Written for Pairing the Character - Character: Alice

Blind Date

James/Alice

James shifted nervously in his seat as Alice McKinnon approached the table, a small blue purse in her hands. He stood up quickly, his chair scraping against the floor causing him to wince.

"James Potter. How long has it been?" Alice asked.

"Ah, I know the answer to this. Sirius helpfully pointed out that we haven't seen each other since that time in Diagon Alley a couple of weeks after Hogwarts," James replied.

Alice's eyebrows shot up as James moved around the table, pulling out the chair for her. "Thank you. Did you know this blind date was going to be with me?"

"Not until I saw you enter," James admitted. "I did find it strange how Sirius has brought your name up a couple of times earlier, but didn't connect the dots. Did you?"

"Remus assured me it was someone I'd be able to talk to, but you know how he is - very tight lipped when it comes to secrets."

James laughed. Alice had no idea how right she was. "So, would you like a drink?"

"Wine," Alice replied. "Frank has Neville this weekend so I can allow myself a drink."

"Yeah. It's not my weekend with Harry," James replied. "I have every other weekend. I mean, I'd like more, but… this is how it is."

"It's hard passing a child back and forth," Alice said softly. "I get it. Even though I was looking forward to this blind date because I trust Remus' judgement, I wasn't happy passing Neville over to Frank. Just because he's my little boy and I still find it hard being away from him."

James agreed, feeling more at ease already. He had been wary about the blind date idea, but at least he had common ground with Alice - being a single parent - and that gave them something to talk about.

"It might be a bit forward, or perhaps not forward at all since we grew up together, but perhaps… next weekend when we have our sons, we could take them to the park or something."

"James Potter, you haven't changed at all," Alice laughed, her wide smile drawing James' attention. "We've not even ordered our drinks and you're already asking me out again."

James considered her words. He hadn't meant it as a second date - just a suggestion because it could get a bit lonely taking Harry to the park by himself. But looking across the table at Alice, who he knew very well, yet barely at all, he realised that a second date sounded like a wonderful idea.

"I'm only asking if you're planning on saying yes," he replied.

"I'm only saying yes if you're packing the picnic," Alice retorted with a grin.

"Then it's a date!"

455 words