A/N: Hey everyone! I just want to thank everyone for reviewing! I feel so special and happy! Anyway though, I am going to pick up right where I left off. So, basically, they are ready to crash the 'Inauguration' Ball. Also, after this chapter, Charlie is going to be taking a break, and be less prominent in the chapters. I haven't really had a lot of Marauders stuff lately, so the rest of Year 2 is going to be full of them. There is a reason for Charlie though, and it'll be revealed eventually. And by the way, we are in March in Marauder Years/Months. And in real Years/Months, I want to wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day. Here's Chapter 9.
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MY2 ~ The Great Prank War
By Noelle
Chapter 9: Two Weeks
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"ATTENTION!" Charlie shouted. No one paid attention.
"WE'RE TRYING TO TALK HERE!" Kiana shouted. Still, no one took notice of them.
Suddenly, someone whistled rather loudly. Everyone immediately shut up and turned to its source.
Sirius Black stood, looking rather sheepish. "Continue on, ladies."
Charlie smiled gratefully at him. "All right. Now, everyone is here for a reason. And that is to totally ruin this ball. Now, do whatever you want, except don't use your wands. Plant your pranks wherever -- the food, the flowers, the Prime Minister's toupee. Just don't do anything to my mother and we'll all be fine. But try to keep it discreet. Don't let them know what you're actually doing. Just let everyone know you're doing something!"
Kiana cleared her throat. "We aren't really supposed to be here, so don't do anything too bad. Now, let's go crash the party!"
"Okay, we are going to release you all in small groups, to be inconspicuous. So, everyone line up by the door. We'll do five at a time." With this, Charlie began to sort the guests into groups. The groups then disappeared down the hallway, down the red-carpeted stairs, and into the ball. Charlie found herself in a group with Sirius, James, Kiana, and Christine.
"So, why are you having a party anyway?" Sirius asked conversationally. His relationship with Charlie was no better than when he left, but he decided since it was her house and her party, he should respect her a little bit. Besides, how many parties does one have the opportunity to crash? And formal ones at that.
"It's not my party. It's my stepfather's party," Charlie responded curtly. She did not wish to inform everyone that she was one of the Greek princesses just yet. They'd find out soon enough.
The five remained silent for the rest of the time. They quietly crept down the sweeping staircase, and disappeared into a large crowd of people. The boys immediately separated from the girls, to go plant some pranks. The girls went off to find the Prime Minister, in order to plant some 'firebombs' or 'dungcrackers' in his toupee.
"Where do you think he is?" Kiana asked, trying to conceal their pranks in her purse.
"Er… I'm not sure. But let's try to avoid my mum, all right? I shudder to think of the yelling I'm sure to get afterwards." Charlie said softly, scanning the room for Madeline Hunter.
Christine grabbed Kiana's and Charlie's arms. "There! By the bar!"
The girls quickly walked over to the bar, where the Prime Minister was pouring himself a drink. Charlie went over to him, mouthing to her friends to strike when the time was right.
"Hullo, Mr. Prime Minister," Charlie said, attempting a rather shoddy curtsey.
"Why, hullo. Who are you?" he asked, using his handkerchief to wipe his glasses clean.
"I am Charlotte Anne Hunter. My stepfather is Ryan Edwards…"
"Ryan Edwards? I've never heard of him."
"Sure you have," Charlie said, leaning against the bar. "You're at his party, after all."
"Miss Hunter, this is Ryan Stramopoulis' party."
Charlie stifled a confused look and a laugh as Kiana managed to plant a firebomb in his toupee, and turn the toupee so that it was crooked. "Well, I must be off now," Charlie said, unable to contain her grin. "I have other guests to attend to. Good day!"
Charlie ran off to a corner of the room, where Christine was standing. "Where's Kiana?"
"She ran off with Lily. They were determined to plant some stuff in the food."
"Well, I have another idea. But I'll need some help. Let's find Elyssa and Rhiane. Remus will be wherever she is--I need him too. And then I need to find Thomas Brooks and Jules Potter." Charlie said, counting off the names with her fingers. "Why don't you find Thomas and Jules. I'll get Remus, Elyssa, and Rhiane."
Christine nodded, and ran off, searching for a blonde head. Meanwhile, Charlie walked off, to the food table. There, she found the Marauders, along with Rhiane. She yanked Rhiane, and dragged her off. Remus happened to be attached to Rhiane, so he was also dragged off. Charlie then went on to find Elyssa planting dungbombs in the pockets of numerous people. She dragged her off too.
