"Who can tell me the proper way to produce a Patronus?" Professor Briggs inquired of his surrounding class.
Severus Snape's arm shot up like a Filibuster rocket, and he rocked forward in his seat so as to make sure he was called on. James Potter, seated in the farthest back row sharply imitated Severus's hand going up, then staggered and fell out of his chair. Beside him, Sirius Black hooted loudly while Remus Lupin made a face at Peter Pettigrew's squeak of delight. Briggs's eyes went past Severus to where James lay wriggling on the ground, occasionally throwing his arm up in a grunt.
"Mr. Potter," Briggs started in a monotone voice, "Tell us your answer which you are so eager to give."
Lily, seated in the front, smirked back toward James at this slight reprimand, but then grimaced when it proved to no effect. James raised himself up on one arm and addressed the teacher.
"Oh sir, it would really be too easy. Why don't you ask a… well, should we say; a student more keen in Dark matters." James clearly averted his eyes towards Severus, who quickly lowered his hand to cover his face when Prof. Briggs looked at him.
"Very well then, Lily, I suppose you don't think it below you to answer this question for me." Lily smiled sweetly and stood up. James began to rub his hair fiercely, when had the same effect as if he had stuck a fork in an overcharged light-socket.
"Certainly not sir; to conjure a Patronus, one must clear their mind of any bad memories. They then must think of their happiest thought, then say, 'Expecta Patronum' with full confidence." She said this all in a high but soft voice, occasionally looking back at James and scowling. Sirius kept nudging James with his elbow and snickering while James crossed his arms and slouched in his seat; wishing so much he could Dissaparate.
"Very good, Lily, ten points to Gryffindor!" Lily sat down, and much to James's horror and disgust, smiled comfortingly at the cowering figure of Snape.
Obviously a particular section of the back row had seen this because Sirius gasped, James stared wide-eyed, Remus choked on his Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans he had snuck into class and Peter, possibly attempting to help, whacked him on the back a couple times. Briggs didn't notice however and went on with class. It seemed like forever until they were dismissed, and when they were, Sirius grabbed James' arm and pulled him outside the classroom.
"Looks like you got a little competition there, Potter." He batted his eyelashes furiously at Remus who had just joined them. Remus drew back and raised his hand. "Erm, excuse me, but did I miss something?"
"Aw, it's nothing," James replied, pushing Sirius aside. "Sirius was just confessing how much he fancies werewolves. I tried to tell him you were already called for, but…" Sirius hit him hard on the arm, and drew his wand.
"Don't make me replace your nose with your big toe."
"Come off it, it was only a bit of fun," James replied with a laugh.
Sirius kept his wand up, however, just in case.