Here comes chapter 16! I hope you guys like it, even if it doesn't cover much of the HP plot.
Graciously, Naruto gave the twins the entire week to surrender. During said week, Naruto continued to attend his classes. History of Magic, as well as Divination, were classes that Naruto personally attended, rather than sending a Shadow Clone, only when he wanted to take a nap. He would usually spend the class time doing homework and studying the course materials in the library. However, once Pa caught him skipping those classes and learned why, he decided to overlook Naruto's 'study periods' and use any extra time for Frog Kata training as well.
Naruto considered sending a clone to Defense Against the Dark Arts. However, Peeves was coming to Naruto often, asking for more 'Umbridge gifts'. While the Poltergeist was pranking the class, it wan't ensured that the Shadow Clone wouldn't be popped mid class and reveal Naruto's secret study habits. After a couple classes, Umbridge finally permitted students to practice the Shield Charm and the Levitation Charm in order to defend from his orb attacks, but allowed nothing else that required a wand. After a few classes throughout the day of being repelled, and one class the next day having the orbs bounce back and hit him, he and Naruto decided to stop those pranks. With that agreement made, Naruto decided to send a Shadow Clone to that class and study other things in the library at the same time.
Naruto saw Harry clutching his hand during the next dinner, and hiding it from his friends. Since the four made a habit of studying together in the library, Naruto confronted him about it when they were alone 'finding a book'. The hand, while slightly healed over from the previous hour, was clearly the result of a cruel punishment, and Naruto had to work hard not to yell in anger while in the library and alert Harry's friends. Naruto almost offered to do a detention for Harry, because of his somewhat limited healing factor, but remembered that his 'Japanese' style of writing would be easily identified by Umbridge. Naruto had learned the first night of school that he can't write in English, since that would involve his hand doing movements against Naruto's intention. He had to use a translation charm before turning them in to the teachers, but even those strokes were clearly Japanese rather than English.
When Harry and Naruto learned that Ron wanted to try out for the Gryffindor Quidditch team's position of Keeper, Naruto was excited for him and wished him the best of luck. Even if Harry couldn't attend his practices or tryouts, Naruto offered to go in his place. During their practices, Naruto decided to play the three Chasers via Shadow Clones. Doing so the first evening, he learned that, like how his wands abilities and power splits, so do most, if not all, magical objects. While he couldn't go full speed with two Shadow Clones, about 1/3 the max speed of a Firebolt was more than enough. After a few practice goal runs, Naruto observed that although Ron had some skill, he was quick to lose confidence. If he missed a goal, or was taunted by anybody, his performance would drop, and he'd miss more and more goals. When it did, Naruto would take a break and let Ron recover. After each practice, Ron opened up a tiny bit more to Naruto, even if he wouldn't admit it. He'd only admit that Naruto was a good flyer and Chaser, even if he was in the position of Seeker.
However, when Ron first told them about wanting to join the Quidditch team, he also learned about Harry's hand. Apparently, what Umbridge was doing was not an usual punishment, and deserved reporting. "Bloody hell! That old hag is doing this?! Why don't you report her to McGonagall?"
"I don't want too," Harry replied. "That'd just tell her she got to me."
"Uh, Harry," Naruto spoke up, "your hand is a sign she got to you already. Besides, what makes you think she wants to get reported? If this is an illegal punishment, then she'd want you to become a martyr and bear it out silently. So why won't you tell your Head of House?"
"Like you told me," Harry answered, a little crossly, "Umbridge is n the Ministry. I don't know how much power Professor McGonagall would have over her."
"She's not Ministry here Harry, but a Hogwarts teacher, and not as powerful as a Head of House," Naruto tried to reason with Harry.
"If you think Professor McGonagall's not powerful enough, then tell Dumbledore!" Ron added on.
"No," Harry almost barked. "He's busy enough in his office already." The clock in the library chimed, warning Naruto and the Gryffindors that it was almost time for bed. With quick goodbyes, the three boys headed for their dormitories.
After the first Chakra lesson, nobody teased or taunted Naruto to his face in the Common Room anymore. He could tell, however, that they would sometimes whisper from the sofas. That was OK with Naruto; he'd usually spend the time doing homework or gazing out the windows, hoping to see that mermaid girl. While he thought he saw a glimpse of her once or twice, it wasn't clear enough to tell. It made sense, since her parents probably gave her a curfew, and the hours after sunset were likely far past it.
A few days later, the Gryffindor team tryouts were up and running at the pitch. Naruto, as Ron's mentor, was allowed in, but warned by the more mistrustful Gryffindors not to try anything. The tryout started with Chaser and Keeper tryouts. After watching quite a few boys fail at both Chaser and Keeper, Naruto saw one with potential. A Gryffindor sitting next to Naruto identified him as Geoffery. However, after a few successful saves, the Quaffle tapped him on the shoulder, causing him to sulk like a toddler. With an attitude like that, nobody would want to be his partner. After a few minutes, Ron was up there. While he missed a few shots, he had creatively blocked a few of them and passed them to another Chaser quickly. After his performance, the only contender was called Vicky. Vicky was a great flier and Keeper, and was likely to make the team.