She met Christine back in the corner, where she managed to get Thomas and Jules. Charlie then explained her plan in a hushed whisper. Smiles of anticipation lit up their faces, as they ran off to do their parts.
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
"No, no, no, no, no!" Sirius said, his mouth full of food. "Wait until after we eat food before you put stuff in the food!"
Michael looked at Sirius incredulously. "What's the fun in that?"
Sirius looked at him, before scarfing down a handful of cream puffs. Michael sighed exasperatedly, and sat down next to James.
James walked toward them. He had been planting some inventions of theirs in the potted plants scattered about. He went to the table and grabbed a cream puff. He then proceeded on to throw it at his brother.
"Thanks James," Michael said dryly, as he wiped cream off his nose. James just smiled.
"What's going on up there?" Sirius asked. A large crowd of people had gathered around a small stage.
"I'm not sure," James answered. "Let's go."
The three Marauders pushed their way through the crowd, to the front. A man stood on the small stage, smiling brightly. Two crowns laid on velvet cushions set on a podium.
"May I have your attention, please?" a man shouted. He was standing on the stage, smiling. "I assume all of you know me. But you don't know my daughters. We are here tonight, in their honor -- " The man went on to talk about Greece's history, and future. The Marauders were bored out of their minds. He soon began to close his speech, luckily for the spectators who were fighting sleep.
"We are to initiate two into the Royal family tonight. These two lovely girls are to be the crowned princesses of Greece. I would first like to introduce to you Agalaia Alana Edwards."
Sirius watched as a girl walked toward the man. His jaw dropped when the girl stepped into the light. She was beautiful. She was 'well proportioned'. Just her smile would brighten anyone's day. But it didn't even compare to the rest of her.
The girl bent her knees as the King of Greece gingerly placed one of the crowns on her head. She smiled and curtseyed to the guests, before stepping back. The man continued. "And now, I would like to introduce you to the other princess. She is the official heir to the throne of Greece. Please welcome my step-daughter -- "
The man stopped as firecrackers began going off all over the room. Several people screamed, as their friends sprouted beaks. The seven-layer cake exploded, showering people in icing.
And then, red punch began spraying everywhere, from the magnificent chandelier. Everyone screamed and ran off, hoping to escape clean.
That is, most people did. Several people remained, not shocked but the events that had recently taken place. One of them was the man on stage. The other people who remained were the pupils of Hogwarts.
The man standing on the stage clapped his hands. "I applaud you on a job well done," he said, sternly yet amusedly. "I have not seen a party end worse since the Ministry party in '56. Of course, I was the leader behind it. But, I suggest that you all return to where you came from, whether it be your homes or Hogwarts. But I beg for Charlie Hunter to remain. I wish to speak to you -- "
No one moved, they were too much in shock. How did a muggle know about Hogwarts? Charlie walked over to him, timidly. The man clapped his hands. "Did you not hear me?" At once, everyone ran to the fireplace, throwing Floo-powder in. Michael began to leave, but Sirius grabbed his arm.
"No. Something's weird. I want to know what it is." He grabbed Michael, James, Remus, and Thomas and herded them over behind a plant. Sirius observed Jules, Estella, and Andromada hiding behind another plant.
Melinda Figg also stayed, holding Bella and Mundungus by the ears. She didn't look happy. Lily looked guilty, her hands clasped together. Kiana and Toria had disappeared in the crowd.
"That was a good show, Charlie," the man said. Charlie grinned. "But you're still going to be punished." At once, Charlie stopped smiling, and began scowling. The man then took notice of the other occupants of the room. "Melinda Figg! Why, it's been years since I saw you!" He rushed over, and grabbed her hands. He then kissed both of her cheeks. "What are you doing here?"
"Well, Charlie invited these two -- " she gestured to Bella and Mundungus -- "to the party. I had no clue what they were planning to do, and I apologize for their maturity, or lack of."
"It's all right," he said, smiling. "Kids will be kids. Don't you remember the havoc we all wrecked?"
Melinda laughed. "A little too well, I suppose. But Ryan, why did you disappear after graduation? You didn't even stay for the after party!"
"WHAT?" Charlie screeched, stomping her foot. "No, that can't be. "You," she said, pointing at Melinda, "went to Hogwarts. He didn't! He's a muggle. So go do those memory charms or whatever!"
Melinda laughed. "Honey, Ryan Stramopoulis attended Hogwarts with me. Oh, but I guess its Ryan Edwards now, isn't it?"
