Chapter 13: This Means War
Harry sat in the common room, playing a game of chess against Ron. Harry moved his pawn into place, checking Ron's king.
"Check" said Harry.
"Hmm, not bad," Ron moved knight taking the pawn.
Harry smirked, he expected this move. He took the knight with his bishop which was accross the board.
"And..." Ron moved his rook to take Harry's bishop, "discovery check and mate. Not bad mate, you're actually getting better."
Harry sighed. He needed to work on outsmarting the enemy. Normally he was good at it, but right now, his enemy was Ron Weasley. The current score was 54-1, with Harry winning one game where he forced Ron into playing while he was trying to finish a six page essay that he had procrastinated on. Ron sighed and fell back onto the couch. It was raining outside, so much so that the only thing that could get him out there was Wood yelling at him to go to practice. And even then...
"I'm bored!" came Ron's exasperated cry.
"Well you could always get ahead start on that charms essay" chimed in Hermione's voice.
"But we have until next week. No one in their right mind would work on it now."
"I'm done with it" responded Harry, "And Hermione finished it up last night."
"You guys don't count!" Ron laid back down on the couch, "I'm still bored!"
Harry smirked, he knew something they could do. "How about a prank war?"
Ron shot up, grinning at the idea of mischief and misery. Hermione shook her head, but listened anyways. "Oh? Who against?"
"Let's say... Fred and George?" Harry said, trying to act innocent.
"What! We'll get destroyed! Fred and George rule school, no one can win against them!"
"Even the master tactician who brought down a troll and the boy who lived who slayed a Basilisk?"
"I don't know..."
"C'mon, they've had it coming to them a long time!"
"Fine, fine! We'll go for it!"
Harry looked over to Herminoe, who gave him a certain look that told him she wasn't going to be in on this. Harry shrugged and turned back to his partner in crime.
"So, how do we get things started?" asked Ron.
"Don't worry, I think I got this one. You just brainstorm for our next couple of pranks. We got a bit of time before any other activities, so we should be able to give them a clean whooping. Oh! But first, we need a couple alibi's"
"What do you mean?" asked Ron.
"You'll see..." answered Harry.
The next day, Harry woke Ron up earlier than usually. He dragged a grumpy Ron out of bed and into the common room. Several people were already up, getting ready for the day. Harry handed Ron a book, which Ron stared at stupidly. Harry signaled Ron to just wait a minute. Ron shrugged and went onto stand-by.
About five minutes had past, before Fred and George came running down the stairs yelling, with bright pink hair that was standing straight up. Ron was instantly awake and laughing, along with everyone else that was in the common room. George turned to Harry.
"You did this!" said George. Harry turned to Ron and shrugged.
"Guess they got us Ron." Ron was still too busy trying to catch his breathe.
"Well it wasn't too hard to figure it out WHEN YOU LEFT A NOT UNDER THE SHAMPOO BOTTLE!" said Fred as he held out a note that read, 'Declaration of War: Harry & Ron'
"You guys are totally screwed!" finished Fred and George together as they stomped off grinning. Although they didn't outright admit it, they were happy someone finally worked up the guts to have a go with them. It had been boring ever since they had established their reputation as the best pranksters in the school. Now had a chance to defend their title.
Ron finally calmed down, "That was a good one Harry, how did you replace the shampoo bottles?"
Harry grinned, "Lets say I have a feathered friend."
"Hedwig? Dang, that's one smart owl!"
"No, not Hedwig. But on the flip side, better start planning our next prank, cause we're going to be hit hard pretty soon." Ron paled as Harry reminded him how prank wars worked.
And revenge was served hot.
The trio had just sat down for breakfast, when Ron started piling food onto his plate. Harry looked over at the large mound of food, "Sure you can eat all that mate?"
"Please Harry, I'm Ron Weasley. Besides, you got me out of bed earlier, to me, that translates to eating more because I burned off some laughing at Fred and George."
Ron picked up his fork and prepared to indulge in one of the boiled eggs. The egg, however, had other plans.
The egg burst apart, revealing a small chick. Ron dropped his fork and knife, while Harry laughed. The chick was bright green, an intresting color.
