As the morning light hit Callidus's eyes, he felt the cobwebs of sleepiness fade from his mind. A deeply disturbing and unsettled feeling ensured that he wouldn't be able to fall back asleep, but Callidus had never been the sort to want to sleep in anyway. Perhaps he had been having nightmares, but he couldn't seem to remember them. He felt almost nauseated, but there was no sense in dwelling on unremembered dreams, and he forced himself out of bed.
He combed his hair, didn't bother with Grease-B-Gone potion, and dressed himself in a bit of a daze, but by the time Harry and Draco were awake, Callidus was feeling more like himself. However, when Harry was alert enough to be considered half-way coherent, the first words out of his mouth were: "Did you sleep all right? You've got dark circles under your eyes. Did you figure out what those fifth years did?"
Thinking of the fifth year students caused an immediate feeling of anxiety that knotted up his guts. But he couldn't recall anything noteworthy. Even if he had had a nightmare, shouldn't he have some sort of memory or impression of it?
Callidus's lips twisted downwards. "Not really. I woke up feeling off-balanced." He shrugged. "But if that's the worst those fifth years can do, then that's nothing."
Harry gave him an uncertain look. "Who are they? I'll keep my eye for them."
Callidus didn't know their names however he was able to give a clear description.
Harry nodded. "I think I know who you're talking about. There's that one boy in the group that always gave me chills down my spine - he looks like the sort that likes to dissect animals for fun."
"Are you talking about Randle and his lot?" Draco cut in. "They're purebloods, but not particularly old ones - no one that my family would invite to dinner parties."
"You know them?" Callidus asked.
"Not well," Draco answered with an indifferent gesture. "None of them are important enough."
Callidus hummed. It wasn't particularly useful information.
"So about our prank," Harry changed the topic. "Let's come up with a plan for making sure we get the containers back."
Callidus nodded, grateful to be discussing something else, and soon, he forgot about his feelings of unease. The day progressed fairly normally, except for the fact that there was a sense of restlessness in the air, knowing that Christmas break would soon be upon them. Some of the professors, like Flitwick and Sprout, were more lenient, while others, like McGonagall became more strict, drilling theoretical information into the students' minds in hopes that they wouldn't forget everything they had learned over the previous months.
After their lessons were over, Harry and Draco had Quidditch practice. This usually meant that Callidus would head down to the library and study with his Gryffindor friends; however, the thought of doing so suddenly made his skin crawl. Callidus frowned. Had the threats of the fifth years really affected him that much? Perhaps it was just a perfectly rational response of his self-preservation instinct. To Callidus, the latter made more sense. It would be foolish to disregard the threat that the fifth years represented, but that didn't mean that he was actually afraid of them. It was just common sense.
In fact, it seemed like it would be wisest to avoid even meeting with the three girls until they found a new, safer location. Thus decided, Callidus jotted down a note informing them of his thoughts, and handed it off to an owl. Knowing what he did of the girls, they would worry about his absence if he didn't send a message, and the last thing he needed was to be chased down by Gryffindors in the current conflicted climate.
Satisfied with his decision, Callidus headed down towards his potion lab, eager to continue research on his new project, as well as making up large batches of the friendliness potion to use for the trio's prank.
It was nearly a week later that Callidus finished up the containers for his vapourized potions. The friendliness potion had only taken a day and a half, but the containers had involved more work. He had been so preoccupied with lab work that he didn't even give a second thought to the fact that he had hadn't seen his Gryffindor friends all week, aside from the occasional glance in the Great Hall.
When he told Harry and Draco, the two boys were thrilled. They had been discussing the intricacies and outcomes of their plan all week, and it was all a matter of implementing it. The fact that the situation between Slytherins and Gryffindors remained tense only furthered their motivation, though Callidus wondered how much of Harry's fervent interest stemmed from guilt over what had happened with Dove.
The fateful day of the prank arrived. Outside, the drifting snowfall made most of the students grateful to be in a warm castle, though since some of the rooms were warmer and some were colder, most were dressed warmly with scarves on hand, and knitted jumpers under their robes. The trio had debated whether or not to pull the prank on a weekend or weekday. In the end, Harry and Draco decided that a school day prank would be far more amusing since it would disrupt the professors' lessons. It made carrying out the prank more challenging, but it was worth the effort.
"Do you think Peeves can really be trusted with those vapour bombs?" Draco whispered with concern, ignoring Professor Binns who was droning on in a as he lectured them about some goblin war or other.
"I hope so," Harry answered. "I didn't tell him what the bombs do. I just said that if he wants to get everyone worked up, that I knew how he could do it. He seemed excited about it - as much as a poltergeist could be." Harry scrunched up his face. "Though I really don't understand poltergeists. One moment, Peeves will seem calm, and the next, he's insulting me and laughing at his own stupid jokes. Anyway, if he gets too difficult, there's always the skurge charm."