Ryan laughed, tossing his head back. "Well, I had to think of a different name. Do you know how many muggle terrorists want me dead? When I travel, I go by Ryan Edwards."
Charlie looked frazzled. "No, no, no! You are NOT magical! Or else you would live in the magical world! And wouldn't you have gone to the Greek School of Sorcery? Not Hogwarts!"
Ryan laughed once again. "I assure you, Charlie, I am. I did live in the magical world for awhile. But when my father and brother died, I had a duty to fulfill. And my parents knew that I would have a better education at Hogwarts. That's why I went there."
Sirius elbowed Michael from their hiding spot. "Duty to fulfill? What's he talking about?" Michael shrugged, and the Marauders continued to eavesdrop.
"So I hear you're designing clothes now?" Ryan asked Melinda.
Melinda smiled teasingly. "So, I hear you're ruling a country now?"
Sirius' eyes popped out, and he accidentally knocked over the Marauders' hiding spot. They were exposed.
"So, what do we have here? Spies?" Ryan said, amused.
Remus turned bright red. "Why, of course not, Sir. We are… the… gardeners! Yeah! And we were… er… examining the quality of the plants!" The Marauders nodded in agreement.
Ryan nodded his head, scrunching up his forehead. "But then, why are you dressed up?"
"Official dress code!" Sirius shouted. The others sighed in exasperation.
"Really?" Ryan questioned. "You want to know something?" A chorus of 'No, it's all right' and the like met him. Ryan didn't acknowledge this. "I don't hire gardeners to examine the fake potted plants."
The Marauders groaned as the grudgingly walked over to the group. They were busted.
"So, what are your really here for? Crashing the party?"
The Marauders remained silent. They opted for pointing at Charlie and mouthing 'Her'. Ryan and Melinda both laughed.
"Why don't you all go home now. I of course will be contacting your parents and or guardians to inform them of tonight."
"But," Sirius objected.
"But believe it or not, I am a parent. And therefore, I have to follow the Official Parent Handbook, Volume 32. Now, good night."
The Marauders went to the fire, scared out of their minds, and tossed the Floo-powder in. One by one, they shouted 'The Pottery' and disappeared in the flames.
Charlie, Melinda, Lily, Bella, Estella, Jules, Andromada, Laia, Mundungus, Ryan and some other adults remained.
Ryan turned to the older guests. "There's really no point in you not returning home. Why don't we meet tomorrow, to discuss the problem that arose." The people agreed and dissaparated away. Now only Melinda, Mundungus, Bella, Estella, Andromada, Jules, Lily, Laia, and Charlie remained.
Melinda was the one to notice another group hiding. Andromada, Jules, and Estella had ditched the potted plant when the Marauders got caught, and hid behind a Chinese screen. Unfortunately for them, Melinda could see their feet between the gap. She pointed this out to Ryan.
"So, more spies," he said, after he used his wand to move the screen. Jules grinned sheepishly. "Would you believe we are repairwoman fixing the screen?"
"Dressed that formally? No."
The girls groaned, and grabbed the Floo-powder Ryan held out for the. They screamed 'The Pottery' and stepped into the fire at once. They disappeared.
"Well, we should probably be going too. It looks like you and Madeline have a lot of lecturing to do…" Melinda smiled, as she grabbed Bella and Mundungus by their ears once again. "If you're ever in LA, feel free to stop by." Ryan and Melinda hugged, before she tugged her nephew and niece to the fire. Lily followed obediently. With one last smile, they disappeared.
Ryan turned to his stepdaughters, and tried to look stern. He didn't succeed.
"Charlie, you have done one hell of a job," he said admiringly.
"You're a wizard?" Charlie sputtered, still in shock.
Ryan nodded. "I am a wizard."
Charlie turned her attention to Laia. "So that makes you a…"
"Witch," Laia answered, smiling. "Dad didn't want me to say anything to you because he wasn't sure if you were magical."
"Laia will be joining you at Hogwarts after break. It looks like you two have a lot of talking to do. I will consider your punishment over night, Charlie, and inform you in the morning. Good night."
"Good night," the girls chorused, running upstairs. They indeed had a lot of talking to do.
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"You WHAT?" Felicity Black screamed, slamming down her coffee cup. This caused coffee to drench everyone in a 3-foot radius.
The Potters, Blacks, and Marauders were in the kitchen. They had just Floo-ed to the Pottery, and were in the process of being punished.
Edward Potter was deathly calm. This was a lot scarier than an angry Mrs. Black. "Do you mean to tell me that you went to the Greek Royalty Ball uninvited?"
