Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. I DO, however, have a mortal fear of lawyers. So please don't sue me.

A/N: Evil computer. Need I say more? Oh, and this was typed on Notepad. -This- means italics. And in case your wondering, Notepad doesn't have Spellchack. I apologize in advance for any mistakes.

Chapter Five: Instant Trouble: Just Add Boomslang Skin.

The next morning, all five of the pranksters hurried down to the Great Hall, trying to get there before Snape's Howler. After all, it wouldn't be any fun if they weren't there to watch it, though Remus sensibly suggested that they sit near the doors, ready to escape just in case Snape tried to murder them. Knowing Snape, he probably would.

Not ten minutes after they arrived, a barn owl swooped down and dropped a scarlet envelope in front of Snape. The barn owl flew away like its life depended on it. Considering the circumstances, it probably did.

Then the Howler exploded. "SNIVELLUS SNAPE!" The hall went silent except for the snickers coming from up and down the Gryffindor table. "YOU'RE TOO STUPID TO BE A PROFESSOR! IF YOU HAD ANY BRAINS, YOU'D KNOW HOW TO USE SOMETHING CALLED SHAMPOO TO WASH YOUR HAIR!!" This brought a roar of laughter from the Gryffindors, with quite a few Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws joining in. Even some Slytherins had smirks on their faces. But the Howler didn't stop there. No, it proceeded to list every prank played on Snape since he had become a teacher-the list was courtesy of the twins, who had heard about most of them from their brothers...the ones that they hadn't played themselves, that is. By the time the Howler finished, practically every student was laughing, a couple even rolling on the floor. Snape looked paler than usual and somehow even more dangerous. And McGonagall...McGonagall had left the staff table and was heading straight towards them, her mouth the thinnest of thin lines.

The moment she reached them, she rapped out, "All of you. My office. Now."

"But we didn't do anything," Sirius protested, eyes wide.

"NOW!" she repeated, eyes flashing dangerously.

They went.

"Keep denying it," Sirius hissed. "If we get lucky, she might give up." Unlikely, but it was worth a shot.

"Or Snape will come in and force Veritaserum down our throats," Remus pointed out gloomily.

"Veri-what?" James asked, giving Remus a we-know-you're-smarter-than-us-so-don't-rub-it-in look.

"Veritaserum. It's a very powerful truth potion."

"How d'you know that?" Sirius asked, looking at Remus. "You're terrible at Potions."

"Gee, thanks, Sirius," Remus said sarcastically.

"No, he has a point," James said. "You are bad at Potions."

"Exactly. I did extra research so that I wouldn't fail."

"Oh."

"Anyway, Veritaserum is controlled by the Ministry, but after that Howler, I doubt he cares about the Ministry."

"Probably not," George agreed.

They walked for another minute or so, then turned into McGonagall's office. There were five chairs in front of her desk.

"Hey!" James said indignantly. "She was expecting us to get in trouble!" He grinned suddenly. "Cool."

The other four laughed for a second before sitting down. Sirius leaned back, balancing on just two of the chair legs. They waited in relative silence for McGonagall.

She arrived two minutes later. Snape was right behind her. Sirius nearly fell over backwards before managing to find his balance again.

"Mr. Bla-Causs, put all four chair legs on the ground," were the Transfiguration Professor's first words. Scowling, Sirius obeyed. "I assume you all know why you're here?" she asked.

"Yes," James said. "For not sending him," he glared at Snape, "a Howler."

"Do you know what a Legilimens is, Cooper?" This, surprisingly, came from Snape. It was a bit amazing that he could talk and still keep his smirk in place, James thought idly.

"A greasy git?" Sirius suggested in an undertone. The other four fought to keep from laughing out loud. Snape's smirk became more pronounced.

"For your information, a Legilimens can, among other things, tell when a person is lying to them. Like your friend just was, for example."

"Thank you, Severus. I will deal with these five from here." McGonagall said before James and Sirius could say anything back.

Snape looked like he would rather strangle all five second years, but nodded and left, giving the fivesome his best "Death Glare."

"100 points will be taken from Gryffindor and you will all be serving detention for a month. Two weeks with Professor Snape, then two with Mr. Filch. Is that clear?" McGonagall's tone suggested that it had BETTER be clear.

"Yes, ma'am," Remus answered for all of them.

"Good," she said shortly. "Now, I suggest that you all hurry. Class starts in ten minutes."

They all scrambled for the door, eager to get away from McGonagall.

"What's our first class?" Remus asked as they headed up to Gryffindor Tower to get their things.

"Potions," George groaned. "I think we should have waited until tomorrow to send that Howler."

Remus winced. Potions and an angry Snape would not make for a fun class.

They gathered their books quickly (A/N: I'm going to claim writer's license here for how J, S, & R got books.) and hurried down to the dungeons.

They managed to be only five minutes late. "Well," Snape said, sneering, "since you're five minutes late, I think we'll make it five points each from Gryffindor. Sit down."

Remus grabbed the back of James' robes to keep him from throttling Snape and pushed him towards a seat, then followed him. Sirius took a seat on the other side of Remus and the twins sat down behind them.

"Today," Snape began, glaring at the five Gryffindors, "We will be making a simple Sleeping Draught. The proper method is on the board, the ingrediants are in the store cuboard. Get to work."

"What a hands-on teacher," Sirius muttered sarcastically to the four other pranksters.

Fred snorted. "Wait until we start actually brewing the potion. He becomes very interested in our work. Interested enough to insult our intelligence every time we make the tiniest mistake."

"Slimy git," George added.

"Weasley, Weasly, Cooper, Thompson, Causs! 20 points from Gryffindor. Now, get your ingrediants and get back to your seats!"

"Slimy, -biased- git," George amended.

"Hear, hear," James muttered, throwing a glare in Snape's direction as he dumped everything next to his cauldron.

Sirius gave James a truly wicked grin. "Hey, James...do you remeber what happens when you add boomslang skin to this potion?"

A grin slowly grew on James' face. "Right when he passes by?"

"Sounds about right to me. Remus, you may want to work at a different table."

"Already moving," Remus replied. "Do you guys want any help?"

"Help with what?" Fred and George asked in unison.

"When Snape walks by me or Sirius, add boomslang skin," James said secretively.

"What'll happen?" George asked eagerly. He and Fred had never added the wrong ingrediant on purpose. They weren't too keen on the thought of Snape's rage, but now that they'd already gotten hime angry...annoying him more was fun! Except for the detentions.

James only smiled and said, "You'll see. You'll see."
Whew! This is not my favorite chapter of the five, but I hope you enjoy it! Wow! 13 reviews! I feel so loved!!! hugs reviewers

Review replies:

Tielle: Here ya go!

Anonymous: Nice name. :-) Sorry it took so long.

Digigirls37: heeheeheee...But I don't think any of them speak Spanish or Japanese. Made me laugh though! Didn't want to send anything with the Howler (can you imagine how much more trouble they'd be in? shudder) but, if you don't mind of course, I'd like to use those ideas later in the fic! I mean, I'd give you the credit and everything.

The Enchantress: No! Not the puppy-dog eyes! NOOOOO!!!!!

Queen of Zan: Thanks for reviewing all four chapters!

diamond004: They were trying to send it anonymously, so putting in a prank that the Marauders pulled would have been a very bad idea. But would you mind if I used that idea in either this story or my other one? I'd give you credit and everything, of course.

BamsSk8Chic: Glad you like it! Here ya go!

vuzznut: Glad you like it! You think I'm funny? -blushes-

Nicole: Glad you like it and glad I improved your day! You think I'm funny too? -jumps up and down-

AngelSword: Thank you!