Chapter 9

The great hall was slowly filling up with sleepy students, tumbling and taking places at their house tables. Haradah was having a quite conversation with Professors Sinistra and Babbling; they had become great acquaintances with her. She had informed them about her early encounter with the Marauders making the two all smily faces.

The pranking stars of the school were sitting at their usual places munching on their food and glancing every once in a while t the gates, waiting for the Slytherins to enter.

On cue the house of snakes entered the Great Hall but surprisingly they didn't show any outrageous expressions as the Marauders expected. On the very contrary they proudly showed off their glittering red hair and Gryffindorish uniform as they ignored the snickers and laughters of other students. Everyone knew who had been behind all of this so many complimented the Marauders of their successful idea.

Sirius and James owlishly blinked and thanked them. But when they turned their heads to have a look at the Slytherin table, they found Lucius and co. smirking at hem and flaunting their hair gloriously. Remus choked on his pumpkin juice, blushing like a tomato when Bellatrix winked at him.

Haradah amusingly watched the display while teachers snickered. She was actually very proud of the Slytherins coming out of their shell. Their reactions and how they were handling the after effects of the prank was truly unexpected. But seeing the smirk and glint in their eyes she knew it was a start of a prank war in Hogwarts. Having finished her breakfast she quickly moved to prepare for her first lesson.

Lily and Alice were looking for a place to sit quietly and just read for a while but the library seemed packed today. Soon the Gryffindor girls found themselves near a group of 6th and 7th year Slytherins talking in hushed voices. Before they could decipher what they were talking about Lucius caught their eye and nudged Severus. Severus stood up and moved them away from his table.

'Hey Lily, Alice what are you two doing here?'

Both the girls were trying very hard to keep their smile at bay seeing Severus' glittery ginger hair.

'Nothing. We were just trying to find a quite place to read.' Alice replied. She was the only one beside Lily, Severus tolerated sometimes.

'The real question is what were you all doing Severus?' Lily asked with some concern in her voice. She was afraid that she was slowly losing him and that her best friend would become a death eater. The amount of time he spent in the company of Lucius Malfoy didn't ease her concern either.

Sensing the discomfort in her voice Severus placed a hand on her shoulder. 'You don't have to worry Lily.' He tried to sound as convincing as possible but Lily saw right though him and raise an eyebrow. Sighing in defeat he finally spoke.

'Okay but you can't tell this to anyone.' He said looking at both girls dead in the eye. They nodded urging him to continue.

'The prank that those four played on everyone in the house was not at all amusing. They put something in our shampoos and the worst part of it is the colour isn't coming off. And Salazar the glitter!' Severus huffed.

'But we also knew the baboons wouldn't get in any trouble for everyone will see it a harmless prank. That is the reason Bella and Regulus suggested we prank them in return. At first no one was convinced but then the whole house decided to get revenge for all that they done to us at some points. That is the reason we were having a private meeting.'

The glint that appeared in Alice's eyes horrified Severus, 'You are going to prank the Marauders?'

'Yes?' He was so uncomfortable suddenly that it came out as a question much to Lily's amusement.

'May I have the honor to help you in this noble task of yours?' Lily chuckled heartily at her best friend's overdramatic antics. Severus looked at the pixie haired girl as if she had grown two heads.

'I don't know if the others would agree.'

'Oh please! Let us try and talk to them maybe they'd agree.' Lily nodded her head in agreement. She too wanted her revenge on Potter for embarrassing her far too many times. Reluctantly agreeing he brought them to their house table.

'They want to help us prank the devils and get revenge.' Severus replied to Lucius' questioning gaze at him.

'You want to get revenge too?' Regulus asked with narrowed eyes.

'Oh yes!' Lily and Alice exclaimed in unison; the determination in their eyes making Bella and Cissa smile.

'What did they do to you?' Narcissa asked. The question brought an embarrassing blush on Lily's face and a glare on Alice's. Both the Gryffindor girls moved and whispered something in Bella's ears making her eyes widen, Narcissa too looked embarrassed at what she heard. Without a second of thinking Bella turned to her fellow companions and announced in a firm tone, 'They're in.'

No one questioned her and soon the two girls found themselves immersed in very serious conversation. But they couldn't come to any conclusion.

'Why don't we try some muggle pranks?' Lily suggested when it was clear no one was reaching any conclusion. Rabastan looked affronted. Seeing the look on his face Lily quickly explained the different muggle pranks she knew about.

Barty and Regulus thought it was a brilliant idea. Even Lucius agreed. So the next hour was spent planning and plotting.

For the first time in his life Severus Snape was truly happy; he hadn't been forced to choose between his housemates and best friend. However his happiness was short lived as the bell rang indicating the end of their free period.

The 6th years had Potions with Slughorn while the 7th years had Transfiguration. Narcissa took off for Astronomy while Regulus went to Black Lake to meet his girlfriend.

The odd group of 6th year Slytherins and two Gryffindors brought an amused smile on Slughorn's face as they entered the class.

As they started to work together, Severus chuckled when Bellatrix shooed him off to work with Barty while she paired with Lily. Bellatrix definitely liked the red haired girl. She wasn't like other muggleborns from the short conversation they had. And the way Lily was enjoying the conversation, Bella thought it was the start of a beautiful friendship. Suddenly she caught the eyes of Remus on her and she quickly looked away to hide the rising blush on her cheeks.