After the Chaser and Keeper tryouts were over, Naruto went outside the locker room to wait for his friend. After a few minutes, Ron came out with a shocked expression on his face. Naruto took it as a sign for the worse and gave him a comforting clap on the back. "Don't worry 'mate', there's always next year."
"...I made it." Ron said quietly.
"You... made it? You mean, onto the team?" Naruto was surprised. Soon, however, Ron was in a wrestling-level hug. "That's great! Now we, the twins, and Harry can all play together on the pitch!"
"Thanks... Can't... Breathe!..."
"Oh! Sorry!" Naruto quickly released his prisoner.
"Hey Naruto! Hello new Weasley Quidditch player!" The twins walked out of the locker rooms and saw Ron out of breath from the hug. "We're throwing a party in the Common Room to celebrate! You'd better get your breath back, or you'll miss it!"
After the twins disappeared, Naruto turned to Ron. "Mind if I come into the common room with you for the party? I did help train you, after all, and we're best buds!"
Ron thought it over. While he still didn't like Naruto, he no longer hated him. He also did owe Naruto a little for the tips and real practices. "I'll have to ask the other Gryffindors."
"Great!" Realizing something, Naruto made a Shadow Clone which ran off. He saw Ron's questioning look about the abrupt and unexpected action. "The clone has deliver some prank items to Peeves."
While they were walking into the castle, Naruto found and picked up a loose Knut. When they got to the Fat Lady, Ron told Naruto to remain behind. After all, even if he could transform into a Gryffindor without Polyjuice Potion, all he'd need was the password to get in. Ron opened the portrait, then asked the welcoming party inside if Naruto could come in. Hermione and the twins quickly said yes, and nobody argued against them, so Naruto was allowed in.
Butterbeer was poured, magical streamers and fireworks were made, and many small games were played. Some people, like Hermione, couldn't handle the small alcohol content of multiple mugs of Butterbeer, and dozed where they were. During the festivities, Naruto would often flip his Knut, but he soon lost it when he flipped it too high and at a bad angle. After Hermione snoozed, Fred and George pulled out some sweets. Naruto refused to have one, and was proven wise when a few first years had nosebleeds that would put the adult males of Konoha to shame.
When Harry arrived from his detention with Dolores, Ron told him the good news of making the team. Very close by, Naruto was having a fun game of juggling with the slightly intoxicated Fred and George. Said game became too much for the twins, and both were soon leaning on Naruto for support. Angelina then went up to Harry and told him why she chose Ron. Hearing that he'd have to be better, Naruto offered to train with him either during the Gryffindor practices or during free time. Even though Naruto already helped Ron out a little, Angelina didn't want the competition to participate in their reserved practices. A few minutes later, Fred and George were as groggy as Hermione, and headed up to their dormitories.
Soon, Professor McGonagall came into the Gryffindor Common Room. "What is going on here?" All the party animals turned like deer in spotlights towards her. "Streamers everywhere? Butterbeer on the floor? I'd expect this kind of behavior after winning the Quidditch Cup, not from a simple tryout!"
Ashamed, many wizards that were still sober and awake turned their wands to the mess to clean up. McGonagall saw green robes among this group. "Mister Uzumaki? What are you doing here in the Gryffindor Common Room?"
"I'm sorry. I helped Ron practice for the Keeper position, and he got onto the Quidditch team. I asked if I can party with them, and they let me in. Is that not allowed?"
"It's... allowed if you have permission. However, you can't stay past curfew. You have ten minutes to get from the seventh floor Gryffindor Tower back down to the Slytherin Dungeon in the basement. I suggest you run."
Hearing that time limit, Naruto almost knocked the Fat Lady off her hinge. Rather than running down the stairs, Naruto decided to use chakra and jump from landing to landing. He also wall ran where the corridor was a little crowded. He made it all the way back down to his House with seconds to spare. Lucky for him, Filtch, who was wandering around the Slytherin Common Room entrance, couldn't yet arrest Naruto for being out of bed after hours, and grudgingly let him pass.
This night was Naruto's lucky night. He glimpsed his mermaid friend for sure! She noticed him at the window as well, but was quickly ushered back to the Mermaid Kingdom by her father. Still, knowing they could see each other was a relief for Naruto, even if they couldn't talk through the glass window. An hour later, Naruto felt the clone he made at the Quidditch pitch pop, and relaxed, knowing that everything was ready for tomorrow.
The next morning started off quietly in the Gryffindor Tower. However, all was about to change in the Sixth Year's boy dormitory. Fred and George always slept in nothing but their undies. But when they woke up that morning, they decided to never do it again.