"I almost forgot about that charm," Draco admitted. "We should use it sometime. With the way that Peeves acts, he'd deserve no less than a good scare."
Harry smirked in amusement. "Anyway, if you're worried, I didn't give him all of the containers. I saved a few and we can try them out ourselves, later, where we won't get caught."
Draco's expression became calculating, and a slow smile spread across his face. "What if we got Filch?"
Callidus arched his eyebrows. "That's a risk."
"Don't you mean an awesome idea?" Harry excitedly corrected, causing a few of the other students to look in their direction with questioning glances. All the while, Professor Binns continued his dry lecture, oblivious to any disturbance.
"Thank you, Harry, it is an awesome idea," Draco smugly affirmed.
Callidus sighed. "I'd hate to imagine what kind of detention that would result in. But I confess that the idea of seeing a friendly Filch would be a novelty."
Harry grinned. "Let's do it then. We can figure out who else to prank later."
Harry and Draco were restless for the rest of Binns' lesson, but Callidus managed to pull together enough attention to take some notes. While Callidus cared about History of Magic less than he cared about his other classes, he still wanted to do well. Spending time with the Gryffindor girls had only spurred that desire; however, as Callidus thought of the Gryffindors, he felt a brief twist of guilt when it occurred to him that he hadn't seen or spoken to them in a while. He reminded himself that there would be time for that later.
The trio had been hoping to hear word of their prank in the morning, especially since Harry had given Peeves the vapour bombs before breakfast. But it wasn't until lunch that anyone had an inkling that something unusual was happening.
"Something is going on with the Ravenclaws," the trio heard a Hufflepuff telling one of their friends. "Maybe all that studying finally broke their brains. Seriously, they're being really weird!"
The trio looked towards the Ravenclaw table, but the students there appeared to be acting normally. However, the table did seem emptier than usual.
"Not just Ravenclaws," another student added. "I saw some Slytherins acting really strange in the hallways. I mean, completely not-Slytherin-ish. Well, you know what I mean."
Not wanting to awkwardly stand by the Hufflepuff table, the trio made their way to their own table. If anyone had news, it would be the Slytherins. After all, they were some of the best gossips, even if they kept the information confined within their own House.
"Would you three happen to know anything about all the crazy stuff that's apparently going on in the castle?" Parkinson asked as the trio sat down. "Everyone's talking about it."
Harry grinned and attempted to look as innocent as possible. "What makes you think that we have anything to do with it, Pansy?"
"You're not fooling anyone," Pansy teasingly scolded. "So am I to assume that you three have something to do with the fact that all the suits of armour have come to life, and a whole bunch of people are acting disturbingly - hm - affectionate?"
"Affectionate is putting it lightly," Zabini drawled.
"Suits of armour? Coming to life? What are you talking about?" Draco demanded.
Pansy delicately raised her eyebrows. "Draco, darling, don't tell me that you don't know."
The trio exchanged glances. "What's going on, Pansy?" Harry asked, insistently. "Just tell us!"
A cat-like grin spread across Parkinson's face. "Oh, I do so love being the first to share a story. Though -" she paused, "I had been so sure that you three would have known." She shrugged. "I suppose I was wrong."
"Pansy," Draco growled.
"No need to be so impatient!" Parkinson admonished. "I'm getting to it. I'm just really surprised that you don't know. As I was saying, the suits of armour have apparently come to life. From what I've heard, every single one of them." An amused smile caused her eyes to crinkle up. "People are saying that they're causing quite a ruckus with the professors. They're not causing any harm. Just doing things like dancing around, bowing at people, and walking into classrooms, interrupting lessons. Or - apparently, hugging people? I have the impression that the pranksters intended something light-hearted - you know, considering how things have been."
The trio shared yet another look. What were the odds that someone else had decided to pull a prank on the exact same day as they had? They looked over at the Gryffindor table, and it appeared that many of the Gryffindors were giving the Weasley twins questioning looks. However, the Weasley twins managed to act as if nothing was out of the ordinary. In fact, there was almost something unnatural about their 'natural' act.
"As for the other thing," Parkinson continued. "It seems to have disproportionately affected the older Ravenclaws, though I know some Hufflepuffs, Gryffindors and Slytherins have been affected as well."
"What happened?" Harry wondered.
"From what I heard, it's affected everyone in this morning's upper level Arithmancy, and Ancient Runes classes," Parkinson informed them. "And a few mid-level classes as well. Haven't you three noticed how empty the Head Table is today? Oh, and the library."
"The library?" Harry echoed.
