#this is blond peter btw if u care. but i do

[moonlit-imagines]

Headcanons for being Natasha Romanoff’s child

Natasha Romanoff x child!reader

warnings:

a/n:

prompt: anonymous: “Hi! Can I request a HC for being Natasha's daughter? I think you haven't done it ^^ In love with your work btw ;)”

natasha saved you from a terribly cruel family that worked alongside HYDRA, they didn’t care much for you

she decided to take you in since she knew you couldn’t have a normal life after all that you’d already been through at such a young age

“think it’d be okay if you came home with me, sweetheart?”

you were happy to have a nice person in your life

she took off work for a while to help you settle in

natasha wished that she had a loving family growing up, or just anyone to support her

so this was how she was going to make it up

“do you want to talk about anything?”

“when dad was alive he hurt people. i didn’t like the sound of it”

her heart broke hearing such a young child have to be affected by something like that

she made sure you knew how much she loved you

you called her “miss nat” for a while

take your child to work day!!!!

she took you to SHIELD HQ

you LOVED IT you wandered off and watched other ppl work

“agent romanoff, why is your child on agent coulson’s shoulders” -fury

“my child loves to feel like their flying”

“alright, you make a fair point”

nick called you “litte agent” which sparked your inspiration to become a spy like natasha

“miss nat, i wanna be a spy when i grow up!”

“you do? well, you can do that if it’s what you really want”

you suddenly switched from “miss nat” to “momma nat” and she had to backtrack for a minute

“what did you call me?” she was BEAMING omg

“...momma”

she gave u momma bear kisses

over the years, you taught yourself the ways of an agent and a spy, asking momma nat for a few pointers here and there

also uncle clint offered to give you some help

“yeah, kid, just point and shoot”

“clint, i said ‘self defense’ classes, not ‘the most effective ways to murder someone’ classes”

“they go hand in hand, nat, you know this”

“what if i was wanting to teach them myself?”

“well, do you?”

*pulls him aside* “as a birthday present”

you really did well during any sort of training

guess you just take after your mom

when you were old enough, you applied to SHIELD (under y/n l/n instead of y/n romanoff) and passed every test that was thrown your way

“you’re a natural, l/n”

“thanks, i learned from the best”

you wanted to earn respect on your own, so you didn’t tell anyone your relationship with nat

and anyone who did know you before knew not to say anything about it

it was also a good move bc it put a target on your backs if any of your enemies discovered you were family, you’d rather not share bad guys

✨the avengers thought you were awesome✨

“y/n, you are so much cooler than your mom”

“say it again and i’ll dislocate your shoulder!” :)

clint is so entertained by you

tony just loves messing w you

“baby spider in the house!”

“spider? where? shall i kill it?” -thor

“no, thor, we’re just teasing y/n”

“do not joke about spiders, stark. one day, i may not answer your cries because i’ll figure you’re just joking”

“that got serious fast”

nat forgets youre grown sometimes

so she gets all protective of you and then goes 😳 when you kick someones ass for yourself

that’s her kiddo!!

getting thrown into the midst of a few avenger battles

but handling yourself pretty well if i do say so myself

nat hugged you a lot when you were a kid and she still does now

only longer bc she doesn’t like letting go often

“mom? you okay?”

“i just wanted a hug is all”

“oh, okay”

when u hug her back she remembers exactly why she chose to become a mother

she wanted to show you that love still exists in this world, even if you’re not shown it immediately

become sort of a role model/mentor to newer, younger avengers

i mean, wanda was about your age, so she asked you often what it was like to be so young and work as an avenger

you told her that when you’re given a life like this, your age doesn’t matter out in the field. it’s your choices that matter. once you begin to learn the ways of a team like this and you gain each other’s respect, that’s all there is to it

“your mother is the black widow?”

“that she is, mom first, widow second”

PETER PETER PETER

he fanboyed over you so hard when he met you and he had so many questions it never ended

“okay, so first: how do you do it? be so cool as a kid?”

