Fred and George felt guilty about the trouble they had caused. They never meant for anyone to get hurt. The stability of the Order was at hand, and they had to do something to bring everyone together. Maybe, everyone just needed a good laugh. They spent the night of the fight and the morning plotting a prank that wouldn't cause any damage, victimize anyone, and would be fun. For a while, they couldn't come up with anything.

Then it hit them; instead of pranking other people, why not prank themselves? They could simply walk into their own traps and they didn't mind if people laughed at them. For once, they would be the butt of their own jokes. With cleverness and stealth they set up a prank that couldn't possibly go wrong. Or so they thought…..

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It was around 3:30 in the afternoon when Harry and Hermione put their plan into action. The plan's success depended on them keeping the conversation positive and tension low. Harry and Hermione sat upstairs working out the details.

"Okay, so they both like Quidditch. That's a conversation starter, but not much to build a civilship on." Harry said.

"It's all I could find out Harry. And really? A 'civilship'?" Replied Hermione.

"Yeah, that is what we are trying to build right? Not quite a friendship but a civil partnership. A civilship."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Enough of the silliness Harry. We'll just have to, oh my I really hate to say it… improvise."

Harry chuckled. "Haha, the girl with a plan improvising? Am I in the twilight zone or what?"

Hermione elbowed Harry playfully.

"Stop it Harry. Now first thing first, how do we get them in the same room?"

Harry thought for a minute and then spoke.

"Snape's in that room over there reading some book on modern potioneering. Sirius is waiting for me back in his study, he wanted to tell me about my mum and dad some more but…"

Hermione frowned. "Oh Harry, we can wait until tomorrow. I know you want to spend time with Sirius and if it really means something to you go ahead."

Harry nodded.

"I appreciate that Hermione but this has to be done now. Sirius isn't going anywhere, I have the rest of the summer with him. We only have until the end of the week to do this and it cannot wait. Now I'll bring Sirius into the other room and try to start a conversation. You wait in there with Snape and pretend to read something."

Hermione nodded nervously, not wanting to be stuck alone with Snape again. She went off down the hall and Harry entered Sirius's study.

Sirius was peering out a sliver of a window, not daring to open the curtains all the way. If anyone recognized him he was done for. But taking a little risk and looking out into the world fed the burning hunger for adventure he so desperately craved. Black was no couch potato. He preferred the uncertain world to his safe home. Anyway, his home had never really been a home. Ever since his childhood, and even more now, it had been only one thing; a prison.

Black clearly didn't notice Harry's presence and the two stood in a dreamy quiet for a minute or two. Harry felt as though he was interrupting a deep train of thought, but suddenly broke the silence.

"Sirius…" He said quietly.

Black turned and smiled at Harry. "Harry. Are you ready to look through the yearbook some more? I have some stories that would make you howl."

"Yes, that sounds great. I just wanted to go to a different room, one with more light."

Sirius nodded as he dropped the curtain. "Sure. You lead the way. It can be rather dreary in here"

The two strolled down the hall and into a sunny yellow room. Hermione sat lost in a book on a fancy white couch. Hearing them come in, she looked up and smiled. Snape was seated on a sofa on the other side of the room. His nose was buried in a book titled Modern Potioneering; New Research and Results. His head was tilted downward, making his lank hair spill over and hide his face. Sirius and Harry joined Hermione on the couch. Sirius patted Harry on the shoulder and asked him where he should begin. If Sirius talked about James in front of Snape their plan was finished. Harry had to change the topic of conversation fast.

"Umm, well… I thought we might t-talk about Quidditch first." Harry stuttered.

Sirius's eyes lit up. "Yes, your father was great at Quidditch. He practiced so hard and was the youngest seeker ever."

Snape grumbled something from behind his book.

Harry had to intervene and guide the conversation. "You love Quidditch too don't you? Do you have a favorite team?"

Sirius nodded. "I really do like the Harpies and the Ogres. Although the Ogres are having a rough year. Their best players all got injured and they haven't recovered yet."

"I like the Harpies too." Hermione added. "Are there any other teams you like Sirius?"

