Chapter 57 The Great Prank

Harry's POV

After a much-deserved sleep, Harry went downstairs to see Remus fussing over a very drunk Sirius. "Good God, what happened to him," the boy asked, seeing the man he thought was recovering from his stay in Azkaban slumped over crying. Sirius was holding a pillow and saying over and over again that his godson was doomed.

"I don't know," Lupin stated. "I came down and he was like this." His was rubbing his friend's back, trying to show him that Harry was safe and now no one controlled him.

"Well, shite. I hate to do this, but we'll never find out what's up if he's like this," the somber teen stated, lifting his finger and casting a sobering charm on the man.

Sirius was no longer drunk, but the melancholy was still there. He looked around and saw the two most important people in his life standing there with worried looks on their faces. "Shite," he mumbled, running a hand down his face. "Sorry, I had a nightmare that Harry was being controlled, and after what happened last night, it was just too much," he confessed, keeping it as honest as possible. Death had haunted his dreams all night. He pictured Harry chained to the man and doing deeds that he knew the teen would not want to do.

"After what you told me when you got home, I can understand that. It's not every day one takes down a Dark Lord. It must have been hard to watch," Remus said, knowing that Sirius thought of Harry as a son. "Are you better now? You can see that Harry is here and no one is controlling him." He cursed Dumbledore for manipulating Harry's life up until the boy had lost his memory. If that hadn't happened, then Sirius would not have thought that the whole thing last night was just one big set up. It was the only reason that the werewolf felt that his best mate would feel this way.

"Yeah, I think I am. So, what are we doing today?" the dogman inquired, changing the subject as quickly as he could but still looking around the room like Death would pop out at any moment. Harry and Remus shared a look at those fearful glances, each thinking that the man was looking for Dementors.

"I've got to get the store set up," the werewolf answered, trying ease Sirius worries, so he knew there was nothing to fear. He'd have to get Padfoot alone later to see if there was anything he could do to chase away those memories, without booze. Until then they'd just have to move on. "We should be opening after the holidays. I wanted to open before then, but paperwork held me up."

"Oh, hey, can we talk about something after you get it set up? There's some things I want to do with some of the profits," Harry asked, his mind plotting with an idea he had had for quite a while. He was hoping to get it done soon, with winter here it would be needed. Perhaps he could pull it off in a smaller version until Remus got the store up and going.

"I thought the profits were going to the school?" was the confused answer. They had the vault set up to take any income from the furniture and jewels that they had found in the room. There were even some weapons and armor, which he was told would fetch quite a price. That's what kept the store from opening in time. He needed to have a special license to see the ancient swords. Something about not selling to minors, keeping them in locked cases, and such things.

"I'll donate a few things and used the profits from those," the teen said. He had some stuff he could part with. "There's just a few things I'd like to get done, and I need the receipts from the sales."

"Okay," Remus drawled, wondering what Harry was up to now. He hoped it wasn't illegal. There was no telling with that boy these days. "Get with me after we've been open for a week or so. I should have my schedule cleared by then."

"Will do. Hey, Sirius, I think we need to go to see Bones. I want to see if there's any fallout from last night."

"Sure, why not," the depressed man said. He wondered when he was going to snap out of this mood. He had spent too much time in Azkaban feeling this way and he didn't like it. Maybe he needed to see a specialist. He never fully recovered from prison anyway and all the self-help books only took you so far. It was something he had been contemplating for a while now. He'd have to go muggle, they would never tell anyone.

The glamored men went to the Ministry. Harry was happy so see that the news of Voldy's demise had not leaked, and the only thing people were talking about is how Malfoy snapped and killed the guard. They made it to Bones' office and were shown in by the secretary. They opened the door just in time to see Amelia throw a cup of tea at the wall.

"Don't have to ask how you're doing. What happened?" Harry asked, taking his usual chair.

"Malfoy might walk," she snarled, picking up a paperweight and throwing it at the same wall, causing it to dent. She had been trying for years to arrest that man, and with Fudge gone she thought it was in the bag. Now, blasted truth charm made her job more difficult.

"What!? How is that possible, he killed a guy!?" the teen shouted, making Bones turn her anger on to him.

"Because of the truth spell you put on the courtrooms, he confessed that he was possessed. That makes him non-culpable. It is just like he said after the war, only then he lied and said he was under the Imperius. This time he doesn't even have to bribe anyone," she snapped, picking up another paperweight and chucking it at the door.

