Community Profile

What is this?
This is The Prankster's Guide to Life. Like the Muggle MLA, it is a manual of style. Like a benevolent dictator, it tells you what to do. Like a Squib's Kwikspell Course, it shows you how with easy, step-by-step instructions. And like the Map, it is brought to you by your favourite Marauders.

This is NOT any of the following: a toe-jam receptacle, a cure for head lice, a constitutional amendment, a book typed by monkeys, a hot toddy, a nutcracker, a place to rest your weary head, a recipe for world peace, a herd of dancing llamas, or a warm, cosy jumper.

How does it work?
Er. You read it. You laugh (or cry). You learn the Art of Pranking. You leave comments behind. Is this a trick question?

Why don't the chapters go in sequence?
Sequence? What is this sequence of which you speak? Such rigid organisation reminds us of the edicts passed down by the Ministry of Magic, and, as Marauders, it is our pride, our pleasure -- nay, even our duty! -- to eschew such a mature and orderly approach. The chapter numbers go in exactly the order we want them to, and that is all that matters.

Follow the links in the table of contents to read the chapters in the order they are written, or jump around at your own risk. We will also sometimes include bonus features in the table of contents -- bits and bobs any good Prankster should have -- so watch closely.

Why aren't the stories chronological?
This is the most indispensable guide to Pranking ever captured by the rudimentary tools of parchment and ink. It is, however, much more than a set of instructions. Between each line of advice and each nugget of wisdom lurk glimpses of the diverse, tumbled and fragmented memories of the boys who wrote this book, captured by magic and saved in the very fabric of the pages.

Memory is an unpredictable creature, rarely chronological, often triggered by touch, sight, scent and sound. If you are lucky enough to catch a glimpse of these stolen memories, don't bother to ask why. Those lucky few with magic in their hearts will not be treated to a chronological story, but a history of the Marauders told one moment at a time.

Don't worry. You'll learn to love a little temporal chaos. It's like dancing llamas.

When will you update?
As soon as we write more. We have pranks to pull! N.E.W.T.s to study for! Real Life to live and Incriminating Chicken Feathers to plant!

How did this start?
It is the alien that burst from the stomach of a couple of sentences in an innocent little story called Paper Wings, by krislaughs:

"On a shelf in his sitting room was a handwritten book entitled, A Prankster's Guide to Life, by Padfoot and Prongs, edited by Moony Lupin, and illustrated by Peter 'Why did I have to be a Rat?' Pettigrew. It was the only copy still in existence, the first having been lost to the fury of an enraged mother, Peter's accidentally dropped into the lake seventh year, and James' buried in the wreckage of the house in Godric's Hollow."

And thus the Idea was born.

Can I use your art?
Illustrations are free to iconify at your leisure, provided you give credit where credit is due (namely to krislaughs -- Peter's nom de plume).

The layout is by raelala and all questions about it should be directed to her. No part of the layout artwork nor the icons based on it may be used without her permission.

Can I join your community?
Alas, the answer is no. Only Marauders, their ghost writers, and their graphical genius are members of the community.

You are, however, more than welcome to "watch" this community by adding it to your friends list. No need to ask -- a Prankster can never have too many friends.

Who is responsible for this madness?
Your humble servants, The Marauders, Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs, and their ghost writers:

lacylu42, who looks nothing like a deer caught in the headlights, is the purveyor of Prongs' alliterative insanity, the group's flameproof filmographer, keeper of the code, associate Quidditch Hooligan, gourmet green chile chef, and token Texan.

sheafrotherdon, who may be held responsible for Padfoot's Random Acts of Capitalisation, is an expert in areas of vintage motorbikes, the significance of dog collars as fashion statements, the proper way to make a lycanthrope quiver, canines, bodily noises, and interesting twigs.

ignipes, ruthless slayer of wet-blanket Remuses, is the group cartographer, with expertise in lycanthropy and other magical maladies, occult knowledge of how to cheat at Texas Hold 'Em and Five Card Stud, and an alarming attachment to literary penguins and camels.

krislaughs, the instigator of this madness, is our veterinary advisor, expert in the study of chaos theory and how small things change the world, as well as resident comma addict, marmot aficionado, charcoal-stained illustrator, and bearer of the Incriminating Chicken Feathers.

and

raelala is the graphical genius who pats disgruntled heads with the patience of a saint.

Disclaimer

All Harry Potter characters belong to J.K. Rowling, Scholastic, Bloomsbury, and the like. This fan fiction intends no infringement on any copyrights, and is created for the purpose of good, clean fun (and definitely not financial gain).

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