Thursday December 10th
Potter house, downstairs study
12:32 pm
- - -
"Dad?"
Eight-year-old Albus Severus Potter stood in the doorway of his father's study and looked in. His father looked up from his work and visibly flinched at the sight of his youngest son.
"Al'?" Harry Potter got up from his desk and made his way quickly over to Albus. Stopping in front of him he bent down and looked at his son before asking calmly, "What happened to you?"
Albus looked down at himself. He was completely covered in a green, sticky, gooey substance; from the top of his dark head to the bottom of his feet. Al could feel it dripping off him. Everywhere. He ignored his father's question and instead brushed a strand of gooey covered hair out of his eyes before saying angrily, "I know what I want for Christmas."
If his father thought that was an odd statement for him to make covered in goo, he didn't say anything. Nor did his face change. Instead, Albus watched as his father simply waved his wand and muttered "Scourgify", cleaning Albus off completely and allowing him to finish his thought.
"I want one less brother," ended Albus as the goo disappeared.
Harry sighed and looked at his middle child wearily. "Did James do this to you?" he asked, taking in the murderous expression on Albus' face.
Albus nodded and was ashamed to feel tears come to his eyes. Embarrassed, he turned away and wiped them hastily, hoping his father wouldn't noticed. Unfortunately, his father did and Albus felt a strong hand cup his chin and turn his face softly towards him, as emerald eyes met emerald eyes.
"Albus," began Harry gently, "What's wrong son?"
Albus felt the tears come even more and this time, he didn't even attempt to stop them. "I hate being a middle child," exclaimed Albus tearfully as he stared at his feet, too afraid to watch his father's face. "I'm always getting picked on by James or I'm being forced to play baby games with Lily. It's not fair!"
A long moment passed. In the ensuring silence Albus' stomach tightened and he sneaked a peek at his father, fearful of what he might find. He was surprised to his father regarding him thoughtfully, his face impassive. "You're right," said Harry, "It's not fair."
Albus looked at his father in shock, surprised that his dad actually agreed with him. His relief was short lived however, as Harry placed a hand on his young son's shoulders and led him to a nearby chair before saying cautiously, "But life's not fair Al'."
Albus almost groaned out loud, having heard that saying before. Going up in a household with James and Lily for siblings, his parents were often shouting, er…saying that phrase a lot. His shoulders slumped and he continued to sit in the chair, dreading what his dad was going to say next. He was taken by surprise though, when his father pulled up the chair next to him, sat down and simply asked, "So what happened today?"
Albus started to watch his feet as he answered. "I was in my room playing with my broom set," said Albus, referring to the tiny replica set of different brooms he was given for his birthday earlier in the year, "And James came in and asked me if I wanted to go outside and play Quidditch. I told him no. I didn't want to play Dad!" he exclaimed, glancing up at his father.
Harry nodded and waited for his son to continue.
"But James got mad. Really, really mad. He started calling me names and said I was a baby for playing with dolls. Even though brooms aren't dolls and he has a set himself. And when I told him that he glared and kicked my brooms. And then…" Albus voice trailed off and he avoided his father's gaze, too ashamed to tell him what happened next.
Albus could feel his father sigh long before he actually did. "Albus," his dad said warningly, "Look at me."
Albus did and was not surprised to find his father looking at him with that you-better-tell-me-or else expression on his face. Groaning, because he knew better then to disobey his father, Albus finished as quickly as he could, "And then I told James he was a big poopy head and his face got big and red and he shouted and I shouted and then next thing I knew James was covered in spots and I was covered in goo."
Albus took a deep breath and waited for his father to yell. Instead he heard nothing. Peeking up at him, he was pleasantly surprised to notice the slightest glimpse of a smile appear on his father's face. "James is covered in spots?" asked Harry, more to himself then anyone else.
Albus nodded and said cautiously, "Big warty spots."
Albus watched his father sigh and drag a hand over his face, as if he was tired. Lifting his hand, Harry regarded his son thoughtfully. "Albus, do you know what day it is?"
Albus was surprised. "Um…Thursday?"
"Yes, it's Thursday. But today is also Freddie's birthday. And do you remember how old your cousin turns today?"
Emerald eyes opened in shock as Albus started to realize what his father was trying to say. "Eleven?" he asked, somewhat hesitantly.
Harry nodded. "Yes. And he already flooed over here and talked to James, crowing about getting his Hogwarts letter."
Comprehension dawned across Albus' face. "Oh, and James is miffed because Fred got his Hogwarts letter already and he has to wait until May to get his?" he asked.
"Yes," said Harry in agreement. "And do you think maybe that's why he was so mean to you today? Because he feels left out?"
"I supposed," said Albus, grudgingly. "But Dad," he looked at his father questionably; "He shouldn't have ruined my toys and yelled at me."
"No. You are absolutely, he shouldn't have. And I will talk to him about that later. But what I want you to understand Al," here Harry placed a hand on Albus shoulder as he continued talking, "Is that there are two sides to every story. And sometimes you need to listen to them before you jump to the wrong conclusions. Okay?"
Albus nodded, his anger at his brother slightly abated. "Okay," he muttered softly. "And Dad?" he added.
Albus looked at his father nervously before continuing, "I'm sorry I covered James in spots. I didn't mean to. I just got so angry."
Harry raised his eyebrows in acknowledgement. "I don't think you should be apologizing to me son. I think you should say that to James. Speaking of your brother, where did he run off to?"
A small smile crept up Albus' face. "I think I saw him go into the bathroom. He was crying."
"Albus!"
"Sorry Dad," replied Albus, though truthfully, he wasn't very sorry at all. It wasn't often he had the chance to see his older brother cry. Especially when he was covered in ugly spots.
"Well, come on Al'," his father said as he stood up from chair, "I've got to go fix your brother and you have to apologize to him. Nicely," he added.
"Fine" muttered Albus as he slipped off his chair and followed his father out the door, still thinking about thoughtfully. It wasn't until they started to climb the stairs that Albus spoke again, "But Dad, I still mean what I said about Christmas."
Harry looked at his son in surprise. "But why?" he asked, confusion evident on his face. "I thought you weren't mad at James anymore."
"I'm not. But that doesn't mean I don't want his toys," replied Albus, with his first real smile of the day.
"Albus!" groaned Harry. "Sometimes, I think you children will be the death of me."
Albus looked at his father innocently. "Us?" he smiled broadly as he pointed to a picture of him and his siblings hanging on the wall. "Never."
Harry's loud "Hmmp!" filled the hallway.
Author's Note: Yes, I know, not as fluffy as the previous ones but having grown up in a household with five children I learned early on that fighting doesn't necessarily stop just because it's the holidays. In fact, sometimes, it's even worse!