"Indeed," Zabini replied. "Ah, if only Madam Pince was lucid enough to understand what is happening to her beloved books."
Not wanting to act suspicious by immediately dashing off, the trio quickly ate their lunches, while Parkinson continued to prattle and speculate. When they were done scarfing down their food (with the exception of Draco who ate as neatly as ever), they left the Great Hall. They were eager to see the results of their prank, but they also had to collect the vapour bomb containers. Furthermore, they wanted to see the moving suits of armour in action.
As they turned the corner that would take them towards the library, they were immediately accosted by a suit of armour, who gave them a low and stately bow, before skipping away like a young schoolgirl, arms swinging gaily. The trio's eyes widened and then they snorted with amused laughter.
"Merlin!" Harry shook his head, still chuckling quietly. "I can't believe it. It must have been the Weasleys. Who else could it have been?"
Callidus tried to bite back his smile. "They couldn't have known that we were planning our prank for the same day, could they? It seems like too much of a coincidence. An amusing one though."
Harry shrugged, his eyes bright. "Who cares? I think this makes it more fun." He grinned widely. "Come on. Let's see what else is happening."
As they continued forward, they came across an older Ravenclaw, recognizable due to the blue and bronze scarf wrapped around her neck. The Ravenclaw girl was standing in an alcove, hugging a marble statue of a rather ugly manticore (a beast with a human-like head, a lion's body and scorpion's tale.) Every so often, she would rub her cheek against the manticore's face. The trio didn't know whether to laugh or be disturbed.
"You three!" the girl called out, beaming widely as if the sight of the trio was like a moment of great happiness. "Merlin, I'm so glad you're here! You have to feel this!"
She reached out and grabbed Callidus's hand, since he was the closest to her, and used his hand to stroke the marble statue. "Isn't it just so smooth?" the Ravenclaw asked, sounding deeply contented. "Merlin, and your hand! Your hand is so soft!" She stared down at Callidus's hand and proceeded to pet it.
Callidus snatched his hand away, while Harry and Draco tried and failed to muffle their laughs. When Callidus gave his friends a dark glare, it only fueled their laughter until they were doubled over, and barely able to breath.
"Let's get out of here," Callidus growled, letting Harry and Draco trail behind him.
"Where are you going?" the Ravenclaw wailed. "Wait! I love you! I love everyone! Oh wow, this statue is so smooth."
They turned yet another corner until they were out of sight of the strange Ravenclaw girl, and Callidus impatiently waited until Harry and Draco had calmed their guffaws.
"Is -" Harry wiped away a tear of laughter, "is she supposed to act like that? That was nothing like Flint. It was hilarious though."
Callidus frowned. Perhaps that particular Ravenclaw was just unusually sensitive to the friendliness potion. He had tested the potion extensively on rats, and had also tested it on Flint. But perhaps he should have done more human trials.
"I don't know," Callidus admitted. "I - let's just see how it affected everyone else. The potion won't harm them, but I'm surprised it could be that strong."
Harry and Draco nodded in agreement. They made their way to the library, and the sight that greeted them was nothing like what they had expected. To begin with, everyone looked blindingly happy. There were students lying spread-eagled on the floor, expressions filled with awe. There were students sprawled on tables caressing the smooth wooden texture, much like the Ravenclaw in the hall had caressed the statue. There was a ring of students, arms around each other's shoulders, swaying as they sang an incoherent melody. And was that Madam Pince, in the middle of a massive group hug?
"Merlin," Harry exhaled. "What happened?" He gave Callidus a confused look. "Was it supposed to be like this?"
Callidus's expression was pinched. "I - it appears the dose was far too strong." He searched his mind for answers. "It might have been the case that Flint just happened to have an unusually high tolerance for the potion." He shook his head. "Merlin. We have to find those containers."
As they entered the unusually noisy and chaotic library, they caught snatches of what some of the students were saying.
"You're the best!"
"No, you're the best!"
"Haha, you're both the best!"
They edged around a student who was somehow lying on a pile of books. It was fortunate that Madam Pince was just as affected by the friendliness potion as the students. Otherwise, she would have been traumatized by what was happening to her books.
"You're all so wonderful," the student happily sighed, seemingly to his books. "I just want to marry you. I want to marry all of you! And we're going to have a big, happy book family."
Callidus knew he should have been treating this as more of a scientific observation, but it was hard to hold back his laughter. What in the world could have caused the friendliness potion to make people feel affection for inanimate objects? He mentally catalogued the information, reminding himself to write it down later.
They managed to find several empty containers of the vapourized bombs, and quickly pocketed them.
"Do you think they're like that because Peeves threw so many of the vapour bombs in here?" Harry mused, his eyes sparkling with humour.