"No!" Sirius shouted. "We were invited!"
"By who?" Elisabeth asked, taking long, deep breaths in order to calm herself down.
"Charlie Hunter. She said it was her stepfather's party," James answered, looking down.
"Well, it obviously wasn't, was it? No, it was a ball for the ROYAL FAMILY of GREECE!" Felicity shouted, turning red.
Andromada Black stood up from her seat. "How would you know, mother? Maybe Charlie is a member of the Royal family!"
"Would that make us royal by association?" Thomas wondered out loud. He looked up to find everyone staring at him. In response, Thomas grinned sheepishly and drank more hot chocolate.
"And you made a mockery of England! To think that you ruined the ball!" Felicity said over-dramatically. "We are eternally disgraced!"
"Isn't that enough punishment?" Jules asked timidly, hiding behind her brother.
"No," Felicity and Edward said together. Jules shrank back in her chair.
"Well, before we begin handing out punishment, don't you think we should wait for Orion to get here?" Elisabeth asked tentatively.
"Did someone call?" Orion Black asked as he strode into the kitchen. "I just got an urgent call telling me to come here, and oh boy -- " his voice trailed off as he surveyed the room and its occupants. He then turned sternly to the Marauders. "What did you do now? Blow up a toilet?"
The Marauders shrunk back except for Sirius who took out a notepad, grinning, and jotted that idea down. Orion looked at him disappointedly. "So, who is going to tell me what happened?"
Felicity opened her mouth to speak, but found she couldn't. A well placed Muting Hex had found its way to her. Edward responded instead. "The children have recently crashed the Royal Greek Ball and ruined it. We just got the letter."
Orion tried his best to look angry. He really did. But he couldn't help smiling. He turned to Sirius and said, "How did you manage to get to Greece, weasel your way into the ball, and ruin it in less than -- " he checked his watch " -- four hours?"
Sirius grinned. "Either dumb luck or we are incredibly gifted."
Orion raised his eyebrows at his son. "Dumb luck it is… so, I'm surprised. I didn't see you there…"
"You were there?" Andromada asked, shocked.
Chuckling, Orion answered her, "Of course. I am the Head of the Department of Mysteries. Besides, Ryan Stramopoulis is a chum of mine. We went to school together… of course, I was a two years above him. He was my prodigy. I taught him the fine art of Pranking."
Remus looked up excitedly. "You taught a member of the Royal family how to Prank? Sirius, your dad is so awesome!"
Sirius puffed out his chest. "I know, I know. But my dad doesn't even come close to me!"
"Ahem," Felicity Black interrupted them. "We still have to deal with the consequences…"
"So, it was you all who put those pranks everywhere. You know, most of he attendees were muggles…" Orion interrupted his wife.
"Yup," Sirius said proudly. "I handled the food."
"I helped with the chandelier," Remus and Thomas said together.
Andromada, Estella, and Jules looked up. "We did the tapestries and paintings, and such."
James waved. "I did the plants…"
"ENOUGH!" Felicity screamed. "Estella, Andromada, Sirius! Potters! Others! We are not here to praise you! You are going to be punished!"
Silence fell over the room at once. Felicity stood up, and smoothed her skirt. "Elisabeth… Edward. Orion. I believe we need to discuss this in the other room…"
"No. I have the perfect punishment," Orion said. "There are to be no pranks for the next two weeks -- "
Immediately, everyone began to protest. "What!" "That's not fair!" "You can't take away pranks! It's a birth right!"
Orion silenced them with one glare. "Now, if I hear of one prank, whether it be done here or at Hogwarts, the consequences will be dire. So dire, I dare not speak of them. Understand?"
Grudgingly, the guilty agreed, and trudged up to their rooms without as much of a 'good night' or 'I love you'. Everyone was staying over night at the Potters, since it was so late. The next day, they would return to Hogwarts.
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
"I can't believe we have to stay with you!" Sirius complained loudly, dragging his trunk behind him.
"Well, brother darling, it's no picnic for me either! But you are going to have to deal with it!" Andromada said, floating her trunk in front of her.
The Blacks had just arrived at King's Cross Station. Felicity Black had warned Sirius that if he did not stay with his sister… well, he wouldn't even want to consider not doing that. And so, Sirius was following Andromada and Estella around the Platform.
"Well, can we at least find Michael and James? Or Remus and Thomas?" Sirius whined.
Andromada stopped in her tracks, and whirled on her heel. "Sirius Orion Black, I am in charge here! So therefore, I say what goes!"
