. Works great when you don't want to be overheard and when the place is as busy as this.'

Severus made a mental note to look into silencing bubbles. He fought hard to keep the majority of how impressed he was off his face as he looked back as Lucius. Lucius passed him a drink a he took a sip of his own.

'Severus, how have you been. I know we write often to each other. But I have always found that letter writing lacked something. Better to talk face to face. Then there's nothing to hide behind.' Lucius smiled his usual half happy, half menacing smile.

'Not many changes since our last letter.' Severus began. His mind was thinking fast to try and find something to tell Lucius, something that might impress him, 'We had career day.'

'Ah yes, Cissy mentioned that. Anything pique your interest?' Lucius asked.

'Nothing in particular. I don't really know what I want to be yet.' Severus answered honestly. He didn't see the point in lying.

Lucius's face tweaked up into a smirk as he took a sip of his drink, 'I shouldn't worry Prince, I believe soon enough you will find your purpose in life. I am determined that you will succeed.'

Severus felt a slight jolt of electricity as he heard Lucius's words. He was about to ask, try and press for more answers when Lucius turned to Narcissa.

'I don't think our guest will be coming.' Lucius said with sight annoyance.

Severus looked back and forth between the two. He couldn't stop the pang of jealously that zipped through him. The realisation that he wasn't the only one invited felt like a burn across his ego.

'You knew she wasn't going to come.' Narcissa snorted. 'Bella doesn't like taking orders from you, she doesn't like taking order from anyone except The Dark-'

Narcissa cut herself off as Lucius's gaze hardened. Severus was still staring at the two trying to decipher their conversation and wondering why he wasn't being filled in.

'I'm the one who he chose to be in charge, not her. She shouldn't be disobeying me.' Lucius mumbled with slight anger. He looked up and stared at Severus and sighed. 'Severus, you remember Bellatrix don't you?'

Severus nodded.

'I was hoping that she would join us today.' Lucius spoke, the annoyance behind his words were almost tangible.

'Why?' Severus asked. He was so curious that he couldn't keep his mouth shut. All Severus knew about Bella was that she was in Slytherin and she was Narcissa's older sister. He had never said two words to her, he wondered why Lucius wanted him to be better acquainted with her.

Lucius continued to stare back at Severus. He looked as though he was trying to decide his next course of action when Narcissa cut in.

'I don't see why we can't do this without her. Why don't I just do it? Don't you trust me?' Narcissa moaned resting her head on her hand as she pouted her lip.

Lucius looked back at her and raised an eyebrow, 'You can't, I do trust you Cissy, but he doesn't. When you get your mark then we can see about you taking on more responsibility. We need Bella, she's the only one left at Hogwarts who he trusts. He can't do this by himself.' Lucius spoke to her as he gestured a hand to Severus.

'I need Bella to supervise. But if she's going to be difficult, I'll just have to take this up in the next meeting. I bet he'll have something to say about her insubordination.' Lucius hissed.

Narcissa's eyes widened slightly as she sat up strait. 'Y-you won't really tell him, will you?' She asked alarmed. 'He'll-'

Narcissa cut herself off again and she leant towards Lucius and began whispering furiously in his ear. Severus tried his best to catch what she was saying but she spoke too quickly.

Lucius eventually sighed as he looked back at Narcissa. He brought a hand to her face and gently tucked a stray hair behind her ear. 'I'll give her one more chance. But if she goes against my orders again...'

Severus felt his fingers dig into his chair. He was going insane not knowing what was going on. He felt his chair scrape back slightly and Lucius focus back on him.

'It's getting about time to leave I think. Severus, we'll talk again soon.' Lucius announced. His usual smile now completely vanished and replaced with an angry frown.

Severus felt his legs shoot up and his chair scrape back before he could stop himself. His words tumbled from his mouth before he could restrain them. 'That's it? I've been quiet for months now. I've done everything you asked! And you're still not going to tell me anything!'

Lucius and Narcissa stopped and looked at the boy. Their faces both painted in surprise. Lucius was the first to react as he croaked out a laugh and reached his arm forward. He placed his hand on Severus's shoulder and smiled at the boy.

'I apologise Severus. I know it must be difficult to be kept out of the loop.' Lucius spoke. His tone was light as he squeezed Severus shoulder comfortingly. But then the grip didn't loosen and Lucius's nails dug into his shoulder. Lucius looked Severus in the eyes, his grip tightening and his voice holding a hint of a threat. 'You will be told when the time is right. I hope you can continue to prove yourself till that time. I have waited years to have the information I have now. You can wait a little longer.'