"Hey, don't blame me. I didn't possess the guy. Why don't you just ask him if it was willing, and if he had been ordered to kill that man. I mean, come on Malfoy is evil, from what I've been told. It should be easy," Harry said, waving his hand and fixing the room. The cup flew back together, and the paperweights floated to the desk. The dents in the walls straightened out, and the tea disappeared.

Amelia sighed and sat down again. He had a point, all they needed to do is word the questions correctly and the man would spend the rest of his life in prison. Still it was unnerving the way Malfoy slithered out of things. She wrote a few things down and then looked at Harry. "Why did you give the horcrux to the DoM?" she asked deceptively soft.

"I thought it would help you out if more people were on the watch out for them," he answered honestly, not sure what the problem was.

"The Department of Mysteries doesn't work well with the rest of the Ministry. They like to keep their secrets, it was only because they captured You… Voldemort that they even let me know that they had one. Next time, and Merlin forbid there ever be a next time, next time tell me what you're doing. I can't do my job if I don't know all the facts," she stated firmly.

"Sure, sorry, I really was only trying to help," the teen said quietly.

"Amelia, what do you remember from last night?" Sirius asked, wondering if he truly was the only one who knew.

"After you got here, not much. I remember meeting you, Harry badmouthing the Dark Lord, Voldemort going through the Veil, and me arresting Malfoy. That's about it," she confessed, not telling them that no one in the DoM remembered anything. The whole department was running around in a frenzy trying to find how what happened. It was making her case harder. If it weren't for the fact Malfoy was caught red-handed, plus the monitoring charms around atrium and DoM, she would have nothing to stand on. The Death Room's monitor was completely blank, so they had no clue as to what happened after everyone entered.

"Well, I guess it all worked out well then," Harry said happily.

Luna's POV

It was Christmas Eve morning and Luna was excited, when the first student, no matter what house, stepped out of a dorm the whole school would be reformed. Starting from the Astronomy tower to the Entrance Hall, it was going to be marvelous. They had worked for three days to get it all set up and couldn't wait to see it.

Luna flung back her covers and raced to get dress. Less than five minutes later she was downstairs ready for the day. Since she had no friends in Ravenclaw, she didn't need to wait. She left the dorm and looked around in awe. Her clothes when she stepped out changed to a summer dress from the early 1820's. Her particular dress was light pink silk that cinched right under her breast and then fell straight to the floor. She could feel the petticoats under it and the ruffles on the bottom made a noise when she walked. The silk sleeves fell mid upper-arm, and there was a bonnet on her head. She had a ruffled parasol in her hand and her shoes were a fine cloth. She could see other dressed in fashions from that era, and a few beyond. She took a moment to look around. Neville had really outdone himself.

The walls of the hall depicted a huge forest. The trees could be seen for miles no matter where you looked, and they reached up as high as the eye could see. The underbrush rustled as animals darted back and forth. Flowers were blooming far and wide, most based at the bottom of trees, but some were crowding the forest floor. The hallway leading from the tower was a packed dirt, and a few ambitious Ravenclaws were trying to dig a hole to see where the floor was. Flowers and shrubbery of all kinds lined the walkway, and there were hanging lamps descending from tree branches along the ceiling, which weren't lit at this time. Since Ravenclaw tower was on the fifth floor, it was summer. So, the light of the morning sun was filtering through the trees, making the halls take on a nice soft glow. The forest looked like you could walk through it forever, but there was a barrier where the wall was.

The portraits were gone, well, not gone, but no longer in their frames, which were attached to trees. The people who had been in the portraits were wandering around looking at the amazing forest. They were talking to themselves and some were skipping about, relishing the freedom they had from their frames. They could not go from floor to floor unless they went back to their frames, but they could wander in the forest as long as they wanted. Some were following the students to try and see who had done this marvelous piece of magic. Of course, the Ravenclaws didn't know, but they were going to find out.

Bird song was everywhere, the trees were filled with them. Animals could be seen darting through the trees, and an occasional vine would creep out and tickle girls' feet as they walked by, making them jump and screech. The boys, who were also donning 1820 style clothes would get their hats knocked off. Once in a while, something would jump out from behind a tree. Be it unicorn, centaur, or giant spider, they'd jump out and frighten the students walking past.