“you take a deep breath and kick some ass”

“better advice than anything mr. stark has ever said to me—don’t tell him i said that please!”

you swore to secrecy

mother/daughter spy missions bc that’s AWESOME

choosing steve’s side in CW and honestly making her very proud of you

going on the run w her and team cap

which made for some very interesting memories

“mom, sam hid the tv remote from me”

“take the widow’s bite and give him a little shock so that he’ll budge”

“thanks! love you!”

big runaway family <3

“i like the new look, mom”

“yeah, i thought blonde might be pushing it but i guess it all worked out in the end”

rogue avengers -> avengers once more

well, those of you who were left

after most of your friends passed in the snap, you and your mom were more attached than ever, she felt like she would die if the two of you separated

sooner or later, it was time to fix past mistakes and go back in time

“i’ll see you in a minute, y/n, be careful” *forehead kiss*

“i will.”

and that was the last time you ever saw her

you ran into clints arms and sobbed

“i’m so sorry, y/n. i tried to stop her. she told me to tell you she loved you and she’s so proud of you”

if that wasn’t bad enough, you were attacked by another thanos and you fought with all your might

“is y/n okay?”

“just let them fight, they need this”

finally, the fighting was over and the avengers were triumphant, but at what cost?

tony’s funeral was held before nat’s

but natasha’s was bittersweet

and every week you bring flowers to her memorial site

the world wont forget her name

taglist: @alwaysananglophile // @rorybutnotgilmore // @locke-writes // @sweetheartliz07 // @queen-destenie // @natasha-danvers // @lokihiddles // @frostedgiant // @emygirl // @lotsoffandomrecs // @johnmurphyisbisexual // @teenwaywardasgardian // @pappydaddy // @captainshazamerica // @freya-xo // @ravenmoore14 // @purpleskiesstorm //

[proof-tony-stark-has-a-heart]

Animal blood au

Right so i gotta write this shit down bc I’ve had it stuck in my head for a while and I tried to write it down but I wasn’t quite sure how so imma vomit all my ideas down here, hope u enjoy. 

So basically its a world where there are normal humans, as u do, and there are animals, but then there is a third race which share traits from both. I don’t have anymore of a creative name atm than ‘animal bloods’ but this shit is a work in progress. 

So like, this third race has both animal and human characteristics and how they are treated varies depending on the place. They’re mostly human, only born to either animal blood parents or human parents as the transformation is caused by a faulty gene in their dna, so they’re conscious of their actions and are able to control themselves.

(Though it is possible for them to go ‘feral’) 

However, their treatment in most first world countries are negative as people start to panic what these animal bloods can do. They have control over their own powers, but does that make them worse? Who’s stopping them from transforming in a bank? In a school? What’s stopping them from using their unharnessed powers for good? 

Unlike in Wakanda, where their royal family consistently consisted on a black panther blood line, America has a different policy. They put these animal bloods in special facilities, if they’re lucky, where they’re treated like they’re things to be gawked at and are barely given any room to be either animal or human. 

These creatures have barely any laws to protect them, other than that the government can’t kill them and must provide them with some sort of environment. They don’t count under human rights or animal rights either. They’re treated as subhuman.

These creatures can be kept by their parents, if they’re human, until they’re legally an adult – then they’re taken away to one of the facilities – or if the parents choice so they can be taken away at birth. Parents also have the option to terminate the pregnancy, no matter how late, if they have evidence of the animal blood, and (Though it’s no longer legal) used to be able to act the doctor to kill the child once it was born.

So like that’s the background, here is the characters (which are all canine or feline btw):

Tony: Tony is a tiger blood (yeah, Tony the Tiger, sue me) and he was born to two human parents. They kept him and raised him, ignoring his deformities and locking him away when he turned, and hoped that the laws may have changed enough that he’d be his own person by the time he was eighteen. The same day he learned about their death at 17 was the same day he was taken to live at the facility. In fact, it was the same hour. He’s lived there since then, watching animal bloods come and go as the only person that was still there from day one was his best friend, his now only friend, James Rhodes. Tony’s markings included an orange colouring on his tan skin that stretched from the top of his neck, back of his forearms, down his back, and behind his legs, them all marked with tiger stripes. Some of the strips also stretched to his lower jaw. He also had pointed teeth, as most canine and feline bloods did, and his nails grew in sharper.