Severus continued to stare at Lucius for only a second longer before his gaze dropped and looked to the floor. Lucius's grip slowly loosened and he walked away silently, Narcissa trailing behind him.
Severus felt the noise of the inn fill his ears again. He felt angry and disappointed all at once. He waited only a moment longer before grabbing his cloak again and making his way back to Honeydukes. He found Lily looking around nervously when she spotted him.

'Sev! I thought you ditched me.' She half laughed. But Severus didn't miss the hurt in her voice.
'

Sorry, I got side tracked.' Severus answered. He kept his voice even. The last thing he wanted was Lily prodding into this business with Lucius.

'Wow, it's getting really cold. We should be heading back now I think.' Lily shivered.

'Sure.' Severus nodded, eager to get back to the castle and leave the events of Hogsmeade behind him.

Lily pushed her arm though his as her teeth slightly chattered. If Severus hadn't been so focused on the chat with Lucius, he might have blushed or felt nervous at her closeness. But his mind was going over everything that had been said. One thing seemed to crop up. One name that might get him his answers.

xxx

'Mr. Potter, it will take much longer if you do not stop fidgeting.' Madam Pomfrey scolded. James had been sitting in the infirmary for over an hour as Madam Pomfrey examined him up and down.

It had been over a week since his disastrous fall in the Quidditch pitch. James had singlehandedly managed to break almost every bone in his body. Thankfully he didn't remember a thing; one moment he was launching the quaffle, the next he was in the infirmary with his best friends at his side. Remus, Sirius, and Peter had looked as white as sheets when he first saw them. Apparently, he had been out for a few days. There had also been a serious debate as to whether he should be taken to St. Mungos. James felt slightly guilty for having put them thought this. He knew that if the tables were turned, he would be in meltdown.

When Madam Pomfrey had finally released him from bed rest, James had spent the last few days basking in glory. The entire first year had swarmed him and asked him bundles of questions. The Gryffindor team had welcomed him back as a hero for scoring the last goal. James had thought that Frank would be angry at him, but Frank had actually been impressed with him. Apparently, not many players would 'have the balls to play with a broken wrist'.

'There, that wasn't too bad, now was it?' Madam Pomfrey asked as she stepped away from James. James made to hop off the bed when Madam Pomfrey stopped him. 'You are to stay here so I can make sure you have a decent dinner Mr. Potter. And don't argue.'

'But-' James began but silenced himself when he looked to Madam Pomfrey's face. 'Can my friends come in at least?'

Madam Pomfrey looked down at the boy for a long moment before nodding, she flicked her wand and a tray glided over to them with various bits of food upon it. 'I will go and fetch them. You eat.'

James thanked her as he pulled the plate towards him. He briefly thought of all the other third years who had come back from their Hogsmeade trip today. James would be lying if he said he wasn't a little disappointed that he wouldn't be going to Hogsmeade when he looked at all their excited faces. But it was a sacrifice he was willing to make. Both Peter and Sirius's family hadn't signed their permission slips anyways. Evidently, Peter's father had been very upset about his exam results over the summer and said this was his punishment. James didn't even need to ask why Sirius hadn't gotten his signed. He was willing to bet Sirius hadn't even attempted to ask his parents. Not that James could blame him.

Luckily James had caught Michael Abbot this morning in the Gryffindor common room. He liked the boy well enough and asked him to pick a few things for him from Hogsmeade. Most of them where sweets but there were a few extras on his list.

James drew his attention back to his food. He skewered a sausage on his fork before taking a hearty bite. He hardly noticed when Peter and Sirius stared to help themselves to his food.

'Oi!' James snarled as he battered away their hands. 'If Pomfrey catches you doing that, she'll throw you out.'

'Na, Poppy loves me.' Sirius smirked as he reached for a piece of bacon.

James looked back at him and raised his eyebrow, 'Oh yeah? I dare you to call her Poppy. I'd love to see what she d-Peter!'

Peter grinned as he snatched the blueberry muffin towards him, 'You hate blueberry anyway.'

'Some friends you are.' James said scathingly but let his lips turn up in amusement. 'Speaking of, where is Remus?'

'Professor Dumbledore asked to see him when we came to see you. He said he wouldn't be long.' Peter answered.

James and Peter shared a look. Since his accident, James had had no time to tell Sirius about his plans for Remus. There was hardly any time when Remus wasn't in their presence and the next full moon wasn't for two weeks.

'Sirius, there's something I've been meaning to tell you. I know-' James began.

