A/

A/N: Happy Easter everyone! Well, I'm continuing with this because it's been coming to me rather easily, plus it's been really fun to write. This part really reflects my fascination with World War One, particularly before the war actually began. Anyway, this part might get a little confusing, so I color coded it (I hope that turns out!). Red is Gryffindor and green is Slytherin. Black is what is being said in both places. Just in case that doesn't turn out, italics are Gryffindor, bold is Slytherin and underlined is both. Also, this part is a little less humor, a little more serious.

Disclaimer: See Chapter One.

Prank Warfare

by Onedergirl

Chapter Three

Rallying the Troops

Despite the fact that all of Gryffindor was sitting in the common room, it was remarkably silent. After the humiliation of breakfast, it had been decided that retaliation was in order. And Harry Potter, Captain of the Quidditch team, along with Hermione Granger--Head Girl--and Ron Weasley--Prefect--had assumed command, and were currently plotting an organized and strategic attack.

The silence permeated the Slytherin common room as every Slytherin watched the Head Boy--Draco Malfoy--and his two lieutenants--Pansy Parkington, Prefect, and Neil Armstrong, Captain of the Quidditch team--eye them with a look of grim determination. After the revenge that the three had wrought on the Gryffindors earlier that day, it had been decided that a plan was needed to anticipate the attack they were certain the Gryffindors would execute.

Harry was currently pacing in front of the assembled Gryffindors, each watching him with rapt attention. He stopped and turned to face them, a look of grim determination on his face. "We all know why we're here," he began quietly.

"Those Gryffindor scum are going to attack, and we need a plan to be ready."

"Those Slytherin bastards have humiliated us in front of the entire school, and they won't stop with dance routines."

"They are too arrogant to see that it was a much needed lesson in humility."

"They need to be taught a lesson."

"Who better to teach them that lesson than the greatest house in Hogwarts--Slytherin!" The silence was shattered by the roar of applause that followed. When the cheers had stopped, Draco spoke again."

"If need be, then we will teach them more than one lesson they will never forget. And it will be us--the brave and the courageous Gryffindors who will make sure it's a lesson they learn!" The Gryffindors cheered wildly, and it was some time before they quieted enough for Harry to speak once more."

"No doubt they are trying to organize as we speak. But they will not be successful."

"They have not the talent nor the greatness that we possess. It will be their undoing." Another round of applause followed this stirring speech. The cheers died down and Draco continued.

"They have not the talent, nor the cohesion that we possess. It will be their undoing." More applause was heard, and Harry waited patiently for them to quiet down.

"We will show them--and the other houses--what greatness really is. We will best them in this game, this prank war that they started, and then we will be the undisputed champions of Hogwarts!" The roar that followed was deafening, but he continued.

"We will show them--and the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws--what teamwork and bravery can accomplish. We will be victorious in this prank war that they created from a mere joke, and then we will not have to endure their arrogance one moment longer." This was answered with enthusiasm, but he kept on.

"You will all be called upon to perform duties in the name of Salazar Slytherin." He had their attention now, and the common room had descended into silence once more. He eyed them grimly.

"You will all be called upon to play a part in the name of Godric Gryffindor." The cheering subsided as the assembled Gryffindors focused once again on what Harry was saying.

"It may involve danger, and some of you could get caught, get detention or points taken from our house."

Draco noticed some of the first years looking a bit frightened at the prospect. "But when the time comes, you will all do your best because you are Slytherins and Slytherins are not frightened of greatness!" There was another round of uproarious applause.

Harry noticed some of the first years fidgeting at his words, but he worked to reassure them. "But the house points and the Quidditch matches won't matter, because something bigger and more important is at stake here. What is at stake is the honor and integrity of every Gryffindor that has come before, and all that will follow!" There was wild approval at his words.

"And when all is said and done, and those Gryffindors come to see that we are great and they are not, well, that will be worth more than all the house points and Quidditch matches in the world!"

"And when all is said and done, it is our bravery and our courage that define us more than House or Quidditch Championships. And those Slytherins will come to know that, if it takes a hundred pranks!"

"So if it's a war they want, then it's a war they'll get!"

With this the Slytherins were on their feet, applauding and cheering as loudly as they could.

With this the Gryffindors were on their feet, cheering and applauding so loudly that the ceiling would have caved had it not been for all the magical enhancements.

***

It was after the big meeting, and Larissa and Ginny had made their way to a little-known classroom, knowing without needing to say a word that they needed to talk about what had just happened.

They walked in and, making sure they were alone, turned to each other, worry etched in their faces.

"What have we started?" Ginny asked, sounding a little despaired.

Larissa just shook her head, unable to comprehend how a minor prank had gotten so out of hand. The two were quiet as they recalled the scene that had just taken place in the Gryffindor common room. Harry had looked for all the world like a general ready to lead his troops into battle. It would have been amusing if the situation weren't so dire.

"Maybe," Ginny mused aloud, "it won't be so bad. Maybe this thing won't get out of hand."

Larissa snorted cynically at the comment and shook her head. "The moment we get them back--which we're obviously going to do, else General Potter wouldn't have given such a stirring call to arms--they're going to get us back even worse. This thing is going to be a nightmare."

"Yeah, I know, but a girl can hope."

"Ever the optimist, eh Gin?"

She sighed. "Yeah, but I'm not very optimistic of the chance of this thing ending after the next prank."

"That's called realism, dear."

"Right." The room was quiet once again. Ginny sighed loudly, and started pacing the room. "We started this thing. We have to end it, quickly."

"Agreed, but I'd like to know what you've got in mind."

"What if we just admitted to pulling the first prank? Draco only started this thing because he thinks Ron, Harry, and Hermione pulled it."

Larissa looked like she was working it out in her head. "No, because he'd have gotten us back instead. That could have been ten times worse."

"I suppose you're right. There's got to be something though."

"We might just have to let this thing take its natural course."

"Perhaps. The professors won't let this thing go on indefinitely, will they?" She got excited as she thought this out. "They'll have to stop this nonsense soon, especially if either house gets elaborate and endangers something, or breaks a rule."

"Yeah, so? We could be at this thing for months if we wait for them to stop it."

"No, don't you see! We get someone to pull a prank that breaks a rule or maybe we can fake an injury, and then the Headmaster will have to put an end to it!"

"It could work," Larissa said slowly, almost afraid to get her hopes up. "But how are you going to convince the General to break a rule. He seems hell bent on teaching the Slytherins a lesson."

Ginny looked over at Larissa. "We may have to take the fall ourselves. Hell, we could become martyrs for the cause or something."

"Maybe."

"Look, we still have plenty of time to think this out. Let's work on this tomorrow, after classes."

Larissa sighed. "Alright. We'll have a go at it then."