Rhodey: Rhodey is a black jaguar blood. He’s been in that facility only a few months longer than Tony had and had comforted the teenager when he’d arrived since he was older and was more used to facilities. He took care of him, protected him from the humans, made sure he ate, and helped him become confident in the animal form he’d been suppressing his whole life. He’d defend his best friend to his last breath. His markings were simple dark spots that peppered his arms, legs, back, and stomach, barely visible against his dark skin unless you focused, and had the same teeth and nails as his friend.

Steve: Steve is a lion blood, but not even that, he’s a white lion blood. One of the rarer animal bloods out there. He was thrown in whilst in his thirties and was rather vocal in his hatred as he revealed that he’d never been in a facility before, despite his age. This definitely made him a hero among the kids and with some of the adults too. Steve had made his own pack with friends and managed to lay low for years, helping other animal bloods in need, but only two of them were captured, him and his friend Bucky, a wolf blood that was put into the canine habitat. He had no marking, just skin a little paler than it could be and thick blonde hair as well as a beard to accompany it, giving him almost a mane even when he wasn’t sulking around in his lion form. He also had the same teeth and nails.

The rest imma go in less detail for because I haven’t completely thought them through yet

Bucky: A wolf blood. Appearance is a black fairly intimidating wolf, contrasts his best friend wildly. Doesn’t talk too much and transforms into human form rarely.

Peter and Aunt May: both wolf bloods, dark brown in colour. Peter is only seven and has never See life outside in the facility, May adopted him when he came in as basically a new born infant.

Miles: Black jaguar blood, like Rhodey. Is five and has taken to Rhodey and Tony like a fish takes to water, referring to them both as their uncles. They’re unsure what happened to his actual family. Has same marks as Rhodey.

Scott: a wolf blood. Has more of a reddish coat despite his dark coloured hair. Very excitable despite the circumstances. He also managed to avoid the facility for most of his life, and even had a daughter at one point before he was taken away. His ex-wife, their daughter, and new husband do come to see hi once a month, even if it’s through zoo like bars.

Hope: Coyote blood. Daughter of hank and was born in captivity. Doesn’t socialise too much but Scott doesn’t leave her alone. Admittedly, she does like to hear him tell her about the outside world.

Hank: Coyote blood. Lost his mate after Hope was born due to the workers separating them to as they didn’t want any more breeding between them. They left Hope to stay with her father and, though heartbroken, he did his best to keep her and look after her.

Pepper: Red fox blood. Certain in herself and, though small, isn’t to be messed with. Hangs out with Tony and Rhodey in the outdoor incloser and protective of her friends.

Bruce: Euroasian lynx blood. Pretty shy and prefers solitude to company and can get snappy if you come into his part of the enclosure without permission. Tony helped him adjust to the facility and sometimes the two spend time with each other chilling outside, though there isn’t a lot of talking. He has dark spots that peppers his light skin.

There is probably more but that’s all for right now. You guys interested? Might make it A/B/O dynamics too but I’m not quite sure yet. If you are, I’ll try to write something. And it’ll probably be stony.

But, if you like it, anyone has permission to use this au! Give me credit and tag me/message me because I’d love to see/read what you guys so. Thanks!

[nottellingu]

A/N: A teacher!lily / singledad!james au because my school reopened. Well it’s three weeks past so . . .

Read it on ff.net

“Just one more.”

“No Dad, we’ll be late,” Five year old Harry Potter whined. But nonetheless he posed for another photo.

James Potter clicked away on his phone. With his toothy grin and his too-big-Bob-the-Builder-backpack, Harry was the most adorable kid to ever walk the earth.

“Da-ad,” Harry whined again.

“Okay, okay, I’ll stop.” James slipped his phone into his pocket and took his son’s hand. Together they began walking to the red school building.”

When they finally found the right classroom, there was a young teacher in a pretty floral dress standing outside the classroom.

“Hello. I’m your new teacher, Ms. Evans.”

Harry half hid himself behind James’ leg. “I’m Harry Potter,” he said shyly.

Ms. Evans knelt down. “Hi Harry, do you like fingerpainting?”

“I haven’t tried it.”

“Would you like to?”

Harry nodded and came out from behind James’ legs.

