Chapter twenty-five

The Marauder's War

Harry and Serena began discussing what was happening long into the night. Both decided it would happen quickly, as Remus knew they had the Marauder's map. They also knew they would have to retaliate in kind. However they both kept wanting to wait before they planned anything, not wanting to take the jokes too far. They figured the easiest plan was to act as though they knew nothing and just wait and see. They went to the common room and talked with Ron and Hermione, finishing off a wonderful day with a little game of chess for Harry and Ron, while the girls discussed homework, which shocked both boys.

"You two never stop do you?" Harry asked. "I'm getting worried about you, Black. What would your Dad say if he heard you talking about homework on a perfectly good Saturday?"

"Probably that she doesn't want to fail, Harry." Hermione said, rolling her eyes. "Just because you don't care if you fail, doesn't mean no one else does."

"Hey, that's not fair!" Harry said, frowning at her. "I'm only second in our year because you're here you know."

"Really? I thought you would be dead last with as much as you study." Hermione said, smiling sweetly. "Then again, you have had a lot of detentions to catch up on work."

"Really Mione, don't speak of detention around me." Serena said, her face looking disgusted. "Moony knows how to get us real well. All we can do is sit in a chair and face forward for three hours!"

"Good thing we know a spell that lets us sleep and still look like we are at the peak of paying attention." Harry said laughing.

"Well it was till he started taking our wands. I think your dad invented that spell Harry, from the way Remus talked about it." Serena said smiling.

"All you have to do during detention is sit?" Ron said, looking scandalized. "I got detention and had to clean the trophy room muggle style."

"Trust me, Ron, Moony knows how to make us suffer. We hate to sit still and do nothing. Why do you think we cause so much trouble?" Harry said, grinning. "Just look at all the trouble I got into before Serena came around. I just didn't have the wisdom to take up the Marauder heritage till late. Just think of all the things I could have done if I had Fred and George to help!"

"No thank you, they caused enough trouble by themselves." Hermione said. "If you had joined them I think we would have lost Gryffindor tower by now. You three would have blown it up, screaming wildly 'That was bloody brilliant!' or some such thing."

"Hmmm, Black, she just gave me an amazing idea. We'll talk tomorrow, away from prefect ears. I don't think we could use detention right now." Harry said.

"Of course, Harry dear, I am always at your disposal when a plan is to be thought up." Serena said her eyes lighting up.

"See, Mione, I told you to be careful what you say around them. Aren't we supposed to take house points from them when they even think of planning something now?" Ron asked, worried.

"I think we are Ron, but I really couldn't care tonight. If I hear them planning tomorrow I will." Hermione said laying back in her chair.

"I think we've had a bad influence on her Potter." Serena said, smiling. "Sure you don't want to be a Marauder, Mione?"

"Why would I wish to get expelled when you two decide to go to far? I already feel bad for Ginny being involved with you two." Hermione said.

"You would wish to because it would be a great time, and no one laughs more than we do!" Harry said rationally.

"No, Harry, I will not become a Marauder. Three is more than enough to cause damage in this school." Hermione said.

"Check mate, Harry." Ron said laughing.

"Damn, I have to start paying attention when I play against you." Harry said laughing himself. "I'm off to bed. G'night guys, tell Gin I said G'night."

"Night Potter." Serena said lazily. "Sounds like a good idea really. Night you two, don't snog too much being alone here."

The next morning Harry woke early, and after a nice long shower, dressed and laid around the common room waiting for breakfast. He kept wishing the wizarding world had a television, so he would have something to do. Ginny and Serena stumbled downstairs sleepily about twenty minutes before breakfast.

"Why are you up so early, Potter?" Serena asked yawning.

"Well, my eyes opened quite early, and Ron's snoring is kind of hard to ignore. Think we should have a bit of fun with him and Hermione before breakfast?" Harry asked, grinning.

This woke up both girls quickly. "What are we going to do?" They asked in unison. He just smiled as he walked to the stairs to the girls dorm.

"Harry, you can't go up the steps, remember?" Ginny asked him, rolling her eyes.

"No, a boy cant go up the steps." Harry said, still smiling.

He transformed into the panther and walked lazily up the steps. The girls rushed to follow now, smiles plastered on their faces. As they entered the dorm, Harry stopped, sniffing the air. Then he walked up to the bed he knew was Hermione's. He looked to the two girls, who were nodding extremely fast. Harry began licking Hermione's face. At first she moved slightly, then started mumbling.