"Guess you won't be eating those for while!" said Harry. But he had spoke too soon. The pile of boiled eggs all burst, revealing a good number of bright multicolored baby chickens. They all turned to stare at Ron and Harry, before yelling in an uncharacteristicly shrill voice.
"EAT MOAR BEEF!" chorused the chicks and they jumped onto Harry and Ron. The two swatted every which way, trying to get rid of the pecking chicks. After about five minutes of unprecedented pecking, the chicks finally let up. The two boys slowly made their way to their feet. They were covered in bright multicolored feathers, and various marks on their skin. McGonagall chose that exact moment to walk in.
"Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley! What are you doing! Ten points from Gryffindor for untidiness!" Harry smirked. House point deductions, oh no's. Harry shook his head as he headed up back to the dorms to switch out his cloths. Ron looked very grumpy about not getting breakfast. Harry turned to Ron.
"Of course you know, this means war!" said Harry loudly over the echoing laughs of Fred and George, along with the rest of the school.
That night, Harry, Ron, and an invisibility cloak made their way into Fred and George's room. After completing the necessary work, they quickly retreated back to their room and went to bed. Harry and Ron got up a bit earlier than usually, and then sat by the stairs in the common room, waiting to see their results. Hermione noticed them, and knowing that whatever she said would have no effect, sat down to watch the show. And the show delievered.
Five minutes later there was a furious thumping down the stairs. Fred and George were standing in the middle of the common room, their faces painted white, while they flailed around their arms wildly. Some people gathered around and asked what happened. Fred pointed to his mouth and George made an 'X' with his forearms.
Harry and Ron stood up and walked over, after they had finally composed themsleves. It was a wonder what some magical facepaint and a silencing charm could do.
"Oh! What do we have here Ron?"
"I believe it might be a pair of mimes Harry."
"Oh, I say! These fellows look very familiar Ron"
"I believe they do Harry, I believe they do."
"Might it be your two brothers Ron?"
Fred and George were outraged and went at Harry and Ron, who merely took a step back.
"Oh dear Ron, watch out! The mime seems to be rather fierce in nature."
"Ahh yes Harry! It may try to attack you with an invisible rope"
"Or maybe throw an invisible wall at you."
Fred and George tried to tackle Harry and Ron, who both turned tail and ran. Harry shouted back over his shoulder, "Just to let you know, you'll be like that till lunch!"
Fred and George stomped around, and Harry sent Ron a grin. It felt good to win a battle. But the war was not over yet.
A little past lunch, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were walking towards their next class, Ron spotted a galleon on the ground, next to a suit of armor. He was about to go and pick it up, when Harry stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.
"I don't think that's a good idea mate."
"Its obviously a trap, a old muggle trick of gluing a quarter to the ground" added Hermione.
"Oh come on, there's no harm in checking is there?"
"Your funeral" said Harry as he took a step off to the side. Hermione was a couple feet behind Ron, and Harry was position over to the left. Ron bent down to pick up the galleon, and sure enough it was stuck to the ground. Ron pulled a little harder, and galleon made a clicking noise.
Harry sighed, suspecting what was going to happen.
The suit of armor opened up and a blueberry pie came out, hitting Ron straight in the face.
Okay, so maybe Harry didn't suspect what was going to happen. Harry couldn't help it, he laughed. Hermione tried to keep a straight face, but ended up laughing. Ron got up with an annoyed look on his face, but then began to chuckle. It could be worse.
The armor opened up again and shot out another pie.
Ron was on the floor again, covered in pie. Fred and George came out from behind the corner laughing. They did a quick scourgify spell and used a weird potion to unstick the galleon and pocket it. They turned towards Harry and Ron, who had just gotten back up. He sighed.
"Wood is yelling at us for started a prank war near the quidditch match. And he refuses to believe that his star seeker, Harry Potter, could instigate such behavior." said the twins
Harry raised an eyebrow, "So?"
"So we think we should call it truce, now that we're even. At least until later after finals and the match. Which I guess would be next year, but you get the jist." siad the twins, offering their hands to Harry and Ron.
Harry was about to take it when Ron stopped him, "Harry! Wait, it could be a trap!"
"Nope, Fred and George wouldn't joke about the code of a prank war" said Harry as the shook their hands, completing the truce. Now they could concentrate on ending the year strong. But he was so going to own them hard next time they were pranking season.