Yona's POV:

"Wha—what are you doing here?" As designated snack parent today for the show's after celebration, the tray in my hands swayed dangerously at the sight in front of me.

James Potter dressed in a complete naval outfit—absurdly disguised and handsome as ever.

"I was invited," he informed me, a charming smile gracing his face. His hands reached out, "Allow me to take that, princess" and slipped the tray of snacks from my dazed hands.

"Just who the hell do you think you are," I demanded, stomping my foot like a toddler.

"I'm an admiral in the Navy. Kind of a big deal and all," James teased, tipping his hat to me and balancing one hand on the tray.

"Whatever," I rolled my eyes failing to resist a nervous smile.

Mikasa's daycare had worked diligently on this play, Winnie The Pooh, for the past month. Up until now, the entirety of my brain had been wrapped around what materials were necessary for the character Rabbit and how adorable Mikasa looked in the costume.

Of course, it escaped my mind that the little brat also invited James—honestly, I should have known.

"Oh Yona! So nice to see you. You're looking well. Is Mikasa's daddy here, too?"

"Nope," was my clipped reply.

"Oh my, where is that Ravenclaw Prince?" My body stiffened at the nickname Tora was awarded at Hogwarts. Sadistic prick probably had many a princess holding onto his sword.

"Well, you know him. Probably storming some tower sticking his sword wherever he pleases," I replied cheerfully.

Next to me, James choked on his water. Since I was already in a wonderful mood, I decided to comment on it, "Damn, did they serve gillywater? I must have missed out."

"Yeah, there are a few minutes until to show starts so let's check again. Excuse us," James grinned down at me, grasped my elbow and steered me away from the shell-shocked woman I'd spoken to.

There was vibration at my hip when we returned to our seats in the auditorium. I would have ignored the message if it weren't for the multiple alerting me that someone was calling the cell phone as well.

You know when they say, 'When it rains it pours?' Well, those people have not experienced a conversation with my mother.

Tora was over today and I really think you should meet up with him soon, or at least give him a call. It's very rude of you to not respond to the messages he sends via owl. I hear you blocked him from your phone as well? We need to talk, Yona.

—Mom

Why did she have to be difficult? It wasn't the first time I had explained Tora's true colors, yet my mother still chose to turn the other cheek. If anything, she did worse by defending the man. It was not as if I kept him from seeing Mikasa either, though Tora pretended she didn't exist unless it was convenient or fitting the standards of the custody arrangement.

James tapped my shoulder lightly, jostling me out of the inner dialogue. "You okay?"

I was torn on telling the truth or being sarcastic. The later won—surprise surprise. "Are you steaming my rice right now? I'm fantastic." Which is a response way on the other side of the comfort level James is sitting on, because I'm certain Char would simply smack me upside the head.

Lightly, of course; violence is not the answer.

"Not okay then," James translated but didn't press on that button.

When the lights dimmed out and the curtain opened, the last thing on my mind should have been what James' hands were doing. Yet, my body froze when his hand cupped around mine.

"Hhhaii," I stuttered out behind wide eyes. James kept his gaze on the stage, a slight gleam in his eyes.

"No good?"

"I-it's not quite that..." I managed to squeak and swallow down my last bit of dignity before an implosion.

"Great then," was his reply before lacing his fingers with mine—the action sparking heat onto my thigh where his fingertips splayed overtop of my skirt. It was as if a lit match had been dropped; ignited.

Still refraining from looking at me, the side of James' mouth lifted in a grin.

I'm panting and sweating—trying not to black out so that I can concentrate on my surroundings. All the while, my body boldly urged to push him on the floor and drink him up like a sweet elven wine.

Yeah; I'm definitely normal.

As the night progressed and the audience clapped, James released my hand. "That was pretty good, huh?" He inquired and chuckled when he saw the expression on my face. "Princess?"

"Perverted alien Prince," I grumbled, awkwardly shifting in my seat and feeling discomfort in the warmth situated between my legs. Merlin, it felt like I was in heat. Pathetic.

Mikasa bounced happily up to me, eyes shinning and twisting her index finger to her cheek*.

I laughed at her slyness, "You think that because you're adorable that you can have candy before dinner." In sign language, I shortly teased her and rubbed her rabbit eared head.

Mikasa turned her big brown eyes on James, amping up the pouty expression as she signed for candy again.

"You little punk... Think again, small fry!" I tickled her sides until she was squealing loudly.

James laughed at the exchange, "What are your plans for dinner?"

Hugging Mikasa tightly against me, until she squirmed and playfully feigned biting me. "I'm afraid I might not make it that long. I'm being eaten already after all."

James appeared bashful, running a hand through his hair. "May I treat the two of you? If you don't have anything in mind, aside from being devoured."

"Sure," I whispered back, avoiding his eyes as I remembered his hand wrapped around mine in the darkness of the auditorium. "Um, thank you for coming."

"Thank you for having me," was his soft reply.

James looked back and observed her silently, gesturing for them to move outside along with the crowd.

Once outdoors, it was noticeably chillier than when we arrived.

A gust of wind scattered the leaves at their feet and James blinked, glancing around thoughtfully. After a moment, his mouth quirked into a small smile. "How can I tell her it was an excellent play and that she did well?"

"Huh?"

"Mikasa," he nodded his head towards the child as he said her name. "How do I tell her in sign language?"

My heart warmed at the request. "Here," I murmured, pulling myself away from Mikasa and standing behind James. "Just something simple for now. First, twist these two fingers on this hand and down the center of your chest. Good."

As I spoke and guided James' hands through the motions, feeling our hearts thump together against his back. "That means 'I feel' and now clasp your hands together like this. That means 'happy," I finally concluded the lesson with the sign for 'well done.'

Mikasa squealed again, tackling into us and severing any potential moment. Bounding from side to side in her costume, she signed the words "Thank you."

Consumed with the effortless happy image, I could not resist the smile playing on my lips. "What dark magic is this?" I laughed, tears slightly pricking the back of my eyes.

How could this man, Mr. Nobody Really, fit so easily between us—as though he'd always been rooted in that place. How could I allow this?

And why did my heart ache for it so much?

A/N:

I don't own Harry Potter!

Man oh man, this progression feels slower in writing it out. What did everyone think of James? Yona and the tidbit about her ex? Please review so I know I'm not in the dark. I like hearing what others think, or if they have any suggestions!

*it's sign language for candy.