Harry Potter and the New Bloom (A Marauders AU)

Something To Be Proud Of

Somehow, the feeling of being stared at by just Daisy's eyes were harder to ignore than the whole classroom of people staring at him had been.

James stared at his book page and swallowed back his self-consciousness. It wasn't very often that he felt so nervous just to be looked at. After all, he wasn't a bad looking guy and he certainly knew that about himself and it was one area that his ego was alive and well. Yet. He could feel her gaze moving over his face, tracing his cheek bones, studying his gyrari tooth, studying his eyes... It was all he could do not to look up and meet her gaze.

"You're nervous," she said suddenly.

James breathed a laugh, unsure if a real one would make him a bad model. "Nah," he said without moving his mouth. "I'm alright," he added, his lips only slightly bending to the m-sound.

"I can see it in your eyes."

"James isn't usually a model," Remus intoned from where he was also sketching James.

"And what is it that you usually are, James?" Daisy asked, peering around the frame.

"A pain in the arse," Remus replied.

Daisy laughed.

"That's your husband, rather," James said, then, realizing he'd moved his mouth, he added, "Sorry."

Remus said, "I can't even argue." Then, to Daisy, "James, my husband, and I all went to school together. We've been mates a good long time."

"I can tell," Daisy said, "It's obvious. Your demeanor." Then, "You can talk, James, I'm done with your mouth."

"Oh good," James said and he wriggled his jaw and lips appreciatively.

"So what is it you do?"

"How do you mean?"

"For a living?"

"Oh. I take care of my son, mostly. Full time dad. My kid's a full time son, so I figure I ought to put in the time, too."

Daisy laughed. "And how do you make money?"

"I don't need to."

"Oh."

Remus looked up from his drawing pad. "Don't forget you're a sports trainer..."

"Oh, yeah that too."

"What sport?"

Silence. James hesitated, then, "Erm... football."

"Oh, very impressive."

"Yeah."

"What team?"

"Chudley."

"Chudley?"

"They're Level 6," Remus piped up.

"Is that good? I know nothing about football," Daisy laughed.

Apparently neither do I, thought James. But what he said was, "No worries." He paused, then, "You've a daughter, you said?"

"I do," Daisy smiled, "She's my whole world. Sounds like you know the feeling."

"Yeah, I do." He paused. "Married?"

"Happily divorced."

"Ah."

"You?"

James hesitated. He hated saying the word.

"We lost Lily about ten years ago," Remus said for him, reading the discomfort on James's face.

"Oh." Daisy bit her lips, pausing in painting. She lowered her brush. "That must have been very hard on you - and on your son."