“Good. I like people who try new things. I think we’ll be great friends. Do you know why?” Ms. Evans leaned in closer to Harry and whispered so softly James had to strain his ears to hear. “We both have green eyes.”

And sure enough, they both did have the same green eyes. It was uncanny, really. James didn’t know where Harry got his eyes from. He had only met Harry’s mother twice in his life – once for a quick screw in the club bathroom and then the day she dumped Harry in his arms – and both those times he hadn’t really paid attention to the colour of her eyes.

Ms. Evans’ eyes were beautiful - the kind you could write poetry about, the kind you could get lost in, the kind that could cure any ailment, the kind that could -

“We do!” Harry exclaimed loudly. Ms. Evans laughed. James shook himself out of his reverie.

“Well then,” she started saying and took Harry’s hand to lead him inside the class. “Let’s go.”

Harry walked a few steps before stopping.

“What’s wrong?” Ms. Evans looked down and frowned slightly at him.

“Can my Dad come too?” He asked timidly. “He’s my bestest friend.”

“Oh, no bud. Remember we discussed this - ” James began but Mrs. Evans cut him off.

“It’s fine, Mr. Potter. Parents are allowed to sit with their children today for an hour. It’s sort of an orientation class.” She turned her head to smile at a new mother-daughter duo. “I’m sorry, I have to greet the others. You can help Harry find his place, his name is stuck on it.” With a parting smile, she left.

James walked over to Harry to help him find his seat. They sat down and James asked Harry how he liked his new class.

“I like Ms. Evans,” Harry said decisively and turned to talk to the red haired boy next to him.

“Me too,” James agreed silently while watching the attractive teacher interact with her students.

James pulled out his phone to text his best friend, Sirius.

James Potter to Sirius Black: ill b 1 hour late orientation class with harry

Sirius Black: i’ll cover 4 u. as usual.

Sirius Black: how’s d lil bugger?

James Potter: he likes his new teacher

Sirius Black: she fit??????

James Potter: the fittest

James Potter: green eyes

Sirius Black: haha u r so fucked

James Potter: i kno

Ms. Evans wished everyone a Good Morning and he put his phone away.

“Welcome to kindergarten! Since it’s your first class I thought we could start with something fun. I’m going to give you all a white paper and some paints. You can use your fingerprints to make a cool picture with your parents. Does that sound fun?”

There were a few mumbled ‘yes’es, some remained silent but most talked amongst themselves.

She distributed the paper and gave each table a set of paints. Harry and James dipped their fingers in the various paints to make a pot of flowers. James’ huge thumbprints became the brown flowerpot and Harry’s tiny fingerprints became the colourful flowers.

“What pretty flowers,” Ms. Evans commented from behind James.

“Thanks Ms. Evans,” Harry beamed and proceeded to press his finger on the paper with a renewed zeal.

“It’s a pot of flowers because we’re the Potters. Get it?” James was awarded with a light tinkling laugh for his joke. His stomach swooped.

“Very clever.” She grinned before moving over to the next desk.

.

When it was time for the parents to leave Ms. Evans made announcement.

“On your child’s desk, I’ve kept a file for the parents. One set of papers are forms for emergency contacts, allergies and other such details. I would appreciate it if that form could be filled and handed over to the office in three days. Another paper has all my contact details. Please don’t hesitate to call me if you have any trouble.”

James found the blue file she was talking of and immediately flipped to her contact details.

Lily Evans

Phone Number: 7639847906

Email: lilyevans60@gmail.com

If you wish to meet with me in person, you may do so during the lunch break, 12:00 – 1:00.

James saved the number into his phone at once. For Harry’s sake only and not for any other reason.

(Yeah, right.)

.

As the weeks passed, Harry grew steadily fonder of Ms. Evans. It was Ms. Evans this and Ms. Evans that. Not that James minded. Not in the least. In fact, James too grew steadily fond of Ms. Evans with each of Harry’s stories about her, not to mention the small smiles she would give him when he picked up Harry from school.

One afternoon, as James was collecting Harry from school, Ms. Evans stopped him.

“Mr. Potter, I would like to talk to you for a minute.”

“Er-sure.”

