Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling, not me.
Chapter 4
Harry's first class was Defense Against the Dark Arts. The Marauders took seats in the back of the class. Harry couldn't see anymore seats there so he took the only vacant seat available, which was directly behind Lily. His mother was chatting with two girls, who burst out in giggles the moment The Marauders entered the room. Lily, whose back was to them, gave an exasperated sigh. As he was sitting quite close by, he heard what she was saying.
"Stop it girls! You don't have to gush over those guys every time they enter the room." Lily whispered fiercely. "It's sickening really, I don't really know what you see in them."
One of the girls giggled again. "But Sirius is sooo good-looking!" she gushed, eyeing Sirius and flipping her blond hair over her shoulder. Sirius winked at her and she giggled again.
"Actually, they're all pretty good-looking…with the exception of Peter of course." Said the other girl, wrinkling her nose as though the mere thought of Pettigrew was unappealing. Suddenly, she noticed Harry.
"Were you listening to our conversation?" she asked with a tone of annoyance.
"Of course not!" Harry protested. "I was just… staring at this burn on the table." He finished, somewhat lamely.
"He's alright, Eleanor." Lily said. She then introduced Harry to the blonde girl, who turned out to be named Lisa. Lisa gave Harry a dazzling smile and flipped her hair again.
Out of the corner of Harry's eye, he could see Lily rolling her eyes at her friend's behavior.
"So, Harry. How do you like the school so far?" Lisa asked him in a tone that made Harry feel slightly uncomfortable.
It was at that moment the teacher walked in and everyone quieted down. Lisa gave him a wink and turned to face the front of the class. Harry could hear sniggering at the back and when he turned around, found James and Sirius grinning at him.
The professor turned out to be named Professor Tofty. Harry wondered why the name seemed so familiar when it hit him! Professor Tofty tested him on one of his O.W.L.S!
"Today we will begin the studying of Patronuses." Said Professor Tofty. There was an excited murmuring in the class at this announcement. "Now, I do not expect you to produce a Patronus on your first attempt. It is very difficult magic. You must concentrate very hard on a happy thought in order to produce a substantial Patronus. The incantation is Expecto Patronum! Together now, Expecto Patronum!"
"Expecto Patronum!" the class chanted.
"Now take out your wands and try." Professor Tofty instructed. "On the count of three… one…two…three!"
"Expecto Patronum!" everyone yelled.
From Harry's wand tip burst a silver stag. It galloped around the class once and then disappeared. Professor Tofty's eyes were wide; so were everyone else's. Most of the class only produced silver vapor.
"Bravo, Mr. Granger! 20 points to Gryffindor!" Professor Tofty exclaimed. "Was this the first time you tried producing a Patronus, Mr. Granger?"
"No, sir. I've been doing it since my third year." Harry replied, trying his best to sound modest.
"Your third year?! Well, Mr. Granger, that is indeed impressive." Professor Tofty said, looking at Harry as though he was his star pupil.
Lily turned around in her seat and whispered to Harry, "That was very good. Maybe you could teach me your technique, sometime." She was one of the few who had produced silver vapor on their first attempt.
Harry, not knowing what else to say, nodded and said, "Sure." There was a "hmph!" from somewhere behind. Harry turned around and found James glaring at him, his face arranged in a clearly jealous expression.
The bell rang, signaling the end of the class. Harry jumped up and made to head for the door when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Harry stiffened and turned around. James was glaring at him.
"Listen, Granger. Don't go getting comfy with Evans." He said with a hint of a threat.
Harry's eyes widened. Did his dad think that he fancied his own mum?
"Don't worry, I don't like her that way." Harry assured James.
"Good."
Sirius laughed. "I don't think it's him who fancies her, Prongs, but the other way around."
It was James's turn to widen his eyes. "Of course, she doesn't. Granger been here only one day!" he said huffily.
"I'm sure she doesn't like me." Harry said hastily. The very idea of it made him feel sick inside.
"Sure she does." Remus said, joining into the conversation. He walked ahead to the door and the others followed.
"No, she doesn't!" James said angrily.
The five of them reached the now empty corridor and walked to right, to their Charms classroom.
"Maybe you should go ask her." Peter piped in, in a small voice.
"Maybe I will!" James said, stomping ahead.
Remus gave Harry a rueful look, as though apologizing for James's behavior, then sped up as well. Sirius merely kept on walking in a slow swagger, as though going to class were of no real importance to him. Peter scurried after James and Remus, leaving Harry walking a few steps ahead of Sirius.
"He's just jealous, Granger. I wouldn't worry about it." Sirius told Harry suddenly.
"I noticed." Harry replied.
"You see, James has had a crush on Lily since our first year." Sirius explained, staring straight ahead and not looking at Harry. "He never got her to go out with him though, and believe me, he's tried."
Harry nodded and walked on. The two of them reached the classroom just as the bell rang. This time, Harry sat with the Marauders. He noticed that Lily was looking at him but wouldn't catch her eye. Instead, Harry looked at her friend Lisa, who seemed to be delighted at his attention. She smiled flirtatiously and gave a small wave. Harry let out a small groan and decided to look at his shoes instead. This was going to be a long day.