'No need. Peter already spilled the beans.' Sirius grinned. 'I know about the party.'

'The party?' James asked. He looked over to Peter who looked extremely proud of himself.

'Yeah, the surprise party your planning. Peter's the worst at keeping secrets, he was not match for me!' Sirius triumphantly exclaimed.

James stared at him a moment longer before slowly breaking out in a grin. 'Sirius, I hate to disappoint you but...you're not getting a party.'

'What? I'm not?' Sirius's smile fell. He turned to Peter and scowled at him. Peters smile also faded as he stepped back putting distance between them. 'Then what's going on?'

'That's going to take a little longer to explain.' James began before divulging into every bit of information he had gathered over the past week and half. He waited until Madam Pomfrey was safely in her office before showing Sirius the notes he had gathered. James pulled out reams of parchment detailing the next year of their lives.

Animagus transformation

1) A Mandrake leaf needs to be held in the mouth for one WHOLE month. If it slips out or is eaten, the process is started again - this includes all hours day and night.

2) The Mandrake leaf, after the month, needs to be mixed in a moon-struck crystal phial with one strand of hair, a Death's-head moth, and a teaspoon of dew that has not been touched by direct sunlight or human feet in the direct light of the full moon.

3) Next the potion needs to be out of sight of the sunlight until the NEXT lighting storm when the potion is ingested. Every day there is not a storm the words - "Amato Animo Animato Animagus" must be spoke at sunrise and sunset whilst touching your wand to your heart - failure to do so will result in restarting the process.

4) At the height of the lighting storm the potion will turn blood red and must be drunk. The incantation must be spoken again very clearly and the transformation will begin.
'It was all I could find, so hopefully it'll work. But if we do this, we have to be serious about it.' James spoke uncharacteristically seriously.

There was a long moment before Sirius finally spoke. 'Wicked!' He grinned. 'This is amazing! When can we start? You know Remus is going to freak when he hears about what you're doing.'
At the mention of Remus's name, James gathered all his notes and pushed them into his bag. 'We're not telling Remus. Not until we succeed.'

'What? Lie to him?' Sirius frowned. He was still sort of mad that James had waited this long to tell him. He couldn't imagine how Remus would feel, even if this whole thing was to help him.

'He didn't tell us about being a werewolf.' Peter supplied.

'Yeah, but he was afraid that we would hate him. And we made such a big speech about not hiding stuff from each other.' Sirius argued.

'Look, we don't even know if we can do this. We haven't even got any of the ingredients and the whole thing is going to take ages to do. So, we'll hold off on telling him until these something to tell him about.' James declared.

Sirius looked at him a moment longer before finally nodding. 'So, what's the first step?'

'We need Mandrake leaves and they just so happen to be very rare and expensive.' James answered glumly.

'We can get the gallons.' Peter spoke, it wasn't like any of their families where short on that front.

'I don't want to risk it. There is no way to explain why we need a bunch of Mandrake leaves and they are so uncommon that it'll raise too much suspicion.' James spoke.

'How're we going to get them then?' Sirius asked.

'I was thinking that we could steal them.' James said in a quiet voice. 'From Slughorn, I'd put ten galleons on him having some in his office.'

'And we're supposed to just waltz in and grab them, are we?' Sirius asked a little snarkily.

'No.' James scowled. 'You know, your lack of faith in me is insulting. I was thinking that since Slughorn likes to host parties, and it just so happens that he's hosting a party that you're invited to.'

Sirius's face remained in a frown for only a moment longer before his realisation of James's plan struck him. The two boys slowly matched each other grins. 'James, you're a bloody genius!'

' 'Bout time you realised that.' James smirked.

'But that still doesn't mean I can get away with stealing them. If anything there will be more eyes on me.' Sirius wondered aloud.

'I've thought about that too. Whilst you're in the party, me and Peter will be creating the distraction.' James spoke. 'And whilst everyone is disorientated, you can sneak into his office and grab everything we need.'

'Then it needs to be a big distraction.' Peter chimed in. 'Sirius doesn't know where any of the stuff is, he'll need time to search everything.'

'That's where these babies come in.' James grinned as he reached into his bag and pulled out a large box. 'I asked Michael Abbot to get this when he went to Hogsmeade today.'

Sirius and Peter closer inspected the box before grinning at each other.

6 Decoy Detonators!

Timer controlled detonators that create a plume of stinky smoke, brilliants for flushing out enemies!

Please use responsibly

A/N: Thanks for reading! Please review and share and what not, I love and appreciate every bit of it! And finally, a big big thank you to my Beta Reader AsMomma!