[[tease chase phase]]

Really? Hmm. Well your hair is nicer than theirs really.

Merlin, have I hit my bloody head or did Evans just compliment me? Well, deary, control your feelings for me, will you?

"I certainly have more talent than you do, Potter. Otherwise there would be scouts interested in you as well. You have no leadership qualities, I have no idea why they chose someone as incompetent as you.. It doesn’t change the fact that we deserved to win.”

"I feel so offended that some worn out second hand inexistent team has shown interest in you. Or I would have, if it actually was your skills, and not the money your daddy has paid to get you on their list. Or you didn't know, Vanity, that your skills are null and you've been set up?"

Have I ever ratted on you? Do you think I’m capable of ratting on any of you at this point? 

Don't get so stiff, friend, I was only proving you that Andy Black won't know what hit her.

Dear James, 

Dear no fun, 

I’ve heard what you’ve had to say about it though just- [rubs his head for a second before sighing] Sorry. I didn’t mean to-  Let’s just change the subject. I’m betting it takes Andromeda about another hour or two before she realizes you snatched her essay.

Whatever. Andromeda won't know what hit her - she didn't even see me take it, so I am safe for now unless you decide to rat, of course. 

"It’s not the truth, Potter. If you think I would believe you, you’d be even more pathetic and idiotic than I thought. I worked hard to get to where I am and I deserve winning, there is no doubt in me about that."

"Correction: you trained hard - just to compensate the lack of talent, of course - and still didn't reach decency. Dear not dear Vanity, just because the badgers are terrible, it doesn't mean you actually deserved any of it."

…Thank you? For thinking so highly of me that is, but I guess that’s what friends are for, aren’t they? I really just… it’s complicated, and we don’t have to go into it. We really don’t. 

[fakes indifference, slightly bored of the topic] Fine, live your life having wrong impressions about yourself and see if I care! I'm just saying everyone would beg to differ.

…And your hair is a masterpiece?

Well, isn't it?! [whispers] You know, I don't like to admit, but my mother was a Black and I've inherited quality hair, like the rest of that family. 

See, all you needed was some ego feeding. Or are you still upset about Slytherin winning? 

Of course I am, but weeping like a baby about it won't help me defeat them - my wonderful skills, on the other hand, will. 

You know I don’t like talking about me. It’s really nothing to make a deal about, anyway. 

Yeah, but you're really not that bad. Sirius, yes, he's awful and he should really cut off some of his narcissism, but you're too much an innocent little feathery angel to have such wrong opinions about yourself.

Well isn’t it similar to the logic you use? It doesn’t matter what you do or to who as long as it’s fun to you?

Not when it comes to masterpieces. For instance, I wouldn't necessary burn you or your stuff. 

Thank all that is good for Mrs. Potter then. I do love her stitchery. [He furrows his eyebrows in thought.] Well, I agree to disagree about your agreement to disagree about my agreement to disagree… That… didn’t make sense. Do we really want to turn this into a conversation about what kind of person I am? We could just keep talking about how exhausting it must be to be so irresistible

Well, that's slightly tempting, but I can't leave you with such a bad impression about yourself. 

Fluke, then? And last I checked Regulus was in fifth year, so… not exactly ten. Give it time, it’s just one victory, James. She can’t win them all.

Yeah, that's correct, and besides, if he was ten he wouldn't be here. Never mind, back to the bitch, it is a proven fact she can't. And she won't, especially considering one will be against my team.

Bellatrix’s keen eye caught his nervousness and her entire body seemed rejoiced in it. The way his pupils dilated and muscles tightened, like a string on a bow ready to snap, it was all far too amusing. All she need do was tug a little harder, press the right button and the so called great James Potter would come tumbling down. At that thought she giggled, the small sound rising up from her gut as the body continued to speak. He couldn’t be serious she thought as her smirking lips pursed “Rat on me if you like but I must confess detention won’t stop these little words from coming to be…”

James simulated an unimpressed huff just so he could sneak an unnoticeable sigh at the end of it, for the conversation was, as much as he didn't want to admit it, exhausting him, consuming all of his joy. There has always been something strange - scary, if the word wasn't so unpleasant to the boy who thought he is fearless - about Bellatrix Black, but something in her tone made his feet soften under the pressure of her glare. Taking a deep breath to get him back on the line, James maintained eye contact, just so he wouldn't give her satisfaction. Now, more than ever, he had to be careless, to keep treating her as if her words are nothing but a sick joke - which, in fact, he hoped they were. "You are ridiculous and I care too little about your threats. Good day." He turned to leave, but of course her latter words caused him to return to his previous position and remain still.