James was able to read early on, earlier than most of his friends. It surprised a lot of his peers, more so his parents than anyone, because he'd been struggling initially. He'd put up a fight, but suddenly one day, he'd managed to read an entire passage without blundering. His mum was quite shocked, and frankly, pleased as well.
"Good job," she'd said, ruffling her son's untidy hair (Merlin, irony was really ruthless - her husband had invented something to tame hair, and yet, they'd had a son with untamable hair).
James beamed.
(The Potters were woefully uninformed about soulmates, just that they existed, but they had no idea that fate was interfering with their son in the best way possible.)
Lily was absolutely clumsy from the day she was born. She was adept at tripping over air, tripping up the stairs, and she hated it. She already stood out because of her red hair, and her poor reflexes earned her scandalized looks.
According to her peers, she was supposed to be a proper lady, graceful and poised, yet she managed to defy those standards from the moment she was born.
But then inexplicably, she started not tripping. She became better at athletics, joining the girls' lacrosse team. Her coach had been reluctant to give her a spot, given her maladroitness, but she'd proven herself otherwise at tryouts.
Her life turned around even more on her eleventh birthday.
James scampered eagerly behind his father, glancing around the station, his eyes wide. He saw parents bidding farewell to their children, kissing them goodbye, giving them heartfelt hugs.
The train whistle blew warningly, signalling five minutes until departure.
"Well, farewell, James," Fleamont said formally. Euphemia pushed him forward. "Say goodbye properly!" she scolded.
"Goodbye," he repeated, awkwardly embracing his son. James, in return, fervently threw his arms around his father.
"Bye, Daddy!" he chirped. Fleamont relaxed in his grip for a few seconds, before James pulled away and started hauling his trunk aboard the train - all by himself.
"He really is something, isn't he?" Euphemia said fondly, gazing at her son with affection.
"He really is," Fleamont murmured.
Seven years later
"...and that's how she fell for me!" James concluded, a big smile on his face. "It was a combination of my dashing good looks, my charm, and my— "
"— stupidity," Lily interrupted him, rolling her eyes. "The prat decided he had to serenade me in front of everyone. Simultaneously horrifying and endearing."
Euphemia chuckled, side-eying Fleamont. "Sounds like we both fell in love with excessive romancers."
"Hey!" Fleamont looked offended. "It worked! I made you swoon!"
Euphemia rolled her eyes. "Let's let him believe that, shall we?" she whispered to Lily, who giggled.
"What did you do?" James asked, interested.
"He set off some fireworks at supper," Euphemia said, sighing. "And then he got down on one knee and asked if I could be his girlfriend."
"And what did you say?"
Lily facepalmed. Euphemia pursed her lips. Fleamont sighed.
"What?" James asked, apparently nonplussed.
Three voices said in unison - "What do you think?"
(Apparently, James didn't share Lily's intelligence.)
517 words
Romance Awareness - You share talents with your soulmate.
Sophie's Tearoom - Chicken Salad Wrap: (word) Swoon