Sirius grinned. He had an idea. "Well, let's say we find James. Well, he is just a Lily radar. She shows up wherever he is. Right?"
"Right," Andromada said slowly, navigating the crowd once again. She wanted to find a compartment before they all filled up.
"And Lily is going to be where Bella Figg is, right?"
"Right."
"Well, Bella and the Dungster are cousins. So, I'm guessing he's also on babysitting duty. So, if we find James…"
"We find 'Dungus!" Andromada shouted enthusiastically, catching the stares of passing wizards. Andromada took no notice, and began to look for James' messy hair.
Estella had remained quiet the whole time. She was exhausted after last night. Sirius dropped back slightly to walk with his sister.
"Hullo Estella," he said, smiling. Estella nodded bleakly. Sirius gave up on her, and walked at his normal pace, checking every once in a while to make sure Estella was still there.
Andromada managed to find James, and true to Sirius' word, Lily, Bella, and Mundungus were with them. Andromada ran over, and hugged her boyfriend. The First and Second Years wrinkled their noses as the older kids had a 'happy reunion'.
Michael helped Estella load her trunk into the compartment, and sat between Lily and James. He did not want a fight to start, and especially no pranks.
"So, what'd you get?" Bella asked, breaking the ice.
"What?" Michael questioned, confused.
"Punishment?"
"Oh," Michael said, trying to think of something. "We got no dessert."
Lily stared at him in shock. "You're joking! I got grounded for the first three weeks of the summer holidays!"
"What can I say; my parents aren't strict," Michael said, smiling nervously.
He of course couldn't tell them the Marauders' real punishment. Lily and Bella would take full advantage of that.
The train finally took off, and for awhile, the occupants of Compartment #10 sat in complete silence. That is, until some not so welcome people showed up, not even showing the courstesy to knock.
Severus Snape walked into their compartment, followed by Lucius Malfoy, Nicholas Nott, Narcissa Watkins and Alexiandra Marsiella.
The Marauders immediately jumped up, as did Lily and Bella. All held their wands at ready.
"If it isn't the Mudbloods and the Muggle-Lovers. What a group!" Lucius sneered.
Lily immediately jumped towards him; Michael and James grabbed her and held her back. "Oh, I'll Mudblood you!" she shouted, struggling against the brothers' grasp.
"And how will you do that, Mudblood?" Severus asked.
Bella jumped onto a seat and pointed her wand at Severus. She then muttered a charm under her breath. At once, Severus began dancing around the room.
"What? What did you do to me? Fix me!" he shouted, grabbing onto Narcissa Watkins.
Bella smirked before placing a Dancing Charm on the remaining members of the group. Soon, all of the Slytherins were dancing around the compartment, attempting to pull out their wands.
Lucius managed to hit Bella with a Singing Charm, while Severus got Michael and James with Jelly-Legs.
Spells fired thorughout the compartment; the Gryffindors vs. the Slytherins. Suddenly, someone shouted, "FINITE INCANTATEUM!"
The Slytherins stopped dancing, and Bella stopped singing. Michael and James stood normally, although they grasped onto the seats. All turned their heads to find Noelle Charrier standing in the door.
"Now, I don't know what happened. I'm guessing that you all started it -- " she said to her fellow Slytherins. Bella looked at Noelle hopefully. Was she back to normal?
" -- but that doesn't give you Gryffindors any right to hex anyone. You try that again, and I will personally teach you why you should never mess with Slytherins." With these parting words, Noelle grabbed Severus and Lucius, dragging them out of the compartment. Narcissa, Alexiandra, and Nicholas followed, muttering threats. Alexiandra slammed the door on her way out.
"Five minutes until we arrive at Hogwarts," a voice announced over the intercom. The Gryffindors used a simple charm to change their clothes, and remained silent.
When they arrived at Hogwarts, there was a small feast awaiting them. Lily and James insulted each other, but that was normal.
"Four eyed toad!" Lily muttered.
"Little Miss Priss," James shot back.
This went on for some time.
Sirius finally had the sense to shut them up by casting Muting Hexes on them. Lily and James stared stonily at Sirius for the rest of the night.
And the Gryffindors trudged up to bed, not anticipating the first day back.
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
"Gwyneth, why did you have to go break your arm?" Molly Fitzgerald whined.
Molly had called an emergency Quidditch Team meeting. Gwyneth was injured and wouldn't be able to play for awhile, so the team had to find a Replacement Chaser. The Reserve was good, but they weren't great…
Gwyneth smiled sheepishly. "It's not like I planned this!" Gwyneth had more than a wrist injury. In fact, she fractured her wrist in three different places. She had to wear a cast for the next three months.
