Babbling Brew Prank

Although the **Babbling Brew Prank** happened on **Halloween** — which in Book Two took place in chapters 48 and 49 — the planning for it started way back in Chapter 20: How Dare You Spoil Your Friends.

## Plan

Remembering the fiasco of the previous year, the Marauders agreed that fireworks weren't going to cut it. In Chapter 24: My Illness, My Business, while Remus is inside the Shrieking Shack at daytime, he hears the others outside the building, and in the next chapter Peter tells him one of the reasons they went to Hogsmeade was to get potions ingredients. Remus remembers this and asks about it in Chapter 27: Back To Normal, Whatever That Is, and the other Marauders tell him they have a plan for Halloween: they're going to **sneak Babbling Brew into the food**.

## Preparation

Since mixing "Remus" and "making potions" usually ends up in a disaster, it was quickly agreed that he **wouldn't be helping with the brew itself**. He was instead tasked with finding **a suitable place for it**. Remus went to Myrtle about it, but Sirius, finding her rather creepy, did not agree with using her bathroom for the preparations and **suggested the pits passage** instead.

The brewing went rather swimmingly and without problems. The Marauders were first a little nervous about the part with sneaking the potion into the food, as they didn't know whether house-elves would be able to see through James's Invisibility Cloak as they had different sort of magic than wizards. They tested this a while before the Feast and found **the elves didn't react to those under the Cloak**.

**The potion is finished** in Chapter 46: Blibble Blabble. **The Marauders test it to find that it works** and pour it in jars while discussing which food they'll be putting the potion in. James decides they'll mix it with dinner food.

## Execution

In Chapter 49: I Do Solemnly Swear... the plan is executed. After Defense Against the Dark Arts **Sirius and James sneak into the kitchens undetected** and get the potion in several different sauces and gravies, several of the big jugs of pumpkin juice, most the soups, and some of the desserts.

During the Feast **the Marauders eat the foods as well to appear less conspicuous**. Gradually more and more people start babbling nonsense. The Marauders struggle not to laugh as **the Great Hall bursts into chaos**, growing ever louder, people starting to panic, even the teachers being unable to talk normally. The noise hurts Remus's ears but he tries not to make it show so his friends can enjoy the prank instead of worrying about him. **Dumbledore, unlike most of Hogwarts, doesn't seem too concerned**. Two third years sitting near the Marauders asked them about the prank (or perhaps they don't — they too are babbling, after all), to which the boys just babble back at them. Even **Professor McGonagall (also babbling) came to the Marauders seemingly to accuse them**.

Professor Dumbledore **quieted the room with loud fireworks** before **asking Professor Slughorn to speak for him**, as the Head of Slytherin had somehow been spared from the potion. Slughorn explained it seemed someone had put Babbling Brew into the food — at which point **more than a few glares were sent the Marauders' way** — and said that since they didn't know which dishes did and didn't have the potion in it **they would just have to deal with the babbling** if they wanted to enjoy the food. McGonagall gave the Marauders the last glare before heading back to the teachers' table, and the Feast continued, people randomly changing between nonsense and English as the potion wore off and was ingested again. **Lily tried to ask Remus whether he and his friends had been the cause of this**, to which Remus shook his head and the other Marauders snickered. **Eventually the Hall grew quiet as people gave up trying to carry conversation**. Remus thought it was a little nice. After the dessert Professor Dumbledore dismissed everyone with a couple of nonsense words.

## Aftermath

As they exited the Hall, **the Marauders received choice words (both English and nonsense) from plenty of students**. Spinnet continued complaining even in their dorm, accusing the quartet of ruining the feast and telling Remus that pranks are only funny if everyone's laughing.

**No detention was given and no points were taken away.**

1. ↑ Book Two, Chapter 35: Slug Club Supper