“Harry, why don’t you go draw me picture?” Ms. Evans suggested. She pulled out some crayons and a paper and settled Harry in a seat in the corner. She gestured for James to follow him to the teacher’s desk.

“Mr. Potter, I think your son needs glasses.”

“Glasses?”

“Yes, he has a hard time seeing the board. Perhaps this weekend you or your wife could take him to the ophthalmologist on Third Street.”

“I’m not married but will do. Thanks.”

Ms. Evans smiled at him and his brain turned to mush.

“Bye Harry,” Ms. Evans waved to them as they were leaving. “Goodbye Mr. Potter.”

.

James Potter to Lily Evans: i took Harry to d doc  

James Potter: u were right  

James Potter: he needs glasses

James Potter: btw this is james

James Potter: james potter

Lily Evans: if u were tryin to do bond james bond that was a MASSIVE FAILURE

Lily Evans: glad to help :)

James Potter: help show dat i’m a failure?

Lily Evans: NO. help harry.

Lily Evans: tho that was fun 2.

James Potter: i’m offended

.

James Potter to PETE HAS A DATE! The world ends at 8:30 tonight: she txts lyk me

James Potter: and congrats Pete

James Potter: what did u do

James Potter: blackmail her

Sirius Black: haha good one

Peter Pettigrew: i hate u both

Remus Lupin: Who texts like you?

Sirius Black: who else? harry’s teacher. the one he FANCIES

Peter Pettigrew: u r pathetic

Reums Lupin: I second that.

James Potter: she is a nice person with a cute cat

Remus Lupin: How do you know that?

James Potter: . . . . . . . . i found her ig

Sirius Black: fyi I’m facepalming

James Potter: she posts pics of her cat

James Potter: her bf

James Potter:  or her cat and bf

James Potter: her captions r puns and funny jokes

Peter Pettigrew: she has a boyfriend?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Remus Lupin: Again, you are pathetic.

Sirius Black: Say aye if u think Prongs is pathetic and needs a shag

Remus Lupin: aye

Peter Pettigrew: aye

Sirius Black: AYEEEEEE

James Potter: NAYYYYYYYY

James Potter: BF AS IN BEST FRIEND

James Potter: @marmarlovesbonbons

Sirius Black changed group name to James Potter is the new CEO of Stalker���

James Potter changed group name to NO I’M NOT

Remus Lupin: It’s not too late. You can still get help.

James Potter: blocked

James Potter: gtg harry spilled milk

Remus Lupin: Good riddance.

.

On Monday morning James dropped Harry bright and early unlike most days on which they managed to reach in the nick of time. In fact Harry was the third in class; the other two were a boy with blonde hair and a girl with bushy brown hair who James recognized as Hermione Granger and one of Harry’s best friends.

“You’re early,” Ms. Evans said. Then she noticed Harry’s new glasses.  “You got glasses!”

“They’re just like my Dad’s.” Harry said proudly. Harry had chosen the round, wire-rimmed spectacles despite the doctor telling him he looked adorable in the glasses with the green, rectangular frames.

“You look handsome, just like your Dad.”

“Thanks, Ms. Evans,” Harry beamed. “I’m going to show Hermione my new glasses. Bye Dad!” Harry quickly walked up to Hermione, leaving the two adults alone.

“You think I’m handsome?”

“Don’t flatter yourself. I think Harry’s cute.”

“No, I don’t think that’s what you said. You said that Harry looks handsome, just like his dad.”

A slight flush coloured her cheeks, making her look very appealing. “I’ve got lessons to plan,” she said in a small voice and turned away from James, purposefully ducking her head.

James laughed.

.

James Potter to The Lads and the Dad: she thinks i’m handsome

Remus Lupin: Not this again.

Sirius Black: poor ms. evans

Sirius Black: I didn’t kno she was blind.

Peter Pettigrew: ahahahaHAHAHAHAHAH

James Potter removed Sirius Black

Remus Lupin added Sirius Black

Sirius Black removed James Potter

Sirius Black changed group name to The Lads

Remus Lupin added James Potter

James Potter changed group name to The Lads and the HANDSOME Dad

Remus Lupin removed James Potter

.

“I want chocolate fudge,” Harry told Sirius.

