Chapter Four.
Long live the Marauders!
The week was going on quite well, except for the fact that there was a rift between the Evans siblings and the new 'marauders'. It was began with the James Potter accident, but it grew larger when Hailey and Orion stole the 'Marauders Map' from Filch's office. As a result of that drift Hailey moved to the boy's dorm with McGonagall's permission, while Cain joined his sister. The head of Griffindor was not very happy about it, but there was nothing she could do.
The first prank took place at breakfast in the Great Hall on Halloween. Suddenly there was a loud bang and James Potter turned into a clown with a big silver/green nose. This moment was recorded by the gang and by the esteemed potions master. Everyone laughed, even the always gloomy Severus Snape, although he got a bit concerned when a sign appeared in the air above James. It read:
"This prank is a small holiday gift, presented to you by the Second generation of Marauders."
To say that James Potter was angry was to say nothing. He remembered that prank, Adam pulled it on him when James stole his girlfriend in 3rd year. This was just as humiliating. He looked to the Griffindor table. There they were Hailey Potter, Orion Black, James Black and Nick Lupin. They were laughing, just like everyone else, but they were laughing just like he laughed with Remus, Sirius and Peter when they were the Marauders. He wondered whether this was a beginning for the new marauders, or this was only a punishment for him. He hoped for the first, because it was still a very good prank.
That evening many people were busy thinking. The Marauders were planning a prank of their own, this time a Christmas prank for the whole school, teachers and students alike. They had two months to think on the details and three former marauders to help – they've already decided to forgive James.
The DADA professor, James Potter, spent the evening writing to two of his best friends – Sirius Black and Remus Lupin.
Dear Padfoot,
Today was a very interesting day. Why have you never told me that your sons were pranksters? You know how myself and Lily were in hiding, well, the 'new marauders' didn't and… well they weren't happy. I guess that's just because Hailey was forced to live with Vernon and Petunia. Well, today I got a punishment. Hailey Potter, Orion & James Black & Nick Lupin pranked me! They turned me into a Slitherin clown. We have a new generation of marauders at school. I'm guessing that they got the Map back from Filch… God only knows how…
Give my love to Lana,
J. H. P. Prongs.
Dear Moony,
How have you been? As you probably know, Lily and I have come out of hiding. Today was a very interesting day. Why have you never told me that your son was a prankster? You know how myself and Lily were in hiding, well, the 'new marauders' didn't and… well they weren't happy. I guess that's just because Hailey was forced to live with Vernon and Petunia. Well, today I got a punishment. Hailey Potter, Orion & James Black & Nick Lupin pranked me! They turned me into a Slitherin clown. We have a new generation of marauders at school. I'm guessing that they got the Map back from Filch… God only knows how…
Write back soon,
J. H. P. Prongs.
At the top of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore was having a headache. He was remembering Adam Potter and the Marauders, he hoped that history was not about to repeat itself. He enjoyed their pranks a lot, but they caused so much trouble, and this time he wasn't sure who exactly they were, as the Marauders were a living legend at Hogwarts.
Deep in the dungeons of the school, Severus Snape was enjoying himself quite a bit. He hasn't felt that good in a very long time, not since Lily… no, he wouldn't think of that… he wouldn't…
Behind the closed door to the first year boys dormitory Hailey, Orion, James and Nick were reading different books from the Potter library, through Hailey's trunk naturally, in search of potions, charms and spells for their Christmas prank, meaning that the boys were doing that, while Hailey was doing their Potions homework.
***
Morning is never the best part of day… but that morning was special. It was Christmas. Hailey was up first. She woke up, glanced at the clock and bellowed: "Get up, marauders, it's Christmas!" It worked like magic – all three of them jumped off the beds in mere seconds. Hailey smiled, being with those three felt like having a real family. Together they went downstairs to the common room. It was quite early, so the only other people there were the Evans twins – Cain and Caisi, who paid no attention to them. Hailey shrugged, she already figured that those were her other cousins – aunt Lilac's children and it only added to the drift between them. Hailey gasped when she saw how many gifts she received. She and the gang took their presents to their dormitory and began going through them, careful not to skip anything. After that was done Hailey wrote a letter to her cousins. It turned out to be quite short:
My dear cousins,
It's been some time. I hope you're ok and I wish the two of you a happy Christmas, if that's going to be possible. I hope the Dursleys are behaving. I've got some news for you guys. Your parents have been alive all this time, just as aunt Lilac and your godfather, Sirius Black. Your dad is our DADA professor. Magic is so cool!!!
I'm fine, if you're interested, I've made friends with Orion & James Black & Nick Lupin. Our other cousins, Cain & Caisi Evans are in my class as well. Though we're not talking at the moment. On Halloween my friends & I turned your father into a clown. All four of us are now officially the 'new marauders'. We're all Griffindors, naturally. Hogwarts is a wonderful place. You'll like it, I'm sure of it.
Well, we have a Christmas prank to plan, so I must say goodbye. A Merry Christmas to both of you!
Love,
H. A. P. Sparks
It just was the right way to sign it, Hailey looked at it and smiled to herself and then turned to her friends: "Guys, from this moment forward and forever, I shall be known as Miss Sparks. Like it?" Orion tried it and smirked: "Sure, I think it's high time for us to find names and start Animagi training at last. If all goes well, we should be able to finish before summer." James smirked: "Seems a Marauder enough thing to do. Let's do it!" Nick smiled: "Well, having a werewolf for a father has it's benefits, I'm a natural wolf animagi. His name's Silverfur." James rolled his eyes: "So it's just the two of us. I'll be Messier Softpaws." Orion scratched his chin: "I'm thinking of Stripes."
