hp_pw2

A/N: Inspiration struck (and, consequently, bruised) last night, so I've decided to at least write another few chapters of this, just to see if I can write straight humor (bit of an oxymoron, that is ;). Anyway, here's the next bit.

Disclaimer: See Chapter One.

Prank Warfare

by Onedergirl

Chapter Two

Retaliation

It had been a rather unpleasant week for Draco Malfoy. Though his afflictions had been promptly treated by Madam Pomfrey, he'd been constantly teased--particularly by the Gryffindors--whenever he walked through the halls. Most of the time, they would catcall in Pig Latin, but sometimes the girls would come up to him and ask him how he'd gotten his hair that shade of pink.

Needless to say, he'd had a bad week, and he was out for blood. He'd briefly considered telling his father and letting him handle it, but he'd abandoned that idea about two seconds later, when he realized that he'd have to tell his father that he'd been bested by a couple of Gryffindors--which included a half-blood and a Mudblood. That would never do. So he'd set his mind on revenge and after a week of studying, he'd come up with just the right spell. Right now, he was waiting for Crabbe to bring Pansy and Neil around, so he could get their help, as this would require more than one spell.

He didn't wait long. Just then, Crabbe, Neil Alexander, and Pansy Parkington came through the entrance to the Slytherin common room and sat down with him and Goyle. As it was late at night, they had the room to themselves.

"Ok, you lot know why we're here."

"Yeah, because a coupla Gryffindors made a mockery of you."

Draco glared darkly at Neil, but Neil seemed unaffected by it. Draco continued, despite the interruption. "It's time we show those Gryffindor scum who their betters are. And I have a plan. So listen closely . . . ."

***

The Great Hall was a buzz with the usual morning activity the next day. The Gryffindors, who had been gloating for the last week at the Slytherin table--particularly after they had found out that the entire Slytherin common room had been decked out in the red and gold of Gryffindor--were still smiling smugly at the Slytherins. Only Ginny Weasley and Larissa Devlin were worried about if and how the Slytherins would retaliate.

"Look at 'em!" Larissa whispered to Ginny, nodding her head at the Slytherin table. "They look too pleased with themselves."

"I know what you mean," Ginny whispered back. "Especially Malfoy. I haven't seen him look that smug since Snape took off 100 points from Gryffindor a month ago!" Ginny paused and looked closer at the Slytherins. "I have a bad feeling about this. They're gonna try and get us back today."

"I was beginning to think the same thing."

Whatever Ginny had planned to say in response to this was never said as she and Larissa watched with horror as five of the Slytherins brought out their wands, pointed them at the Gryffindors, and started speaking.

The Gryffindors never knew what hit them. One minute, they had been sitting there, chatting with their friends about their classes and still gloating over the humiliation that Draco Malfoy and the rest of the Slytherins had endured a week ago, and the next minute they were dancing.

It was a rather lavish and organized dance number that recalled the hey day of the Hollywood movie musical. Most of the Gryffindors were dancing in a chorus line that would have made Busby Berkeley jealous, while singing a rather catchy tune about Pure Bloods and Slytherins that Draco bragged later on he had written himself.

The piece de resistance was the fact that Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley--who had been the closest Gryffindor girl--were dancing a ballroom number on the table that put a lot of the muggle-borns in mind of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. They were being serenaded by Ron Weasley on ukelele and Hermione Granger on accordian. The production hit a climax when Fred dipped Ginger--er, Harry dipped Ginny and kissed her.

The music stopped and the Gryffindors stared at each other, totally stunned by what had just happened. The Slytherins were in hysterics, applauding and catcalling, while the Hufflepuffs and the Ravenclaws were rather unsure how to act--torn between the impulse to laugh and applaud, and their sympathy for the Gryffindors.

Shame-faced and more than a little embarrassed, the Gryffindors tried to maintain some dignity by quietly sitting back down and acting as though they had not just sang and danced in front of the entire school. Ginny, red-faced from exertion and embarrassment, hid her face in her arms. Not only had she been humiliated by the Slytherins, but she had had to do so with Harry. And to make things worse, he had been forced to kiss her. She could die right then and there. Larissa seemed to understand what Ginny was going through, and merely patted her reassuringly on the back.

As she looked over at the Slytherin table to glare at them, she noticed Harry Potter walk over. He too look red-faced, but instead of shame or embarrassment, he was obviously very angry. He stopped and saw the state that Ginny was in, then patted her on the back and said quietly, "don't worry, Gin. We'll get them back for this." He then walked over to Ron and Hermione, and the three left the Great Hall, amidst jeers from the Slytherin table.

Ginny raised her head and looked over at Larissa, her face determined, though still very red. "I hope he knows what he's doing," she murmured to her friend, who merely nodded in agreement.

"Me too," she answered.