Callidus shrugged. "It's possible."
The trio skirted around a mass of students who attempted to pull them into a group hug.
Draco snickered. "I hope they remember this tomorrow."
"They should," Callidus replied, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "It will be interesting to witness."
"Y'know, if the potion is this this strong, maybe it's a good thing that it mostly affected Ravenclaws. Could you imagine how furious Slytherins would be if this was them?" Harry considered.
Draco winced. "Merlin. Then the feud would never end. And no one would ever dare speak of this again."
"You have to admit, it would be funny though," Harry pointed out, before grinning. "Especially if it hit the stuffy and traditional ones."
The trio passed by a blonde first year, sitting at one of the library tables, with her head tilted to one side and a dreamy smile on her face.
"The nargles have all disappeared," the girl murmured, airily, sounding pleased. "I rather like this."
The trio gave her an odd look. What in the world were nargles? The blonde girl turned her head to look towards them. But instead of trying to invade their boundaries with acts of affection, she gave them a faraway smile.
"Don't worry," the girl reassured them. "Tomorrow, they'll be too busy studying why this happened to be mad about it. Oh. And you forgot this." She reached into her robe pockets and then handed them an empty vapour bomb container.
The three boys paled. "What makes you think this is ours?" Draco asked, sounding a bit too defensive.
The blonde smiled warmly. "You needn't worry. I won't tell anyone. I think it's lovely that you would do something to try and make people feel better. Even if it went a bit sideways."
Harry laughed sheepishly. "Yeah. We weren't really expecting this."
"Harry!" Draco hissed. "We have no reason to trust her!"
Harry shrugged. "Yeah, but we need the container anyway. Thank you, er -"
"Luna," the girl answered dreamily.
"I'm Harry. And this is Draco and Callidus."
Luna nodded. "I know."
"Erm," Harry gave her an uncertain look, "well, thanks for the container." His expression became puzzled. "By the way, why aren't you affected like everyone else?"
Callidus had been wondering the exact same thing.
"Oh, I am," the girl lightly replied. "It's just that, instead of hugging everyone with my arms, I'm hugging them with my heart. It's quite nice, like a cup of hot cocoa, with extra peppermint whipped cream, but instead of tasting it just on your tongue, you taste it everywhere. You should try it."
"Erm. Okay," Harry answered sceptically.
"Let's get out of here," Draco muttered.
Callidus nodded. "We should try and find the rest of the containers, before our next class."
Once they were out of hearing distance from Luna, Draco remarked: "I think I know that girl. Lovegood. Her family is known for being not quite right in the head."
"I thought she was nice," Harry defended.
"As long as she doesn't tell anyone," Draco added darkly. "But knowing the Lovegoods, no one would believe her anyway."
Just as they were about to exit the library, a suit of armour ambled in, and began to mime being in an invisible box. The sight of it caused the potion-affected students to cry out in surprise.
"We have to save it!" one of the students exclaimed, causing a bunch of students to rush towards the suit of armour, only to discover that there was no invisible box.
"There, there, you're safe with us," another student reassured the armour, with a gentle pat on its arm. "We'll protect you."
The trio quickly pushed past the crowd of students into the relative emptiness of the hallway.
"Is it just me, or has all that affection made them all delusional?" Draco observed.
Callidus winced. "The potion will need - further testing."
"I think it's great!" Harry chimed. "I mean, our original idea was that it would be used on aggressive people to make them friendly. It definitely makes people friendly!"
Callidus gave Harry a weak smile. "That's one way of looking at it."
The trio were able to find the rest of the empty containers relatively quickly. Though Harry had kept a few of the vapour bombs, intending to use them, the boys were so surprised by the strength of the friendliness potion that they forgot about the extra bombs. And when the trio caught sight of a frazzled looking Filch, there wasn't an opportunity to use the vapour bomb because of the close proximity of the equally frazzled looking professors.
Several classes in the afternoon were cancelled that day because a few professors had been hit by the friendliness potion, and were in no state to teach. A number of students had been brought to the infirmary, not because they had been injured, but because their behaviour was so unusual. However, Madam Pomfrey kicked them out once she determined that there was nothing seriously wrong with them (and a few of them had tried to hug the comatose student afflicted with the Orange Madness.)
This detail was largely forgotten by Callidus, who was too preoccupied with the humourous chaos created by the suit of armour and friendliness pranks. But the memory of this bit of information would return to Callidus a few days later in sharp focus. After all, that would be when the second case of the Orange Madness hit Hogwarts, and all the goodwill created by the two pranks would be lost.
A/N: Thanks for the reviews! It's unlikely that Luna will make another appearance for the rest of year 2, but... who knows :) I veer off my outline so much that it feels like anything could happen