Title: Crisis Averted
Rating: K+
Pairing(s)/Character(s): Albus Severus, James Sirius, Lily Luna
Warnings: None
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em - not making any money off 'em. Dern it.
Word Count: 574
Summary: Lily is caught between her brothers.
Notes:

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry: Music Club - Prompts Used - Plot: Family argument, Dialogue: "If only the words won't hurt, no sting, don't hurt no one." BONUS, Word: guns, Word: crossfire, Action: Hands over ears

365 Days of Drabbles Challenge: Prompt Used - Darkness

Lily closes her eyes, lets the darkness soothe her for a moment. Her hands are over her ears in a poor attempt to block out the shouting.

It doesn't work. It never works.

She reluctantly opens her eyes, and the same scene is playing before her. It's a scene she has had a front row seat to many, many times.

James and Albus are screaming at each other, and like always, Lily is caught in the crossfire. Neither of them seems to be backing down, so she decides to bring out the big guns.

"Stop!" Her sudden shout quiets them immediately. "I'll go get mum if you two don't just shut up," she threatens.

They continue glaring at each other, but they're no longer hurling insults like sharpened daggers at each other. She considers that a small win.

"Now, calmly talk to each other. What are you two fighting about this time?"

"Marcie likes Albus." He spits it out as if it's poison.

Lily blinks, and it suddenly makes sense. James has had a crush on Marcie for almost three months and to find out that she has a crush on his younger brother has to be a blow to his self-esteem.

Lily nods. "That's not Albus's fault. I'm sure he didn't encourage Marcie's attraction. He's genuinely clueless when it comes to girls. I'm not even sure he knows how to flirt."

"Please, Albus is a freak who would rather stick his nose in a book than look at girls. I can't imagine what Marcie sees in him."

Albus flinches at the insult, and Lily's heart goes out to him. She knows how much he looks up to James, despite their constant arguments, and it can't be fun for him to hear his older brother's disgust.

"If only the words won't hurt, no sting, don't hurt no one," Lily intones.

"What?" James asks.

"Words hurt, and Albus loves you. He looks up to you, and you're blaming him for something he can't control. You said it yourself. He doesn't really pay attention to girls, so how is it his fault that Marcie likes him. When she looks at him, she probably sees, a sweet, smart boy. That's not an act; it's who Albus is. Marcie is you fourth? Fifth crush? You'll get over her like you get over all the others, but you only have one brother. Maybe you should start treating him nicer."

James sighs and scratches the back of his hair. "Your right, Lily. Like always."

Lily smiles, proud of herself. "Do you have something you want to say?"

"Albus, I'm sorry. I was wrong. You have a lot of qualities that girls find attractive, including being a genuinely nice guy. I was jealous, but it really wasn't your fault."

"I forgive you, but I have to be honest. I kind of like the fact that Marcie likes me." James opens his mouth, but Albus hurries on before James can renew their fight. "Not because I'm interested in her, because I'm not, but I'm not used to girls liking me, especially if my big brother is an option for them. It feels good." He shrugs.

James rolls his eyes. "Come on, I'm going to give you some tips on girls, so you can get your own, and stop stealing mine."

The two of them leave the room.

Lily rolls her eyes and under her breath, she mutters, "Boys."

Another crisis is averted.