AN: So here 'tis. The next Chapter. Sorry I took so long! I was a bit unsure how to write this one, but hopefully you will enjoy it. It's Mainly just a bit of Brotherly bonding time.
Never fear! The next chapter will hopefully have some serious action...Probably…Really, the characters are just being rather lazy and dragging their feet. I'll try to tell them to get on with it… ;)
(JSP p.o.v)
Sitting in a seedy Muggle pub in the heart of London, some two hours after I rang that bell, Al and I were a least three beers down before either of us said anything, aside from ordering another round.
"So," Albus said, breaking the silence, a hint of a smirk playing at his lips. "That could have gone better, yeah?"
"You think?" I replied, dryly, rolling my eyes. "I'm pretty sure it couldn't have gone any worse, Al."
"Oh let's not be pessimistic, Jamie," Albus said "you have to admit, it was a little amusing."
"It was not!" I gave him what I'd like to think was an extremely withering glare. He was rather un-phased.
"It was side-splittingly hysterical, James, don't be grouchy." Albus shook his head mockingly.
"Yes. I can see how you might think so Ally, considering you weren't the one having things thrown at your head."
Honestly, I'd forgotten how dramatic our mother could be when wound up. "But seeing as I was the one that nearly had their skull split open, you'll have to forgive me for being slightly cantankerous."
"The key word in that statement being 'nearly', James,'" Albus shot back, "You didn't have your skull split open, Jamie. You nearly did. I'd say that's a reason to celebrate: another round, yeah?"
He signalled to the bar and within a few moments we had full glasses replacing our empty ones.
We were quite a few more drinks in and rather well on the way to sloshed before Albus spoke again. Draining his glass he said
"So, speaking of Split skulls, you wanna tell me how I got mine?"
Despite his rather legless state, Albus had grown quite serious, though there was nothing particularly accusatory about his tone and there seemed to be only curiosity on his gaze.
"I mean, I wouldn't ask, but I was, you know, unconscious at the time. Apparently, it was all very dramatic."
"Albus." Oh Merlin, how the hell was I supposed to explain this? "No one believed me when this first happened and you were at the house before, no one was listening to me then either. I know you deserve an explanation, more than that, so do Teddy and Vic, but I can't say anything I haven't already tried to. What difference is it going to make?"
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. Honestly, this was hopeless.
"James…" Al began, but I cut him off. He didn't understand. How could he?
"No, Albus, Its ok" I said, "This was a mistake. Thank you for inviting me to the party and I truly am happy for you guys, but I think that I should just go now."
And I really was going to. I was going to go back to Sage, pack and then leave. I started to stand, reaching for my wallet to pay the bill, but was prevented from doing so by Albus yanking on my arm, forcing me back down into the booth.
I've never liked being forced to do anything. When I make my mind up about something, usually, it's exactly what I'll do. I shot Albus a glare, ready to tell him where to go, but was surprised to see, for the first time today, genuine anger flash in eyes.
"You're not going anywhere, James." Albus said evenly, holding my gaze as though he were trying to stare me down.
"Excuse me?" I asked coldly. I wanted to leave. Now what the hell was I still doing here?
"You heard what I said." Albus replied, unflinchingly, "You're not going anywhere. Not yet."
"Oh and you're sure of that are you?"
I was angry now. He had no right to tell me I shouldn't go. "And why, Albus? You're feeling left out are you? Haven't had your chance to yell and scream at me yet and now you want your turn? Is that it? Because if it is, go ahead. In fact, I'm sure Mum's got a few vases at home you could throw; shall we head back there now?"
There was a couple in the booth next to us that were staring. Honesty, couldn't anyone have a private conversation with their brother in a pub these days? Perhaps I should have lowered my voice.
Albus stared at me for a few long unblinking seconds. I turned to leave again, and then,
"Fuck You." I turned back around.
"What did you say to me?"
Now, despite the fact that I may or may not have been being the slightest of arseholes right now, I really have never appreciated being told to fuck off, especially not by my little brother.
"You seem to be having trouble hearing tonight, Jamie, I told you to Fuck off."
Albus still looked pissed, but there was something in the way he was glaring at me that came off slightly amused, like he was intentionally goading me. Which, thinking about it later, he probably was. I leaned over the table, closer to him.
"You don't get to say that to me." I said sharply. He didn't. He had no right.
"Oh and why the hell not, James?" Al snapped right back. "You're being a fucking idiot. You don't even let me get two words in before for you try and shut me out."
"That's because I don't want to talk about it!" I yelled.
Yep. The couple in the next booth were definitely staring now. "I don't need another person that I love telling me what a shit human being I am because they don't believe one single fucking word that comes out of my mouth!"
"I barely even know what happened, James!" Albus shouted straight back. "I don't remember anything and that lot barely told me shit! I woke up in a hospital bed with pounding headache and a missing brother!"
When his voice broke slightly over his last two words I felt like someone had stuck a knife into my stomach. I didn't know how to respond, but was saved, in a sense, from having to answer when we were rudely interrupted by that God damned couple that couldn't mind their own business.
"Excuse me," 'Mr I Don't Give A Shit What His Name Is' said. "But I think that you should both leave, you're disrupting the peace and quiet."
His partner, a twenty-something year old, with bleach blonde hair and a neckline cut so low I was tempted to conjure her a blanket, nodded vigorously in agreement with the stupid ponce.
Albus raised his eyebrows slightly, glancing pointedly around the rowdy bar and over to where some bloke was throwing up in a pot plant by the door.
"And I think," He shot back, "That no-one asked for comments from the peanut gallery and that you should just shut the fuck up." We may have just been arguing, but I love my brother.
The couple looked rather affronted. I have no idea why.
I snorted. Shooting Albus an amused look, I flopped back down into my seat. He followed suit.
"Can you just tell me what happed, James?" he asked quietly. So I did.
It was a long story that took quite a few more drinks to get through. Albus simply listened to what I said, nodding at the appropriate times but didn't interrupt.
"Ok" he said, once I'd finished. "I believe you."
"What?" I asked incredulously.
"James." Al said seriously. "I think you really need to get your ears checked." When I didn't respond but just stared at him. Albus sighed. "James I believe you, ok? I'm sorry you've had to go through all of this and I I'm sorry that no one has listened to you. But you have no idea how glad I am that you came back. We'll go back to the house now and we'll sort this all out."
"We can't go back, Al.." He started to protest. "Albus. We can't go back yet."
"Why the hell not?" He asked loudly, trying to stand up but stumbling and falling back down into his seat. I laughed.
"That's why, Albus." I replied. "Can you imagine what Mum and Dad would think of me if we rocked up there like this?" I burst out laughing again and Albus joined in.
"Ok...ok...we won't go back ..." He managed to get out between laughs, "What are we doing instead?"
"We'll go back to mine, stay the night and then go back in the morning." He nodded in agreement.
We stumbled out of the pub together, laughing as we tried to stay upright. I hailed a taxi and gave the driver the address of Sage and my Hotel. Even in my more than slightly alcohol induced delirium, I knew it was probably better that we didn't apparate. Imagine I brought Albus home splinched? Ha.
Things were looking a hell of a lot brighter than they were a few hours ago. I had Albus back. I had my brother back- and right now? Right now, that was all I needed.
-END-
Anyhoo, tell me what you think and/or what you would like to see happen. Xox
Next chapter will hopefully have more of the Potter/Weasley clan, hopefully something from Lily's POV, and you'll get to read what happened when James first rang that bell….duhn duhn duhnnnnn… heheh ;)
-SSMPP-