It was Sirius’ birthday and Harry, James and all his friends were out at the ice cream parlor in a mall. The mall was a shoddy building which had once been the office of a company that went bankrupt. Nobody cared for the mall much but it was home to the best ice cream parlor in the world, namely Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlor.

Before Harry was born, all the lads would have gone to a pub and gotten completely sloshed. But the last time they did that, Harry was conceived. Now they stuck to ice cream parlors and arcades.

“For me too,” Remus added while Peter nodded in agreement.

“You’re buying your own ice cream. I’m only sponsoring the little twerp,” Sirius said and ruffled Harry’s hair goodnaturedly.

“Harry, what did Ms. Evans teach you yesterday?” Peter asked.

“That we must be kind and help those in need.”

“Don’t you think Uncle Sirius should be kind and help those in need?” Remus pursued.

“Yes.”

“And how can he help us?” asked Peter.

“By buying everyone ice cream.” Harry said. Peter and Remus smirked, James laughed, Sirius grumbled words which made James smack him over the head.

James, Harry and Peter found a table by the window while Sirius and Remus went to order the ice cream. James fiddled with his phone as Peter taught Harry how to make a swan out of the cheap paper napkins on the table. James didn’t pay much attention until Harry shouted, “Ms. Evans!”

James turned to look where Harry was looking. Ms. Evans stood by a nearby table, a shopping bag in one hand and the other hand balanced her vanilla ice cream. She wasn’t wearing the skirts or dresses that James was accustomed to seeing her in but was wearing ratty jeans and a t-shirt that advertised her love for The Beatles. James decided that Lily Evans was the type of person who looked good in anything she wore.

Ms. Evans saw them and smiled in recognition. She walked over to the table where they sat.

“Hello Harry, what are you doing here?”

“It’s Uncle Sirius’ birthday.”

“Well, tell him I say Happy Birthday.”

“Look! He’s over there.” Harry pointed to where Sirius and Remus were making their way back to the table.

They set down the ice cream.  Harry was happy to ignore the grown-ups around him and dug into his ice cream.

“Happy Birthday,” Ms. Evans warmly wished Sirius.

“Thanks,” Sirius replied chirpily. “You must be Ms. Evans.”

“How did you know?”

“Harry talks of you all the time.” Sirius pointedly looked at James as he said the last three words. James ignored him.

“He talks of you too.”

Peter, who had finished making his swan, tuned into the conversation. “Wait, you’re Ms. Evans?”

“Yes, Pete. Please keep up,” Sirius commented.

“The one and only,” she grinned.

“Cheers. You got us free ice cream.”

“Erm, thanks.” Ms. Evans seemed confused. “I think.”

“Don’t worry. It’s a compliment.” Remus said.

“I should hope so. You must be Uncle Remus.”

“I should hope so,” Remus echoed and Lily laughed.

James finally seemed to find his voice. “What are you doing here?”

“Why Mr. Potter, are you one of those people who believe teachers live in school?”

“Uh, no?” James said almost as if he was doubtful.

“I ran out of Ribena,” she shrugged.

Sirius grinned at the mention of his favourite non-alcoholic drink. “I like her.”

Just then a tall, blonde woman joined Ms. Evans and James recognised her at once. “The paper towels in the loo are shi-” she began to say.

“Marlene,” Ms. Evans cut in. Her eyes pointed to Harry who was examining the new lady inquisitively. “This is my student, Harry, his father and various uncles.”

“Oh hello,” she mumbled sheepishly. The others just nodded. “The paper towels in the loo are shitake mushrooms.”

“Shitake mushrooms?” Harry asked curiously.

“Yeah, I hate shitake mushrooms. Bleh.” She screwed up her face to make an exaggerated, funny face.

Harry giggled. “I hate onions. They make your mouth smelly.” He then resumed eating his ice cream and tuned out of the conversation.

“Are you @marmarlovesbonbons?” Sirius asked.

“Yes.” Marlene narrowed her eyes suspiciously at him and even Ms. Evans regarded him questioningly.

It was mark of their friendship that Sirius didn’t even wince when James stomped on his foot; he had been anticipating it.

“I think you came on my suggested once,” Sirius explained.

