Disclaimer: If I owned Harry Potter, do you seriously think I would be writing fanfiction?

This chapter is dedicated to Digigirls37 for giving me the idea to turn Snape's skin different colors!

Chapter Six: Secrets of Success

Snape had, quite wisely, avoided the Gryffindor boys for most of the period and it was almost time for the bell. While this was, as George pointed out, an improvement from normal classes with him, it also meant that they hadn't been able to put their plan into action. Unfortunately, Snape was still taking points: Gryffindor had lost fifty or sixty points, not counting the ones he took at the very beginning.

Finally, Snape appeared to decide that it was time to go torture the five Gryffindors. He stopped next to Remus and sneered at the potion, which was bright blue intead of the dark red it was supposed to be.

The sneer seemed to be the cue for the other four pranksters, all of whom had just grabbed some boomslang skin and dropped it into their respective cauldrons.

BOOM! The cauldrons exploded almost instantly, giving all of the Gryffindors and any nearby Slytherins barely enough time to dive under their desks. The only one caught in the open was Snape and he got postively drenched by the combined contents of four separate cauldrons.

Immediately, his robes, skin, and hair started changing color. First pink, then purple, then red, then blue, then orange, then yellow, then green...

Luckily for the Gryffindors, the bell rang before Snape had recovered from his shock enough to take points, and they all bolted from the dungeons. The quintet of pranksters didn't stop until they had put five floors between themselves and the very angry Potions Master. They all leaned against the walls, breathing hard.

"That was amazing," Fred said when he caught his breath. "Good thing we got out of there fast, though."

"How long will it last?" George asked, grinning.

"One week," Sirius replied with a smirk. "And any non-colorful clothes he tries to put on will absorb the potion and start changing colors as well."

Fred laughed. "Good thing we don't have Potions again this week then!"

Remus paled. "No," he said slowly, "but we do have detention with him every night for the next two weeks."

Fred stopped laughing and stared at Remus before slumping back against the wall. "We're dead," he said hollowly. "Dead. We just haven't bothered to lie down yet."

James took a deep breath and slowly let it out. "Well, we better get to our next class or we'll end up in even more detentions."

George nodded. "Transfiguration next," he said. "And McGonagall's not going to be thrilled with us either."

"Joy," Sirius muttered sarcastically, rolling his eyes.

Fred just groaned before leading the way to Transfiguration, which passed uneventfully. All five pranksters were actually behaving, truly a rare event.

Finally, the bell rang, but before they could escape to lunch, McGonagall's voice sounded.

"Mr. Thompson, please stay behind."

It took Remus a second to remember that he was "Mr. Thompson," but when he did, he reluctantly turned around, suppressing a sigh. James and Sirius shot him sympathetic looks before following the twins out into the corridor.

"You go on," James said. "We'll wait here for Remus and meet you in the Hall."

The twins gave each other slightly skeptical glances.

"We remember the way," Sirius assured them, noticing the looks.

George shrugged. "Well, if you're sure." With that, the twins left.

The two time-travelers waited in silence for a few minutes until Remus stepped out into the corridor.

"What'd McGonagall want?" Sirius asked as the three boys headed towards the Great Hall.

"Nothing," Remus replied a little too quickly. "Why didn't you two go on with Fred and George?" he asked, hastily changing the subject.

"Yeah, James, why didn't we?" Sirius asked, distracted.

"The cloak," he said simply. "D'you think we should show it to them?"

Sirius and Remus exchanged looks. "It's your cloak," Remus pointed out. "Why ask us?"

James sighed impatiently, running a hand through his hair. "Because it's the secret to our success. I mean, it's technically mine, but we all use it."

"Yeah..." Sirius said slowly. "I dunno, James. They're good pranksters, but you never know. They could end up turning us in for something."

"I don't think so," Remus said thoughtfully. "They don't seem like the type to turn anyone in-friend or foe."

"Still..." Sirius replied, unconvinced. "Maybe we should wait a bit, just until we know them a little better."

James nodded slowly. "Alright. But just for a little while."

"Right."
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Fred and George were on their way to the Great Hall, talking quietly.

"We can't show them the map! What if one of them runs off and tells McGonagall?" Fred was saying frantically.

"They wouldn't," George said waving Fred's concerns away. "Weren't you in Potions earlier? They like causing trouble as much as we do! They're not like Percy."

"I know that. But...the map? It's the secret of our success, George! We can't go around showing it to everyone just because they happen to be good at pulling pranks."

"But they're really good at playing pranks," the other Weasley replied persuasively. "Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs would approve."

Fred scowled. "A week," he said abruptly. "Give them a week, and if they're still non-Percy-ish, then we'll show it to them."

"Deal."
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It was the end of the day, and all six of the second year Gryffindor boys, both past and present, were asleep. All but one, that is. Remus was still awake, thinking back over the converstion he had had with Professor McGonagall.

As the last of the Gryffindors left, Remus stood in front of the stern Transfiguration Professor's desk.

"Lupin," she began, "the full moon is in a week and a half."

"What?" he asked, confused. "But it was just-" Realization dawned. "Oh. Time change."

She nodded. "However, in this time-"

"There's a cure?" Remus interrupted eagerly, unable to stop himself.

Slowly she shook her head, and Remus' spirits dropped. "No. There is not a cure. There is a potion, though, that...diminishes the effects somewhat." Seeing that the young lycanthrope didn't understand, she elaborated. "You will still transform, but the potion allows you to keep your mind somewhat."

"So...I won't have to worry about injuring myself?" he asked uncertainly.

A slight nod was her only reply.

"I won't have to worry about biting anyone else either, right? So I could stay in the hospital wing?"

She smiled slightly. "Yes, you may stay in the hospital wing. Now," she said briskly, "You will have to take the potion every day for the week leading up to the full moon."

Remus nodded, listening carefully as she instructed him to come to her office immediately after dinner and before detention every night, starting on Thursday.

Remus sighed, rolling over in bed. How was he supposed to explain it to the others? He couldn't say that a relative was ill, as he had in the past. James and Sirius wouldn't buy that in the least. He sighed again, trying to come up with a plan.

Slowly, he fell asleep, half-formed plans dancing through his mind.

Yes, she called him Lupin. They were alone, and that's how she is used to addressing him.

In case anyone is interested, this is the longest chapter so far in this story! (Though considering the fact that there are ony 1400-some words, that's not saying much...)

For those of you who don't read my author page (don't lie, I know most of you don't), I've created an update schedule. The fifteenth of every month, I will update this story. Okay? Everybody got that? Good. :)

But, since I'm in a giving mood (and because I'm bored and want reviews -hint hint-), I'm giving this chapter to you a day early. Enjoy!

Review Replies:

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