If you stepped on a certain spot, a purple bloom of smoke would emit, and it would turn your clothes in to nightclothes from the same era as the other clothes would be. This sent many students scurrying back to the common room. Only for their clothes to change into what they put on when they got out of bed. When they stepped back into the hall, they would once again change back into the dresses, or pants for boys, from the 1820s. It was funny to see boys running down the hall in old-fashioned dressing gowns.

As Luna walked the hall, with a spring in her step and a twirl of her parasol, to the staircases, a man, who she assumed had been a portrait, came up and yelled for her to have a Happy Christmas. She jumped a little and then curtsied and wish him a happy one as well. She gazed at the animals and was delighted to see a crumpled-horned snorkack. It's armored body and bizarre armadillo and unicorn head, make her squeal in delight. She was glad she added some of her own animals to this scene. She had been worried, since this was not it's native land, but then realized it was magic, so it could survive anywhere.

Neville's POV

Neville was also excited, he rushed through his morning rituals and waited for the twins and Hermione to leave the tower. They all gathered and whispered excitedly to each other as they made their way to the portrait hole. Just like Luna their clothes were transformed into those from the 1820s. The boys had high waisted formfitting pants, waist coats, and ruffled shirts with ascots tied around their necks. They now sported tall hats, and the twins had walking canes. Hermione had a high waist pale blue dress with a bonnet and a matching parasol.

Since they were on the seventh floor, it was spring. Flowers were everywhere. The whole hall was an explosion of color and smell, good thing there was no pollen. The walls were now a huge meadow, with wildlife of all kinds. Baby unicorns, deer and rabbits could be seen jumping through the heather and grasses. In the distance they could make out tall looming trees for the start of the forest that made up the lower halls. The people from the portraits were having picnics and some were dancing silly dances. Their frames were on post that dotted the walkway. There were arches along the stone path that had creeping vines holding lanterns. The ceiling was much like the Great Hall in it depicted the morning sky. The sun was at the morning crest making the halls pink with color. A light breeze ruffled skirts, parasols and capes. Grassroots and vines would sneak out and tickle or poke the students at random times. It became a tradition to try and catch these mischievous plants. The same random clothes changing smoke was in various spots on the gravel walkway.

The gang turned back and noticed a large tree in the middle of the meadow. On it was the Fat Lady's portrait frame. She was frolicking in the flowers, laughing like she had not since she was alive. She never wandered far and would entertain guests on the wrought iron, umbrellaed table that sat near her frame. They wandered the halls looking at everything. They were amazed at how it turned out. They happily made their way down the stairs and when they hit the fifth floor their clothes transformed once again to lighter material and cooler hats.

As they ventured down the stairs, which had turned to wood, flowers and vine, the temperature got warmer. The scenes turned to the forest in summer. They met up with Luna and continued to see what wonders they had formed the castle into. The doors to classrooms were etched in trees with the name of the class listed on top. Like it had been burnt into the wood. By the time they hit the third floor the weather got colder as autumn set in. The tree grew colorful, in autumn browns, oranges, and reds. The leaves littered the forest floor, but not the halls. The first and ground floor were colder still, but not bitingly so. Their clothes continued to change with each floor they went down. The Great Hall was a winter wonderland, the decorated trees that had been brought in by the staff looked very much in place with the evergreens that lined the wall. Snowy scenes were everywhere, and the ceiling sky was a flurry of snowflakes.

"We did good," Neville said quietly, a huge smile on his face as he puffed up his ruffled shirt.

"Well, we did well," Hermione corrected absently, as she sat at the long Gryffindor table, which was looked like it was encased in ice, but was not cold to the touch.

"Shush, Hermione and enjoy the fun," Luna chastised, putting her folded parasol next to her.

"I can't wait to see," George started, as he ran his hand along the table. It was slick like ice and his face was a vintage of happiness for what was to come.

"what the professors think," Fred finished, also waiting for the food to arrive.

"Well, it looks like you won't have long to wait. Look at McGonagall," Neville whispered, glancing at the Head Table, trying to hold his mirth.

McGonagall's POV

McGonagall was dressed in a bodice-laced traveling coat, an overly large bonnet and huge white muff, which seemed to be stuck to her hands. She was attempting to free them, when one came loose it went flying, smacking Flitwick's hat off. The room exploded with laughter, when the poor man squeaked and fell backwards.

