Ch 5 let the pranks begin

"James, are you going to tell us now or what?"

"Well, I guess I could." James replied. He had kept his friends waiting long enough. "Well, here's what we are going to do. Remus, you will, from a far, rip Snivy's bag open. As his things spill everywhere I switch the inks. He then has the exploding one so when he opens it, bam!" James clapped his hand together, making Peter jump, "we have an ink splattered and embarrassed Snivellus. And this defiantly won't come off for a month."

"Brilliant James," James smiled.

"But when do we do it?"

"Well, I'd think we should let him think we've forgotten him and wait until next week or the week after." James replied.

"Or we do it straight away because if we wait he may think we are planning something," Remus said.

"Rem, you're too smart for your own good."

"What if we work in both of your plans and wait about four days to a week," Peter replied.

"Peter, I knew there had to be a reason you got into Gryffindor," Sirius replied.

Remus slapped Sirius on the arm and gave him a look.

"I actually don't understand why I was put in here actually." Peter mumbled.

"Well, what did the hat say?" Remus asked. "There could be a hint somewhere."

"Um," Peter sat there in thought. It was a year ago after all. "I remember it saying there was bravery hidden deep in me and in time it'll show. Also that there was loyalty to some…" Peter hesitated here. Although nobody seemed to notice.

"Well, we are the Marauders and we are together. That's all that matter right?" James replied.

"Truer words have never been spoken mate." Sirius said.

"So, first of all what are we going to do. If we wait a few days, a week maximum, it gives us time to plan the perfect prank."

"I say we do the ink well prank then." Remus said.

"I was thinking bigger," Sirius replied.

"But what to do?" James said and sat in thought.

"What if we charmed his quill to mess up everything he writes so he fails his homework?" Sirius suggested.

"It's good, but could we do more?"

"What more could we do with a charmed quill?"

"Well, what if we charmed everyone's quills, even our own so it can't be traced back to us."

"There are too many ways to trace something like that. Besides, they'd all kill us. Snivy on the other hand wouldn't because he's a cowardly git."

"Well said Sirius," James said.

"I don't think we should mess with his work. At least not this early."

"Remus has a point. If we wait longer then he has time to become a show off in class again and then he'll start slacking off and it'll be worth it."

"James, you are brilliant."

"Well, you've said it once, and you must say it again. But, it was your plan originally. I was just expanding."

"Still brilliant."

"Yes, but if we do it later then what do we do now?" They sat in silence again.

"I may have an idea," Peter said quietly.

"Well what is it?" Remus asked.

"Well, potions is his best and favourite subject so what if we messed with his ingredients and caused his potions to explode."

James and Sirius sat in shock for a few seconds. James was the first to recover.

"Peter, that's brilliant!"

Peter looked stunned and went bright red. "Well, it just kind of came to me."

"It's the perfect prank. Now, let's get to planning." And the boys sat and planned.

The first day of classes found the Marauders sitting at the Gryffindor table.

"Did Dumbledore say who the new DADA teacher was?" Remus asked.

"I think he said it was some bloke named Fittzy."

"Professor Fittzy?"

"Odd name," Sirius agreed.

"Well, at least we can relax. That prank won't be pulled until later on. I say we do it Monday," James said.

"Monday sounds good; it gives us the weekend to plan as well."

"Hi James, Sirius." A first year girl walked up and said.

"Selena, I didn't even see you get sorted in to Gryffindor." James said hugging his cousin.

"Hey Sel," Sirius said coolly. Selena turned red at being addressed 'Sel' from Sirius.

"I was hoping I would be able to see you during the summer holidays but my parents didn't get around to having their annual pool party."

"Yea, mom was wondering about that. She even wrote Aunt Sally but when she didn't get a reply back she started to worry until she heard from Uncle Will that you weren't having it this year."

"Well, Johnny was disappointed. He said that since he left Hogwarts two years ago he's been so busy with work and everything. He's training to be an Auror you know."