"Oh, so many. I used to be a huge Glasgow Giant fan, but now I'm really getting into the Derbyshire Dragons."

Hermione grinned in victory. 'This is perfect'. She thought. They had one thing in common. Now to get Snape involved in the conversation.

"Professor, didn't you say you also like the Derbyshire Dragons?" Hermione said abruptly.

Snape peered up from his book. He looked surprised and slightly annoyed.

"Um, yes I suppose." He said drowsily.

Sirius smirked. "I didn't know you were into Quidditch Severus."

Snape scowled. "I watch it occasionally. I mainly go to games because the seeker for the Dragons gives all the wizarding families in my neighborhood free tickets. He grew up not too far from my home."

"That's pretty neat. Do you know him?" Sirius asked.

"No, but I have met him a few times."

"He looks like a cheeky fellow." Sirius said.

"Yes, he can be pretty cheeky. Just another boy who made it out of the hood and gloated about it for the rest of his life."

Sirius nodded. "I guess. The team has done pretty well, they used to suck before the new players joined."

"Before they came along I didn't bother following them. I would much rather watch grass grow."

The two continued to chat on about sports, while Harry and Hermione gave each other victorious glances.

"I can't believe it! They're actually having a conversation!" Harry whispered.

"I know. I feel like we've done the impossible!" Hermione whispered back.

However, their victory was short lived….

"I'm surprised you are such a Quidditch lover, Snape. You hated it back in school."

Sirius said.

Snape's expression soured a little. "I can't imagine why that might be. It was just so wonderful to constantly hear what a sports hero Potter was."

"Now, now, Snape. Let's not insult the dead. Jealousy really is a very ugly trait." Sirius said more sternly.

Snape's face flushed. "I was not, and never was, jealous of that vain spoiled dunderhead."

Sirius stood up. "Don't you dare insult my friend. And for one thing, at least he grew up. You're still angry about things that happened over twenty years ago."

Snape stood up also, his mouth twisted into a sneer.

"Oh, and who are you to speak? You're the one staying in your mother's house. Not to mention you have never dropped your suspicions about me, even after I have proved my loyalty to the Order time and time again." Snape growled.

"Really? Time and time again? I wonder, with you acting as a double agent who knows which side you truly stand on. You were a Death Eater, and you only kissed up to Dumbledore to save your rear end from Azkaban. Admit it Snape, your heart isn't truly set on our mission is it?" Sirius said in a low, dangerous voice.

Harry and Hermione sat gaping. Hermione covered her eyes, prepared for another fight. Harry on the other hand was not about to let that happen. His mind racing, he thought of the only other thing that they had in common.

Harry stood up fast. "Let's all calm down. Instead of bickering over a school boy grudge, we can all look at the yearbook together. There are plenty of interesting pictures, one of you Professor. One of you and my mother. You never told me you were friends with her. Why don't we talk about her. I'd love to hear…"

"Harry, leave your mother out of this. Snape here has only one word for her." Sirius said sternly.

Snape was silent for a moment. His face had turned white and his eyes glistened. His face conveyed some type of softer emotion that he usually did not show. But as quickly as his face had softened, it hardened once more. A look of pure fury gleamed in his dark eyes.

"Mind your business, Potter. But if you must know, your mother was closest childhood friend. I suppose we would have stayed friends if it wasn't for your pig father!"

"Don't you dare blame James for anything!" Sirius shouted. "You're the one who pushed her away, with all your dark magic and blood purity nonsense. James treated her better than you ever did. She was happy with him. You have no idea how much you hurt her that day fifth year!"

Snape scowled. "It slipped! I did not mean to call her that…"

"Mudblood!?" Sirius bellowed. "That word doesn't just slip, Snape. You meant what you said! You thought you and your death eater friends were better than everyone else because of your blood status."

"Really? I am quite sure Black, that you and your little friends were the school's little favorites! You were praised for talent you did not have. Bunch of miscreants! Everyone thought you were such heroes, but I know better. Your just a bunch of spoiled bullies content on picking on anyone who doesn't fit in!" Snape snapped.

The two stood staring at each other fuming. Sirius whipped out his wand and aimed it at Snape, who in turn pointed his wand at Sirius.