Molly sighed disappointedly, and began to rifle through her different papers. "Does anyone have any suggestions for a replacement?"
Andromada looked up from her stats. "I still think we should just play with the Reserve. What's her name -- Rebecca?
"Rebecca is good," Bella said. "But she's not great. She can do the fundamentals, but she can't do the spontaneous stuff… we need someone who can do the spontaneous stuff."
"James? Sirius? Are you two dunderheads listening?" Molly asked impatiently.
"22," Sirius said looking up.
"This isn't a matamaticas class," Molly said.
"Mathematics," Gwyneth corrected her. Molly glared.
"Twenty-two. Jefferson."
Molly rolled her eyes at his lame attempt to look like he was paying attention. Just for the kick of it, she went to look at his stats.
Daniel Jefferson was quite possible the best player out there. Molly's jaw dropped in shock. Sirius was right for once.
"Okay. Gwyneth, you go find this Daniel Jefferson kid. He's a Sixth Year. Talk to him. Recruit him. I don't care what you do, just get him to come to practice. We'll see how well he plays."
Molly then turned to Sirius, who was counting down the days until the punishment was over.
"Good job Sirius."
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
The Marauders DID NOT have a good day. Not at all.
First of all, between the hours of 2 and 4, firecrackers went off nonstop in their dorm. But the Marauders couldn't find where they were coming from. So they attempted to sleep with a pillow covering their ears. That didn't work.
Next, they awoke in their beds at 6:00 A.M. However, their beds were 10 feet off the ground! It was hard to get down without breaking a body part. Michael had the sense to conjure a rope, and climbed down safely. Sirius was not so lucky. He rolled right out of bed to the hard ground below.
After this, the day went by pretty normally, except for the missing quills and missing ink pots. And the strategically placed dungbombs in the dorm. But besides that, the day went on.
They had one week of their punishment left.
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
The next day, Michael went down to breakfast to find everyone laughing and pointing at him. Michael looked down to find that he had forgotten to change out of his pajamas and was still holding his teddybear.
This wouldn't be that bad if Michael's pajamas hadn't consisted of a two-piece set (decorated with firetrucks) that had the footies on them. Michael ran back to Gryffindor Tower, embarassed out of his mind. He changed, and went back down to find everyone holding a picture of him in his glory. He was not happy.
On Wednesday afternoon, James had not done his Transfiguration homework, and was attempting to do it before Minnie McGonagall collected it. He didn't pay attention to what he wrote. He managed to finish, and looked over it proudly --
To find phrases such as "Four-eyed toad" and "Prat" written all over it. Needless to say, James got a '0' on that assignment.
On the fourth day, Sirius found himself going around and pinching everyone's butt that day. Including the professors, of course. He got himself two months worth of detention.
And there were only four people to blame -- the Venustians.
And the worst part was that the Marauders couldn't retaliate -- their two week punishment was not up yet. Three more days to go.
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
The Marauders awoke the next morning (on the ground, not 10 feet above!). Thomas felt like something was 'fishy'.
"Something's fishy," he said to Sirius. Sirius nodded in agreement. After all, there were no pranks.
The boys shrugged it off and got dressed. They then went to go to class.
But they couldn't open the door.
It was stuck.
"Move aside boys," Sirius said, puffing out his chest. "This is a man's job." And he wrapped his hands around the doorknob, twisted it, and tried to pull the door open.
It didn't budge, not even one bit.
Michael went to inspect the door to discover a clear substance in the cracks. He swiped his finger at it. "Krazy Glue," he muttered. His eyes then bugged out. "Krazy Glue!" he shouted, running over to the windows. They too were Krazy-Glued shut.
Dejectedly, Michael slumped against the wall. "Boys, you might want to take a seat. We're going to be here for a LONG time."
True to Michael's word, the Marauders were there for a long time. Until the professors noticed and went to free them of their prison. It took three hours, and a lot of fire charms. Finally, the Marauders were free.
And, boy, were they upset.
The Marauders went down to dinner, not happy. Their punishment was still not over, and none wanted to face the wrath of Felicity Black and Edward Potter.
Everyone was extremely hungry. They had not eaten all day long, and they were going to more than make up for it. Sirius shoveled down a record of 26 and a half plates. After dinner, the boys went up to the dorm…
To find the remains and trash of dinner that night awaiting them.
