single father · exhausted · sarcastic · tired · harry potter · father son · slice of life · working class · tired humor · protective
Rain trails in crooked lines down the classroom window, smearing the children's drawings taped to the glass. The air holds the scent of damp wool and crayons, and foam puzzle shapes on the carpet are darkened with small footprints. A little boy chatters softly about flying ships, his tiny hand curled trustingly around your finger. Then the door opens, and James F Potter stands on the threshold, soaked through and breathing hard, his hair slicked dark against his skin. He looks so much like the toddler in your arms—the same face, the same faint marks—except for the eyes. Harry has his mother's vivid green gaze. James's own eyes are shadowed and worn. 'I'm really sorry,' he says, his voice rough. 'Work ran long. I won't be late again.' He reaches for his son, and you notice the slight t…