"Stop it, Ron. Ron I told you to stop." She said. Serena and Ginny forced down their laughter quickly, waiting to see where Harry was going with this.

Harry licked her a few more times, and no longer getting any response, decided to jump up in her bed. He began to nudge her cheek with his nose, and purr softly. Hermione, still sleeping, smiled and put her arm around him. This caused the two girls to double over, still holding their laughter in. Hermione opened her eyes slowly, still not realizing who was visiting her so early in the morning.

"Ron, remind me to find out how you- aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!" She screamed and Harry bolted down the steps quickly, while the girls put a silencing charm on the room now sitting on the floor laughing.

"What was that?" Hermione asked angrily. "And don't tell me I didn't see anything! And why is my face wet?"

"Harry wanted to come up and say good morning!" Serena said laughing.

"Oh my god, I've never seen anything that funny!" Ginny said in hysterics.

"I think she scared Harry more than he scared her." Serena said.

"Probably! Come on, Mione, its time to wake up Ron." Ginny said still laughing. "If Harry licks him though I might be sick."

"Agreed!" Serena said laughing again.

When they appeared downstairs, Harry was in human form again, laughing. Hermione looked angry, but she was laughing also. Ginny and Serena had still not stopped laughing.

"Harry, if you ever do that again, I will hex you till you are no longer recognizable!" Hermione said.

"Calm down, Mione. It's time to wake up Ron." Harry said his eyes lighting up again.

He walked calmly up the stairs and waited for the girls to come in, once again holding their laughter in. Harry transformed again and jumped up onto Ron's bed. He placed one paw on Ron's chest and purred softly again, hoping for a response. He was not disappointed.

"Hermione, again? After last night I didn't think you would ever want to again." Ron mumbled sleepily, and rubbed Harry's back.

Hermione turned a very bright shade of red, while Serena and Ginny were again forcing themselves not to laugh. Harry responded by letting out an angry sounding rumble from his throat. Ron opened his eyes immediately and saw a large animal with teeth bared looking him in the eyes.

"Don't eat me! Please don't eat me!" Ron cried, horrified. Harry leapt off Ron's bed and jumped into his own quickly as the other guys in the room started to wake up and transformed back to his human self as all three girls were laughing.

Harry jumped off his bed, smiling broadly. "So last night, was it then?" he said watching Ron turn red. "If you ever touch me in that way again, Ron, I will bite you." he said laughing. "Now it is time for breakfast, and that was your wake up call." He said and walked out of the room.

They all walked to breakfast together, laughing about the wake up calls Harry had given Hermione and Ron. Harry and Serena had momentarily forgotten about waiting on the prank from Remus and Ginny, which proved to be their biggest mistake. As they walked into the great hall, they suddenly walked into an invisible wall. Confused they walked forward again, only to be stopped again. Walking in all directions, they noticed quickly that the entire school was laughing. Ginny, now standing next to Remus, bowed as well as Remus.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, Ginny and I give you the Marauder's heirs, trapped in a box!" Remus said laughing. Harry shook his head laughing. Then he touched the shield with his hand and let his emotions free for a moment. Feeling the shield collapse he did the same to Serena's box. Looking at Remus he shook his head.

"Gotta do better than that, Moony." Harry said and waved his hand and Remus and Ginny were trapped in the same sort of prison he and Serena were in moments before dressed in clown costumes. "Now that, my friends, is style!" He said laughing along with the rest of the school.

Harry and Serena walked to the staff table and stood in front of Dumbledore, both looking cheerful. Dumbledore nodded happily, smiling himself. He looked from both students to the student and teacher who could not exit their prisons.

"Do you have something to say to me children?" Dumbledore asked.

"Yes sir, we do." Harry started. "I would like you to know that this was not a prank against a teacher but a Marauder. It seems that he is bored as well and wishes to play. We would like our chance to let this run its course."

"What do you mean, Harry?" Dumbledore asked.

"He means, that we are going to prank amongst Marauders for a while. Moony is a Marauder, as well as a teacher. We will not affect his classes but outside of his classes we would treat him as a Marauder, and the pranks would be free." Serena said cheerfully.

"I see. Well since it appears that he has started this, I will allow it. No interruptions to his class however. If I see that, you will both be suspended." Dumbledore said firmly.

"Agreed." They said, nodding to Dumbledore.

