Summary: A one shot featuring the last prank of the Marauders.
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The Marauders not only wanted to make their last days at Hogwarts memorable, but also spent weeks strategizing for it. For them, pranking was an art, one they wanted the world to remember in the years to come. This sentiment was further fueled by them wanting to create the best prank the school has ever seen.
Sirius Black was seen hanging off the common room couch, his arms dangling carelessly as he nonchalantly threw a small magical firecracker up in the air. "I know what I'm talking about, James, the plan needs to be on a higher level," Sirius stated. "We're talking about its scale being so grand that people will speak our names with reverence."
James Potter was seated a little bit away from him, with pages in front of them, a quill in hand, and a smile on his face. "There is no need to worry, Padfoot. With my creative abilities, and you being there, this prank is bound to be one for the ages," he replied.
"Where do you see Remus and I in this plan, then?" asked Pettigrew, who had settled near the roaring fire.
"You will be the assistants of this prank," Sirius remarked playfully.
Remus Lupin had been reading a bit further away when he decided to clarify, "If by that you mean the ones who actually keep this madness from collapsing into chaos, then yes, I suppose that's accurate."
James laughed. "Don't be modest, Moony. You are the one who devises all the plans in this operation."
Remus raised an eyebrow. "Did you not just say that you are the one who makes all the plans?"
"I do. We both do. We are dual brained geniuses." James tapped his head, and went back to the parchment. "Okay, so here is the plan…"
—
That afternoon, they began to put their scheme into action. The prank would take place during breakfast as the whole of Hogwarts would be present at breakfast in the Great Hall: students and professors alike.
The first idea was to have Sirius spend one afternoon using transfiguration to turn ordinary objects into enchanted animals. The forks would become tiny dragons that would blow gentle puffs of smoke. The goblets would, of course, become hopping toads. He even wanted the enchanted ceiling to change with one of the charms Remus had perfected: a shower of sparkling fireworks.
Peter would carry out a more tucked-away role: the Slytherin table was always good fodder for dungbombs-noisy ones but harmless. He thought they would do just enough damage to their long-standing rivals.
In the grand finale act, James had reserved the right to project Voldemort, terrifying and yet a total fake. As far as he was concerned, it was harmless fun. Remus raised an eyebrow at the idea. "You do know McGonagall might actually kill you for this one, right?"
"Relax, nothing will happen. Minnie loves me," replied James matter-of-factly.
—
The weather that morning was rather sunny. The Marauders came striding to the Great Hall, looking as innocent as lambs.
"Showtime," James whispered as the hall started to fill up with students.
Slowly the pranks began—one goblet after another hopped from their owners, toads jumped onto tables, and tiny dragons flew into the air. Giggles rippled through the younger students as the professors exchanged wary glances.
Then the fireworks came. The enchanted ceiling erupted into a majestic show of colors, sparkling light washing through the hall. For just a moment, even the shifty ones seemed captivated.
And then, just as the laughter reached its zenith, the hall dimmed.
A hissing voice, deep yet cold, filled the silence; it seemed powerful enough that students arose from their seats, "So… these are the mighty witches and wizards of Hogwarts?"
The crowd gasped as a robe-clad specter flitted from the middle of the hall- a tall, shadowy figure with red eyes, piercing through.
"Voldemort!" someone yelled, shrieking in terror.
Under his invisibility cloak, James, hidden away beneath the staff table, struggled not to laugh. The projection was perfect-right down to the billowing black robes and malevolent air.
But Sirius, went up on the Slytherin table, could hardly contain his desire to stoke the tangling drama. "Run, you cowards!" he dramatically pointed at the shadowy figure. "Save yourselves!"
Students screamed, tables overturned, and there was a split second when the professors looked like they had turned into stone.
But this was not allowed to last. "Enough!" came Professor McGonagall, rising to her full height. A swish of her wand, and that illusion melted into blue vapor.
Absolute silence reigned, mingled with Sirius's inconsolable laughter.
—-
The Marauders were immediately summoned to McGonagall's office after breakfast.
"I ought to expel all four of you right here and now," she began, the lips pressed into a thin line.
"Professor," James said with his most charming smile, "it was just a little fun and no harm was done."
"No harm done?" she repeated incredulously. "You terrified half the school and interrupted breakfast!"
"You have to admit it was brilliant," Sirius said, still grinning.
McGonagall pinched the bridge of her nose. "Brilliant or otherwise, all four of you will serve detention from now on. Now, get out of my sight!"
As they left her office, Sirius threw an arm around James. "Totally worth it."
—
That night, the Marauders met in the Astronomy Tower, one of their favourite haunts for memorable nighttime fun.
"Uh... well," James leaned on the railing, "that's it. Our last big prank."
Remus smiled weakly. "Almost hard to believe that it's done, huh?"
Sirius sighed and was uncharacteristically quiet. "Yeah. It's weird. It feels like the end of a journey ."
Peter fidgeted nervously. "We'll all still keep in touch though, right?"
"Of course ,"James insisted. "Nothing can ever keep us apart."
There was silence again, and they stared up at the stars above their heads; for the briefest moment, time stood still, and they believed that they could preserve this night for eternity.
But, deep down, they all knew better.
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Author's Note: Well I always loved the Marauders so I decided to make a one shot featuring a prank of theirs. If you guys want me to write more one shots like this, please tell me in the comments. Hope you enjoy. Also I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters in this fic.