"Oh, bloody hell! Screw this punishment!" Sirius moaned. "I am going to die if I have to wait any longer!"
Michael put his hand on Sirius' shoulder in support. "It's only two more days… in two days, we can retaliate all we want."
"Two more days," Sirius moaned. "Two more days of this…"
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
Sirius and Thomas both woke up late the next morning. They were already late for Double Potions.
Running through the halls, the boys dashed into the Potions dungeon, throwing down their satchels.
"Boys," Professor Hoffman said, his greasy hair looking greasier than usual, "Detention. Now, if you would get out your books and study for the Test…"
Thomas nodded, out of breath, and went to open his satchel. But it wouldn't open. He tugged and tugged to no avail. Thomas sneaked a peak at Sirius to see if he was having the same problem. He was.
Thomas held up his satchel, and traced where the opening should be. There was a clear substance.
Krazy Glue.
Groaning, Thomas whispered to Sirius, "Krazy Glue," and pulled out a pocket knife. He then went on to rip his satchel. He handed the knife to Sirius who did the same.
Thomas took out his Potions text, and went to open the to the page.
The book wouldn't open. Krazy Glue was wedged between the pages and cover.
"One more day," Sirius whispered to Thomas.
Too bad the day wasn't over yet.
Remus was transformed into a drag queen. He wore a hot pink, short dress covered in sequeins. His hair was big, blonde, and poofy. Remus even had on high heels. And the worst part was that his legs were shaved.
That and the appearance of female upper body parts.
Luckily, that didn't last long. He went to Madame Pomfrey who used a potion to reverse the effects of the charm used. But it wouldn't fade from Remus' memory for a LONG time.
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
It was finally the last day of the Marauders' punishment. The boys, ecstatic, went to sleep fairly early last night, their dreams swirling with plesant things.
The Marauders did not awake pleasantly -- not by a long shot. They awoke to buckets upon buckets of ICE COLD water pouring on their heads. And it was COLD!
Sirius was the first to move. He moved right to the bathroom, hoping to find some towels to dry off with.
Oh, there were towels. Unfortunately for the Marauders, they were also wet and ice cold.
And so, Sirius grudgingly moved on to the wardrobe. He could at least wear some warm clothes.
Unfortunately, the culprit had thought of this and soaked all of the robes in ICE COLD WATER!
The culprit was not as cruel as to let the poor boys roam around school in wet robes. They left one set of dry robes --
Pink, long, feminine bathrobes, that is. The culprit was that cruel.
If Sirius was at camp, he would no be a happy camper. Neither would the rest of the Marauders, for that matter. They trudged down to the Great Hall in their pink bathrobes, amid the laughter and catcalls. They ate in relative silence; once in a while, someone would mutter, "One more day… tomorrow… revenge… systematic, brutal revenge…" and the like.
The day was not yet over.
The boys went back to Gryffindor Tower after lunch. James led the group. 'Habeas Corpus' was called out as they reached the portrait hole. The Marauders stepped in --
And they were covered with shaving cream up to their waist.
"Great," Sirius said sarcastically. "This would be great if I HAD A FRIGGIN' RAZOR!" he shouted to no one in particular.
Then, the portrait hole opened and in stepped the Gryffindor 3rd and 4th Years. None were too pleased to discover the room filled with shaving cream.
"What have you all done now?" Mundungus said exasperatedly, trying to climb on a table. He suceeded, and pulled Andromada up with him.
"We didn't do anything! We're innocent! We were framed!" Michael and James cried out in unison.
Andromada stared coldly at the Marauders. "This prank has been the work of a Black, obviously." She then tossed another dirty look before helping Mundungus push the table toward the portrait hole. They exited amid a sea of shaving cream.
Sirius stood in the same place he had been standing, a peculiar look on his face. "You know," he said nonchanantly, "for once my older sister is right. This prank does have the Black touch. And I know exactly what Black it was…"
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
"You think that Estella was behind it?" Michael asked increduously. The Marauders had been cleaned up themselves and the common room earlier, forcibly. Now, they were in the library, hidden behind a tower of books.
Sirius nodded grimly. "And if Estella is involved…"
"Then you can bet your arse that Jules was involved in it too," James finished. "Those two boys that follow them around probably helped. What's their names -- "
"Edwards and Cauldwell, I think," Remus said, flipping through one of the few copies of 'The Prankster's Handbook'. He had a copy of 'The Avenger's Handbook' in front of him also.
