Harry Potter and the Marauders' Wrath

By: EDelta88

Rated M: language, violence, adult concepts, and other such things not meant for immature readers

Chapter 2: Let the Games Begin… Again

For several long moments the Great Hall was silent as the students and staff attempted to absorb the meaning of the message that still glowed above the staff table. Most of the students, with a few exceptions, were completely, totally, and hopelessly lost as were most of the younger staff.

All throughout the show Albus Dumbledore's earlier excitement had grown until it was it reached a point that could now be safely described as "Absolutely giddy." If anyone were to take a close look at the aged headmaster they would see his eyes practically glowing with glee.

'Oh yes these next few years are going to be most entertaining,' Albus thought as his eyes scanned the hall.

Filius was mumbling at a furious pace with Pamona as they argued over the prank's mechanics and theorized how the culprits had been managed to set it up.

Minerva seemed to be engaging in a personal multi-front battle with herself as her instinct to disapprove of mischief warred with her desire to laugh at the brilliant prank, her professional curiosity of how these supposed Marauders had achieved such a magnificent prank, and her personal curiosity of who these new Marauders were.

Severus, the poor boy, looked like he was about to have a fit.

'This can't be good for his blood pressure,' the old warlock thought amusedly before looking over the students to gage their reaction only to find something he hadn't expected. The Weasley twins seemed to be in shock, 'Odd, I would have thought they would be applauding by now.'

Most everyone else was somewhere between awed and confused.

"Um, who are the Marauders?" he heard a second year Gryffindor ask.

That seemed to snap the twins out of their trance.

"Who are the Marauders? Who are the Marauders!" George cried indignantly.

"Only the greatest pranksters in Hogwarts history!" Fred continued.

"The Ancestors of the Antic!"

"The Grandfathers of the Gag!"

"The Patriarchs of the Prank!"

"The Sultans of Shenanigans!"

"The Fathers of the Fart Joke!"

"Actually, brother of mine, I'm reasonably sure that the fart joke was around before their time," corrected Fred... or was it George?

"It's the thought that counts," George (Fred?) maintained.

'Hm, so they know of James and the others, most interesting,' Albus thought, wondering how the twins knew of his old students and just what it was that they knew.

"So these guys… they were pranksters?" he heard Miss Granger ask maintaining a façade of complete innocence.

'Almost too innocent,' Albus noticed, filing it away for later consideration as he continued to observe his charges.

"The best!" the Twins said in chorus.

"Better than you?" Ron asked.

"Yes!" the twins cried, only to pause when the hall became very quiet, apart from Ron snickering.

Fred turned to George, "Fred," ok so it was George turning to Fred, "I do believe that we've been had."

"And by Ronnikins no less," Fred agreed, nodding sagely.

"Should we be insulted or proud?" George asked, looking incredibly thoughtful.

For a moment they seemed to consider this. Then, as one, they each turned to Ron and gave him a—slightly harder than strictly necessary—pat on the back. "Welcome to the Dark Side brother of ours!"

Much to the confusion of the majority of the wizard-raised community, the student's raised aware of popular muggle culture burst out laughing.

"Cry Havoc?" Hermione quoted later as the lagged behind the other first years on their way to Gryffindor Tower. "Honestly Harry, that's the best you could come up with? You can't be serious!"

"Of course not! If I were, then who would my godfather be?" Harry gasped in mock horror.

Ron glared at Hermione. "You just had to say it, didn't you?" he groaned, palming his face as an irritated flush rose in Hermione's cheeks.

Harry just cackled like a madman… discreetly of course, no need for those pesky prefects to get too interested in them yet, right?

"Oh stuff it!" Hermione growled, slugging Harry in the shoulder… that was going to leave a mark.

"So violent!" Harry whined, cradling his arm as though she'd broken it. "How do you put up with this Ron?"

"I discovered my talent for the medical arts," Ron replied gravely.

"I hate you both," Hermione pouted.

"Love you too Hermione!" Harry snickered.

"Oi!" Ron barked. "Get your own girl Potter!"

"Well, I already have one but, according to the laws pertaining to ancient bloodlines, I'm actually allowed to-"

"For the last time Harry, you can't have a harem!" Hermione groaned.

"But Ginny said that as long as it was you-"

"I know what your pervert of a wife said!" Hermione growled punching him again.

"So mean…" Harry whined again. "Why do I put up with her?" he asked, turning to Ron.

"Because she's one of the few sentient beings that is willing to tolerate your miserable existence?" Ron asked causing Hermione to release a very unladylike snort.

"That might have something to do with it," Harry mused, tapping his chin as they fell into a companionable silence as they continued toward Gryffindor Tower.

"So…" Hermione started, breaking the silence as they moved into a hall devoid of portraits. "Have you taken care of Snape yet?"

"My foxy better half is taking care of that as we speak," Harry replied, snickering at some personally joke.

"…That was a horrible pun mate."

Meanwhile

BOOM!

Serverus Snape was not a happy man as he stormed into his chambers, nearly blasting the heavy oak door off its hinges in the process.

Not three steps over the threshold of his quarters, he froze, his wand appearing in his hand as he caught sight of the flames dancing on his desk… only it wasn't a fire.

Now, Severus Snape was not an easy man to surprise. Having lived through seven years of the Marauders' tender mercies, serving a Dark Lord for several years, running to the aid of James Potter (even if it was mostly because he was married to his only true friend), turning spy for a short time, and being a teacher for a little over a decade very little could catch him off guard. True he could run into something he hadn't expected but rarely was he completely blindsided…

'A Yoko?' he wondered incredulously, eyeing the creature occupying his desk.

One could mistake the creature for a fox were it not for how it was seemingly made of fire and had multiple tails. This one in particular was barely the size of a large dog and had five tails.

Unfortunately for the young…ish, Potions Master, it seemed that fate wished to throw him one more curve ball that night.

Dear Professor Severus T. Snape,

I write this letter to inform you that we of the Marauders believe that our previous incarnation caused you more than enough trouble and that we will not purposefully target you in any of our mischief making. We apologize in advance should you be caught in one of our less precise endeavors and in such case as there are lasting affects assure you that they will not be in any way permanent or harmful. I would also like to personally apologize for your treatment at the hands of our predecessors; though you were not without fault, the manner in which you were singled out was unacceptable.

Sincerest Regards,

Mr. Talon

"Talon…" he muttered, only for a thought to strike him like a bolt of lightning. '…and Tails!' The words of the poem in the great hall coming back to him as he suddenly whipped around, wand drawn, only to find his office empty.

A few waves of his wand confirmed that he was alone.

Frowning, the young…ish, Potions Master glared around his office. "Well, this should be… interesting." Though he had his doubts about whether it was going to be a good kind of interesting.

Until the day he died Severus Tobias Snape would swear he heard a disembodied voice snickering.

A/N

Well, that's chapter two for you.

I would like to remind readers that this fic is at the very bottom of my priorities and likely will not be finished despite having nearly the entire thing outlined. For this reason this fic is, as it always has been, up for adoption and anyone that ends up taking it will be provided with a copy of my notes.