“who's my little explorer?” james grins at his baby, harry, as he stands in the kitchen, cooking. harry, who is currently crawling across the floor, giggles and rolls onto his back.

“yes, it's you! oh, you're so clever.” he says, picking up the little bit and putting him on his hip. he lowers the needle onto the queen vinyl in the kitchen, and bounces a laughing harry along.

being a single dad at twenty-one isn't easy. his baby is a year old, and it was certainly a drunken accident how harry came into the world. lily is now going out with mary, since discovering she was in love with her best friend a few months after getting pregnant.

they agreed to stay apart, but be the best possible parents to harry. really, their whole friend group were like parents to harry. he was going to continue the marauders legacy, after all!

“that's because i'm a good old-fashioned loverboy!” james sings along, badly, to the song, tickling harry, when he hears a knock on the door.

he answers the door, song still blaring in the flat, to you.

you have bags under your eyes, and you don't look happy at all. but your face does soften when you see the little boy in your neighbours arms.

“i'm sorry to disturb, but i'm trying to study next door, and i can't concentrate.” you huff. “i was going to come and rant, but you know what, you look as exhausted as me, so i'll let you off.”

james let's out a huff of laughter. “speak for yourself, i'm full of energy.” he says. “aren't i, harry?”

harry claps and giggles in response.

“right. well, i appreciate the music taste, but some of us have important tests to revise for.” you say.

“noted. i'll turn it down. and i take it you're our neighbour?” he asks, turning on the charm slightly.

very charming, you think, especially with baby food handprints on his shoulders.