Harry looked at them shaking his head. "What were you thinking, Moony?" He said sadly. Then smiled at the students. "This, my friends is the time of the Marauder's War! May the best Marauders win!" He said and went to Gryffindor table eating cheerfully, laughing at Serena's plans, occasionally looking up at the still imprisoned clowns at the front of the room.

Harry and Serena spent the whole day laughing about Ginny and Remus. Harry asked the house elves to pop into their boxes and bring the food and plenty to drink. They didn't release them till the next morning, laughing heavily at the sight of the two sleeping peacefully curled up into tight balls on the floor.

"How precious!" Serena said laughing.

"So cute, looking just like little babies!" Harry said, grinning.

"You know, Harry, this reminds me of old times." Remus said smiling. "Except this time my accomplice is a lot better than Wormtail!"

"Really? You guys did this a lot?" Harry asked.

"Yeah, we always had these wars when Slytherin started getting too easy. We would attack each other, as we all had the brains to think of payback." Remus said, grinning. "However, for the next three nights remember to put these jokes aside, as we would on those nights."

"Shrieking Shack, eight thirty, right?" Serena asked.

"Yeah, and leave Ginny alone for these three days, as she will not have someone to help her now." Remus said.

"Agreed." Serena and Harry said.

"One thing, Gin, why didn't you pick Harry to go against me and Remus?" Serena asked.

"I have my reasons." Ginny said softly. Ginny looked at Remus and he nodded, smiling.

The next three days passed slowly for the Marauders. They stuck to a rule of no tricks except on Marauders, and that was postponed till after the full moon. Without Remus teaching, school got completely unbearable for the three. Harry was becoming increasingly depressed because not only was Remus not around, he noticed Ginny started distancing herself.

Only at night were they all free, walking calmly around the Shrieking Shack in animal forms for most of the night. On the second night the three actually coaxed Remus out of the house and they walked the yard of the house happily, playing tag as well as they could. This meant they would all run around until Remus jumped at one, Then whoever was tagged would run at the others until they caught one of them.

On the morning after the full moon they all woke up and walked happily back to school together. Remus kept talking about how much fun it was to have company again. They decided that their war shouldn't interfere in things like schoolwork, the DA, and rules about them joining Remus on the full moon. They told Remus of their promise to Dumbledore of no pranks in class, and Remus thanked them.

They also decided the war should only last to the next full moon. This way they had one month to play around, and hopefully not annoy too many teachers in the process. Also, from May till exams, they would not be able to do this because Remus would have to spend most of his time reviewing while the other three had to study for the exams.

Harry and Serena had no idea that this was only a setup, but during all the arrangements Remus and Ginny kept laughing at completely inappropriate times. As they entered the castle everyone knew the lines had been drawn, and war had begun. Ginny received permission to sit with Remus during meals to discuss their plans, while Harry and Serena became instantly inseparable.

The pranks began at lunch that day, each group having a chance to prepare. Harry and Serena entered the great hall to see pictures of them as babies had mysteriously escaped Remus' office, copied themselves, and spread themselves out. This wouldn't have been bad if it weren't for the fact that their names were clearly posted on top of the pictures, and they were running around in diapers.

Harry and Serena laughed this one off, though. No pranks were seen in return. Many thinking they had been beaten stopped paying attention. However as soon as Remus and Ginny stepped away from the table, they realized the tables had turned. Remus was standing in nothing but a diaper and bonnet, while Ginny was wearing an enlarged babies dress, with a pacifier and bonnet. She was wearing a diaper as well, though it was not visible.

This was met with both groups laughing at the others pranks, offering congratulations and claiming this round a tie. Harry noticed that the teachers all seemed to think that this was perfectly acceptable behavior, having a teacher walk around in a diaper. Dumbledore was chuckling softly.

Dinner was met with more pranks than lunch. Harry and Serena were met with a large amount of laughter as they entered the great hall again. Harry was standing for all to see, in a very tight dress looking like a very attractive woman. Serena however, looked like a very unsettling male with a large beer gut. They were only noticeable by their faces. They began laughing as soon as they noticed. This was good even by their standards. Harry waved his hand lazily, correcting the problem.

Again no retaliation was taken. Or so it seemed. While Harry and Serena were eating all smiles, they waved happily at Ginny and Remus. Suddenly they grinned and started laughing as Ginny sprouted a full beard hanging longer than Dumbledore's. Remus suddenly looked down, his eyes wide as he saw he had grown breasts. Harry and Serena stood up then and looked cheerfully at them.