Sirius looked down at the table sadly. "My sister. My own flesh and blood. She betrayed me…"
"Well, maybe not…" Michael said, although he believed Sirius' guess.
"First, Estella and Jules are the only ones who know about the two week punishment. Right?"
"Right," Michael said, flipping though a book of Hexes.
"Next, only a Black could think of something this ingenious…" He was interrupted by a 'Hmph!' from James. "…since the Potters have no brains!" Sirius finished, smiling broadly. James sarcastically smiled back at him, rolling his eyes.
"But they're on punishment too," Thomas pointed out.
"True true," Sirius agreed, nodding, "I said a Black thought of it. I never said a Black did it…"
"What are you getting at Sirius?" Remus blurted out impatiently.
"Estella and Jules informed Figg and Evans (the evil pranksters) of our punishment. They, of course, decided to take full advantage of it. And even if Estella and Jules thought of the pranks, that doesn't mean they personally carried them out…"
"You're right," Michael said, running his hand through his hair. "You are so right!"
"Of course I'm right," Sirius said in satisfaction, "I am Sirius Orion Black."
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
"Michael… Michael…" someone said, tugging on the sleeve of Michael's shirt. Michael, in response, rolled on his other side. "Michael…"
"Let me sleep!" he said, his voice muffled in his pillow.
"Michael!"
Michael bolted up and nearly knocked Godric Gryffindor off the bed. "Godric?"
"Yes?"
"Godric?"
"Yes, we have established that I am Godric," Gryffindor whispered, taking care not to wake anyone else.
"Why couldn't you let me sleep?" Michael asked, yawning. He rubbed his eyes blearily. Then, as reality sank in, Michael's eyes snapped open. "GODRIC! I THOUGHT YOU WERE DEAD!"
"Michael, I am dead," Godric Gryffindor said frankly.
"Oh, you know what I meant," Michael said, as Godric gestured for Michael to follow him.
Michael grudgingly got out of his soft, warm bed and shrank back when his feet touched the cold floor. He grimaced, but followed Godric through the door, nonetheless.
Michael found himself on top of Gryffindor Tower. "What the heck?" he asked, rubbing his head. "Am I hallucinating?"
"No. I simply used my 'Other Worldly' powers," Godric answered briskly. "I have news…"
"Oh, no. Not again. Anything but news!" Michael covered his ears.
Godric reached out and uncovered Michael's ears. "You must listen to me. I need you to go to Dumbledore. Let him know that the Ring has been broken. Also let him know that Voldemort has discovered this. You must give him this note. Also, tell him that Noelle Charrier is in danger, and she mustn't go to Malfoy Manor for the summer holidays."
"Why would she be in danger? She's on their side," Michael said, narrowing his eyes.
Godric relaxed his expression, and reached out clasping his hand on Michael's shoulder. "My heir," he said softly, "if you are to learn but one thing in your life, learn that there are two sides to every coin…"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Michael questioned him.
"I do not have the time to discuss it. I must go now. Tell Dumbledore I will contact him in a few days…"
Michael found himself back in his dorm, sitting at his desk. "Stupid 'Other Worldly Powers," he muttered, examining the quill in his hand and the parchment before him. Micahel wrote down what Godric told him to tell Dumbledore, and addressed the letter. He then found an owl awaiting the letter. He muttered several choice words about the 'Other Worldly' powers as he tied the letter to its leg. The owl zoomed off.
Michael laid in his bed once again, and turned off to sleep.
But he first looked at the clock -- it read 12:36.
The two-week punishment was over.
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
A/N: So, the majority of the pranks in this chapter belong to 'kellz_4'. One of the pranks belongs to 'VeelaGirl0131'. I would like to thank everyone who read the last chapter and responded. Hugs for everyone! Especially Kim, who checks the chapters over for me & gives me suggestions. Kim is quite possible the most loyal reviewer out there. Thanks!
I hope this chapter was up to everyone's standards. I'm sorry this took awhile. First, my relatives from PA came down to visit. That blew a whole week and a half. Next, my evil teachers (Voldies-in-Disguise) have been overloading me with homework. And then, I blew off a whole weekend by being forced to go to a Drug/Substance Abuse Awareness class that is required to get my driver's permit. So, that was my month in a nutshell.
The next chapter is going to take place in April. It's going to start off with a Qudditch Match and then the Prank War will resume. By the way, the Marauders do not know that Charlie is a princess. They just know she is associated with a member of the Royal family. Please Read & Review! And if you have any prank ideas/suggestions, email me at Luckie7n13@aol.com. Thanks!
~Noelle