Which makes Transfiguration the next day quite awkward, since they have class with just the Gryffindors. Lily walks in and sits by the window, close to Marlene McKinnon, who looks to the back of the room at Black, and Mary Macdonald, who shakes her head in annoyance. Lupin sits up in front next to Pettigrew because Professor McGonagall designated a special spot for him, and Lupin is just kind enough to help when he starts to slip.
The classroom door dramatically opens. Everyone tenses, thinking that it is Professor McGonagall, but only James Potter walks through. There is something different in his walk-instead of his usual exited spring like a fawn, he casually strides, or at least, tries to. "Why, hullo, Lily!" he says, but has dropped his eager tone and replaced it with a softer, more sophisticated one. As Potter sets down his book on Lily's desk, he shakes back his hair yet his hair is short and untidy, it only twitches. Lily puts her hand over her mouth and gapes. Potter is clearly attempting to emulate Black.
So I tell the truth? she thinks. No, this is just too good.
"You might not know this, Lily, but I have other strengths besides Quidditch," Potter says, He pulls off his long school robes, throws them over the desk (but they hang over and fall in a clump under his chair). Rolling up the sleeves of his school shirt, he crouches on the classroom floor and does push-ups right under Lily's nose. She blushes between fits of laughter.
Right then, Professor McGonagall enters the classroom, immediately staring at Potter. "Get up, Potter. Now is not mating season."
The other students laugh except for Black, who looks uneasy. Potter hesitates, gets up, and runs his hands down his skinny sides and seductively smirks at Lily. Professor McGonagall turns scarlet. "Potter, sit down NOW. Also, must I give you yet another detention for disobeying dress code?"
"As you wish," Potter says, sinking down in the seat next to Lily's and pulling on his school robes.
"Alright, let's begin." As Professor McGonagall checks attendance, she rolls her eyes. "Black, why are you all the way in the corner when the rest of your House is up towards the front?"
Black straightens up. "I prefer not to, Professor. You see, I-cannot." He quickly nods, eyes darting from Lily and Potter to Professor McGonagall.
She is not impressed. "What prevents you from moving a few yards?"
"I just came from Divination, and my tea leaves read that I mustn't sit near doors." He grins.
"Just move up here! Right behind Evans, there you go," she scolds as he makes his way to the front of the classroom, his head hung low and embarrassed.
"Why does Lily get everything?" Marlene pouts.
Professor McGonagall has had it.