Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was home to many unique students, both in the past and present. The Prewett twins were a duo of pranksters unheard of in their era; their chaotic happenings were the basis of numerous rumours, each retelling of their escapades becoming more outlandish and yet to the people who had the pleasure, or displeasure if you were one of their victims, to known and met them, they would say that each rumour were plausible. such was the legacy of Fabian and Gideon Prewett.
Next came The Marauders; four students that caused many Slytherins and teachers alike much headaches and embarrassing memories. They each were talented at their craft, and combined created a fearsome four, and yet a single cowardly decision demolished the once bonded foursome and led to a story of misery and betrayal. The legacy of the Marauders being lost in the turmoil of Voldemort's first attempt at taking Magical Britain.
And the Hogwarts of now have the Weasley Twins. Twins born into the same bloodline as Fabian and Gideon, and taking the same path as they had. Although their pranks and capers held a sort of reputation, there wasn't one that truly encapsulated their chaotic nature.
Until today.
Fred floated aimlessly over the castle they had grown to love, "You know, I've never really noticed this, but isn't that tower slightly askew?"
George tilted his head back and forth whilst looking at the aforementioned tower, "Huh, you're right. Wonder what could have caused that."
The two then grew silent as a slight breeze blew past them. Today was the day they would finally take the step to independence and take their first step into adulthood.
Right below them was the courtyard, a few students walking oblivious to what was above them.
"Shame we couldn't go with the original plan and fly out here after messing with Umbridge." Fred stretched his arm back with an audible click of his bones.
"Yeah, well. It's for our main investor, so it isn't that bad."
With identical smirks on their faces, they began their Extravagant Exit Extravaganza. Cementing their legacy as the best pair of pranksters Hogwarts has ever seen.
And in the background of their show, another bit of history was being made as well.
Professor McGonagall sat in her office, reading the day's issue of The Daily Prophet; as much as she absolutely disdained the waste of ink and paper, there was actually some bits and pieces of news amongst the slander campaign of Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore.
She was taking a rare day off, as she gave her class period for the Fifth Years to study up on the upcoming O.W.L.S. Making herself her favourite cup of tea, along with a splash of brandy for flavor, she relished in the silence of her office.
"Professor McGonagall! Professor McGonagall!"
The shrill voice of Colin Creevey destroyed the silence. She heard the voice of one of her cubs coming closer along with hurried footsteps, and with a sudden opening of her door, the body of Colin lurched forward, his heavy breathing giving off how urgent he had run to her office.
"Mr. Creevey. To what do I owe the pleasure of your sudden barging into my office?"
His face reddened as he sputtered to apologise and explain his actions, "I'm sorry Professor, but Professor Umbridge told me to come get you as fast as possible!"
Minerva's eyebrow rose in curiosity. Not wasting any time, they made their way to the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, where Umbridge paced, the sharp clicking of her heels showing her agitation.
"Hello, Professor Umbridge. You called?" The frazzled D.A.D.A. teacher glared at her, clearly not amused by her monotone inquiry.
"Yes, I did." She said through gritted teeth, losing any pretense of keeping her usual simpering smile and obnoxious cough, "Because two of your students in the house you are in charge of seems to be making their way into getting expelled from Hogwarts in record time."
Getting the subtext from her accusatory statement, Minerva's head started to ache as usual when talking about the Gryffindor twins of her house.
"Look at what they have done to my classroom, and I have heard that they are rounding the school in brooms, chucking Merlin knows what in the hallways. I want you to curtail them and bring their menace to an end!"
The normally strict and no-nonsense Transfiguration teacher found herself in a situation to finally knock down Umbridge a few pegs, and so seized the circumstance appropriately.
"As much as I agree with your stance in this matter, Professor Umbridge. I find that I am swamped with too much paperwork, given with your enlightening wisdom, and so find myself with no time to find the culprits and apprehend them."
Umbridge's face swelled red in anger and angrily retorted, "Well, if your too incompetent to actually help then I'll do it myself!"
She left Minerva, her angry steps becoming quieter as she stormed away. When she heard the last of Umbridge's steps, Minerva opened the door and looked inside.
If a unicorn had guzzled down several gallons of rainbows and exploded inside the room, she would not have been surprised. The classroom was a menagerie of different colors, seemingly nonsensical in its patterns. She lifted a finger to trace the walls as she moved closer to the blackboard. As an experienced witch, she could feel a small ward covering the blackboard, perhaps put up by either Umbridge or the Weasley Twins. Either way, she palmed her wand and dispelled the ward in curiosity, and what appeared was spectacular.
A painting, depicting the castle of Hogwarts along with several people in front of it. It wasn't the normal wizard painting, with moving subjects of the painting, but it was a still painting, cartoonish in nature. Along the path in front of the castle were a multitude of people; Lee Jordan, The Quidditch team, along with former captain Oliver Wood, other students she hadn't known that were good friends with the twins, all of the Weasley Family, Harry Potter and Lilith Moon holding hands - a tidbit she would keep to herself for now - and all of the teachers, Remus Lupin and Alastor Moody being the odd ones out. She noticed the depiction of herself, smiling with cat whiskers on her cheeks.
