Kate Potter

“Harry is on a quest to save Hermione from a dragon. Problem: the dragon doesn’t have a hoard of gold, but of rare books, so Hermione doesn’t want to be rescued. Solution: Seduce Hermione so that she has a reason to leave. Twist: There is no dragon. It’s a construct Hermione created so people would leave her alone to read.”

Remus can hear Harry shrieking in delight, the sound of splashing water, of Sirius’ roaring laughter and then Padfoot’s yapping. He knows that for his own sanity he should probably keep away from the bathroom but he can’t help himself, sneaking down the hallway from Harry’s room that he had been tidying.

He nudges the door open with his foot, peaking in through the doorway and even though he thought he was prepared, he feels himself pale slightly at the sight that greets him.

Harry is in the tub, not that it matters much because most of the bathroom is covered in water, at least an inch of it on the floor, and Sirius is sitting cross-legged on in the middle of it, looking very much like a wet dog, black hair plastered to his head and the white tee shirt he’s wearing is mostly see-through and clinging to his chest and–

Remus stops that train of thought abruptly, physically shaking his head a little to clear it. Instead he takes in the tub, Harry’s elated appearance, his hair sticking out in all directions.

”Padfoot,” he says, faintly, and two sets of eyes turn to look at him, one pair silvery grey and the other one bright green.

”Moony!” Harry shrieks, ecstatic, throwing himself against the edge of the tub as he makes a move to climb out, making the water slosh over the edge.

”Wow, okay, easy there, mate,” Sirius laughs, catching him with an around the toddler’s waist, holding him back.

Harry doesn’t seem to mind much, slumping back into sitting with a splash.

”Moony, look!” Harry says, excitedly, before turning to Sirius again, green eyes wide and pleading. ”Do it again, Pa’foot!”

Sirius grins, widely, throwing Remus’ a half-apologetic, half-guilty look before he turns back to Harry. He winks at the boy, tapping the side of the tub with his wand and colourful bubbles begin to rise from it.

They rise quickly, overflowing, spilling onto the floor, Harry shrieking in delight as he dives into them, emerging seconds later with silky bubbles in all of the rainbow’s colours clinging to his hair and skin.

”Moony, bubbles!” Harry says, sounding almost awed, scooping up a handful and holding them out towards Remus.

Sirius is watching him, eyes dancing.

”Yes, look Moony. Bubbles.”

Remus’ lips twitches a little, unable not to smile as he takes in their overjoyed face, their drenched appearances, both of them with flushed cheeks and shining eyes. He feels something hot expand in his chest as he huffs out a laugh.

”Yeah,” he says, a little faintly. ”Bubbles.”

Lost In A Book