The Christmas dinner came quickly and the new marauders found it very hard to remain calm. They were laughing silently. They have placed all sorts of sprinkled food on all tables except the 1st year Slitherins. It was a hard decision, but in order to escape punishment they decided that everyone should be a prey of one of their tricks, except the first year Slitherins. The food appeared and as everyone began eating, hell broke loose. The first wave hit the Hufflepuffs. It was Hailey's creation. People's outfits changed and they began singing Notre dam de Paris. Above the table appeared:
"Miss Sparks presents – 'Notre Dame de Hogwarts' and wishes a merry Christmas to everyone."
Up at the staff table James Potter was enjoying himself quite a lot. This a was a truly Marauders' prank, if only they could get away with it. He glances at his colleagues. Minerva McGonagall was amused, Flitwick really was enjoying the performance. Even Snape was smiling – that was creepy. Than gradually the singing died out in like 5 minutes, yet the outfits remained. After a few seconds of silence there was a blue light and a bang – the Ravenclaws turned into movie characters. Above the table another message appeared:
"Messier Stripes gives his best regards to the school, this is a Christmas present for those who enjoy watching TV."
James chuckled: "You do know that the staff's next and then it's our turn. But so far it goes with the plan." Hailey nodded mutely. Then there was a white flash of light and the teachers… became younger, while a message wrote itself down:
"Messier Silverfur wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas and hopes that the esteemed professors will finally remember what it means to be young!"
The staff members read the message and looked at each other. This one good piece of magic for a prank, truly ideal successors to the memory of the Marauders. One Severus Snape smiled as he looked around. This was a good prank, the best one so far. James Potter was impressed, he could see art when he saw it. He knew that he would soon get in touch with Mooney and Padfoot and they'd start a prank journal of the next generation, he knew from experience that all of it was being filmed. And he was positive that they kept the recipes and spells and all the mechanical details. Then was the fourth flash, this time a red one and the Griffindors turned into animals and above their heads was yet another clever thought:
"Every person has an animal within him, this is a prove. Messier Softpaws hopes this will be a good lesson to the lions and wishes the school a very merry Christmas!"
The circus ended as the last flash appeared, the green one. All the Slitherins, except the first years, were dressed in red ballet dresses and were dancing enthusiastically, singing 'Jingle Bells'. And a message didn't hesitate to appear:
"The new marauders thank you for your time and cooperation. The Christmas show is over!"
Hailey glanced at the head table, there the heads of the houses were whispering furiously among themselves. Hailey gulped and they slipped unnoticed out of the Great Hall. Once safely inside their dorm they roared with laughter, two months of hard work and consultations with Remus & Sirius paid off in full. Hailey was the first one to calm down: "Ok, I'm making three copies of the film. One for Padfoot, one for Mooney and one for my cousins. They should enjoy it. Ok?" James nodded, tears of glee in his eyes. Hailey began her task quickly, still shaking slightly with laughter.
Dear Harry, Chris,
This is a record of our Christmas party. In my last letter I mentioned getting ready for a grand prank, well this is it. Hope you enjoy it.
H. A. P. Sparks.
Dear Mooney,
This is a record of our Christmas party. In my last letter I mentioned getting ready for a grand prank, well this is it. Hope you enjoy it.
H. A. P. Sparks.
Dear Padfoot,
This is a record of our Christmas party. In my last letter I mentioned getting ready for a grand prank, well this is it. Hope you enjoy it.
H. A. P. Sparks.
She called her familiar, who most likely spent her time with Fawkes, with a whistle: "Hey, Arvin. Take these for me? Please." The phoenix took the 3 letters with her beak and flew out of the window.
They fell asleep at once with small satisfied smiles gracing their faces. The next day brought a lot of surprises. For one, Hailey got answers for her letters, all three. She started from the one from her cousins:
Dear Hailey,
You shouldn't worry, the boys are no more at the Dursleys. The three of us are at Godric's Hollow, as somehow we were denied entrance to the Manor, it would seem that Adam chose another heir in stead of James. We watched the tape you sent us yesterday. It was brilliant. To be able to pull such pranks at your first year… James, Siri & Remus must be proud of you four. But, please, don't forget about studies. And do come for the holidays. I'd like to meet you.
With love,
Lily Evans Potter.
It brought her mixed feelings. For one she was glad, as the rest of them was going home and staying alone, even at Hogwarts… Well, Hailey hated being alone. Returning to the Dursleys wasn't even an option. Then she opened Sirius' letter:
Dear Hailey, Orion, James & Nick,
Merry Christmas to the fellow Marauders. Thanks for the tape, kids, it's ingenious, even if we knew parts of it the total picture is awesome. Mooney and I watched it together. It's… well I can't find words… Best part – I received a letter from Prongs & the staff has no clue it's you guys they think it's those snakes that were unaffected, and Snape doesn't even protest.
Will you be coming for Christmas? If yes, then write, if no… write as well!
Missing you,
S. O. B. Padfoot.
This was much better, and another option for the holidays which were starting that very day!
Remus' letter was almost the same, so she gave it to Nick at once. She smiled: "We're off the hook!"