Over the next few days, the Hogwarts students hear rumours of Sirius Black losing his edge. He becomes moodier and surlier than usual, tensing whenever he sees Lily Evans and James Potter in the same room together. Instead of his usual reckless behaviour, he spends long periods of time locked up in his dormitory. Though Potter wants to be certain that his best friend is alright since there is no thought between them unshared, yet he wants to keep his word and act tough and masculine. Still, he remains rather excited about this whole Muggle fight. First year, he tackled Black because he took his scones that he stole from the kitchens, but no one remembers that. Now, since they are both practically men, this is Potter's chance to prove himself as a Gryffindor.
Yet, throughout the entire week, he is more arrogant that when he scored that goal in Quidditch last week. No one can go anywhere without him flaunting his physicality, strutting down hallways, and offering to carry girls' books so he can display his upper-body strength.
"WHAT HAVE I DONE?" Lupin gasps Saturday morning at breakfast. "There is no way Sirius has the will to-"
"Since when does Sirius have the will to do anything?" Pettigrew asks. Lupin thinks for a minute.
"What if James wins the fight?" Mary asks. "What's going to happen then?"
Lily reaches across the table, helps herself to some breakfast, and merely whistles.
"Alright there, Evans?" Potter asks, clearing his voice in order to sound deeper and more mature. She turns around. Potter is casually dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, but Lily cannot help but notice how adorably scrawny he looks as he strikes a provocative pose. Lily hangs her head to keep from blushing.
"Hey, James," Pettigrew squeals.
"Today's the day!" Potter bellows, making a breakfast plate. "By the way, where is he?"
"Dunno," Marlene says, slightly disappointed.
"I wouldn't eat too close to the fight," Lupin mumbles. "I don't think you'd want to vomit."
"I can always eat before Quidditch!" Potter reasons, laughing Lupin off. He scowls but lets Potter's comment go. "I mean, I haven't gotten sick yet, have I?"
"So right, James," Pettigrew agrees, shrugging to the other unimpressed Gryffindor fourth-years.
Then, walking through the Great Hall is a tall, well-built boy with an aristocratic face, striking grey eyes, and casually elegant dark hair that he pushes back. He wears combat boots, ripped jeans, a close-fitting white shirt, and a leather jacket. Marlene's jaw drops. Whether it is the shock of seeing Black in public or seeing him in Muggle clothing, the school will never know for sure. Lily finds it all amusing because he sits down at the Gryffindor table and drinks his tea like a proper gentleman.
"What is that?" Potter asks with a disgusted tone. "There is no way you can move in those clothes."
"Street fighting," Black explains suavely. "By the way, when will you like…?"
"How about now?" Potter suggests. Black shrugs and nods, setting down his tea and rising up from his seat. Potter does the same, calling for Lupin to judge who wins. Pettigrew instantly follows, then Marlene, then Lily, and finally, Mary, who is very irritated about the entire situation.
"Where are you going?" a second-year Gryffindor asks.
"James is going to fight Sirius," Marlene giddily exclaims. Soon, the entire Gryffindor table nods in agreement and follows, same with the Hufflepuffs, then the Ravenclaws, then eventually, the Slytherins. Lily never expected the whole school to come out and watch.
By the Black Lake, Potter stands yards away from Black, who stare each other down. The students crowd, push, and peek at them, trying to get a good glimpse at action that has not happened yet.
"Do you want me to count off?" Lupin sighs, sitting perpendicular to his friends cross-legged.
"Yeah. To three," Potter says in complete confidence.
"Alright. One, two-" Before he can reach three, Black lunges at Potter, hands out, knocking him backwards. Lily will never forget the look of mingled fear and surprise on Potter's confused, once-certain face, as his best friend pins him down. He kicks and tries to punch any part of Black he can, but Black adjusts his position and forces down his wild hands.
"What-what is going on here?"
The students turn around to Albus Dumbledore, calmly scolding. They part their sea of bodies to reveal a needlessly screaming Potter and Black mirthlessly laughing.
"STOP!" Dumbledore commands. Black looks up, a livid bruise around his left eye and a bloodied nose, and Potter looks forward, a grass-stained shirt and red marks on his wrists.
"Into my office, both of you!" he says. They get up and follow the headmaster, snickering at each other.