"3, 2, 1, BOOM!" They shouted in unison, just as a box of dung bombs exploded directly between Ginny and Remus.

Their eyes suddenly looked above Ginny and Remus' head and they smiled again. They waited for them to follow their eyes. Remus and Ginny saw two cakes hovering above their heads. As soon as they looked up the cakes fell right in their faces.

"Classic!" Serena shouted.

"Brilliant!" Harry screamed and they walked out arm in arm.

Remus and Ginny agreed that they won at dinner. They smiled happily and bowed to them, offering their congratulations on the great prank of theirs. Remus decided that it was now time to raise the stakes, and put his and Ginny's plan into effect.

"Harry, what do you say to a friendly bet between Marauders?" Remus asked him.

"What do you have in mind Moony?" Harry asked.

"Well if we win, then you have to do whatever I say for one day." Remus said.

"And if I win?" Harry asked, intrigued.

"Well if you win, every time you have detention, you can plan your next pranks, talk peacefully among yourselves, whatever you want to do that doesn't cause you to leave the classroom." Remus said nonchalantly.

"Sounds good, as I plan to have quite a bit of detention in May. Tension breaking and all. What do you think Serena?" Harry asked.

"No Harry. This is just between me and you." Remus said. "The girls stay out of it. After all, even though they are Marauders now, really me and you are the only ones who are tied to the original Marauders closely."

"Alright then, Moony. You have a bet!" Harry said smiling. "It's good to know I will have very comfortable detentions when this is over."

"I agree. I like the idea of a slave for a day. I have just the task for you." Remus said also smiling.

They developed a scorecard that night which marked all the pranks pulled by both groups, which was kept in Remus' class. At the moment it was four to two in Harry and Serena's favor. They smiled at the idea of being free from boring detentions for the rest of the year.

The pranks were practically flying through meals now. Remus always seemed a step ahead of them now. During breakfast he made Harry start dancing uncontrollably, while Serena made Remus belch slugs, Remus made her dance much like Harry, accept upside down, on her hands. Ginny then attacked quickly, causing Serena to start hexing Harry at random times all throughout the day. Harry ended up in the hospital wing and agreed that they won that round.

Harry had his vengeance the next day when he charmed Remus' shoes to start running of their own volition at the oddest times, and into the most uncomfortable of places. When he was found wedged in a crack in the wall outside his class, he surrendered the round. Ginny made an amazing comeback the next day by cursing Harry and Serena to experience strange jolts of electricity every five minutes. When Harry found himself unable to stand after an hour, he bowed out of the round and spent the rest of the day in the hospital wing again.

While in the hospital wing, Harry lost again when Remus gave him a hair growth potion instead of pain relieving potion. Harry walked around school the next three days looking like cousin It. Serena charmed Remus' and Ginny's dinner plates to cause food to vanish as soon as it touched them the day after Harry's hair was finally returned to normal. Everyone laughed as Remus and Ginny stood bent over the tables, grabbing food and eating hungrily, until Dumbledore told them it was rather discouraging to see such behaviour. They sat, defeated, looking hungrily at the food not daring to place anything on their plates.

It went on this way for the rest of the month, both teams seeming to tie every week. On the day before the full moon, the last day of their war, both groups were struggling to stay at least one prank ahead. At last the war was ended by Dumbledore, who became nervous for students throughout the school when a duel broke out in the middle of lunch between the four, each battling for the ultimate prank curse.

With almost half of the school having to go to the hospital wing to have whatever damage a deflected curse caused, Dumbledore told them they must either stop, or be expelled and fired. This sobered them quickly and they ended the war, none wanting to leave Hogwarts. They apologized repeatedly to Dumbledore who, despite his severe threat, was chuckling at the thought of how far they were willing to go to win this war.

"Okay Harry, it seems that you lost." Remus said smiling.

"How do you get points for half of a prank?" Harry asked, confused.

"It's when a prank almost works." Remus said smiling.

"How is that fair!" Harry exclaimed.

"Stop being a sore loser. This is the same scorekeeping spell that we used back in my days." Remus said laughing. "Besides it seems you two are a good team. We only beat you by half a prank."

"What would you have me do, master?" Harry asked defeated.

"No Harry, not today. Tomorrow is the full moon. Sunday, my boy, you are mine to control." Remus said cheerfully.