"Really, Minerva, that was quite uncalled for," he said, sitting upright and straightening his top hat.

"Sorry, Filius, this blasted muff has my hands stuck," she said sincerely, attempting once more to fee her other hand.

"Allow me," the tiny man said, waving his wand and unsticking her hand.

"Thank you," she breathed. "When I get my hands on that Potter boy," she started.

"Really, Minerva, Mr. Potter no longer resides in the castle, why ever would you think he had anything to do with all of this," Pomona asked, smiling at the wonderful transformation the Great Hall, and really all of Hogwarts, was under. "You are starting to sound like Severus," she added. She really didn't miss that man. Her Hufflepuff didn't cry when they left Potions anymore. Smellers was the one of the three teachers that Headmaster Murphy had hired. And she was doing wonderfully.

At that time Headmaster Murphy came in smiling in delight. "I did not know you decorated the castle in such a manner," he said jovially. "I've been from the top to the bottom and the scenes are amazing."

"We do not," McGonagall sniffed, finally banishing the muff. "It is a prank," she said, glaring at the Gryffindor table.

"Well, by Merlin, it is an excellent prank," he said, waiting for more children to arrive so he could call the meal. Unlike before meals started when most of the student body was attending and ended at a set time. It made for a better setting and gave the children a better grasp of responsibility.

"Headmaster, how can you say that? I passed no more than three students in nightclothes on my way here," Minerva stated, watching the foreign guests arrive. They too seems to think what was done to the castle was brilliant. Madam Maxime sat near Murphy, and Karkaroff sat next to her.

"Zis is bon magnifique," she praised the current Headmaster. "'owever did you preform such transformations?" she asked, waving her jeweled hand.

"I didn't," he said proudly. "It was some of the students, though I'm not sure who," he admitted, still smiling. "As you know I've just arrived, so I know little about them."

"It is wonderfully done. If you find out 'o, zen please let me know so I can get ze spells and charms zey used. I would like to see a wall or two in Beauxbatons. Not ze 'ole school, you mind, but a wall or two," she stated in awe. She knew nothing that could do this and would love to know how it was done.

Karkaroff sniffed, "It is good enough for Hogwarts, but Durmstrang would not appreciate such frivolity," he sniffed at the snowy sky. Though he did admit to himself is was wonderful spell work.

"I plan on putting my professors to work on trying to see how it was done. If we can, we'll share with everyone," Murphy stated as he stood. "Good morning, students" he said to the Hall in a loud voice. The whispering stopped at once. "I see we have some pranksters among us. I want to say that whoever did this deserves high praise, but until we find out who it was, enjoy your meal." And with that he clapped his hands a food appeared on all the tables.

Neville's POV

The gang sat and watched as the first person tried to grab some food, only for the plate to slide away. It didn't fall off the table, but it did quickly move to the edge, causing the girls sitting there to squeak. The more they tried to dish up their food, the more the plates slid. Until someone got the idea to grab the platter. Cautiously and carefully, everyone started to serve themselves, but for the few who liked to see the dishes careening down the table. One plate of rolls flew past the twins, who each reached out and grabbed one.

Lee came up and plopped himself down by his friends. "So, what else is planned?"

George who was closest, leaned over and said, "Well, there may be a few fireworks tonight. Here in the Great Hall."

Fred, leaning over his brother, said, "There could be a few snow birds loose in the castle."

"Did you guys to the classrooms. I noticed the dorms are untouched."

"Nay, we didn't want to interfere with studies," George said.

"That and Hermione would have a fit if we did," Fred stated, winking as said girl, who huffed.

"What else? I know you guys, and this is pretty tame, brilliant, but tame," Lee said, looking at all the gang. He really couldn't wait until they taught him to do this stuff.

"We might," whispered Luna, "have put a few more harmless traps around. Some color changing, gender changing, or even species changing things. They'll last five or so minutes."

"What happens when winter is over," Lee asked as he grabbed a plate of bacon that was sliding by.

"That's the beauty of it. This floor's scene will move to the next floor, the top levels will be here, and the rest will move up. It will always be the correct season in the Great Hall," Hermione stated in a low smug voice.

"How long will the clothing last?" the darker teen asked, eating some eggs that landed on his plate.

"Until the end of winter break," Neville answered. "They will change to a different era every few days."

"Good show, my friends, good show."