'Cheeky brats.' She thought, with a bit of humor. And she lastly looked at the center of it all, a cartoon painting of Fred and George, giving two thumbs up as they showed identical winning smiles.
She sighed to herself, "Why must they always find a way to somehow soften my heart?"
Looking at it all, it was definitely impressive, but with it came a sense of finality, as if they did all of this knowing this would be the last time they could. Because Merlin knows if they could do this multiple times they would have already done so.
Making up her mind, Minerva waved her wand and detached the blackboard from its spot, shrinking it down and pocketing it. Planning to somehow copy it or something similar to give to the other teachers. She left the room, smiling all the way back to her office. She would definitely miss them…
But she was happy to be rid of them, her blood pressure couldn't handle any more of their antics.
Two blurs sped past the hallway, leaving in their trail a mess of epic proportions. Suits of armour stepped down their pedestal and marched in the hallways, paintings were spun around, leaving the people inside them shaken and miffed, statues were brought to life and gargoyles and other mythical creatures roamed the school in their stone bodies.
Fred and George left nothing unturned. Everything they touched became an extension of their mayhem. Students unfortunate enough to be in their way saw the daredevils drop several pieces of candy.
"Ohh, look at what they dropped!" Random Hogwarts student #1 said excitedly. Picking up the candy and unwrapping it.
"Are you really sure you want to eat that? You know the rumours about their candies right?" Random Hogwarts student #2 asked worriedly.
Random Hogwarts student #1 scoffed and looked at their friend, "Oh come on, what's the worst that could happen?"
Right then, what seemed to be a peacock ran past them, although this particular peacock was wearing a Hogwarts uniform, squawking in distress while another student ran after them.
"Damn it, this is why you don't eat candy left on the ground, Ernie. Especially when it was dropped by the Weasley twins!"
The two random Hogwarts looked at each other for a moment, before Random Hogwarts student #1 immediately dropped the candy.
In another part of the castle, George stopped at a particular painting, coughing and stating in his best impersonation of Percy, "Sir Cadogan, I beseech thee to come forward, a quest befitting a knight of your caliber has appeared!"
The knight in question cautiously peeked behind the left frame of his painting, "Why, a quest you say? And what does this quest entail?"
Fred took the ball and continued on, "This quest is for you to show the gallant knights how a real knight acts; these lifeless sods don't know anything about the honor and prestigious reputation the knights of Hogwarts have, and we leave it to you to be the shining example!"
With tears swelling in his eyes, he emerged from behind the frame and saluted the twins, "I… I am honored to accept this quest and thankful that you two have finally seen my excellence. Knights, follow me! To glory!"
Sir Cadogan grabbed the hilt of his sword and raised it in pride, shouting and running off frame, the several empty suits of armour the twins had acquired following the eccentric painting of the knight and running along with him.
Grinning as they watched the knight race towards wherever he was going, George faced his twin.
"That does that, shall we continue on, ugly twin of mine?"
"Race ya there!"
The twins began to set off, but before they could, a random shout stopped them right at their tracks.
"Not so fast!"
The twins swerved their heads to see Umbridge and her Inquisitorial Squad; Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, Parkinson, and Bulstrode, standing with their heads held high.
"Ehem, you two. You are violating numerous rules that are in place, both the rules of Hogwarts and my educational decrees. I demand you stop and turn yourselves in at once, or else we'll have to detain you ourselves."
One of the twins made a show of caressing his chin in thought, whilst the other twin closed his eyes and hummed in concentration. Finally, after a while they both opened their eyes and responded to Umbridge's order.
"Catch us then!" They said in unison, before riding their brooms and flying down a corridor.
"Well, don't just stand around like a bunch of morons, catch those idiots!"
The Inquisitorial Squad fumbled for a moment before chasing after the twins on foot. The twins flew fast enough for them not to get caught, but slow enough for Umbridge and her squad to keep track of them. Unbeknownst to Umbridge and the others, as they chased the pair of chaotic incarnates, they tripped several wires that activated a set of magical charms and wards. These wires followed throughout their chase.
After several minutes of this cat-and-mouse chasing, the twins found themselves stuck in a dead end of a hallway, with only a small window occupying the wall.
Hearing the menagerie of footsteps coming their way, Fred and George prepared for the finale of their little show, conjuring up some goggles and getting something out of their pockets and standing rigid with their hands behind their backs.
The Inquisitorial Squad finally caught up to them, hands on their knees huffing in exhaustion.
Umbridge emerged from the middle of the group and vindictively smiled at the twins, "Looks like you two are finally trapped. Now, if you come quietly, I'll make sure your expulsion goes as quietly and smoothly as possible."
