The following week, no one at Hogwarts goes anywhere without hearing bits and pieces of James Potter recollecting Gryffindor's great victory to anyone who will listen. Even Potter's friends have had it.

Remus Lupin snaps at lunch. "OK, we've heard enough!" he says in the midst of Potter's climax being retold to Peter Pettigrew. James pauses slightly, but then rolls his eyes.

"Have you even tried to throw a Quaffle from that far? No, I don't think so!" he claims, crouching closer to Pettigrew in order to finish the seemingly-endless story.

Lupin turns to Black, who happens to moodily stab his food, accidentally elbowing Lily, who tries to scoot even further from him."You've got to do something about this. You're the only one who can get him to stop showing off!" Lupin whispers. Black straightens up, meets Lupin's eyes, and curtly nods.

Before he can thank him, Black shakes back his dark hair and sarcastically announces: "You know, Remus, I totally think I can beat James Potter in a fight."

There is a dead silence from every House and member of staff in the Great Hall.

"What?" Potter demands. "You think that you can beat me in a fight?" Black shrugs. Potter roars with laughter as the conversations start up again. "But, you're so posh!"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Black says with a jolt. Potter raises his arms in surrender.

"That means, I can beat you in a fight!"

"A Muggle fight," Black adds, his face contorting. "You know those?"

"It can't be hard at all! They rely on physical strength, which I have, endurance, which I have, agility, which I have-"

"Well, I look forward to me seeing you try to beat me in a Muggle fight. Next weekend by the Black Lake?" he asks, holding out his hand. Potter shakes it.

As Black goes back to class and Lupin sorts his books, Potter throws his arm around Pettigrew. "Oh, Pete, this is just too easy!"

Lily rolls her eyes. "This is absolutely ridiculous!" she mutters, looking around to make sure that none of the other Gryffindors hear her. Lupin always declines authority. Black is his rash and immature self. Potter will continue to boast and brag. Pettigrew will indulge him.

What a mess, Lily thinks as she rushes to Potions, today a class combined with Gryffindors and Slytherins.