"Mom said something about that."

"Well, I've got to be going. I'll talk with you later James, Sirius. Bye," Selena said and ran off to sit with her friends.

"I forgot how cute your cousin was," Sirius said.

"Sirius, don't even try it. Besides, I thought you didn't like girls yet."

"James that was last year, I matured over the holidays." Sirius said grinning.

"No funny idea's with my cousin Sirius," James stated firmly. Sirius looked at James and by the look James gave him he knew him to be serious.

"Alright, I'll lay off your cousin," Sirius promised. James looked satisfied. "But, I'm not making any promises about Evans." Sirius joked.

James glared at him. Sirius's face broke into a smile and he started to laugh. James couldn't help but laugh himself.

"I was joking mate," Sirius said.

"Yea I know mate," James said.

"So, that was your cousin?" Remus asked.

"Yea, she's a little first year this year. Her brother Johnny was a cool guy. He was a prank master and being my cousin he's passed a little knowledge onto me." James replied.

"Oh really? Like what for example?"

"Like a few secret passages and short cuts to certain classes."

"When did you get these?"

"Well, the fact is, I've kept in touch with Johnny since June, after it happened. He wanted to make sure I'd be safer here so he let me in on a few secrets."

"Brilliant!" Sirius exclaimed.

"Yea, he wrote them down on a piece of parchment and owled it to me. I was thinking maybe we could make a map of the school. You know, make it easier for us to get around and pull pranks."

"James that's a perfect idea. But we could do more,"

"How so?"

"Well, even if we were able to get a map made, we'll never know if there's someone around to catch us."

"What do you suppose we do Remus? Charm it so we can know where everyone in the castle is?" James joked.

"Well, as a matter of fact that was exactly what I was thinking. Of course the charm would be very difficult and not to mention we'd break a lot of rules doing it, but since when has that stopped you from doing what you want." Remus joked.

"Well, I have a feeling if we wanted to do something like that then it'd take a few years to learn the whole school and the charm itself. Not to mention perfecting it." Sirius said.

"That's right, I'll look it up during lunch at the library but I can't promise anything. The book may be in the restricted section or the section for fifth years and above."

"Well Rem, try you're hardest."

"Boys, I do hope you are well prepared for my class." McGonagall said handing them their schedules.

"Yes Professor," Remus stated eagerly.

"Very good Mr. Lupin." She shot the others a look and then continued down the table.

"Looks like we have potions with the Slytherins first!" James said.

"I hate potions with the Slytherins," Sirius grumbled.

"The class with Snivelly. Ah well, I'll just savour the moment we can pull the prank. That'll help get me through it."

"Sirius, we must share a mind because I was just thinking the same thing!" James stated laughing.

"Well, we better get our things then. Sluggy won't excuse tardiness on the first day." Remus stated and the others agreed and went to collect their books and ingredients along with their cauldrons.

"Oh look, Jamesie, its Evans." Sirius said pointing.

"Ah yes, my beloved red head," he said and then louder. "Lily my flower! How about joining me for potions today?"

Lily stopped in her tracks and glared at James,

"Potter, when will you get it through your thick arrogant head that nothing you say or do will make me sit with you?" And she stormed out.

"Tough luck James," Sirius replied.

"Worth a try," James said shrugging.

And the boys walked towards class.

"Welcome back to Potions class," Slughorn stated. He was looking as round bellied and balding as last year. He still had a walrus moustache and beard as well that was almost as silver as Dumbledore's.

"Today we will be brewing up a simple potion to heal minor cuts and bruises. It will need to simmer for fifteen minutes precisely. Please be sure not to let it simmer longer as it may result disastrously.

"The ingredients you will need are basic. They are listed on page 213 of your text book and can be found in the cupboard or on my desk. The winner will receive a special gift."

The class started to move and gather ingredients.

"Mr. Lupin," Slughorn said as Remus approached his desk.

"Yes sir?"

"Will I be seeing you in my Slug Club this year?"

