Disclaimer: I, elysium, do not own any of these characters. JK Rowling does. Of course, I'd looove to have Severus Snape; maybe JKR will give him to me after Book 7?

A/N: I realize they're probably all OOC, but this is a fanfiction, right? I'll only plague you with more if I get positive reviews, I promise.

Ginny's Prank Challenge

Chapter One: Hermione Gets Tired of Being the Stick-Up-the -Arse.

Everyone knew Hermione Granger as the strict, smart chick with a Prefect's badge. She always thought that the other students admired her, and that she was a sort of role model for them. It took the last half of her 6th year and about a dozen mutters of "show-off" and "know-it-all", as well as a one-time whisper of "Mini-McGonagall" for her to get the picture. After having a long, boring summer to think about it (the Order had moved their Headquarters to Siberia on a whim from Moody), Hermione realized she was sick of being the old stick-up-the-arse. Since her Seventh year would be her last at Hogwarts, the newly-instated Head Girl decided it was time to have a little fun. After all, she had gotten permission to take her N.E.W.T.'s early, as she already knew all the Hogwarts curriculum and more. It seemed that a little fun was in order this year.

It would take a lot more words than I feel like typing to describe to you the looks on the faces of Harry and Ron when she told them her plans on the Hogwarts Express that September. Yes, the ever-relentless Hermione Granger had made a list, drew up a plan, the whole nine-yards, of things she wanted to do this year. The only problem was, she needed a little help. Which, in fact, turned out to be not a problem after all. Harry, Ron, and Ginny showed true Gryffindor spirit, being only too happy to have a little fun. I mean, there WAS a war going on.

"Okay Herms, what's the first thing you wanna do?" Ron asked his friend happily. As he had spent the summer reading 'Martin Miggle' and listening to Ginny jabber on about boys and make-up, he was all-too ready for a bit of fun.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Can you please not call me 'Herms'? Pet names are so immature. Anyways, I figured-"

"Wait a sec," Ginny interrupted. She ignored Hermione's glare and continued. "I saw your list 'Mione, and it was good and all but it could use a little...you know...tweaking." She smiled mischievously.

Hermione frowned, and Harry grinned at his redheaded girlfriend. She was so much prettier than Cho Chang, even though she did look rather like Fred and George at the moment. "What do you mean, Ginny?"

"Well I was thinking, with the twins gone last year was kind of bleak. I think it'd be more fun if we made a game out of Hermione's prank idea. It'd be cool if we made it a competition, like. We could take turns pulling pranks or something and have someone judge whose is the best. I dunno, we could have like rewards or something."

The other three expected Hermione to be offended, but instead she looked thoughtful. "A little competition would make everything more interesting."

Just then the door slid open and Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood walked into their compartment.

"Hello," said Luna vaguely, sitting down on the floor.

Neville gave her an odd look and then smiled at the other four Gryffindors. "Hi, everyone. How was your summer?"

Everyone replied with the usual answers to pointless questions like that, and it wasn't long before Ginny was telling Luna and Neville all about her idea.

Luna looked regretful. "I wish I could join you, but as my father assigned me junior reporter to his magazine this year, I need to concentrate."

Neville, on the other hand, looked a bit nervous. "Umm, won't you guys get expelled if you go around pulling pranks on people?"

"It's not like we're going to make it obvious it's us," Harry told him. "The secrecy will increase the challenge. So how about it, you wanna join?"

Neville looked uneasy for a moment. "I dunno, but if Hermione's doing it, it must not be too dangerous."

Hermione ignored the slight insult and began scribbling on a piece of parchment. The Gryffindors made suggestions while Luna stared out the window.

"But who are we going to get to be the judge?" Hermione asked the rest.

"I could do that." Luna said, turning around to look at her. "If it wouldn't be time-consuming."

"Ok, that's settled," Ginny said. "But what do we get if our prank wins?"

Everyone thought about this. Ron perked up after a moment. "Remember when we played Truth or Dare at the Yule Ball last year?"

Everyone smiled reminiscently at the thought of Harry licking Colin's shoes, except Harry who was spitting into a handkerchief.

"Yeah, so what about it?'

"Well, how about whoever pulls the best prank gets to make everyone do the dare of their choice? As long as it's not nasty or illegal," he added.

All the rest agreed excitedly. This was going to be a fun year. Harry himself could think of loads of things he could do to Snape, and Umbridge, who was teaching History of Magic (Professor Binns having finally retired).

As they climbed off the train and headed for the carriages, Hermione smiled to herself. This year was going to be different.

A/N: Ok, next chapter stuff will actually happen, I promise.