Thursday October 25th, 1990
Dear Dad,
Thank you for the albums! The music club has been loving them and asking for more. Though some of the older students have been using it to encourage the others to start playing tunes rather than listening all of the time. Except for Barbary. He says he'd be happy if I don't write my own songs. Jokes on him! I'll just write even more songs and dedicate them to him. Ha!
Schoolwork is going much better this year! All of our classes have been teaching magic more than theory compared to last year. I mean, they do both, but you remember how this time last year we didn't practice charms until now? Nothing like that has been going on, which is a lot more exciting.
I've been asked to ask. Tremlett and a few of his old schoolmates are thinking of making a band after he graduates. Do you think there's any chance they can work with your studio? I mean, they plan on playing for magical audiences only, for some silly reason. But how much would it cost to make a demo?
Lots of love!
Melissa
P.S. Have you heard from anyone in Surrey? I haven't gotten any letters in a while.
When the Slytherin Prefects left the dungeon to patrol for the night, the common room became engulfed by a swarm of snakes.
"Alright Slytherins, gather 'round!" A fourth year boy called out to everyone as they made their way into the room. "Our match against Gryffindor is next weekend. We need a plan on how to trip up the Lions."
"Is there really any point having the second years in on this?" Amy's brother, Jake Flinton, asked before giving his kid sister a teasing smirk.
Some of the others murmured, but Amy met the challenge with a knowing smile. "You'd be surprised at how creative we can be within a set of rules."
"Not to mention this is an all-years thing." Rusalka added. "It doesn't really count."
Adrian turned to Garrick at that comment. "It doesn't?"
The fourth year answered before Garrick could. "Pucey, you can just focus on the game. Let the rest of us handle this."
People started throwing around the typical suggestions. Physical intimidation tactics, literally tripping Gryffindor players, dyeing their clothes green, stinging hexes and other hard-to-catch spells. It went on for a few minutes until Barbary suggested they try some intimidation tactics during the game.
"During the game?" A third year girl questioned. "If the professors catch us we could get into a lot of trouble."
"Not to mention all of this rainy weather will make it hard to execute any good plans" A fifth year added.
"That's why I'm suggesting mind games, not a spell." Barbary turned to Melissa at that point. "Giggles, you said that the first song in News of the World is used during games, right?"
Melisa grinned at that. "Yes! That's a great idea! I can teach everyone, though we have to do more than a song if we want to get under their skin."
The other students asked about the suggestion, with Melissa and Barbary expanding on the idea. While they talked, Amy went distant, pondering over an idea.
"Under their skin… under their… Renshaw! What was it you said earlier about dyeing their clothes?"
The third year girl in question blinked at the interruption. "It's a disappearing dye from Zonko's. You can spray people with it and it can be charmed off easily."
"And it just works on clothes?"
"I think so."
"What did you have in mind?" The fourth year leading the group asked.
Amy paused to get her thoughts in order. "What if we made it dye them , instead? That way they can't charm it away?"
The others thought about it. "Perhaps. But we would need a way to get them before the game."
As they considered the possibilities, Melissa chimed in with a thought. "I think I know a way."
November 3rd, 1990
On the morning of the quidditch match Gryffindor tower was in chaos. Every student had woken up with their faces wet and green. Some tried to charm it away to no avail. Others tried washing it off, but that only seemed to make it spread over their whole bodies. There was a panic as they all tried to figure out if it was a disease or some sort of elaborate prank, with some running to the hospital wing to get themselves checked.
Fortunately, or unfortunately for those who sought to wake up Professor McGonagall, the strange greenness started to fade within the hour. Nobody could make heads or tails of what the substance was (save for a couple of young tricksters giving each other a knowing look). That said, they were grateful that the green was gone, though rather shaken as to how all of them had been infected.
At breakfast the tension was palpable. There was no green to be seen other than on Slytherin robes, but the Gryffindors were wary. The Slytherins and other houses, on the other hand, went about their meal as per usual, with only the normal anticipation to be expected from a quidditch game. When the meal was over, the lions bid their team good luck, and left the Great Hall for the match.
"Hooch has released the quaffle, and they're off!" The announcer proclaimed as the match began. The students cheered as brooms went flying.
"Go, Pucey, go!" The second year Slytherins cheered. (Though if Warrington's cheer came out half-heartedly, no one seemed to notice or care, too busy in the sport of the game.)
Within the first twenty minutes a Slytherin beater managed to chip at the lead Gryffindor chaser with a bludger, preventing another goal as the Slytherins maintained a lead of 30-10. The Lions got more aggressive at that point, fighting hard until they got another win on their end. With their spirits teetering on the edge of anticipation, the other houses didn't notice as Heathcote Barbary stood up from his front row seat and cast a sonorous on himself. The mystery went on longer as Barbary said not a word. Instead, he stomped his feet twice and clapped his hands together. Like clockwork, the rest of Slytherin followed within four claps. The other houses turned, confused, towards the commotion. Slytherin continued on, stamping and clapping four more rounds before Barbary's voice shouted through the crowd.
"Buddy, you're a boy, make a big noise
"Playing in the street, gonna be a big man someday
"You got mud on your face, you big disgrace
"Kicking your can all over the place, singin'"
"We will, we will rock you!" The Slytherins shouted in unison. "We will, we will rock you!"
