The day we met…
Tony's point of view
She had come storming out of the finance department, her cheeks ruddy, her red-blonde hair that had been pulled into a low tight ponytail was now flyaway and unruly. My bodyguard, Happy, was standing by the reception desk, talking to Bambi Aborgast.
"I need to speak with Mr Stark immediately, this cannot wait" she hissed
"Ms…" Happy began
"Potts, Virginia Potts" she snarled brandishing her badge in his face
"Ms Potts, I'm afraid Mr Stark is very busy, you will have to schedule an appointment."
"Listen, dingbat" she growled, "This cannot wait, the very future of Stark Industries is resting upon my speaking to Mr Stark immediately."
"I'm sorry Ms Potts, that's just not possible"
She pulled out a little bottle and brandished it at him.
"I don't think you quite understand"
I took this as my cue to exit my office and step in and help Happy.
"What's going on here?"
"Are you Anthony Stark?"
"Yes I am"
"My name is Virginia Potts. Until about 10 minutes ago, I was employed by your finance department. I got fired for pointing out your stupidity or carelessness or recklessness."
"Ms Potts, I am many things, stupid is not one of them, I can assure you."
"That's as may be, but you certainly are careless and reckless!"
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"It means that you miscalculated one of your major projects budgets and if you don't rectify the mistake at once you're going to go bankrupt"
"Show me"
She showed me the mistake.
"Ms Potts, I would like to apologise to you on behalf of my finance department, you did not deserve to be fired and humiliated like that. I will be speaking to Audrey Fischer about her treatment of you, that's for darned sure. I would like to hire you as my personal assistant."
"Thank you" she squeaked, "I would like the job"
"I think you'll be very good at it. There's just one tiny thing"
"Yes?"
"What was in the bottle?"
She turned and looked at Happy over her shoulder and then blushing she turned sheepishly back to me and said "Pepper spray, I carry it for emergencies"
I couldn't help but laugh as she blushed even more.
"Hmmm…" I murmured, "I think the name Pepper suits you"
She giggled, and a memory came flooding back to me…
*FLASHBACK*
"Ms Potts has been expelled Mr Stark, Professor Dumbledore was very very clear… thievery is not tolerated at this school"
"Professor McGonagall Pepper is innocent, I know she's innocent..."
Where did that memory come from?