When one of them checked his drawers for their Gryffindor uniform, all he found were multiple one-piece clothing of the same size and style. "Hey George? Hey Fred? Do you have any uniforms?" Soon, said twin rummaged through his drawers and trunk. Their ruckus woke up some of the other sixth year boys. "No! What happened? I don't know." After searching through their stuff, and regrettably putting on the clothes to look decent to the surrounding boys, they found a note that became hidden under Fred's blanket when he got out of bed.
To my favorite twins,
I stole all your things. If you want a pair of clothes back, wear what I left you in your drawers to breakfast. Forget any pieces, or refusing to do so, will result in me keeping them for a longer period of time.
If you want it all back, surrender this war and sign the Truce on the other side of this paper. Basically, it says we can't prank the other without serious provocation but we can revenge prank for any prank after the time of signing this paper and after this prank.
Your favorite triplet,
Naruto Uzumaki, the true Prankster Prince!
"Us surrender this soon? He's overconfident. Good thing we know how to conjure up clothes, right Fred? Right back at ya George!" However, this plan was a bust, and the search woke up half the boys. "Hey George? Hey Fred? Where's my wand? Not over here. HEY! Where's mine? I don't have it. ...NARUTO!"
Fearing what else he could have taken, they searched under and behind their beds, and every hiding spot they had. They overturned some floorboards, and the whole room was now awake watching the boys. Seeing how thorough Naruto was made tears start to appear. "He got it all! He Pranked us good! So this is the power of a Prankster Prince! We've... lost... this... war.. of... Pranks..."
Now the twins were almost outright bawling, and felt the need for a comforting hug. "George! Fred! George! Fred! GEORGE! FRED!"
Naruto, and the rest of the castle for that matter, woke up to the noise of screaming Gryffindors. "I'm blind!" "I don't want to see that ever again!" "What was that horrible vision?!" "STOP!" While the Slytherins wondered what could have possibly made the Gryffindors scream so loud, Naruto had a look of horror on his face. 'They actually managed to do THAT? I feel so sorry for the other boys. I only wanted them to walk down to breakfast wearing that stuff!'
The rest of the castle learned an hour later what caused it. Regretting every step they were taking, Fred and George shuffled into the Great Hall for breakfast. The Gryffindors were appalled, especially the sixth year boys. The Ravenclaws, while admiring the functional qualities of the clothing, hated the color scheme. The Hufflepuffs all agreed to never do something like that to one of their own. The Slytherins were deciding whether or not to change their House Color. The twins were wearing one piece, forest green jumpsuit that closely hugged their body, bandages for gloves with long sleeves, a belt with a large metal buckle and a leaf insigna in the front, Kill-Me orange thick leg-warmers, and blue open-toed shoes.
Wearing the monstrosities that even topped Umbridge's pink nightmare, the twins walked over to Naruto, prostrated themselves on the floor, and begged for normal clothes. Laughing, Naruto gave them their robes and wands, and they quickly put on the robes over the jumpsuits. They then handed Naruto a signed contract. Happy, Naruto put his hand on the Japanese writing along the bottom, and released the storage seal's contents.
The twins were shocked. "You mean to tell us that we were holding our stuff the entire time?"
"That's right!" Naruto told them, laughing his rear off. "And if you worked any harder for Chakra classes, you'd have been able to get them out yourself!" That announcement made the whole Slytherin table laugh. Maybe this House Traitor wasn't so bad after all.
However, a menacing shadow fell over the blond. Slowly, Naruto turned around. Professor McGonagall was standing there, angry enough at the blond to descend from the teacher's table. "So you were the one who almost drove an entire year of Gryffindor boys insane?"
"I'm sorry! In my defense, I couldn't pull off the Sunset Genjutsu even during my hardest try!" This was a technical truth. He did try it once, because he believed it to be a quick way to defeat enemies. But the hardest he tried wasn't with everything he had. "I didn't think they could do it without chakra, honest! In my entire village, only ONE person could do it, even if he needed a partner/victim to do it with!"
"I had to cast Memory Charms on my own students," McGonagall said with the coldest voice Naruto ever heard, "in order to calm all of them down from whatever they saw. It was so horrible, they couldn't form words to describe it before I wiped it from their minds. How Fred and George were unaffected is a mystery I'll never comprehend. I'll be taking thirty points from Slytherin, and you'll be seeing me for detention. You'll be scrubbing the fifth floor bathrooms, without magic or Shadow Clones." Considering the state it was in, Naruto thought this punishment was too much, and wailed of his doom.
And that's how you win a prank war!
I can't think of any review critiques... Am I getting that much better? Wait, there is one. I escalated the Prank War too quickly, so that's why I'm cutting it off here.
Peace out!
AnonymousGX