Author's Note: Thanks to Arctic Fox, Chortni Evans, and dracoishot1326 for your reviews!

Disclaimer: Other than Kasey, Kronius Lepinner, Harold Yinpor, and anything the latter two may have discovered/accomplished, it's all J.K. Rowling's and WB's and whoever else Harry Potter belongs to. I just put a few words in their mouths.



Professor Binns was scribbling feverishly on the blackboard, while droning monotonously about the first Magical Minister, Kronius Lepinner. Behind him, three rows of students slumped listlessly in their desks in various states of unconsciousness. Only one was sitting upright, quill moving furiously.

"...and it was at this point that Kronius Lepinner began to construct a republican government. What was the first branch of government that he instigated?" Professor Binns glanced over his shoulder at the class, out of a hundred years habit, not with any expectation of an answer to his question. This time, however, he did a double take.

James Potter was raising his hand.

Professor Binns was quite disconcerted, not a familiar feeling to a ghost who had been doing the exact same thing for over a century. "Mister..." He had no idea who the black haired boy in the last row was. He hadn't bothered to learn the names of his students even while he was alive.

"Potter," James supplied cheerfully. "It was the executive branch, Professor." [I am taking some liberties with the setup of the Ministry of Magic. Plus, stupid U.S. History is getting to my head.]

"That is correct." Professor Binns paused for a moment to get his bearings, then turned back to the blackboard. He did not see that the entire class had, for the first time in their Hogwarts careers, become alert. And they were all staring at James Potter with complete incredulity.

When Sirius had recovered his voice, he whispered, "James, I just had the strangest dream. You participated in a History of Magic class."

James smiled indulgently at him. "Surprisingly enough, Sirius, you were awake. It's just a strange day, I guess."

When he looked up again, the rest of class had sunk back into a stupor, except for Lily Evans, who had swiveled in her seat to face him with a very bemused expression in her twinkling green eyes. Feeling heat rise in his face, James quickly looked down at his notes before anyone could notice.



The Gryffindors' next class was Transfiguration. Lily was now wide awake, knowing full well that if she fell asleep in that class, she'd wake up in a very lengthy detention. And top - of - the - class students did not get detentions.

Well, most top - of - the - class students. James Potter had always been the exception to the rule. Although he did appear to be shaping up. Thinking about the look on the ghost's face when he'd discovered a student paying attention, Lily had to smother a giggle.

"Who can explain the Substance Compatibility Theory?" Professor McGonagall saw a hand shoot up in the back row. "Mr. Potter?"

"First proposed in 1237 AD by Harold Yinpor, the Substance Compatibility Theory states that all transfigurable objects belong to compatibility families, each made up of substances most easily transfigured to each other, due to shared properties and makeup," James answered promptly.

Pleased, McGonagall awarded him five points. Potter was a very bright boy, it was about time he started applying himself to something other than pranks. "And who can name all six families?"

This time Lily's hand joined James' in the air.

"Miss Evans?"

"The Yinpor family, the Laris family, the Acanthus family, the Hominus family, and the Tergum family."

"That is correct, five points to Gryffindor for you as well. Which is the largest group?"

This time, James' arm seemed to fly out of his socket.

"Yes, Mr. Potter?" Professor McGonagall asked drily.

"The Laris family, Professor. It's most famous for the sewing needle/toothpick combination." Professor McGonagall decided to let one of the other students have a chance. She glanced around the room. It was probably too much to hope that two of her troublemakers had done their homework, but... "Mr. Black, can you name a combination from the Yinpor family?"

Sirius, in fact, had not done his homework, choosing instead to sneak into Hogsmeade for his monthly visit to Zonko's Joke Shop. "Er...hedgehogs and pincushions?" he guessed wildly.

Professor McGonagall let out a tiny sigh. Too much to hope for, after all. "Anyone else?" She was not surprised when Lily and James were the only volunteers. "Miss Evans?" she said, rather wearily.

"The most famous example is the human hand/starfish case," Lily replied, the slightest hint of triumph in her voice. James was furious. Why did she always have to have the spotlight? He could see what she was doing, all right.

James answered the next question.

The entire class passed in much of the same vein. The honors flew back and forth between Lily and James, leaving the rest of the class much behind. Professor McGonagall made several attempts to pull others into the discussion, but the amused Gryffindors seemed perfectly happy to sit back and observe the battle of the wits.

When the bell rang, James packed his bag a bit violently. Lily, grinning widely, approached him. "Next time," she said quietly. "I'll know better than to accuse you of not studying."

James looked up at her in astonishment. She seemed perfectly calm. Had he imagined the tension between them? Not sure how to respond, he grunted and left the room, hurrying to catch up with his friends.

Lily was surprised also. "That was...interesting," she remarked to Kasey Cinders.

Kasey snorted. "To say the least. Lily, I'm not sure that was friendly banter on James' side. He seemed pretty serious."

Lily just rolled her eyes. "Boys."