Chapter Two – Prank War

          James Potter sighed; I really hate my life he pulled a hand through his raven hair before recalling what had happened.

          After recovering from his laughter fit Sirius had managed to straighten up, the girl and other lad doing likewise.  James sat down and names were exchanged.

          The pretty fiery-red head was called Lily Evans, and the small little mousey faced boy was Peter Pettigrew.  After about five minutes of silence in which Sirius sniggered continuously someone walked in.

          "So you see Severus…" Cold grey eyes fixed on James with severe dislike, "Potter," he spat.

          "Why my dear Lucius how is life treating you?" James greeted, though anyone sitting near him could see the hate hidden behind his glasses.

          Lucius sniffed, "better than you, it seems." Lucius sent a withering look at Lily who recoiled.

          "And just what is that supposed to mean?" James rose calmly from his seat facing Lucius head-on.  He jerked his head in Lily's direction, "she has nothing to do with this."

          Lucius smiled, "Goodbye, Potter." And in a move that sent his robes billowing he left the compartment.

          James scrutinized Lily from behind his glasses, "have you ever met him before?"

          Lily nodded once before staring at her hands, "in D-Diagon Alley."  You could see that she was desperately trying to hide the quiver in her voice. "He was al-l charming and nice, then he s-started laughing at a family of non-magic people who were shopping with their wizard kid.  He-he called them Mud-Bloods—"

          Sirius exploded "HE DID WHAT?"

          Lily stared at him shocked, "C-called them Mud-bloods."

          Sirius flew to the door furiously "I'll kill him!" James grabbed his arm and pushed him back, "wait, I think Lily needs to say more," smiling and nodding his head he said, "Carry on Lily."

          Lily looked up from beneath her fringe before carrying on, "I asked him what was so wrong with them and he said 'master does not like mud-bloods' then-then he…beat me up!"

          Peter reached out a hand and gently placed it on Lily's shoulder, "why?"

          "Because I'm one too!" Lily began to sob.

          James looked furious, "He is SO dead." He threw open the door and snarled before storming out.

          "What's the matter with him?" asked Peter.

          Sirius sighed, "Never mind.  Now, Lily, have you ever played exploding snap?"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

          "That was not funny Sirius!" Lily shouted as she entered the hall soaked from head-to-foot.

          Sirius sniggered, "was too."

          "Was not!"

"Was too!"

          "Was NOT!"

          "Was TOO!"

          "NOT!"

          "TU-TU!" Sirius laughed and Lily stopped confused, "weirdo."

James pushed his way up the line dodging between people to reach Sirius, Peter and Lily. "Hey guys." Lily glared, "and girls.  What happened to you?"

"Well, Winifred," started Sirius ducking James fist.

          A young witch came out of the doors to the entrance hall, she was quite young and would have looked quite nice and friendly had she not been wearing a grim face and a tight bun.

          "MINNIE!!!!" James launched himself at the family friend and hugged her around the middle.  "Bet you've missed me!"

          The surrounding students were sniggering slightly as the woman seemed unsure of what to do with an eleven-year old wrapped around her waist.  "James Potter do you mind getting off me?"

          Sirius piped up, "You forgot Winifred!"

          James jumped after Sirius and began chasing him through the hall before Sirius ducked through the doorway and James followed.  "Ha! I've got you now!"

          The great hall fell silent at seeing the two first-years, the infamous James Potter (he came from one of the most world-renound families) strangling a boy with tears leaking out of his eyes in laughter.

          "Ahem, Mr. Potter, would you mind letting go of Mr. Black and waiting for the rest of the first years?"

          James looked up at the teachers table where Albus Dumbledore was stood before blushing and taking his hands from around Sirius' neck, "Sorry Professor."

          "It's ok Winifred." Replied Sirius but shut up quickly as James hands moved toward his neck slightly.

          Fast forwarding slightly James smirked at what was to come next.  After wolfing down their meal the two had excused themselves from the table and ran off to the Gryffindor common rooms.

          "You sure this will work?" Asked Sirius as the two crouched down in front of the portrait of the fat lady.

           "Yeah, mum did it once when she was drunk," James completed the spell and smiled, "Done.  Now let's hope it's one of those insufferable gits they call 'Prefects'"

          The two boys walked back to the great hall as the Gryffindor first years left, and joined the end of the queue.  Lily noticed the two and pretended to tie her shoelace, "Where did you two go?"

          "For a walk," James tugged at Lily's hair and she scowled.

          "Don't do that!"

          "What, this?" James tugged again.

          "Yes!"

          "Make me."

          "What?

          James stepped away from her slightly and stuck out his tongue, "Make me."

          Lily made a grab for him but he dodged and they were suddenly in a game of Cat and Mouse, James suddenly shouted "Leviosa!" and Lily, unable to stop went skidding into the common room.

          Sirius was the first to turn the corner, and what a sight! James was rolling on the floor laughing, while next to him stood a fuming, bright pink bunny.

          He tentively took a step forward and said, "Lily?"

           The bunny glared.  Sirius couldn't help it, he burst out laughing too.  Suddenly nearly the rest of the first years noticed and gales of laughter flooded the hallway.

          "Finite Incantem!" Yelled their prefect Gerald Wesley.

          Lily was now stood outside the entrance to the Gryffindor common room glaring and bright red.  "That's it Potter, I'm calling a Prank War.           I'm sure you know the terms?"

          James straightened up and nodded, "First to admit defeat is the loser, loser…."

          "-has to be their slave for a week?" Asked Lily, extending out a hand to him.

          James shook it, "Let the Prank War commence."

          Lily smirked, "Prepare to be beaten Potter."  And, to everyone else's enjoyment she bounced away, a fluffy pink tail still visable on her butt.