“Right,” Marlene replied dubiously. She turned to Ms. Evans. “I think we’d better go, Lily.”

“Yeah. Nice meeting you,” Ms. Evans told the boys. “Goodbye Mr. Potter. I’ll see you for the parent-teacher meeting on Monday. Bye Harry!”

There were ‘Byes and ‘Goodbyes’ said in a variety of tones from all around the table. James watched her leave until the last strand of her auburn hair disappeared from sight.

“I like Ms. Evans’ friend,” Harry declared as he finished his cup of ice cream.

“Do you like Ms. Evans?” Sirius had a devious glint in his stormy eyes.

“I love Ms. Evans.”

“Your Dad likes Ms. Evans too.”

“Sirus,” James warned but Sirius ignored him.

“How would you feel if they got married?” Sirius persisted.

“You mean Ms. Evans would be my Mummy? That would be so cool.” Harry was thrilled. “Dad, are you going to marry Ms. Evans?”

“No, Harry. Your Uncle Sirius is just being stupid.”

“Harry! James said a bad word. Take five quid from him.”

“Stupid is not a bad word,” Harry said sagely

“What?” Sirius cried. “Last week I gave you two pounds for saying stupid.”

“Ms. Evans says stupid.”

“Really?”

“She says ‘stupid chalk’, ‘stupid shoes’, ‘stupid pencil’, ‘stupid stapler’ . . .” Harry went on.

Stupid became James’ new favourite word.

.

Come Monday afternoon, James felt jittery. He had never felt this anxious for a parent-teacher meeting, not even when his parents were called to the principal’s office after he flooded the school hallway.

As usual, he was one of the last parents to arrive. Ms. Evans was talking to a mother and father, while two children were playing with legos in the corner of the classroom, one of them being his own son. When James entered, Ms. Evans finished talking to the other parents. She gestured for James to sit in the seats the other couple had occupied moments before.

“Good Afternoon, Mr. Potter.”

On an impulse he said, “James.”

“I’m sorry?”

“You can call me James.”

“All right then,” Ms. Evans smiled and she stuck her hand out, “I’m Lily.”

James shook her hand and it was as soft as he had expected. “Nice to meet you ,Lily.”

“Harry is a good kid. He’s friendly with his classmates though at times he fights with Draco.”

“That kid deserves it,” James said darkly. He had heard all the stories of Draco cutting in line and Draco stealing Neville’s ball.

“Be that as it may,” Lily continued, amused. “Fighting with students is frowned upon. Harry is also very curious about the world but perhaps it would be best to teach him that living animals belong outside and not in his pocket.”

James laughed. And then shuddered. He remembered having to scrape out a dead lizard form Harry’s pockets when he was doing the laundry yesterday.

“Another thing I’d like to discuss is that lately Harry has taken to calling me Mum.”

James cringed.

“I know it must be difficult without a mother but no matter what I say he isn’t stopping.”

“That’s just a joke between him and Sirius.”

“Oh?”

Well. . . what to say? What to say, indeed.

“Sirius might have told Harry that I like you.”

“Oh?” Her expression remained unreadable.

“Yeah.” Now that that was out in the open, James might as well expose all his cards. “In fact, I really like you and would love it if you’d grab some lunch with me.”

James was hyper aware of everything as the seconds dragged on –the way Lily’s lips had parted ever so slightly, the way her eyes had widened fractionally, the way his palms were becoming disgustingly sweaty and how dry his throat was becoming.

“I’m sorry,” Lily finally said apologetically. “There’s a rule that teachers can’t date their students’ parents.” James’ face must have shown disappointment because she quickly amended, “And I’m not just making an excuse. I genuinely like you too.”

James brightened at that admission.

“But I’d like to stick to the rules,” she finished.

James leaned over the table separating them. “But would you be open to a date when Harry’s in grade one?”

Lily smiled coyly, “Maybe.”

“I’m going to take that as a yes.”

She laughed and Harry, who was now the only student in the classroom, came running to know what was so funny.

“Nothing, Harry. Ms. Evans and I just made a deal.” James and Lily shared a secret smile.

“That you’re going to get married?”

Lily sputtered a bit behind the desk but James didn’t take his eyes off her while answering Harry.

“Maybe.”