Day 19 for Countdown to Christmas

Prompt:

Stockings

Disclaimer: I don't claim anything.

"And what did you get in your stocking, James?"

The eleven year old frowned as he pulled out several pieces of what looked like black rock. "Coal?" he spat, eyes narrowed, "Why the bloody hell did you give me coal!"

Harry sighed, exasperated by his son. "First of all, we didn't give it to you. Santa did. Second of all, I bet it has something to do with that nasty language of yours. You're worst than your own mother!"

"Well I wish Mum was here!"

"James..."

"No! Don't 'James' me! It's not fair that you two got divorced. And yet, you both try to make it seem like having separate Christmas's is okay, when we could all just be with the Weasleys! It's all your fault, oh Boy-Who-Lived!" James threw the coal on the ground, stomping away. He didn't make it to the hallway before something - more like someone - crashed into him and started pummeling James.

"Don't!" Hit. "Talk!" Smack. "To!" Punch. "Dad like - oomph!"

Harry Potter got up quickly, running over to his two sons who were struggling with each other, James now having the upper hand. "James! Albus!" he yelled, using his wand to put a force field between the two. Lily had run to the far corner of the room, making as much room as possible come between her and her brothers.

James glared at his father and brother, then ran out of the room and up the stairs where everyone heard the slam of his door.

Harry did his best not to break down. "I'm sorry," he whispered, "I'm sorry we couldn't make it work. I'm sorry that she fell in love with someone else. I'm sorry that I didn't love her enough to fight for her. I'm sorry."

"Dad," Albus muttered, reaching to give his father a hug. "It's not your fault. It's no one's fault." Lily came over to them, also hugging her father. They stayed like that for a while.

o.O.o

Knock knock knock.

"James?"

No answer.

"James may I please come in?"

He heard a noise from the other side, and took it as a yes. Walking into James's room, he sat down on the bed that he was lying on. "You didn't look in the rest of your stocking, I think I saw some of your favorite Muggle candy in there," Harry said, handing over the red and white object to his son, who took it.

James didn't even bother looking in it. "I'm sorry. I don't know what came over - I just - "

"I know," Harry sighed.

James shook his head, "I know it's not your fault. And I'm sorry I called you that, I know how much you hate it."

"It's okay," Harry reached over to give James a hug, burying James's face into his shoulder. "We're going to be okay, alright? Your Mum and I... we'll make this divorce work, and you three will be happy."

"We already are."

Hm... I'm not sure where this idea came from. Very different from what I usually write.