"Well, it depends on my studies. I may not be able to make all the meetings unless I keep my homework up."

Slughorn smiled proudly. At that moment James walked up to get a few things.

"Potter, would you like to join my club this year? I had no idea it was your father donating to the potions supplies at the school."

"Oh, yea, my dad donated a few gallons to the school for potion ingredients. It was his favourite class. He always did so well in it."

"Well, I value students such as yourself who are well connected. Will you be joining Mr. Lupin in my little club then?"

"Well sir, I was hoping to try out for Quidditch this year." James admitted.

"Well, you can be in two different extra activities and clubs. I'm sure that's not too hard for a boy like you."

"Well sir, I'd have to think about it." James said and before Slughorn could say anything more he grabbed what he needed and headed back to Sirius.

"That man is a git," James said.

"What'd he do?"

"Wanted me to join the 'Slug Club' because my dad donates to this course."

"You should, I mean Remus isn't doing too good a spy job last year. He went to one meeting and it affected us in pranking Snivy."

"Alright, but it depends on Quidditch as well."

"Yea, yea, Quidditch, when are tryouts again?"

"Saturday, I'm excited. Dad says if I don't make it on the team not to be discouraged. I'm a bloody brilliant chaser and he knows I'll make it big."

"High ego, James?"

"Well, not really, just what I've been told. Now, let's start this potion."

Saturday arrived quickly. James woke early and got changed. He put on his robes so he was familiar in flying with them, grabbed his Nimbus 500 and walked down to the common room. No one else was awake, except two other players on the team, who were going to supervise try outs, Ernie Towlesmeth and captain Ryan King.

"Ah, Potter, are you trying out for the team?" Ryan asked.

"Yea, I've been playing Quidditch since I was five. Been flying since I was a baby. My dad even bought me practice balls to help improve my skills."

"Sounds like you'd make a nice addition to the team. All we have to see now is how you actually fly and if you really have skills."

"James mate, haven't seen any pranks yet," Ernie said.

"Well, give us time, they're coming."

"Your prank at the end of last year was bloody brilliant," Ryan said.

"Thanks, well, what time to do try outs start?"

"Now for another two hours. We still need to get some breakfast and then head down to the pitch."

"We're hoping everyone will be on time, but there have been no promises."

"Don't you worry, I'll be there." James said and he excited the common room to go get some breakfast.

"Wait, James!" Ernie said. James turned around.

"What?"

"Is that a Nimbus 500?"

"Yea, my dad bought it for me last year."

"Wow, well with a broom like that it won't be too easy to beat you."

"Well, it's not the best. There have been better brooms, like the Lightning Rod. That one is bloody brilliant but my dad said this one will do until I need another one."

"Well, good luck and I hope you make it on the team." And Ernie walked back towards the common room. A few minutes later, as James reached the Great Hall did he hear his name from his pocket. He had forgotten the mirror was in the pocket of these robes and made a mental note to put it back in his dorm when he finished eating. James sat at the table, set his broom down and took out the mirror. Sirius was looking at him, even though he had just woken up and his hair was a mess he still looked handsome, not that James was judging him or anything.

"Where have you run off to?"

"I woke up and was hungry. Food starts appearing on the table at 7:30 and I decided to get a bite to eat before try outs."

"Right Quidditch, well we'll be joining you in a few, Remus has lost his book and Peter can't find his wand."

"Well, if I had to guess about the wand I'd suggest looking in his trunk and about the book probably in the common room."

"Rem try the common room, Pete look in your trunk!" Sirius roared. They both went scurrying around. "Well, we'll we down soon."

"Are you sure you don't want more sleep. It's only eight?"

"I'm sure, hell I want to see you play. We didn't get much time to during the holidays." Sirius said and then his face faded from view of the mirror. James put the mirror away, grabbed a banana muffin off the table and some pumpkin juice and waited for his friends.

A/N: I hope you liked the newest chapter! Please leave a review!