"Huh, seems like we're in quite a conundrum, shall we listen to the toad and pull ourselves in and listen to what it says?"
"No, no, not at all. Plus, you shouldn't trust any amphibians that can talk; maybe if we catch enough flies she'll let us go scot free?"
Finally having enough, Umbridge pulled out her wand and screamed at the two boys, "Cease this, you two are coming with me, and your compliance is not a factor!"
The twins smirked at her before George stated, "Nah, I don't think we will."
Faster than she or the others could react, the twins raised their hand behind their backs and swung down in a throwing motion. Everything suddenly became dark, as if the sun had been blocked out.
"Seems like you lot are lucky enough to see one of our new products; Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder! If you want to get some, look out for our new store in Diagon Alley, tata!"
The darkness diminishes, the twins disappear, leaving in their wake only an open window.
"Those… Those… Gah! Nevermind, we'll deal with those two soon enough. Draco, round up the others and see to it that all the mess those two created are fixed and cleaned. Roundup the Fifth years if you have to."
Draco nodded and gestured to his henchmen to follow him, as he made his way out the corridor he stepped first onto the hallway.
And out of the blue, he was suddenly engulfed in smoke.
"Ah!"
As the smoke dissipated, Draco reappeared but his features were changed. He appeared to have shrunk in size and his ears had elongated, his clothes changed from his Hogwarts robes and into a makeshift shirt from a pillowcase, all in all it seemed like he had transformed into…
"Draco, you turned into a house elf!" Pansy screamed hysterically.
Draco eyelids closed and opened slowly, he looked at himself, checking his body. After registering his situation, he did what he did best.
He promptly fainted.
In a room, where the walls were painted pink and floral patterns and plates adorned with cats hung on it, were one Harry Potter and Lilith Moon.
"I expected a bit of resistance or at least an alarm. She really doesn't think much of us, huh?" Lilith stated, moving to the table where Umbridge usually stayed at. Harry busied himself by messaging the others using the coin - which Hermione managed to modify and only let those in the know of the plan to use and get messages from it - letting them know that they made it in and to keep a watch of Umbridge and the others, giving his cloak and map so that they could keep view of them at all times and not let any students get caught in the same hallway they booby trapped.
Lilith wasted no time and tried opening several drawers and compartments, clicking her tongue when they didn't open, "Yep, expected as much."
Grasping her wand, she casted a firm Alohomora at the drawer but alas held no effect.
"Darn it, looks like I'll really have to magically lockpick this. Which drawer has the blood quills?"
Harry answered Lilith's question by pointing towards one part of her desk, "I've seen her open this one and get a blood quill out of it."
Nodding, she went to work. From Harry's point of view, a set of runes magically appeared and she appeared to be turning several circles in succession.
'Should have taken runes.' Harry cursed his past self. Deciding to keep himself busy, he looked at the floo in her office and took a handful of floo powder, as he threw it in the fireplace and it lit up in green flames, he stuck his head in and attempted to contact Sirius.
It was a strange sensation, but his connection was successful and he could see Sirius in the living room of Grimmauld Place.
"Hey there pup, how's it hanging?"
"Oh you know, planning to imprison a teacher torturing students, the usual." Harry deadpanned at Sirius, who held a jolly smile regardless.
"Well everything is set up here, no one from the order is here and the only person planning to visit is Tonks but that'll be for some time. So I'm ready to get you guys out." Sirius gave a thumbs up and Harry nodded gratefully. He pulled his head out from the fireplace and shook his head to get rid of any residual powder from his hair.
"Eureka, I've done it!" Lilith exclaimed proudly and Harry moved toward her side to see inside the drawer.
"There it is, the smoking gun."
Harry saw the set blood quills that had given pain to so many students, along with other pieces of parchment and items he didn't know. Lilith took a piece of parchment and tried reading the contents aloud.
"Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, Nott. These are names of the most prominent purebloods in the ministry." Taking another look inside the drawer, she saw a set of spectacles. She took it, wore it, and gave the parchment another read, "What the… fifty thousand Galleons, twenty-five thousand Galleons, one hundred thousand Galleons. Are these bribes?"
She took the parchments outside the drawer and set them outside beside her. She then took another from the drawer and began reading.
"And these are a bunch of addresses, but it doesn't say what for. They don't even seem like magical places." Lilith said in bemusement.
Harry looked at the cat-themed clock in Umbridge's office and shook Lilith from her stupor, "We haven't much time, let's move on to another drawer before she gets back."
Remembering their mission, Lilith nodded and copied the two pieces of parchment and put them into her pocket. She then moved to another part of the drawer and tried yet again to open it with an Alohomora but to no avail.
"Right, looks like I'll have to force this open too. Sit tight Harry and-"
But she couldn't finish her sentence before Harry started suddenly screaming out in pain. Dropping to the ground, hand on his scar.
A/N: Looks like Harry needs some aspirin. Reviews are welcome and appreciated and complimented by their choice of attire and hairstyle!