This was originally going to just be a one-shot cookie for phoenix rampant, but it seems to not want to be a one-shot anymore. This will probably end up being maybe three to five chapters. This is the prologue (to fulfill her requirements).

So, Part 1 for phoenix rampant! Hope you enjoy!

Unbeta'd.

Prologue

When all those years ago I gave Harry his father's cloak, I mistakenly envisioned the use of it being mostly noble with a few minor pranks thrown in to keep the atmosphere light. In hindsight, I see how very wrong I was. Indeed, I should have known, with Ronald Weasley as a best friend and Ginevra Weasley as a sweetheart, it would be impossible for the cloak to remain in its proper place for much of the time. In fact, I believe Harry carries it around with him at all times 'Just in case', which a year ago, would have been a notion of foresight and caution. However, with the defeat of Voldemort, 'just in case' has become more prank-oriented. Especially with the return of the Weasley Twins to complete their education.

Even I did not foresee the extent of the Prank War that has commenced between the Twins and Harry. It started out simply enough. Small jokes and harmless fun. Children letting off steam after too long under the cloud of fear and uncertainty. However, it grew steadily from there, until now, most of the faculty are praying for the end of the school term and the students walk with baited breath, awaiting and attempting to avoid being a victim of the next prank.

Had it been anyone else involved in what was rapidly turning into a fiasco, I would have immediately put a stop to it. Harry, however, has sacrificed so much for the greater good of the wizarding world that I am hesitant to call a halt to his fun. Nothing so far had physically endangered any of the students or faculty. Mr. Flinch, though, appeared about to have an attack of apoplexy at any moment. Still, it all appeared to be in good fun and that was something I owed Harry. It helped too that none of the pranks had given me any way to trace them back to their source. Even the painting had seen nothing. It allowed me to claim ignorance.

Tension hung in the air of the Great Hall, when I entered it that morning for breakfast. It had been several days since the last prank, enacted by the Twins, which caused Professor Snape to turn loudly before turning into a weasel. It took my several hours to reverse the charm. Needless to say, Severus was not pleased. Harry was expected to retaliate within the day.

I took my seat at the Head Table and piled my plate with this morning's lovely selection of sausages and toast. The large goblet of pumpkin juice was looking especially inviting that morning. My peaceful breakfast was not, I think, meant to be because with the first mouthful of the orange liquid, I knew that there had been a potion added to it. I sighed heavily and waited for whatever reaction I would have.

I watched the Gryffindor Table, where Harry and his friends occupied one end and the Twins and their merry band occupied the other. Both groups were watching me closely. Harry was chewing his lip in concentration. I could just make out his wand movements under the table.

On my left, I heard a gasp. I turned to see Severus gaping at me. "What, dear boy, is the matter?"

His mouth closed for a moment, then opened again. He seemed almost in capable of speech. I looked at him over my glasses. "Headmaster…You…"

I sighed again and conjured a mirror. My eyes widened when I saw the complexity of what Harry had done. My skin was green and iridescent in a way similar to a snake skin. My irises and the whites of my eyes had turned yellow and my pupils were black lines bisecting my eyes. That, most of all, was quite disconcerting to see. My hair, normally white and grey, was the mottled brown of a cobra, as was my beard. The hair had also risen to form a cobra's hood on either side of my face. I blinked. "Oh dear. This is unusual."

The entire room was staring at me in horrified fascination. I sighed for a third time and stood. "Thisss has gone on for long enough." I had to bite back a smile as my s hissed out, matching my appearance very well. "Thisss isss the officially declared armistice of the Prank War. Harry, Fred, George, thisss ends today."

Harry grinned broadly at the Twins, who returned his look with matching calculating scowls, which worried me. All three nodded. "Of course, Headmaster." Harry agreed.

Fred finally smiled. "This ends today."

I returned to my seat with a mild feeling of dread. I had obviously no chosen my words carefully enough, as I could plainly see. The Twins were now deep in whispered conversation with their heads close together. Harry, Ronald, and Ginevra were in a similar position. I glanced down the table on either side of me and prayed that the faculty was prepared for what promised to be a very long day.