Author's Note: Written for...

Romance Awareness Challenge. Task: You are born with words on your arm which are the first words your soulmate says to you. Prompt: Hairdresser's

Fun With Fishing Challenge. Prompts: expectations, forest green

(Writing Club) World Lion Day. Task: Write about a Gryffindor.

OTP Prompt List. Prompt: soulmate!AU

Expectations

751 words

"Mrs. Potter, you look lovely as always," Remus greeted, admiring her forest green dress.

"Oh, Remus, how many times must I tell you to call me Mia?" she said, blushing at his compliment.

Remus only smiled, beginning to run a brush through her long grey curls as they talked.

"What are you all dressed up for?"

"Well, James is getting married in a few days, you know?"

"I had no idea." Her son's wedding had been all Mrs. Potter had been going on about for the last three months, but he indulged her.

"It's been a crazy week. I've got the rehearsal dinner tonight – we're going to Bien Manger."

"Fancy."

"So of course I need to look my best."

"You always look fabulous, Mrs. Potter, but I'll see if I can help a bit."

Remus spent the next hour quietly cutting and styling her hair as he listened to her go on about her son's wedding.

"It's so lucky he found Lily early on. Monty and I were in our thirties when her met. I never dated anyone before him, of course. I didn't see the point." She stroked the words written on her arm, still as clear as the day her husband had uttered them. She caught Remus watching her through the mirror and smiled. "Are you married, dear?"

"No. I've not been fortunate enough to meet my soulmate just yet." He set the scissors down and walked around the chair to show Mrs. Potter his own words.

'I'm much better looking, actually.'

"Strange," the old woman commented thoughtfully. "Still, I'm sure you'll meet him or her someday."

They talked briefly about how Mrs. Potter met her husband while Remus finished styling her hair. Just as they were finishing, a young man in a suit and tie entered the salon and Remus was instantly mesmerized by his good looks. He was elated when the man started in his direction, only to have the stranger bend down to kiss his client on the cheek.

"You look beautiful, Mum!" he said, pulling back and grinning at the older woman. "And I hate to rush you, but we really need to go. I volunteered to pick up Pete from his mum's place."

Remus extended a hand to the man while his client reached for her wallet. "You must be James," he said. "Your mum has been talking about you all day."

The man's face lit up. "I'm much better looking, actually."

Remus glanced down at his arm to double check the words.

"They match, dear," Mrs. Potter told him, pressing a few notes into his hand.

"You knew?"

"I suspected when I read your words. Allow me to introduce my other son, Sirius Black."

Sirius glared at her. "First you spend all day bragging about James, and now I'm your 'other' son? I thought I was your favorite."

"Sirius, darling, when you're days away from your wedding, I'll talk just as much about you. I promise" She glanced at Remus. "And by the looks of things, it won't be long now. I'll be in the car when you're ready to go."

She turned on her heel, leaving Remus and his soulmate to smile awkwardly at each other for a moment.

"I'm Remus, by the way. Remus Lupin."

"I know. Mum goes on about how amazing you are all the time. Now that I've seen you, I have to agree."

Remus flushed. "Thank you."

"I hope I've met your expectations, since you seemed so excited to meet James," Sirius winked at him.

"No, you … I'm more than happy."

Sirius grinned. "Great! I wish I had time to stay and get to know you, but I really ought to get going."

Remus nodded, trying not to let his disappointment show. "Of course. You know where to find me when you're free…"

"Or, better yet, I have a wedding to go to this Saturday. It's kind of a big deal, I'm best man. Would you like to be my date?"

"A wedding for a first date? Do you think that's a good idea?"

"Why not? We're meant to be together, and you've already met Mum. I might as well introduce you to Dad. And you'll finally get to meet the real James. I should warn you though, he's not as charming as I am, or witty, smart, handsome…"

"Is there anything you're not better at?"

Sirius sighed. "I suppose it's better you find out now. Remus, I'm perfect in every way."

"I'll bet you are."