Chapter Text
“This is stupid!”
“James” reprimanded Harry from across the room raising his eyebrows in challenge. “We’ve been over this” he added.
“Yeah, yeah, we can’t trust you, you’ve done stupid things before blah blah blah we get it” he retorted ; anger laced into every word.
“James don’t be snarky with your father” Ginny said, having walked into the living room just moments before.
“But mum I’m 15 we really don’t need Teddy to babysit us and besides Al’s here as well and you’ve got to admit that nothing will happen if he’s around. “James don’t even try, you know as well as I do that your a bad influence on your brother” she replied “ plus it’s not you that needs looking after it’s Lily: she’s only 12 remember.”
“I’m not a child mum” Lily interjected from where she sat on the other side of the living room, though the effect was ruined by the fact that she sat with her arms crossed pouting. Harry glanced at her “Oh hi Lily I forgot you were in here seeing as you were so quiet, I thought you of all people would be protesting having Teddy come here?” James snorted “ Lily quiet! You’ve got to be joking, Merlin, is Lily ever quiet?”
“HEY!!! I can be quiet, I just choose to let my voice be heard” she sat up straighter “people actually want to hear what I have to say unlike someone I know” looking at James as she said this. “ Pffffft who doesn’t want to hear my awesome voice I’m —“
“ME AT THE MOMENT!” Ginny interrupted raising her voice and essentially ending the needless argument. “Now stop arguing. Your father and I are going out for a nice dinner and Teddy’s coming here to make sure none of you do anything stupid and that’s final. Now I’ve got to get go ready. Lily honey can you please open the door for Teddy once he gets here because he left his house key.” With that, she walked out of the room, her long red ponytail swishing behind her small frame. The door shut behind her.
“Dad—“
Harry cut him off before he could try arguing again.“No James, your mums word is final, and anyway you should be happy to see your brother.”
“ I am, I love Teddy, I just hate being treated like a dumb little kid: I’M 15 NOT 5 AND NEITHER ARE LILY OR AL”
Harry sighed wearily rubbing his face in his hands. “I know James we just want you to be safe. You too Lily”
“We know dad” Lily supplied, “Cheer up Jamie, Teddy coming means we can play 2v2 quidditch!”
“Yeah guess so” his smile brightened considerably” Ted’s useless on a broom so it’ll be funny when he falls off”
“You shouldn’t be wishing for someone to fall of their broom guys” Harry added.
“We’re not wishing: we already know it’ll happen” said James cheerfully.
Harry sighed in defeat and looked up resigned “Just don’t stay out too late” With that he left the room as well.
“WE WON’T!” Lily called after him, “Have fun on your date dad”
As an afterthought, “no more kids though, can’t risk having another James”.
“Rude” the boy in question pouted at her.
“Not if it’s true” shrugging her shoulders before running out of the living room when James leapt up to chase her. Giggling madly she sprinted up the stairs preceding to barrel straight into a dark-haired figure atop them, his nose inch deep in a book.
“Godric, watch where you going Lily” the dark-haired figure gasped, while steadying himself with the bannister. Moments later James came barrelling up the stairs as well but stopped short when he saw Lily sprawled on the floor with a fallen book on her face.
“He he, sorry Al guess Lily didn’t see ya there” The dark haired boy named Al rolled his eyes and preceded to pick up his fallen book then offer out a hand to Lily.
“I figured that out myself, funnily enough James”
They both burst out laughing as Lily huffed from beneath them. “Glad this is a joke to you two.” She grabbed Al’s offered hand, picked herself up and turned to face them, crossing her arms dramatically and looking eerily like their mother in doing so. “I’d like to see you laughing when you fall flat on your ass” she added. “Well I’m not stupid enough too” he retorted.
Before she could reply, a loud ding piercing the hostile silence alerted them to someone’s arrival. The three of them trundled down the stairs and passed a few doors before entering a large, well-lit hallway that had the distinct impression of being lived in. Lily stepped forward and opened the large wooden double door.
“Watcha!” exclaimed a tall young man with vibrant blue hair, brown eyes and a heart shaped face, a big smile spread across it.
“Hey Teddy,” Lily replied before he pulled her in for a hug.
“Long time no see Tedster” James joked winking as he did so.
Teddy rolled his eyes in an Al-like gesture. “I saw you 2 days ago at the weekly Weasley dinner lil bro” he responded in good spirits.
“What’s got you in such a good mood Teddy?” Al questioned, changing the subject.
“Oh Merlin, you didn’t have sex with Vic before this did you” Lily asked. She wrinkled her nose in disgust, “You did didn’t you, that’s gross Teddy” her tone getting more high pitched by the second. “N-no” he retorted weakly.
Albus cut in before she could reply. “Can we please not talk about this? We’re having dinner in an hour and I don’t want to be put off my meal.
“Yeah of coarse, good call Al” the young man supplied looking way to relieved for someone claiming to be innocent.
“TEDDY IS THAT YOU?” came a call from upstairs.
“COMING MUM” he shouted back before walking further into the manor. James, Al and Lily followed behind him.