The stadium was in a wave of confusion. Some muggleborns smiled knowingly at the song, even joining in if they were Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw. Some that didn't know the song became lost in the rhythm, deciding to join in on the action. Though a few did hold themselves back if they didn't want to cheer on the Slytherin team. Meanwhile, on the pitch, the Gryffindor team were becoming lost against the song and tide of Slytherin cheers, a feeling of intimidation which was gladly taken advantage of by the knowing Slytherin players.
The Slytherins kept up the rhythm for a second and third verse. Barbary weaved the crowd in higher energy as shouts of "we will rock you" got louder each time on the third verse. At a peak moment, he launched his guitar into a killer riff, enhanced by a sonorous charm. By the time it was finished, the Slytherins boomed into a cheer like a crashing wave against the red lions.
The energy continued deep into the match. The lead grew with every passing moment. 50-20, 60-20, 80-30, 100-40.
"If this keeps up, it won't matter who catches the snitch." Amy cheered.
"So long as the Gryffindor seeker doesn't find the snitch soon." Garrick pointed out.
Above them, the sky rumbled. It's grey clouds threatening another afternoon of rain.
"Don't worry, Orpington." Melissa smiled at the brewing storm. "I'm sure Part C will do the trick."
Another minute later rain began to fall onto the stadium. Seconds later, the wall of red lions became a sea of green. First there was shock and confusion, then outrage as the Gryffindor students started screaming. One of the players almost slipped off her broom at the sight of her hands. It was utter chaos.
It was glorious!
The Slytherin players took full advantage of the confusion. They barrelled their way into another win. The Gryffindor beaters, confused by the mass of green on the field, accidentally knocked one of their own players into a tizzy, allowing for another win against their team. As they fought through the confusion, none of them noticed Barbary strumming gently against his guitar until he had already started singing with a smile.
It's not easy bein' green.
It seems you blend in with so many other ordinary things.
And people tend to pass you over 'cause you're
not standing out like flashy sparkles in the water-
or stars in the sky.
But green's the color of spring.
And green can be cool and friendly-like.
And green can be big like a mountain, or important
like a river, or tall like a tree.
When green is all there is to be
It could make you wonder why, but why wonder why?
Wonder, I am green and it'll do fine,
It's beautiful!
And I think it's what I want to be.
The Slytherins were laughing and singing along to the silly song. Throughout the song, Melissa held onto Amy and Domonkos as they swayed to the melody, singing out to their heart's content. A few of the students jeered at the Gryffindors as they sang, as if enticing them that they should be grateful for the change in colour. The unified commotion certainly did the trick to miff the lion side of the stadium. Even the announcer was having trouble describing the game as they dominated the stadium airwaves.
Best of all, the tactics worked beautifully against the quidditch players as, soon after the song, the Slytherin seeker was able to find and catch the snitch, ending the game with a 280 point lead.
You know the best part of a prank coming together? The jokes that follow it.
"No wonder the Gryffindors are hardly eating. They're so green they just might lose their lunch."
"Green on top, and stiff all over. Looks like Wood's become true to his name!"
"What's red, green, and goes round and round? Spinnet with a bludger!"
The Slytherin table volleyed jokes all throughout supper. It was a fun, celebratory affair full of food and laughter. Some students were even singing their songs again as they ate. Though a few of the second and sixth years started singing another song called "We are the champions", much to Gryffindor's chagrin. Even the other two tables were mildly amiable for the night. Some of them hummed along to the tunes while others sang them.
The Gryffindor table was understandably quiet for most of the night. The match was an embarrassment on many levels. They tried to argue the match results earlier, claiming that the skin changing was a foul on the Slytherins part. Unfortunately, seeing as the change was on all Gryffindors and only a change that technically did nothing to affect their ability to play, Madame Hooch made no call of foul and stayed to the original score. The result sullied any hope they had for the night and their standings for the year's quidditch games.
The success of the game had Melissa swaying and singing the whole night. Even as she made her way home, dancing down into the dungeons, the hall was full of music.
"That was some clever work, Bennett."
Melissa stopped mid-twirl to the pair of commenters. "'Ello, boys! Sorry about the match." Her glee didn't match the sentiment in the slightest.
The twin boys didn't take to the deflection. "Interesting stuff, that is."
"Zonko's disappearing dye if I'm not mistaken, Fred."
"I was thinking much the same, George."
"You know what, so was I!" Melissa chirped. "Though I don't think it's meant to work quite that way with the rain. Must have been fiddled with."
"Must have." They each replied.
"Clever stuff, for sure. Though I can't say I deserve credit for that. Potions aren't much of my strong suit, you see."
The twins looked at her, ponderous. "She has a point." Fred noted.
"Aye. Her sleeping draught did manage to explode and knock out half the class."
"Not to mention that time she threw up in a cauldron while making forgetfulness potion."
"Gee, thanks for the reminder!" She chuckled.
At that moment the two boys saddled up beside her. "Though just because it wasn't your work doesn't mean you don't know who did it?"
"It would be awfully useful information."
"I'm sure it would." She agreed. Melissa playfully rested her arms on each boy and offered them a wicked smile. "I have to say though, boys, this isn't a good look on you."
"What do you mean, Bennett?" George asked.
"All this sneaking about, asking for help about another person's prank. Not sure how to say this, little Chucklebunnies, but you seem pretty green with envy."
"Merlin, Bennett, what happened to you?!" Adrian asked as he and a few other Slytherins came by her on their way back to the dungeons.
As she dangled from her spot on the middle of the wall, Melissa couldn't help but give an airy chuckle. "Had a run-in with a couple green-eyed weasels. Suffice to say, they didn't like my joke."
A/N: I'll be away next week, so that next chapter will be posted at the end of the month.