That's a strong reading, but one can read it just as strongly as the kind of joke made in good faith. There are pranks that you are willing to play on outsiders, but there are pranks that you will only do to people you have a certain consideration for. The good humor on the part of the recipient is then not sullen acquiescence that gives over pride, but a gesture of accepting the overture.

There are ways I have played pranks on my friends. They are decidedly different than the ways I would like to prank the secret societies. Neville's self-esteem doesn't seem to be suffering at present (although it sure was interesting to read Elkins pre-OotP read on Neville and see how pretty much everything she feared came to happen).

I got a kick out of the comment over elsewhere about the nasty evil swamp of the Twins and their inconsiderate behavior towards other students in making it. But then I thought the image of Filch punting students over it was hilarious, which means I'm having a laugh fun at the expense of his feelings and kicking ability. :)